Iron Man’s Endgame Fate Was Destiny, According To The Russo Brothers

Iron Man’s Endgame Fate Was Destiny, According To The Russo Brothers

Avengers: Endgame marked the end of several stories of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but among them was the story that started it all. Robert Downey Jr. played Tony Stark in Iron Man, the very first MCU film, and Endgame saw him sacrifice himself so that the universe might survive.

For the Russo Brothers, that end was something that was always going to happen. Joe Russo told our own Sean O' Connell on the Reelblend podcast that Tony Stark was always going to be looking toward to the potential dangers of humanity and would never be able to rest until he had done whatever he could to protect people, so the way to let him rest was to let him do that. According to Russo...

In a certain sense, Tony Stark was always meant to die. He’s a very complicated character who had a haunted existence. And I think as a futurist, he could always see that the end of humanity was on the horizon, and he could not rest, spiritually, until he defeated what was coming for humanity: Thanos.

Tony Stark certainly has one of the more interesting character arcs over the course of the MCU. In the first Iron Man he comes face to face with the damage that his products are actually capable of, and decides to do something about it. From that point forward, he becomes essentially obsessed with making up for the destruction he has caused.

Even Tony Stark's apparent mistakes, like the creation of Ultron, are part of a desire to protect the world. In Captain America: Civil War Tony is even willing to take steps to help protect the world from himself when he questions how much good he is actually doing.

In the end, as Joe Russo says, the story had to come down to Tony putting himself between the world and the threat that wanted to destroy it. Tony sacrificing himself to do that not only makes sense, it's the only thing that really does. If Tony survives then he'll probably just start looking for the next threat, and the man would never find peace.

It's an ending that many saw coming. Because we knew that Robert Downey Jr. was wrapping up his time in the MCU, it was clear that Iron Man would be written out of the universe in some way, and as sad as his death was, it's difficult to be too upset about it, because it feels like a satisfying conclusion to his story,

The death of Tony Stark isn't entirely the end of the story, however. The event itself is going to weigh heavily on Peter Parker, as we've seen in the newest trailer for Spider-Man: Far From Home. It's possible his death could have other repercussions as well as we get into the MCU's Phase 4 starting next year.

Best Kids Movies: Films The Whole Family Will Love

Best Kids Movies: Films The Whole Family Will Love

The phrase “kids movie” does not always have the best reputation these days. For some grown-ups, it can feel like a sacrificial task to take your children to whatever new film the big studios have released with younger audiences in mind.

That is exactly the issue. Movies made just for kids, with no attention brought to the adult purchasing the ticket or pressing PLAY on the remote, lack the appeal to satisfy audiences of all ages. However, when you replace the word “kids” with, say, “Pixar” or “Spielberg-produced,” that is usually enough to get the parents’ eyes to light up at least a little.

The best kids movies could be more accurately described as family movies, films with stories and themes that can appeal not just to an adult's inner child, but a grown-up’s mature mind as well, which makes for a fun time for everyone.

I have compiled a list of the best kids movies (or best family movies) that you will be proud to share with your children. Some of these are just one Netflix click away. Enjoy!

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

For decades, society cowered at the thought of visitors from other planets touching down on Earth. Thanks in no small part to H.G. Wells, aliens were associated with sinister intentions, like human extinction or vile experimentation.

In the early 1980s, director Steven Spielberg wanted to tell a much different story.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a story about a boy (Henry Thomas) who is emotionally abandoned by his family who meets an alien literally abandoned by his family, on accident, of course. The unlikely pair rely on each for support, which proves tricky when the government gets involved and E.T. begins suffering from a deadly case of homesickness.

Nominated for nine Academy Awards and the winner of four, E.T. is a timeless classic still, decades after entrancing the world with its charm and heart wrenching drama. It is impossible for the whole family to not get swept up in John William’s rousing score, themes of loneliness and friendship, and the heartbreaking final line E.T. says to Elliott, “I’ll be right here,” as he points to his forehead.

The Goonies (1985)

It is the film that launched the careers of a few notable (and some infamous) names in Hollywood. It is also the movie that has allowed audiences to keep doing the Truffle Shuffle for decades.

The Goonies, from director Richard Donner and executive producer Steven Spielberg, is the kind of classic adventure involving police chases, booby traps, mutants, and other thrills all from a child’s point of view. Follow the titular group of youngsters as they get into more trouble than ever searching for a pirate’s treasure buried somewhere beneath their hometown.

As you watch (whether it is your first or 50th time), take a closer look at brothers Mikey and Brand. They are Sean Astin (Samwise in The Lord of the Rings trilogy) and Josh Brolin (Thanos in Avengers: Endgame) making their feature film debuts.

