Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Charles Murphy

  • CinemaCon: Marvel Studios Title Change for 2025 Film Sparks Online Speculation

    CinemaCon: Marvel Studios Title Change for 2025 Film Sparks Online Speculation

    Marvel Studios One Above All, Kevin Feige, took the stage at CinemaCon in Las Vegas for the first time and the head honcho did not disappoint. In addition to rolling out the first looks at footage from Deadpool and Wolverine and Captain America: Brave New World, Feige also confirmed a minor title change to one of their 2025 projects and left fans with a cryptic tease about its meaning.

    During a recently staged behind-the-scenes video from Marvel Studios’ star Florence Pugh, a new logo and title for the studio’s Thunderbolts project was revealed. Originally titled Thunderbolts, the film’s new logo revealed it was now titled Thunderbolts*. About as minor of a change as one can imagine. During his time on stage in Las Vegas, Feige confirmed the title change while showing off the new logo and also leaving fans hanging as to the meaning of the asterisk. “Yes, you’ll notice the asterisk on Thunderbolts. That is the official title of Thunderbolts and we won’t talk more about that until after the movie comes out.” teased Feige, leaving fans to do what they do best: speculate wildly.

    Typically when placed at the end of a word, an asterisk indicates some sort of footnote is being cross-referenced. That does not seem to be the case here which leaves a little mystery around the minor change to the title. It’s possible the asterisk indicates some additional context is needed to understand the title of the film which is also the title of the team of antiheroes who undertake a secret mission in the film. Given all the online hubbub about one purported explanation for how the team gets the name, it’s possible that the asterisk is indeed a reference to how the team chooses its moniker. However, fans are looking much deeper for explanations.

    One possible explanation that’s beginning to take root is that the asterisk somehow indicates that the team will become known as the Dark Avengers, a team that debuted in Marvel Comics in 2009. Ironically enough, word reached my ears almost 6 years ago that Marvel Studios commissioned a writer to put a Dark Avengers script together. At the time, the studio was also still developing Eternals, Black Widow and sequels to hits like Black Panther, Doctor Strange, Spider-Man: Homecoming and Guardians of the Galaxy that were all intended to be set after Avengers: Endgame, which still hadn’t even hit theaters at the time. Time went on, COVID happened and we assumed that like many other projects that begin development–such as Power Pack–, Dark Avengers was moved to the bottom of the pile, never to be heard from again.

    Could the asterisk point to a Dark Avengers adaptation? Possibly, though the composition of the current roster of Thunderbolts (Yelena Belova, Taskmaster, Ghost and John Walker) is a long way from the collection of scum and villainy that Norman Osborn put together for the Dark Avengers. Even thematically, the name change doesn’t truly fit since the Dark Avengers were almost all non-redeemable sociopaths and psychopaths. However, as we say far too often, Marvel Studios has no qualms about co-opting names and titles without any intention of comic-accurate adaptations, as proven by the fact that their roster of Thunderbolts features not a single character from the original team despite Daniel Bruhl’s Zemo, founder of the OG team in the comics, being fully established in the MCU. Thunderbolts* is cool but Dark Avengers has the A-word in it and the A-word sells.

    Thunderbolts* is currently slated to hit theaters on May 2, 2025.

    About Dark Avengers

    The Dark Avengers, a formidable and morally ambiguous team within Marvel Comics, emerged as a stark departure from the traditional hero archetype. Introduced during the “Dark Reign” storyline, orchestrated by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Mike Deodato, the Dark Avengers debuted in “Dark Avengers” #1 in 2009.

    Led by Norman Osborn, the former Green Goblin and head of the clandestine organization H.A.M.M.E.R. (replacing S.H.I.E.L.D. during the “Dark Reign”), the Dark Avengers were a twisted reflection of the original Avengers. Osborn meticulously handpicked each member, often selecting individuals with dark pasts and a willingness to embrace villainy or anti-heroism.

