How Shazam!’s Special Cameo Was Originally Supposed To Happen

How Shazam!’s Special Cameo Was Originally Supposed To Happen

Warning: MAJOR SPOILERS for Shazam! are ahead!

The DC Extended Universe might not be focusing as much on close interconnectivity between its movies anymore, but make no mistake, we’re still operating in a shared universe. Shazam! definitely hammered that point across through Freddy Freeman’s obsession with superheroes and various toys and memorabilia, but right as the latest DCEU movie wrapped up, none other than the Man of Steel himself, Superman, showed up! Well, sort of, as it wasn’t Henry Cavill playing the character.

However, the original plan was to put Cavill back in the Superman suit for Shazam!, which would have been his fourth DCEU appearance. As for why that didn’t happen, here’s what producer Peter Safran said:

At one point, we'd hoped it was going to be Cavill doing it, but unfortunately his schedule didn't allow him to do it. We still wanted to do it anyway, and it turned out to be better, because it let us do a hard cut on Freddy's reaction, because if we had Cavill there, we'd actually written lines, they had a dialogue, but then it's a little bit of a hat on hat, because really what it's about is Freddy's reaction, so we got to get out on that.

You’ll recall that last September, a report came out saying Henry Cavill would no longer be playing Superman in the DCEU, a claim that Warner Bros denied soon after. It was also mentioned that the studio tried to get Cavill to come back for a Shazam! cameo, but talks broke down due to scheduling conflicts. Sure enough, Peter Safran provides the same reasoning for why a stunt double played Superman in Shazam! rather than Cavill.

As Peter Safran noted, while the original plan was for Superman to say a few things, this silent cameo, where you could only see the Kryptonian hero from the neck down, ended up working better since it highlighted Freddy Freeman’s excitement. In case you need a refresher, after Billy Batson showed up at his and Freddy’s high school as Shazam to make up for not doing so earlier in the movie, he revealed that he brought Superman along as an even bigger surprise.

Peter Safran didn’t reveal to Comicbook.com what Superman would have specifically said had Henry Cavill reprised the role, but a rumor from a few months back claimed that Kal-El/Clark Kent would have told Billy Batson something along the lines of “We’ll be keeping an eye on you.” Taking that dialogue out refocused the moment on a boy being incredibly jazzed that two superheroes visited him during lunch period, although Zachary Levi has not been shy about his desire for Shazam to join the Justice League someday.

While Shazam looks to have a bright future ahead of him, as work on Shazam! 2 is already underway, Superman’s future is less certain. He was resurrected in Justice League and returned to both his civilian and crimefighting lives, but there are no plans to release Man of Steel 2 anytime soon, and Henry Cavill is currently busy working on the Netflix series The Witcher.

It’s possible we’ll eventually reach a point where, just like with Batman, Superman will be recast, but for now, aside from his quick Shazam! cameo, the character remains in limbo. In any case, at least we can take comfort knowing that Billy Batson is already making friends in the superhero community.

Be sure to read CinemaBlend’s review of Shazam! and stay tuned for more developments on how Shazam! 2 is progressing. For now, feel free to look through our DC movies guide to learn what this superhero franchise has on the way.

6 Reasons Alita: Battle Angel Deserves A Sequel

6 Reasons Alita: Battle Angel Deserves A Sequel

Warning: Spoilers for Alita: Battle Angel are in play. If you haven't seen the film yet, please bookmark this article and come back once you're current.

While it hasn't set the world on fire at the box office, Alita: Battle Angel also hasn't done terribly for itself. So far, the movie has made nearly $400 million worldwide -- not enough that the film's overall profitability can't be brought into question. In addition, the Disney and Fox merger is now complete, and that feels like another factor that might work against this prospect. Still, there's no denying that a vocal corner of the internet would still like to see another adventure come to theaters in the near future. Despite the issues Alita: Battle Angel 2 might face, there are also reasons it should happen.

