Lets Talk Marvel News: Prelude to Part Eight

Yesterday, Disney held an investors conference covering their business and entertainment ventures going forward, emphasizing a focus on streaming. Most of the broadcast focused on properties outside of Marvel Studios, a lot of which I am very interested in, as well as the business sides of the big properties they own. Aside from Disney + getting a $1 price hike in the US to $7.99 (as was expected since day one) almost everything in this conference was new information aside from the Marvel Studios portion.

Fiege went over the properties moving forward in the MCU starting with "WandaVision," coming January 15, 2021.

Following the trailer, Fiege mentions that Elizabeth Olson (Wanda) is currently filming "Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness." The Dr. Strange Sequel has a new director in the form of Sam Raimi and will feature the rest of the principal cast of the first, those being Benedict Cumberbatch, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams, and Chiwetel Ejiofor as Dr. Strange, Wong, Christine Palmer, and Baron Mordo respectively. A March 25, 2022 release date is given for the sequel, and Feige mentions that not only will the film connect not only to "WandaVision" but also to the next Spider-Man film coming in December 2021. No title or official casting for MCU Spidey 3 given by Feige, he just moves on.

I feel the need to divert a bit (okay, a lot) and discuss the hubbub around this third Spider-Man MCU film. I hate it, all of it. 

Back at the beginning of October Jamie Foxx was reported to return as Electro in this film and frankly, I thought there was no way the report was real despite Foxx's now-deleted post with the three Spidermen.

Then, later in that same month, we got reports that Dr. Strange would also appear in the film. This one was easier to swallow. But the apparent casting of Foxx along with his Instagram post picture led to rampant live-action Spider-Verse rumors, which I immediately dismissed alongside his casting. For some reason, I just couldn't buy that Marvel would okay this, without remembering that they don't really have all that much of a say. It's just too early for a Spider-Verse movie, I kept telling myself, there's no way they'd be foolish enough to rush into this sort of thing especially when doing too much in one film is what killed the last two Spider-Man franchises.

Given that back in August, Kraven was beginning to be cast in the film I didn't understand why they would be adding in so much - unless this is going to be a four-hour film. But recently it has been reported that Alfred Molina was returning to his role as Doc Oc in Spider-Man 2, and right alongside that the apparent confirmation of Andrew Garfield's return.

With Spider-Verse all but confirmed. Tobey Maguire has also apparently signed on and also the dead characters of Gwen Stacy, played by Emma Stone - Unless it's going to be Spider-Gwen - and Willem Dafoe's Norman Osborne are also set to return (Kirsten Dunst too, but really, who cares). But hey, it's multi-verse stuff so, it passes.

All that being said, I'm mad about it, I don't want it, it's too early for it, but I'll forgive it all for a live-action version of this meme:

I also bet you're wondering how I'd rank the Spidermen. I have two different lists, one for Peter Parker and one for Spidey. From best to worst for Parker, it's Holland, Maguire, Garfield. For Spidey, it's Holland, Garfield, Maguire. For the seven Spider-Man Movies, from best to worst, the list would be:

1. Spider-Man: Far From Home (it's better than Homecoming and Spider-Man 2, fight me.)

2. Spider-Man: Homecoming

3. Spider-Man 2

4. The Amazing Spider-Man

5. Spider-Man

6. Spider-Man 3

7. The Amazing Spider-Man 2

The other main hope is that all these recent casting notices are for post-credits scenes to set up a Spider-Verse sequel film. But that is a pipe dream with Sony's track record.

Back with the conference. We get our first trailer for "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" and the coming March 2021 notice. Stated by Feige to be "a movie in six episodes."

He briefly talks of "Black Widow," confirming its May 7, 2021 date. We then get a trailer for "Loki,"  and calls it a crime thriller. The trailer alludes to a lot of time travel, space travel likely involved too, but not confirmed. The Time Variance Authority is involved. Owen Wilson looks great with the old man look. The trailer ends with "streaming soon." Likely to follow the six episodes of "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" as that show seems to be starting as soon as "WandaVison" finishes.

Either that, or it follows the animated show "What if...?" which is coming in the Summer of 2021. A trailer is given as well.

Feige then states that "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" wrapped production and confirms the July 9, 2021 release date. 

He moves on to the "Ms. Marvel" series stating it's coming later in 2021, which I assume means it will follow "Loki."  The Actress for Ms. Marvel was chosen unanimously, her reaction to which I love.

