How Avengers: Endgame’s Writers See Their Future With Marvel

How Avengers: Endgame’s Writers See Their Future With Marvel

In the last 11 years, few filmmakers have had as big an effect on the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. Initially the duo were hired by Marvel Studios to write the script for Captain America: The First Avenger, but not only did they go on to pen the entire Captain America trilogy, but they also developed both Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame with directors Joe and Anthony Russo (not to mention they also created the Agent Carter television show). That’s an impressive track record all by itself – but fans will be excited to know that they still feel they have more to contribute to the franchise.

Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to interview Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely for the latest episode of our HeroBlend podcast, and in addition to doing a deep dive into Avengers: Endgame, I also asked them about their current relationship with Marvel Studios. As you would expect following the release of one of the biggest movies of all time, the two sides are currently on excellent terms, and Markus made it sound like the door is open for them to potentially collaborate on another movie for the franchise at some point in the future:

We're all great friends. We are not at the moment on a Marvel job, but that's not to say that we wouldn't take another one when the right opportunity came up. We can't write a bigger movie. We can't raise the stakes. We can't do better at the box office. So, you know, if and when we come back it will be for probably one character in a small situation, and re-expand from there. But I don't know who that is.

So while as of right now it looks like Phase Four may be the first era of the Marvel Cinematic Universe not to feature a film scripted by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, that might not necessarily continue to be the case. The two writers aren’t working on a project for the franchise right now, but given the right inspiration it sounds like they’d be happy to jump right back into the action.

But what could that potential project be? Given the legacy of Marvel Comics it’s actually hard to make a specific guess – and it’s an even greater challenge now that the merger between the Walt Disney Company and 21st Century Fox has been completed. Now the two writers could not only potentially take on any of the classic Avengers characters, but Fantastic Four and all of the X-Men are now up for grabs as well. We’ll just have to wait for them to find the story that they want to tell.

This was just one of the subjects that I had the chance to talk about with Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, and you can actually listen to the full interview now as part of the latest episode of HeroBlend:

Is there a specific character that you’d like to see Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely take on in the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Hit the comments section below with all of your thoughts, feelings, and ideas, and be sure to stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for a lot more of our Avengers: Endgame coverage!

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6 Great Reasons Marvel Should Bring Back The One Shots

6 Great Reasons Marvel Should Bring Back The One Shots

There was an idea that Marvel Studios could maintain its Marvel Cinematic Universe with a series of MCU shorts that could tell stories that the movies never could. At least, not at the times they were released. They were called Marvel One Shots: shorts exclusively created for the home video release of each Marvel film from 2011 until 2014, and dedicated to taking the still fledgling franchise everywhere it could go, without having to spend a feature length budget each trip.

Before Team Darryl from Thor: Ragnarok, it had been a while since we’d seen anything close to being known as a One Shot. And even then, the comedic short explaining Thor’s absence from Captain America: Civil War wasn’t technically branded as a One Shot. But it does embody the spirit of the One Shot, and its success helps remind us of just why they should exist.

As we approach Avengers: Endgame, the long-awaited finale of the Infinity Saga, here are six reasons why Marvel Studios should go back to the practice of doling out One Shots with each home video release.

It Could Help Set Up Crucial Characters And Plot Points For Phase Four

Avengers: Endgame is about to wrap up eleven years of storytelling that make up the first arc of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While there’s definitely a plan in play for Phase Four to introduce new franchises like The Eternals and Shang Chi in the near future, as well as handing off the leadership reins to Captain Marvel, that’s only just the beginning.

If Phase Four is going to be more diverse -- and more ambitious -- than the first three phases, it’s going to need a lot of new and exciting content to do so. Which means, the One Shots could very easily help do a little of the heavy lifting by supplementing characters and plot points that start in mid or end credit sequences, and bridge into new films.

Imagine if Kamala Khan’s Ms. Marvel finally had an opportunity to show up, without the need of a TV series or a full film. That short could lay the groundwork for her character, and keep her in play until she’s used in either capacity. Meanwhile, she’d finally be onscreen, ready to return at a moment’s notice in a natural context.

They’re A Great Way To Tell Additional Stories Outside Of The Films

As we saw with the One Shot All Hail The King, the continuation of the story involving Trevor Slattery and his guise as The Mandarin in Iron Man 3 was eventually used to twist the character in another way. Were Marvel to pursue the eventual fallout of this short, with Slattery being brought to meet the actual Mandarin, there would be a potential to tell an entire story in One Shots.

What if the “true” Mandarin’s story was a serialized happening, scattered throughout home video releases of Marvel Studios titles? Instead of just being a juicy tease for a massive retcon of Iron Man 3, it could be an entire story that adapts the character closer to the comics.

Or, say the idea of telling the stories of jailed villains caught on? You don’t need a full Iron Man movie to tell that story, or at least not to start off. You could bring back Justin Hammer, or the Vulture, or even Colonel Zemo for one short and round off their stories in captivity. Of course, were they popular enough, there would always be the chance to expand further.

One Shots Help Test The Popularity Of Potential Concepts And Characters

Peggy Carter of the Captain America series is the best example of how testing the popularity of a character before launching them into greater things can work perfectly in the One Shot laboratory. While she was pretty beloved in Captain America: The First Avenger, as well as her guest appearances on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., her One Shot short Agent Carter provided the best piggyback for her character to jump into her own TV series.

Again, the foundation was laid out in a short that, at the very least, would have stoked fan support for the character. But at the most, you find the people that really get the fans riled up and ready to come back to the fold, which indicates that it’s a good time to jump back into TV and Movies with said character.

The Marvel Comics universe is so vast that no one is a guaranteed hit, so using One Shots as the test kitchen to cook up further adventures of side characters that are primed for a spinoff makes a lot of sense. If Inhumans had been a One Shot rather than an expensive theatrical event/season of TV, Marvel’s approach to the material, as well as the viability of the property itself, could have been tested in a less costly manner.

The Shorts Are A Nice Extra To Tide Fans Over Between Films

While Marvel Studios seems pretty set with its three-films-a-year layout, they tend to be front-loaded into the earlier part of the year. In 2019, March, April, and July all see the release of an entry into the MCU, leaving the rest of the year untouched except for home video releases.

Should those three films have additional One Shot content on each of those shelf loving physical copies, fans would have at least three more times to get excited about a new gem of information or a new character to fall in love with. It would basically be giving fans extra content in the off season.

Why should the comic movie fan be content with merely switching to another comic company’s films, when Marvel can keep its name in everyone’s minds with fresh supplies of events and characters? And what about the die hards who don’t even touch the competition? Those true believers deserve something extra for this devotion, in my opinion. Besides, it’s not like there’s a shortage of ideas in the One Shot canon.

There Are Already Unused One Shot Scripts That Can Be Made

It has been mentioned on multiple occasions that there were One Shot scripts that simply never got made, post 2014’s All Hail The King. Producer Kevin Feige, and even Marvel creative player Drew Pearce both talked about ideas that were laid out, but never executed for different reasons.

However, with Disney having more clout and position in the entertainment world to call its own shots, some reasons such as budget and effort could theoretically be overcome quite easily. While this isn’t a reason to advocate spending an obscene amount of money on a young Loki or Nick Fury short, it’s also a call to move past such limitations.

Should Marvel spend more money on the studio’s One Shot projects, that would mean that home video might not be the best or only home that those shorts should inhabit. If only there were a streaming platform that Disney owned, that could use such content to entice subscribers.

One Shots Past And Future Could Be Great Disney+ Exclusives

Perhaps the greatest reason that Disney and Marvel should resurrect the One Shot initiative is, quite simply, that Disney+ needs content. While the What If animated series, as well as plenty other spin-offs of popular characters are coming to the platform, there’s so much more potential here.

This new streaming home could take all of the lessons learned above, and turn them into gold. With Loki already getting a spin-off series, the problem of cost involving any Asgardian shorts is solved. Just use the assets already provided with that series.