The Sandlot (1993)

Is there a film that captures the joys of summer, the thrill of the game, and the perils of childhood more authentically than The Sandlot? I do not think so, given that the movie was already a nostalgia juggernaut upon release.

The Sandlot is a celebration of an era in which young boys lived out their fantasy of playing America’s favorite pastime, baseball, for no other reason than the love of the game. They never kept score, they never stopped playing until the day is done, and they were willing to risk their lives facing a “beast” on the other side of the fence to retrieve a baseball signed by Babe Ruth.

This is the kind of movie for children that a father would willfully take their kids to upon release, and those kids would grow up to show it to their kids. The Sandlot is the rare kind of family film that genuinely appeals to the whole family because everyone has a memory they associate with it.

Toy Story (1995)

One of the great things about Pixar’s trilogy (and soon to be four-part franchise) revealing the secret world of children’s playthings is that you can make an argument for why each movie is the best. This is my argument for why the first Toy Story is one of the best family movies (and movies in general) ever, period.

Pixar changed the world with this film, the first full-length computer animated feature of all time. Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz headline a story that not only changes your perspective of how you treat your toy collection, but is a relatable tale about hubris, disillusionment, petty ignorance, jealousy, and other common human flaws one would not expect from a kids movie.

Toy Story was nominated for three Academy Awards in 1996. Had the Academy developed the Best Animated Feature category back then, I believe it would have been a slam dunk.

Shrek (2001)

Speaking of the Academy Awards’ Best Animated Feature category, this reinvention of the children’s fantasy genre from Dreamworks was the first recipient of that award. A slam dunk, it was.

Never has an ogre been the subject of such widespread love and admiration, almost to uncomfortable levels, before Mike Myers’ Scotch-accented, green curmudgeon teamed up with an Eddie Murphy-like donkey to rescue a heavily guarded princess (Cameron Diaz) by request of the petty Lord Farquad (John Lithgow). Furthermore, animated films, and lighthearted bedtime stories, were never seen the same again after Shrek.

Best of all, Shrek provides the audience with a lesson, as most bedtime stories do, about believing in oneself despite how others may see you and that love is not just true in fairy tales. Yeah, I just quoted Smash Mouth’s “I’m A Believer” cover. Does not make it any less true.

The Incredibles (2004)

As far as superhero movies go, there lies a debate of which tone is more appropriate: light or dark? Some go too dark (Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice) and some go too light (Green Lantern). Writer and director Brad Bird figured out a way to make his costumed avenger story just right.

Bob Parr (Craig T. Nelson) is having a mid-life crisis and longs to relive his days as Mr. Incredible, before costumed vigilantes were outlawed. When he gets a second chance to relive the glory days, his family is accidentally put in peril by a ruthless villain. Good thing his family has powers, too.

I do not believe for a second that Brad Bird made The Incredibles for kids. If this were not a Pixar movie and Disney went the live-action route, the movie’s grim, high-stakes violence (the villain dies from getting his cape caught in a jet propeller) and adult themes (Helen Parr thinks Bob is cheating on her at one point) would keep it from barely making the PG-13 cut. Yet, that is what makes it a blast for everyone.

Best Kids Movies On Netflix

Sometimes you don't have the time for a night at the movie theater and would rather settle for family night in the comfort of your own home. Of course, there are also times when you may not own the movie of your choice and your town's lone surviving video rental store does not have a copy.

Fortunately, Netflix has some of the best kids movies available and these are a few choice recommendations:

Mulan (1998)

Do you consider Mulan a Disney princess? I struggle with associating her with the traditional, definitive characteristics of that title because she does not represent any of them.

Mulan is not the story of a privileged woman in a war torn China who needs a manly warrior to rescue her. It is the story of a country that needs a woman to save it, a task she takes upon herself to prevent her elderly father from serving in the fight against the Huns.

Mulan is a role model like no other Disney character whose belief in her own strengths and perseverance against traditional gender roles makes her a legend in battle. She is a great heroine to take inspiration from and her movie is a perfect choice for a family Netflix night.

Tarzan (1999)

Tarzan is an iconic character of adventure fiction who has existed since Edward Rice Burroughs first introduced him in his 1914 novel Tarzan of the Apes. While Burroughs deserves all the credit, if you ask nearly anyone nowadays who the definitive image of the human jungle king is, it’s not Alexander Skarsgard in 2016’s The Legend of Tarzan. It’s Tony Goldwyn in Disney’s animated interpretation.

