Why The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Is Getting Into The Dark Arts

Why The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Is Getting Into The Dark Arts

While the Harry Potter franchise is still largely viewed as a series meant for the younger set, there's no denying that the latter stories, on the page and the screen, got pretty dark. When it comes to the extension of the Harry Potter universe in the real world, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at various Universal theme parks around the world, they have focused mostly on the lighter side of the story, with places like Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade making up the locations fans can visit.

However, Universal's new nighttime show, Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle, will mark the first time that the darker side of Harry Potter will be explored in the parks. The show recently debuted at Universal Studios Hollywood and Sr. Director of Entertainment Production Stephen Siercks says that the fact that the Wizarding World hadn't dealt with the dark arts before was the main reason he wanted to do so now. According to Siercks...

It’s an aspect of the story that we haven’t been able to embrace, in this way, yet. We’re really excited about bringing this to the guests to experience it, and finding ways to create new and unique storytelling devices and experiences for the guests here in the Wizarding World.

The Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle is a new nighttime show which combines fireworks and lights with projections onto the sides of Hogwarts Castle. Previous shows have included The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle and The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle. Now, the new show focuses on the darker side of Harry Potter, as projections will include images of Death Eaters, Dementors, and Lord Voldemort.

Stephen Siercks tells Collider that Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle uses everything that Universal learned in creating the first two shows, and enhances it, in order to create a show that brings the experience to the audience in even better ways.

While Harry Potter is something that is fun for the whole family, sometimes something a little scary can still be fun. I certainly have to wonder if Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle is meant to be a precursor to some sort of major Halloween event at the park. Universal Studios Hollywood already does the Halloween Horror Nights haunted mazes, using properties light Stranger Things, and until they find a way to pull off a Triwizard Maze, a nightly light show that focuses on the monsters and other dark creatures of Harry Potter would be perfect for that section of the park.

Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle Runs at Universal Studios Hollywood until April 28. It will return again briefly for the Memorial Day Weekend. The show is also slated to appear at the Universal Orlando Resort, though those dates have not yet been announced.

Miss Klaus? See The Originals' Joseph Morgan At His New Movie's Screening

Miss Klaus? See The Originals' Joseph Morgan At His New Movie's Screening

Klaus Mikaelson is gone but not forgotten to fans of The Originals and The Vampire Diaries. Klaus is regularly name-dropped on The CW's current spinoff series Legacies, keeping him fresh in fans' minds. It happened again this week in a big Klaroline way, leading many fans to wistfully wonder what actor Joseph Morgan is up to.

Well, if you'll be in the Southern California area in early April, you may be able to see for yourself. His short film Carousel is working the film festival circuit, and the actor himself teased the the next screening would be April 3 in Beverly Hills:

Joseph Morgan tweeted out a link to the Beverly Hills Film Festival, hoping to see fans there. Morgan directed Carousel, which he also co-wrote and co-starred in alongside Persia White. The two stars are also married, after meeting on the set of The Vampire Diaries, where she played the recurring role of Abby Bennett Wilson.

Here's the film description on the Night Owl Productions site:

Carousel is a story of love, loss and the hope for redemption when a criminal escapes death and gets a second chance at life in more than one way. As we delve into an emotional journey that beckons us to consider how the consequences of our past actions, like a carousel, keep returning to us again, and again, until time runs out.

Check out the trailer:

Carousel has traveled to many film festivals since October 2018, and you can check the site to see if it will be playing anywhere near you, or if it might become available to watch in other ways.

Persia White and Joseph Morgan also produced the comedy Juice Truck, which is listed as playing at the Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival in March 2019.

The Originals Season 5 finale, also the series finale, aired August 1, 2018. So it hasn't even been a full year since the first Vampire Diaries spinoff went off the air. Still, there had been hope that we'd see Joseph Morgan back on screen with the Gone Baby Gone series. He had the role of Patrick Kenzie, the same role Casey Affleck had in the 2007 movie. But in May 2018, Deadline revealed that Fox had passed on the Gone Baby Gone pilot.

If you're looking for other stars of The Originals, Riley Voelkel (Freya Mikaelson) joined The CW's Roswell, New Mexico, which also co-stars Vampire Diaries alum Michael Trevino. And Charles Michael Davis (Marcel Gerard) is a new addition to For the People Season 2 on ABC. Of course, Joseph Morgan's on-screen daughter Danielle Rose Russell (Hope Mikaelson) is now the star of the spinoff Legacies, which just saw the return of another supporting character from The Originals this past week.

