<p><strong>Creed 3 movie review</strong>: "Everyone loves an underdog story," Michael B Jordan's Adonis Creed remarks at one point in<em> Creed 3</em>. And indeed the threequel in the series, like the preceding movies in the Rocky franchise, is a story of little(r) fellow prevailing upon Goliath. But how to take the mighty world heavyweight champion Adonis Creed down a notch? Simple, introduce a yet-unknown blast from the past. Jonathan Majors' Damian "Dame" Anderson was a childhood chum of Creed and a boxing prodigy, who has spent almost the last two decades in jail for an offence that involved pulling a gun to rescue a young Creed from a street scrap. The full details of the matter are kept under wraps until the third act.</p>

<p>Now, he is back and has lived the last 18 years watching Creed live the life that, in his eyes, he was meant to live.</p>

<h2>Watch Cred iii trailer:</h2>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xTaIZo8OJYE" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>Dame bides his time before revealing his true self, and his ambition to fulfill what he sees as his destiny. At the outset, he reveals a genial if rough disposition who was unfairly imprisoned as a teen, which leads to Creed letting his guard down. His scepticism melts away when guilt-ridden over the incident, he offers any monetary help that his old friend might require.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Not content with handouts, Dame makes his wish plain: he wants to be a boxer again. He has kept himself in prime shape while in prison, something that he, deliberately or not, hides initially beneath layers and layers of clothing. But when he is pitted with Creed Athletics' star Felix (Jose Benavidez), he brawls more than he boxes, and leaves his opponent battered enough to require hospitalisation.</p>

<p>When Creed confronts him, he unmasks, leading the hero to foolhardily challenge him for the title of world heavyweight champion. Dame agrees.</p>

<h2>Is Creed up to the challenge posed by Dame?</h2>

<p>The Creed we know from the last movie is not this Creed. This one is rusty, unprepared. He is retired and lives a mostly uneventful and comfy life in a swanky LA home with his wife and singer-producer Bianca (Tessa Thompson) and daughter Amara (Mila Davis-Kent).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Does Creed still have what it takes to take on Dame, who feels that he was wrong by the world and as Duke (Wood Harris) says carries a chip on his shoulder? Mind you, Dame wasn't just a talented young boxer, he has practically cut his teeth in the harsh life of prison. And most importantly, he bears a grudge and will not always follow the rules of the sport.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VHUVzMS-35U" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<h2>How is <em>Creed 3 </em>as a movie?</h2>

<p>Creed 3 is Jordan's directorial debut. But the film feels as though it was directed by a veteran of exciting sports dramas. Jordan clearly realises what makes such films work, the peppering of moments of splendid victories and crushing defeats. And he directs the hell out of this.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And while the story, by Keenan Coogler and Zach Baylin, moves along fairly predictable lines, there are enough distinctive flourishes here to lend one confidence in Jordan's abilities as a director. The pace is just right, pausing at suitable moments to let the characters and story breathe before the inevitable climactic pugilism, the training montage is propulsive and exciting, and the climactic fight is breathtaking.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It helps that Jordan has an actor of Majors' calibre at his disposal. The actor plays the role with an eternal shiftiness, the broad and yet false smiles, the resentment simmering beneath the grinning facade if one really cares to look. It is an incredibly nuanced performance that is rare in movies of such kind. Not to be overshadowed, Jordan is once again quite magnificent, by turn stoic and emotionally vulnerable.</p>

<p><em>Creed 3 </em>is a triumph.</p>

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<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


Creed 3 movie review: "Everyone loves an underdog story," Michael B Jordan's Adonis Creed remarks at one point in Creed 3. And indeed the threequel in the series, like the preceding movies in the Rocky franchise, is a story of little(r) fellow prevailing upon Goliath.

Creed 3 movie review: "Everyone loves an underdog story," Michael B Jordan's Adonis Creed remarks at one point in Creed 3. And indeed the threequel in the series, like the preceding movies in the Rocky franchise, is a story of little(r) fellow prevailing upon Goliath. But how to take the mighty world heavyweight champion Adonis Creed down a notch? Simple, introduce a yet-unknown blast from the past. Jonathan Majors' Damian "Dame" Anderson was a childhood chum of Creed and a boxing prodigy, who has spent almost the last two decades in jail for an offence that involved pulling a gun to rescue a young Creed from a street scrap. The full details of the matter are kept under wraps until the third act. Now, he is back and has lived the last 18 years watching Creed live the life that, in his eyes, he was meant to live. Watch Cred iii trailer: Dame bides his time before revealing his true self, and his ambition to fulfill what he sees as his destiny. At the outset, he reveals a genial if rough disposition who was unfairly imprisoned as a teen, which leads to Creed letting his guard down. His scepticism melts away when guilt-ridden over the incident, he offers any monetary help that his old friend might require. Not content with handouts, Dame makes his wish plain: he wants to be a boxer again. He has kept himself in prime shape while in prison, something that he, deliberately or not, hides initially beneath layers and layers of clothing. But when he is pitted with Creed Athletics' star Felix (Jose Benavidez), he brawls more than he boxes, and leaves his opponent battered enough to require hospitalisation. When Creed confronts him, he unmasks, leading the hero to foolhardily challenge him for the title of world heavyweight champion. Dame agrees. Is Creed up to the challenge posed by Dame? The Creed we know from the last movie is not this Creed. This one is rusty, unprepared. He is retired and lives a mostly uneventful and comfy life in a swanky LA home with his wife and singer-producer Bianca (Tessa Thompson) and daughter Amara (Mila Davis-Kent). Does Creed still have what it takes to take on Dame, who feels that he was wrong by the world and as Duke (Wood Harris) says carries a chip on his shoulder? Mind you, Dame wasn't just a talented young boxer, he has practically cut his teeth in the harsh life of prison. And most importantly, he bears a grudge and will not always follow the rules of the sport. How is Creed 3 as a movie? Creed 3 is Jordan's directorial debut. But the film feels as though it was directed by a veteran of exciting sports dramas. Jordan clearly realises what makes such films work, the peppering of moments of splendid victories and crushing defeats. And he directs the hell out of this. And while the story, by Keenan Coogler and Zach Baylin, moves along fairly predictable lines, there are enough distinctive flourishes here to lend one confidence in Jordan's abilities as a director. The pace is just right, pausing at suitable moments to let the characters and story breathe before the inevitable climactic pugilism, the training montage is propulsive and exciting, and the climactic fight is breathtaking. It helps that Jordan has an actor of Majors' calibre at his disposal. The actor plays the role with an eternal shiftiness, the broad and yet false smiles, the resentment simmering beneath the grinning facade if one really cares to look. It is an incredibly nuanced performance that is rare in movies of such kind. Not to be overshadowed, Jordan is once again quite magnificent, by turn stoic and emotionally vulnerable. Creed 3 is a triumph. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Creed 3 movie review: Emotional and propulsive, Michael B Jordan nails his directorial debut

<p><em>The Mandalorian </em>season 3 review: Initially sceptical, I surrendered before the charms of <em>The Mandalorian</em> over time. I've never been a particularly big<em> Star Wars</em> fan, though I did welcome the idea of exploring smaller, more individual stories with stakes lower than the utter destruction or enslavement of the galaxy that we usually get. The Mandalorian nicely fit the bill, though I found it too sluggish, too purposeless in the beginning. I thought it followed a plot that suited a video game more than a drama TV series. My general feelings have not changed, but I am more forgiving of the show's video game-like plotting (the quests to fetch one thing or another by supporting characters — or NPCs).</p>

<p>The reason? It's sometimes just more enjoyable to pick up a show whenever you wish without worrying overmuch about the overarching narrative arc. And by now,<em> The Mandalorian</em> has become sort of an old friend, I am firmly invested in the two main characters (and baby-Yoda, indeed, remains adorable), and the structure is comfortably familiar in a way a sitcom like Seinfeld and Friends is. Oh, and the visuals are quite pleasing.</p>

<p>And I am happy to see the show coming back after a long-ish gap of three years.&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Znsa4Deavgg" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<h2>What happens in <em>The Mandalorian</em> season 3?</h2>

<p>The third season continues the adventures of the titular stoic hero of the show, Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), and his charge Grogu, formerly known as The Child. During the events of <em>The Book of Boba Fett,</em> another live-action show set in the <em>Star Wars </em>universe, Djarin and Grogu were reunited again when the child chose to follow the ways of Mandalorians rather than the Jedi. If you did not watch the aforementioned Boba Fett show, I would suggest don't bother. It was not very good, and to follow <em>The Mandalorian</em> season 3, you just have to know that the two are together, again.</p>

<p>I was provided with the first two episodes of the season and enjoyed both. The opener, titled The Apostate, is directed by Rick Famuyiwa, who was once recruited to take on The Flash movie, takes our two heroes to an unknown planet where a child is being made to swear the Mandalorian creed. But suddenly, a crocodilian creature, as big as a blue whale, attacks. It is only with the timely arrival of Djarin and Grogu and the even more timely launch of a missile that strikes the beast and kills it that the rest of the Mandalorians are delivered.</p>

<p>Din then reveals the purpose of his visit: how he can redeem himself.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-explained--ron-desantis-takes-control-of-disneys-self-governing-district-in-florida-amid-dont-say-gay-row-566819">Explained | Ron DeSantis takes control of Disney's self-governing district in Florida amid 'Don't Say Gay' row</a></strong></p>

<h2>Is <em>The Mandalorian</em> season 3 good?</h2>

<p>If like me, you have fallen in love with this weird show with all its multiple plusses and minuses, you will love season 3, or at least the first two episodes. There is oodles of action, callbacks, reveals, and fun character moments, and for a TV show in particular, the visual effects are absolutely stunning. Weak plotting aside, the production quality is stratospheric, and everything feels cinematic. Do watch the show on the biggest screen you have. The small mobile phone and tablet displays just don't cut it. The western trappings are frankly not for me, but I do like that they are there.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-wideangle-stream-or-screen-whats-the-future-of-entertainment-512542/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Din Djarin, despite the helmet that hides his face, remains a character worth rooting for, bolstered by Pascal doing his best with just his voice.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Still, there is a faint feeling inside me that this show could be so much more with better, and, well, more writing. The sparse scripting does suit what the people behind the show want it to be, but there is not enough meat on the bone to make this feast truly worthwhile. The stories can still be self-contained, but like, there is room for more compelling and deep storytelling here, and it seems we are missing out. The formula, no matter how appealing it is, needs a revamp if <em>The Mandalorian</em> has to be anything more than comfort food television.<br />
<strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


The Mandalorian season 3 review: Initially sceptical, I surrendered before the charms of The Mandalorian over time. I've never been a particularly big Star Wars fan, though I did welcome the idea of exploring smaller, more individual stories with stakes lower than the utter destruction or enslavement of the galaxy that we usually get.

