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Fanboy Fix: 'The Avengers,' ‘Star Trek 2’ and ‘The Hobbit’

By: Erik Davis on August 26, 2010 at 11:14AM Comments (84)

Joss Whedon Talks ‘Avengers’ Script and Female Characters

'The Avengers'While on some sort of bizarre world tour, Joss Whedon spoke to The Sydney Morning Herald, saying that his team is currently hard at work narrowing down The Avengers script. He notes, “Right now I’m working on a movie that’s got enormous stipulations and is going to be changing and fluid every second. I’ve come up with dozens of scenes and lines and exchanges and monologues that I adore that are not going to be in it. But while I’m writing them they feed me, excite me and they ultimately inform the character. It all goes in.”
 
Whedon seems excited that he’s able to work on a project that fuels so many ideas, even if a lot of them won’t make the cut (hey, that’s what sequels are for). Earlier in the week, Whedon also said that Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow will not be the only female character in the film, though she’ll be the only female Avenger. This, naturally, led to tons of speculation on the parts of fanboys everywhere. Is Gwyneth Paltrow returning? Will there be a female villain?
 
Care to speculate yourself?
 
‘Star Trek 2’ Being Compared to ‘The Dark Knight’
 
Hey, if you were making a much-anticipated sequel, wouldn’t it be wise to compare it to The Dark Knight in some way since that turned out to be one of the most successful sequels of all time? Speaking to E! Online, Damon Lindelof (co-creator of Lost and producer on the upcoming Trek sequel) did exactly that when he said that they’re “looking at a movie like The Dark Knight, which went one step beyond Batman Begins. It was really about something, and at the same time it was a superhero movie. We don’t want to abandon all the things that made the first movie work and have it be fun and emotional, but we also really want the movie to thematically resonate.”
 
My sources tell me that the Star Trek 2 story is already done, and that work on the script is beginning real soon with an eye to begin filming in the late spring, early summer for their scheduled summer 2012 release date.
 
What would you like to see from the Star Trek sequel?
 
 
A ‘Hobbit’ Decision Coming Soon?
 
The HobbitWith folks growing increasingly more frustrated with the lack of announcements regarding The Hobbit – not to mention the fact that it’s practically impossible to cast without a production date set in stone – Peter Jackson has finally stepped up to give some sort of status update. He told The Dominion Post that both MGM and Warner Bros. are “making progress untangling the MGM situation”, and that they “should have certainty with The Hobbit sometime soon.” Certainty could go either way, though, right? Personally I don’t have such a good feeling – especially after seeing what happened to the next James Bond film (currently on a long hiatus) – but we should at least keep our fingers crossed for the time being.

Would it absolutely crush you if they didn’t make The Hobbit?

 

 

Comments (84)Leave a Comment

  • Oct 2nd 2010 3:00PM

    Kamou  said...

    I've got dibs on the fifth row, center seat at the Air & Space Museum's IMAX theater, opening night for Star Trek 2! That's how I experienced Star Trek after touring the US Enterprise, Apollo, Gemini, and Mercury space craft in the museum. Oh yeah, looking forward to opening nights for the Hobbit and the Avengers too, but I have my priorities. LL&P

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  • Sep 12th 2010 3:09PM

    Weird_Film_Fan  said...

    The Hobbit would be a great movie, but a lot of the action sequences and situations were used in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy already (either as a revisioned scene (the spiders for example) or in a flashback (the Gollum stuff)). As a big fan of the books and movies I would really love to see The Hobbit made, but I'm not in a rush. I would rather it took longer to make a really great movie than something rushed.

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  • Sep 3rd 2010 8:33AM

    turbofish  said...

    Hobbit - This one is going to be difficult. The Hobbit was totally unlike LOTR. It was a cute, if occasionally dramatic, sing-songy fairy tale which Tolkien wrote for his children. Any adaptation is likely to disappoint someone. The best Jackson can do is balance sweetness, spookyness, and the grand adventure of the original story in a way which will satisfy the modern audience. He did OK with LOTR (despite a few quibbling details) and made three wonderful movies... "The Hobbit - There and Back Again" will be much harder, but I think he can do it.

