Heroes Forever: The New Resolution

Heroes Forever: The New Resolution is a 2017 American superhero film directed by Gary Ross and distributed by Paramount Pictures. It is a sequel to 2016's Heroes Forever: The New Beginning, based on the book written by Rita Christensen. It was serve as the second installment in the Heroes Forever franchise, as well as the tenth film in Rita Christensen's Superhero Saga, which begin a extended franchise starting with the Jane Hoop Elementary films.

The film stars Cameron Boyce, G Hannelius, Mika Abdalla, Marcus Scribner, Chloe Csengery, Jake Short, Jon Hamm, Amanda Peet and Jeremy Piven. This marks the acting debut of Greyson Chance. Leo Howard is cast as a new leading character. The original cast from the previous film series - Blake Brown, Amy Tammie, Ben Linkin and Barbara Blue - all returned for the sequel reprising their roles as Danny, Rebecca, Alec and Naudia, respectively as well as for the last three films as well as some of the rest of the cast who portrayed the characters from the original series as well.

Filming began on April 2016 and concluded in October 2016. It was released on November 10, 2017 worldwide release, including releases in 2D, 3D and IMAX 3D, respectively. The film received positive reviews, and grossed $913 million worldwide, making it the sixth highest-grossing film of 2017. A sequel entitled Heroes Forever: The Stone of Death, which is the third installment, will be released on November 9, 2018.

Plot
After Wolfman and Mysterious breaks in the Jane Hoop Elementary Base and steals The First and The Crystal Power, Devin, Brooke, Kurtis, Erica and Kyle befriend with Canada transfer Zayne Waters. Mysterious discovers his talents, and kidnaps him possessing him as well as giving him telekinesis. Following an attack at their high school prom with evil, Don discovers that the safe has been broken into and the First and the Crystal Power stolen. Following Zayne's kidnap, his personality began to change. At Danny and Rebecca's Christmas party, Zayne behavior goes out of control where he gets into an a argument with his father Kirk. Danny, Alec, Devin and Kurtis decided to visit their house, where it is seen now wrecked and Zayne has went missing.

After months of being missing, while on a hangout with Danny and Rebecca, an attack occurs in the city as Devin and Brooke teleports to action alongside Kurtis, Erica and Kyle. During a fight with massive robots created by Wolfman, they are attacked by a man, wearing a black body suit, who is too strong to be defeated, and all been defeated by him. Back at the Base, the man returns took away the heroes powers, self destructs the Base and kidnaps Devin. Without their powers and their sensors damaged, they don't know where Devin can be taken to.

Back in school, Brooke, Kurtis, Erica and Kyle are hopeless and decides to give up after thinking that Devin is gone forever. Zayne returns after being missing for months, where his behavior is becoming more stranger. After being rude to Brooke, Erica discover Zayne walks into the school roof walking to Spyman, discovering that he is under a evil spell. She also overheard that Devin is held captured at Wolfman's Base.

As the gang went to the Base and rescue Devin, they also grabbed the First and the Crystal Power, but were spotted by a man under the mask, which Devin realizes his face is familiar. Zayne unleashed his darkest power by conquering the world bringing it to the end of the world. Devin realizes that they will have to break an evil spell and rescue Zayne. Back in Cincinnati, Zayne reveals himself around the city. Despite being powerless, the gang are still brave enough to take him down. However, both the First and the Crystal Power triggers to the heroes as they regain control of their powers once again for a final battle against Zayne and evil. As the army is too big to defeat, Danny, Alec, Cory, Jaquille and Kirk helped the heroes out by beating robots with their weapons.

As Kirk and Zayne battle against each other on a bridge, Devin told him to overcome the spell he is on, while Wolfman told him to not listen to them. As he tries to, he overcome it returning back to normal. He stabs Kirk in the abdomen, and falls to his death. His deaths gives him strong confidences on defeating both Wolfman and Zayne. As Devin uses his powerful punch at Zayne, he gets knocked out and has fallen onto a car. Wolfman escapes before Devin can punch him a well and disappears. Zayne has awaken, now back to normal and the spell has been broken, feeling ashamed on what he has caused. The world mourns on Kirk, and Devin comforts Zayne on his father on how truly sorry he caused.

