Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Charles Murphy

  • Andy Serkis Reveals the Fate of His ‘Andor’ Character

    Andy Serkis Reveals the Fate of His ‘Andor’ Character

    Season 1 of Lucasfilm’s Star Wars streaming series Andor took a deep dive into some uncomfortable corners of the galaxy far, far away. One of those corners included the moon known as Narkina 5, which was the location of an Imperial Prison Complex where Cassian Andor found himself sent following his arrest on Niamos. There, Andor met one of the series’ most talked about new characters: Andy Serkis‘ Kino Loy.

    The floor manager of Unit-Five-Two-D, Loy evolved from a no-nonsense ball buster to one of the organizers of the wonderful “One Way Out!” breakout from Narkina.

    When he was incarcerated, he then almost sheds any desire to look out for other people apart from himself. Just do his time and get out. To try and get out and just survive the sentence, the torture, the desensitization. I think it was that desensitization that made me perhaps have that slightly lost but kind of hardened and toughened shell.

    Andy Serkis on Kino Loy

    That breakout, as you might remember, led to the prisoners having to jump into the water surrounding the prison and the revelation that, after having led the prisoners to freedom, Loy couldn’t join them in their escape because he couldn’t swim. The last we saw of him, Loy was left behind in the prison to face an uncertain fate: did he make the jump or choose to remain in prison and face the consequences? In an interview with ET, series creator Tony Gilroy and Serkis recently revealed Loy’s choice.

    “Well, he didn’t die,” revealed Gilroy, adding “I don’t know what happened, but he didn’t die. We never see him die.” According to Serkis, that means Loy stayed behind at the prison because he certainly didn’t jump. “If he jumped, that would be the end of him and he would be out of the picture,” explained Serkis. “But no, he’s alive and [Kino’s] working out his next move.”

    Does that mean Loy might turn up in Season 2? While neither Gilroy nor Serkis gave any indication, the short answer is most likely “no.” While fans responded well to Serkis‘ character and there might be a time and place for him to return, Season 2 of Andor looks set to move at breakneck speed covering 4 years of time in 12 episodes. The Narkina 5 arc was beautifully designed and shot and had a major impact on the audience and Andor and with the fact that the prisoners there were making components for the Death Star already revealed, it might be best to let that part of the story remain complete.

    Andor Season 2 is expected to hit Disney Plus in 2024.

    Sources: ET Online, Collider

  • Zoe Saldaña Calls ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ “The End for Gamora”

    Zoe Saldaña Calls ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ “The End for Gamora”

    Reactions to advance screenings of Marvel Studios Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 have called the threequel heartbreaking and emotional and that has fans of the franchise nervous as the film’s wide release approaches. Before the film”/’s teaser trailer debuted, fans were already abuzz about which Guardians might meet their ends in Vol. 3 and that teaser (a d subsequent marketing) has only amplified that feeling. While fans continue to place their bets about whifh beloved character won’t make it out alive, one of the film’s stars just threw a little gas on the fire.

    Promotional material for the film has made it seem like several of the film’s lead characters (most prominently Star-Lord, Rocketband Drax) will be facing their ultimate fate in the film. Dave Bautista, now making his seventh appearance as the dense Drax, has made it clear that his time as the character is through and now his sentiment has been echoed by another of the film’s stars: Zoe Saldaña.

    In an interview with THR, Saldaña, whose Gamora has already died once in the MCU, made it clear that while the Guardians will live on, Gamora will not be part of their future.

    I don’t think this is the end for the Guardians. It is the end for me, for Gamora.

    Zoe Saldaña

    As Gunn has said and THR’s report reiterated, there are more adventures in store for the Guardians of the Galaxy, just not these Guardians of the Galaxy. And will Saldaña joining Bautista in moving on from the franchise, perhaps the makeup of the new team starts to become a little clearer even before audiences see the film.

