Marvel's 2020 Movie Schedule Will Be A Little Different Than What We're Used To

Marvel's 2020 Movie Schedule Will Be A Little Different Than What We're Used To

While some in the industry have regularly warned about "superhero fatigue," Marvel Studios has spent the last few years proving that it's basically just a myth. After all, since 2017 they have been releasing three movies per year, and in that time they have produced four billion dollar hits. It's basically become the standard release plan for the company, but according to a new release schedule from Walt Disney Studios that will be changing a bit in 2020.

Per an official release from Disney, next year will mark the first time since 2016 that Marvel Studios will only be releasing two movies instead of the standard three. While it was initially said that we would get new blockbusters in May, July, and November, the middle title in that schedule has now been erased. We're still not actually entirely sure what either title is going to be, but it's an interesting shake-up nonetheless.

Furthermore, it would appear that it's not exactly the permanent plan going forward. In addition to revealing their plans for 2020, Disney has also laid out their slates for 2021 and 2022, and both still include three different Marvel Studios releases (which we previously knew about). So rather than being the new normal, next year will be a bit of an anomaly for what is arguably the most powerful subsidiary currently operating in Hollywood.

So why the change? Disney hasn't officially given a reason, but it's pretty easy to deduce what has caused this shift. There were plans for months to have Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 come out at some point in 2020, but then things got a bit messed up last summer when writer/director James Gunn was fired by the studio. Production, which was supposed to start earlier this year, was put on hold, and while the gears are now turning again thanks to Gunn's reinstatement, the larger plans for the release schedule surely had to change as a result. Hence we are getting two features next year instead of the standard three.

Related: Marvel's Kevin Feige Confirms Shang-Chi Is Coming In Phase Four

Unfortunately we still don't know exactly what the two titles are going to be, as Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has said that Phase Four projects for the Marvel Cinematic Universe won't be announced until after the release of Spider-Man: Far From Home later this year. At the same time, there are definitely films that are clearly further along in the development process than others - including Cate Shortland's Black Widow, and Chloe Zhao's The Eternals. Neither project has announced a start of production just yet, but as of right now those two features are the safest bets for release in 2020.

This is obviously a development that we are keeping a very close eye on, so be sure to stay tuned on CinemaBlend for all of the latest updates. And to get the full rundown on what's happening in the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, be sure to check out our Upcoming Marvel guide.

Marvel’s Kevin Feige Says Disney Won’t Be Changing Deadpool

Marvel’s Kevin Feige Says Disney Won’t Be Changing Deadpool

Superhero movies have become the biggest genre in filmmaking over the past few years, in no small part due to the massive success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Plenty of studios have gotten in on the action since Iron Man debuted in 2007, and the genre is about to get more complicated since Disney officially acquired Fox. This seemingly put Fox properties like X-Men in jeopardy, although The House of Mouse already made it clear that the Deadpool franchise was here to stay.

Just how Ryan Reynolds' signature mercenary will work under the Disney umbrella is a total mystery, as is his possible inclusion in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While fans may be concerned about the Deadpool franchise being held back in the new studio, Kevin Feige is here to quell your fears. He recently spoke about Disney CEO Bob Iger's intentions with Wade Wilson, saying:

When we were purchased, Bob said to us, ‘If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.' There’s no question that Deadpool is working, so why would we change it?

Well, that's a relief. While Deadpool's future with the MCU is still a mystery, cinephiles should rest easy knowing that Ryan Reynolds' franchise won't be given the Disney gloss for future installments. So we should expect plenty of violence, cursing, and fourth-wall-breaking in Deadpool 3 and/or X-Force.

Kevin Feige's comments to Variety should please the many Deadpool fans out there who might be nervous about his adoption by Disney. The franchise became such a massive success because Ryan Reynolds brought something totally unique to the franchise. He references the various cinematic universes, and Wade Wilson is constantly making jokes that aren't family friendly. It's this comedic approach to the genre that has resonated with audiences, as well as casual moviegoers who simply want to enjoy an R-rated comedy.

Deadpool's rating has been the biggest concern about Disney's acquisition of the property, as dumbing down a future installment to PG-13 would lose the spirit of the franchise. But Kevin Feige's recent statement indicates that Bob Iger isn't planning on making any liberal changes to the successful property. Considering what a massive box office and critical success the first two movies were, it stands to reason that he'd let Ryan Reynolds and company continue doing their thing.

While the details regarding the Disney and Fox deal are still coming to light for the public, one thing is clear: Wade Wilson is going to have a field day referencing the events of the merger when he returns to theaters. Deadpool loves referencing the various cinematic universes, and now that his franchise is at the center of two of them colliding, the jokes will write themselves.

