Aladdin Live Action Movie: Here's What We Know

Aladdin Live Action Movie: Here's What We Know
aladdin mena moussad genie will smith 2019

After successfully owning the world of animation, Disney has found a remarkable way to take a second bite at the apple, by remaking all their most popular animated movies in live-action. Following on the success of The Jungle Book and Beauty and the Beast, Disney now has their sights set on the 1990s hit Aladdin. While we expect the movie to be a more or less straight forward remake of the animated classic, not every Disney remake has been done that way, and there's enough going on here to make us wonder.


Aladdin is one of Disney's most popular films but part of the reason for that is the iconic performance by Robin Williams, something the remake will have to do without. Will the new film be able to put the pieces together to make yet another memorable movie? Here's everything that we do, in fact, know about Disney's upcoming live-action Aladdin.


What Have We Seen From Aladdin?


A few different teasers and trailers have been revealed which have given us a decent taste of the new film. The first gave us a brief look at Aladdin and the Magic Lamp, but little else. The second sneak peek, viewable above, gave us a bit more, a few glimpses at different shots that will look familiar if you know the animated Aladdin well. The biggest thing that we have seen, however, comes at the end of the second teaser, as we get to see Will Smith as the big blue Genie in all his CGI glory.




What Is The Live Action Aladdin Release Date?


Aladdin will arrive in theaters May 24, 2019. This makes it the big Memorial Day weekend release for the year. It will have some competition that weekend going up against the James Gunn produced superhero horror movie Brightburn. The date also makes Aladdin the second of three major Disney remakes coming out in 2019. It will be preceded by Tim Burton's Dumbo in March and followed by The Lion King in July.


What Is The Live Action Aladdin Rating?


While PG-13 tends to be the goal rating for most of Disney's subsidiary brands, like Star Wars and Marvel, the House of Mouse is still all about the family experience. All of the live-action remakes that Disney has made so far have been rated PG and now we know that Aladdin officially has the same rating.


Even if it is directed by the guy who made Snatch, Aladdin isn't particularly violent or scary and while the transition from animated characters to real people certainly adds an element of reality to the proceedings, it clearly didn't push the material past a PG rating. And, it sounds like a smart move to keep the movie there, and make sure that as many families as possible can head out to theaters to see Aladdin during the holiday weekend.




The Director


Oh, did we mention that part yet? In a move that is either the most brilliant, or utterly insane, decision made by Disney in recent memory, Guy Ritchie has been tapped to direct the live-action Aladdin. The thing is, if you filed the serial numbers off of the plot, there's a lot that would make a good argument for Ritchie to direct this. The main character is a streetwise orphan who has to outwit the local police in order to survive, before stumbling on a plan to impersonate a prince in order to win his dream girl. The plot is made for Ritchie's signature style. He loves "street rat" characters, and as long as they don't make Aladdin swear a lot, this could work


While Guy Ritchie strikes us as an unusual choice, Ritchie himself has said that with his five kids, he knows as much, or more, about kids' movies as he does any other type of movie. He seems to be fully on board working with Disney and he's familiar with the product, so we can't wait to see what the creative director will do with Aladdin.


The Writers


The screenplay for the live action version is a team effort between Guy Ritchie and John August. This will be August's second Disney script, following up his work on Tim Burton's stop-motion feature version of Frankenweenie. In fact, August is a frequent Tim Burton collaborator, having worked on the scripts for Big Fish, Corpse Bride, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. John August has certainly written some creative stories, which is good for a Disney property, although this is his first screenplay since 2012.




What Is The Live Action Aladdin Story?


For the most part, we know what the plot of the live-action Aladdin will be, as it will, more or less, follow the plot of the animated original. "Street Rat" Aladdin gets chosen by Jafar to enter the Cave of Wonders to retrieve a magic lamp, but instead, Aladdin takes the lamp and uses it to become a prince in an attempt to woo Princess Jasmine. The Princess, on the other hand, is dealing with a parade of princely suitors, none of which she's much interested in because she wants to marry for love, not political reasons. Shenanigans ensue.


