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☆ ‘Avengers Assemble:’ Five years after ‘Endgame,’ the box office needs more than just a blip
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

For many it felt like a soothing balm, underscoring the kind of communal experience people were missing as the still-new coronavirus pandemic shuttered theaters. Even allowing for that, the operatic heights achieved by “Endgame,” which grossed nearly $2.8 billion worldwide, would have been difficult to replicate. Such a concept would have sounded particularly foreign in the run-up to “Endgame,” when Marvel and its leader, Kevin Feige, appeared to possess a Midas touch. Venezuelan filmgoers watch the first screening in Venezuela of Marvel Studios' "Avengers: Endgame" at a cinema in Caracas on April 26, 2019. Unlike “Endgame,” the challenges that face the movie business can’t be undone with a snap of the fingers.

Persons: Captain, Thanos, ”, Marvel, Kevin Feige, Federico Parra, Joe, Anthony Russo, America, Russo, Joe Russo, Barbie ”, Captain America Organizations: CNN, Captain America, Marvel Studios, Marvel, DC, Warner Bros, Hollywood, “, Getty, Film, Captain, Disney Locations: Venezuela, Caracas, AFP

☆ Hollywood’s New Fantasy: A Magical, Colorblind Past
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( Kabir Chibber | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Across the arts, we now see so many worlds that never existed. The hit Netflix series “Bridgerton” depicts a version of Regency England ruled by a Black queen and an anachronistically multiracial royal court. When you see these examples gathered, they’re often followed by some complaint of a world gone mad with inclusion. In Britain, for instance, there was some outrage when the protagonist of an otherwise faithful Agatha Christie adaptation was revised to be a Nigerian immigrant. But the problem, for viewers, isn’t wokeness run amok; it’s the incoherence of the world we are watching.

Persons: David Copperfield, Dev Patel, they’re, Agatha Christie, isn’t Organizations: Netflix Locations: England, Britain, Nigerian

☆ For Ytasha Womack, the Afrofuture Is Now
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Katrina Miller | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

And as with many things Afrofuturistic, Ytasha Womack’s fingerprints are all over it. (In 2023, Ms. Womack published “Black Panther: A Cultural Exploration,” Marvel’s reference book examining the films’ influences.) Afrofuturism is a way of thinking about the future, with alternate realities based on perspectives of the African diaspora. People have used imagination to transform their circumstances, to move from one reality to another. And so to claim your imagination — to embrace it — can be a way of elevating your consciousness.

Persons: Womack, “, Octavia Butler, Nyota Uhura, Janelle Monáe, Henrietta, “ Niyah Organizations: Adler, Carnegie Hall’s, National Museum of, Star, New York Times Locations: Chicago

☆ Oscars 2024: ‘Barbie’ might be the belle of the ball, but it looks like ‘Oppenheimer’s’ night
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —If you drink every time someone mentions “Barbie” at this Sunday’s Oscars, you probably won’t be awake to see the best picture category presented, even with the show’s earlier start time. Yet while the year’s biggest box-office winner will get plenty of attention – due in part to its much-debated “snubs” – the 96th Academy Awards looks destined to be “Oppenheimer’s” night. While few superhero or genre movies have managed to break through (“Black Panther” being an exception), “Barbie’s” mix of stars and social commentary nabbed eight nominations, including best picture. The award-industrial complex’s fondness for smaller films, further fueled by their availability via streaming services, is evident in the other best picture contenders. Cillian Murphy accepts the Screen Actors Guild award for his starring role in "Oppenheimer," the heavy favorite on Oscar night.

Persons: “ Barbie ”, Barbie, ”, Margot Robbie, Greta Gerwig, Martin Mull, ” didn’t, “ Oppenheimer, Oscar, Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer, Matt Winkelmeyer, –, ” “ Maestro, Barbie ”, “ Maestro, Christopher Nolan, Robert Downey Jr, Kane, Love, Ryan ” Organizations: CNN, Hollywood, The Academy, Motion Picture Arts, Sciences, “, Netflix, South, Warner Bros, ABC Locations: France

☆ DC and Marvel are reprinting coveted crossover comics
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( John Towfighi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Comic-book store owner Jermaine Exum couldn’t believe his ears when a customer asked to reserve a copy of the upcoming 960-page “DC versus Marvel” comics collection. The "DC Versus Marvel Omnibus," to be released August 6, 2024, is a collection of various crossover comics, and just the second collaboration by DC and Marvel in two decades. From 1976 to 2003, crossovers between the DC and Marvel universes (“Superman vs. Uslan recalled similar “interplay” among the companies, citing a regular DC vs. Marvel softball match in Central Park as evidence of camaraderie. The comic "Marvel and DC Present Featuring the Uncanny X-Men and the New Teen Titans #1", will be reprinted in the upcoming collection.

