• Spotify on Tuesday unveiled a new free version of its mobile app.
• The app now gives non-paying users more control over their music by letting them listen to playlists in any order.
• Spotify's smartphone app was previously limited to shuffle mode for those not paying for the Premium tier.

Spotify has redesigned its mobile app to make it better for non-paying users. 

Spotify on Tuesday unveiled the new version of its free smartphone app. The redesigned Spotify app gives non-paying users features like new tools for creating playlists, a new low-data mode, and more control over their music. The free app is still ad-supported.  

The new free Spotify app will now give users access to 15 personalized playlists created by Spotify, which is equivalent to 750 tracks or about 40 hours of music. Those playlists can be played in any order, rather than in shuffle mode. 

It's also easier for free users to create their own playlists, although those playlists can only be listened to in shuffle mode. 

Spotify is also launching a new "low data mode," which Spotify says will reduce data consumption by as much as 75%. There is still no offline mode for free users. 

Users will notice that the new free app has different buttons along the bottom as well. Now, the four buttons are Home, Search, Your Library, and Premium. There will be no separate Browse and Radio tabs anymore, but those features will still be incorporated in the free app. 

Spotify hopes that the new free app will remove some of the "friction" users may have felt in the past. 

"We’re trying to make sure that our recommendations and the playlists that we offer take away a lot of the work that you might have had to do before," Babar Zafar, Spotify's vice president of growth, told Business Insider after an event to unveil the new free app. "You can enjoy music independent of how knowledgeable you are, or do you have the right friends who can recommend you music."

Zafar said that Spotify chose to add more features to the free tier because it helps grow the premium tier — users join for free, begin to discover new artists, and eventually switch to Spotify Premium in order to access offline mode, more control over their playlists and song selection, and zero ads. 

"The motivation to improve the free product right now is twofold: It’s us understanding the needs of our users better and reacting to that, and also making sure that freemium is strong and working for us," Zafar said. 

Spotify says there are 90 million people using the service's free tier right now, and that 60% of people who become Premium users started out on the free tier. 

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Quentin Tarantino announced earlier this year that Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio will be starring in his upcoming ninth film, "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," which partly involves the Manson Family murders.

On Monday, Tarantino and DiCaprio teased a few details about the film at the Las Vegas industry event, CinemaCon.

In March, Margot Robbie entered final negotiations to play the role of actress Sharon Tate in the film, Deadline reported. There has not yet been an official announcement of her role. 

Pitt previously worked with Tarantino on 2009's "Inglorious Basterds," and DiCaprio appeared in 2013's "Django Unchained."

"Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" is set for release on August 9, 2019. 

Here's everything we know about Tarantino's upcoming ninth film:

SEE ALSO: Quentin Tarantino's next film will be released by Sony following the Harvey Weinstein scandal

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The film takes place in "Los Angeles in 1969, at the height of hippy Hollywood."

Tarantino described "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" in a statement last month, calling it, "a story that takes place in Los Angeles in 1969, at the height of hippy Hollywood. The two lead characters are Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), former star of a Western TV series, and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). Both are struggling to make it in a Hollywood they don't recognize anymore. But Rick has a very famous next-door neighbor ... Sharon Tate."

In July 2017, early reports of the film described its script as focused on the murder of actress Sharon Tate by Charles Manson's followers. 

While Tarantino's most recent statement mentions Sharon Tate as a player in the movie, Tarantino previously said that the film would not center on Charles Manson, but on the year 1969.

At CinemaCon on Monday, Tarantino did not add much to the aforementioned description of the plot, calling the project "very hush-hush and top secret."

It has been five years in the making.

Tarantino said last month that he had been working on the script for the film for half a decade.

"I’ve been working on this script for five years, as well as living in Los Angeles County most of my life, including in 1969, when I was seven years old," he said. "I’m very excited to tell this story of an L.A. and a Hollywood that don't exist anymore. And I couldn't be happier about the dynamic teaming of DiCaprio & Pitt as Rick & Cliff.”

It's a "Pulp Fiction-esque" movie

Deadline reported in January that the Leonardo DiCaprio would play an "aging actor" in a "'Pulp Fiction'-esque movie."

"Pulp Fiction," Tarantino's 1994 classic, told a collection of interconnected stories.

On Monday, Tarantino confirmed this sentiment by saying that "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood" is "probably the closest to 'Pulp Fiction' that I have done."

• The world premiere for "Avengers: Infinity War" was Monday.
• The first reactions have hit social media.
• The film is being praised for its action, spectacle, and Josh Brolin's villain Thanos.

Marvel's "Avengers: Infinity War" made its world premiere on Monday and was shown to audiences in its entirety for the first time. The majority of moviegoers will have to wait until this weekend to see the highly anticipated film, but those who have seen it seem to be left awe-struck. 

The first reactions to the film made their way to social media after the film's premiere and critics, filmmakers, and comic creators alike were impressed with its enormous spectacle. 

Josh Brolin's performance as the villain Thanos is being especially praised as "terrifying" and "excellent," which is good to know considering he is the bad guy the last 10 years of Marvel Cinematic Universe movies have been building up to.

One thing is for certain, though, based on first reactions: Fans should avoid spoilers at all costs — it looks like their may be some devastating surprises in store.

Business Insider's own Carrie Wittmer said the movie is more stressful than "Game of Thrones":

Josh Brolin's villain Thanos is being heavily praised:

Others were left breathless by the film's spectacle:

It's even been compared to "The Empire Strikes Back":

But some were more reserved in their praise, acknowledging that this may not be everyone's cup of tea despite the hype:

It appears that "Avengers: Infinity War" lives up to (most) expectations. We'll have a better understanding of critic consensus once the review embargo for the film lifts at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. 

