Quantcast
Channel: Marvel
Viewing all 1170 articles
Browse latest View live

'Spider-Man: Homecoming' has 2 end-credit scenes — here's what they mean for future movies

$
0
0

spider man

Warning: There are massive potential spoilers ahead for "Spider-Man: Homecoming."

Spider-Man is back on the big screen for the sixth time, but now Sony and Disney's Marvel Studios have teamed up to bring the web crawler to life. That means fans of the franchise should make sure to stick around after the film is over for not one, but two extra scenes after the movie ends. 

Marvel loves to add extra scenes teasing future movies during and after the credits roll for fans. The first one is a mid-credits scene after some fun animated credits roll by. The second scene is a fun gag that won't leave you missing much if you head out.

If you left the theater before one or both scenes, we have you covered. 

Last chance to head back before spoilers!

The first end-credits scene

michael keaton vulture

What happens:

The scene opens following Adrian Toomes (Michael Keaton) entering prison. As he's walking down a corridor with a few other new inmates he runs into Mac Gargan (Michael Mando). His face shows a big scar down the front of his bald head from his encounter with Spider-Man on the Staten Island ferry.

Gargan says he's heard a rumor that Vulture knows the identity of Spider-Man.

"Got some boys on the outside who'd love to meet him," he says. "I heard a rumor you know who he is."

Just when it looks like things are about to turn sour for Peter Parker, Vulture surprises us by saying he has no idea what he's talking about.

"If I knew who he was, he'd already be dead," Toomes tells him.

The audience knows that's not the case at all. Time will tell whether or not Gargan believes him, too.

The scene ends. 

What it means:

vulture spider man

There are two big things to mull over here. The first is that Vulture's lying. He knows that Spider-Man is Peter Parker. So why is he protecting him? It could be because Parker saved his life when he could have left him for dead or it's because Vulture has his own sights set on Spidey when he eventually gets out of jail. 

"Homecoming" director Jon Watts told Entertainment Weekly, it was because of the former. 

"He [Vulture] gets a moment of redemption and he gets to protect Peter, even though Peter would never know,"director Jon Watts told EW. "It’s his way of saying thank you."

Since Toomes knows Spider-Man is "just a kid" he may not see him as a big threat and could just be a one-off villain. On the other hand, he may become Spidey's main nemesis down the line where the two have a mutual respect for one another but still go head-to-head (think the Joker vs. Batman, which is something Keaton can relate to).

Watts said there's a chance we could definitely see Toomes return. And that's great news. Not only was Keaton one of the bright spots of "Homecoming," but it's tough to imagine a future Spider-Man movie without him. After all, he's a part of the Sinister Six — a legion of Spider-Man villains who eventually gather together. Sony has considered making a movie about them in the past. 

The bigger takeaway from the scene is the hint at a future Spider-Man villain, Scorpion.

You may have missed it earlier in the film, but the name of Michael Mando's character is Mac Gargan. Gargan, as Spidey fans know, eventually becomes the Spider-Man nemesis. Eagle-eyed viewers may have noticed the scorpion tattoo on Gargan's neck which hinted at the character as well. 

Scorpion in the comics

scorpion spider man

Several people have become the villain in Marvel history. Gargan was a private investigator "The Daily Bugle" editor-in-chief J. Jonah Jameson hired to figure out how Peter Parker always got such great shots of Spider-Man.  

Unsatisfied with his progress, Jameson brings Gargan to a mad doctor doing experiments where he's more or less mutating animals (making a fish able to breathe air and a rat swim like a fish). Jameson — remember this is a guy who runs a newspaper — suggests the same experiment should be tried on Gargan to give him powers that will be "greater than Spider-Man's."

scorpion comics spider man

For his troubles, and an experiment that could possibly kill him, Jameson offers Gargan $10,000. For the cash alone, Gargan's all for it and it's decided he'll be bonded with a scorpion. Dr. Stillwell claims Scorpion will be stronger than Spider-Man, though he can't guarantee what effect it may have on his brain. He even adds a synthetic tail to finish the look.

At one point, Gargan becomes the leader of a group of Spider-Man villains called the Sinister 12 which includes Vulture, Sandman, Electro, Chameleon, Shocker, and several other Spidey foes.

Years later, Gargan also becomes a version of Venom in the comics. However, don't plan on seeing this version of Scorpion become Venom. Tom Hardy has already been cast in that role for his own film.

The second end-credits scene

captain america

What happens:

A white screen pops up after the credits roll and Captain America (Chris Evans) appears front and center. He's not teasing a future Avengers movie or telling us what he's up to after "Captain America: Civil War." Nope. Captain America is simply poking fun at all of us for sticking around for about 10 minutes just to see if there was a bonus scene at the end of the film. 

"Hi, I'm Captain America," he begins. "I'm here to talk to you about patience ... and why you waited around for something so disappointing."

Our audience started laughing as soon as they figured out what was going on. 

His monologue is done in the style of the various educational school videos that play throughout "Spider-Man: Homecoming." He's in a short clip while Peter's in detention and there's also a video of Captain America in gym class which has appeared in marketing trailers.

captain america spider man homecoming

It's a humorous end tag since it's become a sport to stick around after most Disney and Marvel movies for extra scenes. The most recent "Guardians of the Galaxy" movie had a total of five scenes during the credits

SEE ALSO: 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' could have a big $100 million opening at the box office

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Marvel just dropped the first trailer for 'Black Panther'


The new 'Spider-Man' movie teases 3 huge characters for future films

$
0
0

spider man homecoming

Warning: There are major spoilers below if you haven't seen "Spider-Man: Homecoming."

"Spider-Man: Homecoming" introduces us to a few new characters including the Vulture (Michael Keaton), but there are three other characters from Spidey's universe that were hinted at on the big screen that you may have missed during the movie.

Two of them are classic Spider-Man villains and the other is a small nod to another version of the web-slinger himself. If you haven't seen the movie yet and don't want to be spoiled, you've been warned.

Last chance to head back before spoilers!

Aaron Davis

donald glover spider man

Donald Glover appears briefly as Aaron Davis, a criminal who is interested in buying alien tech off of the Vulture's men. During a brief run-in with Spider-Man, Davis says he doesn't want Vulture's weapons around while he has a nephew living in the neighborhood.

If you're a big fan of Spider-Man, that last line is huge. In the comics, Davis' nephew is Miles Morales — another iteration of Spider-Man. But before we get to that, Davis becomes a supervillain of his own, Prowler.

