Stan Lee (1922-2018)

Like many, we at The Watchers are incredibly saddened by the passing of comic book supremo, Stan Lee, who passed away yesterday (12th November) at the age of 95. 

Born Stanley Martin Lieber on December 28th 1922, his parents were Romanian Jewish immigrants. After graduating from high school in 1939, he became an assistant at Timely Comics, a pulp fiction company, filling the artists' inkwells, proofreading and erasing the pencil lines. Two years later, he made his comic-book debut with an all-text Captain America story- written under the pseudonym 'Stan Lee' (he planned to keep his given name for more literary work). In late 1941, Lee was installed as interim editor at Timely, following Joe Simon and Jack Kirby's departure. He was just under 19 years of age. From 1942-1945, Lee served in the US Army and served as a member of the Signal Corps before being transferred to the Training Film Division. He was one of only nine men to be given the military classification of 'playwright'. 

Stan Lee during his military service in World War II

After returning from military service, Lee continued as editor for Timely (which became known as Atlas Comics by the mid-1950s) but soon became frustrated with the restrictions of the comic book form and was churning out whatever was needed to satisy the readership- be that crime, horror, westerns. As he approached 40, Lee was on the brink of quitting comics and turning his attention to writing novels. Besides, DC Comics were stealing a march on the comic-book scene with the Justice League of America and Atlas didn't have anything to compare. His wife Joan told him to 'write one comic you are proud of' before finishing with comics. 

This comic would eventually become The Fantastic Four, which he co-created with Jack Kirby, and which published its first issue in 1961. The dysfunctional family unit became a massive success and the first foundation of what would be known as Marvel Comics was laid. In 1962, Lee co-created Ant-Man, The Incredible Hulk, and Thor with Kirby and one of his most famous characters, Spider-Man, with Steve Ditko. Iron Man, Doctor Strange, the Wasp, the X-Men, Daredevil and the Avengers would soon follow. Over the years, he would create or co-create many other Marvel characters, including Groot, the Inhumans, Iron Fist, Black Panther, Falcon, Black Widow, and Nick Fury.

Throughout the 1960s, Lee would utilise a system that (although used by other comic-book studies) would come to be known as the 'Marvel method': the story would be brainstormed between the writer and the artist, a brief synopsis (rather than a full script) would be produced by the writer, the artist would draw the panels- working out the page-by-page storytelling- then pass the completed panels back for the writer to do the word balloons and captions. This system helped Lee maintain his workload and meet the deadlines, but could also give rise to claims that Lee took more credit than was due for the work; Lee had a particularly acrimonious time with the estate of Jack Kirby over such claims (a claim that was settled for an undisclosed sum 20 years after Kirby's death, with the terms of the settlement never made public). 

In his comics, Lee would include a credit panel to properly acknowledge the inkers and letterers of the strip as well as the writer and artist. He'd also write the Bullpen Bulletins page and a 'Stan's Soapbox' where he'd discuss issues in his familiar, chatty style. Lee made his characters relatable- they had day-to-day issues, they weren't some on-high flawless creatures. Some looked like villains. Others were different, outcasts, freaks. He also used the comic books to discuss real-life issues, such as the Vietnam War and the Red Scare, with one comic historian noting that 'from 1962 to 1965, there were more communists [in Marvel Comics] than on the subscription list of Pravda'! DC didn't involve themselves with such things. In one 'Stan's Soapbox', he writes about the evils of bigotry and racism and how 'if man is ever to be worthy of his destiny, we must fill our hearts with tolerance'. 

One of the controversial panels in The Amazing Spider-Man #97

In 1971, Lee played no small part in the reformation of the Comics Code, which was created in 1954 by the Comics Code Authority (CCA) and acted as a de facto censor for comic books. If a comic-book didn't adhere to the Code, it was not authorised to use the Comics Code seal on the cover. This would cause publishers issues. When the US Department of Health, Education and Welfare asked Lee to write a story about the dangers of drugs, Lee did just that: a three-issue storyline within The Amazing Spider-Man comics where Harry Osborn would nearly die from an overdose. The CCA promptly refused to authorise the use of the seal (no matter that the presentation of drugs was shown distinctly as a negative). Luckily, Marvel essentially decided to publish and be damned, and those three issues went out without the seal: rather than there be any wholly negative problems, Marvel were praised for its social consciousness and the CCA eventually loosened the Code. 

