6 Questions We Still Have Before Seeing Shazam!

6 Questions We Still Have Before Seeing Shazam!

DC is coming off of a major win after the massive success of Aquaman, and we'll see if lightning can strike twice with Shazam! The newest DC film is promising the same light and fun tone as Aquaman, and early reviews for Shazam! have been really positive. We'll know for sure next month if Shazam! will be a hit, but in the meantime, we are left to wonder on the last remaining details that the film has kept hidden.

Shazam! finds orphan Billy Batson (Asher Angel) chosen as the next champion of the wizard Shazam (Djimon Hounsou), granting him incredible powers that transform him into an adult superhero (Zachary Levi). It's a recipe for a really fun fish-out-of-water (or body) story and as with any superhero blockbuster, details have been kept extra slim. There are still plenty of questions left unanswered, and we've got the six most important ones we'd like to know listed below.

Why Does The Wizard Need A New Champion?

The basic concept of Shazam is that a wizard names him as his next champion and the protector of all magic, granting powers that put young Billy Batson on the level of Superman. In the comics, the reason tends to vary as to WHY the Wizard chooses Billy, but it's usually because he has a pure heart. The Wizard's reasons aren't clear in the movie, but we also have to wonder why he needs a new champion in the first place. Does he need to pass on his power before he dies? Is some kind crisis looming and the world will need a new champion? Whatever the case, the Wizard better have a pretty good reason for picking a 14-year-old orphan to fight his battles.

What's The Deal With Sivana?

Every hero needs a villain, and for Shazam! that villain is Dr. Sivana (Mark Strong). In the comics, Sivana is a decrepit mad scientist obsessed with magic. Usually, he doesn't have any powers, though the latest comic reboot gave him the ability to "see" magic. The movie decides to kick it up a notch and really shoots him full of steroids. Sivana has powers on par with Shazam, so question one is how did he get these abilities? Questions two is what does he want them for? Sivana is clearly up to no good, and word on the street is that he has a revamped backstory (which I won't spoil for you here), but it's unclear exactly what his true motives are and what he hopes to accomplish.

Will A Justice League Member Cameo?

The DCEU has adopted a strategy of keeping its various superhero films standalone rather than referencing or setting up other DCEU films. That worked out for Wonder Woman and Aquaman, but that hasn't stopped rumors that Shazam! might have a cameo from a Justice Leaguer. Superman (Henry Cavill) has been the popular choice and there are rumors that a Superman cameo was shot for the film, though, it's been a subject of debate whether  Cavill was involved or not. While I don't think Shazam! needs a Superman cameo, it would still be really cool to see. Shazam! already references other DC characters, so why not have one actually show up?

How Does Black Adam Factor Into All This?

Before they had begun working on Shazam!, Warner Bros. had already lined up Dwayne Johnson to play classic Shazam anti-hero Black Adam. There have been tons of different reports over the status of Black Adam and what Warner Bros. wants to do with him, with a solo film looking like the most popular option. However, Black Adam is heavily involved in the Shazam mythology and backstory, and it's tough to see the Shazam! movie going its whole runtime without Adam factoring in somewhat. Will he just be referenced, or did Johnson film a secret cameo? Johnson is one of the biggest stars on the planet, so it's hard to imagine that Warner doesn't capitalize on that soon.

Is There Going To Be A Talking Tiger Or Not?!

Forget Superman and Black Adam. Where's the talking tiger? For those who don't know, Shazam comics used to be super weird and at one point a recurring character was a posh talking tiger in a suit named Tawny. What the tiger actually did, I have no idea. All I know is that he needs to be in live-action, trading jokes with Zachary Levi. Some versions of the character is just a regular tiger who gains the ability to speak later on thanks to Shazam's magic. Honestly, I'd be fine if Tawny was just a tiger at the zoo (which he was in the New 52 reboot), but if we can have a talking raccoon bring in millions of box office dollar, then why can't we have a tiger?

Will The Shazam Family Appear?

Shazam! takes a ton of inspiration from the New 52 reboot version of the character. Perhaps the most famous addition from the storyline was the introduction of the Shazam Family when Billy shared his mighty powers with his foster family. It was a powerful moment in the comics that saw Billy finally accept his new family, and it would make sense for the movie to do the exact same. While not officially confirmed by the studio, there are actors cast in the film who certainly look like they could play older versions of the child actors. Plus, there was some merchandise that indicated the Shazam Family would appear, but unless actually confirmed by footage, I'm not counting that!