Goldwyn provides the voice of Tarzan, a man raised by apes since infancy with acrobatic skills of navigating the jungle by vine swinging who go through a bit of an identity crisis when he discovers a lost woman, Jane (Minnie Driver), whose species better resembles he than his animal allies. On top of that, his adoptive mother, Kala (Glenn Close), has to face the reality that her human cub has grown up and it may be time for him to flee the nest.

When Phil Collins’ Oscar-winning original song “You’ll Be In My Heart” plays over Tarzan’s emotional goodbye to Kala, there is not a dry eye in the house, no matter your age. Of course, he and Jane decide to stay in the jungle in the end, making for a happy ending to a wonderful adventure perfect for children.

Not to mention, you have the lead singer of Genesis providing the music, so the parents are happy.

Stuart Little (1999)

Say, speaking of interspecies adoption, how wonderfully weird was Stuart Little? Michael J. Fox provided the voice of an impressively animated CGI mouse invited into the house and lives of a well-to-do family of New Yorkers, which turns out to be a challenging transition for all, especially with the Littles’ mischievous cat, Snowbell (Nathan Lane) stirring the pot.

Did you know that the original 1945 novel by E.B. White is even stranger and darker?

In the book, Stuart is not a talking mouse lucky enough to be adopted by human parents. He is a boy born to human parents who, by a bizarre defect, bears the resemblance of a rat. The 1999 interpretation from director Rob Minkoff (The Lion King) changes it up a bit, into a story easier for children, and parents, to swallow.

I have always found that Stuart Little was an impressive achievement in production design, taking place mostly in a house of elegant aesthetic, but what I really admire it for is what great role models the Littles (Hugh Laurie, Geena Davis, and young Jonathan Lipnicki) are. The parents recognize their adoptive son’s human qualities and encourage him to achieve goals much, much bigger than he is.

Stuart Little is a family movie that makes you proud of your family, no matter how you define yours.

Spy Kids (2001)

I grew up with James Bond and always found him to be the definitive spy, with Aston Martins loaded with lethal features, conveniently handy gadgetry, and a smooth talker with ladies. However, the life of James Bond is not at all how children really envision the life of espionage. It would be a lot wackier than that.

That is why Robert Rodriguez’s Spy Kids is the ultimate childhood spy fantasy. The dream-like plot is complete with impossibly complex gadgets, gravity-defying martial arts, and a villain with an incomprehensibly bizarre plan for world domination that does not even require covert intrigue to put a stop to. You just have to be good at sneaking into places and pushing the right buttons before the clock runs out on the “bad guy” device.

Spy Kids is a riotously fun, visually impressive film that will keep your children’s eyes glued to the screen and even relates to the parents by serving as a great metaphor for the stakes of raising a family. Sometimes it feels like saving the world.

Monster House (2006)

I always grew up wishing that I could watch horror movies, but two things stopped me: my mother and my own lack of courage. Thus, I am very thankful that Monster House could serve as a proper introduction for me to the genre.

The initial idea of the movie (from the mind of co-writer and future Rick and Morty co-creator Dan Harmon) is brilliant. Halloween is just around the corner when three children discover that the creepy house across the street is even weirder than they realized. It’s alive.

Monster House does not hold back on thrills, keeping your convinced that the house’s victims result in multiple fatalities in a PG movie nonetheless, until the bittersweet conclusion. Also, being one of the first feature-length films to be made primarily with performance capture gives the film a nearly unprecedented, immersive quality that puts you right into the belly of the wooden beast.

Monster House is a great way to being the family closer together on Netflix night… since you will be holding each other tightly the entire time, but also laughing along the way. For horror fans, this is a film you can proudly show your children without shame.

Coco (2018)

Some people do not always find peace with their families. Some people want to find a way to escape their families, just like Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez) in Coco (one of the best kids movies in recent years). Miguel finds solace in music, which has been banned in his family for generations.

All it takes is one grand visit to the afterlife on Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) for Miguel to bring his Mexican family together through the very thing they claimed would curse them: Academy Award-winning music.

Coco is an infectious, heartfelt animated musical adventure from Pixar that inspires you to remember what family means to you. As much fun as you and your family will have with it, I would also recommend keeping tissues handy.

If these films are proof enough, not every kids movie is just for kids. Even these are not all of the best kids movies out there. Whether you are watching Netflix, renting a Blu-ray, or taking that family trip to the theater, movies that the whole family can enjoy are not, and most likely never will be, in short supply.

Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard And More Are Returning For The Jurassic World Ride

Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard And More Are Returning For The Jurassic World Ride

After the Jurassic Park ride had an over 20-year run in Universal Studios, the attraction became extinct last year to give way for an upgrade reflecting the current Jurassic World movies. Ahead of the new ride opening its gates sometime this summer, it has been revealed that a few of the franchise's stars will be part of the Jurassic World - The Ride experience.

