18 FILMS TO SEE IN 2018

2017! What a great year for cinema!

We had a great share of comic book films, some top action picks and some fantastic comedies and dramas for all to see. Will 2018 be able to give us another Wonder Woman or Thor: Ragnarok? How about a horror to match the awesome IT or 47 Meters Down? What about another great comedy like The Disaster Artist? We have got so much to see in the coming 12 months, so where do we begin? No Fifty Shades on this list!

Insidious: The Last Key

One for the horror fans, this will actually be the fourth entry in the popular franchise! Lin Shaye returns in her battle against the Supernatural, yet again! I will be honest, I only watched the first Insidious film, but for a decent scarefest and an easy film for early 2018 I am sure this will do.

Plus, if you have seen the last three movies, why would you not watch the next one?

Peter Rabbit

Fancy an update on a literary classic voiced by Mr James Corden? Well…it’s coming. While many may not picture the funny man to be the ideal casting for the role, the trailer shows a lot of promise in a tale which will surely appeal to an audience of all ages.

Peter Rabbit will be a thrill to all fans of Beatrix Potter’s legendary characters!

Black Panther/Ant-Man And The Wasp

The Marvel Cinematic Universe proved last year they could produce three greatly received films in one year, and 2018 looks like they will do that all over again. While we will have our first full trip to Wakanda next year in Black Panther where Chadwick Boseman will return as King T’Challa, Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly will always make a comeback as the titular heroes in their own film to come in the summer.

The MCU is about to take its biggest steps this year, and these two film sandwich the almighty blockbuster I will mention in a short while.

Game Night

Comedy films have worked best when exploring new genres to combine them with. Shaun Of The Dead worked well by blending laughs with zombies and it looks like Game Night will bring in a good murder mystery to this story. A group of friends meet up for their regular game night and it heats up when they end up investigating a suspicious death.

The trailer shows some great quotes from Rachel McAdams and Jason Bateman in what might be a surprise hit.

Red Sparrow

Can you imagine if Black Widow from The Avengers was taken away from the comic book world? Well, maybe the story is a bit more original than that. Jennifer Lawrence is a Russian Spy who is trained to gain any intel she needs and takes down her targets by seducing them, which she is taught over her life.

Boasting a great cast, this thriller could be a big hit!

Tomb Raider

Angelina Jolie’s take on the video game character Lara Croft wasn’t exactly the home run many hoped for. The films she starred in were indeed fun, but it looks like the new version brought to the big screen by academy award winner Alicia Vikander will win many over. Swapping the well-polished editions from the early 2000’s is a more gritty and darker entry which I can’t wait to experience upon its release.

If you enjoyed the recent Tomb Raider video game reboot, then you will possibly love this!

The New Mutants

The X-Men may be heading to the MCU in the next few years, but we still have some potentially great blockbusters to come before they enter the successful universe. While we have had a huge focus on the core mutants from Xavier’s school and spin-offs with Wolverine and Deadpool, The New Mutants will be a more horror-influenced entry set to scare and entertain. With Arya from Game Of Thrones and Jonathan Byers from Stranger Things, the cast is impressive and up and coming.

Before Deadpool sets his foul mouth upon the world again, lets see what this side of the X universe holds!

Avengers: Infinity War

The last 10 years have led to this moment! Thanos, the mad titan who was first teased in 2012’s Avengers, finally comes to wreak havoc on our heroes and upon the earth. With Thor, Cap, Iron Man, Hulk, The Guardians Of The Galaxy and many more coming together, can the heroes stop Thanos and his Black Order? The stakes have never been higher and it will be fun to see Josh Brolin take centre stage as the ultimate foe of the MCU!

The most ambitious superhero film is nearly here!

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Disney have already given us two solid entries in the established saga of Star Wars and Rogue One was a worthy entry to enjoy. But, Solo will certainly be a different beast altogether. With the sacking of Lord and Miller as directors and their replacement Ron Howard taking over and re-shooting approximately 80% of the film, will it be good? Well, I will still watch it. It’s Star Wars after all!

It’s time to learn how that scruffy looking Nerf Herder met the Wookie!

Deadpool 2

Let’s set this straight, Fox basically f**ked up Deadpool in 2009 by making the “Merc With A Mouth” a SILENT antagonist! But then we finally got the Deadpool movie we deserved in 2016 and it was fantastic. Ryan Reynolds will return for Round Two and will bring with him Cable and Domino as well as some other familiar faces. While little is known on the story, we can expect more F bombs and blood and laughs!

