Avengers: Endgame And The Battle Of Winterfell Are Both This Weekend, And I’m Exhausted

Avengers: Endgame And The Battle Of Winterfell Are Both This Weekend, And I’m Exhausted

Part of being movie/TV fan means investing your time and money. You follow onscreen adventures for years, never missing out on a single episode or big screen opening. But eventually things must come to an end, and finales offer the chance for long-awaited payoffs and narrative conclusions.

That's exactly what's happening this week with Avengers: Endgame, which is the cumulation of the past 21 Marvel blockbusters and over a decade of filmmaking. It's a massively ambitious blockbuster, perhaps even more than Infinity War, and really pays off for the fans who have shelled out money to each installment of the behemoth franchise. I saw the movie last night, and I'm emotionally spent and can't really think about much else today.

But as soon as I exited the theater and began recapping just how satisfying and thrilling Endgame was, I had one thought: we have to do this all again in two days. Because shortly after Endgame is digested by the rabid fanbdom, we'll be glued to our TV screens for this Sunday's episode of Game of Thrones.

Episode 3 will contain the Battle of Winterfell, teased to be the biggest medieval battle sequence in film history. Most of the show's surviving characters have gathered in The North to battle the Night King and his army of the dead, and smart money says that we're going to lose plenty of fan favorites throughout the course of the next episode.

Game of Thrones has the potential to be more suspenseful and gut wrenching that Avengers: Endgame, which is really saying something. HBO's acclaimed series has always known just how to break the fandom's hearts, and is far more cruel that the MCU has ever been. So just when you may have pulled your emotions back together following an Endgame screening, GoT is here to emotionally devastate.

The stakes couldn't be higher for either the Marvel Cinematic Universe or Game of Thrones in its final season. Fans have spent a ton of time following both properties across eight season and 21 movies, and therefore have emotional connections to the characters. The possibility of major character deaths has never felt so inevitable, and both franchises have shown they weren't afraid to kill off fan favorites.

Related: 7 Game Of Thrones Theories About The Battle Of Winterfell That Could Come True

At the time of writing, its Friday morning and I'm still pretty exhausted from the experience of Endgame's wild three hour ride. Luckily I've got two days to recover before Game of Thrones, but there are plenty of fans who didn't run out to the opening night showings of the the latest Avengers movie. What's more, I've got a few friends who are seeing Endgame on Sunday, and then watching The Battle of Winterfell that night. I need a drink just thinking about that.

Now, I'm not complaining. This week is full of payoffs and top notch content to enjoy, but you've got to wonder exactly when the powers that be realized how Marvel and HBO's scheduled overlapped in such an epic way. But what's clear is that plenty of people are going to walking around Monday morning in dire need of coffee and possibly some therapy.

Avengers: Endgame is in theaters now, and Game of Thrones will premiere its third episode this Sunday on HBO. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

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New Child's Play Poster Throws Savage Shade At Toy Story 4

New Child's Play Poster Throws Savage Shade At Toy Story 4

This summer, two opposing movies centering on toys will hit theaters on the exact same day: Child’s Play and Toy Story 4. Though each of them may be offering some movie nostalgia to their respective fans when they go toe-to-toe at the box office, they are certainly catering to different audiences. Either way, Chucky isn’t taking any chances at being overshadowed for his upcoming return to the big screen. Just take a look at this:

Uhh… guys… it looks like Chucky murdered Woody. Maybe the Pixar franchise should have finished at Toy Story 3 in 2010 with its endearing ending, because this is not how we wanted to see the beloved Tom Hanks character's days end. The new Child’s Play poster via the film’s Twitter is reminiscent of one of Toy Story 4’s that had Woody tipping his cowboy hat to the same muted tones and font to accompany it. Take a look below for comparison:

The clever piece of marketing takes full advantage of the side-by-side billing the two movies are set to share in June. Do you think the studio nabbed the same spot as Toy Story 4 for this reason? It doesn’t seem likely since the animated sequel is one of the most highly-anticipated sequels of the year.

Early tracking has Toy Story 4 at making $130 million in its first weekend, likely topping numbers during its debut, while Child’s Play is looking at numbers closer to the $12-$22 million range. So while the poster may signify Toy Story 4 receiving the beating this summer, it will more realistically be the other way around.

Child’s Play will be the eighth Chucky film (five of which have had a theatrical release), in a franchise that has collectively made $176 million worldwide unadjusted. The upcoming version will be a reimagining of the horror tale. Instead of Chucky encompassing the soul of a killer, the evil doll will be an A.I. model gone wrong. The plastic knife-wielding villain will be voiced by Star Wars’ Mark Hamill.

