Director ‘Taika Waititi’ Promises That ‘Thor’ Will Be The ‘Best Character’ In ‘Ragnarok’

In the past two Thor films nobody can deny that perhaps the title character has been eclipsed by other characters. From comedic timing of Jane Fosters adorkable side-kick Darcy (Kat Dennings) to the God of Mischief Loki’s (Tom Hiddleston) sarcastic-put downs and one liners. Its easy for the God Thunder Thor (Chris Hemsworth) to be overlooked in his own film.

Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi assures fans however that this time around that won’t be the case.

In an interview with Crave Online, Waititi revealed his approach for third film in the Thor series, describing that in his pitch to Marvel big-wigs, the director imparted that Thor “just needs to be the most interesting character.” Even quipping that “If you’re going to call the movie Thor, Thor has to be the best character.”

After 2013’s Thor: The Dark Worlds some-what serious approach, fans have been concerned that the series might lose Marvel’s trademark comedy going forward. But it seems that Waititi’s comedic past, with such films as What We Do In The Shadows (2014) on his resume. He might be the man to bring levity back to the series. But not too much with Waititi pressing to Marvel that he “wasn’t just like a crazy comedy director or too dramatic.”

Waititi has also looked to bring his improvisational style to the Marvel film, with the director making up “a lot of shots on the spot sometimes” while sticking to an overall plan. “I always plan what I’m going to do and then I’ll throw that plan away when I see what the actors want to do, and then we have to come to a common ground and figure that out.”

The director further noted the difficult with balancing CGI with practical effects, a danger when dealing with the rumoured appearance of The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), commenting that he tried “as much as possible” to film “practically and on locations.”

Although fans have theorised as to the nature of the film, story details are still tight as what exactly the ominous Ragnarok will bring to the MCU and what it means for the future of Asgard itself.

Thor: Ragnarok opens November 3, 2017.

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‘Simon Kinberg’ & ‘Bryan Fuller’ Explain ‘Apocalypses’ Power In The New ‘X-Men Movie’

Apocalypse is easily one of the most recognisable X-Men villains from comics and the cult-classic animated Tv show of the 90’s. But the Ancient Egyptian is also one of the more enigmatic and complicated nemesis that the Mutant team have ever faced.

So with Oscar Isaac stepping into the shoes of the title villain for the first time on the big screen this coming May. X-Men: Apocalypse director Bryan Singer and producer Simon Kinberg sat down with IGN and a handful of press to hype up their next movie in the growing X-Men franchise.

“He’s the most powerful mutant we’ve ever had in one of these movies and that he would be an unbeatable foe for any individual mutant in these X-Men movies,” explained Kinberg. “One of the things they do in the comic and the cartoon is you notice he has multiple powers. It’s not just one, he has a power suite. We do that in the film. He has various abilities and powers, one of them, like [Apocalypse actor Oscar Isaac said during the Comic-Con panel], is the power of persuasion, and part of why that’s necessary is he needs other followers to be his Horsemen, and some of them would be hard to persuade – Magneto, Erik being the hardest.”

It was revealed in the debut trailer for the movie that X-Men mainstay Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender) would be one of Apocalypses’ Four Horsemen alongside younger versions of Storm (Alexandra Shipp), Angel (Ben Hardy) and newcomer Psylocke (Olivia Munn). It was curious however as to why Magneto would join the elusive villain given that Erik has never been one to play well with others, a facet of Apocalypse which Kinberg elaborates on:

“It’s interesting, what’s a little bit, hopefully, complex in the movie, or even ambiguous, is how much he’s persuading his followers with a superhuman ability or just he’s like any cult leader who is really good at convincing people to follow him, so we don’t really ever make that explicit. It’s not like he’s putting people under a spell, but he is superhumanly persuasive.”

In a separate interview, director Bryan Singer who also wrote the film alongside Kinberg. Further explains the intricacies to the Cult Leader-esque villain and his wide array of powers. “He has a number of different powers he’s acquired over the years, as he moved from body to body, accumulating these various abilities. One of them is to imbue other mutants and to heighten their powers and abilities beyond anything imaginable,” a skill which is on full display when Storm uses her heightened powers to wreck havoc on a city in the trailer.