Get the family together and warn them before they watch this rather naughty sequel!

Incredibles 2

Possibly my favourite film to come from Pixar, The Incredibles was just so much fun and a heart-warming venture for all the family. While we have had to wait 14 years for this sequel, it is good to know that the film will pick up directly where the first finished and that the majority of the original cast will return. Will lightning strike twice and provide yet another great film which will show up Fantastic Four once again (look it up, a big thing online for many fans)? Yes!

Summer 2018, can you please hurry up?

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

When you bring back a franchise and it ends up being the highest-earning film in the series, why not make a sequel! Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard return with Jeff Goldblum (yes, HE. IS. BACK.) and B.D. Wong for a trip back to Isla Nublar as a volcanic eruption begins, threatening the dinosaurs still on the island. Though this looks like a rescue film, there does appear to be a lot more happening in the background.

If only we could get Sam Neill back, this would be awesome!

Mission: Impossible 6

I will tell you this, I did not like Mission: Impossible originally. The first film was ok and the second and third were just shambles in my opinion. But, Ghost Protocol was a lot of fun and Rogue Nation was action packed from beginning to end. If M:I6 is anything to go by, we can expect a lot more excitement with Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson and Henry Cavill’s Moustache!

The clock is ticking on another instalment, fingers crossed it will be an adventure to enjoy!

The Predator

Remember that brilliant 1987 Predator film where Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers and a gang of other film tough guys? Yes, it was a classic and still looks great today. Shane Black, a star of the original, will helm this follow-up which will bring a new team up against a new alien invader or invaders! Ok, not the most original concept, but who doesn’t want to see Olivia Munn and Boyd Holbrook take on that ugly motherf***er?

Is it too much to ask for a cameo from Arnie?

Venom

God only knows that is happening with this film. Amy “I F’ed up so many times” Pascal has confused us all and Kevin Feige is probably just as perplexed about how this may or may not fit into the MCU, but there are some positives from this. First, Tom Hardy will take on the title role! Second, Carnage is rumoured to be the main villain and I should note that Ruben Fleischer (Director of Zombieland) is crafting this picture.

Whether or not it is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Tom Hardy will certainly be better than Topher “Goddamn” Grace (though he was good in That 70’s Show)!

Halloween

Halloween by Rob Zombie was fine, but not a touch on the John Carpenter masterpiece from 1978. With a direct sequel coming 40 years later and ignoring all other sequels, Jamie Lee Curtis will return as Laurie Strode and Nick Castle will be back as Michael Myers. John Carpenter may have a back seat to this entry, but be sure to feel his influence when this film comes out in October just before…Halloween!

Embrace the iconic villain that came before Alien, Jason, Freddy, Pinhead, Predator and Jigsaw one last time!

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelward

The first one was fine, I am sure this one will be successful too.

I preferred the Harry Potter films!

Aquaman

Hire a bad-ass to play Aquaman! Get a great director to helm the film! Get a supporting cast with buckets of talent! Well, the odds are in Aquaman’s favour for this one. Jason Momoa reprises his role of Arthur Curry in the DCEU for his own solo film. With James Wan in the directing chair and co-stars such as Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman, Willem Dafoe and Dolph Lundgren bringing this film together, Christmas 2018 will indeed be a two horse race between this and the last entry on the list.

The Aquaman may still be new for film fans, but this film will surely rocket him to super stardom!

Bohemian Rhapsody

A biographical film of Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of Queen and one of the greatest singer/songwriter’s the world has ever seen sounds like a sure hit. Rami Malek (lead star of Mr. Robot) takes on the role of the Queen frontman and he certainly does look the part. Though with the recent sacking of director Bryan Singer and hiring of Dexter Fletcher in his place, could this dampen the film? We will find out at Christmas 2018.

We Will, We Will…WATCH THIS!

What films are you looking forward to watch in 2018? Is there a film you feel I should have mentioned? Let me know in the comments.

Written by Jonjo Cosgrove

Marvel at Comic-Con

Every year we always get a good scoop on what is coming from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This year, we got so much information that it may be a bit hard to digest it all. So, let’s have a look at each film and see what has so far been unveiled to us mere mortals.