In 1972, Lee stopped writing comic books- he was writing the copy for all of Marvel's covers- and stepped down as editor. He took up the role of publisher within Marvel (a role he would hold until 1996). His final issues of The Amazing Spider-Man and Fantastic Four came out in July and August respectively. He would occasionally write with various projects, such as a 1982 Silver Surfer one-shot with John Byrne, and the first issue of The Savage She-Hulk with John Buscema. 

Stan in Mallrats with Jason Lee

In the 1980s, Lee moved to Los Angeles to focus on developing Marvel's film and TV projects. He was the narrator for both The Incredible Hulk (1982-1983) and Spider-Man & His Amazing Friends (1981-1983). In 1995, he appeared as a heightened version of himself in Kevin Smith's Mallrats. In 1998, Lee embarked on a new internet-based superhero production and marketing studio called Stan Lee Media. Sadly, this venture was shortlived when one of his investors was found to be illegally manipulating stock prices and was sent to prison. Lee himself filed for bankruptcy, although he was never implicated in any wrongdoing. 

In 2000, superhero movies were starting to be made with some money and some thought behind them, thanks largely to the original X-Men movie (starring Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, and Hugh Jackman). As the X-Men's co-creator, Lee had a small cameo as a hot dog vendor. It's very much a blink-and-you-might-miss-it moment but was a fun Easter egg for fans. This wasn't the first superhero movie cameo Lee made, however: he was the jury foreman in The Trial Of The Incredible Hulk (1989). 

As more and more Marvel movies were being made, so Lee kept on being offered cameos- playing everything from a mailman to a beauty pageant judge, an Army general to a strip-club DJ. One of my particular favourites is in The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) where he's a school librarian blithely unaware of the carnage happening behind him as Spider-Man and the Lizard have a massive scrap. His cameos soon became an integral part to a Marvel movie and fans reacted with glee at each one-liner or look. To many, a Marvel movie without a Stan Lee cameo won't feel quite the same. 

Stan's cameo in The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

Lee continued to work in various mediums- writing graphic novels, attending conventions, meeting fans, writing several manga titles, appearing in films and TV shows, although increasing ill health sometimes meant he had to cancel convention appearances. In 2008, he was awarded the American National Medal of the Arts for his services to comic books, and was awarded the Producers Guild of America's Vanguard Award in 2012. His wife Joan, to whom he had been married for nearly 70 years and the person he credited as his muse and inspiration, passed away in 2017. She appeared with him for his cameo in X-Men: Apocalypse. He is survived by his daughter J.C. Lee. 

Stan and Joan Lee in X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)

It's difficult to think of someone who has had such an impact on popular culture as Stan Lee. He helped to bring comic books from niche to mainstream, and his legacy of dozens of iconic characters will endure. Lee once wrote 'entertainment is one of the most important things in people's lives. Without it they might go off the deep end. I feel that if you're able to entertain people, you're doing a good thing.' And you did entertain people. Thank you for everything. 

Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. 

Excelsior, true believer. 

Rhys, Tez & Matt
The Watchers

The Watchers Review Of 2015

So, we were busy in 2015.

Between three full time jobs, and producing our own web series, we haven't done a podcast in a while (although Tez and Matt have kept the writing reviews going on here), but here we are back for our now traditional Review Of The Year- which was recorded on New Years Day

This time it is split into two podcasts for you: our Nice List for the year and then our Naughty List for the year and a brief discussion of what we're looking forward to in 2016. So sit back, relax and enjoy! Happy New Year! 

