The Walt Disney Company Celebrates 85 Years of Groundbreaking Marvel Storytelling with New Brand Spot

 

BURBANK, Calif., August 29, 2024 – In celebration of 85 years of Marvel, The Walt Disney Company released a new spot that takes a look back at Marvel storytelling through the years as well as gives a sneak peek at what’s to come with new clips from upcoming projects that are debuting as part of this spot.

 

Earlier this month during the historic D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by Visa®, Marvel debuted the heartwarming brand spot celebrating Marvel’s 85^th anniversary and the incredible storytelling legacy they have created both on screen and in comics. From the Avengers and X-Men to the Fantastic Four and Spider-Man, Marvel characters have resonated with fans of all ages around the world. Marvel moments from the comics, movies, games, and beyond have captured the hearts of generations – moments that continue to inspire, connect, excite, and ignite a sense of awe. 

 

From “I am Iron Man” to “Avengers assemble,” these moments are woven throughout popular culture and have created a phenomenon unlike any other. The brand spot includes archival footage of the iconic Stan Lee, as well as Kevin Feige, Producer and President of Marvel Studios, and some of the incredible talent who have brought favorite heroes to life, such as Disney Legend Angela Bassett and fan-favorite Tom Hiddleston. Interwoven with notable scenes from various films across the Marvel Cinematic Universe – including first looks from the highly anticipated upcoming films and series such as Red Hulk in Captain America: Brave New World, Daredevil: Born Again, Ironheart, and Thunderbolts* – this brand spot showcases not only the remarkable legacy of the company, but the excitement for all of the groundbreaking storytelling to come.

4K Digital Review of Kingdom of The Planet of The Apes

 

Kingdom of The Planet of The Apes is the fourth movie in the reboot series of Planet of The Apes. This movie takes place hundreds of years after the events of the first three movies. Caesar, who led the apes to freedom, is remembered as the savior of the apes and humans are now struggling to survive. The film opens with a recap of the last three films and sets up the story for this one. We meet a new set of apes with a young ape named Noa (Owen Teague), being the focus. We learn that the apes have separated into different clans and Noa discovers that not all clans are as peaceful as his. One such clan is ruled by Proximus Caesar (Keven Durand), who proceeds to destroy the village that Noa lives in. Noa escapes and is joined by the wise elder Raka (Peter Mason). They travel to attempt to avenge the village and Noa's family when they come across a human they name Nova. They are shocked when they find out Nova speaks and they all find out they are after Proximus. 

Video:

As to be expected, the digital 4K image is stunning. The green and browns of the forests are rich, glossy, and shiny. In fact, all of the landscapes here are gorgeous. The blacks are deep and inky. The amazing digital work o the apes here are some of the best work ever done and shines in 4K. 

Audio:

The Atmos track is is superb as it takes full advantage of all the speakers you have. The audio mix envelops you into the world. Wait until you hear the roar of Proximus Caesar and his followers in the arena. Then, wait until you hear the bass as the large bunker doors open. The sounds of the hooves of the horses as Noa and Nova try to get away from Proximus' soldiers will test your rear channel speakers. Dialogue is crystal clear from the front channels and the score encompasses you. Another solid audio mix from Disney, 

Bonus Features:

Documentary

●      Inside the Forbidden Zone: Making Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Join director Wes Ball, cast and crew as they expand the Planet of the Apes legacy for a new generation. Travel to the outdoor production in Australia, train at Ape School, and discover the practical and motion capture techniques in building a breathtaking Kingdom.

 

14 Deleted/Extended Scenes with optional audio commentary by director Wes Ball

Conclusion:

Kingdom of The Planet of The Apes is a solid entry in the franchise. I cannot wait to see where they are going from here. Stunning video and audio round off this movie. I wish there were more bonus features and an audio commentary. A solid addition to your library.

Kingdom of The Planet of The Apes is now available on digital and home video.

*The movie was provided by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the purpose of review. The review is entirely my own opinion.*

MARVEL STUDIOS’ HALL H COMIC-CON PANEL FEATURES EXCLUSIVE FOOTAGE, SURPRISE APPEARANCES, AND MAJOR NEWS

 

Hall H was buzzing this evening for Marvel Studios’ Hall H showcase, bringing excited fans at San Diego Comic-Con a first look at what’s next for the Marvel Cinematic Universe—including huge news about Marvel Studios’ next two Avengers films.

 

“Deadpool & Wolverine”

The Hall H showcase kicked off with a celebration of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” in theaters now. A full choral performance of “Like a Prayer” welcomed the excited crowd with dancing Deadpool variants, which ended when Marvel Studios producer and president Kevin Feige looked for Peterpool amongst the variants, calling Rob Delaney, who stars in the film as Peter, to the stage. Delaney joined Feige as the showcase’s MC, mentioning the surprise “Deadpool & Wolverine” screening for con-goers Thursday, and the massive drone and fireworks show over San Diego’s Petco Park that followed. “Deadpool & Wolverine” has already broken box office records for an R-rated theatrical release, and the film’s opening officially pushed the MCU over the $30 billion box-office mark with 34 movies.  Starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, and directed by Shawn Levy, “Deadpool & Wolverine” is now playing in theaters.

