Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Charles Murphy

  • Sugar Bear Set to Return for ‘Deadpool 3’

    Sugar Bear Set to Return for ‘Deadpool 3’

    X-Force’s most surprising member is back for another round in Deadpool 3! According to Deadline, Rob Delany who played Peter, aka Sugar Bear, in Deadpool 2 has signed on the dotted line for a return to the role.

    Like almost all of the members of Deadpool’s X-Force, Peter met a grisly fate during the team’s first mission in Deadpool 2. While attempting to save Zeitgeist from a woodchipper, Peter was killed by Zeitgeist’s acidic vomit. However, during the post-credit scene to Deadpool 2, Deadpool used Cable’s time-traveling device to save Sugar Bear from his fate.

    In a 2018 interview with Empire, Reynolds explained why Deadpool chose to use the device to save only Peter, the only unpowered member of the team, rather than any of the other members of X-Force. “I love that he just completely ignores this marquee cast that he could’ve saved of useful and wonderful superheroes, but instead went back and saved [Peter],” explained Reynolds, adding, “I always felt that it was important to save Peter, just because in the helicopter before we jump, I say to him ‘I’d never let anything happen to you, sugar bear. I’m just saying this to impress the other guys.’” So, I felt like that was a promise that Wade made early on in the movie, and it was nagging him, so he went back and got Peter.“

    Delany joins Fox holdovers Hugh Jackman, Monica Baccarin, Karan Soni, Stefan Kapicic and Leslie Uggams in the jump to the MCU. The returning crew will be joined by Emma Corrin and Matthew Macfadyen, whose roles have yet to be revealed. Deadpool 3 is set to begin production later this month.

    Source: Deadline, Empire

  • ‘Fantastic Four’ May Include One of Galactus’ More Ignoble Heralds

    ‘Fantastic Four’ May Include One of Galactus’ More Ignoble Heralds

    Though the Silver Surfer is by far the most well-known of the Heralds of Galactus, he was neither the first nor the last to serve The Hunger That Does Not Cease. Due to his role in the comics, various animated series and his appearance in the 2007 film Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, he is often at the forefront of most conversations surrounding Marvel Studios Fantastic Four reboot. Given his heroic nature and status as one of Marvel’s greatest cosmic heroes, there’s no doubt that The Sentinel of the Spaceways will be part of Marvel Studios plans, however, it seems that the studio might be willing to explore other of Galactus’ heralds as they introduce the character into the MCU.

    Several beings have been imbued with the Power Cosmic and served as a Herald of Galactus, searching out planets for the Devourer of Worlds to consume. While the more heroic Silver Surfer did so begrudgingly and often sought to lead Galactus to unpopulated planets, not all of Galactus’ Heralds were so noble. According to an interesting bit of info shared by Twitter scooper MyTimeToShineHello, Marvel Studios Fantastic Four may feature one of Galactus’ most immoral Heralds: Terrax the Tamer.

    Sought out by Galactus for his unconscionable personality, Terrax was once a powerful mutant named Tyros who ruled the planet Birj with an iron fist. Unlike the Silver Surfer, Terrax took joy in finding his master fertile and populated planets to destroy, often culling part of the population himself for sport. Though he was a successful Herald, Terrax wasn’t loyal to Galactus and used his power to enslave an entire planet which he then ruled over as their god. Ultimately, he was stripped of his power by Galactus and left for dead.

    At this point, it’s tough to read too much into the inclusion of Terrax in Marvel Studios Fantastic Four. While his time in the comics as Herald of Galactus comes after Silver Surfers, Marvel Studios has continued to stray further and further from the comics as they develop their films so it shouldn’t be assumed that Terrax’s time as Herald comes after the Silver Surfer’s or that the Surfer won’t play a part in the MCU. Rumors persist that a Silver Surfer solo project remains in the works and it’s hard to imagine an MCU that can finally include all the wonderful characters associated with the Fantastic Four would not include one of the most beloved from that group.

