By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

Universal Pictures has announced that Al Pacino will voice the villain in the upcoming sequel to Despicable Me.

Javier Bardem was originally pegged for the role, but he eventually passed on it.

Bardem was originally supposed to voice a character called El Macho, a villain who has three sons, much like Steve Carrell’s character Gru has daughters. Whether Pacino will play the same character is unknown.

The film is scheduled for release on July 3, 2013. In addition to Pacino and the returning Steve Carrell, Russell Brand, Kristen Wiig and Miranda Cosgrove.

Source: Cinema Blend

By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

DC Entertainment announced today that it will publish seven Watchmen prequel miniseries’ this summer, under the collective title Before Watchmen.

The books and creative teams are as follows (artwork can be seen at the bottom of this post).

- Rorschach, a four-issue story by Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo (the team behind books like Joker and Lex Luthor: Man of Steel.

-Comedian, a six-issue story by Azzarello and J.G. Jones (this explains Jones’ sketch of The Comedian, which was leaked online recently).

- Silk Spectre, a four-issue story by Darwyn Cooke and Amanda Conner (a sketch of Silk Spectre by Conner was also leaked).

- Minutemen, a six-issue story by Darwyn Cooke.

- Night Owl, a four-issue story by J. Michael Stracynski, with Andy and Joe Kubert handling the art (ditto for Nite Owl by Andy Kubert).

- Dr. Manhattan, a four-issue story by Stracynski and Adam Hughes.

- Ozymandias, a six-issue story by Len Wein and Jae Lee.

Each issue will also feature a two-page backup story called Curse of the Crimson Corsair, by Len Wein and John Higgins.

A press release quote attributed to DC Entertainment Co-Publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee reads: “It’s our responsibility as publishers to find new ways to keep all of our characters relevant. After 25 years, the Watchmen are classic characters whose time has come for new stories to be told. We sought out the best writers and artists in the industry to build on the complex mythology of the original….Comic books are perhaps the largest and longest running form of collaborative fiction. Collaborative storytelling is what keeps these fictional universes current and relevant.”

Alan Moore, the iconic comic book writer who penned Watchmen, has predictably spoken out against the idea of reviving the Watchmen characters. In a New York Times interview, he called the idea “completely shameless,” adding: “I tend to take this latest development as a kind of eager confirmation that they are still apparently dependent on ideas that I had 25 years ago.”

Moore has said he won’t try to prevent the project with a legal battle..

“I don’t want money,” Moore said. “What I want is for this not to happen.”

Dave Gibbons, who did the art on Watchmen, is much more compliant. DC’s release quoted him as saying: “The original series of Watchmen is the complete story that Alan Moore and I wanted to tell. However, I appreciate DC’s reasons for this initiative and the wish of the artists and writers involved to pay tribute to our work. May these new additions have the success they desire.”

Sources: The New York Times, DC Comics, ComicBookResources.com

By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

Following the success of last year’s X-Men: First Class, 20th Century Fox has reportedly signed director Matthew Vaughn to return for a sequel.

In addition, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy and the rest of cast from First Class signed a multi-picture deal, so they can be expected to return for the sequel if they are asked to.

The script is being written by Simon Kinberg (X-Men: The Last Stand, Sherlock Holmes, Jumper). Bryan Singer, who directed X-Men and X2: X-Men United is attached as a producer.

X-Men: First Class made $353 million worldwide, and was widely acknowledged as one of the best films of this past summer.

Source: ComingSoon.net
Image from igossip.com. 

By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

Columbia Pictures has released the official plot synopsis for this summer’s The Amazing Spider-Man, which comes out July 3. It is as follows…

One of the world’s most popular characters is back on the big screen as a new chapter in the Spider-Man legacy is revealed in The Amazing Spider-Man. Focusing on an untold story that tells a different side of the Peter Parker story, the new film stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Campbell Scott, Irrfan Khan, with Martin Sheen and Sally Field. The film is directed by Marc Webb from a screenplay written by James Vanderbilt, based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad, and Matt Tolmach are producing the film in association with Marvel Entertainment for Columbia Pictures, which will open in theaters everywhere in 3D on July 3, 2012.

