SPIDER-MAN: Into The Spider-Verse Animated Movie Trailer Goes LIVE

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the creative minds behind The Lego Movie and 21 Jump Street, bring their unique talents to a fresh vision of a different Spider-Man Universe, with a groundbreaking visual style. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse introduces Brooklyn teen Miles Morales, and the limitless possibilities of the Spider-Verse, where more than one can wear the mask.

Teen Titans: The Judas Contract Animated Movie Preview

Justice League Dark hits stores February 7th, on DVD, Blu-ray and in a nifty limited-edition gift set with a mini John Constantine figure included! Hysterically, the figure appears to be smoking something that has been removed. I like to think John would appreciate the comedy. Today, we look past the current release (which is pretty damn awesome) to the next release;
Teen Titans: The Judas Contract!

A little back story... Marv Wolfman and George Perez left Marvel Comics and hopped over to DC and immediately made their mark. The pair elevated the Teen Titans from being mere former sidekicks to starkly human beings with all the trauma, angst and weight that would sit on the shoulders of a young adult with tremendous power and the sense of responsibility to use that power for good. The Judas Contract was seen as the pinnacle of their work so, of course, a natural selection for an incredible animated film.

LEGO Jurassic World: The Indominus Escape

There's nothing better than family fun involving dinosaurs with a hunger for people meats!! Based on Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment's Jurassic World, one of the biggest blockbusters in cinema history, NBCUniversal Brand Development announced today that it has teamed up with the LEGO Group for the release of the animated short LEGO® Jurassic World: The Indominus Escape.

The animated short will be released online as a 5-part series, with daily debuts on the Jurassic World and LEGO YouTube Channels. The trailer for the animated short will debut September 27; Part 1 in the series will premiere October 3, 2016. The series of five will then be combined to create a full 24-minute animated short and will be included with an exclusive 8-minute short that will be released on October 18, as part of a Jurassic World DVD bundle. LEGO Jurassic World: The Indominus Escape will be supported by a push across multiple NBCUniversal and LEGO Group digital platforms.

A Preview of the Batman: Bad Blood Animated Movie

Hot on the heels of Justice League: Gods and Monsters, releasing July 28th (Click HERE for a review from San Diego Comic-Con 2015!), and among a new series of somewhat kidified, straight to DVD Batman Unlimited adventures, comes Batman: Bad Blood, bringing together a larger Bat-Family to unravel the greatest mystery of all...WHERE IS BATMAN??!!

Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts on Blu-ray May 12

Those of you that are plasticly addicted have been hitting your favorite hunting grounds, wondering what the hell those kidified Batman figures are with the robot animal sidekicks in tow. The explanation...is a simple one. "Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts," an all-new animated adventure that follows the Caped Crusader and some of his crime-fighting colleagues, arrives Tuesday, May 12 on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD!

Another storm is brewing in Gotham and it’s not only raining cats and dogs but evil Cyber Animals! When the city is plagued by a slew of bizarre crimes committed by an animal-inspired villain squad known as the Animilitia – comprised of Silverback, Cheetah, Killer Croc and Man-Bat – Batman must swing into action to investigate.

Nightwing Battles Damien in a New Batman vs Robin Clip

The world is turned upside down when one of the world’s greatest super heroes – Batman – finds himself under attack by his own son in the newest DC Universe Original Movie – Batman vs. Robin. This all-new original film arrives April 14, 2015 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Blu-Ray™ Deluxe Edition, Blu-Ray™ Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD. The brand-new product offering, Blu-ray™ Deluxe Edition, will include the Blu-Ray™ Combo Pack, along with a Batman figurine in a gift set.

