132 replies to this topic

[Jim Ohara]

So Avengers is here and by all measures it's a success that even Marvel didn't dream possible. And no doubt when the numbers come in everyone in the movie business will be clamoring for more and more movies. So I figured I'd give you the chance to play movie mogul and share what you think they should do over the next few years.

Four movies are guaranteed. Iron Man 3, Thor 2, Cap 2 and Avengers 2. Hulk 3 seems very likely, and we're expecting announcements on Guardians of the Galaxy and Ant Man to be here before too long. So what would you do in each of these movies, and what movies are they missing?

Iron Man 3 - They'll continue on the theme of people stealing Stark Tech, and they need to establish a big bad presence rather than dismissive Stark-like clowns. I expect it'll be something about the 10 rings, and maybe ultimately this is the movie that introduces AIM to the movie verse. Be nice if Zemo was also part of this movie. Hulk could make a cameo, but nothing more than that.

Thor 2 - They're already established that Odin is weak, so I expect the enemies of Asguard to be sharpening their blades. Obviously they'll have the trial of Loki, but the story that would be most appealing for me would be Surtur leading a host to invade Asguard. I'd love to see a proper Asguardian army defend their homes from being under siege. Behind Surtur is Thanos, planning to raid the Asguardian vaults for the gauntlet amid the chaos.

Cap 2 - Needs to include Hawkeye and Black Widow, and be about Hydra not disappearing after all, but rather going into hiding and controlling world events. A cool twist would be having the council that Fury was talking to in Avengers be part of Hydra, and an appearance from Zola. Von Strucker clearly needs to be the bad guy, with the super adaptoid as the main foe.

Hulk 3 - Meanwhile everyone is after Banner blood to make their own super army. The Leader would be the big bad here, capturing the Hulk and creating an army of all sorts of wild creatures to threaten the world. Hulk smashes of course.

Guardians - Needs to be the origin of Thanos so they don't waste an hour in Avengers 2. I laid out my idea in the Marvel movie thread, but basically the Guardians discover what Thanos is planning and try to stop him - he's building an Infinity Gauntlet so he can take on the Earth heroes.

Ant Man - Needs to introduce Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne. Even though it's Ant Man I think they need to get the Giant Man program going (which fits with them taking the best parts of the Ultimate Universe). This movie should also introduce the Vision, and the main bad guy will probably be Ultron. I like the idea of Hank screwing up - trying to be the next Stark but failing, unleashing Ultron on the world, so he becomes a hero to try to make amends (which seems to be the running theme for Marvel heroes).

Avengers 2 - they need threats from different fronts. Hydra or AIM for Cap and company, Thanos for the heavy hitters.

As for characters that are missing from the plans, I don't see how Inhumans or Runaways fit into the story arcs they're planning with these movies. I also think Doctor Strange would be a mistake (he never really worked in the Ultimate universe). I do however think they're a place for a Heroes for Hire type movie, with Luke, Danny, Misty and Shang-Chi taking on maybe the Wrecking Crew. They could use these characters within the Avengers 2, adding to the ranks of the lesser powered characters taking on the AIM/Hydra threat.

[Chris D]

Cap 2 absolutely needs Black Widow, you could tell that Whedon was kind of setting up for Cap to have a bit of a crush on her and they're just a natural fit for a team-up. She needs to be somewhere between Avengers movies and this is the perfect place. Hawkeye would be a good addition too, because Renner is a cool Hawkeye and, like Black Widow, it would be a shame for him to disappear between Avengers movies.

A Hulk movie would definitely need a strong supporting cast, whatever the story may be, that can add comedy to the movie. Because it needs to be a fun movie to work. Ruffalo was damn good in the role, but he needs the right people (and the right script, of course) to play off of.

I'll take your work on GotG, since I don't know much about them, but what you say makes sense.

Iron Man 3? Just let them do whatever they want. I have faith in Shane Black and RDJ to nail it if they're given the chance to just run with it.

Thor 2? He's going to end up back on Earth for some reason. Because I've no doubt Jane Foster is going to be a part of the movie. Though maybe she'll get to see Asgard? I don't know, but I can't think of anything that interesting for him to do on Earth.

Ant Man? Not really sure how that would fit into Phase 2, really. Pym creating Ultron is a great set up for Avengers 3, but beyond that I'm content to let Edgar Wright do whatever he wants.

Avegners 2? Just give it back to Joss Whedon and let him loose.

[Steve Sensible]

Cap 2: As long as we get to see Steve Rogers trying to adapt to the modern world a little more, I'm not too concerned with who the bad guy is. I think it would be cool to introduce Agent 13 and have Steve accompany her on some kind of super-spy mission.

