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Mel Gibson might direct the 'Suicide Squad' sequel

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Warner Bros. is courting recent Oscar nominee Mel Gibson to helm its "Suicide Squad" sequel, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Sources tell the trade that the studio and Gibson are in early talks and no offer has been made to the actor/director.

But this is the latest indication that Gibson is back in the good graces of Hollywood after a decade of being an outsider following a 2006 DUI arrest and now-infamous anti-Semitic rant while being put into police custody.

His latest directing effort, "Hacksaw Ridge," was well received by critics and went on to make over $100 million worldwide at the box office. The movie received six Oscar nominations, including best picture, best actor (Andrew Garfield), and best director for Gibson.

suicide squad 1The renewed interest in Gibson makes sense for Warner Bros. as the first "Suicide Squad" movie directed by David Ayer, though it made over $745 million worldwide, was filled with reported issues during production. Perhaps WB is looking for a more experienced helmer. But at the same time, the movies Gibson has directed have been produced outside of the studio system, Will he play nice on a project that is vital for a studio?

It sounds like there's still a lot of talking to be had before a decision is made (THR also reports that director Daniel Espinosa of the upcoming sci-fi movie "Life" is also on their list). But this might not be the only superhero franchise that wants Gibson.

Robert Downey Jr. has been campaigning for years to get Gibson to direct an "Iron Man" movie. The Gibson comeback might just make Marvel start to take RDJ's talk seriously.

A representative for Gibson had no comment for this story when contacted by Business Insider, and Warner Bros. did not give an immediate response.

SEE ALSO: The 20 biggest Oscar upsets of all time, ranked

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NOW WATCH: HBO's new documentary dives deep into the daily life of billionaire Warren Buffett


Why Netflix's 'Iron Fist' is a disappointing failure

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Arguably, Netflix's fourth Marvel series, "Iron Fist," was the streaming company's most highly anticipated of the franchise. Under great scrutiny from critics and fans, the series definitely falls short of great promises made by both Netflix and Marvel.

"Iron Fist" follows Danny Rand (Finn Jones), who returns to New York City after having gone missing for 15 years. Believed dead after a plane accident that claimed his wealthy parents' lives, Danny actually survived and was rescued by a mystical sect of monks. Schooled in kung fu and entrusted with the power of the invincible iron fist, Danny is back to reclaim his family company. But he has to choose between his familial obligations and his duties as the Iron Fist when a dangerous threat arrives.

Not only is it the last series in the Netflix-Marvel deal leading up to the superhero mash-up series, "The Defenders," but the martial-arts focus of "Iron Fist" has drawn attention among some who believe the title character should have been played by an Asian actor. The show's star, Finn Jones, even temporarily left Twitter after a conflict with one such critic who accused the actor of hypocrisy after he tweeted his support of Riz Ahmed's comments about the importance of diverse representation in entertainment.

To be clear, the source material for "Iron Fist" has always portrayed the character as a white male — one who was adopted by a secret order of Asian monks, but white all the same.

It's one thing (and pretty egregious, in my opinion) to cast a white actor in a role meant for a person of color, but it's another thing to blame a production for simply sticking to the script. Yes, it's progressive to cast people of color in roles originally written for white actors, but I don't think Marvel and Netflix should be held on charges of whitewashing for casting Jones and following the comic book that debuted in the 1970s. Even if appropriation of Asian culture was involved in the original work, Marvel and Netflix shouldn't be held primarily responsible for righting that wrong now.

But there are other crimes that Netflix and Marvel should be tried for in the execution of "Iron Fist," for which I believe they're directly responsible.

First, it doesn't live up to the quality of storytelling found in "Daredevil,""Jessica Jones," and "Luke Cage." Plainly stated, "Iron Fist" is boring.

marvel netflix daredevil tom Pelphrey Finn Jones Jessica StroupFor the first six episodes shown to critics, the show takes up a lot of time with Danny trying to legally prove his identity and claim his 51% of his family's company against pretty outrageous challenges from the children of his father's business partner, Harold and Joy Meachum (played by David Wenham and Jessica Stroup, respectively). There's a twist that supposedly ups the villain ante but it really falls limp compared to Jessica Jones' (Krysten Ritter) frightening bouts with Kilgrave (David Tennant) or Daredevil's (Charlie Cox) bloody and complicated feud with Punisher (Jon Bernthal).

Second, Marvel's greatest crime arrived when its TV head Jeph Loeb dubbed "Iron Fist" its first real martial-arts action show.

"Don’t make any mistake about it, this is Marvel’s foray into martial-arts films,"Loeb told Collider last year of "Iron Fist,""and when he opens up a can of whoop-ass, people are going to be super-super excited by what’s happening.”

The fight scenes in "Iron Fist" are really tired. And that's just in comparison to the other three Netflix-Marvel shows. "Iron Fist" comes nowhere close to the thrilling fighting on AMC's "Into the Badlands," which really sets the standard for TV series featuring martial arts.

But let's keep "Iron Fist's" fight scenes in the context of the Marvel TV universe: Compare the franchise's hallway fight scenes, executed best on both seasons of "Daredevil," to a similar scene in "Iron Fist," which features Danny fighting off hired goons attacking Joy Meachum and culminates in the tight constraints of an elevator. You'll understand what I'm talking about it.