There are still some important elements of Shazam! that are unknown to fans, but it's a good thing that the marketing isn't spoiling everything about the movie. It'd be a real bummer if it showed Superman or Black Adam appear in a trailer when it would have been better to just go into the theater cold. We also don't know for sure if the Shazam Family or a talking tiger will be making an appearance. Considering the importance of family to Shazam, I'd say that there is a pretty strong chance we'll see a bunch of super-powered kids running around by the time the credits roll. The jury is still out on that tiger, though.

That James Wan Produced Mortal Kombat Movie Is Really Happening

That James Wan Produced Mortal Kombat Movie Is Really Happening

Not too long ago, a new Mortal Kombat reboot was announced that would bring the franchise into theaters once again. As New Line Cinema is still the force of studio nature that will be making the film, and James Wan is producing the film with his steady hands of action and horror, fans have undoubtedly been excited for things to get going on the film’s production.

But even with the initial whisperings surrounding the project, the consensus was it wasn’t going to happen for a while. Well, the wait is closer to being over, as Mortal Kombat just rang the bell on pre-production, putting the film in the process of making its move for big screen glory.

The project’s status update came from an announcement made by several South Australian government officials, including premier Steven Marshall. Mortal Kombat is a huge prospect for the region’s film industry, and one that producer James Wan is happy to see being brought to life in the country where he made his last huge hit, Aquaman.

What’s even more interesting about this new Mortal Kombat movie is its choice in directing talent. Making his feature film debut, and still signed on after almost two years of development hell, is Australian director Simon McQuoid, who up until now has been known for his commercial work. However, looking at his resume in that field, one can see how and why he got the gig.

Having directed commercials for such franchises as Halo and Call of Duty, as well as ads for Playstation and Duracell, McQuoid has shown a slick visual flare that just happens to pair well with geek friendly properties. Especially when that Duracell ad just happened to be one that saw Star Wars, and the power of imagination, in the middle of the action.

With Simon McQuoid’s resume boasting such material, it cannot be stated enough that Mortal Kombat is a good fit for the man’s talents. What's also interesting is that thanks to the details that Variety has reported on the project, it sounds like the film will be the largest to ever shoot in South Australia when it finally kicks into high gear.

Unfortunately, the good news of Mortal Kombat’s pre-production start within the month comes with some uncertainty about what the film’s story will cover. Previously, there were two different concepts being talked about: one in which a brand new character would be created for the story to follow, and one in which we’d see the return of Christopher Lambert’s Raiden, as well as some dimensional portal hopping. Seeing as the former draft has been searching for a 14-year-old to play the thunder god of the Mortal Kombat realm, it doesn’t seem likely these two concepts will be folded together.

Still, in a world where Pokemon has drawn successfully from the nostalgia well, Mortal Kombat seems primed to deliver a very similar result. And if the world building holds up as well as Pokemon: Detective Pikachu's did, there's no telling where the world of this gruesome action spectacle might go with the public.

While Mortal Kombat may not have a release date to speak of, that doesn’t mean the theaters are empty. Head over to our 2019 release schedule, and see what’s waiting for your hard earned movie money today!

Sounds Like Rocket Has A Major Role In Avengers: Endgame

Sounds Like Rocket Has A Major Role In Avengers: Endgame

There are just two movies left in Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the stakes couldn't be higher. Following the unexpected ending of Avengers: Infinity War, it was clear that the Russo Brothers weren't fooling around, and are willing to kill off any and all characters to service the greater story. Thanos' victory in accruing the Infinity Stones wiped out half the galaxy, with both the surviving heroes and the audience left to watch in horror as countless characters faded to dust.

The Guardians of the Galaxy were hit especially hard from Thanos' assault, with Gamora being killed so her adopted father could get the Soul Stone, and everyone but Rocket wiped out from Thanos' snap (aka The Decimation). Sean Gunn plays Rocket via motion capture on set, and recently teased a major role for the foul mouthed Guardian in Avengers: Endgame, saying:

All I can say is that Rocket gets to meet a lot of interesting new people that he has not met before in Endgame and I think I'll leave it at that.

Bring on the crossovers. Prior to Infinity War, the Guardians of the Galaxy were kept largely separate from the rest of the MCU, due to their cosmic setting and place in the overall timeline of the shared universe. But Rocket is here in the present, and will be among the rest of the survivors once Endgame finally arrives in theaters next month.

