"Yeah, absolutely. I'd been in the gym for a bit. It was tricky, I was working on another project prior to this. So there was a limit to how big I could get, because obviously I can't morph—"
"Yes, and special body suits that make us look really [good]," interjected his "Captain America" co-star, Hugo Weaving.
"That's where I was going," continued Evans. "We do have fantastic bodysuits and I'm wearing mine right now," he added jokingly.
"They have these really great body suits that make everything fill out in all the right places," explained Evans. "I've got skinny legs."
The president, chief creative officer, and a few more representatives speak with the LA Times heavily on the task adapting their superheroes to the silver-screen.
According to the LA Times,The president and chief creative officer, Diane Nelson and Geoff Johns, of DC Entertainment main task is to go through the massive library of DC heroes and finally get as many characters such as Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Flash and Aquaman on the big screen for parent company Warner Bros.
Speaking on the experience of attending the premiere of Iron Man 2, which is produced by DC's rival Marvel Studios, Johns says,"You look at that success …it makes you want to achieve the same sort of thing but do it in our own way, "they've done great things and now we want to do great things."
At last month's San Diego Comic-Con, promoting the upcoming Green Lantern, Nelson and Johns stated that they'll coordinate everything DC-related for instance, hinting that there may be a half-dozen or more potential television projects in pipeline, suggesting "Smallville" and "Human Target" may soon be joined on the air by other DC-based properties. The film group president Jeff Robinov speaks as though the 75-year-old comic-book company is a fresh new commodity saying "We're looking at DC as an untapped asset,". "since we need to find a way to fill some of the holes in our event movie schedule created by the end of Harry Potter."
The star of the upcoming Green Lantern, Ryan Reynolds says "Integrity officer' is a great way to describe (Geoff Johns)". "He's quality control in terms of the source material and making sure we use it in the right way. If something doesn't sit well with Geoff, then everyone knows that's worthy of sounding an alarm. But he also doesn’t come in with this agenda that he tries to shove down your throat. And his passion for the material is obvious."
The biggest challenge for Nelson and Johns may be merging the cultures of the Warner lot in Burbank and the offices of DC, which are in Manhattan but may soon move to L.A.
Movies based on Marvel heroes, meanwhile, have grossed more than $7.2 billion worldwide in the last decade for a variety of studios, a track record that led Walt Disney Co. to buy the comic-book company last year for $4.3 billion. Marvel Studios is now an independent unit of Disney cranking out its own films.
Nelson and Johns say they're not out to copy Marvel and they view the competition as friendly and motivational. But the success of their competitor has clearly put the pressure on them from the highest levels of Warner parent company Time Warner Inc.
Nelson, 43, is accustomed to that type of intensity. As the lead executive overseeing the Potter franchise, she played a key role in successfully steering author J.K. Rowling's characters from the page into theaters, toy stores, theme parks and home-video collections. One Warner executive praised Nelson as a key part of the team: “If, as they say, success has a thousand fathers, in this case the successful marketing and brand management of the Harry Potter movies has one mother: Diane." She has been tasked with replicating that success for DC characters.
"It's no small challenge how few people have heard of these properties or understand their stories outside of fans of comic books," she said. "Sometimes the comic-book fans who love this stuff...want us to get too precious about this stuff and if we do, we'll kill it off. We need to figure out how to evolve and grow it and bring it to more people."
Johns read that director Richard Donner, famed for "Superman" in 1978 and the "Lethal Weapon" films, was developing a film based on Marvel's “X-Men” comics and he cold-called the office seeking an internship. He was put on hold and, in a moment of wild serendipity, Donner inadvertently picked up the line. The director chatted with the then-22-year-old for a moment and liked his eagerness. Johns started the next day.
"Geoff knows how to make these characters contemporary and yet stick to their core values, which is a fantastic asset for us," said Robinov.
Among the DC properties Robinov would like to see on the big screen after "Green Lantern" and Nolan's Man Of Steel are the Flash, Wonder Woman and the Justice League, which would unite big-name DC superheroes into a team. If that last movie does happen on the new team's watch, it would be a wry twist because Nelson and Johns got their posts in part because of a previous Justice League movie that was killed shortly before filming was to begin in 2008. It was one of several ill-fated projects, along with a comedic take on Green Lantern set to star Jack Black in a story written by “Triumph the Insult Comic Dog” creator Robert Smigel and a TV show featuring Batman sidekick Robin that didn't mesh with Nolan's movies or his "world view" of Batman.
