Director: Taika Waititi
Writers: Taika Waititi, Jennifer Kaytin Robinson,
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Christian Bale, Tessa Thompson, Taika Waititi, Russell Crowe, Jaimie Alexander

After fighting for thousands of years, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is searching for peace – both across the galaxy and within himself. However, his quest is interrupted by Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), who is trying to bring about the extinction of the Gods. Thor returns to Asgard to enlist the help of King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) and Korg (Taika Waititi)—only to discover that his ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) has shown up, wielding his old hammer Mjolnir and fighting under the mantle of ‘The Mighty Thor.’

For anyone wondering how Marvel was going to follow up a film that featured flying animals, super powerful gods, and battle scenes played out to classic rock songs, it’s now possible to report that the answer is with more flying animals, more super powerful gods, and more battle scenes played out to classic rock songs. After the technicolour triumph that was Thor: Ragnarok (2017), Taika Waititi returned to the helm to tell the tale of not just one Thor, but two; this go-around Chris Hemsworth’s Thor shares the stage with Natalie Portman’s ‘The Mighty Thor,’ a.k.a. Dr. Jane Foster.

Full of rainbows, raucous music, and rib-tickling humour, Thor: Ragnarok, Waititi’s first Marvel outing, was a sharp turnaround from its slow, dark predecessors. Doing away with the Shakespearean stuffiness and making Thor fun again proved to be a success; Ragnarok hit the screen like a bolt of lightning, reinvigorating Thor’s character and reigniting interest in his individual storyline. While Love and Thunder still goes to town with the razzle and dazzle (there are giant, screaming goats, electrifying displays of godly power, vast and majestic settings, and a ton of good old jokes filling the script), it’s a song that’s been written in a different key—one that reflects the heavy weight of Thor’s struggles, and of Jane’s. If the films truly were music, then Ragnarok, bright and loud and self-indulgent, would be a soaring guitar riff, high energy and high octane, making the blood roar. Love and Thunder, by contrast, is a great, keening orchestral composition, full of up beats and down beats; a melody that is, appropriately, felt more in the heart than in the blood.

Waititi’s speciality (as seen with Jojo Rabbit, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and Boy) has proven to be in striking harmony where there should have been discordance, in deftly offsetting the exploration of difficult topics and delicate vulnerabilities with offbeat quirks, humour, and vibrancy. Love and Thunder is more true to this than Ragnarok; while the hammer-wielding space-viking may exchange his dad-bod for a god-bod, post-Endgame Thor is still awash with grief and pain, trying to work out who he is and what he lives for after suffering through the loss of his parents, his brother (multiple times), and his break up with Jane, his one true love.

As the 29th Marvel movie, there’s a lot of history behind the tale, but never fear, Thor’s trusty side-kick, the one and only rock-man Korg, is on deck for an information download, chirpy narrator style. Since Avengers: Endgame (2019), Thor’s been on a slate of adventures with the Guardians of the Galaxy, but their team-up comes to a close when Gorr the God Butcher appears on their radar, by, unsurprisingly, going on a murderous god butchering rampage. With New Asgard in danger, Thor returns to Earth to help, not expecting to find his ex-girlfriend in Asgard too.

As suggested by the title, the film is an exploration of love—its costs, its worth, and its many different forms. With that also comes an exploration of pain, of emptiness, loss, the rise and fall of hope—byproducts of love lost. Yet, as each character grapples with finding peace and purpose amidst the grief that love has left in its wake, Waititi imbibes a message of hope, suggesting that where it has led to hurt, love can bring healing and happiness again, that where it has been lost, love can be found again. The film plays out positing that love is a path worth following, even though it won’t always be without pain.

Much of the impact of the message comes from Jane’s story; Portman’s return to the MCU is an abrupt turnaround from her last appearance in Thor: The Dark World (2013), where she was disappointingly short-changed. Love and Thunder is, as even Korg acknowledges, as much Jane’s tale as Thor’s, and given the chance to step off the sidelines, Natalie Portman packs a punch in a role that finally does her, her character, and females as a whole justice—Jane Foster is a vision of strength and fortitude, in more ways than one.