In the face of such odds, there are still reasons why this new Disney entertainment production force-to-be-reckoned-with should consider pursuing a second Alita: Battle Angel film. If you're a true believer in the battle angel's cause, or if you're sitting on the fence and waiting for a good case to be made for this fledgling franchise to take off, here are all the reasons Alita: Battle Angel should get another opportunity to tell more of its story.

People Want A Sequel

While Alita: Battle Angel has put in a solid effort at becoming a blockbuster hit, it still isn't a mega-success on the level of something like a Marvel Studios film. Yet, if you poke around on the internet, there's no shortage of people who want to take a return trip to the world of Iron City. With a built in overseas fanbase that's rabid for more material, the quicker a potential sequel to Robert Rodriguez's living breathing anime can be made will mean a better chance of retaining this strong following for another film. Which could also lead to more newcomers being brought to the fold as well.

Sequels Are An Easier Sell To Moviegoers

One of the major obstacles that Alita: Battle Angel had to overcome with its release this past February is the fact that it was somewhat of an unknown quantity to movie fans by and large. It's true there was a pre-programmed following comprised of people who'd read the original manga the film was based off of, but again, that's not enough to create the meteoric hit studios crave these days. By time this first film hits home video, there shouldl be more exposure given to Alita: Battle Angel's story, and with that a potential for even more fans hungry returning for future helpings. It wouldn't, and shouldn't be as hard to sell Alita: Battle Angel 2 – Zalem or Bust as it was this initial film.

The World Is Ripe For Exploring

Much like Alita's first exposure to the world that is Iron City, people witnessing this far-flung future's metropolis for the first time in Alita: Battle Angel were stunned by what they saw. As the film revealed to all, there is a broader universe to be explored, ranging from battles on the Moon to the floating sky city of Zalem. With the keen eye for detail that Robert Rodriguez has shown in his director's eye, as well as the scripting talents of James Cameron and Laeta Kalogridis laying out the setting that gave us Alita: Battle Angel's exhilarating finished product, seeing more of these surroundings through these particular lenses is a concept too wonderful to say no to. So maybe the studio shouldn't.

The Sequel Has Already Attracted Admirable Talent

Looking at the cast of Alita: Battle Angel, there is a list of notable stars that is pretty impressive. But amidst the already stacked deck that included Mahershala Ali, Jennifer Connolly, and Chrisoph Waltz playing in an anime- inspired playground are a couple of other actors that would be perfectly served by a sequel. In particular, more flashbacks involving Michelle Rodriguez's Gelda, as well as a presumed starring role for Edward Norton as Nova, the big bad/ultimate target of Alita, are the big hooks that could bring Alita; Battle Angel's second chapter into living color. This would raise the stakes and fill in key details regarding the character's past, as well as the history of the world at large, setting the scene for the final installment to be an all-out action masterpiece.

Production And Marketing Costs Could Be Lower

Blending practical sets and computer generated vistas, Alita: Battle Angel feels like the type of series that could very easily save itself some money in the future – as the basic bones of this world are already built. With Robert Rodriguez still retaining the physical sets used in the film, and the digital constructs for anything that wasn't physically crafted also being on stand-by, it shouldn't cost that much to return to a world that has already been built. Furthermore, with an audience more familiar with Alita: Battle Angel's potential as entertainment, even the marketing spend could be eased back, so as to save some room in the budget for any and all new worlds to conquer in Part 2. A lot of times sequels go bigger, but I'm not sure Alita 2 would have to, although there's a fine line between cheaper and cheap.

Thanks To The Perfect Cliffhanger, Alita: Battle Angel Sets Up For A Sequel

Any potential film series tends to set up a lot of the world the franchise will walk or sprint through in other installments during its first chapter. Alita: Battle Angel perfectly sets up the big tent of a story arc that the entire trilogy would cover, leaving the audience wanting more. By time the film's finale kicks in, you want to see Alita take her fight to Zalem, and witness her kick the series' big bad, Nova into the next solar system in climactic fashion. Most films wish they had a sign off as powerful as Alita: Battle Angel does; however,  not all of them get it.

