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Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Looks Like Shazam!'s Opening Weekend Might Make Less Money Than We Thought

Looks Like Shazam!'s Opening Weekend Might Make Less Money Than We Thought
Billy and Freddy enjoying the powers of Shazam

While a different Captain Marvel is currently enjoying massive box office success, Shazam, the superhero formerly known as Captain Marvel is set to bolt into theaters in only a few short weeks. The long-range tracking had Shazam! headed to an opening weekend of about $48 million, but it looks like the latest DCEU superhero film might make a little bit less money than we thought.


The early tracking is in on Shazam!, and the Zachary Levi superhero flick is expected to land between $40 million and $45 million when it opens in April according to Deadline. This number is in the same basic range as the long-range tracking, but as we get closer to release the tracking should be more accurate and based on that, it looks like Shazam! might make less than we thought by as little as a few million and as high as $8 million.


Overall, it looks like Shazam! will land somewhere in the $40 million to $50 million range opening weekend. This would be the lowest domestic opening for a DCEU film to date behind last year’s Aquaman, which opened to almost $68 million. However, it would still be a solid debut for Billy Batson, in part because the film only cost $100 million before print and advertising.




Tracking is prediction, not prophecy, as proven by the fact that Captain Marvel was at one point tracking at a $100 million opening and we all saw how that turned out. There are actually a lot of reasons to be optimistic that Shazam! could overachieve.


Currently, the worst domestic opening weekend in the DCEU is Aquaman and that film went on to become the universe’s most successful film overall. It proved to have strong sea legs and major international appeal, propelling that film to over $1 billion at the box office. Opening weekend isn’t everything and the DCEU is on a roll. Of course, Aquaman had the benefit of greater name recognition among audiences and an introduction in Justice League.


Shazam! might not have quite the same level of spectacle that works so well overseas as the Atlantean, but the film is getting a day-and-date release in China in the same time frame that Ready Player One found so much success last year. It is also looking likely that Shazam! will have great word of mouth and the studio is hoping that younger audiences unfamiliar with the character will still find the film.




The early reactions are in for the DCEU’s latest, and it is apparently every bit the charming delight you would want and the trailers have made it out to be. Warner Bros. seems to have real confidence audiences will feel this way as well and is holding paid preview screenings on March 23 to get the buzz and conversation going early for the movie.


We’ll see how it turns out when Shazam! opens in theaters on April 5. Check out our 2019 Release Schedule to keep track of all the biggest movies headed your way this year.

Toy Story 4 Confirms A Character That Won't Be Included

Toy Story 4 Confirms A Character That Won't Be Included
Toy Story Ken

The toybox is getting quite full with the fourth Toy Story movie. After getting to know all of Andy's toys in the first two Toy Story movies, Woody, Buzz and the gang joined the collection of toys already owned by young Bonnie in the third film. Now, with Toy Story 4, we'll be meeting even more toy characters, including Bonnie's new favorite, Forky.


It seems that, with so many characters, the fourth film wasn't able to find a place for everybody who had appeared in previous films, as the production team behind Toy Story 4 has revealed that Michael Keaton's Ken doll won't be appearing. During a press conference during my recent trip to Pixar, director Josh Cooley confirmed that Ken is still at Bonnie day care, a place the new film does not go.



Ken is not in this film. He's back at Sunnyside.





While Barbie is a character who appears in earlier Toy Story films, we don't meet Ken until the crew finds themselves at Sunnyside Day Care in the third movie. There, Ken and Barbie meet, and while the rest of Andy's toys go on to live with Bonnie, Barbie stays behind with Ken where they live together in apparent happiness.


Check out our introduction to Ken in the clip below.


If you were hoping that Toy Story 4 was taking a trip to Sunnyside, then I'm sad to report that's not the case. Since the story won't be going there, characters like Ken or Big Baby won't be appearing.




The opening few minutes of Toy Story 4 have screened in a few places and it's been revealed that as part of that Bonnie will be starting Kindergarten. Considering that, it's not too shocking to learn that Bonnie's day care won't be important to the story.


Instead, we know that Toy Story 4 will have two primary locations, an antiques store where Woody will be reunited with Bo Peep, and a carnival where Buzz Lightyear meets a pair of stuffed animals voiced by Key and Peele.


While I'm sure some fans will be sad to learn that Ken is not back, based on what I've seen of the film, there will be entirely new groups of fans excited by the new characters that are being introduced. And then, of course, there is the one big returning character of Bo Peep who was entirely absent from the last movie, but will be back in the new film, but with a very different attitude.




The producers admit that they also loved Michael Keaton's Ken, but Pixar is always very clear that the story is the thing that leads the production of a Pixar film, and the story just didn't take Toy Story 4 back to Ken and Barbie.


Toy Story 4 hits theaters June 21.

Ryan Reynolds Has A Perfect Mother's Day Message For Detective Pikachu Fans

Ryan Reynolds Has A Perfect Mother's Day Message For Detective Pikachu Fans

Mother’s Day weekend is here, and so is the highly-anticipated release Detective Pikachu! For those struggling to convince their moms to go out and see the popular (and adorable) video game character over other new releases such as The Hustle, Poms, or Tolkien, you’re in luck! Ryan Reynolds is covering all his bases during the promotion of his latest film, and has released a special message for moms everywhere. Take a look:


This has been a PSA! Ryan Reynolds took to his Instagram to share a very on-brand video concerning his own reputation as a foul-mouthed actor (most certainly from playing Deadpool) and placing concerns to rest for Detective Pikachu. As he cleverly explains, the yellow fluffy detective will not be washing his mouth with soap, because he’s a PG character!


Considering the actor has played one of the only R-rated Marvel superheroes on the big screen, moms may have received mixed messages about Ryan Reynolds’ involvement in the Pokémon franchise meaning he’d be placing an edgier take on this character too. The funny video assures audiences that the movie is a-ok for the entire family! It even features a cute exchange between Reynolds’ Pikachu and Justice Smith’s Tim that screams "heartwarming."




Detective Pikachu seems to prove that Ryan Reynolds is more than capable of using his dry humor to attract a younger audience as well … even if adult audiences have grown accustomed to his f-bombs and such. The movie does have a tricky line to walk between appeasing OG fans who are now adults and introducing kids to the new franchise as well.


Since the actor has been playing Deadpool for the past few years, he has admitted that turning the switch into PG content was a bit of a struggle. He recently told CinemaBlend that there could be an entire R-rated cut of Detective Pikachu with all the improv he got out in the outtakes. He’s also pitched a grittier Pikachu that’d be a remake of Mean Streets or Goodfellas as well.


So while a Ryan Reynolds-voiced R-rated Pikachu could certainly exist, the soft and fluffy handle-with-care Pokémon will be gracing screens this weekend. Per reviews of the film, Reynolds’ comedy holds up in his new voice role, some have even said it’s the best part of the movie amidst criticism of the film’s premise.




Whether mothers hear this message or not, Detective Pikachu is heading into an impressive opening weekend after topping the box office Friday with almost $21 million, becoming the first film to knock Avengers: Endgame to second place. The movie also already broke a record to become the best opening for a video game film.


Detective Pikachu is in theaters now! Line up with your moms this weekend!

Monday, December 30, 2019

First Look At Hagrid In Universal Studios Orlando's Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

First Look At Hagrid In Universal Studios Orlando's Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
Hagrid Animated figure at Universal Orlando resort

Fans of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter are in for a treat next month when the newest attraction at Universal Orlando resort, Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, makes its debut. Recently, the theme park revealed some of the magical creatures and obstacles that guests would be seeing in the Forbidden Forest, but now we have our first look at the most important character in the entire ride, Hagrid himself. Check out the animated figure of the Hogwarts groundskeeper in the video below.


Universal Orlando is calling the new Hagrid figure the most life-like and realistic animated figure of its kind. There's certainly no argument that's it's not a great looking figure. It looks remarkably like Robbie Coltrane, who portrayed Hagrid throughout the Harry Potter film franchise. And it should of course, as Coltrane worked with Universal Studios to help bring the new figure to life.