  • Joe Locke’s ‘Agatha: Coven of Chaos’ Role Revealed Disappointing Dozens

    Joe Locke’s ‘Agatha: Coven of Chaos’ Role Revealed Disappointing Dozens

    Ever since he was cast in Marvel Studios WandaVision spinoff Agatha: Coven of Chaos, Joe Locke has been at the center of one of the greatest controversies of our time. Would Locke’s character, described as “a gay teen with a dark sense of humor” and “a fanboy”, be an immensely popular character from the Marvel Comics who fits the description perfectly and, like Agatha, is connected to the events of WandaVision or would he be a character that dozens of fans of Wikipedia skimming recently discovered?

    Despite it making much more sense for Locke to be playing Billy Kaplan, the former of the two characters, more than one insider and plenty of fans were sure he was playing the latter: Nicholas Scratch. The mystery was deepened even further recently when actress Patti LuPone, who admittedly has no clue what the MCU is all about much less too much about the comics on which it’s based, said Locke was playing a “familiar” in Coven of Chaos. LuPone’s words threw fans into a tizzy but fortunately, it seems everyone can relax as Locke’s body double has revealed the Heartstopper star’s role.

    The Scarlet With Update Twitter account uncovered stunt actor Jamie Sears‘ resume which lists Locke’s character as Billy.

    The news comes as a major shot to the gut to the legions of Nicholas Scratch fans out there. If Locke truly is playing Billy Kaplan, it may mean that all of Nicholas Scratch’s great comic book arcs may never be realized in the MCU. Fortunately, with or without Scratch, there’s still plenty of room for Salem’s Seven to appear on Coven of Chaos when it hits Disney Plus next year.

    What’s your favorite Nicholas Scratch story? Let us know in the comments.

    Source: Twitter

  • Pom Klementieff Seems Likely to Join James Gunn in the All-New, All-Different DCU

    Pom Klementieff Seems Likely to Join James Gunn in the All-New, All-Different DCU

    Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 director James Gunn has pulled no punches as he’s transitioned from Marvel Studios to his new gig atop DC Studios hierarchy. Through his career, Gunn has repeatedly shown a sens of loyalty to various actors. Nathan Fillion and Michael Rooker, for instance, have found themselves in more than one of Gunn’s films over the years, even if only in minor roles. As Gunn’s Marvel tenure comes to an end, the shepherd of the Guardians films is continuing the trend.

    Gunn has openly stated that since hisove to DC, he’s courted talent from his time at Marvel Studios in hopes that they would follow him. Now, in an interview during the World Premiere of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Klementieff revealed that Gunn has opened the door to a DCU role.

    When asked if she had conversations with Finn about a DC Studios role, Klementieff, who reprises her role as Mantis in Vol. 3, held nothing back.

    I’m not gonna tell you guys but we’ve had conversations and we’re like making plans already but nothing is confirmed yet.

    Pom Klementieff

    When pressed further about who that character might be, Klementieff didn’t hesitate to shut down the line of questioning.

    There would be one specific character but I can’t tell you now.

    Pom Klementieff

    While Klementieff stayed clear of revealing who she might end up playing, she did share one last detail about the character. “I mean, I knew about the character, yeah, and I thought the character was fucking cool,” said Klementieff.

    Time will tell how “cool” Klementieff’s character is and how big of a part she plays in James Gunn‘s all-new, all-different DCU when Superman:Legacy hits theaters in 2025

  • Marvel Studios ‘Blade’ Adds New Writer in ‘True Detective’ Creator Nic Pizzolato

    Marvel Studios ‘Blade’ Adds New Writer in ‘True Detective’ Creator Nic Pizzolato

    After being announced at SDCC ’19, Marvel Studios Blade reboot went through some turbulent times. Though star Mahershala Ali was on board, the project went through a few different iterations of creative teams before seeming to settle into a groove with writer Michael Starrbury and director Yann Demange. Now, another new scribe has been added to the mix .

    According to THR, writer Nic Pizzolato has come aboard. Pizzolato, who created True Detective where he worked with Ali, has been brought on board to sharpen up Starrbury’s draft for the project. According to the report, Pizzolato has been working with the draft for a period of a few weeks.