The Amazing Spider-Man is the story of Peter Parker (Garfield), an outcast high schooler who was abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben (Sheen) and Aunt May (Field). Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. Peter is also finding his way with his first high school crush, Gwen Stacy (Stone), and together, they struggle with love, commitment, and secrets. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents’ disappearance – leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors (Ifans), his father’s former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors’ alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero.

Source: ComingSoon.net
Image from newsarama.com.

By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

Lionsgate announced this week that it has purchased Summit Entertainment for $412.5 million.

Summit’s most famous films in recent years include the Twilight movies, The Hurt Locker, Mr. & Mrs. Smith and American Pie.

The following press release was published this week:

Lionsgate and Summit Entertainment today announced that Lionsgate has completed a transaction to acquire Summit for a combination of cash and stock valued at $412.5 million.

The transaction unites two leading studios with powerful brands and complementary assets, solidifying Lionsgate’s position as the world’s largest and most diversified independent entertainment company. By acquiring Summit, Lionsgate enhances its feature film and home entertainment offerings and further broadens its 13,000 title filmed entertainment library to include such titles as The Twilight Saga, The Hurt Locker and Red. The integration of both Summit’s domestic and international theatrical film operations will significantly enhance Lionsgate’s production and distribution capacity, while also extending the Company’s worldwide reach and creating a dominant international sales organization. 

The transaction brings together Summit’s Twilight Saga feature film franchise, which has already grossed more than $2.5 billion at the worldwide box office, and Lionsgate’s highly anticipated Hunger Games franchise, which opens on March 23, 2012. Lionsgate will also continue to benefit from its premier television production and distribution business, its array of branded film and television properties, its suite of branded channels and its success as an innovator in creating and distributing content for digital platforms. Both the Lionsgate and Summit labels are expected to continue and be active in the production and distribution of films, although the combined company expects to realize significant synergies through the consolidation of administrative and other costs. 

“This transaction continues Lionsgate’s long-term growth strategy of building a diversified worldwide media company through a combination of disciplined, accretive strategic acquisitions and organic growth while maintaining a solid balance sheet,” said Lionsgate Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jon Feltheimer and Vice Chairman Michael Burns. “We are uniting two powerful entertainment brands, bringing together two world-class feature film franchises to establish a commanding position in the young adult market, strengthening our global distribution infrastructure and creating a scalable platform that will result in significant and accretive financial benefits to Lionsgate shareholders. Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger have built a remarkable organization, and we’re pleased to welcome Summit’s talented team to the Lionsgate family. Lionsgate’s growth has been built over the years in part by the successful acquisition and integration of companies like Trimark, Artisan, Redbus, Debmar-Mercury, Mandate and TV Guide Network and, in each case, Lionsgate has emerged stronger and the Company’s brand has become more resonant.”

“Jon Feltheimer, Michael Burns and the rest of the Lionsgate team have built an exciting and entrepreneurial content leader over the past 12 years, and we’re delighted to join together these two great companies,” said Summit Entertainment’s Co-Chairmen Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger. “We believe that the combined entity will be even greater than the sum of its parts and our dramatically enlarged media platform will create tremendous opportunities for all of us within the Summit and Lionsgate families. We want to thank our employees, whose hard work and creativity have led to the successful evolution of Summit into a leading worldwide studio, and the combination of Lionsgate and Summit will be the next chapter in creating a true global media powerhouse.”

“As demonstrated by this acquisition, Lionsgate remains focused on preserving a strong balance sheet while pursuing its long-term growth strategy,” said Dr. Mark H. Rachesky, Co-Chairman of the Lionsgate Board of Directors. “We are big believers in the increasing value of content and this transaction strengthens Lionsgate’s asset base while providing significant financial benefits, including highly visible cash flow and revenue. We are looking forward to realizing the value of a Lionsgate-Summit combination for all Lionsgate shareholders.”

Source: ComingSoon.net

By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

A television series based on the DC Comics character Green Arrow is reportedly in development at the The CW network.