“Captain America: Brave New World”

With Sam Wilson about to make his big screen debut as Captain America in “Captain America: Brave New World,” Delaney welcomed to the stage Cap himself, Anthony Mackie. Joining them were Tim Blake Nelson, Danny Ramirez and Giancarlo Esposito, who confirmed he is playing Sidewinder. Together, they revealed exclusive footage, and much to the crowd’s excitement, invited Harrison Ford to take the stage. Ford makes his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut as President Thaddeus Ross. The story follows Sam Wilson, who after meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, finds himself in the middle of an international incident. Sam must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red. Marvel Studios’ “Captain America: Brave New World” opens in U.S. theaters February 14, 2025.

“Thunderbolts*”

Highlighting Marvel Studios’ “Thunderbolts*,” Delaney welcomed director Jake Schreier to the stage alongside stars Geraldine Viswanathan, Lewis Pullman, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan and David Harbour. The latter showed up in full Red Guardian garb, earning laughs and applause from the crowd, which was treated to a scene from the movie. Marvel Studios, and a crew of indie veterans, who definitely sold out, present “Thunderbolts*,” an irreverent team-up featuring depressed assassin Yelena Belova alongside the MCU’s least anticipated band of misfits. Marvel Studios’ “Thunderbolts*” also stars Olga Kurylenko and opens in theaters on May 2, 2025. 

“The Fantastic Four: First Steps”

Feige returned to the stage to share details of the upcoming “The Fantastic Four,” which kicks off production Tuesday. Joining Feige on stage was director Matt Shakman and Marvel’s first family together on stage for the first time, Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm/The Human Torch) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm/Thing). They all shared some cosmic details about the upcoming feature film that sees Galactus and Silver Surfer target Earth for destruction—and revealed the movie’s full title: “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” But then Hall H was overtaken by none other than the Fantasticar soaring over the crowd, drawing massive cheers as the screens were taken over by a retro-futurist vision of New York City. Featuring music by Oscar®-winning composer Michael Giacchino, Marvel Studios’ “Fantastic Four: First Steps” hits theaters on July 25, 2025.

“Avengers”

Just when the audience thought the show was over, Feige told them he had an Avengers update to share: Anthony and Joe Russo, renowned directors of four of the most successful Marvel movies and the studio’s highest-grossing directors with over $6 billion in global earnings, are set to return to Marvel Studios to helm “Avengers: Secret Wars” in May 2027 and “Avengers: Doomsday” in May 2026.

 

The reveal of “Avengers: Doomsday” left one major question: who would play Doctor Doom? 

 

The directors pointed out that Doctor Doom is one of the most complex characters in the Marvel Universe, and needed a truly great actor to bring him to life. As Feige and the Russos prepared to close out the presentation, robed figures dressed in Doctor Doom masks took the stage and then parted to reveal Robert Downey Jr. who is set to return to the MCU. Hall H erupted, chanting “RDJ!”

 

The Russo’s company AGBO is set to produce both films alongside Marvel Studios. Stephen McFeely, known for his work on the "Captain America" trilogy and "Avengers: Endgame," will handle the script.

 

"Being able to create stories and explore characters within the Marvel Universe fulfilled a life-long dream of ours, and we discovered a powerful connection with audiences in each film that we made. We’re thrilled to collaborate once again with Kevin, Lou and the entire Marvel team to bring this epic adventure in storytelling to new and surprising places for both the fans and ourselves”, said The Russo Brothers. 

 

Following the groundbreaking conclusion of "Avengers: Endgame," the Russo Brothers founded AGBO in 2017, aiming to innovate storytelling across film, TV, gaming, and interactive media. As an independent studio led by a collective of seasoned artists, AGBO has achieved unprecedented success, setting new benchmarks with 11 number-one global openings and over $7 billion in box office revenue.

AGBO’s production "Everything Everywhere All at Once" earned seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, while the "Citadel" franchise became Prime Video's second-most-watched show in history. Their Netflix ventures, including "The Gray Man," directed by the Russos and starring Chris Hemsworth, rank among the platform's most-watched content, with "Extraction" emerging as their most successful franchise to date.

 

Currently, AGBO is in post-production on Netflix's "The Electric State," directed by the Russos and featuring Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt, based on the acclaimed graphic novel.

MARVEL STUDIOS’ THE ULTIMATE DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE CELEBRATION OF LIFE SURPRISES FANS AT SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON

 

San Diego Comic-Con’s Hall H, Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine” Celebration of Life was full of surprises for fans. First, fans met Kevin Feige, Shawn Levy, Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman and Emma Corrin with thunderous applause and then were rocked off their feet by a surprise screening of “Deadpool & Wolverine” in its entirety. After the film, special guest stars Dafne Keen, Chris Evans, Jennifer Garner, Channing Tatum and Wesley Snipes walked on stage and were greeted by a roar from the surprised crowd. 

 

The evening ended with Marvel Studios’ 11-minute-long drone show, featuring 2396 drones that formed the image of Deadpool and then Wolverine. With the Wolverine display, the record for the Guinness World Record for the largest aerial display of a fictional character formed by multirotors/drones was broken. The drone show was accompanied by a specially designed soundtrack showcasing music from “Deadpool & Wolverine.”  

 

Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine” delivers the ultimate, iconic, cinematic team-up throwdown in theaters nationwide tomorrow, July 26. 

 

Shawn Levy directs “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which stars Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Karan Soni, and Matthew Macfadyen.      

 

Kevin Feige, Ryan Reynolds, Shawn Levy and Lauren Shuler Donner produce with Louis D’Esposito, Wendy Jacobson, George Dewey, Mary McLaglen, Josh McLaglen, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick and Simon Kinberg serving as executive producers.  “Deadpool & Wolverine” is written by Ryan Reynolds & Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick & Zeb Wells & Shawn Levy.