    One of the most notable aspects of the Dark Avengers was their masquerade as Earth’s mightiest heroes. Osborn, now rebranded as the Iron Patriot, donned a modified version of Iron Man’s armor and positioned himself as the leader of this new Avengers team. The team roster comprised individuals who assumed the identities of classic Avengers characters, albeit with their own unique twist. For instance, Bullseye took on the mantle of Hawkeye, Moonstone portrayed Ms. Marvel, Venom (Mac Gargan) became Spider-Man, and Daken, the son of Wolverine, assumed the guise of his father.

    The dynamic within the Dark Avengers was fraught with tension and moral ambiguity. While some members harbored genuine desires to reform or redeem themselves, others reveled in their newfound power and embraced their darker impulses. This internal conflict often led to explosive confrontations and power struggles within the team.

    Despite their dubious motives and methods, the Dark Avengers proved to be a formidable force, wielding significant influence over the Marvel Universe during the “Dark Reign” era. Their actions challenged the very fabric of heroism, blurring the lines between good and evil and forcing readers to question the nature of heroism itself.

    Over time, as Osborn’s machinations unraveled and his grip on power weakened, the Dark Avengers disbanded, with each member returning to their own path, whether it be redemption, continued villainy, or anti-heroism. However, their legacy continues to linger in the annals of Marvel Comics, serving as a testament to the complexity of the human condition and the ever-shifting nature of morality in a world of super-powered beings.

  • CinemaCon: Marvel Studios Reveals First ‘Brave New World’ Footage

    CinemaCon: Marvel Studios Reveals First ‘Brave New World’ Footage

    As the final big presentation at this year’s CinemaCon, Disney had a chance to send attendees home on a high. From the sound of it, Kevin Feige’s time on stage to present Marvel Studios upcoming slate did just that, especially with the first look at the studio’s fourth installment in the Captain America franchise, Brave New World.

    Though the film is set to undergo significant additional photography this year, the studio still plans to roll it out in theaters on February 14, 2025. Regardless of what’s left to film, enough of the film is in the can to provide a short look at the film.

    In a scene that was described as reminiscent of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Harrison Ford‘s President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross is the target of an assassination attempt. The big reveal, however, is that Super Soldier Isaiah Bradley–first seen in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier–is the triggerman. As per THR, Bradley seems to be a victim himself as music subconsciously triggers him. Anthony Mackie’s Captain America steps in to save the day but the footage leaves open just who is truly behind the attempt on Ross’ life.

    Other highlights from the footage include Ross and Wilson debating over reforming the Avengers and Ross telling Wilson “You’re no Steve Rogers.” Obviously Ross didn’t watch The Falcon and The Winter Soldier.

    Source: THR

  • ‘X-Men ’97’ Theory Thursday: What’s Next Following the Genoshan Massacre…and Who Was Likely Behind It

    ‘X-Men ’97’ Theory Thursday: What’s Next Following the Genoshan Massacre…and Who Was Likely Behind It

    In what was almost certainly the best episode of Marvel Studios’ streaming era, X-Men ’97‘s “Remember It” shattered the peaceful feelings of nostalgia it had established with an emphatic and traumatic blow. The episode’s carnage, caused by a Wild Sentinel, may have been equally deleterious to mutants and fans of the series; however, both must push on and with the series just past its halfway mark, it’s time to look back in order to look ahead and see what might be coming for the remaining X-Men following the massacre on Genosha.

    It looks as though showrunner Beau DeMayo thoughtfully provided fans a week to recover from “Remember It” by spending Episode 6 wrapping up Storm’s very personal side story in “Lifedeath Part 2.” That looks to be followed by a Rogue-centric episode, “Bright Eyes”, before the three-part season finale, “Tolerance is Extinction.” Extinction is a pretty common theme for the X-Men and has been central to more than one major arc in the comics, however, the series has provided enough clues to help zero in on which of those arcs may have served as the prime inspiration for the final three episodes.

    Who Was Behind the Wild Sentinel?

    Episode 5’s attack on Genosha was clearly inspired by Grant Morrison’s first three issues of New X-Men; however, to say it was ripped straight from the pages of that run, titled “E for Extinction” would be wildly incorrect. In fact, the episode seemed to draw at least some inspiration from the X-Men’s Krakoan era with its stylish gala taking center stage, an event at which the most recent mutant massacre occurred. So, rather than a straight adaptation, it seems as though X-Men ’97 is doing a little mixing and matching in mass murder and will probably do so again with the revelation of who is behind the attack on Genosha.

