‘Avengers: Endgame’ to Cross $2 Billion Worldwide in Second Weekend - Variety

Disney-Marvel’s “Avengers: Endgame” is heading for a stellar second weekend with an estimated $145 million domestically, topping the U.S. box office by an immense margin.

Its second frame haul will tack on to its current $1.915 billion worldwide total, bringing it to over $2 billion. Its current total makes it the no. 5 highest-grossing global movie of all time as of Friday, behind “Avengers: Infinity War” with $2.048 billion. Depending on “Endgame’s” exact weekend cume, it could ascend to no. 3 of all time, passing “Star Wars: The Force Awakens'” $2.068 billion, or possibly no. 2, beating out “Titanic’s” $2.187 billion. That would leave “Avatar’s” massive $2.788 billion as the last hurdle before “Endgame” became the highest-grossing film of all time.

“Endgame” has so far raked in $515 million domestically.

Three new releases will fill out most of the top five at the box office, with Sony’s “The Intruder” in a very distant second with an estimated $11 million.

Related

Starring Dennis Quaid as a home seller who terrorizes the young couple who purchases his house, “The Intruder” took in $3.9 million on Friday from 2,222 North American locations. Deon Taylor directed the film from a script by David Loughery. Michael Ealy, Meagan Good, and Joseph Sikora also star.

Meanwhile, Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron’s rom-com “Long Shot” will duke it out with STXfilms and Alibaba Pictures’ “UglyDolls,” each estimated at around $9 million.

“Long Shot,” which stars Theron as a powerful politician and Rogen as the former child she babysat who she brings on to punch up her speeches, earned $3.63 million on Friday from 3,230 theaters. Jonathan Levine directed from Dan Sterling and Liz Hannah’s script. “Long Shot,” which premiered at South by Southwest, has a 83% certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes along with a B CinemaScore.

“UglyDolls” took in $2.5 million on Friday from 3,652 domestic sites. The musical comedy, which is based on the plush dolls of the same name, features the voices of Kelly Clarkson, Nick Jonas, Janelle Monae, Blake Shelton, Pitbull,  and a slew of other stars. Led by Clarkson’s Moxy, a group of dolls who live in Uglyville, where reject dolls go, journey to find the Big World, where perfect dolls are united with a child. It has a B+ CinemaScore and 36% Rotten Tomatoes rating.

Elsewhere, the ninth weekend of Disney’s “Captain Marvel” is on its way to bagging another $4 million for no. 5 at the box office, bringing its domestic total to a little over $420 million.

RELATED:

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://variety.com/2019/film/box-office/avengers-endgame-box-office-the-intruder-long-shot-uglydolls-1203205145/

2019-05-04 15:42:00Z
52780282298798

Could Avengers time travel to kill baby Thanos? The comic heroes tried. - Polygon

Superhero universes like that of Avengers: Endgame have always followed a generous interpretation of the laws of science — and that can lead our heroes to some knotty ethical dilemmas. Do clones have rights? Can ghosts testify at their own murder trials? Can we go back in time and kill a murderer in his crib?

Avengers: Endgame only toyed with one of these questions, but it’s one that Marvel Comics recently, definitively, and bizarrely answered. To really dig in, we’ll have to get into spoiler territory.

[Ed. note: This piece contains spoilers for Avengers: Endgame.]

Marvel Studios

During the course of Avengers: Endgame, War Machine raises a pertinent question: Given that they are planning to go back in time and recover the Infinity Stones before Thanos destroyed them, why don’t the heroes just go back in time and kill Thanos as a baby?

The answer is, first of all, the Avengers don’t kill babies. Second of all, time travel doesn’t work that way. Changing the past doesn’t affect the present, because by the time you go back to the past the present IS your past and the PAST is your PRESENT and ... well, just read our post about it.

But if Marvel Cinematic Universe didn’t have the guts to try to kill baby Thanos in his crib, the Marvel Comics Universe totally did, in the pages of last year’s Cosmic Ghost Rider. It shouldn’t be a surprise to tell you that it doesn’t work — and not just because the person going back in time was nowhere near as responsible as the Avengers.

Frank and baby Thanos in his baby-bjorn made of hell chains.

Donny Cates, Dylan Burnett/Marvel Comics

Meet Frank Castle, the Cosmic Ghost Rider

Yes, the Punisher is the one behind the flaming skull. This version of the character comes from a timeline in which Thanos succeeded in his attempt to murder most of the universe, leaving Frank as one of Earth’s only superhero survivors. From the wreckage, the devil Mephisto offered Frank the powers of the Spirit of Vengeance, so that he could, you know, get vengeance on Thanos .

