Sequel Bits: 'Skyfall' Set Photo Shows James Bond's Beloved Aston Martin, Plus: 'Human Centipede 3', '300 2', 'Avengers 2', 'Green Hornet 2' (Or Not)

Sequel Bits: ‘Skyfall’ Set Photo Shows James Bond’s Beloved Aston Martin, Plus: ‘Human Centipede 3’, ‘300 2’, ‘Avengers 2’, ‘Green Hornet 2’ (Or Not)

Disgusting as theHuman Centipedefranchise is, I’ve gotta hand it to director Tom Six. Most sequels attempt to go bigger and better, but few try to go50 timesbigger. After the jump:

Six has previously said that — in the same way that, according to him,Human Centipede 2madeHuman Centipedelook likeMy Little Pony—Human Centipede 3would makeHuman Centipede 2look like a Disney film. While I sincerely doubt that anything could really makeHuman Centipede 2look like a Mouse House production, a 500-person mouth-to-anus chain seems like as good an effort as any. [The Playlist]

Now that we’ve got the ickiest news of the day out of the way, let’s move on to less stomach-turning territory.300starRodrigo Santorohas confirmed to Brazilian siteUOLthat he is in talks to reprise the role of Persian king Xerxes for the sequel, which was most recently going by the name300: The Battle of Artemisiabut remains officially untitled at this moment. The actor also clarified that the film was neither a prequel nor a sequel, technically speaking, but rather a parallel tale set in the same universe. “It’s not a sequel, but does not come before,” Santoro explained. “It’s a film that takes place at about the same time of the battle that goes on in the first film.”

Noam Murrois directing theFrank Miller-based epic, which also starsEva Green,Sullivan Stapleton, andJamie Blackley.300 2(or whatever they end up calling it) is expected to hit theaters sometime next year. [Comic Book Movie]

In other comic book news,Joss Whedon’s still talking about a potential follow-up toThe Avengerseven though the first film won’t actually hit theaters for another several weeks. Not that I’m complaining, though, because Whedon definitely sounds like he’s on the right track. Last week, the filmmakerexpressedhis desire to go smaller in the sequel, and he’s now toldTotal Filmthat he wants to ensure thatThe Avengers 2works as a standalone film, rather than as just another installment in a large franchise.

“I’m a great believer in the idea that if you make the first one to be a ‘first one,’ then you have already failed,” said Whedon. “As much as we want to service the idea of a film in a franchise, I want this to be a satisfying film experience. I don’t want people to go out saying, ‘When’s the next part?’ I want people to say, ‘Oh, I want to see that again!'” Not thatAvengers 2won’t tie in withAvengers 1at all, of course. “We do give a nod to a greater problem than the one solved in this film,” he noted.

In the interview, Whedon also discussed the firstAvengers, talking up the “quite large” scale of the climax and explaining a discarded idea to frame the plot from Captain America’s point of view. Read more of his quotes atComic Book Movie.

I doubt anyone’s still expecting a sequel toThe Green Hornetat this point, but if you were, you should probably stop holding your breath. Asked about a potential follow-up, producerNeal H. Moritzgave a blunt response: “We’re not making a sequel right now.” According to Moritz, the main issue was the first film’s extravagant budget.

The movie did almost $250 million and was actually very well liked, but we made the movie for too much money. One, we made it in L.A. for certain reasons, and two, we decided to go to 3D — that added another $10 million. If I had done it in a tax-rebate state and not done 3D, it would have been considered a huge financial success for the studio.

For reference,Box Office MojolistsThe Green Hornet’s production budget at $120 million.

Moritz was more optimistic about the prospects for another of his ongoing action projects, theFast and the Furiousfranchise. “We’re working hard on the next two, and I think the sky’s the limit,” he said. “I’d love to make them forever.” [THR]

And speaking of cars: Earlier this week, we got afirst glimpseat one of the 007 series’ newest faces, that ofJavier Bardem’s villainous Silva. Today, we’ve got set pics that show one of the franchise’s longtime staples.Coming Soonhas posted photos from the English set, showing a dapper, clean-shavenDaniel Craigas James Bond, with his beloved Aston Martin behind him. Head toComic Soonfor more images. TheSam Mendes-directedSkyfallalso starsJudi Dench,Naomie Harris,Berenice Marlohe,Ralph Fiennes,Albert FinneyandBen Whishaw, and is scheduled to openNovember 9in the U.S.