The Watchers

Review: Ant-Man (UK Cert 12A)

Ant-Man is the twelfth movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and brings Phase Two to a close. 

If Captain America: The Winter Soldier could be loosely termed a political thriller and Guardians Of The Galaxy a space opera, the best description for Ant-Man would be a heist movie.

Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is released from prison and wants to set his life on the right path, to provide for his daughter Cassie, but finds his past history makes that difficult. On a tip from his friend Luis (Michael Pena), Scott burgles a house and finds a strange suit. The suit has the amazing ability to shrink the wearer to the size of an insect. Scott is then recruited by the suit's creator, Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), to help with an audacious heist that might just help save the world.

It's a very good-natured romp, ably led by a winning performance by Paul Rudd. Scott Lang is a different type of hero. He isn't a scientist or a soldier or a tech millionaire or a god. He's a criminal, a cat burglar, albeit a principled one. He doesn't use violence and is quick to correct people on that point. He's fundamentally a good man who did the wrong thing for the right reason and paid the price for it. There are shades of Chris Pratt's Star-Lord here: Lang is goofy at times, serious at others and is a general winning presence.

Other performances are similarly strong, particularly Evangeline Lilly as Pym's estranged daughter Hope Van Dyne. Lilly gives a great performance as the tough, strong Hope and her scenes with Michael Douglas as father and daughter negotiate the heist and their own personal relationships are some of the best in the film. Douglas is on top form as Pym, playing the mentor role well. He foregoes the usual mentor cliches and there's a nice dry wit to some of his lines. 

That's not to say all performances are great. I had some issues with a few of them. Michael Pena is a good comic foil as the motormouth Luis but he's overused in places and the comic notes don't always work. Similarly, whilst Corey Stoll makes for an engaging villain as Darren Cross, he comes across as a bit one-dimensional in places and reverts quite quickly to swivel-eyed loon whereas other Marvel villains have been a bit more subtle. 

Peyton Reed's direction is pretty slick. There's some great scenes when Lang is shrunk and those worlds look great, particularly parts of the final showdown between Ant-Man and Yellowjacket. The fight scenes where Lang changes size in between blows are well choreographed and read well on film- there was always the danger that it might look a bit silly. 

There was always the risk that, after the release of Avengers: Age Of Ultron, Ant-Man would have just been a bit of a damb squib and a bit inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. That is not the case. Ant-Man is very much linked to the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe, not just in some throwaway lines but in one particular sequence where Lang has to retrieve an item from an old SHIELD facility which is now being used as an Avengers base. The mid-credits and end-credits scenes both hint towards bigger things within the shared Marvel Cinematic Universe as well.

Considering its troubled production history, there was a real chance that Ant-Man could have been a disaster of Catwoman-like proportions. Luckily, the film seems relatively unscathed from the behind-the-scenes drama and is engaging and charming. It might not be up there with Marvel's best; however, it is far from the worst they've ever done.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Tez

Comic-Book Round-Up: May 2015

So it's been a while since we did this and there's been a lot of comic book news out recently, so it's only right we have a quick (well, not so quick) round-up of the news.

BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE

A leaked trailer of the hotly-anticipated DC Universe movie precipitated an acceleration of the official version being released. The trailer does a good job of setting the scene whilst telling you virtually nothing about the film's plot. You can make out the voices of Jesse Eisenberg (Lex Luthor) and Jeremy Irons (Alfred) in the trailer:

First look photos of Jason Momoa as Aquaman and Eisenberg as Luthor have also been released:

SUICIDE SQUAD

David Ayer's Suicide Squad movie has had its first readthrough with the director releasing this cast picture:

Alongside previously announced cast members Will Smith, Jai Courtney, Margot Robbie and Cara Delevigne, the film will feature Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (rumoured to be playing Killer Croc), Jim Parrack and Ike Barinholtz. Joel Kinnanan will take the role of Rick Flagg as Tom Hardy has had to withdraw from the movie, whilst Viola Davis is confirmed as Amanda Waller. Rapper Common has also been cast in an unspecified role.

