Comic/Movie News

Wow, I was just 'randomly' clicking on the news items to the left of this page and came across a load of cool Comic/Film related movie news from MTV's awesome Splash Page blog.

Here's some links that caught my eye;

• Stan Lee's role in the new Venom movie
  
• Watchmen returns to the cinema with 25 extra minutes (probably US only though)
  
• Ryan Reynolds talks about the 'Deadpool' movie spin-off
  
• 300 sequel on the cards
  
• Brandon Routh's 'Superman' contract has expired
  
• Most anticipated Marvel film

Captain America (2011)

Filmmaker Joe Johnston will take the helm of the eagerly anticipated Captain America movie.

The Jurassic Park III director has signed a deal with Marvel Studios to bring the comic book superhero to the big screen in 2011.

It is the third Marvel film in the pipeline, including Thor and the Avengers, after Robert Downey Jr.'s turn as Iron Man earlier in the year proved a huge success with superhero fans.

Although Johnstone has signed the deal, it is unknown who will take on the patriotic U.S. role.

Comic book creator Stan Lee has given his backing to Will Smith to wear the red, white and blue suit, although other insiders have suggested Matthew McConaughey may land the part.

* Pinched from IMDb, 10/11/2008

Stan Lee's movie schedule

Stan Lee's a busy guy. Spider-man 4 (with Jake Gyllenhaal rumoured as taking over the lead)... hmm, interesting!

Toei Spider-Man

Here's the titles for the little known seventies Japanese Spider-Man (a.k.a 'Toei no Supaidâ-Man') series. Made by the Toei film studios famous for pioneering giant kung-fu fighting robot transformations seen in shows such as Power Rangers.

Fully endorsed by Stan Lee at Marvel, this series saw quite a different Spider-Man to the one seen in the comics and cartoons, mostly due to the toy company Bandai sponsoring the show. This Spider-Man wouldn't always be climbing walls and shooting web at villains, this version drives around in a Spidey-Car and fights weird looking Ninjas on a mostly flat surface judging from the clips I've seen on YouTube. Oh, and he can summon a giant flying Spidey-Robot (known as Mabera) to use in battle!



Up until seeing these clips I wondered why in comic shops (such as Forbidden Planet in London) toys such as the Spidey-Car and other vehicles were available, the US version never needed transportation.

Its had a limited DVD release in Japan but if you want it be prepared to spend a load of money (well over £200). Pirate versions can be found on the web and some episodes are available to download via torrent sites like Mininova (I'm currently downloading an episode).

UPDATE
I've now watched a full episode. Its really funny especially when Takuya (the Japanese equivalent to Peter Parker) transforms into Spidey. The suit is summoned via his wrist band communicator and out from nowhere a very flat, almost paper thin cut-out of Spider-man floats in front, one quick zip and Spider-man is complete.
No subtitles or Japanese language skills are required to enjoy this as the story is very easy to follow.