Aladdin Star Reflects On Why The Movie's Diversity Criticisms Are Overblown

Aladdin Star Reflects On Why The Movie's Diversity Criticisms Are Overblown

Once upon a time, it was far from uncommon for characters from other cultural backgrounds to be transformed into white people when stories made the transition to the big screen. Alternatively, it was once considered no big deal to have white actors actually play people of other races (that idea has aged particularly well). However, today culturally sensitive casting is considered necessary, and it's called out when a production drops that ball.

Disney's new Aladdin dealt with some of that criticism itself. While the movie has a fairly diverse cast, in this case, that was exactly the problem. Specifically, Naomi Scott who plays Jasmine, is a British born actress of Indian decent, and some believed the role should have gone to an actress of Middle Eastern heritage.

However, Mena Massoud, who plays Aladdin, feels the controversy is overblown, because ultimately the story of Aladdin, being fictional, is a combination of several cultures. According to Massoud...

It’s a funny thing that’s happening online. The Middle Easterners want Aladdin to be a Middle Eastern story, and the Indians want Aladdin to be an Indian story. The truth is, it’s really a folk tale from the 1800s, and Agrabah is a fictional place that’s a culmination of India and Asia and the Middle East. In fact, in the original folk tale, Aladdin was actually of Chinese descent. So what we wanted to do with this was represent as many different cultures from that part of the world as possible.

It is true that while the story of Aladdin is a folk tale from the Middle East that goes back centuries. In that story, the character of Aladdin himself is said to be from China. To that end, even Mena Massoud's casting as the main character would be out of step. Clearly, the actor feels that the new movie's objective, to spotlight a diverse cast with backgrounds from numerous cultures, was a choice that worked, and was justified by the film's fairy tale setting.

Hell, the new Aladdin even has [Billy Magnussen](https://www.cinemablend.com/news/1699909/the-live-adaptation-of-aladdin-is-adding-a-brand-new-character?pv=search) show up as an utterly unexplained white dude. It seems that wherever Agrabah is located, many different races are within a horseback ride of the castle.

Mena Massoud goes on to tell the New York Times that the new Aladdin had cultural advisors on set at all times because the production wanted to get those aspects of the story right; he never felt that anything in the movie wasn't being properly respectful, in fact, quite the opposite...

They had a team of cultural advisers on set. And no, to answer your question. It’s the most represented and the most respect, culturally, that I’ve ever felt in my career. My first professional gig was on a show called Nikita, and I played Al Qaeda No. 2. At that time I had to take those roles because I just wanted to get my foot in.

Certainly, playing the lead in the live-action Aladdin is a step up from playing random terrorist characters. It's unfortunate that such roles are often all that exist for actors of Middle Eastern decent.

People are certainly going to have differing opinions on how best to handle casting on movies like this. Mena Massoud's perspective won't work for everybody, but most will likely agree that Aladdin is a valuable step forward in many ways, even if it isn't perfect.

And perhaps Aladdin will also help be a step forward to fix the larger issue. Certainly, as it turns out, wide audiences have no problem seeing movie casts like the one Aladdin put together. The film broke the box office with an impressive $116 million at the domestic box office over the long Memorial Day Weekend. The movie has already grossed over $250 million globally.

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Charlie Says Trailer Debuts Matt Smith's Charles Manson

Charlie Says Trailer Debuts Matt Smith's Charles Manson

Is Matt Smith in Star Wars: Episode IX or isn’t he? I suppose we’ll have to wait until that film’s first trailer or its December release to know for sure, but in the meantime, the former Doctor Who star will definitely be showing up in Charlie Says, where he plays someone who unquestionably belongs to the dark side. Take a look below to see the trailer for Charlie Says and see the debut of Matt Smith’s Charles Manson.

Charles Manson doesn’t show up for almost a minute into this trailer, but his presence is felt from the start as we see some of what befell those who followed him into the darkness. When Matt Smith appears as the cult leader, he really looks the part: bearded, longhaired and charming, and along with Hannah Murray’s Leslie Van Houten, we see the appeal of what he’s selling and how he roped people in.

The kumbaya lovefest he is pitching bears quite the resemblance to Chris Hemsworth's character in Bad Times at the El Royale, so you can see from whom that film took its inspiration. That lovefest turns as the things Manson is saying begin to have seriously dark connotations. When Grace Van Dien’s Sharon Tate opens the door and Charles Manson is just standing there, Matt Smith, more known for his roles as good guys, gives off some seriously creepy vibes.

Matt Smith has a magnetic presence and that is crucial to this film that will explore both how Charles Manson convinced people to kill for him in the first place and the powerful hold he had on these women long after they were sent to prison for their crimes. He can’t just be a crazy creep, we have to be drawn in by the actor’s portrayal and see how he appealed to his followers and they wanted to believe in him.

The book The Long Prison Journey of Leslie van Houten: Life Beyond the Cult, written by Karlene Faith (here played by The Walking Dead’s Meritt Wever, serves as inspiration for Charlie Says. That gives this film an interesting perspective as it looks at these women who committed horrible crimes as victims themselves, who made excuses and rationalized their behavior as a result of Charles Manson’s manipulation and their loyalty to him.

We see that in this trailer, especially with Sosie Bacon's Patricia Krenwinkel clinging to something that captivated her not wanting to take responsibility or acknowledge the truth. Also, Hannah Murray looks to be giving quite the performance as Leslie Van Houten as she come to grips with the truth of what she did and who Charles Manson was years later.

Charlie Says comes from director Mary Harron who created one of the staples of the serial killer genre in American Psycho. Most recently Harron directed episodes of Netflix’s Alias Grace.

Since 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Manson murders, Charlie Says is just one of the cinematic looks at the notorious crimes that both puzzle and fascinate to this day. Actress Hilary Duff stars in The Haunting of Sharon Tate, due out April 5, and the second season of Netflix’s Mindhunter will also feature Charles Manson. In an interesting twist, the actor starring as the cult leader in Mindhunter, Damon Herriman, will also play Manson in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Charlie Says arrives in theaters on May 10 and on VOD a week later on May 17. Check out our 2019 release schedule to keep track of all the biggest movies headed your way this year.

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Captain Marvel’s Costume Could Have Looked Extremely Different

Captain Marvel’s Costume Could Have Looked Extremely Different

It's a very exciting time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While all eyes are on what will happen when Phase Three comes to a close with Avengers: Endgame, moviegoers are also celebrating the long awaited arrival of Brie Larson's Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel. Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck's Marvel blockbuster told a 90s set origin story, expanding the universe while also doing some set up for her role in Endgame.

Captain Marvel's onscreen origin was ripped largely from the comics, including the war between the Kree and Skrulls. During filming, it was revealed that the character would be wearing a green incarnation of her costume, something that originally made fans pause. Ultimately her red and blue suit made its way onto the silver screen, although new concept art revealed her costume could have looked very different. Check it out below.

Honestly, who is that? The above image comes to us from Instagram, and shows a version of Carol Danvers who looks almost robotic in appearance. As the Kree warrior known as Vers, this armor is a far departure from the suit that she and the rest of Starforce rocked in Captain Marvel. The rest of the team would have presumably been outfitted the same, although the artist specifically mentioned that Vers was an elite Kree pilot. As such, she might have been given some equipments unique to the rest of Starforce.

The above image also doesn't contain Captain Marvel/The Kree's insignia on the chest. Instead, there's a subtle pin on her right chest plate. This is another unique change to the character, as Carol Danvers has her own logo in the MCU. The entire look gives a robotic feel, although it should be noted that she is at least wearing Captain Marvel's signature red color.

Another concept image took more liberal changes to the costume, although its close to the Kree suit from Captain Marvel. Check it out below.

This look is definitely close to the look Vers was rocking through the majority of Captain Marvel's runtime. We see the suit with her mask on, although a bit of her human skin is shown popping through. While she's no longer robotic in appearance, the artist did make more risky changes to her look than the one eventually settled on.