Chris Pratt’s Owen Grady, Bryce Dallas Howard’s Claire Dearing and BD Wong’s Dr. Henry Wu will each reprise their Jurassic World roles for the upcoming ride, which will feature an original storyline. The cast will offer facts and information about the dinos (presumably as guests wait in line) and may have roles in the interactions with the prehistoric creatures on the ride itself.

This is an exciting addition to the upcoming ride! It always helps with the immersion in the experience when your favorite characters get to tag along, and Jurassic World - The Ride is doing just that. Additionally, the new Universal attraction will feature the Aquatic Mosasaurus in a massive aquarium observatory appearing to be 60 feet in length, 30K pounds and enclosed in 3.5 million gallons of water.

Industrial Light & Magic assisted in giving spectators an authentic view of the Mosasaurus. The creature’s tank will have different lighting depending on the time of day it is visited. The trailer for the ride offered a sneak peek of Mosasaurus, along with a sure appearance from T-Rex. Take a look:

The ride will also see the opening gates and outside landscapes and will feature additional appearances from the more gentle Stegosaurus and Parasaurolophus before encounters with Velociraptors and Dilophosaurus disrupt the peace. Jurassic World - The Ride will still have guests boarding rafts and finishing their journey on a 84-foot waterfall drop at the end as the previous version did. This time it looks like riders will be escaping a battle between T-Rex and “new behemoth dinosaurs.”

Along with the redesigned ride, there will be a “Raptor Encounter” next to it, which will include Blue meeting with guests. “Dino Play” will be an area catered to kids exploring and finding giant dino fossils in the Universal land as well.

The ride comes right in between the success of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom last year and the upcoming third film coming in June 2021. The main cast will soon be returning to close out the trilogy after the dramatic events of the sequel, and could potentially feature the return of some of the original Jurassic Park cast.

Universal Studios has not yet given a specific open date for Jurassic World - The Ride, except for indicating it will come in the summer. The park also has a special Dark Arts at Hogwarts experience going on over at its Wizarding World of Harry Potter area, including a new show projected on Hogwarts Castle.

The 6 Best Jim Carrey Movies, And The 4 Worst

The 6 Best Jim Carrey Movies, And The 4 Worst

If high-energy slapstick with rambunctious, rubber-faced characters is the kind of comedy you crave, there is no better person to look to than Jim Carrey. The man behind icons like Ace Ventura, the title character of The Mask or Lloyd Christmas in Dumb and Dumber is a one-man army of non-stop explosive hilarity,

The actor is also never afraid to bring out the deeper side of his acting talent for more dramatic roles like The Truman Show. Jim Carrey’s versatile talent has resulted in some of the funniest comedies and most moving dramas of the last few decades… not to mention a few forgettably laughless bores and overblown messes.

Shall we take a look back at Jim Carrey’s fascinating career by analyzing our picks of his biggest hits and most sheepish misses among the Jim Carrey movies? Allllllllrighty then!

The Best Jim Carrey Movies

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)

It seems pretty obvious to include the film that skyrocketed Jim Carrey to fame on his best list. Yet, by that criteria alone, it deserves it.

Jim Carrey is Ace Ventura, a private investigator with a knack for solving animal-related crimes and has a tremendously bizarre personality. When he is hired to find Snowflake, the kidnapped mascot for the Miami Dolphins, Ace’s unusual detective methods keep putting him in the hot seat, but still closer to solving the case than anyone else.

Following his successful run on In Living Color, this was the film that introduced audiences to Jim Carrey’s definitive, rubber-faced character traits. With Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Carrey led a one-man comedy revolution by doing what no actor had ever done before: talking through his butt.

The Mask (1994)

Boy, was 1994 a good year for Jim Carrey. First Ace Ventura: Pet Detective makes a box office killing, then Dumb and Dumber finds critical success later that year. That summer, however, there came a movie that defied expectations, solidified Carrey as a multi-layered comedic tour de force and earned him his first Golden Globe nomination.

The Mask, a much, much lighter interpretation of a Dark Horse comic book series, stars Jim Carrey as down-on-his-luck bank clerk Stanley Ipkiss, who gets a chance to turn his life around when he finds a mysterious mask. Putting it on turns him into living cartoon character with superhuman powers and a menacing disposition.

Never has Jim Carrey been so animated, versatile and out of control. He carries this inventive story with Oscar-nominated special effects to comedic gold of historical measure.