    Despite the new writer being added to the mix, Blade remains on track to kick off production in Atlanta sometime in May. That should easily keep the film, which fans have been eagerly awaiting for nearly four years, on track for its September 6th, 2024 release.

    Updating…

    Source: THR

  • First Look at the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ Rotten Tomatoes Score

    First Look at the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ Rotten Tomatoes Score

    After the red carpet premiere of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in Los Angeles last night, the review embargo for the latest MCU installment has expired and the first reviews of the film have been shared. It’s still very early in the process but so far the film seems to be continuing the recent trend of Phase 4 and 5 films not living up to the expectations of critics.

    While some critics are hailing the film as a fitting conclusion to the Guardians trilogy (including our own Michael T. Ford III), others are seeing the film through a very different lens. Flickering Myth’s EJ Moreno called the film “a tonal mess that relies on Disney-style emotional manipulation” while Vanity Fair’s Richard Lawson called Vol. 3 “an odd, lumbering patchwork of a film, occasionally fascinating but otherwise bloated and aimless” and an “awkward franchise finale.”

    The very mixed and disparate reviews for the film are reminiscent of many of the studio’s post-Endgame films which have rarely been universally hailed as successes. Marvel Studios most recent theatrical release–and its first Phase 5 offereing–, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania compiled a franchise-worst 47% Rotten Tomatoes score and of the Phase 4 releases, only Spider-Man: No Way Home and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings resonated with critics in a way that the pre-Phase 4 releases did.

    Black Panther: Wakanda Forever 84%
    Thor: Love and Thunder 63%
    Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness 74%
    Spider-Man: No Way Home 93%
    Eternals 47%
    Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings 91%
    Black Widow 79%

    That said, it’s still very early in the game and Vol. 3’s score could still move quite a bit. While it’s unlikely to end up as high as 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy‘s 92%, it could end up comparing favorably to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2‘s 85%.

    Source: Rotten Tomatoes

  • James Gunn Reveals Who Won’t Play Superman in ‘Superman: Legacy’ and What Traits He’s Looking for in the New Actor

    James Gunn Reveals Who Won’t Play Superman in ‘Superman: Legacy’ and What Traits He’s Looking for in the New Actor

    As James Gunn closes the door on his time at Marvel Studios, he’s already firmly entrenched in his new job at DC Studios and working hard on bringing the first chapter of the all-new, all-different DCU to life. A major part of that first chapter, Gods and Monsters, is Superman: Legacy, a film that’s being written and directed by Gunn and is slated to hit theaters in the Summer of 2025. Production on that film is reportedly kicking off in Atlanta in January and the search for the next actor to bring Kal-El to life is already underway. While at the world premiere of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Gunn was asked what he’s looking for in his new Superman.

    It’s hard but we’re looking and we actually have some really great choices which I’m excited about. It has to be somebody who has all the humanity Superman has but he’s also an alien. It’s gotta be somebody who has the kindness and compassion that Superman has. And it has to be somebody that you want to give a hug. All the Supermen have been good and so we just have to add to that story.

    James Gunn

    Just in case that sounds like Gunn is describing Guardians star Chris Pratt, he was quick to confirm that’s not the case; in fact, it sounds increasingly more likely that Gunn will be looking to cast a relative newcomer as Kal-El, rather than an already established Hollywood star. It goes without saying that much of the success of the new DCU will rest on the shoulders of Superman: Legacy and the audience’s perception of the actor portraying the Man of Steel. As Gunn and co-chair Peter Safran took over the future of DC films for Warner Bros. Discovery, they moved on from much of the Snyderverse era of projects, including actor Henry Cavill who portrayed Superman in several of those projects. The new actor will have to live up to audiences’ perception of Cavill’s Superman in addition to Christopher Reeve, Brandon Routh and others who have forged the live-action legacy of the character.

