Here are some new photos of Robert Downey Jr. arriving in Waltham, Massachusetts to film some scenes for The Judge yesterday. He’s been working in Massachusetts for the better part of a month now, and I have to say – just judging the film from the set photos, it’s going to be an interesting film, and RDJ looks really good in the film. What I love about these particular pics is that it looks like RDJ is greeting (and then hugging it out) with a cop… or a state trooper. That’s a trooper uniform, correct? RDJ is such a popular actor these days that troopers come up to him and want hugs. That’s amazing, especially considering that 15 years ago, the only time a cop or trooper came near him was to arrest him on some kind of drug bust.
Anyway, as I discussed last week (even though no one seemed to care), RDJ is currently the best-paid actor in Hollywood. He made $75 million last year, mostly because of his crazy backend deal with The Avengers. It was said that RDJ was the hold-out for an Avengers sequel too, because RDJ wanted another backend deal that would make him crazy rich. Well, I guess they came through, because he eventually signed on for Avengers 2 & 3. And during Comic-Con this year, Joss Whedon made some specific announcements about The Avengers 2:
Joss Whedon announced that the Avengers sequel will be subtitled Age of Ultron. For those unfamiliar, in the comics, Ultron was a sentient robot created by Henry Pym (a.k.a. Ant-Man, a.k.a. the hero of the Marvel Studios movie that follows Avengers: Age of Ultron) who becomes obsessed with remaking himself over and over again, improving each time and laying waste to those who got in his way.
But the real eyebrow-raising element here is the specific title, “Age of Ultron.” That title is shared by a 2013 limited series in which Ultron basically decimates the entire planet. It would be impossible for Marvel to mount a straight-forward adaptation of that series — Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four’s Invisible Woman, and especially Wolverine figure prominently in the plot, and the movie rights to those characters are held tightly by other studios. But by claiming that title, writer-director Joss Whedon appears to be indicating that the stakes for Avengers 2 are expanding far beyond an alien invasion of New York City.
One other thought: Marvel has more than proven it knows how to mount feature films that satisfy the core geek faithful, while still entertaining a much wider audience who only know the characters from the movies and not the comics they’re based on. But The Avengers: Age of Ultron is an inescapably geeky title — at least, much more so than Thor: The Dark World and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. It’s just a fascinating risk for Whedon and Marvel to push the sequel to the third-highest grossing movie of all time into such seemingly dark and (relatively) rarefied territory.
ScreenRant has a further breakdown of what this means, and SPOILER, they’re saying that despite what the title suggests, there will be no Ant-Man or Henry Pym in The Avengers 2, but that this whole mess might involve JARVIS!! You know Jarvis. Jarvis is Tony Stark’s robot butler voiced brilliantly by Paul Bettany. Wouldn’t it be amazing if – after all of these films – Paul Bettany actually got to do more than voice-act in one of these comic-book movies? Anyway, the whole point of this is that, of course, there will be NO LOKI in The Avengers 2. And that Tony Stark is always the center of everything.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.
RDJ is going to gobble up like $100 mil of the $300 mil budget. Insanity. And apparently there’s no Thor in Ultron? Sad.
are they releasing Hemsworth and changing Thor? or are they just done with him?
There’s no way they’re giving up on Thor as a comics property; I am guessing releasing Hems (nothing confirmed but a lot of rumors/coincidences etc point in that direction), having the character of Thor sit out Avengers 2, then possibly rebooting Thor in a few years, in advance of Avengers 3. This is based on my personal business assessment btw – just what would seem to make sense. And no, I am not happy about it. I love Hems as [esp shirtless] Thor.
My hubby has been in MA for almost two months Kaiser; since June 3rd.
I don’t think it will completely revolve around him but he will have a huge role. He is Marvel’s cash cow for now.
As for Hemsworth there are rumors that he will be used in AV2 but they are just rumors. I understand if they don’t because the cast is growing extremely large. We have the originals minus Loki, Quicksilver & Scarlett Witch are rumored, also The Falcon is set to follow Cap over and why wouldn’t he.
Rumors are also circulating that Vin Diesel might play Ultron but some believe he is set to play Vsion. The Rock is rumored for Luke Cage but not in AV2 and we have Joseph Gordon Levitt rumored to have been called in to star as Dr. Strange. I’m hoping Whedon and Marvel doesn’t get to ambitious and fall short of a good story line by adding too many new faces. I hope the rumors are true and Hemsworth is involved in some capacity but it’s a tough call due to the story of Ultron. That being said if any man can make this work it’s Joss Whedon.
V4-
Where is the JGL info coming from? I really doubt that Marvel would bring in someone who’s tied to a DC property.
Vin Diesel, really? I can’t stand that dude..
