New Official Avengers Still

This is the latest official still from The Avengers, featuring Thor and Captain America staring at something looming overhead!  The Avengers hits theaters in May 2012!

Loads Of New Avengers Photos

Entertainment Weekly has lot's of new set photos from The Avengers, as well as character portraits!  If that's not enough, there is the new still to the left of Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow!  The Avengers hits theaters May 2012!

On Set Pics Of Catwoman

The Dark Knight Rises continues filming as we speak, leading up to it's 2012 release.  New set images of popped up giving us a better look at Anne Hathaway's Catwoman costume!

The Holocron: TMIAJ Presents Top 25 Comic Book To Film Adaptions part 2 - #15 Through #6

Welcome to TMIAJ's list of what we think are the Top 25 Comic Book To Film Adaptions!  We will reveal ten films today, 10 tomorrow, and the final five on Friday!  This list is put together by the TMIAJ Staff and the criteria is the film had to be adapted from a previous comic book or graphic novel! Today #16 through #6!

#25 - #16

#15 The Crow (1994)
Released May 11, 1994
Adapted From The Crow (Caliber Comics)
Starring Brandon Lee
Director: Alex Proyas
Domestic Box Office Total: $50.6 Million

A man brutally murdered comes back to life as an undead avenger of his and his fiancée's murder.

Why It Made The List: Alex Proyas's film adaption of The Crow is a honest and true to the source version.  It takes a few liberties from the comics but most movies do, then there's the performance from the late Brandon Lee.  Amazing, from his heart, and believable! Hollywood wanting to remake this is a terrible idea, the film stands on it's own.


 
#14 X-Men First Class (2011)
Released June 3, 2011
Based On The X-Men (Marvel Comics)
Starring James McAvoy & Michael Fassbender
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Domestic Box Office Total: $146 Million

In 1962, the United States government enlists the help of Mutants with superhuman abilities to stop a malicious dictator who is determined to start world war III.

Why It Made The List: Despite it's continuity liberties it takes witht he film, X-Men First Class is the most solid X film next to X-Men 2.  The relationship between Xavier and Magneto is well payed here, and the final battle in the film is epic and x-citing!

#13 Sin City (2005)
Released April 1, 2005
Based On Sin City (Dark Horse Comics)
Starring Bruce Willis, Clive Owen, Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba
Director: Robert Rodriguez & Frank Miller
Domestic Box Office Total: $74 Million

A film that explores the dark and miserable town, Basin City, and tells the story of three different people, all caught up in violent corruption.

Why It Made The List: Out of all the films on the top 25 this may be the absolute most faithful adaption.  Robert Rodriguez used the comics as a guideline for every scene in the film, along with the dialogue and the result is fantastic.

#12 Kick-Ass (2010)
Released April 16, 2010
Based On Kick-Ass (Marvel's Icon Comics)
Starring Aaron Johnson& Nicholas Cage
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Domestic Box Office Total: $48 Million

Dave Lizewski is an unnoticed high school student and comic book fan who one day decides to become a super-hero, even though he has no powers, training or meaningful reason to do so.

Why It Made The List: The film is a brutal hard-core look at what it would be like, in a sense, to try and be a super-hero in real life.  The comics were ultra violent and the movie doesn't stray from that.  In fact, it kicks ass.

#11 Superman II (1981)
Released June 19, 1981
Based On Superman (DC Comics)
Starring Christopher Reeve
Director: Richard Lester & Richard Donner
Domestic Box Office Total: $108 Million

Superman agrees to sacrifice his powers to marry Lois, unaware that three Kryptonian criminals he inadvertently released are conquering Earth.

Why It Made The List: Superman 2 is still one of the best sequels of all time.  The battle in the city at the end of the film is astounding, and 30 years later, we still don't have a Superman film that compares to the original two films.  That has to mean something.

#10 Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Released July 22, 2011
Based On Captain America (Marvel Comics)
Starring Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones, & Hugo Weaving
Director: Joe Johnston
Domestic Box Office Total: $174 Million

After being deemed unfit for military service, Steve Rogers volunteers for a top secret research project that turns him into Captain America, a superhero dedicated to defending America's ideals.

Why It Made The List: It may be the newest film out of the 25 on the list, but it made an immediate impact.  People had seemingly low expectations for the film, but it delivered, and delivered well!  The film is damn good and now we all can't wait for The Avengers!

