TRAILER: Action Packed New Look At 'The Avengers' Hits The Web!

Just pretend you haven't seen any of the other teasers or trailers for Marvel's The Avengers. Even put the recent Super Bowl spots out of your head and most importantly the new poorly assembled in photoshop poster.

Finally, this is the preview that we've been waiting to see. Still not an iota of plot revealed, but that is the least of what we need to concern ourselves with after witnessing all these great shots of Earth's Mightiest Heroes both together and against each other, plus there's no holding back on Hulk footage this time.

I think it's safe to assume director / screenwriter Joss Whedon has appeased and (put in their place) many skeptic fans with this trailer.

   

Marvel's The Avengers hits theaters on May 4th in 3D and IMAX 3D.

SOURCES: JoBloMovieNetwork, Apple Trailers

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Nathan Fillion & Tim Daly Spoof Their Roles As Green Lantern and Superman

On the heels of the release of Justice League: Doom yesterday comes this episode of The Daly Show starring Tim Daly and Nathan Fillion, who provide the voices Superman and Green Lantern in the animated feature. I can't think of a better pep rally video in favor of the "Nerds Rule" movement.

Daly has voiced the Man of Steel in various projects since 1996, while Fillion, in addition to being an early fan favorite to play Green Lantern in the live action film (check out this amazing fan made trailer from 2009), has played the character in two animated features since 2011.

Check out this episode entitled "The Daly Superheroes," where obviously the two popular television actors are not only great buddies, but have fun affinity for playing out their superhero alter egos in real life. And stay tuned for an additional clever cameo at the end.

The Daly Show is a web series starring real life father and son Tim and Sam Daly, produced by filmmaking brothers Ben and Josh Shelton at Shelton Films.

SOUCRE: The Daly Show, Shelton Films

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INTERVIEW: Phil Morris Wanted To Go Full Martian For 'Smallville'

Phil Morris is no stranger to sci-fi and genre fans. Throughout his career, the versatile actor has appeared in Knight Rider, Babylon 5, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and numerous versions of Star Trek (TOS, The Search for Spock, Voyager, and Deep Space Nine).

One of his more recent popular recurring roles was on The CW's Smallville, playing Metropolis Homicide Detective John Jones. DC Comics fans knew him better as the human alter ego of the alien superhero J'onn J'onnz, the Martian Manhunter.

Keeping to the Smallville tradition, Morris' earthly John Jones wardrobe was often reminiscent of the Martian Manhunter costume. Throughout the show's run, the writers were always keen on including clever nods to the comic book source material, some being more overt than others.

Morris appeared as a human on the show and never had the opportunity to go on camera in the character's full true alien form, which would have required extensive prosthetics and hours in the make-up chair.

While taking questions from the online press at the Justice League: Doom NYC premiere, I asked the actor if at any point he was approached by the show's producers to play a version that was visually closer to the character's comic book origins.

"I had one flash, in the two-parter ['Absolute Justice']. I get knocked into this canister and they flash to it," he revealed about a quick CGI glimpse of J'onzz in his alien form.

"I told them I would pull a Michael Dorn." he admitted in reference to the Star Trek: The Next Generation actor who endured hours of make-up each day to play the Klingon Worf.  "I’d do it," he affirmed. "If I could buy F-18’s like Michael does with his money," he added with a laugh.

"Just to legitimize the character into bringing him to the place that most of the fans know him as, I would have done it, and happy to do it. I've done a lot of Star Treks, I've been Jem'Hardar and Klingons, I don't mind that. I meditate through that stuff," Morris said.

"It would have been a wonderful place to go, but not my show."

He was then asked about possibly revisiting the character on the small screen, or having an interest in any of the upcoming television shows based on comics books. Morris revealed an anthology concept he would have been eager to pursue if given the opportunity.