Doctor Strange

After many years in production, Steven Strange will finally be making his debut into the MCU. Some may have caught his little mention in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, but now we will get full-blown Strange! With the film just months away, we got a few more peaks into the movie. Scott Derrickson (Sinister, The Day The Earth Stood Still) directs the much anticipated adaptation starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Tilda Swinton. The main thing we got at Comic-Con for the film was this superb new trailer…

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

With the much anticipated sequel coming out in the first half of next year, the Guardians will be returning in full force! Many new additions will be making their way to the MCU such as Pom Klementieff as Mantis and Kurt Russell as Ego The Living Planet (yes, you heard that right!) also being revealed as the father to Star-Lord. Some clips were also shown at Comic-Con but unfortunately have not been made public, though a trailer shouldn’t be too far away! For now, enjoy this little image from James Gunn and co.

Spider-Man: Homecoming

Ok, so Spider-Man has only just begun filming. But we do finally get confirmation on one of the biggest questions we have had, who is the villain? It is with great pleasure to say that the much speculated Vulture has indeed been confirmed. Michael Keaton will be bringing the iconic villain to life in the 2017 film, and we can’t wait to see the final result. Luckily, we won’t be getting him in the Birdman-style outfit, but a more up-to-date look. Some concept art definitely has got us excited, but a trailer will be good!

Thor: Ragnarok

So does anyone actually remember this is supposed to be a Thor movie? Most of the hype and information coming from this movie was in regards to the Hulk. It has been very much confirmed that the movie will take inspiration from the famous Planet Hulk storyline, with footage at Comic-Con and some props on display building the anticipation. I know we have a long time till this film comes out, but can we see some Thor and Hulk footage soon please?

Black Panther

As the film has not yet begun filming, there is very little to talk about in terms of the content. But, we have got some much needed clarity on the cast. Obviously we have Chadwick Boseman back as T’Challa and the previously cast Michael B. Jordan has been confirmed to play antagonist Killmonger. Also joining them and Lupita Nyong’o is the fantastic Danai Gurira (Michonne in The Walking Dead) which just builds the hype. Now, let’s get this film made!

Captain Marvel

OK, so we really don’t have a lot more information on the film itself or the content that will come in the 2019 release, but we know now who will play Carol Danvers! Bree Larson is to take on the super-heroine in this movie and in the MCU. With Captain Marvel we have a character who is not only a great leader, but one of the most powerful characters to ever grace Marvel comics. We have some time till Bree takes on the role on the screen, but I am very excited for this! Well done Marvel!

Written by Jonjo Cosgrove

Captain America: Civil War. “After everything that’s happened, there’s nothing compared to what’s coming!”

Kicking off Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with this explosive, fun and joyous outing, Civil War truly is the best film to come from Marvel so far! By far! This movie does a great job with multiple characters, intriguing story and making both an Avengers movie and a Captain America flick blend together seamlessly. So much good stuff came from this movie, and it really lived up to the expectations I held for it since its announcement in 2014. Also, when you have a movie where the bad guys take the back seat, how does it feel to see the two top MCU heroes go to war and fight each other instead?

Starting off with yet another huge incident, The Avengers, led by Captain America (Chris Evans. The actor, not the radio DJ), are called to a meeting with General Ross…I mean Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross (Am I the only one glad to see William Hurt back in this role?)! He proposes to them a system which would keep them in check and stop them being self-funded and independent. While Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is in favour of a more contained Avengers, Steve Rogers is feeling less enthusiastic and sees that many people may be at risk if they can’t help. This brings a huge divide to the team! Then we go into Cap 3 mode when we pick back up on the story of Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier as he is accused of causing a disaster. While Captain America thinks his former friend is innocent, Iron Man just wants to stop the Winter Soldier and bring order back. Without giving too much away, the two factions eventually develop and come face to face with each other. Both seemingly matching each other, this brings possibly one of the greatest sequences ever put to film. Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany is the setting and to see Team Cap and Team Iron Man face off is just…PERFECT! The scene is well crafted, it’s fun, funny, breathless, epic and I really can’t put all my words down for this scene.