Frank used the powers of Ghost Rider to follow Thanos into space, where he ran into Galactus, who was also pretty mad at Thanos for killing all the planetary life that the Devourer of Worlds needed to sustain himself. They decided to team up, and Galactus made Frank his herald, giving him the Power Cosmic — a limitless source of god-like cosmic energy — on top of his Ghost Rider abilities. After thousands of years of struggle, Thanos defeated Galactus AND Frank, and honestly, after all that adventuring with the Power Cosmic and the Spirit of Vengeance inside him, Frank was a little off his rocker.

Cosmic Ghost Rider picks up with Odin kicking Frank out of Valhalla for being too annoying. But, in recognition for his heroism in life, Odin grants him a boon: He’ll release Frank anywhere in time and space that he wants. So, naturally, Frank, asked to go to the planet Titan on the day of Thanos’ birth, so he could kill him in his crib. But things don’t go as planned.

Frank Castle might be crazy, he might be the Spirit of Vengeance, and he might have the Power Cosmic — but he can’t bring himself to kill an innocent. And even though both Galactus and the Watcher told him it was a bad idea, he decided to try and raise Thanos to not be an evil murdering conqueror himself.

Donny Cates, Dylan Burnett/Marvel Comics

As soon as Frank makes the decision, he is immediately attacked by several future versions of the Guardians of the Galaxy, each led by progressively older and older time-traveling Cable, who are all trying to do the same thing he did — kill Thanos as a baby. Why?

Well, obviously it’s because Frank turned out to not be the best role model. He fails, and Thanos grows up with the Punisher’s ethos. This new Thanos’ goal — which he explains after he comes back in time to pick Frank and baby Thanos up and take them to his future — isn’t balance, or worshiping death. It’s punishment. Punishment for anyone who doesn’t obey him.

So, of course, Frank has to kick his large purple son’s ass, kill him, and then take baby Thanos back to his crib. And that’s where he learns that he was playing into Mistress Death’s plans for Thanos all along.

Donny Cates, Dylan Burnett/Marvel Comics

And that’s why you can’t go back in time to kill baby Thanos in his crib. You’ll just wind up raising baby Thanos into a different flavor of homicidal space dictator, having to rip his skull off, and become a pawn of yet another cosmic force.

But you don’t have to take my word for it. You can read Cosmic Ghost Rider: Baby Thanos Must Die.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/4/18528579/avengers-endgame-time-travel-kill-baby-thanos

2019-05-04 14:52:33Z
52780282298798

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are Making a Huge Mistake Keeping Their Baby's Birth Details a Secret - The Cheat Sheet

No one was too surprised to hear the news—after months of keeping so many details of the pregnancy private, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle admitted that they were taking it one step further. Instead of posing for a post-birth photo a few hours after Baby Sussex’s debut, the couple announced that they “have taken the personal decision to keep the plans around the arrival of their baby private” and that they “look forward to sharing the exciting news with everyone once they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family.”

Understandably, the decree drove royal fans into a frenzy. As the hours ticked by towards the speculated (yet unconfirmed) due date, conspiracy theories abounded. Did Meghan Markle already have the baby in secret? Could we guess the plans based on Prince Harry’s travel plans? How long would the Duke and Duchess of Sussex make everyone wait before sharing the news?

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Dominic Lipinski/AFP/Getty Images

This baby’s birth feels even more exciting than any of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s kids, which is weird because he or she is even further from the throne. The mystery is part of the appeal. However, there are critics who believe Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are making a huge mistake by being so secretive.

Meghan Markle’s influence has changed Prince Harry

Whether it’s good or bad is up for discussion. But there’s no denying that Prince Harry is a much different man these days than he used to be, and many say it’s Meghan Markle’s presence that inspired the change.

Before Markle came along, Prince Harry was known for wild partying and controversial antics. He had calmed down in recent years, but he seemed perfectly content to hang out as the third wheel with his brother and sister-in-law. That’s all different now.

Ever since they became serious, Prince Harry has been forging a new path with his wife by his side. First, it was the break from offices at Kensington Palace and starting his own official household apart from Prince William. Now it’s throwing up walls of privacy where none existed before.

Critics think Prince Harry is shirking his royal responsibilities

Meghan Markle joined the royal family with little exposure to their customs. It makes sense—Markle is an American Hollywood actress, not a British socialite. It’s logical she’d expect a different approach.