Of course, how closely Disney's remakes actually stay to the previous version has varied across films. While Beauty and the Beast was an incredibly faithful remake, Cinderella added a great deal of new material and character development to the hero. The Jungle Book contained some of the animated versions' original music while Beauty and the Beast was a full musical. The success of Beauty and the Beast might lead Disney toward a more faithful remake, yet we just can't see Guy Ritchie making an entirely traditional Disney movie. Several details that we do have indicate there will be at least some differences to set the live-action Aladdin apart from its predecessor.


The Music


One way in which the live-action Aladdin is expected to follow in the footsteps of Beauty and the Beast is by adding music. Early word from the Aladdin casting process was that they were having some difficulty casting the lead roles of Aladdin and Jasmine because it was difficult to find actors who met all of their requirements. One of those requirements was the ability to sing. This would certainly seem to confirm that the new Aladdin will include all the musical numbers that the original version did.




Beauty and the Beast also included new music, and we've found out that Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the songwriters behind The Greatest Showman and La La Land, have collaborated with Alan Menken on two new songs for the film. There's also the possibility that music from the Broadway production could also make its way into the movie.


The Genie


The movie may be called Aladdin, but when you think about Disney's animated movie, you think first of the Genie, voiced to perfection by the great Robin Williams. There's no replacing Williams in the role, so Guy Ritchie and Disney have apparently decided the best way to cast the role is to go for something totally different. Will Smith is on board to play the Genie in the live-action remake. This could be an utterly brilliant decision as Smith is an actor with endless amounts of personality, while at the same time, that personality is completely different from that of Williams.


We actually found out at CinemaCon 2018 that this version of the character is being described as "a little Fresh Prince, a little Hitch, and a whole lot of attitude," which makes sense, considering who's playing him. This movie might not be about the Genie, be he's the character that's going to hold the film together, so let's hope that characterization works with everything else they have planned.




Our first look at the blue Genie was met by a lot of questions from fans, as most people were not over the moon for the design. Having said that, pictures of Will Smith that appeared shortly after, plus new teases of the movie, show the Genie looking exactly like a human, which would seem to imply he will spend a lot of time in disguise, something the animated Genie never did.


Aladdin


The title role in Aladdin will be played by Mena Massoud. While not strictly a newcomer to Hollywood, he's not a household name by any means. Massoud has primarily been a TV actor up to this point, and he's been seen in Amazon's Jack Ryan series. Indications had been that filmmakers were looking for an unknown actor for the role and so it appears that Massoud might be exactly what they need, an actor who's not recognizable from any other role, but who has a significant amount of experience.


As far as we can tell, Massoud has no significant singing experience, which could mean he has natural talent that he's never explored, or it could mean he spent pre-production working with a voice coach.




Jasmine


Aladdin's better half will be played by the slightly better known Naomi Scott. Scott most recently introduced herself to film audiences in the role of Kimberly, the Pink Ranger, in the Power Rangers movie. Scott's name was long rumored to be in consideration and at the most recent D23 Expo in 2017, it was confirmed that she'd be in the one in the role. Scott got her start with singing before she was an actress so she has the musical ability the role will require. Scott will also be seen this year in Elizabeth Banks highly anticipated Charlie's Angels film.


Jafar


If there's one thing Disney animated films almost always get right, it's the villain, and Aladdin's Jafar is one of the all-time greats. Marwan Kenzari will take on the role of the Sultan's Grand Vizir. Recently, Kenzari has had significant roles in movies like The Mummy and The Promise, but playing the big bad in a Disney movie will almost certainly be the actor's big debut for mass audiences. We just hope he's practicing his evil laugh. Also probably his singing, as we can't tell if he's ever really done that before.


The Sultan


Jasmine's father, the Sultan of Agrabah, isn't necessarily a starring role, but it is an important one. In the live-action adaptation, Navid Negahban will play the part. In the animated film the character was something of a clueless buffoon. Negahban doesn't tend to play that sort of character, which makes me think the Sultan will be a bit smarter this time around.




The Animal Characters


While the vast majority of Aladdin characters are human or humanoid, some of them fall into the classic Disney category of talking animals. Disney proved with The Jungle Book that they were capable of creating CGI animals that interact realistically with people, but it appears the plan for Aladdin is just to use actual animals for the parts. In the original Aladdin Jasmine's tiger Rajah and Aladdin's pet monkey Abu were little more than animals that they appeared to be. They could communicate wit humans but could not speak. Jafar's parrot Iago was a different sort of creature, capable of full speech humans could understand. As far as we can tell from the trailers, Iago will be in the film along with Abu and Rajah, but they'll just be animals.