“Secondly, he can shield from psychic power”, explained Singer. “He can form shields so that it makes it harder for a psychic like Xavier to tap in and get to him. He’s not a psychic himself though. He can’t manipulate — he can amplify your power, but his ability to physically damage or destroy or build is in the non-biological world. That’s in the physical world. He can change the inorganic molecules of things. So these are some of the powers that we’re exploring in this one, and the epic things that he does towards the end of the picture.”

Singer further echoes Kinberg’s sentiments mentioning that “in the end, his greatest power is the power of persuasion, is the ability to know what he needs and who he needs it out of and to get it from them, as he does with the Horsemen, and as he has through civilization after civilization for tens of thousands of years.”

The filmmakers are also keen to emphasis that their Apocalypse is a charismatic leader, whose goal is to unite Mutants under his reign. This sense of entitlement comes from the villains origin story that he is the first mutant to walk the Earth, a part of the characters comic backstory that Kinberg reveals inspired their interpretation of the character:

“This Apocalypse of our film is an amalgam of a lot of different versions of Apocalypse from the comics and the cartoons. [-] But one of the things that interested us the most was the notion of his being the first mutant and coming from a time where mutants were treated as gods and what it would be like for someone who experienced a world in which he was treated as a god, go from that to a world where he was treated at best as an equal and at worse than less than, and how radical that would make that character in our modern world, so that was something that we talked a lot about thematically and emotionally for this character, this actor.”

Singer also recognised that this villain’s unique backstory would bring a different aspect to the Mutant franchise which fans have yet to see: “We always tread this theme of ‘mutants vs. humans,’ and Apocalypse has two aspects that make him such a different character than I’ve traditionally explored in the universe. One is that he makes no distinction between humans and mutants. He’s interested in the Earth as a whole, in the purity of civilization and the strongest. Secondly, it deals with ancient mutantism, or the origin of mutants, or the origins of gods and religion. The X-Men universe has never touched upon any of those things, and that stuff I loved when I was a kid. I read Chariots of the Gods when I was a kid, and I was fascinated with religion as a kid, and cults and things like that. So that stuff made this so appealing to do.”

The director also hinted that by the end of the film the landscape of the Mutant world would be drastically different, like erasing four or so films from the timeline such as his previous X-Men: Days of Future Past did. “It’s a global situation. He wants to make a massive global change. I don’t want to tell you what he’s going to do, but it’s visually unique. He’s going to do something really bad to the Earth that’s going to cause a lot of people to not live. [Laughs] And those that survive will be the strongest.”

X-Men: Apocalypse hits theatres May 27, 2016.

For all your Apocalyptic-Mutant-News, stick with @mitch_rated only on Skatronixxx.com

 

Fox Orders ‘The Exorcist’ Tv Show

A reimagined Tv show of the horror classic The Exorcist has been order to pilot by Fox.

The one-hour pilot will follow two priest as they battle a demonic possession with thewrap describing the new series as an “reinvention” of William Peter Blatty’s 1971 novel.

The novel was originally adapted for the screen by William Friedkin in 1973 which spawn a number of failed sequels.

Fox’s show will be written by Jeremy Slater (Fantastic Four) who will also serve as executive producer alongside David Robinson, James Robinson and Barbara Wall.

The Exorcist will join a growing list of classic horror films receiving the small screen treatment, with the novel also getting a big-screen reboot in the near future.

For all your Horror-Tv-Reboot News, stick with @mitch_rated only on Skatronixxx.com

New Team Members For ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2’

As a wise man once said “I think we need a bigger boat,” a sentiment shared by the Guardians of the Galaxy in Volume 2, as new information regarding the much-anticipated sequel indicates that the crew of The Milano is getting bigger. Just where will the Racoon sleep?

A source close to Geek.com revealed that Nebula, Yondu and newcomer Mantis will be hopping on board Star-Lord Peter Quill’s (Chris Pratt) ship and join the intergalactic mis-adventures of Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax (Dave Bautista), Rocket (Bradley Cooper) and the dancing-tree Groot (Vin Diesel).

