The Muppets Blast Back At FOX News

Okay sure, The Muppets debuted here in the United States, WAY BACK in November of 2011. Unfortunately, Muppet fans in the United Kingdom have to wait until February 10th to see the comedy, and fun that the Muppets are world famous for. But, last December they were being accused of something completely outside of the realm of comedy and fun. Eric Bolling of the FOX Business Channel show "Follow The Money" accused the Muppet film of forwarding an anti-Oil liberal agenda. In actuality, the incident wasn't the only shot that FOX News took at The Muppets. The next evening Eric Bolling was on the FOX News Channels The Five, again addressing the films "liberal agenda." Later that same week, FOX & Friends hosts Gretchen Carlson and Steve Doocy lambasted the film and Miss Piggy. But, it's the video from Follow The Money that really takes the cake:


Now fast forward to this week. While appearing at a press conference in the UK to promote The Muppets, Kermit The Frog and Miss Piggy had a few words to say on the subject. Kermit and Piggy manage to make a huge laugh out of the whole thing. Which is unfortunate for FOX News in general and Eric Bolling in particular. Because now they look like the big evil bad guys trying to bring down The Muppets. Maniacal Laugh, Maniacal Laugh, Maniacal Laugh.


The Muppets blast into UK Cinema's on February 10th and on DVD & Blu-ray in the United States on March 20th.
-Admiral Duke

Disney Parks Releases First Photo-Realistic Image Of 'Carsland' At California Adventure

Disney's billion dollar refurbishment of the Disney California Adventure park at the Disneyland Resort will be completed this summer. Just a few short months away. The crown jewel of this refurb will be the majestic Cadillac peaks of Carsland. In fact, the land will totally up the parks thrill level with the all new Radiator Spring Racers, which for all intents and purposes will be the west coast version of EPCOT's Test Track at Walt Disney World. Now, there has been a lot of concept art released, but Disney has finally released an image that really communicates what the finished land will look like. Released on the Disney Parks Blog yesterday, this digitally manipulated image is likely to be used promotional materials and online marketing for California Adventures big summer reboot.

-Admiral Duke

Director Joss Whedon To Headline Live Twitter Event For 'The Avengers'

We have three questions for you. First, do you want a sneak peek at Disney & MARVEL's Super Bowl commercial for The Avengers? Yeah, us too. Second, do you want a chance to win some really cool Avengers prizes? yeah, we thought it was obvious too. However, the third question is tricky... Do you have a Twitter account?

Well, if you dont have one, then you will really want to get one! Why? Because, yesterday MARVEL Studio's announced a LIVE Global Twitter Chat to be held on Tuesday January 31st, that will be moderated by the films director Joss Whedon.

In addition to Whedon, two of the films stars Clark Gregg(Agent Coulson) and Tom Hiddleston(Loki) will be participating in the Q & A as well. If you already have a Twitter account, then all you have to do is go to Twitter.com and follow @Avengers and use the hashtag #Avengers to keep up on the event. Fans who join in the fun will have a chance to see a short preview of the 30 second Super Bowl ad for The Avengers. Fans will also have the chance to compete in their trivia challenge to win Avengers prize packs.

*The Avengers live Twitter chat begins at 2pm(ET) on Tuesday, January 31st 2012.

-Admiral Duke

Sony Unleashes Global Preview Event For 'The Amazing Spider-Man'

It's been quite a while since we saw the teaser trailer for Sony & MARVEL's The Amazing Spider-Man. And we've seen next to nothing since. However, the marketing push for the latest cinematic offering from MARVEL's most popular character is now getting underway.

Today Sony quietly launched this website that offers you a choice of 13 International cities that will host special preview screenings of the film on Monday February 6th. The cities on the list are Berlin, London, Los Angeles, Madrid, Mexico City, Moscow, New York City, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Seoul, Sydney and Tokyo. Unfortunately, It seems that most tickets are already taken.

Yet, this is still a noteworthy development because it reveals two very important points about Sony's marketing of the film. First, we get our first look at the films tagline, 'The Untold Story.' While it's a tantalizing statement, it doesn't really make a lot of sense. Hopefully it will once we have seen the film.

Second, with Sony previewing the film 5 months before it's July 3rd release, it seems like they really want to get the buzz started early. Of course, Sony wants to get a jump on all of the other summer block busters, but the truth is they may have an uphill climb ahead of them.

While Spider-Man 3 was certainly a lackluster installment in the trilogy of films by director Sam Raimi, many fans are still very partial to those films, and getting audiences to accept an all new incarnation of this classic character may be a hard sell.