New Characters


In addition to all of the old characters who will be back, we do know that the live-action Aladdin will introduce a trio of new characters. Former Saturday Night Live alum Nasim Pedrad has been cast in the new role of Mara. Mara is described as a handmade and friend of Princess Jasmine. The role is being called a comedic supporting role, which seems perfect given Pedrad's previous work. It's also a welcome addition considering that the original animated film really only had the one female role.


In addition, Numan Acar has been cast in the role of Hakim, the chief of the guards who is described as the right-hand man of Jafar. This could indicate that since Iago will not be Jafar's partner in crime, Hakim could be taking on the position of Jafar's go-to subordinate. Overall, the role sounds to be very much like the animated film's character named Razoul, who was the head of Agrabah's guard, but had no particular love for Jafar in that version.




Lastly, actor Billy Magnussen, who showed off his singing chops in Into the Woods as well as appearing in Game Night, Ingrid Goes West and American Crime Story, has signed on to play the role of Prince Anders. Right now, we don't know anything about this character or how he'll fit into the narrative, but it's possible that he'll end up being one of the many potential suitors for Princess Jasmine.


We're only a couple of days away from Aladdin's debut in theaters, so be sure to keep an eye on this guide for the latest updates!


Christopher Nolan's New Movie Tenet Is Putting Together A Fantastic Cast

Christopher Nolan's New Movie Tenet Is Putting Together A Fantastic Cast
BlacKkKlansman John David Washington checks a note on a Post It at his desk

Christopher Nolan is a filmmaker who, even at his most generous, loves to keep the public in the dark about what he's working on until the last possible moment. His latest film, slated for release next summer, is certainly no exception, as it has just recently unveiled its title, Tenet, on this the first day of shooting. Plot details are also sparse, as the recently provided description of “North By Northwest meets Inception” was dismissed as quickly as it had arrived, though the film being "an action epic evolving from the world of international espionage" remains the premise.


With such a diverse and dangerous setting comes a cast of impressive actors taking on the task of working with Nolan himself. So fresh off the back of Tenet getting a title, and a few new members to its' cast, now is a good time to run down the line and see who's on board for this would be blockbuster of summer 2020! We'll start with Mr. John David Washington himself!


John David Washington


The first lead cast in Christopher Nolan's Tenet, John David Washington will be adding this sought after role on top of a year that's brought him a lot of notice. His role in the HBO series Ballers saw its fourth year of action in 2018, with his lead role in Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman netting him several prestigious award nominations in that very same year. Washington's recent credits also include Monsters and Men, as well as The Old Man and The Gun.




Robert Pattinson


Initial reports have mentioned that Christopher Nolan's latest film is to have two male leads, with a female lead around the same age range. Robert Pattinson is the most recently cast male out of the two, with his credits of late being represented in the sci-fi drama High Life, and the western/comedy Damsel. His casting in Tenet seemed sure to set off the rumor mill, as Pattinson's name has been come up as the all but confirmed as a successor to Ben Affleck in the role of Batman. Which makes Robert Pattinson's collaboration with the director of the still highly regarded Dark Knight Trilogy practically kismet.


Elizabeth Debicki


Also part of the previously known cast for Christopher Nolan's Tenet is none other than rising star Elizabeth Debicki. 2018 was also good for Debicki, as Steve McQueen's Widows saw her impressing the hell out of critics and fans alike, as one of the titular stars alongside Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, and Cynthia Erivo. Previously, Debicki was seen in franchise sequels The Cloverfield Paradox and Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2, as well as the Guy Ritchie feature film adaptation of The Man From U.N.C.L.E.


Dimple Kapadia


Primarily known for her work in the Indian film world, actor Dimple Kapadia has been added to the cast of Tenet in the film’s most recent run up to production. Kapadia has been a fixture since the 1980’s, most recently starring in Welcome Back, alongside fellow Indian actor/crossover star Anil Kapoor. Tenet marks Dimple Kapadia’s first Hollywood film.