Superman Unbound Blu-ray Reviewed

**SPOILER WARNING. DO NOT READ IF YOU DON'T WANT ANYTHING REVEALED TO YOU!** Writing a new Superman story must always be challenging. You've got this alien being who is invulnerable, super fast, super strong, ice breathe, heat vision, he can fly and on and on. It takes a lot to smack this guy upside the head and make him even acknowledge it happened, so for me, the most compelling Superman stories have always been about his humanity and his heart. He's an alien, so even though he looks human, he never quite feels like one of us. Just think of how he perceives the world with super amplified senses. It's enough to drive one away from all human contact, but there he sits in the middle of an overpopulated city, pretending to be someone far weaker than he really is. In the past, animated films like All Star Superman and Superman VS The Elite have explored these frailties in the Man of Steel with excellent writing alongside the super powered action we've come to expect. That is surely one way to make a killer animated super hero film. Another is to pit him against an equally powerful alien force, strong enough to make him question whether he is up to the task, and let him pound it out.

A Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox Sneak Peek

The world is turned upside down as one of earth’s greatest super heroes – Flash – wakes up devoid of his super powers in the all-new Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox – the next entry in the popular, ongoing series of DC Universe Original Animated Movies. Produced by DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, this all-new, PG-13 rated film arrives July 30, 2013 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Blu-Ray™ Combo Pack ($24.98 SRP), DVD ($19.98 SRP) and Digital Download. The Blu-ray™ Combo Pack will include UltraViolet™*.

Superman: Unbound May 7th

A destructive force is devastating planets across the galaxy – with Earth next in its sights – and even Superman may not be capable of halting the terror in SUPERMAN: UNBOUND, the next entry in the ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original Movies. Produced by Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, the all-new, PG-13 rated film arrives May 7, 2013 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment as a Blu-ray™ Combo Pack ($24.98 SRP) and DVD ($19.98 SRP), On Demand and for Digital Download. The Blu-ray™ Combo Pack will include UltraViolet™*.

Based on the Geoff Johns/Gary Frank 2008 release "Superman: Brainiac," SUPERMAN: UNBOUND finds the Man of Steel aptly handling day-to-day crime while helping acclimate Supergirl to Earth’s customs and
managing Lois Lane’s expectations for their relationship. Personal issues take a back seat when the horrific force responsible for the destruction of Krypton – Brainiac – begins his descent upon Earth. Brainiac has crossed the universe, collecting cities from interesting planets – including Supergirl’s home city of Kandor – and now the all-knowing, ever-improving android has his sights fixed on Metropolis. Superman must summon all of his physical and intellectual resources to protect his city, the love of his life and his newly-arrived cousin.

A Monsters Inc 3D Trailer!

I can't think of a movie more perfect for 3D than Monsters Inc ...with all the arm flailing, monster scaring, action sequences and such. December 19th will be here in no time, so time for the TEASERS!!

“Monsters, Inc.,” one of Disney•Pixar’s most beloved and visually imaginative feature films ever, returns to the big screen to delight a whole new generation of audiences and fans alike, this time in stunning 3D. The now-classic Academy Award®-winning animated comedy adventure “Monsters, Inc.” is set in Monstropolis, a thriving company town where monsters of all shapes and sizes reside. Lovable Sulley (voiced by John Goodman) and his wisecracking best friend Mike Wazowski (voiced by Billy Crystal) are the top scare team at Monsters, Inc., the largest scream-processing factory. The main power source in the monster world is the collected screams of human children—and at Monsters, Inc., an elite team of scarers is responsible for gathering those precious natural resources. Believed by monsters to be toxic, children are strictly forbidden from entering Monstropolis. But when a little girl named Boo (voiced by Mary Gibbs) accidentally follows Sulley back into his world, he finds his career in jeopardy and his life in utter chaos. So pals Mike and Sulley plot to rectify the mistake and return Boo to her home. But when the trio encounters an unexpected series of complications, they become embroiled in a cover-up catapulting them into a mystery beyond their wildest dreams.

Rise of the Guardians Plush Toys

This one just sneaked in, as we didn't even know Mezco had a license for Rise of the Guardians! Pre-orders are popping up all over the internet for a trio of 8 inch plush figures for the upcoming animated film including Jack Frost, North and Pitch. Not sure exactly what a "plush figure" is but I suppose we'll find out soon enough as San Diego Comic-Con is right around the corner.

