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‘The Electric State’ film is in the works with ‘It’ director on board
Simon Stålenhag's illustrated novel The Electric State is coming to the big screen with It director Andy Muschietti likely at the helm. Russo Brothers Studio beat at least three other studios for rights to the project, Deadline reports, and a number of producers and directors sought to be involved.
Square Enix is making an 'Avengers' game for Marvel
Yesterday morning, Marvel and Square Enix teased in separate tweets that they had an announcement to make. The internet went into overdrive: A superhero world for Kingdom Hearts 3? Wrong. Very wrong. Today, the two companies have revealed a multi-game partnership that starts with "The Avengers Project." A teaser trailer shows a pair of cracked glasses, Thor's hammer and an Iron Man gauntlet lying in the dirt, discarded. A sombre voiceover explains how "the world will always need heroes," even if people think "that if you're different, you're dangerous." It's all very doom and gloom, buts ends with the hopeful tagline: "We just need to reassemble."
Pop culture's many takes on artificial intelligence
Over the years, artists, writers, filmmakers and game studios have all tackled the concept of artificial intelligence. Often their vision is of machines that are brutally hostile to humans. Philip K. Dick envisioned androids that murder their owners. The iconic HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey ... also murders his human companions. Of course, there's Skynet, which launches an all-out war on mankind. We could go on like this for a long time. But there are also those, like Spike Jonze, who envision us having a more complex relationship with computer-based personalities; one in which they could even be love interests. And in Star Trek: The Next Generation Data is not only a "good" android, but he's often the hero of the show. We've pulled together 13 of our favorite portrayals of AI over the years and put them in the gallery below. It is by no means comprehensive. So please, let us know what we missed in the comments or tweet at us (@engadget) to let us know your favorite AI character from the film, TV or books using the hashtag #EngadgetAIWeek.
There will be a lot of Marvel and DC Comics movies in the next few years
Earlier this month, Warner Bros. announced its roadmap for DC Comics movies through 2020, and today, Marvel Studios revealed its plans as well. Basically, if you're into superhero/comic book movies, you're set for the next seven years. Need a quick rundown of all that's coming? No worries, we've got you covered. All of the box office favorites are on the list, including Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy 2, alongside the debuts of Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel, Doctor Strange, Black Panther and more. In addition to the officially outed titles, DC Comics says that standalone Batman and Superman films will also be released during this timeframe. For the list of upcoming films, jump on past the break. Update: Not enough for you? There's also a decent-sized preview from The Avengers: Age of Ultron that aired during Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D..
Did you think 'The Avengers' finale was shot in New York? Think again (video)
Raymond Teller once said that the secret to fooling people is to put in so much more effort than the trick seems worth. It seems that the bods at Industrial Light and Magic followed his wisdom when concocting the effects for The Avengers. If you'd marveled at how seamless the team had blended shots of the Big Apple with the Chitauri invasion, then we've got a surprise for you -- almost none of it is real. Rather than shoot parts of the New York-based finale in the city (or any other city), the effects house created a 20-block "digital playground," complete with individually detailed office windows. Interested in learning just how much of those breathtaking set pieces were filmed in a green screen in New Mexico? Head on past the break.
Must See HDTV (September 24th - 30th)
We are officially in the fall premiere season. From freshly-minted Emmy winners like Homeland to newbies like Last Resort, 666 Park Avenue and Elementary, the prime time schedule is suddenly full of shows jostling for our attention. Add in a full slate of movie releases, football games and even WNBA playoffs, well, and our DVRs have their work cut out for them. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames. The Avengers One of the summer's biggest hits is here on disc, in two discs Blu-ray / DVD combo pack (no digital copy) and four disc Blu-ray 3D edition (with digital copy). We got a chance to check it out early and there's certainly enough extras here to keep the fans happy, along with a slick and fast-loading menu system. We did not get an opportunity to try out the Second Screen app yet, but with the price of the four disc pack down to $25, we figure most fans will getting thier money's worth -- unless of course they're waiting for the delayed Marvel Cinematic Universe edition. (September 25th, $24.99 on Amazon) Last Resort We're sure there's more to this military drama than just trying to be the next Lost, but when you start off stranded on a fictional island then throw in conspiracy theories and a submarine, our magnets start to tingle. From the trailer (embedded after the break)it certainly has an interesting plot, as the crew of a US military vessel is fired upon by its own country, and subsequently goes rogue in an attempt to find out why and get back home, but we've seen many of these mysterious shows come and go very quickly -- it will need to find its own hook, and fast. (September 27th, ABC, 8PM) Louie As we welcome in a slew of new shows, we say goodbye to one for now. Comedian Louis CK's show was also an award winner last night, and it was well deserved. After a Rocky-style take on the late night wars the show wraps up its season this week with what appears to be a New Year's themed episode. If you haven't checked it out yet and are a fan of CK's comedy style, this is probably the time. (September 28th, FX, 10:30PM)