    Stars Chris Pratt and Pom Klementieff, who play the brother/sister duo of Star-Lord and Mantis, respectively, have been less direct about their futures with Marvel Studios. Will Poulter‘s Adam Warlock, who serves as an antagonist in Vol. 3, has a comic book history with the Guardians and his casting has always seemed like one with the future in mind. Groot is almost unkillable and his partnership with Rocket is one of Marvel’s most beloved ongoing relationships. Certainly there’s a team in that mix somewhere, even if it doesn’t involve all of them. However, Saldaña, it seems, won’t be part of whatever new adventures are in store.

    Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 debuts in theaters on May 5th.

    Source: THR

  • CinemaCon: Sony Unveils First Look at R-Rated ‘Kraven The Hunter’

    CinemaCon: Sony Unveils First Look at R-Rated ‘Kraven The Hunter’

    Sony’s CinemaCon presentation didn’t include any news about the status of Tom Holland‘s new Spider-Man deal nor an update on when to expect Spider-Man 4 but they did bring a first look at the film everyone is looking forward to: Kraven the Hunter! Footage of director J.C. Chandor‘s upcoming film was screened for the crowd and, according to reports, it was pretty rowdy!

    Described as “a Marvel movie grounded heavily in the real world“, the footage naturally featured a surprising look at Alessandro Nivola ingesting a serum and then transforming into the Rhino whilst asking “don’t you want to know why they call me the Rhino?” It doesn’t get more grounded in reality than that!

    The highlight of the footage was a violent rampage by Aaron Taylor-Johnson‘s titular character. In an all-out assault on a team of poachers, Taylor-Johnson‘s Kraven brutally attacked and killed them in a variety of creative ways including biting off a piece of one of their faces and spitting out the blood. This of course was part of the revelation by Sony that the film will be an R-rated theatrical release, news that is sure to please that particular corner of the internet.

    Kraven the Hunter is set for release on October 6th.

  • The Final Chapter of the ‘Fast & Furious’ Franchise Finds Its Co-writers

    The Final Chapter of the ‘Fast & Furious’ Franchise Finds Its Co-writers

    One of the most financially successful franchises in box office history is gearing up for its last ride. The Fast & Furious franchise has fascinated fans since the beginning of the century but the end is in sight with Fast X headed to theaters this year and the creative team of the eleventh and final film starting to come together. It was recently reported that Fast X director Louis Leterrier was returning to helm the finale and now, according to Deadline, the film has found its writers.

    The Flash writer Christina Hodson and The Cloverfield Paradox scribe Oren Uziel are teaming up to write the script for the eleventh Fast film which, according to Deadline, is “being described as a companion to Fast X.” Justin Lin directed and co-wrote both F9 and Fast X before departing the franchise last year after some unpleasant business with franchise star Vin Diesel.

    While Hodson has been on a pretty consistent superhero/comic book movie streak, penning not only The Flash but also Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey and Bumblebee, Uziel most recently penned the script for the Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum film The Lost City. Uziel also wrote the screenplay for Tatum’s 22 Jump Street, so this seems like a move clearly designed to get Tatum, who may be the only actor in Hollywood not to appear in the Fast franchise, into the series finale.

    At this point, a release date for Fast 11 has not yet been slated.

    Source: Deadline

  • James Gunn Updates the Post-Credit Scene Status of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’

    James Gunn Updates the Post-Credit Scene Status of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’

    For many Marvel Studios fans, there is nothing more important than the post-credit scenes that follow almost every project. For better or for worse, that is the culture that Marvel Studios has created and although the stingers often distract from a conversation about the events of the film it seems they are here to stay. When Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was screened in Paris, no post-credit scenes were shown, causing some fans to believe there wouldn’t be any; however, James Gunn has taken to social media to address that concern and indicated that fans of post-credit action would be satisfied.

    Answering a question from papaj_419, Gunn indicated that the audience will want to stick around for not one but two post-credit scenes after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which has been confirmed to be the longest film of the Guardians franchise clocking in at just under 2 hours and 30 minutes.