The film moves so fast that at times it verges on emotional whiplash; laughter one second, a punch in the heart the very next—it’s a jagged rollercoaster of ups and downs. Jane’s story steals the show, and her and Thor’s interwoven arc is one of the places in which the film truly shines. Bale does well to convey a fair amount of depth in a short amount of screen time, his ability to stand out no doubt helped in part by the abrupt shift from vibrant colour to greyscale during his appearances. Alongside the main plot, we get a little more (than perhaps needed or wanted) about Korg’s origins. Unfortunately, Valkyrie falls short on character development, largely ending up on side-kick duties with Korg. With so much to cram in, it’s natural that something had to give, nevertheless, it’s a shame that her role lost out in the run-time sacrifice, particularly given how much Valkyrie has to offer in her own right, especially now bearing the title of King.

Ending on just the right note to uplift the film, Thor: Love and Thunder is packed full to the brim, overflowing with Waititi-ness. It’s a wild ride of so many oppositions, of kaleidoscopic colour and greyscale, of love and loss, hope and hopelessness, laughter and sorrow. Waititi does well to balance such severe juxtapositions—bright, bold, and ambitious, Love and Thunder is a momentous, memorable spectacle that, despite depicting the trials and triumphs of gods, is gut-wrenchingly, hopefully human.

What did you think of Thor: Love and Thunder? Tell us in the comments below!

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Thor: Metal Gods is a space adventure, filled with the sort of characterisation that made everything so much better.

There is no mention of the Avengers and Thor still has Mjölnir, although he’s still frenemies with Loki. I’ve yet to figure out what the word is for brother/enemy to fit these two. I think the best way to describe Metal Gods is that it made me excited to read/listen to something about Thor and Loki instead of weary (because the movies tended to his the same notes between these two).

But, back to the story. It all begins with Loki and a crown

There’s nothing quite like Loki the rock star in the 1980s no less, which is where this story begins. He’s the lead guitarist in a band and he gives his lead singer Sylvain (AKA Nihilator) a crown and things go downhill from there. Why? Well before Loki stole the crown from Thor, it belonged to the people of a world that kinda no longer exists. And, as a result, the true power of the crown has been forgotten.

Then there’s Thor who answers a call from an old friend, Horangi, who is a tiger-goddess and is not awed by Thor in the slightest. However, she means enough to him that when she calls and asks for his help, he will answer — and get taken to an intergalactic K-Pop concert. I’m not even kidding.

And there, Thor discovers Nihilator, still wearing the crown, which he recognises as belonging to him, and which should be locked away in Asgard’s treasury. According to Horangi, that means Thor is is the reason her people from Korea are being brought to this world against their will. She may have been in self-exile, but her people matter to her, and she will do everything she can to protect them. Destroying the crown, she argues, is Thor’s responsibility.

Horangi is the kind of no bullshit character that gleefully puts Thor in his place, and who Thor respects. She is powerful in her own way, and a fearsome fighter — which he can respect too.

However, when the concert gets out of control, Thor and Horangi find themselves on a ship called the Orlando, in the company of the captain, Zia and her crew.

Their first order of business? Find Loki, before they can get the crown back.

Loki is the thread that brings everything together, showing the scope of this story. It’s with Thor though, the push and pull of their relationship, their arguments, and how they know each other so well that the character shines.

And that’s where this world begins to expand wonderfully

I adored learning about the crew and listening to Thor and Horangi interact with them. They are a motley bunch, but they work well together, and have formed their own family — frost giants included. I appreciated that while Thor and Loki might be the more familiar and main characters in this story, the authors have created complex secondary characters around them. And included in this crew, is Skarra, a citizen of Miskandar, the city that gifted Thor their crown.

The beauty of this tale is how each part revealed something new about the overall story, and gave Thor the chance to be more. He learns of the consequences of his actions on Miskandar, where he thought he was quelling a rebellion and was gifted with a crown as thanks. The doubt it creates in him is something that always makes me sit up and pay attention because Thor is all about confidence — in himself and his hammer and something big is the only thing that will take it away from him.

Like Loki, who takes both away by telling him the truth.

That means Thor is forced to question his actions, and that he was so wrapped up in being the Mighty Thor, he didn’t think what his actions would mean to a planet of people. Metal Gods forces Thor to reckon with his assumptions and what he realises is how blind he has been.

While Thor is undergoing a crisis, it means it’s up to Loki to save the day, to the something more than just the trickster, because there are some electric fight scenes in this, and Loki is front and centre — AND I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Valkyries — who 10000000% need their own movie and/or book series like this.

The brothers’ relationship comes to the forefront as well because only Loki would know Thor well enough to hurt him, but also save him as well. In addition, there are other relationships that Loki has had, like for instance with Zia, that shows him in a different light — to us and Thor.

