Stan Lee and 'Downton Abbey' Producer Team on New U.K. Series, 'Lucky Man'

Still going strong! Lee is a 'Lucky Man'

Legendary comic book master, Stan Lee is excited to be heading over the Pond for a go at some U.K. TV. The pay TV channel, Sky 1 made an announcement yesterday that Lee has teamed with Downton Abbey producer, Carnival Films. They will be bringing to fruition Lee's original idea with the ten-part series, Lucky Man.

The series will debut in 2016 on Sky 1 and, according to Variety, "...will be distributed globally by NBCUniversal International Distribution." Lucky Man will star James Nesbitt ("The Hobbit" trilogy, "The Missing"), Eve Best ("Nurse Jackie," "The Honorable Woman") and Sienna Guillory ("Fortitude," "Luther," "Love Actually").

Variety offers the series description as, "...the story of detective Harry Clayton (James Nesbitt), a cop from Central London’s notorious Murder Squad, who is given a charm that seems to confer upon the wearer the ability to control luck. Harry is down on his luck: his wife (Eve Best) and child have left him due to his gambling habit, his boss thinks he’s in league with the devil, and he has a huge debt to an infamous underworld crime boss who is threatening his life. A chance meeting with a mysterious woman who gives him an ancient bracelet changes everything… It appears to give Harry control over luck itself."

Sounds pretty cool, right? Lee was quoted as saying, “Luck has always been a fascinating subject to me, and I am excited to finally share that fascination with audiences around the world.” The very lucky indeed 92-year-old goes on to mention, "With all the creative projects I have worked on, I sure am a lucky man myself and I am excited to be working with Sky 1 and Carnival Films on this latest project."

Executive producer Richard Fell further describes the series, “‘Lucky Man’ is a different kind of superhero show — Stan has come up with an absolutely brilliant idea; something that we can all relate to. What if you could control luck? Would that be the greatest thing you could give someone, or their worst nightmare? It’s a twist which brings the whole superhero genre right back down to earth.”

We'll keep you posted on when we can watch here in the States.

-Larissa Mrykalo

Fox Announces 'Wolverine' and 'Fantastic Four' Sequels Plus a Mystery Movie

Hollywood Reporter has announced Fox plans to release sequels to "Wolverine" and "Fantastic Four" in March and July of 2017, respectively. What's that? The first FF reboot hasn't been released yet? Apparently, Fox is confident enough in their new team that they don't think it matters!

Fans of the last Wolverine installment will be happy to hear that James Mangold will be returning to direct the follow up to "The Wolverine." No details as yet on storyline, but how cool would it be if Wolverine were suddenly Killable or if X-23 were introduced?

The biggest vague news is the untitled Marvel property under Fox control also being slated for a 2018 release. Speculation has already begun over the unnamed movie, but current front runners seem to be X-Force, which already has a completed first draft, according to Rob Liefield, and something involving the Silver Surfer. After all, if Stan Lee says there's no way a Silver Surfer movie doesn't eventually get done, who are we to argue with the Generalisimo? Do you have any guesses as to what Fox may have planned?

Just to clear up any confusion, Disney/Marvel Studios doesn't own the movie rights to any of the X-Men, Fantastic Four, or Spider-Man characters, so Avengers vs. X-Men won't be happening anytime soon. Daredevil and Ghost Rider have both reverted back to Marvel and are no longer under Fox or Sony control. Confused yet? Hopefully, this handy dandy Geek Twins article will help you keep the movie stuff straight. Or, you know, just look at the pretty picture they made.

Personally, I'm hoping Universal has a Man-Thing solo movie in the works.

-David Berck

New 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' Featurette Gets Romantic

Courtesy io9

Guys, if you're trying to convince your lady to head with you to theaters on May 2 to see "The Amazing Spider-Man 2," just show her this featurette. "Peter and Gwen's Love Story" shows that being Peter Parker's girlfriend certainly has its perks but there are the obvious downfalls too. Gwen Stacy is a smart, goal-driven young woman who can't be held back by an arachnid even though he's pretty swoon-worthy. The chemistry between Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield is right on and some of it is undoubtedly thanks to the fact that they're a couple off screen.

Check out the video which not only includes commentary from producers and director, Marc Webb, but also an appearance by Stan Lee. He even makes a cameo in this short!

-Larissa Mrykalo

'Fantastic Four' Cast Has Been Assembled

Courtesy Variety

Thanks to the reporting of multiple sources including Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, Fox has all four cast members ready to go for the 'Fantastic Four' reboot. According to THR's sources, "...the studio (Fox) is making deals with Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Bell to star in the project that reboots the Marvel superheroes. Josh Trank is directing."