Rocket and Groot spent much of Infinity War alongside Chris Hemsworth's Thor, as he went on a journey to get Stormbreaker. It was a great character pairing, and he and Thor will likely continue vibing during Endgame. The trio ultimately made it to the Battle of Wakanda in the nick of time, and took out Thanos' forces in quick succession. But it wasn't enough to stop the snap, and Rocket watched Groot turn to dust before his eyes. And this time, his best friend didn't come back to life.

Rocket was seen among the rest of the survivors in the Avengers: Endgame trailer, although his role and the entire movie's story are a complete mystery to the general public. But Sean Gunn's comments to IGN are sure to excite the fandom, who are hoping that the character shared by Gunn and Bradley Cooper will have plenty of screen time in the upcoming blockbuster. The surviving heroes are going to have to lean on each other if they hope to reverse Thanos' snap, and will need help in the form of Captain Marvel, Ant-Man, and Ronin.

It should be interesting to see who Rocket ends up interacting with in Endgame, especially given the character's signature attitude. He seems like the perfect foil for uptight Avengers like Captain America and Bruce Banner, as well as egos like Iron Man and Captain Marvel. Smart money says he ends up providing some much needed comedic relief to an otherwise somber movie.

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

20 Iconic '90s Movies That Bring On The Nostalgia

20 Iconic '90s Movies That Bring On The Nostalgia

2019 marks the last year that will see a wave of 20 year anniversaries to the most beloved films of the 1990s. Over the past decade, the celebrations of nostalgia have been strong for that last decade of the 20th century, and with the movies it produced, there’s no surprise that it’s been as strong as this crop we’ve seen.

The 20 movies we’re about to run down are probably the most memorable of the decade, and one of the most diverse lineups you could ever expect. If you really want to max out the nostalgia factor, feel free to read this on your old PC, running a dial-up modem connection, and popping open a can of Pepsi Twist. But it’s perfectly fine if you proceed on a modern rig, as nostalgia reads true through any screen.

Space Jam

The perfect triangle of ‘90s love came together when they created Space Jam. Nostalgia for the Looney Tunes, admiration of Michael Jordan’s legendary sports career, and a killer hit soundtrack are the building blocks for this favorite of kids who grew up watching it. Throw in some comedic references of the era it was created for, and you’ve got a movie so perfect for its time, it could have been President.

Forrest Gump

It’s starting to look like the ‘90s were the era of nostalgia themselves, as another memorable hit of the decade was director Robert Zemeckis’ Forrest Gump. A movie so heartfelt and bittersweet it made many an audience member teary with emotion, Tom Hanks’ protagonist makes his way through history in a way that made adults fond of their youth, and their children fond of this film. Sometimes life is like a box of chocolates, and when you’re crying over some of the stuff Forrest goes through, chocolate helps.

Titanic

You can hear it, can’t you? The penny whistle melody. The waves on the ocean. Kate Winslet’s voice amazed at the fact that she’s flying. Titanic is already engrained in your memories if you’re reading this list, and you don’t even have to be a child of the ‘90s to have that fate. Between the long lasting scientific debates, the box office records, and even the hit single that Celine Dion provided for the film, director James Cameron’s mammoth epic was the ship of dreams for many who saw it in its initial theatrical run, as well as all who saw it on home video.

Pulp Fiction

If Reservoir Dogs was the warning shot that started Quentin Tarantino’s career, then Pulp Fiction was the full barrage of gunfire that finished the job. With interwoven plots in the same universe, multiple lines of insanely quotable dialogue, and Tarantino’s unique brand of dark gallows humor, audiences latched onto this film almost instantly. We’re betting that golden briefcase Marcellus Wallace was after contained pure box office magic.

The Lion King

Just as Titanic almost instantly sets the scene once its name is invoked, you can practically see the opening of The Lion King once it has been dropped in conversation. A crowning achievement in Disney’s renaissance, it taught kids life lessons about responsibility, entertained them with catchy songs, and probably traumatized a lot of kids with Mufasa’s death due to wildebeest stampede. Some circle of life.

Jurassic Park

People love dinosaurs, and science has proven this fact time and time again. But when Jurassic Park came out in 1993, even the bullish of speculators probably couldn’t guess how big director Steven Spielberg’s dino theme park would become. CGI had its first big success at the movies, and everyone got to see an adventure that was not only 65 million years in the making, but also worth every day of the wait.