It’s not just about THAT scene, but that was probably my highlight overall. We also get to see great introductions for newcomers T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), Helmut Zemo (Daniel Bruhl, who gets to have a deeper role in Civil War than many may be expecting) and, of course, Spider-Man (Tom Holland). There is just so much I want to discuss, but I can’t give anymore away. But you must make note of the relationships that are clearly developed in the team, the enemies who look to do all they can to defeat the Avengers by conflicting these relationships really is the key to Civil War. But, we all know it comes down to Cap and Iron Man as they clash over their ideals and what they believe to be right. It is emotional to see these two clash! Steve Rogers has been good friends with both Howard and Tony Stark and to see their relationship come to this is hard to take in. The film may not be as dark as Batman v Superman from earlier this year, but this film really saw a bigger impact of seeing the two heads bang.

I really don’t want to talk any more about the plot, I want you to see this film and you can see why I find all these points interesting and important. The whole cast really are on top form, and to see the iconic comic book story (even if loosely adapted) come to life on screen was more than we could have ever had hoped for. Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr. and all the guys we followed through phase one and two of the MCU all put in superb performances. The biggest presence I enjoyed from the already established characters was Scarlet Witch, Elizabeth Olson makes her character stand out and you really do feel sorry for her situation in the movie. It is fair to say her part in AGE OF ULTRON was not exactly top on your list, but to see her really struggle in this world with her powers is certainly gripping. Paul Bettany’s Vision gets some great laughs, as does Paul Rudd continuing as Scott Lang. To pick a favourite between Chadwick’s Black Panther and Tom Holland’s web-slinger is tough. They each provide their own distinct character and Holland really gives Spider-Man the treatment we all wanted. A REAL kid playing a KID! Spider-Man uses his screen time to win people over and you will be begging to see him in Spider-Man: Homecoming next year. And as for Chadwick Boseman? Black Panther really was a great new addition to the cast and brings a new bend to the MCU, as does Spider-Man. Finally, the directors Anthony and Joe Russo yet again give us a brilliant Captain America movie and prove to us these are the perfect candidates to continue making the Avengers movies! They will be tacking Infinity Wars in 2018, and I know this was the perfect way to say they know what they are doing. This film is just the closest to perfect I have seen a superhero movie get to. The laughs are great, the action is enthralling throughout and I can’t wait to see this for a second, third, fourth, twenty-eighth time!

P.S. Stay behind for the two big scenes once the main picture concludes and watch out for Stan Lee!

Final Rating: 10/10

Written by Jonjo Cosgrove

Captain America: Civil War. What Will Be In The Post-Credit Scenes?

There was a mention this week about the potential for THREE post-credit scenes coming at the end of the next Captain America film. During an interview with the Russo Brothers, they mentioned the possibility that the massive movie will possible include three glimpses once the end credits begin to roll. So what could we see in these scenes? Set-ups for Phase Three films are the likely outcome. I have been thinking about the three scenes and what I would like to see them involve. So I will give what I believe will be involved in these sequences and also the order in which I expect to see them. Remember, I have not seen the film nor do I hold any knowledge of its content with the exception of what Marvel Studios has released.

SCENE ONE: Spider-Man And The Symbiote Suit!

After the CIVIL WAR, I believe there will be a disillusioned Peter Parker really wanting to distance himself from the heroes…at least for the time being. He will be the most unexperienced, the most vulnerable and maybe the most frightened character at the end of Civil War as he has no idea what he has signed up for. While wanting to keep his distance from Tony Stark, I reckon that New York shall see a certain black substance finding its way around Parker’s neighbourhood and hopefully be a set-up for the almighty Venom. It has been said a standalone Venom movie is in production, but we really need to see him clash with Spider-Man before this happens.

We see Spider-Man heading back to Aunt May’s apartment, he can’t tell her he is this new powered being nor tell her what he has seen. His dark thoughts really start to collect after the big “loss”. It will be this inner darkness that calls the symbiote to Peter and then this may be what begins the origin to one of the most famous villains in comic book history (and won’t be played by Topher Grace!). Spider-Man goes out to do a heroic deed after seeing on the news about a guy flying around new York throwing bombs at people, meanwhile the screen then blacks out as we zoom out of Peter’s room as a black ooze covers his window.

SCENE TWO: Ulysses Klaue in Wakanda

We was introduced to the villain in AGE OF ULTRON, Andy Serkis will hopefully return and will be taking on T’Challa in the 2018 BLACK PANTHER film. What I would like to see is an angry Ulysses as he plans to take over the world and destroy those who have hurt him in the past. We will also see the lovely robotic arm of Ulysses, with his arm made of…Vibranium. With the most powerful arm in existence and a huge arsenal behind him, he will certainly prove a huge challenge to the Black Panther.