Widespread audiences are much more keen on the friendly toys, as the Pixar trilogy has made close to $2 billion worldwide unadjusted since the franchise kickstarted the animated studio’s success in 1995. The fourth film will be exploring the “creepy doll,” as one of their new characters will be a ‘60s pull-string doll named Gabby Gabby (voiced by Christina Hendricks). The movie’s potential villain has a small army of ventriloquist dummy henchmen to do her bidding.

While Toy Story 4 will likely defeat Chucky in box office numbers, the Pixar film has nothing on Child’s Play out-of-box social media tactics. The upcoming R-rated film even celebrated 420 with an odd weed-themed poster.

Which movie will you be seeing on June 21? Child’s Play or Toy Story 4? Let us know in the comments below!

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Sonic The Hedgehog Will Have 'Edgy' Moments, According To Jim Carrey

Sonic The Hedgehog Will Have 'Edgy' Moments, According To Jim Carrey

Unlike his more squeaky clean and family-friendly Nintendo counterpart Mario, Sega’s Sonic the Hedgehog has always seemed cooler, more mature and rocked way more attitude. As the Blue Blur prepares to make his big screen debut in November’s Sonic the Hedgehog, it is natural to wonder if he will retain the qualities that once had many kids swearing allegiance to Team Sega. According to Jim Carrey, who plays Dr. Ivo Robotnik, Sonic the Hedgehog will have ‘edgy’ moments, as he explained:

We're playing to families, so you can't get too crazy. But I made sure that there are some winks and nods, and edgy things that are still acceptable to both age groups.

First and foremost, Jim Carrey told IMDb that Sonic the Hedgehog is geared towards families, so anyone hoping for a dark, R-rated adaptation that has Sonic flipping people off as he speeds by will want to temper those expectations. Sonic the Hedgehog will be a family-friendly, four-quadrant movie, but that doesn’t mean it won’t have an edge to it, and Jim Carrey is making sure that it does.

The actor who plays the villainous Dr. Robotnik, or Eggman if you prefer, made sure that, at least in his performance, there are some edgier things for audiences to pick up on that will appeal to the older crowd, while simultaneously not making Sonic the Hedgehog unsuitable for younger viewers. That he will be delivering some of the film’s edgy moments just adds to the exciting prospect of seeing Jim Carrey chewing the scenery as the villainous mad scientist.

With Deadpool and Terminator: Dark Fate director Tim Miller executive producing Sonic the Hedgehog, hopefully that edge exists throughout the film and not just in Jim Carrey’s character. Because although this will obviously be a film meant to appeal to kids, I think there is still a desire for it to feel cool and have some attitude to it. And there are ways to have that edge without taking the movie out of the family-friendly Green Hill Zone.

What Jim Carrey describes is a quality that all the best family-friendly films have. Lots of kid movies are a slog to sit through because they are only appealing to kids in a very simplistic fashion, but when a good movie has a compelling story with subtext, references or winks to things that work on another level for adults, that edge makes the movie great for everyone.

If Sonic the Hedgehog is able to achieve that it will be half the battle. Although there have been some highly controversial posters for the film so far (perhaps not the edginess they were looking for), we are still waiting on a trailer for the movie. When it arrives, hopefully we’ll get a taste of what Jim Carrey is alluding to with some edgy moments that inspire confidence in this latest attempt to make a great video game movie.

Sonic the Hedgehog races into theaters on November 8. Check out our 2019 Release Schedule to keep track of all the biggest movies headed your way this year.

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Toy Story 4’s Poster Has An Up Easter Egg

Toy Story 4’s Poster Has An Up Easter Egg

Pixar is notorious for hiding in easter eggs and references from their other heartwarming family flicks into the fabric of the animation, such as a Pizza Planet truck zooming past Miguel in Coco. There are usually tons more clever tie-ins hidden in plain sight or tucked away in Pixar movies then moviegoers can attempt to spot. In anticipation for Toy Story 4, fans have already spotted a few within the film’s marketing including this one from 2009’s Up on the new poster. Take a look:

Do you see it? The amazing find from @CultureCrave on Twitter points to a painted on the wall on the left that spoofs the famous Dogs Playing Poker painting, but with the gang of hounds from Up, including Dug on the right and the movie’s villain, Charles Muntz on the left.

