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☆ Marvel movies are set to return to China, but Covid could weigh on ticket sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Marvel films are returning to China in February, marking the first time in nearly four years that Disney's comic book cinematic universe landed a release in the country. Since 2012′s "The Avengers," China has been the second-highest-grossing box office market for all Marvel movies, just behind the U.S. and Canada. The last Marvel film to open in China was 2019's "Spider-Man: Far From Home." There are also concerns about muted ticket sales from China as the coronavirus once again roils the region since the government lifted its "zero Covid" policy. For comparison, the first "Avatar" collected around $250 million in ticket sales during its run in 2009 and 2010.

☆ Marvel movies are finally returning to China after being shut out for nearly four years
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" and "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" will be released in China next month. They're the first Marvel Cinematic Universe movies to be approved in the region since 2019. "Wakanda Forever" will debut in China three months after it hit theaters elsewhere. Marvel announced on Tuesday that "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" and "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" will be released in China on February 7 and February 17, respectively. "Wakanda Forever" has grossed $835 million worldwide, lagging behind its 2018 predecessor, which grossed $1.3 billion globally.

"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" will start streaming exclusively on Disney Plus on February 1. Check out the trailer for 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'Though the original "Black Panther'' movie starred the late Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa, Boseman does not appear in the sequel. How to watch 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'You can watch "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" at home on Disney Plus starting February 1. Is 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' worth watching? Letitia Wright in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever."

☆ China continued to reject Marvel movies in 2022, and the country's box office plummeted 36%
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

China's box office dropped 36% in 2022 compared to the previous year. Chinese film officials also continued to reject many Hollywood releases, particularly Marvel movies. China's box office dropped 36% to $4.35 billion in 2022, according to Deadline, which cited figures that China's Film Administration released to state media. The 2022 North American box office rose to an estimated $7.5 billion, according to Comscore, a 64% increase from the previous year. To make matters worse for its box office, China also didn't have a local smash hit last year, like it did in 2021 with "The Battle at Lake Changjin."

☆ 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' trailer: Miles Morales goes on another mindbending trip
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —After a breathtaking debut in 2018’s Oscar-winning animated “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” Miles Morales is back for more universe-crossing adventures. The first trailer for “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” dropped on Tuesday, starting off with a contemplative moment between Morales – one of multiple Spider-Men throughout the multiverse – talking to his mother Rio as they look out on a view of New York City. Actor Shameik Moore is returning to supply the voice of Morales, as is Luna Lauren Vélez in the role of Rio, Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy/Spider-Gwen and Jake Johnson as Peter Parker. Other notable stars lending their vocals to the sequel include Daniel Kaluuya, Rachel Dratch, Brian Tyree Henry, Issa Rae and Oscar Isaac. “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” swings into theaters on June 2, 2023.

☆ ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ trailer drops with great tunes and a Rocket backstory
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —After a very long wait, the closing chapter to the “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy is almost here. Rocket, in particular, is seen a bunch in the trailer, including in a flashback scene when he’s a wee space-raccoon, promising viewers some welcome backstory. But as always, the interplanetary action is set to great throwback tunes, this time one in particular: “In the Meantime” by Spacehog, from 1994. Since “Endgame” and before that, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.

In 2019, Martin Scorsese said that Marvel movies were “not cinema” and worried cinema was being “invaded” by them. As it happens, I’m not a fan of Marvel films either. For almost the entire history of movies, women haven’t had access to the capital required to make them. There were at least 15 women directors in the commercial film industry during that time. That’s dismal but more than twice as high as the number of female film directors of the same era.

Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy are back in a new holiday special set to hit Disney Plus on November 25. "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special" is a new streaming exclusive set to premiere on November 25. "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special" is written and directed by James Gunn. This is Marvel's second "Special Presentation" for Disney Plus, following the studio's "Werewolf by Night" Halloween special in October. How to watch 'The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special'You can watch "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special" on Disney Plus starting November 25.

☆ How every Avenger in the Marvel Cinematic Universe compares to their comic-book counterpart
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( Gabbi Shaw | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

But, as many Marvel fans knew, he wasn't actually dead. Instead, he became a mind-controlled assassin known as the Winter Soldier. Over the course of the MCU, he eventually gets his mind back. Marvel Unlimited/DisneyBasically, he cut off his Winter Soldier hair and got a new robotic arm. Bucky made his comics debut as Captain America in "Captain America No.