The Mandalorian season 3 review: Initially sceptical, I surrendered before the charms of The Mandalorian over time. I've never been a particularly big Star Wars fan, though I did welcome the idea of exploring smaller, more individual stories with stakes lower than the utter destruction or enslavement of the galaxy that we usually get. The Mandalorian nicely fit the bill, though I found it too sluggish, too purposeless in the beginning. I thought it followed a plot that suited a video game more than a drama TV series. My general feelings have not changed, but I am more forgiving of the show's video game-like plotting (the quests to fetch one thing or another by supporting characters — or NPCs). The reason? It's sometimes just more enjoyable to pick up a show whenever you wish without worrying overmuch about the overarching narrative arc. And by now, The Mandalorian has become sort of an old friend, I am firmly invested in the two main characters (and baby-Yoda, indeed, remains adorable), and the structure is comfortably familiar in a way a sitcom like Seinfeld and Friends is. Oh, and the visuals are quite pleasing. And I am happy to see the show coming back after a long-ish gap of three years. What happens in The Mandalorian season 3? The third season continues the adventures of the titular stoic hero of the show, Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), and his charge Grogu, formerly known as The Child. During the events of The Book of Boba Fett, another live-action show set in the Star Wars universe, Djarin and Grogu were reunited again when the child chose to follow the ways of Mandalorians rather than the Jedi. If you did not watch the aforementioned Boba Fett show, I would suggest don't bother. It was not very good, and to follow The Mandalorian season 3, you just have to know that the two are together, again. I was provided with the first two episodes of the season and enjoyed both. The opener, titled The Apostate, is directed by Rick Famuyiwa, who was once recruited to take on The Flash movie, takes our two heroes to an unknown planet where a child is being made to swear the Mandalorian creed. But suddenly, a crocodilian creature, as big as a blue whale, attacks. It is only with the timely arrival of Djarin and Grogu and the even more timely launch of a missile that strikes the beast and kills it that the rest of the Mandalorians are delivered. Din then reveals the purpose of his visit: how he can redeem himself. Also Read: Explained | Ron DeSantis takes control of Disney's self-governing district in Florida amid 'Don't Say Gay' row Is The Mandalorian season 3 good? If like me, you have fallen in love with this weird show with all its multiple plusses and minuses, you will love season 3, or at least the first two episodes. There is oodles of action, callbacks, reveals, and fun character moments, and for a TV show in particular, the visual effects are absolutely stunning. Weak plotting aside, the production quality is stratospheric, and everything feels cinematic. Do watch the show on the biggest screen you have. The small mobile phone and tablet displays just don't cut it. The western trappings are frankly not for me, but I do like that they are there. Din Djarin, despite the helmet that hides his face, remains a character worth rooting for, bolstered by Pascal doing his best with just his voice. Still, there is a faint feeling inside me that this show could be so much more with better, and, well, more writing. The sparse scripting does suit what the people behind the show want it to be, but there is not enough meat on the bone to make this feast truly worthwhile. The stories can still be self-contained, but like, there is room for more compelling and deep storytelling here, and it seems we are missing out. The formula, no matter how appealing it is, needs a revamp if The Mandalorian has to be anything more than comfort food television. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

The Mandalorian season 3 early review: Worth the wait?

<p>Ron Desantis, the Florida Governor and Republican potential contender for US president, made good on his promise to punish the Walt Disney Company for its opposition to the so-called 'Don't Say Gay' law and spreading, in his words, 'woke ideology' in the state. He has signed a bill that will give him control of the unique legal entity that is Disney World's self-governing district called Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID).&nbsp;</p>

<p>The RCID was established by the Florida state legislature in 1967 at the request of Walt Disney Productions, which was then in the process of building Walt Disney World in central Florida.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The bill empowers the Governor to appoint a five-member board that will oversee the district. Before this legislation, the board members were hand-picked by Disney. Signing the bill, Desantis triumphantly said, "Today the corporate kingdom finally comes to an end. There's a new sheriff in town, and accountability will be the order of the day."</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/desantis-ends-disney-worlds-corporate-kingdom-company-loses-self-governing-status-with-new-law-566575">DeSantis ends Disney World's 'corporate kingdom', company loses self-governing status with new law</a></strong></p>

<p>Analysts see this as a considerable legislative victory for Desantis, &nbsp; a prime 2024 contender against Donald Trump, who has referred to the Jacksonville native as 'DeSanctimonious'.</p>

<p><strong>Here is an explainer of the whole saga:</strong></p>

<h2>What is Reedy Creek Improvement District?</h2>

<p>The RCID was established by the Florida state legislature in 1967. The RCID is a special-purpose government entity that covers a 25,000-acre area that includes the Walt Disney World Resort and other related properties. The district is responsible for providing a range of municipal services, such as fire protection, emergency medical services, police services, and road maintenance, within its boundaries. It basically worked like a government, but wasn't a government body and not subject to the accompanying constraints.</p>

<p>The entity is overseen by a five-member board of supervisors, who as mentioned above were appointed by Disney. But now, after the new legislation, the Florida governor will appoint them. The board has the authority to levy taxes and issue bonds to finance the district's operations. Because the RCID was a self-governing district until recently, it had the ability to make its own rules and regulations, subject to the approval of the Florida legislature. This unique arrangement allowed Disney to have a great deal of control over the management and operation of its theme park resort.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/disney-loses-self-governing-status-566664/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2>What is the 'Don't Say Gay' bill?</h2>

<p>The &nbsp;'Don't Say Gay' bill is not actually called that. That is the moniker that those opposed to it have given it. It's actually Parental Rights in Education. Signed by DeSantis himself, it is a Florida state law that came into existence in March last year. The law, as the name suggests, claims to give parents more control over their children's education and limit the influence of schools and teachers in certain areas. Most controversial of all, it bars classrooms in public schools from giving instruction or having discussions about sexual orientation or gender identity to students from kindergarten to third grade. It reads, "Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards."</p>

<p>The bill had been opposed by members of the LGBTQ community and allies on the grounds that it will lead to censorship and limit the quality of education. They argue that it confines the ability of teachers to provide important information about sexual health and promotes a culture of silence and stigma around LGBTQ+ identities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Supporters of the bill, on the other hand, have said that it is necessary to protect parental rights and ensure that parents have a say in what their children are taught in school. They claim that many schools have overstepped their bounds and exposed children to topics that are inappropriate or go against familial values.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-explained-how-disney-is-trying-hard-not-to-fail-as-marvel-magic-wanes-563335">Explained: How Disney is trying hard not to fail as Marvel magic wanes</a></strong></p>

<h2>Did Disney oppose the 'Don't Say Gay' bill?</h2>

<p>Not initially. The Walt Disney Company, perhaps to protect its sprawling empire in Florida, did not publicly denounce the (then proposed) Parental Rights In Education bill when it was passed. This earned the ire of many LGBTQ+ and allied employees in the company. Things worsened when it emerged that the company, then-led by Bob Chapek&nbsp;had made donations to many of those who voted in favour of the bill.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Chapek and Disney tried to course-correct. But only mildly, as per critics. In a meeting with shareholders, the beleaguered Chapek claimed he and the company had been opposed to the proposed bill from the outset, but did not give voice to the opposition.</p>

<p>&nbsp;The reason? The company thought it would be more effective to work behind the scenes. The statement read, "While we’ve been strong supporters of the (LGBTQ) community for decades, I know that many are upset that we did not speak out against the bill. Now, we were opposed to the bill from the outset, but we chose not to take a public position on it because we thought we could be more effective working behind the scenes, engaging directly with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle." He also said Disney is pausing all political donations in Florida. Then DeSantis decided to go after Disney.</p>

<p>Also Read:<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/disney-next-in-line-for-layoffs-to-cut-7000-jobs-in-cost-saving-efforts-560164">&nbsp;Disney next in line for layoffs, to cut 7,000 jobs in cost-saving efforts</a></strong></p>

<h2>DeSantis vs Disney</h2>

<p>Responding to Disney's opposition to the bill, DeSantis had declared, "If Disney wants to pick a fight, they chose the wrong guy."&nbsp;</p>

<p>He first tried to revoke Disney's special tax status. But that would have made taxpayers in nearby Orange and Osceola counties bear the brunt of basic services in Disney World, including law enforcement and road maintenance. The district's hefty $1 billion debt would have been transferred to the counties, making DeSantis' position untenable.</p>

<p>Thus, DeSantis and his supporters in Florida legislature decided to be clever about it. They chose to keep Disney's special tax district and other related perks. But the board that supervises the district, as mentioned above, will be appointed by DeSantis.</p>

<h2>What has been Disney's response?</h2>

<p>The company is now led by Bob Iger, who has been the architect of its meteoric rise in the field of film and television thanks to acquisitions like Star Wars and Marvel that have turned out extremely profitable. Chapek's handling of the bill may have been one of the reasons he was ousted in November, 2022. But this may be a big test for even Iger. Whatever his personal views, he is going to have to tread the ground lightly.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jeff Vahle, president of Walt Disney World Resort, said in a statement that the company "is ready to work within this new framework. We will continue to innovate, inspire and bring joy to the millions of guests who come to Florida to visit Walt Disney World each year."</p>

<p>Nevertheless, opponents of DeSantis view this move as an attempt to undermine the autonomy of a corporation that employs over 80,000 individuals just in Florida for political gain leading up to the 2024 US presidential election.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


Ron Desantis, the Florida Governor and Republican potential contender for US president, made good on his promise to punish the Walt Disney Company for its opposition to the so-called 'Don't Say Gay' law and spreading, in his words, 'woke ideology' in the state.