Liar Liar (1997)

Jim Carrey put his manic, explosive acting style to its most appropriate and uproarious use in this story of an average person (unusual for Carrey at the time) with a really weird problem.

In Liar Liar, Lawyer Fletcher Reede (Jim Carrey) makes a living out of stretching the truth to help get his clients out of trouble. Unfortunately, his dishonest habit often pours into his personal life, feeding into his strained relationship with his ex-wife and dwindling trust from his son, Max (Justin Cooper). When Max makes a birthday wish that Fletcher can not tell a lie for just one day, suddenly, he finds himself literally unable to tell a lie for the next 24 hours.

Watching Jim Carrey drive himself to the brink of insanity over his inability to lie is painfully hilarious, but watching him facing his demons and learning to be a better person and father is heartwarming. Liar Liar was one of Jim Carrey’s first roles that allowed him to show his sensitive side to wonderful effect.

The Truman Show (1998)

Jim Carrey’s next major role took far more advantage of the actor’s sensitive side than ever before. I would even consider Truman Burbank to be one of the most soulful and devastating performances of his career.

Truman (Jim Carrey) is an average, likeable, married insurance salesman who cannot seem to escape his mundane existence, let alone his picturesque hometown. Little does he know that his unexplained sense of entrapment is by design of the creator of a television show that gives hope and joy and inspiration to millions, and he is the star.

Nominated for three Academy Awards, The Truman Show is a brilliant satire on the influence of “reality” television on its viewers and its subjects, tackling themes more relevant now than ever. As one of Jim Carrey’s first departures from his comedic reputation into a more dramatic setting, he knocks it out of the park.

Bruce Almighty (2003)

Jim Carrey re-teamed with the director of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Liar Liar for this ambitious romp of heavenly proportions. That is not me being incredulous. It is thematically appropriate.

After dissatisfied field reporter Bruce Nolan (Jim Carrey) loses his job, he blames God for his current losing streak. Thus, the Almighty One himself appears to Bruce, in the appropriately cast form of Morgan Freeman, to offer him His job and endow him with his powers. Thrilled, at first, by his omnipotence, Bruce soon realizes that being God is no easy feat.

Bruce Almighty succeeds at being more than a story of a man who fixes his problems by acquiring great power. It is a clever, heartfelt morality tale about a man who learns to rediscover his humanity by becoming larger than life. Not to mention, I laugh painfully hard at the scene where Jim Carrey makes Steve Carell speak gibberish every single time.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Maybe director Michel Gondry’s critically acclaimed 2004 dreamy fantasy does not come to mind when you think of Jim Carrey. Nevertheless, if you have seen Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, it should come to mind when you think of stunningly unique and remarkably absorbing dramas.

Following a painful break-up with his girlfriend, Clementine (Kate Winslet), Joel (Jim Carrey) undergoes a procedure to have her erased from his memory. It is not until he is knee-deep in the procedure when he realizes that he would rather keep the memories.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a visually hypnotic, unfathomably clever and ultimately heartbreaking masterwork. Few films before or since have come close to its level of originality and its authentic examination of the complexities of tragic romance is gripping.

This is Jim Carrey like you have never seen him before in a world like you could never imagine.

The Worst Jim Carrey Movies

Batman Forever (1995)

There is a lot of back-and-forth among Batman fans about what should be considered the shining example of the comic character as portrayed on film. Rarely does one agree which is best, but many agree that it is certainly not Joel Schumacher’s 1995 revamp of the franchise.

Batman Forever is the third installment in Warner Bros’. Batman franchise that started with Tim Burton’s interpretation. Following lackluster box office results and parent protests over 19922’s Batman Returns being “too dark,” the studio put Joel Schumacher in the director’s chair, Val Kilmer in the cowl and Jim Carrey in the villainous role of The Riddler, partnered with an unnecessarily unplugged Tommy Lee Jones as Two-Face.

To be clear, the faults of Batman Forever are not to be put on Jim Carrey, even if his performance gets to be a little much sometimes. What this overblown, nonsensical, uncomfortably goofy toy commercial does to deserve a spot on this list is make a mockery out of its title character and all he stands for.

Me, Myself & Irene (2000)

The Farrelly Brothers brought out the lovably kooky side of Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber. Somehow they must have felt that a good way to stretch their legs a bit was to bring out a more unlikeable and inappropriate side of him.

In Me, Myself & Irene, Jim Carrey plays Charlie, Rhode Island state trooper who has allowed a life’s worth of misfortune bottle up inside, resulting in a condition referred to as “advanced delusionary schizophrenia with involuntary narcissistic rage.” That’s the movie’s highly incorrect way of describing Charlie’s split personality, Hank, who gets him a whole heap of trouble involving a woman in need of protection named Irene (Renee Zellwegger).

