Danny DeVito Teased Michael Keaton About Dumbo's Batman Returns Role Reversal

Danny DeVito Teased Michael Keaton About Dumbo's Batman Returns Role Reversal
Michael Keaton and Danny DeVito in Dumbo

For Tim Burton’s remake of the 1941 Disney classic Dumbo, the prolific filmmaker reassembled his Dark Knight and Penguin from Batman Returns to play alongside the soaring circus elephant. 27 years later, Burton opted to give Michael Keaton and Danny DeVito a different roles in his film to play this time around. Looks like DeVito couldn’t get enough of the role-reversal, per his recent words:



In Batman, [Keaton] plays the good guy. Now in Dumbo, I play the good guy and he plays the bad guy. I needle him about it all the time.



Insert DeVito’s penguin chuckle here. The character actor is well-known for playing a signature baddie, especially in 1992’s Batman Returns, alongside Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman, along with his other iconic roles of Mr. Wormwood in Matilda and his longtime mischief as Frank on It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia. He loved the idea of going back to playing a character of a softer, kind-hearted nature with Disney’s Dumbo, especially since Keaton would now be the one he gets to steal the good guy glory from.




In the family-friendly flick, Danny DeVito plays Max Medici, a ringmaster of a financially struggling circus who is approached by Michael Keaton’s V. A. Vandevere, a powerful entrepreneur who has bigger plans and dollar signs in his eyes for his popular spectacle Dumbo soon becomes.


Michael Keaton recently pulled off another villainous role in Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017, so it’s not a big surprise for audiences. Danny DeVito’s recent comments to Entertainment Weekly seem to indicate a fondness for how the tables have turned since their last movie together. Although, there’s another reason why he was attracted to taking on a more friendly role in Dumbo. In his words:



Sometimes I embarrass my kids. On Sunny, I do a lot of crazy things. Sometimes I cringe when I think about how this is gonna play with my kids. In Dumbo, I think they were all pretty happy. I’m in good shape with my kids.





In recent years, Danny Devito has been seen seldom on the big screen due to his hilarious 13 season stint as Frank on his FX comedy series, where the actor will do or say just about anything for a good bit. As you can imagine, the often twisted humor that’s a regular on the show doesn’t always play well with his children.


It’s certainly nice to see Danny DeVito back in a movie, and with Michael Keaton as they take on opposite dynamics from their Batman Returns roles. DeVito will also star in more family-friendly faire in the upcoming Jumanji sequel alongside Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart and Jack Black coming in December.


As far as Batman and Penguin go, the upcoming new iteration of the character from Matt Reeves is rumored to feature the two adversaries facing off once again, following Tim Burton’s 1992 take.




Keira Knightley Says She Only Watches Her Films Once

Keira Knightley Says She Only Watches Her Films Once
Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swann in Pirates of the Caribbean

We all have favorite actors that we love to see in movies. We'll watch our favorite performances and favorite stories again and again. However, not every actor who makes those movies is quite as excited to watch them as the rest of us. Keira Knightley recently admitted that she doesn't like to watch herself on screen and will usually only watch her films once. According to Knightley...



No, yeah. I dunno, it’s just weird. It’s like hearing your own voice. I dunno and I only see the bad bits. So, I’m like, ‘Oh, why did I do that?’



As somebody who regularly has to transcribe interviews I have done, I know exactly how strange, and largely off-putting, hearing your own voice can be. It seems that for Keira Knightley, the experience is only amplified. She not only has to hear her own voice, but see herself on screen and watch all the decisions that she made, including the ones she wishes she could do over.





Knightley says she only watches her movies once "if that." I would assume that question comes down to whether or not she attends the premiere of her movies. If she makes it, that's probably the only time she ever sees the film in question. If she doesn't for whatever reason, then she probably never bothers to go back and see the final product.


Knightley is far from the only person who avoids watching her own work. Many in Hollywood have talked about how they rarely if ever watch themselves. Putting yourself up on the screen like that makes an actor quite vulnerable. However, it probably doesn't necessity feel that way when you're shooting the movie. As long as you never go back and watch the movie, you don't realize how much of yourself you're putting out there. Honestly, it's far better than if she loved her own movies so much that she watched them a lot. If that happened, we'd have to worry.