Earlier in Legacies Season 1, we got an update on what happened to Klaus in the afterlife. Unfortunately, The Originals finale pretty much ruled out Joseph Morgan's return to the show, unless they want to do the vision/spirit thing.

The Vampire Diaries ended a full two years ago, as of this past March 10, and those stars have also been keeping busy on TV and in some films through 2019. Keep up with everything headed to the big screen this year with our 2019 movie release schedule.

Karen Gillan Says Moviegoers Will Be ‘Rooting For’ Nebula In Avengers: Endgame

Karen Gillan Says Moviegoers Will Be ‘Rooting For’ Nebula In Avengers: Endgame

While Thanos certainly pissed off just about the entire universe following the events of Infinity War, Nebula has some extra gripes to avenge. The villain has tortured the Marvel character played by Karen Gillan since she was a child and murdered her sister Gamora during his quest to obtain all six of the Infinity Stones. Will Avengers: Endgame be Karen Gillan’s last hurrah as Nebula? Here’s what the actress says:

I think I would be really sad to say goodbye. I've loved her from the moment I auditioned for her. She's evolved from a villain to someone we've developed empathy towards. I think she's going to be a character we're all rooting for.

While the actress couldn’t exactly answer the question, Karen Gillan’s recent comments to Empire Magazine (via ComicBook) makes it sound a bit like if Endgame is the end of her story, fans are going to be cheering for Nebula as we see the next Avengers flick unfold. Nebula could very well be the MVP of Endgame if she keeps her eyes on the prize and focuses on working with the other superheroes to defeat Thanos.

Nebula started off as a badass assassin not to be messed with in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy, but as her story has unfolded in the 2017 sequel and Infinity War, it’s clear the character could have a key role in what comes next. From the Endgame footage released thus far, Nebula and Tony Stark could be teaming up on a spaceship in order to join the remaining Avengers back on Earth, after they were the only two to be stranded on Titan at the end of the last movie. Just getting back to Earth could lead the audience to root for the former villain, not to mention if she comes anywhere near giving Thanos the thrashing he deserves.

When the first Endgame trailer came out and showed Tony sending out a message of distress to Pepper Potts as he starts to run out of oxygen, some theorized Nebula left him to fend for himself. A quick image of the unlikely pair on a spaceship in the final trailer, perhaps proves otherwise. Thanks to the recent trailer, we also know Nebula and Tony will find their way back to Cap, Black Widow and the rest of the gang and suit up with them in some swanky new suits.

There could also be good news for Nebula's future now that James Gunn is back on as writer and director of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 after his summer firing. But, because Gunn picked up The Suicide Squad reboot before Disney rehired him, we may not see another Guardians until 2023.

After Karen Gillan kicks ass in Avengers: Endgame, she will reprise another one of her action hero roles in the sequel to 2017 blockbuster Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, set to hit theaters this December.

Viral Avengers: Endgame Theory Involves Ant-Man And Thanos’ Purple Butt

Viral Avengers: Endgame Theory Involves Ant-Man And Thanos’ Purple Butt

Marvel fans, we’ve almost made it! Avengers: Endgame is officially under a month away from release.... and, real talk: I think the deliriousness has finally started to set in regarding the upcoming culmination of the MCU thus far, as we are now about to discuss a totally hysterical theory that brings new meaning to the latest trailer’s iconic line, “Whatever it takes.”

Let me set the scene for this one. Imagine you’re in the theater on opening day, and you’re watching Endgame when this becomes the plan the remainder of the Avengers decide on: Ant-Man shrinking to a teenie-tiny size (as he does) and crawling up Thanos’ purple ass just before switching into his giant size inside of the villian, thus exploding him out of existence. Just...imagine.

