Marvel Universe (Thar be spoilers ahead.)

[Threash]

Somebody explain to me why Thor is more worthy than Steve Rogers. 

[Merusk]

Because he follows the Norse code that Mjolnir wants and Steve only follows American Christian morality.

Not enough smashing heads, glory dying in battle and too much forgiveness of your enemies.

[Trippy]

In the comics Cap has wielded Mjolnir so he's just not quite ready yet in the movies in that scene.

[Maven]

I'm putting weight behind the theory that the inclusion of that moment is a setup for a callback when Cap does wield Mjolnir at a critical moment in the Ultron fight. Chekov's Gun.

[Lantyssa]

It wouldn't surprise me at all.

I do love how his smirk fades real quick when it budges for Cap.

[Evildrider]

[Sky]

I hope the Captain Marvel movie follows the Marvel Now version.

[Fordel]

It absolutely will. It's why she's getting a movie to begin with basically.

[eldaec]

What would disappoint me about Cap 3 being Civil War focused is that it totally leaves the Bucky story from Winter Soldier unresolved. And that's a fuckload more interesting story than goddamn Civil War.

Also, Fuck Civil War.

Is there much to resolve? HYDRA made him into whatever captain america is and gave him a lobotomy. Now he is grumpy so the human torch needs to find him and give him a hug to prove that the human spirit is amazeballs. Until then he is doomed to randomly show up and punch people because reasons.

I found Bucky largely unsympathetic and unnecessary in both films for what it is worth, I don't think it was anyone's fault, just that they didn't have enough screen time available for me to give a shit.

[Evildrider]

Full Phase 3 announcement.  I am not ashamed to say, even knowing everything already, I still got a little giddy at the announcements.

[jgsugden]

Doc Strange: Benedict Cumberbatch. http://marvel.com/news/movies/23754/benedict_cumberbatch_to_play_doctor_strange

Is anyone going to try to come up with a reason to complain about this casting?  my only concern would be whether he'll stick around long term...

[Evildrider]

Other than he's overrated actor?  He'll probably do fine. 

[Lakov_Sanite]

Other than he's overrated actor?  He'll probably do fine. 

Both true statements.  He's good and he'll do a fine job but man, his fanbase is rabid.

[jgsugden]

Other than he's overrated actor?  He'll probably do fine. 

So the answer is yes, someone will come up with a reason to complain.

Honestly, I'd rather have seen Downey do this role rather than Stark, but once Downey was out of the way, I don't think I could come up with a better Strange.  I prefer him to others considered for the role.

[Maven]

Was there something going on this week that resulted in major movie announcements on Thursday? Festival?

[jgsugden]

Not as far as I know.  I think Marvel just had a bunch of stuff to reveal all at once for TV/movie.

[sickrubik]

I'm sure they wanted all that stuff, especially the Doctor Strange thing sealed up before that big thing they did a month ago,  but the deal was likely not done.

[Maven]

I only ask because of this and the Terminator... oh and Spectre. Thursday had some significance.

[jgsugden]

I'm confused: Why are you brining up the new Terminator in your conversation about major movies?

[Slyfeind]

Somebody explain to me why Thor is more worthy than Steve Rogers. 

That trailer cut out and rearranged a lot of that scene (which was shown with more clarity at the latest SDCC). Steve struggles at first, then actually lifts Mjolnir a few inches, all the Avengers freak out, and then Steve gets nervous and puts it back down.

[Maven]

I'm confused: Why are you brining up the new Terminator in your conversation about major movies?

New trailer did spark some hope!

[jgsugden]

Those rumors about Sony and marvel discussing bringing Spidey into the MCU.... True.

http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2014/12/09/sony-marvel-discussed-spider-man-movie-crossover/

Sadly, Sony seems to have blown it.

[Lantyssa]

I can imagine how that decision was reached:

Sony Exec 1:  "Can anyone tell me why we shouldn't agree to this?"

Sony Exec 2:  "We hate money."

Sony Exec 1:  "Right.  No deal."

[HaemishM]

Keep on fucking that chicken, Sony. You'll get an egg eventually.  

[jgsugden]

I don't generally go for conspiracy theories, but Sony's Spider-man handling is one of those situations where I can't really come up with a sane explanation for their gameplan.  All I can come up with is that they're trying to extort Marvel for every penny.  I still think there is a chance that they could come up with an agreement three weeks before Avengers II is released and they could insert Spidey into the ending scene for Avengers II and make him a cog in Cap III.

[Lakov_Sanite]

What are the sources on that article beyond "A hacker said so"  is there a link to the actual emails anywhere on there that I'm missing?

[Teleku]

That article mentioned part of the deal was that Sony would 'retain creative control', while Marvel just produced.  So, fuck that.  Let Sony distribute and market all it wants, leave them out of the creation process.

[jgsugden]

Lakov - No, the emails are not on the site.  You're free to decide the evidence of the discussions is insufficient.

I'd bet the idea was that Sony could do their own thing and Marvel could use the character in their films - which is ridiculous.  Marvel will likely buy the rights back after the next flop or two.  As fans, we could move this forward faster by not buying or renting anything related to this new Spider-man series.

[HaemishM]

As fans, we could move this forward faster by not buying or renting anything related to this new Spider-man series.

After seeing the last movie, this will be a lot easier than anyone might think.

[jgsugden]

Seriously.  I watched in the theater and was disappointed.  When I saw snippets of it on TV, I was shocked at how much worse it seemed.  When I flashed onto it and just saw that tag scene where they revealed the tech, I cringed at the idea of what they're going to cobble together for the next films.... 

[Tannhauser]

Seriously.  I watched in the theater and was disappointed.  When I saw snippets of it on TV, I was shocked at how much worse it seemed.  When I flashed onto it and just saw that tag scene where they revealed the tech, I cringed at the idea of what they're going to cobble together for the next films.... 

I'm going to snark slightly at you and say that you are part of the problem since you voted with your dollars and went and saw it.

[jgsugden]

Fair snark - and had I known that it was truly that disappointing, I would not have gone.  I do not plan to go to any of the upcoming Sony ones (unless they get great reviews from the sources I trust).

I've seen each Marvel film (except I. Hulk) at least twice in the theaters.... but none of the Sony or Fox ones more than once.  Does that count?

EDIT: Apparently, Spidey back to Marvel may not be dead according to Latino Review... http://www.latino-review.com/news/marvelous-da7e-75-the-spider-manmarvel-deal-is-very-much-alive

[Velorath]

That article reads like 95% speculation and 5% "guys I totally have some sources, and they heard that Sony folks in Japan aren't happy so you can see how there's a good chance that they could possibly push for the Marvel deal".

[Threash]

We know the sources are real, Sony really was hacked. Edit: it would probably be legally problematic to post the actual hacked emails, but they can talk about what is in them.

[jgsugden]

I just thumbed back through this thread....

A lot of funny things in retrospect.  Some people were wrong a lot... and some people nailed a lot of things.  Some of our predictions were hilarious.