After a long casting process, Teller will be playing Mr. Fantastic/Reed Richards, Mara will be the Invisible Woman/Sue Storm, Jordan is the Human Torch/Johnny Storm and Bell will be the Thing/Ben Grimm. From THR, "'Fantastic Four' was the very first comic produced by the Marvel Comics’ 1960s golden age and featured a brilliant scientist, his pilot best friend, his girlfriend and her brother who are turned into heroes Mr. Fantastic, The Thing, Invisible Girl and the Human Torch. They fought aliens and monsters but their arch-foe was Dr. Doom, a onetime roommate of the scientist." The comic was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

The film has a re-scheduled release date for June 19, 2015 and we predict this young cast will become household names.

-Larissa Mrykalo

Stan Lee to Appear on 'Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'

An exclusive over at The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed what has been speculated upon for weeks. Stan Lee revealed that he will be not only be making an appearance on an episode of ABC's "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." but that it's a "big role." Details on the role or just how big it will be is unclear, but it's being reported that the episode "will most likely air Feb. 4, though that is subject to change."

Lee, who is an executive producer on the series, is known for making "a million cameos" in Marvel films. However, THR reports that he has his first starring role in the animated movie "Stan Lee's Mighty 7," in which he "mentors a group of superheroes while writing about their adventures in comic books." The movie premieres on Hub Network at 8 p.m. February 1.

"Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." airs on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.

-Larissa Mrykalo

'The Amazing Spider-Man' Rings in the New Year in Times Square

Courtesy: Collider

The Amazing Spider-Man helped ring in 2014 with a trailer not only containing the Generalissimo himself, Stan Lee but also exclusive content featuring Times Square. Did you also know that he paid a personal visit to the ball? We have both the trailer and a peek at his visit, compliments of Marvel Entertainment.

"The Amazing Spider-Man 2" stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, and Dane DeHaan and arrives in theaters May 2. Here's the official synopsis, then check out the two videos after the jump:

We’ve always known that Spider-Man’s most important battle has been within himself: the struggle between the ordinary obligations of Peter Parker and the extraordinary responsibilities of Spider-Man. But in "The Amazing Spider-Man 2," Peter Parker finds that a greater conflict lies ahead.
It’s great to be Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield). For Peter Parker, there’s no feeling quite like swinging between skyscrapers, embracing being the hero, and spending time with Gwen (Emma Stone). But being Spider-Man comes at a price: only Spider-Man can protect his fellow New Yorkers from the formidable villains that threaten the city. With the emergence of Electro (Jamie Foxx), Peter must confront a foe far more powerful than he. And as his old friend, Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan), returns, Peter comes to realize that all of his enemies have one thing in common: OsCorp.

'Superheroes:The Never-Ending Battle' Three-Hour Doc to Air on PBS

If you're a fan of superheroes, you're in for a real treat. Beginning tomorrow night (October 15) at 8 p.m. ET, PBS is airing the three-part documentary, “Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle.”

Hosted and narrated by Liev Shreiber, the doc will feature interviews with such icons as: Stan Lee; actors Adam West (TV’s “Batman”) and Lynda Carter (“Wonder Woman”); Geoff Johns (chief creative officer, DC Comics), Jeph Loeb (head of television for Marvel Entertainment); and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon ("The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay").

A new book based on this series titled “Superheroes!: Capes, Cowls, and the Creation of Comic Book Culture” was written by the series’ co-writer Laurence Maslon and filmmaker Michael Kantor. The book became available on October 1 and makes an nice companion piece to the series by not only exploring superheroes in our culture but by including interviews, biographies and over 500 illustrations.

PBS will also release the DVD ($24.99) and Blu-ray ($29.99) version of the documentary on October 15 and is available in the PBS store.

Stan Lee Talks About The Supernatural

This is a little bit of an early Halloween treat. I recently discovered some footage of an interview taped between me and Stan Lee (from 2011, I think, for CNN). Buried in my questions, I asked Stan off-handedly about this thoughts on the paranormal.

His response: "I would LOVE to see a ghost. I would love to have a real haunted house I could go into. I have spent my life looking for something supernatural I could believe in. I haven't found it yet but I haven't given up."

Another classic Stan Lee response was when I asked him what he was like as a kid: "I was adorable. My Mother told me I was adorable, and she would not lie ... I talked too much, which caused some trouble. I remember I had, when I was a little kid in first or second grade, a teacher who said, 'Stan, I want you to lock up your mouth and throw away the key and don't talk until I give the key back.' Because I was always talking. You wouldn't believe that, knowing me now, I can't say a word. But when I was young, I talked all the time."

Stan is a hero of mine (as I've discussed before), so I just wanted to share this gem I found from a couple years ago.

