Having Christian Bale as Batman and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine now seem like such wonderful, obvious choices. However, for a time, no one knew who would be the right fit for either of those two characters. Right now, Marvel is having a similar issue with their American Patriot Steve Rogers, aka Captain America. The upcoming superhero film, to be directed by Joe Johnston, will tell the story of a young man who becomes the symbol of Liberty during World War II, and eventually a leader of the Avengers. Right now, that could be John Krasinski (Jim from the Office), Michael Cassidy (from Smallville), Patrick Flueger, Scott Porter, Wilson Bethel, Mike Vogel, and several others. With Thor and Spider-Man going through their own growing pains with casting, Marvel has it’s work cut out. Who would be your choice? (more… )

Last night, Cartoon Network aired the season finale to Marvel’s The Super Hero Squad Show. While reports are still early, everything seems to indicate the episode pulled in fantastic ratings, as I’m sure a number of you reading this could attest to. With the success of the finale, it’d be easy to assume the show will be back for more (and more!) seasons on Cartoon Network, starring Disney’s superhero lineup of Iron Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor, Captain America, Spider-Man, Hulk, Wolverine and more. What’d you think of this season? (more… )

Well, the deal we’ve been talking about since last August is now official. Disney and Marvel have become BFFs, linked forever. …or at least before a newer, larger, seemingly-impossible deal takes over them both. However, until that happens, the two will be getting awfully comfy with one another. The $4.3 billion dollar acquisition brings Marvel into the Disney family, adding the comic giant’s catalog of over 5,000 characters to the Disney lineup. That includes the potentital of mixing-and-matching Wolverine and the rest of the X-men, Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, the Fantastic Four, and Spider-Man with the likes of Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Buzz Lightyear, Bolt, the Princess and the Frog, and Snow White. Imagine how fun their family reunions will be!

Sam Neill, of Jurassic Park fame, will be joining the ranks of cartoon voices next year. Neill will star as part of Animal Logic’s 3D animated feature film Guardians of Ga’hoole, expanding upon its existing voice cast list from earlier this year. It is not yet clear if Hugh Jackman, of Wolverine fame, is still involved with this project. However, it is still scheduled to hit theaters on July 30th, 2010, and Australian screens on December 9th, 2010. The film is based on the first three books in Kathryn Lasky’s book series of the same name, and will be directed by Zack Snyder.

If you’ve ever seen the Orange County Choppers TV series, then you know how they love making some amazing, beautiful, and powerful motorcycles. What you might not know is that they’ve always wanted to build out some Toonorcycles! Well, OK, I made up that word. But still, The folks at OCC have partnered with Marvel to create an exclusive line of motorcycles and merchandise featuring Marvel’s (and Disney’s) iconic super hero characters. Spider-Man, Hulk, Iron Man, Wolverine, Thor, Captain America, and the Avengers are just the start of the characters that could soon be roaring down a street near you. Look for the products to debut this fall.

It’s like the Marvel’s Magento, the ultimate super-villain from the X-Men series, is now trying to save the world. Well, sort of, anyway. The only difference is, instead of Magneto with the cool powers of magnetism and polarity, it’s you! And instead of fighting Wolverine and the X-Men, its you defending your bases from an incoming missle attack. Sound like a fun game? Of course it is! Check it out after the break – use your mouse to guide the Magnetic Impact Resistant Cubes around the screen and destroy the missiles heading towards your base.

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Mickey and Spidey, happy together? Looks like it! News across the blogosphere is that the Walt Disney Co. will be buying Marvel Entertainment Inc. for a super-hero-sized sum of money (upwards of $4 billion in cash and stock). This brings characters like Spider-Man, Hulk, Iron Man, Captain America, Wolverine and others into the family of Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Nemo, WALL-E, and Aladdin. Worlds collide! The two universes of characters, many of whom were created by Walt Disney and Stan Lee, will soon be jointly connected. Disney’s last big company move of this size was to acquire Pixar Animation Studios, Inc. in 2006. Will the house in UP get some flight help from X-Men’s Storm? Will the Fantastic Four take role call in the Mickey Mouse Club? Everything is too new to say just yet, but stay TOONed right here for all the details!

Well, sort of. Marvel Entertainment is working with Jarden Corporation to produce Marvel-branded sporting goods. This includes sports sets and balls from Rawlings, fishing equipment from Shakespeare Fishing, camping gear from Coleman, and cards from the US Playing Card Company. Layered all over these products will be a wide variety of Marvel’s super heroes, including those from Super Hero Squad, Spider-Sense Spider-Man, Wolverine, Spider-Man, Marvel Heroes, and Marvel Extreme.