@ Anna.. I’m a fan of Hemsworth’s Thor as well but honestly I’d be happy if he just stood on screen shirtless.
Anna it’s all over the web and not just gossip sites. I would provide links but I’m typing from my phone.
By the way let’s not forget that horribe Catwoman movie is DC property and WB but they brought Halle Berry over to play Storm in XMen.
@V4 – are you referring to Hemsworth info or to JGL? I know on Hems there have been plenty of indicators, but it’s the first I am hearing of the JGL involvement, bc I thought he was going to take over Batman or get his own DC spin-off/Robin movie.
@Blue Marie – I am totally fine with that movie too! Sign me up now!
Anna I am referring to JGL. I think WB had planned to give him a spinoff but decided against it therefore going with a buddy movie including Batman and Superman.
As for Hemsworth I’m hoping he does return. Keep in mind Whedon’s Ultron is going to differ from the comic book version ousting the creator Hank Pym so there is a possibility Thor can fit with the storyline.
I think CHemboy shirtless against a brick wall would make a wonderful movie.
I imagine CHemboy would be less than pleased to bulk up that much for only a few moments on screen.
@Miss Jane –
Well, they could always pad the costume. It’s not like they had him take his clothes off…THOSE BASTARDS!
i don’t think so…am waiting for Thor 2 to see if they will will Jane Foster character off…because with that character kill, thor has no reason to be on earth…and they better not kill Captain America….plus Age of Ultron sucks
I think this is Portman’s last Marvel film, she didnt even want to do Thor 2. But it’s not like they cant re-cast her. My speculation re: Thor is that several rumors point to the fact that Hems himself wants out of contract if Marvel won’t pay up, and Marvel straight up refuses to pay us (to basically anyone except RDJ), so they are like, ‘eff it, he can go.’
Akuna just so you’ll know Whedon’s Ultron is taking a different direction from the comic book. This came directly from the horses mouth. It won’t include the creater Hank Pym
Just to be geeky about it – do you think they just have too many issue with Hank? I imagine they would just ignore the abuse storyline, but the controversy would be there anyway. And you can’t really have Ant Man without the Wasp, can you?
Ant-Man is getting his own film: it’s the next one up after Avengers 2. Since they’re going to face the controversy sooner or later, that can’t be the reason to change the Ultron creation story.
I think that V4Real is right: it’s simply a problem of too many characters. You’ve got to introduce Quicksilver, the Scarlet Witch and Ultron. You also need a hint or two about Thanos so that he’s not forgotten by the third movie. Introducing Ant-Man and Wasp would be too much.
@Lucrezia – he is getting his own film? Would that be to set him up to appear in Avengers 3? Where are they on the casting for him – I remember the speculation.
Harkening back a few posts (days?) ago, re: Australians starting in soaps – I did not realize that, thank you for the clarification.
Miss Jane, harkening back to the same post – I do genuinely hope you assessment of Hems’ non-Avengers career is more accurate than mine, but for the time being I will remain a skeptic 🙂
The biggest reason for that is that I think it’s debatable whether Huntsman was really a Hemsworth vehicle (I’d say Charlize + visuals, then equal parts KStew and Hems), plus its financial success is debatable bc of the overblown budget (I think it barely broke even? and the reviews/ audience feedback werent the strongest, which doesnt look good for the sequel – esp w/o Charlize. Reminds me of Clash of the Titans).
For me, what is most hope-inspiring is the Howard double-casting, esp in a role that’s not pure Action Star.
Ant Man has a tentative release date of November 6, 2015. Script is apparently finished, but casting is still not confirmed (Kevin Feige has said it’d be sorted later this year). Latest rumour was Armie Hammer, because he was seen on the Captain America set, but the director denied meeting him, and Hammer said he was just there to visit a friend. Other names rumoured include Cumberbatch (he’s been seen at Marvel HQ) and Nathan Fillion. Simon Pegg’s been mentioned as a potential villain (Edgar Wright is the director, and he’s got a Whedon-like tendency to re-use actors he likes. Pegg’s been in a LOT of his films.)
The interesting bit is that the script is supposed to be an origin story, featuring both Hank Pym and Scott Lang. So we’ll have two Ant Men, and it’s anyone’s guess as to how they’ll resolve that. They’re definitely not sticking to existing comic-book cannon.
Re: the Aussie soaps thing: I’m so used to everyone being an ex soap star that the strict theatre/TV/film hierarchy that seems to exist in the US/UK always surprises me. It’s just what you’re used to I guess 🙂
OMG, I hope so! Ironman is my favorite of the Marvel adaptations. RDJ is also just too charming, and his humor is great. Another hottie.