Feige then states that Ms. Marvel will appear alongside Captain Marvel in "Captain Marvel 2," an official date of November 11, 2022. There aren't any trailers or teasers after the one for Ms. Marvel. 

"Eternals" is talked about next, Feige states that the film spans thousands of years, which will be interesting to see how that makes an interesting narrative unless the bulk of it takes place in a short period of time, a release date of November 5, 2021, is confirmed.

The "Hawkeye" series is slated to arrive in "Late 2021." The casting of Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop is confirmed. 

He moves on to the "She-Hulk" series and moves on to confirm Tatiana Maslany is playing the lead Jennifer Walters. He also confirms that "She-Hulk" will see the return of both Tim Roth's Abomination and Mark Ruffalo's Hulk.

He passively talks of Moon Knight and gives no new information on the show other than a character description. Then he very passively announces the first new series announcement.

A short while back, a Nick Fury series was announced to be coming to Disney +, it turns out that the series is "Secret Invasion" and will also see the return of Talos. Honestly, this isn't as big of an announcement as "Secret Invasion" deserves, but hey, it's happening. He then even more passively to that, announces an "Ironheart" series and an "Armor Wars" series.

For those unfamiliar, "Ironheart" focuses on Riri Williams, who through her inventive ingenuity becomes the superhero Ironheart, the successor to Tony Stark's Iron Man, when he was presumed dead.

"Armor Wars" will star Don Cheadle's James Rhodes/War Machine, and will show us what happens when Tony Starks suits and tech gets out into the world. I wouldn't be surprised if Riri appeared in this series as well, she will be played by Dominique Thorne.

A "Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special" was announced, which I thought was going to be the title of the third movie, but then was confirmed to be shot alongside the third which is coming in 2023. A series of Baby Groot stories are coming as well under the title "I am Groot."

"Thor: Love and Thunder" will begin filming in January 2021, will release on May 6, 2022, and Christian Bale was confirmed to be playing the film's villain Gorr the God Butcher.

Anti-climactically, "Blade" is "moving forward" with "more announcements to come." 

The third Ant-Man film is confirmed and officially titled "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania." We then receive a few casting confirmations, Katherine Newton will play the new Cassie Lang, replacing Emma Fuhrmann who briefly played her in "Avengers: Endgame." The other confirmation is Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror, who could end up being the next Avengers level villain.

Feige then confirms that the role of T'Challa will not be recast following the tragic loss of Chadwick Boseman. I was very much ready and expecting, the opposite, but this is very good news. Ryan Coogler is still tapped to direct "Black Panther II" which is still set to release on July 8, 2022.

Lastly, Feige announces the return of Marvel's first family, the "Fantastic Four." he gives no date or cast for the film but does announce that John Watts, the director of the three MCU Spider-Man films will direct.

The Marvel Studios portion of the conference ends without any mention of premium access on Disney + for the feature films that other movies coming in 2021 are receiving, likely waiting to see what's to come of Covid before they make a decision which could cost them a lot of money. 

No distinction was made as to whether or not the titles in this presentation are to be considered Phase four or five. I stand by my longstanding statement - but never stated here - that phase four MUST include the "Fantastic Four," so it can forever be known as "Fantastic Phase Four."

The Films, and series, that will now be in this Fantastic Phase Four (and likely also phase five removing "fantastic" from the previous phase) with some guesswork (noted by question marks) on release dates several years down the line.

WandaVision (January 15, 2021)

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (March 19, 2021)

Black Widow (May 7, 2021)

Loki (May 2021)

What If...? (Mid 2021)

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (July 9, 2021)

Eternals (November 5, 2021)

Ms. Marvel (Late 2021)

Hawkeye (Late 2021)

Spider-Man: Home Related Subtitle (December 17, 2021)

Moon Knight (Q1? 2022)

She-Hulk (Q2? 2022)

Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness (March 25, 2022)

Thor: Love and Thunder (May 6, 2022)

Black Panther II (July 8, 2022)

Captain Marvel 2 (November 11, 2022)

Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (Late 2022)

Secret Invasion (Q4 2022?)

Iron Heart (Q1 2023?)

Armor Wars (Q2 2023?)

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Q2? 2023)

Blade (Q3 2023?)

Fantastic 4 (Q4 2023?)

That's eleven movies, eleven tv series of unknown length, and one holiday special. Admittedly, this is a lot for one phase, but the Fantastic Phase Four must remain.