Although a newcomer to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe, Mantis is an old-flame of Quill and a founding member of the Guardians in the comic books. It was also reported late-last-year by The Hollywood Reporter that Director James Gunn and Marvel had “conducted a wide search for its mystery part, which called for an Asian actress, and did several rounds of chemistry reads.” Before Deadline indicated that Oldboy (2013) actress Pom Klementieff had won the role of the powerful telepath but the casting has yet to be verified.

It was also revealed that Mantis will have an integral role in the new Guardians film, with Geek.com reporting that her backstory “ties into the Celestials, Kree cults, and the Guardians themselves.” Indicating that the Marvel may introduce Quill and Mantis past dalliance into the MCU making for a lethal love triangle if the most dangerous woman in the Galaxy, Gamora, has anything to say about it.

Alongside Mantis, the source also broke that Gamora’s half sister Nebula (Karen Gillian) and Pirate Captain Yondu (Michael Rooker) will be returning for the sequel and joining the Guardians of the Galaxy. Yondu is a less surprising addition to the team given the fact that his comic-book origins depict him as a founding member of the Guardians and saw the surrogate father to Peter fight alongside his new team mates in the climax to the first film.

Nebula on the other hand is far more interesting recruit for the clan of misfits. Not only is she a devout follower of her father Thanos (Josh Brolin) but her intense hatred for Gamora lead to many epic collisions between the pair including a battle over Xandar that Nebula only barely survived. Should the two warring siblings be reunited, it must mean dire straits for Nebula if she seeks protection with a team that she spend most of her time trying to kill.

Can’t wait for that awkward team-up.

Rumours have also been circulating that the big-sentient planet Ego will also be making his debut. If your thought a thriving space port located inside the head of a Giant Ancient being was weird. Wait and until you meet Ego, of which animated fans of Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H on DisneyXD will be more than aquatinted with. Seriously, you should check him out.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 will be freaking out our screens on May 5, 2017.

For all your Retro-Music-Loving-Superhero-News, stick with @mitch_rated only on Skatronixxx.com

The NXT Review With @Mitch_Rated – 20th January 2016

 It looks like Adam Rose is back in NXT or is it Leo Kruger ? – Skatronixxx

Whats up Wrestling peeps, welcome back to my NXT Review. In the interest of full-disclosure ‘Hot Takes’ is dead, its gone, its no-more. I didn’t particularly care for the name, It was a sophomore choice but like many of our favourite wrestlers, names change, people Evolve and so to must this review.

Lets get started and NXT this week got off to a fast start. No promo opening like last week because that Triple-Threat match is coming fast and coming next week, so there really isn’t much to say other that I want it now like a fat-kid needs cake. But of course that is all Tom Phillips and Corey Graves could hype about, informing us that all three competitors would be in action tonight with Sami Zayn opening the show.

No one can get an NXT crowd excited like Zayn, that music hits and you are on your feet ready for the inevitability which is a good-solid-wrestling match. Unfortunately the same cant be said for his talent enhancer, Adam Rose. I mean, could the crowd be more dead for Adam Rose, even his time on the main roster jobbing and hanging around with a demented Bunny has killed the good-will back down in Orlando. Its sad given that Rose was a legit star in the yellow brand before his call up to the big leagues.

That being said, the man can wrestler. A technically sound match with loads of holds, chops and Woooos (of course), maybe a tad slow for a frenetic Zayn but the dude just back for a long hold from injury. He should be protected for a while … until that triple threat match of course. Let the pain-rain.

Before the next match we get a cute little promo from Chad Gable and Jason Jordan. I say cute because these too have the bro-chemistry down. Like Zack Ryder’s short reign with the United States Champion. You can’t help but to cheer for these guys with their underdog appeal. And the moment they hit upon their new Tag Team Name, American Alpha. Genius.

Tye Dillinger took on Apollo Crews next and if you’ve read my TakeOver London review you’d know that I’m not down on Crews. I know that Haters-Gonna-Hate but I need to see more from him and this match showed me that 2016 could be the big-guys year. The crowd is always over with Dillinger and pairing Crews with the more popular wrestlers on the roster such as him. Then letting the guys skills speak for themselves, will do wonders for his NXT career, maybe a mini-feud with Finn Balor could do just that. Side-note, Dillinger’s Man-Bun is adorbs.