Ron Desantis, the Florida Governor and Republican potential contender for US president, made good on his promise to punish the Walt Disney Company for its opposition to the so-called 'Don't Say Gay' law and spreading, in his words, 'woke ideology' in the state. He has signed a bill that will give him control of the unique legal entity that is Disney World's self-governing district called Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID). The RCID was established by the Florida state legislature in 1967 at the request of Walt Disney Productions, which was then in the process of building Walt Disney World in central Florida. The bill empowers the Governor to appoint a five-member board that will oversee the district. Before this legislation, the board members were hand-picked by Disney. Signing the bill, Desantis triumphantly said, "Today the corporate kingdom finally comes to an end. There's a new sheriff in town, and accountability will be the order of the day." Also Read: DeSantis ends Disney World's 'corporate kingdom', company loses self-governing status with new law Analysts see this as a considerable legislative victory for Desantis, a prime 2024 contender against Donald Trump, who has referred to the Jacksonville native as 'DeSanctimonious'. Here is an explainer of the whole saga: What is Reedy Creek Improvement District? The RCID was established by the Florida state legislature in 1967. The RCID is a special-purpose government entity that covers a 25,000-acre area that includes the Walt Disney World Resort and other related properties. The district is responsible for providing a range of municipal services, such as fire protection, emergency medical services, police services, and road maintenance, within its boundaries. It basically worked like a government, but wasn't a government body and not subject to the accompanying constraints. The entity is overseen by a five-member board of supervisors, who as mentioned above were appointed by Disney. But now, after the new legislation, the Florida governor will appoint them. The board has the authority to levy taxes and issue bonds to finance the district's operations. Because the RCID was a self-governing district until recently, it had the ability to make its own rules and regulations, subject to the approval of the Florida legislature. This unique arrangement allowed Disney to have a great deal of control over the management and operation of its theme park resort. What is the 'Don't Say Gay' bill? The 'Don't Say Gay' bill is not actually called that. That is the moniker that those opposed to it have given it. It's actually Parental Rights in Education. Signed by DeSantis himself, it is a Florida state law that came into existence in March last year. The law, as the name suggests, claims to give parents more control over their children's education and limit the influence of schools and teachers in certain areas. Most controversial of all, it bars classrooms in public schools from giving instruction or having discussions about sexual orientation or gender identity to students from kindergarten to third grade. It reads, "Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards." The bill had been opposed by members of the LGBTQ community and allies on the grounds that it will lead to censorship and limit the quality of education. They argue that it confines the ability of teachers to provide important information about sexual health and promotes a culture of silence and stigma around LGBTQ+ identities. Supporters of the bill, on the other hand, have said that it is necessary to protect parental rights and ensure that parents have a say in what their children are taught in school. They claim that many schools have overstepped their bounds and exposed children to topics that are inappropriate or go against familial values. Also Read: Explained: How Disney is trying hard not to fail as Marvel magic wanes Did Disney oppose the 'Don't Say Gay' bill? Not initially. The Walt Disney Company, perhaps to protect its sprawling empire in Florida, did not publicly denounce the (then proposed) Parental Rights In Education bill when it was passed. This earned the ire of many LGBTQ+ and allied employees in the company. Things worsened when it emerged that the company, then-led by Bob Chapek had made donations to many of those who voted in favour of the bill. Chapek and Disney tried to course-correct. But only mildly, as per critics. In a meeting with shareholders, the beleaguered Chapek claimed he and the company had been opposed to the proposed bill from the outset, but did not give voice to the opposition. The reason? The company thought it would be more effective to work behind the scenes. The statement read, "While we’ve been strong supporters of the (LGBTQ) community for decades, I know that many are upset that we did not speak out against the bill. Now, we were opposed to the bill from the outset, but we chose not to take a public position on it because we thought we could be more effective working behind the scenes, engaging directly with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle." He also said Disney is pausing all political donations in Florida. Then DeSantis decided to go after Disney. Also Read: Disney next in line for layoffs, to cut 7,000 jobs in cost-saving efforts DeSantis vs Disney Responding to Disney's opposition to the bill, DeSantis had declared, "If Disney wants to pick a fight, they chose the wrong guy." He first tried to revoke Disney's special tax status. But that would have made taxpayers in nearby Orange and Osceola counties bear the brunt of basic services in Disney World, including law enforcement and road maintenance. The district's hefty $1 billion debt would have been transferred to the counties, making DeSantis' position untenable. Thus, DeSantis and his supporters in Florida legislature decided to be clever about it. They chose to keep Disney's special tax district and other related perks. But the board that supervises the district, as mentioned above, will be appointed by DeSantis. What has been Disney's response? The company is now led by Bob Iger, who has been the architect of its meteoric rise in the field of film and television thanks to acquisitions like Star Wars and Marvel that have turned out extremely profitable. Chapek's handling of the bill may have been one of the reasons he was ousted in November, 2022. But this may be a big test for even Iger. Whatever his personal views, he is going to have to tread the ground lightly. Jeff Vahle, president of Walt Disney World Resort, said in a statement that the company "is ready to work within this new framework. We will continue to innovate, inspire and bring joy to the millions of guests who come to Florida to visit Walt Disney World each year." Nevertheless, opponents of DeSantis view this move as an attempt to undermine the autonomy of a corporation that employs over 80,000 individuals just in Florida for political gain leading up to the 2024 US presidential election. 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Explained | Ron DeSantis takes control of Disney's self-governing district in Florida amid 'Don't Say Gay' row

<p><strong>Cocaine Bear movie review:</strong> In 1985, in Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia, a small plane with a lot of cocaine on board dumped its payload and crashed. The pilot, a low-level drug dealer, had attempted to parachute down but it didn't work and he fell to his death. An American Black Bear was found dead near the wreckage. Apparently, the 175-pound animal had eaten 75 pounds of the stuff.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dubbed the Cocaine Bear or, more amusingly, Pablo Eskobear, the bear became a legend and was taxidermised. <em>Cocaine Bear,</em> the movie, is said to be based on that incident, which is Hollywoodspeak for 'taking an interesting real incident and running with it'.</p>

<p>Here, the bear is a 500-pound fiend. Oh, and it does not die from cocaine. Instead, from a shy, gentle giant it turns into a mindless rage monster junkie hankering after that one last high like Jesse Pinkman. And that is the movie, really. Nothing more, nothing less. A coke-addled bear begins killing people in gruesome and, admittedly, increasingly hilarious ways. A single conceit stretched to its extremes. It's insane, it's unbelievable, and it's undeniably fun.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DuWEEKeJLMI" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>There are, of course, human characters here too. Monster movies need characters that we know at least a little so their death will be slightly affecting.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>The cast is talented, but the bear is the main star</h2>

<p>Keri Russell is a nurse called Sari and a mother whose little daughter plays truant with and escapes on the same day the bear is wreaking havoc in the area. Alden Ehrenreich's Eddie Dentwood is an alcoholic suffering from depression of losing his wife to cancer. He and Henry (Christian Convery) are tasked with retrieving the cocaine by former's drug kingpin father Syd, played by late legend Ray Liotta. Isiah Whitlock Jr essays Bob, a detective who is on the trail of Syd.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Margo Martindale has a nice cameo as a rotund forest ranger who is in love with an animal rights activist and a regular visitor to the park Peter (Jesse Tyler Ferguson). Two emergency medics, played by Kahyun Kim and Scott Seiss, also get themselves entangled with the animal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>These and more characters find themselves in the general area where the coke-addled bear is let loose.</p>

<h2><em>Cocaine Bear </em>is endlessly fun</h2>

<p>Directed by Elizabeth Banks and scripted by Jimmy Warden, <em>Cocaine Bear</em> watches like studio execs one day had a get-together and decided to make a movie that'll make Kshitij happy. I've been a fan of such beast-goes-on-rampage ever since I can remember, and this one fits the bill. I was in love with the movie was even before I saw the madcap trailer. I remember thinking, if the movie is remotely like the promos, I'll be a happy man.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And the movie is indeed exactly what the trailer promises. Right from the beginning, when a couple hiking through the woods spot the bear and realise, too late, that something is not quite right with it, the film sets a darkly funny flavour as the slavering, crazy ursid uses its scalpel-like claws and canines to make short work of whatever human interference it encounters in its quest to gobble the million dollars worth substance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Even as the bear rumbles, tumbles, falls asleep, and wakes up to resume its ceaseless and uncontrollable hunt for coke and characters are slashed, clawed, crushed, split open, dismembered, disembowelled, and — in one case — decapitated, the tone remains consistently cheeky. And yes, this dark brand of humour might not be to everyone's taste (that explains the empty theatre, sigh). Watching humans, ranging from perfectly decent to downright repulsive, die in such a variety of gut-churning ways shouldn't be this funny, ideally. But it is.</p>

<p>You can guess from the cast list as to which of them is going to survive this ordeal. Frankly, there is not much acting involved here. It's mostly loud yells of "Run!" and wide eyes. Though the talented actors do their best, it would not have changed much if the cast was populated by unknown names. Well, except for the box office appeal. But not in India, it seems. As I said, I was alone in the theatre. Usually, that is a buzzkill, for I wish my movie-viewing to be a collective experience filled with laughs and hoots and cheers. But with <em>Cocaine Bear,</em> I was having too much fun&nbsp;to notice.</p>

<p><em>Cocaine Bear</em> can make no claims to highbrow cinema, but it is a fun time at the movies.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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Cocaine Bear movie review: In 1985, in Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia, a small plane with a lot of cocaine on board dumped its payload and crashed. The pilot, a low-level drug dealer, had attempted to parachute down but it didn't work and he fell to his death.

Cocaine Bear movie review: In 1985, in Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia, a small plane with a lot of cocaine on board dumped its payload and crashed. The pilot, a low-level drug dealer, had attempted to parachute down but it didn't work and he fell to his death. An American Black Bear was found dead near the wreckage. Apparently, the 175-pound animal had eaten 75 pounds of the stuff. Dubbed the Cocaine Bear or, more amusingly, Pablo Eskobear, the bear became a legend and was taxidermised. Cocaine Bear, the movie, is said to be based on that incident, which is Hollywoodspeak for 'taking an interesting real incident and running with it'. Here, the bear is a 500-pound fiend. Oh, and it does not die from cocaine. Instead, from a shy, gentle giant it turns into a mindless rage monster junkie hankering after that one last high like Jesse Pinkman. And that is the movie, really. Nothing more, nothing less. A coke-addled bear begins killing people in gruesome and, admittedly, increasingly hilarious ways. A single conceit stretched to its extremes. It's insane, it's unbelievable, and it's undeniably fun. There are, of course, human characters here too. Monster movies need characters that we know at least a little so their death will be slightly affecting. The cast is talented, but the bear is the main star Keri Russell is a nurse called Sari and a mother whose little daughter plays truant with and escapes on the same day the bear is wreaking havoc in the area. Alden Ehrenreich's Eddie Dentwood is an alcoholic suffering from depression of losing his wife to cancer. He and Henry (Christian Convery) are tasked with retrieving the cocaine by former's drug kingpin father Syd, played by late legend Ray Liotta. Isiah Whitlock Jr essays Bob, a detective who is on the trail of Syd. Margo Martindale has a nice cameo as a rotund forest ranger who is in love with an animal rights activist and a regular visitor to the park Peter (Jesse Tyler Ferguson). Two emergency medics, played by Kahyun Kim and Scott Seiss, also get themselves entangled with the animal. These and more characters find themselves in the general area where the coke-addled bear is let loose. Cocaine Bear is endlessly fun Directed by Elizabeth Banks and scripted by Jimmy Warden, Cocaine Bear watches like studio execs one day had a get-together and decided to make a movie that'll make Kshitij happy. I've been a fan of such beast-goes-on-rampage ever since I can remember, and this one fits the bill. I was in love with the movie was even before I saw the madcap trailer. I remember thinking, if the movie is remotely like the promos, I'll be a happy man. And the movie is indeed exactly what the trailer promises. Right from the beginning, when a couple hiking through the woods spot the bear and realise, too late, that something is not quite right with it, the film sets a darkly funny flavour as the slavering, crazy ursid uses its scalpel-like claws and canines to make short work of whatever human interference it encounters in its quest to gobble the million dollars worth substance. Even as the bear rumbles, tumbles, falls asleep, and wakes up to resume its ceaseless and uncontrollable hunt for coke and characters are slashed, clawed, crushed, split open, dismembered, disembowelled, and — in one case — decapitated, the tone remains consistently cheeky. And yes, this dark brand of humour might not be to everyone's taste (that explains the empty theatre, sigh). Watching humans, ranging from perfectly decent to downright repulsive, die in such a variety of gut-churning ways shouldn't be this funny, ideally. But it is. You can guess from the cast list as to which of them is going to survive this ordeal. Frankly, there is not much acting involved here. It's mostly loud yells of "Run!" and wide eyes. Though the talented actors do their best, it would not have changed much if the cast was populated by unknown names. Well, except for the box office appeal. But not in India, it seems. As I said, I was alone in the theatre. Usually, that is a buzzkill, for I wish my movie-viewing to be a collective experience filled with laughs and hoots and cheers. But with Cocaine Bear, I was having too much fun to notice. Cocaine Bear can make no claims to highbrow cinema, but it is a fun time at the movies. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Cocaine Bear movie review: Savagely funny, this black comedy will leave you with a high