    2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy featured 2 post-credit scenes as well while 2017’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 boasted 5, the most of any MCU film to date. All but two of the films in the Multiverse Saga have featured two post-credit scenes with one running midway through the credits and the other after all the credits rolled.

    Vol. 3 is Gunn’s last hurrah with both the Guardians and Marvel Studios as he moves full-time into his new role as co-chair of DC Studios. Reactions from the Paris screening have said the film is heartbreaking and the best of the trilogy and with further press screenings scheduled to get underway on April 27th, there’s sure to be plenty more reactions on the way.

    Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 opens in theaters on May 5th.

  • Major Animated Character Confirms ‘Andor’ Season 2 Role

    Major Animated Character Confirms ‘Andor’ Season 2 Role

    One of the most interesting aspects of Lucasfilm’s Star Wars streaming series Andor was how it tied into not only the live-action film Rogue One but also the beloved animated streaming series. One character who tied into both eras is Saw Gerrera, played by Forrest Whitaker, and it seems that the character is destined for another go around in Andor Season 2.

    Locations for Season 2 of Andor have indicated that the streaming series would find a way to incorporate not only major characters from the animated series but also the transitional live-action series as well. Despite the bad news facing them and according to Whitaker, Gerrara is set to appear in Season 2 of Andor.

    As for what Whitaker’s Gerrera might be up to ahead of Andor Season 2, it is absolutely tied to the events of Rogue One. The first season of the show deals a significant amount of growth for Diego Luna‘s Cassian Andor. At some point soon, Andor will be faced with the totality of his actions and we all will be left to judge its success!

    Source: comic books are dangerously!

  • First Reactions Call ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ a Heartbreaking Last Tour

    First Reactions Call ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ a Heartbreaking Last Tour

    Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has been set up to be an emotional ride ever since director James Gunn made it clear this was not only his last go around with the team but also the last tour for this iteration of the Guardians. The trailers and promotional footage have done nothing but reinforce that thought and now reactions to the first public screening of the film in Paris confirm you’ll want to bring tissues.

    While most reactions agree that Vol. 3 is a heartbreaker, there doesn’t seem to be the same consensus about Will Poulter‘s Adam Warlock. The ultimate weapon of the Sovereign seems to be a little divisive with some touting the character’s addition to the MCU with others calling him “disappointing.”

    https://twitter.com/MidouMir/status/1649855631489105920?s=20

    Based on the promotional material for the film, some fans have wondered if the introduction of the High Evolutionary might bring some darker moments to the film. It seems that’s the case with one viewer saying there were “touches of terror” in the film and another suggesting Gunn may have tapped into his Troma roots for this one!

    Though there are a couple of early reactions that call the film uneven, it seems that after a rough patch that included Thor: Love and Thunder and Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, Marvel Studios is back on track as more than one critic claims Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is the studio’s best film since Avengers: Endgame.

    With the Hollywood Red Carpet premiere and multiple press screenings coming up on April 27th, expect another round of social media reactions that evening and full reviews landing on April 28th.

  • Lucasfilm’s New Jedi Order Movie Rumored to Be Searching for a New Lead

    Lucasfilm’s New Jedi Order Movie Rumored to Be Searching for a New Lead

    What began as a “top secret” Star Wars sequel-era project being written by Damon Lindelof has now become known as the first project in an all-new era of Star Wars stories know as the New Jedi Order era. That film, which looks to be on track for a 2025 release, is set to be directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and will see Daisy Ridley–and possibly John Boyega–return to the franchise. Though it looks like production will be able.to get underway sometime next year, it hasn’t necessarily been a smooth ride.

    After delivering a script co-authored by Justin Britt-Gibson, Lindelof left the project but was quickly replaced by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. The announcement of Ridley’s return as Rey stirred up both positive and negative buzz, though it was recently rumored she was not intended to be the film’s protagonist. That role was expected to go to Aquaman and Watchmen star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who is already on board for a major Disney project in Marvel Studios streaming series Wonder Man. Now, a new rumor from the same source that initially reported Abdul-Mateen‘s involvement indicates the star has left the project.