The Silence of the Lambs

The biggest thing that audiences tend to forget when talking about The Silence of The Lambs is that Clarice Starling is actually the lead character in the film. That’s not a knock towards Jodie Foster’s portrayal of the hero from Thomas Harris’ best-selling novel, but rather that’s a comment on just how chilling Anthony Hopkins’ portrayal of Hannibal Lecter hit home with audiences of the era. Lecter’s still as creepy and brilliant now as he was then, but over time, it’s been easier to see just how amazing Foster’s green, but tenacious FBI agent compliments it.

The Matrix

It began with a cryptic Super Bowl ad, asking one crucial question: “What is The Matrix?” A couple short months later, the answer would be clearer than ever: it was a cultural goldmine. Mixing the influences of anime, kung fu movies, and philsosophy, The Wachowskis set the world on fire with their tale of an epic war between man and machine. They also made a name for themselves as filmmakers who weren’t afraid to get weird with their product, and helped make Keanu Reeves into an action superstar.

The Big Lebowski

Bowling kind of lost its cool for a little while in the ‘90s, with the sport being relegated to something that only dads did. Then along came The Big Lebowski, which introduced The Dude, the man who made it all cool again. A stoner/slacker who took life one moment at a time, and loved to roll some thunder on the lanes, his beloved sport gained some cool points during his caper to untangle himself from the troubles of someone with the same name. So now when you think of bowling, you think of Jeff Bridges slinging a ball down a lane, a White Russian at the ready, with some Creedence in the tape deck. You could do worse if that’s your sport’s image.

The Shawshank Redemption

Some stories feel like they started as fairy tales, but found themselves molded into something adults could take to heart themselves. The Shawshank Redemption is one such story, as Stephen King crafted a world that very much took place in our own reality, but saw Andy Dufrense go through perils not unlike any prince or princess in all of literature. Seeing writer/director Frank Darabont’s classic go from theatrical flop to absolute classic, all thanks to old school video stores, felt as good as watching Andy emerge from the sewers.

Terminator 2: Judgement Day

James Cameron ruled the ‘80s with Terminator and Aliens being his huge efforts in that particular decade, but that wasn’t enough. And before he could even set himself up to rule the world with Titanic, Cameron entered the decade with a sci-fi classic that would forever define him: Terminator 2: Judgement Day. Turning the T-800 into a good guy was only the start, as James Cameron similarly transformed a grim and violent franchise into a meditation on fate, time travel, and personal responsibility. But boy, was it still violent as ever!

Scream

Speaking of reinvention, Wes Craven had a crack at turning a table near and dear to himself when he made Scream. A post-modern slasher film, Craven used his skills as a horror professional, teamed up with writer Kevin Williamson’s hip script, and created some new nightmares for the kids of that era. While Ghostface is a more grounded evil than Freddy Kruger, it’s certainly as memorable, as you could still quiz people about the rules of a horror film and they’d probably be able to answer correctly.

Mrs. Doubtfire

Divorce isn’t an easy subject to discuss in any context, especially when humor and heavy prosthetic makeup are involved. Yet both are key ingredients to just why Mrs. Doubtfire works as a movie, as not only does Robin Williams navigate the laughs with perfect timing, he also works with Sally Field to ground the reality of their failed marriage. It’s funny, but knows when to take itself seriously; much as it’s a dramatic film that knows how to balance the fun with the tears.

Beauty And The Beast

Around the same time The Disney Store started to invade your local mall, Beauty and The Beast made its way into theaters across the world. This tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme, was so big of a hit that it landed a nomination for Best Picture, in an era with no Best Animated Film category. And after you saw Belle and her Beast fall in love for the first time, there was the Disney Store, waiting to offer you a pre-order for the film on VHS, and some cute merch you could wear to school the next day.

Clueless

If you ever wanted to study the ‘90s as a cultural era, you basically need to throw Clueless into the fold. The clothes, the slang, and the usage of pop culture to adapt a story as classic as Jane Austen’s Emma are all hallmarks of the decade, and Alicia Silverstone’s Cher is the perfect icon to represent each of those aspects it embodies. Also, if you want proof that Paul Rudd is ageless, watch Clueless right before you see Avengers: Endgame. You’ll start forming your own theories once that’s in the noggin.

