Feige & Whedon Talk Being Accused Of ‘Ruining Hollywood’

Despite combining to create one of the most beloved franchises in movie history, Marvel’s Joss Whedon and Kevin Feige have recently found themselves at the receiving end of a bit of criticism regarding Hollywood’s so-called ‘superhero fatigue’ problem. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone to promote Age Of Ultron, the pair sat down and addressed some of their critics’ concerns…

Kevin Feige, upon being asked about whether superhero films are “ruining hollywood”:

“Well, I will say we’re in good company. If you look through the decades of people who’ve been accused of that. Star Wars ruined Hollywood, Steven Spielberg ruined Hollywood — I’ll be in that company any day of the week.
“But the truth is, we don’t spend a lot of time looking at that stuff because we’re too busy trying to make the movies. I haven’t been involved in a project that’s been nominated for an Independent Spirit award, but I imagine those people put all their blood, sweat, and tears into it to try to get it done. That’s exactly what we do over here every single day.”

Whedon seemed to take the criticism in good humor, while building on Feige’s earlier comments:

“They don’t have the Hulk. The Hulk wants to do more independent stuff. It’s just his agent… The Marvel paradigm is new and is being copied by a lot of people, because it worked. But they’re being blamed for something that happened long before comic books became the basis for a lot of these blockbusters.”
“As for whether the paradigm will sustain itself or whether or not people will get sick of superheroes, who knows? Sure, I could stand to make a movie where guys don’t have to be sewn into their outfits. That would be fun. But a lot of vitriol has come Kevin’s way and Marvel’s way. I think perhaps that is misguided.”

Feige concluded the interview by responding to a question many people have been wondering about – when he thinks the superhero bubble will pop:

“As soon as there are a bunch of them that are terrible, that’s when it will end. I don’t believe in the superhero-movie genre. With Guardians of the Galaxy, we wanted to do a big space movie; with Ant-Man, we wanted to do a heist movie; Winter Solider, we wanted to do a political thriller.”
“I’m more entertained by all of those kind of movies when there’s superheroes in the middle of them, so that works out for me. But, I do believe and hope that that’s what we’ll continue to sustain, at least the ones we’re responsible for. The other ones we have nothing to do with – and we go see them when they come out on opening weekend.”

Ant-Man will be in theaters July 17, 2015; Captain America: Civil War – May 6, 2016; Doctor Strange – November 4, 2016; Guardians of the Galaxy 2 – May 5, 2017; Spider-Man reboot – July 28, 2017; Thor: Ragnarok – November 3, 2017; The Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 – May 4, 2018; Black Panther – July 6, 2018; Captain Marvel – November 2, 2018; The Avengers: Infinity War Part 2 – May 3, 2019; Inhumans – July 12, 2019.

Source: Rolling Stones 

Mitch Pileggi Will Return To X-FILES Reboot

David Duchovny told David Letterman earlier this month that Mitch Pileggi would reprise his role as Walter Skinner on The X-Files revival on Fox, and today Pileggi made it official. The Dallas alum confirmed that he will join stars Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, who will reprise their roles as FBI Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully in the six-episode event series.

Very happy to announce that Walter Skinner will once again be getting all grumpy and bitchy with his two wayward kids. Very happy.
— Mitch Pileggi (@MitchPileggi1) April 20, 2015

Production on the event series, whose plot is not being revealed, is set to begin this summer. The X-Files follows FBI special agents Scully (Anderson) and Mulder (Duchovny) as they investigate unexplained cases – “X-Files” – for which the only answers involve paranormal phenomena. The show was a breakout when it premiered in 1993 and went on to become a pop culture phenom and a global hit.

Source: Deadline

War Breaks Out In GOTHAM Season 1 Finale: "All Happy Families Are Alike"

Fox has released the synopsis for the May 4 season finale of Gotham, and it’s shaping up to be an eventful one. Fish returns to the city to reclaim her power, but she’s going to have to contend with Penguin and Maroni first. As we already know, not everyone will survive this.

**SEASON FINALE**–“GOTHAM”—(8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) CC-AD-HDTV 720p-Dolby Digital 5.1 THE BATTLE BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL RAGES ON THE SEASON FINALE OF “GOTHAM” MONDAY, MAY 4, ON FOX

As Gotham City’s gang war reaches its boiling point, Fish Mooney goes head-to-head with Maroni and Penguin in an attempt to re-stake her claim on the city. Meanwhile, Barbara and Leslie Thompkins are brought together after recent events, and Bruce searches Wayne Manor for any hints that his father might have left behind in the all-new “All Happy Families Are Alike” Season Finale episode of GOTHAM airing Monday, May 4 (8:00-9:00 ET/PT) on FOX. (GTH-122) (TV-14 D, L, V)

Cast: Ben McKenzie as Detective James Gordon, Donal Logue as Harvey Bullock, Jada Pinkett Smith as Fish Mooney, Sean Pertwee as Alfred, Robin Lord Taylor as Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin, Erin Richards as Barbara Kean, David Mazouz as Bruce Wayne, Camren Bicondova as Selina Kyle/the future Catwoman, Zabryna Guevara as Captain Sarah Essen, Cory Michael Smith as Edward Nygma/the future Riddler, Victoria Cartagena as Renee Montoya, Andrew Stewart Jones as Crispus Allen, John Doman as Carmine Falcone

