Reranking the Marvel Cinematic Universe!

Marvel Studios has released 12 comic blockbusters since 2008. Iron Man kicked off their interconnected universe with a bang and comic book movies have never been the same since. So now that Marvel has released one of it's best solo movies yet called Ant-man, the Informers decided to rank all 12 of the studios interconnected films. Let's get it going.

12. Iron Man 3 (2013)

Total garbage. The first Phase 2 movie takes Iron Man's greatest foe and turns him into a joke while placing Tony outside of his suit for 98% of the run time. Shane Black and Drew Pearce successfully took Jon Faveru's Iron Man saga and turned it into shit.

11. Thor: The Dark World (2013)

2013 was not a good year for Marvel. After the debacle that is Iron Man 3, Thor's sequel later in the year that wasn't that impressive either. At this point if Loki wasn't in this franchise would anyone care? Malekith was absolutely forgettable along with Thor's crew of human sidekicks. Natalie Portman is really just picking up paychecks in these movies as Jane Foster. Less of her and more Lady Sif and the Warrior's Three for Thor Ragnorak, please.

10. Iron Man 2 (2010)

Love both Mickey Rourke and Sam Rockwell. Just not in this movie. Neither villain really stands out or has an interesting plan. One could say the real villain is Tony's alcoholism. But despite all it's faults, RDJ's charm combined with the addition of Don Cheadle as War Machine elevate this mediocre film to a decent one.

9. Thor (2011)

Not much to say here. Just an okay movie with some solid humor. It helps set up the Thor + Loki for The Avengers, but doesn't really do much else. The Frost Giant battle is fun though.

8. The Incredible Hulk (2008)

The epic throw down between Abomination + The Hulk was the only reason I placed this film this high. Ed Norton makes for a convincing Banner/Hulk while on the other hand Liv Tyler is a pretty crappy Betty Ross. Mark Ruffalo has done a commendable job picking up Banner from Norton left off, but after seeing Norton put on an acting clinic in Birdman last year, I would have loved to see what he would have done with the character had he continued to portray the Green Goliath.

7. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

An interesting period piece about Steve Rogers and his transformation into this universe's first superhero Captain America. Loved the WW2 setting and Steve's motivations. What I didn't care for was a slow story that had a difficult time showing off Cap's abilities. If you used this film as a point of reference for Cap's superpowers you would have to assume his own ability is super leaping. He barely uses his shield in his opening appearance.

6. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Earth's Mightiest Heroes reunited for a second go around. This time against the evil AI Ultron. The same humor and action you loved from the first Avengers is here. Seriously they could make 20 movies just like this and I would love them all. In the MCU, I think there are 3 tiers in the hierarchy of the MCU. Those are Average, Good, and Great. I would say #12-9 are average, #8-7 are good, and here at #6 the great films begin. Which makes it hard to put this great film all the way down at 5, but with so many awesome films compromises needed to be made.

5. Ant-Man (2015)

The more I think about Ant-Man, the more I like it. It is a great palate cleanser from the recent massive Marvel movies. The stakes feel smaller and that makes the movie feel tighter. It really marks it own corner of the MCU. Paul Rudd is great as Scott Lang and Michael Douglas is even better as Scott's mentor Hank Pym. This heist adventure is humorous throughout and is Marvel's best first solo outing since Iron Man. 

4. Iron Man (2008)

Speaking of Iron Man, it single handedly kickstarted the Marvel Cinematic Universe and rejuvenated RDJ's career all at once. Iron Man is one of the most important superhero films of all time. Aided by RDJ's charm and Jon Farveru's slick visuals this movie presents an interesting origin for Tony Stark while creating a world that has allowed for all these incredible superhero films to exist. Also ACDC kicks ass!

3. The Avengers (2012)

The Avengers is the first ever giant superhero team-up on film. The final 45 minute battle alone could secure it a high spot on this list, but The Avengers has more going for it besides it's action. Joss Whedon expertly weaves in the each team members' different dynamics as the team forms to take down the villainous Loki (played by the great Tom Hiddleston). Solid performances across the board and hilarious moments make this movie a must for a superhero fans.

2. Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)

When this film was initially announced, the general consensus was that it would be Marvel's first real flop. Introducing five relatively unknown characters that include the likes of a talking raccoon and a tree sounded like a major risk at the time. Well, James Gunn proved all those people wrong and these five "losers" won the 2014 summer box office. GOTG is packed with humor + heart that just fit it's tone completely. Not to mention the best soundtrack in ages. Also Chris Pratt is now the world's biggest star. GOTG, Lego Movie, and now Jurassic World have made this guy huge.

1. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Perfection. This film is an excellent adaption of a classic Captain America storyline that is great at infusing both drama and comedy. Directors the Russo brothers understand Cap's Universe and utilize the additions of Falcon as a sidekick, The Winter Soldier as an adversary, and Black Widow as Cap's moral foil to propel this sequel way past it's predecessor. Best Marvel film period. Hail Hydra!

Thanks for reading! What's your favorite Marvel film? Which future movie are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments or tweet at us @Caped_Informers or me @cstrand73. And make sure to tune in for our weekly Arrow, Flash, and Daredevil reviews. You can also read my original rankings by clicking here.

P.S. These movies are dope and all, but Daredevil is the best thing Marvel has ever produced!

Ant-Man Trailer Has Finally Been Released!

Paul Rudd stars in a movie that I didn't direct alongside Michael Douglas as a character I didn't cast in Marvel Studios' Ant-Man. Last year everyone claimed that Marvel was taking a major risk with Guardians of the Galaxy (look at how that worked out!), so the risk with Ant-Man looks like slightly less at this point. Disagreements with the studio caused Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz) to leave that director chair and rumors that there is something wrong with this movie to spread. Now people love Paul Rudd (myself included) so I don't think this movie will totally bomb. I'm just saying from this trailer, Ant-Man looks a lot like another Thor: The Dark World and not a GOTG. That's not a good thing if Marvel wants to launch another character to join their Avenger's roster. 
          In the end though there is no stopping Marvel these days. They are on a roll after an amazing 2014. So with the Marvel logo in the front the credits, Ant-Man should be just fine. Plus I fucking love Corey Stoll (House of Cards). He will be a great adversary for Paul Rudd.  Ant-Man comes out July 2015.

Lilly and Stoll's 'Ant-Man' Roles Revealed

After months of speculation, Evangeline Lilly (Lost) and Corey Stoll (House Of Cards) finally have confirmed roles in Marvel Studios' Ant-Man. 

Lilly will play Janet Van Dyne and Hank Pym's daughter Hope Van Dyne. In similar fashion to Paul Rudd's Scott Lang taking over as Ant-Man, Lilly's Van Dyne will most likely take over the mantle of the Wasp during the course of the film.

Stoll on the other hand will indeed be playing the film's main villain Darren Cross. And at some point in the film he will don the persona of Yellowjacket. Thus confirming rumors from a few weeks back.

Source: ComicBookMovie

Kinda wish that this movie focused on Pym in the 60's rather than him handing the mantle of Ant-Man over to Lang. But Stoll, Lilly, Rudd, and Douglas are all great actors that can make this muddling of Ant-man lore interesting.

Updates On the 'Ant-Man' and 'Doctor Strange' Movies

Since Marvel Studios' Ant-Man nabbed Peyton Reed (The Break-Up) to direct, not much else in terms  of news has come about the film. We still didn't know who the villain of the movie was. That was until yesterday when JoBlo.com reported that Paul Rudd's Scott Lang will most likely be battling villain Darren Cross. The Cross character in the comics has rare heart condition and is the owner of Cross Technological Enterprises, a competitor of Stark Industries and Oscorp in the Marvel Universe. Then today The Wrap's Jeff Sneider tweeted that actor Corey Stoll (House of Cards) will be playing the main baddie which will be Cross and Patrick Wilson (Watchmen) will play Cross's cousin William Cross aka Crossfire. Sneider also clarified that he does not know if Wilson's character will become Crossfire in this film or become him in future installments.

Glad to finally know what villain will be taking on Ant-Man. Let's hope Darren Cross can stack with other evil businessmen like Norman Osborn and Lex Luthor. The evil businessmen game is not for the for the faint of heart. Ant-Man is expected to start shooting soon and is to be in theaters July 2015.

Source: Joblo.com
             @TheInSneider

Over in Doctor Strange's camp, Deadline reports that the production is bringing in Prometheus writer Jon Spaihts to rewrite the script. The original draft was penned by Thomas Dean Donnely and Joshua Oppenheimer. Scott Derrickson (Sinister) awaits the new script and will soon cast the role of the Sorcerer Supreme. Deadline then again reaffirmed that Marvel's shortlist for Strange is Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock), Tom Hardy (Warrior), and Jared Leto (American Psycho). Expect to hear casting soon.