Persons: Jermaine Exum couldn’t, “, ”, Lex Luthor –, ” Marvel, Exum, Michael Uslan, Carmine Infantino, Stan Lee, ” Uslan, Marvel, DC Walt Simonson, I’m, ” Simonson, Uslan, Walt Simonson, DC Ben Saunders, Denny O’Neil, George Pérez, Chris Claremont, John Romita Jr, Batman, Simonson, ” Saunders, Saunders, Federico Parra, James Gunn, Marvel’s, Peter Safran, Kevin Feige, ” Ethan Sacks, “ Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, Bob Kane, Bill Finger, William Moulton Marston Organizations: CNN, Marvel, DC, Warner Bros, Discovery, Disney, Hollywood, ” Comics, Teen Titans, New Teen Titans, University of Oregon, Acme Comics, “, Marvel Studios, Guardians, Galaxy, DC Studios Locations: Greensboro, North Carolina, Central, Greensboro , North Carolina, Venezuela, Caracas, AFP, Greece, Rome, Egypt

☆ Dubai jet suit race: Real-life ‘superheroes’ take to the sky in inaugural event
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Rebecca Cairns | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Against a backdrop of skyscrapers and super yachts, the airborne athletes competed in the inaugural Jet Suit Race Series, an event organized by the Dubai Sports Council and Gravity Industries, the manufacturers of the jet suit. Browning compares the 1,700-horsepower jet suit to “the power of a Bugatti Veyron” sports car in a 30-kilogram (66-pound) backpack. The jet suit uses aviation fuel or diesel, and can go at speeds of up to 136 kilometers per hour (85 miles per hour), Browning’s own record. In 2020, there was a fatal jetpack accident in Dubai, though it was not a Gravity suit.) Test pilots take off in Gravity Industries jet suits ahead of the inaugural race, in Dubai in February 2024.

Persons: Superlatives ”, ”, Richard Browning, “, Browning, Toby Patterson ‘, Browning’s, Toby Patterson “, Issa Kalfon, Paul Jones, Freddie Hay, Kaflon, Ahmed Al Shehhi, Al Shehhi, he’s, it’s Organizations: CNN, Dubai Sports Council, Gravity Industries, CAA, FAA, Royal Marines, Great North Air Ambulance Service, Industries, British Royal Navy, Commando Royal Marines, JetPack Aviation Locations: Dubai, “ City, Superlatives, UAE, Lake District, California

☆ Kenneth Mitchell, ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Marvel’ actor, dead at 49
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Megan Thomas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Kenneth Mitchell, an actor who appeared in the series “Star Trek: Discovery” and Marvel’s “Captain Marvel,” has died, his family announced in a statement shared on his verified social media Sunday. “With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Kenneth Alexander Mitchell, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, son and dear friend,” the family’s statement read. He and his family shared periodic updates about his health in recent years. Incredibly hard times, mixed with so many more blessings,” Mitchell wrote at the time. This disease is absolutely horrific…yet despite all the suffering, there is so much to be grateful for.”Kenneth Mitchell as Aurellio in 'Star Trek:Discovery.'

Persons: Kenneth Mitchell, Marvel’s, Marvel, ”, Kenneth Alexander Mitchell, Mitchell, “, I’m, It’s, ” Mitchell, ” Kenneth Mitchell, Michael Gibson, Carol Danvers, “ Jericho, Club ”, Kol, StarTrek.com, “ You’ll, Ken, Susan Organizations: CNN, “, CBS, Club Locations: Canada, Marvel’s

Clarkson about “Madame Web” was that this was a superhero who did not have superhuman strength. Clarkson had long admired Dakota Johnson as an actor and was thrilled to get the chance to direct her. “It was important to me that we didn’t sort of, like, take ourselves too seriously. It really was a bit like clairvoyance for her in that she didn’t actually get to see it,” Clarkson said. But for Johnson and Clarkson, the ultimate goal to was to create something fresh.