Persons: wasn't, Bucky Barnes, Bucky, Captain America, America Organizations: Marvel, Disney, Captain

☆ Marvel didn't recast Chadwick Boseman in 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' — and it was the right move
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

In August 2020, Disney's Marvel Studios was faced with an unenviable task — how to handle the sudden and tragic death of Chadwick Boseman, the star of its megahit film "Black Panther." With the "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" sequel slated for release in mid-2022, Marvel executives and Coogler needed to quickly decide what to do with the character of T'Challa, who was played by Boseman and becomes the Black Panther superhero after the death of his father. Since the Black Panther is a key character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the studio could have recast the character and carried on with production. In the sequel, the Black Panther is not gone from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His passing deeply affects his community and the supporting characters from "Black Panther."

☆ Over a third of Marvel fans say they're feeling franchise fatigue in a new survey — but a vast majority say they'll still watch anything it releases
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Over a third of Marvel fans in a new survey said they felt fatigued by the franchise. But the vast majority said they would still consider watching anything Marvel released. Marvel fans are more loyal to the overall franchise, while DC fans gravitate towards specific characters. 67% of DC fans said they would consider watching anything released in the franchise, compared to the 81% of Marvel fans. Only 20% of DC fans said they were fatigued by the franchise, but DC doesn't release nearly as much content.

☆ Chris Hemsworth receives ‘strong indication’ of a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease while filming new show
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Chris Hemsworth embarked on a personal and physically demanding journey for his new series “Limitless” that ultimately led to a sobering discovery. Most of us, we like to avoid speaking about death in the hope that we’ll somehow avoid it,” he told Vanity Fair. “I think that’s my favorite episode. “Doing an episode on death and facing your own mortality made me go, ‘Oh God, I’m not ready to go yet,’” he later added. “I want to sit and be in this space with a greater sense of stillness and gratitude.

☆ 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' is the seventh MCU movie in a row to be barred from China. It shows how a once essential market for Hollywood blockbusters has dried up.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

China's film officials have been extra stingy about granting Marvel movies release dates during the pandemic. Marvel movies are still some of the biggest movies being released right now. But "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" was just shy of $1 billion and might have crossed that coveted barrier with a China release. "Love and Thunder" topped its predecessor "Thor: Ragnarok" at the US box office but not in total global sales. DC's "Black Adam" was denied a China release, as well.

☆ 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' eyes $180 million opening weekend, highest November debut ever
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-13 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Disney and Marvel Studios' "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" snared an estimated $180 million during its domestic debut, earning it the record for the biggest opener in the month of November and the second-highest opener of 2022. "Wakanda Forever" is estimated to pull in 12.7 million patrons this weekend, according to data from EntTelligence. Only Marvel's "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" has pulled in more moviegoers, bringing in 13.7 million during its opening weekend in May. If "Wakanda Forever" sees a surge in ticket sales Sunday, it could surpass that figure. Like "Black Panther," "Wakanda Forever" features a predominately Black cast, but it also has several Hispanic actors.

☆ Namor: Marvel's watertight efforts to make him different from Aquaman
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-13 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Editor’s Note: The following contains minor spoilers about “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”CNN —In “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” the aquatic adversary known as Namor wastes no time establishing himself as one of those beguiling but strange characters that can polarize an audience: the ocean-dwelling deity uses conch shells like smartphones and has feathered wings on his ankles. (CNN, DC Films and Warner Bros, which produced “Aquaman,” are part of the same parent company, Warner Bros. Also known as the Sub-Mariner, Namor first appeared in comics in 1939, while DC’s Aquaman debuted in 1941. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” also had the daunting task of presenting Namor’s origins in a way that swam clear of those seen in “Aquaman,” and of doing it a movie not meant to operate solely as an origin story. But before that happens, and thanks to Mejía’s nuanced performance in “Wakanda Forever,” Namor should be able to avoid many more comparisons to other oceanic demigods, and ride his own wave into the future.

☆ Here's what critics are saying about Marvel's 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Danai Gurira and Letitia Wright star as Okoye and Shuri in Marvel Studio's "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever." DisneyIt's impossible to replace the irreplaceable, but that was Ryan Coogler's task as the director and co-writer of Disney's latest Marvel Cinematic Universe film, "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever." Here's what some critics thought of "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" ahead of its Friday debut:Kristy Puchko, MashablePuchko says the film, while action-packed, is at its core about how people handle loss differently. Still from Marvel Studio's "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever." Winston Duke stars as M'Baku in Marvel Studio's "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever."