According to a Vox explainer on “Thanus Theory,” the idea was born on a Reddit thread titled “Worst ways to stop Thanos” where one user suggested that Hulk borrow the Ant-Man suit and go from zero to hero by passing through Thanos’ mouth and straight down to his manhood before Hulking out and saving the world! One commenter replied with “holy shit you’re a genius,” and I would be lying if I said I didn’t agree. The theory has, of course, gone absolutely viral and inspired a ton of memes. Take a look:

Don’t wipe away those cry-laughing tears just yet. There’s a lot more where that came from. The meme theory was applied to the recent Avengers: Endgame character posters with an edit on Twitter as well. Check it out:

There are honestly so many hilarious memes regarding this theory. This writer is even a bit overwhelmed with it all. Of course, the question is… could it happen? Twitter user @sapphic_tracer considered the possibility with this point:

This is a valid note! I never would have guessed that the reason for Nick Fury’s eye-patch look was due to an adorable feline flerken named Goose, but here we are. Marvel isn’t a stranger to loosening up some of their plotlines in service of a good joke. However, if Deadpool was part of the Avengers, I would certainly be more convinced that the theory is possible, since something like this would absolutely be more on-brand for Wade Wilson.

The theory is over a year old, which means Paul Rudd was actually confronted by the theory back when he was doing press for Ant-Man and the Wasp. Take a look:

The Ant-Man actor actually looks rather uncomfortable and a bit thrown off addressing this theory, which could be a sign that the internet is on to something, or (much more likely) way, way off. I guess we’ll find out on April 26!! Start placing your bets now. Is “Thanus Theory” actually fact?

Academy Member Says There's 'No Way' He’d Ever Vote For An Avengers Movie To Get An Oscar

Academy Member Says There's 'No Way' He’d Ever Vote For An Avengers Movie To Get An Oscar

While there’s often a difference between what movie titles are popular with the average person and what movie titles are popular with the average Academy Award voter, it’s not as often that we hear an actual person associated with the Oscars blatantly knock on a populist title.

That’s not true this time, however, as an anonymous Oscar voter gave a lot of really blunt opinions about Best Picture nominees, including taking a jab at the Avengers-based movies, which he feels do not deserve an Oscar. He said:

First Man should have been nominated for Best Picture — it probably came in ninth or tenth — and its visual effects are pretty amazing. I think they were produced more on a stage — with models and old-school stuff — than the other nominees', which relied more on CGI, and I really respect that. There's just no way on earth that I will ever vote for anything with the word Avengers in the title; like a lot of people in the Academy, I don't respect money-grabs.

THR is the outlet that spoke with the voter, and from what we know about the unnamed person, he’s a dude and a director who votes as part of the 519-person director’s branch.

It’s interesting because there are often conversations about the differences between the critics and the audience, but this puts the lack of respect from some awards voters about what Disney and Marvel put out with the first 22 franchise movies right at the forefront.

When the 2019 Oscars nominations were officially announced, Avengers: Infinity War was largely absent except for a nod for Best Visual Effects. Marvel’s Black Panther fared better, nabbing a Best Picture nomination and other nods in numerous categories.

Black Panther ended up winning for Best Production Design, Best Costume Design and Best Original Score, but it missed out on the coveted Best Picture Award, which went to Green Book. Marvel Ceo Avi Arad would go on to say he was “heartbroken” about the loss. Clearly, though, this director voter doesn’t feel the same way.

Ultimately, this sort of goes to show you that the people who are making the decisions during awards season are not always on the same page as people who are actually going out and spending money on tickets. So far, for example, Avengers: Endgame has made over $2.7 billion at the box office. Given this year's awards haven't been voted on yet, there's still a chance Endgame could earn nods at the 2020 Oscars, too.

Related: Every Marvel Studios Movie, Ranked By The CinemaBlend Staff

Just the fact that Black Panther earned a Best Picture nod was a step in the right direction for superhero movies to be taken seriously, but it may be some time before one of those “Avengers” movies gets a nod, particularly given we don't know very much about the direction Marvel's Phase Four is headed in.

Outside of this anonymous director, however, there are plenty of people who do feel movies like Black Panther deserve nominations on the biggest movie night of the year. As time passes, we'll have to wait and see whether or not enough minds are changed about the prospect.

New Child’s Play Video Shows Off Chucky’s Animatronics

New Child’s Play Video Shows Off Chucky’s Animatronics

It’s easy to remake a film like Child’s Play in the modern age, especially when the decision is made to use big ticket CGI over the old fashioned method of animatronic acting. But when a movie such as that very same remake decides to use the more practical method, in the name of more tangible realism, it’s something special. So feel free to pop a bottle of mini bottle of champagne, and take a look at this video showcasing the new Chucky’s impressive animatronic body:

Now that’s not to say that CGI won’t have its place in this new Child’s Play remake, as even those involved in the making of the animatronic component have mentioned that CG will be used to replace the eyes in the actual doll. Not to mention, there will probably be various touchups and scenes that can’t be done with the animatronic stand in that will be seen throughout the course of the film.