Finally, when a show and a character are named after a great weapon, you'd expect to be blown away when it's finally unleashed. Not only is the special-effects golden glow around Danny's hand when he powers up subpar, but the fist is primarily used best for creating doors where ones don't exist and has very little impact on Danny's fight scenes. It does have some sort of specific purpose against its intended enemy, so maybe that's the moment when the weapon gets to really shine.

iron fist jessica hanwick finn jones rosario dawson netflixThere are aspects of the show that do glow in a good way. Jones' physical presence and unkempt, bohemian style are perfect for non-fighting Danny, who was also trained in meditation and harnessing his chi. He's set apart from his slick former friends-turned-capitalist foes. Also, Jessica Henwick as Colleen, the principled and badass master of a struggling karate dojo, community leader, and potential love interest for Danny is a standout new character. I'm told she's in production on "The Defenders" right now, which is a smart move. And finally, Carrie-Ann Moss and Rosario Dawson reprise their roles as corporate attorney Jeryn Hogarth and tough-as-nails nurse Claire Temple, respectively, both finding a way to pop in their scenes, despite the show's flat writing.

Marvel and Netflix may feel like "Iron Fist" is under attack right now, but wait until the fans get to see it for themselves on Friday, March 17.

Watch the trailer for "Iron Fist" below:

SEE ALSO: 'Daredevil' star Charlie Cox breaks down the season-2 fight scene everyone's talking about

DON'T MISS: How 'Into the Badlands' pulls off its incredible martial arts fighting scenes

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NOW WATCH: Watch the trailer for Netflix's new $90 million fantasy-thriller starring Will Smith

'Marvel's Iron Fist' star Finn Jones defends the Netflix show after miserable reviews

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Most critics just hated "Marvel's Iron Fist." And now its star, Finn Jones, is living up to his superhero character and coming to the show's rescue.

"Well I think there’s multiple factors," Jones told UK's Metro of the series' terrible reviews. "What I will say is these shows are not made for critics, they are first and foremost made for the fans."

Previously rated a rare 0% on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, Netflix's fourth "Defenders" series has since climbed to a still very low 14% on the site. On another review aggregator, Metacritic, the show has earned a score of 32, which means it has received "generally unfavorable reviews." Currently, it's the worst-reviewed new TV show of 2017.

In my review of the show for Business Insider, I similarly panned the series' writing, pacing, and fight scenes, and for not living up to the standards Netflix set with previous Marvel series, "Daredevil,""Jessica Jones," and "Luke Cage."

In addition to the blistering reviews of "Iron Fist," the shows' martial-arts focus has drawn attention among some who believe the title character should have been played by an Asian actor. Jones even temporarily left Twitter after a conflict with one such critic.

But the actor believes that fans will come to a different conclusion than the show's critics.

"I also think some of the reviews we saw were seeing the show through a very specific lens, and I think when the fans of the Marvel Netflix world and fans of the comic books view the show through the lens of just wanting to enjoy a superhero show, then they will really enjoy what they see," he said. "I think it’s a fantastic show which is really fun and I think it stands up there with the other Defenders’ shows without a doubt."

Fans will get their chance to weigh in on "Iron Fist" when it debuts on Netflix Friday, March 17. 

SEE ALSO: Why Netflix's 'Iron Fist' is a disappointing failure

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Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Netflix and Marvel just dropped the first 'Iron Fist' trailer — and it looks incredible

RANKED: Every superhero show on TV right now from worst to best

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Superheroes are dominating both the big and small screens.

Though I've read some comics over the years, starting with my dad's Spider-Man comics, I'm not deeply embedded in the comic-book world. But as a fan of these stories, I watch all of the superhero-related movies and shows, which is getting more difficult these days. 

There are a dozen DC and Marvel series on TV from the CW's Arrowverse which consists of four series to Marvel's ABC and Netflix shows. With the release of "Marvel's Iron Fist" on Netflix Friday, we've assembled a list of the live-action superhero shows you should check out and the ones you may want to skip. We've done a version of this list before, but since then we've seen some shows come and go (RIP "Agent Carter").

Keep reading to see our ranking of the current crop of shows, starting with the worst and working up to the best.

SEE ALSO: The 18 worst new TV shows of the year so far, according to critics

12. "Marvel's Iron Fist"

We've only seen the first six episodes of the Netflix show so far, but they don't do an impressive job of fitting in with the successes of Marvel's other series on the streaming site.

Reviews for the series have not been kind. Aside from being slightly problematic, the show's first few episodes are largely boring. The other Marvel series have heroes whose struggles are relatable, but Danny Rand (Finn Jones) feels like another rich, orphaned kid whose main struggle is reclaiming and running his company. In reality, his main priority should be defeating a mysterious group called the Hand. Hopefully the rest of the season is better, but it's not off to a great start. On the plus side, Colleen Wing (Jessica Henwick) is a badass and deserves a show with Misty Knight. 