Think Agent Carter is worth another spin? Make a short that shows us what Season 3 would have looked like, and see where the public lands! Having merely the test shorts of such concepts on Disney+ would be enough to start winning those hungry for more Marvel, all the time. And if Chris Hemsworth wants a TV show between Thor and his human roommate Darryl, you can practically chalk that success up to the unofficial success of the One Shots that was Team Darryl!

There is a tremendous opportunity to expand the depth and scope of the Marvel Cinematic Universe through the redeployment of the One Shots. All that has to happen is for the studio to see the possibilities, and make them happen in reality. For now, we may have to content ourselves with other longform streaming projects.

Which means it’s time for you True Believers, you Marvelous Mavens, to take a poll below and let your voices be heard. Do you want more One Shots, or do you think their day has come and gone? Vote and decide, and don’t forget to explain your choice in the comments below.

In the meantime, Avengers: Endgame will be upon us in early showings on April 25th, so there’s still time to cram a very specific MCU catch up session into your schedule.

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Yes, Spider-Man: Far From Home Definitely Is Bringing The Multiverse To The MCU

Yes, Spider-Man: Far From Home Definitely Is Bringing The Multiverse To The MCU

This morning, the second trailer for Spider-Man: Far From Home was released, and with it came a major, post-Avengers: Endgame revelation: there’s now a multiverse within the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise. Although we’ve visited different dimensions before in movies like Ant-Man and Doctor Strange, now the door is open for these movies to explore parallel Earths, and Jake Gyllenhaal’s Mysterio says he hails from one of these other Earths.

Of course, given that Mysterio’s M.O. is fooling people, one would be faulted for being initially skeptical about his claim about not being from our Earth, but Spider-Man: Far From Home director Jon Watts is assuring fans that the Web-Slinger’s latest movie is indeed bringing the multiverse into play. In his words:

Well, I mean, yeah. We had to look at it in terms of the scope of what happened at the end of Endgame. Seeing all the crazy things that they did and all the questions that raises. So we're definitely trying to answer one of the big ones -- alternate timelines. So many possibilities opened up at the end of Endgame, and Peter Parker is one of the few people on the ground dealing with them.

The world has changed in the wake of Avengers: Endgame, and not just Iron Man and Black Widow are dead, Captain America is retired and those who were snapped away during The Decimation five years ago are back and didn’t age. Evidently one of the Snaps (Nick Fury doesn’t specify which one in the preview) tore a hole in our dimension, and Quentin Beck, a.k.a. Mysterio, was somehow transported from his Earth to ours as a result.

Of course, just because there is a proper multiverse to work with now doesn’t mean that Mysterio really comes from another Earth. After all, for decades in the comics and other media, he’s antagonized Spider-Man using illusions, hypnotism, weird gadgets and all-around trickery. Maybe Jake Gyllenhaal’s version of the character is also a charlatan hiding the truth about his past.

For now, though, we must look at Mysterio as an inhabitant from another Earth in Spider-Man: Far From Home. As for how the rules of the MCU’s multiverse differ from the ones laid out for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’s multiverse, Jon Watts wasn’t willing to delve into specifics later in his interview with Fandango, saying:

I wouldn't dare! I'll let Nick Fury do that.

Jon Watts also clarified that the Elementals Peter Parker is teaming up with Mysterio to fight hail from the “same sort of parallel dimension” as Mysterio does. That said, if Mysterio is indeed lying about who he is like I suspect, don’t be surprised if these Elementals are part of his elaborate ruse.

Looking to the overall MCU multiverse, it’s obviously a game-changer for the franchise. Now major characters can come from different Earths and we can meet doppelgängers of characters we’ve already met on this Earth. We’ll have a better idea of how this concept will be utilized once Spider-Man: Far From Home is released, but now it makes a lot more sense why this is the final installment of Phase 3 rather than Avengers: Endgame.

Spider-Man: Far From Home swings into theaters on July 2, so stay tuned to CinemaBlend for continuing coverage. In the meantime, don’t forget to look through our 2019 release schedule to find out what else is hitting the silver screen later this year.

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What's The Deal With Peggy Carter In Avengers: Endgame?

What's The Deal With Peggy Carter In Avengers: Endgame?

Avengers: Endgame has been said to be a culmination of the MCU thus far, particularly for Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man and Chris Evans’ Captain America, and because of this fans are likely expecting to gain some closure for the heroes. (Especially if and as they exit the franchise and hand off Avengers leadership to Captain Marvel). The most recent trailer for the highly-anticipated MCU Phase Three flick highlights these heroes, even giving us nostalgic black-and-white flashbacks to their pasts. Which, yes, even means Peggy Carter was brought into the fold.

The attention to Tony Stark in the Avengers: Endgame trailer was unsurprising since we knew from previous footage he will be sending a heartfelt message to Pepper Potts as his oxygen runs low in space. In the latest look, when it came to the segment devoted to Steve Rogers, his tragic love story with the late Peggy Carter was the focus, even featuring a voiceover from her from Captain America: Winter Soldier saying these words as a flashback of Cap holding up her casket was shown onscreen. Here's the quote in question:

The world hasn’t changed. None of us can go back. All we can do is our best and sometimes the best we can do is to start over.

Peggy told Steve this in another time of uncertainty, but it may resonate with the hero more than ever. Following the events of Infinity War, he is certainly dealing with a longing to go back and save the half of the universe turned to dust thanks to Thanos’ snap. Peggy’s voice is telling Steve he can’t go back, that it’s time to start over. This time around it reads as less of a longing for the past as it does foreshadowing for the future.

In the first trailer for Endgame, the picture of Peggy that Steve Rogers had when he crashed the Hydra bomber back in the ‘40s is shown in a moment in the upcoming film when Cap looks back at it and Black Widow stands beside him, right before the pair discuss their "plan," a plan they hope will work. Why does Peggy have such a prominent focus in setup for Endgame? Will we see her again as Captain America’s story wraps up or is Marvel tugging our heartstrings without the payoff these characters deserve?

Peggy Carter was introduced in 2011’s First Avenger as Steve Rogers’ love interest, but had to leave her behind when he was chilling in some ice for 70 years. In Winter Soldier, Cap gets to visit her in her elder years, when she says those recently referenced lines, again in Age of Ultron when Cap sees an illusion of her and referenced in Civil War when she passes. Peggy is also featured in the opening scene of Ant-Man and on ABC’s Marvel television series Agent Carter and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

She is really important to Cap’s character arc. Peggy symbolizes the life he could have had and lost because of taking up the mantle of Captain America. He’s never quite felt like he could really move forward because the life he wanted was taken from him, which also plays into his story arc with Bucky Barnes. He’s been displaced by time but what if he could go back? The popular theory for Avengers: Endgame is that the Avengers will travel back in time and reverse what’s been done by Thanos, so if that’s possible, a reunion with Peggy would also be.

With Cap always going back to Peggy in his mind, she really is the last loose end for the character to move on and wrap up his eight-year storyline. Since the teasers for the film are taking the time to touch on their tragic story, one would think we haven’t seen the last of Peggy or that she will fact in somehow during Endgame. There are a few ways this could go down.

Time travel through the Quantum Realm is certainly on the table here and depending where the Avengers land, Peggy could be alive in the timeline. A reunion with Peggy back in the ‘40s could also be a favor Ant-Man drums up for Cap after they save the universe. Guys. Just imagine if Steve Rogers’ story ended with him getting to keep that date with Peggy. I would never get over it. The hero certainly deserves a happy ending or a brief moment like this if he’s going to go out, given all he’s been through in the MCU.

Maybe Cap stays in the ‘40s or another point in the past. Then again we’ve all seen Back to the Future and changing things in the past can completely change the future and there would be consequences there. In fact, Peggy Carter is pretty important to the formation of S.H.I.E.L.D., which likely wouldn't be possible if she becomes a '40s era housewife. Plus, considering many have theorized Captain America will die in Avengers: Endgame, maybe self-sacrifice will be the character’s ticket to his love and he’ll have a sequence with her in the Soulworld, as Thanos had with young Gamora at the end of Infinity War.