<p><em>Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania</em> is braving mixed reviews to rule the global box office. It has accumulated $359 million worldwide until now. The film continues the story of Paul Rudd's Scott Lang or Ant-Man. In the film, which also brings back director Peyton Reed, Lang, his daughter Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton), Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), and Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) find themselves stranded in the Quantum Realm. And there, they face Jonathan Majors' Kang the Conqueror, one of the best-known supervillains in Marvel Comics. In MCU, Kang wants to escape the Quantum Realm, and believes Scott and others can help, willingly or not.</p>

<p>The film explores in the detail the Quantum Realm. It is a fictional pocket universe that we have visited briefly in earlier MCU movies. Most of the film, in fact, is set in there. Let's take a look at it in details, from both comics and movies.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/10-marvel-dc-characters-who-need-their-own-movies-511168/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p><strong>SPOILERS AHEAD</strong></p>

<h2>What is Quantum Realm in comics?</h2>

<p>The Quantum Realm is a fictional microscopic subatomic dimension that exists within the Marvel Comics multiverse. It was first introduced in Marvel Comics in 1963 and has since been used in various storylines, including the Ant-Man and Doctor Strange comic book series.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania-movie-review-formulaic-and-forgettable-paul-rudd-movie-is-a-dud-562974">Ant-Man 3 movie review: Formulaic and forgettable, Paul Rudd movie is a dud</a></strong></p>

<p>In the Marvel Comics universe, the Quantum Realm is also known as the Microverse, and is described as a parallel dimension that exists on a subatomic scale. This dimension is home to a wide range of exotic creatures, including the Micronauts, who have their own comic book series. The Quantum Realm is also home to various forms of exotic energy that can be harnessed for a wide range of purposes.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-thanos-idiotic-plan-and-other-things-that-make-absolutely-no-sense-in-marvel-movies-498039">Six things that make absolutely NO sense in Marvel movies</a></strong></p>

<p>It is often depicted as a strange and surreal place, where the rules of physics and reality are completely different from the world we know. Time and space function differently in the Quantum Realm, and it is possible for objects and beings to exist in multiple places simultaneously. It is also home to various forms of life that are unlike anything found in our world, including strange energy beings and sentient particles.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aM5CiDQU_MY" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Quantum Realm was introduced in the first <em>Ant-Man</em> movie (2015), where it was depicted as a dangerous and unpredictable place that could only be accessed using advanced technology. In the film, the Quantum Realm played a key role in the plot, as it was the key to defeating the villainous Yellowjacket (who appeared in a different, uh, avatar in Quantumania). The Quantum Realm has since been referenced in other Marvel films, including Avengers: Endgame, where it was used as a plot device to time travel.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-ant-man-3-post-credit-scene-explained-how-marvel-movie-sets-up-avengers-5-563176">Ant-Man 3 post-credit scenes explained: How Marvel movie sets up Avengers 5</a></strong></p>

<p>In Quantumania, the Quantum Realm is revealed to be the domain of Kang the Conqueror, a dangerous mass-murderer who has eliminated entire timelines and was exiled there by a council of Kang variants. Scott and others are stranded in the Quantum Realm. They come across alien-like inhabitants of this realm. One of them is Lord Krylar (Bill Murray), with whom Janet shared a relationship, which was hinted to be sexual in nature. But he betrays her and others to Kang's henchmen. Meanwhile, Scott and Cassie had landed in some other part of the Quantum Realm and met weird yet wonderful inhabitants who are waging a rebellion against Kang's tyranny. Among them is William Jackson Harper as Quaz, who is tired of his powers of reading minds that he cannot control. David Dastmalchian appears as an amusing creature made out of goop.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is revealed in a flashback that Janet, who spent three decades in Quantum Realm, rescued somebody who was similarly stranded. And that was Kang. She helped him rebuild a device, a power core, that would propel his aircraft and get them into their worlds. But when she was touching his aircraft, she found that she could access his thoughts as it was connected to his mind. She realised he has eliminated entire timelines and is thus a monster and not the mild-mannered friend she thought she was.</p>

<p>Eventually, Cassie gets captured and Kang tasks Scott to get back his power core. Otherwise, Kang says, he will kill her. Scott and others reunite and defeat Kang but a warning given by the Conqueror haunts Scott: that only he can stop what's coming. And that may mean the annihilation of the multiverse. But Scott ignores it.</p>

<h2>What is the nature of the Quantum Realm?</h2>

<p>Overall, the Quantum Realm is a complex, mysterious, and, wonderful place that is often used as a plot device in Marvel Comics and MCU. It is a fascinating concept that has captured the imaginations of fans and creators alike, and it will likely continue to play a major role in the MCU for years to come since we know Kang will be the main villain(s) of <em>Avengers: The Kang Dyansty</em>, which releases in 2025.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is braving mixed reviews to rule the global box office. It has accumulated $359 million worldwide until now. The film continues the story of Paul Rudd's Scott Lang or Ant-Man.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is braving mixed reviews to rule the global box office. It has accumulated $359 million worldwide until now. The film continues the story of Paul Rudd's Scott Lang or Ant-Man. In the film, which also brings back director Peyton Reed, Lang, his daughter Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton), Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), and Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) find themselves stranded in the Quantum Realm. And there, they face Jonathan Majors' Kang the Conqueror, one of the best-known supervillains in Marvel Comics. In MCU, Kang wants to escape the Quantum Realm, and believes Scott and others can help, willingly or not. The film explores in the detail the Quantum Realm. It is a fictional pocket universe that we have visited briefly in earlier MCU movies. Most of the film, in fact, is set in there. Let's take a look at it in details, from both comics and movies. SPOILERS AHEAD What is Quantum Realm in comics? The Quantum Realm is a fictional microscopic subatomic dimension that exists within the Marvel Comics multiverse. It was first introduced in Marvel Comics in 1963 and has since been used in various storylines, including the Ant-Man and Doctor Strange comic book series. Also Read: Ant-Man 3 movie review: Formulaic and forgettable, Paul Rudd movie is a dud In the Marvel Comics universe, the Quantum Realm is also known as the Microverse, and is described as a parallel dimension that exists on a subatomic scale. This dimension is home to a wide range of exotic creatures, including the Micronauts, who have their own comic book series. The Quantum Realm is also home to various forms of exotic energy that can be harnessed for a wide range of purposes. Also Read: Six things that make absolutely NO sense in Marvel movies It is often depicted as a strange and surreal place, where the rules of physics and reality are completely different from the world we know. Time and space function differently in the Quantum Realm, and it is possible for objects and beings to exist in multiple places simultaneously. It is also home to various forms of life that are unlike anything found in our world, including strange energy beings and sentient particles. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Quantum Realm was introduced in the first Ant-Man movie (2015), where it was depicted as a dangerous and unpredictable place that could only be accessed using advanced technology. In the film, the Quantum Realm played a key role in the plot, as it was the key to defeating the villainous Yellowjacket (who appeared in a different, uh, avatar in Quantumania). The Quantum Realm has since been referenced in other Marvel films, including Avengers: Endgame, where it was used as a plot device to time travel. Also Read: Ant-Man 3 post-credit scenes explained: How Marvel movie sets up Avengers 5 In Quantumania, the Quantum Realm is revealed to be the domain of Kang the Conqueror, a dangerous mass-murderer who has eliminated entire timelines and was exiled there by a council of Kang variants. Scott and others are stranded in the Quantum Realm. They come across alien-like inhabitants of this realm. One of them is Lord Krylar (Bill Murray), with whom Janet shared a relationship, which was hinted to be sexual in nature. But he betrays her and others to Kang's henchmen. Meanwhile, Scott and Cassie had landed in some other part of the Quantum Realm and met weird yet wonderful inhabitants who are waging a rebellion against Kang's tyranny. Among them is William Jackson Harper as Quaz, who is tired of his powers of reading minds that he cannot control. David Dastmalchian appears as an amusing creature made out of goop. It is revealed in a flashback that Janet, who spent three decades in Quantum Realm, rescued somebody who was similarly stranded. And that was Kang. She helped him rebuild a device, a power core, that would propel his aircraft and get them into their worlds. But when she was touching his aircraft, she found that she could access his thoughts as it was connected to his mind. She realised he has eliminated entire timelines and is thus a monster and not the mild-mannered friend she thought she was. Eventually, Cassie gets captured and Kang tasks Scott to get back his power core. Otherwise, Kang says, he will kill her. Scott and others reunite and defeat Kang but a warning given by the Conqueror haunts Scott: that only he can stop what's coming. And that may mean the annihilation of the multiverse. But Scott ignores it. What is the nature of the Quantum Realm? Overall, the Quantum Realm is a complex, mysterious, and, wonderful place that is often used as a plot device in Marvel Comics and MCU. It is a fascinating concept that has captured the imaginations of fans and creators alike, and it will likely continue to play a major role in the MCU for years to come since we know Kang will be the main villain(s) of Avengers: The Kang Dyansty, which releases in 2025. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: Quantum Realm in Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania

<p><strong><em>Ant-Man 3</em> movie review: </strong>The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a behemoth that appears to be too big to fail. Despite proclamations by Kevin Feige and others overseeing this interconnected film franchise, the Marvel formula has remained mostly consistent, with a few notable exceptions. But clearly, it still works. Even the less exciting installments, like the <em>Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania</em>, the 31st film in this juggernaut of a franchise, are met with raucous laughter and cheers every few minutes. While watching the movie in the theater, it seemed like the audience was primed to erupt with laughter at even the slightest hint of a joke. It has become a routine almost, a thing one just has to do.</p>

<p>Me? If you have read anything I have written about Marvel in recent times, you would know I got disillusioned long before Thanos faced the Avengers. Marvel formula bores me out of my mind.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aM5CiDQU_MY" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<h2>Is 'Avengers Fatigue' here?</h2>