"Avengers: Infinity War" opens in theaters April 27.

SEE ALSO: Where all the major Marvel Cinematic Universe characters are right before 'Avengers: Infinity War'

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• A new, free version of "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" starring Super Mario is out now.
• The game is a modified version of the original "Ocarina of Time" for the Nintendo 64, with new quests and characters.
• Nintendo isn't behind the game — it's a "mod" from a determined coder.

Two of Nintendo's most beloved games are now one — "Super Mario 64: Ocarina of Time" takes "Super Mario 64" and "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" and slams them together into something entirely new.

The game, which is downloadable for free and playable on free Nintendo 64 emulation software, is primarily the creation of one intrepid modder named Kaze Emanuar. 

"Super Mario 64: Ocarina of Time" isn't simply "Ocarina of Time" with Super Mario in it — it's an entirely new game built in the code of "Super Mario 64." Instead of swapping Mario into Link's world, Hyrule is re-created in the world of "Super Mario 64" — thus enabling Mario's far more flexible set of jumps.

Moreover, the many characters of "Ocarina of Time" have been swapped for their Super Mario equivalents. Rather than Princess Zelda residing in Hyrule Castle, for instance, you'll find Princess Peach.

Since "Super Mario 64: Ocarina of Time" is a mod and not an officially licensed game, it's available as a free download — the game is playable on Mac or PC using emulation software. 

Interested? Of course you are! You can download the game right here— check out the launch trailer (seriously!) for it below:

SEE ALSO: RANKED: The 10 best Super Mario games of all time

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A mustachioed Italian plumber with a penchant for jumping on the heads of his enemies is, unbelievably, one of the most popular video game characters in the world. Hell, he's one of the most popular characters in the world period. 

Of course, I'm talking about your friend and mine, Super Mario:

It's been over 35 years since Mario first appeared in 1981 arcade classic "Donkey Kong," and, since then, he's been in, like, a lot of games (the Mario Wiki estimates somewhere in the neighborhood of 170). These range from classics like "Super Mario World" on the Super Nintendo, to more esoteric fare like "Hotel Mario" and "Mario's Time Machine."

And now, he's even on smartphones!

Perhaps you have young kids at home who are quickly falling in love with "Super Mario Odyssey"? Or maybe you are? 

Good news: That's a ton of history to dig through! That's where this list comes in: We put together the 10 best Mario games ever made and where to find them (excluding spin-offs like the "Mario Tennis" franchise, "Mario Kart," or "Mario Party" and "Paper Mario"). Let's begin!

SEE ALSO: Nintendo's new Mario game is a great argument for buying a Nintendo Switch

10. "Super Mario Bros. 2"

It may seem like an unlikely place to start, given that it's not a "real" Mario game, but "Super Mario Bros. 2" is fantastic. Notoriously, it's a re-branded, slightly altered version of a game that already existed at the time: "Doki Doki Panic." Whatever.

"Super Mario Bros. 2" is an excellent Mario game.

It's the first to allow you to play as Mario, Luigi, Toad or the Princess. Each of them has their own special attributes. Princess can float mid-jump for a moment or two. Luigi has a slightly higher jump than anyone else. More importantly, it's a surrealist adventure full of crazy landscapes, crazier enemies, and a bird that shoots eggs out of its mouth. It may not be the first Mario game you should start with, but it's one that you absolutely should not miss.

Where can I play this game?

"Super Mario Bros. 2" is available for purchase on the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U Virtual Console. It's also one of the 30 games on the NES Classic Console.

9. "Super Mario Land"

The first mobile version of "Super Mario" came with "Super Mario Land," an excellent standalone Mario game that took the concept of the original NES game and created something entirely new. It's still a standard "platformer" game — you start on the left side of a level and traverse it by moving to the right, killing enemies and avoiding your own death along the way — but "Super Mario Land" is full of delightful additions, like an underwater vehicle you get to pilot. It's a bizarre, thrilling Mario game that, admittedly, was especially impactful on my very young brain when it was first released back in 1989.

Where can I play this game?

"Super Mario Land" is available for purchase on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console.

8. "Super Mario 3D World"

"Super Mario 3D World," simply put, is the best Mario game that's been made in the last five years (before "Odyssey," that is). It's gorgeous, fresh, and perfectly designed. Like the best "Super Mario" games of the modern era, it seamlessly blends nostalgia-laced gameplay with fresh twists. 

As a nod to "Super Mario Bros. 2," players can choose to play as Mario, Luigi, Peach, or Toad — each has the same special ability that they had in the original NES game. "Super Mario 3D World" also borrows the overworld map concept from "Super Mario World" (the SNES game) and evolves it to its next logical conclusion: as an explorable world unto itself, full of secrets. 

Each level in "Super Mario 3D World" feels like a gift waiting to be unwrapped, and playing it co-op with friends and family is a true delight. It may very well be the best game Nintendo made for the Wii U.

Where can I play this game?

"Super Mario 3D World" is available for purchase on the Wii U, digitally on the eShop and in-store on disc. Buy it on Amazon right here.

• Director Antoine Fuqua spoke to Business Insider before revealing footage of "The Equalizer 2" at CinemaCon on Monday.
• The movie marks the first time both he and the movie's star, Denzel Washington, have ever made a sequel.
• Fuqua also gave his thoughts about President Trump's remarks after the Parkland school shooting that movie violence is to blame for school shootings.
• And the director addressed the reports that he's in talks to direct a reboot of the Brian De Palma classic, "Scarface."

Antoine Fuqua has pulled off something no other director working with Denzel Washington has done before: getting him to do a sequel.

