lifestyle WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2015 Sony and Marvel to partner on new Spider-Man movie eter Parker is returning to Marvel. In a reboot of and CEO, The Walt Disney Company said in a state- Con, but his portrayal of the web slinger just wasn’t the “Spider-Man” franchise, Sony Pictures ment: “Spider-Man is one of Marvel’s great characters, what fans were looking for, especially as Peter Parker. PEntertainment has announced a new partner- beloved around the world. We’re thrilled to work with As Sony and Marvel look to reboot the series, a num- ship with Marvel Studios that brings the popular Sony Pictures to bring the iconic web-slinger into the ber of other actors could be great for the role, includ- superhero into the Marvel universe. A new Spider- Marvel Cinematic Universe, which opens up fantastic ing Donald Glover, Dylan O’Brien and Logan Lerman. Man film will hit theaters on July 28, 2017. Sony has new opportunities for storytelling and franchise Why not Zac Efron? owned the feature rights to comic book character building.” Make Him an Avenger: Fans are clamoring to see since 1999, when Marvel sold them for $7 million. “I am thrilled to team with my friends at Sony Spider-Man join Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and According to the deal, Sony and Marvel will cast a Pictures along with Amy Pascal to produce the next the rest of the Avengers on the big screen and with new Spidey after Andrew Garfield starred in the last Spider-Man movie,” said Marvel Studios President the third film, “The Avengers: Infinity War” broken up two films, “The Amazing Spider-Man” and “The Kevin Feige. “Amy has been deeply involved in the into two films in 2018 and ‘19, there’s room to add him Amazing Spider-Man 2.” Tobey Maguire played Peter realization on film of one of the world’s most beloved into the action to fight Thanos but also before that, Parker in the previous three installments for Sony. characters. Marvel’s involvement will hopefully deliver too. He’s a key part of the “Civil War” storyline, which is Marvel’s Kevin Feige will produce the rebooted the creative continuity and authenticity that fans meant to kick off a new seven year film plan for Spider-Man with Amy Pascal, who recently stepped demand from the MCU.” Sony chairman Michael Marvel’s movies. With Sony loosening its grip on down as co-chairman of Sony in a new producer deal. Lynton added: “This is the right decision for the fran- Spider-Man, the character can now be woven into the She oversaw the $4 billion Spider-Man franchise for chise, for our business, for Marvel, and for the fans.” next “Captain America,” too. over 13 years at the studio. Further details of the agreement are unknown. The Move Past the Origin Story: We get it. Peter Sony will continue to distribute, finance, own and deal comes after a turbulent few months for Sony. The Parker was bit by a spider and Uncle Ben dies. It’s like have final creative control of the Spider-Man pictures. Culver City-based studio was victim of a massive watching Bruce Wayne’s parents get shot over and They’ll work with Marvel, owned by Disney, to weave cyber-attack by North Korea recently in what over again or the Kents find Superman’s space ship. Spider-Man’s character into Marvel’s upcoming super- devolved into a financial and publicity nightmare. We’ve seen the origin story too many times. Let’s hero films, which includes the popular franchise “The And just last week, announced that Pascal, its veteran move on and see another side of Spider-Man that Avengers.”As Variety previously reported, Marvel plans exec and face of the studio, would be stepping aside. doesn’t dwell too much on the teen angst but on bringing the Civil War storyline from the comic “I have always wanted to be a producer,” she said at explores the decades of storylines from the Marvel books to launch the next phase of films. It’s very likely the time. “I have spent almost my entire professional comic books. that Spider-Man will make his first appearance in life at Sony Pictures and I am energized to be starting Watch the Tone: Moviegoers were turned off by “Captain America: Civil War” next year. this new chapter based at the company I call home.” the wandering tones of Sam Raimi’s third “Spider- Sony and Marvel/Disney Gunn found the heart of the film and what made a announced a deal late To make room for Spider-Man, Disney has resched- Man” and parts of Marc Webb’s “The Amazing Spider- talking tree and racoon worth caring about. Spider- uled a number of Marvel tentpoles, including “Thor: 4 ways to fix Spider-man Man 2,” where campy comedy removed audiences Monday, Feb 9, 2015, in Man is a snarky