Who is Prowler?

prowler marvel

There have been a few different versions of the character, but in the Ultimate Marvel comics, Aaron Davis is a burglar who goes by the name of Prowler. The character isn't only a thief, but is also a martial artist, acrobat, and an expert marksman.

His outfit looks similar to Deadpool's, but unlike the Merch with a mouth, Prowler has a set of mechanical wings so he can fly. He also has some shock gauntlets.

Why is he important?

miles morales bit

As we mentioned, Prowler has a nephew named Miles Morales. One night after Prowler robbed Oscorp, one of the company's genetically altered spiders accidentally wound up in his bag. While Miles is at his uncle's apartment, he gets bitten by the spider and becomes a new Spider-Man.

Who is Miles Morales?

ultimate spider man miles morales

Morales is the other Spider-Man. He's a half Black, half Puerto Rican version of the web-slinger who was first introduced in the comics in 2011's "Ultimate Comics Spider-Man" from Brian Michael Bendis. He's even younger than high schooler Peter Parker when he gets his powers and starts going around barefoot performing heroic feats like saving a girl from a burning building.

Morales takes over the role of Spider-Man after Parker is killed in the comics.

Why Donald Glover's role as the Prowler is even cooler

Glover was announced to voice Miles Morales in Sony's animated "Spider-Man" movie coming in December 2018. Having him in "Homecoming" as Morales' uncle felt like a nice little Easter egg for fans.

His role as Morales' uncle is even cooler when you know Glover was an inspiration for the character after seeing him in Spidey pajamas on cult hit "Community."

Mac Gargan

michael mando

It's easy to miss during the movie, but Michael Mando ("Better Call Saul") plays a thug named Mac Gargan who winds up in prison by the end of "Homecoming." That name may sound familiar because it belongs to one of Spidey's first villains in the comics, Scorpion.

Eagle-eyed viewers may have noticed the scorpion tattoo on Gargan's neck, which hinted at the character as well. 

Who is Scorpion?

scorpion spider man

While several people have become the Spider-Man nemesis in the comics, Gargan's transformation into the character may be one of the strangest. Gargan went from being a private investigator hired by "The Daily Bugle" editor-in-chief J. Jonah Jameson to figure out how Peter Parker got such great shots of Spider-Man one day to an experiment subject the next.

Jameson offered Gargan $10,000 to be bonded with a scorpion and get a synthetic tail to destroy Spider-Man once and for all. Surprisingly, Gargan agreed without any second thoughts.

Scorpion actually has some run-ins with the Prowler in the Ultimate Spider-Man comic storyline as a Mexican mob boss, so we wouldn't be surprised to see the two on screen together in the future.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know before seeing the new 'Spider-Man' movie

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here's what Kevin G. from 'Mean Girls' is up to today

'Spider-Man: Homecoming' reveals a fan favorite with a twist and now fans are guessing who she really is

$
0
0

zendaya spider man homecoming

Warning: There are massive spoilers ahead for "Spider-Man: Homecoming."

Tom Holland and Robert Downey Jr. aren't the only stars you should keep your eyes on in the new "Spider-Man" movie. Zendaya plays a new character, a mysterious high-school pal of Peter Parker's named Michelle. 

She's a bit of an outsider, often observing her classmates instead of interacting with them too much. Zendaya has referred to the character as a "very dry, awkward, intellectual." But there's more to Michelle than she let's on during most of the film. 

Last chance to head back before spoilers!

michelle spider man homecoming

Near the end of the movie, Michelle reveals she goes by MJ. Spider-Man fans will recognize the moniker as the nickname of the web-slinger's love interest Mary Jane Watson. 

The reveal is something fans have been guessing at since Zendaya was first cast in the role as the mystery character in "Homecoming," but it's still not completely clear who Michelle is in Marvel's Cinematic Universe.

Fans were confused as to whether Michelle really is Mary Jane or some other incarnation of the character. 

Who is Michelle aka "MJ"?

spider man

Some fans automatically thought the reveal of "MJ" automatically meant that Michelle is Mary Jane, but that's not the case. As reported by Variety, the character's name is Michelle Jones. (Get it? MJ.)

Zendaya repeatedly assured fans for months she wasn't playing Mary Jane or Spidey's love interest, and for the most part, she kept her word — her first name is really Michelle in this iteration of Spider-Man. She also isn't linked to Peter romantically, at least in this movie. Since there's already a sequel to "Homecoming" in the works, that could certainly change.

After five Spider-Man movies, it looks like the Marvel Cinematic Universe version of MJ is going to be more of an original take on the character.

"Spider-Man: Homecoming" is in theaters now.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: An Alabama high school 'resegregated' after years of being a model of integration — here's what happened after

'Spider-Man: Homecoming' features the return of a character we never thought we'd see again — and it's all the better for it

$
0
0

spider man homecoming peter parker

Warning: There are massive spoilers ahead if you haven't seen "Spider-Man: Homecoming."

"Spider-Man: Homecoming" may be the second reboot for the web-slinger on the big screen, but it's a refreshing take on the superhero with a younger Peter Parker in the driver's seat and a few twists and surprises.

However, one of the moments that will have a lot of fans talking long after the film is the return of a fan favorite to the Marvel Cinematic Universe who we never thought we'd see again.

Last chance to head back before major spoilers.

tony stark civil war

After a noticeable and surprising absence from "Captain America: Civil War," Gwyneth Paltrow reprises her role as Pepper Potts — and Tony Stark's love interest — at the end of "Homecoming."

It was a moment that caused the entire audience to gasp during our screening.

After an offscreen breakup mentioned in "Civil War," Potts looks like she's back working for Stark and the two have noticeably rekindled their relationship. Stark is ready to hold a big press conference to invite Spidey into the Avengers; however, when Peter decides he just wants to be a semi-normal kid in high school for a bit longer, Tony has to come up with another announcement for the press.

His answer? Billionaire playboy Tony Stark/Iron Man is finally getting married! Stark revealed a ring he's been holding onto since 2008, the year the first "Iron Man" movie came out, and the two go to face the press. 

Why Paltrow's return to the MCU is a big deal

pepper potts iron man 3

After sitting out of "Civil War," we didn't think we were going to see Paltrow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe again. For one thing, Paltrow had a three-film contract with Marvel which ended after "Iron Man 3."

The way 2016's "Civil War" dealt with Pepper Pott's absence seemed pretty final. On the "Civil War" commentary, co-director Joe Russo explained a catalyst was needed to drive Tony to go after the Winter Soldier without someone to act as a voice of reason to stop him. 