If Hayley Atwell is in fact returning to the MCU for Endgame, she’s great at playing coy about it -- unlike some other MCU spoiler personalities out there. There has been zero word about her joining the cast on set. Still, almost a year ago she said “I wouldn’t rule it out” when asked if she might return to the franchise. Her comments hint at the possibility, but I’d hate to sound too hopeful when it may not happen. The past could stay in the past as far as Peggy goes. And the nods to Peggy could always be part of that extra footage The Russo Brothers have admitted adding to the trailers.

Marvel could be implementing Cap’s lost love in the set up for Endgame to just get us nostalgic for Cap’s emotional story arc. Peggy could simply be symbolism for all that Cap has lost or to remember the mantra she’s told him. While it’s tempting to manipulate time travel for his personal happiness, that may not really be in Cap’s wheelhouse. He’s pretty idealistic in his decision-making and I doubt he want be a staunch advocator of disrupting the time continuum and such.

There are tons of possibilities for the end of Captain America’s time in the MCU, but we hope it includes Peggy Carter. What do you think? Will she pop up in Avengers: Endgame and how do you think it will happen? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Sarah Connor Utters The Iconic ‘I’ll Be Back Line’ In New Terminator: Dark Fate Video

Sarah Connor Utters The Iconic ‘I’ll Be Back Line’ In New Terminator: Dark Fate Video

As far as sci-fi properties go, there are few quite as beloved as the Terminator franchise. James Cameron brought the titular robot to the big screen back in 1984, and its never been far from theaters in the decades since. But out of the entire series, Terminator 2: Judgement Day remains the undisputed fan favorite. Plus, it's the last movie that Cameron was intimately involved in. That is... until now.

The franchise is coming back to theaters with Terminator: Dark Fate, which will be a direct sequel to T2. James Cameron is involved as a producer, and the new movie will also welcome Linda Hamilton back to her signature character Sarah Connor. The first Dark Fate trailer was super exciting, and a new clip has Sarah Connor uttering the most iconic line from the entire franchise: "I'll be back." Check it out below.

Does anyone else have chills? On top finally uttering the line made by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the original Terminator, Linda Hamilton does so in perhaps the most badass way possible. Namely, by popping a grenade as she did it, and calmly walking away from the impending explosion.

This new clip just hammers down what a total badass Sarah Connor has remained since we saw her in Terminator 2: Judgement Day. Linda Hamilton had a massive transformation between her two appearances, with T2 taking her from victim to deadly mental patient. And she's remained just as capable through the decades, as the first trailer for Dark Fate showed her going toe to toe with Gabriel Luna's new Terminator model.

The Terminator franchise may have never really left theaters, but the various sequels lacked the same tone as the first two. These movies resulted as a combination of James Cameron and his stars Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger. And now that the trio have once again collaborated on Terminator: Dark Fate, and it looks like there will be plenty of references to the start of the franchise. That includes using some iconic lines of dialogue that are synonymous with those movies.

Aside from including lines like "I'll be back", Terminator: Dark Fate will also deeply connect to Terminator 2 through the use of flashbacks. The upcoming sequel will include new scenes of a younger Sarah Connor and her son John-- who is noticeably missing from the film's cast. CGI will be used to de-age Linda Hamilton, while the same type of visual affects will bring Edward Furlong's likeness as John back to the silver screen. It's an exciting concept, especially as movies like Captain Marvel and Rogue One have proven how far that technology has come.

Related: Arnold Schwarzenegger Looks Totally Badass In First Terminator: Dark Fate Image

Given the footage from the above video, it should be interesting to see if more iconic Terminator lines end up making their way to Dark Fate. "Come with me if you want to live" seem like an easy bit of dialogue to fit into such an action-packed sequel. And with the original Terminator and Sarah Connor reuniting, there's also the opportunity for Arnold Schwarzenegger to say "I'm a friend of Sarah Connor." We'll just have to wait and see what Deadpool director Tim Miller has up his sleeve for the generations of Terminator fans.

All will be revealed when Terminator: Dark Fate arrives in theaters on November 1st. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

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Why Going To Galaxy's Edge On Opening Day May Be The Best Idea After All

Why Going To Galaxy's Edge On Opening Day May Be The Best Idea After All

From nearly the first day that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was announced, it was clear that the demand for the new lands at Disneyland and Walt Disney World was massive. Millions of Star Wars fans could not wait to see what the new attraction had to offer. We knew that the crowds trying to get into the land were going to be unlike anything the parks had ever seen, meaning that a lot of people were planning to hold off their trip to Disney until the crowds died down. But based on the new information we have about Galaxy’s Edge’s opening, going sooner rather than later might actually be the better option. Because the crowds may not be quite as crazy on opening day as we thought.

Last week during Disney’s annual shareholder meeting, Bob Iger officially announced that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will open at Disneyland May 31, and at Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World August 29. There will be one major caveat, as Rise of the Resistance, one of the major E-ticket attractions, won’t be up and running on opening day, but don’t expect that to keep people away.

What will, however, is the tiny detail that came out in a Disneyland press release alongside Iger’s announcement. At Disneyland, getting into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will require a special reservation between May 31 and June 23. Without this reservation, you won’t get access to the land.

Based on the language used, it sounds like guests staying in one of the three Disneyland Resort hotels will automatically receive a reservation, one per guest staying in the hotel. Beyond that, things get hazy. It says reservations are "subject to availability." Does that mean that not everybody making a hotel reservation will get a Galaxy's Edge reservation? It sounds more like there might potentially be some reservations for non-hotel guests, but it's all less than clear right now.

What is clear is that while the reservation for Galaxy's Edge might not cost anything, if you want to be sure you'll get in opening day, you'll want to spring for a Disneyland Resort hotel.

According to Disney, there are 2,402 hotel rooms available between the Disneyland Hotel, the Paradise Pier hotel and the Grand Californian. If we assume there are four people per room (some may only be couples, but others, like the larger suites, could hold a lot more), we're looking at 9,608 people staying in the hotels at any given time. Most will be staying for more than one day and would likely only get a Galaxy's Edge reservation for one day of their stay, but there are likely more than enough people to fill the new land from the hotel guests alone if they sell out.

As of this writing, they haven't. You can make a reservation for opening weekend at any of the three Disneyland Resort hotels. However, many different room types have sold out, so people are certainly making their plans right now.

Without the specifics, there’s a lot we don’t know. Will these reservations give you access for the entire day? Will you be able to enter and leave and your leisure? It's hard to say.

While the details are important, the broader point is clear, there’s no reason for the mass of humanity that was expected to show up on opening day of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to bother, because they simply won’t be able to get in.

Even if Disney offers as many reservations at the same time as it possibly can. Even if it fills Batuu to maximum capacity, getting into the land itself will seemingly be a lot easier because only people with reservations will be trying.

What’s more likely, however, is that Disney will give out fewer reservations than it technically can, especially during the first few days of Galaxy's Edge. This will allow the first group of guests to test everything in the land. It’s going to be the theme park equivalent of a video game closed beta test. Let a few people try it first before we open things up to the public just in case somebody finds a way to break something in a way that wasn’t expected.

Keeping with the video game analogy, after the closed beta, you open things up and allow more people in. You try to intentionally put as many people in the game at once as possible to make sure the servers, or in this case, cast members, can handle it. That point will come when the reservation period ends and anybody can get in.

I’m not saying there will be so few people there that it will feel like the park is empty. I would still expect to wait a few hours for Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run since it will be the only active attraction after all, but there's every reason to believe that the earlier you go, the smaller the crowds will actually be.

Early estimates were putting the opening day crowds at 150,000-200,000 people, which is far more than the park can actually hold, but most of those people will now be staying home on opening day because, without a reservation, they’re not getting in.

Instead, the day to look out for is June 24, the first day that reservations will not be required. That could end up being the day it everybody who could not get a reservation shows up. Everybody with an AP who couldn’t get in earlier, every local that wasn’t going to drop money on a hotel room just to get a reservation, they'll be swarming in. From that day, and for likely a long time to come, Galaxy’s Edge is going to be packed, likely far more than it will be during the earlier period.