You can read our review of "Iron Fist" here



11. "Powerless"

This DC comedy isn't necessarily about a superhero, but they are featured. The NBC series focuses on the normal people who have to deal with the chaos of superheroes and villains in their daily life. It follows employees at Wayne Security (yes, as in Bruce) who make products to help the average human. The boss is Van Wayne, Batman's cousin, of course. The show isn't laugh-out-loud funny, but it's a feel-good comedy if you are looking for something light. 



10. "DC's Legends of Tomorrow"

"DC's Legends of Tomorrow" returned for a second season on the CW. The show really struggled to find its footing from the start, but has managed to find a legitimate mission and a greater number of foes to give the show actual momentum. It's still not the best out there, but it's really fun to watch, and the number of historical and pop culture references in each episode are entertaining. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

'Deadpool 2' may have found its Cable, and he's perfect

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michael shannon man of steelDeadpool fans are looking forward to the Merc with the Mouth returning soon to lead another solo movie, but there's arguably almost s much excitement for that next cinematic adventure to finally introduce Cable to the X-Men movie franchise. Ever since Wade Wilson teased bringing Cable into the sequel during the Ferris Bueller-inspired "Deadpool" post-credits scene, there's been no shortage of rumors and reports about who may play the bulky, badass mutant. With production on "Dead pool 2" beginning soon, we're closer than ever to finding out which actor will play Cable, and now there's word that Michael Shannon is the current frontrunner for the role.

Michael Shannon is reportedly at the top of 20th Century Fox's list on who they're eyeing to play Cable in "Deadpool 2." However, THR clarified that Shannon isn't quite a shoe-in for the role yet, as there are a few other choices for the character still in the mix, like "Stranger Things'" David Harbour. The article also notes that one factor that could prevent Shannon from joining "Deadpool 2" is that he just signed on for the movie "What They Had," which starts shooting in the spring. If Shannon were to be cast as Cable, this would be his third comic book movie role, previously playing Dr. Cross Williams in"Jonah Hexand General Zod in "Man of Steel."

Aside from the projects mentioned above, Michael Shannon's notable credits include his regular role on HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" as Nelson Van Alden, "Revolutionary Road," "World Trade Center," "The Iceman," "99 Homes," "Loving," "Midnight Special" and "Nocturnal Animals" to name a few. Looking over his resume, Shannon has a history of playing intense characters, so Cable would be an excellent fit for him. Although Cable usually fits firmly into the hero category, he's also someone who carries a lot on his shoulders thanks to his rough upbringing in the future and the tragedy he's witnessed over the years. Shannon would be able to handle Cable's personality well, being the straight man to Deadpool's wacky protagonist. Besides, surely there are a lot of you curious to see Michael Shannon ripped and with a cybernetic arm, right?

No plot details for "Deadpool 2" have been released yet, but aside from Cable, the other major character being introduced is Domino, who will be played by "Atlanta's" Zadie Beetz. Negasonic Teenage Warhead, Colossus and Dopinder the cab driver are also confirmed to return for the sequel. John Wick's David Leitch has taken over the director's chair from Tim Miller, while Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick working with Ryan Reynolds and Drew Goddard on the script.

"Deadpool 2" is slated to hit theaters sometime in 2018. Let us know what you think about Michael Shannon potentially playing Cable in the comments below.

SEE ALSO: RANKED: The 10 worst movies to win the best picture Oscar — and what should have won

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How 20 Marvel Netflix characters compare to the comics

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It’s only been a few years since Marvel and Netflix announced their historic deal to bring a number of the comic company’s street-level heroes to life in the MCU. Since then, we’ve been treated to two seasons of "Daredevil," and one each from "Jessica Jones,""Luke Cage," and "Iron Fist." This summer, the core heroes and their supporting characters will all join forces for "The Defenders," marking an effort nearly as impressive as when Marvel first brought "The Avengers" to the big screen.

While the plot and threat they’ll face are unknown, it’s likely to involve a culmination of each of the series so far. It’ll also be a fun and exciting way to finally see all of these heavy-hitters join forces like they regularly do in the comics. And while we’re sure to get a few new characters from the comics on "The Defenders," the five seasons of shows so far have already introduced us to MCU versions of a lot of familiar faces. But how accurate are they to the source material?

Here’s how 20 of Marvel’s Netflix characters compare to the comics:

SEE ALSO: Here are all 44 movie sequels and reboots coming out in 2017

20. Nuke

Nuke is one of the more colorful characters from Marvel Comics, literally. Recognizable from his facial tattoo of an American flag and known for extreme acts of terrorism in the name of nationalism, Nuke hardly seems like a candidate for the more grounded Netflix universe. Still, he was used to surprisingly fitting effect in "Jessica Jones" as an overeager cop with a dark past. On the show, it’s eventually revealed he was part of an experimental military outfit that equipped him with strength-inducing pills. This, at least partly, ties into his comic history, where his powers are even crazier.