Following Kirk's funeral, the Base has been rebuild and things has changed. Danny, Alec, Cory, Jaquille decides to become SWAT defenders of the Base while Rebecca, Naudia and Stephanie are allies of the Base, and Zayne agrees to become a member of Jane Hoop Elementary, and is wanting to take revenge of Wolfman. Sometimes later, Wolfman is seen being reunited with his daughter, after being missing, giving her a hug telling her its nice to see her, and she told him that she wants him to kill the heroes' parents for killing her aunt Salma (Dr. Catwoman).

Cast

 * Cameron Boyce as Devin Gorden, Brooke's brother (son of Danny and Rebecca) being chosen as a superhero and a leader of the team. His significant color is Red, who is Danny's replacement.
 * G Hannelius as Brooke Gorden, Devin's sister (daughter of Danny and Rebecca) being chosen as a superhero. Her significant color is Pink, who is Rebecca's replacement.
 * Marcus Scribner as Kurtis Gutzwiller, Erica's brother (son of Alec and Naudia) being chosen as a superhero. His significant color is Blue, who is Alec's replacement.
 * Mika Abdalla as Erica Gutzwiller, Kurtis's sister (daughter of Alec and Naudia) being chosen as a superhero. Her significant color is Yellow, who is Cory's replacement.
 * Noah Ryan Scott as Kyle Berning, Kayla's brother (son of Cory and Stephanie), Devin and Kurtis' best friend being chosen as a superhero. His significant color is Black, who is Jaquille's replacement.
 * Chloe Csengery as Kayla Berning, Kyle's sister (daughter of Cory and Stephanie), Brooke and Erica's best friend chosen as assistant for the heroes. She is chosen as the new mentor of the heroes, who happens to be replacement of Naudia.
 * Jon Hamm as |Mayor Don Kingston, The new mayor of Cincinnati and now owner of the superheroes Jane Hoop Elementary, following Mayor James Watson's death from the events of Turbo of Catland.
 * Amanda Peet as Lisa Kingston, Don's new wife, and secretary of Jane Hoop Elementary, replacement for Mrs. Bella Watson after her retirement, after the murder of his other wife.
 * Leo Howard as Zayne Waters, a transfer student, which Brooke has a crush on.
 * Jeremy Piven as Joseph White / Wolfman, Catwoman's brother who seeks on revenge on destroying the original heroes' children. He is happen to be mentally ill, and is in prison for quite some time for murder.
 * Blake Brown as Danny Gorden, Devin and Brooke's father, who is a retired original member of Jane Hoop Elementary known as the leader.
 * Amy Tammie as Rebecca Gorden, Danny's wife, Devin and Brooke's mother, who is a retired original member of Jane Hoop Elementary.
 * Ben Linkin as Alec Gutzwiller, Danny and Rebecca's brother-in-law, father of Erica and Kurtis, who is a retired original member of Jane Hoop Elementary.
 * Lisa Black as Alice Kingston, Don's daughter, as well as Alice's new step mom after her mom's murder, who is currently in college and engaged to Hunter.
 * Greyson Chance as Hunter Suggs, Alice's fiancé, who attends same college Alice attends.
 * Heather Graham as Chloe White / Miss Mysterious, wife of Joseph. She supports him on wanting to destroy the original heroes, who will be absent for the film, on killing her husband's sister Catwoman.
 * Chris O'Donnell as Mark O'Neil / Spyman, Joseph's best friend, who supports him on wanting revenge on the new heroes' parents, who killed Joseph's sister.
 * Mackenzie Foy as Katlyn "Kate" White, daughter of Joseph (Wolfman) and Chole (Mysterious), who went missing.
 * Barbara Blue as Naudia Gutzwiller, Alec's wife, Danny's cousin, Rebecca's sister-in-law, mother of Kurtis and Erica, who is a retired original member of Jane Hoop Elementary.
 * Brandon Simpson as Cory Berning, the original heroes' good friend, Kayla and Kyle's father, who is a retired original Jane Hoop Elementary member.
 * Bloom Dee as Jaquille Short, the original heroes' good friend, who is a retired original Jane Hoop Elementary member.
 * Kiersey Clemons as Tanya Williams, Jaquille's girlfriend.
 * Anna Johnson as Stephanie Berning, the original heroes' friend, Cory's wife, Kayla and Kyle's mother, who is a retired original Jane Hoop Elementary member.
 * Logan Lerman as Kirk Waters, an old friend of Danny, Rebecca and Alec.
 * Dakota Fanning as Melissa Waters, Kirk's wife.
 * Aramis Knight as Butch, a high school bully who still a enemy to Devin and his team, which lead to jealousy on becoming superheroes.
 * Kwesi Boakye as Leonard, Butch's best friend, who supports him on picking on Devin, and sometimes his siblings and friends.
 * Amanda Pace as Sarah, Rachel's twin sister and Butch's girlfriend, who is still a enemy Brooke, and jealous of her being a superhero.
 * Rachel Pace as Rachel, Sarah's twin sister, girlfriend of Leonard, who supports her for picking on Brooke.

