Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Charles Murphy

  • Matthew Lillard’s ‘Born Again’ Character is the MCU’s New Global Shadow Player

    Matthew Lillard’s ‘Born Again’ Character is the MCU’s New Global Shadow Player

    When news first broke that Matthew Lillard was joining Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, the fancasts went wild—was he the new Norman Osborn? A live-action Alistair Smythe? But as the premiere draws near, the reality is much more interesting. Lillard isn’t playing a costumed man; he’s playing the man who makes the costumes possible.

    Lillard’s Mr. Charles–who he describes as having a “Cheshire Cat energy” and a level of chill that should terrify every other player on the board–is exactly the type of character the actor would never be expected to portray.

    Lillard found his way to Hell’s Kitchen via a relationship with showrunner Dario Scardapane that originated from the pair’s shared love of Dungeons & Dragons. “I am the Dungeon Master for all these incredibly powerful showrunners,” Lillard joked. Scardapane apparently liked Lillard’s ability to shape a narrative so much that he wrote the role of Mr. Charles specifically to “plus up” the veteran actor’s unique energy.

    Mr. Charles is described as a “CIA-style spook” and a global power broker. While Wilson Fisk is busy playing Mayor of New York, Mr. Charles is playing a different game on an international stage. In a world where everyone is terrified of the Kingpin, Mr. Charles is notably “unimpressed.” Lillard teased a “delicious struggle over power” between himself and Vincent D’Onofrio, noting that his character sees Fisk as a big fish in a very small, local pond. And in an interesting bit of tethering, Scardapane has confirmed that Mr. Charles reports directly to Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. He exists in the “Val world,” effectively linking the events of Born Again to the larger Thunderbolts* and narrative. So, apparently, it’s all connected again.

    Despite the high stakes, Scardapane says the scariest thing about Mr. Charles is how “regular” he looks. He’s the guy wearing a plaid button-up and slacks to a tense dinner at Gracie Mansion, completely relaxed while everyone else is buttoned-down and bleeding. Lillard himself admits he’s “chewing scenery” in a world that is otherwise incredibly grounded and tense.

    Whether Mr. Charles is there to help Fisk or pave the way for his replacement remains among the season’s biggest mysteries.

  • Marvel Studios Reshapes Its 2028 Theatrical Slate as It Reportedly Sets Date for ‘Black Panther 3’

    Marvel Studios Reshapes Its 2028 Theatrical Slate as It Reportedly Sets Date for ‘Black Panther 3’

    Marvel Studios has once again shuffled the pieces of its planned 2028 theatrical slate. Last summer, the studio had set placeholders for four feature films. Now, the powers that be have pruned one date and moved another 5 months down the road.

    The studio’s planned February 18, 2028 date has been moved to July 28, 2028 and it’s November 10, 2028 date has been removed from the calendar entirely.

    New Slate

    • May 5, 2028
    • July 28 2028
    • December 15, 2028

    Old Slate

    • February 18, 2028
    • May 5, 2028
    • November 10, 2028
    • December 15, 2028


    Following the announcement, Jeff “The In” Sneider, hinted strongly that Black Panther 3 would claim the newly-moved July date. While that’s not been verified, it was previously believed that the third film in the Black Panther franchise would hit theaters in February 2028, making reasonable to assume that the move to July was to accommodate writer/director Ryan Coogler. Coogler is expected to begin work on the pilot for his X-Files revival and the move would provide him time to complete work on the script for Black Panther 3.

    Source: Deadline

  • The “About-Turn” —New Details Emerge About How Marvel Frankenstein-ed ‘Born Again’ into a Netflix Sequel

    The “About-Turn” —New Details Emerge About How Marvel Frankenstein-ed ‘Born Again’ into a Netflix Sequel

    The last two years of tracking Daredevil: Born Again revealed significant behind-the-scenes turbulence, but we finally have the surgical breakdown of exactly how Marvel Studios reworked he show from its original, “legal procedural” premise.

    In a candid new interview with USA Today, series lead Charlie Cox pulled back the curtain on the “Herculean task” showrunner Dario Scardapane faced when he was hired to fix a season that was already half-finished. According to Cox, the overhaul wasn’t just a few reshoots—it was a complete structural “about-turn.”

    When the creative reset happened in late 2023, Marvel found themselves with six episodes of footage that “didn’t quite work” but contained “brilliant” individual scenes. Rather than tossing it all, Scardapane—who previously wrote for The Punisher—essentially re-engineered the season’s DNA.