On the page, he first appeared in 1986’s Daredevil #232. Created by Frank Miller, Frank Simpson (changed to Will for Netflix) once fought in the Vietnam War. Eventually, he became a part of the fledgling Weapon Plus program, which tried to recreate the Super Soldier Serum. He was given cybernetic enhancements, a durable fake skin, and red, white, and blue pills to raise his adrenaline, balance him out, and bring him down respectively. In the MCU, much of this will likely be streamlined whenever the character returns, but we could see him and Jessica given a connection to the Super Soldier Program.



19. Colleen Wing

The Colleen Wing we got to know in the recent release of "Iron Fist" was fairly close to her comic book persona. While we don’t know much about her past so far, her history as a gifted and katana-wielding martial artist has remained intact. There’s also hints of her famous father, another connection to the comics. The show even managed a version of her famous white jumpsuit, complete with accompanying wings on the back.

Another nod to her comic persona is the name “Daughter of the Dragon”, which she uses in her cage match. In the comics, she and Misty Knight are often paired together as a team of crime-fighters called the Daughters of the Dragon. Many fans are hoping to see this become a reality following the two characters meeting in this summer’s "The Defenders."

With lore that goes back all the way to her debut in 1974’s Marvel Premiere #19, there’s a lot left to explore when it comes to this fan-favorite character.



18. Ben Urich

One of the most disappointing things about the first season of "Daredevil" was the dispatching of Ben Urich. Aside from the show losing one of its only black characters, Urich has a long and rich history in Marvel Comics that would have proven the perfect foundation for the reporter to tie together the entire MCU. Dating back to 1978’s Daredevil #153, Urich has been involved with Daredevil. In fact, thanks to his skills as an ace reporter, Urich was able to figure out Daredevil’s secret identity.

His many connections to the heroes of New York have given him access and knowledge no other reporter has been privy to, allowing him to topple criminal empires with his stories. In the comics, he even helped take down Kingpin. Sadly, his efforts to do the same on "Daredevil" left him dead, preventing this venerable Marvel character from interacting with his other longtime collaborator, Spider-Man.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

People are quickly losing interest in 'Iron Fist,' Netflix's panned Marvel show

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"Iron Fist" is losing viewers at a very fast rate – faster than any other Marvel-Netflix series.

That's according to Parrot Analytics, which has developed a way to measure demand for shows, considering factors like viewing, peer-to-peer sharing, social-media chatter, and viewer-generated ratings, among other sources.

Data from companies like Parrot Analytics are helpful for analyzing the popularity of Netflix shows since the streaming company doesn't release viewership information.

In the case of "Iron Fist," the numbers show that demand for the show in its premiere week was pretty high compared to other Marvel-Netflix series. Only "Luke Cage" had more initial demand than "Iron Fist."

This may reflect increased interest created by "whitewashing" allegations against the show and a flood of negative reviews

parrot analytics marvel show ratings netflix

What's interesting is that about a week later, the demand for "Iron Fist" was cut by half. This could mean that people started binge-watching the show in its first few days and then didn't come back to finish the season the next weekend.

In a theory called the “Netflix demand binge curve,” Parrot has seen that demand is high in the first few days of a show while people are binge-watching, and then they return the following weekend to finish up the show. In the case of "Iron Fist," the 50% fall may signify that viewers didn't feel compelled to stick with it.

When it comes to retaining its demand, "Luke Cage" saw the least amount of decrease the week after its premiere with a 37% decline. "Jessica Jones" had the second-best demand retention with a 40% decline. 

The graph below shows just how dramatically people are losing interest in "Iron Fist" compared to the other Netflix-Marvel shows, according to Parrot Analytics.

Iron Fist launch March30

SEE ALSO: VH1 is in the middle of a ratings resurgence and beating its cable competitors — here's why

DON'T MISS: Critics are throwing daggers at Netflix's 'hammy' and 'uninspired' new show 'Iron Fist'

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Every Marvel TV show ranked from worst to best, according to critics

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After a lot of success in translating its comic superheroes to the big screen, Marvel has made an unprecedented push to do the same thing in television.

While there are currently six Marvel TV series, there are at least 11 more shows based on Marvel comics that are in production or being developed right now.

The path to TV hasn't been a smooth one. Last year, ABC canceled the low-rated "Agent Carter" series. And "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." is one of ABC's lowest-rated shows. Plus, after a string of critical successes for Marvel shows at Netflix, "Iron Fist" was hammered with negative reviews.

In light of the bruising critics gave "Iron Fist," we took a look at review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, which assigns a fresh percentage score based on reviews, to see how it ranked against other Marvel shows.

Here's how the Marvel TV shows rank, according to critics:

SEE ALSO: Here are the surprising salaries for jobs in TV

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6. "Iron Fist" (Netflix)

Finn Jones stars as the orphaned hero with the killer punch and multimillion-dollar fortune  on "Iron Fist."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 17% fresh

 



5. "Daredevil" (Netflix)

Charlie Cox plays the blind superhero with a hankering for vigilante justice on "Daredevil."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 87% fresh



4. "Legion" (FX)

Dan Stevens plays the longtime psychiatric patient who finds out his visions and mental powers actually don't mean he's crazy, and he could be the most important player in an ongoing mutant war, on FX's "Legion."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 90% fresh



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Netflix just released a stealthy new teaser for its giant superhero show 'Defenders'

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Netflix and Marvel just released a new teaser for their upcoming "Defenders" series without an official announcement, and it reveals an August debut date.