But now people are miffed by her reticence and failure to do those things that the public expects from the royal family. It may not go along with Markle’s agenda, but in certain ways the royal family “belongs” to the public, and allowing them access to their big life events is part of the deal. This whole veil of mystery was fun at first but it’s starting to make people irritated.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpBzNPXn9m-/

Prince Harry may be intentionally punishing the media

There are lots of people blaming Meghan Markle for keeping all the birth details secret, but there are just as many fans who think it stems from Prince Harry, too. It’s common knowledge that the Duke of Sussex has a complicated relationship with the press and some say he’s hiding royal baby details on purpose to punish them.

As Sun photographer Arthur Edwards told the New York Times: “It’s the way Harry is at the moment, he’s just got this bee in his bonnet that all the media are to be ignored.”

But destroying his relationship with the media could prove disastrous for Prince Harry, especially as he and his wife are trying to get specific issues (such as mental health) into the spotlight.

The next few weeks will reveal more about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s deeper agenda. For now, we all just have to wait some more.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/prince-harry-and-meghan-markle-are-making-a-huge-mistake-keeping-their-babys-birth-details-a-secret.html/

2019-05-04 13:46:33Z
52780280677718

The Biggest Reason Why Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Might Want to Move to Africa - The Cheat Sheet

Some of the latest news surrounding the royal family has to do with the possibility of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moving to Africa. Although the world is currently focused on the royal baby, constantly checking for any news and updates that may be available, we do know that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex may be leaving England for a short while, with the queen’s approval of course.

We are left wondering if we will still see as much of them and if we will get to see Baby Sussex. Africa is a place that is extremely special to the royal couple, for more reasons that one, so they are certainly excited about the possibility of going. So, what is the biggest reason why Meghan and Harry might want to move to Africa?

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle fell in love in Africa

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Karwai Tang/WireImage

Early on in their relationship, Harry whisked Meghan away to Botswana, where they were able to spend several days away from the spotlight and focus just on each other. It was a wonderful experience for them both, and while fans may never know every detail of what happened on that trip, we do know that it is where Meghan and Harry fell in love. Botswana is so near to their hearts, in fact, that when Harry designed Meghan’s breathtaking, three-stone engagement ring, he made sure that the center stone was sourced from there.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle enjoy humanitarian work

Africa is the perfect place for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as they both love their humanitarian work and take it very seriously. They know that that they will be able to make quite an impact in Africa, so it is only natural that they would be excited about the possibility of moving there. The couple has done humanitarian work in Botswana before, and Africa is the ideal place for them to do it once more, making the move a wonderful opportunity for them both, as it is a place where they can continue royal duties.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are looking for privacy

As one of the most closely watched couples in the world, Meghan and Harry didn’t have much privacy when they were living in London. They recently made the move to the countryside of Windsor, in hopes of a more quiet life for themselves and for the baby. In addition, they have a new PR team, and they have split the royal household from Prince William and Kate Middleton in an attempt for more independence. The Duke and Duchess are focusing on their own path, making this the perfect time for them to move to the continent of Africa.

It is no secret at this point that Meghan and Harry are trying to get away from the spotlight a little. They have been somewhat quiet regarding the details of Meghan’s pregnancy and the royal baby, not sharing the due date with fans, nor telling anyone where Meghan was planning to deliver. As a result, the world has been speculating for months. The couple is even adamant about the fact that they will not announce the birth of Baby Sussex right away so they can enjoy some quiet time as a family before introducing the newest royal to the world.

It makes sense that privacy is the main reason as to why Meghan and Harry are so excited about their move to Africa. We have to say that the couple definitely deserves some time away from the spotlight so that they can concentrate on each other and their newborn baby, and still carry out their duties in the amazing way they always have. 

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/the-biggest-reason-why-meghan-markle-and-prince-harry-might-want-to-move-to-africa.html/

2019-05-04 06:44:40Z
52780280677718

Harrison Ford, ‘Star Wars’ Pay Tribute to Chewbacca Actor Peter Mayhew - Rolling Stone

Harrison Ford has paid tribute to Peter Mayhew, who portrayed Chewbacca in the original Star Wars trilogy, following the actor’s death Tuesday at the age of 74.

“Peter Mayhew was a kind and gentle man, possessed of great dignity and noble character,” Ford said of the actor in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter. “These aspects of his own personality, plus his wit and grace, he brought to Chewbacca. We were partners in film and friends in life for over 30 years and I loved him. He invested his soul in the character and brought great pleasure to the Star Wars audience.”