“The Equalizer 2” (in theaters July 20) marks not just the first-ever sequel done by Fuqua, but also Washington. The two have worked on numerous projects, from “The Magnificent Seven” reboot to Washington’s Oscar-winning performance in “Training Day.” But it’s Sony’s unlikely hit thriller about a man (Washington) with a mysterious past who disrupts his quiet life to rescue a girl that the two felt was fertile ground to continue with a sequel.

Before Fuqua presented footage of the movie at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on Monday, Business Insider sat down with him (in a backstage room with the film’s producer Jason Blumenthal), to talk about the movie, Trump, and if he’s going to direct the much-rumored “Scarface” remake.

Jason Guerrasio: This is the first time you and Denzel have ever done a sequel. What did Sony have to do to talk you guys into doing another?

Fuqua: It was a conversation that we had toward the end of making “Equalizer 1.” We had a lot of fun together just making the movie. All of us: me, Denzel, the producers. And we were talking about it and it's hard to talk about that stuff with Denzel because he just wants to make this one good. The one we're doing. But we were all kind of like, "Hey, if this works let's do it again." It came out and did well, the audience enjoyed it, and the guys went off to write another. And it wasn't that long, three months after the release.

Guerrasio: Wow, three months after it opened?

Fuqua: Yeah. They gave me the script and I read it and it was better than the first script and much more emotional and deeper. And it hit all the things that I think a lot of people wanted to see. When I would be in an airport people would ask, "Are we going to find out more about this or that?" And the script did those things. And when I read it, Denzel read it as well, and he called me and he said, "This is good!" And I was like yeah, and he said, "Let's do it again!" So that's how it worked.

Guerrasio: I would imagine this was not the first time a sequel to a movie you've done has been floated by you. What sequel pitches have you gotten in the past?

Fuqua:“Olympus Has Fallen,” they wanted me to do that, there were rumors about “Training Day" —

Guerrasio: How can you do “Training Day” again?

Fuqua: I think like a prequel. Yeah, it's been a few times. It’s just not exciting to me to do that really because you have already been down that road and it's rare to get someone like Denzel so you have got to make it right. The script has to be very different from the first one, and it has to be a character he wants to play again, but have enough differences that he feels like he's doing something else. He's an actor's actor, so for him, he's not doing the exact same thing. I can't even get the exact same take. So you think he's going to do a movie twice? [Laughs.]

Guerrasio: I’m thinking about your filmography now, you could probably do another “Magnificent Seven.”

Fuqua: Yeah. I would love to do another one. That's not up to me but I would love to do one. With the right actors. Because that's tricky. You have to get all those guys’ schedules on the same page at the exact same time.

Guerrasio: And do audiences still want to see Westerns?

Fuqua: It's tricky. You never know. The audience sometimes will surprise you. It's timing. You think you know and then the next Western comes out and makes a billion dollars.

Guerrasio: The only thing that will make me disappointed is Vincent D’Onofrio will not be in it. Because he was so entertaining in that movie.

Fuqua: We do it as a prequel. You see what happens? You got the opportunity to do a movie with a great actors and then you kill them off, how do you do another one? [Laughs.]

Guerrasio: I don't want you to give anything away about “Equalizer 2,” but in the trailer there's a shot of Denzel telling a guy to do the Vulcan salute from “Star Trek” and then breaking his fingers when the guy shows him the salute.

Fuqua: That's all Denzel.

Guerrasio: He came up with that?

Fuqua: He did that. That's the fun of it. He's not going to say the exact same line every time the exact same way. Someone on that level, you have to have some fun with it.

Guerrasio: Almost all of your movies deal with gun violence. It's a topic that's big again in society because of the Parkland school shooting. But when you hear President Trump say that school shootings are due to the violence kids see in movies, how do you react to that?

Fuqua: I’m not into politics, I'm a father. I'll say that first. I grew up watching movies — Westerns, war movies, gangster movies, comedies. But are movies the reason people are shooting and killing each other? I don't think so. I would hate to think that's true in any way. We've been making movies since, what —

Guerrasio: Over 100 years.

Fuqua: It seems it's something that's been happening more and more recently, so it's hard to blame something like that on movies. When the president says something like that it's sad because I don't think you should put the blame on one thing. It's all of our problem, not just movies.

Guerrasio: What you see in society, does that affect what stories you want to tell going forward?

Fuqua: It does. That's why I wanted to do “Equalizer.” Because “Equalizer” is about justice. You talk about gun violence, yeah, of course, I'm tired of seeing young black men get shot down in the street like animals. I'm tired of seeing anybody get shot down in the street. Especially innocent people. So you can make a movie with a positive use as well. If you put it in the hands of the right people: Air Force, military, Navy, Navy Seals, Marines, and I'm friends with a lot of these guys and I'm friends with a lot of cops, too. Thank God they are there when you need them, strapped. What I'll say is when you make a movie you have to have a reason you want to make it. I wanted to make “Equalizer” because it's about justice and I think that's the thing we all want. When you see young people die it's heartbreaking, but as a director you can only do a movie to say something. You could get involved with politics if you want to, but I'm not a politician.

Guerrasio: I want your take on the inclusion rider that's been a buzz term since Frances McDormand brought it up at the Oscars. As one of the few African-American directors working regularly in Hollywood currently, do you use that? Do you want to use it more?

Fuqua: I don't know.

Jason Blumenthal: It hasn't been an issue with Antoine, to be honest. We know he wants a very diverse and eclectic group of people around him as a filmmaker. He thrives on that. So we run these colorblind sets. And just so you know, the inclusion rider wasn't even a thing when we shot this movie. Denzel has also been big on that with us, too. He's always wanted us to give people a shot. He's never said, "Give the black guy a shot."

Fuqua: Denzel says, "Give the woman a shot."

Blumenthal: It comes from the top down, so if we weren't running an inclusive set and Antoine and Denzel said we better do that it's going to happen because it needs to happen. But it's been happening with our movies for the last five to six years.

