Next week a whole slew of exciting geeky info will be unveiled at 2010 San Diego Comic Con but the LA Times is spilling a bit of news today about 2 much-anticipated superhero films. According to the paper (and which should come as no surprise whatsoever to anyone), the Marvel films Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger will be filmed and presented in 3D. Additionally, we get to check out a new promo photo from Thor which features the God of Thunder himself (played by Chris Hemsworth) with his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and the villainous trickster god Loki (Tom Hiddleston):

It’s official: The hammer of Thor and the shield of Captain America will fly straight at moviegoers in 3-D, which is really no surprise considering the current stereoscopic craze on the studios lots of Hollywood. What is unusual is the eagerness of each film’s director to take his case for 3-D directly to the fans at Comic-Con International.‬‪ On Saturday, July24 , Marvel Studios has the final studio presentation in the expo’s biggest room, Hall H, and “Thor” director Kenneth Branagh will use that climactic slot not just to introduce some of his cast — a cast that includes Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman and Anthony Hopkins, but its unlikely that all three will be in San Diego — but also to persuade skeptical fans that 3-D will add new dimensions to the 2011 blockbuster, and not just in the obvious way. “We came to feel that in our case 3-D could be the very good friend of story and character for a different kind of experience,” Branagh said, taking a break from post-production. The filmmaker said the terminology of the 3-D process initially made him cringe — at first, it was “math and physics and way over my head,” he said with a chuckle — but then he started to pulse with the unexpected artistic opportunities. “It’s another draft of the story that can reveal itself in a different way,” he said. “I had a healthy degree of skepticism up front … I’ve become somebody extremely excited about working with possibilities of doing it this way.”

And what, pray tell, does Marvel and film director Kenneth Branaugh have in store for the Thor storyline? Find out, after the jump …

Plans are moving ahead to bring the third Transformers film to the big screen and today we learn that Transformers 3 will be filmed and presented in 3D (shock!). Additionally, it has been confirmed that the Decepticon character Shockwave (Megatron‘s #2 in command) will be the big villain for the film … read on:

“Transformers 3″ is currently in production and Michael Bay as well as Lorenzo di Bonaventura have provided some new details about the project. Met by USA Today on the film’s set, the two confirmed that the upcoming movie will be made in 3-D and Shockwave is the new enemy of Autobots and Sam Witwicky. Producer di Bonaventura went on spilling detail of the film, saying “Shia [LaBeouf] has this great line: ‘You know, I’ve saved the world twice, but I can’t get a job’.” The filmmakers additionally revealed that the third “Transformers” movie will feature a space race between the U.S.S.R. and the USA, with Bay adding “One thing we’re getting rid of is what I call the dorky comedy.” While some of the characters were resurrected in the previous films, di Bonaventura claimed the upcoming movie will let those who die stay dead. Meanwhile, director Bay promised this follow-up to “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” will give a killer ending for the trilogy, stating “This one really builds to a final crescendo. It’s not three multiple endings. As a trilogy, it really ends. It could be rebooted again, but I think it has a really killer ending” … While Shia LaBeouf will still portray Sam Witwicky, Megan Fox decided to skip “Transformers 3″. Speaking about his co-star’s departure, the actor said, “I love Megan and I miss the girl. But Sam and Mikaela became one character, and here … you have discovery again from a new perspective.” Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has been tapped to be the new leading lady for this sci-fi movie, which is slated for July 1, 2011 release in the U.S. Patrick Dempsey has also been added to the cast ensemble of the film, while Josh Duhamel will reprise his role as Captain William Lennox.

To be honest, I’m kinda looking forward to seeing Transformers 3 in 3D … I know many of y’all are over the whole 3D phenomenon but I can’t get enough. If the film is filmed in 3D, it will look amazing … I’m excited. I’m also excited that Shockwave will be featured in the film. I owned and LOVED the Shockwave action figure from the 80′s:

The original Shockwave Transformers toy was a light-up laser gun … I loved it! I doubt that the new Shockwave will remain a laser gun because the movie versions of the characters have been changed considerably. All in all, this sounds like all good news to me. When you take into consideration that we won’t be forced to watch Megan Fox act in the third film and I’m SO sold. Any old skool Transformers fans out there … what do YOU think of this Transformers 3 news?

