lifestyle MONDAY, JULY 28, 2014 MUSIC & MOVIES Actors Robert Downey Jr, from left, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Cobie Smulders, Samuel L Jackson, Chris Evans, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Paul Bettany take part in the Marvel panel at Comic-Con International on Saturday. From ‘Avengers’ to ‘Ant-Man,’ Marvel superheroes entice Comic Con audience n one of Comic Con’s most awaited presen- ded panel that included Robert Downey Jr Spader said he enjoyed his turn as the vil- tations, Marvel superheroes of all kinds (Iron Man), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Chris lainous 8-foot (2.4-metre) tall robot Ultron, Ifrom Iron Man to Ant-Man took over the fan Evans (Captain America) and Samuel L. describing the experience as “startling and convention on Saturday, as leading actors Jackson (Nick Fury). surprising and challenging and exciting.” Walt revealed surprises to films that will showcase “This is the longest bench of talent I’ve ever Disney-owned Marvel Studios has become a the characters. “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” the been on,” Downey said. “I become a little less dominant force at the box office with super- highly anticipated sequel to 2012’s superhero significant every time and that’s fine because hero films franchises such as “Iron Man,” ensemble “Avengers,” brought out a star-stud- they’re all just that damn good.” In 2012, “Captain America” and “Thor.” Mavel is releas- ing “Guardians of the Galaxy,” about a rogue group of galactic heroes on Friday and the film is already drawing strong reviews from critics and word-of-mouth with fans. “Guardians of the Galaxy 2” was announced on Saturday’s panel as scheduled for release on July 28, 2017, and James Brolin was revealed to be super villain Thanos, entering the stage wearing Thanos’ Infinity Gauntlet. Also presented was a first look at new film “Ant-Man.” The hero is the alter-ego of elec- Robert Downey Jr, from left, Josh Brolin, Jeremy Renner and Mark Ruffalo wave to the tronics expert and sometime burglar Scott crowd during the Marvel panel at Comic-Con International. Lang, portrayed by Paul Rudd, who has the “Avengers” became the fastest film to cross the studios to unveil blockbuster projects. ability to shrink to the size of an insect. $1 billion milestone at the global box office. The audience at the Marvel showcase was Michael Douglas will play scientist Dr Henry The sequel introduces Aaron Taylor- shown a sneak peek that begins with the Pym, who invents the ability for humans to Johnson as Quicksilver, Elizabeth Olsen as the group of superheroes joking over drinks. The change size, Corey Stoll will play villain Darren Scarlet Witch and Paul Bettany as The Vision. banter quickly turns to action-filled drama as Cross, who was revealed to be Yellowjacket, James Spader will play villain Ultron. Comic the superheroes have to reunite to save peo- and Evangeline Lilly was revealed to be Hope Con, an annual convention in San Diego that ple from Ultron. Olsen, one of the two women Van Dyne, daughter of Hank Pym. Fans were This photo released by Marvel shows, Mark Ruffalo, left, as Bruce Banner/Hulk and Robert began as a gathering of comic book fans and a on the panel for the film, said her character’s treated to a clip showing Rudd as Ant-Man, Downey Jr as Tony Stark/Iron Man, in a scene from Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” The home to creative content for fringe and cult use of magic “ends up adding something epic shrunk to the size of an insect and escaping on film releases in the US on May 1, 2015. — AP photos audiences, has become a top venue for movie to the fights, it’s a new element.” the back of a fly. — Reuters 5 Seconds of Summer get Woody Allen back in spotlight, hands-on with ticket sales promoting new film hroughout his long career, Woody keep lining up for his films.’ thrilling.’ Stone is only 25 - less than half he rising pop-rock band 5 Seconds Allen has been fascinated by magic, So far, reviews for the new film have Firth’s age - but still has a connection to of Summer gave its feverish female Ta theme he’s explored frequently been mixed. In any case, Allen himself Allen’s films. ‘My mom showed me Tfans the surprise of a lifetime by onscreen: playing a magician in ‘Scoop,’ says he long ago stopped trying to figure ëAnnie Hall,’’ said the actress, who noted personally selling tickets Saturday morn- sending Owen Wilson on time travel in out how his movies will be received. ‘I that her family dog is named Alvy, after ing for an upcoming concert in ‘Midnight in Paris,’ or pulling Jeff Daniels have no idea,’ he said in a telephone Alvy Singer, Allen’s role in that film. Inglewood, California. Many fans, includ- out of a movie screen in ‘The Purple Rose interview, when asked about prospects ‘I was incredibly nervous,’ Stone said ing 13-year-old Trina Umana, camped of Cairo.’ And though one might think, for ‘Moonlight.’ ‘I’m always disappointed of the prospect of working with Allen. out overnight at The Forum to get seats with the wave of terrible publicity he in each movie when I’m finished,’ he But clearly it worked out: She’s now for the Australian group’s first US headlin- went through earlier this year, that a bit explained, ‘because there’s a big differ- shooting his new movie, along with ing concert on Nov15. of magician-like escape into a bygone ence between the fantasy you have Joaquin Phoenix. In ‘Moonlight,’ you “I can’t speak right now. I’m too over- era or a movie screen is just what he when you’re home writing the thing, and could say Firth has the requisite Woody whelmed,” she sobbed after purchasing might prefer, Allen is doing anything but you think, this is going to be so great ... Allen protagonist role. And his character, her tickets from guitarist Michael Clifford, disappear. and then you actually have to execute it, Stanley, exudes the same cynicism about 18. Before heading into the box office, He’s not only making movies on the drummer Ashton Irwin, 20, said his only same famously ambitious, one-per-year concern was the group’s math skills. “We schedule he’s adhered to for almost half a century. He’s also actively promoting might lose track of a lot of coins and stuff his latest, the lighthearted period romp like that. But we’ll work it out. We’ll get ‘Magic in the Moonlight,’ even as he’s through it,” Irwin joked. busy shooting his next movie in Maria Gomez certainly wasn’t paying Providence, Rhode Island. But anyone attention to the numbers. “All I could who expected Allen to speak further on think was: ‘Oh my God. I don’t know what the personal issues that arose last year - to do. Don’t embarrass yourself!’ “said the 5 Seconds of Summer band members, from left, Michael Clifford, Luke the revival of accusations by his adopted 15-year-old fan from Anaheim, California. Hemmings and Calum Hood perform on NBC’s “Today” show on Tuesday, daughter, Dylan Farrow, that he abused “None of us thought any of this would July 22, 2014 in New York. — AP photos her when she was 7 - will be disappoint- happen.” The quartet, which also includes ed. The 78-year-old director has held true lead vocalist and guitarist Luke to his word that he would say nothing Hemmings, 18, and bassist Calum Hood, further, following a February letter to the 18, can relate to the fandom. New York Times in which he vigorously “We’re more awkward than anything,” denied the allegations. said Irwin of meeting artists he admires This image released by Sony Pictures Classics shows director Woody like Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz. “But Total separation The question does remain whether Allen, center, with actors Emma Stone, left, and Colin Firth on the set of inside, when they leave, we sort of “Magic in the Moonlight.” — AP squeal.” Green Day, Blink-182 and Allen’s personal issues might affect the Imagine Dragons also top their list of public reception of his new film, which and Emma Stone can’t possibly walk magic and spiritualism that Allen feels. stars Colin Firth as a cynical stage magi- across the room as fast as you pictured, ‘He’s a magician who’d love to be proven musical influences. Saturday’s crowd was cian and Emma Stone as the young spiri- because no human can. ... And so I’m wrong,’ said Allen. Especially because ‘he treated to a live, outdoor performance of tualist whose magical powers he seeks always disappointed, and I never have an knows that life is a tough, brutal, grim, their hits “She Looks So Perfect” and to debunk. ‘One thing doesn’t have to do idea which ones are going to resonate meaningless grind full of heartache and “Amnesia.” 5 Seconds of Summer is mir- with the other,’ says Michael Barker, co- with an audience.’ tragedy, accruing to nothing.’ roring the seemingly instant success One president of Sony Pictures Classics, If that sounds sober, listen to Allen’s Direction achieved when that group hit which released the film on Friday. Box Incredibly nervous own (abridged here) view of life: ‘In the the US music scene in 2012. 5 Seconds of office expert Paul Dergarabedian Dergarabedian notes that big-name end,’ he said, ‘you realize that you’re just a Summer is currently opening for One expects fans to agree.