Beasts of Burden Coming to the Big Screen

Do you think Evan Dorkin thought he would see this day while scribbling sketches of Milk and Cheese? ...You know...quite possibly!

One of Dark Horse’s most critically acclaimed releases of 2010 is set for development as a full-length CG animated feature film. Dark Horse has partnered with Reelfx Entertainment to bring the pet detectives in Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson’s Beasts of Burden to life. Andrew Adamson and Aron Warner of Strange Weather Films will produce alongside Mike Richardson of Dark Horse Entertainment. Dark Horse Entertainment’s Keith Goldberg will executive produce, with Strange Weather’s Jeff Fierson coproducing. Reelfx’s head of feature development, Jared Mass, will oversee the project for the studio.

The animated feature will be an adaptation of Dark Horse’s breakout-hit graphic novel. Beasts of Burden follows the supernatural occurrences that sweep the community of Burden Hill, and a heroic gang of animals who bravely keep its residents safe from harm.



“Jill and Evan have created a unique group of heroes working hard to keep their world safe; they just happen to be dogs . . . and a cat,” said Dark Horse president Mike Richardson. “This has been one of my favorite titles since it first appeared, and we are eager to bring it to the big screen.” Here's a bit more on the books...

Welcome to Burden Hill-a picturesque little town adorned with white picket fences and green, green grass, home to a unique team of paranormal investigators. Beneath this shiny exterior, Burden Hill harbors dark and sinister secrets, and it's up to a heroic gang of dogs-and one cat-to protect the town from the evil forces at work. These are the Beasts of Burden Hill-Pugs, Ace, Jack, Whitey, Red and the Orphan-whose early experiences with the paranormal (including a haunted doghouse, a witches' coven, and a pack of canine zombies) have led them to become members of the Wise Dog Society, official animal agents sworn to protect their town from evil. This turns out to be no easy task, as they soon encounter demonic cannibal frogs, tortured spirits, a secret rat society, and a bizarre and deadly resurrection in the Burden Hill cemetery-events which lead to fear and heartbreak as our four-legged heroes discover that the evil within Burden Hill is growing and on the move. Can our heroes overcome these supernatural menaces? Can evil be bested by a paranormal team that doesn't have hands? And even more importantly, will Pugs ever shut the hell up?

Congratulations Jill and Evan! Couldn't have happened to two nicer people.

The Rango Super Bowl Spot

Another film high on my list, and maybe slightly more so than Cage and his explosions and boobs. Who wouldn't love Johnny Depp as a chameleon in the old west? Seriously, if you don't like cartoons, you are a commie. Glad I said it.



From the director of “The Pirates of the Caribbean” comes RANGO, featuring Johnny Depp in an original animated comedy-adventure that takes moviegoers for a hilarious and heartfelt walk in the Wild West. The story follows the comical, transformative journey of Rango (Depp), a sheltered chameleon living as an ordinary family pet, while facing a major identity crisis. After all, how high can you aim when your whole purpose in life is to blend in? When Rango accidentally winds up in the gritty, gun-slinging town of Dirt – a lawless outpost populated by the desert’s most wily and whimsical creatures – the less-than-courageous lizard suddenly finds he stands out. Welcomed as the last hope the town has been waiting for, new Sheriff Rango is forced to play his new role to the hilt . . . until, in a blaze of action-packed situations and encounters with outrageous characters, Rango starts to become the hero he once only pretended to be. With a cast that includes Depp, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Alfred Molina, Bill Nighy, Harry Dean Stanton, Ray Winstone and Timothy Olyphant as the Spirit of the West, Rango is an exciting new twist on the classic Western legend of the outsider who saves a town – and himself in the process.

Run with Rango March 4th, 2011!

Thomas Jane's Animated Jonah Hex Is Out For Blood

The movie was..well..not so good...but the Animated Short looks promising! The last round saw The Spectre in a grind house-esque tale of murder and vengeance. Now, Jonah Hex takes the copilot seat in the upcoming DC Comics animated DVD release "Batman: Under The Red Hood." Here's the skinny along with an interview with our buddy and super geek, Thomas Jane, who voices the most badass bounty hunter in comics.