Hulk 2.5: (Because they didn't completely discount the events of Ang Lee's movie.) Have Stark trying to help him rid himself of the Hulk, but the Leader intervenes.

Ant-Man & The Wasp: (Because Janet should receive equal billing.) The only thing that's important to me about this movie is that Hank creates Ultron somewhere along the way, setting us up for...

Avengers 2: I'm really not that much of a fan of all the cosmic stuff appearing in an Avengers movie - leave that for the Guardians, so the Avengers can concentrate on the menace of Ultron. And maybe, Jocasta.

Doctor Strange: Played by anyone but Patrick Dempsey.

Guardians: I think Jim's got that pretty well covered.

[Adam Balson]

Everything you said is perfect. That said, here's my two cents:

Hulk 3 - Meanwhile everyone is after Banner blood to make their own super army. The Leader would be the big bad here, capturing the Hulk and creating an army of all sorts of wild creatures to threaten the world. Hulk smashes of course.

That would rock, but I'd love to see Grey Hulk pop up. Set it up using this film with The Leader's notes, Cap's blood sample with a pure serum and Banner being given access to Blonsky.
If they decide to make a smart Hulk to fight Thanos and/or Ultron more effectively they could even get the Pym's in help Banner with this change. However, it ends up not to be permanent since Grey Hulk is basically Bruce in Hulk's body. So Grey has the same problem as Banner, get too pissed and Hulk comes in and overrides everything else (also 'killing Grey). He could have the same insecurities as 'Nerd Hulk' from Ultimate Avengers, low self esteem and a sense of inadequacy due to not being able to match 'proper' Hulk's effectiveness and ferociousness. I know Banner almost accepting Hulk has be played with/touched upon but Banner being jealous of Hulk? That's new isn't it? Movie-wise at least.

I also think Doctor Strange would be a mistake (he never really worked in the Ultimate universe).

While I agree with you on the most part, one thing I loved about Ultimate Strange was that he was really Strange Jr. with his Dad being basically 616. What they could do is have a film where the character's Dad was the 616 style but Marvel Studios Strange is closer to John Constantine with 'street magic' that could eventually become similar to Scarlet Witch. There could be all these rumours floating about his Dad (in certain circles, nothing newsworthy other than his career as a surgeon and the car crash) but Strange Jr. doesn't fully believe them or even know what happened to his Dad. But eventually he learns that his Dad was basically the same as him but his. That said, it being left ambiguous to what his Dad could do would be interesting too to leave the audience to decide depending on how much they like magic. It would bring in the Harry Potter crowd at least.
My only worry is the Strange's relationship turning out like Tony and Howard Stark's relationship.

Edited by Adam Balson, 05 May 2012 - 06:59 PM.

[Jacowboy (Jonathan)]

Well I'd like to see the influence of the alien technology the world just got its hands on... Iron Man 3 would be a good place to explore that. Oh the next Iron Man should also feature Banner, but not the Hulk... I'm guessing Banner will take Stark's offer to work at his labs, so we should see him help Tony, but as Banner, the scientist.

As for Cap, Yeah I think a Hydra ressurection would be a good theme, and much like Cap 1 has the howling commandos, I'd like Cap 2 to have SHIELD in there and Hawkeye/BW to play supporting roles. Oh and have them touch on the Alien technology too, as a build up for A2.

Thor 2 should definetly take Jane Foster to Asgard and have her trapped in there while a full scale siege is launched against asgard... Then they should probably come back to earth a little bit, like to search for some object hidden on earth to tip the scales of the battle... and have them followed by some villain and have a big old fashioned romp on earth... Then Thor would go back to Asgard and end the conflict... That would be the only way earth could have an interesting role, otherwise, keep it in Asgard and the other worlds... Oh and Thanos should definetly be involved... as well as the infinity gems and the gauntlet... even if it's just a cameo to build up the next avengers, much like they did with Shield/Fury in the first 5 movies.

Re-taking Jim's ideas for a Hulk 2 movie, plus adding my own, I'd like to see Stark come in to the story to help the army or whomever by building a Hulk-Buster armor and either get involved himself, or just have Rodhey use it as a sort of War-Machine 2.0 to help stop the army against the army of monsters... It would make sense too since Rhodey is part of the army.

I'd like to see a Doctor Strange movie... I think it could REALLY REALLY work if they do it a certain way. I was thinking about the russian movies Night Watch and Day Watch and the Constantine movie... and how they handled the super-natural themes, and maybe that would be a good way forward... You know? Trippy visuals, weird magic, visions, alternate dimensions like the gloom, or even how hell was handled in the Constantine movie... that was pretty cool. Plus hey... They can use either Mephisto or Dormammu... good villains both.

