Spider-Man could possibly appear in Avengers 3!

Yes, this is NOT a joke. It is NOT April Fools. This is very very real. Rob Liefeld the co-founder of Image Comics and X-Force creator recently tweeted to his followers that Marvel Entertainment is attempting to undercut any and all support of the X-Men franchise.

20th Century Fox who owns both the rights to X-Men and Fantastic Four, have not seen any marketing for their merchandise, and apparently it’s all on purpose. X-Men: Days of Future Past is doing very well in the theaters, yet you do not see any toys or X-Men comics being pushed to support the recently released movie. On the other hand, you do see more Spider-Man, Captain America, and very soon Guardians of the Galaxy toys and comic merchandise being distributed heavily.
This is what Rob Liefeld’s tweet conversations consisted of (edited for clarity):

X-Men: Days of Future Past will match If not exceed The Amazing Spider-Man 2‘s domestic box office, meaning lots of eyeballs, but there are no toy tie-ins. The Fox shut out is real.

It’s not money that matters in this strategy, it’s the hearts and minds of kids/toy buyers, not-too-subtly communicating what’s “important.”

Captain America: The Winter Soldier and The Amazing Spider-Man 2 toys everywhere, X-Men – zippo. No promotions from toy aisles. Starve those properties. Makes X-Men [box office] comeback impressive!

No emotion in these facts/reporting, it’s just numbers and business. But the messages are clear.

X-Men: Days of Future Past toys would get in the way of upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy onslaught of toys.

Bottom line, it’s a ballsy move to downgrade properties with high profile, big budget support in favor of stuff you control wholesale. Gotta respect it. And equal respect to those properties slugging it out without equal support across multiple platforms.

You gotta understand, I love this stuff!! I love the business of comic films/brands and the unique situation Marvel has with their licenses.

My un-informed prediction: Sony will split producing/financing w/Marvel on next Spidey film and open door for inclusion in Avengers 3.

Rob Liefeld predicts that Sony and Marvel could co-finance and co-distribute upcoming Amazing Spider-Man sequals to cross over into The Avengers. I don’t know about you, but this is very very very big news for the Marvel Cinematic Universe if the good ole web-head is going to join forces with Cap, Hulk, Iron Man, and Thor.

The possibilities of this crossover occurring now is high since VFX was recently moved to Canada by Sony, and the lackluster response from the recent Spider-Man movies in the box office; it looks like Sony might need assistance for their big budget films.

Everyone one of us Marvel movie nerds needs to hold on to our seats, because the moment Marvel Studios announces that Spider-Man is going to be in Avengers, is the day that everyone’s heads explode from complete nerdgasm.

Source: ComicBook.com

New York Times confirms two of Apple’s biggest WWDC 2014 announcements

We’re now just hours away from Apple’s big keynote at the annual Worldwide Developer Conference in San Francisco, and we’re starting to wonder if there’s anything left for Apple to surprise us with this year. It’s obviously a pretty safe bet that Apple’s most exciting announcements of the year — new iPhones, new iPads, an iWatch, etc — won’t come until later this year, but Apple still has plenty in store for us at WWDC 2014 on Monday.

And now, two of Apple’s biggest rumored announcements have been confirmed ahead of the show by The New York Times.

According to NYT’s report, two of Apple’s iOS 8 highlights will be a health tracking app and “an announcement about its efforts with connecting to so-called smart home devices.”

Regarding the health app, we have already seemingly learned just about everything there is to know from earlier reports. The most interesting tidbit in this new report is likely the fact that the app will “initially pull data from third-party fitness and health-monitoring hardware,” and then it will “most likely be able to connect with a smart watch that Apple is widely expected to release this year.”

Very few people still expect Apple to unveil the “iWatch” at WWDC but there have been a few mentions of it in recent days. According to the Times, we can put that notion out of our minds completely.

The report included precious few solid details on Apple’s smart home initiative, suggesting that it might involve tool kits for developers so they can better integrate iOS 8 apps with connected appliances and other home devices.

Its Mourinho in the news again! Watch Jose Mourinho make his 2014 World Cup group stage picks

Hark! Yahoo global football ambassador Jose Mourinho has come down from the mountain (and entered a nondescript conference room) to present the world with his 16 picks to advance from the 2014 World Cup group stage written on stone tablets (or white poster board). With an assist from Yahoo's Melanie Collins, Jose navigates through the clear favorites and the tougher calls of the group stage with the same way most fans do: by backing the people he likes most.

"I'm very emotional, I go always with my friends," Mourinho says before picking the Netherlands to finish as runners up in Group B behind Spain, since he and Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal worked together at Barcelona in the late '90s. In Group C he went with Greece and Didier Drogba's Ivory Coast advancing over Colombia and Japan.