Peter and Bobby Farrelly are behind some of the most celebrated comedies of the 1990s (Kingpin, There’s Something About Mary), but there is a reason this R-rated 2000 critical failure has been since forgotten. It is a lazy, laughless bore that lacks any much-needed heart and makes poor use of Jim Carrey’s talents in physical comedy.

The Number 23 (2007)

Perhaps director Joel Schumacher realized that Batman Forever was too lighthearted and decided that his next collaboration with Jim Carrey should be much darker. He forgot another Batman Forever mistake that The Number 23 could have also used: a story that makes sense.

Jim Carrey goes completely humorless for this thriller inspired by a real-life conspiracy theory that all bad things are somehow related to the number 23. Carrey plays a man who becomes obsessed with a disturbing book that seems to be imitating his life while the aforementioned number keeps popping up everywhere he turns.

The Number 23 is another example of Jim Carrey not being at fault for a film’s failure. He struggles to carry a plot that barely keeps your attention until it reaches its irritatingly unoriginal “twist” conclusion. If the conspiracy of tragedy related to the number 23 is true, this movie is some fine evidence.

Yes Man (2008)

Remember Liar Liar, in which Jim Carrey is unable to tell a lie? What if we basically remade that with one crucial twist.

Yes Man, from future Ant-Man director Peyton Reed, stars Jim Carrey as a guy who compulsively says no to everything, even things that sound pleasant. When he decides to make the decision to compulsively say yes to everything, even things that do not sound pleasant, his life begins to change for the better… until it doesn’t.

Yes Man has a wonderful, inspirational message that encourages living life to the fullest, but in the end, it defeats itself by admitting that saying yes can eventually prove problematic. It’s hard to decide what Jim Carrey and Peyton Reed wanted people to take this film. Laughter? Nah, it can’t be that.

Jim Carrey is one of our most beloved iconic comedians, but like any actor, his career is not without its missteps. However, The Number 23 or Me, Myself & Irene will not be what he's remembered for best. We will always think of him as a comedian with unprecedented energy and enthusiasm who taught that world that a man who talks with his butt actually can be pretty funny.

The Important Role Monarch Will Play In Godzilla: King Of The Monsters

The Important Role Monarch Will Play In Godzilla: King Of The Monsters

Naturally the main reason one goes to a Godzilla movie is to see the eponymous creature fight other monsters, but it’s also important to have human characters involved to anchor the story. In the MonsterVerse franchise, most of those humans are part of or affiliated with Monarch, which has studied these Titans for nearly three-quarters of a century.

While 2014’s Godzilla and 2017’s Kong: Skull Island provided some information on Monarch, this month’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters pulling the curtain back even further on this organization. I recently interviewed King of the Monsters production designer Scott Chambliss, and he explained that Monarch’s headquarters is representative of the clash between man and nature in the movie. Speaking about the inspiration for designing these headquarters, Chambliss said:

Our story boiled down to its most essential archetype is one of man vs. nature, and the Monarch HQ was the perfect environment in which to visually express this. Located deep in the heart of an oceanic mountain miles below the water’s surface, Monarch brought together all the human and technological engineering firepower conceivable to house its monumental and labyrinthine HQ within an utterly hostile environment...one that didn’t even exist until they created the initial negative void itself.

Although Kong: Skull Island’s post-credits scenes showed Tom Hiddleston and Brie Larson’s characters being held inside one of Monarch’s interrogation rooms, that’s hardly a good look into the kind of work space the agency’s employees operate in. Fortunately, Godzilla: King of the Monsters will not have that issue, and clearly Monarch is not lacking for funds if it can set up its headquarters within an underwater mountain.

More importantly, though, is how Godzilla: King of the Monsters reflects the core archetype through both the artificial elements making up Monrach’s base and its natural home. Scott Chambliss provided additional details about what to expect from the headquarters, saying:

Within the compound you see evidence of both: the technologically advanced monitoring, scientific, and manufacturing floors expressed in the language of advanced fortified architecture within the larger and very visible raw volcanic rock volume that houses it. This isn’t the kind of metaphoric visualizing that is intended to be showily theatrical. It is instead a presentation of starkly contrasting ingredients- raw, powerful nature and utterly refined human engineering- which is by itself an interpretation of our archetype. I’m very curious to see if this translates into the final film in any meaningful way.