For one, Captain Marvel's mask puts her hair into a ponytail, rather than the badass mohawk that was shown in the movie. It's a softer and perhaps more logical hairdo, although seeing her hair fall in and out of the mohawk during Captain Marvel was an unexpectedly exciting moment in the final film. The suit also features Vers rocking a much different logo than the one seen on the costumes of Starforce and The Supreme Intelligence in the movie. The insignia looks like an illustration of Saturn, which is inspired by the comics but admittedly more goofy

Ultimately, the costumes in Captain Marvel were fairly accurate to the comics, although less revealing and without Captain Marvel's signature sash around her waist. She spent most of the film in the signature Kree green, but eventually changes the suit's color ahead of the final battle in Act 3. Inspired by the Air Force and Monica Rambeau, she takes the red and blue, and then promptly kicks all the ass with her powers unleashed.

It should be interesting to see if/how Captain Marvel's costumes are changed as her tenure in the MCU continues. Characters like Black Widow, Iron Man, and Captain Marvel are constantly being given updates on their signature look. And with the decades in between Captain Marvel and her eventual appearance in Avengers: Endgame, the first suit might have some wear a tear. Unfortunately, her brief scene in the final Endgame trailer she was in civilian clothes, so it's unclear what she'll look like in The Russo Brothers' highly anticipated blockbuster.

Carol Danvers has gone through a ton of different looks in the comics throughout the years, so the fandom was eager to see what she'd look like in Captain Marvel. While the red and blue suit may be the most modern version of her costume, it certainly wasn't the first. She'd previously had a black leotard costume with a yellow lightning bolt, as well as a crop top costume. Additionally, modern red and blue palette has been used for a ton of different suits, with some of them being little more than a bathing suit for the massively powerful superhero.

In the end, Brie Larson and Marvel Studios wanted to take a step away from the skimpy Captain Marvel suit, and cover Carol Danvers up appropriately during her cosmic and Earth-based adventures. What's more, the costume ended up being a uniform for most of the film's characters, including Yon-Rogg, The Supreme Intelligence, Korath, and Minn-erva. But Carol Danvers made her new allegiance known by changing its color.

While it makes sense that Captain Marvel's costume was adjusted for the MCU, I'm hoping the character's sash/belt eventually makes an appearance. On the page, it gives her a sense of movement. And although Marvel Studios generally tries for more functional and realistic adaptations of comic book costumes, it would excite purists to see that small addition sometime in the future.

Smart money says Carol Danvers will be given a suit in Avengers: Endgame to match the rest of the survivors. She hasn't been shown in the white and red getup, but most of the heroes were shown in matching uniforms during the final trailer. And since that trailer also kept Captain Marvel's appearance until the very final moments, it makes sense that she wasn't shown in the epic long shots in the Avengers facility.

Kevin Feige has teased that Captain Marvel will be a major focus in the Marvel Cinematic Universe after Phase Three comes to a close. With Endgame just a month away, it won't be long before the studio can finally share its plans for the future with the public.

Captain Marvel is in theaters now, and Avengers: Endgame will follow suit in April 26th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

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Why Winston Duke Thinks You Need To See Us More Than Once

Why Winston Duke Thinks You Need To See Us More Than Once

Jordan Peele’s debut film, Get Out, earned him an Oscar and instantly announced him as a bold and exciting new filmmaker with a clever voice. His eagerly anticipated follow up, Us, arrives in theaters this week, and I can tell you (as someone who was lucky enough to catch it at the South By Southwest film festival) that you are going to want to go out of your way to see it. In fact, make plans to see it twice.

There’s a twist in Us. That’s all I’ll reveal. But the twist changes the movie, and a second viewing will open up several new avenues of discussion. I’m not alone in thinking that repeat viewings are essential. One of the movie’s stars, Winston Duke, spoke with AMC Theatres and told them, regarding repeat viewing of Us:

It’s one of the things where you can’t get the full scope of what’s happening from the first viewing. Once you get to the end of the movie, it’s interesting to go back to the beginning and see how those things tie in and see the little nuanced body language and behaviors that foreshadowed some of those things. There’s a lot of beautiful literary elements that play in this film. A lot of allegory. A lot of foreshadowing. Metaphors. I know on my second viewing, a lot of things came alive that definitely I didn’t even understand while I was making it.

Winston Duke is not blowing smoke, but it’s really hard to elaborate on what he is saying without giving away the true joys of Us. So, we will dance around it.

Think of it this way. You likely saw Get Out. Do you remember how many clues and references Jordan Peele included in that socio-political thriller that weren’t clear until after you knew, fully, where the movie was going? Us is like that. You will enjoy it the first time through. It’s terrifying, and highly engrossing. But once you fully understand Us, you literally will want to do a 180-degree turn and buy a ticket for the next showing, because you will NEED to see it again.

Here’s the trailer for Us, to prepare you for this movie’s unique brand of insanity.

Want to go in cold? I can’t say that I blame you. Here’s all that you need to know about Us. It follows a family, led by Winston Duke and Lupita Nyong’o, as they embark on a restful weekend by the sea. But they are in for horrors when they are confronted by home invaders who look exactly like themselves. Who are these people, and what might this mean?

Find out for yourself when Us opens in theaters on Friday, March 22.

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Oscar Isaac Is Glad Leia Was Brought Back For Episode IX

Oscar Isaac Is Glad Leia Was Brought Back For Episode IX

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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David Harbour Responds To Black Widow Rumors

David Harbour Responds To Black Widow Rumors

It's an extremely exciting time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with just one blockbuster left in Phase Three. 21 movies and a decade of filmmaking will come to a head when Avengers: Endgame arrives in theaters, picking up on the action after the devastating loss to Thanos in Infinity War. But aside from Spider-Man: Far From Home, Marvel Studios' plans for the future are largely a mystery.

There are some exciting projects being developed, even if their release date is currently unclear. Chief among them is the Black Widow movie, which will finally give Scarlett Johansson the chance to lead a Marvel blockbuster. Director Cate Shortland seems to be making some steps toward casting the movie, with the latest report indicating Stranger Things favorite David Harbour landed a role. Now Hopper himself has responded to those reports, saying:

Yeah man, like I want to do the movie. [Marvel would] kick me out so fast…[if I reveal anything]. Look here's what I will say. It's being directed by this woman Cate Shortland who is a phenomenal director. She directed a movie called Lore. She's a phenomenal director, so what's really exciting to me about it is it's gonna be like a real deep, interesting film. And so yeah, I'm just excited for it as a film as well as a superhero movie

While clearly nervous to anger the Marvel gods before he can even begin, David Harbour confirmed his excitement about the Black Widow movie, especially when it comes to working with the director. Fresh off his debut as Hellboy, the Golden Globe nominee is going to head to another comic book adaptation.

David Harbour's comments to ET are sure to excite his many fans, who are hoping to see more of him on the big screen. His debut as Hellboy will arrive in theaters shortly, offering an R-rated romp free disconnected from Guillermo del Toro''s previous set of movies. But Harbour joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe is perhaps more exciting, especially with the future currently so unclear.

Black Widow's movie has been a long time coming, and David Habour's comments make it seem like nothing we've ever seen before in the MCU. Scarlett Johansson's signature character has been a major presence in the shared universe, but she's never gotten her own time to really shine. This is especially hard because Widow is one of the most complicated and badass Avengers, and we've gotten only small glimpses into her sordid past. But according to Harbour, the movie is going to be an intimate look at the character.

For now we'll have to wait as Black Widow's movie is developed, and hope for details regarding the cast, plot, and settings. Because depending on her fate in Endgame, a prequel film might not be out of the question.

Black Widow will return to theaters when Avengers: Endgame arrives in theaters on April 26th, and you can catch David Harbour in Hellboy on April 12th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

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Julia Roberts Hung Out With Prostitutes Ahead Of Pretty Woman Role

Julia Roberts Hung Out With Prostitutes Ahead Of Pretty Woman Role

Julia Roberts’ role in Pretty Woman is arguably still the actress’ most well-known role almost 30 years later. As it turns out, when Roberts took the lead for the modern-day fairy tale about a prostitute who gets swept off her feet by a wealthy businessman played by Richard Gere, she did a little research that may surprise some people.