    Scardapane wrote and filmed a brand-new Episode 1 from scratch. This new pilot was designed specifically to bridge the gap between the 2018 Netflix finale and the current MCU, re-establishing the “dream” of Nelson, Murdock, and Page. In what was described as a “Frankenstein job”, the original six episodes were moved. What was supposed to be Episodes 1 through 6 became Episodes 2 through 7. To stick the landing (a phrase made very important on social media by Marvel stans) and tie the new narrative threads together, Scardapane wrote a two-part finale to replace the original ending.

    The new team filmed a series of “interstitial scenes” to be woven into the existing middle episodes, ensuring the transition from the new pilot to the old footage felt seamless. And the result was a frustratingly fantastic return to the streets of New York City.

    The original version, steered by Matt Corman and Chris Ord, famously kept Matt Murdock out of the Daredevil suit until Episode 4. Kevin Feige reportedly pulled the plug after realizing the show lacked the “brutality and pathos” that made the Netflix run a hit. The overhaul brought Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson),  Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll), Vanessa Fisk (Ayelet Zurer) and Bullseye (Wilson Bethel) back into the fold after they were originally omitted from the series. And, perhaps most importantly, the “About-Turn” allowed them to lean back into the dark, street-level tone that fans have been begging for since 2018 in Season 2.

    Marvel has turned a potential disaster into what looks like a genuine love letter to the Defenders era. Scardapane’s ability to  Frankenstein two different visions into one cohesive Season 2 which, according to early reactions, should be a hit with fans.

  • Bearded Behind Bars —Charlie Cox’s New Look May Tease ‘Born Again’ Season 3 Building the “Devil in Cell Block D”

    Bearded Behind Bars —Charlie Cox’s New Look May Tease ‘Born Again’ Season 3 Building the “Devil in Cell Block D”

    Charlie Cox’s recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! may have been massive, scruffy spoiler for the future of the Man Without Fear. Cox showed up sporting an uncharacteristically thick beard while revealing he had finished shooting scenes for Season 3 in New York just 12 hours prior.

    For fans of the comics, that facial hair isn’t just a style choice; it’s a beacon pointing directly toward one of Matt Murdock’s most harrowing chapters: The Devil in Cell Block D.

    It’s been theorized to be a potential source of inspiration for some time but Cox’s new look has brought the possibility of Season 3 adapting Ed Brubaker’s legendary “The Devil in Cell Block D” arc back into the spotlight. The story Matt Murdock is outed, arrested, and thrown into Ryker’s Island alongside the very criminals he put away…and it could work pretty brilliantly as the third season of Marvel Television’s flagship series.

    Cox told Kimmel he’s been filming heavy action sequences where he’s “getting cut a lot” and covered in prosthetic scars. This fits the brutal, close-quarters desperation of a prison riot or a no-rules brawl behind bars, similar to what fans loved in Season 2 of the Netflix Series.

    While the film studio is taking its time, Marvel Television Marvel is moving at breakneck speed. By filming Season 3 before Season 2 even premieres, they are ensuring that the street-level corner of the MCU has a consistent, high-stakes narrative through 2026 and 2027.

  • ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Obliterates Global Records with 718 Million Views

    ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Obliterates Global Records with 718 Million Views

    Peter Parker is officially the most powerful draw in entertainment history.

    If you thought the hype for No Way Home was the ceiling for the Spider-Man franchise, you were wrong. Sony and Marvel Studios officially dropped the first trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day on Wednesday, and the 24-hour results aren’t just a “success—they rewrote every record in the book.

    According to official data from WaveMetrix, the trailer racked up a staggering 718.6 million views in its first 24 hours. To put that in perspective, it didn’t just beat the previous record-holder, Deadpool & Wolverine at 365 million—it nearly doubled it. In fact, Spidey surpassed the 24-hour record in just eight hours.

    The record-breaking numbers are a direct result of a brilliant marketing gamble. Sony used a “Global Sun” rollout where fans in different time zones released puzzle pieces of the footage. By the time the full 1:59 master cut arrived, the entire world was already leaning in.

    Marvel needed a win that felt grounded yet high-stakes. Brand New Day is delivering exactly that. By stripping away the Stark-tech and the Avengers’ safety net, they’ve made Spider-Man vulnerable again. With 718 million views, the floor for Brand New Day isn’t just a billion—it’s a run for the $2 billion club. July 31st can’t get here fast enough.

  • Fanning the Flames — Ryan Gosling Confirms “Complicated” Ghost Rider Conversations with Marvel

    Fanning the Flames — Ryan Gosling Confirms “Complicated” Ghost Rider Conversations with Marvel

    The worst-kept secret in the MCU just got a hell of a lot more interesting. For years, Ryan Gosling has been the internet’s favorite fancast for Johnny Blaze, and the actor himself hasn’t exactly been shy about his desire to “set his face on fire.” But today, the smoke finally led to a fire.