I personally can’t stand iron man and hope it doesn’t revolve around him. He already has 3 movies. Oh well. Also, am I the only one that’s not a huge fan of Loki? He just never seemed menacing to me (even though I do like Tom).
Love RDJ but no i will be very piss…because Iron Man did not make Ultron and Is Marvel trying to kill Captain America and Jeremy Renner character?
You better get over your anger now, then, because Hank Pym won’t be in the Avengers 2 at all, which Whedon clearly stated. He doesn’t jive with Edgar Wright’s Ant-Man so Whedon is rewriting the Ultron story entirely. The little teaser they showed at Comic Con makes it look like Ultron is some kind of accident or misappropriation of Stark tech. Also Whedon has said, ages ago now, that he’s throwing a lot of Hawkeye in the story (he’s a big part of the comics, too) because he felt bad about how he ended up in Avengers. I don’t think Renner is going anywhere, at least for the sequel.
Agree completely. The Iron Man movies are overrated twaddle. RDJs charisma carries that franchise, not the super hero and certainly not the writing. Also Loki could be a truly great villain but Tom plays it too camp. A funny villain is great but with Tom it just seems like he plays it too tongue-in-cheek.
Glad I’m not the only one! I like all of them as a team, not revolving around RDJ attitude stuff that we’ve seen in 4 movies.
For as much money as RDJ is being paid to be in this movie, I’d be shocked if the movie did not revolve around Tony Stark/Iron Man.
And honestly, I think Chris Hemsworth is one of the most overrated people in Hollywood (alongside his brother Liam) and I won’t cry if there is no Thor in this one at all.
I agree.
Thor is a bore!
I’m sorry to voice an unpopular opinion (I’m grumpy today), but I think that RDJ’s decision to hold out on be half of the rest of the Avengers was more about RDJ than anything else, so naturally he’ll sign to a film that centralizes him.
Well, he didn’t really try to conceal the size of his ego in that Esquire (GQ?) profile right before IM3. And I concur with you.
Ahhh Anna he was high as hell when he said that; just kidding. I do understand if you don’t get his sense of humor he can come off a bit arrogant but most of the time he is not serious. Don’t be so hard on my man.
Oh, V4, I am not saying there’s anything inherently wrong with an ego, esp when it’s supported by substance (in this case, massive paychecks and his irreplaceability with Marvel). I’m just slow to buy into the generous/principled team player narrative bc it doesn’t gel with the RDJ One Man Show.
While I do really love RDJ, for me it’s hard not to, I just don’t see why he held out for more money on Avengers 2? I mean you know they couldn’t give him any less than he made for the first movie, but it takes away from the other actors. I know he was helping this time around which is great but when I found out just how small everyone’s paycheck was/is compared to RDJ, it just doesn’t feel right. Even if he’s the “star”.
This T.Fanty!!! I am p.o at RDJ, what an a*hole!
ps: There will be no Thor either, Kaiser… Well, that’s what I heard. :/
RDJ is all about the money these days. Coupled with the douchey quotes (which his stans probably think are just “delightfully cocky”) I am starting to dislike him.
Wish he would do like Bale rather than Jackman. Bale did his 3 films and left on a high. Jackman will be strapping on those claws to his late sixties (see Bruce Willis, Sly Stallone). Its pathetic. Forget the cash RDJ.
But Jackman’s taste in movies is generally terrible and always has been (I think the exceptions are probably accidental). Jackman either has no capacity to spot a bad script, or just loves doing them – I’m sure money is a factor, but he just seems so damn enthusiastic about his horrible movies that I give him leeway.
RDJ needs to tone it down. People were swooning over Johnny Depp like this five years ago. The tide always turns.
In RDJ’s defense it’s not his fault that the others were not savvy enough to get their team of lawyers to work out said deals as his team did. On another note Marvel is known for being stingy so I’m glad an actor hit them where it hurts and that’s their pockets. These films are going to make millions especially with China now on board. I’m sure Marvel has enought to be generous with the entire original cast they, (Marvel) is the greedy one here.
Hmm. Do I smell an “RDJ is not the best thing EVER!!!!” backlash in the wind? Well I guess he’s been universally loved long enough and has been propped as high as possible on that pedestal that it’s only natural for the tide to start changing. But maybe he’ll be able to avoid it entirely, like JLaw (though I think her time will come, as it comes for them all), but than again entertainment history has shown that the best part of building someone up is tearing them down. Hope he survives.
So they’re going to make Iron Man the Wolverine of the Avengers franchise, which means that basically every story revolves around him just like all three X-men movies and apparently the new Days of Futures Past have/will revolve around Logan. Ugh. Do these people not realize that they are a team; everyone should get their time to shine.