Aaron Taylor-Johnson


Best known for his roles as both Quicksilver in Avengers: Age of Ultron, and the lead in Mark Millar’s comic adaptation Kick-Ass, Aaron Taylor-Johnson is another one of Tenet’s latest additions to the cast. Most recently seen in Netflix’s Outlaw King, Taylor-Johnson will also be seen in the Kingsman: The Great Game, which will see the famed spy organization’s origins in the 1900’s.


Clémence Poésy


If you’re struggling to remember where you’ve seen Clémence Poésy before, we’ll go ahead and tell you that you most likely recognize her from her role of Fleur Delacour in the Harry Potter film franchise. You may even remember her from films like In Bruges and 127 Hours. But lately, this Tenet star has been seen in TV shows like National Geographic’s Genius: Picasso, where she played French icon Françoise Gilot, as well as the British/French TV procedural, The Tunnel.


Michael Caine


Known quite well as the lucky charm to Christopher Nolan, as well as an actor of great distinction and honor, Michael Caine makes his return to appearing on camera for Nolan with Tenet. Previously, Caine made an uncredited cameo as the voice of Fortis Leader, guiding Tom Hardy and his air squadron in Dunkirk. Caine’s notable credits in the cast range from classics like Alfie and The Italian Job to more recent films like Now You See Me 2.




Kenneth Branagh


In what looks like his addition to the Christopher Nolan repertory company, Kenneth Branagh is the last and latest addition to the Tenet cast. Much like Michael Caine, Branagh was also part of the massive cast that made Nolan’s Dunkirk come to life. More recently, Branagh starred and directed in the Shakespeare biopic All Is Well, and has Artemis Foul ready to go for release next summer through Disney.


As the cast for Tenet continues to form up, and more details besides those provided previously are made known, we'll update this list to reflect the new changes. But until then, know that this newly titled Christopher Nolan event film will be released in conventional and IMAX theaters on July 17, 2020. So, it's probably best you find some movies throughout the rest of 2019's release schedule to pass the time in-between.


Ford V Ferrari First Look: Matt Damon And Christian Bale Are Off To The Races

Ford V Ferrari First Look: Matt Damon And Christian Bale Are Off To The Races

Later this year, Christian Bale and Matt Damon will be teaming up for a film that looks sure to be a frontrunner during awards season. The two Oscar-winners will be co-starring in Ford v Ferrari, which is directed by James Mangold (Logan). The actors are already promoting the movie, and now we finally have a few more details, including the first photos from the film. Check them out in the gallery below.


Set during 1966, Ford v Ferrari tells the story of two men who attempt to give Ford a competitive advantage over racing champion Ferrari during the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France. Christian Bale plays English racer Ken Miles, who teams up with American car designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) to create the revolutionary car that will give Ford a run for its money.


The film is described as a "David vs Goliath vs Goliath" story that focuses on the men who had their boots on the ground while the titanic corporations duked it out. While the film is based on true events, it's not really about those events, James Mangold told Entertainment Weekly. It's really about two men who overcome challenges to create something they are passionate about.




Considering the talents of Matt Damon and Christian Bale, this is likely a movie to keep an eye on when it comes time to vote for Best Actor. For what it's worth, the two actors seem to share a pretty fun chemistry. Bale and Damon appeared as the honorary starters for the Indy 500 this weekend. Bale was asked how the Batmobile would do in the race, and Damon had a fun add-on.


Another big thing that we are sure to hear a lot about once press for this film heats up is that it had a focus on practical effects. These aren't CGI cars racing around a track. James Mangold was insistent that real racing be utilized for the film. The director minimized the CGI use in Logan as much as he could, and he feels it ultimately makes for a much better film as it allows more room for the characters.


Logan put James Mangold on the map, and nothing more really needs to be said about the acting chops of Christian Bale and Matt Damon. The film also stars Caitriona Balfe (Outlander), Tracy Letts (Lady Bird), Josh Lucas (Sweet Home Alabama), and Jon Bernthal (The Punisher).




You can expect to see Ford v Ferrari race into theaters on the very awards friendly date of November 15, 2019. That's still a whole summer away, so keep up to date on everything hitting theaters this year with our 2019 movie release guide. For more movie news and updates, keep it right here at CinemaBlend and we'll post new information as soon as it is available.