Independence Day

Will Smith has seen his share of interesting creatures, and Independence Day was the first time he actually got to whoop some otherworldly ass on the big screen. As part of an all star ensemble that included Jeff Goldblum, and a very young Mae Whitman, he was one of the last lines of defense against invading forces hellbent on ruining our planet. While the entire ensemble had their own memorable moments, it's hard to argue against Smith being an MVP, as this film helped catapult him into box office royalty; as well as started his career in alien relations.

Hocus Pocus

Some movies don't hit automatically, but once they get to VHS, they soar. The Shawshank Redemption saw that sort of fate, and to a certain extent, so did Hocus Pocus. As a tepidly reviewed film in its initial release, the Disney spooktacular would go on to become a Halloween staple for all who remembered growing up with it. This only helped future generations find their way to the antics of the Sanderson Sisters, and the lesson of what happens when you let a virgin light a black flame candle on Halloween. You'd think the fact that it's a black flame would scare people away from even trying to light that special candle.

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

If it wasn't for the quirky pet detective that Jim Carrey inhabited in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, who knows if his rise to fame would have ever happened? While playing a lot of fun and memorable characters on TV's In Living Color, Carrey really took off once he started palling around with animals, solving crime with Courtney Cox and Tone Loc, and snooped around all of Miami to find a missing mascot. Would he have been a star without the film? We're not sure, and we're al-righty with not finding out that particular cosmic truth.

Seven

Another question that drove moviegoers crazy throughout the decade was “What’s in the box?” Whether it be repeated mockingly, or with serious intent, director David Fincher left the world on a hell of a cliffhanger by the time Seven came to a close. Watching Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman doing their best detective work helped usher in Fincher as a talent to watch out for, but also gave us one of the best mystery stories to be told in such a bleak and grim manner.

Men in Black

Over 20 years ago, Agent J and Agent K defended Earth from the worst scum in the universe, as Men in Black made Will Smith the king of the 4th of July box office for a spell. With a deft hand mixing the tones of comedy and drama into the story of a top secret organization sworn to monitor and fight extraterrestrial activity, and some really good casting at work putting Smith alongside Tommy Lee Jones, Men in Black is a movie that’s so fun to revisit, it’s almost as if you’re watching it for the first time.

And those are the 20 classics that, we feel, bring the most nostalgia to the table. Of course, nostalgia is pretty subjective, and the '90s were so big that there's plenty of films that might feel left out. So if you've got a particular favorite that isn't on our list of the most memory making films of that decade, send 'em our way in the comments below. It's as good a time as any to have a nostalgia party, so don't be shy and share away!

Why Emperor Palpatine Is Probably Alive In Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker

Why Emperor Palpatine Is Probably Alive In Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker

In what has been one of the biggest Star Wars twists since Darth Vader pulled a "who's your daddy" on Luke in The Empire Strikes Back, Emperor Palpatine has been revealed to play a part in the drama that is Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker. While some have speculated we'll see Palpatine in the form of a Sith force ghost or via recordings, I have reason to suspect he'll actually be alive in the film.

That's right, "Papa Palpatine," as he was referred to as in Robot Chicken, is either back in the land of the living or he never left in the first place. Believe it or not, there's plenty of canon material and things we know about the character to support that, much of which can be found below. Start getting used to the idea, as these are all the reasons Emperor Palpatine is probably alive in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Sith Are Resilient Survivors

Take a look at some of the biggest Sith enemies in the Star Wars films and think back on how many bounced back from some incredible injury. There's Darth Maul, who managed to bounce back from being sliced in half, and Anakin Skywalker, who lost most of his limbs and was burned alive. Even General Grievous somewhat counts, although technically he's not really a Sith, just an organic cyborg with impressive lightsaber skills.

The point is the Sith's hatred, for all its downsides, seems to be a superpower, in that it fuels their will to survive. Few Sith hated or channeled the Dark Side as much as Palpatine, so it's hard to believe even in his advanced age that he was completely unable to bounce back like the Sith before him.

Let's also remember he was only thrown down a very large hole. Sure there's was an explosion towards the end that implied he collided with some energy source and was vaporized, but maybe that was some advanced illusion or tactic to protect his body. Clearly his plan had failed, so it makes sense he'd fake his death and perhaps try again three decades later.