#9 300 (2007)
Released March 9, 2007
Based On 300 (Dark Horse Comics)
Starring Gerard Butler
Director: Zach Snyder
Domestic Box Office Total: $210 Million

King Leonidas and a force of 300 men fight the Persians at Thermopylae in 480 B.C

Why It Made The List: Along with Sin City, this adaption is also very faithful to the source material.  Snyder gave the film a unique visual style to the film, and over all it just gave it's audience what it wanted to see.  A ass kicking film with a cool story too! It's also still one of the biggest selling Blu-Ray's to date!

#8 Iron Man (2008)
Released May 2, 2008
Based On Iron Man (Marvel Comics)
Starring Robert Downey Jr, Gwyenth Paltrow, & Jeff Bridges
Director: Jon Favreau
Domestic Box Office Total: $318 Million

When wealthy industrialist Tony Stark is forced to build an armored suit after a life-threatening incident, he ultimately decides to use its technology to fight against evil.

Why It Made The List: Marvel had some success with the X-Men and Spider-Man franchises so Iron Man was a new start for them.  If it failed then it could have meant no more Marvel movies, but it didn't.  The film was solid and damn good, and now we are getting an Avengers movie, all because this movie rocked!

#7 Batman (1989)
Released June 23, 1989
Based On Batman (DC Comics)
Starring Michael Keaton & Jack Nicholson
Director: Tim Burton
Domestic Box Office Total: $251 Million

The Dark Knight of Gotham City begins his war on crime with his first major enemy being the clownishly homicidal Joker.

Why It Made The List: Before Christopher Nolan came along, this Batman film was it!  A dark brooding Batman that overlooked Gotham City and battled The joker.  Over 20 years later the film doesn't hold up as well as Superman The Movie does for an older film, but it still helped launch Batman into modern mainstream!

#6 Spider-Man (2002)
Released May 3, 2002
Based On The Amazing Spider-Man (Marvel Comics)
Starring Tobey Maguire, Kristen Dunst & Willem Dafoe
Director: Sam Raimi
Domestic Box Office Total: $403.7 Million

When bitten by a genetically modified spider, a nerdy, shy, and awkward high school student gains spider-like abilities that he eventually must use to fight evil as a superhero after tragedy befalls his family.

Why It Made The List: James Cameron at one time toyed with Spider-Man on the big screen but he never did it.  Perhaps it would have been amazing, but Raimi did an amazing job also, giving a great film, and an even better sequel (but that's later on the list).  Maguire was excellent as Peter Parker, and watching Spidey fly through New York is a comic geek's dream.




 Tomorrow The Top 5!!

Batman Year One Clip

Batman: Year One hits DVD and Blu-Ray on October 18th, here is an official clip from the film!

Vid Pick Of The Week: The Thing "Red Band" Trailer

The Thing remake/prequel is hitting theaters in October and a brand new red band trailer has been released.  It is our Vid Pick of The Week!

More The Thing (2011) Videos

Retroplex Cinema Special Edition: The Force Is With Cut Scenes Part 3: Star Wars Episode VI - Return Of The Jedi

A year ago TMIAJ presented this series of articles after the initial announcement of the Star Wars Blu-Rays.  Now the discs are in stores this Friday, so we present these articles again as part of our Retroplex Cinema series, so that you can take a look at what may appear on the Blu-Ray discs! 

Articles In This Series:
The Force Is With Cut Scenes Part 1: Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope
The Force Is With Cut Scenes Part 2: Star Wars Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
The Force Is With Cut Scenes Part 3: Star Wars Episode VI - Return Of The Jedi

Retroplex Cinema Special Edition: The Force Is With Cut Scenes Part 3: Star Wars Episode VI -  Return Of The Jedi

Luke's Lightsaber

In the beginning of Return of the Jedi, Luke constructs a new lightsaber and hides it inside of Artoo Detoo, along with a message for Jabba the Hutt.

This scene would have set things up for the later action at Jabba's palace, but it also would have given away the surprise element of Luke's hidden lightsaber.  The scene shows up in the novel and radio play as well, but takes place inside Ben Kenobi's hut. From the matte painting and storyboard that exist, it appears the location was changed to take place inside a cave on Tatooine rather than Ben's hut. 
     Until recently rumor was that this scene was never filmed completely.  Anthony Daniels himself even said it was only partially filmed as far as he remembered.  But then at Celebration V Lucas revealed that it had indeed been filmed and showed it to the crowd.  If you were lucky enough last week to see it on You Tube then great, if not you have to wait till the Blu-Ray's hit stores!