So there you have it: the case for why Alita: Battle Angel deserves to continue on as a series. Of course, time will tell if this is all just a pipe dream or if the Disney and Fox juggernaut will put another bet on the battle angel supreme and her mission to bring down the sky city. Though if this film has a chance in Iron City of actually happening, it'll depend on the movie viewing public's demand.

As such, if you've not yet seen Alita: Battle Angel, or want to see it again, it's currently still in theaters. Also, if you've got an opinion on the fate of this franchise, share your feelings in the poll and comments section below!

When Are We Getting The Star Wars Episode IX Trailer?

When Are We Getting The Star Wars Episode IX Trailer?

It's a very exciting time to be a Star Wars fan. Once Disney acquired Lucasfilm, a variety of new and exciting projects came to the galaxy far, far away. This includes standalone films and main installments, which continue the narrative George Lucas began back in A New Hope. The Skywalker Saga will end forever with J.J. Abrams mysterious Episode IX, and the generations of fans are eager for any and all information regarding the upcoming blockbuster.

The wait for Episode IX has been especially hard, since December of 2018 was the first time in years that a new addition didn't arrive in theaters for the holiday season. And given the pressure of completing a narrative that spans nine films, anticipation is at a fever pitch. So when will we finally get to see the first trailer? If you ask me, it's coming next month.

Smart money says that the first trailer for Episode IX (and likely the debut of its mysterious title) will be timed with the release of Avengers: Endgame. The movie has a similar sense of stakes and pressure, as it will complete Phase Three of the MCU. Endgame is expected to break box office records, so it's the perfect venue to debut the first look at Episode IX, and continue Disney's domination over the blockbuster landscape.

While this is just a theory and totally unconfirmed by the studio, there has been some precedent set for the first Star Wars trailer arriving in April. For instance, the first trailer for The Last Jedi arrived in April of 2017, amping up excitement for Rian Johson's December release. The Last Jedi didn't have a massive MCU blockbuster to use as a proxy, while Episode IX's potential trailer debut could send the fandom into a frenzy-- especially combined with their excitement over Endgame.

The House Of Mouse has their marketing game on point, and masterfully chooses trailers to accompany their big releases-- building up excitement for the next Disney release. For instance, Captain Marvel's trailer included a stunning look at the upcoming remake of The Lion King, which was made all the more enticing in 3-D showings. Avengers: Endgame seems like a prime time to finally debut some information and footage of Episode IX, as the public has seen nothing from J.J. Abrams' return to the franchise.

The stakes for Episode IX could not be higher, as J.J. Abrams must conclude the trilogy he began with The Force Awakens, as well as the entire Skywalker Saga. Generations of fans are looking to see how the beloved space opera will end, and see characters return like Lando Calrissian and Luke Skywalker. Additionally, Carrie Fisher's Leia will be included through unused footage from the last two movies, which is sure to be a fascinating to watch.

Episode IX will arrive in theaters on December 20th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Bohemian Rhapsody Has Now Made Queen Richer Than The Queen

Bohemian Rhapsody Has Now Made Queen Richer Than The Queen

It’s a saying that’s thrown out to symbolize the ultimate in largess. “They have more money than the queen.” Well, in the case of rock group Queen, fittingly enough, they can make that claim rather truthfully from this moment forward. And they can thank the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody for their ability to do so.

Thanks to the runaway hit success of the Academy Award-winning story of Freddie Mercury and his bandmates' rise to the top, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon are all estimated at being worth £445 million, which is roughly $583 million in U.S. currency. Considering how much Bohemian Rhapsody made, it’s not all that surprising that their wealth should jump so high. For comparison, Queen Elizabeth II is currently worth £370m, which translates to about $484.6 million.

