Friday, November 22, 2013

Thor: The Dark World Volstagg and Jane Foster movie costumes on display...

You don't often see Marvel Studios movie costumes on display, so this month I made it my mission to track down as many costumes and props from Thor: The Dark World whilst they were still available, including these 'Volstagg' and 'Dr. Jane Foster' Asgardian costumes at Hollywood's infamous El Capitan Theatre on November 20, 2013.

Original Thor: The Dark World movie costumes
Ray Stevenson Volstagg armour Thor Dark World
Natalie Portman Jane Foster Asgard costume Thor 2
Volstagg's Asgardian battle armour and Jane Foster's Asgardian attire were designed by Wendy Partridge and you can also check out more costumes from Thor: The Dark World here at Hollywood Movie Costumes and Props which I've been fortunate enough to see up close and in person, including Tom Hiddleston's Loki costume, original Fandral and Lady Sif film costumes, plus Odin and Frigga movie costumes on display.

Giant Thor: The Dark World movie billboard
Giant Thor Dark World movie billboard
Ray Stevenson played the largest and most jovial of 'The Warriors Three' in both Thor movies, 'Volstagg the Voluminous'. He's a family man, brave warrior and loyal friend to Thor.

Original costume worn by Ray Stevenson as Volstagg 
in Thor: The Dark World
Ray Stevenson Volstagg costume Thor Dark World
Volstagg movie costume Thor Dark World
Thor Dark World Volstagg movie costume
Thor Dark World Volstagg armor
Thor Dark World Volstagg armor detail
Thor Dark World Volstagg armor
Thor 2 Volstagg armor detail
Thor 2 Volstagg costume detail
Volstagg movie costume Thor 2
Ray Stevenson Volstagg movie costume Thor 2
Ray Stevenson is no stranger to wearing period costumes like this Viking inspired armour, as he starred as Roman soldier 'Titus Pullo' in the acclaimed series Rome, a historical drama set in the 1st century BC. He's also played Marvel Comics character 'Frank Castle' in 2008's Punisher: War Zone (but probably the less said about that the better).

Be sure to also check out Volstagg's axe and other Thor: The Dark World movie props on display at the Treasures of Asgard exhibit at Disneyland, California.

Original costume worn by Natalie Portman as Dr. Jane Foster 
in Thor: The Dark World
Natalie Portman Jane Foster costume Thor Dark World
Jane Foster Asgard costume Thor Dark World
Jane Foster Asgardian robes Thor Dark World
Jane Foster Thor 2 movie costume
Jane Foster costume necklace Thor Dark World
Jane Foster Asgardian necklace Thor Dark World
Jane Foster costume detail Thor Dark World
Jane Foster Asgardian bracelet Thor Dark World
Thor Dark World Jane Foster movie costume
Natalie Portman Thor 2 Jane Foster movie costume
Also reprising her role from the first Thor movie in 2011 is Natalie Portman as the Thunder God's mortal love interest, Jane Foster, an astrophysicist (and not a nurse or doctor of medicine like her comic book counterpart).

She wears these ornate Asgardian robes when Thor brings her to Asgard after she has been infected by the 'Malekith's' Aether weapon. Interestingly in one scene with Thor she's not wearing the necklace and the next time she's seen, when Asgard is under attack by the Dark Elves, it's there when Frigga is defending her. I'm wondering if there's some deleted scene between Jane and Thor's mother that was cut from the movie, or maybe it's simply a wardrobe mistake.

Regardless I'm glad I managed to see these costumes on display before they were gone and hope that in the future I'll see many more Marvel Studios costumes and props on display. I'm certainly keeping my fingers crossed they exhibit some pieces from next year's Captain America: The Winter Solider.

Thor 2 costumes on display at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood
Thor Dark World El Capitan Theatre Hollywood

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Original movie costumes from Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues...

Are you ready for the return of one of the most impeccably dressed and politically incorrect newscasters in the business? If so, then you'll love this collection of original movie costumes featured in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, on display at ArcLight Hollywood on November 17, 2013 to help promote the forthcoming comedy sequel.