That's enough from me, but following my delay due to "Assassin's Creed: Valhalla," the "Thor: The Dark World" rank and review is coming soon. 

Two Zero One four

So I made it to the end of 2013, and now I'm starting my 2014 blog life. Of course I'm writing this while watching something, Movies this time. Prince Avalanche on Netflix to be specific. It's only just started but it's, so far, really good and I'm looking forward to seeing more of Paul Rudd's dramatic strengths in preparation for his role as Ant-Man in 2015.

I have Elysium loading in the background while I'm working through this. And once I finish Prince Avalanche, and Elysium, I have... eleven movies left - in no particular order:

10. The Hunt
9. The Wolf of Wall Street
8. Dallas Buyers Club
7. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
6. Rush
5. Her
4. Saving Mr. Banks
3. Riddick
2. 47 Ronin
1. The Counselor

I know what you're thinking, there's only ten movies there. You are correct sir, But my girlfriend is making me wait until at least the ninth, when she comes up to see me, to watch Despicable Me 2, so that's number eleven. Because I watch the majority of movies online. A few of these don't have links yet, so I have no way of watching them, and hope that they get links rather soon. Those few movies are The Wolf of Wall Street, Her, and 47 Ronin.

I have a goal of completing the list of remaining movies before the tenth. Since today is the fourth, that gives me roughly five days to watch eleven movies.

I'm going to stick to my current four movies a day plan, as best I can, but I seem to have kept quite a few two hour movies for last. and that saddens me. It's a lot easier to watch four ninety minute movies than four two hour movies. The latter takes approximately a full two hours longer than the former.

In other news, on a completely unrelated note, there's a bug bite - or something - on my cheek, and it's bugging (pun intended) the ever living shit out of me. Excuse me while I apply ointment to my face.

I wanted my first post of 2014 to be my best and worst of the movies of 2014, so instead I'm going to focus on television. and the best and worst of it.

Let's start with best new show:

These are all of the new shows that started in 2013, of which I have seen the entire season, or at least what they have done so far. I've started a few more shows, but cut them, more on them later.

Hostages
Marvel's Agents of Shield
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Trophy Wife
The Black List
Derek
Hannibal
Hemlock Grove
Orange is the New Black
Bates Motel
The Americans
House of Cards
Legit
The Following
Da Vinci's Demons
Masters of Sex
Ray Donovan
Siberia
The Bridge
Hello Ladies

Now for the top ten of the new shows:

10. Excellent acting and an excellent cast. Ray Donovan was a rather fun ride, as far as new shows go. It has it's serious flaws but in the end redeems itself and completes its season on a completely rounded point. It did a lot of a better job with its first season than Dexter did with the majority of it's seasons post season four, which is possibly the best season of television ever made. I'm definitely looking forward to season two.

9. This was the first show I watched on Starz, haven't seen Spartacus yet, and I'm going to start Black Sails once that hits at the end of the month on the 25th. Da Vinci's Demons takes a rather interesting look and twist on the life and times of the famed painter. the actor playing Da Vinci is the highlight of the show, and makes it entirely worth watching.

8. My favorite new Comedy of the year. It's basically The Office if it were done as a police procedural. and that's all that really needs to be said about it, especially considering that nearly every other sit-com that came out this past year was a complete bust.

7. This is just a chilling show, taking a look at the origin of Norman Bates' psychopathic behaviors, while also focusing on his high school romances, his brother, and the eerily creepy mother-son relationship. It's the only reason to watch A&E, never mind Duck Dynasty, this is near-perfect television.

6. This was a surprise, I wasn't really thinking I was going to like this as much as I would by the end of the season, which ends on this coming Monday, but at around episode six when things really start going crazy that's when you really start to see the quality of the show and just how well they are dealing with the drama, it just barely beat out Bates Motel. If the season finale isn't quite up to snuff it may drop some too - but I don't think that will happen, I may have to prepare for a let down.

5. The first few episodes were trying to be scary, the rest of the episodes were just unsettling. I love that Kevin Bacon is really broadening his horizons as of late, he seems to be in nearly everything now, and I love it. I'm looking forward to season two which starts up in the coming weeks, just to see what they do and how well they do it. Hopefully they can improve on a rather impressive first season.

4. My God. This show is perfection. The only thing, and I mean the only thing that could make it better is premium cable. If HBO, or Showtime, picked this up, hell even Netflix, nothing would be holding this show back from being the best show out there, and I mean that. The only reason it's my number four is because it is clearly pulling punches because it isn't on one of the big networks that can do next to anything with their programming.