"The intent in this movie, because we knew where we were going with the character, [was] that we had to motivate Tony to want to kill Bucky Barnes in the third act in order for the third act to work correctly, that Tony would have to be off-balance," said Russo. "The way that we thought we could make him off-balance was by pulling things out of his life, making him emotionally vulnerable. Really emotionally vulnerable. So, Pepper is out of his life. It clearly is an issue for him, as you can see, by Robert's performance here."

iron man tony stark captain america civil war

Sure, Potts probably wasn't happy Stark returned to fighting crime after promising her he was done being Iron Man at the end of his third film. But her exit could have been handled better. A quick aside in "Civil War" told fans that Potts and Stark broke up offscreen. It was a pretty lame way to address the exit of a love interest who was in every "Iron Man" film, especially since Natalie Portman's "Thor" character, Jane Foster, is being written out of the next Thor movie in the same way. EW reported Jane and Thor broke up offscreen, too.

thor the dark world jane thor

Since Paltrow is in "Homecoming," that likely means she reupped her contract with Marvel. It's not known how many future Marvel movies the actress may appear in, but we'd like to think it's more than one. Paltrow's name appears in the main credits of the film before both Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr — two actors who have much more screen time in "Homecoming."

INSIDER reached out to Paltrow's rep and Sony to speak about her return to the franchise, but was told the actress is not doing press for the film since her cameo is so small.

Hopefully, the next Avengers movie, "Infinity War," will clarify slightly how he and Pepper reconciled.

SEE ALSO: 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' could have a big $100 million opening at the box office

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: An Alabama high school 'resegregated' after years of being a model of integration — here's what happened after

'Spider-Man: Homecoming' makes a small jab at the original 'Spider-Man' movie and it's amazing

$
0
0

spider man

Warning: There are spoilers ahead for "Spider-Man: Homecoming."

Peter Parker has a new love interest in "Spider-Man: Homecoming" named Liz. Throughout the movie (out in theaters now), the high school sophomore tries to figure out the best way to tell the senior about his feelings for her. 

Parker confides in his suit's AI, Karen, about his crush. After an incident in Washington, DC, where Spidey saves some of his classmates from the Washington Monument, including Liz, Karen suggests it's the perfect time for Peter to make his move on Karen as he hangs upside down in front of her.

"This is your chance Peter. Kiss her!" Karen says.

spider man elevator

Peter decides this probably isn't the best time and way to announce his affections for Liz and heads off. While some may have glossed over this part, for fans of the Spider-Man franchise, this was a humorous moment. It's a small nod and jab to one of the most iconic scenes from 2002's "Spider-Man" movie.

In that film, Spidey (Tobey Maguire) saves Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) from a few thugs late at night. Afterward, she thanks him with a kiss. It's not just any kiss though. Spidey hangs upside down as Watson pulls the mask slowly off his face to unveil his lips. You can watch the scene here.

spider man mary jane watson kiss

The reference in "Homecoming" for Parker to go and just kiss Liz while he was hanging upside down brought us right back to that scene from the first incarnation of the web-slinger on the big screen.

Too bad we'll never see Peter and Liz together since he threw her dad in jail and she moved away at the end of the movie. The good news? There's hope for Peter yet with Marvel and Sony's new MJ, played by Zendaya. Just don't plan to see them lock lips upside down.

michelle spider man homecoming

"Spider-Man: Homecoming" is in theaters now.

SEE ALSO: 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' could have a big $100 million opening at the box office

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here's how Google Maps knows when there is traffic

You can watch one of the best parts of 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' right now

$
0
0

peter parker spider man

The INSIDER Summary:

  • Early in "Spider-Man: Homecoming" we see a humorous vlog by Peter Parker about his brief time with the Avengers in "Civil War." 
  • The clip is now online in full for fans to see.
  • The handheld, shaky camera work shows how this younger Spider-Man differs from the previous men in tights.


The moment we're first introduced to Peter Parker (Tom Holland) in "Spider-Man: Homecoming," you know this is unlike any Spider-Man movie you've seen before. The audience is shown a video blog by the 15-year-old superhero as he documents his experience of joining up with Iron Man in "Captain America: Civil War."

The result is an endearing four minutes that evokes how any teen would react to meeting his superhero idols: they'd want to record the entire thing. Parker's not even 100% sure why he's along for the ride in Berlin. He says it's "something about Captain America going crazy." But he's so over-the-moon about helping out Tony Stark that he gets caught up in the perks of being around Marvel's billionaire, including a pilotless private jet, a large hotel room to himself, and an upgraded Spidey suit courtesy of Iron Man himself.

For a small kid from Queens, New York, it's a lot to take in. The video is so convincing that it may as well be a real video Holland made of himself while filming "Homecoming" that was leaked online.

Now, the entire scene is online via Comicbook.com. You can check out the scene below. "Spider-Man: Homecoming" is in theaters now.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: JIM ROGERS: The worst crash in our lifetime is coming

'Spider-Man' actor Tom Holland went undercover to high school to play the web-slinger and no one recognized him

$
0
0

spider man tom holland

The INSIDER Summary:

  • Spider-Man actor Tom Holland went undercover to Bronx High School of Science to play Peter Parker.
  • He was there for three days.
  • He used his acting coach's name, Ben Perkins, as an alias.
  • Not even the teachers knew he wasn't a real student.
  • When he tried to tell a girl he was Spider-Man, she flat out told him he wasn't.


Tom Holland didn't just play a high school student in "Spider-Man: Homecoming." The British actor actually went undercover at a New York City high school for three days in 2016 to familiarize himself with American schools.

"As a joke, I suggested to Marvel that I should go to a high school undercover," Holland told Jimmy Kimmel in June. "It was completely a joke and Marvel took it completely seriously. I guess they didn't get my British sarcasm."

"The next thing I knew I had a backpack with a pencil case on my way to Bronx School of Science," he said. "I went to school with a fake name and a fake accent."

According to Variety, Holland used his acting coach's name, Ben Perkins, as an alias. Heading to a NYC school was a different experience for Holland who went to an all-boys school in London where he was used to wearing a suit and tie every day.

tom holland ID high school

Holland told Kimmel he felt really out of his league at the Bronx school where you need to pass a written exam to be admitted. While his onscreen character Peter Parker may be a gifted natural at science, the same doesn't go for the actor.

"I am no genius," said Holland. "Even the teachers didn't know that I was not a real student so they would bring me up to the front of the class and be like, 'What do you think new kid?' [and] I'm like, 'I have no idea what you're talking about.'"

tom holland robert downey jr spider man homecoming

Holland said no one recognized him, not even after he tried to tell a girl he was Spider-Man on his last day at the school. The 21-year-old actor said a girl asked him what "his deal" was and, in response, Holland asked if she wanted to know his secret.  