And what about the crown?

That’s the beauty of Thor’s world: the impossible is possible, and you’re only limited by your imagination when it comes to serials (or books) in Thor’s world. So what starts as a story about a crown that seems to control way to many people? Turns into something different — it’s. SO. DAMN. GOOD.

I should have posted updates after I finished each part but really, when I was listening, I was absorbed in the story — so apologies to @serialboxpub — I got completely swept up in this serial!

Synopsis | Goodreads

A space adventure on an epic scale, Marvel’s Thor: Metal Gods propels Thor and Loki on a quest to recover a dangerous alien artifact. Together with a Korean tiger-goddess, a charismatic, gender-fluid space pirate, and Frost Giant mercenaries, the sons of Odin must each confront their pasts and face the truth behind the destruction of a planet that Thor once tried to help. Tinged with humor, celestial horror, complex relationships, space battles, barroom brawls, and blasts of sheer fun.

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BLACK WIDOW | May 1st 2020
Starring Scarlett Johansson, David Harbour, Florence Pugh, O-T Fagbenle, and Rachel Weisz. Directed by Cate Shortland.

THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER | Fall 2020
An original series with Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, and Daniel Brühl. Streaming exclusively on Disney+.

THE ETERNALS | November 6th 2020
Starring Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff, Brian Tyree Henry, Salma Hayek, Lia McHugh, and Don Lee. Directed by Chloé Zhao.

SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS | February 12th 2021
Starring Simu Liu, Awkwafina, and Tony Leung, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton.

WANDAVISION | Spring 2021
An original series with Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, and Teyonah Parris. Streaming exclusively on Disney+.

DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS | May 7th 2021
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen. Scott Derrickson returns as director.

LOKI | Spring 2021
An original series with Tom Hiddleston. Streaming exclusively on Disney+.

WHAT IF…? | Summer 2021
The first animated series in the MCU, with Jeffrey Wright as the voice of The Watcher, and many actors from across the MCU reprising their roles as voice talent. Streaming exclusively on Disney+.

HAWKEYE | Fall 2021
Jeremy Renner, an original series that will also introduce Kate Bishop. Streaming exclusively on Disney+.

THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER | November 5th 2021
Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, and Natalie Portman. Taika Waititi returns as director.

BLADE | Unknown
BLADE with Mahershala Ali

Which one are you most excited to watch? Tell us in the comments below!

The post SDCC 2019: New Marvel TV Shows & Movies appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

“I love you, 3000” has quickly become an iconic sentence in pop culture history since Avengers: Endgame premiered in April 2019. 11 years and 23 movies later, the MCU as we know it closes its finale chapter of the Infinity Saga. It may be the end of this storyline, but has it been the final curtain call for every Avenger?

THE ORIGINAL 6

Iron Man

The man who started it all, reminded us with his last breath that he will be forever our Iron Man. Tony sacrificed himself to save millions of people not only on earth, but in the entire universe. His legacy is now in the hands of those who he left behind, however, I am certain that Tony’s spirit will be around for quite some time. His inventions and ideas he never finished in his garage could be picked up by someone – Peter, I am looking at you – and this way we do not need to say our farewell for good. Of course, there is always a possibility for a different timeline (I will come to that at a later point) or, considering we are talking about Mr. Anthony Howard Stark, we could even see him becoming the next A.I. Who knows?

Black Widow

I don’t know about you, but my tears have not dried yet. I love Nat and Clint’s friendship since the beginning and to see them going to Volmir together broke my heart. In a way, it does make sense why Nat had to die. She finally had a family, a place where she belonged to, and she wanted to make sure that they would survive and find their happiness. Is it fair? Hell no! She deserved better. I still hope that Kevin Feige will bring her back. After all, in the comics Gamora was freed from the Soul Stone, even if she had to lose a part of her soul in the process, she came back. The Soul Stone which appeared for Gamora was destroyed, that is why this cannot happen with her, but the one Clint got was brought back by Steve, so Nat has to come back, right? Until anything is confirmed, farewell, brave warrior queen.

Hawkeye

Are you one of those, who always where like “Clint, who?”, then shame on you! Clint gradually got a bigger part in every movie he was in and it is important that he has become a valued member of the team. Everyone else has a gadget or some supernatural powers, but all that Clint has is his bow and arrow and an impressive skill set. Yes, you can be a superhero with just so little. Clint definitely found his peace and all he wants is to be with his family and know that they are safe. However, I do hope to see him again, not as an active member, but as a mentor in one or more of the upcoming movies.