3. Here's some proof that premium cable has free lance to do damn near anything they want. There's nudity in every episode. But that's not why this show is amazing. This show is amazing because of the side plots, all of the goddamn side plots. The last few seconds of the show too, there's just no holding this beast back. The levels of drama packed into this show at times are near unbearable. I won't spoil it because honestly you need to watch it on your own. So go watch it!

2. This is hands down the best female run show ever made. Netflix amazes me with the majority of their original programming, and I'm looking forward to what they have in store for us in the future. Especially the four marvel series with a fifth series following their release. But also the second season of Orange is the New Black, and the second season of my favorite new show...

1. If you know me there could be no other. House of Cards is hands down my favorite new show, and if season two is as good, or better, than season one, it has some serious potential to become one of my favorite shows of all time. Especially if David Fincher remains somewhat involved in the production of the show, possibly even returning to direct a few episodes. The cast is unbelievable, Kevin Spacey is better than ever. It can only go up from here. Bring on season two Valentines Day (or the day after for us non single people) 2014.

And now, the Bottom ten of the new shows:

10. Once Upon a Time is good. It's not great. There's no need for a spin-off, especially one as sappy and poorly made as this one. If you are going to create a world for a show, make sure the cgi that you use doesn't look like it was done in the nineties. I still love you John Lithgow.

9. I was looking forward to this, it looked like a nice rather modern retelling of the classic Dracula tale. However what you get is some boring drama that takes forever to build with no payoff, at least none in the first five episodes.

8. Starts off strong and cannot top it's first few episodes, I like Rebel Wilson, but without a strong supporting cast too, there's no point in watching her try to carry a show she clearly cannot carry on her own. Not to discredit her, not many can carry a show on their own.

7. No. Just. No.

6. Netflix starts with House of Cards, which is fucking amazing, then gives us this. Which is terrible for the most part, it does have amazing werewolf transformation sequences, but other than that, it has nothing. Poor writing, some really bad acting, it's just a bad show, and only got renewed because it was put out after House of Cards and everyone though Netflix would continue to put out amazing products. But there is an exception to every rule, and Hemlock Grove is Netflix's amazing original content exception.

5. It's average, and it could be above average with great ease, especially with this cast. but sadly there aren't many good comedy writers for television on network television.

4. No. I gave it the old college try. But no. never again.

3. NO.

2. NOPE!

1. ABSOLUTELY NOT!!

So those are the new shows. But what were the best and worst of 2013? Well the worst of 2013 is the same exact list as what's shown above. The best however is at least somewhat different.

10. The final season was as stronger than season's five through seven, but escaped reaching farther up this list with an absolutely terrible final episode.

9. Phenomenal first season. Mediocre second season. exceptional third season. Now just to see what season four has to give, especially following that absolutely perfect season finale.

8. My favorite comedy ever keeps getting better. I'm sad that season seven is its final season, and I really don't want it to end like Dexter, with a terrible final episode, but I have the utmost faith in Californication's writers and I know they can deliver. 

7. Like I said, if it weren't for things holding this show back, it would be up higher on this list.

6. That season finale, and this is another show that will be ending in 2014. for the penultimate season this really delivered on every level it could to make me want to see season seven, sooner rather than later. I just wish it could have ended differently.

5. See above.

4. See Above.

3. See above.

2. Of shows currently airing, or with a new season coming up, this is my favorite of those shows. That being said, season three is its strongest season, for many reasons. The only thing I would change about the show in all honesty, is a 12 episode season rather than a 10 episode season, just so I get more Game of Thrones.

1. Fucking pitch perfect ending to the greatest show to ever be on television. I'm not sure if writing can get any better than the writing displayed in Breaking Bad. Why has Bryan Cranston not won the Golden Globe yet, seriously though, just give Breaking Bad all the awards this year, we all know they deserve it. So just do it.

