THE SUICIDE SQUAD Director James Gunn Says He Wrote Bloodsport Role Specifically For Idris Elba

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Yesterday was Idris Elba’s birthday, and The Suicide Squad writer and director James Gunn marked the occasion by sharing a heartfelt message for the British actor. In that Tweet, the filmmaker also shared a surprising revelation about Bloodsport – Elba’s character – in the DC Comics adaptation.

If you recall, it was originally reported that Elba was in talks to replace Will Smith as Deadshot. Later, we would learn that the actor was set to play a different character, though it’s never been explained whether Warner Bros. decided against recasting Smith or if it was never actually the plan for him to join the DC Extended Universe as Floyd Lawton. 

Regardless, Gunn states that, “I rarely write roles for actors I’ve never met, but I did exactly that for [Idris Elba] in [The Suicide Squad] [and] couldn’t be happier I did – you went beyond my expectations as an actor AND as a human being. I can’t wait for folks to see you as [Bloodsport].”

It’s interesting that the filmmaker specifically wrote Bloodsport for Elba, and it would be interesting to find out whether he originally planned to have him as Deadshot or if this was always what he intended.

Either way, it’s going to be a lot of fun seeing what the actor brings to the DCEU…
 

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MARVEL’S AVENGERS Spoilers: 10 Epic Moments Every Marvel Comics Fan Should Experience

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If you’ve read our review of Marvel’s Avengers, then you’ll know we loved the single player campaign (we’ll have more for you on the online side of things soon). Now that you’ve had a chance to try it out for yourselves, though, we’re taking a spoiler-filled look at the game’s most epic moments. 

A cinematic experience, whatever faults the title may have – and there are a few – it’s fair to say that Square Enix has nailed what it should feel like to take control of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. 

As you might expect, Marvel’s Avengers is perhaps at its best when it delivers moments you’d get a kick out of seeing either in the comic books or on the big screen, and it’s those we’re taking a closer look at here as we delve into what makes the story campaign such a blast to get involved in.

To check out these moments, all you guys need to do is click on the “Next” button down below! 
 

10. Blasting Into Outer Space

Iron-Man

When Tony Stark needs to reach a satellite, he dons armour outfitted specifically for space. While exploring that location proves to be a lot of fun (we’ll get to that), it’s the journey through the skies which really stands out. If anything, it doesn’t really last long enough, but taking off from Earth and heading into the heavens as Iron Man makes for a truly epic sequence. 

Controlling the Avenger as he desperately tries to stay on course – and avoid being struck by lightning – you get to enjoy some rock music on the way, and this really does make you believe you’re the hero.

The white armour looks badass in action and is imagery that will definitely stick with you. 
 

9. Thor Returns

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Much of the game is focused on Ms. Marvel, The Hulk, and Iron Man, so when Thor finally shows up to save the day, it’s definitely a welcome sight. He arrives on the Helicarrier just in the nick of time, and experiencing the God of Thunder’s power feels unreal, even after playing as the Jade Giant.

As you make your way across the floating warship, you use Mjolnir to tear apart A.I.M.’s forces, and it’s such an upgrade in terms of abilities, bringing the thunder here is beyond epic. 

The level concludes with a QTE which sees Thor stop the Helicarrier from crashing into New York City, and by that point, you’ll feel like you have the power to stop that from happening!
 

8. Kamala Khan On The Run

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The game opens by putting players in control of a young Kamala Khan during A-Day, and five years later, she’s been left with Inhuman powers. Those come out in full force in an enjoyable mission which sees you travel across a city to Kamala’s secret hideout, though things soon escalate once A.I.M. comes looking for the youngster. 

What follows is an expected, albeit simplistic, stealth level as you flee from A.I.M.’s forces. 

While it may not break the mould, running through a park dedicated to Earth’s Mightiest Heroes while the villainous organisation’s robotic forces attempt to track you down proves to be surprisingly cinematic, and a great way to get accustomed to taking charge of the future Ms. Marvel.
 

7. A-Day Battle

A-Day

If you played the beta for Marvel’s Avengers, then you’ll be all too familiar with this level. It doesn’t really differ in the game itself, but it serves as a near perfect introduction to these iconic heroes.

