Thor Spin-Offs?

Similar to the world of Iron Man, Thor is loaded with many heroes. While I believe we'll be introduced to many of these heroes in the first film. We might need a sequel and a few spin-offs to fully explore them and Asgard. Considering we'll be mostly seeing Thor on Earth to give reason why he's joining the Avengers. Granted this might be premature since the first film has yet to start production. Knowing Marvel they've been thinking about this as well during casting. They seem to add these supporting characters in the hopes to create spin-offs. While I believe there will be a Thor sequel I feel they'll try to keep him on Earth for a couple of films. So why not expand the mythology with the supporting characters? Here are some ideas for spin-offs.


THE WARRIORS THREE: Their name even seems like the perfect blockbuster title. Sort of Norse version of the three musketeers and their adventures could be the stepping stone for more films set in Asgard, expanding the mythology.


They're played by Ray Stevenson (Volstagg), Tadanobu Asano (Hogun) and Stuart Townsend (Fandral).


I could see Hemidall played by Idris Elba becoming their fourth warrior.



SIF: While I think we'll see a Black Widow film first, Sif could be another prime female Marvel character to get her own movie. That's of course if Sif is showcased enough in the film. I could see her teaming up with Valkyrie.


Jamie Alexander plays Sif


VALKYRIE: The character has yet to be announced as being included in the film but she's been popular enough to end up with her own solo series. The thing is that she's human so that could be interesting to see her transformation from mortal to Asgardian warrior.


Jessica Biel (A-Team) was rumored for a role in the film, it wouldn't surprise me if they wanted her for Valkyrie.

POSSIBLE VILLAINS (Casting Thoughts)



Olivia Wilde (Tron Legacy) as Enchantress


Rachel Weisz (Lovely Bones) as Hela


Ray Winstone (Edge of Darkness) as Executioner


Frost Giants: I have a feeling they might make an appearance in Thor but if not they would make for great a threat to Asgard in the future. This would of course open things up so that we could start seeing more Lord of Rings type Marvel films.

NEWS/RUMORS (Nov 30th)

Marvel Studios has released the first official Iron Man 2 poster, which shows us our first glimpse of Warmachine. This leads me to believe we'll be seeing a trailer in the next week or so.


Jeremy Renner (Hurt Locker) talked to SuperHeroHype about his recent reveal of testing for the role of Clint Barton aka Hawkeye. He mentions that Marvel is waiting on a director for Avengers, the film where the character will be featured. So it doesn't look like we'll see him in Iron Man 2, Thor or Captain America. He also mentions his thoughts on Marvel Studios' take on the character.

"I haven't heard anything since I talked to them three weeks ago," he admitted. "The last I knew is that they still have to find their director for 'The Avengers,' that's where he's really going to show up. They were just talking, 'Like maybe we should consider maybe hiring Hawkeye now' but there's no director on 'Avengers' so they don't really want to force-feed the director, 'Here's the whole cast.' It's a big role so they didn't want to do that to the director, so I think they might wait. I know they're interested, I'm interested, so we'll see if it works out."

"They sold me on the idea, too, because I love the idea that Hawkeye's really not a superhero," Jeremy told us. "He's just a man with a high skill set, so I can relate to (that). The Marvel guys are great for how they made Iron Man to be, 'Oh, that's actually plausible' so I bought it and I love that. They're really, really smart guys and I'd love to work for 'em, and we'll see if it works out."

"Yeah, but it's going to be modernized, it's not going to be the guy with the big purple (mask), it's not going to be a guy in tights. It's going to be a guy in sunglasses and a vest. He's going to be more modernized and I'm gonna say, 'A cooler-looking version' and not the big weird costume he had on. I don't think they're going that route."


Ryan Reynolds has been talking to MTV about his thoughts on the upcoming Green Lantern film. He spoke earlier about the costume fittings, now he's taking origin story. The film has been previously compared to Iron Man so it's not surprising they're referencing it. Reynolds is a charismatic actor similar to Robert Downey Jr., which should bode well for Hal Jordan. Although with director Martin Campbell behind the project there are already massively high expectations. He does make a good point bout most origin films, they lagg for the first act or two before we actually see some action.