I personally wouldn’t have even thought about playing “I, Spy” with this movie poster! The center of the image already has a lot to unpack including Bo Peep’s new look (and the mini toy on her shoulder), Forky looking to be having an identity crisis, Key and Peele’s carnival animal characters, Christina Hendrick’s creepy Gabby Gabby character and dummy friends. Oh, and that high-flying motorcyclist up top.

The easter egg on the side of the poster is a brilliant nod to another one of Pixar’s releases, and certainly has us excited for more references to look closely for when the movie comes out. A couple days ago another easter egg was found within the most recent Toy Story 4 trailer. In the background of the shot where Bonnie is making Forky in class, Boo from Monsters’ Inc can be seen. Take a look:

Boo is that blurry figure to Bonnie’s right! These are so fun, and major props to the fans who have already found some Pixar easter eggs ahead of Toy Story 4’s release. Since the latest trailer for the movie, fans have also been theorizing about Andy’s potential role in the movie and if there will be a time jump in order to conclude the 24-year-old saga.

Toy Story 4 will follow Woody, Buzz and the gang as Bonnie and her family go on a summer road trip with her new toy, Forky – a craft project who is set on leaving her behind because he’s not meant to be a toy. Woody enlists himself to bring Forky back to Bonnie, though when he reunites with his lost love Bo Peep, he starts to change his mind about staying Bonnie’s toy too.

You can look out for more easter eggs when latest Pixar film hits theaters on June 21, 2019.

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Vin Diesel Breaks Silence Over James Gunn’s Reinstatement For Guardians 3

Vin Diesel Breaks Silence Over James Gunn’s Reinstatement For Guardians 3

It's an extremely exciting time in The Marvel Cinematic Universe, as the 22 film long Infinity Saga comes to a close with Avengers: Endgame. Moviegoers have spent a decade seeing each and every installment in the shared universe, and the future post-Endgame is largely a mystery. This includes the release date of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which hasn't been revealed since James Gunn was rehired as the film's director.

The highly anticipated Guardians threequel was originally set to be one of the first installments in Marvel's Phase Four, although James Gunn's firing last July put the movie on indefinite hold. He was recently reinstated as the movie's director, which is something the fans and cast seem thrilled about. Now Vin Diesel has broken his silence on the matter, recently posting on social media saying:

Later in the week I had the luxury of seeing [Marvel Studios president] Kevin Feige and [co-president] Louis [D’Esposito], and it’s amazing to see how sacred the Groot character is to the whole Marvel universe. Shout out to Alan Horn for using his heart to in making the right decisions for Guardians 3.

While not mentioning James Gunn by name, Vin Diesel thanks Marvel producer Alan Horn for making the "right decision." I think we all know that he means by that.

Vin Diesel's comments come from his recent Instagram post, and shouldn't exactly surprise the fandom. Following James Gunn's unceremonious departure from the Guardians franchise, the cast of actors wrote a letter in solidarity with their director/producer. Diesel was included, so his feelings about the Gunn's reinstatement make a great deal of sense.

Related: How Fast Groot Is Growing In The MCU, According To James Gunn

While not ever see physically onscreen, Vin Diesel's voice performance as Groot helped the character become massively popular when the first Guardians of the Galaxy hit theaters in 2014. And when the tree alien became an adorable baby in Guardians 2, the hype got even more real. And the last we saw him, he was a teenager age in Infinity War.

Check out Vin Diesel's Instagram video below.

It should be interesting to see where Groot goes in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. He'll presumably age more, and present another form of the character in the threequel. This may give the opportunity for Vin Diesel's real voice to be used, without the effects needed to bring the younger version of Groot to life in his most recent appearances. We'll just have to see.

It's currently unclear when Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will hit theaters, but you can catch up with Groot in Avengers: Endgame in theaters now. In the meantime, be sure to check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

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Ryan Reynolds Is Bloody In First Hitman's Bodyguard Sequel Image

Ryan Reynolds Is Bloody In First Hitman's Bodyguard Sequel Image

When you take a job as a bodyguard, you go in with the knowledge that things could get messy (just ask Richard Madden’s character in Bodyguard). The messiness of the job though hasn’t stopped Ryan Reynolds’ bodyguard Michael Bryce from returning for the sequel to 2017’s The Hitman’s Bodyguard, titled The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard. Take a look below to see the first image from the set of the sequel film showing a bloody Ryan Reynolds.

Ryan Reynolds must be doing a solid job protecting Samuel L. Jackson’s and Salma Hayek’s Darius and Sonia Kincaid, if he is the only one with blood on him and they’re both pristine and smiling. Watching Deadpool and Nick Fury play off each other in the first film was one of its strengths, and with Salma Hayek’s character set to play a bigger role in the sequel, the three actors look to be having a great time together.

