UPDATE: Darren Aronofsky Confirmed to Direct "Wolverine 2"

Yes it was only a rumor at first, but now Hugh Jackman has confirmed. Via various websites, here's a quote from Jackman himself:

This is Wolverine. This is not Popeye. He’s kind of dark… But, you know, this is a change of pace. Chris McQuarrie, who wrote The Usual Suspects, has written the script, so that’ll give you a good clue. [Aronofsky’s] going to make it fantastic. There’s going to be some meat on the bones. There will be something to think about as you leave the theater, for sure.

Could it be Darren Aronofsky is directing Wolverine 2? Ok, so he directed Hugh Jackman in The Fountain. Like 6 people saw the damn thing. Well, maybe it's because Zack Snyder got the Superman job and Darren Aronofsky didn't. Even though he was rumored to be in the running? I don't know, that's speculation on my part. /Slashfilm via Vulture are reporting the news.

I couldn't see Aronofsky making Superman and I don't see him doing Wolverine 2 either. Don't get me wring, I think he's a great director. Maybe Fox sees something in him that will improve upon the awful X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Improving the first film wont be very difficult. Director Gavin Hood butchered that film. There was so much wrong with the movie, it's not even funny. Check out my original review here.

Aronofsky is a dramatic director, but so was Gavin Hood. I believe that directors with a dramatic background are going to continue having difficulties in a genre such as superhero films. I wouldn't mind seeing an Aronofsky-directed Wolverine, but he wouldn't be my first pick. What do you think?

Quickie: "Thor's" "Empire"

The mighty Thor makes the cover of Empire this week, actually holding his hammer in full costume. The movie is looking really good and generating buzz after Comic-Con, but for some reason a lot of the web-surfing community thinks it's going to tank. The negative feedback is kind of surprising. This is solely based on comments and questions on other blogs, but still, I thought people were still high on the idea of Thor in theaters. Guess not... but I am.

Quickie: "Green Lantern" Site Launches

Every post today seems to be superhero related, including this one. It's the talk of Twitter, check out the new website for the Green Lantern film starring Ryan Reynolds. Click the image above to see the not-so-thrilling site. Or click here.

Zack Snyder Will Direct "Superman!"

A visionary director for a superhero who so desperately needs him. The rumors have been confirmed, Zack Snyder will direct the next Superman film! Producer Christopher Nolan had a difficult task at hand, but chose the man I hoped he would!

It's been a crazy road since 2006, and even earlier. Directors like Tim Burton, McG and even J.J. Abrams have been linked to directing a Superman film at one point or another. Richard Donner will forever be synonymous with Superman; his 1978 epic created the genre of film I have come to cherish, the superhero film genre.

Fast forward almost 30 years to 2006. Brian Singer creates an homage to Donner with the pitiful Superman Returns and leaves an entire generation of fans wishing Donner himself would have directed the movie instead.

Fast forward a bit more to 2012 when we will look to the sky for our savior, Superman! Not like Snyder needs an introduction, but there are four films that I believe got him the job.

1. 300 was a huge success and placed Snyder on a very short list of visionary directors that could give us a money shot for every single frame of a movie. He began his voyage into comic book-to-film adaptations.

2. Watchmen proved he could create drama and emotion and only use the action as a tool to tell the story, much like Christopher Nolan and the Batman films, again working in the comic book genre.

3. Legend of the Guardians, which is doing very well in theaters this month and making Warner Brothers a lot of money.

4. Sucker Punch looks like a literal translation of a graphic novel come to life and will surely feature Snyder's recognizable film style.

Superman needed a director like Snyder for so many reasons. It needed his visual style of course, but more so, it needed the darkness Snyder has shown in his previous films. Superman Returns failed on so many levels, for so many reasons. One reason everyone agreed on was the lack of action. I doubt this will be a problem, considering what we've seen in both 300 and the trailer for Sucker Punch.

Another reason that film failed was the character was impossible to relate to in a terrorized world. That good 'ol boy, boyscout type of character will not resonate in this time in the world. So David S. Goyer and Christopher Nolan have promised a darker character that better resembles the times.

I love the decision and was jumping up and down like a little kid when I read the news. Now what? Well now we argue and debate the lead. I say Jim Caviezel, some say Jon Hamm. What about Brandon Routh returning to the role? Give us your thoughts on Snyder being hired and your idea for the lead!

