LOS ANGELES: Marvel brought thousands of fans to their feet on Saturday as it assembled a stellar panel of superheroes to preview “Avengers: Infinity War” at Disney’s D23 convention.
The movie, which comes out next year, unites the characters from all 16 films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) — and most of the actors who play them took to the stage at the star-studded fan event in Anaheim, southern California.
The packed 7,000-capacity convention hall cheered as Josh Brolin, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Don Cheadle and Benedict Cumberbatch were introduced one by one.
Tom Holland, Benicio del Toro, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Anthony Mackie, Karen Gillan, Dave Bautista, Pom Klementieff and Chadwick Boseman and co-director Joe Russo were also part of the star-studded panel.
“I’ve got to admit, these guys have not been together on stage for a long time, and even I find myself geeking out,” said Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige before introducing world-first “Infinity Wars” teaser footage.
The movie opens in May 2018 — the 10th anniversary of the US release of the original MCU movie, “Iron Man.”
“It’s funny to think Kevin and I figured all of this out at Randy’s Donuts shooting ‘Iron Man 2’,” quipped Downey Jr., who plays the titular superhero.
The panel was part of a presentation of the next two years of live-action movies from Disney, which owns Marvel and Lucasfilm.
Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars” panel has become one of the most talked-about panels at the biennial D23.
But here were no new announcements or footage this time around.
The 2018 Han Solo spin-off movie, which fired directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller in favor of Oscar-winning Ron Howard last month, was largely glossed over, with no cast appearances or footage.
But Rian Johnson, who directed the forthcoming eighth installment of the main series, “The Last Jedi,” delighted fans by introducing much of the cast, including Mark Hamill, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Gwendoline Christie.
Johnson introduced a behind-the-scenes featurette and interviewed the cast on their experiences filming in Pinewood Studios, near London, and on Ireland’s west coast.
“When I read the script there were so many unexpected elements, which is great in a ‘Star Wars’ film,” said Hamill, who came on last to a rapt standing ovation.
“It’s getting harder and harder to bring new things to the table and this is a real game changer.”
Another highlight was a section offering news and footage from the studio’s upcoming animation to live-action slate, including remakes of “The Lion King,” Mulan,” “Aladdin” and “Dumbo.”
The crowd was on its feet again after seeing a stunning first clip from “The Lion King,” climaxing in the iconic moment when Rafiki introduces newborn Simba to the animals of the savannah.
“This is a story that belongs to everyone who grew up with the original film,” said Jon Favreau, who directed the movie, due to hit theaters in July 2019.
“I wanted to demonstrate that we could be respectful of the source material while bringing it to life using new techniques and technologies.”
Disney announced newcomer Mena Massoud in the titular role for Guy Ritchie’s “Aladdin,” which reboots the 1992 animated classic, and Will Smith as the genie.
Disney also revealed that production is underway for the live-action reimagining of its 1941 animated classic “Dumbo,” slated for release in March 2019.
The movie is being directed by Tim Burton (“Alice in Wonderland,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory“) and stars Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Eva Green.
Burton, who is starting production in England, addressed the D23 crowd via a video clip in which he described “Dumbo” as “one of my favorite of the Disney movies.”
Disney also showcased “Nutcracker and the Four Realms,” starring Misty Copeland, and “A Wrinkle in Time,” an epic adventure directed by Ava DuVernay and starring Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Chris Pine and debutante Storm Reid, all of whom appeared onstage.
British actress Emily Blunt talked about playing the practically-perfect nanny in “Mary Poppins Returns,” a sequel to the iconic 1964 original that hits theaters on December 25 next year.
“I needed to try to pay homage to Julie Andrews but carve out a new space for myself. And we were very loyal to the books,” said Blunt.
Marvel stuns fans with giant Avengers gathering
Marvel stuns fans with giant Avengers gathering
Mick Jagger’s fiancee ‘physically attacked’ at exclusive London club
- Melanie Hamrick, 38, dined with a friend before heading to private members’ club Annabel’s in Berkeley Square, Mayfair, where the incident happened
- The author, choreographer and former ballerina has been in a relationship with the 82-year-old Rolling Stones singer since 2014 and they have a 9-year-old son together
LONDON: Melanie Hamrick, Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger’s fiancee, said she was attacked at an elite and exclusive private member’s club in Mayfair, central London.
The 38-year-old said the incident on Tuesday at Annabel’s in Berkeley Square had left her heartbroken and shaken.
In a message posted later that night on Instagram, she wrote: “This is incredibly hard to share, but I was physically attacked at Annabel’s Mayfair tonight.
“I’m so thankful to my friends for protecting me. Two people grabbed me from behind and thank God for the good people who stepped in to help me.
“I’m shaken, sad and heartbroken that people can treat each other this way.”
The message was deleted a few hours after it appeared.
Hamrick has been in a relationship with 82-year-old Jagger since 2014, and she confirmed in April last year that they became engaged about two or three years earlier. They have a son, Deveraux, who was born in 2016.
Hamrick is a choreographer, author and former ballerina who performed with the American Ballet Theatre for 15 years before retiring in 2019.
Before the incident on Tuesday, she had dined with a socialite friend, Emma Thynn, before heading to Annabel’s. Sources at the venue said staff were not notified of an attack. The Metropolitan Police said it had not receive any report of an incident, the Daily Mail newspaper reported.
The incident is believed to have taken place outside of the club. In the past few weeks there has been a series of daytime heists targeting luxury goods stores across London. It is not known if the incident involving Hamrick was related to these.
However, the area around the prestigious Berkeley Square has become one of the worst in London, and even in Europe, for robberies and street crime, the Daily Mail said. Official figures show that people in the area were 30 times more likely to fall victim to crime compared with those in other parts of the city, the newspaper added.
Numbers of thefts and robberies, mainly of mobile phones, have tripled in London over the past four years, with tens of thousands of reported cases, particularly in the upmarket Mayfair and St James’s areas.
Organized criminal gangs have reportedly been targeting high-value luxury brands such as Rolex and Yves Saint Laurent across London. Some visitors have even hired private security while visiting the city.
Last month, the Daily Mail reported that Tom Cruise, 63, had abruptly moved out of his £35 million ($47 million) luxury apartment in One Hyde Park, a high-rise in West London, over safety fears.