In his Instagram post, Ryan Reynolds says “Two guys, a girl and,” which is a reference to his television series Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place which ran on ABC for four seasons from 1998-2001. Although the gender makeup of the trio echoes that sitcom and there will definitely be some laughs, I’m pretty sure that’s supposed to be blood, not pizza sauce.

The end of The Hitman’s Bodyguard saw Michael Bryce rekindle his relationship with his ex-girlfriend and restore his reputation after thwarting Gary Oldman’s dictator. Sonia Kincaid was released from prison and hitman Darius escaped prison to be with her. The sequel film will reunite this unlikely trio for a new adventure set on the Amalfi coast where they will have to be the good guys in order to save Europe from a dangerous zealot.

Joining Ryan Reynolds, Salma Hayek and Samuel L. Jackson in The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard is a star-studded group of faces both new and returning. Oscar nominee Richard E. Grant reprises his role as Seifert and he stars alongside Frank Grillo, Antonio Banderas and Morgan Freeman. That last name is especially exciting because despite the literally hundreds of credits between them, this comedy action-thriller will be the first time that Samuel L. Jackson and Morgan Freeman have starred in a feature film together.

Patrick Hughes returns to the director’s chair for the Lionsgate and Millennium Media title. The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard is now filming and has yet to set an official release date. The Hitman’s Bodyguard debuted in August of 2017 and enjoyed three weekends atop the domestic box office, finishing its run with $176.6 million worldwide on a budget of $30 million.

For movies coming to theaters this year, check out our 2019 Release Schedule and stay tuned to CinemaBlend for all your movie news.

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There’s A Wild Star Wars Rumor About Rey’s Parents

There’s A Wild Star Wars Rumor About Rey’s Parents

The last few years have been very kind for Star Wars fans, as new and exciting properties have been introduced to help expand the galaxy far, far away. Standalone films broke new ground for the property, while The Mandalorian will be the first live-action TV series set in the galaxy. But the true attention of the fandom is one the main franchise, as The Rise of Skywalker is only months away.

J.J. Abrams will return to the director's chair for Episode IX, which will be in the final chapter in the Skywalker Saga. The movie will also wrap up the narrative that Abrams started with The Force Awakens. Rian Johnson revealed in The Last Jedi that Rey's parents were nobodies who abandoned her on Jakku, but some fans thought this might be red herring. Now a new rumor has been swirling, claiming that her father is none other than Harrison Ford's Han Solo.

This new rumor comes to us from Making Star Wars' Patreon podcast. The publication is a go-to source for all thing Star Wars, and touched on the new theory that Han is actually Rey's true father. The story is that when Leia was busy training with Luke in the wake of Return of the Jedi, Harrison Ford's smuggler had an affair--leading to the birth of the sequel trilogy's hero.

If this rumor comes to fruition, it would truly blow the minds of the generations of Star Wars fans. Rey's parentage has been a major point of conversation with the sequel trilogy, with endless theories arising in the years between The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. But the latter movie consistently subverted fan expectations, and that includes Rey's bloodline.

If Han Solo were Rey's father, it would make a great deal of sense. He served as a mentor and father figure in The Force Awakens, and the two characters hit it off quickly. What's more, Rey's piloting of the Millennium Falcon came extremely easy to the emerging Jedi. She's still the person in possession of the iconic vessel, and has a close relationship with Chewbacca as well.

Related: All The Major Theories About Rey's Parents

When J.J. Abrams signed on to direct The Rise of Skywalker following the departure of Colin Trevorrow, fans were excited to see how Abrams will wrap up the story that he began with The Force Awakens. And if he didn't agree with Rian Johnson's creative choice regarding Rey's lineage, then perhaps the director will retcon that out of the canon, and reveal a larger twist.

There was certain doubt about Rey's parent reveal in The Last Jedi basically as soon as the movie arrived in theaters. It was Kylo Ren who revealed that Rey came from a pair of unremarkable parents. But could he have been lying in an attempt to bring Rey to her side and rule the galaxy together? It doesn't seem out of the question.

You can check out the scene in question below.

As you can see, Adam Driver's villainous Ben Solo doesn't reveal how he knows about Rey's parents. Instead, he prays on Rey's biggest insecurities, and simply fills in the blanks after she admits she came from nothing. So it would be pretty easy for J.J. Abrams to do an aboutface, and give her a more epic family tree.

All will be revealed when Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hits theaters on December 20th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

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