Ulysses should be seen talking about his plans to destroy certain places around the world after learning of the fracture in The Avengers. We also see his lovely new arm in full force as he punches through a wall of concrete in celebration that his plans can finally go ahead. He is warned that T’Challa is still alive, Ulysses Klaue laughs at this and states “He won’t stay that way for long, I will see you soon my old friend”.

SCENE THREE: Thanos Acquires His First Stone

You may remember from Thor: The Dark World, The Collector was given one of the “stones” to look after. My theory is that as Benecio Del Toro will apparently not be in Guardians Of The Galaxy 2, I would think it was because this stone is actually found by Thanos and then put into his Gauntlet. Thanos will remain fairly in the shadows until Infinity Wars, but this could be a good way to show his progression to being this power-wielding mad titan!

The Collector is currently hidden away in some dark location, the only item he still has is the Aether which was given to him by Volstagg and Sif. He hopes to sell it to get as far away from this sector of the Universe as possible and live the rest of his life in luxury. Unfortunately, it turns out the buyer is not who he first thought, and it actually is Thanos. Thanos demands the Aether from The Collector, who gives it willingly. Though, Thanos still kills him and places the stone in the gauntlet. Mirroring The Collector’s comment from when he acquired it, Thanos states “One Down, Five To Go”. The gauntlet then glows, and lets out a blast of red light!

Just a bit more to add to this, I reckon each film leading up to Infinity Wars part 1 (that is six films) could see a Post Credit Scene each with Thanos acquiring a stone in each one. With six films, that would complete his Gauntlet in time for Infinity Wars. Does that sound like a good plan? I think it does.

Captain America: Civil War is out 29th April 2016 in the UK and 6th May 2016 in the US. We will soon find out what is to happen…

Written by Jonjo Cosgrove

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE FILM?

With the film just a few weeks away, I was thinking about where the characters will be when Civil War reaches its end credits (and its two scenes after the film). Be warned, I have not seen the film and this is all speculation based on my theories, fan ideas and glimpses from the released trailers. I will break down what all the characters will be doing following the film.

Captain America/Steve Rogers

With this film being centrally still on Steve Rogers (apparently, but this will be crowded!), the biggest personal effect I believe will be to the super soldier. From the evidence in the film, it looks like Bucky is still not 100% himself. With what looks like attempts on the lives of Tony Stark and Rhodes/War Machine, it seems fitting that Bucky may finally face his maker after Cap tries his best to save his best friend. My only evidence for this is that Bucky is still warped from his Winter Soldier persona and there seems to be so many people that want to eliminate Bucky. This I believe will result in the big rift lasting till at least the next Avengers film. Captain America will possibly be looking for revenge against Tony as I believe Iron Man will deliver the killing blow to Buck. Steve will be out for blood, but will probably be in the shadows for a while.

Iron Man/Tony Stark

As mentioned, I believe Tony Stark will be in some hot water for killing Bucky. I also reckon that Captain America will be hot on his heels for some time as there is a point in the trailer when Natasha Romanoff says “I’m not the one that needs to watch their back”. This could be near the conclusion of the movie and Iron Man may be deeply considering his actions after what unfolds. If the film is anything like the source material, we will see Iron Man really go to extreme lengths to bring his idea of order to life. Also, I reckon this will see Tony pushed more to the side by his fellow Avengers if he does indeed murder the former war hero. Maybe Stark will hope to redeem himself in the Infinity Wars films?

Hawkeye/Clint Barton

Why mention Hawkeye now? Just because I can, no reason is needed. If I am being honest, Barton is probably going to be one of the least affected characters from this film. Though initially quitting the Avengers at the conclusion of Age Of Ultron, it looks like he will be roped in easily enough. But, with his own family to look after, Hawkeye will probably just want to go back to them and forget what happens. Will the Civil War affect him? Of course it will. But, with many more characters emerging, maybe this could be the true swansong for Barton to go live a quiet life and leave Cap and co!

Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff

Though Black Widow will clearly be fighting with Cap at first in the Avengers 2.0, she will then move to Team Iron Man as the movie progresses. But from the trailer, it looks like she will soon be regretting her choice. Steve and Natasha clearly have a great working history, whether it is in the Avengers films or their fantastic chemistry throughout THE WINTER SOLDIER film, and I reckon this will cause one or two clashes between her and the leaders of the factions. In the end though, I reckon she will go back to being a spy and want no more to do with protecting the world…at least until a certain titan appears and threatens the world.