In the black-and-white, 17-second teaser, Daredevil (Charlie Cox), Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), Luke Cage (Mike Colter), and Danny Rand (Finn Jones), aka Iron Fist, are in an elevator together. At one point, Jessica takes out the elevator's security camera with a headbutt. At that moment, the camera's timestamp reads 08:18:20:17. That refers to August 18, 2017, or when "Defenders" will come out on Netflix.

Netflix didn't immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

Watch the "Defenders" teaser below:

SEE ALSO: Every Marvel TV show ranked from worst to best, according to critics

DON'T MISS: People are quickly losing interest in 'Iron Fist,' Netflix's panned Marvel show

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Netflix and Marvel just dropped the first 'Iron Fist' trailer — and it looks incredible

Chris Pratt reveals a 'Guardians of the Galaxy 2' secret on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'

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The cast of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" joined "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on Monday night, and the actors confirmed a major casting rumor.

"I don't know exactly what I can say," Jimmy Kimmel said of the Marvel movie. "I know there are reveals and there are secrets, and like, for instance, can I say Sylvester Stallone is in the movie? Is that okay to say?"

"Sly's in the movie?" Kurt Russell said. Russell stars in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" as Star-Lord's dad, and starred in "Tango & Cash" alongside Stallone in 1989, forever cementing the image of the two in viewers' minds.

"I think that's safe to say, yeah," Chris Pratt (who plays Star-Lord, aka Peter Quill) told Kimmel.

"Can I say Tango and Cash are in this movie together?" Kimmel said. "Is that all right? Is that allowed?"

"It is now," Pratt said. 

While it has actually already been revealed that Stallone would be in the movie, little has been known about his role. In 2016, director James Gunn told CinemaBlend that his role is small, but very important. If you want to find out more about his rumored role from the internet, you'll probably be spoiled.

You can watch the interview below:

 

 

 

SEE ALSO: Here's the perfect way to see 'The Fate of the Furious'

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The early reviews of 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' are here, and people love it

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Fans and critics alike loved the first "Guardians of the Galaxy," and many of them have been impatiently awaiting the sequel.

Following a press screening in Los Angeles on Monday night, early reactions to "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" are pouring in. And so far, so good.

While journalists can't publish more specific reviews about the movie just yet, the overall consensus on social media is that it's a fun movie that is a great follow-up to the first installment.

The movie will be out in theaters on May 5. 

Here's what people are saying about "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" right now:

 

 

 

 

 

 But not everybody loved it:

 

 

SEE ALSO: Here's what the 'Game of Thrones' stars look like in real life

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35 movies coming out this summer that you need to see

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We’re on the cusp of the summer-movie season, and it's going to come fast.

Last year, the big complaint about summer movies was that too many sequels and reboots turned out to be duds. And though you will surely get some of that this summer, on paper at least, this batch seems promising.

You have highly anticipated sequels like “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” “Alien: Covenant” (the sequel to “Prometheus”), and “Despicable Me 3,” and on the reboot side, you have Tom Cruise resurrecting “The Mummy,” The Rock flexing his muscles in “Baywatch,” and Tom Holland as Spidey in “Spider-Man: Homecoming.”

And let’s not forget “Wonder Woman,” Christopher Nolan’s war movie “Dunkirk,” and Luc Besson’s gorgeous-looking sci-fi epic “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.”

Here are 35 movies coming out this summer that you need to se:

SEE ALSO: 53 movies you need to see in your lifetime

"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" (Release Date: May 5)

Marvel kicks off the summer with the hyped sequel to the studio's surprise 2014 hit. Expect another sweet soundtrack when Chris Pratt returns as Star-Lord, setting off on more adventures with his fellow guardians.



"3 Generations" (Release Date: May 5)

Elle Fanning delivers a powerful performance as a high schooler transitioning from female to male while his mother (Naomi Watts) and grandmother (Susan Sarandon) try to come to terms with the decision.



"King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" (Release Date: May 12)

Charlie Hunnam plays Arthur, the rightful owner of the sword in the stone, in director Guy Ritchie's flashy retelling of the legendary British leader. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' lives up to what made the original movie so fun

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For the most part, Marvel Studios has created movies that follow a uniform story structure and tone that appease the mass audiences that eat them up. But "Guardians of the Galaxy" has tweaked that model slightly, and it's a great thing.

The franchise starring the now-genuine movie star Chris Pratt as Peter "Star-Lord" Quill — and featuring the likes of Bradley Cooper as the perturbed raccoon Rocket, Dave Bautista as Drax, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, and Vin Diesel as Groot — is arguably the greatest payoff yet for Marvel.

After the first movie did better than anyone expected in 2014, the sequel, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" (opening Friday), keeps the mix of a sarcastic tone and an excellent soundtrack that helped the original earn over $770 million worldwide while adding some new elements that elevate the franchise.

Major kudos must go to writer-director James Gunn, who in an era when tentpole movies (especially superhero ones) have to be everything to everyone has been able to harness an atmosphere in the "Galaxy" movies that would soften even the most snobbish anti-Hollywood moviegoer.