"I'm actually Spider-Man," Holland said much to the girl's disbelief. "She was like, 'Dude. You're not Spider-Man. You're nuts.' I was like, 'No, seriously. I'm actually an actor, I'm British, and I'm playing Spider-Man and she didn't believe me."

tom holland robert downey jr

According to Inside Edition, Holland returned to the school later to reveal he went undercover to the school's drama club.

You can watch Kimmel's full interview with Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Holland below.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: An Alabama high school 'resegregated' after years of being a model of integration — here's what happened after

The inside story of how 'Spider-Man' star Tom Holland went undercover in a NYC high school to prepare to be Peter Parker

$
0
0

Spider-Man Homecoming

Halfway through his senior year at The Bronx High School of Science, Arun Bishop received an unexpected request.

He was sitting in the principal's office chatting casually with an adviser when the vice principal approached him with an offer from Marvel Studios.

Marvel wanted to send the newest Spider-Man — the London-born actor Tom Holland — to high school so he could better understand his role as the teen Peter Parker. But because Parker is a brilliant tech whiz at the fictional Midtown School of Science and Technology, there was only one place Holland could go.

You see, The Bronx High School of Science is not your run-of-the-mill high school. It is consistently ranked as one of the top high schools in the country, and students must score highly on a competitive New York City-wide exam to gain entry.

The public school's list of notable alumni is so extensive that it has its own Wikipedia page and includes eight Nobel Prize winners, the celebrity astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, and the "Iron Man" and "Elf" director Jon Favreau. (Full disclosure: I also attended Bronx Science, but I have yet to make it onto the Wikipedia page.)

Jon Favreau Iron Man 3 Premiere

Marvel wanted Holland to shadow a student who was pursuing a STEM — science, technology, engineering, and math — curriculum similar to what Parker would be studying, and Bishop quickly emerged as a prime candidate. As a senior, Bishop was the captain of the school's robotics team and was taking high-level science classes.

Bishop — a big Marvel fan who lists Iron Man as his favorite Avenger because of his love of robotics — quickly agreed to let Holland shadow him for a couple of days.

"I've never been huge on celebrities. I never followed that sort of stuff," Bishop told Business Insider. "But I thought it'd be a really cool experience."

An elaborate ruse

Bronx High School of Science

At the beginning of February 2016, Holland arrived at Bronx Science and met Bishop in the courtyard before school started. The pair got to know each other a bit and reviewed Holland's backstory.

Because Marvel wanted Holland to get as close to an authentic experience as possible, he had to go undercover. In addition to Bishop, the only other people who would know Holland's true identity were his teachers and a few members of the administration.

Holland would use an American accent and introduce himself to other students as Bishop's cousin Ben. Any questions about how he got into Bronx Science without taking the entrance exam would be explained away by saying his father was in the military and recently was stationed in New York.

The plan was almost foiled from the start.

The school had provided Holland with an ID card so he could swipe in at the beginning of the day. However, instead of creating one with a unique card number, it instead made a copy of Bishop's, with a different photo and name. When the pair entered the school, the system registered it as someone trying to swipe in twice and sounded the alarm. Security came over, but they explained the situation and carried on without attracting too much attention.

Tom Holland Bronx Science ID

From there, it was time to go to class.

"What Marvel wanted was just to get the experience of a typical STEM high schooler's life," Bishop said. "They didn't want me to do anything special — just walk through the day as I would any other day."

What Marvel wanted was just to get the experience of a typical STEM high schooler's life.

With a backpack in tow, Holland accompanied Bishop through his STEM-intensive schedule. The actor sat in on Advanced Placement physics; linear algebra and differential equations; experimental engineering; AP calculus AB; AP English literature; and AP microeconomics.

"I felt a little bad for him, having to go through my entire schedule," Bishop said. "If you don't know what's going on, those 40-minute classes must be boring."

But even though most of the course material was going over his head, Holland was enjoying himself. In England, he had been to only all-boys schools, and he told Bishop it was "a little funny" to be in a coed classroom.

After their first day together, Bishop said it was easy to forget that Holland would soon be one of the most recognizable people in the world. He said the actor was very easy to talk to and that it got to the point where he just felt like he was talking to another friend.

"I kept reminding myself: 'This is Tom Holland. He's gonna be Spider-Man for Marvel,'" Bishop said. "It's weird now when I see him in a commercial or something. There's a disassociation where my brain knows I've talked to this guy and shown him around school, but seeing him on the screen is different."

Revealing his secret identity

Tom Holland Bronx Science

By the second day, the thrill of being undercover was wearing off, and Holland was starting to experience a feeling most high schoolers have daily: boredom. To pass the time, he tried to convince some people that he was Spider-Man.

It wasn't that easy, though.

"Most of them wouldn't believe him at all. Because that just doesn't make sense, right?" Bishop told Business Insider. "Why, at Bronx Science, would there be an actor who's been shadowing me for a day and a half?"

Why, at Bronx Science, would there be an actor who's been shadowing me for a day and a half?

Bishop and Holland went out into the courtyard during their lunch period to have some fun. Holland would ask students if they would mind answering a few questions about Marvel, and Bishop would film the interaction on Holland's phone.

"He'd ask them: 'Do you watch Marvel Movies? Who's your favorite superhero? What do you think of the new Spider-Man actor?'" Bishop said. "It was crazy; nobody recognized him."

Bishop and Holland did manage to convince one group of girls that Holland was Spider-Man by showing them his ID and having them look him up on their phones. When the girls realized a celebrity was in their midst, they "went a little crazy," Bishop said.

At the end of Holland's two days undercover, the pair parted ways. Holland left to begin filming the first of six films in which he'll play the famous wall-crawler.

Bishop is now a rising sophomore at the University of Michigan majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in computer science. Though he was selected to help Holland better understand the life of Parker, his career goals line up more closely with those of Tony Stark: Bishop hopes to one day obtain his master's and work in the field of robotics.

And now that "Spider-Man: Homecoming" is taking the box office by storm?

"I have obviously bragged a little," Bishop said. "Because why not?"

Watch Holland recount his experience at Bronx Science to Jimmy Kimmel:

SEE ALSO: Tom Holland is about to become the world's most unlikely action star

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here's what it’s like inside this library of Trump tweets


Zendaya had no idea she was trying out for 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' until she went to the audition

$
0
0

zendaya jimmy fallon

The INSIDER Summary:

  • Zendaya stars in "Spider-Man: Homecoming" as a high school student named Michelle.
  • During an interview on Jimmy Fallon Zendaya said she didn't even know what movie she was auditioning for at first.
  • Zendaya said she auditioned for "Girl in Movie."