Development
A spin-off series was confirmed secrectly by Christensen on June 2014 to be in the works. She admits that the series will be based on her own spin-off book, Heroes Forever: The New Beginning. It was confirmed that the spin-off will be a trilogy. Film distributor Paramount Pictures dated the first film to be released on November 11, 2016. This film has confirmed a November 10, 2017 release date, and third and final for November 9, 2018. The series will be more of a sequel/spin-off series from the Jane Hoop Elementary film series.

The franchise will be based on the series spin-off, Jane Hoop Elementary: The New Heroes taking place about ten years after the events from Jane Hoop Elementary: The Final Rush - Part 2, focusing on teenagers, who happen to be children of the original superheroes before they were born, defending the world. It was revealed that the enemy will be the brother of late sister Dr. Catwoman, the original heroes' enemy, who is trying to kill the heroes as to take revenge for the heroes who retired by destroying their kids.

Producers of the original film series, Derek Todd and Drake Jones both decided to come back and work on Christensen's project. Jones admits "Rita's plans is completely brilliant". Christen also got involved being producer for the film, making it the debut of working for films. Gary Ross, who directs the last four Hoop films, confirms that he will be directing the film

Post production
All of the cast from the previous film will reprise their roles. Lisa Black will reprise her role as Alice Kingston, daughter of Don Kingston. Andy Watson confirmed not returning as the role as Alice's fiancé Hunter Suggs. This is due that Watson has retired back in 2011 right after Jane Hoop Elementary: The Final Rush - Part 2 was released, and decided not to work for another film again and wants to focus on his personal life. Greyson Chance will make his acting debut as Alice's husband, Hunter Suggs, replacing Watson. It also marks the debut of Greyson's acting career.

On September 2014, it was rumored that Blake Brown, Ben Linkin and Amy Tammie may return for the spin-off. But in on September 15, 2014, Brown responds that he is "unsure" if the company wants him back. It was also rumored that their characters are expecting to appear in at least some parts of the films in the series. It was confirmed in December 2015 that Brown will be returning as his character Danny for the sequels, as well as Amy Tammie as Rebecca, Ben Linkin as Alec and Barbara Blue as Naudia for the last two films.

On February 2016, it was rumored that actor Logan Lerman will be appearing in the film as his character Kirk Waters. Also in February 10, 2016, Brandon Simpson and Bloom Dee will reprise their roles for the film.

Brooke Timer confirms that she will reprise her role as a dead character Salma White aka Dr. Catwoman. It was confirmed that Leo Howard will be playing a role as a new student, who recently transferred from Canada. Christensen reveals that his character will befriends with the heroes, and also will be a love interest to Brooke, who is chosen by Joseph as his assistant to destroy the heroes.

The Twilight Saga actress Mackenzie Foy is cast in a leading role as Joseph and Chloe's daughter, who mysteriously went missing. Christensen reveals that Foy's character has been abused by her parents, and had a horrible life, and decides to go far away so never wanted to see her parents again.

The enemies of the new Jane Hoop Elementary will be played by different actors, and they all will be having a much bigger role than the first film. Maxim Knight will be replaced by Aramis Knight for the role as Butch, Devin and Kurtis' enemy, while Jaden Harmon will be replaced by Kwesi Boakye as Leonard, Butch's best friend.

Brown reprised his role a Danny and appeared at the end of Heroes Forever: The New Beginning, which all staff and cast members kept it a secret with Christensen states: "This is suppose to be a surprise when everyone watches this movie." He will have a larger role in the sequels.