Fuqua: We just do it. There's not really a conversation. We do what's right and who's the best person for the job. And we help bring people up along the ranks as well.

Guerrasio: So I know you're working on a Muhammad Ali documentary.

Fuqua: Yeah.

Guerrasio: After that, are you taking on the “Scarface” reboot?

Fuqua: I don't know. We are still finishing up “Equalizer 2.” Editing a little bit, shaping here and there. Not a lot. The music and all the final stuff we have to do. We did a test last week and it scored through the roof. Scored a little higher than the first one. So “Scarface, “I don't know, man. When I get the script.

Guerrasio: That's such a classic film that if it's going to be attempted I assume, if you were to take it on, you would do it completely different than Brian De Palma's.

Fuqua: Very different.

Guerrasio: Like how De Palma's is completely different from the 1932 original movie.

Fuqua: Exactly. You have to. And you have to find the reason to make it, any movie. I have to find my reason to make the movie. So “Scarface” is one of those movies that I've been talking to the writer and different people about it and I know a lot about that world, it's just making sure when I get the script it's the right reason to make “Scarface.” In today's society everyone feels injustice like Tony Montana. Everyone feels like they are the small guy.

Guerrasio: And hustling to make a better life.

Fuqua: The hustle. So the feeling of that is in the air and coming back to “Equalizer” that's what's important about doing that. It's about justice. When I did “Training Day” it was about street justice. So it always comes back to justice, so I have to figure out what “Scarface” is about for me.

Guerrasio: You're doing “Scarface.”

Fuqua: [Laughs.] 

SEE ALSO: The 32 movies coming out this summer you can't miss

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• In an interview with Esquire, "Solo" actor Alden Ehrenreich accidentally revealed he's signed on for three "Star War" movies.
• The news is a tad surprising, as an acting coach was reportedly hired during filming on "Solo" to help with Ehrenreich's performance. 

Alden Ehrenreich, who plays a young Han Solo in the upcoming "Solo: A Star Wars Story," just revealed a big secret. 

In an interview with Esquire, the actor seemed to accidentally reveal that he is signed on for three "Star Wars" movies. After the revelation, he appeared to realize it was probably a mistake to talk about (Esquire noted that he flinched after saying "three").

"I don’t know if that’s officially, uh, public," he said. "But—yeah.” It sounds as though he has a bad feeling about that slip-up.

We assume the three movies include "Solo," so Ehrenreich is most likely expected to appear in two more movies. 

"Solo" has faced some major production problems as veteran director Ron Howard came on board late into production to replace fired directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller.

Ehrenreich's performance was even the subject of some controversy, as an acting coach was reportedly hired by Lucasfilm to help Ehrenreich. 

Nevertheless, the film stayed on course, and comes to theaters May 25. 

SEE ALSO: 'Infinity War' first reactions call it Marvel's 'Empire Strikes Back' and praise Josh Brolin's 'terrifying' villain

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The trailers for "Avengers: Infinity War" have teased dark times for the Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and the entire universe. That means the possibility of casualties is high.

While it's difficult to imagine some of our favorite characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe reaching the end of the line, the arrival of Thanos to Earth doesn't promise a bright future for many characters — and the prospects of survival are much worse for some than for others.

The MCU doesn't like to kill off major characters, but that doesn't mean characters haven't met their end. And the stakes are much higher than ever before for the heroes in "Avengers: Infinity War."

Whether it's a veteran of the MCU who may be on his way out like Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man, or a character whose very existence poses a problem for Thanos, such as Vision, there are plenty of reasons for some characters to die in "Infinity War."

Below are 9 characters who could die in "Avengers: Infinity War," ranked from least to most likely:

SEE ALSO: Hawkeye isn't in the trailers for 'Avengers: Infinity War,' and people's reactions to the snub are hilarious

9. Tony Stark/Iron Man

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has introduced some notable characters recently who could lead the franchise into the future, like Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, and Black Panther. That means the past may not be as significant anymore.

"Iron Man" kicked off the MCU in 2008, and Robert Downey Jr. has served the character well. We'd hate to see him go, but that's also 10 years' worth of suiting up and protecting the world from danger. Seven major roles as Iron Man later — three "Avengers" movies, three "Iron Man" movies, and a prominent part in "Spider-Man: Homecoming" — and maybe Downey wants to hang up the armor for good. What better way to go out than during the biggest superhero movie of all time?

8. Bruce Banner/The Hulk

Bruce Banner, played by Mark Ruffalo, already exiled himself to another planet at the end of "Avengers: Age of Ultron." Now that he's back on Earth (just in time for the fun!), it wouldn't be a stretch for Banner to want to sacrifice himself not only to save his friends from Thanos but to rid the world of the danger of the Hulk.

Plus, Marvel doesn't seem interested in making a Hulk standalone movie. The most recent one, "The Incredible Hulk" in 2008, is one of the worst-reviewed movies in the MCU, with 67% on the reviews aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. The character was recast from Edward Norton to Ruffalo for "The Avengers," and since then, the Hulk has appeared only in "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and "Thor: Ragnarok." It wouldn't be hard for Marvel to get rid of him. 

7. Wong

Wong already died in "Doctor Strange" and was revived by Strange with the time stone. So it's not a stretch to say he may be expendable in an epic like "Avengers: Infinity War."

The makers of "Fortnite: Battle Royale" decided to have a little fun in response to conspiracy theories that the island will be changed forever by meteors that have recently been spotted shooting across the skies in the game.

In a scheduled update yesterday, Epic Games added a conspiracy-themed easter egg to the scenery on top of a building in Tilted Towers, the games most heavily-populated area, and the rumored target of the meteor.

For a few weeks now, "Fortnite" players have been panicked over the fate of Tilted Towers, the game's most heavily-populated area, as meteors—ever-growing in size and frequency—seem to be closing in.

If you land on the top of a building toward the center of Tilted Towers right now, this is what you'll see:

SEE ALSO: Meteors are falling in Fortnite — and they could change the game as we know it

The scene appears to depict the remains of a conspiracy theorists' stake out: couches, lawn chairs, an ice chest and a loot chest, all assembled in a semi-circle.

For the record, I was killed numerous times trying to get these screenshots.

You'll notice that part of the floor is knocked out in my screenshots because I was tragically not the first person to drop onto the scene, but I did end up placing 34th after just wandering around this rooftop without cover or a weapon for close to 5 straight minutes, so I'll call that a successful round.

Kotaku got more pristine shots of the spread, and weren't playing on mobile.

The rooftop's makeshift living room setup surrounds a TV with no signal...

...and a telescope pointed directly at the now ever-visible meteor.

• Shares of Netflix sank more than 4% Tuesday, their second decline in two days after the company announced an offering of $1.5 billion in junk bonds.
• The new debt will be used for “general corporate purposes,” Netflix said, which will almost definitely include more investment in original content. The company has confirmed it plans to spend $8 billion on up to 700 new shows this year.
• On it's most recent quarterly report, Netflix said it has amassed $6.54 billion in long-term debt obligations already, something that has bearish analysts concerned for its future. 
• Tuesday’s decline comes amid a broader tech selloff after the closely watched 10-year Treasury yield climbed above 3% for the first time since 2014 and investors were let down by Google's earnings report.
• Follow Netflix’s stock price in real-time here>>

SEE ALSO: Netflix is planning to raise $1.5 billion as its 'cash burn continues to grow' (NFLX)

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NOW WATCH: Wall Street's biggest bull explains why trade war fears are way overblown

• According to Esquire, Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the original directors of "Solo: A Star Wars Story," auditioned 3,000 actors for the role of Han Solo.
• But Alden Ehrenreich, who landed the part, was "literally" the first to audition.
• Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said the number is closer to 1,600, though — still a hefty number.

Phil Lord and Chris Miller — the original directors of "Solo: A Star Wars Story," who were fired and replaced by Ron Howard late into production — confirmed a long-standing rumor that they auditioned 3,000 actors for the role of a young Han Solo.

But they said that Alden Ehrenreich, who landed the role, was literally the first actor they saw.

According to Esquire, the directors confirmed that Ehrenreich was the first actor of thousands they saw for the part, and that he "remained the person to beat from day one."

The rumor of 3,000 auditions circulated when Ehrenreich was confirmed for the role in 2016, but this is the first time the directors have talked publicly it.

"We brought [Ehrenreich] in many times, pushed him, tried to test his range, and he was always up for it and brought something new, with a great sense of humor," Miller told Esquire.

"He felt classic and contemporary all at once," Lord added. "He seemed like a tough guy who was really scared."

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy estimated they saw fewer actors, putting the number at 1,600, but told Esquire that Ehrenreich "stood out from his very first screen test."

Either way, that is a huge amount of auditions.

Hopefully Ehrenreich impresses in the final film. He accidentally told Esquire that he's signed on for three "Star Wars" movies, so we can assume he's expected to be in two more after "Solo" — despite reports that Lucasfilm hired an acting coach to help with his performance.

"Solo: A Star Wars Story" comes to theaters on May 25.

SEE ALSO: The new Han Solo accidentally revealed he's signed on for 3 'Star Wars' movies

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Not planning a two-day Marvel Cinematic Universe marathon right before seeing "Avengers: Infinity War?"

Nobody has time for that. 

To accommodate fans who want to freshen up their knowledge, we collected a list of the most essential MCU movies to watch right before you see "Infinity War," which is scheduled for release April 27.

From "Captain America: The First Avenger" to "Thor: Ragnarok," here are the 8 MCU movies you need to catch up on.

(To see where to watch, check our list of where to stream all 18 movies in the MCU.) 

Here's 8 MCU movies to watch before seeing "Infinity War":

SEE ALSO: Where you can watch all 18 movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe before you see 'Infinity War'

"Captain America: The First Avenger" (2011)

In addition to debuting Captain America, this movie introduces us to the Infinity Stones, setting up the story years before "Infinity War." The film's villain, Red Skull, is trying to gain the power of the Tesseract, which contains the blue Space Stone. 

"The Avengers" (2012)

In "The Avengers," Loki is working for Thanos. He makes a failed attempt to get the Tesseract and take over Earth. It's also an introduction to the Avengers team, and Mark Ruffalo's version of the Hulk. In 2012, this movie felt like the biggest movie of all time, but now it feels so small. 

"Captain America: Civil War" (2016)

"Civil War" is important because it divides the team right before "Infinity War." It's also essentially an Avengers movie. Captain America and his friends are now on the run from the law because of what happens in this movie, so it will be interesting to see how a team that is so divided sets aside their differences and comes together. 

"Civil War" is available to stream on Netflix. 

• For years, the entertainment industry has been excited by the possibility of using Virtual Reality to tell stories, but so far few have seen real success. 
• At this year's Tribeca Film Festival, two executives from companies making strides in VR and AR discussed the presence and future of these technologies in storytelling in a panel moderated by Business Insider CEO Henry Blodget, State of the Art: How AR, VR, and AI are Transforming Media.
• The panelists agreed that turning a traditional movie into a VR experience wouldn't cut it — here's what they said works when it comes to a different medium that calls for a different set of rules. 

Virtual reality is a relatively new form of storytelling that Hollywood is trying to master, as experts discussed in a panel at the 17th annual Tribeca Film Festival in Lower Manhattan. 