The widow of the late Pretty Woman director Garry Marshall, Barbara Marshall, recently told Page Six that shortly after Julia Roberts was cast as Vivian Ward, she asked her if she could come by the Los Angeles clinic where Barbara was a nurse at the time, and she had a very specific goal at the time. Said Marshall,

I recruited two young women who came to the clinic regularly, and I paid them $35 each to meet with Julia… I went back to work, and about 20 minutes later, Julia yelled from the end of the hall, ‘Bye, Barbara. We’re going to take a drive. We’ll be back later.’

Julia Roberts apparently really hit it off with the pair of prostitutes and decided to go with them down to Hollywood Boulevard - maybe to observe them doing their thing, or catch lunch? While the actress had the opportunity to simply ask them a couple questions about their line of work in preparation for her role, that evidently wasn’t enough, as she wanted to hang out with them outside the clinic too.

Barbara Marshall admitted to becoming panicked at the whole situation. She called her husband, telling him where his Pretty Woman lead had gone and expressed her worry about what would happen if she didn’t come back. Julia Roberts did later turn up unharmed, and as Barbara described, she’s “one tough lady who can take care of herself on and off camera”.

It's a funny story, and perhaps Julia Roberts' time with the prostitutes really did give her a sense of what it's like to be a sex worker in Los Angeles, providing an extra edge in her iconic character. Pretty Woman was one of Julia Roberts’ first movies, and her decision to partake in a little extra credit about the real-life environment of Vivian before stepping on set shows how seriously the actress has taken her work since the very beginning.

In addition to arranging the special meeting, Barbara Marshall also recently said she feels she had a bit of an influence on the scene where Vivian Ward offers up Edward Lewis his choice of condoms in their first encounter - and she calls herself a “safety girl.” This was apparently a result of Marshall devoting some of her work to the importance of preventing sexually transmitted diseases.

It’s great to see that Pretty Woman had influences of real-life Hollywood Boulevard sex workers and a Los Angeles-based nurse, no matter how small. That being said, we would still love to know how Julia Roberts’ drive through Hollywood actually went, and what she wound up doing. Spill the tea, Julia!

Nearly 30 years after the fact, we're still learning new things about Pretty Woman, and even now getting to digest in in different mediums. Over the summer, a musical version of Pretty Woman debuted on Broadway – which Barbara Marshall has apparently seen twelve times. Julia Roberts was also once in the audience for the New York City show, though she admitted it made her emotional about the 2016 passing of Garry Marshall. And, of course, you can always see the 1990 original whenever you want, as it is widely available on digital, Blu-ray, and DVD.

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Captive State Was Inspired By Some Surprising Classics

Captive State Was Inspired By Some Surprising Classics

When new science-fiction films are about to be released, it’s common that we hear a lot of filmmakers talk about what are fairly standard inspirations – films like Star Wars, Alien, Blade Runner, and 2001: A Space Odyssey. Obviously this makes sense, as it’s logical to take cues from some of the best genre films of all time, but interestingly that’s not the story behind the new film Captive State. As while the movie is definitely a sci-fi tale featuring a full-scale alien invasion, it wasn’t actually classic alien invasion movies that gave co-writer/director Rupert Wyatt ideas of what he wanted to do with the feature.

The subject of Captive State’s sources of inspiration came up early in a conversation that I had with Rupert Wyatt last week, talking over the phone about his work on the new film. I started the interview asking him about where the initial idea came from, and how it developed as a movie he wanted to make, and I’ll admit that he sincerely surprised me with the titles that he namedropped:

I've always been a fan of stories about characters that rage against the machine, and that'll fight back against the institutions. So Randle P. McMurphy in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, or Paul Newman [as Lucas "Luke" Jackson] and Cool Hand Luke. And I've also been a real fan of stories, or films, rather, that deal with that on a macro level - on a national level. So Battle Of Algiers is one of my favorite films, and Army Of Shadows about the French resistance, Jean-Pierre Melville.

Rather than approaching Captive State from a purely genre perspective, Rupert Wyatt was compelled to tell this story because of a personal fascination with iconoclasts, which he brought to his work on the script alongside co-writer Erica Beeney. What’s more, he was particularly interested in the idea on both small and large scales, noting examples of both personal struggles – namely battles within the walls of mental hospitals and prisons – as well as full scale revolts.

This certainly tracks with the plot developments of Captive State, which is an ensemble film set in the not-to-distant future following an invasion of extraterrestrials known as the Legislators. The story tracks a number of different narratives to show life in this world, including those both trying to maintain a level or order, and those who are trying to take down what they see to be an oppressive system.

Rupert Wyatt is no stranger to science-fiction, having previously directed Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes, but his approach to genre with this one was a bit secondary. Taking the inspiration he did from the films mentioned above, he felt he wanted to tell a story in America, but not one that has already been told. As a result, it was felt by the filmmaker that the best move would be to tell a story set in the future instead of the past. Said Wyatt,

I thought it would be really interesting to be able to tell a story like that, but on the footprint of America - North America. And rather than delve back to the American revolution when they were kicking the likes of me out of the country, I thought what about if I kind of push into the future and put a documentary film crew into the future and tell that story - but in a very near future, and the occupying beings being an alien species. It really sprung from that.

It’s ultimately an impressive juggling act, but one that Captive State pulls off – both creating a heavily-detailed world and a number of engaging characters with compelling specific missions. The film, which stars Ashton Sanders, John Goodman, Vera Farmiga, Alan Ruck, James Ransone, and Kevin Dunn, arrives in theaters this Friday, and we’ll have more for you about the movie heading your way in the next few days here on CinemaBlend.

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How Much Pet Sematary Is Expected To Make Opening Weekend

How Much Pet Sematary Is Expected To Make Opening Weekend

Next month should really kick the movie season into high gear. There’s not one but three superhero releases hitting theaters during the month of April, and competing with those releases will be flicks like Penguins and Pet Sematary. Although those sound like they could be related, they should be anything but. Unlike the former Disneynature documentary, the latter is actually a (probably r-rated but currently unrated) horror film based on a Stephen King novel, and now we have some idea how it will compete with Shazam!.

The answer is, well, decently. Current estimates have Shazam! opening at $40-45 million. (Long-range tracking had that film at closer to $48 million so we’ll see.) Meanwhile Pet Sematary opens the same weekend and is expected to pull in around $20 million, but those numbers could improve all the way to $30 million domestically during opening weekend.

So, it’s not expected to win the weekend, but it does look competitive, and depending on what the budget for Pet Sematary is and how big the audience ends up being in subsequent weeks, it could do just fine in box office totals. We don’t know right now how much the Pet Sematary remake cost, but it should have been cheaper than Shazam! to produce.  Back in 1989, the original cost $11.5 million to make and went on to make over $57 million domestically.

The other good news is that the box office range for Pet Sematary has stayed steady over time. The latest numbers come from Deadline, but Box Office Pro had forecasted Pet Sematary in the $20-$30 million range weeks ago.

Of course, it’s worth pointing out the horror film will only have a few weeks to go before it is superseded by Avengers: Endgame, which should be a box office juggernaut. Early estimates have that movie making $282 million domestically opening weekend, which is a really specific and incredible number.

At that point, the other movies that are still in theaters from March and into April should be doing lower numbers as a lot of fans flock to the box office to for the highly anticipated Marvel film. What Pet Sematary has going for it is counter-programming, but it’s worth noting that by the end of the month, Pet Sematary will be three weekend into its run. It opens on April 5 while the Marvel flick opens on the 26th.

We should be hearing more about Pet Sematary over the next few days as the film is expected to screen at SXSW, and we’ll be able to hear how audiencegoers feel about the upcoming movie.

