After “The Avengers” record-breaking weekend in the states, no surprise to hear all sorts of scuttlebutt and talk from the Marvel ideas department as to what comes next. And yes, there will be a next – lots of next.
The Super Hero team-up crossed the $600 million threshold at the global box office in 12 days, and its cumulative worldwide box office gross is an estimated $654.8 million.
“Marvel’s The Avengers is something we’ve been carefully building toward since we began production on the first Iron Man film, and it is quite rewarding for all of us that The Avengers is appealing around the globe to both passionate fans and general audiences alike. It is a testament to all involved with this film that audiences across the board are embracing the film in this record-setting way,” said Marvel’s The Avengers producer Kevin Feige.
“Joss Whedon, Kevin Feige and the whole Marvel team have done something really incredible with The Avengers,” said Dave Hollis, Executive Vice President, Theatrical Exhibition Sales and Distribution, The Walt Disney Studios. “From the super-talented cast to the spectacular visual effects, it’s a grand slam, and we’re proud to be a part of this history-making film.”
In just three days, Marvel’s ”The Avengers” is the fastest movie to reach $200 million domestically. The domestic debut kicked off Friday, May 4, and marks the second-highest single-day take of all time at $80.8 million, followed by record-breaking days on Saturday ($69.5 million) and Sunday ($57 million). Moviegoers gave Marvel’s ”The Avengers” a rare and perfect A+ CinemaScore.
While “Iron Man”, “Thor” and “Captain America” sequels are next for Marvel, there’s a bunch of other superheroes likely to join the metal man and shield-thrower in cinemaland.
Firstly, that long-gestating “Ant Man” movie that Edgar Wright (“Scott Pilgrim vs. The World”) is attached to direct, may finally be inching before the cameras.
Wright tweeted the following pic on the weekend, suggesting some kind of official announcement might be just around the corner.
No doubt Marvel want to get Ant Man onto screens pronto, so that he can join The Avengers in the sequel – the character was, after all, a founding member of the group.
In an interview with CHUD, Marvel’s Kevin Feige mentioned when we might see that “Avengers” sequel.
“If we do an Avengers 2 it will be after [Iron Man 3, Thor 2, Captain America 2]. They have to grow, they have to change. What they’ve gone through in this movie will impact their state of mind and where they stand in their next movies. Then whatever they go through in those movies is going to affect where we meet them in the next Avengers film. But I think people will be surprised to see, as we go forward – particularly in Iron Man 3 – the notion of how singular the stories can become. Iron Man 3 is a very singular Tony Stark story. As is Thor 2. Cap, who is stuck in the modern day with no friends or family, there will be some revelations of who is still alive from his days in WWII, but SHIELD and Nick Fury are kind of his confidants right now. So of all these movies, Captain America 2 will be most closely associated with Avengers.”
The big question is, will there be another stand-alone Hulk movie? At the moment, no. Apparently Marvel aren’t confident enough to give the big guy his own vehicle, after the so-so performance of the last two “Hulk” movies. But you can sure as hell bet on the character popping up elsewhere.
Finally, “Tree of Life” star Jessica Chastain has knocked back the “sexy scientist” role in “Iron Man 3″ due to a scheduling clash. Australia’s Isla Fisher was in contention for the role before Chastain was chosen, so maybe she’ll get a look-in? (THR).
And, of course, there’s always the possibility of new films based on “Sub-Mariner”, “The Punisher” and “Dr. Strange” coming to fruition…