<p>Also Read:<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-thor-love-and-thunder-review-chris-hemsworths-mcu-film-proves-marvel-formula-has-lost-its-charm-495191">&nbsp;'Thor Love and Thunder' review: Chris Hemsworth's film proves 'Avengers fatigue' is real</a></strong></p>

<p>There are, of course, benefits of a shared universe from a storytelling point of view. The sandbox allows the writers to create exciting, interconnected stories and explore the more interesting supporting characters further through spinoffs movies or TV shows. The world feels richer, complex, and lived-in when you spot hints of other characters while watching a movie or show unrelated to them. That sense of unity and shared continuity is what comic-book companies have cashed in on for decades.</p>

<p>But then, there are pitfalls as well. The tone largely has to stay the same. Feige and his team have to make sure the scribes understand the connections between the characters. And this breeds mediocrity of relying upon callbacks, cameos, and Easter eggs. It's not as though I completely abhor those. I began reading comics before I was 10 and have not stopped. I think I never will. I love all references to other stuff, but in moderation. Even as just a consumer of these stories, I understand they cannot collectively serve as an alternative to a well-crafted story, engaging dialogue, and fully-realised characters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But since this is the almighty formula and this is what fans of these movies expect, the people in charge of the MCU have no choice but to cater to those expectations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania-whos-who-of-the-mcu-movie-562611"><em>Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania:</em> Who's who of the MCU movie</a></strong></p>

<h2>So <em>Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania</em> sucks?</h2>

<p><em>Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania</em> has Scott Lang, his daughter Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton), Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), and Hank Pym (Michael Pfeiffer) getting stranded in the Quantum Realm, the weird but wonderful pocket subatomic universe which resembles popular science-fiction depictions of alien worlds. It even has its own aliens — humanoids with monstrous beasts, creatures wholly made of goop, and human-looking people wearing clothing straight out of Mad Max movies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Oh, and there is an Immortan Joe equivalent as well. Kang the Conqueror is one of Marvel Comics' most popular supervillains, and for good reason. He presents a challenge to the Marvel heroes that is unique in itself. He is a conqueror, but not of land, at least in the lore. Instead, his domains are temporal. He is not all-powerful, but has technology, mind, and will at his disposal that is far superior to any superhero alone. Jonathan Majors plays Kang as somebody truly desperate but will never let it show on his face. He hides devilish intelligence beneath a reasonable, mild-mannered demeanour. "Just give me this, and I will give you that in return," he says, straight-faced (paraphrased to protect spoilers, of course). But Majors is nuanced enough to make that statement give an edge. It is a full-bodied performance that makes the movie less of a chore.&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZlNFpri-Y40" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>Rudd is reliably charming, making nonsensical lines funnier than they have any right to be. Newton is good too, though in a movie supposedly about a father-daughter relationship she is not given much to do. Pfeiffer's character is given more room, which is welcome, and Douglas and a couple of cameos are amusing enough.&nbsp;</p>

<p>If you can't tell already,&nbsp;<em>Quantumania</em> is an absolute dud. I felt bad for genuinely great actors that populate this thing for having to mouth lines that might as well have come out from that AI thingy everyone these days seems so fond of. The script is, and I cannot stress this enough, execrable. The screenwriter behind this film is Jeff Loveness and that should frighten you. For he is also writing the next <em>Avengers </em>movie, <em>The Kang Dynasty</em>. MCU is certainly not getting any better soon.</p>

<p>Everything that is good about <em>Quantumania </em>is due to the actors doing their very best considering the material they are saddled with and talented VFX artists making the film visually pretty if nothing else. I dared to imagine what the movie would have been like if nor for Rudd, Jonathan Majors, and others in the cast... and I would not want to live in that timeline. This is bad enough. The script tries to instill a little goofiness à la <em>Thor: Ragnarok</em>, but it too feels forced, like it was just a half-hearted attempt to fit the movie in the mould of the 'delightfully deranged' side of MCU.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-exclusive--ant-man-3-director-peyton-reed-on-what-makes-kang-the-conqueror-so-scary-562384">Exclusive |<em> Ant-Man 3</em> director Peyton Reed on what makes Kang the Conqueror so scary</a></strong></p>

<h2>Final words</h2>

<p>If you are a typical MCU fan, you will probably not share my opinion. I realised that by watching the movie with a crowd screaming at the most quotidian moments like it was Rapture. And that's okay. I won't begrudge it if people find escape and enjoyment for a couple of hours and forget their worldly troubles. I have to suffer through these movies these days only because they are popular, alas, and it's my job.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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Ant-Man 3 movie review: The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a behemoth that appears to be too big to fail. Despite proclamations by Kevin Feige and others overseeing this interconnected film franchise, the Marvel formula has remained mostly consistent, with a few notable exceptions.

Ant-Man 3 movie review: The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a behemoth that appears to be too big to fail. Despite proclamations by Kevin Feige and others overseeing this interconnected film franchise, the Marvel formula has remained mostly consistent, with a few notable exceptions. But clearly, it still works. Even the less exciting installments, like the Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, the 31st film in this juggernaut of a franchise, are met with raucous laughter and cheers every few minutes. While watching the movie in the theater, it seemed like the audience was primed to erupt with laughter at even the slightest hint of a joke. It has become a routine almost, a thing one just has to do. Me? If you have read anything I have written about Marvel in recent times, you would know I got disillusioned long before Thanos faced the Avengers. Marvel formula bores me out of my mind. Is 'Avengers Fatigue' here? Also Read: 'Thor Love and Thunder' review: Chris Hemsworth's film proves 'Avengers fatigue' is real There are, of course, benefits of a shared universe from a storytelling point of view. The sandbox allows the writers to create exciting, interconnected stories and explore the more interesting supporting characters further through spinoffs movies or TV shows. The world feels richer, complex, and lived-in when you spot hints of other characters while watching a movie or show unrelated to them. That sense of unity and shared continuity is what comic-book companies have cashed in on for decades. But then, there are pitfalls as well. The tone largely has to stay the same. Feige and his team have to make sure the scribes understand the connections between the characters. And this breeds mediocrity of relying upon callbacks, cameos, and Easter eggs. It's not as though I completely abhor those. I began reading comics before I was 10 and have not stopped. I think I never will. I love all references to other stuff, but in moderation. Even as just a consumer of these stories, I understand they cannot collectively serve as an alternative to a well-crafted story, engaging dialogue, and fully-realised characters. But since this is the almighty formula and this is what fans of these movies expect, the people in charge of the MCU have no choice but to cater to those expectations. Also Read: Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania: Who's who of the MCU movie So Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania sucks? Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania has Scott Lang, his daughter Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton), Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), and Hank Pym (Michael Pfeiffer) getting stranded in the Quantum Realm, the weird but wonderful pocket subatomic universe which resembles popular science-fiction depictions of alien worlds. It even has its own aliens — humanoids with monstrous beasts, creatures wholly made of goop, and human-looking people wearing clothing straight out of Mad Max movies. Oh, and there is an Immortan Joe equivalent as well. Kang the Conqueror is one of Marvel Comics' most popular supervillains, and for good reason. He presents a challenge to the Marvel heroes that is unique in itself. He is a conqueror, but not of land, at least in the lore. Instead, his domains are temporal. He is not all-powerful, but has technology, mind, and will at his disposal that is far superior to any superhero alone. Jonathan Majors plays Kang as somebody truly desperate but will never let it show on his face. He hides devilish intelligence beneath a reasonable, mild-mannered demeanour. "Just give me this, and I will give you that in return," he says, straight-faced (paraphrased to protect spoilers, of course). But Majors is nuanced enough to make that statement give an edge. It is a full-bodied performance that makes the movie less of a chore. Rudd is reliably charming, making nonsensical lines funnier than they have any right to be. Newton is good too, though in a movie supposedly about a father-daughter relationship she is not given much to do. Pfeiffer's character is given more room, which is welcome, and Douglas and a couple of cameos are amusing enough. If you can't tell already, Quantumania is an absolute dud. I felt bad for genuinely great actors that populate this thing for having to mouth lines that might as well have come out from that AI thingy everyone these days seems so fond of. The script is, and I cannot stress this enough, execrable. The screenwriter behind this film is Jeff Loveness and that should frighten you. For he is also writing the next Avengers movie, The Kang Dynasty. MCU is certainly not getting any better soon. Everything that is good about Quantumania is due to the actors doing their very best considering the material they are saddled with and talented VFX artists making the film visually pretty if nothing else. I dared to imagine what the movie would have been like if nor for Rudd, Jonathan Majors, and others in the cast... and I would not want to live in that timeline. This is bad enough. The script tries to instill a little goofiness à la Thor: Ragnarok, but it too feels forced, like it was just a half-hearted attempt to fit the movie in the mould of the 'delightfully deranged' side of MCU. Also Read: Exclusive | Ant-Man 3 director Peyton Reed on what makes Kang the Conqueror so scary Final words If you are a typical MCU fan, you will probably not share my opinion. I realised that by watching the movie with a crowd screaming at the most quotidian moments like it was Rapture. And that's okay. I won't begrudge it if people find escape and enjoyment for a couple of hours and forget their worldly troubles. I have to suffer through these movies these days only because they are popular, alas, and it's my job. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ant-Man 3 movie review: Formulaic and forgettable, Paul Rudd movie is a dud

<p>Earlier this month, The Walt Disney Company, better known as Disney, announced it is restructuring itself and that includes laying off 7,000 employees or 3 per cent of its workforce. The company also announced reorganisation into three sections: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. All this follows Bob Iger getting reinstated as the CEO in November last year, replacing Bob Chapek, a Disney veteran who was removed from the position after dismal earnings reports and controversies that plagued his tenure. Iger, CEO from 2005 to 2020, led the company as it expanded aggressively by acquiring valuable (in terms of popular appeal and expected returns) IPs like Pixar, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Marvel Entertainment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Oh, he also spearheaded the negotiations to acquire 20th Century Fox. Under his leadership, the company became a behemoth. In 2019, the heydays, the studio released an incredible seven movies that surpassed the $1 billion dollar mark. This was domination on an unprecedented scale.</p>
<img alt="bob iger" data-caption="Bob Iger led Disney through one of studios' most successful eras.&amp;nbsp;(AFP)" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="620446a3-74c7-4a6f-9190-fa5df3864777" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/bob%20iger.png" />
<h2>Signs of concern at Disney</h2>

<p>But since Iger left in 2020, there have been signs of trouble at the company. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic shut down movie and TV productions, and the theatrical film experience all but died. This allowed Netflix, the market leader in streaming, to release already-produced shows and movies and gain millions more subscribers.</p>

<p>Also Read:<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/disney-next-in-line-for-layoffs-to-cut-7000-jobs-in-cost-saving-efforts-560164">&nbsp;Disney next in line for layoffs, to cut 7,000 jobs in cost-saving efforts</a></strong></p>