Whether it’s racing across the Golden Gate Bridge as The Hulk, battling Taskmaster’s goons on the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier, or facing off with that villain as Black Widow, it’s a breathtaking, exciting series of set pieces, and you won’t be able to peel your eyes from the screen as this all happens.

It is just a tutorial for the most part, but it’s a damn good one and suitably epic in terms of scale.
 

6. Running From The Hulk

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The young Kamala Khan is determined to reassemble The Avengers, and her mission starts by attempting to find Bruce Banner. Unfortunately, it’s The Hulk that she encounters, and that leads to a pulse-pounding sequence which sees you take control of the young Inhuman with the Green Goliath in pursuit.

As you run through the level, you’re aware that The Hulk is close behind, and it’s hard not to jump when the hero smashes his way through a nearby wall in a bid to get his hands on Kamala.

As strange as it might sound, Marvel’s Avengers is often at its best when you’re running through set pieces like this, but this one really stands out as the stakes feel particularly high/frightening.
 

5. Captain America Lives

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It’s been clear for a while that Captain America somehow returns in Marvel’s Avengers, and that actually comes when Iron Man discovers that A.I.M. has put him on ice in the aforementioned satellite.

Steve Rogers is there because his blood has been used to keep George Tarleton alive (and subsequently transformed him into M.O.D.O.K.). The reunion between Iron Man and Cap really strikes a strong emotional chord, and their banter as they make their way to the escape shuttle is great fun.

Even better is actually getting to take control of Cap as he finally gets to return to action. He doesn’t have his shield at this point, of course, but his athleticism more than make up for that being absent.
 

4. Hulk Vs. Abomination

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There are a lot of cool boss battles in Marvel’s Avengers, though most of them see Earth’s Mightiest Heroes assemble to square off with massive robotic enemies sent their way by A.I.M. 

There’s nothing wrong with those, of course, but it’s a lot more satisfying to take control of The Hulk and go toe to toe with The Abomination. Punching robots is great and all, but knocking seven bells out of one of the Jade Giant’s greatest enemies proves to be both epic and a thrilling experience. 

It’s hard to deny that the game might have benefited from more fights like this, and it’s a shame more classic villains from the comic books don’t make their presence felt to face the team.
 

3. Cap Vs. A.I.M.

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During the game’s final mission, you’re put in charge of Captain America while the rest of the heroes take on A.I.M. forces elsewhere. While The Hulk does show up to help out at one point, racing through the M.O.D.O.K.’s fortress above the ruins of San Francisco is nothing short of awesome.

It helps that Cap’s special abilities in the game are particularly badass, and there’s something oddly pleasing about leaping from platform to platform, taking out a bunch of baddies with your shield, and then sprinting towards one last fight as M.O.D.O.K. causes your surroundings to implode. 

It’s a great showcase of Captain America, and makes us wish he’d been in the game even more.
 

2. Avengers Assemble

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With M.O.D.O.K. at full power, the Avengers assemble to take the fight to him and save the day.

You’re essentially put in charge of each hero one after the other in order to weaken the formidable baddie, and whether it’s throwing Cap’s shield, bringing the thunder as Thor, or even unloading Black Widow’s pistols, it feels like you’re really helping to turn the tide against M.O.D.O.K. here.

Seeing as Marvel’s Avengers isn’t Ultimate Alliance, taking it turns like this was probably the best approach, and one that ensures each character is given the chance to shine here.
 

1. Ms. Marvel Vs. M.O.D.O.K.

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Trust us, it’s around this point in the game you’ll be wondering when the heck Ms. Marvel is going to get her due. After all, she’s been a focal point of this game up until this point, but don’t fret too much, as the Inhuman gets to make a truly massive (and we do mean massive) impact against M.O.D.O.K.

After he takes control of a huge Kree Sentinel which was buried beneath San Francisco, Ms. Marvel finally gains full control of her powers and grows equally as massive in order to put him down.

You’re given control as Ms. Marvel does exactly that, and it’s seriously awesome. However, as great as this is, trust us when we say you’ll want to stick around for a very cool mid-credits scene…
 

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BLACK WIDOW Star Scarlett Johansson Reveals How She Learned About The Hero’s AVENGERS: ENDGAME Demise

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While it’s been common knowledge for a while that Black Widow would be set between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War, that made it no less shocking when former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Natasha Romanoff was killed off during the events of Avengers: Endgame last year.

