RKMBs Forums .::Robegories::. Media The Avengers

The rumor mill is at it again, once more insisting that Janet Van Dyne — also known as the Wasp — has a role to play in Joss Whedon’s The Avengers. But who’s up for the role? According to one source, it’s none other than Whedon veteran and current lizard queen Morena Baccarin.

Mania reports:

An exclusive tip from a scooper who is known to us tells us that in between filming sessions for V, actress Morena Baccarin was seen visiting a comic shop and purchasing “a bunch of Avengers comics.” Our tipster further said she was asking the store workers to specifically point out comics with the Wasp in them.

Just to reiterate, the source is someone we know and we have every reason to believe this source saw and heard what they claim. But what does it mean exactly?

It very likely means nothing. Eva Longoria was spotted in a similar situation back in 2008, but the actor has shot down rumors of her playing Wasp multiple times in the past. In fairness, Baccarin’s connection to Whedon strengthens the rumor a bit — the two worked together on Firefly and Serenity — but I still wouldn’t read too much into this until further details come to light… which could be never, really.

Still, it’s worth thinking about: how do you think Baccarin would fare as Van Dyne? Not a bad pick, if you ask me.

Walt Disney Studios has acquired the marketing and distribution rights to The Avengers and Iron Man 3, ending Marvel Studios’ deal with Paramount Pictures two years early.

The agreement stems from Marvel’s days as an independent company and had to pay Paramount to distribute its movies. When Disney acquired Marvel last year for $4 billion, Paramount retained the rights to Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers and Iron Man 3.

But this afternoon Disney announced it will pay Paramount $115 million to end the deal following the release of Thor and Captain America in May 6 and July 22, respectively. According to The New York Times, that figure could rise depending on the performance of the two movies.

Here’s the official press release:

BURBANK, Calif., Oct 18, 2010 — The Walt Disney Studios, Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios announced they have reached an agreement under which Paramount will transfer its worldwide marketing and distribution rights to Disney for Marvel Studios’ The Avengers and Iron Man 3. Paramount will remain the worldwide distributor of the upcoming films, Thor and Captain America, as well as the previously released Iron Man and Iron Man 2.

Under terms of the new deal, Disney will pay Paramount $115 million for the transfer of the distribution rights to Iron Man 3 and The Avengers to be paid on the theatrical release dates. These monies will serve as a minimum guarantee against the distribution fees.

“In completing this agreement, Disney will now assume worldwide marketing and distribution of The Avengers and Iron Man 3 and leverage these two highly-anticipated films across the multiple global platforms of The Walt Disney Company,” said Rich Ross, Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. “We appreciate the tremendous momentum that Paramount established with these iconic Marvel characters and look forward to propelling the brand even further in the coming years.”

“Five years ago, when Paramount and Marvel made our initial deal, both our businesses were in very different places,” said Brad Grey, Chairman & CEO of Paramount Pictures. “We are grateful for the partnership we have had with the terrific Marvel team over these years and proud of the work we have done together. Today, this new agreement is the right deal for Paramount, for Marvel and for Disney. We look forward to working together on Thor and Captain America, and we wish Disney and Marvel the utmost success, in what we know will be a very productive and wide-ranging partnership.”

“Paramount has been a wonderful partner in helping Marvel Studios bring our characters to the big screen,” said Alan Fine, Office of the President, Marvel Worldwide, Inc. “This agreement makes sense now that Marvel is part of The Walt Disney Company.”

Paramount will release Marvel Entertainment’s Thor and Captain America worldwide beginning on May 6 and July 22 of 2011, respectively. The Avengers will be licensed to Epix under Paramount’s existing pay television arrangement.

Here's a first look at Nick Fury's flying fortress from Joss Whedon's Avengers. The Helicarrier, which was originally supposed to appear in Iron Man 2, was designed by George Hull and eschews the comic book design's turbines for giant propellers.

According to leak site Spidermedia.Ru, Kevin Feige wants to build one of these puppies atop the convention center for the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con. I hope he also decides to recruit 300 Samuel L. Jackson impersonators to wander the convention floor as Life Model Decoys.

Laugh all you want. I'd eat that movie.