Persons: S.J, Clarkson, ”, couldn’t, Cassandra Webb, ” Clarkson, Nicolas Roeg’s “, ” Christopher Nolan’s, “, Venom, Morbius, Dakota Johnson, she’s, ” Johnson, Johnson, It’s, didn’t, Sydney Sweeney, “ Dexter, Netflix’s, she’d, Marvel’s “ Jessica Jones, ” She’s, Marvel, Madame Web’s, Denny O’Neil, John Romita Jr, that’s Organizations: ANGELES, Associated Press, ”

BERLIN (AP) — The 74th Berlin International Film Festival opens Thursday with the world premiere of “Small Things Like These” starring man of the moment Cillian Murphy. Festival directors Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian, who will step down after this year, expressed their aim for “open dialogue” surrounding the war. The duo’s previous film, “Ballad of a White Cow,” premiered in competition in Berlin in 2021. Kenyan-Mexican actor Lupita Nyong’o will serve as the Berlinale’s first black jury president at this year’s festival. Isabelle Huppert will return to Berlin to collect her unclaimed lifetime achievement from 2022, when the French acting icon could not attend.

Persons: Cillian Murphy, Murphy, “ Oppenheimer, ”, “, Blinders, Tim Mielants, Eileen Walsh, Michelle Fairley, Emily Watson, Magdalene laundries, Mariette Rissenbeek, Carlo Chatrian, ” It’s, haven’t, Ayo Tsalithaba, Suneil Sanzgiri, Maryam Moghaddam, Sanaeeha, Berlinale, AfD’s, Kristin Brinker, Lupita Nyong’o, Brady Corbet, Jasmine Trinca, Ann Hui, Christian Petzold, Albert Serra, Oksana Zabuzhko, Kristen Stewart, Adam Sandler, Stephen Fry, Lena Dunham, Marvel’s Sebastian Stan, Martin Scorsese, Golden Bear, Isabelle Huppert, Hong Sang Organizations: BERLIN, Berlin, West Bank, Palestinian, Germany, Kenyan Locations: Ireland, Gaza, Germany, Israeli, American, Israel, Tehran, Berlin, Berlin’s, AfD’s Berlin, Mexican, Ukrainian, Czech, Poland, French, South Korean

The “Last of Us” and “Mandalorian” actor is set to play Reed Richards (also known as Mister Fantastic) in the newest incarnation of “The Fantastic Four,” the studio announced Wednesday. The rest of his squad was revealed, too, with Vanessa Kirby stepping up as Susan Storm (The Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn of “Stranger Things” as Johnny Storm (The Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach of “The Bear” as Ben Grimm (The Thing). “The Fantastic Four” is among Marvel’s longest-running comics series and the titular crew is one of its most beloved groups. When it debuted in November 1961, it was a refreshing revelation that helped inform the Marvel voice and set a path for Iron Man and Spider-Man. The film is set to be directed by “WandaVision” veteran Matt Shakman, with a planned July 25, 2025, theatrical release.

Persons: Pedro Pascal, Mandalorian, Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby, Susan Storm, Joseph Quinn, Johnny Storm, Ebon Moss, Bachrach, “, Ben Grimm, Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Roger Corman, Alex Hyde, Rebecca Staab, Jay Underwood, Michael Bailey Smith, Oley Sassone, Corman's, Tim Story, Chris Columbus, Raja Gosnell, ” helmer Peyton Reed, ” Ioan Gruffudd, Reed, Jessica Alba, Susan, Chris Evans, Johnny, Michael Chiklis, Ben, Kevin Feige, John Krasinski, Strange, “ WandaVision, Matt Shakman Organizations: Star Wars, Marvel, Century Fox

STUDIO CITY, Calif. (AP) — A crewmember who was working on the Marvel Studios series “Wonder Man” died following an accident on set Tuesday morning at CBS Radford Studios in Studio City. The man, whose name was not made public, was a rigger who fell from the rafters, according to the trade publication Deadline, which first reported the news. Matthew D. Loeb, president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, said the labor union was shocked and saddened. Those numbers were derived by combing through data from workplace and aviation safety investigations, court records and news accounts. Filming is set to begin next month on “Wonder Man,” which stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and was delayed by last year’s dual Hollywood strikes.