Anchorman 2 movie costumes on display
Anchorman 2 Legend Continues movie costume exhibit
Anchorman 2 movie costumes
Anchorman 2 movie costumes
Anchorman 2 film costumes
original Anchorman 2 movie costumes
Anchorman 2 movie costume exhibit
Will Ferrell reprises his role as news anchor 'Ron Burgundy' and he's joined once again by the strong comedy stylings of the rest of the Channel Four News TeamPaul Rudd, Steve Carrell, David Koechner and Christina Applegate, each with an outfit from the movie on display.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues movie poster
Anchorman 2 Legend Continues poster
Susan Matheson is responsible for Costume Design on the highly-anticpated movie sequel, which sees the news crew move from 70's San Diego to the high-profile world of New York City cable news in the 1980's.

You can also see her costumes worn by Tom Cruise and Rosamund Pike in 2012's Jack Reacher movie, and she's dressed Will Ferrell before in the likes of Step Brothers, Semi-Pro and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

Original costume worn by Will Ferrell as Ron Burgundy 
in Anchor Man 2: The Legend Continues
Will Ferrell Ron Burgundy Anchorman 2 movie costume
Will Ferrell Anchorman 2 movie costume
Will Ferrell Anchorman 2 Ron Burgundy movie costume
Will Ferrell stars in one of my all-time favourite Christmas movies, Elf, so it'll be interesting to see whether the return of his Anchorman persona will rule at the box office this festive season.

In this sequel to 2004's original, Ron Burgundy was the top-rated TV newsreader in San Diego in the 1970's (not to mention the most well-groomed), but how will he handle the birth of 24-hour news in the Big Apple in the late 70's and early 80's.

If you're also a fan of the actor, be sure to also check out Will Ferrell's movie costume from 2005's Kicking & Screaming.

Costume worn by Steve Carell as Brick Tamland in Anchorman 2
Steve Carell Brick Tamland Anchorman 2 movie costume
Anchorman 2 movie costumes
Also back for this film is Steve Carell's dim-witted weatherman, 'Brick Tamland', full of the usual unrequested and irrelevant information. In the movie he wears this green-trousered outfit when delivering the weather report with computerized weather maps using green screen technology and thinks his legs have disappeared.

Original outfit worn by Paul Rudd as Brian Fantana in Anchorman 2
Paul Rudd Brian Fantana Anchorman 2 movie costume
Paul Rudd Anchorman 2 movie costume
Brian Fantana belt buckle Anchorman 2
Paul Rudd Brian Fantana Anchorman 2 film costume
Paul Rudd also reprises his role as the narcissistic, over-sexed and stylish reporter, 'Brian Fantana', and I especially like his 'Brian' belt-buckle on this costume along with his nostalgic groovy wide-collared floral shirt and flared pants.

Costume worn by David Koechner as Champ Kind in Anchorman 2
David Koechner Champ Kind Anchorman 2 movie costume
Anchorman 2 movie costumes
In this sequel once again directed by Adam McKay, David Koechner brings his cowboy hat-wearing, chauvinistic sportscaster character, "Champion 'Champ' Kind", back to the big screen.

Original outfit worn by Christina Applegate as 
Veronica Corningstone in Anchorman 2
Christina Applegate Veronica Corningstone Anchorman 2 movie costume
Christina Applegate Anchorman 2 movie costume
And finally Christina Applegate returns as the ambitious, conservatively dressed anchorwoman 'Veronica Corningstone' (and Ron Burgundy's love interest in the first film).

Apologies for the quality of these photos, it was cool to see the costumes up close, but this type of display case is extremely reflective and unfortunately isn't very well illuminated at night, which is a shame. Still it's always a treat to get this close to original outfits worn by A-List Hollywood comedy stars.

Let's hope this tongue-in-cheek parody of the television news world is as funny the second time around.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues movie poster
Anchorman 2 movie poster

Monday, November 18, 2013

Fandral and Sif movie costumes from Thor: The Dark World on display...