<p><strong>Amusing digression:</strong> It is interesting that Iger left Disney in February 2020, a month before the pandemic really came into effect. Not to be a conspiracy theorist or anything, but did he know something we don't?</p>

<p>Anyway, Chapek, who had been at Disney for more than a quarter of a century before being handed the reins, became the man in charge. Call his bad luck or just fate, Disney, like every film studio, suffered when the cinema halls were shuttered by governments around the world in the pandemic-induced lockdown. Many intended-for-theatre movies like Mulan were sent instead to Disney+ in order to strengthen the fledgling streaming service. Then China banned Hollywood movies from releasing in the country, though it did not say it outright (the country has become friendly to American cinema again this year, though).&nbsp;</p>
<img alt="bob chapek" data-caption="Bob Chapek was removed as Disney CEO following less-than-inspiring earning reports. (AFP)" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="722bfdc2-a318-4154-9b64-761bbd7065be" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/bob%20chapek.png" />
<h2>Bob Chapek's dismissal and the uncertain future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe</h2>

<p>While many Disney movies continued to do decently, considering the enduring concerns over COVID-19 infection among people, Disney did suffer losses. By the time Chapek's removal neared, the Disney stock had descended to a multi-year low. The quarterly earnings report was even worse than expected. The costs associated with streaming, and dismal returns on the investment only added to the company's financial woes. Disney+, which many said was on course to overtake Netflix eventually in terms of&nbsp;subscriber base, reported a loss of 2.4 million subscriptions. In comparison, it had taken more than a decade for Netflix to lose subscribers (in April last year), and not gain. The company had also lost a large chunk of revenue from parks and experiences.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-thanos-idiotic-plan-and-other-things-that-make-absolutely-no-sense-in-marvel-movies-498039">Six things that make absolutely NO sense in Marvel movies</a></strong></p>

<p>And the cash cow that was Marvel Cinematic Universe could no longer be relied upon to deliver. If you are generous, MCU's journey post Avengers: Endgame until now can be called mediocre. Analysts say that was due to too much expansion done too quickly. In 2021, Disney+ released five TV shows set in the MCU. The following year, three. Oh, and four MCU movies also saw the light of day in 2021, and three in 2022. This bombardment of content was clearly not appreciated by the fans, many of whom, this scribe included, thought the world of entertainment was saturated too much by Marvel and less by... everything else.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier, the interconnectedness of MCU movies used to be a fun thing. Now, it had become annoying whenever a character in a project referenced another movie or show in MCU. It was now artificial and tacky. And there's been little innovation, and almost none of the projects were worthwhile. Due to the abundance of content now, Kevin Feige, the overlord of MCU, could not have quality control over everything. And thus, MCU was suffering.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/10-marvel-dc-characters-who-need-their-own-movies-511168/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The latest entry, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, is also crafted in the traditional Marvel mould — designed as per the good old formula that Feige et al perfected over the last one and a half-decade. In other words, it feels like your typical MCU movie. One can understand why the formula has survived. For it has indeed worked. But now even Feige admits it's too much and plans to slow down a bit, at least with the shows. He told Entertainment Weekly, "I do think one of the powerful aspects of being at Marvel Studios is having these films and shows hit the zeitgeist. It is harder to hit the zeitgeist when there’s so much product out there — and so much “content,” as they say, which is a word that I hate. [Laughs] But we want Marvel Studios and the MCU projects to really stand out and stand above. So, people will see that as we get further into Phases 5 and 6. The pace at which we’re putting out the Disney+ shows will change so they can each get a chance to shine."</p>

<h2>What's next for Disney and Iger?</h2>

<p>Ever since he joined, Iger has been proactive in cutting down costs and overhauling strategies. He plans to achieve profitability in streaming by 2024. In terms of IPs, the MCU juggernaut will not stop until it is profitable for the company. And judging purely by the box office numbers, the movies in the cinematic universe remain moneymaking and this may be just a brief lull after the mega extravaganzas that were the last two Avengers movies. On the Star Wars front, several movies and TV shows are in&nbsp;development. With the Fox&nbsp;acquisition, Disney now owns James Cameron's Avatar franchise. The second film, which was released in December last year, has become the third-highest-grossing movie of all time, so we can expect Cameron will get to make as many sequels as he wants. For now, the future of the company's film business looks solid. Though one fallout of the recent losses is that the company will rely on already-popular franchises. The company recently announced Toy Story 5, Frozen 3, and Zootopia 2. With big studios already apprehensive about financing films based on original ideas, it looks like another blow to those who watch more than just tentpole films.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


Earlier this month, The Walt Disney Company, better known as Disney, announced it is restructuring itself and that includes laying off 7,000 employees or 3 per cent of its workforce.

Earlier this month, The Walt Disney Company, better known as Disney, announced it is restructuring itself and that includes laying off 7,000 employees or 3 per cent of its workforce. The company also announced reorganisation into three sections: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. All this follows Bob Iger getting reinstated as the CEO in November last year, replacing Bob Chapek, a Disney veteran who was removed from the position after dismal earnings reports and controversies that plagued his tenure. Iger, CEO from 2005 to 2020, led the company as it expanded aggressively by acquiring valuable (in terms of popular appeal and expected returns) IPs like Pixar, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Marvel Entertainment. Oh, he also spearheaded the negotiations to acquire 20th Century Fox. Under his leadership, the company became a behemoth. In 2019, the heydays, the studio released an incredible seven movies that surpassed the $1 billion dollar mark. This was domination on an unprecedented scale. Signs of concern at Disney But since Iger left in 2020, there have been signs of trouble at the company. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic shut down movie and TV productions, and the theatrical film experience all but died. This allowed Netflix, the market leader in streaming, to release already-produced shows and movies and gain millions more subscribers. Also Read: Disney next in line for layoffs, to cut 7,000 jobs in cost-saving efforts Amusing digression: It is interesting that Iger left Disney in February 2020, a month before the pandemic really came into effect. Not to be a conspiracy theorist or anything, but did he know something we don't? Anyway, Chapek, who had been at Disney for more than a quarter of a century before being handed the reins, became the man in charge. Call his bad luck or just fate, Disney, like every film studio, suffered when the cinema halls were shuttered by governments around the world in the pandemic-induced lockdown. Many intended-for-theatre movies like Mulan were sent instead to Disney+ in order to strengthen the fledgling streaming service. Then China banned Hollywood movies from releasing in the country, though it did not say it outright (the country has become friendly to American cinema again this year, though). Bob Chapek's dismissal and the uncertain future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe While many Disney movies continued to do decently, considering the enduring concerns over COVID-19 infection among people, Disney did suffer losses. By the time Chapek's removal neared, the Disney stock had descended to a multi-year low. The quarterly earnings report was even worse than expected. The costs associated with streaming, and dismal returns on the investment only added to the company's financial woes. Disney+, which many said was on course to overtake Netflix eventually in terms of subscriber base, reported a loss of 2.4 million subscriptions. In comparison, it had taken more than a decade for Netflix to lose subscribers (in April last year), and not gain. The company had also lost a large chunk of revenue from parks and experiences. Also Read: Six things that make absolutely NO sense in Marvel movies And the cash cow that was Marvel Cinematic Universe could no longer be relied upon to deliver. If you are generous, MCU's journey post Avengers: Endgame until now can be called mediocre. Analysts say that was due to too much expansion done too quickly. In 2021, Disney+ released five TV shows set in the MCU. The following year, three. Oh, and four MCU movies also saw the light of day in 2021, and three in 2022. This bombardment of content was clearly not appreciated by the fans, many of whom, this scribe included, thought the world of entertainment was saturated too much by Marvel and less by... everything else. Earlier, the interconnectedness of MCU movies used to be a fun thing. Now, it had become annoying whenever a character in a project referenced another movie or show in MCU. It was now artificial and tacky. And there's been little innovation, and almost none of the projects were worthwhile. Due to the abundance of content now, Kevin Feige, the overlord of MCU, could not have quality control over everything. And thus, MCU was suffering. The latest entry, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, is also crafted in the traditional Marvel mould — designed as per the good old formula that Feige et al perfected over the last one and a half-decade. In other words, it feels like your typical MCU movie. One can understand why the formula has survived. For it has indeed worked. But now even Feige admits it's too much and plans to slow down a bit, at least with the shows. He told Entertainment Weekly, "I do think one of the powerful aspects of being at Marvel Studios is having these films and shows hit the zeitgeist. It is harder to hit the zeitgeist when there’s so much product out there — and so much “content,” as they say, which is a word that I hate. [Laughs] But we want Marvel Studios and the MCU projects to really stand out and stand above. So, people will see that as we get further into Phases 5 and 6. The pace at which we’re putting out the Disney+ shows will change so they can each get a chance to shine." What's next for Disney and Iger? Ever since he joined, Iger has been proactive in cutting down costs and overhauling strategies. He plans to achieve profitability in streaming by 2024. In terms of IPs, the MCU juggernaut will not stop until it is profitable for the company. And judging purely by the box office numbers, the movies in the cinematic universe remain moneymaking and this may be just a brief lull after the mega extravaganzas that were the last two Avengers movies. On the Star Wars front, several movies and TV shows are in development. With the Fox acquisition, Disney now owns James Cameron's Avatar franchise. The second film, which was released in December last year, has become the third-highest-grossing movie of all time, so we can expect Cameron will get to make as many sequels as he wants. For now, the future of the company's film business looks solid. Though one fallout of the recent losses is that the company will rely on already-popular franchises. The company recently announced Toy Story 5, Frozen 3, and Zootopia 2. With big studios already apprehensive about financing films based on original ideas, it looks like another blow to those who watch more than just tentpole films. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: How Disney is trying hard not to fail as Marvel magic wanes

<p>Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, the newest instalment in the Ant-Man franchise and the 31st movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, introduces Kang the Conqueror. After Thanos, Kang is the next Big Bad that the Avengers will eventually face in the fifth Avengers movie, titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, which is due for release in 2025. Quantumania continues the tale of Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) who, along with his daughter Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton), and other major characters — Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), and Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) — find themselves in the Quantum Realm, the pocket universe that we have briefly visited earlier. And in the Quantum Realm, they come across Kang.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania-whos-who-of-the-mcu-movie-562611">Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania: Who's who of the MCU movie</a></strong></p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-ant-man-3-who-exactly-is-kang-the-conqueror-the-big-bad-explained-561773">Ant-Man 3: Who exactly is Kang the Conqueror? The Big Bad explained</a></strong></p>

<p>We spoke to director Peyton Reed spoke about the dark tonal shift of Quantumania, Kang and how he differs from Thanos, Scott's motivations, and finally the Quantum Realm, where most of the movie takes place.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5WfTEZJnv_8" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<h2>Hi, Peyton. I am really thrilled to be here as I adore Ant-Man movies. I love how Scott Lang is just your ordinary guy, just going about his business. And suddenly, he becomes this superhero. These movies are much lighter and less serious than the rest of the MCU, and that makes for a refreshing change from all the darkness and death elsewhere in MCU. So how does it feel to be saddled with the responsibility of introducing one of Marvel's most fearsome supervillains, Kang, with Quantumania?</h2>