If at first you don’t succeed, take the animated role.

Therein lies the lesson of Thomas Jane’s quest to play the role of comic book anti-hero Jonah Hex. The star of HBO’s popular series Hung once lobbied to play the theatrical role of Jonah Hex and, though he fell short in that attempt, Jane has found another path to the character as the disfigured cowboy’s voice in the DC Showcase Original Short, Jonah Hex.

The all-new, animated Jonah Hex appears as a companion piece on the upcoming Special Edition Blu-Ray and 2-Disc Special Edition DVD release of Batman: Under the Red Hood, the latest entry in the ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 Movies coming from Warner Home Video on July 27, 2010.

In the short, the tough-as-nails bounty hunter always gets his man - until someone else gets to him first. In this case it’s a murderous madam who wants to steal more than just bounty from Jonah Hex. The animated short Jonah Hex is based on a story from the award-winning comic series, and scripted by renowned author Joe Lansdale. Jane leads a voice cast that includes Linda Hamilton (The Terminator), Michelle Trachtenberg (Mercy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Michael Rooker (Days of Thunder) and Jason Marsden (Spirited Away).

A lover of both comic books and westerns, Jane felt a certain kinship to the character – and the result is clearly evident in his vocal depiction of Hex and the emotional range of the performance. Jane was the ultimate perfectionist throughout the recording process, never settling for good takes when great was attainable. From the original recording session through follow-up ADR, the give-and-take between Jane and the filmmakers – including executive producer Bruce Timm – was quite collaborative in achieving the final presentation.

Jane currently headlines HBO’s Hung, though he’s active in numerous other projects, including films being developed by his own production company, Raw Studios. Coincidentally, Jane founded Raw Studios with Timothy Bradstreet and Steve Niles, the screenwriter of the first DC Showcase short, The Spectre. Jane’s directorial debut, Raw Studios’ Dark Country, continues to play to rave reviews and enthusiastic crowds at conventions and festivals around the world.

No stranger to the fanboy/comics realm, Jane co-wrote his own comic book miniseries, Bad Planet. He played the title character in the 2004 version of The Punisher, starred in Mutant Chronicles, and had roles in both The Crow: City of Angels and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He has drawn widespread acclaim for many of his non-fanboy roles, especially his turn as Mickey Mantle in the HBO film, 61*. His numerous credits run the gamut from Magnolia, Deep Blue Sea and The Thin Red Line to Boogie Nights and Face/Off.

After shooting all morning on the set of Hung, Jane came into the recording studio to put some final touches on his Jonah Hex performance – and to chat about his attraction to anti-heroes, his adoration of comics, and how he came to (literally) rub elbows with Ringo Starr. This is what Thomas Jane says …

QUESTION:

This isn’t your first run at the role of Jonah Hex, is it?

THOMAS JANE:

I’ve been a fan of the comic and the character and that whole western world. I’m glad to be voicing the role, and I actually wanted to do the live-action film. When they were casting the movie, I had a guy come and do my makeup, we took some photos and sent them off to Akiva Goldman. I know some of those photos have leaked out online. They had a different director at the time, and Josh Brolin had just hit with the Coen brothers movie, so he had pick of the litter. And that spelled outski for me.

QUESTION:

Did you do any research to voice the role?

THOMAS JANE:

Well, I lived with a pack of wolves for a week up in the ponderosa foothills to perfect my growl (he laughs). No, mostly I just tried not to love my voice. I tried my best.

QUESTION:

Any thoughts on the look of Jonah Hex?

THOMAS JANE:

The animators did a great job in capturing the ugliness of the character. He’s not a pretty boy. He looks like he’s been butchered by a blind barber. He’s mean as hell, and I can’t imagine anybody wanting to make love to the dude. He must be awful lonely. And that just makes him meaner. He’s a true anti-hero, and I really love that kind of character. Hollywood doesn’t do the anti-hero justice very often – it’s a tough character type for the studios to understand. The closest you get these days is like (Michael) Chiklis on The Shield. Taxi Driver may have been the last great anti-hero film. There’s always good ones in video games, especially games like Grand Theft Auto. Actors and directors lover anti-heroes. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be the case with the rest of America right now.

