MARVEL has a lot going on…

With the impending release of Thor, Captain America, and the newest X-Men movie, Marvel is in the spotlight right now. Then there is also the future projects The Amazing Spider-Man, Iron Man 3, Wolverine 2, and The Avengers. Needless to say, its gonna be a busy couple of summers over at Marvel. Well, I thought we’d get a little caught up on some of it.

THOR – Opens May 6th, 2011

Relative new comer Chris Hemsworth will play the title role, while Geek-Goddess Natalie Portman will appear as Jane Foster, Thor’s longtime romantic interest in the comics.

Marvel just released a new extended trailer for the film that will introduce many non-geeks to the God of Thunder for the first time.

X-Men: First Class – Opens June 3rd, 2011

This is one, that despite having a director I like, I’m just not pumped for. X3 and Wolverine were so terrible I can’t allow myself to get excited for this yet, but SupaScoot did a pretty detailed writeup on it.

CAPTAIN AMERICA – Opens July 22nd, 2011

While Chris Evans isn’t who I had in mind when this movie was announced, I am hopeful that he’ll exceed my expectations. Director Joe Johnston however, does not excite me, so I have to remain skeptical…

The Amazing Spider-Man – Opens July 3rd, 2012

The reboot cast is highlighted with Emma Stone, Dennis Leary and Martin Sheen. The new Spidey though, Andrew Garfield is a mystery to me. Maybe that’s cause the only thing I’ve seen him in is Red Riding: In the Year of Our Lord 1974, and I don’t even remember him. But this picture looks awesome…

The Avengers – 2012

Joss Whedon is directing what will be the most ambitious Comic Movie project ever undertaken. This is what Marvel is banking it all on, set for sometime in 2012.

Below is a fan-made poster based on the upcoming project.

Iron Man 3 – In Pre-Production

The Iron Man franchise is in flux, and I couldn’t be happier about it. The first Iron Man was great, but the 2nd one was a bit of a letdown. Iron Man 3 will be a direct sequel to The Avengers. The first 2 movies were directed by Jon Favreau, who is now leaving the franchise. And while I like Jon Favreau, I love his apparent replacement – Shane Black.

If you’re not a movie dork you may not know Shane Black, but I’m sure you’ll recognize his work as a writer. He, in my opinion is batting a thousand. He wrote the first 2 Leathal Weapon movies, The Last Boyscout, The Monster Squad, Last Action Hero, The Long Kiss Goodnight, and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. He also directed Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.

Black and Downey Jr on the set of KISS KISS BANG BANG

The Wolverine – Pre-Production

This video has nothing to do officially with the Darren Aronofsky helmed follow-up to the piece of crap Wolverine movie, but it is pretty damn cool.

This is pretty surreal, to think that piece of crap Wolverine movie is gonna spawn a sequel directed by one of the most respected Directors working now. The Wrestler, Black Swan, The Woverine?

Now, if you’ll be so go as to vote on this poll you won’t have to suffer the same fate as our mascot did at the hands of the Hulk…