Though "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" has great action and a story that will keep you from drifting off until the next exciting fight sequence, the chemistry of the cast is what really makes it move. There are new additions to the Guardians this time around: Nebula (Karen Gillan), the sister of Gamora; Elizabeth Debicki as the evil Ayesha; and Kurt Russell as Peter's father, Ego.

Guardians 3 DisneyAnd that last part is where the plot really lies. Ego suddenly enters Star-Lord's life and persuades him to go back to his planet. Ego, it turns out, is a living planet who has taken a human form to communicate with Peter. All the dots connect to explain Peter's past.

Meanwhile, after the Guardians stole from Ayesha, she hires Yondu (Michael Rooker), the space pirate who you may remember from the first movie was the one who raised Peter, to track down the Guardians and reclaim Ayesha's property.

The movie isn't short on subplots. There's Gamora and Nebula working out their differences, Drax's hilarious sexual tension with Ego's telepathic sidekick Mantis (Pom Klementieff), and Baby Groot doing adorable Baby Groot things. The ending is wrapped up nicely, highlighted by Rooker's Yondu, who shines.

I'll leave it up to the superfans to determine whether this is better than the original "Guardians" movie (honestly, I think the two are equally fun), but what can't be argued is that under Gunn's watchful eye, this franchise is becoming a unique piece of counterprogramming from Marvel Studios. It sets itself apart from the Captain America and Iron Man movies with its colorful language and its insistence on not taking itself too seriously, which goes a long way.

Sometimes it really pays off to be the oddball in the group.

SEE ALSO: 35 movies coming out this summer that you need to see

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Watch the first trailer for ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’

Why critics are saying 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' is the 'most fun' movie this year

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Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 Disney

Ever since the original "Guardians of the Galaxy" film came out in summer 2014, Marvel fans, movie fans, and Chris Pratt fans have been impatiently awaiting the sequel.

Luckily it hits theaters Friday. Overall, critics are loving it. The spirit of the film, the memorable personalities, and the modern music made "Guardians of the Galaxy" feel fresh, special, and unlike any other Marvel film. Critics agree that "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" doesn't disappoint. 

While the film doesn't feel as fresh as the original, it's still a must-see. 

Here's what critics are saying about "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2":

SEE ALSO: 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' confirms a crazy Marvel theory fans have had for years

It’s just like the first — and that’s a good thing.

“All sequels repeat the best tricks of their predecessors, but director James Gunn's choice of tricks is way more fun than most.” Slate

 



It maintains the spirit of the original that fans loved so much.

“Like many a sequel to a slam-bang, much-liked mega-hit, 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' isn't quite as much fun, not quite as clever, not quite as fresh as the original — but it still packs a bright and shiny and sweet punch.” Chicago Sun-Times

 



Like the first, it's movie magic.

“The most fun I've had in a theater this year and as much fun as the original. This is the kind of fun that made me love movies as a kid and is why I keep reviewing film.” Tri-City Herald

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

All the Marvel Cinematic Universe's post-credits scenes, ranked from worst to best

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Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 Disney Marvel

The Marvel movie ends, and the credits start to roll. You see some people in your row start to gather their things and leave. Amateurs.

But not you. You stay in your seat, just like you have since you first saw "Iron Man" in 2008 and heard whispers of an extra scene after the credits. It seemed unlikely — why would anyone want to stay that long once the film is over? But you waited, and your patience was rewarded. Now you know not to leave the theater until every last name has scrolled past and employees are starting to sweep up popcorn. 

Now 15 movies deep, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is famous for its post-credits scenes. Some are used to tease new characters and plotlines, while others are there to give a wink to hardcore comics fans.

Viewers of Marvel's latest, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," are treated to not one, not three, but five mid- and post-credits scenes. They're worthy additions to Marvel's already extensive collection.

Here is the definitive ranking of Marvel's post-credits scenes:

Note: This list only mentions two of the five credits scenes from "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" so as to not give away any plot points. All other Marvel films are fair game.

SEE ALSO: 26 TV shows that were just canceled

23. "Thor: The Dark World"— The kiss

Look, I'll be honest, I haven't seen "Thor: The Dark World." It's the only Marvel movie that I've missed, and at this point I haven't heard anything that makes me want to go back and watch it. 

That said, I'm confident that this is the worst post-credits scene that Marvel has put out. It doesn't tease a future plotline or character, and it's not remotely funny. I'm glad I didn't sit through the credits to watch this. 

Watch it here.



22. "Captain America: The Winter Soldier"— The twins

A generally underwhelming scene is buoyed somewhat by the appearance of two new characters: Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch. 

Watch it here.



21. "Doctor Strange"— "Too many sorcerers"

Doctor Strange was a niche, unfamiliar property for many moviegoers. Perhaps a post-credits scene focusing on the creation of a niche, unfamiliar villain was not the best way to go. Unlike most Marvel post-credits scenes, this one did not leave me wanting to see what was going to happen next. 

