Shazam's DVD Release Should Have A Ton Of Extra Footage That Was Cut From The Movie

Shazam's DVD Release Should Have A Ton Of Extra Footage That Was Cut From The Movie

Warning: Shazam! SPOILERS are ahead!

Not everything shot for a movie is going to make it into the final cut, but thanks to DVDs, Blu-rays and digital purchases, people can oftentimes watch some, if not most of a production’s deleted scenes. Shazam! will be no exception, because according to Michel Aller, the editor of the sixth DC Extended Universe movie, the home release of Billy Batson’s origin story will be packed with a lot of deleted scenes, including potentially one involving Asher Angel’s Billy and Grace Fulton’s Mary Bromfield. Aller explained:

We had a lot of material. When you buy the DVD, you’ll be able to see, I think we have 20-24 minutes of deleted scenes. And one of the scenes that regretfully we had to pull out was a scene between young Billy and Mary, when he’s about to sneak out. It’s just a really touching scene, but it came so early in the movie, and we were trying to get to get to the Shazam character, that we couldn’t put everything that we liked at the front of the movie. So that was one scene that we pulled out. I’m glad there are DVDs out there so we can show these great scenes.

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Michel Aller about Shazam!, and among the topics we discussed was just how much material was cut out of the finished movie. Sure enough, like many other superhero movies before it, Shazam! will have a solid amount of deleted scenes as part of its special feature offerings, and it appear that like there’s a good chance this scene between Billy and Mary will be among them.

Billy Batson and Mary Bromfield have always been siblings in the comics, but as opposed to going the biological route as was the case for decades, the Shazam! movie pulled from Shazam’s New 52 origin story and had her, Freddy Freeman, Eugene Choi, Darla Dudley and Pedro Pena be Billy’s adoptive siblings at the Vasquez household. While Shazam! spent a decent amount of time introducing these new people in Billy’s life, it also had to move relatively quickly to actually bring in Billy’s Shazam persona, and whatever moment Billy and Mary had before the former began his superhero journey ended up on the cutting room floor.

While we didn’t get to see Mary confront Billy as he snuck out during his first night with his new family, Shazam! did still give us a touching moment between the two, albeit with Zachary Levi playing Billy instead, when Shazam saved her from being hit by a truck and tried to console her because she was upset about potentially having to leave her family behind to attend college. And, of course, in the climactic battle, Mary and the other kids were able to also become adult superheroes when Billy shared his power with them.

We’ll have to wait to learn if the Billy/Mary scene will indeed be included on the Shazam! home media release, but another deleted scene Michel Aller expects to be shown is how Sivana originally unleashed the power of the Seven Deadly Sins. Originally he went on his murder spree at a Christmas party being held at his mansion, but during the Shazam! reshoots, the location was changed to a boardroom at Sivana industries. Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more information on Shazam! deleted scenes.

Shazam! is still playing in theaters, and if you haven’t already, be sure to read CinemaBlend’s review of the movie. You can also plan your moviegoing visits later this year accordingly by checking out our 2019 release schedule.

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Harley Quinn: 6 Things You Need To Know About The Suicide Squad Character

Harley Quinn: 6 Things You Need To Know About The Suicide Squad Character

Suicide Squad has been out for nearly three years now, and there were a a lot of colorful characters we followed along with during that tale. One of those was Harley Quinn, played by Margot Robbie. Other than The Joker and Batman, Harley was arguably the most recognizable DC character who was featured in the movie.

Now over the two and a half decade mark, the character has enjoyed immense popularity over her lifetime, appearing in numerous TV shows, video games and on apparel. Corrupted by The Joker (played in the movie by Jared Leto), she’s more jovial and quippy than most supervillains, but this lighthearted demeanor doesn’t mask how insane and dangerous she truly is. Just as the first two Suicide Squad trailers indicated, she was quite the scene stealer.

With Suicide Squad being a tremendous commercial success for Warner Bros and DC, and Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn having a bright future ahead of her, we’ve gone ahead and provided you with all the important details about Harley Quinn. From how she got her criminal start to what she’s up to now in the comics, this is everything you need to know in case you’re in need of a Harley brush-up… though if she starts talking about the voices in her head, run!