If you're wondering where some shows are, chances are I haven't started them yet, or I don't like that show as much as you do. Such as The Walking Dead, which has become a rather mediocre show as of late, and I have yet to start both Mad Men and Orphan Black. American Horror Story: Coven has yet to blow me away, there's still a few episodes yet, but if it keeps building the way it has it will likely be the strongest season of that show yet. I've yet to start Shameless, House of Lies, and Episodes. Though I'd really, really like to. With the shortened season of Community and it's behind the scenes issues in season four, it gave us its weakest season yet. And while Happy Endings gave a consistently fantastic season, I refuse to acknowledge that shows existence in a list form because that seems to be what everyone else is doing, and I just have to blend in so that I am taken seriously (in all seriousness it would be like number 11 on my best of this year list). True Blood, gave us a stronger season, but not strong enough, same with The Newsroom and Arrested Development's season four Netflix return. Derek would place at about 11 on the new shows of the year, and Doctor Who at about 12 for shows of the year. I'm still upset over the finale of Boardwalk Empire, despite it being one of the shows best seasons, it just barely missed the list because of so many amazing other seasons of shows this year that were frankly just better, The Bridge and The Americans would have take 15 and 12 on the best new shows list. While The Legend of Korra would have taken 13 for the best shows of the year. I don't feel the need to explain myself anymore. So here, have a .gif that explains how exhausted I am:

And since Elysium is over now, yes, this took that long. I'm going to go get something to drink now, go into my room, and wait for my girlfriend to call me on Skype. That's it, blog post over. Have a video:

Return from Impromptu Hiatus

and now I'm back, from outer space, I just walked in to find you here with that sad look upon your face...

I feel the need to explain away my temporary hiatus. Simply put, I met a girl, and I have been spending a lot of time with her, basically all of my time. She is away right now, and my classes are cancelled - due to professor illness (get well soon Carter, you're the literal man), so I have even more free time on my hands today. Also, I am totally cuddling the pillow she left in my room this morning, it smells like her, and it's lavender and fuzzy and soft and I love it.

So here I am, sitting on my bed, unable to break this smile, cuddling a fuzzy lavender pillow. I would post a picture, but the levels of judgement may increase with visual proof. To explain this drastic change in my opinions on the world, I will need Ron Swanson's help.

Before I met her, I was this Ron Swanson:

And now that I am with her, and growing evermore fond, I am this Ron Swanson:

I haven't been this happy in years, perhaps in my entire life. This sense of euphoria in inexplicable, incomprehensible, I just don't understand it. All I know is:

I am writing way too little, and posting way too many GIF's. But seriously guys, this girls is just amazing, absolutely, irrevocably amazing. She loves Doctor Who you guys.

She has described her Who addiction as a "serious issue," and that's just my kind of woman. Of course I watch anything and damn near everything. Hell, I'm watching American Horror Story: Coven right now. That's the thing though, now that I am spending so much time with her, I have precious little time to get through my shows, so my Television addiction has become a slight problem - I was only able to watch three shows last night, of the twelve I normally do. I've already cut a few shows from my list, the ancillary one's I do not care about. As in The Voice, Bar/Tattoo Rescue, The Goldbergs, Mom, Dads, The Millers, the Tomorrow People, and now Super Fun Night. But in all honesty, I don't mind at all, it's time better spent, and I'm thankful for it. However, she has stalled my progress with Arrow, and it only upsets me because Arrow is such a goddamn good show, but I'll finish it Thanksgiving break next week, so no worries there. I don't regret a single second of  all the time spent with her.

Shit. Is this coming off too strong?

my apologies people, but I've never really been in a place like this, where all I want to do is rant and rave about how goddamn happy I am. So this Friday, the midnight movies are The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Delivery Man, and Thor: The Dark World. My choice would have to be Catching Fire, primarily for my love of Jennifer Lawrence, but also because Jennifer Lawrence. J-Law (she lets me call her J-Law, we go way back), even knows how I feel about this girl I've been talking about, in both the innocent school yard crush words, and more... not so innocent words.

So, anyways, I have to ask her if she is willing to go see it or not, which also means we have to watch the first Hunger Games, that is, if she wants to watch it that is. Otherwise, I'll just be going with my suite mate as per usual.

In other news. The fifteenth of November happened, which means, PlayStation 4.

The world's quickest un-boxing.

                           

 The world's quickest set up.

There you have it, my PS4 in all of it's glory. The only real downside to it at the moment is that it will not play dvd's or blu-ray movies. Games run fine, and so does Netflix. But even after the past two software I still cannot play dvd's - I'm hoping it's not a hardware issue, but if the problem persists, I'll trade it back in, they are apparently really fast with returns, but I'll probably wait until I'm done with finals week to send it back, just to give it some time, in case it is just a software issue.

That is all. Blog over, get the hell out. But watch this video first: