Oscar Isaac Is Glad Leia Was Brought Back For Episode IX

Oscar Isaac Is Glad Leia Was Brought Back For Episode IX

Throughout the first two episodes of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, General Leia Organa and ace pilot Poe Dameron have been the faces and leaders of the Resistance effort against the First Order. The loving and sometimes contentious relationship between these two characters took center stage in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, a fact that didn’t come as a surprise to Oscar Isaac, as he explained:

I wasn’t surprised because I remember we were doing that, we worked a lot. [Fisher] and I worked together so much. We would talk about the scenes, and we got very tight during the shooting of that. So it was a beautiful thing to see, and it gets carried over into the new film as well.

Oscar Isaac spent a lot of time with Carrie Fisher working through scenes and becoming friends, so he knew that the relationship between their characters would factor heavily into Episode VIII. He seems to have really treasured that relationship and how it came together in the film and is happy that Leia is being brought back for Star Wars: Episode IX.

As he told Sirius XM’s John Fugelsang, the narrative thread and relationship between Poe and Leia continues in Star Wars: Episode IX. Unused footage of Carrie Fisher’s Leia from the previous two films is being repurposed for J.J. Abrams new movie to complete her arc, and because of how closely the late actress and Oscar Isaac worked on the previous films, it makes sense that there is enough footage to allow their characters’ relationship to develop even further.

It also sounds like Oscar Isaac will be acting in new scenes opposite old footage of Carrie Fisher, an experience that was strange for the actor. He said about the experience:

It was definitely an unusual thing, but I also think it was right to engage with her character, and not just let it be something that fades away.

Acting opposite the actress’ footage and not Carrie Fisher herself sounds like a bittersweet and strange thing, but Oscar Isaac felt that Princess Leia deserved a proper sendoff and he seems to be among the many that are happy that Lucasfilm found a way to continue the character’s story. For a character this important, who meant so much to Carrie Fisher, it wouldn’t feel right for her to just be written out of the film and have her die or disappear offscreen without getting to see her.

It will be good to see Poe and Leia together again and the continuation of their interesting relationship that saw them butting heads in The Last Jedi. Poe needs to become a leader and Leia was teaching him hard lessons. Like Jeor Mormont once told Jon Snow on Game of Thrones, if you want to lead one day, you first have to learn how to follow, and I expect Poe will be a true leader before the end of Episode IX.

Given that Oscar Isaac has said that Star Wars: Episode IX will blow fans away and is a fulfilling end to the Skywalker Saga, we can infer that he was pleased with the way J.J. Abrams concluded the story and Leia’s arc.

Star Wars: Episode IX blasts into theaters on December 20. Check out our 2019 Release Schedule to keep track of all the biggest movies coming your way this year.

John Wick Has A Deleted Scene Out There Showing His Totally Unexpected Hobby

John Wick Has A Deleted Scene Out There Showing His Totally Unexpected Hobby

John Wick was already a fascinating dude, but now I want to see the scenes they cut showing his "hobby" and "vocation." Keanu Reeves is out promoting John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, and he revealed they actually did film a scene for the first 2014 movie showing his hobby.

The story came up when Keanu Reeves was asked about John Wick's hobbies. What did he do in his free time, or what would he be doing if they hadn't killed his beloved Beagle puppy, launching the drama of the three films so far?

In the first script they had John Wick described as working with old leather-bound books and book restoration. [...] Yeah, we filmed it. It’s not in the movie, but we filmed it.

Book restoration. I ... never would've guessed John Wick would retire from the hitman life just to go into book restoration. I need to see this.

John Wick starts with the title character grieving the death of his wife Helen to illness. She's the one who gave him little Daisy as a gift, knowing he'd need some help to cope after she was gone. So if the Russian gangsters hadn't shown up to steal his car and kill the puppy, John would quietly be doing book restoration right now instead of running for his life. As Keanu Reeves continued to Uproxx:

Yeah, he had a hobby and a vocation. That’s what he did. Best case, yes, his wife had passed, and that’s what he had decided to do once he got out after the impossible task, that was his vocation.

The "impossible task" was referenced in the first film. When John Wick wanted to retire, Viggo Tarasov (Michael Nyqvist) gave John an "impossible task" -- apparently a bunch of assassinations in a short time -- and John actually succeeded. John earned the legendary status of Baba Yaga (boogeyman).

Maybe when all of this is over -- even if it's 10 years from now -- John Wick will go back into book restoration. It would be easier on his body than all the stunt work he's had to do to stay alive through the past two movies.

David Leitch helped co-direct the first John Wick movie with Chad Stahelski, and in the directors' commentary ,Leitch said the original cut was over two hours long. They cut over 39 minutes of footage, including a fight between John and Viggo. Leitch also said (via CBR) there were "a ton of great shots... that's just Keanu Reeves walking in cool environments" that had to be left on the cutting room floor.

Back when they were making the first movie, they had no idea the John Wick franchise would become so popular. Now that fans are eager for the third movie to open next week, it would be a great time to dig up all of the old deleted scenes and share them with the class.

John Wick 3 is meant to be a lot bigger than the past two movies, and that means a higher death count. Mr. Wick is on the run, with a global contract out for his life. Parabellum has gotten rave reviews so far, and it should do some healthy business at the box office.

Heck, maybe it could even top Avengers: Endgame at the May 17-19 weekend box office. If anyone can kill off Marvel's streak, it's John Wick.

Christina Hendrick’s Toy Story 4 Character Sounds Super Creepy

Christina Hendrick’s Toy Story 4 Character Sounds Super Creepy

For a family-friendly franchise all about the cute, adorable and fluffy toys of our childhood, Toy Story has featured some rather spooky characters. Remember Babyface from Sid’s room in the first film? What am I talking about, of course you do – that character’s creepy face is likely singed into the brains of everyone who watched it, especially if you were a kid.

Soon Toy Story 4 will introduce a completely new generation to the emotional damage that comes with being a neglected toy, when Christina Hendricks’ new character Gabby Gabby debuts on screen. The Mad Men and Good Girls actress will be a vintage ‘50s doll who comes complete with a heartbreaking backstory and her own army of dolls to scare the children of today into sticking with video games for good. Here’s what the movie’s director Josh Cooley told Entertainment Weekly of the character:

She can just tell her henchmen of ventriloquist dummies to do her bidding for her, and they do. She’s like the Godfather, where she doesn’t really have to do much to do a lot.

Did I say Toy Story can be creepy yet… because chills. Some of the most powerful villains can just sit back and watch her followers do the dirty work for them, and that looks to be exactly what Gabby Gabby does with the ventriloquist dummies Woody will meet in Toy Story 4. The pull string doll has apparently been collecting dust in an antique store for more than 60 years, and never been held and loved by a child because she was made with a broken voice box.

Because she has a defect in her voice, she sympathizes with the silent ventriloquist dummies and speaks on their behalf. Therefore, they seem to follow her every beck and call without batting an eye. Why did the filmmakers decide to include these eerie dolls in the upcoming Toy Story movie? Josh Cooley said this:

I’ve always loved The Twilight Zone and that Talking Tina-type of thing. We’ve never seen creepy, old dolls like that in Toy Story, and this was an opportunity to do that.

Gabby Gabby and her ventriloquist army will join some of the other villainous characters in the Toy Story universe such as Prospector, Lotso, Emperor Zurg, Sid and Big Baby. Have no fear, the new Pixar film is also introducing a slew of other new characters who seem a bit more delightful.

Keanu Reeves will play Duke Caboom, a Evel Knievel-type daredevil who will assist Woody and Bo Peep in their mission. Key and Peele will play carnival stuffed animals named Ducky and Bunny and the tiniest toy in the franchise Giggle McDimples will be played by Ally Maki. Toy Story 4 heads to theaters on June 21… on the same day the Child’s Play remake will be released. Coincidence? With Gabby Gabby on board, maybe not.

Watch Keanu Reeves Recap The First Two John Wick Movies Ahead Of Parabellum

Watch Keanu Reeves Recap The First Two John Wick Movies Ahead Of Parabellum

Among the many summer movies to look forward to in the coming months is John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, which is finally arriving a little over two years after its predecessor. But what if you haven’t seen the first two John Wick movies. Well, the first course of option is to actually watch them, but if you find yourself strapped for time, not to worry. Keanu Reeves has provided the following minute-long recap of what has already happened to his assassin character.

Talk about cutting to the chase! Keanu Reeves does a great job summarizing the events of 2014’s John Wick and 2017’s John Wick: Chapter 2, from how this all kicked off when the idiotic son of a mobster stole his car and killed his dog, to how John is now on the run after killing someone on Continental grounds, which is a big no-no. In just a minute, folks who’ve never seen these movies are caught up to speed, and those who only saw them once will have their memories refreshed.

Of course, there’s obviously a lot that this video didn’t cover, like John’s relationship to Willem Dafoe’s Marcus in the first movie to his short-lived conflict with Santino D’Antonio’s second-in-command, Ruby Rose’s Ares, in Chapter 2. Nevertheless, if all you’re looking for is a bare-bones summarization of the John Wick franchise thus far, then watching this video is your best bet. You’ll definitely be able to follow along with John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum’s overall story, even if some of the subtler character dynamics are foreign.

Which brings us to John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, which picks up immediately after the events of Chapter 2 with John on the run with no access to his underworld resources and a $14 million bounty on his head going live in one hour. John is no stranger to fighting off assassins, but this is unquestionably his biggest fight yet, as it’s the High Table, the council of crime lords that are the ultimate authority in the underworld, that wants his head.

John’s main goal will be to escape New York City at the start of John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, and the previews have shown that he manages to this since he’s also seen walking through a desert. Beyond that, we don’t know what specifically is in store for John, though you can count on him leaving a trail of bodies wherever he goes.

Along with Keanu Reeves obviously being back for a third round of bullet-riddled action, John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum also sees the return of Ian McShane’s Winston, Lance Reddick’s Charon, John Leguizamo’s Aurelio and Laurence Fishburne’s Bowery King. As for new faces, they include Halle Berry’s Sofia, Angelica Huston’s The Director, Asia Kate Dillon’s The Adjudicator, Mark Dacascos’ Zero, Robin Lord Taylor’s The Administrator and Jason Mantzoukas’ Tick Tock Man.

John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum hits theaters on May 17, so keep checking back with CinemaBlend for more coverage on the threequel and our review. In the meantime, you can scan through our 2019 release schedule to plan your moviegoing trips later this year accordingly.

The Russo Brothers Explain Black Widow’s Endgame Story

The Russo Brothers Explain Black Widow’s Endgame Story

MASSIVE spoilers ahead for Avengers: Endgame. If you haven't seen it, look away!

It's been over a week since Avengers: Endgame arrived in theaters, and the public is still recovering from the massively ambitious blockbuster. Despite the dizzying amount of characters that popped up to move the story forward, Endgame was really about the survivors of Thanos' snap-- especially the original Avengers lineup.

Chief among these characters is Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow, who has been with the shared universe since back in Iron Man 2. Natasha Romanoff went through a massive arc during her tenure in the MCU, and Endgame was no exception. Because after holding together the survivors in the wake of the snap, she ultimately sacrifices herself in exchange for the Soul Stone during the time heist.

This is a decision that has rocked the fandom, and there are some critics who aren't a fan of how Widow went out. Now The Russo Brothers have opened up about the death scene, with Joe Russo saying:

The theme of the movie is, can you change your destiny, and what does it cost to do it? And are you willing to pay that cost?It’s a resounding yes from the Avengers. In [Infinity War] they said, ‘We don’t trade lives,’ and there was a desire to protect. And in this movie, there’s now a desire to sacrifice in order to accomplish the goal.

You've got to admire how methodically The Russo Brothers have thought out their pair of Avengers movies. Since they were filmed essentially at the same time, their connective tissue is strong. So thinking back on Infinity War may help the fandom come to terms with Natasha's sacrifice.

During Avengers: Infinity War, Thanos' collection of the stones seemingly could have been prevented fairly easily. Vision was willing to sacrifice himself to destroy the Mind Stone, but the Avengers refused to let their comrade go without a fight. Shuri wasn't able to finish her work before being attacked, and it seems Vision was always destined to perish.

Related: The 25 Most Emotional Moments In Avengers: Endgame

In contrast, the surviving Avengers were willing to lay down their lived in Endgame. The team's name never felt more appropriate, as they were truly Avenging the fallen... whatever it takes. And that includes Hawkeye's entire family.

Natasha and Clint's relationship was consistent throughout the Avengers franchise, and was able to really take the spotlight when the two Avengers traveled to Vormir for the Soul Stone. She ended up sacrificing herself in hopes that they'd reverse the snap, reuniting Hawkeye with his wife and children. During his conversation with EW, Joe Russo went on to say:

We open the movie on [Hawkeye’s] family. She reminds him of it in the scene. They both may have the mission in that moment where, ‘I’m not going to let you kill yourself,’ but Hawkeye has mixed agendas there, which I feel takes the edge off his focus in a way that she doesn’t.

In many ways, Black Widow has been the soul of The Avengers. Aside from Clint, she's got strong personal connections with Captain America, Iron Man, and Bruce Banner. And following the snap and Thanos' death at the hands of Thor, she took lead and kept in communication with their allies around the world. So the Soul Stone was a fitting means to an end, even if it was hard for moviegoers to watch.

Given how dense Avengers: Endgame is, plenty of fans will flock to theaters to see the movie more than once. Perhaps Black Widow's fate will seem different the second time around, especially now that The Russo Brothers are able to finally speak about Endgame's contents. We should expect plenty more discussions in the future, as the co-directors believe that spoilers can be let out of the bag after the movie's second weekend in theaters.

Avengers: Endgame is in theaters now, complete with Black Widow's somewhat controversial death. Be sure to check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

How The Rock Could Look As Black Adam

How The Rock Could Look As Black Adam

Even before Zachary Levi was cast as the title character of Shazam!, Dwayne Johnson had joined the DC film universe as Shazam nemesis Black Adam. For a long time we assumed the two would face each other in the Shazam! movie but that's not the case. However, the Black Adam movie is still very much on track, and as we begin to look forward to that, artist BossLogic gives us a taste of what we might be in for once The Rock transforms into Black Adam. Check it out.

Created as a teaser movie poster for the forthcoming Black Adam movie, we see Dwayne Johnson's character sitting on a throne, with a defeated Superman crumpled to one side. We don't really get a great look at Black Adam's face, but it's still a fantastically menacing image.

Black Adam doesn't make an appearance in Shazam! but the story does make a reference that fans of the character will recognize. The tagline included on the BossLogic poster references the fact that in DC Comics continuity, Black Adam was a previous recipient of the power of the wizard Shazam.

However, it seems that we'll find out what's happening with Black Adam fairly soon. Dwayne Johnson recently revealed that filming on the Black Adam movie is expected to start sometime next year. If that's the case, we could see the movie as early as 2021.

Depending on which version of the character we're getting when Black Adam finally makes his debut on the big screen, we could be seeing a straight up supervillain or we could get more of an anti-hero. If Black Adam is getting his own solo movie, than the latter scenario is probably more likely.

The next question becomes, will the Black Adam movie feature the return of Shazam! in any capacity, or will that meeting be left for a third film? It might make for a pretty solid trilogy, with each character getting their own full solo film before the big battle that one expects we will get between them.

Based on the opening weekend of Shazam!, seeing the character return seems quite likely. The film did a slightly better than expected $53 million, which, combined with paid previews from a couple weeks ago along with international business, puts the movie at nearly $160 million after its first weekend. Considering that Shazam! only had an estimated production budget of $100 million, the movie is well on its way to being a major success, even if it isn't quite looking like it's going to be doing Aquaman business.

If Black Adam looks half as awesome on the big screen as he does in this poster, we could in for a pretty amazing movie. The fact that the part is being played by Dwayne Johnson only increases those odds.

Tom Holland Wasn’t Trusted With An Avengers: Endgame Script

Tom Holland Wasn’t Trusted With An Avengers: Endgame Script

How bad at secret-keeping do you have to be not to get a complete script to the film you’re shooting? Apparently, the answer is Tom Holland, as the Avengers: Endgame actor was never given an entire copy of the script to this month’s mega-blockbuster event. While that may sound like an exercise in overkill, let’s recap some of the big spoilers that Holland dropped to get this level of notoriety.

In the most notable instances of spoiling the MCU for the masses, we’ve seen Tom Holland tell an audience about to watch Avengers: Infinity War that he was alive, in a joking reference to the fact that Spider-Man literally bit the dust in that very film. Not to mention, there was that time that he alluded to the potential Quantum Realm fix in Avengers: Endgame long before any of those cool new “space suits” came into play. And if you needed any other basis for just how many secrets could have slipped out in addition to those that Holland already put into the world, let’s not forget that there’s a montage of Benedict Cumberbatch being a pretty good goal-keeper when paired with Spider-Man: Far From Home’s rather talkative star.

With all of those secrets scattered like Avenger dust to the wind, it’s apparently came to Joe and Anthony Russo having to withhold the whole script to Avengers: Endgame. And we only know this because in a recent interview, Joe himself admitted it as follows:

Yeah, Tom Holland does not get the script. Tom Holland gets his lines and that’s it. He doesn’t even know who he’s acting opposite of. We’ll just, we use like very vague terms to describe to him what is happening in the scene, because he has a very difficult time keeping his mouth shut.

The fact that we have a whole list of times Tom Holland spoiled the MCU for fans says something about his eager, but kind-hearted tongue when it comes to the adventures of The Avengers. So this information straight from ComicBook.com sounds pretty accurate. Which has us wondering, did Mark Ruffalo get a copy of the script for Avengers: Endgame?

If Tom Holland isn’t trusted with an entire script, than surely Ruffalo's done enough to get himself exiled into spoiler corner. Between his Livestream incident during the Thor: Ragnarok premiere, and his own gaffes involving Avengers: Endgame, it’s gotten so bad that even Don Cheadle has brought attention to it. And by bring attention to, we mean may or may not be joking about not wanting to do press with him. How does that effect lunch breaks on the set?

With Avengers: Endgame only a mere couple of weeks away, it won’t be long before Tom Holland is let off the hook for the time being. It’s a pretty big event, and since he hasn’t had to memorize an entire script’s worth of information, he probably can’t tell us about his big team up with The Hulk for the third act save. That is, if that’s what happens in this next Avengers film, as we’re just kidding, and do not want Mr. Holland to take our word as gospel truth in any way, shape, or form.

Avengers: Endgame heads to theaters on April 26, with Spider-Man: Far From Home hitting theaters on July 3.