On the basis of the film’s success as a theatrical product, the $902.5 million international grosses against the $50 million production budget make Bohemian Rhapsody something of a megahit. With Rami Malek’s performance as Freddie Mercury giving the film a lot of good notices, and the fan reaction to the film being overwhelmingly positive, the monetary success of the film alone would only be the start to what’s fueled the surviving members’ fortunes to rise.

Not to mention that the film is now the highest grossing musical biopic of the world! With a successful musical movie comes even more successful ancillary markets, both in merchandising and record sales. Undoubtedly Bohemian Rhapsody’s success in theaters had folks walking out of the theater, humming their favorite Queen songs on the way to their cars and eventually primed to buy their favorite albums, as well as any sort of merchandise they feel can show their fandom for the film.

Let's also remember that with Bohemian Rhapsody’s title track becoming the most streamed song in the 20th century, that’s certainly a mark of success that is only another feather in Queen’s cap. It’s certainly the sort of success that would make a musical act keen on replicating that sort of success, and you can imagine how this news will make the band keen on jumpstarting talks for that proposed sequel that has been flying around ever since Bohemian Rhapsody first took off.

This news has been announced ahead of its publication in The Times’ annual “Rich List,” which will be running in the upcoming Sunday edition. And after the results putting Queen ahead of Queen Elizabeth II, it might be a good idea for the royal sovereign to get a good agent and start cashing in herself.

Maybe with the right sort of wrangling, the Queen could get herself a piece of future seasons of Netflix’s The Crown. Maybe she could even try to put together her own package for an authorized biographical film, starring a Hollywood talent that could lead it to awards and monetary glory.

Certainly if England’s greatest musical acts can do it, then so could Queen Elizabeth II herself. That is, if she’s even bothered by this news in the first place. With a new grandson freshly brought into the world, and the duties of being England’s queen still on her plate, this may not really matter to her. Any way the wind blows, this is amazing news for Queen, and probably an interesting footnote in history for The Queen.

Bohemian Rhapsody is available on home video and streaming in all major formats.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Has Blue And Green Milk But Which Is Better?

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Has Blue And Green Milk But Which Is Better?

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is a new land that is all about making you feel like you're standing on an alien world in the galaxy far, far away. You get to fly in Star Wars spaceships. You can craft Star Wars weapons and droids. You can shop in an alien marketplace. However, one thing that Disneyland is especially known for is innovative and interesting food and drinks, and Galaxy's Edge is no exception.

A number of culinary delicacies have been created for guests to try, but if you're a serious Star Wars fan, then none may be quite as important as the beverages you can find at the Batuu milk stand.

From the moment Luke Skywalker sat down to breakfast in A New Hope, fans have wondered exactly what that blue concoction he was drinking actually was. The food and beverage team at Disney Parks have come up with their best approximation of that, as well as the green liquid Luke Skywalker pulled right from the source in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

The two drinks don't have special names. They're known simply as "blue milk" and "green milk" and are both available in a single place inside Galaxy's Edge, a location known simply as the milk stand. Both types of milk go for $7.99, so they're not cheap drinks, to be sure, but that's honestly pretty standard for a non-alcoholic specialty beverage at Disneyland.

What Exactly Is Blue Milk And Green Milk?

So, first and foremost, the most important thing to know is that neither of these drinks is technically milk. Both are beverages with a rice and coconut base rather than coming from any form of actual dairy. This is done largely to simply allow more people to enjoy the drinks. Both of them are vegan, so everybody from vegetarians to the simply lactose intolerant can still have a glass.

The drinks also are not quite the same consistency as milk. Both are closer to a milkshake than milk, or, since both have strong fruit flavors, maybe calling them a smoothie is more accurate. Either way, pouring blue milk on your morning breakfast cereal wouldn't simply change the color of your breakfast, but everything about the meal.

Blue Milk

Starting with the iconic blue milk made famous in Star Wars: A New Hope, this icy cold beverage is going to hit all your buttons, especially if you're a fan of tropical fruits. It's got flavors of pineapple and dragonfruit, but also watermelon. If you're looking for something cold and refreshing to drink on a hot day in Southern CA and there will be a lot of those this summer, or on Batuu, the blue milk is probably going to be much more your speed.