The designers of the figure went so far as to take a digital scan of Robbie Coltrane's mouth in order to make sure they got the character's teeth right. Coltrane's actual movements as Hagrid were used to program the movements of the figure as well. The figure will also sound like the Hagrid we know, as Coltrane recorded a custom script for the attraction.




Also, the figure is 7'6" tall, which is exactly as tall as Hagrid is in the movies, so everything is properly proportional.


According to Universal Orlando, the animated figure can be found during the portion of the ride that includes a creature never before seen in the Harry Potter movies, the blast-ended skrewt. Hagrid will be trying to contain the creature, which is just one of the magical creatures that will be on display during the new attraction.


Since Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is a roller coaster, you'll likely by flying by Hagrid at a pretty impressive speed. The coaster is supposed to be moving as fast as 50 miles per hour, so the best look at the incredibly well designed figure might be in the image below. The costume the figure is wearing was even designed by the team that created Hagrid's wardrobe for the movies.




Hagrid is, without question, one of the most popular characters in the Harry Potter franchise. Everybody loves him. As such, designing the new attraction for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter around him made all the sense in the world.


The theme park land has used a lot of talent from the movies before, so it seemed likely that Robbie Coltrane's Hagrid would appear, but this is even better. They could have just included Robbie Coltrane's voice as audio during the queue or on the attraction, but the design on this figure is quite impressive. I'm surprised every day at how far technology has come when it comes to animated characters. Especially when you're trying to make one look exactly like a specific person, that can be tough, but they nailed Coltrane's Hagrid here.


He's got his trusty umbrella, with his wand concealed inside. He's even wearing what look to be dragon-hide gloves, which make sense since he'll be dealing with a blast-ended skrewt.




Fans who want to check out the new Hagrid and ride Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure don't have too much longer to wait. The ride will be open at Universal Orlando Resort on June 13.

Why Captain Marvel Looks So Different In First Avengers: Endgame Footage

Why Captain Marvel Looks So Different In First Avengers: Endgame Footage
Captain Marvel in Avengers: Endgame

Following the release of Captain Marvel, Marvel made the bold choice to not hold the heroine back and feature Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers in the trailer and recent footage for Avengers: Endgame. While it's been exciting to see her interact with the more established Avengers, many couldn’t help but notice that Carol looked a lot different than she did in Captain Marvel, with more makeup and straighter hair. Avengers: Endgame co-director Joe Russo explained why Captain Marvel looks so different, saying:



She did [Avengers: Endgame] before she filmed Captain Marvel, and I think she was experimenting with what the character was. And those were the choices that she and her hair and makeup team had made. And I think as she started to gain a deeper understanding of the character, especially as she approached her own movie. She started to make different choices and as an artist she should be afforded that right to make whatever choice that she wants to make.



Brie Larson’s first time playing Captain Marvel was in Avengers: Endgame, not Captain Marvel, and the way that shooting schedule worked out impacted the way in which she developed her character’s look over time. As Joe Russo said at the Avengers: Endgame press junket, reported by Slashfilm, Brie Larson was still getting into her character in her Endgame scenes, discovering who Carol was and how she wanted to play her.




As Endgame was her first time in the shoes of the character, Brie Larson experimented and made the choices that seemed right to her at the time. Those choices resulted in her wearing more makeup and having a different hairstyle than what we saw in Captain Marvel. The actress’ understanding of Carol Danvers changed the more time she spent with her and that impacted how she wanted her to look.


Therefore, going in to Captain Marvel Brie Larson’s changed how she looked to match her evolved image of the character and that’s why she looks different in the two films. The Russo Brothers set parameters for how the character should look, but Joe Russo made it clear that the actors, including Brie Larson, have ownership over how they do their hair and makeup. So in both Avengers: Endgame and Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers’ hair and makeup were decisions made by Brie Larson and her hair and makeup team.


Apparently some people were up in arms that Carol Danvers appeared done up in Avengers: Endgame, and that such a look didn’t fit with her feminist character. But contrary to the belief that the film was trying to make her prettier, this was ultimately just the result of shooting schedules and an actor taking time to discover what works best for the character and her portrayal.




While this isn’t an in-universe story reason, it does make sense that Carol Danvers would look different. We are used to MCU characters having different looks from film to film, and technically Avengers: Endgame takes place over two decades after Captain Marvel, so naturally she would have changed her look at least a bit.


It will be interesting to see after Avengers: Endgame, whenever we next see Carol Danvers, be it in Captain Marvel 2 or elsewhere, if she reverts back to the Captain Marvel look or finds a happy medium between the two.


See Captain Marvel’s new look when Avengers: Endgame opens in theaters on April 26. Check out our 2019 release schedule to keep track of all the biggest movies coming this year, and for all your movie news, stay tuned to CinemaBlend.



Even Though Zac Efron's Ted Bundy Movie Is Heading To Netflix, It's Getting An R-Rating

Even Though Zac Efron's Ted Bundy Movie Is Heading To Netflix, It's Getting An R-Rating
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile's "hot" Ted Bundy is Zac Efron

Netflix has had a weird history with rating its original movies, but now we know for certain that one of its big upcoming movies will be Rated R. The movie in question is Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. Given the serial killer subject matter of the upcoming Netflix flick, an R rating for the Ted Bundy-based flick makes sense.


The MPAA has given Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile an R-rating and, as you can probably guess, one of the reasons cited is for “disturbing” content. More specifically, the MPAA says:



Rated R for disturbing/violent content, some sexuality, nudity and language.






While the R rating is not a giant surprise (or at least shouldn’t be given the subject matter), what is interesting is that the film has been rated at all.


We’ve reported previously on Netflix’s inconsistencies with rating its movies. Some flicks in the past have been given TV-MA or similar TV guideline-based ratings while some have been given MPAA ratings. It hasn’t always been consistent regarding whether or not a project has gotten a brief theatrical release, either.


However, just a couple of weeks ago, Netflix joined the MPAA. Hopefully, this means that a larger percentage of movies will actually be getting the types of ratings people in the U.S. are familiar with. I know it probably doesn't seem like a big deal given that Netflix has been letting people know whether or not something is "mature" content, but to me the fact that some projects have been rated more like TV projects while others have been rated like real movies made it clear that Netflix didn't really know what space it was occupying in the business.





By signing on with the MPAA, Netflix has shown that it sees its movies as competing with other movies and not with the stuff that cable and network TV is putting out. It also means the MPAA is now showing more of a willingness to work with Netflix, which has often been at odds with the movie industry at large.


Extremely Wickedy, Shockingly Evil, and Vile has dealt with some press recently for casting Zac Efron as a “hot Ted Bundy,” especially given the serial killer nature of the movie. However, Ted Bundy was notorious for being a good-looking guy while on death row long before Zac Efron was ever cast in the role. Plus, Netflix has already reminded people that if they are really looking for "hot" characters, there are plenty of other options on the streaming service.


It’s certainly a unique choice for Zac Efron at this point in his career to tackle a serial killer period drama. However, he has taken projects with an R rating before, most notoriously with the Rated R version of Baywatch. (Although the movie went on to be panned, the cast defended the move.)





Hopefully, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile won’t suffer the same fate. Netflix, in fact, has had some struggles with producing critically-acclaimed content, although this past year’s Roma from Alfonso Cuaron was a notable exception.


Ultimately, 2019 should be an interesting year for the streaming service, and not just because it has joined the MPAA. You can catch Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile sometime soon on Netflix. While we wait for an official date be sure to check out what is coming this month on Netflix.

Sunday, December 29, 2019

Should Wesley Snipes' Blade Really Return In The MCU?