Now, it’s beginning to look like the character’s solo movie will primarily revolve around her passing the “Black Widow” mantle to Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova, but actress Scarlett Johansson has now revealed (via Digital Spy) how she learned of Black Widow’s shocking fate in the 2019 ensemble.

“Kevin called me and said, ‘Look, obviously we’re at a place where there’s going to be big sacrifices and big losses’. We had all anticipated that. So it didn’t seem out of character,” Johansson explained. “It kind of made sense to me, I guess, even though I was sad about it. But after I hung up the phone I remember I thought, ‘Okay, I guess it’s me.'”

“And it took me a minute to process it,” she concluded. “It was bittersweet, but it was not a shock.”

It was definitely a shock for fans, and of the original six Avengers, only three – Thor, Hulk, and Hawkeye – remain. However, with Clint Barton about to hand his bow to Kate Bishop, Jane Foster preparing to wield Mjolnir, and She-Hulk incoming, it feels like we’re witnessing a changing of the guard.

What do you guys think?

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MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 7 Director Chris McQuarrie Officially Announces Filming Restart With A Jaw-Dropping Tease

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Following an extended pandemic-fueled production shut down, cameras are finally rolling on Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible 7 and along with the announcement comes a jaw-dropping photo from director Chris McQuarrie, showcasing one of the film’s stunning shooting locations and possibly teasing one of the many stunts Ethan Hunt (Cruise) will attempt to pull off come November 2021. 

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Paramount was forced to abruptly halt pre-production on the film’s Italy shoot back in November, sending crew members back home to their respective countries, but now, after weeks of quarantining and ensuring the proper safety measures have been installed, it looks like Cruise and company can finally start shooting, with their production schedule expected to last through May.

McQuarrie labels his post “Day 1,” marking the official start of principal photography, but prior to this, Tom Cruise and Hayley Atwell did film – or, at least, rehearse – parts of the sequel’s high-octance opening sequence at a test track in Surrey, England back in March

Action… #MI7 Day 1

A post shared by Christopher McQuarrie (@christophermcquarrie) on

Mission: Impossible 7 & 8 are headlined by Tom Cruise (Top Gun: Maverick) as IMF ace Ethan Hunt, as well as fellow returning stars Rebecca Ferguson (Mission: Impossible – Fallout) as Ilsa Faust, Simon Pegg (Mission: Impossible – Fallout) as Benji Dunn, Ving Rhames (Mission: Impossible – Fallout) as Luther Stickell, and Vanessa Kirby (Mission: Impossible – Fallout) as the White Widow. Newcomers to the storied action franchise include Hayley Atwell (Avengers: Endgame), Pom Klementieff (Avengers: Endgame), Shea Whigham (Joker) and Nicholas Hoult (X-Men: Dark Phoenix), who is rumored to be playing the villain. Henry Czerny (Sharp Objects) has also been confirmed to reprise his role as Eugene Kittridge from the first film.

There isn’t much information regarding who else will make up Ethan Hunt’s team for his seventh and eighth adventures, but fans still holding out hope that some combination of Jeremy Renner (William Brandt), Angela Bassett (Erica Sloane), Paula Patton (Jane Carter) and/or Maggie Q (Zhen Lei) will also return. There have also been rumblings that the likes of Henry Cavill (August Walker) and Alec Baldwin (Alan Hunley) may also be back in some capacity as McQuarrie recently teased, “Any character, dead or alive, is fair game to return.

Both sequels are expected to film back-to-back, with Mission: Impossible 7 set to light the fuse in theaters on November 19, 2021, while its sequel, Mission: Impossible 8, will open the following fall on November 4, 2022. 

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RUMOR MILL: Disney+’s MS. MARVEL Series Adds Actors Jasjit Williams And Saagar Shaikh

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In “Rumor Mill,” we share the hard to buy rumours that don’t come from reliable sources like the trades, but are still more believable (just) than what you might find on Reddit. 