There's one noticeable omission from this cast line-up: Jared Leto (who may have been taking the picture). However, the first picture of Leto in his Joker make-up has been released and it's pretty bloody terrifying:

Ayer has also released a full shot of Task Force X in costume:

From left to right, you have Adam Beach (Slipknot), Jai Courtney (Captain Boomerang), Cara Delevingne (Enchantress), Karen Fukuhara (Katana), Joel Kinnaman (Rick Flagg), Margot Robbie (Harley Quinn), Will Smith (Deadshot), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Killer Croc) and Jay Hernandez (El Diablo).

Here's a better look at Will Smith's Deadshot costume:

SPIDER-MAN MOVES TO MARVEL

Sony and Marvel Studios have struck a deal to allow Spider-Man to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Sony will still finance, distribute, own and have creative control of the films. Spider-Man will appear in an unspecified movie (rumoured to have been Avengers: Age Of Ultron but now likely to now be Captain America: Civil War) whilst he will get his own solo film in 2017. Kevin Feige has confirmed that this solo film will not be another origin story (thankfully) although it does look as if the role will be recast as the character will be in 'the high school years'. This is a shame because Andrew Garfield was pretty good as Spidey. Let feverish speculation over casting commence!

WONDER WOMAN

There's been a change of director for Gal Gadot's solo Wonder Woman film, due in 2017, as Patty Jenkins has replaced Michelle MacLaren. MacLaren left the project in mid-April citing 'creative disagreements'. Jenkins was originally due to direct Thor: The Dark World but withdrew due to 'creative differences' and was replaced by Alan Taylor.

AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR

Directors Joe and Anthony Russo will be in the driving seat(s) for Avengers: Infinity War. Joss Whedon will not be returning for the third and fourth Avengers movies, handing over the reins to the directors of Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War. Chris Evans has dropped a hint that he will appear in both films which will be filmed back-to-back over a period of around nine months.

X-MEN: APOCALYPSE

Tye Sheridan, Sophie Turner, Alexandra Shipp, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Lana Condor and Ben Turner have all been cast as younger versions of mutants in Singer's X-Men: Apocalypse. Sheridan will play a young version of Cyclops whilst Game Of Thrones' Turner will be Jean Grey. Shipp is Storm, Smit-McPhee is taking on the role of Nightcrawler, Condor is Jubilee, and Eastenders' Turner is Angel. Lucas Till is returning as Havok and Olivia Munn will also join the cast as Psylocke.

Pictures of Smit-McPhee as Nightcrawler have been released:

James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Evan Peters and Nicholas Hoult will reprise their roles from X-Men: Days Of Future Past whilst Rose Byrne will also appear as Moira MacTaggert.

Producer Simon Kinberg has stated that the events of X-Men: Apocalypse will have an impact on spin-off films Gambit and Deadpool.

ANT-MAN

Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish's contribution to Ant-Man will be recognised as a dispute over screenwriting credits has now been solved. Wright was originally due to direct but left over 'creative differences' to be replaced by Peyton Reed. Adam McKay and Paul Rudd rewrote Wright and Cornish's screenplay and all four will share screenplay credit, with Wright and Cornish also receiving a 'story by' credit.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR

It's going to be another star-studded Marvel film as there are several cast members returning from previous films. Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Frank Grillo and Scarlett Johansson will star opposite Robert Downey Jr and Chris Evans. Elizabeth Olsen will reprise her role as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch from Avengers: Age Of Ultron while Daniel Bruhl joins the cast as Baron Zemo and Chadwick Boseman makes his first MCU appearance as Black Panther.It is widely expected that Marvel's Spider-Man will make his appearance in this film, with a casting decision due by the end of May.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY 2

Josh Brolin will return as Thanos and Karen Gillan will return as Nebula, but Lee Pace won't as Ronan is very much dead. James Gunn returns to direct with the main cast- Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel and Dave Bautista- also returning. The film is due for 2017.