Rancor Pit Grate

Luke has fallen through a trapdoor in Jabba's palace, and is now in grave danger inside the Rancor pit. The monstrous Rancor is about to attempt to have him for dinner. In an effort to escape, Luke uses the Force to jump up to a grate above, but he is unable to get out and has his fingers mashed by Jawa gun butts for the effort. He then drops down right onto the Rancor's eye, causing it great pain... but again ends up on the run.

There seems to be no particular reason for this scene being cut, other than for time or because of the difficulty of the special effects regarding the fall onto the Rancor. It would have given another chance to see Luke exercise his Jedi abilities as he makes the jump to the grate.

A single photo from this scene has appeared in the Return of the Jedi storybook, and the scene is included in the novel as well.

Barge Fight

On board Jabba the Hutt's barge, Threepio has found himself an unwilling translator/mediator between a drunken Ree-Yees and Saelt Marae (aka Yak-Face). Salacious Crumb joins in the fun as well. The altercation ends in fisticuffs, just before Threepio bumps into Artoo serving drinks.

This was just a little extra action taking place aboard Jabba's barge, but it was cut from the film as it was non-essential to the storyline.

Pictures from this scene show up all over in various places, including in the photo insert from the novel. Also, the scene is described in the novel, but it is Ephant Mon rather than Saelt Marae who gets in the fight there.

Damn Sand Clogging My Sensors

The Sandstorm

Perhaps Jedi's most famous deleted scenes, after Jabba's barge explodes, our heroes rendezvous once more before taking off and going their separate ways, but they end up having to struggle through a tremendous sandstorm to get to their ships. Chewbacca has been wounded during the battle, and is hobbling along with the help of Luke and Lando. They reach their ships and prepare to part, exchanging feelings and farewells.

I Can't See A Damn Thing

     This scene would explain how everyone got on and off the planet. Parked out in the desert here is the Milennium Falcon and Luke's X-wing. The script also mentions a two-seated Y-wing being there as well.

Ooops, Did I Grab Your Boob

     Although this scene was the first scene filmed for Jedi, none of it made it into the final film. Footage from this scene has shown up so far only as a snippet on one of the trailers for Jedi, as well as in still photographs in various places including the original West End Games Star Wars role-playing game books, the Behind The Magic CD ROM, and the Star Wars Insider.

Goodbye, We Will Rendevous Later

Luke Puts On The Glove Before He Boards The X-Wing

Other known Jedi scenes believed to exist include some info from a scene filmed where General Crix Madine was aboard a Mon Calamari ship during the final battle. These scenes were filmed according to the actor. Actor Dermot Crowley claims to have spent a few extra days filming in a moving chair shouting things such as "Fire!". There are also cut shots of rebel gunners aboard the Millennium Falcon. It was rumored that the B-Wing fighters would be given more to do during the battle in the Special Editions but have yet to see the light of day on film. 

A scene now confirmed to appear on the Blu-Ray's includes additional filming inside the bunker on Endor.  The image to the left feature's Han Solo in the bunker and you can see the complete scene on the Blu-Ray disc! 

Vid Pick Of The Week: The Raid "Red Band" Trailer

We have no idea where The Raid came from or what the movie is about, but it's getting notice at the Toronto Film Festival and other places, and the trailer......holy shit this trailer is bad ass!  It may just be our most impressive Vid Pick Of The Week ever.  Obviously you can't judge a movie totally by it's trailer but this is a good start.  Watch this!  It's amazingly awesome and bloody!  So keep small children away!

Here is the film's official synopsis: Deep in the heart of Jakarta's slums lies an impenetrable safe house for the world's most dangerous killers and gangsters. Until now, the rundown apartment block has been considered untouchable to even the bravest of police. Cloaked under the cover of pre-dawn darkness and silence, an elite swat team is tasked with raiding the safe house in order to take down the notorious drug lord that runs it. But when a chance encounter with a spotter blows their cover and news of their assault reaches the drug lord, the building's lights are cut and all the exits blocked. Stranded on the 6th floor with no way out, the unit must fight their way through the city's worst to survive their mission. Director Gareth Evans (Merantau) and rising martial arts star Iko Uwais reunite in this adrenaline-fueled action film.

 

Leonidas & His Queen In 300 Prequel?

Producer Bernie Goldmann recently spoke with movies.com about the upcoming 300 prequel, 300: Battle For Artemisia.  He spoke about weather Gerad Butler and Lena Heady, who played King Leonidas and Queen Gorgo respectively, would be in the film.    

