COMIC-CON ROUNDUP: SUPERMAN/ BATMAN IN 2015; THE AVENGERS 2: AGE OF ULTRON and more...

A lot happened at Comic-Con this weekend, and comic-book fans looking for their favourite superheroes to make the leap to the big screen were no doubt ecstatic with the news coming out from Marvel and its chief rival DC Comics. 

Let's start with Marvel. First up is the announcement that its Avengers 2 movie, due for release on May 1, 2015, will be titled AGE OF ULTRON. That of course also reveals who the baddie is too. Those familiar with the Marvel universe will know that  the title and the baddie Ultron are the subject of a 10-issue limited series comic book crossover storyline published by Marvel Comics that involves the return of Ultron and his conquest of the earth. Along with that also comes the confirmation that Vin Diesel will indeed be a part of the Marvel universe soon, though it is mere speculation now that he will be the Vision. 

In other Marvel news, “GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY” has started shooting at the UK’s Shepperton Studios. Directed by James Gunn (“Slither,”“Super”) from his screenplay, with a story by Nicole Perlman and Gunn, the film will introduce audiences to a whole new side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The all-star cast includes Chris Pratt (“Zero Dark Thirty”, “Moneyball”) as Peter Quill aka Star-Lord, Zoe Saldana (“Star Trek Into Darkness”, “Avatar”) as Gamora, Dave Bautista (“Riddick”) as Drax the Destroyer, Lee Pace (“The Hobbit,” “Lincoln”) as Ronan the Accuser, Michael Rooker (AMC’s “The Walking Dead”) as Yondu, Karen Gillan (BBC TV’s “Doctor Who”) as Nebula, two-time Academy Award® nominee Djimon Hounsou (“Amistad”, “Gladiator”) as Korath, with Academy Award® winner Benicio del Toro (“Traffic”) as The Collector, Academy Award® nominee John C. Reilly (“Chicago”) as Rhomann Dey, and six-time Academy Award® nominee Glenn Close (“Albert Nobbs,” “Fatal Attraction”) as Nova Prime. The movie has been slated for release on 31 July 2014.

Stepping up its game is DC Comics, who has announced that the next Superman movie will also feature Batman. That will be the first time the two comic book characters are teaming up for a live-action feature, and has certainly made headlines around the world. No word yet on how the fates of these two characters will be intertwined, but returning director Zack Synder has indicated that his inspiration will likely be Frank Miller’s 1986 The Dark Knight Returns and Miller’s follow-up Batman: Year One graphic novel series.

In that series, an older Batman tricks Superman with Kryptonite and beats up the Man of Steel — then the scene ends with Batman faking his own death, a fact Superman becomes aware of at the funeral and keeps the secret: ”In all the years to come, in all the most private moments, I want you to remember my hand at your throat. I want you to remember the one man who beat you.”

Henry Cavill is set to return as Superman, but no word yet on who will play Batman - since Christian Bale has openly said that his time as Batman has passed with the conclusion of The Dark Knight trilogy. Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane will also reprise their respective roles, with Synder developing the story with David S. Goyer and the latter set to pen the screenplay. 

While Marvel and DC teased fans with plans, other studios took to showing material that they have coming out soon. And here below are three new trailers released - the first for THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE, a restricted red-band one for RIDDICK, and an extended look at KICK-ASS 2. Enjoy!