    Morrison‘s New X-Men introduced Cassandra Nova into the X-Men lore and immediately made her one of the most vile villains within it. The beginning of the end of the Krakoan Age was orchestrated by Orchis in Gerry Duggan‘s X-Men: Hellfire Gala 2023. As fun of a theory as it is, there’s no evidence Nova was behind the attack and there’s been no mention of Orchis so far. However, upon closer look, a prime suspect for the attack arises and it’s one who was behind another large-scale attack against the X-Men in the comics.

    Who Is Your Baddy and What Does He Do?

    I’m 1997, Marvel Comics published Operation: Zero Tolerance, an event that ran across its major X-titles. In it, the Sentinel Android known as Bastion set out to –you guessed it–exterminate mutants. As many outlets and social media types have speculated and theorized, Bastion is almost certainly behind the attack on Genosha, which definitely set his extinction plan off on the right foot. And, as it turns out, Bastion has already appeared in the series at least once, if not twice.

    In search of regaining a connection to her mutant powers in Episode 4, Storm agreed to enter one of Forge’s wondrous inventions. As she and Forge walked through the maker’s lab, several pictures could be seen on the wall, including one in which half of a very comic-accurate-looking Bastion could be seen along with Forge. Additionally, there’s a mysterious white-haired man spotted passing right in front of “the camera” in Episode 5 just after Magneto enters the gala. It’s impossible to confirm that’s Bastion, however, it’s entirely possible he was there to make sure his terror attack would be as deadly as possible. And, since he’s just getting started, he’ll likely unleash his greatest creations on the mutants: Prime Sentinels.

    A final piece of evidence that could indicate that Bastion is the mastermind of the attack on Genosha could be the arrival of Cable at the gala. While he was unable to save everyone, the Askani’son’s attempt to stop the attack and share that “he” is coming is still informative. “He” rules out Cassandra Nova and it’s also worth pointing out that Nathan Summers plays a key role in Operation: Zero Tolerance over a three-issue run of James Robinson‘s Cable title.

    Is It Really Bastion?

    With so many stories from which to draw inspiration, it’s possible that several villains could be behind the Genoshan massacre. That said, there’s enough evidence to strongly support a reasonable claim that Bastion will be revealed as the key conspirator. As in the comics, he almost certainly won’t be working alone, bringing some of the team’s most hated foes from X-Men: The Animated Series back into play but, as of now, it seems that this game of Clue ends with the reveal was Bastion, in the lobby, with the Wild Sentinel. Buckle up for the final five episodes of Season 1 of X-Men ’97!

    About Operation: Zero Tolerance

    “Operation: Zero Tolerance” emerges as a pivotal saga within Marvel Comics X-Men mythology, featuring a widespread crackdown on mutants orchestrated by the formidable adversary Bastion. Bastion, driven by a deep-seated animosity towards mutantkind, spearheads the deployment of an army of advanced Sentinel robots and Prime Sentinels, including cybernetic operatives infused with nanotechnology, to systematically eradicate mutants.

    In the heart of the conflict are the X-Men and their allies, with Cable playing a crucial role as both a warrior and a strategic leader. As tensions escalate and the stakes soar, Cable’s tactical brilliance and combat prowess become invaluable assets in the battle against Bastion’s relentless assault.

    “Operation: Zero Tolerance” unfolds as a gripping exploration of persecution and resilience, as the X-Men confront insurmountable odds while striving to protect their own. Amid the chaos and danger, alliances fracture, sacrifices are made, and the bonds of friendship and family are tested like never before.

    Through the interplay of characters like Bastion and Cable, the storyline delves deep into themes of prejudice, heroism, and the enduring struggle for survival in a world plagued by fear and bigotry.

    About Prime Sentinels?

    The Prime Sentinels are a formidable faction within Marvel Comics’ expansive universe, originating as a byproduct of the mutant-hunting Sentinels program. These cybernetic entities were initially ordinary humans implanted with nanotechnology, transforming them into enhanced operatives programmed to track and neutralize mutants. Introduced during the “Operation: Zero Tolerance” storyline, they were engineered by Bastion, a powerful adversary with a deep-seated hatred for mutants.