The development of movies based on DC characters were previously done with little supervision or coordination. Former DC publisher Paul Levitz, who worked in New York, and an L.A.-based executive who reported to him were useful resources but not integrated into Warner’s film unit, they said. As a result, different producers and executives would sometimes work on competing versions of the same characters or ones that veered wildly from the comic book source material.
But the most divisive DC project the last year, according the LA Times, was a movie adaption the DC super-team Justice League which would'vee featured different, younger versions of Batman & Superman than the ones in the then-recent Batman & Superman franchise. And would've also introduced Flash, Wonder Woman and Aquaman. But Executives at the company disagreed over whether the Justice League movie was a wise idea, but it was killed at the last minute for a variety of reasons, including trouble securing tax credits in Australia, where it was set to be shot.
"In the past, there wasn't coordination or a cohesive plan for making movies out of DC characters," said Jeff Katz, a former executive at Warner sibling studio New Line Cinema who now runs film and comic production company American Original Entertainment. "It appears that Warner Bros. has realized they need a new strategy to get the maximum value from DC, which is clearly a smart decision."
Johns, still penning comic-book scripts at night & weekends, seems a bit startled by his ascension but also thrilled at the opportunity. On visiting the set of "Green Lantern" last month, he says,"To see a movie set for a character that I had spent so much time and creative energy on and to see it actually get shot, it was amazing. And more than that, I had been dreaming of seeing a Green Lantern movie since I was 8years old."
Following its successful debut of The Super Hero Squad Show, Marvel Anime and a number of other animated treats at last year’s show, Marvel Animation storms, swings, flies, and smashes its way back to San Diego Comic-Con this year for another weekend full of entertaining panels, exclusive signings, and awesome giveaways!
In addition to featuring all-star celebrity talent and world premiering full episodes of The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and Marvel Anime: Iron Man, Marvel Animation will be giving away all kinds of exclusive items in both their panels and at the Marvel booth (#2329)! This weekend will be your chance to get a custom Avengers ID card, win signed Comic-Con exclusives, meet the voices of your favorite characters, and more!
FRIDAY JULY 23, 2010 12:45 - 1:45 p.m. Marvel Animation Panel Hosted by an all-star cast of Marvel Animation talent including Tom Kenny (SpongeBob) and Charlie Adler (Transformers), and featuring a special guest of legendary proportions, this interactive game-show panel will get you more than excited about Marvel’s new and continuing animated series. Here’s your chance to snag some sweet Marvel merchandise! Come be a part of the action, showcasing all new seasons of The Super Hero Squad Show and Iron Man Armored Adventures, as well as new footage from Marvel Knights Animation, Marvel Anime, and other upcoming Marvel Animation properties. Room 6BCF
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Super Hero Squad Cast Signing All-star talent from The Super Squad Show will be signing items at the Marvel booth, including a San Diego Comic-Con exclusive Marvel Super Hero Squad The Infinity Gauntlet poster for the all-new video game from THQ releasing November 16th, 2010. On hand for the signing will be Tom Kenny (SpongeBob), Charlie Adler (Transformers 1&2), Steve Blum (Spectacular Spider-Man, Wolverine and the X-Men), and Tara Strong (Teen Titans, Fairly Odd Parents).