Ford’s Han Solo and Mayhew’s Chewbacca co-piloted the Millennium Falcon in four Star Wars films: 1977’s A New Hope, 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back, 1983’s The Return of the Jedi and 2015’s The Force Awakens, a film where the 7’3″ Mayhew “fought his way back from being wheelchair-bound to stand tall and portray Chewbacca once more,” Mayhew’s family said in a statement announcing his death.

Related

Peter Mayhew: A Lost Interview With the Original Chewbacca

Chewbacca Actor Peter Mayhew of 'Star Wars' Dead at 74

Ford continued, “Chewbacca was an important part of the success of the films we made together. He knew how important the fans of the franchise were to its continued success and he was devoted to them. I and millions of others will never forget Peter and what he gave us all.  My thoughts are with his dear wife Angie and his children. Rest easy, my dear friend…”

Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy said in a statement on the Star Wars website, “Since 1976, Peter’s iconic portrayal of the loyal, lovable Chewbacca has been absolutely integral to the character’s success, and to the Star Wars saga itself. When I first met Peter during The Force Awakens, I was immediately impressed by his kind and gentle nature. Peter was brilliantly able to express his personality through his skillful use of gesture, posture, and eyes. We all love Chewie, and have Peter to thank for that enduring memory.”

In This Article: Chewbacca, Harrison Ford, Star Wars

Want more Rolling Stone? Sign up for our newsletter.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/harrison-ford-star-wars-chewbacca-peter-mayhew-tribute-830789/

2019-05-03 14:37:00Z
52780284335463

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry royal baby rumors prompt Buckingham Palace to issue rare statement - Fox News

Physical therapist gives Meghan Markle advice on how to prepare for labor

Meghan Markle is reportedly due to have her royal baby at the end of April or the beginning of May. So how should the Duchess of Sussex be preparing for her first delivery? Fox News’ Dr. Manny Alvarez sits down with a physical therapist to discuss what moves and birthing positions could be helpful to the royal soon-to-be mom.

Despite what you may have heard, Meghan Markle didn't secretly give birth to her first child with husband Prince Harry.

Once again, Buckingham Palace had to intervene after fans illustrated bizarre stories surrounding the royal couple. On Thursday, a palace official confirmed to E! News that the pair's baby "hasn't been born yet" — another rare statement the palace has made on behalf of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in recent months.

Rumors swirled after fans discovered Prince Harry was planning a trip to the Netherlands on May 8 and May 9, though Markle is expected to give birth any day now.

While the pair plan to keep the birth of their firstborn private, the palace confirmed to Entertainment Tonight this week that they will notify the media when Markle goes into labor.

MEGHAN MARKLE'S SURPRISING BIRTH PLANS FOR ROYAL BABY MAY HAVE BEEN PRINCE HARRY'S IDEA, SAYS BIOGRAPHER

Buckingham Palace also denied any speculation that officials created pages for Markle and Prince Harry's baby after royal enthusiasts began testing various baby names in the website's search bar.

“A large number of search term redirects were set up some time ago on royal.uk. This was in order to improve user experience," the palace told ET on Thursday.

Unlike, Prince William and Kate Middleton, Markle and Prince Harry want to avoid the cameras as they welcome baby No. 1. After each delivery, Middleton and Prince William posed and waved with their newborn outside of London's famous Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital.

MEGHAN MARKLE, PRINCE HARRY'S ROYAL BABY RULES: 5 UNUSUAL TRADITIONS THE COUPLE WILL LIKELY FOLLOW

”Their Royal Highnesses have taken a personal decision to keep the plans around the arrival of their baby private. The Duke and Duchess look forward to sharing the exciting news with everyone once they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family,"  the palace said in a statement earlier this month.

The royal couple hasn't dropped too many hints about their baby, though Prince Harry previously admitted he's hoping for a girl.

"I hope it's a girl!" a woman in the crowd shouted out during an event for the Invictus Games in Sydney, Australia back in October.

Chuckling, Prince Harry replied, "So do I!"

When the baby is born it will become seventh in line to the British throne — one step behind his or her father, Prince Harry, who is sixth in line.

The newborn’s uncle, Prince Andrew will be bumped down to the eighth slot. His daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, would be ninth and tenth, respectively.

Fox News' Stephanie Nolasco contributed to this report.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/meghan-markle-prince-harry-royal-baby-rumors-buckingham-palace-statement

2019-05-03 14:23:24Z
52780280677718

"Why do you swear so much?!": Kids Ask Ryan Reynolds Difficult Questions - BBC Radio 1

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5KWl6jmUfo

2019-05-03 12:28:49Z
52780284471540