My guess is that the blue milk will be the favorite among most guests as it's something of a safer choice. The other option is a bit more adventurous.

Green Milk

Green milk is also very much a fruit smoothie, though the fruits here are quite different. The green option is very heavy in the citrus flavors -- think oranges and grapefruits above all. There's a bit of tropical fruit here as well as I think there's passion fruit also included.

This could have made the green milk the more popular choice overall, but green milk has a bit of a twist. In addition to these citrus flavors, there's also a strong element that I can only describe as floral tasting. It comes in at the back of the sip and is very strong. Because of this, it's the flavor that is still lingering after you swallow, making the green milk the more unique taste of the two.

This will be the determining factor in which of the two you like better. These floral notes are either going to appeal to you or they're going to turn you off in a big way.

So Which Is Better?

Going in I sort of assumed this would be an easy enough question to answer, but as it turns out, not so much.

Personally, I have to say I actually enjoyed the green milk more. I found the floral notes of the beverage to be quite interesting and unexpected and I love any food or drink that combines flavors I like in unique and interesting ways.

Having said that, it seems, based on those who have given both milks a try at Galaxy's Edge, that I'm very much in the minority. Odds are you will prefer the blue milk over the green. I can totally see that many might not go for the floral component of the green milk. It's not the first flavor you think of when you think "ice cold fruit smoothie."

The best comparison that I can come up with comes from the world of beer. What's often referred to as a "west coast IPA" is a beer that is usually heavy in hops and thus is more bitter. It certainly has a strong flavor to it, but it's one that doesn't appeal to everybody.

Green milk isn't bitter, but it has a strong flavor in the same way. You're either going to like the taste or you're going to hand the glass to your friend and see if they want to finish it.

Blue milk is more like your session IPA. Its flavors are smoother and more balanced. It's easier to drink. It's designed specifically to appeal to a wider variety of palettes.

If you're going to be checking out Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and you want to try something at the milk stand, my recommendation is go with the blue milk first. If you're there with a group of friends, consider getting one green milk among the group so that everybody can at least give it a try. There's a decent chance somebody will like it enough that it won't go to waste, and if everybody loves it, you can always get more.

You can still check out Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge now by booking a stay at a Disneyland Resort hotel, everybody booked in the room will get access to a four hour visit to Batuu. Starting June 24, no reservations will be required.

New Avengers: Endgame Trailers Memorializes The Dusted Heroes

New Avengers: Endgame Trailers Memorializes The Dusted Heroes

It is an extremely exciting time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With Captain Marvel in theaters and raking in cash money, there is just one more movie left in Phase Three. Avengers: Endgame will be the cumulation of 21 movies and a decade of filmmaking, ending the narrative that began back with Iron Man. Anticipation is palpable after the harrowing events of Infinity War, which saw a ton of beloved heroes fade to dust before our eyes.

Thanos won the day in Infinity War, uniting all the Infinity Stones and wiping out half the galaxy with the snap of his finger. Audiences were left stunned at this twist ending, and the fandom has been eager for any information regarding Endgame's contents, and how the surviving Avengers will somehow reverse things. Trailers for The Russo Brothers' upcoming blockbuster have been purposefully vague, and the newest one serves as a memorial for the fallen heroes. Check it out.

I'm not crying, you're crying. The effects of Thanos' snap are very much at the heart of Avengers: Endgame's marketing material, as the surviving heroes attempt to live in an apocalyptic world. And there were a ton of characters lost throughout the course of Infinity War's runtime.

This new trailer opens on the various fan favorite heroes who faded to dust as a result of Thanos' snap (aka The Decimation). It opens on T'Challa in Wakanda during the events of Black Panther, surrounded by his trusted Dora Milaje. Wakanda opened its doors and joined the fight against Thanos during Infinity War, and it didn't end up well for the technologically advanced society. Black Panther ultimately faded to dust in front of Okoye's eyes, presumably putting the entire country into chaos. Who is going to rule Wakanda now?