<p>Well, it's a thrill to have Kang the Conqueror introduced in an Ant-Man movie. I grew up reading Marvel Comics, and I always loved Kang. I love the idea that Ant-Man is the most unlikely Avenger. He's just a normal guy with no real superpowers. He's not a brilliant scientist or a billionaire, just an ordinary person. So as we were formulating this movie, we came up with the idea of putting that sort of everyman Avenger up against one of the most powerful antagonists in the multiverse. In the comics, Kang has dominion over time. And Scott Lang's whole goal, in all three of the Ant-Man movies, was to have more time with his daughter. And as a result of the events of Endgame and the Blip, he lost another five years with his daughter. Cassie Lang is now an adult in this movie. We had a lot of fun and drama with the idea of Scott trying to relate to his daughter who is no longer a little girl, and is instead a young woman.</p>

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<h2>Can we expect the Ant-man franchise to enter the truly dark territory with Quantumania? The first two films were quite lighthearted.</h2>

<p>One of the things that we wanted to do with this movie was to shake Ant-Man up a little bit... take him out of his comfort zone, and really put him up against an incredibly formidable bad guy. So it was fun to take his lighthearted energy and put him up against Kang. That's not to say Kang doesn't have a sense of humour. But he is a character who doesn't live in a straight line. And a big part of his character is he expends the least amount of energy possible. He's a very, very clear character. If he says something, he means it, and you better listen to it. So to put those two energies up against each other struck us as something quite dramatic. It's safe to say that Scott and Hope and the rest of the family have some things in store for them in this movie that go far beyond anything they've experienced before.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZlNFpri-Y40" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<h2>How does MCU Kang, in your opinion, differ from Thanos?</h2>

<p>Well, Thanos and Kang are both very powerful villains in the MCU. The thing that's unique about Kang is that he's the most feared Variant of all the Kang variants. But there are multiple Kangs in the comics; hundreds, if not thousands, of Kangs. So you have a villain who's not only battling our heroes, but he's also battling himself. Because those different Kang variants have very different worldviews and very different motivations for what they want throughout the multiverse. And that is why for us Kang was an interesting villain for us to kick off Phase Five in the Marvel Universe.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-thanos-idiotic-plan-and-other-things-that-make-absolutely-no-sense-in-marvel-movies-498039">Six things that make absolutely NO sense in Marvel movies</a></strong></p>

<h2>Is he somebody vastly different from all the other supervillains Marvel superheroes have faced?</h2>

<p>That's right, because there's not really just one of him. You know, we've seen a Variant in season one of Loki. Jonathan Majors, who plays Kang&nbsp;in Ant-Man 3, played a character called He Who Remains. They're very different people, but they're Variants of each other. And He Who Remains spoke of what might happen with this sense of dread. And in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, we're going to show you what he was talking about. We're going to show you the person that he dreaded. He is a very scary, powerful villain, and he has a unique relationship with the Quantum Realm. The Quantum Realm means something very different to Kang than it does to Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne and the rest of our heroes.</p>

<p>Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania releases on February 17.</p>

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Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, the newest instalment in the Ant-Man franchise and the 31st movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, introduces Kang the Conqueror.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, the newest instalment in the Ant-Man franchise and the 31st movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, introduces Kang the Conqueror. After Thanos, Kang is the next Big Bad that the Avengers will eventually face in the fifth Avengers movie, titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, which is due for release in 2025. Quantumania continues the tale of Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) who, along with his daughter Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton), and other major characters — Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), and Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) — find themselves in the Quantum Realm, the pocket universe that we have briefly visited earlier. And in the Quantum Realm, they come across Kang. Also Read: Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania: Who's who of the MCU movie Also Read: Ant-Man 3: Who exactly is Kang the Conqueror? The Big Bad explained We spoke to director Peyton Reed spoke about the dark tonal shift of Quantumania, Kang and how he differs from Thanos, Scott's motivations, and finally the Quantum Realm, where most of the movie takes place. Hi, Peyton. I am really thrilled to be here as I adore Ant-Man movies. I love how Scott Lang is just your ordinary guy, just going about his business. And suddenly, he becomes this superhero. These movies are much lighter and less serious than the rest of the MCU, and that makes for a refreshing change from all the darkness and death elsewhere in MCU. So how does it feel to be saddled with the responsibility of introducing one of Marvel's most fearsome supervillains, Kang, with Quantumania? Well, it's a thrill to have Kang the Conqueror introduced in an Ant-Man movie. I grew up reading Marvel Comics, and I always loved Kang. I love the idea that Ant-Man is the most unlikely Avenger. He's just a normal guy with no real superpowers. He's not a brilliant scientist or a billionaire, just an ordinary person. So as we were formulating this movie, we came up with the idea of putting that sort of everyman Avenger up against one of the most powerful antagonists in the multiverse. In the comics, Kang has dominion over time. And Scott Lang's whole goal, in all three of the Ant-Man movies, was to have more time with his daughter. And as a result of the events of Endgame and the Blip, he lost another five years with his daughter. Cassie Lang is now an adult in this movie. We had a lot of fun and drama with the idea of Scott trying to relate to his daughter who is no longer a little girl, and is instead a young woman. Can we expect the Ant-man franchise to enter the truly dark territory with Quantumania? The first two films were quite lighthearted. One of the things that we wanted to do with this movie was to shake Ant-Man up a little bit... take him out of his comfort zone, and really put him up against an incredibly formidable bad guy. So it was fun to take his lighthearted energy and put him up against Kang. That's not to say Kang doesn't have a sense of humour. But he is a character who doesn't live in a straight line. And a big part of his character is he expends the least amount of energy possible. He's a very, very clear character. If he says something, he means it, and you better listen to it. So to put those two energies up against each other struck us as something quite dramatic. It's safe to say that Scott and Hope and the rest of the family have some things in store for them in this movie that go far beyond anything they've experienced before. How does MCU Kang, in your opinion, differ from Thanos? Well, Thanos and Kang are both very powerful villains in the MCU. The thing that's unique about Kang is that he's the most feared Variant of all the Kang variants. But there are multiple Kangs in the comics; hundreds, if not thousands, of Kangs. So you have a villain who's not only battling our heroes, but he's also battling himself. Because those different Kang variants have very different worldviews and very different motivations for what they want throughout the multiverse. And that is why for us Kang was an interesting villain for us to kick off Phase Five in the Marvel Universe. Also Read: Six things that make absolutely NO sense in Marvel movies Is he somebody vastly different from all the other supervillains Marvel superheroes have faced? That's right, because there's not really just one of him. You know, we've seen a Variant in season one of Loki. Jonathan Majors, who plays Kang in Ant-Man 3, played a character called He Who Remains. They're very different people, but they're Variants of each other. And He Who Remains spoke of what might happen with this sense of dread. And in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, we're going to show you what he was talking about. We're going to show you the person that he dreaded. He is a very scary, powerful villain, and he has a unique relationship with the Quantum Realm. The Quantum Realm means something very different to Kang than it does to Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne and the rest of our heroes. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania releases on February 17. Watch WION live!

Exclusive | Ant-Man 3 director Peyton Reed on what makes Kang the Conqueror so scary

Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania: Who's who of the MCU movie

10 offbeat romantic movies to watch on Valentine's day with your lover

<p><em>The Woman King</em> is a wallop of a movie — a historical action epic about the Agojie, a regiment of female warriors in the Kingdom of Dahomey that fascinatingly really did exist. Apart from the odd decision by director Gina Prince-Bythewood to drill exposition into our heads through something as inelegant as an opening crawl, <em>The Woman King</em> is a stirring and gripping costumed action film. The story, almost entirely fictional, revolves around General Nanisca (Viola Davis), a fierce, stoic West African warrior who has turned the women in her command into the deadliest weapons of war in the kingdom ruled by King Ghezo (John Boyega in a supporting role).</p>

<p>It's 1823. Dahomey has been afflicted by the transatlantic slave trade, though the young monarch Ghezo is not entirely averse to it. As it does bring profits from rich and powerful albeit rapacious European powers. He allows it, so long as the people he is selling are not from his own kingdom. The hypocrisy is not lost on Nanisca, who in the opening sequence rescues Dahomey women kidnapped by slavers from the Oyo Empire (modern-day Nigeria) and is not loyal a servant as the King would like.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3RDaPV_rJ1Y" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>Nanisca begins training a new generation of the Agojie as the hostilities mount between Dahomey and Oyo. Among them is Nawi (Thuso Mbedu), a young but determined woman. Finding Nanisca remote and inapproachable, she befriends Izogie (Lashana Lynch). As Dahomey and Oyo come to war, the Agojie attack but General Oba (Jimmy Odukoya), who Nanisca has reasons to loathe (and kill), escapes. Going against the king's wishes, she launches a rescue attempt.</p>

<p>I have been told that apart from the existence of Agojie, the film takes certain historical liberties, and my response to that is: so fecking what? In case you did not notice, my dears,&nbsp;<em>The Woman King&nbsp;</em>is not a documentary. It's not its job to be accurate, but to entertain. Pray analyse every action film that is ever made, and all the inauthenticity will drown the world. Oh, and as a piece of entertainment, <em>The Woman King</em> works very well. The action is extremely well-staged and is visceral and brutal and endlessly fun.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There is some commentary on the nature of slavery and racism in the film, but it is half-hearted and quite pat. Dana Stevens, the screenwriter, recognises I think that there have been too many movies on slavery and how horrible and cruel it was, and not many show the enslaved taking up arms against their oppressors. You know, when the slavers get what they deserve. The kind of action we saw in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. And <em>The Woman King</em> delivers on that BIG time.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/critically-speaking-shah-rukh-khan-is-back-onscreen-with-pathaan-556107/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>It is not as if the film is all action and not character. It's just there is just enough depth to the characters in this film for the audience to care about them. And the film's excellent cast manages to sell that quite run-of-the-mill writing and dialogue. Davis, at 57, remains a force of nature. She gives a performance that is akin to a kick to the well, you know, and somehow still quite nuanced. She is one of the best actors in the world, so that does not come as a huge surprise. It is Mbedu as the young Agojie recruit Nawi whose work dazzles, serving as the beating heart of the movie. She serves as our perspective on this world and delivers an emotional, powerful performance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, it is Lynch who ends up being the film's MVP for me. I have said earlier that she should have been the next James Bond (or Jane Bond, whatever), because she is always multi-faceted, even when saddled with one-note roles. Here, playing against the type, she essays Izogie like a loveable goofball who is nevertheless one of the best warriors in the regiment. It is a small role, and yet I daresay the most impactful.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The violence in <em>The Woman King </em>can be unexpected, as it's not the battle scenes where most of the blood and gore flows. Rather, it is the quieter scenes that turn your stomach. In one scene the would-be Agojie warriors crawl through clumps of the thorny bush, and it made even somebody like me, who has no issues with exploding heads and entrails hanging out in zombie movies, look away.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pardon the pun, but <em>The Woman King</em> rules.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


The Woman King is a wallop of a movie — a historical action epic about the Agojie, a regiment of female warriors in the Kingdom of Dahomey that fascinatingly really did exist.