Scarlet Witch/ Wanda Maximoff

Originally having a hatred for Stark in AGE OF ULTRON, I am sure this carries over to her choice in some way to join Cap. Where she probably is one of the least established characters in the MCU, I wonder where Wanda Maximoff will be once the credits roll. I have this feeling she will probably want to go into the shadows. I doubt she will see a fate the same as her on-screen brother, but I have a feeling she may just disappear once this film is over. I hope I am wrong and I really hope she gets a more prominent arc (maybe the love of The Vision could be worth seeing on the big screen).

The Vision

Speaking of The Vision, we know there will be a definite swing to him staying on Tony’s side as he is partially only alive (robot, alive, something like that) as Stark did create him. The relationship between him and Wanda will be interesting to see as he did save her in AGE OF ULTRON and the new trailer shows them definitely against each other. What I would like to see is The Vision taking a little journey into space to eventually see the…GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY! Maybe he will have a part in the next film after he also abandons Tony and wants a new life. Then he accidently gets caught by Thanos and the infinity stone in his head is ripped out to go to the lovely gauntlet.

Ant-Man/Scott Lang

This is one character we definitely know to a degree where he is going. Scott Lang will be teaming up with Hope Van Dyne as she suits up as The Wasp in 2018. Leaving Civil War, I reckon he will no longer go all fanboy around the heroes as he is bound to see a side or two of what they are really like. I think a more serious and focused Ant-Man will be the result of his part of the film. Maybe he could help out Spider-Man with his start as a hero and help him go down a better path after already seeing prison and conflict. Also, let’s hope we also see Giant-Man too!

General “Thunderbolt” Ross

After nearly eight years since William Hurt debuted as the very questionable General Ross and showed he was a great rival to one of the most popular characters in Marvel history. While his involvement in Civil War may not be too huge, it would be great to see him take on Bruce Banner once again and see their conflict happen in a future film. With a possible Hulk film maybe still 4 years away at least, it will certainly be worth the wait if we finally get a Hulk movie which will be fun but also see the two actually reach a conclusion to their rivalry.

Black Panther/T’Challa

After getting a peak of the fictional country Wakanda and seeing the villainous Ulysses Klaue (still a weird way of saying Claw!), we have plenty of teases already leading into his own solo film. Black Panther is definitely going to springboard from this movie and T’Challa will be going into a new realm for the MCU. After he has fought for Tony Stark and had a few fights with Cap and Bucky, I am sure we will then see him become the heroic figure we see in the comics when 2018 comes round. What his future holds is not too clear, but more Wakanda and more Klaue is definitely welcome. Maybe a Black Panther tease in the post credit scene(s)?

War Machine/James Rhodes

He isn’t going to die. I don’t know where Rhodey will go after this movie, but he won’t die.

Falcon/Sam Wilson

While Falcon may not have had much of an impact in the 2015 MCU films (but did have some fun cameos), it will be nice to see where he is come Civil War. I want in the distant future to see Falcon eventually take on the Captain America role once Steve Rogers departs (death or otherwise). Anthony Mackie is definitely a fantastic actor and took a D list superhero and made him so cool. But after the Civil War? I just want him to still be kicking arse and maybe being back-up for maybe Black Panther to fill his on-screen gap after this movie.

The Winter Soldier/Bucky Barnes

Sorry, I think he will die. Unlike Rhodey.

Baron Helmut Zemo

We know almost nothing about this character so far. We know he is supposed to be the main villain of this film. I believe he will be a character more in the shadows in this movie and possibly be setting up some plans that will come up in Civil War and more that will appear later in the MCU. Zemo is a very popular villain and is someone who is known for manipulating people against his enemies, including Cap. I think this is the character we know the least about for a potential future, and the MCU needs another menacing recurring villain to cause trouble in its future.

Agent 13/Sharon Carter

I actually forget Emily VanCamp was in this film. I don’t think we will get a lot of time with Sharon Carter, except it may show her and Cap in some kind of relationship. Her future, I really don’t know!