"I think you walk away from this first film, and the moments that you remember and the moments that mean so much to you, not unlike Iron Man, are the moments where the guy's not in the suit,....It is [an origin story] to a certain degree, but it's not a labored origin story, where the movie [truly] begins in the third act... We find out Hal is the guy fairly early on, and the adventure begins."


There is talk that director Paul Greengrass (Green Zone) won't be returning for Bourne 4. This isn't surprising, like most directors Greengrass wants to keep making different films. It isn't all bad news for the Bourne franchise since Greengrass himself was the replacement for Doug Liman. Who directed The Bourne Identity but decided not to return for Supremacy. I'm sure if they hire the right director they could expand and improve the series as Greengrass did.


Empire has released a very slick new poster for 44 Inch Chest.


Here's a promo trailer for Brooklyn's Finest, which looks as good if not better than Training Day.

UPDATE: John Hillcoat's The Promised Land (2010-2011)

Director John Hillcoat (The Road) and writer/musician Nick Cave will re-team again for an adaptation of The Wettest Country In The World, now retitled The Promised Land. They previously worked together on the eerily amazing Australian western The Proposition. Nick Cave didn't just write the screenplay he also scored the film, I would expect him to have dual duties again with this one as well. The story follows three brothers at the center of the moonshine trade during the depression with a parallel story about a writer reporting on the trade.




Ryan Gosling (Half Nelson), Amy Adams (Doubt) and Shia LaBeouf (Wallstreet 2) have been confirmed to be starring in the film. According to a promotional poster at the American Film Market. Other actors who have shown interest included Scarlett Johansson (Lost In Translation), Michael Shannon (Shotgun Stories) and Paul Dano (There Will Be Blood).

UPDATE: Deadpool (2011)

Deadpool is one of the comic to film projects I've been most curious about. This being the fourth time writing about it, mostly updates and casting thoughts. While there have yet to be announcements to casting, writer or director. There were confirmations from producer Lauren Shuler Donner that the film would be a reboot of the character, focusing on the comics. Meaning, that Deadpool will take it's lead from the original comics, rather than the haphazard Wade Wilson story from X-Men Origins. Donner also mentioned the possibility of Black Tom, Blind Al and Weasel being featured in the film.With Ryan Renyolds filming Green Lantern first, it gives Fox the amount of time to revise a script and lineup a solid director. One part violent gunplay actioner, one part comedy breaking the fourth wall, the film could be a new breed of comic book movies. Deadpool understands he's a comic book character and comments on that fact, along with real world pop culture references. I could see the cast having more comedians rather than acomplished dramatic actors.


UPDATE: Producer Lauren Shuler Donner met with Deadpool's co-creator Rob Liefeld. Liefeld revealved some information from the meeting via his Twitter account. Most of it was confirmation to fans that 20th Century Fox was on board with making a faithful Deadpool film. We could even see an R rated Deadpool movie by the sounds of things. Along with a possible Cable movie down the line.

"Deadpool movie checklist- DP in costume-check! Breaking 4th wall-check! Loads of killing-double check!.....Deadpool movie- YES! Ryan Reynolds is on board!!!...Also excited to discuss possibilities of Cable in future X-films!!!"


Scott Adkins who did such an amazing job as Ryan's stunt double in Wolverine might return.

CASTING THOUGHTS


Betty White as Blind Al


Jonathan Rhys Myers (From Paris With Love, MI3) as Balck Tom Cassidy


Seth Green (Italian Job) as Weasel


Tony Jaa (Ong Bak 2) as Alex Hayden/Nijo/Agent X


Donnie Yen (Blade 2, Red Cliff) as Shen Kuei/The Cat

UPDATE: X-Men 4 (2012-2013)

Producer Lauren Shuler Donner has confirmed plans for making the fourth X-Men film. While the newer cast members have been signed the older cast has not. I would have expected this would have been a priority for Fox after Wolverine 2 and Deadpool. Yet it seems First Class will be made before the fourth film.


