‘Infinity War’ upstages ‘Star Wars’ at expo
ANAHEIM, Calif. — A hair-raising teaser trailer for “Avengers: Infinity War” stole the show at the star-studded presentation of the Walt Disney Studios upcoming liveaction films at the studios’ fan convention D23, upstaging even “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” Oprah Winfrey and Mary Poppins.
“Star Wars” fans did get a little morsel of footage in a behind-the-scenes featurette from the upcoming space saga and a lively panel with the film’s writer-director Rian Johnson and a few of the film’s stars. But audiences have yet to see a full trailer for the film.
Instead, it was the ultimate Marvel Cinematic Universe team-up “Avengers: Infinity War” that got fans really excited.
Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige was on hand with a stage full of stars including Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, Tom Holland as Spider-Man, Sebastian Stan as The Winter Soldier, Elizabeth Olsen as The Scarlett Witch and Josh Brolin as the ultimate bad guy Thanos.
The trailer, which by Saturday had not been released online, was packed to the brim with tantalizing scenes, including Thor, floating and near dead in deep space being rescued by the Guardians of the Galaxy; Spider-Man’s hair standing up on his arm; Tony Stark ominously warning, “He’s coming for us,” likely talking about Thanos; and Thanos himself gripping a weakened Thor’s skull and looking ready to crack it with ease.
“Avengers: Infinity War” comes out May 4, 2018.
Almost on par with the “Infinity War” enthusiasm was the response to the footage for the Mary Poppins sequel “Mary Poppins Returns,” a colorful and topsyturvy new installment in the world of P.L. Travers from director Rob Marshall.
Emily Blunt, who takes on the role of Mary Poppins, said she wanted to “pay homage” to what Julie Andrews had done in the 1964 classic but also “find my own space.”
“Mary Poppins Returns” bows on Christmas day, 2018.
The studio also announced casting for its live-action “Aladdin” remake, from director Guy Ritchie. Relative newcomer Mena Massoud will be playing the scrappy street urchin Aladdin, while “Power Rangers’” Naomi Scott will take on the role of Jasmine. Will Smith previously was cast in the role of the Genie.
Disney also set a release date for its live-action “Dumbo,” from director Tim Burton, for March 29, 2019.
Director Ava DuVernay was also in Anaheim to preview her adaption of Madeleine L’Engle’s fantasy classic “A Wrinkle in Time,” along with stars Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Chris Pine and newcomer Storm Reid, who plays the film’s lead Meg.
Audiences were excited to get a glimpse, too, of the behind-the-scenes footage of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” A sequel to “The Force Awakens,” “The Last Jedi” picks up with that film’s near-literal cliffhanger when Daisy Ridley’s Rey and Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker meet.
Johnson was joined on stage by Ridley, Hamill, John Boyega, Laura Dern, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran and Benicio Del Toro to hype the film and their shared love of Star Wars.
Curious newcomer Tran, Johnson said, treated the whole production like “an episode of Mr. Rogers,” as she explored every corner of production, while Dern, also new to the series, couldn’t help but mouth the word “pew” when shooting her blaster during filming.
“The Last Jedi” blasts into theaters Dec. 15.