The Russo Brothers Share Their Favorite Character Arc in the MCU

The Russo Brothers Share Their Favorite Character Arc in the MCU

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is on the edge of a precipice, with just days left before Avengers: Endgame finally arrives in theaters. The Russo Brothers will bring Phase Three of the MCU to an end, and the stakes could not be higher. Given the state of the shared universe at the end of Infinity War, fans have spent the last year theorizing about what could come next, now that Thanos wiped out half of all life.

Our questions will be answered shortly, as Endgame is just days away from arriving in theaters. The upcoming blockbuster will end the MCU as we know it, and wrap up the characters arcs from many of the OG Avengers. CinemaBlend's Jeff McCobb recently spoke with The Russo Brothers, and asked the co-directors about their favorite arc in the MCU. Joe Russo piped in first, saying:

Cap obviously because we spent so much time with him. And he has gone on a very extreme journey, from First Avenger to Infinity War. He went from a patriot to an insurgent, that’s a very complicated arc.

This answer shouldn't come as much of a surprise. The Russo Brothers joined the MCU in Captain America: Winter Soldier, which is widely considered one of the shared universe's best outings. Since then, they became the architects of Phase Three, and utilized the title character in three more movies, including Endgame.

Joe Russo's comment does make some valid points, as moviegoers have watched Steve Rogers have a pretty unbelievable journey throughout the last eight years. Captain America's story spans decades, and featured him doing an about-face in regards to his belief system. So while the other Avengers have grown before our eyes, Cap arguably had the most seismic change this character.

In the same conversation with CinemaBlend at CinemaCon 2019, Anthony Russo echoed his brother's sentiments, agreeing that Captain America was their favorite. He said,

I would have to say Cap. It’s just, we’ve been so focused on that character. He was our access point to the MCU as storytellers. Having been born, and grown up, and come of age during World War II. Having that all torn away from you, and waking up 70 years later. It’s a really profound journey that character’s been on. A lot of hardship. And a lot of nobility in his heart. And we’ve had a lot of fun trying to figure that character out over the years.

Once again, the Russo Brothers show that they're great at working together. The co-directors have shared a singular vision for the MCU, and done the impossible with their work on large ensemble projects like Captain America: Civil War. And through it all, Chris Evans' signature character has been their favorite Avenger to see onscreen.

You can't blame The Russo Brothers for having some favoritism, as the Captain America franchise was how they were able to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and eventually rose to the top of the creative ladder. They brought a surprising amount of realism and grit to Captain America: The Winter Soldier, including stunning action sequences and plot twists that rocked the shared universe to its core.

Related: Avengers: Infinity War’s Writer Knows Captain America Didn’t Get Enough Lines

Captain America: Civil War is another great feat, and their second go in the MCU. But rather than focusing solely on Steve Rogers, The Russo Brothers were given the challenge of bringing in most of MCU's heroes to the playing field. It wasn't an easy task, and moviegoers had some trepidations going into theaters. But the directors juggled a big cast, and fractured The Avengers as we know them.

You can check out our conversation with The Russo Brothers at CinemaCon 2019 below.

From the interview above, you can really see how much Captain America means to Joe and Anthony Russo. And while they've gotten to know all the major Marvel characters with their work on Civil War and the Avengers movies, Steve Rogers continues to be their favorite arc in the shared universe.

While plenty of moviegoers have their favorite Avenger, you can't deny the validity of The Russo Brothers' points. Just look at how his journey compares to other major Marvel characters. Tony Stark went from billionaire playboy to a superheroic leader, but he hasn't changed that much since the first Iron Man movie ended. Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow continues to be a mystery, although that might change when her solo outing finally arrives. And while Thor is more responsible and humble, he's still largely the same God of Thunder we met in his first flick.

The Russo Brothers might have a favorite in Captain America, but they've got plenty of character arcs to wrap up when Avengers: Endgame arrives next week. Many of the original Avengers actors are coming to the end of their contracts, so fans may finally bid goodbye to folks like Cap, Iron Man, and Thor. And given the high stakes after Thanos' snap of death (aka The Decimation), it seems likely that at least one of those icons will end up being killed off.

In addition to ending certain character arcs, The Russo Brothers also have the responsibility of opening up narrative possibilities. While Marvel Studios hasn't revealed their plans for Phase Four yet, the fandom is expecting quite a few sequels over the next few years. But with Black Panther, Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, and the Guardians all faded to dust as a result of Thanos' victory, the future is currently unclear.

Most moviegoers assume that the dusted heroes will somehow be resurrected throughout the course of Avengers: Endgame. Exactly how that'll be done is unclear, but it seems like Phase Four depends on it. Because unless the future is filled with prequels, it doesn't seem like the MCU can continue on any other way.

Answers should finally come once Avengers: Endgame arrives in theaters on April 26th. In the meantime, fill out CinemaBlend's Endgame death pool, and check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

The Advice Chris Hemsworth Got About Moviemaking From Tom Cruise

The Advice Chris Hemsworth Got About Moviemaking From Tom Cruise

Chris Hemsworth has been in the acting business long enough that he’s worked with plenty of heavy hitters as well as in big franchises like the MCU and Star Trek. However, he also has had the chance to talk to a-lister Tom Cruise about moviemaking in general and he took the opportunity to ask him about what drove him in the business. Per Hemsworth:

I asked Tom Cruise years ago what drove him to make certain decisions on films. He said, ‘I just want people to see my movies. I don’t want to put that much blood, sweat and tears into it, and have it come and go.

"Whatever it takes," right? Tom Cruise is known for a lot of things, but one of them is the work ethic he puts into his own movies, which involves him performing stuntwork other actors may not dare to. He also helps with decision-making behind the camera, and stories about his alleged work ethic came up when The Mummy was a bit of a disaster a couple of years ago.

According to what Chris Hemsworth revealed to Variety, Tom Cruise’s work ethic really fascinated him, leading to a point where Cruise gave the younger actor advice about moviemaking and the work that is put in.

Chris Hemsworth is also team big screen, telling the outlet in the same interview that he believes in the medium and hopes people will still continue moviegoing in droves. He said:

I just love the theatrical experience. I think there’s nothing quite like it, and the industry will change in a big way if we don’t get people to the cinema.

There’s been a pretty big shift in the industry as a lot of key content players have headed to Netflix or elsewhere streaming, just as there have been big advocates for theatrical moviegoing to remain a mainstay. Some have been vocal about disliking the streaming model, but that's not really what's mentioned here.

So far, studies have shown that people who consume media streaming often tend to go to the theater in higher numbers, but what Chris Hemsworth seems to be saying boils more down to wanting to make sure the movies he (and Tom Cruise) makes are good enough that they engage the theatrical audience and keep people excited about going to the movies. It's less of an us and them mentality and more of a what can be done to improve the project I'm on sort of thing.

Still, moviegoing and the movie experience is certain topical this days, with movies searching worldwide for larger audiences and theaters finding creative ways to keep fans coming in droves.

No one who works insanely hard on a movie and wants it to come and go with bad reviews, or possibly worse, indifference at the box office. And while Tom Cruise has not been immune to bad reviews in his career, he does what he can to make sure the final project is the best it could be. That's advice that any actor could latch onto.

You can next catch Chris Hemsworth in Men In Black: International, out June 14. Tom Cruise's next big gig will be in Top Gun: Maverick, out in 2020.

Scarlett Johansson Says The Avengers: Endgame Press Tour Is Giving Her ‘PTSD’

Scarlett Johansson Says The Avengers: Endgame Press Tour Is Giving Her ‘PTSD’

Ahead of the highly-anticipated release of Avengers: Endgame in just a couple weeks, the surviving Infinity War cast members have been taking part in just about the strangest press tour ever. While usually the actors can answer questions with a bit of insight into what fans can expect from the release, this time they are sworn to secrecy - so much so that many of the stars have admitted to not knowing how the movie ends for their characters themselves.

Being constantly on their guard about what they can and can’t say has understandably taken a toll on the actors. Scarlett Johansson even recently admitted she’s losing sleep over it. In her words:

I’m gonna have PTSD from this [press tour.] I mean, honestly, it is so stressful. At the end of every day, I lie awake at night and I think about all the things I almost said. It gives me panic.

It looks like all the dodging and beating around the bush has the Black Widow actress stressed! It’s a tough situation she and the cast have been tasked with. Journalists certainly feel like it’s their duty to get any scoop they can about the upcoming MCU culmination too, but the cast has been heavily briefed to not give anything away until Endgame hits theaters.

While the actress is likely exaggerating a bit about actually having post-traumatic stress disorder, since the condition affected people who have experienced incidents much more serious than a press tour, she seems to simply mean that doing press for the movie has become something that’s affected her mental health.

She has to constantly use her words carefully in front of cameras and later think back about what she said, in hopes she didn’t spoil anything. It does sound anxiety-inducing! You’re almost at the finish line, ScarJo!

To make matters worse, she has her solo Black Widow movie on the way and she’s also been asked about time and time again. However, Marvel is asking that she keep the details under wraps until Phase Three concludes. Here’s a bit of an exchange from Entertainment Weekly’s roundtable with the Original Six Avengers and Kevin Feige when asked about Black Widow:

Robert Downey Jr: Kevin, can she talk about the film that’s been announced — or not even?

Kevin Feige: We haven’t announced anything. We’ve announced Endgame and Spider-Man: Far From Home.

Scarlett Johansson: [Draws deep breath] The PTSD is a real thing! I have so much anxiety!

Robert Downey Jr. makes a great sarcastic point to Marvel chief Kevin Feige that there’s already news out there about Black Widow but he’s sticking to keeping it quiet. It’s okay, Scarlett! The headlines will speak for you.

The film directed by Cate Shortland has assembled an impressive cast including Stranger Things’ David Harbour and Fighting With My Family’s Florence Pugh, and Rachel Weisz is also in talks to join. Harbour even recently revealed the movie may start shooting in June, which would shape up the movie to likely be one of Phase Four’s first entries. There’s lot of other exciting casting starting to shape up for the next MCU chapter for The Eternals as well.

Just two more weeks until Avengers: Endgame, Scarlett Johansson can soon exhale a sigh of relief, and so can fans!

6 Great Emma Watson Movies That Prove She's So Much More Than Hermione Granger

6 Great Emma Watson Movies That Prove She's So Much More Than Hermione Granger

It's been a long time since the star children of Harry Potter played their magical characters, and the actors have done what they can to convince audiences they're more than the heroes of the magical world. Daniel Radcliffe has taken on a series of bizarre roles, Rupert Grint has made the jump to television, and Emma Watson has starred in a bunch of different movies that feature different characters with totally different attributes.

Sure, she may not have portrayed a corpse Swiss army knife, but Emma Watson's movies since Harry Potter have shown there's so much more to her acting ability than what she did as Hermione Granger. For those who may be unaware, or those who recognize this and just need more chances to appreciate that, here are the movies that really drive that point home.

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower

Emma Watson isn't the main star in The Perks Of Being A Wallflower, but she definitely stands out in her co-starring role in the coming-of-age story. Her portrayal of Sam is a perfect compliment to Logan Lerman's Charlie, who has a lot on his plate he can't reconcile. Sam doesn't always understand the magnitude of that, but it all works out for the two of them in the end.

Of all the Emma Watson movies, The Perks Of Being A Wallflower is a great show of her ability to play a teen that is a vast departure from anything Hermione Granger. She's not neurotic, meddlesome, or even the most level-headed character. For those who think Watson doesn't have more to offer the world outside of Harry Potter, this is the movie that will shut most critics up. The movie is definitely different than the book, but still very good.