"I would have loved to have seen J'onn J'onzz anthologized. I really thought we could have done J'onn J'onzz as a Rod Serling of the DC Universe, so we have him bookend the show. Every so often the episode would focus on J'onn, but then we bring out these characters in the DC Universe that aren’t in the movies and aren’t in the films right now," he said.

"You can do the same kind of due diligence they did with Smallville, but you feature them for a three episode arc. J'onn opens it like Rod Serling, then you see the thing, and then J'onn bookends it. That would have been awesome."


Morris can be heard as the voice of the villainous immortal Vandal Savage in Justice League: Doom, which hits Blu-ray, DVD, and VOD on February 28th. He joins an all star voice cast that includes Tim Daly (Superman), Kevin Conroy (Batman), Nathan Fillion (Green Lantern), Michael Rosenbaum (Flash), and Olivia d'Abo (Star Sapphire).

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FIRST LOOK: Five Minutes From 'John Carter'

Yahoo! Movies has an exclusive five minute clip from Disney's John Carter. Deadline reported that the film has been tracking poorly and that Disney is in line to take a huge loss on the film that reportedly cost upwards of $250 million. It certainly looks like an expensive movie. The FX here look solid, but you have to admit that this scene is very reminiscent of the green scene heavy arena battle from Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones. Though that is probably the least of the worries for the execs at the House of Mouse come opening weekend.

Early leaked reviews have been somewhat promising, but the overall marketing on the film has been confusing, if not unclear regarding many aspects of the film, including that the movie takes place on Mars, or that John Cater is a Confederate Civil War soldier. Based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' novel A Princess of Mars, the film was renamed John Carter of Mars during production, and then shortened to simply John Carter, a title that ultimately says virtually nothing from a marketing standpoint. 

That said, John Carter opens March 9th.

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TRAILER - Darth Maul Coming To 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars'

Just because you get sliced in half by a Jedi Knight's lightsaber and plummet down a power shaft on Naboo apparently doesn't mean its the definitive end to a Sith Lord's scourge of terror. That said, Darth Maul makes his long awaited first appearance on Cartoon Network's Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and by all accounts it looks like the demon-esque villain of few words survived Obi-Wan Kenobi's blade at the end of Episode One: The Phantom Menace. 

The hit animated CGI series takes place between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, so Maul has had some time to heal up and really build up a grudge against the Jedi. And I'm sure Obi-Wan has a lot to settle with Maul after striking down his Jedi teacher Qui-Gon Jinn.

If you haven't checked out this excellent show, now would be a good time. Many familiar big screen characters also look to return, including Yoda and General Grievous. This storyline follows up an arc from last year that took place on Maul's home world of Dathomir, where the search began for a new unstoppable warrior from his savage family clan.

You can check out USA Today for the full rundown. They have the first look at the tense teaser for the four-part episode arc that begins on March 9th.

 

SOURCE: USA Today

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James Bond 'SKYFALL' To Be Released In IMAX

Sony & IMAX announced today that the next James Bond film, Skyfall, will be the first in the franchise's history to be digitally remastered for international and domestic release on IMAX screens.

Daniel Craig returns as 007 in the 23rd James Bond film, this installment directed by Sam Mendes. Newcomers to the series Ralph Fiennes, Javier Bardem, and Ben Whishaw (as Q), join Judi Dench who returns as M.

"In Skyfall, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost. "

The film hits multiplexes and IMAX theaters on November 9, 2012.

Here is the joint Press Release From Eon Productions, MGM, Sony & IMAX:

ALBERT R. BROCCOLI’S EON PRODUCTIONS, METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER STUDIOS, AND SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE THE JAMES BOND FILM SKYFALL IN IMAX^® THEATRES 

Los Angeles – February 23, 2012 – IMAX Corporation (NYSE:IMAX; TSX:IMX), Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment today announced that the long-awaited next chapter in the famed James Bond franchise, SKYFALL, will be released in IMAX^®theatres simultaneously with the film's international release on Oct. 26, and its domestic release on Nov. 9, 2012. This is the first IMAX installment of the iconic Bond film franchise.