The good news, or bad news depending on your perspective, is that all of this will only be true at Disneyland. There will be no reservation period at Walt Disney World's version of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. If you'll be seeing that version of the new land first, you're on your own, and showing up opening day may not the best idea.

One wonders if Disney will be more confident in that park on opening day because it's happening so much later, or if putting together a reservations system would have simply been too complicated because there are so many more Walt Disney World hotels, so comparatively few people would get access.

Once reservations are no longer required, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge will be a free-for-all. However, for three weeks before that, it looks like the new land will be under much tighter control, so if you want to avoid crowds as much as possible, going sooner, not later, may be the answer.

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The Reason Iago Speaks Very Differently In The New Aladdin, According To Guy Ritchie

The Reason Iago Speaks Very Differently In The New Aladdin, According To Guy Ritchie

There are a lot of classic elements of the animated Aladdin still present in the new remake – from the colorful antics of the genie, to all the songs that have been stuck in your head for the last 27 years – but one aspect that is changed quite a bit is the presence of Iago. The parrot is still the right hand of the power-hungry Jafar, and regularly feeds him information that drives the plot forward, but as a character he is very different than what fans are familiar with. Rather than being an abrasive animal sidekick brought to life with the voice of Gilbert Gottfried, he’s instead, well… a parrot.

It’s an interesting choice that the film makes, particularly because there are still many other magical elements in play, but there is a good reason why it was done. According to director Guy Ritchie, a more anthropomorphic version of Iago in the new Aladdin simply didn’t fit as the story was brought from animation to live-action, and just didn’t feel right within the presentation.

I brought up the character when I recently sat down with Guy Ritchie at the Los Angeles press day for Aladdin, asking how those kinds of decisions were made, and he explained,

Good question, actually, and one I don't mind talking about, this one, at all. It's funny what you can get away with in an animated production that can't, my feeling is, that you can't get away with in quite the same way in live action. So although you still got magic carpets and blue genies coming out of bottles, [it] still has to be rooted in some form of reality. It's hard if you have a parrot who has paragraphs of dialogue. Somehow it just sits uncomfortably in a live action production.

Going for a more appropriate adaptation of the character, Aladdin has the new Iago act much more like a scarlet macaw that you would find in real life, albeit with a slightly enhanced ability to speak (he has the occasional line, but nothing on the level of what we hear in the 1992 movie). Physically he’s entirely a digital creation, and the voice is done by Alan Tudyk – who has become a Disney regular in recent years, with parts in Wreck-It Ralph, Frozen, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, Moana, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and Ralph Breaks The Internet.

Unlike the human characters, which were easy to adapt from medium to medium, Aladdin’s animals presented a particular puzzle for the filmmakers, but it was a code they eventually cracked. It was all about finding what Guy Ritchie referred to as the “sweet spot” where things didn’t seem out of place or two extreme. Said the director,

There was a sweet spot that we found between animals in their animation or articulation before you went too far and then you went, 'Oh, hold on. This is live action.' But as I say, you're talking about wishes and genies, yet somehow there's a position that the mind occupies that accepts certain amount of fancy without becoming absurd.

You can watch Guy Ritchie discuss his approach to bringing Iago to life in the new Aladdin by clicking play on the video below!

In addition to Alan Tudyk, Guy Ritchie’s Aladdin sports an impressive ensemble cast that includes Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari, Navid Negahban, Nasim Pedrad, Billy Magnussen, and Numan Acar. The movie will be hitting theaters this weekend, and be sure to stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for more from my interviews with the cast and filmmakers!

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Disneyland Reveals How To Book Your Reservation For Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

Disneyland Reveals How To Book Your Reservation For Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

Update: Just before noon pacific time, less than two hours after reservations were made available., Disneyland announced via Twitter that they were gone. Now the only way to guarantee yourself access to Galaxy's Edge in the first three weeks is to make a reservation at a Disneyland Resort hotel.

Original Story: After years of waiting, we're now less than a one month away from one of the most anticipated entertainment events in the world. It's not a movie release. It's not the end of Game of Thrones. It's the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. For anybody who has ever dreamed of traveling to the galaxy far, far away, that day is almost here.

However, to get into Galaxy's Edge during the first three weeks it's open, you'll need a special reservation specifically for the new land. Those reservations can begin to be made at 10:00 AM pacific time on May 2. Here's what you need to do:

To Make A Reservation

The first thing you'll need is an account on the Disneyland website, so if you don't have one of those, go get signed up now. It's completely free and if you're going to Disneyland anyway, there's no reason not to have one, it makes a lot of things very easy.

Next you need to go to the Disneyland Reservation Page for Galaxy's Edge. The link can be found here. Starting at 10:00 AM this page will act as the virtual waiting room for making a reservation and will walk you through booking one once it's your turn. A single reservation is good for up to six total people.

Of course, there is also a second option for booking a reservation. If you book a stay at a Disneyland Resort hotel during the period of May 31-June 23, you'll automatically be given a reservation for Galaxy's Edge during one day of your stay. No other steps are necessary. Simply be sure that everybody who will be going to Galaxy's Edge is listed as a guest on the hotel reservation.

However, be aware that if the hotel reservation is canceled, the Galaxy's Edge reservation will be as well.

Once You Have A Reservation

Making a Galaxy's Edge reservation is free, but, of course, visiting Disneyland is not. That means that on the day of your reservation every member of your party over the age of three will require a valid theme park admission.

In addition, every member of the party 18-years-old or older, as well as the person making the reservation, regardless of their age, we'll require photo ID in order to enter the land.

The other thing to be aware of is that no modification of the reservation time can be made once it's done. There's also no remedy for replacing a reservation if it goes unused, so before you book it, make sure the date and time works for you. You also won't be able to modify the names on the reservation.

Disneyland has not confirmed exactly how long you'll be able to spend in Galaxy's Edge with your reservation but guests who have received reservation times already by booking hotel rooms are reporting being given a four hour window. Depending on exactly how many people are being let into the land, that should be enough time to get a ride on Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run, and maybe even grab a drink at Oga's Cantina.

After June 23, reservations for the land will no longer be required. The word is that Disneyland is working on a digital notification system, not entirely unlike getting a buzzer in a restaurant, where you'll be able to request a visit to the new land, and the Disneyland app will notify when there is space for you to enter.

Disneyland has never done anything quite like this before but then again in the parks 64 year history, nothing quite like this has happened. Galaxy's Edge is the largest single land expansion in the history of the park and its using one of the most popular IPs in the history of pop culture.

A nearly identical version of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is set to open at Walt Disney World August 29 at Disney's Hollywood Studios. No reservation period has been announced for that opening, which makes me think the true purpose of the Disneyland reservation requirement is to act as a soft opening for the new land.

I can't help but wonder if fewer people will be let into Galaxy's Edge during this reservation period than the land can technically hold. It would be a great way to put the space, the attractions, and the cast members, through their paces and learn to deal with any unforeseen problems that might appear with smaller crowds.

If true, this would make the first three weeks of Galaxy's Edge actually the best time to visit as it might be less crowded, not more crowded, than the space will be once the reservation period ends.

Since Galaxy's Edge at Walt Disney World is essentially identical, any problems found at Disneyland can be fixed before they ahppen, and thus the reservation period wouldn't be necessary.

The other thing that the reservation period adds is piece of mind. If all you want is to be one of the first to visit Batuu, knowing that you'll be able to, that you won't have to stand in an insane line, because there will be no stand by line, is probably a very nice feeling.

Of course, that still leaves the question of how easy getting reservations will be. The land will certainly accommodate hundreds if not thousands of people, and that many people, in four hour blocks, when the park will be open for 16 hours a day, over three weeks of time, will certainly allow for a lot of people to book reservations. Though exactly how many people will be trying is impossible to know.

Before the reservation system was announced, estimates were that as many as 200,000 people might show up on opening day, but even that number of people should be able to get a reservation without issue. You might not be able to get the exact day and time you want, but it seems likely getting a reservation at all shouldn't be too much of an issue.

Of course, if demand is truly excessive, we could see all three weeks of time fill up quite quickly.