The panel, titled "State of the Art: How AR, VR, and AI are Transforming Media," included Mitzi Reaugh, VP of  development and strategy at Jaunt, as well as Michael Ludden, Michael Ludden, the Director of Product for Watson Developer Labs & AR/VR Labs at IBM. It was moderated by Business Insider CEO Henry Blodget. 

Over the course of the panel, the tech experts discussed use cases for the different technologies in VR storytelling, where they're seeing success, and what they're most excited about going forward.

“I think photogrammetry is going to be a big part of immersive entertainment going forward,” said Ludden, referring to a sort of 3D model visual that users can walk around.

Both Ludden and Reaugh agreed that if a filmmaker were to take a traditional movie and just turn it into a 360 experience, it's not going to work — in fact, it would just be boring, Ludden said. 

“Fundamentally, [VR]'s a different medium, so there is different storytelling things that you need to consider," said Reaugh. She said to consider two things that really help make a great story: "escape" and "empathy." 

Giving headsets to patients in hospitals and allowing them to temporarily transport to another location allows escape, while connecting with someone by seeing what they see creates empathy; this is why Ludden refers to VR as "an empathy machine." 

That isn't enough to make a distinction between what works for a traditional film and what works for a VR film, of course. Plenty of movies today allow us to escape or feel empathy, albeit not in an immersive way. Reaugh outlined three things to keep in mind in order to create a good 360 or VR experience that people will actually pay for:

• Pacing: “It’s not the same pacing that you would get in linear video, because you have to let somebody settle into the environment and recognize where they are.”
• Sound: “There’s a lot of opportunity to use sound to help the person look where they need to go and follow where the story’s happening.” You need to know which direction to turn your head in, for example. 
• Location: "I think you really have to think about stories where the location matters," she said "Thinking about where it is that’s compelling to transport people.”

Looking forward, the panelists were excited about AR and VR's presence in industries including athletics, healthcare, and enterprise. But storytelling stuck out to the panelists as the application for VR that's most poised for success. 

“You can literally be in the perspective of somebody that’s not you,” said Ludden. “There’s a really powerful emotional, low-hanging fruit piece here.”

SEE ALSO: Father of virtual reality: Facebook and Google are dangerous 'behavior-modification empires' resulting from a tragic mistake

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• French President Emmanuel Macron and President Donald Trump ended a joint press conference Tuesday with an awkward handshake.
• The two world leaders have a history of awkward handshakes.
• Trump and Macron's close relationship has been on full display during this week's state visit.

French president Emmanuel Macron and President Donald Trump met for a joint press conference Tuesday as part of Macron's state visit.

The leaders discussed plans for Iran, North Korea, and trade, but it was their handshake-turned side-hug that grabbed the internet's attention. What started as a handshake turned into a partial embrace and ended with Trump kissing Macron on the cheek, saying, "I like him a lot."

The handshake/hug comes after a day of Trump and Macron's close relationship was put on full display at the press-heavy state visit ceremonies and a year after they first made headlines for their awkward embraces.

Their friendship has blossomed since their white-knuckle handshake at last year's NATO Summit in Belgium, which also caught the internet's attention. Macron gripped Trump's hand for several seconds even after Trump tried to disengage, a move Macron later admitted he planned beforehand by studying videos of Trump's handshakes.

Here's what happened on Tuesday:

SEE ALSO: Here are the best photos from Macron and Trump's historic state visit

SEE ALSO: Macron and Trump's bromance is big, but experts warn it might not be enough to get things done

It all began during a joint press conference on the second day of Macron's state visit.

After discussing policy issues, Trump and Macron began a handshake ...

... that kept going ...

• "Avengers: Infinity War" is incredible, and joins "Black Panther" and "Thor: Ragnarok" as the best movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 
• Thanos is a terrifying and excellently written villain, played magnificently by Josh Brolin. 
• The movie has some fun in the unconventional pairings of the heroes we love, but it's also devastating.

Note: This is a spoiler-free review, but it does reveal some vague details about the film's plot. Read at your own risk. 

In 2011, "Game of Thrones" hero Ned Stark knelt before the diabolical King Joffrey, facing execution.

Everyone thought he would make it, somehow. Somehow he would get out of this. He's the protagonist, after all. But he didn’t. And the story went on, with even more protagonists dying along the way. That episode transformed what television could do, and the stakes "Game of Thrones" established within its first nine episodes made it great.

Now, “Infinity War” has done this for blockbuster movies.

Like “Game of Thrones,” the stakes feel real (and Peter Dinklage is in it). Anyone can die at any time, which gives the movie an edge-of-your-seat feel that will fill you with a cold sweat from the anxiety that builds and builds with every scene. It is masterful storytelling, seamlessly weaving dozens of heroes together while introducing new characters. It’s clever, traumatic, funny, and thrilling. And it’s so action-packed that you’ll probably only notice the 2-hour-and-40-minute running time if you made the mistake of getting a large drink.

The story, which starts very much in the middle of things, follows Thanos as he searches for the Infinity Stones he needs in order to wipe out half the universe. It seems like a strange goal: Most villains just want to destroy a planet (see: “Star Wars”) or rule the entire universe. But with more context about who Thanos is, and why he wants to bring this balance to the universe, it makes sense — and makes him one of the best villains in the MCU so far. While Thanos and his henchmen hunt for the remaining stones, the Avengers — split into various unconventional but hilarious pairings — try to stop them. These pairings provide very necessary relief from the intense action, drama, and devastation in the movie. 

If you think you don't care about any of these characters, that will change once you see “Infinity War.” “Infinity War” makes you feel things you never thought you would watching a studio movie. It also has some incredible performances from Josh Brolin (Thanos), Zoe Saldana (Gamora), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), and Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange).