-Admiral Duke

'Real D' To Give Away Darth Maul 3D Glasses For 'Star Wars: Episode I'

Plan on going to see Star Wars: Episode I in 3D on opening day? Well Lucasfilm and Real D are giving you a pretty good reason to line up early on February 10th. On opening day only, at all Real D theaters, these styling Darth Maul themed 3D glasses will be available(while supplies last) with the purchases of a ticket for Star Wars.

Sure, there are those jaded Star Wars fans who will never be tempted to see Episode I again, but there are two really good reasons to snatch up these cool & collectible glasses and see Episode I on the big screen again.

First of all, If Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace isn't viewed as commercially successful by Lucasfilm, it is highly likely... though not certain, that they could just scrap the idea of converting the rest of the Star Wars saga to 3D. Honestly, if you want to see the original trilogy in 3D then you are kind of being blackmailed to support the prequels. Having said that, I am likely to be a willing victim of this particular type of blackmail, because it's Star Wars.

Second, In 2012 it is going to come in really handy to own a pair of your own 3D glasses. Back in September Sony announced that they will stop paying Real D to supply 3D glasses to theaters in May of this year. What that means is that when you go to see Men In Black 3D or The Amazing Spider-Man, you will have to pay for your 3D glasses if your theater doesn't provide them for free.

The honest truth is, if Sony is successful with this and experience very little backlash from audiences, then you can probably expect other studio's to follow suit. Which means you will eventually have to buy your own 3D glasses. While American audiences are accustomed to the glasses being part of the ticket, most other international markets, like the UK, Italy, and Australia follow this kind of ownership model, and it seems to be on it's way to the U.S. of A.

Of course, besides all of that, these Darth Maul 3D glasses just look really cool. Definitely the kind thing you wouldn't mind sporting when you go to see Amazing Spider-Man, Dark Knight Rises, Or Finding Nemo in 3D. So, why not get these specs for free instead of 'the man' making you pay more later.

-Admiral Duke

Five All New Images From 'The Avengers'

Earlier this week, we told you that the cast for MARVEL's upcoming Avengers film would be gracing the cover of the U.K. entertainment magazine EMPIRE. Today MARVEL.com has released all five of the images from the film that appear in the magazines March issue. One thing that struck us right away was how heavy this set is on Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). There are three photo's that feature Fury and only one of them contains another character... which happens to be Captain America (Chris Evans). The other two images are familiar from the films trailer. In one image we see Bruce Banner(Mark Ruffalo) and Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) stare worriedly at... something. In our final image we see Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) share a quiet moment. The Avengers May 4th release date is quickly sneaking up on us. You can expect many more promotional images like this, and very shortly a new trailer.



-Admiral Duke

NFL Vinylmation Arrive At DisneyStore.com

Super Bowl XLVI, The NFL's biggest game of the year is just days away. On February 5th, the New England Patriots and the New York Giants square off once again, in a rematch of their now classic Super Bowl XLII contest. Just in time for big game, Disney has released a new series of collectible Vinylmation figures representing some of the National Football Leagues most popular teams. Coincidentally, two of the teams in the set are the two teams set to meet at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana for Super Bowl XLVI. The other NFL teams represented in the set are the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If you want to get your hands on the Vinylmation of your favorite team, they are available now at DisneyStore.com. But, you better get yours now, these will probably fly off the shelves.

-Admiral Duke

New Plot Synopsis For 'Amazing Spider-Man'

MARVEL, Sony, and Columbia Pictures want you to be very excited for The Amazing Spider-Man. The all new cinematic reboot of MARVEL's best known comic book character hit's theaters on July 3rd. However, there is a lot that we still do not know about this movie. For instance, how will this film differ from director Sam Raimi's Spider-Man Trilogy that largely set the bar for how good comic book films can be?

As if to answer that exact question, an all new synopsis for the film has been released and seems to indicate a very different direction in feeling and tone for this all new adventure of everybody's favorite web-slinger.

Columbia Pictures Official Plot Synopsis
For The Amazing Spider-Man

One of the world’s most popular characters is back on the big screen as a new chapter in the Spider-Man legacy is revealed in The Amazing Spider-Man. Focusing on an untold story that tells a different side of the Peter Parker story, the new film stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Campbell Scott, Irrfan Khan, with Martin Sheen and Sally Field. The film is directed by Marc Webb from a screenplay written by James Vanderbilt, based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad, and Matt Tolmach are producing the film in association with Marvel Entertainment for Columbia Pictures, which will open in theaters everywhere in 3D on July 3, 2012.