+1
The Marvel policy I would imagine is everyone is expendable but RDJ. If that’s the case though, signing them to eight or nine picture options and underpaying is only going to lead to bad blood
And what the hell is with the Vin Disel thing? He’s king of the paycheck. I guess after initially leaving the Fast and XXX franchises over money he’s learned he’s not really a big enough deal for that grandstanding?
The thing is, aside from RDJ, who is basically synonymous with Marvel right now, Hemsworth is the only one who’s managed to break out into other high-profile, high-paying gigs. Working with Spielberg, Mann, Howard…potential 2nd franchise with Huntsman, etc. So everyone else doesn’t have as strong a negotiating position, and Marvel knows that, and thus is committed to paying crap to everyone but RDJ – they know they can keep the team in tact.
Comic book nerd here. I forgave the lack of Pym in the first Avengers, but just barely. As he was the leader and founding member of the Avengers, I found the lack of Ant-Man jarring. However I gave Hollywood the BOTD – I can see how it would have been difficult to to incorporate Ant-Man’s shrinking and growing from a CGI perspective. (although we now have sharks in tornadoes, so I don’t see how a little shrinking is hard, but I digress) HOWEVER! If 2 is indeed about Ultron, I call b*llsh*t on Joss. Pym invented Ultron. Period. It’s nonsense to keep swiping the story and refusing to use the character whose story it is.
These companies don’t care. I know Marvel wasn’t behind it, but if they can screw up the the original line up for the X-men First class (Mystique and Angel Salvatore? Really??!) and the Phoenix saga than you know they don’t really care as long as it sells. It does seem sadder that Marvel, whom one would think being the creators of these stories would care more about sticking as much as possible to the original story line, has gone down that road, but the only way one can fight back is by not going to the movies.
@Erin You saw what they did with The Mandarin right? This just goes to show directors have the freedom to take movies in the direction that they want it to go. Hardcore comic book lovers and fanboys usually get upset when this happen but comic books are not based on actuall events or true life which gives studios the ability to tweek the story line any way they wish. Whedon said Pym will exist but not in AV2; he’s giving Ultron his own origin differing from the comics.
i can’t say this enough…….And this is not directed at you personally…
FILM IS A DIFFERENT MEDIUM. What works in books/comics doesn’t always translate to film or even work on film.
The evolution of story is a good thing even if the story goes in a direction one didn’t expect.
There are only so many times the same story can be retold and it becomes super boring when it’s told the same way in books as in other medium eg SUPERMAN – talk about a complete failure of imagination there – side note i don’t think SUPERMAN is boring, just frozen in aspic and not allowed out.
Joss Whedon has shown time and again how good he is at retelling the story of traditionally and rigidly held concepts in a new and unexpected way whilst staying true to the original concept of the character. This is a good thing.
Finally, Marvel have been trying to make these comic book films and failing every time since the 60s. IM was the first success for them because they threw out the old thinking and are playing their concepts.
@Lak
You are so right on! I am a comic book reader and as much as I love the comic book origins for my favorite characters (Rogue, Gambit, Deadpool) its when they completely mutilate the characters (Rogue, Gambit, Deadpool) that incenses me. I can forgive Bryan Singer with X-men 1 when he basically made Anna Paquin’s terrible Rogue into a surrogate Kitty Pryde, but Gambit and (what was supposed to be) Deadpool in Wolverines: Origins was an atrocity. Character mutilation and origin tweaking are 2 totally different things.
When they made Iron Man, they couldn’t set it in modern day if his origin story started in Vietnam (like it did in the comic). It wouldn’t translate well or make sense. The only reason they stuck with Steve Rogers origins pretty closely was that they could easily throw him in the future to sync up with the other Avengers.
Right now, they are paying RDJ out the a$$ so why not revolve the AoU around him instead of trying to introduce Pym/Ant Man ..along with a new villain, Scarlet witch and Quicksilver. It would overwhelm the non-comic audience.
At some point there are just too many balls in the air, and even Joss W can pull it all off in a film. Much as I loved The Avengers, there was a definite air of ” now it’s time for Hulk’s 10 mins” and so on down the line. Less characters equals a better plot and movie.
The Thor 2 trailers I’ve seen are pretty underwhelming- think Chris H is ready to go.
Actually I think Thor 2 looks awesome. Looks much better than the disastrous iron man 3. I think they did a good job with first avengers considering there are so many characters. I agree that tons of characters may get old fast though (I was getting a little cgi numb by the end of the first one).
I just imagined the mostly-male Avengers cast and all those balls in the air…
Ooh you are good! I about spit out my coffee!
Joss W said at ComiCon that there will be ‘a lot of sciencing’ from Tony Stark and Bruce Banner, so like Cap last time the science brothers may drive the story in A2.
that’s a county sheriff uniform.