Quickie: A Mark Ruffalo Stand-Alone "Hulk" Film?

Mark Ruffalo recently sat down with Empire and had this to say: "They set up several pictures over a couple of years and possibly there will be a Hulk movie. There'll probably be a couple more Avengers too, which would be fun."

I don't know what to think. I love the casting of Ruffalo for the Hulk in The Avengers movie, but I'm kind of burned out on the character all together. Maybe I'll feel different in 3 years after The Avengers has been released and everyone is singing its praises (or hates it).

Also, I think Marvel learned a lot and did some great things with The Incredible Hulk starring Edward Norton. I think they can build on that success and create another story worth telling where we actually care about the big green monster. Read Empire's entire article. He gives Norton some props as well.

Now rumor has it, and there's proof in the comics, that Hulk may be the villain in The Avengers. Check out The Ultimates series of The Avengers. This would be interesting to say the least; The Avengers assembling to take down one of their own. I could be wrong, because there's a rumor that Hulk's nemesis, Abomination, is the Avenger's main villain (he doesn't die at the end of The Incredible Hulk). Either way, I'm waiting to hear more details before I decide. What do you think about a Mark Ruffalo stand-alone Hulk film?

Emma Stone Cast in "Spider-Man," But NOT as Mary Jane Watson

Emma Stone is indeed going to be in the new Spider-Man film, but NOT as Mary Jane Watson. Huh? We've been talking about Stone joining Andrew Garfield in Spider-Man for some time now, but we always assumed it would be as Mary Jane Watson, Peter Parker's red-headed love interest. Well let me tell you something. Sony wants this next franchise to be completely different than the previous, starting with Stone's character.

Stone will play Gwen Stacy, who was previously portrayed by Dallas Bryce Howard in Spider-Man 3. She's the beautiful blond who goes to the same school as Peter. Another thing to note is that Stone is naturally blond. She dyed her hair red for Superbad and it just kind of stuck.

I like what they're doing at Sony. The first franchise was so big, so successful, it's going to take clever moves like this one to differentiate between the two franchises. If you read this blog, you know Emma Stone is my Hollywood crush, so I love the casting aspect of all this, but I'm more intrigued by the choice of character (Gwen Stacy as apposed to the obvious Mary Jane Watson). Either way, Sony just improved their chances of getting my 12 bucks at the theater. It will probably be 18 bucks by the time the movie comes out. Ooouf.

"Iron Man 2" DVD Review

Iron Man 2 was obviously one of the biggest movies of the summer/year in 2010. Director Jon Favreau and star Robert Downey Jr. are back for another go. Let's just say we covered it A LOT here at AtD. As a huge fan of the first film, I expected a lot out of the sequel, and have to be honest, was a bit disappointed. For my original review, go here. What I'm going to do now is give some additional insight that I've seen it multiple times, and talk about the Blu-Ray.

As far as my review, I still feel the same way about my "likes." The writing, the villains, the action are all still pretty awesome. The sequel contained what worked in the first film and improved on them. The writing was great in both films; quick, witty and smart. The villains were much better in the sequel (as far as depth), more unique and visually better than the first. And of course, the action was improved upon, big time.
The "likes" are the same, but the "dislikes" are even more of a dislike now that I've seen the movie a couple of times. The second act of the movie is God-awfully slow. There is nearly nothing going on in the middle of the movie and the pace is paralyzing. I wrote about the "misused acting," and boy was I right. Don Cheadle is a wonderful actor, but it just didn't show in Iron Man 2. Watching it again made me wish Terrance Howard was signed for the sequel. There is zero chemistry between Downey Jr. and Cheadle.

And worst of all is the abrupt, horrible climax that did not justify the earlier action sequences. This is immediately following the never-ending chase scene with the droids. Jeez Louise.

Now the special features. I give them a 7/10. There is a nice 'making of' that was satisfying and insightful. The featurettes are fun, and again, give an insider look to the making-of. I also liked the concept art involved in making the movie.

I bought the 2 Disc Special Edition Blu-Ray. There is a 1 Disc Blu-Ray as well as a DVD. Enjoy the film.