The next fallen Avengers featured is none other than Doctor Strange. Strange had a major role in Infinity War, as he was involved in the battles on New York and Titan. But ultimately the good doctor surprised everyone by handing the Time Stone over to Thanos, in exchange for Tony Stark's life. He also saw millions of possible outcomes for the battle, with only one resulting in their victory. So smart money says he had a master plan all along.

Hope van Dyne is the next character to appear. Evangeline Lilly's character wasn't in Avengers: Infinity War, but the mid-credits scene of Ant-Man and The Wasp revealed she and her parents all faded to dust. What's more, this left Ant-Man stranded in the Quantum Realm. Smart money says that mysterious setting has a major role to play in Endgame.

The Guardians of the Galaxy are also featured in the new trailer, as the motley crew were hit hard during Thanos' assault on the galaxy. Gamora was the first casualty, killed by her adoptive father so he could acquire the Soul Stone. And when the snap happened, moviegoers watched Mantis, Drax, Star-Lord, and Groot all fade to dust. Nebula and Rocket are the only ones left, and they're shown joining The Avengers in Endgame.

Avengers: Endgame will answer our questions when it arrives in theaters on April 26th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Terminator: Dark Fate Director Teases Upcoming Trailer With New Sarah Connor Image

Terminator: Dark Fate Director Teases Upcoming Trailer With New Sarah Connor Image

Yesterday marked a very special anniversary for fans of the Terminator franchise. It was 35 years ago that the first Terminator film was released. 35 years later the sixth film in the franchise is in post production getting ready for release this fall. Director Tim Miller celebrated the anniversary by letting fans know that the first trailer for Terminator: Dark Fate is on the way, and showing us a single shot from that trailer, Sarah Conner looking badass.

Linda Hamilton's return to the Terminator franchise has to be the highlight of the upcoming film. We haven't seen the original Sarah Connor on the big screen since Terminator 2: Judgement Day in 1991. The fact that Linda Hamilton would return to the franchise after all this time is seen by many a good sign. If she's willing to return now after turning down previous, generally viewed as bad, sequels, then this means that Terminator: Dark Fate has what those other movies were missing, right?

Well, one thing those sequels were certainly missing was Sarah Connor holding a rocket launcher, and it looks like Dark Fate has that based on the single frame we see of the upcoming trailer. This is exactly the sort of thing that fans are probably looking forward to with the new film.

In the original Terminator Sarah Connor was a woman in over her head and the run for her life. However, knowing that she needed to be able to protect herself she became a fighter and had transformed by the time we saw her in Judgement Day. It seems the plan for Terminator: Dark Fate is to pull the same movie as the recent Halloween sequel, by ignoring all sequels that came after T2 and picking up the story from there.

This is probably a good move as the most recent sequel, Terminator: Genisys, didn't really go over well except in China. It made some pretty significant changes to the canon which didn't sit well with fans. Although, the fact that the movie came out so recently, certainly has the potential to confuse fans if the new movie is just going to pretend it didn't happen.

While the post on Twitter doesn't reveal when we'll see the new trailer, Terminator: Dark Fate is a Paramount Pictures film, and the next big release from that studio is the Elton John biopic Rocketman so there's a good chance the plan is to attach the trailer to that film. Of course, since most trailers get dropped online first, we'll likely see this trailer hit sometime in the next two weeks ahead of the movie.

Since the previous Terminator film didn't do all that well in North America, this trailer has some important work to do. It has to convince fans that they need to check out the new movie, after many have apparently decided to write off the franchise. It seems so often that trailers exist only to increase the hype for things people already want to see, but this one really will need to energize an audience that has clearly become tired of this particular franchise.

Terminator: Dark Fate is set for release November 1.