Will Goose The Cat Be In Avengers: Endgame? Captain Marvel Hero Is Everywhere Else

Will Goose The Cat Be In Avengers: Endgame? Captain Marvel Hero Is Everywhere Else
Goose the cat in Captain Marvel

We have tons of burning questions in anticipation of Avengers: Endgame next month, but an unexpected one has recently been considered by fans of the MCU. Will Captain Marvel scene-stealer Goose the cat make a comeback in the upcoming film? The adorable Flerken did prove himself to have a "high threat level" in the recent release, and the universe could probably use all the help it can get after Thanos' snap.


Goose was already stealing hearts prior to the Captain Marvel release, as he showed his star power on massive character posters in movie theaters and billboards just about everywhere. Since the movie opened, the Flerken has been the talk of the film and Twitter town too, as the character received infectious smiles and "awws" during showings.


Goose turned out to be quite important to Captain Marvel as well. SPOILER ALERT Not only is the Flerken feline responsible for Nick Fury donning his iconic eyepatch in the future, but Goose also kept the Tesseract safe from harm in his mouth in the final act of the movie, before coughing it up on Fury’s desk during the end credits scene.




Goose has led fans to place the cat in Endgame themselves. Take a look at this marvelous piece of Photoshop work from Twitter user @andyvenom which has gone viral:


There he is looking cute as ever, replacing all the faces of the Avengers stars in the most recent Endgame poster. Cats have quite the track record of playing well on the internet, so Goose being the star of memes following his introduction to the MCU isn't too surprising. But following Nick Fury's hilarious eye reveal, fans aren’t discounting the Flerken’s potential impact in Endgame if he does return.


Will he take on Thanos in Endgame? Maybe…. Here’s an idea from Twitter user @209Andres_:




This is some startling evidence, Marvel fans. Could it be? Do Thanos and Goose have a history? It would certainly be hilarious if Marvel decided to give Goose a larger role or backstory like this in the established universe. Since Captain Marvel is set to lead the MCU moving forward, why wouldn’t her Flerken friend also make some big moves? Here’s another gem from Twitter concerning Goose and Endgame:


Marvel Studios is even highlighting Goose in their marketing for the movie, still in theaters. Check it out:


What could be telling is the studio’s decision to use the quote "Goose deserves a franchise." Will they cash in on giving audiences what they are publicizing that the cat deserves? Hopefully the character will at least get a spinoff (animated?) series in the future, perhaps on the upcoming Disney+ streaming service.




Goose is a character from the Captain Marvel comics named Chewie, though the filmmakers decided to change it to feel more distinctly from the ‘90s era. Flerkens can devour prey with their tentacle-like open mouths, which also contain pocket dimensions.


Do you think Goose will have a role in Avengers: Endgame to meet the rest of the team? Tell us in the comments below.


Rian Johnson Reveals When He’ll Start Working On His Star Wars Trilogy

Rian Johnson Reveals When He’ll Start Working On His Star Wars Trilogy
Oscar Isaac in The Last Jedi

The past few years have been very exciting for Star Wars fans. After Disney acquired the rights to the property from Lucasfilm, the generations of moviegoers have been brought a variety of new and exciting content from the galaxy far, far away. This includes both main installments and standalone films, and the beloved space opera isn't slowing down anytime soon.


All eyes are currently on how J.J Abrams will wrap up the Skywalker Saga forever with Episode IX, there are also two sets of movies being developed. One of which is a trilogy by The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson, and now we've got an idea regarding when he'll get to work. Johnson recently presented his upcoming movie Knives Out at CinemaCon, and revealed he'd be going back to the galaxy after that film is released.


This update comes to us from Twitter, and will no doubt excite the generations of Star Wars fans who are eager for information about the franchise after Episode IX. J.J Abrams' still untitled movie will arrive this holiday season, but Disney hasn't shared its future plans with the public. It's currently unclear if any more standalone films are on the way, or when Rian Johnson's trilogy might first arrive in theaters.




The Star Wars franchise has been pumping out new releases every year, so any gaps in time before new content is going to feel excruciating to moviegoers. But Rian Johnson will craft three separate movies, which proves that Lucasfilm was happy with his work on The Last Jedi. So while the project may have subverted fan expectations and received some hate from moviegoers, Johnson is being given even more freedom to put his stamp on the galaxy far far away.