Sith Can Return By Putting Their Essence Within An Object

This is a rather recent development in the Sith lore, which comes to us courtesy of Marvel Comics' Darth Vader comics. There, readers learned of Momin, a Sith who had unlocked some of the secrets behind returning from death back to the world of the living as a Sith. He does this via his dark essence, which lingers in the helmet he wore when he was alive.

Through the helmet, Momin was able to possess the bodies of others who donned it and live on through them. It's also worth noting Momin discovered a way to open the door to the ethereal plane, which Vader used in an attempt to bring Padme back to life. Vader was ultimately unsuccessful, although Momin used the door to the Dark Side to bring his original body back to the land of the living.

This new Star Wars story isn't just important because it shows Sith returning from the dead, but also because it establishes that Momin's studies were known of by Palpatine. After he was killed by Vader, Momin's mask was stored on Darth Sidious' private yacht. So the Emperor may have studied Momin's methods and worked out a way to achieve a similar artifact with his essence.

One downside of this tactic, of course, is that someone would need to don Palpatine's artifact for him to possess and assume their form. With that said, it appears a significant chunk of the Death Star survived that fall, which could mean a small community of stormtroopers survived as well. This is just speculation, but say this method was utilized and there were surviving stormtroopers. Palpatine could have kept on living despite his death through host soldiers.

It's an exciting thought, imagining a cult of the Empire still hanging on in a brave new world, but largely separated from the war at large. He could be in hiding or simply waiting until one side has emerged as a victor so he can infiltrate and begin his next reign all over again. Man, wouldn't that be a kick in the teeth?

Palpatine Has A Clone Contingency Plan

Ok, so we know Disney isn't about to open up the can of worms and start making all parts of the former expanded Star Wars universe canon, but there has been some things that have returned. Grand Admiral Thrawn is one big example, and it's possible the Emperor's clone contingency plan could make a return as well.

For those who are unfamiliar, Emperor Palpatine had a cloning facility explicitly built for the purpose of transferring his essence into a new body should he be killed. The Emperor was successfully transferred over to clones, although his immense power meant he had a tendency to burn through the bodies rather quickly. It wasn't ideal, but it allowed him to keep on living indefinitely, which he then used to attempt and regain his former power.

While Dark Horse's early '90s Dark Empire run is no longer canon, it's worth wondering if Star Wars is looking to it for inspiration as it seeks to wrap up the Skywalker Saga. This series is notable not just for the Emperor's cloning, but for its inclusion of Han and Leia's son, although his name is Anakin and not Ben. It also featured the return of Boba Fett, which a recent Star Wars tale has implied is alive once again.

Are these all just coincidences or the foundation that Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker has based its story on? Again, there's a precedence of Star Wars cherry picking past Legends stories and tweaking them in a way that makes sense for the new canon. With cloning established as a viable technology in the Prequel Trilogy, this would be a great way to bring those films into the mix and strengthen this saga's connection even further.

These are just some of the ways Palpatine can return, and while something like a Force ghost, flashbacks or holocron recordings are a possibility, it would be so much cooler to see him return in the flesh. Would Rey be able to stand against such a powerful Sith lord in battle? What about Kylo Ren? I don't have the answers, but it'd be cool to see a battle between the three to find out!

Those with other ideas on how Palpatine will return can sound off in the comments below, or vote in our poll on whether they think he'll return from the dead or not. We'll find out in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, which is in theaters Friday, December 20.

Avengers: Endgame And The Battle Of Winterfell Are Both This Weekend, And I’m Exhausted

Avengers: Endgame And The Battle Of Winterfell Are Both This Weekend, And I’m Exhausted

Part of being movie/TV fan means investing your time and money. You follow onscreen adventures for years, never missing out on a single episode or big screen opening. But eventually things must come to an end, and finales offer the chance for long-awaited payoffs and narrative conclusions.

That's exactly what's happening this week with Avengers: Endgame, which is the cumulation of the past 21 Marvel blockbusters and over a decade of filmmaking. It's a massively ambitious blockbuster, perhaps even more than Infinity War, and really pays off for the fans who have shelled out money to each installment of the behemoth franchise. I saw the movie last night, and I'm emotionally spent and can't really think about much else today.

But as soon as I exited the theater and began recapping just how satisfying and thrilling Endgame was, I had one thought: we have to do this all again in two days. Because shortly after Endgame is digested by the rabid fanbdom, we'll be glued to our TV screens for this Sunday's episode of Game of Thrones.