In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her.  As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost. 

SKYFALL marks the return of Daniel Craig as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007, as well as Judi Dench reprising her role as M. The film also stars franchise newcomers Ralph Fiennes, Javier Bardem and Naomie Harris. The film is directed by Sam Mendes from a screenplay written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan. Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli are producers.

“SKYFALL will be the cool, must-see event release of the fall, and releasing the film in IMAX only reinforces that,” said Rory Bruer, President, Worldwide Distribution for Sony Pictures Worldwide Marketing and Distribution.

“It is fitting that with SKYFALL marking the 50^th Anniversary of the James Bond franchise, we celebrate in epic style and what could be more larger-than-life than IMAX joining the festivities,” said Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum, Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officers of MGM.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of this legendary franchise, whose iconic characters and electrifying action will only be amplified in the IMAX format,” said Greg Foster, Chairman and President, IMAX Filmed Entertainment. “We are excited to rejoin forces with our friends at Sony Pictures Entertainment and MGM and so pleased to work with Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli, and Sam Mendes to bring their vision to IMAX and Bond fans around the world.”

The IMAX release of SKYFALL will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

SOURCE: IMAX 

FIRST LOOK: The Doctor and the Ponds from 'Doctor Who' Series 7 Set

Check out the first official picture of the Doctor, and Amy & Rory Pond from the set of Doctor Who. The seventh season/series just started shooting the first of fourteen episodes yesterday and will see at some point the departure of his companions Amy and Rory played by Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill.

From BBC:

Filming has just started on Series 7 of Doctor Who in Cardiff.

This series will see the last days of the Ponds with Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill returning for their final, rollercoaster voyage with the Doctor. Amy and Rory have been at the Doctor's side for more than two series but what will he do after their heartbreaking departure?

On returning for his third series as the Eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith says: "It's thrilling and exciting to be back and working with two of my closest friends."

Karen Gillan adds: "It's just brilliant to be back on the TARDIS with Matt and Arthur for our craziest adventures yet."

Series 7 will then see a dramatic turn of events when the Doctor meets a new friend.
Prepare yourselves for thrills, adventures and dramatic surprises as the show builds towards its enormous, climactic 50th anniversary year. Fourteen big, blockbuster-movie episodes — each a brand new epic adventure featuring new monsters and some familiar foes as you've never seen them before. 

So far, the confirmed guest stars include David Bradley (better known as Argus Filch in the Harry Potter films), Rupert Graves and Mark Williams.

The first set new of Doctor Who episodes is planned to air here in the States in the fall of 2012.

SOURCE: Doctor Who TV

TOY FAIR 2012: 'Avengers' Bobble Heads

More from Nerdy Rotten Scoundrel's coverage of the 2012 Toy Fair from the Javitts Center in NYC...

SOURCE: Funko

'Fringe' Moving Closer To Season Five In The Fall?

Adding a little more hope for optimistic Fringe fans, according to The Hollywood Reporter, FOX's cult Friday night favorite is still on the radar for a season five pick-up.

Ratings have been hovering low in its present time slot, averaging about three million viewers, and the chance for moving forward with new episodes in the fall seems unlikely.

"There are conversations with both the studio and the network [about possibly going to a season five]," Fringe EP Jeff Pinkner told THR. 

"It is certainly our hope that we have a season five and beyond and creatively we know what season five would be," Pinker said.

Ending at the conclusion of its current fourth season would bring the total episode hours count to 88. Going to a fifth season and topping 100 episodes would ensure a long life in syndication. Though Jeff Pinker and fellow Executive Producer Joel Wyman assure fans that creatively, they have a creative plan outlined for beyond this season.