DEADPOOL

Ryan Reynolds has posted a picture of himself in Deadpool's costume:

Reynolds will reprise his role from X-Men Origins: Wolverine alongside Gina Carano as Angel Dust, Morena Baccarin as Copycat, TJ Miller as Weasel, Ed Skrein as Ajax and Brianna Hildebrand as Negasonic Teenage Warhead (yes, really!)

The film is expected in early 2016.

CAPTAIN MARVEL

Nicole Perlman (Guardians Of The Galaxy) and Meg LeFauve (Inside Out) have been confirmed as screenwriters for the project which is intriguingly billed as Carol Danvers' 'first solo cinematic appearance' (suggesting she may appear in an earlier Marvel film). Emily Blunt and Jessica Chastain have been linked to the lead role of Carol Danvers but no official casting has been announced. 

Interestingly, both Blunt and Chastain have previously been cast in MCU films but had to withdraw. Chastain was due to play Dr. Maya Hansen in Iron Man 3 (but the role was then taken by Rebecca Hall) whilst Blunt was previously offered the roles of Black Widow and then Peggy Carter but had to turn them down due to scheduling.

Happy New Year From The Watchers!

Happy New Year!

So 2015 is here and we hope it's had the very best of starts for you.

There is so much, so much, good stuff coming out this year, we're positively besides ourselves!

Some of the highlights of the next year are Avengers: Age Of Ultron, Ant-Man, The Fantastic Four, Jurassic World, The Minions Movie, Fast 7, SPECTRE (aka Bond 24) and the little matter of Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens

We'll be reviewing these and many, many more throughout the year on the show, the podcast and the blog - so keep watching!

Here's hoping 2015 is brilliant for everyone!

Now where are our hover-boards?

The Watchers

(Rhys, Matt & Tez)

News From Comic-Con 2014

So, this year's Comic-Con at San Diego has come to a close (running from July 23-27) and whilst there was nothing this year to rival last year's Internet-melting announcement of Batman v Superman, there was still plenty of good stuff for film and TV fans to enjoy.

DAWN OF JUSTICE

Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot and Ben Affleck appeared together with director Zack Snyder for a panel about DC's upcoming Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice, due in UK cinemas on April 29 2016. Gadot's Wonder Woman costume was revealed:

Gone are the garish colours of Lynda Carter's days, this darker-hued outfit is very much in keeping with the more sombre and gritty tone of previous pictures:

A 50 second teaser, featuring Superman and Batman staring at each other intently, was shown but will not be officially released. I daresay a quick search of some video-sharing sites may yield results.

MARVEL'S 2015 ROSTER... AND BEYOND

Whilst there was no announcement of a Doctor Strange movie (as was widely expected), Marvel did confirm a sequel to Guardians Of The Galaxy which will hit cinemas on 28 July 2017. Director James Gunn is expected to return to helm the second film, with Josh Brolin confirmed to play Thanos in both this and Avengers: Age Of Ultron.

There was a panel for Ant-Man. The first movie in Marvel's Phase 3 has been beset with trouble, most notably the departure of director Edgar Wright over 'creative differences', the delays in which have also precipitated Patrick Wilson, Matt Gerald and Kevin Weisman leaving the project. However, the movie is still on target to open on July 17 2015 - now to be directed by Peyton Reed (Yes Man, The Break-Up)- and this Entertainment Weekly exclusive piece of concept art was revealed, along with some more casting details:

Joining Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas as Scott Lang and Dr. Hank Pym respectively, will be Evangeline Lilly as Pym's estranged daughter Hope Van Dyne and Corey Stoll as the villainous Darren Cross, also known as Yellowjacket.

The vast majority of the cast of 2015's Avengers: Age Of Ultron (without a heavily-pregnant Scarlett Johansson and director Joss Whedon who is recovering from knee surgery) took part in a great panel, where a first look at the film was shown along with several major pieces of concept art: 

BEST OF THE REST

Columbia Pictures announced that Sinister Six, the previously-announced spin-off from The Amazing Spider-Man, will be released in November 2016. Directed by Drew Goddard, the film will focus on some of Spidey's best-known villains (although there has not been any confirmation as yet of which villains will appear). It was also confirmed that The Amazing Spider-Man 3 will be released in 2018.