Should Wesley Snipes' Blade Really Return In The MCU?
Wesley Snipes Blade

As Marvel's plans for Phase 4 officially remain under lock and key, rumors and speculation are running rampant about the brand's future plans for its current characters and plans for other characters who haven't been seen in a long time. The latest update on the latter alleges that Marvel has plans for a Blade return. This alleged film, which would be R-rated, is said to involve Wesley Snipes in some way.


Now there's a chance Marvel could have other plans for Wesley Snipes, but smart money says that if he's involved, it's probably so he can reprise his role as the title character. It's a bold choice given his inclusion would seemingly mean embracing the character's previous films and giving the world the fourth Blade film after over 15 years. Provided these discussions are currently underway, is bringing Wesley Snipes Blade to the MCU something that should happen?


To start, let's acknowledge that Wesley Snipes is in his mid 50s. Him being Blade now would look a lot different than when he first took on the role. Hell, it'd even look different than when he did Blade Trinity at 41. That's not to say he can't pull it off, but one would imagine if Marvel is seriously considering Snipes for Blade, it's because they aren't planning to have him back for long.





Because, let's face it, if Marvel was thinking about making a new Blade movie, it's a good bet it'd use a younger actor. Mahershala Ali already has a strong show of support from MCU fans, and is still in his early 40s. He's just one of the many popular actors that could take on the character, so it's not absolutely necessary that Wesley Snipes be tapped for this role.


Yet, there has been talk from Snipes and Kevin Feige both over the years, which does make it possible these talks are legitimate. Rumors are still just that, but the fact that Marvel Studios has supposedly shown some interest in bringing back Wesley Snipes to play Blade in the past does instill some confidence that there's a plan at play. If it's being discussed, surely there's an idea of how it would happen, right?


Which, in and of itself, is a strong supporting reason for why Snipes should return as Blade. Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios has had a strong track record to date in the MCU, so there's little reason to doubt they'd just up and drop the ball trying to do Blade with Wesley Snipes. After all, why search for another actor when you have the guy who played him in three films before ready and willing to make a comeback.





Well, there is one really big reason not to, and a lot of it is tied to Wesley Snipes on-set behavior during production on Blade: Trinity. There are multiple accounts of Snipes doing some wild stuff on set, one of which included requesting CGI being used to put him in scenes he didn't feel like doing.


Much wilder alleged stories can be found online, but it seemed clear to multiple people on set that Blade wasn't something Snipes wanted to be a part of anymore. People change, obviously, but it's a valid question whether there are those at Marvel who remember that whole incident and may have issues bringing the actor in and risking more behind-the-scenes drama on a high-budget feature.


One big strength in Snipes favor is that he's aged wonderfully, and it's not crazy to think an enhanced lifespan isn't a real-life super power he's capable of. Additionally, after seeing how Marvel de-aged Kurt Russell and Samuel L. Jackson, it's hard to believe what little work it would take to make Snipes look as close to how he looked the last time audiences saw the Dhampir in action.





Perhaps the question isn't why Marvel would want Wesley Snipes back as Blade, but more of a question as to what that would mean. Bringing Snipes back would presumably make Blade 1-3 canon in the MCU, which adds yet another franchise to marry to a very delicate ecosystem at the moment. Could the MCU weather bringing the first three Blade films into its shared universe without worrying about plot inconsistencies or other issues?


It also bears mention that while the character of Blade has been popular, the franchise thus far has not been a hit with critics. Blade II is seen as the high point, according to critic scores on Rotten Tomatoes, and Blade: Trinity's aggregate score makes X-Men: Apocalypse's score seem solid in comparison. None of the films have been critical successes, but the lowest point of this franchise has been pretty damn bad in the eyes of critics.


Absence can tend to make the heart grow fonder though, although it would be a question of why the Marvel universe has had zero mentions of vampires to this point if Blade has been around this whole time. Granted, that is changing as Sony just went into principal photography on Morbius pretty recently, although it remains to be seen how or if the character will be incorporated into the MCU.





If there was a time to make vampires a part of the MCU, Phase 4 seems like a time to do it. The future of the Asgardians and who will headline adventures related to them is potentially on the bubble if Chris Hemsworth exits, and Marvel has already shown a want to expand its universe more with the introduction of the Skrulls. Vampires would be a viable outlet, and wouldn't take a lot of work to incorporate.


There is one story element that Marvel Studios could be looking into, and it's one that admittedly feels like one that avoids a lot of the potential problems in bringing back Wesley Snipes' Blade. Snipes could be the supporting character in a feature that ultimately paves the way to introduce Fallon Grey, Blade's daughter, as the MCU's resident vampire hunter. It's a convenient way to sweep Blade's past under the rug, and also add more inclusivity to the MCU.


Ultimately the decision is Marvel Studios', and it will ultimately decide whether or not Wesley Snipes and the Blade franchise is worth incorporating into the MCU. Right now people probably have a lot of questions as to why, but many will ultimately trust Kevin Feige and those responsible if bringing the vampire hunter back is the right move.





Right now, all this Blade talk is just a rumor, but CinemaBlend will keep an eye out for updates and any developments especially as Marvel gears up to announce its plans for Phase 4 after Spider-Man: Far From Home. For more on Blade, read up on what recent superhero film director actually pitched an idea for a film not all that long ago.

New Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Image Reveals How Massive The Land Is

New Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Image Reveals How Massive The Land Is
The Millennium Falcon at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

Disney told us from the very beginning that Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge was going to be the single largest land expansion in the history of Disneyland when it was finally here. However, Disney Parks are already so massive that it's difficult to get an idea of exactly what that means. Just how big is Galaxy's Edge?


While the land doesn't open to the general public (or more specifically, those with reservations) for a little over a week, Galaxy's Edge has been giving sneak peeks to some including press members recently, and it recently held a cast member event in the space. From that event has come one of the few official photos of the new land that has been released, that includes 1400 people surrounding the Millennium Falcon. Check it out.


While there's certainly a lot of people in this photo, the fact is that Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is so much more than what you see in the picture, that it's going to clearly be able to hold an insane number of people due to its size. The other major E-ticket attraction, Rise of the Resistance, though it won't be open on May 31 with the rest of the land, isn't even visible in this picture. That means there's a lot of space left empty that thousands more people will be able to inhabit.




The picture, posted on Instagram by Disneyland President Josh D'Amaro, also shows just how big the Millennium Falcon actually is. For many, simply standing in the presence of a full sized replica of the iconic ship will be the ultimate Star Wars experience.


One can certainly imagine an aerial photo of Galaxy's Edge looking this packed most of the time if Disneyland actually lets enough people into the new land. Of course, it's not clear at this point exactly how many people will actually be getting to Galaxy's Edge when it opens.


Getting access to Galaxy's Edge for the first three weeks will require a reservation. All of the reservations made available to the general public in that time are already gone. The only way to be able to visit the planet of Batuu now is to book a reservation at a Disneyland Resort hotel, for which rooms are still available even now.




After the first three weeks, access to Galaxy's Edge will be handled through a digital queue system where guests will be notified on their smartphone when they can visit the land. One assumes this process will last until the crowds die down to a level where people will be able to enter and exit at their leisure, although, considering how popular the new land is going to be, it could be quite some time before that happens.


Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opens at Disneyland May 31 and an identical land will open at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World August 29. A second phase including the second E-ticket attraction, Rise of the Resistance will open at an as yet undisclosed time in both parks later this year.

6 Unanswered Us Questions We Really Want Answered In An Us Sequel

6 Unanswered Us Questions We Really Want Answered In An Us Sequel
Wilson Family Us

Warning! The following contains spoilers for Jordan Peele's latest horror opus. Read at your own risk!


Following Us' blockbuster opening weekend, audiences are still reeling, and Jordan Peele's suspenseful horror thriller has many wanting a second viewing to see all the tiny clues leading up to that big twist. Others, however, have moved past all that, and are curious as to when a second movie is coming that may explain some of the lingering mysteries, and cover what happens after. With that said, here's some of the questions I have that could be addressed if an Us 2 is made.