Crossbones/Brock Rumlow

A former S.H.I.E.L.D. strike team commander, his allegiance to HYDRA was revealed in THE WINTER SOLDIER and he was able to hold his own in a fight or two. Now, he is Crossbones and looks like he can punch you through 10 walls in a row. I think he will be around after this film, but where he will next pop up is not clear. I reckon a move to the MARVEL/NETFLIX side of the MCU would be a great move. How about see him take on Iron Fist? I can’t see a future on the movies is there for the character, but giving him a chance on the small screen could be fun.

Spider-Man/Peter Parker

The character we really wanted the MCU to have Spider-Man, and now is the right time. After AGE OF ULTRON, the film series did need a bit of a refresher. Ant-Man showed that taking risks in the MCU can still pay off and was clearly superior to the ensemble film that came before it. Spider-Man is a truly popular character, he will certainly be a good way to bring new blood into the established world and set up the potential Avengers 3.0 (which I reckon will be after Infinity Wars it shall be Spider-Man, Black Panther, Captain America/Falcon, Hulk, Ant-Man, Wasp, Black Widow and maybe Thor because Asgard will be destroyed…maybe!). Spider-Man will go into his own film with a sense of uncertainty after the Civil War events. Peter Parker is certain to maybe be a character in the shadows of New York and only emerge as a hero when the time comes (hopefully it will be against a proper Venom or maybe Doc Ock!). He will not trust his heroes that he grew up seeing and wanted to be like, and I am sure a superior Spider-Man (I apologise for that one) will come to light and set an example of a pure-blooded hero!

What do you think will happen to the characters? Who will survive (apart from those who have got their own films still to come in Phase Three)?

Captain America: Civil War is out 29^th April 2016 in the UK and 6^th May in the US.

Written by Jonjo Cosgrove

Ranking the Marvel Cinematic Universe

With Captain America: Civil War just a couple of months away, the start of Phase Three will see some huge changes come to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With favourites such as Captain Marvel, Black Panther and Spider-Man about to debut in the world, there is plenty of excitement growing for the upcoming movies. But, we should not forget the past. The 12 films in the series so far have proved just how far the series has come. With a great majority of films doing a splendid job, tight casting and some of the most memorable scenes in cinema through the 21^st century. The MCU is definitely going to leave a huge mark on cinema history forever. Let’s see how the films so far rank from worst to best…

12. Iron Man 2

Maybe the obvious choice, but it had to be. First off, we get Mickey Rourke after he wowed in The Wrestler and Sin City being given very little in terms of character development and being made to look too much like a slimmed down Iron Monger suit. We finally get Samuel L Jackson making his first full appearance as Nick Fury, but where exactly does he go for a majority of the film? Then we had Terrance Howard being replaced (though I did grow to like Don Cheadle a lot more from Iron Man 3 onwards). Though not a bad movie on its own, it is certainly misguided.

11. Thor: The Dark World

Now, in my defence I think this film is very funny and the chemistry between the cast was great. It definitely gave us a better look at Asgard and was the first MCU film to really feature alien planets prominently. Though, the lack of menace from Christopher Eccleston’s Malekith and the story was almost non-existant. It did seem the film was just throwing ideas at a wall, hoping something would stick. Though seeing Stellan Skarsgard running around in the nude at Stonehenge is definitely something fun and unexpected, it couldn’t save the film.

10. The Incredible Hulk

Don’t make Edward Norton angry…oh, they did! Clearly a huge improvement on the unrelated 2003 ‘Hulk’ by Ang Lee, this film still had a lot to prove. Luckily, the biggest improvement was the actors who stepped up. While Edward Norton may not be the favourite Hulk anymore, he certainly made a good attempt at being Dr Bruce Banner. With Liv Tyler being the heart, Tim Roth proving to be a top villain and William Hurt giving us the true General Ross, what could go wrong? Well not much, but from this film we could see it seemed almost unrelated to the MCU, save for that little post-credit scene which I still believe is a flash-forward to ‘Captain America: Civil War’.

9. Iron Man 3

After The Avengers did the best job possible for superhero movies, it was then left to Robert Downey Jr. and his friends since 2008 to somehow continue after this peak. While it was not as good as the 2012 team-up, it certainly did keep the entertainment levels up. Breaking the previous formula slightly from the first two films, we see Tony Stark go against someone with powers. The extremis-powered Killian was certainly a good match for strength and proved to be a greater danger and a better villain than some that came before.