She Didn’t Debut In The Comics

As you would expect, most of DC Comics’ characters are created for the printed page, but Harley is one of the few that got her start in another form. Her first appearance was in the beloved 1990s show Batman: The Animated Series, where she was voiced by Arleen Sorkin. Producer Paul Dini was inspired to create Harley after seeing Sorkin dressed like a jester on the soap opera Days of Our Lives.

Originally, Harley was just supposed to have a "walk on" role in "Joker’s Favor," but she was included in more episodes, and, well, the rest is history. It’s true that other comic book characters have been introduced on TV first, but Harley is one of the few that’s truly been propelled to popularity, to the point that even a lot of non-comic book fans have heard of her. It wasn’t until the 1999 storyline "No Man’s Land" that she made her first appearance in the main DC Comics continuity.

She Was Originally A Psychiatrist

Harleen Quinzel’s dream job as a child wasn’t to become a red-and-white garbed criminal clown. No, before she became a member of Batman’s rogues gallery, Harleen was a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum. When she discovered The Joker, she immediately grew obsessed with him and immediately began conducting sessions to analyze him. Seeing how enamored she was, Joker began sweet talking her and lying about his past so she would sympathize with him.

Eventually Harleen fell in love with Joker, donned a jester costume and broke him out of custody, happy to now be sharing a crime-filled life with her "Mistah J" (though she would soon be treated like an abused spouse). The New 52 also added him throwing her into the same vat of chemicals that altered his appearance, which was also shown in the movie, except Margot Robbie's version fell in willingly and Joker dove in after her. The comics later expanded on Harley’s background and showed that she had issues before she met The Joker, but the Clown Prince of Crime's manipulation was the the straw that broke the camel’s back

She Has Unique Talents

If Harley was merely a regular woman who dressed like a clown, she wouldn’t be that useful out in the field. Fortunately, she has a particular skill set for taking on opponents. While she doesn’t have any natural superpowers, she is a talented gymnast, so whenever she’s delivering a beatdown, it’s usually while jumping or doing backflips. Then there’s her arsenal. Although she’ll occasionally use standard firearms (there’s a brief shot of her using dual pistols in one of the Suicide Squad trailers), she prefers wielding more absurd-looking weapons, including her oversized mallet, a comically large pistol that shoots a cork, and that graffitied baseball bat she’s using in Suicide Squad.

Finally, in the DC Animated Universe and the comics, Harley was given a potion by her best friend Poison Ivy that not only made her immune to all toxins, but also boosted her strength, speed, and agility. It doesn’t look like Harley will have any special abilities in Suicide Squad (we don’t even know if Poison Ivy will show up in the DCEU), but she’ll still be a force to be reckoned with.

She’s Appeared In Live Action Before

The majority of Harley Quinn’s appearances have been in animated form, be it another cartoon like The Batman or a video game like the Batman: Arkham series. While Suicide Squad will be her first cinematic role, it’s not the first time she’s been seen in live action. The first was in the short-lived TV series Birds of Prey, played by Mia Sara. In the show she served as the mastermind antagonist, and while she didn’t wear her jester costume, her outfits did have the same red, white, and black color schemes.

Harley Quinn also cameoed in the Arrow Season 2 episode "Suicide Squad" as one of A.R.G.U.S.’s many prisoners. We never saw her face, but her current voice actress, Tara Strong, provided her dialogue. Harley was also considered to be one of the antagonists in the abandoned Batman & Robin follow-up Batman: Unchained, where she would have been Joker’s daughter seeking revenge. There was also a character named Ecco on Fox's Gotham who assisted Jeremiah Valeska, that show's version of The Joker, and she was clearly to be a variation on Harley.

She Hasn’t Been A Suicide Squad Member As Long As Others

For most of her existence, Harley has either been The Joker’s main squeeze or been adventuring on her own. It was only when the New 52 kicked off in 2011 that she was added to the Suicide Squad. After being imprisoned in Belle Reve Prison, she was forced onto the Squad by Amanda Waller rather than joining willingly. Most of her teammates underestimated her on the first mission due to her ditzy personality, but she soon proved to them how dangerous she was.