Watch it here.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Marvel reportedly trademarks 'Hail Hydra' after site redirects to Trump's bio on the White House website

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Trump Orb

After news broke that hail-hydra.com redirected to the White House website, Marvel Comics apparently made moves to trademark the famous phrase.

On May 11, The Hollywood Reporter wrote that the domain hail-hydra.com redirected to President Donald Trump's biography on the official White House website.

Marvel applied to make "Hail Hydra" a registered trademark, Comicbook.com reported May 21. The trademark rights would extend to everything from electronic comic books to graphic novels and websites.

It's unclear whether the company chose to trademark the phrase because of the redirect. Marvel representatives did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

The phrase, which has been present in Marvel comics for decades, entered the popular vernacular as an internet meme after "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" came out in 2014.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the hail-hydra.com domain was registered to an account in Queensland, Australia back in 2014.

Buzzfeed News tracked down the owner of the domain who, upon condition of anonymity, said he redirected it to Trump's bio on Inauguration Day.

"Trump in particular seems to have a cult of personality about him where he thinks now that he is president everyone should be loyal to him first, and not the Constitution or laws of the land," the domain owner said, adding that he didn't plan to take down the redirect, and no White House representatives had contacted him to do so.

During his visit to Saudi Arabia over the weekend, Trump placed his hands on a glowing orb with the Saudi king and Egyptian president — and thus set off a new round of 'Hail Hydra' jokes about the White House:

As of May 22, hail-hydra.com still redirects to Trump's profile on the White House page.

SEE ALSO: Trump's encounter with glowing orb sets Twitter alight with evil villain jokes

DON'T MISS: Here's what the 'glowing orb' Trump touched in Saudi Arabia actually was

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'Wonder Woman' is one of the best superhero movies ever made

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Yes, let the eye-rolling commence, but if I could explain myself ...

Out of the countless superhero movies I have to consume ever year (and have watched in my life), there are only a handful that I completely enjoyed and thought were masterworks of the genre: "Superman,""Batman,""The Dark Knight." Now Patty Jenkins'"Wonder Woman" has made that small list.

Not only does "Wonder Woman" (opening in theaters Friday) power through the potential pitfalls of the modern-day superhero movie — weak plot, boring villain, lackluster third act — but it also shows once and for all that a female-focused superhero movie can be as strong, heroic, thrilling, and funny as the guys' (and, I predict, as profitable).

Wonder Woman Warner Bros 3 finalFollowing her tease in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," in which she proved that she had the look to be a believable Wonder Woman, actress Gal Gadot gets to use her acting chops in this origin story.

Princess Diana of the Amazons starts out as a naive girl who dreams of being a great warrior like her mother, Queen Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen), and aunt General Antiope (Robin Wright), but she is purposely being held back in her warrior training to keep secret an important truth about her. But when Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) crash-lands on the hidden island Wonder Woman lives on, Themyscira, she witnesses firsthand what the god of war, Ares, has done to man, and she sets out to destroy him and free mankind of his hold on them.

This is the make-or-break moment of the movie.

Jenkins has laid out a great setup with Diana's backstory: her thirst to be the warrior she was meant to be, some amazing CGI-fueled fight sequences. But what has ruined many superhero movies (yes, the DC ones, but also many Marvel titles) is the added human element. Jenkins uses a fish-out-of-water scene in which Steve takes Diana by boat to the front lines of World War I not just to bring some lighthearted moments to a mellow part of the movie, but also to start the groundwork for a relationship between Diana and Steve.

Wonder Woman Warner Bros 2 finalIt works perfectly and creates some very humorous moments as Diana tries to become accustomed to the world beyond Themyscira (especially when she's dumbfounded about why all the women are subservient to the men).

After Steve exposes Diana to the war (there's also the discovery of a dangerous gas the Germans plan to use on Allied forces that Steve wants to stop), we get into Diana unveiling her Wonder Woman powers to the world with stunning fight sequences. A scene in which she seemingly takes on an entire German battalion in the middle of a muddy battlefield is one of the goose-bump-inducing moments in the movie.

If you aren't sucked into the movie by this point, you should really check to make sure you have a pulse.

Obviously, Gadot as Wonder Woman is what's front and center in the movie, but I would be doing a disservice if I didn't gush about Pine for a moment. He really is the secret weapon of the movie. With his dashing looks, self-deprecating humor, and red-hot chemistry with Gadot, he brings an important element to the movie that keeps it from being just a one-note actioner.

For all those reasons, I'm confident "Wonder Woman" is one of the best superhero movies ever made. I can't wait to get back to the theater and watch it again.

SEE ALSO: Here are all the jaw-dropping looks from the Cannes Film Festival red carpet

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 'Wonder Woman' director Patty Jenkins on the biggest challenge she faced bringing the hero to the big screen

'Wonder Woman' director Patty Jenkins on the biggest challenge she faced bringing the hero to the big screen

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"Wonder Woman" is the fourth installment in DC's Extended Universe, and the first female superhero movie since Jennifer Garner starred in "Elektra" in 2006. Director Patty Jenkins explains what the biggest challenge she faced was in bringing the hero to life on the big screen.

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Following is a transcript of the video: 

Longevity of focus, I think, is the hardest part. You know it's to have a vision and then try to hold that vision and not have it change.

