UPDATE: The Avengers II: Age of Ultron... James Spader to Play “Ultron” in 'Avengers' Sequel

"Boston Legal" star James Spader will square off against Earth's Mightiest Heroes as the malevolent robot Ultron in Marvel's "Avengers: Age of Ultron."

 

For non-fanboys, Ultron is a powerful artificial intelligence who, taking the form of a shiny humanoid robot, brings the super-team to its knees. To what extent Spader will actually play Ultron -- as opposed to just doing voiceover -- will depend on how much license Joss Whedon takes with the Ultron story, which the director has already indicated will stray from the recent comicbook run of the same title (below).

(In the Marvel universe, Ultron is created by Ant-Man alter-ego Hank Pym, but Whedon has indicated that the mild-mannered scientist will play no role in Ultron's origin for the films.)

The high IQ part should be no problem for Spader, who revels in roles that allow him to be quick-witted with a gift for the gab, such as that of white-shoe lawyer Alan Shore on "Boston Legal." He won three Emmys for playing that particular part and he has a silky voice that drips with menace if needed.

Other credits include a tortured bohemian in "Sex, Lies and Videotape," a nefarious preppy in "Pretty in Pink," a schlubby scientist in "Stargate" and a back-stabbing corporate striver in "Wolf."

The Avengers' return to the big screen will once again be overseen by Joss Whedon and will star Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth. The film hits theaters on May 1, 2015.

"Marvel's The Avengers" was the third-largest grossing movie of all time, racking up $1.5 billion worldwide when it debuted in 2012. The sequel will be the highest profile role of Spader's career, which boasts a distinguished resume of mostly indie films.

Spader is represented by ICM Partners and his lawyer Melanie Cook at Ziffren Brittenham.

The Avengers 2 / Guardians of The Galaxy

The Avengers 2 –May 2015

The sequel to The Avengers is already in development and a script is in the works. Joss Whedon will return to direct and The Avengers 2 villain is thought to be the Mad Titan known as Thanos. Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch will be new additions to the roster, and Whedon says he has “a greater opportunity to dig into the relationships in the second one”

Guardians of The Galaxy –August 2014

The Guardians of the Galaxy are “a team of superhuman and extra-terrestrial adventurers dedicated to the safeguarding of the Milky Way Galaxy from any force that threatens the security or liberty of its various people”. The team includes Star-Lord (a human interplanetary policeman), Drax the Destroyer (a resurrected superhuman warrior and nemesis of Thanos), Groot (a plant monster who can control trees), Gamora (a dangerous female assassin who has a preference for knives and swords) and Rocket Racoon (a genetically altered racoon who can fly a plane and carries a laser pistol).

The movie is a big risk for Marvel, but if it works for them like The Avengers did it has the potential to be huge. It obviously doesn’t have the build-up Joss Whedon’s movie did, but audiences will no doubt turn out for the first real superhero movie set in space. Plus there’s the kick-ass raccoon.

James Gunn (Super) will direct, and a summer 2014 release date has been set. Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, and Zoe Saldana round out the cast as Star-Lord, Drax, and Gamora.

UPDATE: Joss Whedon Doesn't Care About 'X-Men: Days Of Future Past' Version of Quicksilver

Joss Whedon Doesn't Care About 'X-Men: Days Of Future Past' Version of QuickSilver

By Josh Wigler in Marvel

 

QuickSilver (photo above by Boris©96)

 

A lot of fans have a lot of emotions about Quicksilver appearing in both "The Avengers 2" and "X-Men: Days of Future Past." Here's one fan who doesn't have a lot of emotions about the "controversy": Joss Whedon.

 

Joss Whedon (pictured above)

 

Speaking with Total Film about his plans for the "Avengers" sequel, Whedon said he doesn't care at all that Quicksilver will be appearing in Fox's next "X-Men" movie, even though he announced his intentions to use the speedster in Earth's mightiest sequel long before Bryan Singer's tweet heard 'round the web.

 

Bryan Singer (pictured above)

 

"I don't," he insisted. "I really, you know what, I'm doing my thing and I'm very excited about my thing."

 

not the offical movie poster (possibly fan made)**

 

What Whedon does care about somewhat is getting to see "Man of Steel," the Superman reboot currently lighting up the box-office. The filmmaker said he hasn't yet seen Zack Snyder's take on the DC Comics icon, but plans to check it out to make sure he's not stepping onto similar turf.

 

not the offical movie poster (possibly fan made)**

 

"When you're making a large scale superhero film and a large scale superhero film comes out, you have to go and see it to make sure you're not imitating it," he said. "That you don't have a giant plot point or set piece that is exactly the same as yours. And it does happen a lot and we say, 'Oh, we better zig instead of zag.' You have to watch it for that, but also, to get a bit of inspiration. You either have a great time or you think, 'Well, I can top that,' but I'm definitely going to have a great time."

 

Thanks to ComicBookMovie.com for the transcript.

**I do not believe these are the offical movie posters, but fan made posters.