But from the sound of this video, the majority of the Chucky action will be courtesy of some sophisticated animatronic work, and equally specialized puppeteering that helped bring Child’s Play’s big bad to life. With three to four puppeteers on the “Robo Chucky” rig, and a total of six animatronic dolls on the roster, it looks like this new take on the killer doll mythos is taking the right steps to making a believable horror film.

Of course, this is on top of the fact that Mark Hamill has been cast as the new voice of Chucky, which means that with a voice at threatening as the look of the dolls on Child’s Play’s set just seals the horror deal. It may not totally win over those fans that are still in favor of the original franchise being the one true chronicle of Chucky’s killing spree, but decisions like these do sometimes make things easier when it comes to selling the film.

Every little bit will help when trying to get the public to see Child’s Play on the same weekend that Disney/Pixar will be opening a very sincere look at toys in their launch of Toy Story 4. But it’s not like there’s a spirit of malicious competition between the two films. No, not at all, not when Chucky’s the Buddi in play.

The Child’s Play reboot has up until now played it coy with the marketing of Chucky’s murderous abilities in this new film. And almost as if they’d heard an outcry for more material featuring the doll himself, we’ve now got our best look at him yet. The result of which has us even more intrigued to see just what new tricks this old doll has to play on anyone who gets in his way.

Child’s Play brings Chucky to a new level of terror on June 21st. If horror isn’t your thing though, you can always take a look at the 2019 release schedule to find something a little more friendly.

Wait, Is Doctor Strange Director Scott Derrickson Doing A Hellraiser Reboot?

Wait, Is Doctor Strange Director Scott Derrickson Doing A Hellraiser Reboot?

It's normal nowadays for a studio to resurrect old, familiar franchises in order to give them a second life up on the big screen. We saw an example of that last year with the new Halloween film, which sparked new life into the horror franchise. It looks like another horror icon may be getting a new film soon. Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson tweeted an image teasing that he might be directing a new Hellraiser movie.

Fitting right in with Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, and other movie monsters, Hellraiser is a series of horror films that centers around a creature named Pinhead. The storylines of the films follow a puzzle box that is a gate to the hell-like dimension of the Cenobites, an order of formerly human monsters who harvest souls to torture in sadomasochistic experiments. Pinhead is the leader of the Cenobites and the face of the franchise.

The first film was released in 1987 and spawned nine sequels, the most recent of which was released last year. However, despite the longevity of the franchise, the films vary in quality and, after the fourth film, every sequel was released straight-to-home video. Scott Derrickson himself directed the first film to be released direct-to-video -- Hellraiser: Inferno, which came out in 2000.

However, it sounds like the franchise could be making a comeback. Earlier this year, it was reported that Blumhouse -- the extremely successful horror film studio -- was interested in making a new Hellraiser film. Now we've got this tweet from Scott Derrickson seemingly teasing his involvement in said film.

Scott Derrickson didn't make any sort of announcement to go with the social media post, but it's doubtful he would just randomly share the picture if he didn't have something in the works. While Derrickson is maybe best known as the director of Doctor Strange, he's directed plenty of horror films like Sinister and The Exorcism of Emily Rose.

Scott Derrickson knows how to get scary and he seems like a good fit to continue with the Hellraiser franchise. Plus, I'm sure that fans of the series are eager to see a real high-quality theatrical release.

Assuming that Scott Derrickson is directing a new Hellraiser, one would assume that this would come after Doctor Strange 2. While not officially confirmed, it's long been rumored that Doctor Strange 2 is in the works with Derrickson back in the director's chair. Without either film actually being confirmed, it's tough to guess what Derrickson's schedule would look like.

Either way, a new Helllraiser might be in-bound. Get a blast from the past with the trailer for the very first film in the series.

Make sure to stick with CinemaBlend and we'll keep you updated on all the latest movie news as soon as it becomes available to us. For everything that is definitely coming to theaters this year, be sure to check out our handy 2019 movie release guide.