Zendaya goes from the Disney Channel to her big screen debut in "Spider-Man: Homecoming" this summer. 

The 20-year-old actress plays a mysterious character named Michelle in the final movie, but when she was going in to audition for the part, she was completely in the dark about the movie and role she'd be playing in the Marvel and Sony collaboration.

"I knew I was auditioning for 'girl in movie,'" Zendaya told Jimmy Fallon on "The Tonight Show" in June when he asked whether she knew she was going for a role in "Homecoming."

"It was great to get into character. It really helped," she joked.

In the film, Zendaya plays a quirky outsider who doesn't seem to have many friends.  

zendaya michelle spider man homecoming

"She's kind of like a loner. She's super intellectual, very dry humor, one liners, pops in, pops out and I didn't even know what kind of character I was gonna play until I got there [to the audition] and got to sign the non-disclosure and then read the script," she added.

zendaya jimmy fallon tonight show

Disney and Marvel are known to have some added secrecy when it comes to its projects. For example, a lot of precautions were taken to ensure a tight lid was kept on secrets from Disney and Lucasfilm's "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" before it debuted in the 2015. Scripts were printed on red paper so they couldn't be photocopied and the movie tie-in book, which usually has spoilers, was delayed until after the movie came out.

When Zendaya was cast in "Homecoming," fans were automatically convinced she was playing Mary Jane Watson, one of Peter Parker's main love interests, but that wasn't necessarily the case. Her name really is Michelle in the final film, though her identity is one that still has fans buzzing after the movie's over.

You can watch Zendaya's interview with Fallon below:

SEE ALSO: One moment in 'Spider-Man Homecoming' shows how the movie gave the franchise new life by making its hero vulnerable

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The inventor of Roomba has created a weed-slashing robot for your garden

RANKED: All the Marvel Cinematic Universe's post-credits scenes, from worst to best

$
0
0

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 Disney Marvel

The Marvel movie ends, and the credits start to roll. You see some people in your row start to gather their things and leave. Amateurs.

But not you. You stay in your seat, just like you have since you first saw "Iron Man" in 2008 and heard whispers of an extra scene after the credits. It seemed unlikely — why would anyone want to stay that long once the film is over? But you waited, and your patience was rewarded. Now you know not to leave the theater until every last name has scrolled past and employees are starting to sweep up popcorn. 

Now 16 movies deep, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is famous for its post-credits scenes. Some are used to tease new characters and plotlines, while others are there to give a wink to hardcore comics fans.

Viewers of Marvel's latest, "Spider-Man: Homecoming," are treated to two more. They're worthy additions to Marvel's already extensive collection.

Here is the definitive ranking of Marvel's post-credits scenes:

Note: This list contains spoilers for "Spider-Man: Homecoming."

SEE ALSO: The inside story of how 'Spider-Man' star Tom Holland went undercover in a NYC high school to prepare to be Peter Parker

28. "Thor: The Dark World"— The kiss

Look, I'll be honest, I haven't seen "Thor: The Dark World." It's the only Marvel movie that I've missed, and at this point I haven't heard anything that makes me want to go back and watch it. 

That said, I'm confident that this is the worst post-credits scene that Marvel has put out. It doesn't tease a future plotline or character, and it's not remotely funny. I'm glad I didn't sit through the credits to watch this. 

Watch it here.



27. "Captain America: The Winter Soldier"— The twins

A generally underwhelming scene is buoyed somewhat by the appearance of two new characters: Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch. 

Watch it here.



26. "Doctor Strange"— "Too many sorcerers"

Doctor Strange was a niche, unfamiliar property for many moviegoers. Perhaps a post-credits scene focusing on the creation of a niche, unfamiliar villain was not the best way to go. Unlike most Marvel post-credits scenes, this one did not leave me wanting to see what was going to happen next. 

Watch it here.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

'Spider-Man: Homecoming' actor Tom Holland got a tattoo on the bottom of his foot after landing his starring role

$
0
0

jon watts tom holland

The INSIDER Summary:

  • "Spider-Man: Homecoming" actor Tom Holland got a tattoo of a spider on the bottom of his foot to commemorate nabbing the role.
  • He showed it off during a press tour for the film.
  • Holland said it was pretty painful.
  • He had to get the tattoo done three times because it kept fading.


"Spider-Man: Homecoming" actor Tom Holland has wanted to play the web-slinger for as long as he can remember. When he finally landed the part, he made sure to make it a moment he wouldn't forget. 

During the press tour for "Homecoming," Holland revealed a tattoo of the Spider-Man logo hanging down from a web to reporter Mark S. Allen for ABC10. He didn't just get it in any location. Holland got it square on the bottom of his foot.

tom holland spider man tattoo foot

Allen thought it was director Jon Watts who had a Spidey tattoo, but to his surprise, Holland revealed he had gotten some ink while he was in New York City. 

Though Holland got the tattoo in a discreet location, it doesn't sound like it's one he'd recommend to other people.

"It hurt so much," said Holland. 

But for a tattoo of his favorite web-crawler it was worth it. He ended up getting the tattoo done by celebrity tattoo artist Keith "Bang Bang" McCurdy of Bang Bang NYC. He's inked up celebs including Rihanna and LeBron James.

"I always wanted to get that Spider-man symbol on the bottom of my foot, but I just never thought I would get it done," said Holland. "The opportunity came about and he [Bang Bang] was like, 'Yeah we can do that.' And I had it done, and, yeah it was an amazing experience."

Getting a tattoo on the bottom of your foot once can be a painful experience, but Holland said he had to go in multiple times to get the tat to last. 

"I actually had to have it done three times though because on the bottom of your foot it fades away so the third time he really sort of had to drive it home," he added.

Holland's not the first actor to get a tattoo to commemorate his time on a project. Bryan Cranston has a hidden "Breaking Bad" tattoo on the inside of one of his fingers. Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner got matching "Game of Thrones" tattoos for their time on the show.

You can watch Holland reveal his tattoo below:

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Every map of Louisiana is a lie — what it really looks like should scare you

Ryan Reynolds had an amazing response to 'Wonder Woman' beating 'Deadpool'

$
0
0

deadpool hearts wonder woman

The INSIDER Summary:

  • "Wonder Woman" just passed "Deadpool" in the domestic box office.
  • "Deadpool" star Ryan Reynolds congratulated the DC film on its success.
  • He shared a funny photo and caption on Instagram.


Deadpool isn't the humblest of antiheroes, but he can admit defeat. 