Trailers for the upcoming movie have been mysterious and eerie, although they have revealed the movie is taking some liberties from Stephen King's source material and will at least be changing one major plot from the book. That the non-spoilery way of mentioning that, if you want spoilers, we have you covered. All in all, there's been a wave of Stephen King properties coming out in recent years -- and even a big nod to King in Ready Player One -- and we'll have to see if Paramount's new movie stands out from the pack.

While we wait, you can see what flicks are heading into theaters in March with our full schedule.

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Shazam! Reviews Are In, Here's What Critics Are Saying

Shazam! Reviews Are In, Here's What Critics Are Saying

Charge up your weekend with the power of fresh Shazam! reviews. Critics are now free to move about the internet cabin, posting their full thoughts on DC's latest movie. Previous to this point, we saw some positive soundbite reactions on social media, but this is where you get the full context -- and often some scores/grades.

CinemaBlend's Sean O'Connell gave the film 4 out of 5 stars. He raved about the casting of Zachary Levi as Shazam! but did mention the smaller scale compared to past DCEU movies, including lower stakes with Shazam!'s villain, Dr. Thaddeus Sivana (Mark Strong):

Like Aquaman and Wonder Woman before it, Shazam! benefits tremendously from being allowed to operate outside of the DC Universe, while also acknowledging that it exists alongside movies like Man of Steel and Justice League. In comparison to those efforts, however, Shazam! can actually feel small. The stakes of the plot are relatively low, with Sivana being a threat to our hero but less of a danger to the world at large. Where Aquaman was intentionally epic in scope, Shazam! always maintains the feel of a neighborhood story, for better and for worse.

IGN's Jim Vejvoda noted that Wonder Woman and Aquaman bore the heavy weight of expectations, which was not a burden Shazam! had to carry. So it was able to be as carefree as a child and just have fun:

Shazam! is a DC’s most joyful and sweet movie since the days of Christopher Reeve’s Superman, a funny yet earnest coming-of-age story about a boy who learns that, well, with great power comes great responsibility. So obviously, Shazam! doesn’t reinvent the superhero movie, but it’s an undeniably fun time that left me wanting more big-screen adventures with these charming characters.

USA Today's Brian Truitt said Shazam! was probably the closest DC film yet to one of Marvel's projects, complete with a Spider-Man-esque lesson on "with great power comes great responsibility":

But, really, the high-flying showdowns and the holiday-themed action-packed finale (which is highly satisfying, though it goes on a bit too long) are secondary. "Shazam!” works because of its emphasis on friendship and family: Mrs. Vasquez has a bumper sticker that reads “I’m a foster mom: What’s your superpower?” that sums up the film's overall warm-hug vibe.

Hugh Armitage of DigitalSpy gave Shazam! four out of five stars, calling the "delightful" film DC's slickest and funniest movie yet. However, he echoed the note that the finale goes on a bit too long:

Best known for his horror movies, director David F Sandberg nevertheless brings flawless comic timing to Shazam!, while the movie also delivers a likeable message about the value of family, friendship and teamwork. Our greatest criticism is that the finale drags on longer than it needs to, but Shazam! is so much fun that it's a minor complaint.

Hoai-Tran Bui of /FILM gave Shazam! 8.5 stars out of 10, echoing the pacing issues, but also praising the pleasant surprise that Shazam! is more like a kid adventure than a superhero origin movie:

A raucous, charming kid adventure that is a delight to behold from start to finish, Shazam! feels like a throwback both to ’80s comedies and to the superhero movies of the early 2000s, with abundant callbacks to both genres. But rather than playing like an appeal to nostalgia, Shazam! is more of a spiritual throwback that captures the sincerity and silliness inherent in the superhero genre, while delivering a heartfelt story about the power of found families.

Lindsey Bahr of the Associated Press gave the movie 3.5/4 stars, pointing out some of the flaws while emphasizing that they don't detract from the overall experience:

OK, so it’s basically Big with superheroes and villains instead of businesspeople and girlfriends, but director David F. Sandberg has infused his film with so much heart and charm that it hardly matters. Even the deficiencies, like the sluggish beginning and the random, ridiculous villains, fade away under a haze of goodwill because unlike so many big spectacle action pics with sequels in mind, Shazam! actually sticks the landing.

Todd Gilchrist of Birth.Movies.Death was more critical, saying DC's movie needed more adult guidance:

Conversely, I’m not sure if Shazam! is the exact superhero movie that a kid would make for him or herself, or it’s a perfect encapsulation of studio groupthink trying to anticipate what that imaginary kid wants. Unfocused, noisy and way, way too chatty, director David Sandberg’s adaptation of the DC character supplies plenty of routine superhero theatrics and “when I grow up” wish fulfillment, but its eagerness to explore the notion of family at the expense of real character development - and the seeming absence of adult guidance both on and off screen - delivers far too little in the way of true inspiration.

However, he also wrote it was almost disappointing that Shazam! won’t be crossing over with Justice League in the near future, since the character brings a childlike sense of wonder and fun to the DCEU.

Overall, the reviews still sound quite positive. Since the embargo for Shazam! just dropped, we'll have to wait a bit to see the full picture on Rotten Tomatoes, but it's currently at 97% from 32 reviews. The CinemaScore from moviegoers won't show up until opening night.

In terms of how much Shazam! might make after its April 5 opening? Well, you know projections are often wrong. Many thought Captain Marvel was going to open to "only" $100 million and it made a lot more than that on its way toward The Billion Dollar Club.

At this point, early tracking suggests Shazam! will open anywhere from $40 million to $50 million in the first weekend of April. It's not expected to reach the lofty heights of the DCEU's Aquaman, but the reviews have been positive and it looks like a good time. What more do you want? Besides a lot of money so they can justify more movies?

Shazam! opens in theaters April 5 as one of the many movies heading to the big screen that month, and in the rest of 2019.

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Walt Disney World's FastPass+ System: What It Is And How To Use It

Walt Disney World's FastPass+ System: What It Is And How To Use It

There's no place in the world quite like Walt Disney World. With four different theme parks, two water parks, and more hotels, shops and restaurants than you can count, there is so much to do and so much fun to be had. However, to get the most out of your Walt Disney World trip, you need to plan in advance, and that includes using the FastPass+ system to book your wait times early at the theme parks.

Nobody likes to wait in line, and while you probably won't be able to avoid standing in a queue at all, you can severely cut down on your standing around time by using FastPass+ to its full potential. In this guide, we'll be talking how to make the most of your trip using Disney's helpful FastPass+ service.

What Is Disney World’s FastPass+?

FastPass+ is Walt Disney World's system that allows you to skip the line on most of the attractions that you'll find at all four Walt Disney World theme parks, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios. It's linked to your park ticket or MagicBand and allows you to book up to three FastPass+ windows per day of your Walt Disney World vacation in advance of your trip. This means you can schedule when you want to visit certain attractions, and you'll end up in a much shorter line.

What Do You Need To Book FastPass+?

The first thing you need to do to use FastPass+ is sign up for an account on the Walt Disney World website. Each member of your party will need their own registration, but if individuals won't need to access their account themselves, like minor children, their account can be set up so that one person will manage the account, like mom or dad. Once all the accounts are linked together, one person can book FastPasses for the entire group.

Next, each member of the group will need their own theme park ticket linked to their Disney account.

Finally, the third thing you need to consider is optional, but is quite valuable: a reservation at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel. If you have one, you can sign up for your FastPass+ times 60 days in advance, and you can sign up for every day of your vacation at once. If you're not staying on property, you can only sign up for your FastPass+ times 30 days in advance, and you'll need to sign up for each day of your trip separately.

Some of the most popular attractions like those at Disney's Animal Kingdom's Pandora - The World of Avatar, will see all or most of their FastPasses get snapped up before the 30-day window opens.

How To Sign Up For FastPass+

FastPass+ opens up each day at 7:00 AM eastern time. This means if you live on the west coast, you'll need to get up at 4:00 AM to get the first shot at the best times on the best rides.