One of the biggest surprises of the event was Christopher Nolan and Matthew McConaughey making their Comic-Con debuts to talk about their new film Interstellar.

A new King Kong movie, entitled Skull Island, was announced, scheduled for release in November 2016.

There were new trailers for Mad Max: Fury Road, The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay (Part One).

With the TV panels, there was a final farewell for True Blood (finishing after seven seasons), a preview of American Horror Story's fourth season, as well as panels for Arrow and Supernatural. 

Game Of Thrones has announced nine new cast members for its fifth season, including Jonathan Pryce as the High Sparrow and Oscar-nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes as Obara Sand, one of the illegitimate daughters of Oberyn Martell.

And, just for good measure, here's a picture of Benedict Cumberbatch with a penguin:

Comic Book Movie Round-Up: March 2014

There has been a whole load of comic-book movie related news over the past few weeks, so here's a round-up of what's been going on.

* * * 

MARVEL VS DC

It was recently announced that DC's Batman Vs Superman movie had been postponed from 2015 to May 6 2016. This sets up a battle of the comic-book movies as it will now open on the same day as a Marvel film, expected to be Captain America 3 (although an official announcement has yet to be made). Marvel are 'certainly keeping the date', according to Kevin Feige, and aren't afraid of a clash. 

When asked by Access Hollywood to predict the winner of this clash of the titans, Sebastian Stan (who has a nine picture deal with Marvel) stated 'All you have to do to know the answer to that question is look at the track record of Marvel versus DC'. Meow!

We discussed the casting for Batman Vs Superman in Programme 36 where, it's safe to say, there were some strong opinions over the casting of Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman and Jeremy Irons as Alfred. They will join Henry Cavill as Superman and Ben Affleck as Batman, with Amy Adams, Diane Lane and Laurence Fishburne reprising their roles from Man Of Steel. Irons has just revealed in an interview with Absolute Radio that "The script isn't entirely finished' although pre-production has begin in Michigan.

It's certainly an exciting piece of news and may cause a few headaches for comic book fans. See one? See them both? If you see them both, which order do you see them in? Either way, both studios will make a whole load of money off these movies.

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FOX'S OPENING GAMBITS

20th Century Fox have announced opening dates for two upcoming films.

In addition to the Bryan-Singer-directed X-Men: Apocalypse which is lined up for release on May 27 2016, there will be a sequel to The Wolverine which set to hit screens on March 3 2017. This will see Hugh Jackman reprise his role as Logan/Wolverine for the eighth time and will be directed by James Mangold (who also directed The Wolverine) and will be written by David James Kelly (according to Deadline).

They've also given a date for the second instalment of the Fantastic Four reboot - even though filming hasn't even started on the first! This film is due on July 14 2017, whilst the first film is scheduled for release on June 19 2015. If you want to know what we think about the (potential) casting for this film, have a listen to Programme 36 where we discuss our thoughts.

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THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON

This week saw the release of several pieces of concept art for Marvel's upcoming releases, including some for The Avengers: Age Of Ultron.

Due in cinemas on May 1 2015 and directed by Joss Whedon, Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson will all reprise their roles from The Avengers/Avengers Assemble.

Scarlet Witch concept art

Quicksilver concept art

Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson join the cast as the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver respectively. Due to a very unique and slightly complicated situation involving a quirk of publishing, they can appear in multiple (and rival) film franchises. They are the children of Magneto and can therefore appear in Fox's X-Men franchise (and will - Evan Peters is playing Quicksilver in X-Men: Days Of Future Past), but they are also linked to the Avengers franchise and can therefore appear in Marvel films as well. 