☆ ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Extends the Marvel Empire in Film Franchises
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Peter Champelli | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Since “Iron Man” was released in 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise has grossed more than $10.5 billion in U.S. box-office revenue—the most of any movie franchise, according to Box Office Mojo. The blockbuster-scaled “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” to be released in theaters Friday, will add to the MCU total. With more than $700 million in box-office revenue, the franchise’s 2018 “Black Panther” movie had the sixth-highest lifetime gross in the U.S.

"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" premieres in theaters on November 11. Though the original "Black Panther'' movie told the story of T'Challa, the late Chadwick Boseman will not make an appearance in the sequel. Check out the trailer for 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'Most of the star-studded cast from the first "Black Panther" will reprise their roles in "Wakanda Forever," along with a few new additions. If you're interested in catching up on previous Marvel films and shows that feature characters from "Wakanda Forever," we've got you covered. Below, we rounded up every Marvel title that we consider essential viewing before you see "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever."

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’Even before making its way to theaters, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” — the long-awaited sequel to the 2018 film starring Chadwick Boseman — has birthed some of this fall’s biggest pop culture moments, including a Rihanna song drop. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” opens in U.S. theaters Nov. 11. “The Inspection” opens in U.S. theaters Nov. 18. “Bones and All” opens in U.S. theaters Nov. 23. “Strange World” opens in U.S. theaters Nov. 23.

☆ 'Avengers: Endgame' directors say they wouldn't 'be ready' to return to Marvel 'until the end of the decade'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Joe and Anthony Russo "won't be ready to do anything with Marvel until the end of the decade." The Russos made four movies for Marvel, including "Avengers: Endgame." The directors previously told Insider they had no plans to return, but seemed open to it. The duo made four movies for Marvel — 2014's "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," 2016's "Captain America: Civil War," 2018's "Avengers: Infinity War," and then "Endgame" in 2019. "It would be bigger than 'Infinity War' and 'Endgame,'" Joe said.

☆ James Gunn, Peter Safran named new heads of Warner Bros.' DC studios
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

James Gunn and Peter Safran will be the next co-heads of Warner Bros. The news comes during a tumultuous time for the newly formed Warner Bros. Zaslav has been looking for someone to steady the ship at the DC film division, home to superheroes such as Wonder Woman and Superman, as Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Warner Bros. recently moved its "Aquaman" sequel, which was set for a March 2023 release, to December 2023.

☆ Kevin Bacon joins the MCU in 'Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Kevin Bacon is coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as…Kevin Bacon. In a move that’s sure to make the ‘six degrees of Kevin Bacon’ game even easier, the “Footloose” star is featured in the new trailer for “The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special,” alongside franchise stars Dave Bautista (Drax) and Pom Klementieff (Mantis). “Guardians” director James Gunn, who on Tuesday was appointed co-chairman and chief executive officer of DC Studios alongside Peter Safran, shared the clip on his Twitter. Somehow, they decide that Bacon would be the perfect “someone special” to help their friend and appear on the iconic actor’s front doorstep to take him with them. “The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special” is due on Disney+ on November 25.

☆ Tim Burton says he probably won’t work for Disney again
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Tim Burton is sounding off on his previous working relationship with Disney, saying he is unlikely to return to the company as a director in the future. The filmmaker attended the Lumiere Festival in France over the weekend, where he received the honorary Prix Lumière award. There’s less room for different types of things,” Burton said, according to Deadline. “I can only deal with one universe, l can’t deal with a multi-universe,” he said. “The thing about ‘Dumbo,’ is that’s why I think my days with Disney are done, I realized that I was Dumbo, that I was working in this horrible big circus and I needed to escape.

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☆ Hugh Jackman is back as Wolverine in Ryan Reynolds' 'Deadpool 3'
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-27 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Hugh Jackman will enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe alongside Ryan Reynolds in "Deadpool 3," which is due out in theaters Sept. 6, 2024. "Yeah, sure Ryan," Jackman replies. Reynold's Deadpool films are a rarity in Hollywood. Both "Deadpool" and "Deadpool 2" were rated R and went on to generate more than $780 million globally each. That's probably why Disney has agreed to let "Deadpool 3" be rated R, even though the rest of the MCU filmography is rated PG-13 or lower.

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