Check out Keira Knightley's full comments on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in the clip below.





Of course, one has to wonder if Keira Knightley might start watching more of her movies again over the next several years. She has a three and a half year old daughter, as she told Jimmy Fallon, and one has to assume that as that girl gets older and begins to understand just what it is her mother does, the kid is going to want to watch those films. As she becomes old enough to see them, Knightley might find her movies on in her house whether she likes it or not. Whether or not she likes that. Perhaps by then she'll be more comfortable with them.


Upcoming Harry Potter Books, Movies And More: What's Ahead In J.K. Rowling's Magical Universe

Upcoming Harry Potter Books, Movies And More: What's Ahead In J.K. Rowling's Magical Universe
Harry Potter reading

When it comes to the Harry Potter universe, J.K. Rowling can't stop, won't stop, and we're not complaining. While the author may be content to leave Harry Potter's story be for now, there's still plenty for Harry Potter fans to look forward to. In an effort to keep it all straight, we've put together this handy guide of what's out and what's coming up for Harry Potter fans.


Upcoming Harry Potter-Related Books


When Harry Potter and the Cursed Child made its official premiere in London's West End, J.K. Rowling said she that "Harry is done now," following the character's reappearance in Cursed Child. While she may be ready to put Harry's story to rest, it's unlikely that she has any intention of abandoning the universe entirely. Her involvement in the Fantastic Beasts spinoff and the sequels that are lined up for the years to come are evidence of that.


In the meantime, new versions of the original Harry Potter books do occasionally find their way onto shelves...


Harry Potter and the Chamber Of Secrets House Edition


In anticipation of the 20th anniversary of the publishing of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Pottermore announced that a House Edition of the second book in the Harry Potter series will be hitting shelves Summer 2018. As you may recall, a similar edition was released to celebrate Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone's anniversary. Those sorted Harry Potter fans can celebrate their house pride by picking up one of the four House Editions of Chamber of Secrets, each with a colored cover matching the house colors for Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. It hits shelves July 2, but you can pre-order it at Bloomsbury now.


Unlike the Philosopher Stone's editions, which included the house crests on each cover, it looks like Chamber of Secret's House Edition will feature the same snaky illustration on its cover, likely a nod to the titular chamber (#SlytherinPride?), with a variation on the frame around the snake illustration to match the respective house. In addition to the colorful cover makeover, Pottermore says the new edition will also include an illustration of your chosen house's common room by artist Levi Pinfold as well as a written introduction to that house. We'll also get a mini-feature on house-elves. if you recall, Chamber of Secrets introduced the being to the series in the form of non other than Harry Potter enthusiast himself, Dobby.





Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire Illustrated Edition


The illustrated edition for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire has not yet been officially announced, however, assuming Bloomsbury continues to release one a year, as they have so far with the first three books, we expect to see Book 4 arrive in all its illustrated glory in or around October 2018. We'll be sure to update once we have confirmation and details on pre-ordering.


Upcoming Harry Potter Movies


Fantastic Beasts was originally discussed as a planned trilogy, but then in November 2016, J.K. Rowling announced that the story would be spread out over five films. Producer David Heyman confirmed to us that they're aiming to release one film for the series every two years.





Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them 2


Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them 2 -- titled Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald -- is slated to arrive in theaters November 16, 2018. From what we know about the film, the sequel will take Newt Scamander back to the United Kingdom, as well as to Paris, France. (More spoilery information related to the first film ahead!) Newt, Tina, Queenie and Jacob are expected to return, though an official cast list has not been revealed. We're also expecting to see a comeback for Ezra Miller's character Credence. Depp's Grindelwald will obviously make an appearance, and we also know we'll be seeing a relatively young Albus Dumbledore, with Jude Law set to fill the eventual headmaster's shoes. Get more info about the movie here.


Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: The Stage Production


The West End stage production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is currently showing at the Palace Theatre in London, though tickets are typically hard to come by and should be bought ahead of time, unless you want to try your luck at the lottery.


It was announced in 2017 that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will be making its way to Australia at Melbourne's Princess Theatre in early 2019. And Wizards, witches and no-majes stateside who aren't able to get to London to see the show will only have to go as far as New York to catch the production when it arrives on Broadway in 2018...


Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in New York City


Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is expected to open at the newly-renovated Lyric Theatre on April 22, 2018. The Broadway theater is being completely redesigned for the production. The original trio of stars -- Jamie Parker (Harry Potter), Noma Dumezweni (Hermione Granger), and Paul Thornley (Ron Weasley) -- will reprise their roles for the show.


In October 2017, registration opened for tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child's Broadway production. Fans are required to register over the five-day window, for a chance to receive an access code to purchase tickets on October 18, 2017.





Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Movie?


J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros have made it pretty clear that there are presently no plans for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to be made into a movie. And taking into account that tickets for the West End production are sold out through 2017, it seems unlikely that there would be plans to rush this story into cinemas anytime soon.


In early 2017, a rumor began circulating that there was a plan to make a Harry Potter and the Cursed Child movie years from now, when the original Harry Potter stars were close to the age of their respective characters in the 19-years-later setting of the play. Though the rumor seemed viable, given that it put plenty of distance between now and when this potential trilogy would take place, J.K. Rowling promptly shut down speculation on the idea, stating that it is "NO TRUTH" to the rumor. So that's that. (Again.)


It may also be fair to speculate that a Harry Potter and the Cursed Child stage production world tour would happen before a feature adaptation is made, and there hasn't been any official word of that happening anytime soon either (though Rowling did mention that if the demand is there, it'll tour). So for the time being, those who want to experience the magic that is the Cursed Child play -- and I'm almost convinced there are moments of actual magic taking place on stage because some of the special effects are pretty spectacular -- will have to get to London's Palace Theatre or New York City to see it.


Recently and Previously Released Harry Potter books





Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them - Illustrated Edition


Those of us who already own about five copies of Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them will soon have an excuse to buy one more. Hitting shelves November 7, 2017 is the fully illustrated edition of Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them. This is the (updated) text book on which the movie was loosely based, not the screenplay book. As there are quite a few beasts featured in the book that haven't made it to the screen yet, this new grab at Harry Potter fans' wallets will give us our first look at some of the magical beasts wandering the Harry Potter world. The color illustrations come from artist Olivia Lomenech Gill, and will use a variety of artistic techniques to depict the beasts. 10% of the proceeds from the suggested retail price ($34.99) of each copy sold will go to Comic Relief and J.K Rowling's Lumos Foundation. There will also apparently be a collector's edition available for a retail price of $175.00.


Get the Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them Illustrated Edition here.


The British Library did a special exhibition in the U.K. called Harry Potter: A History of Magic. With it came the release of a book called Harry Potter: A Journey Through A History of Magic. Amazon offers both a kindle edition and a paperback. While this book isn't exactly the comprehensive History of Magic tome that hardcore Harry Potter fans have been clamoring for, it's a lovely, illustrated guide filled with oodles of information about J.K. Rowling's magical universe. The book hit shelves October 20, 2017.


Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Illustrated Edition





Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban Illustrated Edition hit shelves October 3, 2017, and features 115 illustrations from artist Jim Kay. The third book in the series is (naturally) the third book to receive the illustrated edition treatment. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone arrived on shelves on October 6, 2015. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets hit shelves October 4, 2016. So it seems Prisoner of Azkaban's release is right on schedule to Scholastic/Bloomsbury's one-a-year plan. We've previously gotten a glimpse of the illustrations for the new edition of Azkaban, including Jim Kay's excellent take on Severus Snape. Among the illustrations included in the book is an excellently creepy look at Sirius Black.


Maybe you've already got enough copies of Harry Potter to satisfying your magical cravings, but if you're looking for an excuse to buy the books again, these illustrated editions do not disappoint.


Get Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Illustrated Edition here.


Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (rerelease with new content)


The Harry Potter bonus book, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, was re-released in the wake of the recent (loose) film adaptation. To be clear, this is the reference guide, which was originally released in 2001 and is formatted like a Hogwarts textbook, indexing and describing the various beasts in the Harry Potter universe. It is not a novel, though the introduction does include a few (somewhat spoilery) tidbits about the books author, Newt Scamander. The new edition arrived on March 14, 2017, and includes six additional magical beasts, as well as a forward by Fantastic Beasts author Newt Scamander. The book also include illustrations by Tomislav Tomic. Get it here.


Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them Audiobook


Well, this is new. In addition to a re-release of Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, an audiobook edition for the textbook is was released the same day the new edition of the book came out. Eddie Redmayne narrates the book. Normally, I would've hoped that Jim Dale -- narrator of the U.S. versions of the Harry Potter books -- would be back for this, but having the textbook narrated by Newt Scamander himself is far too perfect to complain. Based on Audible's page, it looks like the whole recording is about two hours long. Get it here.


Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - Hogwarts House Editions


In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the original publication of the first Harry Potter book in the U.K, Bloomsbury -- the publishing house for the books in the United Kingdom -- re-released Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone with special house covers. So those Hufflepuffs, Gryffindors, Ravenclaws and Slytherins out there can celebrate their house pride with a special edition of the book. Expect to see the respective house crest on each cover, as well as sprayed edges in the house colors. These special editions also include fact files and character profiles, as well as line illustrations exclusive to that house. The Hogwarts House Editions hit shelves on June 1, 2017, and are available on Amazon.co.uk, as well as directly through Bloomsbury.





Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them Screenplay Book


Not to be confused with the reference guide by which the film Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them is loosely inspired, Fantastic Beast and Where To Find Them: The Original Screenplay includes the shooting script for Fantastic Beasts. Those hoping for a novel will be disappointed, but the book is actually a really great bonus to the film, as it includes some descriptions and insights to certain scenes that are really left to interpretation in the actual movie. Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them: The Original Screenplay hit shelves the day the film arrived in theaters (November 18), and can be purchased in hardcover and ebook.


Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Illustrated edition.


In 2015, a new illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (or Philosopher's Stone) was released in hardcover. Last October, a hardcover version of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets hit shelves. For those who love these books enough to buy them more than once, Jim Kay's incredible illustrations are well worth the reasonable price tag. Amazon currently has Chamber of Secrets available for purchase for $23.99.


Harry Potter and the Cursed Child script book


Following the debut of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a script book for the play was published, allowing Harry Potter fans to read both parts of the play. To be clear, this book is not a novel, however it does contain the full play, for those who aren't able to get to London to see it, or for those who want to relive the theatrical magic in script form.





Pottermore Essays and eBooks


J.K. Rowling occasionally drops new writings on Pottermore.com, and hopefully that won't cease anytime soon. Also, the Harry Potter site recently released a series of ebooks, which include essays from J.K. Rowling, some new, some previously published on Pottermore.com. Those are out now, and include:


Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists


Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide


Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies


There are currently no movies directly related to the lead characters featured in the original Harry Potter books, however, Warner Bros. has reignited Harry Potter fans' appetite for magic on the big screen with the debut of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a film that joins the Potterverse franchise, and is launching a new series of movies.





Previously Released Movie: Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them


Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them arrived in theaters on November 18, 2016. The film is both a spinoff and a prequel to the Harry Potter stories. It centers on Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), the wizard and magizoologist responsible for penning the titular textbook that would go on to be studied by Harry, Ron and Hermione, not to mention countless other Hogwarts students. The story is set in the 1920s, seventy years before Harry Potter attended Hogwarts. Fantastic Beasts follows Newt as he visits New York for what's supposed to be a short stay, but ends up stuck there for longer when his collection of beasts gets loose in the city. (Vague spoilers ahead!)


Magic and mayhem ensue, as do the introduction of numerous key characters, including former MACUSA auror Tina (Katherine Waterston), her legilimens sister Queenie (Alison Sudol), No-maj Jacob (Dan Fogler), MACUSA auror Percival Graves (Colin Farrell) and Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller). The film also features a crucial appearance by Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp).


Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them is now available on home video, and streaming on HBO Now.





Warner Bros. has released all eight movies together in 4K Ultra HD. Check out the blu-ray box set here.


And More...


Beyond books and movies, there are other ways for Harry Potter fans to get in on the magic. Pottermore.com, the official Harry Potter website, allows fans to register to get sorted into a Hogwarts house, be assigned their wand, and be sorted into their Ilvermorny house (for those aspiring witches and wizards who want to know where they'd be sorted in the North American wizarding school). The most recent addition to Pottermore was the highly (massively, hugely) anticipated Patronus test, which allows fans to take a quiz that will determine their Patronus. J.K. Rowling mentioned on Twitter that she created that test herself, so it's about as official as it gets, short of real magic. You must be logged in to take the test.





Theme Parks


On the theme park side of things, the latest major development was the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood. The California park gives U.S. residents and visitors a West Coast alternative to the Universal Studios Orlando location. There's also a Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Japan.


For those looking for an even more movies-centered experience, Warner Bros. offers a studio tour in Leavesden, which features various exhibits containing set pieces and props for the original Harry Potter movies. There's also a pretty incredible model of Hogwarts that needs to be seen.


For the gamers, Harry Potter joined the LEGO Dimensions universe. Players are now able to unlock Hogwarts, Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley among the LEGO Dimensions locations. You can also apparently build a flying Ford Anglia and Hogwarts Express, and play as Harry Potter or Lord Voldemort.





Don't see what you're looking for? Leave a comment and we'll do some digging to see what the latest news is on what's ahead for Harry Potter fans.


Arnold Schwarzenegger Describes The Brutal Death Scene That Would've Earned Commando An X Rating

Arnold Schwarzenegger Describes The Brutal Death Scene That Would've Earned Commando An X Rating
Arnold Schwarzenegger in Commando

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s output during the 1980s was legendary. The A-list action superstar cranked out a series of memorable thrillers in that particular decade, from The Terminator (1984) to Predator (1987). But none were quite as violent as 1985’s Commando, which cast Schwarzenegger as a retired Special Forces colonel fighting to rescue his kidnapped daughter (played by Alyssa Milano).


There were a number of incredibly graphic kills in Commando, including one scene where Arnold throws a pipe through a guy’s chest and INTO a steam pipe. Naturally, Schwarzenegger buttons the scene up by telling the guy to “Let off some steam!” It’s brilliant. But in a Reddit session today following the drop of the new Terminator: Dark Fate trailer, Schwarzenegger revealed a kill scene that he wanted to do in Commando, but it got shot down.


He said:





I wanted to cut off a guy’s arm and kill him with it. This wasn’t in the script. He would throw a knife at me, and after he missed, while his arm was still extended, I chop it off at the shoulder with a machete and beat him to death with it. Needless to say, I was asked by the head of the studio, Larry Gordon, to come to his office. And he said ‘What the fuck is the matter with you? Do you want to make money with this movie, or [be] an X-rated movie?’ I said, ‘You’re right.’ And he said, ‘Get the fuck out of my office.’



Hard to argue with the studio head not wanting to see Arnold Schwarzenegger sever a man’s arm, and then beat him to death with it. There are limits in an R-rated studio movie, even one that has the incredible death scene like the one below:


He’s dead tired! God, Arnold’s one-liner game was on point in Commando! It kind of had to be, because the plot of Commando was kind of a hot mess, with Arnold getting out of deadly jams using his brawn instead of his brain, and leaving a trail of dead bodies in his wake.




This was peak Schwarzenegger. He would transition from Commando to Raw Deal, Predator, The Running Man and Red Heat before tapping into his comedic side for movies like Twins (1988), Kindergarten Cop (1990) and Last Action Hero (1993).


Part of me is really happy that, back in the Commando days, Arnold was looking for new ways to increase the gratuitous violence in his movies, that might have made them more C-list, but also more cult-movie in tone. But then again, if that studio head had allowed it, Schwarzenegger might never have become the major movie star that he continues to be to this day.