QUESTION:

Now that you’re directing, has that perspective effected your performances?

THOMAS JANE:

I’m a lot nicer to the guy directing than I used to be. I’m also a little more pragmatic. I understand the needs of the story on the whole, and I’m less myopic in my view of the role as an actor. I’m serving a machine, the story as a whole, so the mechanics of me trying to strike an emotional truth are counter-balanced by not gurgling into the microphone or throat clicking. There’s a balance between the technical and the emotional that you have to strike.

QUESTION:

Did that director’s perspective lead you to your asking to re-record so many lines after seeing/hearing your original performance?

I’m really interested in a great performance. I’m interested in the texture of a performance and I understand that, especially in the animated projects, the human voice is really all you’ve got to connect with on a visceral, emotional level. You’ve got the writing, the words, and the human voice. And that’s what gives it life. So even more so than live action acting, I pay particular attention to the vocal performances.

QUESTION:

You’ve had the chance to perform the dialogue wild, and also to picture. Was it easier or more difficult to record the lines while seeing the actual animation?

THOMAS JANE:

It’s both. Without the animation, you have more freedom to make up the rhythm of the scene, and you can take more chances in your delivery because hopefully the director will choose an interesting performance, and the animators will animate to that performance. Once you’re locked in and I come back to redo the lines, I’m stuck with the rhythms that have been predetermined by the animators. But that also gives me structure, which affords me some other freedom in the delivery of the dialogue – because then I have a set rhythm and I can play with the intensity of the performance.

QUESTION:

How would you describe your relationship with comic books?

THOMAS JANE:

I discovered comic books when I was about 8 years old and I’ve been in love with them ever since. I thought I’d outgrow it, and I sort of did in my 20s, but then came back full force in the my early 30s. It’s because the medium is so powerful. As a kid, I thought of it as kid stuff, and then I grew up and found more adult material.

I never liked super heroes – I was always drawn more to a great story. I even loved the illustrated classics like Moby Dick – adaptations of a classic novel, or some of the original autobiographical stuff. And then there’s all the independents – Robert Crumb or Charles Burns or Daniel Clowes. The medium is so broad, much more so than film. There’s so much more room in comics for genres, styles, flavors, different auteurs. That’s what makes comics a great and timeless medium – a medium that will always be a compelling way to tell a story.

QUESTION:

Do you have a favorite western?

THOMAS JANE:

I love westerns. One of my all-time favorites is High Noon … and Stagecoach. Then there’s Red River, and The Unforgiven. Even The Treasure of the Sierra Madre has the western themes. That’s what counts. I think you could make a western in a city so long as it has that western theme of an individual against the group. Man against nature. The outsider. Those themes are common to all westerns, but you can branch that out into other genres.

QUESTION:

Which actors do you most like watching perform?

THOMAS JANE:

My favorite actors are the “still” actors – guys like Lee Marvin, Clint Eastwood and Steve McQueen, combined with Montgomery Clift, John Garfield, William Holden and Sterling Hayden. They were all guys who had something interesting going on underneath. That combination of stillness on the surface and a boiling underneath is pretty much my favorite way to go.

QUESTION:

What’s the hardest part about being a celebrity?

THOMAS JANE:

I think it’s the misconceptions that people have about you. When I met Ringo Starr, I went to shake his hand and he said, “How about an elbow?” So we rubbed elbows, laughed, and I thought, “What the hell – he doesn’t want to shake my hand?” But it was about germs – he was going on tour and he didn’t want to get sick. When I was on tour for Punisher, there were about 500 people in line for an autograph and wanting to shake hands, and I finally stopped. I got inventive. It was funny to be on that side of it. I figured that I had to shake several people’s hands over the next few weeks and chances were pretty high that I was going to catch something that would be bothersome. The point is that you’re going to upset some folks when you don’t act the way they think you should. But it’s got nothing to do with who you are. It’s about taking care of yourself.

