There’s convergence of comic book news this afternoon, so let’s be a little bit quick about it. You’re probably already assuming that Black Widow, played by Scarlett Johansson, will be back for “Captain America: Civil War” given how integral her character was to ‘The Winter Soldier,’ but in case you had doubts, it’s now confirmed. Speaking to Chinese press, directors Joe and Anthony Russo said Johansson will indeed reprise the role. "I had done my research, and the Black Widow character resonated with me. She is dark and has faced death so many times that she has a deep perspective on the value of life," Johannson recently teased about the character. As you probably assumed, also returning is Sebastian Stan as The Winter Soldier. The news begs the question though: will ‘Civil War’ be overcrowded with characters?
Beyond Black Widow, Captain America, and the Winter Soldier, we know that Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) is part of the film, as is Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), and there’s been serious talk about the inclusion of Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Falcon (Anthony Mackie), and Brock Rumlow (Frank Grillo). That’s not even counting for Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), who will likely return too. Yep, that’s a lot of people, but “Captain America: Civil War” is already being described by many as “Avengers 2.5” and is a very big film in between the next ‘Avengers’ films, the two-part ‘Infinity War.’ So yes, we could see a massive ensemble in this one too. [via Comicbook Movie, watch the clip below].
Speaking of the “Avengers,” Mark Ruffalo recently teased how the Hulk will be a problematic figure in “Avengers: Age Of Ultron” (as you’ve already seen in the trailers). In fact, the Hulk Buster armor that Iron Man wears in the movie is a “contingency plan” that Bruce Banner helped design.
"There’s a battle going on between these two opposing egos that live inside him,” Ruffalo told Empire. “He’s definitely worried that the day is going to come when the Hulk gets the best of him, and maybe won’t release him, maybe won’t give him back. The Hulk knows this too. There’s a moment in here where he, begrudgingly, decides to go back to Banner. Who knows where these things will go, but as Bruce is able to impress his will on the Hulk, going into The Hulk and being inside the Hulk when he’s raging, The Hulk’s will is also growing and able to impress upon Bruce. That makes for some wild things. We’re laying the groundwork for that here. It’ll be interesting to see if that ends up being what would be the next Hulk movie."
There’s good news and bad news on the “Deadpool” front over at 20th Century Fox. In an ambitious move that signals world-building and connected universes, ala Marvel, The “X-Men” character Colossus will join the “Deadpool” movie starring Ryan Reynolds. The bad news is for fans of Daniel Cudmore, who played Colossus in three “X-Men” movies. “Thanks everyone for all the support for me 2 reprise the role of #Colossus in #Deadpool but unfortunately it won’t be happening for me,” he wrote on Twitter. “I’ve had a blast playing such an awesome character over the years! #Deadpool will be kick-ass with #TimMiller and @VancityReynolds #BestFans.” Frankly, the casting switch makes sense. Cudmore and Colossus were barely in the previous movies, and they’ll likely want to cast a name actor in the role.
Finally, Marvel is making an animated “Guardians of The Galaxy” series and they’ve cast their first lead voice actor: Kevin Michael Richardson as Groot. [THR]