The Woman King is a wallop of a movie — a historical action epic about the Agojie, a regiment of female warriors in the Kingdom of Dahomey that fascinatingly really did exist. Apart from the odd decision by director Gina Prince-Bythewood to drill exposition into our heads through something as inelegant as an opening crawl, The Woman King is a stirring and gripping costumed action film. The story, almost entirely fictional, revolves around General Nanisca (Viola Davis), a fierce, stoic West African warrior who has turned the women in her command into the deadliest weapons of war in the kingdom ruled by King Ghezo (John Boyega in a supporting role). It's 1823. Dahomey has been afflicted by the transatlantic slave trade, though the young monarch Ghezo is not entirely averse to it. As it does bring profits from rich and powerful albeit rapacious European powers. He allows it, so long as the people he is selling are not from his own kingdom. The hypocrisy is not lost on Nanisca, who in the opening sequence rescues Dahomey women kidnapped by slavers from the Oyo Empire (modern-day Nigeria) and is not loyal a servant as the King would like. Nanisca begins training a new generation of the Agojie as the hostilities mount between Dahomey and Oyo. Among them is Nawi (Thuso Mbedu), a young but determined woman. Finding Nanisca remote and inapproachable, she befriends Izogie (Lashana Lynch). As Dahomey and Oyo come to war, the Agojie attack but General Oba (Jimmy Odukoya), who Nanisca has reasons to loathe (and kill), escapes. Going against the king's wishes, she launches a rescue attempt. I have been told that apart from the existence of Agojie, the film takes certain historical liberties, and my response to that is: so fecking what? In case you did not notice, my dears, The Woman King is not a documentary. It's not its job to be accurate, but to entertain. Pray analyse every action film that is ever made, and all the inauthenticity will drown the world. Oh, and as a piece of entertainment, The Woman King works very well. The action is extremely well-staged and is visceral and brutal and endlessly fun. There is some commentary on the nature of slavery and racism in the film, but it is half-hearted and quite pat. Dana Stevens, the screenwriter, recognises I think that there have been too many movies on slavery and how horrible and cruel it was, and not many show the enslaved taking up arms against their oppressors. You know, when the slavers get what they deserve. The kind of action we saw in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. And The Woman King delivers on that BIG time. It is not as if the film is all action and not character. It's just there is just enough depth to the characters in this film for the audience to care about them. And the film's excellent cast manages to sell that quite run-of-the-mill writing and dialogue. Davis, at 57, remains a force of nature. She gives a performance that is akin to a kick to the well, you know, and somehow still quite nuanced. She is one of the best actors in the world, so that does not come as a huge surprise. It is Mbedu as the young Agojie recruit Nawi whose work dazzles, serving as the beating heart of the movie. She serves as our perspective on this world and delivers an emotional, powerful performance. However, it is Lynch who ends up being the film's MVP for me. I have said earlier that she should have been the next James Bond (or Jane Bond, whatever), because she is always multi-faceted, even when saddled with one-note roles. Here, playing against the type, she essays Izogie like a loveable goofball who is nevertheless one of the best warriors in the regiment. It is a small role, and yet I daresay the most impactful. The violence in The Woman King can be unexpected, as it's not the battle scenes where most of the blood and gore flows. Rather, it is the quieter scenes that turn your stomach. In one scene the would-be Agojie warriors crawl through clumps of the thorny bush, and it made even somebody like me, who has no issues with exploding heads and entrails hanging out in zombie movies, look away. Pardon the pun, but The Woman King rules. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

The Woman King movie review: A stirring, action-packed historical epic

<p>DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and producer Peter Safran recently unveiled the first part of their vision for DCU (DC Universe), which is not just a cinematic universe, but also encompasses live-action television, animation, and even video games. The DC brand has had a rocky journey when it comes to the cinematic universe. Gunn and Safran were called "complementary" talents by Zaslav when they were hired, and indeed while Gunn grew up reading comics, Safran has a knack for financing projects with box office potential. But it is Gunn in particular who is ushering in a creative turning point in DC Extended Universe. I explain. Let's begin with the basics.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-logan-director-james-mangold-to-direct-dcus-swamp-thing-movie-heres-what-we-know-558166">Logan director James Mangold to direct DCU's Swamp Thing movie? Here's what we know</a></strong></p>

<h2>How did James Gunn become such a big name in superhero cinema?</h2>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/five-great-superhero-movies-that-are-not-dc-or-marvel-510918/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Gunn has been in the 'big 2' (Marvel and DC) superhero business since he helmed 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy. it is a credit to his writing and filmmaking that some of the obscure characters in the comics populated the cast of one of that year's best superhero movies. The film featured a found family of the galaxy's biggest rejects, two of whom were not even human, and one of them was a robot. And yet infused with his unique brand of humour, solid writing, and a talented cast of actors and voice actors, the film became a huge hit and also impressed critics.</p>

<p>His next for Marvel Studios, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 was an even bigger commercial success.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wY8XcmrIujE" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>But in 2018, when the third Guardians of the Galaxy film was in development, Disney, the parent company of Marvel Studios. The reason for the ban was his old tweets in which he appeared to joke about paedophilia and rape. The tweets resurfaced after US conservatives shared them after he became vocal in his criticism of the Donald J Trump presidency. Hours after the tweets appeared, Disney ended any association with him, including the 'Guardians of the Galaxy' franchise in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This allowed Warner Bros to recruit him for a DC movie. He chose a soft reboot of the 2016 movie 'Suicide Squad'.</p>

<p>The film, called The Suicide Squad marked Gunn's return to films with a bang. It released in 2021 and starred a huge cast of actors Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Sylvester Stallone, Viola Davis, David Dastmalchian, Daniela Melchior, Michael Rooker, Jai Courtney, Peter Capaldi, Alice Braga, and Pete Davidson.</p>

<p>Apart from The Suicide Squad, Gunn also wrote and directed a John Cena-fronted spinoff series called 'Peacemaker' for HBO Max, which was also received well.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/every-upcoming-dc-universe-movie-superman-legacy-the-flash-swamp-thing-and-more-558262">Every upcoming DC Universe movie: Superman Legacy, The Flash, Swamp Thing, and more</a></strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/10-marvel-dc-characters-who-need-their-own-movies-511168/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2>How Gunn's association with DC for foreseeable future is great news for DC fans</h2>

<p>As we have established, Gunn is a really good superhero movie director. He grew up on a steady diet of comics and has repeatedly shown an uncanny knack for crafting moving stories with multiple, varied characters forgetting their differences and coming together for a common goal. With 'Peacemaker', he proved that he is good with sole characters as well if it allows him to dismantle the character in his own way and instill his irreverent humour.&nbsp;</p>

<p>DC has suffered for a long time without any lasting skipper to direct things. There have been competing visions, execs who have disagreed over the direction the properties should go in, and so on. What the company needed at this time is somebody exactly like Gunn: who has a proven track record in the genre and is a geek and knows these characters well. Under Gunn and Safran, the future of DC films is bright.</p>

<p>As you saw from the film slate Gunn and Safran unveiled, they realise that introducing marquee characters like Superman and Batman all of a sudden may backfire. Audiences, instead, should be lured into the universe gradually.</p>


DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and producer Peter Safran recently unveiled the first part of their vision for DCU (DC Universe), which is not just a cinematic universe, but also encompasses live-action television, animation, and even video games.

DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and producer Peter Safran recently unveiled the first part of their vision for DCU (DC Universe), which is not just a cinematic universe, but also encompasses live-action television, animation, and even video games. The DC brand has had a rocky journey when it comes to the cinematic universe. Gunn and Safran were called "complementary" talents by Zaslav when they were hired, and indeed while Gunn grew up reading comics, Safran has a knack for financing projects with box office potential. But it is Gunn in particular who is ushering in a creative turning point in DC Extended Universe. I explain. Let's begin with the basics. Also Read: Logan director James Mangold to direct DCU's Swamp Thing movie? Here's what we know How did James Gunn become such a big name in superhero cinema? Gunn has been in the 'big 2' (Marvel and DC) superhero business since he helmed 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy. it is a credit to his writing and filmmaking that some of the obscure characters in the comics populated the cast of one of that year's best superhero movies. The film featured a found family of the galaxy's biggest rejects, two of whom were not even human, and one of them was a robot. And yet infused with his unique brand of humour, solid writing, and a talented cast of actors and voice actors, the film became a huge hit and also impressed critics. His next for Marvel Studios, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 was an even bigger commercial success. But in 2018, when the third Guardians of the Galaxy film was in development, Disney, the parent company of Marvel Studios. The reason for the ban was his old tweets in which he appeared to joke about paedophilia and rape. The tweets resurfaced after US conservatives shared them after he became vocal in his criticism of the Donald J Trump presidency. Hours after the tweets appeared, Disney ended any association with him, including the 'Guardians of the Galaxy' franchise in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This allowed Warner Bros to recruit him for a DC movie. He chose a soft reboot of the 2016 movie 'Suicide Squad'. The film, called The Suicide Squad marked Gunn's return to films with a bang. It released in 2021 and starred a huge cast of actors Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Sylvester Stallone, Viola Davis, David Dastmalchian, Daniela Melchior, Michael Rooker, Jai Courtney, Peter Capaldi, Alice Braga, and Pete Davidson. Apart from The Suicide Squad, Gunn also wrote and directed a John Cena-fronted spinoff series called 'Peacemaker' for HBO Max, which was also received well. Also Read: Every upcoming DC Universe movie: Superman Legacy, The Flash, Swamp Thing, and more How Gunn's association with DC for foreseeable future is great news for DC fans As we have established, Gunn is a really good superhero movie director. He grew up on a steady diet of comics and has repeatedly shown an uncanny knack for crafting moving stories with multiple, varied characters forgetting their differences and coming together for a common goal. With 'Peacemaker', he proved that he is good with sole characters as well if it allows him to dismantle the character in his own way and instill his irreverent humour. DC has suffered for a long time without any lasting skipper to direct things. There have been competing visions, execs who have disagreed over the direction the properties should go in, and so on. What the company needed at this time is somebody exactly like Gunn: who has a proven track record in the genre and is a geek and knows these characters well. Under Gunn and Safran, the future of DC films is bright. As you saw from the film slate Gunn and Safran unveiled, they realise that introducing marquee characters like Superman and Batman all of a sudden may backfire. Audiences, instead, should be lured into the universe gradually.

With James Gunn at the helm, DC can beat Marvel at its own game

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