MarvelBlog News for January 12th, 2025
We’re about to enter a Brave New World, and it may include the creator of Mad Max. Also, a world war with a Hulk.
These are exciting times for MarvelBlog News.
Meet the Red Hulk
Photo: Disney
Marvel just revealed the final trailer for Captain America: Brave New World. Here it is:
You’ll quickly note a few things. The first is that the trailer shows Giancarlo Esposito stating an ominous line.
“Stand by for proof of death” is a polite hint that Sam Wilson and he probably aren’t buddies.
Image: Disney
The other thing it indicates is how much has changed with this film since it allegedly finished principal photography.
The ever-brilliant Esposito’s character didn’t exist at the time. He was added later.
Photo: 411Mania
Meanwhile, WWE wrestler Seth Rollins isn’t in the film. No, I’m not just randomly listing films without wrestlers.
Rollins DID act in Brave New World as a member of the Serpent Society. His role has been cut completely.
Source: Getty Images
As for the group, they may have been dialed down as well. Honestly, it depends on who you believe.
Some folks think Esposito is now their leader or ultimate assassin or the like.
Photo: Marvel
We cannot say for sure because Marvel has gone into radio silence about this film. There’s just no storyline info of note.
Sure, some nefarious parts of the internet are teeming with leaked scripts, but who knows which one is even right now?
Photo: NY Post
The project has evolved so much due to its poor testing a couple of years ago that it’s an entirely different film now.
Even this trailer hides much of the plot, focusing on the money shot, which is the Red Hulk.
Photo: Disney+
That’s how Marvel has chosen to market Brave New World. It’s Sam Wilson versus Harrison Ford and his scary alter ego.
What Marvel Is Planning
Photo: Marvel
I’ll publish a recap of Marvel’s What If…? episode 3-1 in a couple of days. It’s written, and I had fun with it.
I’m mentioning it here because the concept is that Hulk loses control and accidentally creates an Apex Hulk, which leads to a Godzilla Hulk.
Photo: Marvel
The whole thing is patently absurd, which is the point. But I strongly suspect Marvel is going somewhere with this.
After years of the idea lying dormant, rumors are percolating that a World War Hulk movie is in the planning stages.
Source: Marvel Studios
So, the question becomes: which Hulk? That’s such a ridiculous comic book thing to ask, which reminds me of a friend’s joke.
A buddy co-owns a popular comic book store in Indianapolis, and he was once explaining the nuances of Frog Thor.
Alligator Loki Funko Pop. Photo: Marvel
Did you know Frog Thor is a thing? And did you know there are multiple Frog Thors? Comic books are so gloriously silly at times.
World War Max
Photo: Marvel
Anyway, we’re in the same spot in the MCU. As of now, we technically have a Hulk, She-Hulk, a Hulking, and, soon, a Red Hulk.
While everyone thought Thor: Ragnarok was Marvel’s Planet Hulk riff on the aftermath of World War Hulk, that’s apparently wrong.
Image: Marvel
We may get the real thing, which raises some legal questions. Disney cannot release Hulk movies, as Paramount still has dibs.
That’s why Mark Ruffalo hasn’t starred in one yet. Marvel doesn’t have the rights.
Source: Kristy Bettanhausen/ MickeyTravels.com
Apparently, we may be building to this, suggesting other the license expired or the companies cut a deal.
Either way, here’s the stunning part. George Miller (!) is under consideration to direct.
Source: Marvel Studios/ Marvel
Yes, Miller has at least taken meetings about joining the MCU as a director, which is music to my ears.
We’re talking about a director so gifted that he once told a mesmerizing story wherein the hero drove somewhere. Then, he drove back.
Source: Marvel
I swear to you that’s the entire plot of Mad Max: Fury Road, but you’ve never noticed because you’re having so much fun.
Few people are in the conversation for greatest living movie-maker, but he’s legitimately one of the handful who can claim it.
Source: Marvel
So, let’s hope this rumor comes to fruition. For that to happen, Brave New World needs to do well.
Right now, the over/under on the movie’s opening weekend box office is right at $100 million.
Source: Marvel Studios
Most hedges have it falling in the $80s or $90s, but Disney is about to ramp up the marketing at the perfect time.
All the bowl games and NFL playoff matchups create an ideal circumstance to target fence-sitting Marvel fans.
Photo: Marvel
Either way, I suspect we’ll hear a lot more about Miller and the status of Hulk projects during 2025.
Marvel Miscellany
Photo: Sony
We’ve really only got one other intriguing story this week, and I haven’t been able to confirm it at the time of publication.
At least one source indicates that Kraven the Hunter will debut on digital this week.
That would be VERY fast, but it’s also understandable. Studios are doing a better job of monetizing digitally now.
For example, Wicked is now available for sale at places like Amazon Prime Video, Fandango at Home and the Apple Store.
Source: Marvel
Wicked earned a staggering $70 million during its first week on digital, and I believe this since my wife bought it.
Meanwhile, Sony’s most recent boss claimed that Madame Web performed quite well on Netflix, which is true, at least relative to low expectations.
Photo: Sony Pictures
So, there is a growing belief that studios can reduce losses on blockbusters by quickly releasing them on digital.
Notably, Venom: The Last Dance only debuted on digital on December 10th, but it had a different contract.
Photo: Sony Pictures
Exhibitors allow quicker digital releases for films that bomb since they don’t want to waste cineplex screens on those titles.
That’s why I’m inclined to believe that Kraven the Hunter is either available this week or the following one.
Either way, I wouldn’t recommend watching it because…well, you know.
Finally, we have another sad story coming from the Southern California brushfire tragedy.
Image: Marvel
A.C. Bradley, the head writer on Marvel’s What…? has lost her home in the fire.
There’s a GoFundMe page set up if you’re interested, but I realize there are a lot of them this week due to this nightmare.
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