When The Joker returned, she betrayed the team in an effort to find him, but when that didn’t go as planned, she rejoined. Despite only be affiliated with the Squad for a few years, she’s remained a consistent member, ranking next to Deadshot and Captain Boomerang, and still serves on the team to this day. Since much of the DCEU is inspired by the New 52, it’s no wonder the first movie decided to include her.

She’s Not Always A Bad Guy

Harley may have started out as a straightforward (albeit tragic) villain when she was introduced, but nowadays it wouldn’t be right to label her as a standard criminal. Anti-hero might be more appropriate in certain cases. In the solo co-written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti, Harley tried to get a fresh start on life and has moved away from being closely connected with Batman and The Joker. Now she’s actively trying to help people, though this usually has disastrous results.

In many ways, she’s like Deadpool over at Marvel. They may try to do good, but often times it results in more chaos. The Injustice: Gods Among Us comic book prequel also showed that universe’s Harley working with Green Arrow and Black Canary, becoming a hero during Superman’s reign of terror. Given what's coming up with her in the DCEU, Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn looks like she'll be embarking down a similar anti-heroic path, but it's highly unlikely she'll make the transition to full-blown hero.

And there we have it: those are the main things you need to know about Harley Quinn. As mentioned earlier, Margot Robbie's version of the character isn't going anywhere. She returns on February 7, 2020 for Birds of Prey, where, after breaking up with The Joker, she'll team up with Huntress, Black Canary and Detective Renee Montoya to protect a young Cassandra Cain from Roman Sionis, a.k.a. Black Mask. Harley is also expected to return for The Suicide Squad, which comes out on August 5, 2021.

It's also worth mentioning that an adult-oriented Harley Quinn animated series is debuting on the DC Universe streaming service at the end of the year, with the character being voiced by The Big Bang Theory's Kaley Cuoco. That show won't focus on her being part of the Suicide Squad, but will instead chronicle her adventures after breaking up with The Joker, which includes her trying to join the Legion of Doom. Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for any other Harley-related updates.

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To 3D Or Not To 3D: Buy The Right Aladdin Ticket

To 3D Or Not To 3D: Buy The Right Aladdin Ticket

A whole new world awaits fans of Aladdin, as the Guy Ritchie directed remake is now in theaters. Disney’s latest live-action pet project has taken the story of Agrabah’s favorite street rat with a friend of infinite cosmic powers, and turned it into a spectacular musical of proportions it’s never known before. Which means it’s a good time to throw in a 3D conversion for good measure, asking that time tested question: to 3D, or not to 3D?

If you’re curious how we felt about the movie itself, you can read our Aladdin review and find out. Otherwise, it’s time to find out if this round of Disney magic is worth the extra 3D ticket money, or if you’re better off saving that money for a bus out to the Cave of Wonders. Let’s see if Aladdin’s 3D is a diamond in the rough worth mining.

With a magical genie that can conjure any and everything your heart desires, Aladdin feels like the sort of movie that would be a perfect fit for 3D magic. As a live-action adaptation of a Disney movie, the business model basically builds the possibility right in at the ground floor, so seeing a film such as this take advantage of a 3D double dip isn’t surprising. In fact, it’s expected, with the intention of making the action all the more immersive in the best case scenario.

For a film that should easily lend itself to a high level of 3D spectacle, Aladdin doesn’t do as good of a job as it should in conveying the third dimensional thrills it could have. The quotient of eye popping thrills isn’t near as impressive as the depth of picture draw in the film’s backgrounds. And even in terms of the depths that Aladdin engages in, there’s still some holding back in that regard. Not to mention, there’s some problems with the brightness, and a couple pieces that mess with the audience’s eyes. In short, there’s something missing from each of Aladdin’s key 3D factors.

When Aladdin chooses to use its ability to poke through the 3D window, it can be beautiful to look at. So if the movie had taken more opportunities to push through the window that separates the viewer from the material, it would have been more on par with a satisfactory 3D experience. That's not what happens in Aladdin though, as the only moments that really jump out at the audience are some sequences with Will Smith's Genie. And even then, those shots are rare enough that the third dimensional enhancements aren't being used to their full potential.