Persons: ”, Matthew D, Loeb, ” Loeb, Halyna Hutchins, Alec Baldwin, Sarah Jones, Yahya Abdul, Mateen Organizations: CITY, Calif, Marvel Studios, CBS Radford Studios, Marvel, Occupational Safety, Health Administration, OSHA, International Alliance, Cal, Associated Press Locations: Studio City, U.S

☆ The world’s best beaches, according to Lonely Planet
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The dim sum capital of the worldLegacy House: Legacy House's fantastic dim sum set includes steamed spotted garoupa dumplings with salted lemon. Courtesy Legacy House Forum: This three-Michelin-star restaurant, which serves classic Cantonese dim sum dishes, is famed for its impeccable attention to detail. Tai Wai Dining Room Veggie Kingdom: Veggie Kingdom serves high-quality meat-free versions of classic dim sum dishes. Maggie Wong/CNN Spring Moon: In addition to serving delicious, classic dim sum dishes, Spring Moon's cinematic interior is an attraction in its own right. Courtesy Peninsula Hong Kong Hong Kong’s best dim sum Prev NextThis is our essential guide to Hong Kong’s best dim sum: Where to find it and how to eat it, from classic no-frills joints to Michelin-starred adventures.

Persons: Cabo San Juan del Guía, “, ”, Heen, King Heen, Nicholas Wong, Maggie Wong, Emperor, Fook Lam, Hong Kong Hong, Hong, they’ve, Amelia Earhart’s Organizations: CNN, d’Argent, JetBlue, Japan, Port, Royal, Carnival Corporation, MSC Cruise, Cunard Cruise, CDC, Hong Kong, Hong, Golden Valley, Son Locations: Rio, Sarakiniko, Greece, Baltic, Danish, Bornholm, Cabo San Juan, Seychelles, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima prefecture, Tomonoura, Port of Miami, Hong, Hong Kong, Veggie, Golden, Spain

☆ Hollywood box office sales slump in November
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Movie theaters slumped into a “Slow-vember,” say industry analysts, as several of the season’s most anticipated movies drew underwhelming box office sales last month. Domestic theaters grossed about $553.6 million this November, a 12% decline from last year and still more than $400 million short of pre-pandemic levels, according to data from research firm Comscore. Between 2009 and 2019, Novembers were a reliably lucrative month and could be counted on to rake in nearly a billion dollars, owing in part to the long Thanksgiving weekend. It was also surpassed by “The Hunger Games,” which was the top movie over Thanksgiving weekend, grossing $42 million. December could see a similar slump, according to Robbins, given the “Ghostbusters” sequel has been delayed until next year and “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” will likely not live up to the first movie’s box office revenue.

Persons: Novembers, “, ”, Paul Dergarabedian, ” “, Shawn Robbins, Robbins, Marvel’s, Mockingjay, Jennifer Lawrence’s Organizations: CNN, Marvel, Box, SAG

☆ The 29 Best Holiday Gifts to Shop This Black Friday
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Buy Side Staff | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +15 min

To help you shop for nice prices, we limited our list to our favorites that are on sale now for Black Friday. One thing I have my eye on is this Nyx Butter Gloss Holiday Gifts Set with 14 full-size lip glosses in a variety of colors. She loves color, but she also has a goth streak, so I wasn’t surprised she asked for black nail polish. It would make a great gift for a college student, new grad or really anyone who could use a travel gear upgrade. It’s a great set to update your kitchen or give as a gift this holiday season.” —Emily Welsh, VP and general manager

