Jeremy Renner open to Hawkeye Netflix series

Of all the Avenger's members, few are as perfectly suited to the small screen as Hawkeye. He's more relatable than Cap or Tony, not as overpowered as the Hulk of Scarlet Witch, and he looks a hell of lot better in spandex than Nick Fury. His power-set, too, is more in-tune with the world of television; realistically, few networks could afford the pyrotechnics one would expect from a series featuring big-hitters like Hulk or Iron Man, but Daredevil, Jessica Jones and -to a lesser extent- Arrow, have shown that the small screen can perfectly accommodate these more grounded, down-to-earth heroes.

Of course, a major stumbling block would be convincing an actor like Renner to take on a TV series. As it turns out, though, it doesn't look like he'll need much convincing; whilst speaking at the Silicon Valley Comic Con the actor told the crowd he'd be okay with Hawkeye appearing in his own TV show, saying "the Netflix model is where all the character drama goes to now, you’re doing a superhero movie or a Netflix or HBO kind of model. So I’d be open to it."

Of course, Renner being open to it doesn't mean it's a done deal, but him being on board with the idea is a positive first step. Plus, it would help further bridge the gap between Marvel's film and TV properties, which, outside of a few cagey references, have remained stubbornly separate (yes this author is still chapped that Daredevil won't have a cameo in Civil War).

The Punisher drops by for a visit in new Daredevil Season 2 teaser

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

The follow-up to Netflix's wildly successful first season of Daredevil is drawing near, and to celebrate, the streaming service has released a tantalising new teaser.

The new footage, which begins at around a minute and a half into the clip, sees the return of many familiar faces, as well as a few new ones. Of special interest to comics fans will be the snatched glimpses of Elektra (Elodie Yung) gearing up for war, and Jon Bernthal's Punisher, the back of whose head we get a good look at. Speaking of Frank Castle, there's another cool moment early on in the tease showing an x-ray that bears an uncanny resemblance to the Punisher's iconic skull motif.

Despite the switch in showrunners, from the looks of this footage, the second season of Daredevil is shaping up nicely. It'll interesting to see how the creative team handle Matt Murdock's transformation from shadowy vigilante into full-time superhero, as well as the absence of the Kingpin. Presumably, Punisher and Elektra will be sharing villain duties early on, with an unknown-as-yet party stepping in to make Matt Murdock's life even more miserable later on.

Expect the new series to go live sometime next April. In the meantime, Marvel fans can check in on Daredevil's fellow Defender Jessica Jones when her series releases on November 20.

Second teaser for Jessica Jones drops

A superhero walks into a bar...

Earlier this week we got our first look at Jessica Jones in action (well kind of) courtesy of a short teaser trailer from Netflix. Today, the streaming service is treating us to a second snippet of footage, which, in keeping with the first, is more concerned with setting the mood and tone of the show than it is with dishing the dirt on the story.

This time round, we catch up Jessica following a brutal bar fight, unwinding after a hard day's face-punching by listening to some Joan Jett and knocking back a shot of whiskey. We also get some idea of just how freakishly strong our slip of a heroine is - a simple tap of her super powered hand is enough to send that uncooperative jukebox flying. Oh, and then there's all the bar crawlers nursing their broken faces on the floor. The message is clear: this is one P.I. you don't want to get on the wrong side of.

No doubt, we'll see more unsavoury types getting their keisters kicked by Jessica Jones when the full series hits Netflix on November 20.

Jessica Jones AKA teaser trailer

Most alarming

We've had a smattering of press photos that show Jessica Jones, as well as her rogues gallery, brooding on set, but now we're finally getting our first look at the superpowered P.I. in action. Well, sort of. This sub-minute clip is more teaser egg than full-blown trailer, featuring Jessica using her superpowers to do something many of us dream of every morning: silencing her alarm clock by crushing it to smithereens. Granted, it's not the most exciting footage in the world, but it does a good job of establishing the dysfunctional tone the series is aiming for.

For anyone not au fait with this latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Jessica Jones is about a superhero that turns her back on the spandex-wearing crowd after contracting a severe case of PTSD. To make ends meet, she becomes a private investigator, using her powers to help New York's burgeoning meta-human population.