The same problems that plague items projecting out of the screen also hamper the depths of Aladdin's picture. Though, it's not as bad when it comes to this particular factor, as there's crisp separations between characters and environments, as well as each other. But past that spatial reasoning, the depth of the backgrounds only goes so far, as there's never a feeling of infinite distance hiding behind any particular scene.

Between proper maintenance of an individual theater's equipment, and the tinting of the glasses used in a 3D showing, a colorful film like Aladdin has the potential to be washed out and dimmed in its appearance. While your mileage may vary because of those factors, this film was seen in a trusted 3D projection theater, and it still fell short. The film's subdued, yet vibrant color palette is dimmed out a little too much. Though on the bright side, nighttime scenes aren't washed out to the point where they're unwatchable. You can see this film clearly, but the colors are diminished in the process.

The blur of a 3D image can dictate how well the depth and projection of a 3D picture is created. And in the case of Aladdin, there's a decent level of blurred imagery that occupies the screen. So should your eyes get tired from the dimness of the screen, or the hectic motions that some of the film's cuts induce, you'll be able to see a good level of blur once you remove your glasses. There are moments where 2D anchor points seem to dominate the scene, but subtle levels of blur to come into view, making things a little more 3D friendly.

As if the dimness of the picture wasn't enough to stimy the audience's eyes in Aladdin, there is a mixture of frequent and quick cuts in a scene that mess with the 3D effects being presented on the screen. Not to mention, some of the Genie's special magical effects and transporting effects flash by so fast, it barely has time to register in 3D, leaving the eyes confused. By the end of this experience, there was a fair amount of eyestrain experienced by the viewer.

Aladdin is an ok 3D experience, but definitely not required by any stretch of the imagination. The end product isn't as exciting or thrilling as it should be, leaving the audience watching the same old world from the same old point of view. If you're going to see this film in 3D, seek out a theater you trust to maintain their experience at the correct level of enjoyment. But even then, you're probably better off going to a premium format experience.

Be sure to visit our full To 3D Or Not To 3D Archive.

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Joel Kinnaman Reportedly Out As Flag For The Suicide Squad

Joel Kinnaman Reportedly Out As Flag For The Suicide Squad

We have heard that James Gunn’s Suicide Squad sequel will be something of a soft reboot or a relaunch of the franchise. And the more things develop, the more that rings true as the film is looking less and less like it will resemble David Ayer’s 2016 film. It looks like there will be very few returning characters and perhaps one less than we thought because Joel Kinnaman is reportedly out as Rick Flag in The Suicide Squad.

THR reports that some of the characters from Suicide Squad expected to return for the follow-up are Harley Quinn, Deadshot and Rick Flag. However, another of The Hollywood Reporter’s sources says that Rick Flag will not be in James Gunn’s film. So there is definitely some ambiguity about the situation, but fans should prepare for the possibility that the commander of the team in the first film will not be returning for the sequel.

Given this ambiguity about Rick Flag’s presence in James Gunn’s film, it makes you wonder if there is a scenario where Rick Flag the character returns, but Joel Kinnaman does not play him. We just saw this play out with the character of Deadshot. Will Smith could not reprise his role due to scheduling conflicts and now Heimdall himself, Idris Elba will replace him, hopefully giving the actor a meatier comic book role.

That would potentially get into some weird territory though, if multiple characters are played by different actors in the sequel while Harley Quinn is still played by Margot Robbie. Recasting one character is fine (see War Machine in the MCU) but multiple could get into a murky area that would just seem kind of weird. But if Rick Flag is not in the film at all as has been reported, that would gel with the word that James Gunn will primarily be using DC characters that were not in the first movie.

It’s hard to say how Rick Flag’s absence will affect the sequel, given that we don’t know what the story will be. The character did play an important role in the first film, both as the leader and handler of the team and as the boyfriend of June Moone, who became the villain. But there are other major players who could fill his shoes so he doesn’t have to return.