Bryan Singer has stated he'd love to return to the X-Men franchise. He's hinted at directing Wolverine 2, X-Men: First Class and X-Men 4. Personally I think First Class would be a wasted project for him. Fans feel Singer needs to make up for leaving the third film to Brett Ratner. Let's hope they get a solid script and are able to talk Singer into returning. Zack Synder was originally attached to Wolverine but had to leave to direct Watchmen instead. It would be interesting to see Synder take on the franchise.


Wolverine is the major factor in the X-Men franchise so he has to be returning. I'd love to see Hank McCoy (Beast) and Nightcrawler make a return as well. I'm not so sure if Fox will be able to get cast members like Ellen Page (Kitty Pryde/Shadowcat) and Anna Paquin (Rogue). Since they've become more popular and might be asking for more money. I think that Fox would also like to introduce new characters as they do with each installment. Some interesting additions would be Cable, Bishop and Scarlet Witch. Also Jubilee who has had cameos could take a bigger role in the next film.


One complaint from fans is the fact we haven't seen the infamous love connection between Rogue and Gambit. Now that Gambit has been established in the series it could finally happen. It would also be interesting to see Rogue develop the powers she has in the comics. Her ability to fly and super-strength hasn't been used yet, perhaps that can be developed in the next film.


The covert government operation which was started by Col. William Striker to have mutants registered could lead to someone taking up his work. Developing it into the Sentinel program and creating Master Mold. A super intelligent cyborg who builds an army of robots programed to hunt down and capture dangerous mutants. Bolivar Trask the inventor of the Sentinels appeared in X3 and was played by Bill Duke (Predator). If he has already been inserted as being an established character it could make sense that they would bring him back.



A Sentinel was teased in X3 during the training program in the danger room. If one was tough to take down one, imagine a whole army of them.


While the Sentinels should be the main villains in the film. It wouldn't hurt to throw Apocalypse and Mr. Sinister into the mix. I do imagine they'd want Magneto to return but he might not return since Sir Ian McKellan will be busy with the two Hobbit films.

CASTING THOUGHTS


Stephen Lang (Public Enemies, Avatar) as Cable


Terry Crews (Idiocracy, Expendables) as Lucas Bishop


Jamie Chung (Sucker Punch) as Jubilee


Anna Friel (Pushing Up Daises, Land of The Lost) as Scarlet Witch


James Nesbitt (Bloody Sunday, Jekyll) as Mr. Sinister


Tomer Sisley (Largo Winch) as Apocalypse

UPDATE: The Avengers (May 4th 2012)

The film will have Tony Stark, Thor and Captain America working together along with the other members of the Avengers. Marvel still seems on the fence if Hulk will be used as a villain or another hero. The thing would be that they would need Edward Norton to return for the Bruce Banner scenes. It's unknown at this point if Norton wants to return. There seems to be enough superheroes being showcased that it might not even end up being an issue. If Hulk ends up the villain we might not even see Banner at all.


Of course Nick Fury will return along with possible additions of Black Widow and Warmachine.


With the Ant-Man film in development it's assumed that we'll see Hank Pym and The Wasp. There has also been talk of introducing Hawkeye in the films leading up to Avengers. Other possible additions could be Dum Dum Dugan, She-Hulk and Falcon.


Director Louis Leterrier is contracted by Marvel Studios for one more film. It doesn't seem it will be the follow up to The Incredible Hulk as the director hopes to move on from Hulk. Although Leterrier has stated he's eager to work with Marvel Studios again. Naming Avengers as something he's very interested in. Now that Jon Favreau has officially stepped down from directing Avengers people are looking to the other Marvel Studios helmers. While I think both Kenneth Branagh and Joe Johnston would be good choices to take over they'd be doing two massive films back to back. It's a bit unrealistic to think they'd be able to manage two Marvel films. Leterrier has an interesting idea to do the film. Taking all four directors and having them work together on one massive film split into four parts. Each director most likely handing one installment. Then releasing all the films in one summer a few weeks apart from each other.