James Spader will play villain Ultron (despite Stan Lee admitting in an interview with Playboy 'I don't have any idea who the hell Ultron is'- Lee had finished working on The Avengers before Ultron was created) and Thomas Kreschmann will play the villainous Baron Von Strucker. Kretschmann also has a multi-film deal so expect to see the Baron popping up in other movies. 

* * *

MARVEL PHASE 3 NEWS

The recent documentary- Marvel Studios: Assembling A Universe- showed test footage from Ant-Man. Directed by Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim Vs The World), the film will kick off Marvel Studios' Phase 3 of movies. 

Test footage from Ant-Man

Paul Rudd has been cast as Scott Lang, with Michael Douglas playing Hank Pym. Patrick Wilson has confirmed his casting- stating he is playing an 'important' role in the film- but hasn't given any more details. Michael Pena has confirmed he is in discussions for a role but nothing is confirmed yet, whilst Gravity composer Steven Price will provide the score. Ant-Man is currently slated for July 17 2015.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, directors Scott Derrickson (The Exorcism Of Emily Rose, Sinister), Mark Andrews (Brave), and Jonathan Levine (Warm Bodies) are in the frame to direct Marvel's Doctor Strange project. However, Kevin Feige has dismissed rumours that Andrews and Levine were approached- stating 'we're meeting a lot of people now'- and has also quashed rumours that Johnny Depp is in line to take the title role.

Directors Joe and Anthony Russo will return to direct Captain America 3, having just helmed Captain America: The Winter Soldier. 

Marvel Studios are developing ideas for a stand-alone Black Widow movie, to build on the exploration of her character shown in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and The Avengers: Age Of Ultron. Scarlett Johansson seems up for it, telling reporters at the premiere for Captain America: The Winter Soldier "If you want to see a Black Widow spin-off movie, then I want to see it. We'll see. We will put the request in to Marvel tomorrow."

Ant-Man, Captain America 3 and Doctor Strange are in line for Phase 3, with rumours of Thor 3 and a Black Panther movie also included, which would lead up to The Avengers 3 to finish the phase.

* * *

SONY'S AMAZING PLANS FOR SPIDER-MAN

With The Amazing Spider-Man 2 imminent, Sony are looking to expand their comic-book universe with spin-off movies based on some of Spidey's best known villains.

Variety quotes Sony co-chairman Amy Pascal as saying "We are expanding the Spider-Man universe into the Sinister Six and Venom, so that we have Spider-Man movies every year."

Venom will be written by Alex Kurtzman, Robert Orci and Ed Solomon and may also be directed by Kurtzman. Venom has previously been seen on-screen in 2007's Spider-Man 3, played by Topher Grace.

The Sinister Six movie will be written by Drew Goddard, who may also direct. There are various iterations of the Sinister Six throughout the comic books so it will be interesting to see who they draw in. Doctor Octopus, Electro, Sandman, Vulture, Mysterio, Kraven The Hunter, the Hobgoblin, the Green Goblin, Venom and the Lizard have all- at one time or another- been members of the group, so Goddard's got plenty to play with. Considering the multiple villains in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, perhaps a few Marvel-style multi-picture deals have been signed?

There are currently no dates for the Venom or Sinister Six movies, but it might be a safe bet that we'll be looking at one in 2015 and the other in 2017.

The Amazing Spider-Man 3 is due for release on May 27 2016 in the UK and June 10 2016 in the US and will be Marc Webb's last time in the director's chair for a Spider-Man movie. The film will be written by Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Jeff Pinkner. It is unclear at the moment whether Shailene Woodley (who was due to play Mary Jane Watson and recorded scenes for The Amazing Spider-Man 2) will return due to her workload in the Divergent sequels.

There are also plans afoot for The Amazing Spider-Man 4, slated for May 4 2018. In an interview with Crave Online last year, Webb teased that: 'what we've discovered is there are so many ancillary characters, that have enormous, cinematic potential that there may be other ways to exploit those characters, in a way that is exciting and fun and worthwhile. It might not just be a Spider-Man movie."

Could we be looking at a Spider-Man vs... scenario? It will be interesting to see.