Of course, Rian Johnson isn't the only filmmaker curating new movies for the Star Wars franchise. Game of Thrones creators D.B. Weiss and David Benioff are also developing their own Star Wars flicks, although it's unclear exactly how many we should expect. But considering the work the duo has done in Westeros, it's an exciting development. We're days away from Season 8's premiere, with the upcoming series finale presumably freeing up Weiss and Benioff's schedule to focus on The Force.


It should be fascinating to see what Rian Johnson does with his trilogy of movies, especially considering how many shocking moments were in The Last Jedi. Johnson made liberal changes to the canon with his blockbuster, which is why some fans took umbrage with the risks he took. He made the franchise hero into a jaded recluse, finally gave Leia force abilities, and purposefully cut down various fan theories. By killing Snoke and revealing Rey's parentage, he freed up Episode IX to go into new and exciting places, so it feels like anything could happen with his upcoming movies.




First Rian Johnson will focus on Knives Out, which will arrive in theaters on November 27th. Episode IX will follow shortly thereafter, debuting on December 20th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release to plan your next trip to the movies.


How Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Might Be Affected By Avengers: Endgame

How Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Might Be Affected By Avengers: Endgame
Guardians of the Galaxy in Avengers: Infinity War

The following contains SPOILERS for Avengers: Endgame**. Big ones. Seriously, if you don't want spoilers, try reading our** spoiler-free review instead.


We all went into Avengers: Endgame expecting it to be the end of many stories in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and we were not disappointed. Various characters saw their arcs come to a close; some in truly wonderful ways and some in bittersweet ways. However, one story we knew would be continuing was the Guardians of the Galaxy's. Their third film is back on track, so we know it will happen, but after the end of Endgame, exactly what that movie will be is a major question mark.


For a long time, everything about Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was a big question. Last summer, James Gunn was publicly fired from the production and it was unclear if Marvel would even use the script he had already completed for the film. However, the recent announcement that Gunn had actually been hired back months ago, and that the film would move forward, changed all that. The film was originally slated for a 2020 release, and now it clearly won't meet that date since Gunn's working on The Suicide Squad next, but it will happen.




James Gunn announced in June of 2018 that the script for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was completed. While Avengers: Endgame went back to do some reshoots last fall, principal photography finished back in 2017. Even if James Gunn wasn't a producer of the last two Avengers films, and he was, he would be aware what the plan for Endgame was.


This is especially because as James Gunn was writing, he was expecting his movie to be in front of cameras about now. There was clearly no plan for some other movie to come along and change the situation before Guardians 3 came out.


What's Going On With Gamora?


We were already prepared for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 to be a much different story. At the end of Avengers: Infinity War, Zoe Saldana's Gamora was dead, and while the possibility that she could be resurrected was always there, it was far from certain it would happen.




What actually did happen to the Guardians in Endgame is perhaps even stranger than than having a dead main character. Gamora appears to still be alive, though it's a younger version of herself who has traveled in time and thus doesn't have a connection to the Guardians team anymore.


While the last two Avengers films brought the Guardians of the Galaxy together with the rest of thew MCU heroes, the first two of their films left them separated from the rest of the franchise's overall story. The characters were doing their own thing, which led to a pair of movies where a group of emotionally damaged people began to heal by finding each other. While the films never lacked the comic book superhero action that we loved, they were surprisingly mature stories about growth.


While there's no reason that Guardians 3 can't still be that, it appears it's also going to be a very different movie than what fans were probably expecting.




Gamora is now lacking the growth that the other Guardians have been through and the help they have given each other. The years she spent with Quill and the rest changed who she was. The end of Endgame showed Star-Lord searching for Gamora, and one assumes that's where the next Guardians film may pick up, with the team searching for their missing member, even though she doesn't think of herself as part of that team.


It certainly has the potential to be a very unique story. Peter Quill will want to rekindle his relationship with Gamora since he still loves her. Let's also not forget that Peter Quill learned a lot from his friends, mostly from Gamora. The idea that in a potentially new relationship, Quill will be the mature one, is certainly something we didn't think we'd see, and it has interesting implications for the next film.


Gamora's journey in the Guardians 3 is clearly going to be something very different. She's starting out essentially from the beginning of the franchise again, and whatever she experiences between the end of Endgame and the beginning of Guardians 3 is going to change her in entirely different ways.