This Is The End

Emma Watson movies tend to have a serious tone, and one won't be finding a lot of intentional comedy in her works. This Is The End is the exception to this rule, as Watson joins an ensemble cast of actors playing fictitious representations of themselves in an apocalyptic setting. Emma Watson doesn't have as much screen-time as others in the cast, but it's safe to say her scene is one of the movie's more memorable moments.

Part of that is due to the aggression in Emma Watson's This Is The End scene, in which she misunderstands a conversation between the main cast of men. It leads to Watson taking some heavy swings with a fire ax, and uttering a litany of swears one doesn't typically hear the actress say in her movies. It's a nice change of pace, and offers evidence that comedy is something she should pursue more often.

Noah

Darren Aronofsky's Noah is one of the more controversial Emma Watson movies on this list, as the adaptation of the biblical epic was banned in some countries and was considered somewhat polarizing in certain religious circles. For all complaints that were lodged against the movie, it still skews fresh by Rotten Tomatoes' aggregate ranking systems, and is lauded for the performances by its all-star cast that included Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, and Anthony Hopkins in addition to Watson.

Emma Watson plays Ila, who is Noah's daughter-in-law and the wife of his son Shem. She's still in the role of a young adult, but obviously the biblical context makes her more of an adult in many regards. The crowning moment in this Emma Watson movie comes when Ila begs Noah not to sacrifice her children. The raw emotion of Watson and her pleading that they at least die peacefully is a powerful moment, and certainly one of the highlights in the film.

Beauty And The Beast

With The Lion King and Aladdin premiering in 2019, no doubt the year will be a reckoning for Disney's live-action adaptations for animated classics. One of these movies with the largest box office total so far is Emma Watson's Beauty And The Beast, a movie that has some detractors, although there are more critics who are positive on the film than negative.

One thing viewers may notice about Emma Watson movies is that, even when they aren't universally acclaimed, few ever point a finger at her performance. This is the case with Beauty And The Beast, as many enjoyed her portrayal of Belle and instead pointed toward some of the other casting and creative decisions made by the film. For those strictly watching for a great Emma Watson performance, this movie gives us a view into a world where Emma Watson is a princess, thus further diversifying her Hollywood resume.

The Circle

One of the most recent entries on this list is The Circle, an Emma Watson movie that place her character in the world of tech. The Circle explores the increasingly accessibility of technology, and the consequences of using said innovative tech in our everyday lives. The subject matter and insane cast which includes Tom Hanks, John Boyega, Karen Gillan and many others had a real chance to tell a poignant tale about technology, and stun audiences for years to come.

The Circle was viewed as a disappointment from critics, who felt the movie didn't do enough to differentiate itself from other popular tech-based movies and shows of the era, but it still highlights Emma Watson in a totally different role than we've seen her play in the past. Perhaps one day she can tackle another modern-day thriller that gets better reviews.

The Bling Ring

By far one of the most obscure projects in this lineup, The Bling Ring is an Emma Watson movie that film buffs should check out. Watson teamed up with director Sofia Coppola in a movie based on a criminal group the film gets its name from. Watson stars alongside others as part of a group of teens obsessed with fame and yearning for the finer things in life. To achieve this, they attend the parties of celebrities and rob their homes.

The movie didn't exactly stun at the box office, yet it's cool to see Watson play a narcissistic character largely unconcerned with the crimes she's committed or any consequences she may face for them. For those looking for an Emma Watson movie where she portrays a character who is the exact opposite of Hermione Granger, this is it.

Emma Watson fans are encouraged to share their favorite non-Harry Potter roles by the actress, and make a case for why their selection is mandatory viewing. Be sure to stick with CinemaBlend in the meantime for updates on all things related to movies, television, and pop culture.

Keri Russell Brags That She Has The "Coolest Costume" In Star Wars: Episode IX

Keri Russell Brags That She Has The "Coolest Costume" In Star Wars: Episode IX

The Star Wars galaxy has been known to boast some awesome threads for its characters, human or alien, throughout its storied history. In that galaxy far, far away, there’s certainly a lot of wardrobe choices that help distance the look of the science fiction juggernaut from that of our very own. But among them all, there are those select few that we know and love above all others, and in the face of that knowledge, Keri Russell sounds like she’s of the opinion that on top of having a ball acting in Star Wars: Episode IX, she’s possibly got one of the coolest get-ups in the blockbuster.