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Avengers: Endgame Taught Taika Waititi Something About Korg

Avengers: Endgame Taught Taika Waititi Something About Korg

Spoilers ahead for Avengers: Endgame.

The Russo Brothers got a lot right with Avengers: Endgame, especially when it came to the film's myriad cameos. Countless characters popped up throughout the film's runtime, especially during the epic final battle sequence. This includes Taika Waititi's Korg, who also appeared in an earlier scene in New Asgard.

Ahead of Endgame's time heist, Rocket and Bruce Banner traveled to New Asgard to convince Thor to join the team. When they found him, the God of Thunder was in a deep depression, having gained weight and turned to alcohol to help numb the pain. He's also shown playing Fortnite with Korg and Miek, and it's a scene that taught Taika Waititi something about his signature Marvel character. Check it out.

Taika Waititi may have introduced Korg to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but that doesn't mean the director/actor knows everything about the stone monster. On the contrary, he didn't realize the quirky character only had three fingers until watching Avengers: Endgame in theaters. At least he got to enjoy the movie just like the rest of us, and share his thoughts via Twitter.

Korg entered the MCU in Thor: Ragnarok, while the title character was stuck on Sakaar. Taika Waititi played the character to perfection, and brought a particular sense of humor to the shared universe that was wholly unique. Korg was quick to join Thor's rebellion, and joined the motley crew of Revengers in Ragnarok's big action sequences.

But Korg was noticeably absent from Avengers: Infinity War, alongside Miek and Tessa Thompson's Valkyrie. But they all made their comebacks in Avengers: Endgame, revealing half the Asgardains survived Thanos' opening assault and had found a new home on Earth. Korg and those Asgardian forces ultimately participated in the epic final battle in the rubble of The Avengers Compound, being transported via mystical portals.

Related: Thor: Ragnarok’s Tessa Thompson Maintains Valkyrie Survived Thanos’ Snap

It should be interesting to see how Asgardian characters like Korg function within the MCU's Phase Four. Endgame made it seem like Thor was joining the Guardians of the Galaxy, and Valkyrie was named the leader of New Asgard. Its unclear if another Thor movie is even on the way, or if the cosmic characters will once again take to the skies and interact with the Guardians.

You can watch Korg in all his three fingered glory in Avengers: Endgame-- in theaters now. Be sure to check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

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John Cena's 5 Best Movie Roles, Ranked

John Cena's 5 Best Movie Roles, Ranked

Both physically and professionally, John Cena has been a big man for a very long time. But these past few years have been huge for the professional WWE wrestler-turned-Hollywood actor. In less than five years, John Cena went from being a popular athlete on television to one of the most bankable actors in Hollywood at the moment. Not everyone can say they've done that before — or, at least, that they've done it well as Cena has these past couple years.

Indeed, John Cena's fame is ballooning just like his biceps, and it doesn't look like things will be slowing down anytime soon. Particularly with hot roles coming up soon in major studio properties, including his forthcoming part in The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle and his rumored role in The Suicide Squad. With that, we're taking a moment to celebrate the five roles that prove John Cena has become a fun, versatile, committed and commendable rising actor.

Now, before we get ahead of ourselves, it should be noted that I'm ranking these performances according to personal preference from least to greatest, with the first one being my least favorite of the favorites, while the last one here is my favorite of the favorites from the John Cena movies lineup. Hopefully that makes sense. In any case, each of these roles showcase a wealth of promise for the veteran professional WWE wrestler to make his way into the world of film acting.

John Cena has already amassed more credits than muscles at this point, and that's certainly no small feat. There's a good chance that we'll be seeing more of John Cena, the big-time actor, in the years to come. For now, however, here's my ranking of John Cena's best performances to date.

Bumblebee

In the Transformers series, the larger-than-life characters are often the giant anamorphic alien robots who turn into assorted trucks and vehicles. But John Cena give those Autobots and Decepticons a run for their money in the role of Agent Jack Burns, a grizzled, vengeance-focused colonel who sees Bumblebee has a threat that must be eliminated as soon as humanly possible. But while he is one of the main antagonist of the film, that doesn't mean that he puts his movie star charms aside and reside too deeply into the internal anguish of the character.

Often, John Cena's Agent Burns provides the film's funniest lines, particularly through his dry delivery. And yet, his wholehearted commitment to the film's goofy premise helps to sell the film's earnest '80s-esque sense of wonder, giving it the right sense of charm and captivation that was typically lost in the other Transformers sequels. While Cena doesn't quite match the size of his title co-star, his larger-than-life demeanor makes a good impression.

The Wall

As you'll see in this list, John Cena has collected a variety of comedic roles. However, as an actor hoping to prove himself throughout a variety of different roles and films, Cena has also expanded into some serious-minded territory as well. The results have ultimately been more mixed, but he did find a win with The Wall, Doug Liman's intense, visceral war thriller which finds an Iraq War sniper (Cena) and a spotter (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) fighting for their lives when a mission does dramatically (and deathly) wrong.

As U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Shane Matthews, John Cena showcases his comedy chops briefly in the movie's opening moments. But it doesn't take long before shots are fired and violence ensues, and Cena's role in the film becomes a whole lot more dramatic. As a rare opportunity to prove himself beyond his action and comedy skills, Cena proves that he has the potential to expand himself as an actor and elevate himself beyond the short-sighted aspirations of a few casting directors out there in Hollywood. As a result, John Cena's work in The Wall should hopefully allow him to expand as a dramatic actor, much in the same way that Trainwreck allowed John Cena to become the comedy mainstay he has been these past several years.

Sisters

In 2015, John Cena was best known for his memorable work in Trainwreck (more on that soon). But there was another R-rated comedy where his large-and-in-charge comedy stylings proved to be very beneficial. Specifically, that film was Sisters, the Tina Fey-Amy Poehler studio comedy which imagined two party-loving siblings throwing a hell of a rager when their parents suggest they sell their childhood home. In the midst of the party festivities seen on-screen is Pazuzu, a heavily tattooed drug dealer who is invited to bring some weed to the partying.

In the film, John Cena is expected to play it straight more than he normally does in studio comedies, often portraying a silent, menacing type who lets his imposing physicality speak for him. As a drug dealer with an inconceivably high amount of drugs (no pun intended) as his disposal, his presence in the film definitely heightens things, though not in the way it does in the other R-rated comedies mentioned in this article. Nevertheless, through another solid and often-funny role in a major studio comedy, John Cena continued to prove himself as a flexible, yet dependable, big-time comedic presence.

Blockers

Only a few years after the success of Trainwreck, John Cena was once again able to stretch his comedy capabilities in a major studio comedy. It also helped that the actor was given a bigger, more prominent role in the film as well. That movie in question is Blockers, a charming, heartfelt R-rated comedy that is centered around a trio of helicopter parents (Ike Barinholtz, Leslie Mann and Cena, of course), who dedicate to sabotage their teenage daughters' prom night in order to prevent them from losing their virginities. It's a pretty bonkers premise, and one that was definitely heightened by Cena.

As Mitchell Mannes, the beefy softie of the group, John Cena played into the tropes of your typical sports-loving overprotective parent who is so caught up in keeping his daughter's child-like innocence that he is ignoring the realities of your children growing up and becoming functioning adults. By having John Cena in the film in one of the lead roles, there's inherently something outright silly about the film. Because really, how many suburban dads look like him? But to the actor's credit, he really leans into that silliness, playing the film's premise up to the full extent while never making it too goofy or ludicrous for its own good. The result, particularly towards the emotional third act, is a film with a big heart as well as some hearty gaffs.

Trainwreck

While John Cena had already proven himself to be a muscle-bound, charismatic television personality with almost two whole decades of professional wrestling experience under his WWE heavyweight championship belt back in 2015, his acting skills were still left into question a mere few years ago. The actor had tried — and failed — to expand himself into action superstar status with misfire efforts like The Marine and 12 Rounds, and it wasn't crystal clear if audiences would be seeing more of John Cena on the big screen. Well, that certainly changed when Cena proved his big comedy chops in Trainwreck.

