punisher 2 Tagged Articles at Cinematical

Two new posters from Punisher: War Zone have surfaced, photographed by Getty at a party thrown for Ray Stevenson. As they are watermarked, you'll have to click on the snipped version to your right to see them. But hey, you also get to see the photos of the party and feel as though you were there.

I like these so much more than last month's teaser poster. I get the love for the Punisher's skull emblem, but he is the kind of character that you just need to put in people's faces. Unless you are Superman or Batman, the emblem is nothing unless it is displayed proudly on your muscular, heroic chest.

Over on her official website, director Lexi Alexander has revealed three new additions to the Punisher: War Zone cast. While she still hasn't let slip who'll be playing Jigsaw (I have a feeling this will be a pretty solid name, though it won't be Paddy Considine), she does tell us who'll be filling in for some other characters, aside from the casting of Ray Stevenson as The Punisher (something we already knew). Alexander kicks off the announcement by saying: "There are not a lot of directors in the process of making a studio action film who can say that they don't have at least one bad actor somebody made them cast. I can say that. Still. (Knocking on every piece of wood as I speak). I have the best cast on the planet. The movie Gods were watching over me. I know, I know, give it up already. Well, here is who I'm allowed to reveal:"

And who does she reveal -- drum roll please -- Dash Mikok as Detective Martin Soap, Colin Salmon as Agent Paul Budiansky and Doug Hutchinson as Loony Bin Jim. Alexander concludes the announcement by teasing us once again: "As I look at their headshots on the wall in my office, my heart does little summersaults. And... I have the perfect, most talented Jigsaw!!!!!!! Stay tuned. (Don't you hate that)." Yes, we do hate that -- tell us who it is already! Over on her site, Alexander also provides pictures of the three men alongside comic illustrations of the characters -- and might I add, they look pretty similar. But ain't that the point? As Christopher already told us, this Punisher film has nothing at all to do with the other flicks starring Thomas Jane and Dolph Lundgren (thank God) -- think of it as sort of a re-do, another take, a "this is our last try before the Punisher goes bye bye for good." No release date planned as of now, but the flick is on the pre-strike list, so it will most likely be heading to theaters next year.

Although he is technically departing Marvel to create his own production company, Avi Arad is still up to his elbows in Marvel film work. In a recent interview, Arad addressed both the long-delayed Ghost Rider flick and the (eventually) upcoming Punisher sequel. Here's the news:

Regarding Ghost Rider, Arad admits that earlier reports of special effects work being very involved are only part of the issue behind the delay of the film. He says the insanity of summer movie releases make it difficult to work in a title; most of the weekends are already filled up with at least one major flick. So in interest of creating both a better looking and more financially successful flick, they pushed back the release date. I'm perfectly okay with this decision if it truly results in a better film. We geeks very much need for Marvel films to be financially rewarding if we hope to see more of them in the future.

Punisher 2 is on the move, although admittedly slower than desired. Arad says: "We are working on it, and I think we are close to a take that makes sense." This still doesn't deal with the issue production and funding, but at least it is a step in the right direction. DVD sales included the film certainly made enough to warrant a sequel in today's Hollywood.

Unfortunate news on the Punisher sequel front, True Believers. Tom Jane recently gave another Q and A session over at his message boards, and in the very first question Tom back-tracked on his earlier suggestion about the movie filming this summer. According to Tom, P2 is "still looking for a good script," which the team hopes to have in place by sometime this fall. In amusing other news, Tom also verified that he did indeed drink actual Wild Turkey on the set, not just colored water: "That was my favorite day of shooting on set." Tom also indicated that his favorite scene in the film is the fight with The Russian, which took four days in a "rush job."

Well...unfortunate that the film is being delayed, but at least it means they're not trying to just shove out a sequel to make some quick cash. Hopefully the effort they're putting into it will result in a great Frank Castle film.

Here's the latest word on the street (or the e-street, I suppose) regarding a few much-anticipated comic book movie sequels. I don't know about you, but I'm already giddy-anxious for the next Hellboy flick - and I'm rather looking forward to seeing Frank Castle again on the silver screen as well.

• A little bit of unsubstantiated rumor has popped up regarding the return of Hellboy to the big screen. We all should know by now about the big Halo or Hellboy controversy that's wrapped up director Guillermo del Toro recently. Well, Clint over at Moviehole reports that while it del Toro has not officially signed on to Halo, chances are he will- and when he does, Hellboy 2: The Golden Army will be pushed back.
• The same Clint also tells us that despite Jane's predictions of a summer 2006 start to filming on Punisher 2, the better bet is on action actually beginning next year.
• And yes, what comic book sequel roundup would be complete without some shiny new pictures from the upcoming X-Men flick? Not this one, that's for sure. You can dig some X-action here, complete with German website goodness.