    What distinguishes the Prime Sentinels is their ability to mimic human behavior, seamlessly infiltrating society while secretly executing their anti-mutant agenda. Their integration into various societal roles, including law enforcement and corporate positions, makes them particularly insidious adversaries for mutantkind.

    Despite their human appearance, the Prime Sentinels possess advanced combat capabilities, including enhanced strength, agility, and energy projection, making them formidable adversaries even for seasoned mutants. Over time, they have proven to be persistent threats, adapting and evolving their tactics to counter mutant resistance.

    Driven by a relentless dedication to their mission, the Prime Sentinels serve as a chilling reminder of the ongoing struggle between mutants and those who seek to eradicate them, embodying the ever-present threat of persecution and discrimination in the Marvel Universe.

  • Rumor Control: The Setting and Plot of ‘The Fantastic Four’

    Rumor Control: The Setting and Plot of ‘The Fantastic Four’

    For a film that hasn’t even begun principal photography, Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four is certainly generating a lot of hype. Known for typically keeping secrets locked up tightly until big events, the studio has been uncharacteristically forthcoming with information about the film, using social media to drive interest in the project. First, it was a Valentine’s Day reveal of the cast through some stylized concept art, new title and new release date; then, on April 4th, another piece of concept art was shared along with a link to Marvel.com that ultimately landed fans on a page created by the Future Foundation. That page contained links to five Marvel Comics that fans have (probably) rightly concluded have had some level of influence on the plot of the 2025 film. And then, of course, scoopers and leakers have been scooping and leaking and much of what they have had to share lately has led to some interesting discussion at all the usual places. What’s the latest buzz? What’s real and what’s bullshit? Let’s take a look!

    Alternate Universe

    The most notable rumor making the rounds is that Marvel Studios The Fantastic Four will be set in a universe other than the MCU’s version of the 616. To be totally fair, given what Marvel Studios has provided for fans to look over, no insider access is necessary to come to that conclusion. Both the original cast photo and the new concept art of the Human Torch provide plenty of inferences that the film is set elsewhere in the Multiverse. The Valentine’s Day artwork which was used to announce the cast made it clear that the First Family was active during the 1960s. There’s a lot we don’t know about the past of the MCU but it’s almost impossible to imagine what sort of horrific retcons director Matt Shakman and the film’s team of writers would have had to fabricate in order to explain how nobody in the MCU’s 616 knows who the Fantastic Four are.

    While there were still potential arguments to be made (after all, Doctor Strange made everyone forget Peter Parker), the retrofuturistic city in the background of the “Happy 4-4 Day!” poster really erases any doubt that The Fantastic Four will take place in an alternate universe. What’s more interesting though is that the retofuturistic city also sort of implies that Doctor Reed Richards and his Future Foundation have had a profound impact on the Earth they inhabit. Honestly, it’s interesting that the Future Founation exists at all on this new Earth because it implies that Reed has done an admirable job of solving everything which makes one wonder if this Reed Variant is so intelligent that he’s become aware of the Multiverse, has built The Bridge and has met other Reeds.

    Whether Reed has knowledge of the Multiverse or not, the audience certainly does. Beginning with Avengers: Endgame and continuing throughout several Multiverse Saga projects (Loki, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, The Marvels and What If…?), Marvel Studios has opened the floodgates to the Multiverse. MoM alone introduced over a dozen new universes. So where is The Fantastic Four set? Definitely not in the 616 and definitely not on Earth-838 because that universe’s Reed wasn’t so smart, as it turns out. As much as fans might want to see the film set in a familiar universe–or at least one that’s been seen on screen before–that really doesn’t make sense from a story telling perspective. Any “known” universe would come with pre-existing limitations, no matter how small (sorry, Binary and Beast universe). To open it up to truly unlimited creativity and potential, the story would simply just have to be set in a universe that has previously not been seen. No muss, no fuss.

    Rumor Control: Yes, The Fantastic Four is set in another universe and it is one that has yet to be explored in the MCU.