How Does Tethering Work?


In Us, it's revealed by Red that "The Tethered" were created to be puppets used by the U.S. Government in order to control people. The experiment is regarded a failure, and The Tethered are abandoned underground with nothing to do but mimic their counterparts. They're able to do this without physically seeing what their other selves are doing... but how does that work exactly? How are the Tethered tethered?




A sequel could introduce someone who was familiar with the Tethered project, and could explain the ins and outs of how they work. What drives them to mimic? Why did they need to kill their original selves? What happens when the Tethered become the only version of themselves? Surely there's someone out there with the answers, and if another movie happens, we need to hear their perspective.


How Did The Rest Of The World Respond To The Event?


As Red said, the Tethered are "Americans." The group united, and joined hands across the nation in a statement that ensured they would be seen and recognized. It's a statement that, one would assume, wasn't meant for their above ground doppelgangers considering how many were murdered throughout the film. The rest of the world bore witness to this event, but we have no idea how they responded.


Did the U.N. assemble and grant the Tethered protected status? I'd be more convinced they decided to firebomb the country after seeing what these underground creatures can do. Of course, there's also groups of Americans who may have survived, so will there be rescue efforts to extract those individuals? What if other countries have their own Tethered, but the experiment actually worked over there? There's a lot of potential with this question, and a lot of directions to take it.




Are The Tethered Evil?


Once it's revealed that Adelaide Wilson is actually a member of the Tethered in the story, it presents an interesting question for Us. Adelaide was a seemingly well-adjusted person after a time, but is she the rule or the exception? After all, living below ground warped Red even though she was a normal girl above ground. Are the Tethered truly evil, or are they just a victim of their environments?


Adelaide shows that it's possible for the Tethered to become well-adjusted members of society, but Red shows that living in the tunnels can make just about anyone crazy. Are these Tethered that came up from the tunnels too far gone, or will they eventually create a civilized society within time? A time jump of how things progress would be riveting to see, and it would be fascinating to see in what ways they change and remain the same.


Who Else Survived The Attack?


There were quite a few dead bodies scattered throughout Us, but it's hard to believe the Wilsons were the only family to survive this traumatic experience. After all, helicopters captured the Tethered's statement, so apparently there were some pilots that managed to survive the incident. I suppose it could've been pilots' doppelgangers flying, which could be the case considering their hanging around the Tethered and not flying the hell out of dodge.




Still, there had to be some combat ready families that were able to overpower their doppelgangers and escape without being seen by other Tethered. It would be neat to see how they handled things, and could present an entirely different sequel similar to how 10 Cloverfield Lane was compared to Cloverfield. Ideally this is just the start of Peele's film universe, and another movie reveals a connection between the events of it, Us, and Get Out.


What's With All The Rabbits?


The rabbits are seen at the beginning of Us without context, and then later are seen roaming freely throughout the tunnels. About all we know about these underground rabbits is that they're the Tethered's primary food source, and there's plenty of them to go around. In truth that may be the whole point, as rabbits and their excessive breeding habits somewhat explains how the Tethered always have something to eat underground.


That said, how are these rabbits surviving? Are they also a part of the U.S. government's failed experiment? Surely the goal wasn't to put these rabbits down there so that the Tethered have something to eat, right? There'd have to be a more effective method of feeding that many people that would be cheaper and less horrifying. Perhaps the rabbits were the precursor to the Tethered? We'll probably never know unless there's a sequel.




Can The Tethered Drown?


Remember when Gabe and Abraham fought on the boat? That boat drug Abraham for a very long time, and it's a wonder he didn't die of drowning throughout that whole sequence. Later we see the "Hands Across America" chain, and it looks as though there are members of the Tethered beneath the water joining hands. So, can these "Americans" breathe underwater, and that bit was just left out of the movie?


I'm not sure why it would be important to the plot for the Tethered to be unable to drown, but it definitely makes them 100x creepier. Imagine one just being able to sit underwater with that twisted smile for hours waiting for a chance to strike. This trait, provided it exists, would also open the door to another reason why the Tethered were created, that doesn't necessarily jive with the way Red's been led to understand this government project.


Do you have a question about Us that you'd love to see explored in another film? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below and see the film in theaters now. For more on the movie, check out some of the clues that tease the twist ending far ahead of the actual reveal.



Next Transformers Movie Aims To Fuse Bumblebee And Michael Bay Movies

Next Transformers Movie Aims To Fuse Bumblebee And Michael Bay Movies
Halliee Stenfeld and Bumblebee

The last Transformers movie, Bumblebee, was unlike anything we'd seen in the franchise before. The story let most of the explosions and destruction go in order to focus on a smaller character story. While the new direction worked for a lot of people, others were left wanting as they'd come to enjoy the massive destruction of the giant robot franchise. It seems that the next movie in the Transformers franchise will look to combine the best of both worlds, giving the story the heart of Bumblebee without sacrificing the epic action sequences of the main franchise. According to director Lorenzo di Bonaventura...



I know the next Transformer, our attempt anyway, is to sort of do a fusion of Bumblebee and the Bay movies…a little more Bayhem. And a little bit more of the character falling in love within the emotional dynamic of the movie. One of the things I want to do—and I hope we pull it off—is, we did it with Bumblebee because he’s so cute and he’s so accessible, but he can’t talk. I think the more human we can make these characters, the more people are going to like them.



The Transformers movies made by Michael Bay tended to be lambasted by critics, all while making billions at the box office.It's easy to be critical, but there was clearly a large crowd that loved the over-the-top explosive action that Michael Bay created in his Transformers movies.





However, for those that were looking for something a bit more grounded and relatable, Kubo and the Two Strings director Travis Knight brought us Bumblebee, a prequel/soft reboot of the Transformers franchise that gave us a bit less action but a lot more character. It did fine at the box office, but didn't quite hit Michael Bay levels of business.


Exactly what the future holds for this franchise is far from clear, but based on Lorenzo di Bonaventura's comments to Collider, regardless of what the plot is or which characters will be highlighted, the plan is to take the character story of Bumblebee and the action of a Michael Bay movie and fuse them together. Give everybody something that they want in a Transformers movie.


There's certainly the possibility for a really successful film if this idea works. If you make the giant robots a bit more relatable so that those looking for a stronger story are engaged, while still putting the massive action set pieces out there, then everybody buys a ticket and the new movie becomes huge. As one of those people who preferred Bumblebee to the standard Transformers films, I have no problem with massive, city destroying, action scenes, as long as they involve characters I'm actually engaged with.





Of course, exactly what's next from the Transformers franchise is anybody's guess. Plans for creating an entire Transformers cinematic universe appear to be on hold and the there is no next movie officially on the release schedule.Although, we can be sure that, one way or another, there absolutely will be another Transformers movie, and it might just be the one everybody has been waiting for.

Saturday, December 28, 2019

Zac Efron Says The Greatest Showman Sequel Could Still Happen

Zac Efron Says The Greatest Showman Sequel Could Still Happen
The Greatest Showman 2 Zac Efron screenshot

Zac Efron is currently out and about promoting his Ted Bundy flick Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, but when it comes to Zafron, a lot of people still have The Greatest Showman tunes on the brain. On the bright side, according to the actor, a sequel to the popular movie could still be in play. He recently said on The Graham Norton Show:



The real answer is 'could be.’ I'm not sure. I'm being completely honest with you, there is talk of something going around but no one is really sure… But I think someone is working on a treatment for something... I know they are, they're working on a treatment for something.



Speaking on a couch with some other big name actors, including Matthew Broderick, Zac Efron explained what he knows about a potential sequel to the 2017 musical. It's honestly amazing that we could be talking about a sequel these days, given where the movie was when it first kicked off in theaters.




Honestly, when The Greatest Showman first premiered, it wasn’t to an auspicious start. The movie routinely was in third or fourth place at the box office in its first few weeks in theaters at the end of 2017, as it competed with the likes of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle and Pitch Perfect 3. Then a funny thing started happening—people kept going to see it.