Harley Quinn and Deadshot were the standouts of the first film and the most visible, so those two feel like the characters that must return and they supposedly are, albeit with Idris Elba playing Deadshot. If Rick Flag is out it will be just another differentiator between the two films, and lend to the sequel's supposed direction as a soft reboot.

With all the changes, it does make you wonder if The Suicide Squad will even acknowledge the events of the first film. It’s all kind of interesting because while Suicide Squad was a critical failure, it was a hit at the box office, so changing things up to such a degree could be risky.

That said, Warner Bros. seems to have a lot of faith in James Gunn to move pieces around and makes the movie he wants to make to hopefully duplicate the critical and commercial success he had with Guardians of the Galaxy for the DCEU.

We’ll keep you updated as this movie comes together. The Suicide Squad opens in theaters on August 6, 2021. For movies you can look forward to a little bit sooner, check out our 2019 Release Schedule.

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Watch The Spider-Man: Far From Home Cast Surprise Disneyland Guests

Watch The Spider-Man: Far From Home Cast Surprise Disneyland Guests

One of the best things about Disneyland is that you can feel like you're inside the worlds of classic Disney animated movies, Star Wars, and Marvel Comics all at the same time. While most of the Marvel themed entertainment planned for Disneyland Resort is currently under construction, you can still get your picture taken with numerous Marvel heroes like Captain America and Spider-Man.

However, one group of kids got a bit more than they were expecting from the wall crawler yesterday when the cast of Spider-Man: Far From Home photobombed them. But that was nothing compared to what happened when Spider-Man removed his mask. Check it out.

A group of kids are simply having fun getting their picture taken with Spider-Man at Disney California Adventure. But then things get crazy when Zendaya, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Jacob Batalon, show up and join the photo. Even Spider-Man himself looks surprised to see them and is getting the audience to give them a round of applause. Of course, even that is a set up as the big reveal is that the costumed character playing Spider-Man is the same guy who plays him on the big screen, Tom Holland.

Getting a picture with Spider-Man is cool. Getting a picture with the Spider-Man is something else entirety. You cab hear the crowd going nuts in the video from Disneyland Insiders, especially when Holland reveals himself.

While Marvel is the hottest thing in the world right now thanks to the fact that Avengers: Endgame has become the second highest grossing movie of all-time in only two weekends, many fans are already looking forward to the next chapter. The newest trailer for Spider-Man: Far From Home just dropped, something which almost certainly wasn't a coincidence considering the timing of this appearance, and that's got fans buzzing all over again.

The trailer drops the word "multiverse" into the conversation, which if true, is a game changer for the MCU. We've been told that the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be something quite different compared to what we're used to, and the fact that alternate realities could come into play would certainly qualify.

Tom Holland and company's appearance at Disneyland Resort is far from the first time we've seen celebrities invade an attraction related to their franchise. Johnny Depp has made appearances both in person and via screen to promote both Pirates of the Caribbeans films and the live-action Alice in Wonderland franchise. Mark Hamill has also dropped in on Star Tours.

Fans looking for even more Spider-Man at Disneyland won't have to wait too much longer. The new Marvel themed land that will opening only feet from where this clip was taken is set to debut in 2020 and we know it will include a Spider-Man themed attraction, though exactly how it will work remains clouded in Imagineering mystery.

Considering that the one existing Marvel attraction at Disney California Adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: Breakout, includes performances by the actors in the film franchise, it seems like there's a good chance Tom Holland could be part of the upcoming attraction, though that has yet to be confirmed.

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There’s A John Wick Video Game In The Works

There’s A John Wick Video Game In The Works

Ahead of the release of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (which critics are absolutely loving so far), fans can rest easy that the franchise doesn’t look to be ending anytime soon. Additionally, an action-packed strategy video game is also on the way. Good Shepherd Entertainment and Lionsgate are teaming up for an original game about the titular hitman called John Wick Hex.

The upcoming game will have players taking the role of Keanu Reeves’ character in what’s being described by the publishers as “fight-choreographed chess brought to life in a video game”. John Wick Hex will come from game director Mike Bithell (Thomas Was Alone, Volume) and the help of the creative and stunt teams behind the John Wick franchise. It’s being developed for consoles and PC, exclusively for the Epic Games store.

