Marvel Studios Enters New Distribution Agreement With Paramount

Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom, Inc. and Marvel Studios, a subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment, Inc. today announced an agreement under which Paramount will distribute Marvel’s next five self-produced feature films on a worldwide basis. The deal, an extension of the original agreement made by Brad Grey when he arrived as CEO and Chairman of Paramount Pictures, includes theatrical distribution in foreign territories previously serviced by Marvel through local distribution entities. The distribution pact capitalizes on Marvel and Paramount’s successful efforts with “Iron Man,” which has grossed $574 million worldwide for Marvel.

 

The highly anticipated live action releases include “Iron Man 2″ (May 7, 2010), “Thor” (July 16, 2010), “The First Avenger: Captain America” (May 6, 2011), and “The Avengers” (July 15, 2011). The distribution agreement also includes “Iron Man 3.”

 

“Coming off of Iron Man’s incredible success this summer, we could not be more excited about extending our relationship with Marvel,” said Rob Moore, Vice Chairman of Paramount Pictures. “Marvel’s iconic brand, its popular characters and its proven ability to create compelling and visually spellbinding films complement Paramount’s great history of filmmaking. We look forward to a long and successful run together.”

 

“Paramount is an excellent partner and an outstanding global distributor,” said David Maisel, Chairman of Marvel Studios. “Through our experience on Iron Man, Paramount has demonstrated a passion and ability to release Marvel properties theatrically, allowing us to focus on making great movies for the largest audience possible.”

 

Marvel’s “Iron Man,” starring Robert Downey Jr. and directed by Jon Favreau, was distributed by Paramount earlier this year and was one of the top films of 2008. The DVD, including a version in Blu-ray, will be released on September 30, 2008.

 

 

Possible Blade Runner Sequel In The Works

Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner sequel is in the works under the command of veteran producer Bud Yorkin. Top screenwriters John Glenn and Travis Wright (Eagle Eye) are working on several treatments since 2006 and the current status of the story is classified, but Yorkin is in touch with pre-visualization team The Third Floor (all former Star Wars special effects team members) in order to work on some of the hunter sequences and space battles which occur in off-world colonies where the sequel is most likely to take place. Blade Runner II is still away from its conclusion, but it’s evolving.

Yorkin mentioned that if the green light is given, he’ll bring back stars Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer and Daryl Hannah.

Spider-Man & Stephen Colbert Team Up In Amazing Spider-Man #573!

Marvel is proud to reveal that Spider-Man and acclaimed television personality Stephen Colbert will join forces in an all new eight-page story featured in the extra-sized AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #573! Acclaimed writer Mark Waid and fan favorite artist Patrick Olliffe present Stephen Colbert, a candidate for the U.S. Presidency in the Marvel Universe, teaming up with Marvel’s most iconic crime fighter. What could bring these two together? And what will it mean for both their futures?

 

 

 

Moneygami

Origami is the art of paper folding. The word is Japanese, literally meaning to fold (oru) paper (kami) and comes in many styles and varieties. Please click HERE to create models folded from dollar bills. The subtle genius lies in the way the artist incorporates the prints on the dollar bills into the facial characteristics of the finished figures.

 

Turn Your Drawings Into Objects

Ponoko has a very cool new service called Photomake. You draw something with a marker and paper, upload it to Ponoko and they will turn it into a “real life product.”

This means you do not need to use graphics software to make something. This significantly lowers the entry barrier for all creative people who can hand draw using pen and paper but do not know how to use design software.

 

 

The 3M Mpro 110 Micro Projector

The 3M Mpro 110 Micro Projector is tiny, light and very portable. At only 11cm long, 5cm wide and 2cm high, the Mpro 110 can easily fit into a pocket, handbag or computer case. Images can be projected up to 50 inches and is great for business and home use. It can be connected to a laptop using a VGA cable and also iPods, digital cameras and multimedia mobile phones using a video cable.  The MPro 110 is expected to retail for $359 and will be available on September 30th.

The Trailer for Will Smith’s Seven Pounds

Will Smith reunites with the directors and producers of The Pursuit of Happyness for the emotional drama. In the film, Smith plays Ben Thomas, an IRS agent with a fateful secret who embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers.

Co-starring Rosario Dawson, Michael Ealy, Barry Pepper and Woody Harrelson, the film opens in theaters on December 19th.

 

Darth Vader Is Just Rude

Four Hands, One Guitar

New Software Turns PC Into TiVo TV Recorder

The kit will cost $199 when it goes on sale Oct. 15, and includes a remote and a TV tuner that plugs into the PC. The interface on the computer screen looks just like the one on a TV equipped with a TiVo box.

It’s not the first software that allows TV recording on the PC. That’s been possible for years on computers equipped with TV tuners, and some versions of Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Vista operating system include the necessary software. But it will be the first time that both the TiVo interface and functions have been replicated on a PC.

For people who already have a tuner-equipped PC, Nero — a private company mainly known for CD- and DVD-burning software — will sell the TV recording software separately, for $99. Either way, buyers will get a one-year subscription to TiVo’s program guide updates. Renewal will cost $99 per year.

The renewal cost sets the product apart from the digital video recording features of Windows Vista, which has a free program guide. However, Nero and TiVo are counting on the popularity of the TiVo interface and brand to overcome that hurdle.

Serenity by Jan

Jan from NBC’s “The Office” now has a website for her candle company, complete with testimonials from the Scranton office staff. Kevin Malone states, “Jan’s candles smell good enough to eat, but you can’t eat them. They’re made from wax.”  Who wouldn’t want the scents of denim, bottled water and new milk?

 

Kenneth Branagh In Talks to Direct Thor

Kenneth Branagh is negotiating to direct “Thor,” the next Marvel Comics property that will be turned into a live-action film by Marvel Studios. Pic will be released in 2010.

Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige’s choice of Branagh is surprising, as Branagh hasn’t really directed an action-heavy film since his debut on “Henry V,” a bloody telling of the British king’s conquest of France. 

Branagh is the latest in a string of directors — such as Jon Favreau (“Iron Man”), Christopher Nolan (the Batman franchise) and Gavin Hood (“X-Men Origins: Wolverine”) — with arthouse roots taking on big-budget comic book fare.

Marvel will set a distributor for “Thor” shortly.

“Thor” comic book adaptation, penned by Mark Protosevich, follows disabled medical student Donald Blake, who has an alter ego as the hammer-wielding Norse god Thor.

Marvel will self-finance the film via its $500 million credit facility through Merrill Lynch. Marvel used that coin to fund both “Iron Man” and “The Incredible Hulk” and will do the same for the “Iron Man” sequel that has director Favreau and star Robert Downey Jr. returning. 

The “Thor” negotiations come during a resurgence for Branagh. He’s currently drawing raves on the London stage in the title role of “Ivanov,” and he’ll next be seen acting in the Richard Curtis-directed “The Boat That Rocked” and the Bryan Singer-helmed “Valkyrie.” (From Variety)

 

Bruce Springsteen To Perform During Halftime of Super Bowl

Another Super Bowl, another rock ‘n’ roll superstar at halftime. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will perform at this year’s Super Bowl halftime show in Tampa, Fla., the NFL and NBC announced Sunday night.

Continuing a run of major talent that has lately included the Rolling Stones, U2, Paul McCartney, Prince and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the biggest television event in the nation will showcase one of its most beloved rock ‘n’ roll artists. The Super Bowl will be played Feb. 1 at Raymond James Stadium.

Last year’s halftime show was watched by more than 148 million viewers in the U.S., the NFL said in its release.