In Group D he couldn't choose, citing Uruguay's strength and his ties to England and Italy. "If I say England out, next season they don't let me coach here [at Chelsea]." 

In Group E, Mourinho said, "I don't believe in another collapse for France," and chose them to win the group with Switzerland edging out Ecuador for the second spot. In Group F, he opted for Nigeria to finish behind Argentina since the Super Eagles have Chelsea's John Obi Mikel (Victor Moses was on loan at Liverpool all season, so I guess he doesn't count).

In Group G, Mourinho is certain no one will finish with zero points, but he does see Germany finishing top with Portugal behind them. But, he added, that he's afraid for his native Portugal against the U.S. And finally, in Group H, he said "Belgium has the talent," but somewhat surprisingly went with Russia to finish first and Belgium second — perhaps due to their youthful inexperience. 

Here's how Jose sees the round of 16 shaping up ...



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'Star Wars: Episode VII' leaked photos show real sets and a huge creature

 

 

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Here's some good news out of the Star Wars sets in Abu Dhabi: director J.J. Abrams and crew have made a lot of actual, real, physical buildings and creatures, meaning the new film could end up looking a lot more like the Star Wars you know and love and not the CGI-heavy prequels that you may still be trying to forget about. A huge series of photos from the set leaked to TMZ this morning, and they show off a giant creature — which is supposedly controlled by five people inside of it — as well plenty of Tatooine costumes and a ramshackle marketplace. It's the biggest leak yet from the extremely secretive set, and even though there are no big details, the fact that there's a lot to see out there is a very good sign. Head over to TMZ to see the full gallery of 45 photos.

Justin Bieber Apologizes For Racist Joke, Using N Word: Read His Statement

 UPDATE: Justin Bieber issued a formal apology following the video's release. He tells Us Weekly: "As a kid, I didn't understand the power of certain words and how they can hurt. I thought it was ok to repeat hurtful words and jokes, but didn't realize at the time that it wasn't funny and that in fact my actions were continuing the ignorance.

"Thanks to friends and family I learned from my mistakes and grew up and apologized for those wrongs. Now that these mistakes from the past have become public I need to apologize again to all those I have offended. I'm very sorry. I take my friendships with people of all cultures very seriously and I apologize for offending or hurting anyone with my childish and inexcusable mistake."

"I was a kid then and I am a man now who knows my responsibility to the world and to not make that mistake again. Ignorance has no place in our society and I hope the sharing of my faults can prevent others from making the same mistake in the future.  I thought long and hard about what I wanted to say but telling the truth is always what's right. Five years ago I made a reckless and immature mistake and i'm grateful to those close to me who helped me learn those lessons as a young man. Once again....I'm sorry."

Original Story:

Uh oh! Justin Bieber is once again making headlines and this time he may have gone too far. The Sun has released an old video of the now 20-year-old which was taken when the singer was 14, telling an offensive, racist joke on camera. 

"Why are black people afraid of chainsaws?" the Biebs begins, before delivering the expletive-filled punchline, "Run n-----, n-----, n-----, n-----, n-----." 

The Sun also reported that the "Boyfriend" singer's team tried to buy up the video to keep it out of the public. 

This latest incident is just another in the string of offenses from the Canadian pop sensation. After getting arrested for a DUI in January, Bieber has had run-ins with his neighbors over egg-throwing claims and is being investigated for attempted robbery.

Sudanese Woman Sentenced to Death for Being a Christian Might Not Be Freed, After All

Yesterday, Sudanese officials told the media that a 27-year-old woman imprisoned and sentenced to death for being a Christian would be set free within a number of days, but now it seems that might not be the case. 

Mariam Yahya Ibrahim, who was raised as an Orthodox Christian by her mother, was told by a Sudanese court back in May that she must renounce her faith. She refused, and received a sentence of death by hanging. Ibrahim was eight-months-pregnant during the apostasy trial, and last week gave birth while in prison. She is currently being held in jail, along with her other child, 20-month-old Martin. 

Ibrahim's father, who she has not seen since she was a child, is a Muslim, and Sudan's apostasy laws make it illegal to convert from the religion. Earlier, she had been sentenced to 100 lashes after a court annulled her marriage, deemed illegal, to a Christian man. 

The incident has raised international concern over Sudan's harsh apostasy laws. British Prime Minister David Cameron said in an interview last week that the sentence was "barbaric," and called on the Sudanese government to change it. He added that "the way she is being treated... has no place in today's world," concluding: 

I urge the government of Sudan to overturn the sentence and immediately provide appropriate support and medical care for her and her children. The UK will continue to press the government of Sudan to act.