In Judd Apatow's sharp, appealing romantic comedy, Trainwreck, John Cena only appeared in a supporting role as Steven, Amy Schumer's muscular, high-strung casual boyfriend. But in his limited screen-time, much like fellow scene-stealer LeBron James, Cena proved to be surprisingly dedicated to the film's raunchy comedy, while also showcasing a surprise knack for improvisation. The result was an impressive and winsome performance which helped paved the way for more roles in future comedies.

While John Cena is in his 40s by now, his acting career remains relatively young. His future roles suggest that his aspirations will be pushed into more blockbusters in the vein of Bumblebee than the smaller-scale comedies and dramas that he has been accustomed to thus far. Hopefully, that transition into bigger and better things proves to be beneficial. If not, there are always comedies out there that could use his skills, his talents and his dedication.

It should also be noted that in addition to the upcoming roles mentioned earlier, we can also look forward to seeing John Cena in Project X-Traction, which is an action-adventure-thriller, also starring Jackie Chan, that's expected to come out later this year. Furthermore, Cena won't be too far from the small-screen either, as he will become the new host of Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?, which begin its revamped run on Nickelodeon in June.

As for what else is in store for his career, there are some murmurs that he might be involved with the new Fast & Furious movie. That's not confirmed, but it's not hard to see Cena lending his larger-than-life muscle-bound talents to those already-ludicrous action flicks. It would probably be one of the best showcases in Hollywood, truth be told, assuming that John Cena would be given a chance to play up the silliness well-established in the series.

But no matter what is in store for John Cena, we'll be sure to keep you posted on all the latest news, updates and more right here at CinemaBlend.

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What Is Really Going On With Robert Pattinson And The Batman Movie?

What Is Really Going On With Robert Pattinson And The Batman Movie?

Ever since Ben Affleck confirmed he was retiring as Batman following his three-film run in the DC Extended Universe, fans wondered who would replace him as the Caped Crusader for Matt Reeves’ The Batman. And then, just two weeks ago, the internet was taken by storm with the news that Robert Pattinson would put on the cape and cowl… or at least, that’s how it looked at first, as word came in soon after that Dark Phoenix star Nicholas Hoult was also in the running for the role.

Whether or not you think Robert Pattinson would make a good Batman, it’d be nice if we had some official confirmation if he is actually succeeding Ben Affleck as the incredibly popular DC Comics superhero. Which brings us to today, where at first glance, it looked like it was finally set in stone that Pattinson will indeed star in The Batman. Once again, though, things aren’t exactly what they seem.

If Variety is to be believed, then Robert Pattinson playing Batman is a done deal, with the actor having closed a deal with Warner Bros. However, outlets like The Wrap and The Hollywood Reporter are saying that while Warner Bros has selected Pattinson to be the next Batman, a deal hasn’t been worked out yet. This is something IGN’s Jim Vejvoda echoed with the following tweet:

Officially, Warner Bros hasn’t said a peep about Robert Pattinson’s connection to The Batman, although Deadline’s report on the subject says that we should “expect an announcement imminently.” Unofficially though, going off these various sources, it seems like Pattinson has been selected over Nicholas Hoult to play Batman, and the only thing left to do now is for the actor to sign on the dotted line once everything in his contract is to his liking.

But there are other details that have come out today concerning The Batman, also courtesy of Deadline. For instance, reportedly the screen tests for Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult occurred yesterday, and by the end of the day, Warner Bros decided Pattinson was the right man for the job. That’s an extremely quick turnaround, but I guess if you know immediately who is the better candidate, why wait on moving forward?

This report also mentioned that Robert Pattinson’s deal will include options for at least two more movies, which is hardly surprising given how often studios give sequels to superhero movies. It’s also noted that The Batman will track Bruce Wayne “in the formative stages of Batman,” hence why a younger actor was required to bring the Dark Knight to life.

The last interesting tidbit is that The Batman “will in no way carry on the work that Ben Affleck did as the older Batman in Batman Vs. Superman and Justice League.” Now obviously if The Batman is a direct prequel to those movies, then there’s no need to reference or allude to them since those events are approximately a decade away from happening.

However, given that Warner Bros is willing to release Joker, a standalone movie not set in the DCEU, I can’t help but wondering if The Batman might also not take place within that shared universe, and Robert Pattinson’s Caped Crusader will be his own entity rather than a younger version of Ben Affleck’s Batman. That would give Matt Reeves a lot more creative freedom with telling the kind of Batman story he wants and not needing to worry about it lining up with DCEU canon, but we’ll have to wait and see if this is indeed the case.

So far all that’s been revealed about The Batman is that it will be a noir tale that highlights the eponymous protagonist’s detective skills. Matt Reeves has also said it will features numerous Batman villains, with Penguin and Catwoman reportedly among them.

The Batman will cast its shadow in theaters on June 25, 2021, so stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more updates. In the meantime, you can learn what other DC movies are in the works with our handy guide.

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Full Toy Story 4 Trailer Brings Back Bo Peep And Even Andy

Full Toy Story 4 Trailer Brings Back Bo Peep And Even Andy

After being introduced to a handful of new characters for the upcoming Toy Story 4, the only question remaining was exactly how they were all going to fit into whatever story the new movie was planning to tell. Now, with the first full trailer, we have our answers. We know how Woody and Bo Peep get reunited, and what the broader themes of the story will be. We meet even more new characters, and even get to see some old friends we didn't expect, like Andy himself. Check it out.

The trailer allows us to get to get to know the odd new toy of Forky a lot better. He's at the center of the story as Woody decides the craft project needs protection as Bonnie's favorite new toy. However, Forky doesn't feel like a toy and attempts to run away, which results in he and Woody getting separated from the rest of the group. From there we see Woody and Forky meet Bo Peep, and a collection of other interesting toys, while trying to get back to Bonnie.

Bo Peep appears to be found inside some sort of antique shop. Woody and Forky walk past her lamp and Woody instantly recognizes it. Although, the pawn shop is apparently the toy equivalent to a haunted hose, as the others toys inside it seem to be as scary as anything found inside Sid's house. Gabby Gabby is the name of the doll, voiced by Christina Hendricks. She appears to command a small army of ventriloquist dummies, which is just creepy.

What's potentially more interesting than some of the movie's new friends, is the return of a very special old one. The trailer contains a pair of flashback sequences that show Andy once again. One replays the moment from the end of Toy Story 3 where Andy gave his toys to Bonnie, but the other shows a scene of an even younger Andy playing with his toys. It's hard to tell if this part of a significant flashback sequence in Toy Story 4, but if it is, we might get to actually see some earlier events in the story that we never saw, like the loss of Bo Peep.

It wouldn't be a Pixar movie if it didn't bring the emotion and even this brief trailer has the potential to get you to feel something inside. The shot where Bonnie discovers her toys gone is already heartbreaking. I can't even imagine how I'm going to feel watching the entire film.

In addition to the new trailer, Toy Story 4 also released a new poster which brings all the characters, new and old, together. Check it out.

Ultimately, Toy Story 4 is a movie about self discovery. Forky doesn't understand what he is. He's a toy, but he feels like he's supposed to be something else. Bo Peep has been abandoned for years and no longer needs a child to define her purpose. Woody, it seems, will begin to question the things he's always believed about his own existence.

Many have questioned the decision to even make a Toy Story 4, with the ending of the third film being viewed by so many as a perfect cap on the trilogy. One really has to wonder just how Pixar believed it could top that. It apparently wasn't easy. There are certainly some directions this story could go that have the potential to be as emotionally impactful as Toy Story 3, though I'm not sure I want to think about them. It's too painful.

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Wait, Was Captain Marvel’s Mid-Credits Scene Darker Than We Thought?

Wait, Was Captain Marvel’s Mid-Credits Scene Darker Than We Thought?

Spoilers ahead for Carol Danvers' origin story.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been going strong for well over a decade, and Phase Three brought a new success to the massive franchise. Every single blockbuster in the current slate of films has been a financial and critical success, as Disney continues to bask in the winning nature of the MCU. This includes the newest release, Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck's Captain Marvel, which is earning a ton of money at the box office and breaking new ground for the shared universe.