When asked he said the following: “It’s a different story," he said. "[However] there’s a small part for Lena [Headey]. There’s a small part for Gerry [Butler].”

The film is based on Frank Miller's upcoming graphic novel prequel to 300, and is believed to take place 10 years or so before the first one, as Xerces rises to power.  We are all for more Lena Heady in the film, and we bet you are too!

Star Wars Saga Blu-Ray Deleted Scenes List

The Complete Star Wars Saga hits Blu-Ray on September 16th, and one of the most highly anticipated special features are the never before seen deleted scenes, mostly from the original trilogy.  The official list has been released that you can check out below.

A year ago TMIAJ ran a series of articles about the deleted scenes from the original trilogy.  Starting Monday we will reprint these articles as part of our Retroplex Cinema series!






00:25:05 (TRASH TALKING DROID)
00:18:10 (THE BATTLE IS OVER)
00:15:23 (ANAKIN’S RETURN)
00:17:15 (BATTLE ON THE BOARDING RAMP)
01:21:19 (EXTENDED POD RACE WAGER)
00:17:02 (BAIL ORGANA OF ALDERAAN)
00:57:15 (EXTENDED SPEEDER CHASE)
00:53:09 (THE LOST TWENTY)
00:55:00 (ANAKIN’S NIGHTMARE)
00:41:24 (ANAKIN AND RUWEE)
03:42:17 (RAID ON THE DROID CONTROL SHIP AND EXTENDED ARENA FIGHT)
01:25:21 (ELEVATOR ANTICS)
02:22:23 (ESCAPE THROUGH THE HANGER)
01:49:12 (CHANGES TO CONSTITUTION)
08:03:10 (UTAPAU CHASE ANIMATICS)
03:19:04 (MUSTAFAR DUEL ANIMATICS)
03:31:08 (MUSTAFAR DUEL / LAVA RIVER ANIMATICS)
06:20:14 (KAHYYYK AND ORDER 66 ANIMATIC)
00:36:00 (JEDI IMPOSTERS AT THE TEMPLE)
05:10:17 (SENATE DUEL ANIMATIC)
00:48:10 (YODA COMMUNES WITH QUI-GON)
00:26:08 (ANAKIN KILLS SHAAK TI) 
04:58:24 (TOSCHE STATION)
00:31:13 (THE SEARCH FOR R2-D2)
00:42:12 (STORMTROOPER SEARCH)
00:24:17 (DARTH VADER WIDENS THE SEARCH)
00:24:20 (ALTERNATE BIGGS AND LUKE REUNION)
01:29:05 (HAN AND LEIA: EXTENDED ECHO BASE ARGUMENT)
01:59:17 (LUKE & LEIA: MEDICAL CENTRE)
02:27:03 (DELETED WAMPA SCENES)
00:20:08 (THE FATE OF GENERAL VEERS)
01:03:16 (LUKE’S RECOVERY)
01:08:04 (YODA’S TEST)
00:53:15 (HIDING IN THE ASTEROID)
00:51:12 (LEIA TENDS TO LUKE)
02:33:19 (VADER’S ARRIVAL AND REACHING OUT TO LUKE)
01:59:19 (TATOOINE SANDSTORM)
02:07:02 (REBEL RAID ON BUNKER)
00:22:00 (JERJERROD’S CONFLICT)
06:50:07 (CANTINA ROUGH CUT)
00:20:10 (AUNT BERU’S BLUE MILK)
00:13:11 (OLD WOMAN ON TATOOINE)
01:45:05 (ALTERNATE HAN AND LEIA KISS)
00:45:02 (LOBOT’S CAPTURE)
09:06:20 (BATTLE OF ENDOR: THE LOST REBELS)

Vid Pick Of The Week: Empire Strikes Back Deleted Scene "Han & Leia" From The Complete Saga Blu-Ray

The Complete Star Wars Saga hits Blu-Ray on September 16th, and here is a brand new deleted scene from The Empire Strikes Back, as seen on the upcoming Blu-Ray release!