Filming
The original cast members from the first film will all reprise their roles as the Jane Hoop Elementary superheroes. Filming for the film is originally scheduled to begin in mid June 2016. Shooting is expected to take place in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Rita Christensen confirmed that filming has already began filming starting April 1, 2016. It took place in Cincinnati, Ohio. Most of the action sequences for the film will be filmed on a green screen. Other places are also filmed in Oakwood, Missouri, where a scene of Morphin the Power from fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth Jane Hoop Elementary films, will be seen in the film.

Filming is expected to be finish around November or December 2016. It was confirmed that it will be wrapped by mid October 2016. Filming wrapped on October 12, 2016.

Music
John Williams, who composed the first film, signed up to return to compose music for the second film. However, in spring 2017, it was announced that he will not be returning to compose the second film. Recording took place around summer of 2017. On June 29, 2017, it was confirmed that Howard Shore will be composing music for the second film, replacing Williams. But Shore decides not to sign up due to schedule conflict, and Williams eventually decides to return and score the film.

The soundtrack will come with a standard edition, which is set to be released on November 10, 2017, the same day as the film's theatrical release, and a deluxe edition, which is set to be released a month later on December 8, 2017.

Marketing
A 2 minute announcement teaser for the film was first released during the premiere of Heroes Forever: The New Beginning, which is later released online. Also, a couple days later, Paramount Pictures released two stills with the first shows Danny, Rebecca and Alec, and the other shows Devin, Brooke and Kurtis at prom, which appears to be under attacked.

A official teaser trailer for the film was released during the DVD release of the previous film, Heroes Forever: The New Beginning on March 14, 2017. However, the trailer will only be seen on the blu ray edition. The second trailer was first released during the release of Spider-Man: Homcoming on July 7, 2017, and than was released online a day later on July 8, 2017.

On September 11, 2017, the film's theatrical poster was released featuring all five of the main characters. On September 12, 2017, the film has given a PG-13 rating by MPPA for "action violence, scary images and intense sequences". Sources, who worked on working on the film, says this film will be more darker than first Heroes Forever film, which received a PG rating. It will be the third film in Rita Christensen's Superhero Saga to receive a PG-13 rating, after Jane Hoop Elementary: The Final Rush - Part 1 and Jane Hoop Elementary: The Final Rush - Part 2, the final two films from the Jane Hoop Elementary film franchise.

On September 19, 2017, a bunch of character posters for the film were released. One day later on September 20, the film's final theatrical trailer was released.

Release
Heroes Forever: The New Resolution was released nationwide on November 10, 2017 one year after the release of Heroes Forever: The New Beginning. The film is released in 3D and IMAX release as well. The film was originally scheduled to held it's world premiere in New York City, just a week before the film's release. But on October 31, there was an incident with a driver of a truck fill with guns killed eight pedestrians and injured 16 others, decides to relocate its location to the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles instead. It will still be held on its original premiere date November 3.

Heroes Forever: The New Resolution debuted in 4,224 theaters including 1,129 IMAX screens and 4,020 3D screens. This will set a record as widest release for both IMAX and 3D releases as well as the first film in history to screen in more than 4,000 3D screens.

Box office
As of January 4, 2018, Heroes Forever: The New Resolution grossed $288 million in North America. Adding $625 million internationally, brings it's total to $913 million worldwide, against its $190 million budget. Worldwide, the film opened at $334.6 million, making it one of the biggest worldwide opener of all-time, as well as the third biggest opener in Rita Christensen's Superhero Saga franchise behind Jane Hoop Elementary: The Final Rush - Part 2 ($457.2 million) and Jane Hoop Elementary: Turbo of Catland ($388.5 million).

North America
Heroes Forever: The New Resolution opened alongside Daddy's Home 2 and Murder on the Orient Express. Before it's released, it is projected to open between $115 million to $125 million in it's opening weekend, which would make it the third best opening weekend in Rita Christensen's Superhero Saga behind Jane Hoop Elementary: The Final Rush - Part 2 ($165 million) and Jane Hoop Elementary: The Final Rush - Part 1 ($130 million), and a very larger opening than the previous film's $76 million opening weekend. It also projected its total domestic total anywhere between $250 million to $270 million.

