"IRON MAN 3" AT COMIC-CON 2012

Robert Downey Jr. & Don Cheadle at Comic-Con 2012

With the rush of Comic-Con having wound-down, now come these awesome Photos courtesy of Disney, taken over the weekend of Don Cheadle and Robert Downey Jr. having loads of fun. The elaborate Festivities for Iron Man 3 not only included an appearance by the two Stars, but a Press Conference, a Press Line, a Costume Contest, plus an Autograph Signing by both Cheadle and Writer/Director Shane Black.  Fans got up-close and personal with Downey for a while at the Marvel Booth also. And how about this little mini Iron Men and Women?  Adorable.

Opening on May 3, 2013, Iron Man 3 pits the Superhero against his toughest Opponent yet, The Mandarin (Sir Ben Kingsley). Paul Bettany, Rebecca Hall, Cobie Smulders, Guy Pearce and Gwyneth Paltrow star also.

 (Photo credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Walt Disney Motion Pictures)

"THE AVENGERS" - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from The Avengers

Marvel's The Avengers carries the weight of the World - both literally and figuratively - but does it meet the demands of Moviegoers and Comic Fans alike? You bet. Director/Writer Joss Whedon (Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) knows exactly what Fans of the Genre want and delivers item-by-item like a Grocery Checklist.  It's funny, it's intense, it's thrilling and every bit a masterfully-interwoven Spectacle.

The $220-million Blockbuster via Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) brings together Superheroes Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Captain America (Chris Evans) and The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo).  These Superheroes are united by one great Cause to save the Earth from Thor's Brother, the ruthless Supervillain Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and his catastrophic Army, in his quest for endless Power and Domination.

The problem with Films boasting All-Star Casts is that Story Lines and Character Development often are skimpy, but impressively Whedon manages to tell each Superhero's Story clearly and concisely, with our attentions focused always on the Mission at-hand.  Anyone walking into Marvel's The Avengers without a clue would be able to enjoy the Film sans confusion amidst all the Sci-Fi jargon.  The beauty is that you don't need to see it in 3-D necessarily to enjoy it - it stands on its own in 2-D glory.  My only concern though is that v. integral The Hulk's Story Line is given the least detail here and perhaps more could have been done to build-up the excitement for his awaited massive transformation.

INTERVIEW: MARK RUFFALO & COBIE SMULDERS ON "THE AVENGERS"

Mark Ruffalo & Cobie Smulders in Toronto - April 2012

Toronto was lucky enough to host the Canadian Premiere for Marvel's The Avengers and after doing a busy day of Press, Stars Mark Ruffalo (The Hulk/Bruce Banner) and Cobie Smulders (Agent Maria Hill) graced a Fan and Media-lined Red Carpet at Scotiabank Theatre.

Despite running a bit behind, Oscar-nominated Ruffalo navigated the Carpet with great prowess, balancing his time between Outlets and Fans, spending a gracious amount of time signing Autographs and posing for Photos. Dressed a perfectly-tailored Suit and looking in fine form, the Actor is embracing his increasingly-distinguished looks, sporting a few new gray hairs since I last met him in 2008 at TIFF.  

For the first-time ever on-screen, Marvel's The Avengers brings together Superheroes The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), The Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Captain America (Chris Evans) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth), joining them as one force in a fight to save Earth from the ruthless Loki (Tom Hiddleston). Although at this time I am unable to post a Review of the Film, I can say that Joss Whedon masterfully interweaves several complex Superheroes' stories here in an explosive Spectacle.

With the likes of Lou Ferrigno, Eric Bana and Edward Norton having once filled the role of iconic (and destructive) Superhero The Hulk, I asked Ruffalo what unique traits he will be bringing to the table in Marvel's The Avengers. "I'm not sure", he tells me humbly.  "The one advantage I have is that I am the first Actor to play both Bruce Banner and The Hulk, so I hope that brings him alive in ways which CGI alone couldn't.". 

MARK RUFFALO & COBIE SMULDERS IN TORONTO FOR "THE AVENGERS" | SIGNED PHOTO SET GIVEAWAY

Mark Ruffalo & Cobie Smulders in Toronto - April 2012

Hot on the heels of it grossing a whopping $185.1 million overseas this weekend, Marvel's The Avengers Stars Mark Ruffalo (The Hulk/Bruce Banner) and Cobie Smulders (Agent Maria Hill) are bringing the action north of the Border for the Canadian Premiere of the Action-Blockbuster. If you think that's impressive, consider that it has only thus far opened in 70% of Overseas markets and furthermore, has yet to even open in North America!

Ruffalo and Smulders joined forces for an appearance on CityTV's Breakfast Television. Ruffalo who made his first appearance in Toronto since TIFF 2008, revealed that in addition to slimming down on a strict Regimen for his dual role, he also faced some great challenges. "I enjoy working with Actors" he says, explaining that it was a great challenge filming fight scenes before a Green Screen on his own.

Vancouver Native Smulders made a welcome return her Homeland, ensuring to grab a Tim Hortons Coffee first thing today. The Actress who has gained much popularity for her work on CBS Series How I Met Your Mother as Robin Scherbatsky, praises Ruffalo for giving The Hulk a comedic spin, yet remaining v. human. She also expressed excitement at being able to do her own stunts in some of her more physical scenes in the Joss Whedon Film

The Avengers sees a Team of Superheroes - including Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), The Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) - assembled to fight the evil Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and his Army from destroying the Earth. 

Marvel's The Avengers hits theatres in North America Friday, May 4, 2012.

To enter to win a Signed Photo Set from Ruffalo and Smulders, click "like" on this Post at Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook. You must also be following on Twitter also. Your deadline is June 4, 2012.  Good luck!

More to come...

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

MARK RUFFALO & COBIE SMULDERS TO APPEAR AT CANADIAN PREMIERE OF "THE AVENGERS"

Mark Ruffalo at TIFF 2007

In case you missed it, you can catch all the excitement from the World Premiere of The Avengers last week in Los Angeles' El Capitan Theatre! Gracing the Red Carpet were the likes of: Robert Downey Jr (Tony Stark/Iron Man), Chris Evans (Steve Rogers/Captain America), Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner/Hulk), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Scarlett Johansson (Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Cobie Smulders (Maria Hill), Tom Hiddleston (Loki) and Joss Whedon (Director).  

And if this weren't exciting enough, Toronto will be hosting the Canadian Premiere of The Avengers on Monday, April 30, 2012 at Scotiabank Theatre with none other than Hulk himself, Mark Ruffalo and Canadian Actress Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother) scheduled to make an appearance!  This will be gracious Ruffalo's first visit to the City since TIFF 2008 when he was promoting The Brothers Bloom and Blindness.  This is just what the City needs and we'll be there!

Enjoy The Avengers World Premiere Red Carpet Arrivals below:

The Avengers opens in theatres May 4, 2012.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W. | Video credit: Marvel)