Final 'X-Men: Apocalypse' Trailer Features Gloom, Doom and a Familiar Face

Well, maybe it's not a familiar face, necessarily, but I could swear I've seen those claws before ...

Yes, although it seemed like Wolverine would be sidelined for Bryan Singer's X-Men: Apocalypse, it now looks like Logan will play a limited role in the Days of Future Past sequel.

The final trailer for the May 27 film arrived yesterday, giving us an expanded look at Oscar Isaac's Apocalypse, his four Horsemen (including Olivia Munn as Psylocke and Alexandra Shipp as Storm) and the young X-Men roster led by Professor Xavier (James McAvoy) and Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence).

As is normally the case with Fox's X-Men flicks, you can pretty much take everything you know about the Marvel Universe and chuck it out the window when you sit down to watch the ninth film in this franchise (assuming, of course, that your theater has windows). Still, like First Class and Days of Future Past before it, Apocalypse looks like one hell of a ride. Watch the trailer below.

Marvel Studios' 'Inhumans' Pulls Vanishing Act

Excitement is building among Marvel fans as the release of Captain America: Civil War draws closer, but one shakeup on Disney's release schedule has some members of the Merry Marvel Marching Society playing a depressing tune. TheWrap.com reports that Marvel's Inhumans, which already had its release date shifted from Nov. 2, 2018 to July 12, 2019, has disappeared from the studio's schedule entirely. The disappearance of the film has sparked speculation that the cinematic exploits of Black Bolt, Medusa and the rest of the denizens of Attilan have been put on hold indefinitely, never to emerge from the Terrigen Mists. 

But why? Perhaps the lukewarm ratings of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which has spent two seasons introducing the Inhumans to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has something to do with the change. Maybe the disappearance of this film from the Marvel Studios' schedule is a sign that the struggling ABC series is drawing to a close. Or, equally likely, they just want to place their focus on other films in Phase Three in the MCU. Stay tuned, True Believers.

Ben Affleck to Helm Solo Batman Film

Ben Affleck is a fine director, and his portrayal of the Dark Knight was actually a bright spot in the otherwise dim Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. So, it was good news when Warner Bros. Chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara confirmed at CinemaCon in Las Vegas that Affleck would direct a standalone and untitled Batman film based on a script that he wrote. The speculation, according to The Hollywood Reporter, is that the film will either be released on Oct. 5, 2018 or on Nov. 1, 2019. Those are two dates that are listed on DC's release slate that do not yet have films attached to them.

With the Caped Crusader seen violently branding and even killing criminals in Batman v Superman, showing us a Batman who's reached his breaking point, I'm hoping that Affleck shows us an version of Bruce Wayne in this universe that is, dare I say it, more heroic than homicidal. Color me optimistic, because I honestly think Affleck wants to do right by Batman, regardless of how BvS director Zack Snyder chooses to tell his story in this universe.

Batman next hits the big screen in Suicide Squad, in theaters Aug. 5. For my full review of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, click here.

Marvel's 'Spider-Man' Reboot Gets a Title

Although Spider-Man's making his big Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in Captain America: Civil War, arriving May 6, Peter Parker's going to be spinning webs in a solo film, due in theaters July 7, 2017. Its title? Spider-Man: Homecoming. I'm only speculating at this point, but future titles in this new series might be Spider-Man: Junior Prom and Spider-Man: Senior Cut Day.

Jokes aside, even the cartoony logo has me feeling like this movie will be a step in the right direction as the Wallcrawler stars in his sixth solo film since 2002. Tom Holland steps into the trademark red-and-blue tights this time around, with Academy Award-winner Marisa Tomei as Aunt May. Rumored to play the villainous Vulture in this reboot, according to Variety? Former Batman (and Birdman), Michael Keaton. If that's true, I might start crawling the walls myself, and I haven't been bitten by a radioactive ANYTHING ... that I know of.

For more on Spider-Man: Homecoming, head over to Marvel.com.

'Marvel's Doctor Strange' Teaser Trailer is the Best Kind of Trippy

I occasionally roll my eyes at the thought of more superhero origin stories, but seeing as how Dr. Stephen Strange might not be the most accessible character for mainstream audiences, perhaps a refresher course is necessary. The trailer for Marvel's Doctor Strange, directed by Scott Derrickson and starring the expertly cast Benedict Cumberbatch, feels like a mix between The Matrix and Inception, and seems to carry a far different tone when compared to other Marvel Cinematic Universe films. It's strange, appropriately enough, and by the hoary hosts of Hoggoth, it looks fantastic. 

Let's hope audiences dig the cinematic introduction of The Sorcerer Supreme when Marvel's Doctor Strange hits theaters on Nov. 4. Check out the teaser trailer below.

My Thought on the 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' Teaser Trailer

What, you thought Disney wasn't going to immediately follow the Blu-ray release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens with something awesome? I find your lack of faith disturbing.

The House of Mouse has released the first teaser trailer for Rogue One: A Story Wars Story, Gareth Edwards' spinoff that takes place between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. The film, hitting theaters Dec. 16, follows a group of rebels as they attempt to steal the plans for the first Death Star and set in motion the events in the original 1977 Star Wars film.

The trailer is loaded with familiar elements, like Original Trilogy Imperial Stormtroopers, Star Destroyers, AT-ATs and even Rebel Alliance leader Mon Mothma (now played by Genevieve O'Reilly), but there's something about it that feels very different from the Star Wars movies we've seen before. Perhaps it's the more grounded feel of the teaser or the fact that the trailer is loaded with humans with nary an alien to be seen, but I think this will nicely set the tone for these standalone spinoff movies. These should stand apart from the main movies, and based on what we've seen thus far, Rogue One will do just that.

Central in the trailer is Felicity Jones as Jyn Erso, a criminal loner who is selected for the Rebel Alliance's ultimate heist. I've already seen plenty of folks complaining online that this is the second Star Wars film in a row that features a young, dark-haired woman with a British accent in a lead role, but I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing at all. If she's also really good at scavenging in the desert and bypassing hyperdrive compressors, we might have an issue.

I also really dig that Forest Whitaker is in this, as I never imagined that the guy who played Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland would ever star in a Star Wars flick. I can't wait to learn more about his role in Rogue One.

Check out the trailer below!