Arnold will be back on screen later this year with Tim Miller’s Terminator: Dark Fate. Look for it in theaters on November 1.




Stuber Trailer Has Dave Bautista And Kumail Nanjiani On A Funny, Wild Ride

Stuber Trailer Has Dave Bautista And Kumail Nanjiani On A Funny, Wild Ride

While Dave Bautista is an actor clearly physically built for action movies, the guy has also proven that he has real comedic chops. Some of the funniest moments from the first two Guardians of the Galaxy movies have Drax at the center, and while he didn't exactly spit out endless zingers in movies like Spectre and Blade Runner 2049, it was really only a matter of time before he took on a big studio comedy. Now we're finally seeing that project in the form of Michael Dowse's Stuber, and what makes things even better is that it's a buddy cop pairing that has him teamed up with the amazing Kumail Nanjiani. Check out the first full trailer for the movie below!


Based on an original screenplay by Tripper Clancy, Stuber centers on an Uber driver named Stu (get it?) who finds himself in a bizarre and dangerous situation when his car is hired by a tough-as-nails cop, Vic, on a mission. Not being the bravest individual, it's not a circumstance that Stu is really prepared for, and things only get worse and worse as the danger escalates.


Interestingly, this has been a rather crazy week for both Dave Bautista and Kumail Nanjiani. In the case of the former, not only is Stuber his second trailer of the week following My Spy, but we also recently got the news that he has joined the cast of Zack Snyder's upcoming Army Of The Dead. As for the latter, we learned just a few days ago that he has joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as he will be starring opposite Angelina Jolie in Chloe Zhao's The Eternals; plus he was front and center in the first episode of the revamped The Twilight Zone on CBS All Access. Both of these dudes are seeing their careers heat up in a big way right now, and it's exciting that we will be getting to see them in a new comedy together.




What's surprising, though, is that Dave Bautista and Kumail Nanjiani aren't the only big names featured in Stuber - they just happen to be the ones primarily featured in this trailer. Natalie Morales, known for her work on The Grinder and Santa Clarita Diet, briefly appears, but this is a cast that also includes the likes of Karen Gillan, Betty Gilpin, Iko Uwais, Mira Sorvino, and Jimmy Tatro. It's possible that they aren't featured in the footage because their roles might be too spoilery, but no matter what the case is, hopefully it means that there are a lot of surprises in store when the film arrives in theaters.


Stuber just had its world premiere last month at the SXSW Film Festival, and is set up to be one of this summer's big comedies. The film is currently scheduled for release on July 12th, and hopefully between now and then we'll also be treated to a red band trailer.


Oscar Isaac Hints That C-3PO Will Have A Larger Role In Star Wars Episode IX

Oscar Isaac Hints That C-3PO Will Have A Larger Role In Star Wars Episode IX
C-3PO in The Last Jedi

The past few years have been a very exciting time to be a Star Wars fan. Once Disney acquired Lucasfilm, the studio started pumping out new and exciting installments to the galaxy far, far away. 2019 will be no exception, although the stakes for the upcoming release of J.J. Abrams' Episode IX are exceedingly high. Because in addition to ending the current trilogy, the next blockbuster will also wrap up the Skywalker Saga forever.


J.J. Abrams will have to bring nine movies and decades of filmmaking to a satisfying conclusion while also servicing all the beloved characters one last time. Some of the original heroes have been regulated to the background during the current trilogy, including Lando Calrissian, R2-D2, and C-3PO. The latter will be played by Anthony Daniels for his final run as the droid. And Oscar Isaac recently teased that 3PO will have more to do in the new movie, saying:



He was super emotional about it. And hanging up the golden cowl. And I think, really, and I mean this, this time he kept saying like, this is the most fun he had. Cause he has, actually, you know, had so much fun things to do, and we got to work a lot together. And yeah, it was amazing to see that, to see that piece of history close.