  • Andy Samberg Reportedly Joins the Cast of ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’

    Andy Samberg Reportedly Joins the Cast of ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’

    One of 2023’s most anticipated films, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, is just over a month away from hitting theaters and news is still emerging about its impressive voice cast. The sequel already boasts an impressive lineup of talent including Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Oscar Isaac, Issa Rae, and Daniel Kaluuya among its stars and now, another big name has been revealed to voice a key character.

    According to One Take News, Andy Samberg provided the voice work for Ben Reilly/Scarlet Spider in the upcoming film. An SNL vet and the star of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Samberg’s role in the film was apparently top secret until very recently while Reilly’s presence in the film has been know for some time.

    Reilly is a controversial character in comic book circles with his origin story being one of the more divisive Spidey stories of all time. It seems unlikely, however, that Across the Spider-Verse will delve too deeply into the Clone Saga as OTN’s report describes Scarlet Spider’s role in the sequel as that of a “secondary supporting character.” That said, there’s a chance the character returns for the third film in the franchise and or even in another animated or live-action film.

    Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse hits theaters on June 2nd.

    Source: OTN

  • Hunger, If You Dare! Antonio Banderas Rumored to Be Discussing a Massive Marvel Studios Role

    Hunger, If You Dare! Antonio Banderas Rumored to Be Discussing a Massive Marvel Studios Role

    The rumor mill around the cast of Marvel Studios 2024 theatrical release, Fantastic Four, continues to churn out some fascinating information. Shortly after rumors of Adam Driver, Mila Kunis, Jodi Comer and more being on director Matt Shakman‘s shortlist for key roles in the film, a new rumor has emerged that might just be the best of them all.

    Scooper My Time to Shine Hello has revealed an unexpected–and quite frankly brilliant–potential choice for a major Fantastic Four character. According to the account, Antonio Banderas is in talks to play the Cosmic Being Galactus.

    One of Marvel Comics most incredible characters, Galactus has been rumored to be a part of Shakman‘s Fantastic Four for some time now. Originally a scientist named Galan who existed in a previous iteration of the multiverse, Galan survived the transition into the new multiverse and became one of the most powerful beings in it and was reborn as Galactus. The Devourer of Worlds has long been one of the Fantastic Four’s greatest antagonists, though a more complete understanding of the essential role he plays in the universe has been developed over time.

    Banderas has remained a force in Hollywood since making the jump from Spanish cinema in the early 1990s. An action star, a romantic lead and a talented voice actor, Banderas has been nominated for Academy, Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy Awards. While it’s unclear exactly what role Galactus will play in Fantastic Four and the MCU in general, Banderas‘ experiences should allow him to play Galan/Galactus in live-action and also provide voice work for the character should he be a wholly CGI creation. Marvel Studios has not yet commented on the cast of the film but at the pace the rumors are flying, it is possible it could be revealed at SDCC ’23, should the studio decide to attend.

  • Marvel Studios Finally Reveals When ‘Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania’ Will Stream on Disney Plus

    Marvel Studios Finally Reveals When ‘Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania’ Will Stream on Disney Plus

    When Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania hit digital marketplaces on April 18th, fans were surprised to learn that it wasn’t also available on Disney Plus. Most of Marvel Studios most recent theatrical releases found their way to the streaming service relatively quickly (around 45 days in several cases) so fans were taken aback not only by the film not showing up on Disney Plus in April but also the lack of an announcement by the studio. With the May 16th release of physical media just around the corner, Marvel Studios has finally indicated when fans will be able to stream it on Disney Plus for no additional cost.

    Interestingly enough, the D+ debut of Quantumania comes just one day after the release of the physical media. While it might seem a bit counter intuitive at first, the reality is that people who buy physical copies are going to buy their physical copies no matter when the film streams…because they buy physical copies.

    According to the box office numbers for the film, plenty of people still haven’t seen the third installment in the Ant-Man franchise, so it will be worth tracking if the film gains an audience via Disney Plus (Eternals certainly got new life through the streaming service) or it it’s going to just reopen an old wound and lead to even further negativity around the film.