In the present day MonsterVerse, the two main representatives of Monarch have been Ken Watanabe’s Ishiro Serizawa and Sally Hawkins’ Vivienne Graham. Both will be back for Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and in addition to meeting some of their other coworkers, we finally get to see the kind of environment they’re in when not doing fieldwork.

Scott Chambliss also confirmed that it was incredibly difficult to put together the Monarch headquarters set. As he put it:

The great volume of Monarch HQ made it by far the most demanding build of our movie. All the scenic and technical arts of set creation were employed here, down to robotic set dressing components. A large number of complicated parts working together comprised our final Monarch HQ world.

It’s hard to say just how much time Godzilla: King of the Monsters is spending inside the Monarch headquarters, and obviously the main draw of this latest MonsterVerse tale is witnessing Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra and King Ghidorah collide out in the open. Still, considering how little we’ve learned about the organization, it’s cool to see Monarch will have a bigger presence for this third entry.

Along with Ken Watanabe and Sally Hawkins reprising their roles, Godzilla: King of the Monsters’ main cast includes Millie Bobby Brown, Vera Farmiga, g, Bradley Whitford, Charles Dance, Thomas Middleditch, Aisha Hinds, O’Shea Jackson, David Strathairn and Zhang Ziyi. Michael Dougherty directed and co-wrote the script with Zach Shields.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters rampages into theaters on May 31, so stay tuned to CinemaBlend for continuing coverage. In the meantime, head to our 2019 release schedule to find out what movies are coming out later in the year.

Why Thor Changed So Much In Avengers: Endgame, According To The Writers

Why Thor Changed So Much In Avengers: Endgame, According To The Writers

Spoilers ahead for Avengers: Endgame. If you haven't seen the latest Marvel blockbuster, look away!

Avengers: Endgame arrived in theaters ahead of last weekend, and the internet is current buzz with the massive blockbuster's many surprising moments. The Russo Brothers crafted an emotional movie that kept the fandom on its toes, providing endless plot twists and a movie that should be void of bathroom breaks.

Chris Hemsworth's Thor was the subject of a fair amount of twists, including a drastic physical transformation. Following Endgame's five year time jump, it was revealed that the God of Thunder was wallowing in the time since decapitating Thanos, becoming an overweight alcoholic in the process. It's an unexpected change to the character that stuck throughout the course of Endgame's runtime, and the film's writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely recently explained his twist, saying:

MARCUS: Thor’s on a mission of vengeance. And then we were like, he was on a mission of vengeance in the last movie. This is all this guy ever does! And fails, all the time. Let’s drive him into a wall and see what happens.

McFEELY: He just got drunk and fat.

Well, this does make sense. Thor might have been progressing as a character throughout his long tenure in the MCU, but the guy hasn't had the easiest run. He's lost everything, so it make sense that he would hit rock bottom after his encounters with Thanos.

Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely's comments to The New York Times help to explain how one of the strongest Avengers ended up letting himself go so hard. When the plan to use time travel first comes to fruition, they need to assemble the surviving heroes. Rocket and Bruce Banner travel to New Asgard, and find a Thor that has more interest in Fortnite than saving the galaxy or ruling his people.

His physical transformation is a shocking moment in the movie, as is the fact that The Russo Brothers maintain his new body until his final moments onscreen. Its a constant reminder of how far Thor's character has changed since his first appearance, and how he's truly lost everyone. Besides Korg that is.

In Avengers: Infinity War, Thor spoke with Rocket about all that the God of Thunder had already lost at that point. Odin passed on, while Frigga, Loki, and Heimdell were all brutally murdered. What's more, Thor: Ragnarok saw the destruction of Asgard itself, so his mystical home is gone forever. All he had left was the thirst for vengeance, and wanting to kill Thanos.

And he very nearly did it. He ultimately plunged Stormbreaker into Thanos' chest, gloating over his moment of vengeance in the process. But he didn't aim for the head, and Thanos snapped his fingers and wiped out half the galaxy. That guilt weighed on Thor (literally), and it took some convincing for him to return to The Avengers and join the wild time heist.

Related: Tessa Thompson Says Taika Waititi Might Return For Thor 4

It should be interesting to see what comes next for Thor, as the future of the MCU is largely a mystery. Chris Hemsworth's contract with Marvel Studios is up, but Thor made it out of Endgame with his life. He seemingly joined the Guardians of the Galaxy, although that might have just been his way back into space before a possible fourth Thor movie. We'll just have to wait and see whenever the studio finally unveils its plans for the future post-Endgame.

Thor has already changed quite a bit throughout his long tenure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While his father Odin originally exiled him from Asgard due to his immaturity, he proved time and time again to be one of the bravest members of The Avengers. Sure, he's retained his ego and can sometimes be a bit head strong, but Thor has demonstrated a willingness to sacrifice himself for the greater good.