On the day that you can sign up for FastPass+, 60 days before the first day your ticket is active if you're staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, 30 days before if not, go to the Walt Disney World website, sign into your account, and then, under the My Disney Experience menu, select GetFastPass+.

Select every person in your party that you want to book a FastPass+ for, then select the date you want to book, then which park you want to book your FastPass+ for. All three of your FastPass+ selections have to be for the same theme park, so if you first book a FastPass+ for the Magic Kingdom, all three FastPasses for that day will have to be there as well.

After you select the park, you'll be shown the list of available attractions and available times. Each attraction will give you a window of time that is one hour long. Simply select the first FastPass+ time that you want on your favorite attraction, confirm it, and then do that two more times.

There's no way to book more than three FastPasses per day before your trip. However, once you've used your three scheduled FastPasses each day, you will be able to book more, one at a time, via either the Disney World app (more on that down below) or via the kiosks located within the Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios parks.

How FastPass+ Works At The Different Parks

Signing up for FastPass+ at Magic Kingdom is easy, because all FastPasses are considered equal, but that's no longer the case at the other three parks. At Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios, attractions are broken up into Tier A and Tier B attractions, and you can only use one of your daily FastPasses on a Tier A attraction when signing up in advance. Here are the Tier A attractions at the three parks, anything not listed is in Tier B. It can get a little complicated, so please make sure you take a look over the list.

Epcot: Frozen Ever After, Test Track, Soarin', Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, Character Meet and Greet

Disney's Animal Kingdom: Avatar Flight of Passage, Na'vi River Journey

Disney's Hollywood Studios: Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers, Toy Story Mania

How Do You Use FastPass+ Best?

FastPass+ can be intimidating, especially if you've never used it before. There are so many options, and if this is your first trip to Walt Disney World or your first trip with FastPass+, it seems impossible to know a month before your vacation just what you're going to want to do. So how do you know what to schedule? Here are some tips to keep in mind.

What to schedule first: Those Tier A FastPasses are all for the most popular rides, so you'll want to be sure to grab those first if they're available. Specifically, grab Flight of Passage at Animal Kingdom and Slinky Dog Dash at Hollywood Studios as those are the most popular rides at those parks with the longest lines.

At Magic Kingdom, be sure to grab the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, as that will be the first to go there. At Epcot, you can grab either Test Track, Frozen Ever After, or Soarin,' whichever is the more attractive ride to your party.

Book early in the day, but not too early: It's tempting to book a FastPass+ for right when the park opens, but if you're going to be there at rope drop, the lines will be shorter. Instead of wasting a FastPass+, when the park opens, go straight to something you would use a FastPass for. You'll still have a bit of a line, but it will be shorter than normal and you'll be able to save that FastPass+ for something else.

Having said that, try to book your three FastPasses for as early in the day as you can. Since you can only book additional FastPass+ times after your initial three have been used, the sooner you're done with the them, the more time you have to potentially pick up others. This is also why you probably don't want to waste a Tier A FastPass+ on Illuminations. Since it's an evening show it locks out additional FastPasses for the entire day.

A Pirate's Adventure: There is one way to get a specific FastPass without booking it online. If you find the A Pirate's Adventure building between Adventureland and Frontierland, you can go on a number of different treasure hunts that will take you all over Aventureland. They're full of fun interactive elements and and are a great way to spend down time. If you complete three of the treasure hunts you'll actually be given a FastPass for Pirates of the Caribbean. This way, you don't need to spend one of your precious FastPasses on the attraction, and you have a lot more fun than you would standing in line.

What App To Use With FastPass+?

You'll want to download the My Disney Experience - Walt Disney World app from your smartphone store of choice. From there, you can make and manage your FastPass+ times. It's useful for scheduling additional FastPass+ times after you've used your first three, but it's also good for checking to see what's available at any given moment. People frequently cancel or reschedule their own FastPass+ times, so it's always possible that a FastPass for a particularly popular ride that wasn't available when you made your your initial FastPasses bookings might show up later.

The app is also very convenient for booking your initial FastPass+ times if you live on the west coast so you don't need to get out of bed at 4:00 in the morning, just reach over and grab your phone.

Is Disney’s FastPass+ Worth It?

There is no question that FastPass+ is worth it. It costs nothing and if you don't use it then you're just resigning yourself to standing in lines that are much longer than is absolutely necessary. If you're not staying in a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, it can certainly be a pain to get up for several mornings in a row to book your FastPasses, ( I know) but it's a small price to pay.

The only downside is that using FastPass+ does lock you in on what you're doing on any given day weeks before your trip. If you book your FastPass+ times for Disney's Animal Kingdom on any given day, but then somebody feels tired after three days of running around the parks or just falls unexpectedly ill, or the weather sucks, you can't get those FastPasses back.

Images Courtesy: WDWNews.com/Disney

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Emilia Clarke Admits She Regrets 'Stupid Action Movies' She's Filmed

Emilia Clarke Admits She Regrets 'Stupid Action Movies' She's Filmed

As the eight-season journey on Game of Thrones soon comes to an end, fans are certainly curious about where we will see our favorite stars next on the big screen. Jason Momoa certainly made waves as Aquaman after portraying Khal Drogo, and Sophie Turner is playing the titular role in the next installment of the X-Men franchise, Dark Phoenix. What about fan-favorites Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow, a.k.a. Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington?

Emilia Clarke recently spoke with Variety about her time as a big screen actress thus far, and part of the discussion was about how her and co-star Kit Harington have bonded over their common career accomplishments… and mistakes. Said the actress,

Kit and I are counterparts in terms of experience. We are pretty much the same age, and our characters have had parallel journeys, and we as actors have had parallel journeys. We’ve both done stupid action movies we regret and fabulous things we’re proud of, and we’ve always come back to Thrones. And he’s the person I’d ask, ‘How are you handling this? Are you alright?’ We were in sync, even if we were filming on opposite sides of the world.

Their characters are connected in more way than one! The two actors have notably had some bad luck with their big budget action movie endeavors, and here Emilia Clarke admits to regretting them. Of course, Clarke notably played Sarah Connor in the 2015 failed reboot Terminator: Genisys, which in the past she has said she was “relieved” to see fail at the box office so she wouldn’t have to return for a sequel because “no one had a good time” making it.

Clarke also recently played Qi’ra in Solo: A Star Wars Story, which was deemed the biggest disappointment for the franchise – though obviously nobody is placing any blame on the actress. The movie dealt with some problems during production, such as the replacement of Phil Lord and Chris Miller with Ron Howard in the midst of filming.

On Kit Harington’s end, the actor starred in 2014’s period volcano thriller Pompeii, which only made $117 million worldwide with a $100 million budget, and Seventh Son, which has comparative disappointing numbers with a $114 million worldwide take against a $95 million budget. These are reasons enough for the Game of Thrones stars to be apprehensive about starring in action movies, but luckily they had each other to talk out shared experiences, even though they were on completely different projects.

Looking ahead, Emilia Clarke is starring in a rom-com with Crazy Rich Asians’ Henry Golding called Last Christmas, and in a crime-thriller titled Above Suspicion - neither of which are being made as tent-pole blockbusters. Kit Harington will next be seen on the big screen starring in the drama The Death and Life of John F. Donovan, which premiered last year at the Toronto International Film Festival and isn't currently set up with a domestic release date or distributor.

The actors will be the talk of the world when the premiere of Game of Thrones' six-episode final season premieres on April 14th, leading to an ending for their characters that Clarke said “fucked [her] up” and got Harington crying at a table read.

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The Best Zombie Movies Broken Down By Zombie-Type

The Best Zombie Movies Broken Down By Zombie-Type

Out of all the monster movie genres out there, few have gotten as many entries as the zombie genre. Some may argue hype on the genre has somewhat cooled, although with The Walking Dead set to start making Rick Grimes features, and more shows and films springing up all the time, it's safe to say the zombie genre will not die. Kind of ironic, right?