And I've already laid out my ideas for a GotG movie... But the one thing I'd really like is for Wheddon to write and direct it... if they can't bring DnA for the writting part that is
Thanos should be established and introduced here... He should start to collect the gems in this movie, but it would be a tricky thing to have the guardians fight Thanos and win, yet have Thanos not really lose and advance his plot towards the avengers 2 movie... Something like "he loses a battle, but is winning the war" type of thing.
And PLEASSSSEEEE give us Cosmo, Rocket, Groot, Drax and Starlord... at least. Oh and maybe Adam Warlock too... that'd be smart

Edit: Crap I forgot about the next Avengers...

So... The last infinity Gem is hidden on earth... and The Avengers are the only ones left standing between Thanos and total Universal Annihilation (We need a valid reason for Thanos to even bother coming to our little planet)... He's already got 5 of them, but our heroes have the Alien technology on their side to even the odds (well, that and Thor and Hulk)... The last gem should be the Power Gem, and Stark should definetly use it as a "power battery" for his new suit and have an ultra powered Iron Man, Hulk and Thor put the smackdown on Thanos. Cap, Hawkeye and the Widow should be able to join in with some cool alien tech-based guns and weapons designed by Stark...

Edited by Jacowboy (Jonathan), 05 May 2012 - 07:48 PM.

[Eduardo]

Hulk 2.5: (Because they didn't completely discount the events of Ang Lee's movie.) Have Stark trying to help him rid himself of the Hulk, but the Leader intervenes.

Yes they did. There is no way to fit Ang Lee's Hulk with Incredible Hulk, thankfully.

- The different origin of the powers.
- Betty hasn't seen Banner since the Gamma accident.
- Betty was in the hospital after the accident, while in Hulk Bruce was the one hospitalized.
- Banner actually turned into the Hulk right after the accident, and caused a lot of damage, which got Betty hurt.
- Banner & Ross working/being funded by the US military vs an independant experiment
- The whole adopted Kessler thing from Ang Lee.
- Etc.

[Steve Sensible]

Oh, don't be so anal, Eduardo!

They took their inspiration from all kinds of sources, including the TV show, and Ang Lee's movie, which ends with Bruce hiding out in South America - which is where Incredible begins.

[steveuk]

Its all about 'Avengers 2: Avenge Harder' and that's all about Thanos so. How to fit the big guy into the others.

I would guess it'll be by association and implication. 'Thor' is the easiest but, as noted, he's going to be on Earth a lot so Jane Foster (Oscar winner) can have more screentime.

Since Loki was working for Thanos I hope Hiddlestone will get to chew some more scenery, even if he's sidelined in favour of another enemy.

Cap can follow a Hydra connection to someone connected to Thanos, but will that be modern Cap or back in WW2 Cap? Marvel could go either way.

'Hulk' may not get made after all, but if it does, its all about whether they follow the more controlled Banner and the meaner Hulk? Neither of them is as much of a victim as they have been in previous films.

'Iron Man 3' is the wild card. Stark is the star character and they may just let him go wherever RDJ and Shane Black want to take him?

I wouldn't want to stop them, would you?

[Eduardo]

Oh, don't be so anal, Eduardo!

They took their inspiration from all kinds of sources, including the TV show, and Ang Lee's movie, which ends with Bruce hiding out in South America - which is where Incredible begins.

It is not really being anal, it is kind of trying to fit Batman Begins with the four previous movies... it could work, ig you taped your eyes

[Steve Sensible]

Cap can follow a Hydra connection to someone connected to Thanos, but will that be modern Cap or back in WW2 Cap? Marvel could go either way.

Feige has said that Cap 2 will be set in modern day - with the possibility of some flashbacks.

I was wondering whether those flashbacks might be more concerned with Bucky's fate than anything to do with Cap. I think the Winter Soldier might make an appearance...

[Adam Balson]

Well I'd like to see the influence of the alien technology the world just got its hands on... Iron Man 3 would be a good place to explore that. Oh the next Iron Man should also feature Banner, but not the Hulk... I'm guessing Banner will take Stark's offer to work at his labs, so we should see him help Tony, but as Banner, the scientist.

Re-taking Jim's ideas for a Hulk 2 movie, plus adding my own, I'd like to see Stark come in to the story to help the army or whomever by building a Hulk-Buster armor and either get involved himself, or just have Rodhey use it as a sort of War-Machine 2.0 to help stop the army against the army of monsters... It would make sense too since Rhodey is part of the army.

Ooh, I like both of these. Keeps Banner as important as Hulk and keeps Rhodes relevant.