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Models Jesus Luz and Cintia Dicker are featured in the new ad campaign for Ellus Leather Denim … which has been shot and is presented in 3D. Photographer Jacques Dequeker presents a batch of really cool ad campaign photos which you can see in 3D — with the proper glasses:

Jesus Luz and Cintia Dicker go 3-D for their steamy outdoor shoot with photographer Jacques Dequeker. Starring in the latest campaign from Brazilian label Ellus, the racy duo heat up the season with fall’s leather denim range.

If any of y’all still have your red and blue 3D glasses from Grammy night, then you can see these photos in 3D!! After the jump, check out a few more photos from this inventive new Ellus Denim ad campaign — but be warned, one of the photos is NSFW …

In January we learned that the big screen adaptation of the classic DC comics series Green Lantern, which stars Ryan Reynolds in the lead role, will begin filming this month. Today we learn that the film will be jumping on board the hugely popular 3D bandwagon and will be filmed in 3D:

What kinds of green constructs test pilot Hal Jordan dreams up to fight the darkest evil of the galaxy in Warner Brothers and DC Entertainment’s “Green Lantern” may remain in doubt, but one thing is for sure for the 2011 superhero film: it will hit screens in 3 Dimensions. A Warner Brothers representative has confirmed for CBR that Martin Campbell’s “Green Lantern” will bow in 3D in 2011. Starring Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively and Mark Strong, the action film based on the classic (and currently chart-topping) “Green Lantern” series begins filming shortly in New Orleans. As CBR reporter earlier today, it appears as though test shooting will soon be underway for the film, though more details about cast, plot and how the movie will tie in with a proposed “Justice League” picture remain unconfirmed.

Woot!! As a big fan of 3D films, I am ALL for this news! Green Lantern, and his magic ring, is sure to bring the FX fun to the big screen … how awesome will it be to see his superpowers extend out of the screen and into the audience?! Oh yes, I am really excited now. I can see it now … the big battle scene between Green Lantern and Sinestro — ring vs. ring — exploding before our eyes in digital 3D. If they do it right, and I’m certain they will, Green Lantern in 3D will be really very cool. I’m also really excited about this proposed Justice League movie … it makes sense that it would be worked on concurrently with other DC superhero films like Green Lantern. All of this is very good news to me. Ugh … how will I be able to stand the wait? The film hasn’t even begun principal filming yet.

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Ever since news broke last October that Quentin Tarantino is planning the make the third installment of the Kill Bill series of movies, there has been MUCH interest in any new information about the planned production. In December, Tarantino revealed that the next film will not be titled Kill Bill … and today we learn that the new film, whatever it will be called, may be made in 3D:

Quentin Tarantino is set to make his movies even more graphic – he wants to make the next “Kill Bill” sequel in 3-D. James Cameron’s Oscar-nominated 3-D epic “Avatar” has inspired a number of other filmmakers to adopt the popular technique. George Lucas is planning to revive his “Star Wars” films in 3-D, while studio bosses at Warner Bros. have confirmed the technology will be implemented for the final installments of the “Harry Potter” franchise. Tarantino has been a fan of 3-D movies for several years and wishes he had acquired the technology prior to the release of “Kill Bill” in 2003, because he would have happily included the popular effects. Tarantino is set to make a third film in the franchise and he’s hinted he may use the technology for “Kill Bill 3″, which is due for release in 2014. He tells WENN, “I was thinking of 3-D after I saw ‘House of Wax’, I’ve always liked 3-D. I was thinking 3-D after I saw “Friday the 13th”. I’ve always liked 3-D. So if I had the right stories, for instance if I could do ‘Kill Bill’ allover again I’d be tempted to do it in 3-D.”

Wee!! Altho I feel this 3D fad may be getting out of hand just a touch, I’m really all for it. I remember back in the 80′s when “all” the movies had to be in 3D (Amityville 3D, Jaws 3D, etc.) and I loved them all … even if the movie sucked, seeing it in 3D was a treat. During this period in the 80′s, many movies broadcast on TV were in 3D as well. I am very much looking forward to seeing Alice In Wonderland in 3D next month and I would LOVE to see the next Killed Bill film in 3D when it gets released in theaters. I am ALL for this idea … are you?