CinemaBlend will keep you updated on all things Deadpool, especially as news is released regarding Disney's plans for his future. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Ron Howard Says He ‘Made a Mistake’ With The Dark Tower

Ron Howard Says He ‘Made a Mistake’ With The Dark Tower

Over the course of the decade-long development process The Dark Tower wound itself through, producer Ron Howard was on board for almost the entire ride, joining the project in the wake of J.J. Abrams’ departure. So if anyone knows what the first film in the failed Stephen King franchise went through in its birthing process, it’s him.

As such, Ron Howard is also qualified to discuss just what went wrong with the 2017 film that baffled critics as well as fans, and saw Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey occupying the center of the black hole that was The Dark Tower’s would-be origin story. And discuss this he did in a recent interview, in which Ron Howard admitted to the following mistake when it came to Roland the Gunslinger’s big screen debut:

I think it should’ve been horror. I think that it landed in a place—both in our minds and the studio’s—that it could be PG-13 and sort of a boy’s adventure… I really think we made a mistake not—I mean I’m not sure we could’ve made this movie, but I think if we could’ve made a darker, more hard-boiled look and make it The Gunslinger’s character study more than Jake. I think in retrospect that would’ve been more exciting. We always felt like we were kind of holding back something, and I think at the end of the day it was that.

It's a story that any Dark Tower fan could tell you from memory: the day that what was supposed to be the first entry in a series of films and TV seasons that told the story of all seven books was confirmed to be a PG-13 film. With the focus shifted to Tom Taylor’s Jake Chambers, and the story retooled to be a sequel that took the series past the events of the final written volume, aptly titled The Dark Tower, the Sony-produced picture eventually became a pretty big flameout when it was released into theaters.

As the literary source was a darker, more mature fantasy that saw much weirder and more gruesome events, including Jake’s own death after being sacrificed by Roland himself, the PG-13 style of filmmaking just couldn’t cut it. And while he was initially bullish on the film, even Stephen King himself admitted that the studio went crazy with trying to turn an R-rated novel into a franchise-ready, less hard-edged product.

But alas, hindsight truly is 20/20, and Ron Howard’s discussion on Happy, Sad, Confused showed just that. And while he admits it was a mistake, Howard does note that it was one that helped the movie get made, seeing as the studio may not have wanted the R-rated version of what was eventually a $66 million film version of The Dark Tower’s first, and so far only, cinematic installment.

However, the storied franchise’s fortunes aren’t totally washed out, as Amazon has been working on a brand new Dark Tower TV series that would stick to the original plan of adapting book four, Wizards and Glass, into a sprawling epic that would fill in the backstory for Roland. So while there was a failure to be had in The Dark Tower’s initial journey to the screen, it looks like that regret might become a big stepping stone on improving for the future.

We don’t have a premiere date on when The Dark Tower will hit Amazon, but you can see Ron Howard’s latest documentary, Pavarotti, when it opens in theaters this Friday. And if you’re looking for more excitement in theaters this weekend, or anytime in the near future, you can check out our 2019 release schedule to see what’s on the horizon. Results may vary depending on which dimension you’re reading this article in.

Building A Lightsaber At Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Isn't Cheap But It's Worth It

Building A Lightsaber At Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Isn't Cheap But It's Worth It

The following contains spoilers for the lightsaber building experience at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Yes, really.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge promises experiences unlike anything we've ever experienced before, and the new land largely delivers. However, while Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run is certainly an innovate and impressive attraction, my favorite part of my own visit to Black Spire Outpost may have been the experience of constructing my own lightsaber.

As had been previously reported, the experience is not a cheap one, and the price alone will, unfortunately, likely turn a lot of people away by itself, but if you can afford, I for one believe that the experience is worth the price.

To get started, what is that price? It's $200. Yes, now that you've swallowed your tongue, let me explain that you're not simply paying for a really expensive souvenir, but a personalized show than ends with a really expensive souvenir.

As you approach Savi's Workshop, once you find it, because I had some trouble, you find employees who claim they work in "scrap metal." If you are interested in purchasing some of their scrap, they'll show you several different options. Each drawer contains different styles of metal pieces. The woman tells me that some of these pieces represent strength, while others represent defense.

You choose which style looks the most interesting to you, then you pay your 200 "credits." You're given a pin that represents your choice and you're led to a waiting area to wait your turn.

When the door to the workshop popped open, a woman stuck her head out and began to look around nervously, as if she were afraid she was being watched. Once satisfied the coast was clear, we were ushered quickly inside, where each us were presented with an empty work bench.