The hardest part was literally getting it to the start line and a commitment to make it happen even though you know it was a low burn over a long period of time. But you know longevity of focus is I think the hardest part. You know it’s to have a vision and then try to hold that vision and not have it change when a million elements around it change every day. So what a shot turned out like or what the thing turned out like or how the story changes subtly it’s like still trying to hold to the center.

I put it on myself before anybody else even had to because I am also a fan, I also appreciate the genre and it's a once of a lifetime chance for her to have her first movie. So I care a lot about making the greatest thing I can anyway. This is — there’s an added layer of responsibility. I did feel I was a perfectly good person to be the one to try and so from there I just gave everything that I had to trying to never drop the ball and make sure it really lived up to everything that I could. So, you know, it was pressure I could deal with and it actually was an amazingly fun experience because I love my cast and I love the story we are telling and we laughed all day long but it doesn’t mean I never stopped waking up everyday and saying like, "Anything I can do —I'll do to make this better."

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Why movie critics are in love with 'Wonder Woman'

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Wonder Woman

The long-anticipated "Wonder Woman" hits theaters this weekend, and the reviews are in. The great news: It appears to be better than "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice." Like, a lot better.

Many critics are saying "Wonder Woman" (starring Gal Gadot and directed by Patty Jenkins) is not only one of the best superhero origin stories ever but is also one of the best superhero movies ever.

The action is amazing, Gadot is amazing, Chris Pine and his blue eyes are charming, and Jenkins has made a watchable (and rewatchable) superhero movie that gives us hope for more satisfying installments in the DC Extended Universe.

We rounded up what the critics are saying below:

SEE ALSO: 'Wonder Woman' is one of the best superhero movies ever made

It's reminiscent of classic action movies, like "Superman" and "Indiana Jones."

"It gives us the kind of hero a lot of us fell in love with back in those 12-cent days of truth, justice, and the American way — and the kind of movie we haven't seen since Christopher Reeve first flew into our lives."—Newark Star-Ledger

"'Wonder Woman' feels like the real deal, a rollicking action adventure in the tradition of 'Indiana Jones,' with a fully functioning sense of humor and the year's most lip-smackingly evil baddie."—Time Out London



It's smart and satisfying, in a way that none of the other DCEU movies have been.

"Wonder Woman is smart, slick, and satisfying in all of the ways superhero films ought to be."—Entertainment Weekly



The film's action is great — and the stakes are heightened in the World War I setting.

"The film's action is explosive and engaging, and a sequence where Diana ventures into no man's land in the middle of a trench battle is stunning to behold."—USA Today

"'Wonder Woman's'  WWI setting also provides a landscape that is ripe for action, since the war's level of carnage was due to the advancement of weapon technology (while militaries continued to use traditional tactics and strategies)."—ScreenRant



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Why it took so long for Hollywood to make a great female-led superhero movie

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Though Wonder Woman is one of the most well-known superhero characters ever to appear in a comic books, it took 75 years for Hollywood to finally get its act together and bring her to the big screen. 

It seems to have been worth the wait. Warner Bros.' "Wonder Woman" opens Friday as not just the jewel of the studio's fledging DC Comics Extended Universe division but arguably one of the best superhero movies ever made. (The movie currently has a score of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes.)

Which begs the question: Why have movie studios avoided making female superhero movies for so long?

"There are certainly a lot of reasons, and many of them are depressingly [related to] sexism," Patty Jenkins, director of "Wonder Woman,"told Business Insider in a recent Facebook Live interview. "But money moves the world and I think the tentpole industry started and there was a belief system, that was true for a long time, that teenage boys were driving that."

In Hollywood's recent craze for superhero movies, which kicked off around 2002's Tobey Maguire-starring "Spider-Man," the movies were geared for the late-teen/early-20s male. There were attempts to try to cater to females in that time, too, as with Halle Berry in "Catwoman" (2004) and Jennifer Garner in "Elektra" (2005). But both were busts critically (9% and 10%, respectively, on Rotten Tomatoes) and financially (worldwide $82.1 million and $56.6 million, respectively). 

hunger games diversity"I really do think the trepidation was there were failed attempts and then that wasn’t who you were targeting for such a massive movie, so I think that has really changed," Jenkins said.

The shift started with the success of "The Hunger Games" franchise, headed by Jennifer Lawrence. The four films, based on a young-adult book series, took in close to $3 billion worldwide and proved that audiences actually want to see action movies headed by women. That, along with the recent greenlighting of female-centric superhero movies (Captain Marvel and Batgirl, among others, are in the works), has made this the perfect moment for "Wonder Woman" to prove that girls can kick butt just as much as the boys do.

"I think it’s beautiful because actually the superhero genre has always had a bunch of great [female] superheros," Jenkins said. "And it's funny and interesting that there’s anything new about doing Wonder Woman 75 years later. We have always loved her so I hope it’s the beginning of many more."

Watch our complete interview with Patty Jenkins below:

 

SEE ALSO: Hollywood is fighting billionaire Sean Parker's plan to let you rent movies still in theaters for $50

Join the conversation about this story »

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