On it's Thursday night previews, Heroes Forever: The New Resolution debuted $12 million from 3,825 theaters. It's Thursday night gross is also significantly 25% larger than Heroes Forever: The New Beginning's $9 million on its Thursday night gross. On it's opening day in North America, Heroes Forever: The New Resolution grossed $50 million, which made it the fourth largest opening day gross in Rita Christensen's Superhero Saga behind Jane Hoop Elementary: The Final Rush - Part 2 ($91.1 million), Jane Hoop Elementary: The Final Rush - Part 1 ($65 million) and Jane Hoop Elementary: Turbo of Catland ($57 million), as well as the third biggest opening day gross of 2017 behind Teen Titans 2 ($66 million) and Beauty and the Beast ($63 million). It's opening day is also 50% higher than the first day gross of the first film, which grossed $30 million.

In it's opening weekend, it debuted in first place on the charts with a total of $120.1 million, making it the seventh biggest 2017 opener, and the third biggest opener in Rita Christensen's Superhero Saga behind Jane Hoop Elementary: The Final Rush - Part 2 ($165 million) and Jane Hoop Elementary: The Final Rush - Part 1 ($129 million), and also 36% a bigger opening than the first film's gross ($76.4 million). It than grossed $9.7 million on Monday after it's release, bringing it's total to $129.8 million, and another $11 million on it's following Tuesday after it's release rising to $140 million in total in five days. During the whole week of it's first release (November 10, 2017 to November 16, 2017), the film grossed a total of $157.8 million, which is 32.6% more of it made compared to the first film's weekly gross ($108.1 million). In IMAX release, the film grossed $15.4 million in 401 IMAX screens.

In it's second Friday, the film dropped 70% grossing $15.1 million, coming in second place behind Justice League, which grossed $38.8 million. In total, the film grossed $168.9 million in eight days after it's release. It dropped 58 percent in it's second weekend of release earning $49.4 million coming in second place behind Justice League, which debuts with $93.8 million, bringing it's domestic total to $230.2 million. It is a larger drop compared to the first film's 35.5 percent drop from it's first to second weekend ($76.4 million in it's opening weekend and $49.3 million in it's second opening weekend). It also passed the $200 million mark faster than the first film, which took three weeks to pass that mark. On Thanksgiving weekend, three weeks after it's release, it already surpassed the first film's final gross of $245.6 million by earning $251.1 million after taking in another $20.5 million that weekend, taking the #4 spot that week.

Outside North America
Internationally, it is projected to gross anywhere between $200 million to $210 million, pushing its global total between $330 million to $340 million. On it's opening day on November 8, 2017 in seven foreign markets, the film grossed $14 million. In two days, the film is released in 32 more foreign markets grossing $33 million, for a total of $47 million in two days. In three days, $54 million is added from more than 20 more countries pushing its total to $101 million in a record time.

Since it's Wednesday launch, it opened to a total of $214 million. These results made it the third biggest international opening weekend of 2017 behind The Fate of the Furious ($443 million) and Teen Titans 2 ($376 million), the 15th biggest of all-time, and the third biggest opening in Rita Christensen's Superhero Saga behind Jane Hoop Elementary: The Final Rush - Part 2 ($292 million) and Jane Hoop Elementary: Turbo of Catland ($230 million).

The film opened bigger than the first film in most countries. The film topped the box office in both Australia and UK, but fell to the #2 spot, and returned to #3 the following week, respectively. In Australia, Heroes Forever: The New Resolution topped the box office with $17 million, which made it the biggest opener of 2017 beating Beauty and the Beast ($10 million) and the fifth largest opener in Christensen's franchise behind Jane Hoop Elementary: The Final Rush - Part 2 ($29.2 million), Jane Hoop Elementary: Goldenman's Revenge ($25.8 million), Jane Hoop Elementary: The Final Rush - Part 1 ($19.1 million) and Jane Hoop Elementary: Turbo of Catland ($17.2 million). After falling to the #2 spot the following week behind Justice League, it returned to the #1 spot three weeks after it's release earning $5.3 million. It currently remained the #1 spot five weeks in a role.