    During a recent segment on The Hot Mic Podcast, the show’s co-hosts seemed to confirm that the film’s “original lead”, who was “from Watchmen“, had departed the project. It seems the timing of Abdul-Mateen‘s departure coincided with Lindelof’s decision to move on, though no further details about that connection were given.

    Despite all that, it’s full speed ahead on the New Jedi Order project. Casting is expected to be ongoing throughout the Summer with principal photography to follow in either late-2023 or early-2024. Though it has been made official by Lucasfilm, the project is expected to be in theaters on December 19, 2025.

    Source: The Hot Mic Podcast

  • Lucasfilm Rumored to Be Negotiating with Another Sequel Trilogy Star to Return for the New Jedi Order Film

    Lucasfilm Rumored to Be Negotiating with Another Sequel Trilogy Star to Return for the New Jedi Order Film

    As part of a series of announcements at Star Wars Celebration 2023, it was revealed that director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy‘s film, which began as writer Damon Lindelof‘s “top secret project”, will feature the return of Daisy Ridley‘s Rey. Set 15 years after the events of 2019’s Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, the untitled film will be set in an all-new era of Star Wars stories known as the New Jedi Order era and has always been rumored to see the return of sequel characters such as Rey. Now a new rumor suggests she’s not the only headliner returning.

    According to the Hot Mic Podcast, Lucasfilm is negotiating a return of sequel star John Boyega. If true, it’s especially noteworthy given that Boyega had relatively recently made it clear that he had no plans to return to the franchise.

    At this point I’m cool off it. I’m good off it. I think Finn is at a good confirmation point where you can just enjoy him in other things, the games, the animation. But I feel like ‘[Episode] VII’ to ‘[Episode] IX’ was good for me.

    John Boyega on Tell Me Everything

    While the only known details about the film indicate it will focus on Rey and tell “the story of rebuilding the New Jedi Order and the powers that rise to tear it down” the Hot Mic Podcast co-hosts also suggested that Rey will not be the film’s lead but rather fill the sort of mentor role that Luke Skywalker did in the sequel trilogy. Those rumors seem to fall in line with a previous rumor that Yahya Abdul-Mateen II had joined the project in a lead role. It’s unknown just how big of a role Boyega‘s Finn would have in the film should he agree to return.

    With Lucasfilm looking to use the New Jedi Order film to launch the return of Star Wars to theaters, casting for the project is likely to continue over the next several months. Though the project doesn’t have a release date yet, it is believed that Lucasfilm would like for it be ready for December 2025.

    Source: HMP, Tell Me Everything with John Fugelsang

  • New Report Details When and Where Production on ‘Superman: Legacy’ Will Take Off

    New Report Details When and Where Production on ‘Superman: Legacy’ Will Take Off

    James Gunn‘s Superman: Legacy has consistently been making headlines recently. Gunn recently indicated that he had put together a wishlist of talent for the project and that “early pre-production” on the 2025 release was underway. Now a new report from Heroic Hollywood reveals that the cameras are set to roll on DC Studios’ first theatrical release sooner than expected.

    According to the site, Superman: Legacy will kick off principal photography in Atlanta in January 2024. Atlanta has been a hub for superhero projects over the last decade with dozens of Marvel Studios films and streaming series being produced in and around the area. Agatha: Coven of Chaos and Captain America: New World Order are currently filming in Atlanta with Blade on deck.

    Gunn described Superman: Legacy as the “launch of the DCU” and co-chair Peter Safran explained that the film will see Superman trying to balance “his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing.” A fan of Richard Donner‘s 1978 Superman, Gunn will look to incorporate some of the classic Superman themes that were on display in the film in his Legacy project, according to Safran who said, “Superman represents truth, justice and the American way. He is kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old fashioned.”

    Superman: Legacy is set to land in theaters on July 11, 2025.

    Source: Heroic Hollywood