It is confirmed that Marvel is planning a web series on their new streaming site, Disney+, which will launch in November 2019. In that series, Clint will train a fellow archer – Kate Bishop – to become the next Hawkeye.

Hulk

In the five years between Infinity War and Endgame, Bruce has combined the best of his two personalities and has become Professor Hulk. Yes, this is awesome! Hulk is so happy; you have been able to see how Mark Ruffalo enjoyed playing that new Hulk. I do not think that we have to worry about him much. I gave up hope on seeing another Hulk movie anytime soon and maybe it is the best for this character. There is nothing known about his future, but I think that he will stick around one way or another, perhaps he’ll work on a new HQ for the Avengers?

Captain America

During the time heist, Hulk and the Ancient One had an intense discussion about whether they would change the future by borrowing the infinity stones from the past or if they create a different, new parallel timeline to the one we know.

So, we know that when Steve stayed in the past to get his well-deserved happy ending with Peggy, he did not change the timeline we know. All that we saw still happened and was not erased, but he created an anomaly by staying in the past with another Peggy. So, there is a different timeline, which could be of importance in the future. Steve has moved on from being the perfect soldier, even though I do think that he will wield his shield from time to time because that is the Steve we know. He will always help those in need.

At the end of Endgame, a well-aged Steve is back in our timeline which means that he had to do a time jump once more. Was he unhappy? Did new battles occur? How is everyone in the other timeline? Chris Evans announced that he will not return to the MCU anytime soon, but if the fans will ask for it, he gladly would tell us this part of his life.

It has been announced that Marvel is in pre-production of a “What if…” series which will premiere on Disney+. The first episode will be focusing on what if Peggy took the super soldier serum, instead of Steve.

Thor

Thor had a lot to deal with. Losing almost all of the Asgardians, losing Heimdall, and Loki and still thinking why he did not go for the head. At least, he got his second chance. I think, even if he was not in shape – physically and mentally – he was by far the best version of himself. He understands loss; he understands what it means to feel human. I think it is important to see that sometimes even the god of thunder has to face his mistakes and deal with human problems. His journey did not end in Endgame, it only took a new direction. Will he become a member of the Guardians? Will he find a new purpose somewhere else in the galaxy? Thor could also join Captain Marvel on her quest. For Thor, the possibilities are endless.

It is confirmed that Chris Hemsworth has signed a new contract with Marvel so he will definitely stick around for some more years and take us with him on his journey.

THE NEW AVENGERS

We have lost some of the Original 6, but that does not mean that the Avengers will not be around anymore. There are some guys who will not stop to protect earth from anyone who will do them harm and some “new” faces could join them.

Falcon

… or should I say, Captain America? After all the speculations who would get Steve’s shield if he ever would step aside from the battling, we know that it will be Sam. Honestly, I do think that this is a great choice. Steve and Sam are very similar when it comes to empathy, putting others first, and leadership. Sam deserves it and I think he will make Steve very proud. He is already a valued member and knows how everything works. He knows most of the others already and combined with his humour, he is able to build a new team who will follow his lead

Bucky

I am sorry if you are one of those who hoped to see Bucky as the new Captain America, but do not be sad, it is better that way for him. Bucky has lost his memories and his identity more than once. To put on another one would have been too much as Bucky is still recovering. Living in Wakanda by himself was the beginning of his journey to find inner peace and becoming whole again. In my opinion, part of his recovery will be to make his wrongs right and fight for those who cannot fight on their own. It is sad to know that we will not see Bucky and Steve’s friendship on-screen anymore, but I am sure that Bucky has found a new friend already in Sam, who will help him find his place and purpose.

Disney and Marvel have announced that there is a series in pre-production called “Falcon and Winter Soldier”. Nothing more is known so far, so it will be interesting to see when this show will take place.

War Machine

Tony’s best friend, Rhodey, is still very much alive and now has his chance to become the new Iron Man. I do not think that he will retire and live a quiet live in the woods as Tony did, but instead he will stay an Avenger. Unfortunately, they made Rhodey such a side character that there is currently nothing that could be a potential story line for him so Marvel better make some up ASAP.