"Definitely we feel very confident that we know where we would go, should we be lucky enough," Wyman said. "I think for all shows that is. I mean 88 is good, but 100 is better," Wyman continued. "To Jeff and I, we don't really think about those things. That's for someone else to think about. We just do our show and write our episodes and love our show."

"We would never want to continue unless we felt that we had something incredibly creative to say and to do. We do and if the powers that be deem it a plausible solution to go forward, then we're thrilled," Wyman concluded

TVLine also hears that a pulse for next year is a possibility, albeit with a shorter episode run.

"Don’t administer last rites to the show just yet," says TVLine columnist Michael Ausiello.

"Despite those apocalyptic Nielsens, Fringe very much remains in the hunt for another season. One scenario allegedly being bandied about has it returning for a final 15-episode run."

Fringe airs on FOX Fridays at 9 p.m.

SOURCES: The Hollywood Reporter, TVLine

INTERVIEW: Todd McFarlane Reveals Plans For Spawn's 20th Anniversary

Todd McFarlane stands face to face with Spawn.

At the recent NYC Toy Fair, I had the pleasure of talking to comic book legend Todd McFarlane, the creator of Spawn, founder of McFarlane Toys, and one of the creative forces that launched Image Comics in the early '90s.

There is much more to write up after this article from this interview at the McFarlane Toys booth. However I will start off with the fact that 2012 marks the 20th Anniversary of Spawn's first appearance in a comic book, a landmark achievement that does not escape the character's creator. McFarlane was forthcoming in talking about his big plans to celebrate this milestone for the character, which include a new movie, and the reasons he believes the edgy supernatural vigilante is still relevant after all these years.

"Number one because I haven’t stopped putting him out. I've been relentless and not let people ignore him," he said. "And then I think there are a lot of a soft spots for characters who don’t put up with too much shit. Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, all those guys are owned by corporations and pretty much have a stopping point. They kind of go to hard PG-13. They can't really go to R. And Spawn can kinda be on tether and do whatever he wants. Spawn has the vigilante theme in it. You pull a bazooka on him, he’ll pull a bazooka back on you. And isn't afraid to shoot it twice."

McFarlane Toys has no intention of letting 2012 pass without commemorating the two decades of the popular character. The company, which Todd established in 1994, has designed a special collectible based on an iconic image from Spawn's past.

"We are now heading onto 2012, which is the twenty year anniversary of Spawn," McFarlane told me. "If we’re gonna play triubute to his twenty years, we might as well go back to the image that for all intents and purposes started the mythos of the Spawn character."

A detailed 20th Anniversary resin Spawn statue is set for release in July. Eager fans have wasted little time in reserving a space for the new item on their collector's shelves, pre-orders for the limited edition 13.5" piece have already sold out on Spawn.com.

"The statue that is gonna come out is based on the two page spread from Issue #1 that was the first visual of Spawn in a comic book," he revealed. "Page one, two, and three were sort of a build up, and then bam, you got the big two-page spread. Here’s your hero in all his glory."

Artwork from Image Comics' Spawn #1.

The edgy signature art style that made his comics stand out 20 years ago translated well into toys. His line of highly detailed collectible figures were like nothing else on the market at the time, which were aimed at an older target audience who appreciated the mature designs, and could be purchased in the comic book retail stores they shopped at.

McFarlane also has a prioritized plan to see Spawn return to the big screen. "The feature is still the number one priorty getting that one out," he said.

Hearing what he wants to bring to moviegoers this time around, the new films looks to bear little resemblance to special effects laden movie released by New Line Cinema in 1997. 

"No super villain. Nothing. Just a scary creep show that you and I intellectually know to be a being called Spawn. So as I get to the 20th Anniversary, I'll make the concentrated effort to at least get the script done. And depending on what happens there, production should come fairly quickly afterwards," McFarlane predicted.

Spawn: 20th Anniversary statue at the 2012 Toy Fair

"An Academy Award winning actor came out to the office and wants to be in it. He bugs me every week to get the script done cause he had an idea, and I told him my idea. He said 'Fine, I love your idea. Now let's get it done.'"