Amazon placating delayed Marvel Cinematic Universe pre-orderers with free Avengers Blu-rays
About a week ago we got the bad news that Marvel's entirely over the top Cinematic Universe: Phase One Blu-ray set would be delayed until spring 2013 while Disney works up a new case, but there is a silver lining for those who preordered from Amazon. One of our readers forwarded us an email sent out to those who preordered, indicating that in the meantime, they will receive The Avengers two disc Blu-ray / DVD combo package, free of charge. It's not a S.H.I.E.L.D. suitcase w/ glowing Tesseract cube built in of course, but we guess it will have to do until the replacement packaging is ready to go. Anyone who put in an order between June 1st and August 28th are eligible for the free copy and should have received their redemption code via email. [Thanks, Nick]
Marvel Cinematic Universe 10-disc Blu-ray set delayed, that sweet Tesseract case is to blame
Remember that $139 Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One - Avengers Assembled Blu-ray boxed set and its S.H.I.E.L.D. case (pictured above, video after the break) with the sweet glowing Tesseract cube? Good - now forget it, at least until spring 2013. Blu-ray.com has an official statement from Disney that sadly informs us it will not make its predicted September 25th ship date, and has been pushed back. The statement does go on however, noting that buyers will receive a new briefcase with even more (unspecified -- may we suggest Tony Stark's Iron Man briefcase?) special features. It doesn't go into precisely why all this happened, but an earlier report from TheHDRoom noted a legal squabble between Marvel and Rimowa, the company that apparently created the metallic briefcase it was based on, and subsequently sued Marvel and Disney's home video arm, Buena Vista Home Entertainment for trademark infringement and the like. Whatever the cause, the set is on ice for now -- we'll let you know when it's safe to preorder again.%Gallery-160266%
Marvel Cinematic Universe 10-disc Blu-ray box unveiled, Tesseract and all
Just as the listing on Amazon foretold last month, Marvel and Disney today revealed the case for their 10-disc Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One - Avengers Assembled box set. It features not only a glowing Tesseract cube contained in the S.H.I.E.L.D.-issue containment case, but also six brand-new pieces of art (for each flick - Marvel's The Avengers, Captain America, Thor, Iron Man 1 & 2, The Incredible Hulk) designed to adorn each disc case, Criterion-style. If you're headed to Comic-Con this weekend you'll probably be able to get a look at it yourself, hit the source link for a few more pictures of the case and artwork before deciding whether the current $139 price on Amazon is too much or just low enough to have this sitting on your disc shelf. While you decide between this and the Avengers solo release on the same day, September 25th, don't forget to snag the accompanying iOS second screen app now. %Gallery-160266%
The Avengers Initiative Second Screen app goes live on iTunes in time for Comic-Con
As promised, Marvel and Disney have delivered The Avengers Initiative: A Marvel Second Screen App for iPhone and iPad ahead of Marvel's The Avengers Blu-ray release September 25th. While much of the content will be released over time between now and then, it already has some character profiles and animated special effects deconstructions for users to paw through, as well as an Item 47 game for Comic-Con attendees. There's a list of features after the break, or you can hit iTunes for the free app right now -- if you prefer a Flash experience for PCs or other devices, it should be available at MarvelSecondScreen.com (currently redirecting to the Marvel site) once it goes live.
Marvel's The Avengers Blu-ray hits September 25th, iOS second screen app this month (video)
We don't have any more details yet on the 10-disc Marvel Cinematic Universe set that popped up on Amazon a month ago, but Disney and Marvel have revealed we can expect Marvel's The Avengers on Blu-ray September 25th. It will be shipping in the usual assortment of combo packs: four disc with Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, DVD, Digital copy and digital download or two disc Blu-ray and DVD combo for $50 / $40 MSRP (respectively, Amazon currently lists the four disc set for $35). What will arrive first this month however, is The Avengers Initiative: A Marvel Second Screen App, available on iPad and, for the first time for one of Disney's second screen apps, iPhone. Marvel is promising bi-weekly content updates until September when it moves up to weekly updates of character profiles, interactive comic books and more before the movie even arrives. Extras on disc will include 7.1 DTS-HD MA audio, a gag reel, behind the scenes looks with director Joss Whedon and cast, deleted scenes and more. Check the press release after the break for the full list, plus a new trailer for the Blu-ray.
Avengers Blu-ray preorders listed, including massive 10-disc Marvel Cinematic Universe set
If you left the theater after watching Marvel / Disney / Joss Whedon's The Avengers ready to buy the Blu-ray disc as soon as it hit then get your credit cards ready. As Blu-ray.com notes, Amazon has listings for both a 2-disc Blu-ray edition and a 4-disc Blu-ray 3D version, but the one that's caught our eye is the just updated listing for Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One - Avengers Assembled. A 10 disc set, it has every movie in this chapter of Marvel flicks -- Avengers, Captain America, Thor, Iron Man 1 & 2, The Incredible Hulk -- with 3D copies where applicable plus collectible packaging and a bonus "The Phase One Archives" disc. The only pic of the casing we have is the promo image shown above which hints at a replica of Nick Fury's Cosmic Cube suitcase from the movie, but more information is promised to be revealed July 15th. Until then you'll have to decide if $153 ($25~ per movie) is worth it for the set, or maybe take this time to finance it by selling off your existing copies on Craigslist. Your choice. [Thanks, Victor]