Persons: We’ve, I’ll, Harry Potter, ” — Aly J, Barbie Dreamhouse, I’d, Barbie, Don’t, Emily Welsh, ”, Emily Schwartzberg, Matte Black, Matte White, Madeline Diamond, Tween, Olive, Jessica Woodbury, cocotte, Staub, Astrid Stawiarz, Nick Guy, ” — Ian Salisbury, Cashmere, I’ve, PJs, ” — Emily Welsh, Charming, Mario, ‘, Cozy, it’s, Susan “, Susan, Anaya, There’s, ” — Leslie Yazel, we’ll, Philip Asquith, It’s, ” — Bellamy Richardson, I’m, Buddy, nutcrackers, Luxe, Augustinus Bader, Rich Cream, ” — Irma Sahinovic, they’re, Brittany Nguyen Organizations: Side, Black, Yale, Bluetooth, Apple, Mario Kart, PlayStation, Target, Saks, Olive Oil, Amazon, Chic Locations: Ulta, Pima, Los Angeles, Olive, Ojai , Calif, Europe, The

☆ The Holiday Gifts Buy Side Staffers Are Buying This Black Friday
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Buy Side Staff | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +12 min

By Buy Side StaffThe Buy Side staff shops for a living, which also means we spend an inordinate amount of time scrutinizing gift options. To help you shop for nice prices, we limited our list to our favorites that are on sale now for Black Friday. She asked for compression socks, so I’m buying her these pretty ones in blue chevron to help her with recovery. It would make a great gift for a college student, new grad or really anyone who could use a travel gear upgrade. It’s a great set to update your kitchen or give as a gift this holiday season.” —Emily Welsh, VP and general manager

Persons: We’ve, cocotte, Staub, ”, Astrid Stawiarz, Nick Guy, ” — Ian Salisbury, Cashmere hoodie, I’ve, Jessica Woodbury, PJs, ” — Emily Welsh, Charming, Madeline Diamond, ‘ Broom ’, I’ll, Samantha Sharf, Mario, ‘, Cozy, she’s, ” — Leslie Yazel, it’s, Susan “, Susan, Anaya, There’s, we’ll, Philip Asquith, It’s, ” — Bellamy Richardson, Buddy, I’m, nutcrackers, ” — Aly J, they’re, Brittany Nguyen Organizations: Side, Black, Bluetooth, Apple, PlayStation, Mario Kart, New, Olive Oil, Amazon, Yale, Walmart Locations: Naadam, New York City, Los Angeles, Olive, Ojai , Calif, Europe, The

☆ Marvel’s Bomb Won’t Blow Up Hollywood’s Formula
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Dan Gallagher | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Photo illustration: Ryan TrefesWanted by Hollywood: World-famous intellectual property that no one has yet thought to make into a movie. Disney ’s Marvel Cinematic Universe has been the most successful movie franchise in history, grossing nearly $30 billion globally over 33 films to date. But this past weekend provided the latest sign that the lucrative stable of superheroes is in need of some rescuing. “The Marvels” grossed a mere $47 million for its domestic box-office debut—a record low for the franchise and a major disappointment even against other recent Marvel movies that have been showing signs of strain. The nine other Marvel movies that have opened since the pandemic closed movie theaters in 2020 have averaged a domestic opening weekend of about $136 million, according to data from Box Office Mojo.

Persons: Ryan Trefes Organizations: Star, Hollywood, Marvel, Office Mojo

☆ Marvel Flounders at the Box Office With ‘The Marvels’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( Brooks Barnes | More About Brooks Barnes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Chambers added, however, “We know the film is resonating with female audiences. To a degree, “The Marvels” was hurt by the actors’ strike, which prevented Ms. Larson and her co-stars from participating in promotional events — at least until Wednesday, when the 118-day strike was resolved. Superhero fatigue also probably played a role. Audiences have started to become pickier about these spectacles, with duds like “Blue Beetle” and “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” both from DC Studios, as recent evidence.

Persons: Tony Chambers, ”, Chambers, Marvel, Ms, Larson Organizations: Disney, DC Studios

☆ ‘The Marvels’ struggles at box office on opening weekend
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

1 at the box office in its opening weekend but grossed just $47 million in domestic sales, according to studio estimates on Sunday. In fact, “The Marvels” is only the third Marvel movie to make less than $60 million during its opening weekend, and the first since “Ant-Man” opened with $57 million in 2015. The lackluster opening weekend numbers for “The Marvels” are also symptomatic of overarching studio challenges in recent years, say experts. Marvel’s November offering last year, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” which was also a sequel to an Infinity-Saga-era film, made nearly four times the domestic opening weekend earnings as “The Marvels” with more than $181.3 million. However, the video-game-based movie is also available online for Peacock subscribers, and streaming may siphon off some moviegoers.