With Ms. Marvel reportedly set to begin shooting later this Fall, fans are more anxious than ever before to see who Marvel Studios will choose to take on the role of Kamala Khan in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The character’s stock has risen a great deal in recent weeks thanks to the Marvel’s Avengers game that puts her front and centre, so excitement is at an all-time high for a big reveal. 

While we’re still waiting for that to become a reality, The Direct is reporting that actors Jasjit Williams (Street Voices) and Saagar Shaikh (Unfair & Ugly) are in talks to join the Disney+ series. 

It’s believed that Williams is taking on the role of Bruno Carrelli, a possible love interest for Ms. Marvel and Kamala’s tech-savvy friend. Shaikh, meanwhile, is being eyed for Aamir Khan, Kamala’s older brother. That’s likely to be a minor role, though it depends on how much time we spend with her family.

It’s exciting to think that Ms. Marvel is finally falling into place, especially when the hero’s live-action debut is so long overdue. What promises to be really interesting, though, is how Kevin Feige and company go about explaining Kamala’s Inhuman origins and what that means for those characters. 

We’ll keep you guys updated!

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THE NEW MUTANTS Director Josh Boone Addresses Budget Cuts; Says He’ll Choose His Next Project “More Wisely”

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The New Mutants is definitely a movie that was put through the wringer thanks to multiple delays and a merger between Disney and Fox many believed would lead to it forever remaining unreleased. At the end of last month, it finally arrived in theaters, and it received the response you would probably expect from a release that underwent zero reshoots (when Fox wanted to reshoot the entire thing). 

It was far from a Fantastic Four-shaped disaster – you can read our review by clicking here – but Boone has now reflected on some of those early issues during an interview with BBC

“We were just in a perplexing circumstance that most people don’t have to deal with,” the filmmaker explained. “I feel like we did it. But oh my God, there were a lot of bumps and bruises. You’re holding on to it as it gets smaller and smaller and then eventually you’re like, ‘I can’t believe we made this’. Once you start to find what the movie is, the budget comes in hard, you start to realize you’re gonna have to cut your dream of it in half.” 

Boone later added, “Not in a bad way, just in a ‘reality of Hollywood’ way that any director who goes to make a movie eventually has to do. So even if someone’s making a $200 million movie, I promise they needed $400 million.” Of course, it’s no secret that Fox slashed the budget, hence why Warlock ended up being cut…only for them to later decide to add him via those unfilmed reshoots.

While Boone has moved on to work on the small screen adaptation of The Stand, it’s unclear how the response to The New Mutants will affect his career moving forward. However, he made it clear he plans to “choose my next project wisely” after comparing this experience to the one he had on 2014 hit The Fault in Our Stars

“That we had just made that and a pandemic happened was already so weird,” he reflected. “And now we’re releasing a movie about kids in quarantine? And I’m just like – I don’t know – I’ll choose the next project more wisely.” What that will be remains to be seen, but it won’t be The New Mutants 2!

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RUMOR MILL: WANDAVISION’s Wiccan And Speed To Appear In DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS

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In “Rumor Mill,” we share the hard to buy rumours that don’t come from reliable sources like the trades, but are still more believable (just) than what you might find on Reddit. 

There have been rumblings for a while about Wiccan and Speed – the children of the Scarlet Witch and The Vision – making their Marvel Cinematic Universe debuts in WandaVision, and our first look at the series appeared to confirm that. There have also been multiple audition tapes about children of various ages playing a role in proceedings, and it’s thought they’ll be aged up quite quickly.

That means the Disney+ series should end with the Young Avengers members as teenagers, and it’s now rumoured that the plan is for the magically powered Wiccan and super speedster Speed to join Elizabeth Olsen in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. This does make sense, and means at least three members of the Young Avengers (including America Chavez) will share the screen.

It’s believed the two teen actors who will play the heroes have already shot their scenes for WandaVision, but we’ve heard nothing about who’s playing them, so Marvel Studios is keeping that under wraps.

Needless to say, it’s best to take with this a pinch of salt as it’s definitely one of those “scoops” that seems to be primarily based on common sense. It’s certainly intriguing to think what Wiccan and Speed will mean for the MCU, and with Cassie Lang aged up and Hawkeye set to introduce Kate Bishop, the Young Avengers are quickly coming together (we just need Hulkling in Captain Marvel 2).

What do you guys think?

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