Source: Deadline

I'm Not Directing 'Ant-Man'

Marvel Studios has officially announced Peyton Reed (The Break-Up) will direct Ant-Man. After a long search that included pretty much any director who has made a comedy film in the last ten years the studio went with the genius mind behind Yes Man. Well, all I can say is that I got fucked. Sure Reed has directed two movies that have grossed over 200 million dollars, but at the end of the day everyone knows those movies sucked. So now Marvel will have to pay this guy actually money to direct this steaming pile of crap. See I would have still have made a shit film, but at least I would have been cheap. Guess I should thank him for taking this gig off my resume. Maybe I'll have better luck if Scott Derrickson leaves Dr. Strange for creative differences. Ant-Man is still expected summer 2015.

You better watch your ass Reed. You take my job again, I won't be so kind.

Another Director Passes on 'Ant-Man'

Another day, another director passes on directing Marvel Studio's Ant-Man. This time We're The Millers director Rawson Marshall Thurber has rejected the opportunity to bring the diminutive superhero to the big screen. Thurber nows becomes the third director in a week to not want their name attached to this project. So the question now becomes, how come my phone hasn't rang? The rumor is no self respecting director will go near this film, so as a man with little self respect or dignity I believe I'm the perfect man for the job. So Kevin Feige stop dicking around and give me a call. What I lack in self-respect and experience I more than make up for in availability and cheapness. I don't want to have to write another article about me shamelessly suggesting myself again. I don't want to end up like George Costanza. Ant-Man is somehow still expected to be released July 2015.

Source: This Is Infamous

No One Wants To Direct 'Ant-Man'

The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that director Adam Mckay (Anchorman) has pulled out of negotiations to direct Marvel Studios Ant-Man. The film lost Edgar Wright last week and now Adam Mckay doesn't want anything to do with it. This can only mean one thing. That the rewritten script sucks. Well hopefully Marvel can nab Zombieland director Rueben Fleischer or Rawson Marshall Thurber to direct this piece of shit. If not I guess I would attach my name to the project if asked, but only if I could bring in some of my own actors. Ryan Keough as Eggman and Dan Lee as Taskmaster, smells like Oscar gold! We can turn this shit around. Ant-Man is still expected to be released 2015.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Director Edgar Wright Exits 'Ant-Man'

CBM.com has reported that Marvel Studios and director Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz) have parted ways due to "creative differences". Wright was set to first Marvel's Ant-Man or the first film of their Phase 3. Wright spent 6 years developing the project. The Studio will have to quickly find a replacement because the rest of the crew and cast are set to shoot. This a big blow to Marvel Studios that has had trouble with actors and directors in the past. When you are owned by the Big Mouse it's his way or the highway. My guess is Wright probably tried to inject some of his brand of comedy to the superhero genre and Mickey would have none of it because it doesn't fit into Disney's "family friendly agenda". Or maybe he really did just have "creative differences. well whatever, Fight the Power Edgar! Ant-Man is still expected Summer 2015.

Read more: CBM

Corey Stoll To Join Ant-Man!

If you loved the alcoholic and prostitute obsessed Rep. Peter Russo from season 1 of House of Cards, get excited because apparently so did Marvel Studios. Corey Stoll (The Strain) who played Russo, is up for a role in Edgar Wright's Ant-Man. Once again who he will be playing has not been revealed. So we must speculate. Stoll is bald, so my guess is a scientist or Egghead. Ant-Man is expected in theaters July 2015.

Read the Report: http://www.thewrap.com/house-cards-alum-corey-stoll-talks-join-marvels-ant-man-exclusive/

Patrick Wilson added to Edgar Wright's Ant-Man!

Deadline and multiple other sources have reported that Patrick Wilson (Watchmen, The Conjuring) is in talks for a role in Marvel's Ant-Man. This is an unspecified role so my guess would have to be that Wilson will be playing the 60's version of Michael Douglas' Hank Pym. Or maybe he could be thrust into a villainous role alongside Michael Pena. Egghead perhaps? Paul Rudd vs. Egghead, you got yourself a billion dollar franchise right there. But in all seriousness, Wilson is a nice addition to the cast. Marvel Studios is really banking this a star studded cast (Rudd, Douglas, Lilly, Wilson, Pena) to catapult it's relatively unknown character of Ant-Man into Iron Man like success. Ant-Man is expected out June 2015.

Read more about it: http://www.deadline.com/2014/02/patrick-wilson-to-join-marvels-ant-man/