It’s a bold claim in a world where Princess Leia, Lando Calrissian, and even Queen Padme Amidala all exist, with their own outlandish and beautiful costumes, but during a recent late night appearance promoting her recent gig on Broadway, Russell started talking about her time on the set of director J.J. Abrams’ concluding chapter to the Skywalker Saga. During that talk with Stephen Colbert, Keri Russell made the following claim while talking about her time away from her family shooting Star Wars: Episode IX:

[My son] didn't come to the set because we were shooting in London at Pinewood, where they shot the original. But I do have the coolest costume, I will say that.

Now surely, this could mean that Russell thinks that she has the coolest costume in her own career, or that it's just "the coolest" in a general sense. However, one cannot be sure, as during her time on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert she was bombarded with questions both real and fake when it came to Star Wars: Episode IX. Seeing as everyone on the set of a film in this very franchise has a black belt in secrecy, and taking into account that Keri Russell’s time on The Americans also taught her how to walk and talk like a spy, the truth could be extremely illusive.

For as much as we don't know about Star Wars: Episode IX, what we do know is that the Star Wars tradition of far flung species and locales, accompanied by designer fashions that look like nothing we’ve seen on Earth will be maintained. This especially applies when considering that Star Wars: Episode IX’s costume designer, Michael Kaplan, has been on board for this entire trilogy of new Star Wars films, and anyone who designer outfits like that of Laura Dern’s Vice Admiral Holdo from Star Wars: The Last Jedi, or even Kylo Ren's mask from Star Wars: The Force Awakens is more than capable of delivering what could be the coolest costume in the galaxy.

You can interpret Keri Russell’s remarks for yourself, as well as enjoy the entirety of the humorous interview she took part in on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, below (the Star Wars talk starts around the 4:10 mark)

Star Wars: Episode IX will blast off into theaters, presumably with a title and some trailers under its belt, on December 21st. But there’s a galaxy’s worth of entertainment available to you on the market between now and then, and you can best find it in our 2019 release schedule.

Aquaman Producer Explains Time Gap Between Films

Aquaman Producer Explains Time Gap Between Films

After Aquaman exceeded all expectations and became a box office leviathan, a sequel was basically guaranteed, and given the first film’s success, it would be natural to assume that the sequel would be fast-tracked to theaters. But while Aquaman 2 is indeed on the way, it won’t arrive in theaters until 2022, four years after the first film. Aquaman producer Peter Safran explained the reason for the gap between the films, saying:

[Hamada], myself and James Wan always shared the same philosophy, which is: you want to do it right. You don't want to do it fast. You just want to do it right.

Of all the reasons that a film will take a long time to reach theaters, this is basically the most encouraging and the one you want to hear. As Peter Safran told The Hollywood Reporter, he, director James Wan and executive producer and DC Films head Walter Hamada aren’t going to rush Aquaman 2. They aren’t concerned with delivering the film quickly, a move that could be detrimental to the final product. They are purely focused on doing it right.

There is a quote from Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto that says “A delayed game is eventually good, but a rushed game is forever bad.” This is the philosophy that Peter Safran is espousing here. Aquaman just came out, so Aquaman 2 isn’t technically delayed, but it was decided to give the movie plenty of time to come together and be the best movie it can be. That way, there's a better chance for it to make the kind of splash that the first film did.

However, the movie business is a business, and Aquaman made over $1 billion at the box office, so you would think that there would be pressure to hurry Aquaman 2 to theaters to capitalize on the momentum from the original. Yet, that is not the case because the producer also told THR that there was no pressure from Warner Bros. to get the sequel done faster.