Actor Ryan Reynolds took to Instagram to congratulate DC's "Wonder Woman" and actress Gal Gadot for surpassing Marvel's "Deadpool" in the domestic box office over the weekend. Since opening, "Wonder Woman" has raked in $368 million to "Deadpool's"$363 million, though "Deadpool" still leads worldwide.  

Reynolds, 40, shared a photo of Deadpool's hands making a heart over a Wonder Woman necklace and provided a typical Deadpool caption. 

"The Merc may be filthier, but her B.O. is stronger. Congrats #WonderWoman #BoxOfficeBoss," he wrote.

The Merc May Be Filthier, but Her B.O. is Stronger. Congrats #WonderWoman #BoxOfficeBoss

A post shared by Ryan Reynolds (@vancityreynolds) on Jul 10, 2017 at 6:08pm PDT on

Get it? "B.O." stands for body odor and box office. 

His congratulatory message was also shared on the official "Deadpool" Twitter account. 

"Wonder Woman" director Patty Jenkins thanked Reynolds for his kind message.

"You are the absolute greatest, Ryan Reynolds," she wrote, tagging the actor. "Thank you! We love you and your movie too." 

Reynolds is currently filming "Deadpool 2," which is slated for release June 1, 2018. Director Jenkins is in talks to return for the "Wonder Woman" sequel and will reportedly take place during the Cold War.

SEE ALSO: RANKED: All the Marvel Cinematic Universe's post-credits scenes, from worst to best

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: We drove a brand-new Tesla Model X from San Francisco to New York — here's what happened

A 'Black Panther' villain was cleverly changed in the movie to avoid racial stereotypes

$
0
0

chadwick boseman black panther

The INSIDER Summary:

  • Marvel's "Black Panther" movie changed one of its villains from the comics.
  • Originally, M'Baku was a member of a cult that killed white gorillas and wore their skin to become more powerful.
  • The movie dropped an insensitive nickname, changed the costume, and made his backstory more relevant to the movie.


The "Black Panther" universe has many villains. And for 2018's movie adaptation of the comics, Marvel wanted to include M’Baku as one of them.

But Marvel had one major problem: M'Baku was also named "Man-Ape," and he was a member of the White Gorilla Cult that killed white gorillas, ate their flesh and bathed in their blood, and wore their skin to get superpowers.

"Having a black character dress up as an ape, I think there’s a lot of racial implications that don’t sit well, if done wrong,"executive producer Nate Moore told Entertainment Weekly.

Comparing black men to apes is a longstanding racist stereotype, and the whole character raised a bunch of red flags for Marvel executives. They decided to handle it by dropping the nickname "Man-Ape" and just sticking with "M'Baku" as the character's name. The producers also dropped his ape-like mask, which often made him literally look like an ape in the comics. The rest of his costume is more like armor with fur spurting out from underneath, accented with gorilla-inspired details.

black panther m'baku villain

As far as the character's backstory, Marvel did stick to the idea that the White Gorilla Cult worshipped gorillas as gods. M'Baku (played by "Person of Interest" actor Winston Duke) is essentially the head of a religious minority in Wakanda, where Black Panther AKA T'Challa (played by Chadwick Boseman) is king.

"The idea that they worship the gorilla gods is interesting because it’s a movie about the Black Panther who, himself, is a sort of deity in his own right," Moore said.

"Black Panther" becomes about these rival political and religious factions within Wakanda, each with different ideas about how the country should be run. The White Gorilla Cult wants the country to be isolated, while T'Challa wants it to stay a member of the United Nations.

"In this movie, it’s a little tricky to define who’s a [good guy]," director Ryan Coogler told Entertainment Weekly. "The film very much plays with those concepts, looking at conflicts and different motivations, and who’s with who. M’Baku is a really interesting character, and I’m excited for people to get to see him." 

SEE ALSO: Marvel just dropped the first trailer for 'Black Panther'

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: HBO released an incredible, action-packed trailer for 'Game of Thrones' season 7

Here's a good look at the Marvel villain who will wreak havoc in the next 'Avengers' movie

$
0
0

thanos full statue.JPG

The INSIDER Summary:

  • Disney's fan celebration D23 Expo kicked off Friday at the Anaheim Convention Center in California.
  • The Marvel booth shows off our first look at villain Thanos in the next "Avengers" movie.
  • Unlike previous times we've seen Thanos, the villain isn't wearing his helmet.
  • Marvel will reveal more from the movie Saturday at D23 Expo.


 The next "Avengers" movie is in theaters next May, and we got a good glimpse of the villain at Disney's D23 Expo Friday at the Anaheim Convention Center.

The Marvel booth on the showroom floor has the real costumes used in "Black Panther" and "Thor: Ragnarok" on display, but there's also a statue showing off Thanos, the Marvel villain who was first teased in 2012's "The Avengers."

avengers infinity war thanos.JPG

We've seen a bit more of Thanos, the father of Gamora and Nebula, in "Guardians of the Galaxy," but he'll finally take center stage in "Infinity War." Played by James Brolin, Thanos is expected to round up the Infinity stones, the powerful gemstones which have been teased throughout the Marvel movies for his own sinister plot. 

thanos guardians of the galaxyAvengers, comic con, thanos

While we've seen Thanos with his helmet on — and even with a gauntlet full of Infinity Stones — this is the first we've really seen of him off his throne.

Take a look at the statue on display:

thanos.JPGthanos full statue.JPG

Here's how his mighty frame will look from behind:

thanos back

It's not just Thanos who will appear in the Marvel booth. Saturday, a few more reveals will join the villain.

avengers thanos.JPG

We're hoping for a tease of "Infinity War" during Disney's live-action movie panel Saturday. Stay tuned to INSIDER for more from D23 Expo.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: We drove a brand-new Tesla Model X from San Francisco to New York — here's what happened

Here's how the costumes in 'Thor: Ragnarok' look in real life

$
0
0

thor ragnarok costumes

The INSIDER Summary:

  • Three costumes used in the next "Thor" movie are on display at Disney's fan convention, D23 Expo, this weekend.
  • INSIDER checked out costumes for new characters The Grandmaster and Valkyrie along with the God of Thunder himself.
  • Two swords Thor will have were also on display.
  • His mighty hammer was shattered in the first teaser trailer released for the film.


Disney fans at D23 Expo Friday morning got their first look at a few costumes and props from "Thor: Ragnarok," the third film in the "Thor" series. 

These aren't replicas or doubles. They're the real deal. Keep reading to see the three "Thor: Ragnarok" costumes that we checked out at D23 Expo for new characters the Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum) and Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) and Thor himself (Chris Hemsworth).