Persons: CNN —, ”, “, BoxOffice, Shawn Robbins, ” Paul Dergarabedian, Logan, ” Dergarabedian, Ms, Marvel, Robbins, ” Robbins Organizations: CNN, Marvel, “ Marvel, BoxOffice Pro, Disney, Peacock Locations: Comscore

NEW YORK (AP) — Nia DaCosta, director of the upcoming “The Marvels,” has a diagnosis for the recent struggles of superhero movies. It’s the first Marvel movie to feature not just all-female leads but a female villain (Zawe Ashton plays Dar-Benn), as well. While originally conceived as a post-“Endgame” follow-up to “Captain Marvel,” Marvel chief Kevin Feige was drawn to the chance to unite Captain Marvel with Rambeau from “WandaVision” and Ms. Marvel of her standalone Disney+ series. After making “Candyman,” a Marvel movie was, DaCosta says, “definitely not in my near future.” But it also wasn’t entirely off her radar. When DaCosta was tapped to helm “The Marvels,” Feige encouraged her to reach out to other Marvel movie directors for advice.

Persons: — Nia DaCosta, ”, “ Mo, ’, Barbie, Mario, Jordan Peele, ” DaCosta, “, Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, Iman Vellani, Samuel L, Jackson, isn’t, Marvel, it’s, Zawe Ashton, Benn, I’m, Carol Danvers, Captain Marvel, Larson, Monica Rambeau, Kamala Khan, Kevin Feige, WandaVision ”, ’ ” DaCosta, Danvers, I’ve, DaCosta, Henrik Ibsen’s “ Hedda Gabler, Tessa Thompson, Maude, She’s, Sam Raimi’s “, ” Feige, Ryan Coogler, Jake Coyle Organizations: Warner Bros, Marvel, Dar, ” Marvel, SAG, Twitter Locations: New York City, London

☆ ‘The Marvels’ battles nasty superheroes like ‘Gen V,’ ‘The Boys’ and ‘Invincible’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Yet for this genre, a more subtle factor might be the bad, no good, extraordinarily nasty “heroes” that have entered the chat, as Amazon’s “The Boys” spinoff “Gen V” concludes its first season and the animated “Invincible” begins its second. Like “The Boys,” “Gen V” has explored the corruptible side of superheroes, with its college-age characters at the appropriately named Godolkin University (God U, for short) yearning for a place among the Seven, the amoral heroes brought to the world by a shadowy corporation more interested in public relations and profits than the public good. Lizze Broadway, Jaz Sinclair and Maddie Phillips in "Gen V," the spinoff to Amazon's "The Boys." The fact that “The Boys,” “Gen V” and “Invincible” play on Prime Video merely reinforces that streaming has created hungry platforms for genre-friendly franchises – including raunchier ones, like Max’s “Peacemaker” – while further adding to the crush of viewing options featuring characters in capes and masks. “Gen V” concludes and “Invincible” begins its second season November 3 on Amazon’s Prime Video.

Persons: ”, V ”, Jaz Sinclair, Maddie Phillips, Brooke Palmer, V, Max’s, Marvel, Monica Rambeau, “ WandaVision, Ms, Amazon’s, “ Invincible ” Organizations: Marvel, Disney, Godolkin University, Amazon Studios, DC, Fox, Amazon’s Locations: “

☆ How ‘Moving’ became Disney+’s first big Korean hit
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Jane Sit | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Following the success of “Squid Game” on Netflix and “Pachinko” on Apple TV+, “Moving” has landed Disney+ its first Korean hit. “Moving” is a thriller following the fates of low-profile Korean superheroes and their families. Ahead of the awards on October 8, CNN caught up with Ryu to discuss his character, why he thinks the show has resonated with a global audience, and his big hopes for a second season. Korean-style superheroesIn "Moving," actor Cha Taehyun plays a character who has the ability to generate electricity. The actor says the focus on family helps “Moving” resonate with international audiences.