-Aaron Sagers

'Stan Lee's Comikaze' adds to line up

This summer has flown by and it has made us start thinking of all the fall events that are fast approaching. Namely, the largest pop culture event in Los Angeles, also known as, Stan Lee’s Comikaze.

Held annually at the Los Angeles Convention Center, this multi-media expo has something for everyone. Owned and operated by pop culture icons, Stan Lee and Elvira Mistress of the Dark, Comikaze brings the best in sci-fi, video games, comics, horror and fantasy.

This year boasts some high profile guests of honor, including Bruce Campbell, Lloyd Kaufman, Marc Silvestri, Tara Strong, LeVar Burton and of course, Elvira and Stan Lee. Other guests include Adrienne Curry, Lou Ferrigno, Tony Todd and Jenna Busch.

Keep checking their site for more info on reunions and special events and be sure to follow them on Twitter and Facebook for all the latest news.

Comikaze will be held November 1-3. Tickets for the event are available on their main site.

-Larissa Mrykalo

Stan Lee launches 'Cosplay Piano' video series

Stan Lee is, without a doubt, a legend and genius. At the age of 90 he still manages to produce major coolness. And his "World of Heroes" YouTube Channel has ended up being a pretty cool place for nerdy goodness.

Case in point: The new video series called "Cosplay Piano," where familiar pop culture themes are melded beautifully with cosplay.

The first video features uber-talented pianist Sonya Belosouva’s rendition of The Walking Dead theme, complete with a fiddling zombie playing alongside a machete-toting Belosouva (waking up in a hospital room during a zombie apocalypse a la Rick Grimes).

This is a must see, and we look forward to future installments.

Stan Lee's original comic 'Mighty 7' to receive movie adaptation

Courtesy Stan Lee's POW Entertainment

Stan Lee fans rejoiced earlier this year with the announcement of the legendary comic book creator’s first series under the Stan Lee Comic brand. According to USA Today, the six-issue series will star seven new superheroes and feature cameos of Stan Lee himself. Stan Lee's Mighty 7 debuted its first bimonthly issue in March in comic book shops and online.

Among several announcements made earlier this week at Comikaze, A2 Entertainment, along with Stan Lee’s POW Entertainment, introduced plans to turn the Mighty 7 into a feature film. The film is set to be released next year on the family-oriented The Hub network.

In addition to the feature film, it was also announced that Hot Topic stores, a leader in pop culture accessories, will be the exclusive retailer for a clothing line set to feature the Mighty 7 characters called SLAM7.

The Mighty 7 clearly is an exciting project for Stan Lee as he continues to revolutionize the comic book industry. The comic book great relayed to USA Today, "I would have never thought years ago that I would be in a comic book or I would be in a cameo in a movie. I love it. I guess I'm kind of a ham." The series includes all new characters which consists mostly of aliens! Two marshals transport the group of aliens through the universe and inevitably crash land on earth. Add a Stan Lee cameo into the mix and sci-fi fantasy meets reality.

To check out digital versions of Mighty 7, visit archiecomics.com.

-Alli Salzman

The Zombie Apocalypse, the Stan Lee way

Courtesy Comikaze

Stan "The Man" Lee may soon be known as Stan "The Walking Dead Man" Lee after this week's Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles.

Joining the zombie craze, the Zombie Apocalypse Survival Course will be a feature at the second Stan Lee’s Comikaze Expo on Sept. 15 and 16 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The huge, 75,000 square-foot course will test the mettle of the even the fittest of zombie survivalists, or so the health warnings on the site lead you to believe. According to the Comikaze site, participants will be "chased and terrorized" through the obstacle course while they attempt to slide, crawl, and climb their way out. As for those who have always wanted to know what it feels like to be undead, they can satisfy their appetite by signing up to play a zombie and torment the survivors as they navigate the course.


The obstacle course comes on the heels of the immensely popular Run For Your Lives Zombie 5k and Robert Kirkman's Walking Dead Escape at Comic-Con in July. Can we assume that this is going to be a staple at cons now? Have the zombie proms and walks become too mundane? If you'll be at Comikaze and plan on taking part, let us know and send some pics!


In addition to the Zombie Apocalypse course, Comikaze will offer a variety of pop culture events. Among them will be the “con” standards such as exhibitors, panel discussions, and costume and cosplay contests. More notable events include a Quidditch Tournament, Activision Arcade and Stan Lee’s Mega Museum. Just a few of the celebrity attendees include, Elvira, Adam West, Julie Newmar, Felicia Day, Linda Blair, and of course, Stan Lee.

If you think you have what it takes to face the zombies, or maybe you just want to see Stan Lee, check out the Comikaze website at comikazeexpo.com.

-Alli Salzman