Scarlet Witch (and Vision)

Wanda is alive and well and besides Clint, who seems to be a father figure for her, she doesn’t really have anyone left who she trusts. Her brother is dead, Vision is dead, and Steve is gone. However, the Avengers have become her family, so I do think that she will help with building a new team. I really hope so because we need every bad ass woman we can get. Maybe she will hop in and out of the Avengers HQ and will go see Clint and his family.

What we do know is that we have not seen the last of her and Vision together. “Vision and Scarlet Witch” are currently in pre-production and the show will premiere on Disney+ in the near future. Not much is known at this current point in time, but maybe we will see what happened between Civil War and Infinity War or we will see both of them in an alternative timeline.

The new team does not end with the ones mention above. There are also others, who could join them. You can read more of them below when we will discuss Phase 4.

OTHER CHARACTERS

Pepper and Morgan

We know that we will not see Pepper appear in a movie again because Gwyneth Paltrow announced that Endgame is the last one for her. Well, thinking about how many times she has said that and has always returned because RDJ has asked her to, I would not bet on it, especially because there is a new character in the game, who would need her mother for quite some time.

Squirrel, as Happy has called her by the end of the movie, could be a relevant character in the future of the MCU. Maybe not in Phase 4 or 5, but when the little girl will be old enough, she could follow into her fathers’ footprints. Her father, Iron Man. Her mother, Rescue. Morgan, Ironheart? Which path Marvel will choose for Morgan we will see in the years to come, but we definitely have to see more of her.

Happy

From chauffeur to bodyguard, then head of security to babysitting Spider-Man, followed by Uncle Happy to little Morgan, and then back to babysitting Spider-Man agin. Or so it seems.

Happy Hogan was not a big part of the movies since Iron Man 3. This may have to do with Jon Faverau being busy with his other projects, but, we know that we will not lose him just because Tony is not around anymore. The man, who truly founded the MCU and fought to bring Iron Man on the big screen, when not many believed in the success of the movie, will come back and be there for Peter Parker. The second trailer of Spider-Man Far From Home shows us that Happy will look after our friendly neighbourhood Spidey. For me, it seems that Happy could even work with Nick Fury, because what could be the reason that he is more around Peter as working at Stark Industries? I need answers!

S.H.I.E.L.D.

The Spider-Man trailer also confirmed that Nick Fury and Maria Hill are back and hunting the bad guys together, now those from the Multiverse. If they do that under the name S.H.I.E.L.D., it has not been confirmed yet, but we do not need to wait long to get some answers.

New Asgard and Valkyrie

Thor leaving with the Guardians at the end of Endgame means that New Asgard is now in the capable hands of their queen, Valkyrie. I cannot imagine that this will be enough for her as she certainly will pick up her sword again and fight some battle. We really need more of her and Marvel should explore this character and give her a bigger part in their upcoming movies.

Loki

Our favourite trickster is dead. Period. However, time-heist Loki has stolen the Tesseract and disappeared. Marvel confirmed that this way he created an alternative timeline and that is why Loki is able to get his own Disney+ series, which will explore his new mischief in a new created timeline.

Phase 3 is now closed, but this does not mean that we will never see or hear of our beloved superheroes ever again. Phase 4 is right behind the corner. Marvel Studios is the most secretive place right after the Vatican, but we do know already of some movies that are confirmed.

Phase 4

The second solo Spider-Man will be the last movie of Phase 3. In Spider-Man Far From Home we will follow Peter and his friends in Europe where he still has to find his place in a post-snap world and work for Nick Fury. As far as it is possible to tell, all of Peter’s friends have been gone for five years as he was, and they now have to finish high school. We also know that this movie will introduce us to the Multiverse, which brings new possibilities for interesting characters and new worlds.

Before Endgame, Marvel announced that a Black Widow solo movie is finally in pre-production. Scarlett Johansson will become once more Natasha and she will be the first actor of the MCU who will co-produce a movie. Now we also know, that this movie will be a prequel and maybe we will finally see how she became the Black Widow. The question I want an answer to is, what the hell has happened in Budapest? How did she and Clint became friends?

Another movie we know is in pre-production, but was delayed because of James Gunn being fired and then rehired, is Guardians of the Galaxy 3, in which Thor will be a part of. Starlord and his friends are looking for Gamora from 2014 and are up for another crazy adventure. Being a part of Endgame, I was hoping for them to stay longer on Earth, especially because Peter is human, but maybe another time.