Persons: Kang, Ryu Seungryong, Ryu, Cha Taehyun, Jang Ju, “, ” Ryu, ”, we’re, dote, you’re, don’t, ” That’s, Ryu, “ Kang Organizations: CNN, Netflix, Apple, Disney, Hulu, Star Wars, Marvel, Busan, Film Locations: Asia Pacific, South Korea’s, South Korea, Park Chan, Hulu

☆ Taylor Swift and Beyoncé and could save movie theaters. But for how long?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Add to the list of Taylor Swift and Beyoncé’s accomplishments an unlikely new mission: Helping to save movie theaters, as theater owners – apparently tired of waiting for Hollywood to mount a rescue mission – have seemingly opted to take matters into their own hands. Swift’s deal with AMC to play a concert movie based on her “Eras Tour,” opening October 13, will be followed by Beyoncé’s plan to do the same with her “Renaissance World Tour,” destined to hit theaters in December. Taylor Swift performing in August during her "Eras Tour." Getty ImagesWhether this amounts to a stopgap measure or a full pivot into a new opportunity for theaters remains to be seen. For now, the twin power of Beyoncé and Swift could represent the unlikely heroes for which theaters – having spent the last few years grappling with existential questions about the future – have been waiting.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Beyoncé’s, “ Barbie ”, “ Oppenheimer, –, ” “ Indiana Jones, ”, Swift, Beyoncé, Marvel’s, DC’s Organizations: CNN, AMC Locations: Hollywood

☆ Is Marvel’s Politics Left or Right?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Robbie Whelan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

“Secret Invasion,” the new Marvel Studios series on Disney +, tells the story of a shapeshifting race of aliens, the Skrulls, who live in hiding among the people of Earth, their green scaly skin disguised under human faces. The Skrulls first appeared in the pages of Marvel’s “Fantastic Four” comic books in 1962. Back then, they were avatars of Cold War paranoia—stand-ins for the infiltration of American society by secret Communists.

Persons: Marvel’s Organizations: Marvel Studios, Disney

☆ Taika Waititi: La La Land meets lineouts – Hollywood A-lister forays into the world of rugby
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Amanda Davies | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Hollywood A-lister Taika Waititi is much more comfortable holding an Academy Award than lifting the Rugby World Cup trophy. “The only World Cup I’ve been to is the very first one in 1987 with my father and that was a very special moment,” he said. They’ve now suffered two losses in a row having lost to reigning champion South Africa in August before the World Cup kicked off. Waititi talks on the field during the Rugby World Cup 2021 New Zealand match against Australia. But the Rugby World Cup has provided some of the biggest upsets in the history of sport, notably when Japan stunned South Africa in 2015.

Persons: lister Taika, “, Amanda Davies, ”, Waititi, Webb Ellis, Alex Livesey, Marvel’s, Thor, Kiwi Waititi, Jerome Kaino, Andrew Mehrtens, Chabal, John Kirwan, They’ve, we’re, ” Waititi, Mike Hewitt, Rita Ora, Te, Matewa –, Phil Walter, “ Jojo Rabbit, I’d Organizations: CNN, Hollywood, Rugby, de Rugby, Zealand, NZR, Webb, Getty, Italy, New Zealand, Blacks, South Africa, rugby, FIFA, Australia, American Samoa soccer team Locations: France, Zealand, New Zealand, Namibia, Italy, Uruguay, Japan, South Africa, Australia, American Samoa

☆ Marvel visual effects workers unanimously vote to unionize
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Marvel Studio’s VFX workers unanimously voted to unionize with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes, marking the first time visual effects workers have unionized with IATSE, the union announced Wednesday. A still from Marvel Studios' Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, which kicked off phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel StudiosThe National Labor Relations Board oversaw the election, and the count was held Tuesday after the Marvel employees first filed for this election on August 7. Though this union only includes Marvel’s in-house VFX workers, its parent company Disney’s visual effects crews filed for their own election to unionize with the NLRB, and backed by IATSE, at the end of August. Now, the Marvel VFX workers will engage in collective bargaining negotiations with their employer to draft a contract.

Persons: Mark Patch, IATSE, “, Aladdin ”, ” Sarah Kazuko Chow Organizations: New, New York CNN, Marvel, International Alliance, IATSE, Marvel Studios, National Labor Relations Board, “, NLRB, Walt Disney Pictures, “ Pirates, ”, Disney’s, Writers Guild of America, SAG, CNN Locations: New York, Caribbean

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