Guest Cast: Morena Baccarin as Dr. Leslie Thompkins, Drew Powell as Butch Gilzean, David Zayas as Don Maroni, Peter Scolari as Commissioner Loeb, Chelsea Spack as Kristin Kringle, Dashiell Eaves as Kelly, James Andrew O’Connor as Tommy Bones

Fox Officially Revives THE X-FILES

Fox has officially announced the the return of The X-Files as a six-part event series, scheduled to begin production this summer. The last time we saw Agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) they were chasing down stolen organs in the commendably character driven, but overall disappointing second X-Files movie in 2008. That film failed to answer many of the questions left when the series ended back in 2002, but that’s something this revival promises to address. Here are the quotes from the press release.

“I think of it as a 13-year commercial break,” said series creator Chris Carter. “The good news is the world has only gotten that much stranger, a perfect time to tell these six stories.” “We had the privilege of working with Chris on all nine seasons of The X-Files – one of the most rewarding creative experiences of our careers – and we couldn’t be more excited to explore that incredible world with him again,” added Dana Walden and Gary Newman, Chairmen and CEOs of Fox Television Group. “The X-Files was not only a seminal show for both the studio and the network, it was a worldwide phenomenon that shaped pop culture – yet remained a true gem for the legions of fans who embraced it from the beginning. Few shows on television have drawn such dedicated fans as The X-Files, and we’re ecstatic to give them the next thrilling chapter of Mulder and Scully they’ve been waiting for.”

The X-Files originally ran for nine, from 1993-2002, and would have to be considered one of the most popular TV shows of all time. No word yet on when these six new episodes will air

GOTHAM’S Robin Lord Taylor Wants To Be On THE FLASH

During a recent interview with TV Guide, the cast of Gotham were asked to name their dream TV roles.

Robin Lord Taylor, who has been delivering the show’s standout performance as Oswald “The Penguin” Cobblepot, says he’d keep it in the DC family.

“If [I] could be on a show other than my own, I would choose to be on The Flash because I think they’re absolutely killing it,” he said in a video embedded below. “Or Watch What Happens: Live, that’s the other one!”

If he were to appear on The Flash, he wouldn’t be the first Gotham actor to do so; Anthony Carrigan, who plays Victor Zsasz on the series, appeared as The Mist in one of The Flash’s first episodes. Morena Baccarin, who plays Dr. Leslie Thompkins, also has a minor recurring role on The Flash as Gideon, the Reverse-Flash’s computer.

For his part, a guest appearance on The Flash would mark the third comic book TV show for the young actor; before Gotham, Taylor appeared on The Walking Dead, his character dying in the Season Five premiere.

Gotham airs Monday nights at 8 p.m. and returns with new episodes on April 13.

Source: TVGuide

Chris Chalk Cast As Lucius Fox For GOTHAM

Source: Collider

Another key character from the DC Batman universe is heading to Gotham. Chris Chalk (12 Years A Slave) has been cast as Lucius Fox in the Fox drama series. He will appear in the penultimate Episode 21 of the current first season with an option to return in Season 2.

Lucius Fox is Wayne Enterprises’ resident tech genius. In a corporation shadowed by nefarious dealings, Fox emerges as a moral beacon for young Bruce Wayne. His desire to help Bruce uphold Thomas Wayne’s legacy eventually will earn him a spot as one of the boy’s most important confidants. Indeed, in the comics, Fox goes on to become Wayne Enterprises President/CEO when Bruce Wayne becomes Batman. The role was played by Morgan Freeman in the Dark Knight trilogy.

Chalk, who started off in theater in New York, is coming off a recurring role on HBO’s The Newsroom.

Source: Deadline

Jada Pinkett Smith Not Returning For GOTHAM Season 2

Whether or not Fish Mooney survives her encounter with the Dollmaker, Gotham star Jada Pinkett Smith will not be returning for the show’s second season, the actress confirmed today on ABC’s LIVE with Kelly and Michael.

It’s not the first time the actress has hinted that she might not make it — during a recent conference call she suggested that the rest of the season was no easy road for her character.

“Well, it’s not quite over yet but we’ll see if Fish survives the season,” the actress told reporters. “It’s a little tense from here on out, that’s for sure. It’s a little rough on Fish from here on out.”

Still, she had previously stopped short of saying that her character wouldn’t return — and even today she kept the language somewhat open.

“I don’t think so,” she admitted when asked by the hosts whether she is coming back. “I signed for a year and the year’s up. BUT! There are some great things coming ahead on Gotham, believe you me.”

Of course, just the fact that she doesn’t return for Season Two doesn’t mean her character is dead — and if she’s alive, you can bet she’ll be a threat in later seasons.

Gotham is on a scheduled hiatus and will return with new episode in April.