Some possible villains in the film have been rumored for a while now. They include The Mandarin, Loki, The Hulk, HYDRA and The Skrulls. There had been talk of Loki getting control of the Hulk and using him for his own means. While it's an interesting premise I think they'd have to step things up slightly to get all the heroes involved. I think an evil plot and collaboration between the villains could be interesting.


CHUD pointed out that The Skrulls are still property of Marvel. It was thought they were owned by Fox when they bought the rights to Fantastic Four. They would seem like a big enough problem to have the Avengers assembled. They are an alien race that is able to shape shift and take on powers of the hero they mimic. The Skrull invasion is a recent popular storyline in the comics and would make for an interesting film.

UPDATE: Captain America (July 22nd 2011)

After being deemed unfit for military service during WWII, Steve Rogers volunteers for a top secret research project that turns him into Captain America, a superhero dedicated to defending America's ideals. Joe Johnston will direct, he recently helmed the remake of The Wolf Man. Johnston previously directed Rocketeer, Jurassic Park 3, Honey I Shrunk The Kids and Jumanji. He's also worked on Stars Wars: A New Hope, Empire Strikes Back & Return of The Jedi, Battlestar Galactica (Original TV Show) and Indiana Jones: Raiders of The Lost Ark & Temple of Doom. The film is being written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely who wrote The Chronicles of Narnia films.

Casting is being kept secret likely to give Thor more exposure during it's production and recent casting announcements. I'm sure Marvel Studios will eventually make the right decision considering the casting for the last four films has been great.

Incredible Hulk director Louis Leterrier spoke about what he's seen of the project. He compares the film to a mix of Saving Private Ryan, Radiers of The Lost Ark and Rocketeer. He also mentions losts of gadgets being used.


UPDATE: Producer Kevin Feige spoke about Captain America during an interview at this year's Comic-Con. He confirms that we'll be seeing the Red Skull and also reveals the inclusion of HYDRA. Kevin also mentioned previously that it's a safe bet Bucky will be in the film. Bucky and Union Jack worked together in the Invaders alongside Cap.

"It takes place overseas, much more than our other films do, and in terms of cast there's a group that Steve works with that will have an opportunity for many more international actors than our other films.....We're going to explore those aspects of World War 2 that made Captain America especially, the super soldier program, Red Skull, HYDRA, all those things that exist in the Marvel version."


HYDRA is the terrorist organization that is the polar opposite of S.H.I.E.L.D, it has roots with the Nazi party. There is the possibility we could see HYDRA playing a role in Avengers and future Marvel films. My assumption would be that HYDRA is created to start their own version of the super solider program. Which could have Red Skull, Baron Helmut Zemo, Madame Hydra (Viper) and Baron Wolfgang von Strucker as members. Along with being the film's villains.


Nick Fury's involvement in the film makes me believe that we could see the introduction of The Howling Commandos. This could lead to the addition of Dum Dum Dugan and Gabriel Jones, now high ranking SHIELD agents.


There have been hints that Howard Stark played by John Slattery could be featured in the film. Perhaps providing the technology and gadgets to help fight the Nazis and HYDRA.


CASTING THOUGHTS


Leonardo DiCaprio as Steve Rogers/Captain America


Christoph Waltz (Green Hornet, Inglourious Basterds) as Red Skull


Mads Mikkelsen (Clash of The Titans) as Baron Helmut Zemo


Franka Potente (Run Lola Run, Bourne Identity) as Madame Hydra/Viper


Henry Cavill (War of Gods, Tudors) as Bucky Barnes/Winter Solider


Kevin McKidd (Rome) as Union Jack


Abbie Cornish (Sucker Punch) as Sharon Carter