Attached to the show as writers and executive producers are Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim and Andrew Kreisberg. Berlanti and Guggenheim worked as writers on last year’s Green Lantern feature film. Guggenheim has written numerous titles for DC over the years, and Kreisberg penned several issues of Green Arrow/Black Canary, as well as Batman: Condifential. 

No word has been given yet on whether Justin Hartley, who played the character on Smallville, might reprise his role.

The Green Arrow character made his debut in 1941′s More Fun Comics #73. Oliver Queen is a billionaire who leads a double life as an archer/superhero. Over the years the character and his supporting cast have evolved in a number of ways. He’s been in the center of political/socially conscious stories in the ’70s, found out his young sidekick Speedy was a heroin addict, been killed off and brought back to life, become mayor of his hometown of Star City, and even married to his longtime love Black Canary. Last year the character was reinvented as part of DC’s “New 52″ initiative.

Image from filmbuffonline.com.

By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

Electronic Arts has announced a special crossover promotion for their upcoming games Mass Effect 3 and Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning.

Gamers who download the demo for Reckoning via Playstation 3, XBox 360 or PC on January 17 will unlock special items for both that game and Mass Effect 3. In addition, those who play the demo for Mass Effect 3 (which a release date has not been announced for) may receive items for Reckoning.

Available for Mass Effect 3 are The Reckoner Knight Armor, which increases projectile speed and ups close-quarter damage, and the Chakram Launcher, which fires explosive ammunition discs. The latter is only available to those who complete the demo and watch the trailer at the end.

For Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, players can unlock the N7 Armor, which is based on Commander Shepard’s classic armor (shown above), and the Omniblade Daggers, which are holographic blades that allow players to stab nearby opponents.

Gamers who play the Reckoning demo may also receive an ice resistance booster Twist of Fate Card, a health and mana boosting Twinned Souls Chakram weapon, and a helmet called The Infernal Helm.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning comes out February 7.

Source/Image From: GameSpot.com

By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, TT Games and The Lego Group have announced via press release that a sequel to their widely popular 2008 video game, Lego Batman.

This sequel, titled Lego Batman 2: DC Superheroes, will be released this summer for XBox 360, Playstation 3, Playstation Vita, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS and Windows PC.

As the title suggests, the game will feature Batman and Robin teaming with other DC Comics heroes like Superman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern, as they fight to save Gotham City from villains like The Joker and Lex Luthor.

The game will reportedly expand on the gameplay of Lego Batman, allowing players to use flight, super breath and heat vision. New suits and gadgets will also be available, such as Batman’s power suit and Robin’s hazard cannon.

Source: DC Comics

By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

Universal Pictures may be looking to produce a sequel to 2011′s hit film, Bridesmaids, which starred Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Melissa McCarthy.

However, the sequel may end up being made without Wiig, who also co-wrote the film. The Saturday Night Live star reportedly isn’t interested in returning, which may have something to do with the $100,000 bonus Wiig and her co-stars received for the film, which is a relatively low number considering its success.

When asked by The Hollywood Reporter about whether she and co-writer Annie Mumolo would return for a sequel, Wiig said: ”Annie and I aren’t planning a sequel. We are writing something else.”

Thus, Universal is looking into doing a sequel without her. Producer Judd Apatow may or may not return for such a film.

“The key is we have to come up with an idea that is as good or better than the first one,” Apatow said. ”We don’t want to do it unless it can be great. I don’t think anyone has had the brain space to think about it yet. Hopefully that can begin this year.”

Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Wigg image from fanpop.com.

By Rob Siebert
Editor, Fanboy Wonder

The trailer for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first of two films adapting J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novel, made it’s online debut this week.

The film is directed, produced and co-written by Peter Jackson, who also did the other three Lord of the Rings movies. Journey stars Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins. Among those returning to the franchise will be Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Andy Serkis as Gollum, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, Orlando Bloom as Legolas, Christopher Lee as Saruman, and Hugo Weaving as Elrond.

The movie comes out December 14, 2012.

Front page image from ramascreen.com.