Heroes Forever: The Stone of Death

Heroes Forever: The Stone of Death is a 2018 American superhero film directed by Gary Ross and distributed by Paramount Pictures. A sequel to Heroes Forever: The New Resolution, it serves as the third installment in the Heroes Forever franchise, produced and written by Rita Christensen in her screenplay debut inspired by her book with the same title, as well as the 11th film in Rita Christensen's Superhero World, which begin a extended franchise starting with the Jane Hoop Elementary film series. The plot follows Devin and the gang attempts to stop Wolfman's new plan that he bares to succeed.

The film features and ensemble cast including Cameron Boyce, G Hannelius, Mika Abdalla, Marcus Scribner, Chloe Csengery, Jake Short, Greyson Chance and Jeremy Piven. Blake Brown, Amy Tammie, Ben Linkin, Brandon Simpson, Bloom Dee and Barbara Blue will all return in the film as well as some few cast members from the Jane Hoop Elementary films. Orlando Bloom, Andrew Garfield and Emma Watson all starred as the new characters in this film.

Filming took place around June 2017, and concluded on November 2017. The film held it's world premiere in New York City on November 1, 2018, and was released worldwide on November 9, 2018 in 2-D, 3-D and IMAX. The film received mainly postive reviews and received the second highest rating on Rotten Tomatoes in the Superhero World series and grossed $729 million worldwide at the box office, making it the eighth highest-grossing film of 2018. A sequel entitled Heroes Forever: The Battle of Time is scheduled to be released on November 15, 2019.

Plot
In 1128 AD, Issac and brother Elijah were involved in a war when both of them were killed. With an unexpected force The Stone of Death landed on earth, brought the brothers back to life. With the Stone of Death, the brothers broke it into two pieces and hid it somewhere where no one could find as they both become immortal for 900 years. In the present day after suffering a horrific nightmare about his parents' murder by Wolfman's missing daughter Kate, which wasn't true, Devin had a vision on her return and in forms his younger sister Brooke, their cousin Kurtis and his sister Erica, and their friends Kyle and Zayne as they also are dealing with their ideas in their lives as they are close to graduating high school. The news has reported that Wolfman's daughter Kate has been found and evil is on a lose once again.

After looking on the news about the history of the Stone of Death, the heroes research it at the library that it can bring loved ones back from the dead as Zayne realizes that it could help bring his father Kirk back from the dead. Though broken into three pieces, it is hidden somewhere where no one will find it as it is most likely be hidden as one of the most dangerous place on the planet: Morphin the Power. Devin asks Tara to go on a date, which she gracefully agrees. Though, Devin is called into action by his teammates and forgot about his date with Tara. While heading home, Devin ran up to Kate kissing him when Tara discovered them kissing angrily told to not to speak to her ever again.

Meanwhile, Devin, Brooke, Kurtis, Erica, Kyle and Zayne decided to start their journey to find the three missing pieces of the Stone of Death in Morphin the Power. While they are gone, Miss Mysterious and Spyman kidnapped Danny and imprisoned him. Later, the villains, alongside Kate kidnapped high school bullies Butch, Leonard, Rachel and Sarah as Mysterious uses her powers to put them under a evil spell as they join force with Kate to attack the Jane Hoop Elementary members. In Morphin the Power, they met with Cera, Issac and Elijah. As the three refused and ordered the heroes to go back, Erica told them that Wolfman has returned for no good so Cera decides to journey them to find the three missing pieces of the Stone of Death. As the heroes journeys all around Morphin the Power and fight through all monsters. After finding the missing pieces and destroying monsters, the heroes retrieved the pieces back together and travel back to Cincinnati.

After the heroes travel back in Cincinnati and the gang rescued Danny. Later, they later met up with their bullies and Kate and started a battle against them. Devin gets taken by Kate and fight against her and Mysterious, which he struggles and Mysterious puts him under a evil spell. As Brooke, Kurtis, Erica and Kyle arrived at Wolfman's Base to find Devin, Kate orders Devin to attack the heroes as they told him to fight it. The vision effects of precious memories of his family and friends causes him to get off the evil spell back to normal. Mysterious uses her powers to transform Kate into a monster that attacks the city beginning a final battle against monster Kate.

During a battle, Danny told the heroes since they had super powers, they could also develop Karate powers with their powers. As they used, they fight against the monster and defeated Kate. Zayne realizes since he is the sixth person of the team, he has the ability to gain control of becoming animals as part of his Karate power. The villains escape before they can be arrested and the heroes' bullies has been rescued and spell is broken.

After reuniting with Tara, she admits that she had feelings for Devin, but fears that being responsible of his action on being a hero could affect the relationship between him and Tara, Devin hide his feelings and told her that they can just be friends. Later, at Kirk's grave, Zayne and his mother Melissa uses the Stone of Death that brings Kirk successfully to life. The following night, Mysterious and Spyman broke in the Jane Hoop Elementary Base and stole the Stone of Death and used it to bring back Wolfman's sister Salma (Dr. Catwoman) back to life. With that, it successfully brought her back from the dead and told her Wolfman that she is ready for unfinished business.

Cast

 * Cameron Boyce as Devin Gorden, Brooke's brother (son of Danny and Rebecca), a member of JHE and a leader of the team.
 * G Hannelius as Brooke Gorden, Devin's sister (daughter of Danny and Rebecca), a member of JHE. Her significant color is Pink.
 * Marcus Scribner as Kurtis Gutzwiller, Erica's brother (son of Alec and Naudia), a member of JHE. His significant color is Blue, who is Alec's replacement.
 * Mika Abdalla as Erica Gutzwiller, Kurtis's sister (daughter of Alec and Naudia), a member of JHE.
 * Noah Ryan Scott as Kyle Berning, Kayla's brother (son of Cory and Stephanie), Devin and Kurtis' best friend, and a member of JHE.
 * Leo Howard as Zayne Waters, a son of Melissa and deceased Kirk, a new member of JHE and Brooke's love interest.
 * 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, and mentor of JHE.
 * 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.
 * 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, but now a SWAT assistance of JHE.
 * Amy Tammie as Rebecca Gorden, Danny's wife, Devin and Brooke's mother, who is a retired original member of Jane Hoop Elementary, but now a co-assistance of JHE.
 * 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, who is now a SWAT assistance of JHE.
 * 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, and Devin's love interest.
 * 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, and now co-assistance of JHE.
 * Brandon Simpson as Cory Berning, the original heroes' good friend, Kayla and Kyle's father, who is a retired original Jane Hoop Elementary member, and SWAT member for JHE.
 * Bloom Dee as Jaquille Short, the original heroes' good friend, who is a retired original Jane Hoop Elementary member, and SWAT member of JHE.
 * 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.
 * Dakota Fanning as Melissa Waters, Zayne's mother.
 * Kiersey Clemons as Tanya Williams, Jaquille's girlfriend.
 * 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.
 * Bea Miller as Tara Baxton, a beautiful girl who attends high school with Devin. He has a huge crush on her, and she possibly is in love with him back.
 * Emma Watson as Cera, daughter of Dacia and a new owner of Morphin the Power. It is revealed that Dacia has died and replaced her as owner of the land.
 * Orlando Bloom as Issac, a warrior and older brother of Elijah. He is revenant from the Stone of Death, a powerful object that brings people back from the dead. He also joins Cera as defender of Morphin the Power following the death of her mother Dacia.
 * Andrew Garfield as Elijah, a warior and younger brother of Issac. He is revenant from the Stone of Death, a powerful object that brings people back from the dead. Him, alongside his broher, helped their friend Cera as they defend Morphin the Power following the death of her mother Dacia.
 * Logan Lerman as Kirk Waters, a deceased father of Zayne and deceased husband of Melissa.
 * Brooke Timer as Salma White / Dr. Catwoman, Wolfman's deceased sister and the original heroes' enemy.

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.

Pre-production
The original cast members from the first film will all reprise their roles as the Jane Hoop Elementary superheroes. Boyce (Devon), Hannelius (Brooke), Scribner (Kurtis), Abdalla (Erica) and Scott (Kyle) will all reprise their roles, respectively. Dakota Fanning reprises her role as Melissa Waters, a wife of Kirk Waters. Fanning had a role in the previous film, but her role will be bigger in this 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. In October 2017, Orlando Bloom was cast to star in the film as a new character, and Andrew Garfield is cast to portray as Bloom's character's younger brother. Emma Watson is cast also as a new character in the film as well as Bea Miller.

Filming
Filming for the film took place on June 30, 2017, with production heading to Cincinnati, Ohio, like it was previous took place for the first two Heroes Forever films. Filming concluded on November 15, 2017.

Music
John Williams, who scored the first two films, announced that he will be back to record songs for Heroes Forever: The Stone of Death. It was released on November 9, 2018, the same day as the film's theatrical release.

Release
Heroes Forever: The Stone of Death was released nationwide on November 9, 2018 one year after the release of Heroes Forever: The New Resolution. Like the first two films, it also have a IMAX release, as well as 3-D, becoming the second film after The New Resolution for a 3-D release. On November 1, 2018, a week before the film's release, the film held it's world premiere in New York City. Tickets for the film went on sale starting on October 19, 2018, three weeks before the film's theatrical release. From November 1 to November 7, all of the Jane Hoop Elementary films were released in theaters for a special Superhero World Event including the first two Heroes Forever films before the Thursday night premiere of the film on November 8. The film opened in 4,194 theaters and massive IMAX theaters nationwide.