But ultimately Thor wasn't one of the OG Avengers who lost their life during the course of Avengers: Endgame. Instead, he'll presumably be given some chance to return in the post-Endgame world. And that's probably the right call for Marvel Studios, considering the character was given new life and fan excitement following Thor: Ragnarok and Infinity War.

Taika Waititi broke all the rule with his Thor threequel, destroying Asgard, the Warrior's Three, Odin, and Mjolnir in the process. He also took the character into new locations in space, pairing him with Hulk and Loki in the process. What's more, a series of colorful characters were introduced including Valkyrie and Korg.

The newcomers briefly popped back up in Avengers: Endgame, revealing that the surviving Asgardians are living peacefully on Earth. When the film ended, Thor seems to have given over the reigns of leadership to Tessa Thompson Valkyrie, but what does that mean? Could she ended up wielding the character's power as a female Thor? Or should we expect Val and Korg to pop up in Thor 4?

There's no guarantee that Thor 4 will come to fruition, although fans would love to see Chris Hemsworth have another collaboration with Taika Waititi. Tessa Thompson previously teased that talks are happening at Marvel Studios, although nothing is set in stone and she's not sure what comes next for Valkyrie after Endgame.

The final moments of Avengers: Endgame also seemingly tease that Thor will join the Guardians of the Galaxy, following their chemistry in Infinity War. It's a crossover fans will go bonkers over, so hopefully Marvel Studios will reveal its plans sooner rather than later. The God of Thunder has a particular bond with Bradley Cooper's Rocket Raccoon, so hopefully that's a character pairing we'll see more of in Phase Four.

But since Avengers: Endgame is in theaters, hopefully that means Marvel will reveal its plans soon. Of course, Spider-Man: Far From Home is only a few months away, so the studio may want to wait until after that release before unveiling the next phase of films.

Avengers: Endgame is in theaters now, and making tons of money at the box office. Be sure to check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Captain Marvel Almost Included A Tie-In To Thor: Ragnarok

Captain Marvel Almost Included A Tie-In To Thor: Ragnarok

Spoilers ahead for Captain Marvel. If you haven't seen the latest Marvel blockbuster, turn away!

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been on a serious roll in Phase Three, as every blockbuster has been a critical and financial success. While all eyes are on how the narrative will conclude with the apocalyptic story Avengers: Endgame, Carol Danvers was finally given her origin story last weekend with Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck's Captain Marvel. With plenty of familiar faces in the cast, the movie has an interesting connection to the greater MCU, although it almost included a great reference to Thor: Ragnarok.

With the movie finally in theaters, Captain Marvel's pair of directors can get a bit more chatty about the film's contents. After all, Marvel security is no joke. When crafting the film's conclusion and end-credits scene, they almost put Jude Law's villainous Yon-Rogg on the scrap planet of Sakaar from Ragnarok. As Ryan Fleck recently revealed:

There was an idea on the table about having Jude Law […] emerge from his pod on Sakaar and then have him look around and see the Devil's Anus behind him and wonder, 'Where the hell am I?'

Is anyone else's FOMO going through the roof right now? Because while Captain Marvel had its own quirky end credits scene, this scrapped connection to the Thor threequel would have sent fans through the roof. Especially the inclusion of the Devil's Anus.

Ryan Fleck's comments to Empire Online shows how collaborative the process at Marvel Studios actually is. While fans see a streamlined finished product and phases of new releases, the filmmakers still have the opportunity to play and mold each individual blockbuster. This includes the credits scenes, which have become a beloved tradition in the MCU.

Thor: Ragnarok was a game changer for Chris Hemsworth's franchise, a Taika Waititi brought a ton of comedy and new cosmic locations to the table. Sakaar was a major setting in the threequel, as the God of Thunder and Hulk were trapped on the trash heap planet, and forced to start a revolution to escape and return to Asgard. The Devil's Anus (lol) was a massive wormhole on Sakaar, which would have served as the perfect setting for Yon-Rogg to end up on if the original plans for Captain Marvel's ending came to fruition.

Ultimately, Yon-Rogg's fate was left unclear, likely so Jude Law's character might pop back up in a potential sequel. He was sent back to Hala to warn the Supreme Intelligence, with that conflict presumably keeping Carol Danvers busy for the decades until she pops up in Avengers: Endgame. And Goose was given one final gag during the post-credits scene.

Captain Marvel is in theaters now, and Brie Larson will return to the MCU when Avengers: Endgame arrives on April 26th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.