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The late Michael Jackson, who we are well aware tragically passed away last June, was honored during the 2010 Grammy Awards last night with a fitting tribute performed by Céline Dion, Smokey Robinson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Usher. The singers dueted with MJ on his ballad Earth Song, a performance that was broadcast on television in 3D. Not only did the attendees of the Grammy Awards (like Rihanna) outfit themselves with 3D glasses (courtesy of Target, who gave out the 3D glasses for FREE for the event last night) but so, too, did viewers at home … like me:

The Grammys rode the 3-D wave Sunday with a special-effects-laden tribute to the late Michael Jackson in an awards show that featured many big spectacle moments. Jackson’s children, Prince Michael, 12, and Paris, 11 appeared after the tribute to accept a lifetime achievement award for the pop star, who died in June of a prescription drug overdose. Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson and Usher performed in the tribute, mingling their voices with the voice of the late King of Pop against the backdrop of a 3-D film featuring Jackson’s 1995 eco-friendly “Earth Song.” Free 3-D “Grammy” glasses were distributed at Target stores nationwide so viewers could watch the show in 3-D from their living rooms. Part of the Jackson film shown during the Grammys aired in the recent documentary “This Is It” which was shot during rehearsals for Jackson’s comeback tour and showed the pop star looking fit just days before his death in June 2009. Jackson had intended the environmentally themed song and film to be part of that tour, which was supposed to have begun in July 2009. He was considered one of the most commercially successful entertainers of all time whose music and videos transformed the art and broke down racial barriers. The clip features a lush forest through the eyes of a young girl.

I hope you hung on to your 3D glasses because uploaded video clips of the Earth Song performance will (kinda) appear in 3D if you watch them on your computer :) In addition to the technologically fitting tribute performance last night, MJ‘s children Prince Michael Joseph and Paris Michael Katherine appeared on stage to accept the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award which was awarded to MJ posthumously during the show:

After the jump, check out video of MJ‘s kids accepting his award on stage, check out a backstage photo of Prince and Paris posing with their little brother Blanket AND bust out those 3D glasses, yo, you can watch Earth Song in 3D right here on the blog …

Yesterday we got wind of the latest rumor that suggests that George Lucas may be seriously considering redoing all of the Star Wars films, Episodes I – VI, in 3D and today we learn more possible 3D movies. It is being reported that a new sequel film to the 80′s hit movie Gremlins will be made and released in, you guessed it, 3D:

Could a third Gremlins movie finally be in the works? Website Market Saw is reporting that not only is a third film in development, but it’s being planned in 3-D. I’m not exactly sure how you even come to this conclusion when a script isn’t even being worked on, or maybe it’s just safe to assume any movie in development could arrive in 3-D? Hopefully something official will be announced soon; I pray this isn’t a Warner Bros. Premiere title (their straight-to-disc distribution label). Joe Dante had recently talked Gremlins 3 with BD back in April where he confirmed he would not direct assuming it ever happened.

HMMM … with so little information, especially from Warner Bros., I’d hold off on celebrating just yet. But considering that the notion of 3D is so popular right now that you might think it’s 1985, I would not be at all surprised if this Gremlins 3D movie is actually a go.

As you may recall, I recently got to see the original Gremlins on the big screen for the first time in about 20-some years. The movie still holds up, I’d love to see a new film (with puppets, NOT CGI) be created … in 3D!!

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Could the famed, insanely popular and beloved movie franchise Star Wars be getting a 3D redux that would put all 6 movies back in movie theaters is mind-blowing 3D?! According to a new report, George Lucas has been suggesting that due to the advancements made in 3D technology (as featured in the blockbuster hit film Avatar) the entire Star Wars franchise could be converted to 3D and shown in movie theaters again. I, for one, would LOVE to see Episodes I – VI in 3D on the big screen but I am not holding my breath just yet until we hear something more substantial from Lucas himself. Still, the prospect is very titillating … here is the report:

It is one of the most popular film franchises of all time. And now the original Star Wars films could be given a modern make-over and converted into 3D. Director George Lucas has hinted that the new advances in technology mean it is now a possibility to see all six films re-made. He said that he had initially thought of the idea after finishing the last Star Wars film, The Revenge of the Sith, in 2005. But he was convinced about the idea after watching blockbuster Avatar, which picked up two Golden Globes last week. Lucas said: ‘We’ve been looking for years to do this but the technology hasn’t been there. I think this will be a new impetus to make that happen.’ Avatar – which cost more than £300m to make – has shattered box-office records and is on the verge of taking £1billion at the box office since its release at Christmas. Lucas added: ‘I liked it. I make movies like that, so I can appreciate what James Cameron went through to do it. It worked well in 3D and I’m happy it’s so successful.’ Lucas, 65, is currently shooting his latest film, Red Tails but is planning to begin work on converting the Star Wars films when he finishes later this year. Since its release in 1977, the franchise has become a cult phenomenon, having grossed more than £2billion. It is the third most popular film franchise of all time, behind James Bond and Harry Potter. This isn’t the first time Lucas has re-worked the original trilogy. The first three films alone went on to generate £1billion after they were re-released in 1997. He spent more than £5 million on updating the films he shot in the 1970s and 80s and inserting scenes and characters with CGI technology.

If this report really is to be believed then I’m totally on board with Lucas‘s “plans” to redux the entire Star Wars franchise in 3D. For me, it would be another way to watch the films I love so much with the added bonus of enjoying them in 3D. I honestly don’t feel that “messing” with the films in this way ruins anything. Folks would still be able to watch the films in regular 2D and those of us interested in the 3D could enjoy the films in another way. But, as I said above, I’m not getting all excited just yet. This rumor could turn out to be nothing more than, well, a rumor. If we hear from George Lucas himself that this is his plan, I will happily jump on board! This sounds like a fun idea, I’m sold.

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We are just a few months away from the release of Tim Burton‘s Alice In Wonderland but the promo materials just keep on comin’, ensuring that our excitement level is kept up. The official Facebook profile for the film has been updated with a new promo photo of Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter:

FACEBOOK EXCLUSIVE: The Mad Hatter, Alice, and the Queens – both Red and White – want to wish all of the ALICE IN WONDERLAND fans a Happy New Year! Please enjoy the first official photo of The Mad Hatter from the film. Be sure to visit more often – you never know what surprises will come your way.

As far as the “first official photo of The Mad Hatter” goes, they could’ve given us a better pic but I’m not really complaining, I’m happy to take what they give us. It’s funny, when we first heard about the film back in July with the release of the first teaser trailer (well, actually we first officially heard about the film back in June … many months after we got our very FIRST inkling of this Burton-directed Wonderland movie in November of 2008 when that first photo of The Mad Hatter leaked to the Internets) it seemed like March 2010 was so far away … now we’re almost there. I’m seriously dying of anticipation … IMAX 3D is the way to go. I hope the promo pics keep comin’ … even tho we’re just a few months away from the film’s release, I still want to see more.

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Last night, Sarah and I enjoyed a lovely dinner just the two of us so that we could spend some time talking before I fly back to LA today. My whirlwind trip is practically over so I’m glad I had the chance to hang out with Sarah one on one before I leave. We grabbed a bite to eat at Bahama Breeze and then went to see Avatar in IMAX 3D:

I’m sure you’ve heard many good things about Avatar so I’m really just joining the chorus here. The movie is really spectacular. In IMAX 3D, you are totally sucked into the world that James Cameron has created. Truth be told, I was more impressed with the 3D of Beowulf but this film really made the movie seem … real. The FX were flawless … FLAWLESS and the story, altho told many times before, is a very compelling one. It did take me about an hour to “get into” the film. The Na’vi people looked too much like Zoobilee Zoo to me while the animal life on Pandora looked like evolved Pokémon monsters. But you really do warm up to the FX and then BAM! get sucked in. By the end of the film, I was literally cheering out loud. The final battle scene reminded me a lot of the battle scene in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (ie. Ewoks vs. Empire) which is prolly why I loved it so much. I am NOT a fan of Titanic, not by any stretch of the imagination but I’m a big fan of Avatar. James Cameron is a great storyteller, yes, but it’s the marriage of special effects and storytelling that really make this movie great. If you have the chance, see this movie in IMAX 3D — you won’t be sorry!

After the jump, check out a few fun pics that Sarah and I snapped at the movie theater last night …