In fact, the movie remained in the Top 10 domestically through the weekend of March 2-4 in 2018, a weekend in which Black Panther was already out and dominating.


Clearly, there’s an appetite for more tunes set in the world of The Greatest Showman. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul wrote the music for the film, after gaining fame from creating original music for Smash and La La Land.




However, if you’ve seen the musical movie, you should already know that it covers a pretty large span of time in the life of the circus dreamer. We get to see P.T. Barnum’s early failures, his big dreams and his big successes. Toward the end –and spoilers--fictional character Phillip Carlyle (played by Zac Efron) ends up getting involved as a partner and takes over the open-air circus while Barnum takes a step back to spend more time with his family.


It’s hard to tell exactly where a sequel could go with the narrative, but Zac Efron also told Graham Norton that he would be game to work opposite Hugh Jackman and with the music and writing team again, noting though that scheduling could eventually be a problem.



Hugh (Jackman) is working on all sorts of things including a one man show. What’s next? I don’t know but I hope there is a sequel.





I think a lot of people hope there is a sequel. Although in real life, P.T. Barnum’s story wasn’t all about overcoming obstacles, the musical narrative really entranced people. It helps that circus set pieces and costumes are lovely and lively. It also helps that the music is so catchy, leading to group sing-a-long screenings.


It was a good holiday season at the movies the year The Greatest Showman came out, but in particular that movie had staying power because it became a cultural film that people could experience together in groups or with one or two of their friends. In turn, the soundtrack became a success and the music for the movie was everywhere.


Part of this could be because the whole thing was originally conceived as a Broadway musical, and there has been some talk about turning the movie into a stage production, as well. So, theoretically even if a sequel does not end up happening, the movie could branch out into other mediums.




Is The Cast On Board For A Greatest Showman Sequel?


Several other people related to the movie, from director Michael Gracey to Hugh Jackman himself, have expressed optimism about telling more of the story about the famed circus. Jackman previously revealed:



If a genuine opportunity came up where it felt like the right thing to do, then yep, I'd get the top hat back out. It's clear to me and to everyone that people love these characters. I loved this movie, I loved this character and it was one of the great joys of my life.



This was a passion project for all of the people involved. The movie was also seven years in the making, so it's no real surprise that people related to the movie might have enthusiasm toward doing more, whether that be Zac Efron or Hugh Jackman. Some time after Jackman made the above comment, Gracey also confirmed that discussions were underway about producing a script for another movie. Now, Efron has said something similar.




Talk is not the same as forward movement, unfortunately. It’s also probably worth pointing out that The Greatest Showman was a 20th Century Fox movie, so if this project were to move forward, it would have to nab the greenlight from parent company Disney these days. Disney actually recently cut a few Fox movies from its docket, and it's been hard to tell what the company has been championing in terms of projects and franchises from Fox so far.


That said, The Greatest Showman is in a lot of ways like many Disney movies. It’s fun, it’s mostly family-friendly and it has musical components (and dancing, don't forget the dancing). Most importantly, in a world that is chock full of PG-13 movies, The Greatest Showman was a rare PG outing that didn't feel as if it were just for kids. Clearly it's a likable property, but figuring out what a sequel would be about that would make sense given the historical premise could be a real challenge.


We’ll let you know if The Greatest Showman 2 ever gets an official script, but in the meantime take a look at what is hitting theaters in 2019 with our full guide to what's coming up and catch Zac Efron in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, which is heading to Netflix starting on May 3.




Now for the real question? Would you like to see more from Zac Efron and company's "greatest show?" Or do you think the movie ended on a final note?

Chinese Film Advocates Aren’t Fond Of Bohemian Rhapsody’s Censorship

Chinese Film Advocates Aren’t Fond Of Bohemian Rhapsody’s Censorship
Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury

Bohemian Rhapsody is undeniably one of the biggest hits of the last year. Bryan Singer's Freddie Mercury biopic may have had some controversy surrounding it, but the musical blockbuster ultimately made a ton of money at the box office, and was an Awards Season favorite. Unfortunately, some controversy continues, especially as the project was brought to China for the first time.


In order for Bohemian Rhapsody to hit theaters for Chinese moviegoers, the movie was edited down, with scenes and dialogue regarding Freddie Mercury's sexuality cut. It's a change that drew criticism online, especially as certain moviegoers already thought the movie didn't focus on Mercury's queerness enough. And now film advocates in China are responding as well.


LGBT advocate and cinephiles Peng Yanzi recently spoke to the Associated Press about the choice to edit down Bohemian Rhapsody, and what it did to the movie. The report was:






The cut scenes really affect the movie. The film talks about how (Mercury) became himself, and his sexuality is an important part of becoming who he was.



Aside from ignoring an important aspect of the subject of Bohemian Rhapsody, it looks like these new edits may have affected the film overall. Freddie Mercury's journey in the biopic was about music and self-discovery. And cutting out his coming out process means that a big aspect of that narrative was absent from Bohemian Rhapsody.


Another Chinese moviegoer and LGBT advocate addressed the changes to Bohemian Rhapsody, and how the editing affected the quality of the overall movie. They said:






This kind of deletion weakens his gay identity. It’s a bit disrespectful to his real experience and makes the character superficial. There is no growth and innermost being of him.



Bohemian Rhapsody might not have been a gay love story, but Freddie Mercury's sexuality is the unspoken elephant in the room for most of the biopic. Still, there are a few extremely poignant scenes that occur later in the film, as Mercury's starpower is on the rise. His relationship with girlfriend Mary Austin was shown slowly dissolving, and eventually Lucy Boynton's character opens the dialogue about his sexuality. That scene is one of many to get the cut for the Chinese release, and it appears the movie is worse for it.


As a reminder, you can check out that scene below.





The above sequence is one of the most powerful and emotional in the entirety of Bohemian Rhapsody. In fact, it's hard to even imagine a version of the film lacking this plot line, and this powerful moment between the two real-life figures.


It should be interesting to see how Bohemian Rhapsody ultimately performs overseas. There's obviously a ton of hype around the project, after taking so many trophies. But will the new edit ruin it? We'll have to see. In the meantime, be sure to check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

American Gods’ Ricky Whittle Has Had Talks About Playing Green Lantern

American Gods’ Ricky Whittle Has Had Talks About Playing Green Lantern
Ricky Whittle as Shadow Moon in American Gods

It’s no secret that Green Lantern’s theatrical debut wasn’t the hit that DC and Warner Bros were hoping for, as the hero’s 2011 movie was met with negative reception and didn’t make a profit. However, the Emerald Knight’s mythology is getting a chance at cinematic redemption with Green Lantern Corps, and in late 2017, Green Lantern writer Michael Green suggested that American Gods star Ricky Whittle would be a good actor to don the power ring next. Since then, Whittle has actually met with certain parties about playing Green Lantern, as he explained:



We know that Green Lantern Corps is coming out. I’ve had conversations, and to be in the conversation is a big honor. That's all I can really ever ask for. Lots of fans have been campaigning for me. If they can get me Green Lantern, too, we are going to have to do something special. I'm going to have to start doing tours in full costume and go and watch with all the fans. But, yeah, I would love to be a part of that world. Hopefully, they do it justice this time.



Remember that just because an actor has had conversations with people working on a movie doesn’t mean that said actor will necessarily obtain the role, but it’s definitely a step up from campaigning to play a character. Ricky Whittle is clearly interested in getting to be Green Lantern, so maybe he sends a better than most of obtaining the role. Of course, he’s currently starring as Shadow Moon on American Gods, but since that’s a premium cable show with less episodes compared to something on broadcast, that would presumably allow more freedom in his schedule to take on Green Lantern Corps (not to mention that there’s no word yet on if the Starz show will get a third season).