Episode 3 will contain the Battle of Winterfell, teased to be the biggest medieval battle sequence in film history. Most of the show's surviving characters have gathered in The North to battle the Night King and his army of the dead, and smart money says that we're going to lose plenty of fan favorites throughout the course of the next episode.

Game of Thrones has the potential to be more suspenseful and gut wrenching that Avengers: Endgame, which is really saying something. HBO's acclaimed series has always known just how to break the fandom's hearts, and is far more cruel that the MCU has ever been. So just when you may have pulled your emotions back together following an Endgame screening, GoT is here to emotionally devastate.

The stakes couldn't be higher for either the Marvel Cinematic Universe or Game of Thrones in its final season. Fans have spent a ton of time following both properties across eight season and 21 movies, and therefore have emotional connections to the characters. The possibility of major character deaths has never felt so inevitable, and both franchises have shown they weren't afraid to kill off fan favorites.

Related: 7 Game Of Thrones Theories About The Battle Of Winterfell That Could Come True

At the time of writing, its Friday morning and I'm still pretty exhausted from the experience of Endgame's wild three hour ride. Luckily I've got two days to recover before Game of Thrones, but there are plenty of fans who didn't run out to the opening night showings of the the latest Avengers movie. What's more, I've got a few friends who are seeing Endgame on Sunday, and then watching The Battle of Winterfell that night. I need a drink just thinking about that.

Now, I'm not complaining. This week is full of payoffs and top notch content to enjoy, but you've got to wonder exactly when the powers that be realized how Marvel and HBO's scheduled overlapped in such an epic way. But what's clear is that plenty of people are going to walking around Monday morning in dire need of coffee and possibly some therapy.

Avengers: Endgame is in theaters now, and Game of Thrones will premiere its third episode this Sunday on HBO. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

There's A Perfect Timeline Leading To Tony's Fate In Avengers Endgame

There's A Perfect Timeline Leading To Tony's Fate In Avengers Endgame

Warning: SPOILERS for Avengers: Endgame are in play. If you haven’t seen the film yet, portal on out of here and come back once you’ve gotten the scoop.

The events of Avengers: Endgame have taken from the world its Iron Man, as Tony Stark died to protect everyone by using the Infinity Stones to defeat Thanos. While some may have predicted this event as the natural conclusion of Joe and Anthony Russo’s mega blockbuster for some time now, there are still those who might think it was just a grand spectacle to send Robert Downey Jr. out of the series.

But when you really look at the pre-existing history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, something becomes readily apparent. There’s a perfectly good path that leads from Tony Stark’s grown as a hero, running straight into the end zone that is Avengers: Endgame. This line of destiny reaches pretty far back, all the way from 2012’s The Avengers until Avengers: Endgame.

So in case you’re one of those doubters who are sitting there thinking that Tony Stark didn’t have to die, here’s the series of events that perfectly set up Tony’s sacrifice.

The Nuke Launch In The Avengers Sets Tony Stark Up As A Sacrificial Hero

While it would still take a little while for Tony Stark to completely reform his ways and become the Iron Man capable of giving Peter Parker fatherly advice, his actions towards the end of The Avengers helped him become a selfless hero. And it all started with an act very similar to the one that he would eventually undertake in Avengers: Endgame.

As the World Security Council launches a nuclear weapon meant to take out the Chitauri forces swarming New York, Tony decides to try and fly the missile out into space to save the city. Not only does his decision to attempt this Hail Mary show he’s capable of such a selfless act, his exposure to space and the creatures that come from the infinite cosmos traumatize him enough to start to formulate a game plan.

Giving Up His Iron Man Mantle Solidifies Tony’s Relationship With Pepper

While this move obviously didn't end up being permanent, Tony Stark resigning his heroic alter ego in Iron Man 3 did give him a firm relationship with his love interest, Pepper Potts. Ultimately, that relationship is important to Tony’s plot for two different reasons.

First, Pepper’s love gives him the motivation to try and live a normal life, dialing down his taste for adventure in several points of his life’s story. But second and most importantly is the fact that their romance will give Tony the ultimate reason for protecting the universe, as he and Pepper will eventually have their daughter, Morgan, to worry about.

Tony’s Big Speech In Avengers: Age Of Ultron Sets Up The Endgame

A huge moment that Avengers: Endgame leans on in is Tony’s big breakdown in Avengers: Age of Ultron. What starts as a reminder that Tony flew the infamous New York nuke into space becomes a somewhat tender pledge as to what he’s trying to do with Ultron. He saw an “endgame” up in space, and a “suit of armor around the world” was all he wanted to provide to save the world.