    While promoting his upcoming sci-fi flick, Project Hail Mary, on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Gosling dropped a nuke: discussions with Marvel Studios have officially happened.

    When host Josh Horowitz asked point-blank if he had met with Kevin Feige about the Spirit of Vengeance, Gosling hit the gas instead of the brakes. “Some discussions have been had,” Gosling teased. “It’s a complicated situation. But we keep hope alive.”

    It sounds as though both sides of the equation are equally interested in making the discussions bear fruit. In 2022, Marvel Studios Head Honcho Kevin Feige said that if Gosling wantes to be Ghost Rider, they’d love to find a place for him. “Ryan is amazing… I’d love to find a place for him in the MCU,” Feige said at the time.

    The timing of these comments is interesting. With Project Hail Mary currently sitting at a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and Gosling the star of Shawn Levy’s upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter, his star power has never been higher. Marvel needs a heavy hitter to anchor their supernatural corner, and Gosling has the rare ability to play the reluctant hero with the exact kind of intensity Johnny Blaze requires. And with the character allegedly set to be part of the ensemble cast in the rumored Midnight Sons project, a resolution to the situation may be coming sooner than later.

  • Paramount Reveals ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 4’ Title and Massive All-Star Cast

    Paramount isn’t wasting any time. Following the massive global success of the third installment, the studio has officially kicked off the marketing blitz for Sonic the Hedgehog 4. The studio put together a quick tease of the official title treatment and a cast list that proves this franchise is now the undisputed heavyweight champion of video game adaptations.

    Despite months of rumors suggesting the film might be titled Sonic CD or Sonic Adventure, Paramount is sticking to the numbers for now. The official title is simply Sonic the Hedgehog 4. The new title treatment features a metallic, neon-pink 4 that could be a nod to the color palette of Amy Rose, who is set to be voiced by Kristen Bell.

    In addition to the return of the core actors, the cast list confirmed that Keanu Reeves will be back as Shadow and that despite his retirement talks, Jim Carrey is indeed back as Dr. Robotnik. Also Joining the film is acting legend Sir Ben Kingsley, Nick Offerman, Matt Berry and Richard Ayoade.https://static0.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Sonic-and-Metal-Sonic-in-Sonic-OVA.jpg

    While not explicitly named in the cast list, the teaser features a distinct mechanical whirring sound and a flash of red optical sensors that all but confirms Metal Sonic will be the primary physical threat this time around.

    With principal photography already underway–director Jeff Fowler recently shared a snap of Amy’s Piko Piko Hammer on set–the two-year wait for March 2027 is going to be a long one for the Blue Blur’s biggest fans.

  • Disney Sets 2028 Release Dates for ‘Incredibles 3’ and ‘Lilo & Stitch 2’

    Disney Sets 2028 Release Dates for ‘Incredibles 3’ and ‘Lilo & Stitch 2’

    Disney is officially staking its claim on 2028. The House of Mouse has locked in two massive sequels for the same summer window, ensuring that the sequel-heavy strategy is here to stay.

    While we’ve known these projects were in the pipeline since the D23 announcements last year, we now have a much clearer picture of when the Parr family and Experiment 626 will be returning to theaters just three weeks apart.

    The live-action side of the studio is moving fast on a follow-up to last year’s massive hit. Lilo & Stitch 2 May 26, 2028.

    The studio’s live-action Lilo & Stitch became the highest-grossing live-action/animated hybrid in history last summer, crossing the $1 billion mark. Rumors suggest the film will move away from the  Stitch Has a Glitch plot to introduce a wider array of Jumba’s experiments—including fan-favorites like Angel (624) and Reuben (625).

    Pixar’s Incredibles 3 has officially landed a prime summer slot: June 18, 2028.

    Peter Sohn (Elemental) is taking over the director’s chair, while original mastermind Brad Bird remains involved as an executive producer and writer to keep the DNA of the first two films intact.

  • Neogenic Nightmares — ‘Brand New Day’ Mixes Full Body Horror with 90s Animated Vibes

    Neogenic Nightmares — ‘Brand New Day’ Mixes Full Body Horror with 90s Animated Vibes

    If the new Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer felt a little familiar to you, it’s probably because director Destin Daniel Cretton is tapping into a very specific era of Spidey lore. While the movie takes its name from the 2008 comic reset, the footage is screaming “Neogenic Nightmare”—the infamous Season 2 arc from the beloved Spider-Man: The Animated Series.