Announced back in 2014 as part of the initial slate of DC Extended Universe movies, Green Lantern Corps has been put on the back burner in recent years, but it is definitely still in the works. Geoff Johns, whose run on the Green Lantern comic book spanned nearly a decade and propelled the property to a new level of popularity, is writing the script. As for which Green Lantern he’d portray, Ricky Whittle also mentioned in his interview with Syfy Wire that’d he’d be up for playing John Stewart or Simon Baz, though he noted that bringing John in particular to life would “be the dream.” He continued:



It's a fantastic character, and an important character, if you read the comics in terms of human society and race and different issues that we are engulfed by in at the moment in America. You never know. If Geoff Johns is reading this, I am definitely up for it. I'm a huge fan. What I like is they are taking their time with it. They are not rushing it like with the first one. They are taking their time and doing it right, which is how it should be. It's in good hands with Geoff. Fingers crossed. Whatever he does, I'll be watching it, no matter what.



All we know for sure about Green Lantern Corps so far is that it will involve Hal Jordan and John Stewart teaming up, although back when the script was being written by David Goyer and Justin Rhodes, the project was described as “Lethal Weapon in space.” It’s unclear if that description still applies, but at the very least, Green Lantern Corps could be used to dive deep into the DCEU’s cosmic corners.





Green Lantern Corps was originally set for a 2020 release, but it’s currently undated, with Birds of Prey and Wonder Woman 1984 holding down the DC fort next year. Keep checking back with CinemaBlend for any major updates concerning Green Lantern Corps’ development.

Harrison Ford Has Very Blunt Opinions About The Future Of Indiana Jones

Harrison Ford Has Very Blunt Opinions About The Future Of Indiana Jones
Harrison Ford is Indiana Jones

We live in a remake and reboot culture. Will Smith is playing a genie role made famous by Robin Williams in Aladdin. Robert Pattinson reportedly has been cast as the next Batman, the latest in a long line. And even one of Harrison Ford’s most iconic roles, Han Solo, was played by the younger Alden Ehrenreich in Ron Howard’s Solo: A Star Wars Story. Almost any role can be recast, right? Well, not quite.


Perhaps Harrison Ford is annoyed that Han Solo was played by someone else. Because the veteran screen icon appeared on The TODAY Show this morning and was asked who he would like to see as the next Indiana Jones when he’s ready to hang up the whip and fedora. And Ford honestly answered:



Nobody is going to be Indiana Jones. Don’t you get it? I’m Indiana Jones. When I’m gone, he’s gone. It’s easy!





Ford was being playful, but he was also making it very clear. The role of Indiana Jones will always be his, and none of these young upstarts should be sizing themselves up for the archaeologist’s signature leather jacket any time soon. In fact, as the interview continued, Harrison Ford hilariously added:



This is a hell of a way to tell Chris Pine this. I’m sorry man!



That’s great. Perhaps this was a dig at the fact that Chris Pine did take one of Harrison Ford’s classic roles when he played Jack Ryan in the Tom Clancy story Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit. Or maybe it’s Ford always being asked about which young actor is going to move into his signature roles?




We have heard, over the years, the name Chris Pratt associated with the Indiana Jones role, maybe with him stepping in for a prequel story. However, as the casting of Alden Ehrenreich proved with Solo: A Star Wars Story, Ford leaves VERY big shoes to fill, and very few have the same on-screen charisma and swagger to play the parts that he has created.


If I were an up-and-coming actor, the last thing I’d want to do is try to redo Indiana Jones, a character who is so closely associated with Ford that anyone other than Harrison in the role feels like a crime. So you know what? Don’t do it. Listen to Harrison. When he’s gone, Indy is gone. I think fandom would be OK with that.


Here’s Ford, dropping truth bombs all over the set of The TODAY Show.




Harrison Ford isn’t ready to retire the role of Indiana Jones just yet. Disney has a release date for an untitled Indiana Jones 5 on July 9, 2021. Steven Spielberg is expected to direct, and Ford will be back in the lead. Since Ford is currently 76, we’re going to keep guessing that this will be his last time playing Indy, but we have assumed that in the past, and Ford has proven us wrong, so we shall see.

Friday, December 27, 2019

Avengers Infinity War Cast List: All The Confirmed Marvel Heroes And Villains

Avengers Infinity War Cast List: All The Confirmed Marvel Heroes And Villains
Thanos in Avengers: Age of Ultron

There's no denying it: Avengers: Infinity War will feature the largest cast for a Marvel movie yet. Building off everything that's happened in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since it launched in 2008, the movie will see the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy and more to fight the threat this franchise has been teasing for half a decade: Thanos. He's one of the greatest villains in the Marvel comics, and he'll finally prove why he's so formidable on the silver screen.


There's still a lot that hasn't been revealed yet about Avengers: Infinity War, including how it connects to 2019's Avengers 4. Fortunately, one area where there's plenty of information is castings. While Marvel is remaining tight-lipped on the new characters who will appear (including who Peter Dinklage and Terry Notary are playing), there have been numerous confirmations about characters who will be returning. Let's take a look at all the MCU heroes and villains who will definitely be back for Avengers: Infinity War.


Thanos


Thanos stayed on the sidelines for five years now, but in 2018, he'll finally prove why he's the overarching antagonist of the MCU. After several of his minions failed to retrieve the Infinity Stones on his behalf, the Mad Titan decided at the end of Avengers: Age of Ultron to take his Infinity Gauntlet out of the vault and secure them himself. If he succeeds, Thanos will be able rewrite all of reality, and like his comic book counterpart, he may be doing this to court Death.




Iron Man


Iron Man has been part of the MCU since the beginning, so it would be weird if he didn't participate in Avengers: Infinity War. Tony Stark has been through a lot over nearly a decade, from becoming a superhero and walking away from war profiteering to working with the government on registering enhanced individuals. Tony is still continuing his Iron Man duties and trying to keep the world safe, so bet on him being at the front lines and breaking out his best tech yet to fight Thanos.


Captain America


Captain America has been one of the MCU's most cherished heroes for decades, but as of Captain America: Civil War, Steve Rogers has abandoned his patriotic mantle and is on the run due to his anti-registration activities. Despite his current predicament, Steve is still someone who will do the right thing no matter what. So when Thanos comes to Earth, he'll jump back into action to keep the innocent safe, which hopefully means picking up his vibranium shield again.


Thor


Even though he hasn't been involved with the Avengers for a while, Thor's been keeping himself busy. Along with departing Earth at the end of Avengers: Age of Ultron to learn about the Infinity Stones, he also has to deal with what's coming up in Thor: Ragnarok, which includes finding Odin, surviving Sakaar and preventing Hela from destroying all of Asgardian civilization. The God of Thunder will be put through the ringer this fall, but rest assured, he'll be ready for battle during Avengers: Infinity War.




Hulk


Like Thor, Hulk's been out of the game for a little bit, but moviegoers will reunite with him in Thor: Ragnarok, where he'll battle Thor on Sakaar and then team up with the God of Thunder. Then he'll take part in both Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers 4, which, according to Mark Ruffalo, form with Ragnarok to make a standalone Hulk story. That's fine and dandy, but no doubt what many Marvel fans want most from the Green Goliath in this tale is for him to go mano a mano with Thanos.


Spider-Man


Spider-Man is a still new to the MCU, but his decades-long popularity has ensured that he's already a major player in the MCU. After being recruited by Tony Stark in Captain America: Civil War, Peter Parker is returning in Spider-Man: Homecoming to put his technologically-enhanced Spider-suit to good use and a gang of thieves with their own special tech, led by The Vulture. We don't know yet how that story will play out, but it certainly looks like it will strengthen Peter's character, making him a more effective superhero for when Avengers: Infinity War rolls around.


Star-Lord


Peter Quill was taken from Earth almost 30 years ago, and although he's led a life of excitement since then, he still hasn't returned to home. With two adventures under his belt with the other Guardians of the Galaxy, the self-named Star-Lord will finally have to head back to Earth in Avengers: Infinity War when Thanos starts wreaking havoc. Since he's been gone for so long, it will be interesting to see how Peter reacts to modern day pop culture, like learning how the Zune isn't the most popular music player like he was led to believe.