Human rights groups have also spoken out against the incident. An Amnesty International representative said that "The fact that a woman could be sentenced to death for her religious choice, and to flogging for being married to a man of an allegedly different religion, is abhorrent and should never be even considered." 

Sudan's government appeared to be bowing to the international condemnation. Over the weekend, the country's Foreign Ministry Under-Secretary Abdelah Al-Azrak told Reuters that "The related authorities in the country are working to release Mariam (Yahya Ibrahim), who was sentenced to death for apostasy, through legal measures," adding, "I expect her to be released soon." But neither Ibrahim's lawyer or her husband, a U.S. citizen, said they knew of any plans for her release. And today Sudan's foreign ministry spokesman Abubakar Al-Sidiq also said he was not aware of any plans for her release. 

Qatar denies wrongdoing after newspaper allegation

GENEVA (AP) — Organizers of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar have denied fresh allegations of wrongdoing after a British newspaper report questioned the integrity of choosing the emirate as tournament host.

The Sunday Times said a "senior FIFA insider" had provided "hundreds of millions of emails, accounts and other documents" detailing payments totaling $5 million that Qatari official Mohamed bin Hammam allegedly gave football officials to build support for the bid.

Bin Hammam was a member of FIFA's executive committee for 16 years and key power broker until being expelled in 2012 for financial corruption during his time as Asian Football Confederation president.

The Qatar 2022 organizing committee's statement on Sunday stressed that Bin Hammam, a Qatari, "played no official or unofficial role in the bid committee."

However, most FIFA executive committee voters in December 2010 were bin Hammam's longtime colleagues. Among them, Ricardo Teixeira of Brazil, Nicolas Leoz of Paraguay and FIFA vice president Jack Warner of Trinidad and Tobago have since resigned while under investigation for corruption.

"The Qatar 2022 Bid Committee always upheld the highest standard of ethics and integrity in its successful bid," the Qatari statement said, adding "we vehemently deny all allegations of wrongdoing. We will take whatever steps are necessary to defend the integrity of Qatar's bid and our lawyers are looking into this matter."

The Sunday Times alleged that bin Hammam paid for cash gifts, hospitality and legal fees for some FIFA colleagues, including Warner, and dozens of African football leaders.

FIFA ethics prosecutor Michael Garcia has received the new evidence to help his investigation of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding contests, the newspaper reported.

Garcia was scheduled to meet with Qatari bid officials on Monday in Oman.

"We are cooperating fully with Mr. Garcia's on-going investigation and remain totally confident that any objective enquiry will conclude we won the bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup fairly," the Qatari statement said.

FIFA declined comment on Sunday about the reports, which revived calls for the 2022 World Cup vote to be re-run. Qatar defeated the United States in a final round after Australia, Japan and South Korea were eliminated.

Instead, football's governing body suggested in a statement to "please kindly contact the office" of Garcia's law firm in New York City.

The law firm, Kirkland and Ellis, did not respond immediately to requests for comment, or to confirm Garcia's meetings with Qatar officials.

Garcia and his investigating team have been traveling across the world meeting officials who worked for the nine candidates ahead of the December 2010 votes. Russia won the 2018 hosting poll.

FIFA board member Jim Boyce, who joined in 2011 after Bin Hammam was initially suspended, said Sunday that he could support a re-vote if bribery could be proved.

"If Garcia's report comes up and his recommendations are that wrongdoing happened for that vote for the 2022 World Cup, I certainly as a member of the executive committee would have absolutely no problem whatsoever if the recommendation was for a re-vote," Boyce told the BBC's Sportsweek radio program.

Garcia is scheduled to submit his report to FIFA ethics judge Joachim Eckert of Germany, who can recommend sanctions.

Football Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop told domestic media Monday that his federation was in a "watch-this-space" situation.

"We need to get more information about what's been revealed in the last 48 hours," Gallop told SEN radio. "But don't be under any illusion that we haven't been heavily involved in all of this for some time now.

"We've been involved in interviews, production of documents and also following carefully what's been happening away from Australia — so we've got people that have been involved for some time now."