It will be an interactive experience that will implement the “gun fu style” from the movies and expand the universe previously established on the big screen. Players will be able to unlock various weapons, John Wick suits and locations as they play. There will be limited ammo provided within the game to remain realistic and add an element of strategy to the game play.

Gamers will need to carefully choose every action and attack they make, with the cost and consequences in mind (hence the “fight-choreographed chess” element). Each strategically planned fight will contribute to the player’s progress on their hit job. 

There currently isn't a release date announced for the game, but Ian McShane will voice his role of Winston and Lance Reddick will return as Charon in the game and additional actors will soon be announced-- per The Hollywood Reporter.

Check out the announcement trailer for John Wick Hex below:

From the first peak, the game certainly looks to have maintained John Wick’s stylish flair, and gives us an idea about what to expect visually during game play. Looks like a fun time, especially for fans of the film franchise who will get to play in the assassin’s shoes in a brand new adventure from the character.

The two John Wick movies have made over $260 million at the box office worldwide so far, and the third is expected to open at around $30 to $40 million next weekend for the franchise’s highest first weekend yet. The action thriller will follow the hitman on the run, after killing a member of the international assassin’s guild. Halle Berry is joining the cast this time around as an old acquaintance of Wick named Sofia. She rolls with two Belgian Malinois dogs and looks badass as usual.

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum opens in theaters on May 17, alongside A Dog’s Journey and A Sun is Also a Star. Are you looking forward to playing the game as well as going out to see the third installment? Let us know in the comments below.

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Marvel Producer Says The World Is Ready For An LGBT Superhero

Marvel Producer Says The World Is Ready For An LGBT Superhero

The Marvel Cinematic Universe changed rapidly in Phase Three, leading to plenty of success for Disney in the process. In addition to the box office and critical performance of each blockbuster, Phase Three also made the MCU a more diverse place. While the first two phases were largely focused on white male characters, people of color got a chance to shine in movies like Black Panther, Ant-Man and The Wasp, and Captain Marvel.

The call for onscreen inclusion has been a major subject in the film world, especially when it comes to major franchises like the MCU and Star Wars. Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige has been open about the franchise's dedication to diversity, even going so far as to say an LGBT superhero would enter the shared universe before long. Victoria Alonso has been a producer on every MCU installment, and when asked about the recent report that The Eternals was seeking an openly gay actor, Alonso added fuel to the fire, saying:

The world is ready, the world is ready.

Well, that certainly seems hopeful for advocates and moviegoers hoping that the Marvel Cinematic Universe will include its first gay superhero. Victoria Alonso thinks the world is ready, which may hint at the plans for the MCU in Phase Four. After all, The Eternals is being actively developed.

Victoria Alonso's comments to Variety show that the Marvel Cinematic Universe will only continue to get more diverse after Avengers: Endgame. While the studio is keeping its cards close the chest to avoid spoilers, obviously there are big plans cooking. Alonso may be unable to reveal any concrete information until Phase Three concludes, but she didn't deny the report of The Eternals seeking an openly gay actor for a leading role. So that development just gained some momentum

Of course, some might say that the Marvel Cinematic Universe already introduced an LGBT character during Phase Three. Tessa Thompson made her Marvel debut as Valkyrie in Thor: Ragnarok, and revealed she was playing the Asgardian heroine as a bisexual woman. In fact, Taika Waititi's threequel originally included a scene that alluded to Valkyrie's sexuality, although it ultimately ended up on the cutting room floor. Still, the character was one that fans seemed to respond to, so smart money says she'll back in one way or another during Phase Four.

Now that people of color and women have been given more of a chance to shine, it seems only natural that Marvel Studios would continue making its shared universe an even more inclusive place. Kevin Feige has teased that the future of the MCU is female, so there's no telling what the release schedule could look like after Avengers: Endgame finally arrives in theaters.

Answers will come once Avengers: Endgame concludes Phase Three on April 26th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

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