Captain Marvel introduced Brie Larson's Carol Danvers to audiences, after fans waited years for the origin story to finally arrive in theaters. The film also brought the cosmic side of the MCU back to the silver screen, as Captain Marvel and her new buddy Nick Fury got involved the Kree/Skrull War. She ultimately navigated her memories and awesome powers, and even shared a brief scene with the surviving heroes in the mid-credits scene.

Its the mid-credits scene fans have been waiting for for nearly a year, after Nick Fury heralded Captain Marvel right before fading to dust during the final moments of Avengers: Infinity War. Carol Danvers was finally brought to the present MCU timeline, and is shown rocking longer hair than in Captain Marvel. She arrives at the Avengers facility seeking Nick Fury, but a new theory indicates her meet-cute with the surviving heroes might be darker than we thought.

The Captain Marvel mid-credits scene shows Carol Danvers coming face to face with Black Widow, and immediately asking where Fury was. But a new theory indicates it might not be Carol at all, but yet another shape shifting Skrull. This would indicate a major twist ahead for Endgame, as well as a stronger tie-in to the events of Captain Marvel. And perhaps the real Captain is still somewhere in the cosmos, and therefore able to rescue Tony Stark and Nebula from their precarious position stranded in space.

Of course, there is one major factor that may stop this fan theory, (which comes to us from THR) from gaining more steam: the characterization of the Skrulls in Captain Marvel. While they were set up to be villainous shape shifters, it turns out that the Skrulls were actually a refugee alien race who were simply trying to live our their time in peace, away from the Kree War. As such, it might be unlikely that they end up being imposter villains in Avengers: Endgame.

Then again, Endgame is set decades after the events of Captain Marvel. While Ben Mendelsohn's Talos and his compatriots were friendly Skrulls, things may have changed in the years that Carol Danvers has been in the cosmos. What's more, the Skrulls are an entire alien race, so there could still be some bad guys out there. And the idea of Captain Marvel starting off Endgame as an imposter would certainly be a fascinating plot twist.

The war between the Skrulls and Kree framed the narrative of Captain Marvel, while the title character attempted to navigate her memories and mysterious past on Earth. The trailers and first act of the movie make the shapeshifting aliens the enemy, as Carol Danvers is seen scrapping with a seemingly innocent old lady, that turned out to be a Skrull in disguise.

But Talos and the rest of the green aliens got a much more sympathetic edit in the final product, as it was revealed that they're refugees trying to escape Carol Danver's alien allies, The Kree. In the end, Captain Marvel herself was a victim of the Kree, who manipulated her into joining the Star Force, and used a disrupter to tone her abilities down. Carol Danvers ultimately sided with The Skrull, while laying the beat down to Ronan's forces and Jude Law's Yon-Rogg in the process.

It should be fascinating to see how Captain Marvel and her supporting characters continue to factor into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Carol Danvers' origin story has already made a ton of money during its first week at the box office, all but guaranteeing a sequel in the process. Phase Three also introduced Black Panther and Spider-Man, who have quickly become major presences in the overall franchise. Smart money says Captain Marvel follows suit, especially given how many OG Avengers' contracts will be up with Endgame.

Brie Larson was announced as Captain Marvel years ago, so her Marvel debut has been a long time coming. The character is teased to have a major presence in Avengers: Endgame, especially after so many heroes turned to dust as a result of Thanos' finger snap of death (aka The Decimation). The surviving heroes are going to need all the help they can get if they hope to vanquish the Mad Titan, and reverse the affects of the snap. Luckily, Captain Marvel has been teased as the most powerful hero in the MCU, so they've got the big guns. As long as Carol Danvers doesn't end up being a Skrull in disguise, that is.

With just one movie left before Phase Three concludes, it seems like just about anything is possible in the future of the MCU. Marvel Studios hasn't revealed its plans after Spider-Man: Far From Home, guarding the next slate of films until Endgame hits theaters. But Kevin Feige has teased that the cosmic side of the shared universe will be a focus in Phase Four, with Captain Marvel helping to expand the fictional galaxy. Smart money says we haven't seen the last of the Skrull or Kree races, although whether or not they factor into Endgame remains to be seen.

Luckily, the wait is almost over for Avengers: Endgame. Anticipation has been at a fever pitch, and things should only get crazier for the rabid fanbase in the month leading up to its release. Thanos' snap seriously upped the stakes, and fans are eager to see how it all turns out.

Captain Marvel is in theaters now, and you can see Carol Danvers return to the silver screen when Avengers: Endgame arrives in theaters on April 26th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

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Why Godzilla Chose Its Three Main Villains For King Of The Monsters

Why Godzilla Chose Its Three Main Villains For King Of The Monsters

When Godzilla returns to the big screen in Godzilla: King of the Monsters, he'll go up against three new (for this franchise) threats in Mothra, Rodan, and King Ghidorah. While there were any number of other giant monsters that Godzilla could have battled from his decades long film history, King of the Monsters director Michael Dougherty told CinemaBlend during a recent Q&A in Japan that these three were chosen because they were the best known, even among those who don't necessarily know Godzilla. According to Dougherty...

They are the crown jewels of the Toho universe. They are the ones that I feel like most Godzilla fans, and non-Godzilla fans, are the most familiar with. So as much as I love King Caesar and Gigan and those guys, they're a little bit more obscure.

As pragmatic as it is, it certainly makes a lot of sense. The reason that remakes and sequels are so popular is because audiences tend to be attracted to stories and characters that they are already comfortable with. So if you want to get people interested in a Godzilla movie, give them the monsters they love the most.

I certainly fall into the category of somebody who isn't a major Godzilla fan. While I've seen a few the films I'm far from an expert, but I do know the names of Rodan, Mothra, and Ghidorah. This is exactly what the new production is counting on.

While the name recognition was part of the reason that these three were chosen to appear in Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Michael Dougherty says there's another reason they were used. The four characters have a connected history in the past of the Godzilla franchise. The director goes on...

But [these are] also the first ones who kind of teamed up. There's a key point in Godzilla history when Mothra, Rodan and Godzilla put aside their differences and decided to team up against King Ghidorah. It's an amazing scene, by the way. I strongly suggest you go back and watch that movie. But there's, there's literally a scene where Mothra goes to Rodan and Godzilla and says, ‘Hey, this new asshole just showed up and he's going to mess everything up if we don't stop him.’ And the two twin fairies are translating for the monsters, so the humans can understand what the monsters are talking to her about. But they're actually having dialogue. Rodan and Godzilla are like, ‘Fuck the humans! They bully us. Why should we help them?’

The movie in question is 1964's Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster. The sequence is an important one in the history of the the Godzilla franchise because, according to Dougherty, it's the first time that the giant monsters are seen as anything other than, well, monsters...

And suddenly, for the first time as a kid, that was where you suddenly saw things from the monsters’ point of view. Where the monsters saw us as the monster. The monsters saw us as the bullies that we're trying to prevent them from having happy lives. But anyway, they were the first giant monster team up, box and I feel like their truly the most iconic of the Toho universe. So it made sense that they should be the first ones to get adapted to the big screen for Hollywood.

Could we see any of the other, more obscure Godzilla antagonists appear in future films? At this point, it's hard to say. The only film in this particular franchise that we know is coming is Godzilla vs. Kong, which, based on the title, is unlikely to include any other giant monsters, though it certainly could. And depending on the outcome of that battle, we could still see more Godzilla films in the future. So if you're a serious fan of Megalon the giant beetle, don't lose hope.

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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.

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The 8 Best Nicolas Cage Movies, And The 4 Worst

The 8 Best Nicolas Cage Movies, And The 4 Worst

Nicolas Cage is often maligned by movie fans for some of the more… interesting choices he has made in roles, as well as his incredibly meme-able facial expressions when he’s getting really nuts. Nevertheless, he has had a remarkable career.