character. Let him have fun, just as which the next installment of Ragnorak,” which was originally planned to open on Now that Sony and Marvel Studios are collaborat- from the rest of the film-think the Tobey Maguire’s long as the audience is too. — Reuters the July 28, 2017 date. It moves to Nov 3, 2017. “Black ing on ways to breathe new life into “Spider-Man” on jazz number in “Spider-Man 3” or pulling down the Sony’s $4 billion Spider-Man Panther,” which had the Nov 3 date, will now move up the big screen, here are some things they could do to pants of Rhino in “The Amazing Spider-Man 2.” As franchise will be co-pro- to July 6, 2017. Marvel’s “Inhumans,” meanwhile, has fix the franchise. ridiculous as the world of “Guardians of the Galaxy” duced by Marvel Studios now moved back to summer 2019 while “Captain Find a New Star: Andrew Garfield may have may be, the light hearted nature of the film and its head Kevin Feige along with America” moves back to Nov 2018. Bob Iger, Chairman proved his love for the character at San Diego Comic- characters always meshed together because James Sony’s Amy Pascal for a July 28, 2017, release. — AP ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ set for Imax screens ifty Shades of Grey’ continues to gen- The film of the book, which is released in erate pre-release heat with Imax com- Britain and elsewhere in Europe this week, ‘Fing onboard at the last minute for a features a scene in which lead character release on 75 large-screen locations this week- Christian Grey visits a do-it-yourself hardware end. Imax Entertainment CEO Greg Foster store to stock up on accessories such as cable made the announcement Monday at the Stifel ties. “All staff are encouraged to familiarize Technology, Internet and Media Conference. themselves with the content of ‘Fifty Shades He indicated that taking on “Fifty Shades” of Grey’ by reading the novel or watching the reflects Imax’s effort to expand its offerings film upon its release,” it said. beyond franchise tentpoles: Currently eight It said the book would be lent to staff on titles account for two-thirds of Imax’s annual a one week basis, asking them to prepare box office revenues. for “sensitive” customer questions and reply Universal-Focus’ “Fifty Shades of Grey” has in a “polite, helpful and respectful manner”. been strong in early tracking, with projections “Preview footage depicts a notable scene for as much as $60 million for its Friday- from the book where Christian Grey visits a Monday launch. The R-rated “Fifty Shades” hardware store to purchase rope, cable ties appears to be heading toward significant and tape. “Rather than bought for home profitability given the $40 million price tag for improvement purposes, these products are the adaptation of EL James’ sex-saturated intended to fulfill Mr Grey’s unconventional bestseller. Online ticketing site Fandango, sexual pursuits,” it said. “We stock many of owned by studio parent NBCUniversal, report- the products featured in this notable scene,” ed last week that “Fifty Shades” is the fastest- it said, predicting that “extra stock” would selling R-rated title in the site’s 15-year history. be required to cope with increased demand. Contacted by AFP, a B&Q spokeswoman Stores ready for ‘Grey’ fans said: “B&Q remains committed to serving A British chain of DIY stores has told staff to our customers in all their DIY needs and we prepare for customers looking for ropes, plas- strive to prepare our staff for any enquiry. (From left) Actor Dane DeHaan, director Anton Corbijn, Actress Alessandra Mastronardi, and actor Robert Pattinson, pose during the red carpet for the film ‘Life’ at tic cable ties and tape after seeing the erotic “Customer satisfaction is always our number the 2015 Berlinale Film Festival. — AP film “Fifty Shades of Grey”, British newspapers one priority.” — Agencies reported yesterday. A leaked memo from B&Q stores entitled “Preparation for Fifty Shades of Grey Customer Queries” told its 20,000 plus New James Dean film workforce that copies of the sado-masochistic erotic novel would be delivered to the chain’s 359 stores. unveiled at Berlin fest ritish actor Robert Pattinson said Monday he learned to sym- ly revolutionary” for harnessing baby boomers’ youthful longing for pathise with the paparazzi by playing the photographer who freedom in the 1950s in the three films he made during his short Bhelped make James Dean an icon. Pattison stars in Anton life. He said Stock’s photo series of the actor, in which he shot him at Corbijn’s “Life”, which premiered out of competition at the 65th home with his family on their Indiana farm and walking through Berlin film festival.