Even though I loved Thor: The Dark World, the one thing that would have improved the Marvel sequel for me is more screen time for the Thunder God's Asgardian companions, 'The Warriors Three' and the 'Lady Sif'. Whether or not you agree, hopefully you'll love seeing these original 'Fandral' and 'Sif' costumes up close and on display at ArcLight Sherman Oaks cinema on November 15, 2013.

Original Fandral and Sif movie costumes 
from Thor: The Dark World
Fandral Sif Thor 2 movie costumes
Original Fandral Sif movie costumes Thor Dark World
Thor The Dark World movie costumes
Original Thor Dark World movie costumes
Fandral Lady Sif Thor Dark World film costumes
These amazing armoured Asgardian looks worn by Zachary Levi and Jaimie Alexander in the movie were designed by Wendy Partridge and were also on display beside Tom Hiddleston's Loki costume from Thor: The Dark World.

Thor: The Dark World movie poster
Sif Thor Dark World movie poster
Plus if you want to see more fantastical Asgardian attire, be sure to check out these Frigga and Odin movie costumes from Thor 2 worn by Rene Russo and Anthony Hopkins, as Thor and Loki's parents and the rulers of Asgard.

Ever the chivalrous gentlemen, it's only fair that Fandral allows Sif's costume to be showcased in more detail first.

Original battle armour costume worn by Jaimie Alexander as Sif 
in Thor: The Dark World
Jaimie Alexander Sif battle armor costume Thor Dark World
Lady Sif battle armour costume Thor Dark World
Sif armour costume Thor Dark World
Thor Dark World Sif battle armour
original Sif battle armor Thor 2
Thor 2 Fandral Sif movie costumes
Sif costume detail Thor 2
Thor Dark World Sif costume boots
Sif boots Thor Dark World
Sif movie costume Thor Dark World
Original Sif movie costume Thor Dark World
At the start of the movie Thor's loyal friends, Sif and The Warriors Three, are helping him restore order to the Nine Realms after the chaos caused by the destruction of the Bifröst Bridge in the first film.

In the Marvel comic books the Lady Sif is Thor's lover, but in the movie universe her love for the God of Thunder has so far been unrequited and she is the mortal 'Dr. Jane Foster's' rival for Thor's affection.

But like most Asgardian women she is a true and fierce warrior, and this is the sleek silver and red leather battle armour she sports in the movie.

If you're a fan of the actress, you may also want to take a look at these photos of Jaimie Alexander from a fan event for the first Thor movie at my local comic book store.

Original costume worn by Zachary Levi as Fandral 
in Thor: The Dark World
Zachary Levi Fandral costume Thor The Dark World
Fandral movie costume Thor Dark World
Thor Dark World Fandral costume
Thor Dark World Fandral costume
Original Thor 2 Fandral movie costume
Fandral costume detail Thor 2
Fandral costume chestplate Thor Dark World
Thor Dark World Zachary Levi Fandral costume
Thor Dark World Fandral costume
Thor Dark World Fandral costume detail
Fandral movie costume Thor Dark World
Fandral costume boots Thor Dark World
Fandral costume boots Thor 2
Thor Dark World Fandral Sif movie costumes
For this movie sequel, the role of Fandral was recast and is now played by Chuck's Zachary Levi (who also voiced 'Flynn Rider' in Disney's Tangled animated movie). The actor replaced Josh Dallas who plays 'Prince Charming' in TV's Once Upon a Time.

'Fandral the Dashing', as he's known in the comics (hence his fashionable attire and dashing cape), is one of the legendary Warriors Three, along with 'Hogun' and 'Volstagg'.

In addition to assisting the hero of this movie on the battlefield, Fandral and Sif also help Thor spring his scheming half-brother, Loki, from Asgard's dungeons when his help is needed to defeat 'Malekith' and his Dark Elves.

If you like these cool outfits (and I know you cosplayers appreciate all the seam and embroidery details), be sure to also check out Fandral and Sif's weapon props from Thor 2 currently on display at the Treasures of Asgard exhibit at Disneyland.

Thor: The Dark World movie poster
Fandral Thor Dark World poster