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  • Sep 3rd 2010 8:29AM

    turbofish  said...

    Star Trek - Just make it fun, character centric, and a little more logically consistent (not a pun) than the previous one. The characters of the previous movie were great, but there were gigantic gaping holes in the plot. If they want to present a moral theme, look to the original series for guidance... please do not make it as nauseatingly preachy as the later Treks. In short... more logic, no preaching, keep the swagger. :)

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  • Aug 31st 2010 11:19AM

    Celtics9  said...

    Star Trek is dead. Peter Jackson is a hack. Hollywood is running out of ideas, because they're making movies out of video games, comic books(Aquaman?!), and remaaking movies that need to be left alone(Star Trek,Clash od the Titans, etc..)as they say of NFL countdown "C'mon Man!"

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  • Aug 29th 2010 9:32PM

    Kilbaneisking  said...

    First off for avengers: There is literally limitless possibilities. I like the idea of needing the team to track down and (sort of) tame the Hulk he is very strong and could very easily make a bad day for any of the Avengers by themselves. I would not be opposed to introducing a marvel villian we do not have in the film universe as well (Loki comes to mind he's always a handful) and far too many others. I trust Wheadon and co will definately make a great story no matter what. Star Trek 2: I excpected the first reboot to disappoint, but I loved everything about it it was fantastic! If they are drwing inspiration from dark knight even better! I can't wait. Hobbit: I'm really past the point of caring all of the problems should be an omen!

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  • Aug 29th 2010 1:05PM

    JDB728  said...

    First: I'd be surprised if Pepper Potts didn't make an appearance. I wouldn't be surprised if Whedon went with a female villain. Either way, I'm not really going to lose any sleep over it. At least we know The Fantastic Four won't be included. I am really looking forward to the movie though. Second: Damon Lindelof didn't "compare" "Star Trek 2" to "The Dark Knight", rather he simply stated that they were trying to draw artistic inspiration from it. I'm also looking forward to this sequel. Third: I think it'd be nice to have a "The Hobbit" movie, but I can't honestly say I care all that much any more. The prime time would've been within a few years after LotR: RotK. It's been 7 years, and I really don't care either way anymore. Haha.

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  • Aug 29th 2010 7:34AM

    darkstardanes  said...

    I'm all for making "The Hobbit", as long as they've gotten a new casting director. Most of the major choices for "Lord of the Rings" were horrible! The choice of actors truly detracted from the film. I hope they are true to the book as well. They destroyed the character of Aragorn in "Lord of the Rings". I hope they've learned from their errors before they attempt another creation.

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  • Aug 29th 2010 1:08PM

    JDB728  said...

    I've gotta say, I personally thought Viggo Mortenson made a great Aragorn. I really didn't have any problems with the casting. King Kong(Peter Jackson's abomination) on the other hand, now that had some bad casting. Haha.

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  • Aug 30th 2010 3:36AM

    darkstardanes  said...

    I should have rephrased my comment. I don't think Vigo Mortenson ruined the character of Aragorn. He is a very good actor. I like him. I think Aragorn, via the screenplay/directing -- not acting, was horribly sold short. He was portrayed as an indecisive, pathetic man. Not at all like the book.

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  • Aug 29th 2010 1:48AM

    Covert76  said...

    GAY GAY GAY. ALL OF YOU.

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  • Aug 28th 2010 4:04PM

    1313345539  said...

    I WANT THE FULL VISION!!Give Peter Jackson whatever money he wants and LET HIM DIRECT THE HOBBIT FILMS!!DO THE MOVIE RIGHT!!

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  • Aug 28th 2010 12:05PM

    makomon0427  said...

    And don't forget: Peter Jackson also wanted to make a sequel - or "continuation" - to the Hobbit, that would cover the time span of 59 years between "The Hobbit" and "The Fellowship of the Ring," though it appears that idea may not happen. I would very much like to see that happen.