Is Thor Joining The Guardians of the Galaxy?


Of course, the biggest X-factor for the future of the Guardians is Thor. At the end of Avengers: Endgame, we see that he has hitched a ride on board the ship, and, based on his battle with Quill, he might be looking to stay for a while. How will he change the dynamics of the team that so many love? He's used to being in charge and we've already seen the beginning of a power struggle between him and Star-Lord. Also, Thor is insanely powerful compared to the Guardians. How will that change the battles we know we're going to see?


Of course, having said that, Thor joining the Guardians makes a lot of sense from a perspective of Thor's narrative. He took the loss to Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War harder than anybody, and while the damage has been undone, he's still clearly lost. All of the Guardians are lost, so they find themselves together.


At the same time, technically Thor says he's only getting a ride form the Guardians, so perhaps he'll be dropped off someplace before the new movie starts.




Will The Title Change?


There is one other way that Endgame may have drastically changed Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: the title. While James Gunn had previously confirmed that would be the name of the movie, we now have to wonder if that's the case. Technically, Quill trademark music now comes digitally, not on a mixtape, so the "volume" reference doesn't actually make sense anymore.


In addition, Thor actually refers to the new group as the "Asgardians of the Galaxy." It's a cute name, but it's also the name of an actual comic series from Marvel. One has to wonder if it could become the name of the upcoming film. Alternatively, depending on what happens in the next movie, it could become the name of the franchise going forward, as we know that Part Three will largely be the end of the story for the group of characters that started together in the first film.


Based on the end of Avengers: Endgame, the next Guardians of the Galaxy movie might not end up being exactly what we thought it would be, but the potential for it might actually be stronger than it was before the end of the MCU's Phase 3.




Sorry, Sean Astin Doesn’t Think A Goonies Sequel Will Happen

Sorry, Sean Astin Doesn’t Think A Goonies Sequel Will Happen
Jonathan Ke Quan, Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Corey Feldman and Jeff Cohen in The Goonies

Hey, you guuuys! It’s really been almost 35 years since classic adventure film The Goonies was released, and while we’ve heard talk of a sequel through the years, there hasn’t been a whole lot of action about Goonies 2 actually being underway. Now the film’s Mikey, Sean Astin is finally losing a bit of hope that he’ll ever reprise his iconic role due to all the time that has passed. Here’s what he said:



I think we’ve probably passed the threshold for which all of us original cast members are right for doing a sequel.



Sean Astin has been one of the leading flag-flyers for another Goonies for quite some time but now at 48-years-old, he feels the time may have passed for him and the treasure hunting gang to come back for another adventure. He recently told Collider that for 20 years his answers has been an “unequivocal yes” but not anymore. Astin does have hope however for a reboot, with these words:





The audience is so powerful and so devoted to it that I’m absolutely convinced that it will at the very least will be rebooted, which I would be fine with. If it’s not as good as the original Goonies, then okay, who cares, at least it’s out there.



The Lord of the Rings actor said it’s been a project that both Steven Spielberg and Richard Donner have been interested in exploring, but Spielberg just hasn’t found the right “sauce” to jump on it yet. Plus, he's been busy pursuing his various other recent movies. Richard Donner, who directed the original film is almost 90 years old, but no one seems to want to do the project without his involvement.


Sean Astin admitted that he and Corey Feldman, who played Mouth in Goonies actually went to Richard Donner and pitched a three-act treatment to him but his response was “we’re not doing that”. So the chances of a Goonies sequel may be thin, but Sean Astin still hopes one day he’ll at least get a call about being in a cameo for a reboot one day. Goonies never say die!




Otherwise, Sean Astin has been busy recently taking on the realm of television. He’s also guest starred on the final season of The Big Bang Theory and on an upcoming episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine after being one of the “Guardians of the Nine-Nine”. Last year, the comedy was cancelled by Fox and Astin was among a handful of celebrities who rallied against it online including Guillermo del Toro, Mark Hamill, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Seth Meyers.


He was also a fan favorite Bob Newby in Stranger Things 2, which he attributes to scoring his new Netflix family sitcom No Good Nick, which is now available to stream on the platform.


Do you still want to see a Goonies sequel or reboot? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!