With that said, there have been so many entries in the zombie genre that some of the better quality features have been lost in the mix as decades pass. Additionally, some audiences may have specific zombies they want to see in a movie, be it the iconic walker, aggressive runners, classic voodoo, or the lighthearted funny zombie flick. These are the definitive picks for the best zombie films someone should hit up first before getting into the other offerings.

The Best Walker Zombie Movies

Walker zombies are the traditional type of zombie most people are familiar with. They're slow moving, work in large numbers and aren't always the sharpest tools in the box. There are exceptions, of course, but these types of zombies are built more towards building films more on suspense and claustrophobic situations than fast-paced over-the-top action.

Dawn Of The Dead

It's impossible to make a list of great zombie films without featuring at least one by the godfather of modern zombies. George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead is one of his most profitable and critically acclaimed features, and has served as the inspiration for numerous zombie movies that followed. The effects may be a bit dated compared to shows like The Walking Dead, but the story is as timeless as ever and remains a classic.

Zombie

Zombie, or Zombi 2 in Italy, features the traditional type of walker zombie, although this one is technically a mixture between walker/voodoo genres. With that said, voodoo isn't as heavy to the plot as some of the entries seen later. What this movie is heavy on is some truly gross and cringe-worthy imagery to see in this feature. There's also an underwater zombie that gets into it with a shark, and that alone is worth the price of admission.

Planet Terror

Planet Terror isn't the most conventional zombie film out there, which may be why more folks are drawn to it as time goes on. While Robert Rodriguez's feature was viewed as the lesser in the grindhouse double feature, there's no denying its unique style and aesthetic have helped it become a stand out of the genre. It also helps Rose McGowan's character has a gun for a leg.

The Best Runner Zombie Movies

As the name would imply, runner zombies are more fast-moving and generally more athletic than the walker-types. These zombies plow ahead with reckless abandon, and generally have little regard for their own preservation or other zombies around them. Speed is obviously a scary attribute for a monster that doesn't have to worry about endurance, so runner zombie movies are often high-action and high intensity throughout a bulk of the feature.

28 Days Later

There are some movies that, if someone is looking to get into the zombie genre, can't be missed. 28 Days Later is mandatory viewing for its heart-pounding action, fast and strong as hell zombies, and view of just how bleak a post-apocalyptic zombie world can be. There's also times where Danny Boyle's film is beautiful, in what may be one of the most aesthetically pleasing zombie movie for film buffs.

Train To Busan

South Korea isn't typically known as a hub for films that appeal to an American audience, but the nation has had a few hits over the years. Even for those who aren't too psyched for foreign language films with subtitles, Train To Busan is worth checking out. Perhaps the best part of this film is the zombies' one weakness being an inability to see in the dark, which makes for incredibly tense and heart-pounding scenes.

World War Z

A lot of die hard zombie fans will take issue with this entry, mainly because it's not the same quality of the Max Brooks novel it was adapted from. Be that as it may, World War Z has some fantastic sequences with runner zombies, and it takes advantage of its big Hollywood budget to show some scenes most zombie movies haven't pulled off. Unfortunately, the long in-development sequel was cancelled, so chances of a follow up are slim.

The Best Voodoo Zombie Movies

Before George Romero brought zombies back into the mainstream, voodoo zombies were typically the cinematic standard for zombies in cinema. These creatures are typically similar attribute-wise to walker zombies, but enslaved throughout the use of Haitian Voodoo magic or some spell that enslaves them to an individual. For those looking for some of the beginnings of zombies in Hollywood, these are the films to start with.

White Zombie

White Zombie is regarded as the first feature length zombie film, and the movie that laid the groundwork for others. Dracula icon Bela Lugosi plays a witch doctor who is capable of taking dead bodies, re-animating them and making them his slaves. It's far from the modern interpretation of a zombie, but it is based in the Haitian voodoo interpretation of zombies. For those that want to see where it all started, this is where it starts.

Sugar Hill

One of the more contemporary voodoo zombie films, Sugar Hill is a '70s blaxploitation film about a vengeful woman who seeks revenge on the mob boss who killed her boyfriend. Diane "Sugar" Hill goes to a former voodoo queen and ends up summoning Baron Samedi and zombies to take the fight to the mob. This might be one of the only movies where the main character is actually the source of a zombie outbreak.

Voodoo Man

Voodoo Man is one of the weirder entries on this list, as it goes from traditional voodoo zombie film to meta by the movie's end. Without revealing too much about the film's ending, a character suggests making a movie called "Voodoo Man" and requests that Bela Lugosi (who is in the film) be in the movie. Considering this movie starts with a doctor tricking women into stealing their essences to resurrect his dead wife, that's kind of impressive.

The Best Comedy Zombie Films

These aren't necessarily a type of zombie per se, but there's been a handful of zombie comedy movies that are some of the best zombie films out there. These movies typically have a mixture of different zombie types, and can poke fun at the overall silliness of the genre. For those looking for a laugh just as much as gore, look no further than these great movies.

Zombieland

One of the zombie genre's funniest films is also one of its most star-studded, as Zombieland boasts talent like Emma Stone, Jesse Eisenberg, Abigail Breslin, Woody Harrelson and Bill Murray. The zombie rules of survival in this movie are great advice should an actual zombie apocalypse ever hit, and the zombie attacks highlight some of the sillier encounters a more serious zombie film wouldn't tackle. It's no wonder audiences are still excited for a sequel a decade later!

Shaun of the Dead

Had Shaun of the Dead never been made, it's possible the careers of Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost wouldn't have skyrocketed to the status they enjoy now. That's not important when it comes to the film, which is a fantastic zombie flick regardless of its impact on those individuals. Shaun's story is exceptionally well told, and most zombie movie lovers can attest that strong individual stories are not a strength of the zombie genre.

Dead Alive

This is zombie comedy that's a bit of a cult classic, mainly because its relatively unknown director at the time became a pretty big deal years later. Even if most folks check this out due to their love of Lord of the Rings and Peter Jackson, Dead Alive is a pretty funny film, with some of the more obscene slapstick humor that can't be found in most zombie films.

Do you have a great zombie movie that didn't make the list that folks should check out? Be sure to post it below in the comics and keep with CinemaBlend for all the latest news on zombies, movies, and all things entertainment.

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Why Avengers: Endgame Was Very Specific About What Scenes Were Shown In Trailers

Why Avengers: Endgame Was Very Specific About What Scenes Were Shown In Trailers

When it comes to movie marketing, Avengers: Endgame has been able to play by its own rules. Truly, this is a sequel that the studio could have chosen to NOT market, and the same amount of tickets likely would have been sold. And yet, Disney and Marvel released two full trailers, and a Super Bowl spot, giving fans a look at specific footage from the upcoming blockbuster.

Every frame of what was shown in those Avengers: Endgame trailers has been analyzed by the amateur detectives located in the Marvel Studios fan base. Black Widow’s hair, Tony Stark’s locations, and Captain America’s facial hair has been scrutinized. Then there are the major reveals, like Hawkeye turning into Ronin, or Scott Lang being outside of the Quantum Realm.

With Avengers: Endgame tickets going on sale, we were able to interview Anthony Russo about the upcoming Marvel blockbuster, and I asked him specifically how they choose what to show in a teaser or trailer, knowing that there’s so much left to protect. Russo told us:

We drew from a very small section of the movie. We want it to be very confined. We know how savvy the fans are. We appreciate that there are so many people out there who spend time watching these movies multiple times, thinking about all the places the narratives can go. We just don't want to tip or spoil anything for anybody coming into the theater. We want to keep that experience as fresh and exciting and surprising as possible. So yeah, we're just very careful. That being said, Disney marketing is very, very, very effective, and they're very sophisticated in their process and we trust them a lot. And so they helped guide us in terms of how much we should be putting out. They always leaned on the side of putting out more. We always leaned on the side of putting out less. But we tried to find a good, happy medium.