The woman who led us in, Josie, is flanked by a pair of assistants. She begins to tell us about about the noble lightsaber, being the weapon of the Jedi. She talks about the stories that have been told of the noble Luke Skywalker, and how he stood against the First Order. Those stories have drawn many to feel the pull of the Force, including those of us in this room right now. It's a direct reference to the end of Star Wars: The Last Jedi that may have been the moment that I most felt like I was inside a Star Wars movie. The idea that the four of us in that room, like "broom boy," were potential Jedi whose power was only just now coming out, felt like magic. I had been called here.

First we had to select our Kyber crystals. Four color options are available, blue, green, violet, and red. As Josie takes each crystal she holds it up, and begins to speak on what the color represents and the famous Jedi who have used lightsabers of that color. As she does this, the lights in the room change color to match the crystal, and the music, which I hadn't even realized was playing, and is clearly part of the brand new score reated by John Williams, changes. Each crystal has its own music cue which appears to be controlled actively rather than simply being a case of timing the speech to the music.

I went with the classic blue crystal.

Once you have your crystal, it's time to start putting your lightsaber together. Based on the pin that you're wearing that represents your choice earlier, a set of pieces is placed in front of you.

You're given several pieces to choose from, more than you'll need. This gives you some additional freedom to create the type of saber that you want.

These pieces are the real deal. They're metal, not plastic. They have real weight to them. Put all the pieces together and you have the hilt that looks and feels like what a "real" lightsaber hilt must feel like.

Once completed, a sort of ritual takes place that gives your new lightsaber a blade. It's a surprisingly emotional experience. I think I caught a mother who was there watching her child build a saber, getting a little misty.

At this point, the newly anointed lightsaber wielders are greeted by a voice known very well to the world of Star Wars. I'm not going to spoil it, but, needless to say, if I wasn't feeling emotional before, I was after this.

Each lightsaber is then given a soft case to be placed into. For story purposes, this is to conceal the item because the First Order would not take kindly to people brandishing about lightsabers in the streets, but of course it also makes transporting the object easier as you continue your day, as well as make it easier to carry onto an airplane when you go home.

If you were just spending $200 on a really nice lightsaber, that would be one thing, and it would be tough to recommend. Even as it is, for the 15-20 minute experience that ends with the really nice lightsaber, it won't be for everybody. But for me, it was the highlight of my first trip to Batuu. I can't wait for the next one.

Mary Elizabeth Winstead Says Birds Of Prey Is ‘90s 'In The Best Way’

Mary Elizabeth Winstead Says Birds Of Prey Is ‘90s 'In The Best Way’

The DC live-action universe has had a fascinating tenure in theaters, full of peaks and valleys. While the first few installments left something to be desired critically, Warner Bros. has managed to pivot away from ensemble projects and crossover-heavy blockbusters. Instead, directors have been given the chance to craft their own corner of the DCEU, and its a method that worked out great for Aquaman and Shazam!

The next DC live-action movie is Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), which will bring Margot Robbie's signature villain back to the silver screen alongside Gotham City's femme fatales. Anticipation for Cathy Yan's DC debut has been steadily building since it was announced, especially after the cast was assembled. Mary Elizabeth Winstead will be playing Huntress in Birds of Prey, and recently revealed that the movie will have some '90's flare. As she put it:

In Gemini Man, I’m a D.I.A. [Defense Intelligence Agency] agent who’s been hired to keep an eye on Will Smith, but in Birds of Prey I play this assassin who’s been trained since childhood. It’s all women and genuinely funny and weird. It feels from the ’90s, in the best way.

Well, this interesting. While comparing her role as Huntress to the one she played in the upcoming sci-fi blockbuster Gemini Man, Mary Elizabeth Winstead revealed that the 1990's would be factoring into Birds of Prey. And since the movie is set in the present, it should be interesting to see exactly how it all pans out.

Mary Elizabeth Winstead's comments to The New York Times are sure to turn a few heads, as the contents of Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) are largely a mystery. While we know the cast of femme fatales will face off against Ewan McGregor's villainous Black Mask, exactly what the movie will contain is a mystery. But filming has been underway, so it's only a matter of time before Cathy Yan and company get chatty about the upcoming female-led blockbuster.

Related: Birds Of Prey’s Mary Elizabeth Winstead Is Really Into Playing Huntress

Huntress has been teased to be one of the main characters of Birds of Prey, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead was one of the first actresses to sign on to the DC project. In the comics, Huntress is a member of the Bat-family who use far more violent means to achieve her goals than Bruce Wayne and his proteges. This can put her at odds with Batman, although we shouldn't expect the Caped Crusader to pop up in Birds of Prey. Especially since Ben Affleck departed the role.