Thor

thor ragnarok costume

Thor is going to be down on his luck a bit in "Ragnarok." After his home world of Asgard gets taken over by Hela (Cate Blanchett) and his beloved hammer destroyed, Thor appears to be sent to some sort of gladiator-style prison where he'll be wearing the getup seen above.

thor ragnarok costume

It's interesting Thor has a teal plate on his lower right leg. Is that some sort of brace covering an injury or just a fashion statement?

thor teal leg.JPG

The real highlight here are the two swords he'll be using in the film after villain Hela destroys his hammer, Mjolnir.

thor swords ragnarok.JPG

And, of course, Thor wouldn't be complete without some sort of red cape. This one's looking a bit worse for wear.

thor chris hemsworth costume.JPG

The Grandmaster

grandmaster thor ragnarok costume

The Grandmaster is one of the oldest characters in the Marvel universe who doesn't age. Above all else, he enjoys a good game. It looks like he's in charge of running a giant Gladiator pit in "Ragnarok" when he crosses paths with Thor. Maybe that explains his very regal look.

In the comics, the character becomes obsessed with studying civilizations and their games. 

goldmaster back costume

Perhaps the most fun part of The Grandmaster's costume are his open-toed sandals.

grandmaster shoes

Valkyrie

Another new addition to "Ragnarok," Valkyrie brings Thor to the Grandmaster in the first teaser trailer released for the film. She wears a lot of leather.

valkyrie thor ragnarok costumes

Here are her and the Grandmaster's costumes side by side.

valkyrie grandmaster Thor Regnarok

You can't see it that well from the front, but all of that black is accented with a teal sash that trails behind her.

valkyrie sash

We should be hearing more about "Thor 3" as the weekend continues. "Thor Ragnarok" will be in theaters November 3, 2017.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: We drove a brand-new Tesla Model X from San Francisco to New York — here's what happened


Here are the stars of Marvel's newest TV show next to the actual comic book characters

$
0
0

New Warriors cartoon

A new Marvel comedy is coming to TV. 

"Marvel's New Warriors" is an upcoming live-action series set to debut on Freeform in 2018. 

The show follows six heroes, including Squirrel Girl and Night Thrasher, as they try to learn about and control their abilities. 

The recently announced cast includes Milana Vayntrub from "This is Us" and "Baby Daddy's" Derek Theler. 

"New Warriors" is the second Marvel show coming to Freeform after "Cloak and Dagger," which is also set for a 2018 release. 

Meet the cast below and see their comic counterparts: 

"This Is Us" actress Milana Vayntrub will play Doreen Green aka Squirrel Girl, whose best friend is a squirrel named Tippy Toe.



"Baby Daddy" actor Derek Theler is Craig Hollis aka Mister Immortal, whose power is exactly what it sounds like — he cannot stay permanently dead.



"Dear White People" actor Jeremy Tardystars as Dwayne Taylor aka Night Thrasher, an entrepreneur trained in various martial arts who possesses a special suit.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

A 'Guardians of the Galaxy' ride is coming to Walt Disney World as part of a huge update to Epcot

$
0
0

guardians of the galaxy disney world

The INSIDER Summary:

  • A "Guardians of the Galaxy" attraction is coming to Epcot in Walt Disney World in Orlando, California.
  • The announcement was made at D23 Expo in Anaheim, California. 
  • Not too much was said about what the attraction will entail, but a lot of concept art was shown to attendees.
  • The "Guardians" attraction is one of several planned updates to Epcot.
  • All updates are planned to be complete by Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary.


Disney recently opened a "Guardians of the Galaxy"-themed ride in California's Disneyland and Disney World will get one too. 

During a two-hour presentation for Disney's parks and resorts, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek announced massive updates will be coming to Walt Disney World's Epcot park. Among the additions coming to the park, which will celebrate its 35th anniversary next year, will be an E-ticket "Guardians of the Galaxy" attraction. 

INSIDER was on hand as Chapek showed concept art from the new area that will be housed in Epcot. 

guardians of galaxy wdw

Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald, who worked on the original plans for Epcot, is overseeing the update to the park and shared details on what the "Guardians" attraction will be like. 

"The reason that the Guardians have come to Epcot in the first place is that young Peter Quill actually visited Epcot," said Fitzgerald as a photo of Quill came up on screen showing him at Walt Disney World.

Here's the photo of Quill that was shared on screen during the panel.

"Guests at California Adventure already love stepping into the worlds of the Guardians of the Galaxy and we're excited to give guests in Florida a chance to experience this world in a new way," said Chapek. 

Here's a bigger look at the exterior of the "Guardians" attraction.

guardians of the galaxy disney world

This will be one of a few updates coming to Epcot in the next few years. These are some of the other updates that will be coming:

  • A "Ratatouille" attraction will be coming to the France pavilion at World Showcase.
  • A new mission will be added to Mission: SPACE this summer.
  • A new restaurant that will make guests feel like they're dining in space will be adjacent to Mission: SPACE.

All of these updates are planned to be complete by the time Walt Disney World celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2021.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here’s what NASA could accomplish if it had the US military’s $600 billion budget

Mark Ruffalo slams Universal, says it's the reason we'll never see a standalone 'Hulk' movie again

$
0
0

hulk thor ragnarok

The INSIDER Summary: 

  • Mark Ruffalo said in an interview that "a standalone Hulk movie will never happen." 
  • The issue is due to Universal owning the rights to a standalone Hulk movie. 
  • Ruffalo took over the role from Edward Norton in "The Avengers" five years ago.

Mark Ruffalo is crushing any remaining hope that Hulk will get a solo movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While Hulk technically does already have a solo film in the MCU with Edward Norton’s "The Incredible Hulk," since Ruffalo took over the role, fans have continued to hope that he could one day lead a solo film of his own. Since Ruffalo’s debut in "The Avengers" five years ago, there has been little progress made on this front.

Any of Marvel’s plans to maybe do a solo Hulk film appear to have been folded into "Thor: Ragnarok," where Hulk will be the co-star and live out a version of the Planet Hulk story. Even with Hulk being a fan-favorite now, his future will not hold a solo film.

