Marvel stuns fans with stage show as Star Wars unveils sneak preview
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 — and most of the actors who play them took the stage at the star-studded fan event in Anaheim, 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 StarWars 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 Marvel Cinematic Universe 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, 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.
Also on Saturday, a new behind-the-scenes look at Star Wars: The Last Jedi made its debut.
Director Rian Johnson and cast members Mark Hamill, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Wars Star Marie Tran and Laura Dern appeared on stage to meet the fans. The audience was then treated to footage from the movie.
In the latest instalment, the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past. It will debut at US theaters on Dec 15.
Earlier this year, Disney also announced that both the California Disneyland and the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando will open six-hectare Star Warsthemed parks in 2019, which will be named “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge”.
The D23 Expo unveiled a large-scale detailed 3D model of the venues, which have a cantina, a marketplace, and two major attractions: piloting the Millennium Falcon and an adventure putting visitors in the heart of a battle between the rebels and the First Order.
“There is such a huge draw for Star Wars, so many people know about it,” said Joann Dailey, a longtime Star Wars fan who was dressed as Princess Leia at D23 Expo.
“For Disney and Star Wars to get together, that’s like the perfect marriage of things that’s just wonderful.”
For Disney and
to get together, that’s like the perfect marriage.” Joann Dailey, longtime
fan It was an opportunity to let these people know they deserved to be at a place like this.” Sarah Cummins, bride-to-be
A school bus pulled up on Saturday from one organization and about a dozen homeless veterans stepped off to join the party. They were greeted by Cummins in a sleeveless top and pastel pants rather than a wedding dress.
“For me, it was an opportunity to let these people know they deserved to be at a place like this just as much as everyone else does,” Cummins said.
Several local businesses and residents donated suits, dresses and other items for the guests to wear.
Charlie Allen, who’s spent three months at a homeless mission, received a donated jacket.
“I didn’t have a sport coat,” he said, tugging gently at the lapels. “I think I look pretty nice in it.”
Three of Cummins seven bridesmaids, along with her mother and aunts, came to support her at the event. Guests dined on bourbon-glazed meatballs, goat cheese and roasted garlic bruschetta, chicken breast with artichokes and chardonnay cream sauce and wedding cake.
Cummins, a 25-year-old Purdue University pharmacy student, said her ex-fiance, Logan Araujo, footed most of the bill for the wedding contract, with Cummins and her parents, along with one of Araujo’s family friends, paying the rest.
Cummins said she is not sure yet what she will do with the wedding dress.
“It’s too painful to think about.”