Nicolas Cage’s career has now spanned almost four decades and the diversity of his roles is amazing. He has been in classic cult films, huge box office blockbusters, deeply personal indie films and everything else in between. He can play the hero or the villain, and his talents have won him multiple awards and earned him a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.

On the flip side, he’s also been nominated for multiple Golden Raspberries and has been the butt of endless jokes on the internet for his less-than-stellar performances. It makes everyone wonder what his decision-making process is, sometimes. Nicolas Cage has come a long way from his bit part in Fast Times At Ridgemont High. With all this in mind, let's over over the eight best Nicolas Cage movies and four of his worst.

The 8 Best Nicolas Cage Movies

Raising Arizona (1987)

Raising Arizona, the hilarious and quirky second film from the Coen Brothers, brings together a whole lot of talent at the very beginnings of their careers: Holly Hunter, Frances McDomand, John Goodman and, of course, Nicolas Cage. In a way, it set the template for all the Coen Brothers comedies, as it’s filled with wacky characters and a loose plot that is almost irrelevant.

Nicolas Cage’s deadpan performance as the petty criminal turned kidnapper turned “father,” “Hi” is perfect. Hi’s tired and life-weary demeanor is the perfect foil for his intense and upbeat wife, Ed, played by Holly Hunter. Raising Arizona has become a classic and was a big reason Nicolas Cage’s career took off.

Moonstruck (1987)

Released the same year as Raising Arizona, Moonstruck was another breakout performance for Nicolas Cage and it immediately showed his rage as an actor. Nicolas Cage’s performance as the down on his luck baker in Brooklyn is a completely different kind of character than Hi in Raising Arizona.

Moonstruck was also a huge critical and commercial success, and while Nicolas Cage’s excellent performance wasn’t recognized with any award nominations, two of his co-stars won Oscars, Cher and Olympia Dukakis.

Leaving Las Vegas (1995)

Leaving Las Vegas is by far the biggest critical success of Nicolas Cage’s career. His Oscar-winning performance as a down-and-out alcoholic who moves to Las Vegas to drink himself to death is unbelievably sad and difficult to watch because Cage’s performance is so believable and well done.

His co-star, Elizabeth Shue, also puts in an incredible performance as a prostitute who forms a relationship with the sad drunk. Together they make the perfect, tragic couple with a devastating ending that in a way is kind of beautiful that they found in each other even under the unspeakably horrible situations both were in.

Honeymoon In Vegas (1992)

Honeymoon In Vegas somehow slips under the radar a lot when people talk about Nicolas Cage movies, and that is too bad, but it’s a great movie and Cage’s performance is hilarious. Cage plays a detective with commitment issues who reluctantly decides to marry his girlfriend, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, in a quickie Vegas marriage.

Cage’s character gets in debt to a wise guy/professional gambler, played brilliantly by James Caan, and promises Caan's character he can spend the weekend with his fiancée before they get married. The rest of the movie is filled with hilarious hijinks, as Cage chases Caan and Parker from Vegas to Hawaii and back to Vegas before culminating in a sky dive above The Strip with a bunch of Elvis impersonators. Brilliant!

Kick-Ass (2010)

The last decade hasn’t been the strongest of Nicolas Cage’s career but it started strong with Kick-Ass, the really well done spoof of superhero movies feature Cage as “Big Daddy” the "real-life" Batman-like superhero raising his daughter and seeking revenge on his rival, a mob boss that set him up to take the fall as a drug dealer and serve a nickel in prison.

Kick-Ass is an incredibly fun movie where the good guys win in the end and the violence is completely over the top. It’s like a perfect combination of a Marvel movie, Kingsman and a John Wick movie.

Gone In 60 Seconds (2000)

Gone in 60 Seconds is another one of those awesome Nicolas Cage action movies filled with amazing car chases and a first-rate cast. The dialogue, like the others, is trite and frankly meaningless, but that doesn’t matter. Because if you like awesome cars and awesome car chases, it really doesn’t get any better.

Cage plays a retired car thief pulled out of retirement for one last, huge heist: an attempt to steal 50 cars in just 24 hours with his crew. The crew includes Robert Duvall, Vinnie Jones, Giovanni Ribisi and Angelina Jolie, but the biggest star of the film is “Eleanor,” a pristine 1967 Ford Shelby GT500, maybe the coolest car ever built. Seriously, Gone In Sixty Seconds is worth watching for the car alone.

Con Air (1997)

Who doesn’t love Con Air? The plot is asinine and the script is trite and silly, but the action sequences are amazing and the acting performances, including Nicolas Cage’s, are awesome! It’s big budget, summer blockbuster Hollywood at its very best.

There is no way to come across it on a rainy Saturday afternoon on TV and NOT watch the whole thing. The all-star cast, led by Cage, John Cusack, John Malkovich, Ving Rhames, Steve Bescemi and Danny Trejo, all put in amazing performance. That alone make it the best kind of watchable movie.

The Rock (1996)

The first movie starring Nicolas Cage after his Oscar-winning performance in Leaving Las Vegas was something, uh, completely different. The Rock is cheesy, awesome Nic Cage at his best. The lines are so silly – “Cut the chitchat, A-HOLE!” – but he delivers them with such pizazz that it makes them eminently quotable. By the way, that is the actual quote from the movie, not the censored TV version.

Like Con Air, this movie takes the art of the summer blockbuster to its highest level. It has a ridiculous plot, a great car chase, big explosions, a script full of “did he really say that” quotes and huge stars, like Cage, Sean Connery, Ed Harris and a supporting cast of legendary characters. It is so wonderfully whacky and awesome.

The 4 Worst Nicolas Cage Movies

Ghost Rider (2007)

With enough plot holes to drive a motorcycle through, Ghost Rider is the kind of movie you really want to like, even in a cynical, campy way, but just can’t. Nicolas Cage’s performance isn’t terrible; it’s actually good, but the movie is just so… stupid and disappointing. For a guy like Nic Cage, who always wants to play superheroes, it must smart that the film doesn't work.

Maybe expectations were too high for the big screen adaptation of a very cool comic, because the story shouldn’t be this bad, it has very solid source material, yet, it sadly is.

Amos & Andrew (1993)

A stupid premise and a trite attempt to be relevant with a critical commentary on race in America, the Nicolas Cage/Samuel L. Jackson flick is a disaster. It’s easy to see where the minds behind the movie were trying to go with it, but it fails in most ways. The action is lacking and the attempted comedy just isn’t funny, despite decent performances by the lead actors.

In the long list of forgettable Nicolas Cage movies, this might be the most forgettable. There is just nothing about this movie that should make anyone want to watch it. It was a bomb with the critics and it tanked at the box office. It’s not hilariously bad, like some other Nic Cage performances, and that makes Amos & Andrew worse than some those to watch.

Left Behind (2014)

Left Behind is just bad in every way. It’s not that’s it’s a Christian movie that wouldn’t appeal to more secular audience – though it is – it’s because it’s just plain bad. There is no other way around it. It’s one of the movies in this decade that Nicolas Cage has starred in that really makes you scratch your head and wonder why.

The plot is loosely based on the gazillion-selling Christian novel about the people left behind to face God’s judgement after His believers disappear and join him in heaven. Right up until the completely ridiculous and simple-minded ending, it’s bad. In fact, it’s hard to find anything positive to say about it, even Cage’s performance feels phoned in.

Wicker Man (2006)

Wicker Man should have been great. A remake of a great low budget horro movie of the same name, with a lot of talent involved, including the great playwright Neil LaBute, who wrote and directed it and starring Academy Award winners like Nicolas Cage and Ellen Burstyn, the movie just fails.

It’s not suspenseful and worst of all, the torture scene at the end, which should be terrifying, is actually hilarious. Like a bad B-movie in the worst kind of way. On the plus side, it is responsible for some of the best memes of all time and that is really the best thing that can be said about it.

There are a lot of other movies that could appear on this list, underrated movies like Family Man, forgotten great movies like Peggy Sue Got Married, or blockbusters like Face/Off. With almost 100 credits to his name, Nicolas Cage is prolific and inconsistent but almost never boring.

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