It'll be a number of months before Birds of Prey arrives in theaters, but hopefully footage and stills from the set begin arriving this summer. The teaser went over super well when it arrived, so the studio may want to keep the momentum going sooner rather than later.

Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) will arrive in theaters on February 7th, 2020. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Cillian Murphy's Odds To Play James Bond Have Gone Way Up

Cillian Murphy's Odds To Play James Bond Have Gone Way Up

The next James Bond movie has been slightly delayed, but the movie is happening, and Daniel Craig will be back in the lead role. Of course, it seems quite likely that Craig will be done after this next film and whatever happens, at some point, sooner rather than later, Craig will be done playing Bond, but the role will certainly go on. The question of who the next James Bond will be will exist until there is one, and right now the odds on Cillian Murphy getting the role just got a lot better.

When I talk about the odds, I'm speaking quite literally, as I'm talking about bookmakers in Britain who actually do keep odds on who the next James Bond will be. Cillian Murphy had seen odds of 7/1 but those odds have just dropped to 100/30 (slightly worse than 3/1 if you don't want to do the math). He's not the front runner, but he's now in second place behind Tom Hiddleston and Richard Madden who both have 2/1 odds.

If there's a reason the odds have gotten so much better for Murphy, it's not entirely clear. His name has never been entirely absent from any conversation about the next James Bond. When Danny Boyle was set to direct the next film, but before Daniel Craig had agreed to return, Yahoo says Murphy's name had come up a possible replacement, but obviously it never came to that.

Murphy may be best known for playing the villain Scarecrow in Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins. He also had a role in Nolan's WWII epic Dunkirk and has had a successful TV run on the series Peaky Blinders.

Considering the time that it took to get Daniel Craig to commit to playing James Bond one more time, it seems likely this will be his last go-round as the super spy, though the film has not been announced to be his last. If he hasn't already told producers this is his last, then assume we'll all go through the "will he, won't he" one more time as Eon Productions tries to get him to do one more movie, before the producers even consider looking elsewhere.

Once we get there, however, there are a lot of interesting candidates. Everybody from Idris Elba to Tom Hardy has been rumored as a possible Bond in the past. Expect all of them to get thrown into the mix once again. Even an actor who might not have been a hot prospect a couple years ago when producers were last looking could be in a very different place a couple years from now when the hunt is on again. There will probably be some young actors who aren't even on our radar now who will also be contenders.

Endgame’s Avengers 1 Callback Originally Looked Much Different

Endgame’s Avengers 1 Callback Originally Looked Much Different

The old adage in war is that no battle plan survives contact with the enemy. You can plan everything out before hand but when the action actually happens, things inevitably change. The same is largely true of making movies. You can have a script and you can work out how every scene is going to look in advance, but once you're actually trying to put the movie together, things will always change. Avengers: Endgame was no different.

The editors behind Avengers: Endgame have revealed that, among the changes that the movie saw in the editing bay, was the way that the heroes entered the battle of New York from the original Avengers film. In the version we saw on screen, we saw the iconic group shot of the Avengers from that film (the image above) which was our establishing shot to tell the audience where in the battle we're coming in. It seems that initially the time travelers joined the story a little bit later in the battle. According to editor Jeffrey Ford...

The script had us showing up right when Tony flies through the Leviathan and blows it up from the inside. But when we screened it for audiences in test screenings we realized it took a few minutes for them to acclimate themselves. It wasn't landing the way we wanted. So we tried other versions.

In the scene, Iron Man is fighting one of the massive Chitari creatures and he asks Jarvis if his AI companion is familiar with the story of Jonah and the Whale. Rather than trying to blast away at the creature's armor, which has proven largely ineffective, Tony Stark flies into the creature's open mouth and blasts his way out the back, which proves to be remarkably effective.

The moment is cool, but it's not necessarily the first thing fans remember when thinking about that battle, and as such, Jeffrey Ford tells Business Insider that test audiences took some time to get up to speed with what they were seeing.

Apparently, another entry point that was tried was the Hulk's complete dismantling of Loki by repeatedly smashing him into the ground. That likely would have worked quite well, but in the end, it was decided that another iconic moment worked better...

The version that won was where we come in on the Avengers first assembling, the round-a-round shot. It was the cleanest and most epic transition back into Avengers 1.

In the end, it really is hard to imagine, Avengers: Endgame doing anything else. That shot of the six team members together is quite possibly the single most iconic moment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, even now.

Once you see that, even if you haven't seen the first Avengers film in years, you know exactly where you are in time, which then lets the time traveling versions of those heroes get to work without the narrative having to explain anything. Even with a three hour runtime, there's really no time for that.