Following Marvel’s portion of the live-action panel at D23, Mark Ruffalo walked off stage to talk to the press. "Variety" asked Ruffalo about the chances of him getting his own leading role moving forward. Unfortunately, Ruffalo took this as an opportunity to lay the possibility to bed, saying it will never happen due to Universal. Ruffalo said:

"I just want to make one thing perfectly clear today that a standalone Hulk movie will never happen. Because Universal has the rights to the standalone Hulk movie and for some reason they don’t know how to play well with Marvel, and they don’t want to make money."

mark ruffalo bruce banner avengers age of ultron

Marvel has never indicated that another Hulk film would happen, but have routinely said it is something they’ve discussed. Well, it appears those discussions will not continue any more, even with Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige’s never-say-never approach. Ruffalo’s response is far more emotional with him taking a few cracks at Universal for not letting it happen. The potential for a Hulk solo movie could have a similar result and set up as Sony’s deal for "Spider-Man: Homecoming" — where Marvel does most of the work, and Sony reaps the rewards. The Sony/Marvel deal looks to have done wonders for both parties, making it even more confusing why Universal wouldn’t want to join in.

With Hulk not having a future in standalone films, he should continue to be a major supporting character in other, larger films moving forward. Assuming he is still around following his appearance in "Avengers: Infinity War" and presumably "Untitled Avengers" as well, it would not be surprising to see him appear in other Phase 4 films. Whether that comes in the "Spider-Man" sequel, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3," a Black Widow standalone, or something else entirely, Marvel will continue to capitalize on Hulk’s popularity – with or without the help of Universal.

SEE ALSO: Here's a good look at the Marvel villain who will wreak havoc in the next 'Avengers' movie

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: This is what Marvel's "Doctor Strange" looked like before visual effects

New 'Infinity Wars' footage could signal a drastic shift in Captain America's identity

$
0
0

nomad

At Disney's D23 Expo this past Sunday, attendees were shocked to see Captain America (Chris Evans) — or, Steve Rogers — sporting a beard in the new "Avengers: Infinity Wars" trailer. 

While Disney has not yet made the "Infinity Wars" trailer available online to the general public, MCU exchange reported that Captain America is in fact flaunting some new facial hair.

MCU Exchange speculates that this new look is an indication that Captain America's identity will shift drastically in "Infinity Wars," and that we'll see Rogers take on the identity of Nomad.

Nomad is the character that Rogers adopts in a series of "Captain America" comics that were released in 1974. They take place shortly after "Civil War" leaves off, when Rogers becomes disillusioned by the current state of American politics, and chooses to distance himself from a country whose values he feels have changed. The Nomad comics were released right after Nixon's Watergate scandal, and most likely served as commentary on the political climate of the time.

This isn't the first time that Nomad has been brought up in the last few years. Shortly after the release of "Captain America: Civil War" in 2016, the directors Joe and Anthony Russo spoke about the somber ending of "Civil War," in an interview with HuffPost.

“I think him dropping that shield is him letting go of that identity," Joe said, in reference to Captain America leaving his shield behind at the end. "[It’s] him admitting that certainly the identity of Captain America was in conflict with the very personal choice that he was making.”

The Russo brothers indicated that Captain America's identity changed at the end of "Civil War," and may very well have been alluding to Rogers' eventual transformation into Nomad.

Nomad isn't known for being a bearded superhero, but perhaps the change in the otherwise meticulously groomed Captain America's appearance is meant to signify Rogers' transformation into the less patriotic Nomad.

But we won't know for certain until "Infinity Wars" makes its way to theaters May 4, 2018.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here's what Steve from 'Blue's Clues' is up to today

Facebook and Disney teamed up for a new game that lets you be Deadpool like never before (DIS, FB)

$
0
0

deadpool marvel powers united

Last weekend, Disney announced "Marvel Powers United VR," a new virtual reality game designed in conjunction with Facebook's Oculus VR subsidiary, which will launch exclusively for the Oculus Rift headset in 2018.

At the time, Disney confirmed three playable superheroes: Hulk, Rocket Raccoon, and Captain Marvel, with a promised roster of 12 to be revealed in the fullness of time. On Wednesday, a new character was announced: Deadpool, the foul-mouthed mercenary at the center of the 2016 smash-hit movie.

I had the chance to get some time with "Powers United" at an event earlier this week — including a stint as Deadpool himself. And maybe I'm biased because I'm a full-fledged, front-faced, true-believin' Marvel fan, but man, this game has a lot of potential to be a big selling point for the Oculus Rift. 

Here's the trailer:

True believer

The basic setup here is simple. Every level, an artificial intelligence named Friday gives you and up to three other players a mission. Then it's up to your team to punch, zap, and slash your way through each level and fight the boss at the end. In the demo level, the Inhumans' Lockjaw teleports you to Knowhere to fight some Kree, which is a totally sensible sentence if you're big into the Marvel universe. 

It's pretty basic, but it's a lot of fun, with each hero's unique abilities providing you with lots of different opportunities to smash, bash, and crush your enemies.

Oculus Rift Oculus Touch

Hulk is a bruiser, Captain Marvel shoots energy blasts from ground and sky, and Rocket Raccoon lugs heavy artillery around via his jetpack. You can combine your powers, too, like using Hulk's strength to pitch a bad guy into the air for Rocket to shoot down. The multiplayer aspect is a huge plus, making you really feel like part of a team. 

There's definitely a risk of the game being a little repetitive, based on what I played. Still, the chance to literally inhabit the body of a superhero — if you look down at yourself, you'll see your own costume, lovingly rendered in gorgeous 3D — is too good to pass up. 

And then there's Deadpool.

Merc with a mouth

Deadpool's primary asset is the variety of firepower he brings to bear. By using the Oculus Touch controllers, you can literally grab submachine guns off your waist, or swords from your shoulder, throwing stars from a wrist holster, or pistols from your lower back.

Just reach your real-life hands down to your waist and push the button, and you'll be armed and dangerous. Each hand can hold a different weapon, too, meaning you can multitask with a sword in one hand and a pistol in the other. Plus, Deadpool can teleport in front of or behind enemies, making him a highly mobile killing machine.

And yes, there are quips. Endless quips, as you shoot at bad guys or get shot back. At one point, Deadpool asks bad guys out for tacos. 

Here are our friends at IGN, taking Deadpool for a spin:

It's actually very impressive that Deadpool's gameplay feels so distinct from Rocket Raccoon, who also shoots guns, and Captain Marvel, who blasts at bad guys with energy beams. 

There's a long way to go between now and 2018, when the game is released. Hopefully, the game has more cards up its sleeve with regards to deepening the game and increasing its longevity. In the meanwhile, "Marvel Powers United VR" has the makings of something that's going to be a lot of fun, particularly with friends.

SEE ALSO: An American tries to make sense of Google's new cricket game

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here’s the first trailer for 'Inhumans' — the Marvel movie that was turned into a TV show

Viewing all 1170 articles
Browse latest View live