"So he or his agents phone every week: 'Is he done with it? Is he done?' I have to write, produce, direct, and I keep getting distracted with other things in my life. There's nobody to blame but myself," he admitted.

"I've had the story for ten years. R-rated, dark, sort of a psychological terror. It’s the world that we all know. Everything is real except for one thing. There is something moving in the shadows. Some supernatural force is moving around. And a couple of the people who think they see the shadow move aren’t in the best state of minds, so they don’t even know if its their own personal paranoia or not," he said about the tone of the film.

Spawn: 20th Anniversary statue at the 2012 NYC Toy Fair

"Growing up I was always a fan of watching movies of which there was only one element that was not normal in it. Even going back to things like Frankenstein, where there was only one thing that wasn’t normal. Only the monster was not human. And in the black and white Bela Lugosi Dracula's, only he was not normal. Fast forward to things like The Exorcist, only the girl wasn’t normal. The world was real."

"Rosemary's Baby, another psychological terror almost to the end was all normal. She was all just sorta schizo a little. In Friday the 13th and Halloween, that creepy bad guy is the only thing that’s out of the ordinary, otherwise take that out and it's our world."

"I just want to do a gritty movie that’s sort of about our world that feels like the movie The Departed, but there’s something moving in the shadows every now and then," he promised.

In Part Two of my interview with Todd McFarlane, we will cover his line of tie-in toys for The Walking Dead, and his involvement in the second season Blu-ray box set for the AMC smash hit.

Follow @NerdyRScoundrel

INTERVIEW: Phil Morris Talks The Future of Jackie Chiles

At the NYC Premiere of Justice League: Doom, Phil Morris, who voices the villainous immortal Vandal Savage in the animated feature, walked the red carpet, talked to the press, and participated in a post screening fan Q&A with fellow cast member Kevin Conroy (Batman) and dialogue director Andrea Romano.

Nerdy Rotten Scoundrel will get to reporting all things Justice League: Doom soon enough when the February 28th release date gets closer. While fielding questions from online reporters at the Paley Center, I had the opportunity to ask Morris a few things not directly to do with Doom.

The versatile character actor was open to talking about the many aspects of his career. From his numerous appearances in the various incarnations of Star Trek, to his recurring role as J’onn J'onzz, the Martian Manhunter in Smallville, and of course perhaps his most famous character, the outrageous fast talking attorney Jackie Chiles from Seinfeld.

Morris smiled and didn’t miss a beat when asked who Jackie might be partial to representing from the Justice League feature, the heroes or the villains.

Phil Morris at the Paley Center for Justice League: Doom

“He has to represent  the villains. They never win. They need help,” he said.

Then going right into the character’s unmistakable cadence and lower voice, “And Jackie could help them,” he asserted.

Elaborating further, “A lawyer always wants somebody who is in trouble because it always billable hours,” he laughed. Needless to say, the Legion of Doom would need a lot of legal help.

Morris reprised the memorable role years after Seinfeld finished its run on NBC by appearing in several Funny or Die skits in 2010.

I followed up by asking him if we have seen the last of Childs, or will fans get the opportunity to see the lawyer in action again via future online videos.

“There could be,“ he revealed. “I wrote and produced all those."

"I was very fortunate because they ran them by Jerry (Seinfeld) and Larry (David). They didn’t change a word of dialogue and said ‘You go with yourself young man and God love ya.’”

“I was really honored that they did because they are very protective of their legacy. For them to allow me to do that was just incredible, so I hope so,“ he said in hopes of revisiting the character again.

 

First Clip From 'The Amazing Spider-Man' Released

Sony has released the first clip from this summer's The Amazing Spider-Man starring Andrew Garfield in the title role.

Seeing how action packed the recently released second trailer was, the studio opted to go with a rather short but to the point character driven scene to give audiences a sneak peek at Peter Parker's awkward demeanor.

