Movie Fans Excited for 'The Dark Tower' and 'The Defenders'

This is What’s Trending Today.

People who enjoy comic books and science fiction have an exciting summer ahead.

The trailer videos for the film “The Dark Tower” and the show “The Defenders” were both released on Wednesday. Many people have been watching and talking about the videos online.

“The Dark Tower” stars Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey. The story is based on eight books by American horror and fantasy writer Stephen King. Elba plays the hero, known as “The Gunslinger.” McConaughey plays the villain – or bad guy -- known as “The Man in Black.”

King released the first book in the series in 1982. The most recent one came out in 2012.

The movie comes out in theaters in August.

Some fans of “The Dark Tower” complained about the new movie trailer. They wrote on social media that it gave away too much of the story.

The website The Verge wrote that “The Dark Tower” does not exactly follow the books. It actually begins around the time when King’s book series ends.

King has said the series was inspired by the fantasy of “The Lord of the Rings” series and movies about the Old West, like “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly,” which came out in 1966 and starred Clint Eastwood.

“The Defenders” is a new Netflix series. It comes out on August 18. Fans are excited to see their comic book heroes Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Daredevil and Iron Fist work together to solve a mystery in New York City. Sigourney Weaver plays Alexandra, the series’ villain.

Fans of “The Defenders” found something to complain about, too. They said that August 18 seems like too long of a wait.

You do not have to wait that long for the start of America’s summer movie season, however. It begins this weekend, with the release of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.” The film is the sequel to the movie that introduced people to “Star-Lord,” “Gamora,” and “Groot.” The first “Guardian of the Galaxy” came out in 2014.

It sold about $800 million in tickets worldwide.

And that’s What’s Trending Today.

I’m Dan Friedell.

Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.