That’s fascinating to learn that it is Joe and Anthony Russo who are the driving force behind the decision to not show footage in the trailers. Perhaps they also realize that, due to the cliffhanger nature of Avengers: Infinity War – and the success of the Marvel Studios movies, in general – very little has to be done in advance to sell Avengers: Endgame. Announce the release date, and Marvel fans will flock.

But it’s also that rabid passion and enthusiastic dedication to these stories that has the Russos being protective of what they show in the teasers and trailers. Because, as Anthony Russo states, fans will pore over every provided frame… and the brothers wouldn’t have it any other way. He tells us:

We love that! Part of our thrill as filmmakers working with these stories is that we were fans once, before we became filmmakers. We love participating in these stories ourselves as fans. So the fact that others are doing that? You know, we've always loved active viewers. That’s the viewer we’ve always strived to engage with. Whether it be in our early indie film work, in our television work, or now in our Marvel work. We're always looking to engage audiences who are passionate like that.

That approach has helped Joe and Anthony Russo make, arguably, the three most memorable movies in the MCU, in Infinity War, Civil War and The Winter Soldier. Their fandom shines through in their storytelling, and their love for these characters can be felt in the fabric of their movies. It’s why we eagerly anticipate the arrival of Avengers: Endgame, which opens everywhere on April 26.

Tickets are on sale now, so get them while they last.

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Karen Gillan Hopes 'Drunk Thor' Joins The Guardians Of The Galaxy

Karen Gillan Hopes 'Drunk Thor' Joins The Guardians Of The Galaxy

Some plot spoilers for Avengers: Endgame can be found in this article. But please note we are three weeks in, if you are a fan, go see the movie already!

Of the myriad characters present in Avengers: Endgame, actress Karen Gillan had some of the most major moments, as well as some of the most screen time (41 minutes, according to one count). She also wrapped Avengers: Endgame with one version of her character Nebula alive and kicking and she’s already looking forward to the future of the Guardians of the Galaxy in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

In fact, when she was recently asked about her feelings regarding the future of the Guardians and whether or not that future includes Thor, she answered in the resounding affirmative, noting,

Yes. I think that would be hilarious to see Thor and Star-Lord in some sort of captain rivalry. I think Drunk Thor would fit in more, though.

Personally, I’m more into referring to the new and definitely underwhelming Thor as “Fat Thor” rather than “Drunk Thor,” but to each his or her own.

The good news is that Karen Gillan seems all on board with having Thor join the Guardians in the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (or some unnamed future venture).

As to whether or not Thor is actually a Guardian now, when last we left off he had hitched a ride on Peter Quill's ship, ending Avengers: Endgame with some funny quips that definitely poked holes into Star-Lord’s ego. Whether or not Thor will be a Guardian moving forward was certainly one of the biggest questions left at the end of Avengers: Endgame.

Related: The 10 Biggest Questions We Have After Avengers: Endgame

Unfortunately for now, even the writers are passing the buck on the Thor question.

As for Karen Gillan, in general, she seems excited about the way Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is panning out. While Thor’s future is still unclear, the upcoming three-quel has signed on James Gunn again, appeasing the likes of Dave Bautista and many fans. It's a move that made Gillan happy, too, as she also told the LA Times:

I was so happy because it truly feels like we’re part of this little family on Guardians. And to have your leader ripped away from you is a really weird feeling. I feel that it wouldn’t be the same type of Guardians movie without him. So much of it is his personality. The sense of humor, his taste in music, the characters — there’s so much of him in there, so that would have been quite a strange sensation to make it without him. We were just so happy when he came back. It feels like everything’s as it should be now.

As for the status of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Marvel recently announced a slew of upcoming release dates, but didn’t actually tie any specific titles to them. We’re expecting to learn more later this year, specifically this summer, according to Bob Iger. For now, rumor has it the third movie following the Guardians is expected to go into production in 2020.

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Chris Rock Is Rebooting The Saw Franchise

Chris Rock Is Rebooting The Saw Franchise

The horror genre is in a bit of a renaissance right now. Rather than stale sequels, there are new exciting properties being brought to theaters. These movies are being met with critical and box office acclaim, with projects like Get Out even getting Oscar attention. But the genre is also built on long-running franchises, and it looks like one of the newer classics is going to be getting a reboot: Saw. What's more, comedian Chris Rock is involved in the developing project.

While Chris Rock isn't a name usually associated with horror, he's going to intimately involved with rebooting the Saw franchise, as both an executive producer and story writer. The gore-heavy property has typically been ultra serious and cruel, Rock's point of view and comedic background should help to bring new life. Liongsgate Motion Picture Group chairman Joe Drake issued a statement with the announcement of the forthcoming reboot, explaining:

When Chris Rock came to us and described in chilling detail his fantastic vision that reimagines and spins off the world of the notorious Jigsaw Killer, we were all-in. Saw is one of the highest-grossing horror franchises of all time and it’s one of Lionsgate’s most successful film series. This upcoming film will still be as mind bending and intense as all the previous Saw films. Chris conceived this idea and it will be completely reverential to the legacy of the material while reinvigorating the brand with his wit, creative vision and passion for this classic horror franchise.

The Saw franchise hasn't spent much time out of theaters, but it looks like the next installment will be notably different from its predecessors. And it's arriving soon, as the untitled project is set to hit theaters in October of 2020.

This statement from Lionsgate (via Variety) should illicit a mixture of reactions. Obviously fans of the Saw franchise will be thrilled to see more horrifying traps on the silver screen. But Chris Rock might not be the first person that moviegoers associate with the genre, let alone such an infamously gory one. Then again, the Saw films have generally been formulaic, so perhaps a fresh perspective is what the property needs to remain relevant in the midst of the horror renaissance.

Chris Rock also gave a brief statement regarding his excitement for the upcoming Saw reboot, which he'll be producing and helping create the story for. He said:

I’ve been a fan of Saw since the first film in 2004. I am excited by the opportunity to take this to a really intense and twisted new place.

Twisted is right, as the Saw franchise is classified under the sub-genre "torture porn." Movieogers have watched behind their hands as countless characters are massacred in bloody ways, usually in excruciating physical pain. The sub-genre that was made famous through the Saw and Hostel franchises, although the overall horror world seems to be going in a different direction recently.

Related: Chris Rock Has No Interest In Hosting The Oscars Again

If Chris Rock is able to bring something new to the Saw franchise, it could give the property new momentum. To do this, moviegoers going to need more than just the terrifying traps, like character-driven story and some moments of levity. We'll just have to see if Rock can help make this happen.

The Saw reboot will arrive in theaters on October 23, 2020. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

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Both Robert Pattinson And Nicholas Hoult Are Allegedly Auditioning For Batman

Both Robert Pattinson And Nicholas Hoult Are Allegedly Auditioning For Batman

Since Matt Reeves’ upcoming movie The Batman is a just over two years away, it’s time for the movie’s pre-production to get into high gear and the new Bruce Wayne to be named. Recent reports said Robert Pattinson has been cast as the Caped Crusader, but Warner Bros has not made the announcement yet. Perhaps this is because the actor has not yet scored the role and Dark Phoenix star Nicholas Hoult is still in the running.

Umberto Gonzalez, a reporter with The Wrap, has provided a rumored development on The Batman casting. Here’s what he said:

BATMAN UPDATE: Robert Pattinson & Nicholas Hoult are screen testing for the role. I suspect they're screen testing in the Batsuit because Wardrobe Department will need full wardrobe test. Additionally, the film will now start production in Q1 2020.

Per this source’s update, there are still two actors in the running and they’re currently going head-to-head for the role with a screen test with the Batsuit. When Robert Pattinson’s name was announced a couple weeks ago, Nicholas Hoult was also said to be on the short list. However, Variety gave the edge to Pattinson, describing that he was in negotiations and the studio’s “top choice” for the Caped Crusader.

Gonzalez’s words also divulge that The Batman will begin shooting in early 2020, after it was previously reported that the film’s principal photography in London may be pushed back from November. There has been other reports supporting this theory as well.