More Star Wars Blu-Ray Changes

By now you are well aware of the digital Yoda in The Phantom Menace, well now two more changes that have caught wind with fans on the upcoming Star Wars Saga Blu-Ray release have to do with the original trilogy.  In Return Of The Jedi, when The Emperor is torturing Luke as Vader looks on, Vader looks at both of them as he makes his fateful decision, well now he decides to cry out now as he throws The Emperor into the abyss.  Say what?  Yah it's true, it's a minor change but really unnecessary.  Watch the scene below, as well as the change made to Obi-Wan's scare tactic call to the Sand People in A New Hope. (Note: The Obi-Wan change is not confirmed yet)  All these changes but yet we still want Han to shoot first!

Green Lantern Extended Cut Coming To Blu-Ray

Green Lantern will be hitting DVD and Blu-Ray on October 14th and it's interesting to note that an extended cut will be included on the Blu-Ray edition.  What is being included in this cut is not known yet but TMIAJ will keep you posted.  Specs are as follows:

Blu-ray Combo Pack:
Extended Cut
Theatrical Film
Maximum Movie Mode with Picture in Picture Pods
The Universe According to Green Lantern
Ryan Reynolds Becomes Green Lantern                                             Justice League #1 Digital Comic 
Additional Scenes 
Preview of Green Lantern: The Animated Series 

DVD:
Preview of the Justice League #1 Digital Comic 
Preview of Green Lantern: The Animated Series
                                                                             
                                                                        

                                                                             

Wes Craven Series Mondo Posters

The Mondo Company is at it again with more amazing posters.  They are currently producing a series of posters based on classic Wes Craven films.  Here are posters for A Nightmare On Elm Street 3, and Swamp Thing.

Harold & Kumar Return This Holiday Season

Harold & Kumar are returning to theaters in A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas.  Enjoy the trailer and be prepared for the insanity this Holiday season!

Japanese Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes Poster

The news for Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes doesn't quit coming.  This cool new poster is for the Japan release of the film!

First Look At Catwoman In The Dark Knight Rises

If you follow the TMIAJ Facebook page then this photo was first shown there early this morning!  It is our first official look at Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle a.k.a. Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises.

First Look At Henry Cavill As Superman

Warner Brothers have released the first image of Henry Cavill in the new Superman suit in the upcoming film Man Of Steel.  The official press release is as follows: Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures have provided the first look at the new “Man of Steel,” revealing star Henry Cavill as Superman in the film from director Zack Snyder. The film also stars three-time Oscar® nominee Amy Adams (“The Fighter”) as Daily Planet journalist Lois Lane, and Oscar® nominee Laurence Fishburne (“What’s Love Got to Do with It”) as her editor-in-chief, Perry White. Starring as Clark Kent’s adoptive parents, Martha and Jonathan Kent, are Oscar® nominee Diane Lane (“Unfaithful”) and Academy Award® winner Kevin Costner (“Dances with Wolves”).
      Squaring off against the superhero are two other surviving Kryptonians, the villainous General Zod, played by Oscar® nominee Michael Shannon (“Revolutionary Road”), and Faora, Zod’s evil partner, played by Antje Traue. Also from Superman’s native Krypton are Lara Lor-Van, Superman’s mother, played by Julia Ormond, and Superman’s father, Jor-El, portrayed by Academy Award® winner Russell Crowe (“Gladiator”).
      Rounding out the cast are Harry Lennix as U.S. military man General Swanwick, as well as Christopher Meloni as Colonel Hardy.
      “Man of Steel” is being produced by Charles Roven, Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Deborah Snyder. The screenplay was written by David S. Goyer, from a story by Goyer and Nolan, based upon Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster and published by DC Comics. Thomas Tull and Lloyd Phillips are serving as executive producers.
      Currently in production, “Man of Steel” is slated for release on June 14, 2013 and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Green Lantern II Will Happen. So Will The Flash!

Green Lantern hasn't blown the walls off at the Box Office, but Trust Me I'm A Jedi loved the film and want to see more.  According to Warner Brothers President Jeff Robinov,, they are still considering moving ahead with a sequel.  He told the L.A. Times the following: "we had a decent opening so we learned there is an audience. To go forward we need to make it a little edgier and darker with more emphasis on action…. And we have to find a way to balance the time the movie spends in space versus on Earth."

He also adds that they have a very "solid" script for The Flash and are working towards moving forward on that film.

We aren't sure that darker and edgier are the way to go with Green Lantern, but more space stuff would be welcomed!  Green Lantern hits DVD and Blu-Ray October 25th!

Dark Knight Rises Set Photos

The Dark Knight Rises is currently filming in Pittsburgh and with all the media attention, lots of set photos are popping up online.  here are some great looks at Batman and Bane fighting each other, as well as a few other cool shots.