8:15 - 9:15 p.m. Iron Man: Anime Screening Witness the dawn of Marvel Anime as we world premiere the highly anticipated, full-length pilot episode of Iron Man! In addition to the screening, we will be featuring an exclusive first look at upcoming designs produced by the world-renowned Japanese animation studio Madhouse, whose notable films include hits such as Ninja Scroll and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (to name a few). Room 6DE
SATURDAY JULY 24, 2010 4:15 – 5:15 p.m. Marvel Animation: Avengers Panel Enter the Avengers Mansion and become a part of the team! Jarvis (Phil LaMarr, MadTV, Futurama) will introduce you to top-secret Avengers files, including never-before-seen footage, imagery, and the world premiere of two full-length episodes from the all-new The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes animated series premiering on Disney XD this fall! The road to the Avengers starts here! Room 6DE
About The Super Hero Squad Show Season 2: Featuring Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk, Wolverine, Falcon, and the Silver Surfer! Just when the Infinity Sword has been rebuilt, Doctor Doom is behind bars, and Villainville seems to have been totally destroyed – a new threat arises to threaten the universe… the evil space‐conqueror Thanos (played by Jim Cummings – Winnie the Pooh, The Princess and the Frog)! Determined to prove his superiority over his sister, the space‐pirate Nebula (Jane Lynch, 2010 Emmy Nominated actress for Glee), Thanos sets out to collect the six Infinity Stones, which gives him absolute supremacy over the universe. The Squaddies have to hurry and stop Thanos from collecting all the Stones in his Infinity Gauntlet before it’s too late. Luckily, the Squad has a wild card in their battle against Thanos, as the Scarlet Witch (Tara Strong, Teen Titans, Fairly Odd Parents) joins the team! Season 2 will also feature an all-star cast of celebrity guest talent including Adam West (Batman), George Takei (Star Trek), John O’Hurley (Seinfeld), Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica), Mark Hamill (Star Wars), Wayne Knight (Seinfeld) and more!
About The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes: Featuring Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and Hulk! When the planet is threatened by Super Villains, time-traveling conquerors, alien invaders, mythical monsters, or mad robots bent on the total destruction of humanity… When the forces of evil are so overwhelming that no single hero has the power to save the world… When there is no hope left…the Avengers Assemble!
About Marvel Anime: Madhouse will produce four all-new series for Marvel Animation: Wolverine, Iron Man, X-Men, and Blade, all reimagined by Warren Ellis!
Marvel Anime Iron Man, follows Tony Stark’s adventures in Japan . Featuring the cutting-edge style of Japanese anime with an eye toward bringing Tony Stark and Iron Man to a whole new audience, this collaboration is the start of a whole new era for the classic Marvel character.
About Marvel Entertainment, LLC Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 5,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in licensing, entertainment (via Marvel Studios and Marvel Animation) and publishing (via Marvel Comics). Marvel's strategy is to leverage its franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world, including feature films, consumer products, toys, video games, animated television, direct-to-DVD and online. For more information visit www.marvel.com.
The next two mighty Marvel movies are on their way and we've got your first look at awesome new mini-one-sheets!
Debuting at San Diego Comic-Con this week, be sure you try to snag these beauties at the Marvel Booth (#2329)!
As we march toward Marvel's 2011 blockbuster doubleheader, "Thor" and "Captain America: The First Avenger," there's lots more fun coming, so stay tuned to Marvel.com!
Thor (In Theaters, May 6, 2011)
Directed by Kenneth Branagh, the epic adventure "Thor" spans the Marvel Universe from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.
The screenplay for "Thor" was penned by Mark Protosevich as well as Ashley Miller & Zack Stentz, and Don Payne. Marvel Studios' President Kevin Feige will produce the film. Alan Fine, Stan Lee, David Maisel, and Marvel Studio's Co-President, Louis D'Esposito, will executive produce.
For more on "Thor," check out the Marvel.com official "Thor" movie hub!
Captain America: The First Avenger (In Theaters, July 22, 2011)
"Captain America: The First Avenger" will focus on the early days of the Marvel Universe when Steve Rogers volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America.
Directed by Joe Johnston and written by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely, "Captain America: The First Avenger" is based on characters developed by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon. The film will be produced by Marvel Studios' President Kevin Feige. Executive Producers on the project are Louis D'Esposito, Stan Lee and Marvel Studios' Chairman David Maisel. Paramount Pictures will distribute "Captain America: The First Avenger" worldwide.
For more on "Captain America: The First Avenger," check out the Marvel.com official "Captain America: The First Avenger" movie hub!
In addition to "Thor," scheduled for release on May 6, 2011, and "Captain America: The First Avenger," scheduled for release on July 22, 2011, Marvel Studios will also release "Marvel Studios' The Avengers" on May 4, 2012. See "Iron Man 2" in theaters now.
Imagi releases a new trailer for its CG-animated Gatchaman (known in the U.S. as G-Force or Battle of the Planets) feature!
Synopsis
Featuring stealthy ninja-style shadow fighting to grand-scale clashes, this fast-paced sci-fi action-thriller focuses on a lone-wolf maverick youth who, together with a team of teenage superheroes, finds his destiny in defending Earth against the dark forces of Galactor.