8. Thor

We get to meet Thor, God of Thunder and our first true “alien” for the Avengers. But also, we get to meet Loki. Possibly the best villain the MCU has shown, Loki really gets to have fun and he really gets to show his descent into evil with emotional consequences. The fight between the “brothers” is certainly a highlight for the MCU and to see the legendary Sir Anthony Hopkins take the part of Odin was too great to be true. The film may not be perfect, but it is a fun piece and will be regarded as taking a huge step in the development of the MCU.

7. Avengers: Age Of Ultron

Bringing Earth’s Mightiest Heroes together for the second time was no easy task, and the ripples of it still resonate nearly a year later. Joss Whedon had previously done so much for the MCU from taking on The Avengers and giving his touch to phase 2 overall. Though Whedon has said about his struggles with the movie, he certainly did give 110% and maybe put in a bit too much into the runtime of the movie. Setting up many elements for phase three, bombarding many characters into the film and not giving them the necessary breathing space, it was a huge task. Though the film is great, I am sure we could have had a few changes. Ultron was great though!

6. Ant-Man

Funny name? Think it’s a gimmick? Well, it isn’t. Many didn’t know that Ant-Man actually came to comics before many of the Avengers you may know, and it was a worthy wait to see him finally come into the MCU. Bringing a huge amount of humour and truly creating a different character for the screen, it was indeed a lot of fun to finally explore the world from a different perspective. Plus, how many comic actors can really make a character who is a thief become a popular film hero? Paul Rudd really made this character his own, and I am sure Civil War will see him shine again!

5. Captain America: The First Avenger

We had Iron Man, we had Hulk and we also just had Thor. To complete The Avengers, we needed the super soldier from the 1940’s. Going back in time, we get a few ties to the other avengers in regards to the serum which would later be adapted and create the Hulk, or even Howard Stark meeting Cap before his son would by 70 years. Also, we get to see a character that possibly is the most vulnerable of all the heroes we had seen so far. Plus, the iconic Red Skull is well achieved by Hugo Weaving, and we need Red Skull back! Plus we got Peggy Carter, and she is awesome!

4. Iron Man

Iron Man kicked off the MCU, and he made the Marvel world cool again. The bad taste of Spider-Man 3, X-Men: The Last Stand and Fantastic Four made the mid-2000’s a bit dull for comic adaptations. Iron Man though, proved you could be fun and serious. Robert Downey Jr. made himself the coolest guy in Hollywood by taking this B-list Marvel character and making him challenge and better many heroes that came before. Also, it showed that big stars wanted to be in superhero movies, a trend which still continues today.

3. The Avengers

The results of years of work paid off in a huge way. The highest-earning superhero movie of all time, and for a great reason, and some of the greatest fun I have ever had at the cinema. Seeing the return of Loki, we saw the god come to earth to claim it as his own. The Avengers then assemble and bring everyone on their A-game to make a brilliant work of art. Also, who knew that a superhero movie could be that funny, and the biggest laughs coming from the Hulk of all characters? Definitely a spectacle in cinema.

2. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

The film which many people apparently dreaded (many people felt mixed on Cap, and few were originally interested in his next solo outing). Coming out in the UK in MARCH! Yes, that is MARCH. It seemed too early of a date to become a blockbuster, but we was wrong. Captain America came back on fighting form and within minutes, proved himself to be one of the most popular characters in cinema today. Chris Evans took the superhero to new heights and brought in “The Dark Knight” of the MCU. It was gritty, intelligent, tough, fun and had heart throughout. The reveal of Bucky may have been obvious from day one, but nobody cares when you leave that film thinking “Captain America is F***ING AWESOME!”. He may not fly, have weapons coming out of his arms or can turn green, but he certainly knew how to fight his critics.

1. Guardians Of The Galaxy

Where do we begin? This film was almost doomed from the start. An unknown group of heroes, a director known more from Slither and the live-action Scooby Doo films (Yep, he wrote them. No joke!) and how about the idea of a sentient tree and talking raccoon being friends? Well, you was wrong! This film was just incredible. It was a hug punch of adrenaline into the mainstream and showed that risks should still be taken in Hollywood. The film was just a delight for the eyes, the music from the 1970’s was a perfect complement to the visual treat and the acting was second to none! James Gunn is currently making the sequel, due to be released next year. If it is half as good as this movie, I will be very happy indeed.

Written by Jonjo Cosgrove