Baron Corbin runs rough-shot next over a debuting Rich Swann. Although Swann was impressive in his first Televised match for NXT, boy that Tilt-the-Whirl Headscissor bro. His role essentially tonight was to enhance Corbin going into his big match next week. ‘Nuff said.

Time for the ladies and wow is Dana Brooke annoying. I mean, a Heel, I get it but just her voice screaming at the top of her lungs cheering Emma on … a Lana she aint. Hot-take, Bayley telling Brooke to “shut up” was my highlight. Any-who, this Tag Team match was okay and it got everyone over appropriately. The Heels Alexa Bliss and Emma gave Heelish behaviour in jumping the perpetual underdog (even though she is the Champ) Bayley before the bell. Meaning that the Champ was hampered from the off-set leading to a hot-tag that allowed for Carmella to run in and save the day and grab the win. Obvious booking, as most of the matches on the night, it showed that Carmella is over with crowd and ready for her match with Bayley. Is that happening next week by-the-way?

Before the main event of the evening we get a response from the NXT Champion Finn Balor on Apollo Crews request for a match next week. Of course the Champion accepts but there was something different about Balor than from his usual promos. I could be reading way to much into this but could a Heel-turn be on the horizon? His intensity and rebuttal seem personal, like he was offended by Apollo’s assertions that he could call him out any time, like Crews was somewhat beneath him. I dunno, guess we’ll see next week.

Samoa Joe was in no mood for Johnny Gargano, and neither was I. The night has been fun with some really great matches but overall obvious. The Triple-Threat and the return of Finn Balor to the square ring is all I’m thinking off at this point and using Gargano as yet another enhancer was cheap. I know I needed to finish my greens before I get my dessert but the night was a chore.

Roll on next week already.

For all your NXT-Pros-Cons and Chat-alongs, stick with @mitch_rated only on Skatronixxx.com

‘Jason Momoa’ Discusses ‘Aquamans’ Duel Identity

 

Aquaman is a joke no more, you wouldn’t mess with this guy – Skatronixxx

DC’s big preview night gave fans a chance to delve deeper into the comic book giants upcoming cinematic releases.

One such character that has proved as elusive as the big-green-yonder he calls home, is Jason Momoa’s Aquaman.

Last night Momoa had the chance to share his unique approach to the superhero who is unlike the other Justice Leaguers. “He’s the only one that’s both human and he’s a god. I want to see him struggle with the fact that he has these powers and he doesn’t know how to handle them; he hasn’t been trained.”

With DC’s reboot of their comic book lineup in 2012, Aquaman was given the opportunity to rise from the moniker as the Justice League member that sucks, with his Throne of Atlantis comic book storyline proving a critical and commercial success. Showing that the superhero from two worlds could be as compelling as his more famous peers.

Momoa’s Aquaman will debut in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice this summer.

For all your Fish-Food-Sucking News, stick with @mitch_rated only on Skatronixxx.com

 

‘Ezra Miller’ Talks About DC’s The Flash Mythos

 I thought it was Daisy Ridley for a split second in this photo – Skatronixxx

With the arrival of CW’s Legends of Tomorrow last night, so too did DC’s preview night that gave fans an abundance of information across their upcoming cinematic spectacles.

One of which was the chance for Ezra Miller to talk about his role as The Flash ‘Barry Allen’ in DC’s new cinematic universe. “He’s been struck by lighting, that’s the Mythos” revealed the We Need To Talk About Kevin (2011) actor. “But he’s a human. He can run through walls. He can run across water. He can run so fast that he can move into a another plain of frequency where there’s another reality.”

It’s Interesting to note Millers reference to other realities in his character description. Given that Grant Gustin’s Flash is dealing with the alternate Earth 2 in the shows second season. Although the character is known for his alternate-reality-time-hopping in the comics. It will be intriguing to see if DC’s movie counterpart will follow the same cues as its CW fore bearer.

The Flash will make his debut alongside other Justice League members in the fast approaching Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice on March 25, 2016.