Marketing
The film's 40 second teaser was released during the Thursday night showings of Justice League. The film's first teaser was released on February 2018. The second trailer was released during the premieres of Mission: Impossible - Fallout and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teen_Titans_Go!_To_the_Movies ''Teen Titans Go! To the Movies''] on July 27, 2018. It is later released online a day later. The film's new poster is released on August 4, 2018. On October 4, 2018, the final trailer for the film was released and also screened during the premiere of Venom the following day. The film's theatrical poster is released on October 11, 2018.

Box office
As of December 2, 2018, The Stone of Death grossed $210.8 million in North America. Adding $519 million in foreign markets, rises it's worldwide total to $729.8 million against its $180 million budget. The film grossed $261 million worldwide in it's opening weekend, making it one of the biggest worldwide openings of 2018 and slightly lower worldwide opening than Heroes Forever: The New Resolution ($334 million).

North America
Heroes Forever: The Stone of Death was released alongside The Grinch, The Girl in the Spider's Web and Overload and is projected to gross around $90 million to $100 million in its opening weekend. It earned $40 million on it's opening day, including $8.75 million from Thursday night previews, making it the lowest Thursday night debut in the Heroes Forever franchise behind The New Resolution ($12 million) and The New Beginning ($9 million) as well as one of the lowest Thursday night previews in the Superhero World franchise. The film earned the No. 1 spot grossing $96 million in it's opening weekend, making it the second best opening in the Heroes Forever franchise, but the seventh highest opening weekend in the Superhero World franchise.

On Monday, the film grossed $11.03 million, pushing it's total 4-day total to $107.04 million. This is due to k-12 and college students being off that day for veterans day. It also helped it had a higher debut than the first Monday debut of The New Resolution. That made $9.7 million, but The Stone of Death still earned a lower total compared to The New Resolution's $129.7 million 4-day total. The following day, it fell 33% earning $7.4 million on Tuesday bringing it's 5-day total to $114.4 million, compared to the $140 million The New Resolution made in five days.

On it's second Friday, the film fell 72 percent earning $11.3 million grossing a total to $136.5 million behind the $25 million opening day debut of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindlewald. It grossed a total of $40.2 million bringing it's total to $165.7 million in two weeks, losing the No. 1 spot to Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindlewald ($62 million).

Foreign Markets
Heroes Forever: The Stone of Death is project to earn anywhere around $200 million. It debuted in four foreign countries on November 7, 2018, and grossed $8.75 million, making it the lowest opening day debut in the Heroes Forever film series. Heroes Forever: The New Resolution earned $14 million, while Heroes Forever: The New Beginning earned $9 million. It opened in 21 more foreign countries grossing $21.25 million bringing it's total to $30 million in two days. In three day, opening in 13 more countries, it roses another $52 million, for a total of $82 million in just three days. In total, the film grossed $165 million in five days, making it one of the biggest foreign openings of 2018.

In the United Kingdom, the film grossed £17.2 million it it's opening weekend, which made it the third biggest opening weekend of 2018 behind Avengers: Infinity War and Black Panther. In Australia, Heroes Forever: The Stone of Death grossed $10 million, the second biggest 2018 opening ever behind Avengers: Infinity War, and a lower debut than The New Resolution at $17 million.

Critical reception
Before it's release, Heroes Forever: The Stone of Death is ranked as the second most anticipated film of fall 2018 just behind Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindlewald. It also is ranked as one of 2018's most anticipated film ever. On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Heroes Forever: The Stone of Death has an approval 94% based on 75 reviews with a rating of 9.5/10. It is ranked as the best rated film in the franchise, but the second highest rated film in the Superhero World behind Jane Hoop Elementary: The Final Rush - Part 2. Meatacritic gave the film a approval 86 percent out of 100 percent based on 51 reviews, generating a "favorable reviews". IGN gave the film a good 9.5/10 score praising it "more fun, but darker tone, but still even better than the first two movies."

Top Critics scored the film 97%, 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 "brings back more exciting adventures". 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.

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, even more interesting than Heroes Forever: The New Resolution." 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."

Sequels
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. The fourth film is scheduled to begin filming around the summer of 2018, and will most likely to be finished by spring or summer of 2019. Filming took place on June 8, 2018.

On January 2018, it was announced that the fourth film will be the last one by splitting it into two parts; scheduling Part 1 to be released on November 15, 2019 and Part 2 on November 13, 2020.

It was confirmed in November 2018 that both films will be released as single films with the fourth film entitling Heroes Forever: The Battle of Time scheduling a November 15, 2019 release.