Gamora


Gamora was the first of Thanos' "children" to leave his side, and it's a good thing she did, because now she's putting her skills to good use as a Guardian of the Galaxy. Because of her time with the Mad Titan, Gamora will prove invaluable in fighting him and his forces during Avengers: Infinity War. Of course, since she was also Thanos' favorite daughter, that makes her betrayal sting even more for him, so if they cross paths, you can bet that "daddy" is going to have some words for Gamora, to put it as lightly as possible.


Drax


Drax the Destroyer helped with destroying Ronan, the Kree fanatic who killed his wife and daughter. However, Drax told Gamora at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy that Ronan was just a pawn, and for his vengeance to truly be carried out, he would need to kill Thanos. Drax's desire for revenge wasn't mentioned in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, but you can bet that if sees Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War, he'll try his hardest to eliminate the intergalactic warlord.


Nebula


It took Nebula a little longer to leave Thanos' side, and even longer for her to work out her issues with Gamora. Fortunately the sisters were on good terms by the time Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 concluded, but rather than stick with the Guardians, Nebula departed to begin her quest to kill Thanos. She'll have to contend with Drax trying to fulfill that same objective, but at least we can count on Nebula being an ally during Avengers: Infinity War rather than trying to hurt the other Guardians.




Rocket


Rocket is arguably the biggest smart-ass in the MCU. Yes, dare I say it, even more so than Tony Stark. But after two Guardians of the Galaxy movies, he finally seems to realize that his connections to his fellow Guardians aren't easily broken. Now that his relationship fears have been dealt with, we can count on him providing his weaponry expertise in the showdown against Thanos. There's also concept art of Rocket fighting alongside Thor, so expect him to insult the God of Thunder's hair, or something along those lines.


Groot


It was fun seeing Baby Groot in action during Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, but one of the sequel's mid-credits scenes showed that the walking and talking tree is still growing and currently in his teenage phase. Groot will still be in his adolescent phase during Avengers: Infinity War, though perhaps something in either this movie or Avengers 4 will trigger a growth spurt. In any case, if we're lucky, maybe we can see him and Hulk battling some of Thanos' goons side by side, though so far the only other Marvel hero seen alongside the Guardians of the Galaxy in this movie is Thor.


Mantis


Mantis spent most of her life being forced to serve Ego, but now that Peter Quill's father is no more, she has joined the Guardians of the Galaxy. It's unclear if her empathic abilities will come in handy during Avengers: Infinity War, but at least she can now help other with her power rather than serve a sinister Celestial. We also don't have to worry about her being killed off, as she'll be back with the other Guardians in Guardians of the Galaxy 3.




The Collector


Thanos isn't the only one who wants to gather the six Infinity Stones together. Taneleer Tivan, a.k.a. The Collector, has also been eagerly seeking those powerful artifacts, and even though he lost the Orb, a.k.a. Power Stone, when his collection was destroyed, he presumably still has the Aether, a.k.a. the Reality Stone, which he received in Thor: The Dark World. So far, we've only seen The Collector as an eccentric alien who enjoys gathering things for his museum, but maybe we'll see him show off some of his incredible powers in Avengers: Infinity War.


Vision


Vision is one of the newer superheroes in the MCU, but as far as Thanos is concerned, he's arguably the most important Avenger. Vision was born in Avengers: Age of Ultron when the Mind Stone was implanted in the synthetic body that contained J.A.R.V.I.S.'s programming. It's thanks to the Mind Stone that he's so powerful, but it also means that Thanos will immediately seek Vision out to rip the Stone from his forehead. One would assume this would kill Vision, but we won't know for sure until next year.


Loki


Loki struck an alliance with Thanos in The Avengers to secure the Tesseract, a.k.a. the Space Stone, in exchange for the Chitauri army conquering Earth for him. Not only did the Asgardian God of Mischief fail to deliver the Tesseract to the Mad Titan, his invasion was vanquished and he lost the Mind Stone in the process. Since then, Loki has taken over the Asgardian throne in Thor: The Dark World and will play an integral role in Thor: Ragnarok, but we don't know yet how he'll fit into Avengers: Infinity War.




Doctor Strange


Most of the special abilities in the Marvel Cinematic Universe have stemmed from science or cosmic forces, but Doctor Strange fully pulled back the curtain on magic and mysticism. Now that he's the master of New York's Sanctum Sanctorum, Stephen Strange has been keeping track of individuals who could threaten Earth, and Thanos is likely at the top of the list. The Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy certainly aren't lacking for brute force, but maybe Doctor Strange's magic could be integral to defeating the Mad Titan.


Black Panther


T'Challa inherited the Black Panther mantle after his father was killed in Captain America: Civil War, and now that T'Chaka's murderer (Helmut Zemo) is in prison, the prince has gone back to his homeland, Wakanda. The Black Panther movie will follow T'Challa as he battles sinister forces aiming to bring down the Wakandan kingdom, but he won't have long to rest after afterwards, because he'll be participating in Avengers: Infinity War only a few months later.


Black Widow


Black Widow has been one of the MCU's most popular superheroes since being introduced in Iron Man 2, and while she still hasn't been given her own solo movie yet, she remains an important character in these ensemble pieces. When we last saw Natasha Romanoff, she'd gone on the run after helping Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes escape. Black Widow is skilled at staying hidden, but we suspect that when Thanos arrives on Earth, she'll return to help her comrades.




Scarlet Witch


Scarlet Witch is one of the most powerful humans on Earth, but she was still captured during Captain America: Civil War's airport battle. Thankfully, Steve Rogers freed her and the other anti-registration supporters from The Raft. It's unclear whether Wanda Maximoff accompanied Steve and Bucky Barnes to Wakanda, or decided to avoid the authorities solo, but when Avengers: Infinity War unfolds, hopefully her psionic abilities will help even the playing field in this epic battle.


Falcon


Falcon has been loyal to Steve Rogers ever since they met in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, so it was no surprise to see the winged hero fight by the Star Spangled Avenger's side in Captain America: Civil War. Now that Sam Wilson is no longer imprisoned on The Raft, it's likely he's continuing to fight the good fight with Captain America in secret, but you can count on Sam busting out his wings and Redwing drone to battle Thanos' minions.


Winter Soldier


At the end of Captain America: Civil War, Bucky Barnes was still on the run from the world's governments for his past crimes as the brainwashed Winter Soldier. Seeking refuge in Wakanda with Steve Rogers, Bucky decided to go back into cold storage until the Wakandan scientists could figure out how to overwrite HYDRA's lingering programming. While there's been some fan speculation that Bucky could reawaken during the Black Panther movie, it's more likely he'll be thawed sometime during Avengers: Infinity War.




Nick Fury


Even though he's no longer S.H.I.E.L.D.'s director, Nick Fury has been continuing his spy activities following Captain America: The Winter Soldier. He reemerged in Avengers: Age of Ultron to help evacuate Sokovia, but his whereabout since then haven't been revealed. Hopefully Avengers: Infinity War will shed light on what he's been up to, but at the very least, it will be good to see him reunited with the superhero group he recruited years ago.


Maria Hill


After S.H.I.E.L.D. fell apart (well, on the big screen, at least), Maria Hill went to work for Tony Stark, and she was seen aiding Earth's Mightiest Heroes in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Despite helping set up the team's new base in New York, Maria was nowhere to be see in Captain America: Civil War, so it's unclear if she's still working with them, focusing solely on Stark Industries business or is operating elsewhere. In any case, her secret agent skills may prove valuable during the big event.


Wong


Wong was one of Stephen Strange's three mentors in Doctor Strange, and with The Ancient One dead and Karl Mordo taking power away from sorcerers, Kamar-Taj's librarian is now the former surgeon's closest magical ally. Wong is also familiar with the Infinity Stones, as he identified the Eye of Agamotto as being one of them (the Time Stone) to Stephen. With the Eye back in its resting place, perhaps Wong will be the one defending it when Thanos tries to steal it.