Donal Logue Talks GOTHAM, Getting Renewed for Season 2 and More

On Episode 15 (called “The Scarecrow”) of the Fox series Gotham, Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie) and Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue) set out to stop Gerald Crane (Julian Sands), a biology teacher who has been harvesting the glands of his murder victims. He’s a man on a mission to eradicate the emotion of fear, which he sees as a hindrance in the development of the human species.

During this exclusive interview with Collider, actor Donal Logue talked about the biggest surprises that have come with being a part of Gotham, why he wishes he could hang out in the writers’ room, how nice it is to have the job security of already knowing they’ll have a Season 2, wanting to go darker, that he’d love to see some of Harvey Bullock’s home life, and why working with Jim Gordon is a case by case adjustment for Harvey.

What do you enjoy most about playing Harvey Bullock, and what would you still like to see with him?

LOGUE:  I want to see it go darker, and I’d like to go home with him. I have that stuff all explored in my own mind, whether we show it or not. Every once in awhile, when he’s braggadocio about his love life, it would be fun to see what his internal life is.

How is Harvey adjusting to working with Jim Gordon?

LOGUE:  It’s on a case by case basis. It changes a lot. Sometimes he’s the asshole who doesn’t like Jim Gordon. Sometimes he loves him to death. It changes. We’re on top of it because sometimes it doesn’t always track. Harvey was dying to get Jim back from Arkham, but then he says something casual. We help smooth the storytelling out completely and track the logic of everything. I don’t know what the hell is going to happen at the end of the season. I guess it’s going to be some big dramatic arc. I honestly don’t know what happens a couple days beyond the next bit of filming.

At least, if there is a big cliffhanger, you know there will be some resolution in Season 2.

LOGUE:  Gotham is such a big world. I was a guest on Vikings, Law & Order and Copper, and even for those short periods, there’s something about you, as an antagonist, where the plot points are so intense that you’ve gotta die because you can’t stay. I’m just adjusting to this new role.

Gotham airs on Monday nights on Fox.

Source; Collider

GOTHAM Season 1, Episode 16 Stills; "The Blind Fortune Teller"

Jim Gordon and Dr. Leslie Thompkins pay a visit to Haly’s Circus (a location which should be instantly familiar to comic book fans) in these first look images from the sixteenth episode of Gotham. Bruce Wayne meanwhile makes his presence felt at Wayne Enterprises.

//imgur.com/a/Kt4HA/embed?background=f2f2f2&text=1a1a1a&link=4e76c9
Gordon takes Dr. Leslie Thompkins (guest star Morena Baccarin) to the circus, but the day turns quickly when the circus comes under attack. Then, Falcone enlists Butch Gilzean to help Penguin with the night club, while Fish Mooney is otherwise occupied. Also, Bruce Wayne schedules a meeting with the Wayne Enterprises board in the all-new “The Blind Fortune Teller” episode of GOTHAM airing Monday, Feb. 16 (8:00-9:00 ET/PT) on FOX. (GTH-116) (TV-14 D, L, V).

Cast: Ben McKenzie as Detective James Gordon; Donal Logue as Harvey Bullock; Jada Pinkett Smith as Fish Mooney; Sean Pertwee as Alfred; Robin Lord Taylor as Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin; Erin Richards as Barbara Kean; David Mazouz as Bruce Wayne; Camren Bicondova as Selina Kyle/the future Catwoman; Zabryna Guevara as Captain Sarah Essen; Cory Michael Smith as Edward Nygma/the future Riddler; Victoria Cartagena as Renee Montoya; Andrew Stewart Jones as Crispus Allen; and John Doman as Carmine Falcone.

Guest Cast: Drew Powell as Butch Gilzean; Morena Baccarin as Dr. Leslie Thompkins; Carol Kane as Gertrude Kapelput; Anthony Carrigan as Victor Zsasz; Dashiell Eaves as Kelly; James Monroe Iglehart as Ringmaster; Robert Gorrie as John Grayson; Abbi Snee as Mary Lloyd; Cameron Monaghan as Jerome.

‘Gotham’ Enlists Milo Ventimiglia for Recurring Arc

It might not have Batman just yet, but Gotham is about to find itself home to a former hero — or, at least, a former member of the Heroes cast.

Milo Ventimiglia has booked a recurring role on the Fox freshman drama, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Ventimiglia will recur and play a character new to the Batman cannon known as “the Ogre.”

Ventimiglia’s character — whose real name is Jason Lennon — is described as “handsome, wealthy and seductive,” but that merely hides a dark side: He’s also a serial killer who’s been murdering young women in Gotham for almost a decade in his search for a perfect mate. Unsurprisingly, this pits against Ben McKenzie’s upright Detective Jim Gordon.

Although there’s an Ogre in the DC Comics mythology, Gotham’s character is unrelated, and an entirely new creation for the show. He’ll debut in the 19th episode of the season, and is set for a major role.

The Gotham gig brings the actor back to the world of television superheroics after his four-season run on NBC’s Heroes, but he’s kept a foot in the genre ever since, voicing characters for Marvel Anime and Ultimate Spider-Man in the last few years alongside starring roles in TNT’s Mob City and the upcoming midseason drama The Whispers on ABC.

Gotham airs Mondays on Fox.

Source: THR