For more information, images and updates, please visit the film’s official website at www.BatmanRedHood.com.

The Impending Awesomeness of Despicable Me

Looks like the minions from this movie are the new Raving Rabbids! You can expect all your friends that see this movie to be screaming "IT'S SO FLUFFFFEEE!!!

Just FYI, Toy Factory seems to be the only company doing toys. The line is all plush with no apparent features (my sadness that they don't talk will be visible) including Edith, Agnes, Margo, Agnes' Unicorn (is it fluffy enough??!! probably not.) and minions Stewart, Dave and Jorge.

Here's the official movie synopsis...

In a happy suburban neighborhood surrounded by white picket fences with flowering rose bushes, sits a black house with a dead lawn. Unbeknownst to the neighbors, hidden beneath this home is a vast secret hideout. Surrounded by a small army of minions, we discover Gru (voiced by Steve Carell), planning the biggest heist in the history of the world. He is going to steal the moon (Yes, the moon!) in Universal’s new 3-D CGI feature, Despicable Me.

Gru delights in all things wicked. Armed with his arsenal of shrink rays, freeze rays, and battle-ready vehicles for land and air, he vanquishes all who stand in his way. Until the day he encounters the immense will of three little orphaned girls who look at him and see something that no one else has ever seen: a potential Dad.

The world’s greatest villain has just met his greatest challenge: three little girls named Margo, Edith and Agnes. Despicable Me hits theaters July 9th, 2010.

Gatchaman Trailer Goes LIVE

Unfortunately, the project is in limbo as Imagi reels from money troubles. I saw this trailer over a year ago and was sworn to secrecy, twitching the entire time as I was dying to share it with the world. I love the updated costumes, the action, the animation and the twisted little nuances given to the baddies. Can't wait to see what becomes if this film, if it's done....if it is going to be completed...please? I can wait.

Megamind Toys On The Way

I love living in the future. I can check facebook on the train, my car has a USB port and there are TONS of super hero movies to satiate my geeky appetite!! While The Incredibles has been my favorite animated herofest, Megamind is looking to step up and be counted. Here's the skinny..

When super villain Megamind (Will Ferrell) defeats his archrival Metro Man (Brad Pitt), the world should be his oyster. But instead, Megamind falls into total despair. It turns out that life without a rival is life without a point for him. So, he creates a new superhero rival, Titan (Jonah Hill). Unfortunately, the new hero wants to be a super villain, too. Caught in the middle, star reporter Roxanne Ritchi (Tina Fey) asks the tough questions: Who can we turn to? Who has what it takes to stand up to this menace? Who will defend the innocent? Megamind! That's who.

Toyquest jumps in to do the plastic honors with a line of Megamind collectibles you can take home and pet like they are your real friends.

6 Inch Action Figure Assortment: Includes Energy Ray Megamind with rocket firing action, Power Punch Metro Man with spring loaded arms and a display stand to allow for a flying pose, DNA Extractor minion with DNA extractor gun and Super Charged Tighten with spring loaded arms for safe throwing action (includes safe and money bag inside!) All figures have articulation in the arms and it doesn't look like much else. $9.99 MSRP - 5+

Mini Figure Assortment: Includes Megamind and Brainbot (attaches to his shoulder), Minion and Tighten, Space Escape with Metro Man and Megamind babies as well as a rocket ship and Metro Man and Roxanne Ritchie. MSRP $5.99 - 5+






Vehicles: WALKING DESTRUCTION BOT!! Features a detachable space pod, dome that opens to fit a mini figure inside and poseable arms and legs. MSRP $17.99 - 5+

You'll also find a 14 inch Deluxe Action Figure of ULTRA MINION! This figure features posable arms and legs, an animated minion inside the water dome (with bubble, natch!) and 28 seconds of phrases from the movie bellowing from his plastic innards. $29.99 - 5+ Giant monkey robot = instant geek love. SOLD!

Megamind hits theaters November 5th, 2010.