I'd love it if they built up a small army for when Thanos finally appears, for all we know it could be a while since it's cosmic level. Imagine adding War Machine, Wasp, Vision, (She-Hulk? Or a converted Blonsky?), Winter Soldier and Hank Pym as Giant Man over Ant-Man for the big Thanos finale. Or if Thanos is relatively soon they have the opportunity to make a Secret Avengers film to do the more out there or darker plots.
Public Team = Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hawkeye, Hulk, Wasp
Secret/Black ops = Winter Solider, War Machine, Vision, Ant-Man, She-Hulk

[Todd Gross]

I think I saw some discussion about a SHIELD movie being considered. If that does happen, I can see that following up on the Hydra angle, maybe even introduce Von Strucker.


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[John Mosby]

The Ang Lee version will be put just around the corner, just out of sight so that it can be vaguely remembered and ignored as sees fit.

With confirmation of plans for a big push on the Hulk as a core concept, marketable character (planned tv series - which I hear may be set in contemporary culture, but before recent Marvel movies -, possible film, definite icon marketing) I suspect there will now be a firmer hand on the tiller to make sure there's less contradictions.

[Mike]

I hope they don't overdo it to be honest.

[T Masters]

I think Iron Man 3 will (as revealed) deal with Extremis, and Mallen will be the primary villain, with Ben Kingsleys Mandarin as the big bad behind it.

I see Thor 2 as a personal conflict between Thor, Jane Foster and Enchantress. I can't think of any other villain that would be more appropriate for the sequel, saving Surtur for the third film.

Cap 2. I'd say this is where we see reappearances of Widow, Hawkeye and maybe even Hulk. A modern version of Hydra would have to be the villain, maybe as AIM. I recall reading (believe it or not) MODOK mentioned by the scriptwriters when throwing about ideas. I'd say this would work well with the Godtather 2 model: flashing-back between the past and the present. The Winter Soldier storyline seems a pretty good call.

Avengers 2. While not announced I'd say it's a safe call. Marvel might want to wait a little while to develop their individual properties before co-aligning them once more. We may not necessary get the expected 2015 release date.

Edited by T Masters, 05 May 2012 - 10:05 PM.

[Jacowboy (Jonathan)]

Yeah, I really hope they do the Extremis plot for IM3... It'd even make sense within the context of having this new alien technology (both Chitauri and asgardian) on earth.

[Steve Sensible]

They are doing Extremis. It's been confirmed.

I wish they weren't though - it doesn't have an iconic bad-guy, and I didn't particularly care for the story in the first place to be honest. The only memorable thing about it is Adi's art.

[Jim Ohara]

I'd imagine Extremis will only be one element of the movie. There's not enough in the comic to support a 2 hour movie, and I doubt they'll just have another bad-guy-in-a-better-suit be the main opponent in yet another film.

I hope they don't overdo it to be honest.

There is that danger, particularly in having too many characters. The main 6 in Avengers felt like more than enough - any more characters and you run the danger of diluting the movie. I would assume they'll use the main characters to drive new properties (by giving them cameos/guest star roles, just like in the comics) but Avengers itself should really be mostly the core team. I think they'll add Giant Man though - he'd be incredibly cool on screen. As for things like the Guardians, I imagine they'll have tiny cameos, like they did with Jane Foster.

At $150mil minimum a movie though I doubt they'll be deluging us with Marvel properties every month. Really 3 per year is the max they could do.

I never mentioned a TV series. I don't know if they'd do that - I haven't heard anything more than rumors. Given the option I'd love to see a Maria Hill led SHIELD TV series with Sam Jackson making the occasional guest appearance.

[Will Carper]

I'd love to see a Black Panther movie. Black Widow would make a cool origin movie, too.

[Christian U]

I hope they don't overdo it to be honest.

Yeah, me too.

I don't think the world needs another Hulk movie, for example. The Hulk worked perfectly in Avengers, but his own movies haven't been great. Might be best to leave it alone.

I might not even go see another Cap movie, depending on who they get to make it. The first one had enough charm that it was okay to watch, but it was also a bit boring/predictable (fun humorous bits aside, that goes for story, dialogue and character development). Cap in the present is a whole different thing, and a very difficult movie to do right. It'll be interesting to see who'll be writing and directing it.

I don't know, if I was Marvel I'd focus on the existing franchises and their sequels and not try to bring another one into the mix right now. Certainly not Guardians of the Galaxy, which is a very different kind of book, with little-known characters and would be enormously expensive to make. I like the idea of a mid-budget Heroes for Hire movie, though, that could be a lot of fun. Ant-Man is actually getting made, isn't it?



I am very much looking forward to Iron Man 3, of course - stroke of genius to get Shane Black for this - and to Thor 2. It's a shame Brannagh isn't making it, though, I am not sure Taylor will be able to pull it off.