Angelina Jolie's most Villainous red carpet looks - PHOTOS

Angelina Jolie channeled her inner Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, upon arriving at the 72nd Annual Academy Awards in a curve-hugging gown, Halloween wig-like locks, and gothic makeup. (3/26/00)



Just this Wednesday, the actress wowed the crowd at the world premiere of Maleficent in a devilishly sexy, strapless Atelier Versace dress and spiked cuffs courtesy of Stella McCartney. (5/28/14)


Angie's wicked eyebrows were the talk of Tinseltown at the 59th Annual Golden Globe Awards. (1/20/02)


Only a fabulous villainess of Jolie's caliber could pull off this heart attack-inducing Atelier Versace gown, which the Oscar winner wore to the 84th Annual Academy Awards. (2/26/12

Snowden seeks asylum in sunny Brazil

 Brasília (AFP) - Former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, wanted by US authorities and currently living in Russia, said in a TV interview that he has applied for asylum in Brazil.

"I would love to live in Brazil," Snowden told Brazil's Globo TV on Sunday.

Snowden's temporary asylum in Russia expires in August. Washington has revoked his US passport, so his travel options are limited.

Snowden, who was interviewed with reporter Glenn Greenwald by his side, said that he has formally asked several countries for asylum, including Brazil.

Greenwald is an American living in Brazil. He writes for The Guardian and has published much of the information that Snowden has leaked.

Brazil's foreign ministry however has said that it has received no formal asylum request from Snowden.

 

In the interview Snowden said that he would not offer documents to any country in exchange for a safe haven, because asylum should be granted for humanitarian reasons.

However he said that he had more documents to release relating to US spying on countries that include Britain and Brazil.

When documents he released last year showed that US agencies had been spying on Brazil, President Dilma Rousseff cancelled a state visit to Washington.

In an earlier interview with NBC Snowden said that he was open to the possibility of clemency or amnesty, and would like to return home one day.

The Obama administration says Snowden is welcome to return, but only to face trial for exposing sensitive information it says aided US enemies.

Source:  Yahoo News

Chris Brown Released From Jail, Ready to Get 'Back to the Music'

Chris Brown is a free man.

The "Don't Wake Me Up" crooner was released from a Los Angeles County jail at 12:01 a.m. 

Monday, L.A. Sheriff's deputy Tony Moore told the AP. Brown had been in custody since mid-March when he was arrested after being kicked out of a court-ordered rehab for violating its rules.

On May 9, L.A. Superior Court Judge James R. Brandlin sentenced the singer to one year in jail after he admitted to violating probation stemming from his 2009 assault against then-girlfriend Rihanna. In October, while on probation, Brown was arrested for allegedly getting into an altercation with a man in Washington, D.C. He was charged with misdemeanor assault.

Brandlin had sentenced Brown to serve a year in county jail but gave him credit for nearly eight months, which included time that the singer has spent in rehab and jail, as well as credits for good behavior. The judge said he also took into account that Brown had a previously undiagnosed mental illness.

After his release, the 25-year-old singer didn't waste any time getting back on social media.

Thank you GOD
— Chris Brown (@chrisbrown) June 2, 2014

Back to the Music and the Fans
— Chris Brown (@chrisbrown) June 2, 2014

Humbled and Blessed
— Chris Brown (@chrisbrown) June 2, 2014

Brown's girlfriend, Karrueche Tran, stuck by her on-again, off-again beau while he was behind bars. On Sunday night, she uploaded a photo to Instagram comparing herself and Brown to John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

 

 

The trial for Brown's Washington, D.C., altercation is expected to begin later this year.

Miley Cyrus's Home Burglarized Again, Maserati Stolen

Miley Cyrus may need a better security system.

On Friday, the "Wrecking Ball" singer's home was robbed for the second time this year. The Los Angeles Police Department is currently investigating a burglary at the home of the 21-year-old performer, The Insider With Yahoo confirms.

"On May 30, 2014, around 4 p.m., North Hollywood officers responded to a radio call of a burglary, in the North Hollywood Area. A male and female scaled a fence to gain access to the property," the LAPD said in a statement. "They removed property including jewelry and a 2014 white, 4-door Maserati Quattroporte."

No word on the estimated value of the jewelry stolen, but the Maserati has a projected sticker price of $102,500.

Cyrus's assistant reportedly came home and found things out of place and called the cops, according to E! News. Police revealed there were no signs of forced entry.

Cyrus wasn't home at the time of the crime. She is currently overseas on her Bangerz tour in Europe, set to perform in Copenhagen on Wednesday.

After the bad news broke, she tweeted, "ya know when you just want to cry in the shower for no reason" followed with another tweet, "so fu—in homesick."

Miley Cyrus and her Maserati. (INFDAILY.com/Getty Images) 

Unfortunately for the former Disney darling, this is the second time her pad has been pilfered. In November, one day after her 21st birthday, she had property stolen from her house while she was away on her tour. There were no signs of forced entry during that burglary either.

LAPD are asking for tips as their investigation continues.

Source: Yahoo