Well, this is exciting. While C-3PO has been a tertiary presence in the past few Star Wars movies, it looks like Episode IX will bring the chrome dome back to the forefront, and involved in the film's main narrative. And he'll be sharing some scenes with Poe Dameron in the upcoming sequel.


Oscar Isaac's comments come from his recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where he was publicizing his new Netflix movie Triple Frontier. When chatting with Jimmy Fallon, Isaac spoke to wrapping Episode IX, and what an emotional experience it was for everyone-- especially Anthony Daniels. He's been with the franchise since A New Hope, so his final bow has been decades in the making.


Star Wars fans will be very happy to hear that C-3PO will have a meatier role in Episode IX, as he's been mostly absent from the two most recent additions to the franchise. 3PO is usually seen with the Resistance forces and General Leia, as he worries and gives the good guys plenty of bad news and bad odds for their victory.




C-3PO had arguably a bigger role in The Force Awakens, including the debut of his mysterious red arm. But when Rian Johnson took over for The Last Jedi, 3PO was kept in the background. But now that J.J. Abrams has returned to the director's chair, it looks like he's making up for lost time and putting the droid back in the spotlight.


All will be revealed when Episode IX arrives in theaters on December 20th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.


Has Anyone Seen The Ending To Avengers: Endgame Yet? Here's What The Russos Say

Has Anyone Seen The Ending To Avengers: Endgame Yet? Here's What The Russos Say
Cap grimacing in battle

When Avengers: Endgame comes to an end, it will mark not just the ending of a 3-hour film, it will also complete the fight began in Avengers: Infinity War, close out Phase 3 and conclude the 11-year, 22-film Infinity Saga. Needless to say, this is a highly anticipated ending, and that hype is matched only by the secrecy surrounding it. However, some people have already seen the ending to Avengers: Endgame, as the Russo Brothers explained:



Joe Russo: We haven’t told anyone. Certainly people have seen it. We have a lot of technicians who are working on the movie at the end there. There’s a couple of hundred people who have seen the film.


Anthony Russo: But it’s important – look we wouldn’t want to spoil the film for anybody. We love the experience in the theater, you know, and the sense of discovery you have as the movie unfolds. We just try to provide for others what we want for ourselves.



The Russo Brothers are trying to keep the film’s secrets as best as possible, and although they haven’t told anyone the ending to Avengers: Endgame, they are far from the only ones that have seen it. This is to be expected. The Russo Brothers are the directors, but there are a ton of people that need to work on a film, especially one of this magnitude, after the cameras stop rolling.




So while secrecy is paramount, those production realities, especially with the movie so close to its theatrical release, necessitate that other people see the ending to Avengers: Endgame. As Joe Russo told Digital Spy, there are a couple hundred people who have seen the ending to Endgame at this point; a couple hundred people that know how the dusted characters return and who sacrifices themselves to ensure that victory.


That might sound like a lot, but there is no way for this film to be complete and have an ending without some people working on that ending. Those lucky technicians putting the finishing touches on the ending also had the pleasure of seeing that much speculated and theorized-about conclusion before any of us. That early look seems like a fair trade off for their hard work and secrecy.


Nevertheless, as Anthony Russo added, the directors really want audiences to go in and enjoy Avengers: Endgame unspoiled. The Russo Brothers love sitting in a theater and being surprised like the rest of us and they want to preserve that pure experience for audiences as much as possible. It’s important to them that this movie, that they have worked so hard on for so long, is able to surprise and thrill audiences in the way it was meant to.




Therefore, I imagine Marvel and the Russos have kept the circle of trust as small as they could, which I expect means that Tom Holland and Mark Ruffalo have not yet had the privilege of seeing Avengers: Endgame. But even the secrets that the actors do know have been quite stressful to keep, as Scarlett Johansson recently lamented. It’s one thing to keep a secret between friends, it's another entirely for a massive film with a budget in the hundreds of millions and people constantly asking and trying to trick you into revealing its mysteries.


You can find out for yourself how Avengers: Endgame ends when it opens on April 26. Check out our 2019 Release Schedule to see this and all the biggest movies headed your way this year.