Every actor who joins the MCU signs a contract for three solo movies. So, we wait for Doctor Strange to drag us back into his world in the sequel while Captain Marvel will also come back for a sequel. We will also all scream “Wakanda Forever” in Black Panther 2. Maybe Bucky has returned to Wakanda and will help Okoye, Shuri, and T’Challa with their upcoming problem. We also can look forward to see Scott and Hope back in action in Ant-Man 3.

To the already established heroes we get introduced to some new as well. Shang-Chi and The Eternals are already announced and will be the first to take us with them into the multiverse.

Now that FOX is part of Disney it means that the rights for some characters are back with Marvel. There are rumours that the Fantastic Four and the X-Men could be rebooted once more to become part of the MCU. Fans do hope to see an A-Force movie, after that short but important scene in which all female heroes are seen fighting together.

The possibilities are endless, and the comics have so many stories which can be adapted for the big screen.Then, there is always the possibility of exploring a different timeline, because we actually have two now!

What are you excited to see the MCU? Tell us in the comments below!

The post The Future of The MCU appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Avengers: Endgame will premiere in just a few months, and people all over the world, myself included, are being confronted with the fact that this will be the last time that all the Avengers will be together on the big screen. With this highly anticipated release, the journeys of each hero may have been forgotten over the many years that Marvel has been producing films. So, for anyone who needs a refresher on what’s going on in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, here’s a week-by-week movie watching schedule to prepare for Endgame!

Week 1: January 27 to February 2

Iron Man (2008): This is the movie that kicked off the past decade of Marvel movies. It is essentially Tony Stark’s origin story as Iron Man, and its success is was what allowed Marvel to make so many other movies.

Week 2: February 3 to February 9

The Incredible Hulk (2008): The Incredible Hulk was released the same year as Iron Man, and it gave Marvel fans a cinematic adaptation of how Bruce Banner became the Hulk.

Iron Man 2 (2010): This is the second instalment in the Iron Man franchise and in addition to continuing Tony Stark’s story, this movie introduces the character Black Widow, who is also featured in Marvel’s The Avengers.

Week 3: February 10 to February 16

Thor (2011): We were introduced to Thor, his brother Loki, and the realm of Asgard, which becomes essential to fully understanding the events that take place in the first Avengers movie. Thor also briefly introduces the character Hawkeye, who makes more appearances in later movies.

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011): Captain America’s origin story begins during World War II and features a weapon that becomes the subject of dispute in the first Avengers movie and other future movies.

Week 4: February 17 to February 23

Marvel’s The Avengers (2012): This was the first movie in recent years where heroes from different branches of the Marvel Universe finally came together to defeat a villain. This was a turning point for the MCU because of its immense success, and it continues to be a fan favourite.

Week 5: February 24 to March 2

Iron Man 3 (2013): Tony Stark’s story continues and it is the audience’s first look at the world after the events that took place in The Avengers.

Thor: The Dark World (2013): Just like Iron Man 3, the second instalment in the Thor franchise serves to offer another glimpse at the world post-Avengers.

Week 6: March 3 to March 9

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014): Th second Captain America movie is the first of all the previous Marvel movies that deals with espionage and the inner workings of the government. The movie also features Black Widow, and it introduces a new hero and a new villain that both make many appearances in future movies.

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014): Before the release of this movie, the Guardians of the Galaxy were a relatively unknown group of Marvel heroes whose adventures take place on many other planets. This movie greatly expanded the Marvel Cinematic Universe by bringing it deep into space and introduces many new characters.

Week 7: March 10 to March 16

Captain Marvel will be released on March 8th so this will disrupt the order of the other movies. It will most likely be out of theatres by the time Endgame premieres, and it will definitely not be available on DVD or digital by that time. I would recommend to see it while it’s out, maybe even a few times this week!

Week 8: March 17 to March 23

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015): Age of Ultron is the sequel to Marvel’s The Avengers, and while it does still feature the original six heroes, the team has a few new members. In this movie, the Avengers’ actions have major consequences that will continue to hinder them in the future.

Week 9: March 24 to March 30

Ant-Man (2015): We are introduced to a new hero: Ant-Man. Even though its release was sandwiched between an Avengers movie and Captain America movie, Ant-Man shouldn’t be skipped and it is necessary in understanding events that take place in later movies.

Captain America: Civil War (2016): Even though this is technically a Captain America movie, it features almost all of the Avengers. In this movie, the consequences of the events from Avengers: Age of Ultron are finally faced, and the Avengers are pitted against each other.