DC could have rushed Aquaman 2 out after the $1.13 billion grossing original, but as far as Peter Safran is concerned, that shouldn’t be the focus because the ‘what’ is more important than the ‘when.’ DC also has plenty of irons in the fire at the moment, and with the Atlantean now the universe’s crown jewel, it makes sense to protect him and not mess with the desires of the team that made the first one such a hit.

Even though we now have a long four-year wait to see Aquaman 2, that doesn’t mean that we won’t be returning under the sea in the DCEU before that. Peter Safran expects the Aquaman spinoff film The Trench to arrive well before Aquaman 2. That film won’t have Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry or Amber Heard’s Mera in it, but the horror-tinged spinoff will take place after Aquaman and will return audiences to one of the most exciting areas of that film.

We still don’t know if James Wan will return to direct Aquaman 2 because he was only signed on for the first movie, but it is nice to see DC not making a knee-jerk decision to rush Aquaman 2 here. Four years should give the film plenty of time to churn out a great script, shoot and take all the time it needs for the ridiculous amount of visual effects work these films require.

When it arrives, it will again likely own December. There was a question of whether Aquaman 2 was avoiding a December showdown with the Avatar sequels (December really is the new summer), but it seems that the main concern was just doing the film right.

Aquaman 2 dives into theaters on December 16, 2022. That’s a long way off, so to know what you can see before then, check out our 2019 release schedule.

See The Best Look At Pepper Potts’ Avengers: Endgame Transformation

See The Best Look At Pepper Potts’ Avengers: Endgame Transformation

Spoilers ahead for Avengers: Endgame

It's been two weeks since Avengers: Endgame hit theaters, and the events of the massive blockbuster are still being felt by moviegoers. The Russo Brothers exceeded all expectations, and put together a narrative that was deeply connected to the first 21 movies of the shared universe. Tons of characters were serviced throughout the course of the movie, especially during the final battle against Thanos and his forces.

When all seemed bleak and Captain America was getting beat down by Thanos, the fallen characters and various other Avengers allies appeared in the rubble of the facility, and turned the tides against the Mad Titan's army. This includes Gwyneth Paltrow's Pepper Potts, who made her debut in the very first MCU movie. Pepper suited up in her own armor for the battle, taking on the comic book mantle of Rescue. And now we can see our clearest look at the armor itself, thanks to Endgame concept art. Check it out.

I mean, how cool is that? Pepper's ascension to Rescue has been a long time coming, as she's previously worn Tony's Iron Man suit, and has engaged in a few battles throughout her tenure in the MCU. And that journey really paid off in Avengers: Endgame, as Pepper's time as an official combatant was truly epic.

Pepper Potts has a supporting role in Avengers: Endgame, popping up early in the film's runtime, watching in awe as Captain Marvel arrives on Earth with Tony and Nebula in tow. Throughout the film, she mostly stays at Tony's side, helping him get healthy in the Avengers Facility and eventually becoming a mother after the time jump.

The Rescue armor was teased shortly after the blockbuster's time jump, which introduced Tony and Pepper's daughter Morgan. Upon finding his daughter in a tent outside their new home, and she wearing the Rescue helmet. Tony jokes that Pepper never wears anything he gets her, an exchange that not-so-subtly set up Pepper's eventual fate during Endgame's third act.

Pepper Potts did some great work as Rescue in the final Avengers: Endgame battle, serving as both an attacker and protector of her fellow good guys. She also participated in the epic all-female moment, which saw the MCU's femme fatales team up to battle Thanos' forces. Pepper had already killed two Iron Man villains, so watching her become a genuine hero was massively satisfying.

Related: The 25 Most Emotional Moments In Avengers: Endgame

In addition to her work as Rescue, Pepper Potts helped to move Tony Stark's narrative forward a few times throughout the course of Avengers: Endgame's runtime. For instance, she helped change Tony's mind about time travel. And most heartbreakingly, she mourned her husband in front of our eyes after he sacrificed his life to snap his fingers and destroy Thanos forever. While Gwyneth Paltrow has been part-time in the MCU in recent years, it was great to see her get so much screen time in Endgame.

Avengers: Endgame is in theaters now. Be sure to check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.