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  • Aug 28th 2010 11:45AM

    Russg13  said...

    crush me?? well.. i surely wouldn't like it. and i am in agreement w/ the author re: james bond and it's ramifications/indications for other projects. i really love the tolkein material and would be sorry if the hobbit gets scrapped... but im really irritated with this james bond situation. i understand its a biz ,believe me; that naive i'm not. but... the lord of the rings was pretty darn satisfying and if we didn't get a hobbit film it would be bad, but not the end of the world. however, to ruin what was a great comeback, in the j.b. franchise, by shelving it indefinitely... well... haven't we seen what happened to the very promising superman brand, under the same, or approx. similar, conditions? there's (another) terrible shame for you !

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  • Aug 28th 2010 9:54AM

    vanidor  said...

    The Hobbit must come to pass!

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  • Aug 27th 2010 10:53PM

    Ulik  said...

    Uh,wait a minute, Black Widow as an Avenger before Wasp? Hawkeye an Avenger before Giant-Man?NO that's so damn stupid. They need to keep Black Widow and Hawkeye as S.H.I.E.L.D agents and let Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne be S.H.I.E.L.D scientists that become official members of The Avengers either in the middle or end of the film.

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  • Aug 29th 2010 10:01PM

    ruizrox  said...

    That's what I'm talking about! How are the Wasp & Giant going to play into the Avengers plot line? Also I haven't even seen or heard anything in regards to the Panther! The Avengers (main originals) didn't just consist of Captain America, Black Widow, Hulk, Iron-Man, and Thor! I understand how all the characters can't star in their own movies, but they should at least be able to incorporate them into some of the other main Hero's starring movies (Ex: Black Widow introduced in Iron-Man II) this way when The Avenger's movie hits the theaters all of the cast will have already been introduced! :)

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  • Aug 29th 2010 10:01PM

    ruizrox  said...

    That's what I'm talking about! How are the Wasp & Giant going to play into the Avengers plot line? Also I haven't even seen or heard anything in regards to the Panther! The Avengers (main originals) didn't just consist of Captain America, Black Widow, Hulk, Iron-Man, and Thor! I understand how all the characters can't star in their own movies, but they should at least be able to incorporate them into some of the other main Hero's starring movies (Ex: Black Widow introduced in Iron-Man II) this way when The Avenger's movie hits the theaters all of the cast will have already been introduced! :)

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  • Aug 31st 2010 11:22AM

    Celtics9  said...

    Captain America wasn't an original Avenger. He became an Avenger in issue #4

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  • Aug 31st 2010 11:23AM

    Celtics9  said...

    Black Widow was also not an original Avenger.

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  • Sep 4th 2010 8:45PM

    ruizrox  said...

    Hee hee my bad! I'm not very savy on the original Avenger's comic book series...I got my info on them from watching Marvel's animated movies...they only showed the characters I mentioned above as well as Hawkeye :) Sorry to misrepresent the REAL Original Avengers! But I do think they need to make sure the heroes Panther, Wasp, Giant, and Hawkeye are in the movies to make me a happy fan! Then for sure they would have @ the very least one pleased fan! LOL!

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  • Sep 5th 2010 10:45AM

    Celtics9  said...

    I agree with everyone there but make giant-man into ant-man and everything would be awesome. Are as the Originals go roster was Hulk,IronMan,Wasp,Antman, and Thor.

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  • Sep 9th 2010 5:27PM

    ruizrox  said...

    Awesome! Thx for the info! I never even knew Ant-Man was an Avengers :( Poor Ant-Man seems like he got the raw end of the deal when it comes to the movies...oh well such is the way when it comes to taking any kind of writing (books,comics,etc) and convert them into movies...ah Hollywood love and hate them @ the same time!

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  • Sep 9th 2010 6:32PM

    Ulik  said...

    He should start out as Ant-Man but then use his Pym particles to become Giant-Man. After all he will have his own movie as Ant-Man and it'd give them the opportunity to use both "personas" in different movies also it'd be more realistic as Pym would feel less important or less powerful as a man who shrinks among Thor,The Hulk,Iron Man,and Captain America.With Pym's ego problem,he'd want to be more of a contender as Giant-Man or Goliath.

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  • Sep 9th 2010 7:06PM

    ruizrox  said...

    Cool info! I am such a bad fan wannabe! lol! I had no idea that Ant-Man later becomes Giant-Man! Wow!

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