The Amazing Spider-Man is the story of Peter Parker (Garfield), an outcast high schooler who was abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben (Sheen) and Aunt May (Field). Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. Peter is also finding his way with his first high school crush, Gwen Stacy (Stone), and together, they struggle with love, commitment, and secrets. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents’ disappearance – leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors (Ifans), his father’s former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors’ alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero.

-Admiral Duke

eFX Announces New Line Of Prop Replicas From MARVEL's CInematic Universe

eFX has, for a long time, been the gold standard of screen accurate prop replica's. Star Wars fans have known for years that eFX is the best place for beautifully detailed and sculpted replica prop pieces. Now they are offering an all new series of authentic prop replica's from the MARVEL Cinematic Universe! No precise release date has been announced, but the eFX press release states that fans will get their first look at these new items at this years WonderCon. WonderCon takes place March 16,17,18 at the Anaheim Convention center. DisFanReview.com will be covering WonderCon, LIVE this year, and we will have your first look at these all new items in March. For more details, here is the full press release from MARVEL & eFX.

BURBANK, Calif.-- After making full-scale prop replicas and collectibles for some of the most iconic science-fiction, fantasy and action franchises of all time, eFX Inc. announced today that it will unveil an all-new line based on film and comics characters in the Marvel Universe.

eFX, which has acquired worldwide rights to create Marvel collectibles, plans to reveal its new line of Marvel collectibles in the first quarter of 2012, and to display the first collectible prop replicas from the upcoming Marvel film The Avengers at WonderCon in Anaheim, Calif., from March 16 to March 18.

Included in its initial line-up of limited-edition Marvel collectibles are expected to be Captain America shield, Thor’s hammer and a full-scale Iron Man Mark V mask. As fans worldwide anxiously await the May 4 theatrical release of The Avengers – which brings together some of the most famous Super Heroes ever created – eFX will continue introducing new Marvel-based collectibles based on these incredible characters.

In addition to prop replicas and high-end collectibles, eFX will also offer a series of items inspired by Marvel characters and properties, which, like the replicas, will be available on its website at www.efxcollectibles.com and at select retail locations. Prices are expected range from $49 to $1,500 and more.

“The Marvel universe is extraordinary, diverse and exciting – just like Marvel’s fans around the world – and we are really eager for them to see what we are creating with guidance and input from the Marvel team,” said Bryan Ono, president of eFX Inc. “Marvel’s comics and movies offer virtually endless possibilities for absolutely incredible prop replicas.”

Since its inception more than four years ago, eFX has created the highest quality, limited-edition collectibles based on many of the most recognized and iconic properties in the world. Many of its sold-out, limited-edition creations are prized and sought-after by fans.

Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and other characters from the Marvel universe join an incredible list of properties within the eFX portfolio, including the Star Wars Saga, Star Trek, the original Battlestar Galactica, and classic Disney movies.

More details about eFX’s current and upcoming collectible pieces can be found at the eFX Inc. website, www.efxcollectibles.com.

-Admiral Duke

All New TV Spot For 'JOHN CARTER' & More

The buzz around Disney's all new sci-fi epic John Carter is finally reaching fever pitch. Though the marketing campaign for the film has moved at an oddly sluggish pace, Disney is finally bombarding us with new TV ads, posters and promotional images of director Andrew Stanton's first live-action film. First of all, we have to point out the odd differences between the films International posters. The first all new international poster comes from Europe. This poster, unlike the domestic poster features a full color focus on the films protagonist, the Tharks and some of the more sci-fi elements of the film. This stands in stark contrast to the all new Japanese poster. Instead of focusing on some of the other worldly gladiatorial aspects of the film this poster seems to focus squarely on the films protagonist, placing all of the sci-fi elements of the film way in the background. However, superhunk Taylor Kitch is prominently featured, indicating what Disney Japan thinks the films biggest selling point is. In addition to the new posters, Disney has also released an all new television ad that has a strong focus on the films gladiatorial action sequences, and we get a chance to see Deja Thoris(Lynn Collins) brandishing a sword and laying the smack down!



In addition to the new video, Disney has also released two new images of the films antagonists. Matai Shang and Sab Than


Mark Strong(Kick-Ass, Sherlock Holmes) portrays Matai Shang, the Holy Hekkador (King) of the Therns. The Therns use their advanced technology, to represent themselves as the messengers of Issus, the Barsoomian Goddess.


Dominic West(Centurion, Punisher:War Zone) is Sab Than the Jeddak (King) of Zodanga. Impulsive, arrogant and aggressive, he promotes war and conquest as the Zodangan way of life. With his dangerously calculated charm, Sab Than will even try to make a deal with the devil to destroy Helium and rule all of Barsoom.

-Admiral Duke