Before you see “Infinity War,” punt all of your expectations and predictions into a distant ocean for Aquaman to borrow for the next “Justice League” movie. Then be prepared to get your heart ripped out. There have been a lot of predictions surrounding “Infinity War,” and while a few are spot on, it goes so far beyond what anyone has imagined.

“Infinity War” is wildly well-written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, and the Russo Brothers prove they’re the only people right for the job of directing it. Not only do they know and love these characters, they also love all of the movies that have led to this one for the past decade. The Russos have taken what people loved about “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Black Panther” and combined it into one movie. Themes of sacrifice and family make Thanos a terrifying (and very big) combination of great villains like Killmonger and Loki. But those two movies don’t have devastating consequences that will leave you wondering where the heck the story goes from here.

SEE ALSO: 8 Marvel Cinematic Universe movies you should watch before 'Infinity War'

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NOW WATCH: Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump tried to cut a secret deal with Planned Parenthood — here's what happened

At the most powerful address in the country, receiving special visitors is not just part of the job, but a long-held diplomatic tradition.

State visits are the highest-ranking form of diplomatic visits — only heads of state qualify for the lavish public ceremony.

Every president since Calvin Coolidge has held at least one state dinner a year, except President Donald Trump, who waited until his second year to invite French President Emmanuel Macron.

Though each state visit varies to best accommodate the president and first lady's wishes, much of the walking, standing, and shaking hands is required as distinct ceremonial steps are planned months in advance.

The Office of the Chief of Protocol assists White House staff in making sure the event goes off without diplomatic faux pas or embarrassment.

Take a look at some of the carefully coordinated pomp and circumstance, step by step:

SEE ALSO: In a major departure from tradition, Trump will not invite Democrats or the media to his first state dinner

DON'T MISS: Inside the presidential guest house — the 'world's most exclusive hotel' that's bigger than the White House

AND THEN: Meet French first lady Brigitte Macron: President Emmanuel Macron's former schoolteacher turned wife who's visiting the Trumps with him

The first visit foreign head of state to visit the White House was King David Kalakua of the Sandwich Islands (now Hawaii), who former President Ulysses S. Grant hosted in 1874.

The leaders and their 36 guests enjoyed 29 courses, an impressive precursor to the event that would become a widely publicized expected duty of a president.

A state visit includes: a full-honors arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House with a 21-gun salute, a state luncheon at the US State Department, and a White House state dinner.

Only chiefs of state are invited to state visits, meaning the reigning monarch, ruler, or president of a country.

To kick off a state visit, the president and first lady receive the guest of honor at the South Lawn to demonstrate their role as hosts to their visitor.

Visiting leaders usually greet the president in their native language as they join the American leader outside the White House.

They are accompanied by military footmen before reaching a welcoming committee, then the leaders take the stage together.

• DJ and producer Avicii was found dead in Muscat, Oman on Friday.
• In a documentary released last October, he warned that he was going to die if he continued playing shows.
• He retired from touring in 2016 due to mental and physical health concerns and alcohol abuse.
• The documentary, titled 'Avicii: True Stories,' was made available on Netflix earlier this month.
• It was apparently pulled following Avicii's death.

Swedish DJ and producer Avicii, who was found dead in Muscat, Oman on Friday, warned that he was "going to die" in a documentary released in October.

While the cause of death for Tim Bergling, known by his stage name Avicii, has not yet been revealed, the 28-year-old had retired from touring in 2016, citing a series of health concerns that included acute pancreatitis, in part due to excessive drinking, he told Billboard at the time.

In a documentary titled "Avicii: True Stories," released in October last year, he had also repeatedly warned that the touring lifestyle was going to kill him — but that he was being pressured to continue.

Made by the DJ's long-time friend Levan Tsikurishvili, the documentary followed Bergling's life for four years, including his decision to quit touring in March 2016, according to The Daily Mail.

On making the announcement of his decision to his team, he told Tsikurishvili on camera: "When I decided to stop, I expected something completely different."

Referring to his mental and physical health issues and battle with alcohol abuse, he added: "I expected support, particularly considering everything I have been through.

"Everyone knows that I've had anxiety and that I have tried. I did not expect that people would try to pressure me into doing more gigs."

Having been diagnosed with acute pancreatitis at 21, in 2014, Avicii was hospitalised again and had to have his gallbladder and appendix removed. 

He continued: "They have seen how ill I have felt by doing it, but I had a lot of push-back when I wanted to stop doing gigs.

"I have said, like, I'm going to die. I have said it so many times. And so I don't want to hear that I should entertain the thought of doing another gig."

The documentary was apparently made available on Netflix earlier this month, but was pulled following Avicii's death.

Bergling released a number of hit singles in the past decade, including the 2011 EDM hit "Levels" and the six-time platinum song "Wake Me Up," which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2013.

Between 2012 and 2016, he made nearly $90 million from his music, according to Quartz, and is believed to have been earning $250,000 a night when playing sold-out shows.

In his final post on Twitter three days before he was found dead, he thanked the Billboard Music Awards for nominating him in the Top Dance/Electronic Album category.

He is believed to have been in Oman on holiday with friends at the time of his death.

His representatives said in a statement: "It is with profound sorrow that we announce the loss of Tim Bergling, also known as Avicii. He was found dead in Muscat, Oman this Friday afternoon local time, April 20th. The family is devastated and we ask everyone to please respect their need for privacy in this difficult time. No further statements will be given."

SEE ALSO: DJ and producer Avicii has died at 28

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NOW WATCH: Google, Apple, and Amazon are in a war that no one will win

The spring TV season is well underway, and some highly anticipated new shows are premiering next month.