M'Baku


In the comics, M'Baku, better known as Man-Ape, is one of Black Panther's chief villains. All that's been revealed about the MCU's M'Baku is that he's the leader of a rival Wakandan tribe, so it remains to be seen if he'll be an antagonist in the Black Panther movie (like Erik Killmonger and Ulysses Klaue) or merely have differing views from the hero. In any case, we can expect him back for Avengers: Infinity War, and if we're lucky, he'll put aside his differences with T'Challa and defend Wakanda from Thanos' army.


Okoye


We learned a little bit about the Dora Milaje in Captain America: Civil War, and all indications are that we'll learn even more about them when Ryan Coogler opens the doors to Wakanda in his Black Panther movie. As that happens, we'll get closer to Okoye, the leader of this military group and a fiercely loyal supporter of King T'Challa. If the battle against Thanos works its way to Wakanda (as is expected), then Okoye will fight alongside Black Panther and the rest of the Avengers -- as it has recently been confirmed that actress Danai Gurira will, in fact, be part of the Avengers: Infinity War cast.


Proxima Midnight


Thanos is the ultimate big bad that the Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy will have to face-off against in The Avengers: Infinity War - but the Mad Titan isn't totally alone in his quest to assemble the Infinity Gauntlet. Rather, he actually has a group known as the Black Order that is dedicated to helping him take over the universe. Proxima Midnight is one member of this four-person team and is not only an immensely skilled warrior, but can do some serious damage with the powerful spear that she likes to chuck around.




Corvus Glaive


Corvus Glaive is the second member of Thanos' Black Order, and is actually the husband of Proxima Midnight. He is considered the leader of the Mad Titan's subordinates, and serves as the purple alien's right-hand man. His name actually comes from the weapon he wields - a glaive - and just by itself it makes him a seriously scary threat. As you can see in the image above, it has the power to cut through anything, including Vision's head, presumably allowing him access to the precious Mind Stone.


Ebony Maw


Another member of the Black Order, Ebony Maw is admittedly not much of a physical threat, As you can see, he's not exactly super ripped. That, however, should not make you underestimate just how powerful he is. He may not have giant muscles, but what he does possess is a special power of persuasion - able to whisper in ears and get things done. So while Iron Man or Captain America could just punch him in the face to knock him out, they are in serious trouble if he successfully sneaks up on them and starts telling them what to do.


Black Dwarf


Also known as Cull Obsidian, Black Dwarf is the fourth and final member of the Black Order - and kind of the opposite of Ebony Maw. He is by far the biggest of Thanos' minions, and able to throw a seriously hefty punch that even Hulk would be affected by. With his might combined with his teammates' combined strength, the Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy are definitely in trouble.



Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Will Let You Damage The Millennium Falcon In An Amazing Way

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Will Let You Damage The Millennium Falcon In An Amazing Way
Millennium Falcon at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

One of the first things we learned about Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge's Millennium Falcon attraction was that it would be possible to bring the iconic ship back in great shape, and it would also be possible to bring the ship back severely damaged, depending on how you and your flight crew performed your duties. However, beyond a few passing comments, we had little idea exactly what that meant. Today at Star Wars Celebration we learned a little more about what can happen after your flight in the Falcon is finished, and how you'll be able to see just how good, or bad, a job you did.


Asa Kalama is the executive creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering and is in charge of Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run, and he revealed that the experience of flying the Falcon doesn't end when you leave the cockpit. Instead, as you exit down the Falcon's main hallway, that we've seen countless times before in the movies, that hallway will actually look different depending on what happened on your trip. According to Kalama...



One of the amazing things about this experience is actually, even when it’s over the story continues. So as you make your way out of the cockpit at the end of your amazing smuggling adventure, even that iconic hallway that you make your way through., it’s going to look different depending on how you fly. If you’ve had a beautiful, clean run, that hallway’s going to be in pristine condition. If you’ve banged into every possible thing there was to bang into and taken a volley of laser blasts, lights are going to be broken, we’re going to hear sparks flying, we’re going to hear comm chatter about the incredible damage that you managed to cause to the ship.





The idea that the results of your Smuggler's Run experience would continue after the attraction ended had been part of the description of the attraction since early on, but what we heard about most was that you might run into somebody at Oga's Cantina who could respond to you in a particular way based on your experience, but this is the first we've heard that the Falcon itself would show the results of your ride.


Star Wars Celebration did show off the hallway in question in good condition, we didn't get a chance to see how it will be different if you do a bad job..


Everything else we know about how your Smuggler's Run experience will impact the rest of your time on Batuu involves the idea that cast members or animatronics might react to you differently based on how well you did on the ride. We also got to see more of the Hondo Okana animatronic that will be part of the attraction. Asa Kalama spoke about how Okana himself will react to you if you beat up his ship too much.





It’s important that you do what you can to bring the ship back in good working order. Hondo Onaka, he’s a phenomenal boss, but he doesn’t take too kindly to those bringing his ship back in rough shape.



The more we hear about Stars Wars: Galaxy's Edge, the more exciting it becomes. We'll finally get a chance to experience it all when the new land comes to Disneyland May 31 and Walt Disney World August 29.

JK Rowling Is Releasing Four New Harry Potter E-Books

JK Rowling Is Releasing Four New Harry Potter E-Books
Harry, Ron, and Hemione during the battle of Hogwarts

There are few franchises quite as beloved as Harry Potter. What started with JK Rowling's acclaimed seven-book series has expanded to a massive property that includes movies, theme parks, and even a set of Broadway plays. Rowling is showing no signs of slowing down the Wizarding World, especially as the Universal theme parks add more attractions and the Fantastic Beasts franchise continues its tenure in theaters.


To the surprise and joy of the generations of Potterheads out there, it now looks like JK Rowling is releasing four new E-books set within the magical world of Harry Potter. While they're not sequels or focused on Harry and his friends, they'll shine a light on the history of magic within the canon.


The books are titled Harry Potter: A Journey Through... each focusing on a different aspect of Magical History: Divination, Magical Creatures, Potions & Herbology, and Charms/Defense Against The Dark Arts. The e-books are inspired by the British Library's Harry Potter exhibition, and the books about magical history which accompanied it.




This news comes to us from Pottermore, the go-to source for all things Harry Potter. The first of these new e-books will be available on June 27th, and Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Potions and Herbology will be the first two additions to the Wizarding World. Since it'll be some time before Fantastic Beasts 3 arrives in theaters, this is the perfect way to satiate the still rabid fanbase.


Since Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone hit bookshelves in 1997, JK Rowling's Wizarding World hasn't stopped capturing the imaginations of generations. The kids who waited for each of the seven books to arrive can now pass it down to their children. And with the Fantastic Beasts movies and Harry Potter And The Cursed Child continuing the narrative that began those decades ago, the franchise remains at the top of the pop culture lexicon.


Related: Harry Potter’s J.K. Rowling Is Worried She Might Die Before She Finishes All Her Projects




Movies, plays, and amusement parks are one thing, but the true magic (pun intended) of the franchise has always been on the page. The Harry Potter movies did a great job at adapting JK Rowling's novels, but the books are filled with much more detail, allowing the universe to be more fleshed out. As such, new literature usually flies off of shelves. And in this case, fly into tablets and smart phones.


Harry Potter: A Journey Through will give the fandom a chance to get deep into the lore of the Wizarding World, and explain some of the magical events from the Harry Potter franchise. Every self-respective Potterhead has been waiting for their letter from Hogwarts, so being able to get some magical education through the new e-books is an opportunity that few are going to pass on.


The first two Harry Potter: A Journey Through e-books will be available on June 27th, and Fantastic Beasts 3 is currently set to arrive on November 12th, 2021. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list.



 

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