Doctor Strange (2016): This is the origin story of Doctor Strange, who becomes the sorcerer superhero of Marvel, and it also introduces the idea of multiple dimensions and a dangerous weapon that is seen again in future movies.

Week 10: March 31 to April 6

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017): The second instalment of the Guardians franchise sees the Guardians, just like Avengers: Age of Ultron, gain new members. If a Marvel movie hasn’t made you cry yet, the ending of this movie probably will.

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017): After five Spider-Man movies being made by a different production company, Marvel finally secured the rights to one of their best and most well-known heroes. Because the Spider-Man origin story is common knowledge for most people, this movie doesn’t waste any time in getting to the action.

Week 11: April 7 to April 13

Thor: Ragnarok (2017): While this is the third instalment, it is the first Thor movie that fully embraces the ridiculousness of Thor’s colourful universe, and it does so in a very entertaining and hilarious way. This movie also leads directly into the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War.

Black Panther (2018): The first Black Panther movie in the MCU greatly expanded the cast of heroes featured in Marvel movies and introduced Wakanda, which is an important location in Infinity War.

Week 12: April 14 to April 20

Avengers: Infinity War (2018): Infinity War marked a complete turning point in the MCU. The Avengers face off against a villain that has been hinted at in many previous movies, and audiences were left with a huge cliffhanger that will (hopefully) be resolved in Endgame.

Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018): The second Ant-Man introduced us to the Wasp. Like the first Ant-Man, this movie was released in between two major premieres, but does connect Infinity War and Endgame.

Week 13: April 21 to April 26 (Avengers: Endgame premier date)

This week gives the option of looking over fan theories and re-watching trailers, but if you want to see Endgame with only the knowledge that you have from the previous movies, then this can just be a week of mental preparation!

What’s your favourite Marvel movie? Are you excited for Avengers: Endgame? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Marathon The Marvel Movies Before ‘Avengers: Endgame’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

After 4 years of waiting, moviegoers are finally treated to another solo movie starring the God of Thunder. It was hinted at since the promotion of The Dark World, but it still took us for years to get to this point. From the start of pre-production, the movie has caused quite a stir with the appointment of Taika Waititi, a relatively unknown director, to direct this movie. People were wondering which direction Waititi would take this movie, however, the early reviews dismissed their doubts by giving the movie a glowing review.

Thor: Ragnarok invites us on a journey with Thor as he tries to save Asgard from the prophesied Ragnarok caused by Hela, while dealing with his not-so-dead brother, Loki. They end up getting stuck in Sakaar, where Thor was captured by the badass Valkyrie and forced to fight the Hulk. Will Thor be able to come home in time to save Asgard from Ragnarok?

I am no expert in this matter; I have never really read the comics so all I know about Marvel is from what I’ve seen on MCU and my knowledge about Thor and Loki comes from Norse mythology. However, from what can be seen in the trailer, the storyline seems to match the Norse myth version of Ragnarok with Fenrir and Hela going on a rampage. From few pictures posted online in the Marvel fandom, I could see the characters and costume in the movies stay pretty faithful to their comic description.

That was as far as I could compare them. That being said, critics and early reviews praised this movie for its humour and visuals, and let me tell you: they are spot on. The humour was lighthearted and featured a significant amount of references to other MCU films. Sakaar is definitely a bright, neon-ish planet equally matching the flashiness of the Grandmaster, although, it does also look like a planet that is a combination of sci-fi movie sets.

The chemistry between all the characters is well-developed. The “Revengers” work well together, and their banter definitely brought them closer together, as it’s essentially become a trademark for Marvel and superhero films in general. We are reintroduced to Thor, Loki, and Bruce Banner, who are all unknowingly stuck in Sakaar. The friendship between Bruce and Thor is evident in this movie, and Thor definitely pays a lot more attention to Bruce than previous films. As usual, the brotherly dynamic between Thor and Loki is always a treat to watch. It’s really nice to see them work together as brothers, both being more sensible and mature, as well as getting a glimpse of their pre-Thor relationship through subtle scenes in the movie.

We are introduced to two new badass female characters: Valkyrie and Hela. Valkyrie is as amazing as expected after getting glimpses of her throughout the trailers and previews, but somehow manages to supersede them. Hela, however, felt a little underwhelming. Despite her cool abilities, the movie seems as though it doesn’t know what to do with them and she doesn’t cause as much destruction as I wanted her to.