The update does make some sense considering the decision to cast a new Batman is a huge decision for Warner Bros and DC. Very few high-profile roles such as this have one actor in the running, especially when the look of the character in costume will especially be analyzed, scrutinized and contribute to the success of the film.

Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult may have already made it through a long casting process, and this screen test could be either the first of many or the last audition between one of them nabbing the role. Even if Variety’s initial report of Pattinson being the favorite is in fact true, the filmmakers may still want to compare two screen tests to finalize their decision.

Considering all the press Robert Pattinson has received over the past couple of weeks, it would be a strange turn of events to later learn Nicholas Hoult has been cast instead. The internet blew up (and even petitioned) against the news, but Pattinson ultimately has won over a lot of fans interested in his portrayal. A phrase for his version has even been coined reminiscent of “Batfleck” titled “Battinson”. How would Hoult's name garner a catchy title?

This is good news for those rooting for Nicholas Hoult to take on Batman after his four-movie run as X-Men’s Beast which will presumably end with the upcoming release of Dark Phoenix.

The Batman has a June 25, 2021 release date to make, so sooner or later the new Dark Knight will be announced, maybe with a behind-the-scenes picture of this alleged screen test? That would be cool! Either way it’ll be exciting to see how the upcoming DC project shapes up.

Are you team Battinson or Nicholas Hoult? Let us know in the comments below.

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Netflix New Releases: Movies And TV Shows Coming To Netflix Streaming In April 2019

Netflix New Releases: Movies And TV Shows Coming To Netflix Streaming In April 2019

Like a nimble lamb sprinting across the countryside, April springs forth from March's end, typically bringing a change of season in its wake. Much like the changing seasons, streaming libraries are moving from the previous month's goodies into a new calendar full of delights.

Naturally, Netflix is one of the biggest parties to get in on streaming new content, what with its habit of refreshing its lineup on a monthly basis. While last month's newcomers happened to be a quite exciting bunch, the approaching weeks should attempt to give the past a run for its money. Here are the films and series that will be making April another month worthy of a Netflix subscription. Take a look.

Week of April 1

Across The Line - 4/1/19

All the President's Men - 4/1/19

Bonnie and Clyde (1967) - 4/1/19

Deliverance - 4/1/19

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood - 4/1/19

Evolution - 4/1/19

Freddy vs. Jason - 4/1/19

Friday the 13th (2009) - 4/1/19

I Am Legend - 4/1/19

Lakeview Terrace - 4/1/19

Monster House - 4/1/19

Obsessed - 4/1/19

Penelope - 4/1/19

Pineapple Express - 4/1/19

Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon: S2 - 4/1/19

P.S. I Love You - 4/1/19

Snatch - 4/1/19

Spy Kids - 4/1/19

Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D - 4/1/19

The Bone Collector - 4/1/19

The Fifth Element - 4/1/19

The Golden Compass - 4/1/19

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - 4/1/19

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 - 4/1/19

ULTRAMAN - NETFLIX ANIME - 4/1/19

Valkyrie - 4/1/19

Kevin Hart: Irresponsible - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/2/19

Suzzanna: Buried Alive - NETFLIX FILM - 4/3/19

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: Part 2 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/5/19

In The Shadows - 4/5/19

Legacies: Season 1 - 4/5/19

Our Planet - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/5/19

Persona: Collection - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/5/19

Roman Empire: Caligula: The Mad Emperor - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/5/19

Spirit Riding Free: Season 8 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/5/19

Tijuana - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/5/19

Unicorn Store - NETFLIX FILM - 4/5/19

Week of April 7

Trolls: The Beat Goes On!: Season 6 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/9/19

New Girl: Season 7 - 4/10/19

You vs. Wild - NETFLIX ORIGINAL- 4/10/19

Black Summer - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/11/19

A Land Imagined - NETFLIX FILM - 4/12/19

Band Aid - 4/12/19

Huge in France - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/12/19

Mighty Little Bheem - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/12/19

The Perfect Date - NETFLIX FILM - 4/12/19

The Silence - NETFLIX FILM - 4/12/19

Special - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/12/19

Who Would You Take to a Deserted Island? - NETFLIX FILM - 4/12/19

Week of April 14

Luis Miguel - The Series: Season 1 - 4/15/19

No Good Nick - NETFLIX ORIGINAL- 4/15/19

The New Romantic - 4/15/19

Super Monsters Furever Friends - NETFLIX ORIGINAL- 4/16/19

My First First Love - NETFLIX ORIGINAL- 4/18/19

A Fortunate Man - NETFLIX FILM - 4/19/19

Brené Brown: The Call to Courage - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/19/19

Cuckoo: Season 5 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/19/19

I, Daniel Blake - 4/19/19

Music Teacher - NETFLIX FILM - 4/19/19

Rilakkuma and Kaoru - NETFLIX ANIME - 4/19/19

Samantha!: Season 2 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/19/19

Someone Great - NETFLIX FILM - 4/19/19

Grass is Greener - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/20/19

Week of April 21

Pinky Malinky: Part 2 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/22/19

Selection Day - New Episodes - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/22/19

I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/23/19

Bonding - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/24/19

The Hateful Eight: Extended Version - 4/25/19

The Ugly Truth - 4/25/19

The Protector: Season 2 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/26/19

ReMastered: Devil at the Crossroads - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/26/19

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power: Season 2 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/26/19

Street Food - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/26/19

The Sapphires - 4/26/19

Yankee - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/26/19

American Honey - 4/27/19

Week of April 28

Señora Acero: Season 5 - 4/28/19

Burning - 4/29/19

The Imitation Game - 4/29/19

Anthony Jeselnik: Fire in the Maternity Ward - NETFLIX ORIGINAL - 4/30/19

Baki: Part 2 - NETFLIX ANIME - 4/30/19

Ingress: The Animation - NETFLIX ANIME - 4/30/19

Movie buffs, your April is set with a mix of recent buzz-worthy titles, old favorites, and Netflix originals. Arriving not too long after Netflix's The Highwaymen tells the story of the law enforcement agents who chased down Bonnie and Clyde, the 1967 film version of Bonnie and Clyde's story will also be available. So, if you're looking for a double feature, you've got your Sunday afternoon planned out. Meanwhile, The Hateful Eight: Extended Edition goes Digital this month as well. Before you get too excited, it's more than likely just the theatrical Roadshow version that was shown in 70mm. Still, if you want to relive the theatrical experience that graced limited screens during the film's initial release, this is the place to be.

As far as the new and original coming to Netflix's April streaming lineup, Burning, the Korean cinema smash hit from last year, will be joining the team. Just don't read too much about the film before you watch it, as it sounds like it's a film you need to go into ice cold. And rounding out the lineup is two titles that Netflix will definitely make waves with. The first being Brie Larson's long awaited directorial debut, Unicorn Store, which has finally secured distribution after an almost two year wait. The second title, The Silence, sees Kiernan Shipka as a deaf teenager who possessed heightened senses, and uses them during an apocalypse involving creatures that hunt sound. That doesn't sound like A Quiet Place at all.

Speaking of Kiernan Shipka, the TV branch of Netflix will be able to give you even more content featuring everyone's favorite teenage witch, as Chilling Adventures of Sabrina finally returns for Part 2 of its first season. And raising even more hell are stand up specials like Kevin Hart: Irresponsible and Anthony Jeselnik: Fire In The Maternity Ward; both ready offer their own unique, off kilter views of the world.

Though if you're looking for something a little less dark, there's always the comforts of the food programming that Netflix excels at. The latest entry into that very world is Street Food, a series dedicated to the delicacies you won't find in any standard restaurant. Finally, if your kids, or children at heart, have been missing Trolls: The Beat Goes On, Poppy and her pals are coming back in April for their sixth season of joy and song.

Now remember, the titles above are subject to change. So if there's any surprise reshufflings or changes to what's supposed to be in store, you'll be able to come back to this spot and see what's up. Other than that, happy hunting for premium content in the month of April! If you've got a title in mind you don't see on the list above, feel free to take a look at the Netflix schedule for new and returning shows in 2019.

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