The series, which will feature the talents of David Tenant, Krysten Ritter, Mike Colter, and Carrie-Ann Moss, bows this November on Netflix. Fellow Defender, Daredevil gets another crack of the whip next year, which should also see the arrival of Luke Cage's solo series on the streaming service. Rumours are also swirling that Netflix is planning to adapt some more Marvel properties for the TV. Could we finally get to see Moon Knight and his many personalities tear up the small screen? Please, Khonsu, make it so.

The most exciting TV shows still to come in 2015 (Part One)

We're over halfway through the year but there's still plenty of life left in 2015 yet. In fact, the back half of the year's TV schedule is brimming over with televisual treats. So, join us as we take a closer look at some of the best TV shows still to look forward to in 2015.

iZombie 

Premieres on Oct. 6

Loosely based on the quirky comic book series by authour Chris Roberson and pop-art impresario Mike Allred, iZombie chronicles the spooky adventures of Liv Moore, a medical student who comes down with a severe case of zombi-itis after a run in with the undead. Although Liv is more intelligent than your average walker, she must occasionally binge on brain matter to stop herself from going full-zombie. Aside from keeping her human, munching grey matter also has an unexpected side effect: it allows Liv access to the memories of the brain’s former owner. Using these memories, Liv teams up with a medical examiner and detective to unravel the mysteries behind their deaths.

Season 2 promises yet more supernatural sleuthing, and will explore how Liv’s condition affects the people closest to her. Aside from that, little else is known about the series’ second season. Anyone hoping to see some of the more outlandish creatures from the comic -were-terriers, zombies and Lovecraftian creatures - make an appearance, however, will be disappointed, as showrunner Rob Thomas has confirmed only zombies are on the menu.

Jessica Jones

Premieres on Nov. 20

The second series to come out of Marvel Entertainment and Netflix’s partnership deal, Jessica Jones - based on the comic Alias - promises to be a very different take on the superhero genre. Played by Kristen Ritter of Breaking Bad fame, Jessica Jones isn’t your average spandex-wearing superperson; reeling from a traumatic event that has left her with PTSD, she’s turned her back on the superhero game to pursue a career as a private investigator. Unlike most PIs, though, Jessica won’t be tailing cheating spouses or rescuing missing pets, she’ll be using her abilities to help metahumans like herself.

As with Daredevil, Jessica Jones will explore the darker side of the Marvel universe, focussing on street-level heroes and villains. If you like your superhero dramas dark, complex and gritty, Netflix is the place to be this November.  

Doctor Who

Premiers on Sept. 19

Following last year’s largely lacklustre season, it’s make or break time for Peter Capaldi’s prickly twelfth Doctor. Series number nine (or thirty-five for all you Who purists out there) marks a return to the two part-serials that defined the early years of the series' revival, containing no less than eight two-parters. Guest stars include Game of Thrones alum Maisie Williams, comedian Rufus Hound, and the return of Alex Kingston as River Song. The series will also mark the departure of longtime companion Clara Oswald, as actor Jenna Coleman leaves to pursue a role in an upcoming BBC drama about Queen Victoria.

As always, expect plenty of big surprises, mind-altering revelations and perplexing plot twists when the Doctor returns to our screen this weekend.

 

Marvel's Jessica Jones premier set for late 2015

Marvel's first female-led live-action offering will debut this year

Online streaming service Netflix has confirmed that Jessica Jones, it's second collaboration with Marvel Studios, will be made available to subscribers during the fourth quarter of 2015.

Apart from the odd casting announcement and leaked set pic, it's been very quiet on the Jessica Jones front, leading many --myself included-- to believe that the show wouldn't meet its proposed 2015 air date. Well, it looks like Jones' TV debut will land just this side of the New Year, after all.

As someone who isn't all that familiar with the character - barring her appearances in the Daredevil comics and those soulless Marvel cash-ins - sorry, comic events - I'm eager to see what Marvel and Netflix have in store for us.

Described by Jeph Loeb as a psychological thriller, the series follows our eponymous heroine (played by Breaking Bad's Kristen Ritter) as she tries to rebuild her life following a traumatic event, an event which cut short her career as a full-time superhero. Ritter will play opposite David Tennant, the former Doctor Who star stepping into the role of Kilgrave, a shady figure from Jones' troubled past.