    Franklin Richards and Galactus

    One of the more interesting rumors to follow Marvel Studios’ new last week was that Reed and Sue’s son, Franklin, will appear in the film. The rumor suggests that Sue will be pregnant when she’s first seen in the film and that Franklin will be born in space. If Marvel Studios has proven anything, it’s that they aren’t particularly concerned about faithfully adapting stories or characters from the comics; however, Franklin Richards is a singular character even in a world of marvels, so his inclusion is of note.

    In the comics, Franklin is a mutant with immeasurable telepathic and telekinetic abilities who also happens to be capable of reshaping reality. Indeed as a young child, Franklin saved Earth’s heroes from Onslaught by creating an entire pocket dimension for them. Following the 2015 event Secret Wars, Franklin restored the Multiverse by creating all-new, all-different realities. Recent events in the comics have stripped Franklin of all his powers but for one day a year, however, thanks to time travel and flashforwards in the comics, some of his future has also been told and those stories may factor into The Fantastic Four.

    Relevant to the film’s potential plot, Franklin Richards has a long history with Galactus. When Franklin was just a young boy, The Great Devourer of Worlds already feared his power. By the time he was an adult, Franklin became so powerful that Galactus served as his herald. In the alternate Earth-X universe, Franklin became Galactus. It’s not clear exactly what ties Matt Shakman’s The Fantastic Four will establish between the two characters but some buzz has reached our ears that there will be some connection between Franklin and Galactus in the film.

    It’s clear that Reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben have been active for quite some time in their universe and that Franklin’s birth takes place after the team is well-established as heroes. That means it’s likely that whatever Galactus is up to, this may not be the first time the team has encountered him.

    Rumor Control: Franklin Richards does look to play an integral role in the film, which will establish some connection between the young powerhouse and Galactus.

    The Fantastic Four starts production this Summer and is currently scheduled to hit theaters on July 25, 2025.

  • James Mangold’s ‘Dawn of the Jedi’ Brings on ‘Andor’ Scribe as Co-Writer

    James Mangold’s ‘Dawn of the Jedi’ Brings on ‘Andor’ Scribe as Co-Writer

    Lucasfilm generated significant buzz at Star Wars Celebration 2023 by announcing a trio of new films that would bring the galaxy far, far away back to theaters. Each of the three films will be set in eras never before explored in films and two of those in eras never explored at all. Though directors are in place for all three (Dave Filoni, James Mangold and  Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy), there’s been no release dates provided and, in fact, Jon Favreau‘s The Mandalorian & Grogu will beat them all to the big screen. However, as Mangold continues work on his Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown, it looks like he’ll be getting a hand on completing the script for his Dawn of the Jedi era film.

    According to THR’s Borys Kit, writer Beau Willimon has been brought on by Lucasfilm as a co-writer for Mangold’s film.

    Willimon is a known quantity for Lucasfilm, having written three episodes of their Star Wars streaming series, Andor, one of which “One Way Out,” earned him an Emmy nomination.

    As revealed in April 2023 at Star Wars Celebration, Mangold’s untitled film will take place in “the deep past, telling the tale of the first Jedi to wield the Force and harness it as a liberating power in an era of chaos and oppression.” The director explained that it provides him with “a chance to tell the entire story of its own: the birth of the Force,” and to answer questions such as “where did (the Force) come from? How is it found? Who was the first Jedi?”

    Source: THR

  • New BTS Photo Reveals Another Key ‘Daredevil’ Actor Has Returned for ‘Daredevil: Born Again’

    New BTS Photo Reveals Another Key ‘Daredevil’ Actor Has Returned for ‘Daredevil: Born Again’

    Once upon a time in 2022, Charlie Cox called Daredevil: Born Again “a whole new deal,” making it clear that Marvel Studios’ bigbest shooter, Kevin Feige, did not intend for it to be Season 4 of Netflix’s Daredevil but rather Season 1 of Disney +’s version. Needless to say, that’s outdated information in 2024.