The entire “suit of armor around the world” remark basically set up Tony’s actions as a metaphorical fulfillment of that remark. In the end, his suit of armor was what protected the world from the threat of Thanos, as Tony paid with his life to save the universe. But Tony’s particular turn of phrase, marking unknown threats from beyond as “the endgame,” is what may have clued him into his ultimate sacrifice when the time came.

Doctor Strange Determines The One Solution For Avengers: Endgame

As the Sorcerer Supreme/guardian of the Time Stone, Doctor Stephen Strange was the key architect in the solution to Avengers: Endgame. And he found out exactly what it was in store for everyone by viewing all 14,000,605 scenarios that were possible after Thanos’ quest truly got underway in Avengers: Infinity War. In that crash course of MCU history, Doctor Strange had to have seen Tony’s big speech in Avengers: Age of Ultron, and saw that not only was Stark right in his assumption, but he was the perfect hero for the job.

With a predisposition to go that extra mile already instilled in him, and the stakes as dire as they were, Strange found that one in 14,000,605 chance he was looking for to make everything work. And he convinced Tony of his worth by his own act of selfless heroism.

Doctor Strange Sacrifices Himself

By surrendering the Time Stone to Thanos in exchange for Tony Stark’s life, Doctor Strange set the perfect example of doing whatever it takes to get the job done. It had been a while since Tony had to even face those sorts of stakes by time Avengers: Infinity War rolled around, but when it did, he learned that lesson hard.

And just to put a little more emphasis on what exact lesson Tony was to take from that moment, Stephen Strange looks him dead in the eye and flat out tells him, “We’re in the endgame now.” From that point forward, Tony would eventually do everything he had to in order to survive, but it would take one more event to truly send him into protector mode.

Tony Gets The Life He Dreamed Of In Avengers: Infinity War

Tony has one more meltdown when he comes back to Earth after the events of Avengers: Infinity War. That meltdown is so severe, it sets him up for the first act of Avengers: Endgame as one of the members who retires from the group to live the life he’d recently started dreaming of. In the five year gap between Infinity War and Endgame, Tony marries Pepper and together they have their daughter, Morgan.

For a while, Tony’s content with being the log cabin recluse that only needs his family to get along. But soon enough, he starts thinking about Peter Parker’s death, a moment that rocked him to his very core. And with his daughter to protect, reversing and defeating Thanos’ big plan become extremely important again.

Doctor Strange Returns With A Reminder For Tony

In Doctor Strange’s research on the way to defeat Thanos, Tony Stark was always going to be key. So when he returns during the grand finale of Avengers: Endgame, it’s a reminder that whatever he sees as necessary action needs to be done. Which makes his remarks to Tony about not being able to spell out his own fate all the more poignant.

Tony knows in that moment that his greatest fears are confirmed. Thinking back in Stephen’s own sacrifice, and the world that he now shares with his wife and daughter, failure is not an option. So as soon as Doctor Strange signals him to take action, Tony fulfills his destiny and seizes the Infinity Gauntlet.

Tony Stark Dies, Becoming A Great Big Hero Of The Marvel Cinematic Universe

With a snap of his fingers, Tony Stark wipes out Thanos and his invasion army, saving the day for one and all. The path clearly laid before him, Tony knew that the only way the world would be safe was if he heeded Doctor Strange’s instructions. It took a lot of time and motivation to get there, but when the moment was perfect, Tony was Iron Man once and for all.

Even in a recently mentioned deleted scene, Tony has a conversation with the teenaged version of Morgan, who absolves him of his actions once he snaps his fingers and enters the limbo that the Infinity Stones send their user to. Dying surrounded by his friends and colleagues, Tony Stark proved once and for all that he had a heart.

Tony Stark's passing will be felt for years to come, and even Spider-Man: Far From Home will deal with that very subject. With Peter Parker grieving the loss of his mentor, he'll be thinking about his departed friend throughout this summer's next Marvel blockbuster. But if Peter is anything like us, he'll eventually come to the same conclusion Avengers: Endgame left its audience with: Tony's death was not in vain, and The Avengers will make sure of it.

Avengers: Endgame is currently in theaters, with the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (save Captain Marvel) being available on home video and streaming.