For all your Speedy-Speedster-News, stick with @mitch_rated only on Skatronixxx.com

Rumour: Will Odin Be Back For ‘Thor: Ragnarok’

 

Why does Odin remind me of a badass version of Captain Birdseye ? – Skatronixxx

Thor: The Dark World gave us hovering tankers, the comic genius that is Kat Dennings and of course, the Underground riding Thor. But one of the mysteries that surrounds the sequel is what really happened to Odin (Anthony Hopkins) after Loki (Tom Hiddleston) stole the throne from under his fathers unsuspecting gaze.

For all those that might have expected a fate-most-foul, hold your horses because the All-father might just be okay … well, okay-ish.

According to sources close to Geek.com, legendary actor Hopkins will return for Thor: Ragnarok when Odin finds himself in Midgard, wandering the streets “as one of those crazy-looking ‘the end is nigh’ street-corner hobos, warning of the impending apocalypse.”

As many fans have theorise, Ragnarok will see the end of Asgard which was foreseen by Thor himself during his spirit journey in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015). Sources also revealed that Thor will encounter his father on Earth which undoubtedly will lead to the pair uniting to take the throne back from the God of Mischief himself, Loki.

Thor: Ragnarok opens in theatres November 3, 2017 and will also see Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner join the God of Thunder in protecting his home-world from the impending Norse Apocalypse.

For all your God-of-Thunder News, stick with @mitch_rated only on Skatronixxx.com

‘Deadpool’ Denied Permission To Be Shown In China

 Who else but Deadpool ? – Skatronixxx

Ryan Reynolds much anticipated Deadpool movie may have just justified its hard R-rating with one of cinemas biggest markets outside the EU and the United States refusing to show the Merc-with-a-Mouth’s debut solo outing.

According to local media, China has “denied” 20th Century Fox Studio permission to show the movie due to, in Reynolds own words via Twitter, “blood. Guns. F-bombs. And graphic, expertly lit French Unicorn sex.”

Although the China Film Group has worked with certain R-rated films in the past to give an edited “cleaner” version to the country. Reports have indicated that an edited version of Deadpool is unlikely given that it will compromise the integrity of the plot.

Reynolds first played Wade ‘Deadpool’ Wilson in 20th Century Fox’s first X-Men spin-off Wolverine Origins (2009). The film was widely panned, in no small part to the perceived mis-handling of the Deadpool character. Who not only became the films villain William Stryker’s (Danny Huston) zombie-like henchman but the filmmakers also made the unwise decision to sew the characters mouth shut, effectively working against the characters ‘Merc-with-a-Mouth’ moniker.

Since then Reynolds had been trying to get a solo R-rated film off the ground with the project passing through many hands. His dream was finally realised when the film went into production last year with Reynolds in the title role accompanied by Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, T.J Miller, Gina Carano, Brianna Hildebrand and Stefan Kapicic.

Although Chinese Marvel Fans will miss out, Deadpool will open in theatres everywhere else February 12, 2016.

In the meantime, please enjoy Wade Wilsons softer side below. And as always, stick with @mitch_rated only on Skatronixxx.com

Disney’s Live Action ‘Little Mermaid’ Will Be Much Darker

 It’s the little girl from Kick-Ass all grown up – Skatronixxx

Of late Disney has been diving into their animated Renaissance classics and adapting them into live action motion pictures. First we had Maleficent (2014) staring Angelina Jolie as the title villain in the Sleeping Beauty reimagining, followed quickly by Kenneth Branagh’s critically well received Cinderella in 2015.

Currently Disney have Beauty and the Beast, starring Harry Potter star Emma Watson, in production but another much anticipated adaptation is not far off.

Speaking with Digital Spy, actress Chloe Grace Moretz revealed that her next film The Little Mermaid will be much darker than we remember. “It’s the Hans Christian Andersen story. And it’s going to be darker, and it’s a little bit more interesting, and it’s definitely more naturalistic.”

Moretz who will tackle the starring role as rebellious Mermaid Ariel, imparted her desire “to show a character that young girls can look up to, and fall in love with and be proud of.”

Known for her edgy roles in films such as Kick-Ass (2010), Let Me In (2010) and the poorly received remake of Carrie (2013. The 18-year-old looks to bring her cinematic quirkiness to the fairy tale, to show “side of the Little Mermaid that we already know – which is great – but also more modern, which it needed to be.”

For all your Disney-Reimagined-News, stick with @mitch_rated only on Skatronixxx.com