    Following a paused production and a creative retooling, Netflix’s shows became MCU canon and Daredevil: Born Again now seems to very much be the fourth season of the series that debuted on Netflix in 2015. After having originally left out, stars Wilson Bethel, Elden Henson and Deborah Ann Woll all joined the cast when production resumed and now another key member of the original cast has been captured on set.

    Ayelet Zurer, who played Vanessa Fisk, nee Marianna, has returned for Daredevil: Born Again.

    Of all the returning cast members, Zurer’s is by far the most surprising because the role.of Vanessa was recast. In March 2023, Sandrine Holt was reported by the trades to have been cast as Vanessa.

    The photo comes shortly after the crew of Daredevil: Born Again threw a wrap party though it’s very normal for additional photography to continue even after production “wraps.” Either way, the bulk of the work on the first nine episodes is done and production is reportedly going on hiatus until November, when the cast and crew will begin work on the next nine episodes. No release date for the first nine episodes has been revealed.

    Source: stevesandnyc

  • ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’ Promo Art Provides a Great Look at the Deadpool Corps, Wolverine’s Amazing Costume

    ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’ Promo Art Provides a Great Look at the Deadpool Corps, Wolverine’s Amazing Costume

    Deadpool and Wolverine won’t hit theaters for another 3+ months but but there will be plenty of marketing and promotion to help pass the time. While the film’s two title characters will clearly be the stars of the show, there will be plenty of other highlights and it’s becoming clear that some version of the Deadpool Corps will be one of them.

    In the comics, the Deadpool Corps was a team of alternate-universe versions of Deadpool that assembled in 2010’s Prelude to Deadpool Corps to take on a multiversal threat. With Deadpool and Wolverine largely set in The Void, it seems that the MCU’s iteration of the Corps will be Variants who have been pruned from their timelines.

    The promo art gives us our best look yet at the members of the Corps: Dogpool, Headpool, Kidpool and Babypool(?). Absent from the art but also rumored to appear in the film is Lady Deadpool.

    Another piece of art for the project sees Deadpool and Wolverine face to face and provides a great look at Wolverine’s comic accurate mask. Nearly 25 years after his first film appearance, Hugh Jackman will finally be sporting a comic-accurate costume when Deadpool and Wolverine hits theaters on July 26th.

    Source: Twitter

  • Production on ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Headed for Long Hiatus

    Production on ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Headed for Long Hiatus

    After production on Daredevil: Born Again paused because of the SAG and WGA strikes and a bit of a creative retooling, the first batch of episodes for the new series are almost complete. There are always some minor finishing touches but with the crew holding a wrap party, the majority of the work is done on what will either be Season 1 or Part 1 of Season 1. With an extended episode count, however, there’s much more work to do and now we have an idea of when production will kick off on the next batch of episodes.

    According to a Twitter user who spent significant time around the NYC set of the series, production on the next nine episodes of Daredevil: Born Again won’t begin until November.

    If that’s accurate, that gives showrunner Dario Scardapane seven months to put together Season 1, Part 2 or Season 2 of the series. As of now, there’s no word on when Disney plans to roll out the first 9 episodes on their streaming service; however, the original plan was to have them debut on Disney Plus in early 2025.

  • Disney Sets 2026 Release Dates for Live-Action ‘Moana’ & ‘Toy Story 5’

    Disney Sets 2026 Release Dates for Live-Action ‘Moana’ & ‘Toy Story 5’

    Following the news that production on their live-action remake of Moana is expected to get underway later this year, Disney has carved out a new release date. Originally slated for a June 27, 2025 release, Moana has been moved back more than a year.

    Disney’s live-action Moana film will now open in theaters on July 10, 2026.

    Moana’s new date means it will hit theaters three weeks after Pixar’s Toy Story 5 which will bow on June 19, 2025.

    Updating…

  • Lucasfilm Reveals a Release Date for ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’

    Lucasfilm Reveals a Release Date for ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’

    Lucasfilm kicked off 2024 by announcing that the next chapter in the story of Din Djarin and his foundling, Grogu, would be told in theaters; however, no release date was given for the film at that time. That’s now been remedied via an official release from Disney that provides a date for the duo’s big screen debut.

    Star Wars will return to theaters with Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian & Grogu on May 22, 2026.

    Updating…