In the United Kingdom, the film topped the box office £19.3 million (US$25.1 million). It made it the second biggest opening of 2017 behind Beauty and the Beast (£19.6 million), and the fourth largest in Christensen's franchise behind The Final Rush - Part 2, Turbo of Catland and The Final Rush - Part 1. However in US dollars, it made it as the biggest UK opening weekend of 2017 beating Beauty and the Beast by $1 million. It fell to #2 in it's second week behind Justice League, and back to #1 in it's third week of release earning £5.9 million.

In China, the film debuted with $95.12 million, which made it not only one of the biggest of 2017, but also had the biggest opening among Rita Christensen's Superhero Saga universe, compared to Heroes Forever: The New Beginning's opening of $48.1 million. It even had a bigger opening than all of the Jane Hoop Elementary films.

Critical reception
Before the film's release, according to Screenrent.com, Heroes Forever: The New Resolution is ranked #5 for one of the most anticipated films of 2017 in the top 30 list. The film has also received critical acclaim. On a website Rotten Tomatoes, the film received 90% out of 100%, based on 44 reviews, with a rating of 9.5/10. Top Critics scored the film 96%, based on 27 reviews, giving it a positive feedback. It also scored 69 from Materic, and scored a A- from Yahoo! Movie based of 10 reviews from critics. CinemaScore score the film a A on the A+ to F chart, making it the fourth film in the Jane Hoop Elementary universe that can score that grade on the chart.

Many critics are separated between mixed and positive. Some say that this film is "even darker but more fun and intense than the first film, and also a colorful reunion of all of the characters from the Jane Hoop Elementary films". Critic Robert Crawford praises a mixed review stating: "a must seen movie all children and teens are dying to see even better than the first movie", and also "but for a movie that is PG-13 seems to be in the middle on being too dark for children or not as bad for children, but must be with at least a parent."

Other critics also praised on the actors' performances and the characters. Joey Grace of The Guardian gave the film four out of five stars. He praises on Boyce and Howard's characters performances: "This film has a Mighty Morphin Power Rangers feel all over it with intense battle with the red ranger (Jason) and green ranger (Tommy). With Devin and Zayne, it has the exact feeling."

Movie critic Jonathan Ferrall gave it a positive review praising: "more mind blowing than the first, and a nice return of our favorite colors, that brings you into the new generation of the superhero world of five young children becoming superheroes." Alyssa Thomas score the film a A+ praising it "probably the next most anticipated movie in my book after Heroes Forever: The New Beginning."

Kevin Smith of The Guardian ranked the film a positive 4.0/5 stars and calling the film "fun and fulfilled with spectacular excitement". Robert Buckley of The Hollywood Reporter gave the film a a positive review: "Devin is becoming more like his father everyday. Bravely and courage, it is all that matters that "braveness and courageous" makes it fell like we are coming back home so many years since we first saw Danny and the gang on the big screen."

Planned sequels
A third installment of the Heroes Forever film series is scheduled for a November 9, 2018 release. It was rumored that it may be split into two separated films, just like the final installment of the Jane Hoop Elementary film series, Jane Hoop Elementary: The Final Rush. However on April 12, 2016, it was confirmed that the series will expand up to five films. It was revealed that Christensen has already completed the script for the third film, and production was expected to begin in mid 2017.

Christensen confirmed that Kirk Waters will appear in the third film, as Logan Lerman confirms that he will be reprising his role. Filming is set to begin in July 2017, with production heading to Cincinnati, Ohio. Boyce (Devon), Hannelius (Brooke), Scribner (Kurtis), Abdalla (Erica) and Scott (Kyle) will all reprise their roles, respectively. Dakota Fanning is cast in her unknown role in the third film. Christensen completed the scripts for the third film and now is pushing filming to begin in mid June. It was confirmed in June 2017 that Christensen will be adding new characters in the third film, which they appeared in the Heroes Forever: The New Beginning book, but they never make an appearance in the films. Christensen reveals that none of the characters appeared in the first Heroes Forever film, and may not be appearing in the second film, but will make an appearance in the third film.

On October 29, 2016, Paramount Pictures scheduled the release date for the fourth film for November 22, 2019 and the fifth and final film for November 13, 2020. After completing the script for the third film, she is already working on writing a script for the fourth film, and has ideas for the fifth and final film.