To find out which shows audiences are anticipating the most, the TV tracking app TV Time analyzed data from its 2.1 million global users to see which upcoming TV shows viewers had followed the most frequently on its app.

The list includes streaming shows like Netflix's upcoming dystopian series, "The Rain," and the Benedict Cumberbatch-led, miniseries drama, "Patrick Melrose," from Showtime.

Here are the 5 new TV shows that viewers are anticipating the most in May, according to TV Time:

SEE ALSO: The 20 most popular TV characters in the world

5. "Sweetbitter" — Premieres May 6 on Starz

Summary: "'Sweetbitter' tells the story of Tess (Ella Purnell), a 22-year-old who arrives in New York City ready to pursue a new life. When she finds herself interviewing for a position at one of the best restaurants in the city, she thinks she’s found a steady income and a safe place to wait. But Tess is quickly intoxicated by the chaotic, adrenalized world behind-the-scenes, tasting expensive wine, exploring dive bars, and learning who she can trust."

4. "Safe" — Premieres May 10 on Netflix

Summary: "Tom's wife died a year ago and he's bringing up his two daughters, living in a beautiful gated community, with close friends nearby and a new relationship starting. But when his eldest daughter disappears in mysterious circumstances he realises that in fact he knows nothing about the people closest to him - dark secrets about the people he loves and the place where he lives."

3. "Patrick Melrose" — Premieres May 12 on Showtime

Summary: "This five-part limited series based on the acclaimed novels by Edward St. Aubyn tracks Patrick from a privileged but deeply traumatic childhood in the South of France through severe substance abuse in his twenties in New York and, ultimately, toward recovery back home in Britain."

• The Marvel Cinematic Universe has lasted 10 years and 18 movies, and shows no signs of slowing down. 
• In anticipation for "Avengers: Infinity War," we've looked back at its best moments and ranked them. 

Marvel's "Avengers: Infinity War" is the culmination of 10 years and 18 movies of buildup. This weekend, the Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy finally take on Thanos.

In anticipation for the film, we've looked back on the Marvel Cinematic Universe's best moments. Marvel Studios has given audiences a bevy of memorable ones for casual moviegoers and super-fans alike. 

From Tony Stark's first armored suit that started it all, to most recently "Black Panther's" emphasis on a strong supporting cast of fearless women, the MCU has managed to both portray the best parts of the comic books, and please audiences of all kinds.

Below are 16 of the best moments leading up to "Infinity War," ranked. (Major spoiler warning if you haven't seen these films): 

SEE ALSO: 'Avengers: Infinity War' is worth the 10-year wait and will rip your heart out

16. Star-Lord vs. Ego ("Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2")

"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" attempts to be more emotional than its predecessor. Some of it doesn't work, but when it does, it works really well. For instance, when Star-Lord's father, the evil cosmic being named Ego, reveals that he gave his mother the tumor that killed her, Star-Lord realizes his long-lost dad isn't who he thought he was. The ensuing battle is a blast of action and even some Pac-Man, and that earlier revelation gives it an extra emotional weight. 

15. Odin exiles Thor ("Thor")

The first "Thor" is not that great, but it somehow managed to lure Anthony Hopkins to play Thor's father, Odin. Thank the gods, because this scene is lifted by his presence. When Thor royally messes up a truce between the people of Thor's homeworld Asgard and the Frost Giants, Odin banishes Thor to Earth until he is worthy enough to wield the hammer Mjolner once again. It's such an effective scene because of Hopkins' performance. 

14. The raceway fight ("Iron Man 2")

"Iron Man 2" is one of the worst films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but one scene in particular stands out for being an impressive, effects-driven action sequence. Mickey Rourke is unfortunately underutilized as the villain Whiplash in the movie, but he makes a worthy grand entrance during a fight scene on the Monaco Raceway. 

• Netflix is releasing a 20-episode documentary series that follows BuzzFeed News reporters as they develop their stories. 
• The series, "Follow This," premieres July 9 on the streaming service.
• The show will feature 15-minute episodes, each of which "will follow a journalist as they delve into a variety of topics and settings worldwide — from unexpected cultural phenomenons to controversial social issues."

Netflix announced on Wednesday that it will be releasing a 20-episode documentary series that follows BuzzFeed News reporters as they develop their stories. 

The series, "Follow This," premieres July 9 on the streaming service, and is produced by BuzzFeed News (though several Netflix execs serve as executive producers).

The show will feature 15-minute episodes, each of which "will follow a journalist as they delve into a variety of topics and settings worldwide — from unexpected cultural phenomenons to controversial social issues," Netflix and BuzzFeed said in a release. These episodes are relatively short for a Netflix original series, as the streaming giant hasn't released much video that fits into the "mid-form" label.

The announcement of BuzzFeed's Netflix series follows its in-development TV show for Oxygen, based on the investigative work of the BuzzFeed's senior national reporter, Katie J.M. Baker.

BuzzFeed is not the only new-media outlet to seek out television or premium streaming distribution for video, which has taken on a new importance in the wake of Facebook's deprioritization of publisher content. Besides first-mover Vice with its HBO deal, other new-media companies with TV deals include Vox (with PBS, FYI, and Netflix), Ozy (PBS), Attn: (Showtime), and The Dodo (Animal Planet).

The first episode of "Follow This" will follow BuzzFeed reporter Scaachi Koul as she reports a story on the "enthusiastic proponents" of the so-called "head orgasm" ASMR, or autonomous sensory meridian response. 

"We're thrilled that Netflix saw the drama in the work of our journalism and the stories we tell. And we're so pleased to have brought what we've learned to Netflix's unmatched audience," BuzzFeed News editor-in-chief Ben Smith said in a statement. 

Watch a clip from the series:

SEE ALSO: The 5 most anticipated new TV shows premiering in May

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