Fans should be ready for a steady barrage of clips, pictures, and events to gear up for the highly anticipated big screen reboot of the Marvel wall crawler, which is less than five months away.

The Amazing Spider-Man, also starring Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, Rhys Ifans as Dr. Curt Connors (The Lizard), and Dennis Leary as Captain George Stacy, is set to swing into theaters worldwide on July 3rd.

Marc Webb directs the fim which was shot in 3-D, and will be presented in 2-D, 3-D and  IMAX 3D.



SOURCE: Mark Of The Spider-Man

Bane Will Once Again 'Break The Bat' In DC's New 52

DC Comics has had major success with the relaunch of their entire line of superheroes under The New 52 banner last August. New origins, new costumes, and new continuities all play a part in the reboot of the best known characters in the DC regime.

Entertainment Weekly scored a preview of the upcoming Batman: The Dark Knight #6, featuring the first look of the revamped version of Bane in DC's The New 52 universe. 

Bane was the Caped Crusader's arch enemy who literally "broke the Bat" by snapping his back over his knee in the 1993 story arc Knightfall, leaving the Gotham City hero crippled.

What is interesting about the upcoming cover is that it pays literal and full homage to that iconic storyline, suggesting that Bane will once again prove to be Batman's ultimate foe, and that there may not be a complete revised encounter for which he is famous for.

Bane was also Christopher Nolan's choice to be the main adversary in this summer's final film in his Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises, and will be played by Tom Hardy. While the big screen version retains the general masked appearance of the character, it will be grounded in lot more in reality, a staple in Nolan's storytelling. Even so much that Hardy is also physically not as tall as Christian Bale. The trailer to The Dark Knight Rises has brief glimpses of Bane looking down upon a beaten Bruce Wayne in addition to several shots of the playboy millionaire limping around with a cane. So there is a strong possibility that the film may mirror Knightfall in some key plot points.

TOY FAIR 2012 - 'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' Cast Crashes The Toy Fair

To kick off my Toy Fair 2012 coverage, I had the chance to visit the Hasbro Showroom over the weekend and grab a sneak peek at the line of upcoming G.I. Joe toys from Hasbro, some of which will tie in with the big screen release of this summer's G.I. Joe: Retaliation.

Yesterday the stars of the film, Dwayne Johnson (Roadblock), Adrianne Palicki (Lady Jaye), and D.J. Cotrono (Flint) made a pit stop at the exclusive Times Square showroom for a photo op and to check out the new action figures bearing their likenesses as thy will appear in the their big screen Joe adventure.


In this sequel to 2009's G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, a new wave of Joes, Roadblock, Flint, and Lady Jaye (who were all introduced in the second season of the '80s animated show), take command in the battle against Cobra.

Johnson, who is hot off his kick ass role in last summer's Fast Five, plays fan favorite Roadblock alongside the only returning Joe soldiers from The Rise of Cobra, Snake Eyes (Ray Park) and Duke (Channing Tatum). Retaliation utilizes the first film only as a broad base point, picks up shortly after Zartan has assumed the role as the President of the United States using his disguise techniques, and sets the Joes up as traitors.

As you can see from "Ninja Commando" Roadblock, the ten inch talking action figure bears a striking resemblance to the former WWE champ turned big screen action star. Roadblock also boasts two big guns (as in weapons), mutiple points of articulation, and accessories. 

Hasbro also unvieled a very cool hoodie adorned with the symbol representing the Arashikage clan. Both Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow bear this tattoo on their arms being blood brother members of this ancient ninja dojo. Expect to see the history of these masked warriors explored in the upcoming film  with the addition of classic G.I. Joe characters new to the big screen like the Red Ninjas and Jinx.

In addition to the sweatshirt, a dog tag, khaki carry bag, and winter wool cap all with the symbol in crimson red are set to go along with it.