    Cretton has previously cited the 90s cartoon as his definitive version of the wall-crawler, and the trailer confirms he’s bringing that show’s brand of genetic anxiety to the MCU.

    In the 14-epiaose second season of the animated series, Peter’s greatest enemy wasn’t a guy in a suit; it was his own DNA. And from what can be gleaned from the long-awaited first trailer, that seems to be the case for Tom Holland‘s Peter in Brand New Day.

    Faces with a problem he can’t handle on his own, Peter isn’t seeking help from a wizard this time; he’s going to Bruce Banner. We see Banner warning Peter that if his DNA continues to mutate, it will be “enormously dangerous.” The decision echoes Peter seeking out help from Charles Xavier, who is something of an expert himself on mutations, in “The Mutant Agenda” episode.

    While some of the information about the plot of the new film leaked some time ago, fans theorized that Peter’s transformation wouldn’t actually take place in the film but was rather a hallucination caused by Jean Grey, who is reportedly being played by Sadie Sink. However, the trailer explicitly shows Peter waking up in a web-like cocoon and realizing he’s developed organic web-shooters. In the 90s show, these power upgrades were among the terrifying first symptoms of what was to come.

    Between a beleaguered Peter collapsing and the life cycles monologue from Tombstone, the trailer is heavily foreshadowing a physical transformation. If Peter’s DNA is truly mutating as Banner says, it seems as though the Man-Spider won’t be far behind.

    To further the similarities, Jon Bernthal’s Frank Castle makes his long-awaited film debut here, though his role seems to be far different from the one in the animated series in which the Punisher hunts Spidey.

    By blending the forgotten man status quo of the comics with the genetic tragedy of the 90s show, Cretton is truly cooking with some special gas. Simply put, the more time Peter spends as Spidey, the more he becomes the Spider. And without his friends to ground him in a world where nobody remembers him, Brand New Day looks to be a desperate race against time to stop Peter from turning into something unrecognizable.

  • ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Trailer Swings In

    A new day has officially dawned for Peter Parker…and things are going great. After a global, fan-led marketing blitz that saw snippets of the film popping up from Lima to Seoul, Sony and Marvel have finally dropped the full trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

    Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton m, this fourth Tom Holland-led entry isn’t just a sequel; it’s being framed as a rebirth. Set four years after the world forgot Peter Parker, we find a hero who has mastered the Spider-Man side of his life but is completely failing at the Peter side.

    The Monologue

    The trailer is anchored by a chilling, gravelly voiceover from what sounds an awful lot like Keith David. He lays out the film’s core theme: “Spiders have three life cycles. And between cycles, it can leave the spider vulnerable to threats. Those spiders that survive… go through a kind of rebirth.“

    Key Trailer Reveals

    • The Key to the City Spoiler: In a move that has already set the Daredevil fandom on fire, one clip shows Spider-Man receiving the key to New York City from Sheila Rivera who is definitely not Wilson Fisk. This seemingly confirms that the Mayor Fisk era comes to a definitive (and likely disgraced) end in Daredevil: Born Again Season 2
    • The Punisher & The Hulk: We get our first look at Jon Bernthal’s Frank Castle and Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner. While Peter initially goes to Banner to help with his glitching, unstable powers, rumors tease a much darker turn—with Ruffalo tapping into the feral, out-of-control Grey Hulk persona.
    • The MJ Mystery: Despite the spell, MJ is back. The trailer shows a heart-wrenching moment where Peter attends a college party only to see MJ with a new boyfriend. However, a later shot shows Spidey and MJ sharing a moment on a rooftop, suggesting that while she doesn’t know Peter, she’s starting to know the man under the mask.
    • The Man-Spider: Peter’s body is literally fighting him. We see him collapsing in his apartment and mention of a metamorphosis. It seems as though the rumors of the Man-Spider transformation are true, setting up the most body-horror-heavy Spidey film to date.

    The trailer’s action peak features a massive prison break involving Michael Mando’s Scorpion and a literal army of Hand Ninjas in bright red, comic-accurate gear. This marks the first time the Hand has appeared in the MCU and they look deadlier than ever.

    After the record-breaking global success of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Spider-Man: Brand New Day marks an entirely new chapter for Peter Parker and Spider-Man. Four years have passed since the events of No Way Home, and Peter is now an adult living entirely alone, having voluntarily erased himself from the lives and memories of those he loves. Crime-fighting in a New York that no longer knows his name, he’s devoted himself entirely to protecting his city — a full-time Spider-Man — but as the demands on him intensify, the pressure sparks a surprising physical evolution that threatens his existence, even as a strange new pattern of crimes gives rise to one of the most powerful threats he has ever faced.

    -Official synopsis