Just like with every other Marvel film, Thor: Ragnarok will feature two credit scenes. The first one has a connection to future events, while the second one was merely an extra, but still fun nonetheless. So don’t move from your seat and stay there till the end of credits!

Thor: Ragnarok definitely lives up to its hype. It was funny, bold, and incredibly colourful. If it’s already playing in your country, don’t hesitate to see it! Find out when it’s hitting theatres in your country.

Starring Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Mark Ruffalo as Hulk, Cate Blanchett as Hela, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Idris Elba as Heimdall, Jeff Goldblum as Grandmaster, Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, Karl Urban as Skurge, Anthony Hopkins as Odin, and Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange.

Have you seen Thor: Ragnarok? Tell us in the comments below!

In Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok, Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok — the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization — at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela. But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger – the Incredible Hulk!

The post Movie Review: Marvel’s Thor Ragnarok appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Should we be waiting eagerly with popcorn in hand or send Thor: Ragnarok to an early date with Valhalla?

Let us start off by agreeing that the first Thor movie, which debuted in 2011, was filled with fun, action, and a fairly straight-forward plot line. However the sequel, Thor: The Dark World, left the viewer constantly asking questions and trying to remember the plot of the tale. But, let’s be honest, how many Marvel fans strive for thought-provoking performances over adventure, fantastic one-liners, and gorgeous men? Feel free to silently raise your hand, we shall only judge you a little.

Yet now we are greeted with another tale of Asgard and it is due to be released on November 2^nd. But the real question is, will it be worth the hype? To try to make an educated decision, there are some facts we need to bring to light.

First off, just who is the villainess in the film? I thought Galadriel already passed her test and did not succumb to the darkness – oh, wait, wrong realm. It was recently revealed that the strange woman capable of defeating Mjolnir is in fact the Goddess of Death from Valhalla. One can only assume she managed to find a way to break into Asgard – this plot seems to happen a lot, perhaps Heimdall should hire an assistant to better watch the Bifrost – and she is intent upon bringing Ragnarok around. Once again, the end of life as we know it is threatened. But fear not, little ones! Thor will save the day. Right?

Well it turns out that Goddess of Death is more powerful than we first thought. Not only is Thor captured, forced to get an excellent haircut, but somehow becomes part of the Space Gladiator tournaments. It seems Space King Jeff Goldblum is the head of these tournaments and makes the brilliant decision to have Thor battle the Hulk. Probably to save money in marketing to have the two shortest named members of the Avengers battle one another. Yet it begs the question, out of all the earthlings to get captured, why the Hulk? Hopefully the director gives us a fairly clear answer that is not as out there as when Dr. Erik Selvig was running around Stonehenge naked. That scene is still haunting.

But is the Goddess of Death the only villain of the film? For one, Loki is once again in the midst of all this chaos. Can we just give him credit already for being smarter than most people in the Marvel universe? Despite constantly getting caught and nearly killed, he always manages to find a way to deliver a quick bit of wit and sarcasm while walking away unharmed. Marvel should really look into a film starring just him. Perhaps he will turn the coat halfway through and end up helping his brother merely because he can already see the evil plan failing. Why else would he be fighting side by side with Thor at one point?

Loki is not the only antagonist of the film though, as there is a brief clip of a giant wolf attacking the Hulk. According to the legend of Ragnarok, this is either Skoll or Hati, one of the two wolves who spend their lives chasing the sun and moon. Should one ever swallow the sun or moon, Ragnarok would come about. So it is logical to assume these wolves are the pets of the Goddess of Death. With so many creatures and beings that Thor and his team of “Revengers” must battle (still not sure on whether that name is funny or desperate) will this latest Thor movie be worth it?

Naturally there will amazing battle sequences, with only 90% of it CGI more in likely, and the choreography will be superb. The score for the film seems promising and yet, perhaps the only highlight of the film will be to see Jeff Goldblum wearing eyeliner or those philosophical and monosyllabic talks Thor has with the Hulk. For die-hard fans of Thor, this is sure to be a roller coaster. But for all others, I encourage you all to watch it with eager skepticism.

Are you excited or perhaps feeling a bit hesitant for this next Marvel film? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Are We Ready For ‘Thor: Ragnarok’? appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

In Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok, Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok — the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization — at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela. But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger – the Incredible Hulk!

Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo will be joined by Cate Blanchett, who has been cast as Hela.

Thor: Ragnarok is set to be released November this year.

The post Thor: Ragnarok Synopsis Released appeared first on The Nerd Daily.