WATCH: 'Iron Man' presents kid with real bionic arm

MANILA - Check out this heartwarming video of Hollywood actor Robert Downey Jr. (RDJ), who plays Iron Man in various films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, presenting a 3D-printed bionic arm to a handicapped 7-year-old kid.

Alex, whom RDJ refers to as the "most dapper" 7-year-old he has ever met, was born with a partially developed right arm. He also happens to love superheroes and riding his bike.

So imagine his surprise when he was greeted by RDJ dressed as the "leading bionics expert" Tony Stark inside a hotel room.

"Had the absolute privilege of presenting a brand spanking new 3D-printed bionic Iron Man arm to Alex," wrote RDJ on his Facebook page.

The new arm was built and designed by Albert Manero, founder of volunteer group Limbitless Solutions. The doctoral student aims to make 3D-printed bionic limbs affordable "for families with kids who want to show the playground how badass they are."

The arm costs $350 in materials to make, according to Microsoft's The Collective Project. A report from tech website CNET noted that is "far cheaper than the $40,000 it traditionally costs to make such limbs."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Spider-Man to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe

MANILA - It's official: Spider-Man is heading home.

Marvel Studios and Sony Entertainment have announced a landmark deal on Monday that will see the web-slinging superhero appear in an undisclosed film within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), joining the likes of Iron Man, Captain America and the rest of the Avengers.

 The debut will be followed by a Spider-Man standalone film from Sony marked for a July 28, 2017 release date, that will be co-produced by Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige and outgoing Sony Pictures co-chair Amy Pascal.

It was also noted that Sony Pictures will continue to finance, distribute, own and have final creative control of the Spider-Man films.

"I am thrilled to team with my friends at Sony Pictures along with Pascal to produce the next Spider-Man movie," said Feige in a statement.

"Marvel's involvement will hopefully deliver the creative continuity and authenticity that fans demand from the MCU. I am equally excited for the opportunity to have Spider-Man appear in the MCU, something which both we at Marvel, and fans alike, have been looking forward to for years," he added.

Marvel first sold the rights to Spider-Man back in 1985. It was eventually acquired by Sony Pictures Entertainment and went on to become a powerhouse franchise, grossing more than $4 billion worldwide.

"Spider-Man is one of Marvel's great characters, beloved around the world. We're thrilled to work with Sony Pictures to bring the iconic web-slinger into the MCU, which opens up fantastic new opportunities for storytelling and franchise building," said Bob Iger, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company in a statement.

The new deal means that four upcoming Marvel Studios films will now have new release dates.

"Thor: Ragnarok" will now be shown on November 3, 2017, while "Black Panther" will make its way to theaters on July 6, 2018.

"Captain Marvel" will hit the big screen on November 2, 2018, and "Inhumans" will now debut in July 12, 2019.

 It was also reported that actor Andrew Garfield will not be reprising his role as Spider-Man.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com