Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Charles Murphy

  • Kevin Feige Calls ‘Fantastic Four’ A Pillar of the MCU, Teases Forthcoming Updates

    Kevin Feige Calls ‘Fantastic Four’ A Pillar of the MCU, Teases Forthcoming Updates

    It’s been nearly four years since Kevin Feige announced that Marvel Studios was developing a Fantastic Four film. At the time, no details were shared about the project and, unfortunately, in the time that’s passed since the announcement, not much has changed on that front. The studio has provided information on the writers, director and release date but as the project continues to get pushed back, the lack of any solid information about it seems to be wearing on fans. It looks like that may change sooner rather than later, however.

    In an interview with EW, Marvel Studios’ gato grande gave a brief, but promising update on the state of Fantastic Four. Feige revealed that along with the two saga-ending Avengers films, Fantastic Four is one of the projects he is most excited about. “The only other one in terms of me personally and my 23-year history is the Fantastic Four,” Feige said of which upcoming projects peaked his personal interest. “We sort of talked about mutants and that whole aspect to the Marvel world, but Fantastic Four is the foundation for everything that came after in the comics,” he explained.

    Despite the wait, fans are certainly excited as well and, according to Feige, the wait may be ending soon. “People will start to hear more about that [Fantastic Four] soon,” pledged Feige. “We plan on that being a big pillar of the MCU going forward, just the way they’ve been in the comics for 50 or 60 years.” “Soon” is a very relative term. It could mean next week or it could mean July, but with a script complete and casting in the works, desperate fans will hope it’s the latter.

    Source: EW

  • First Look at Harley Quinn from ‘Joker 2’

    First Look at Harley Quinn from ‘Joker 2’

    It’s Valentine’s Day and no couple loves harder than Harley Quinn and Joker. The crazed pair of lovers is set to share the stage in Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie à Deux and the director used today’s romantic holiday to give fans their first look at the duo.

    Lady Gaga will be bringing Phillips’ version of Harley Quinn to life in the Joker sequel, which will be, in part, a musical. The film, which is now part of DC’s Elseworlds brand, is slated to hit theaters on October 4th, 2024.

  • Kevin Feige Details Bucky’s Role in ‘Thunderbolts’

    Kevin Feige Details Bucky’s Role in ‘Thunderbolts’

    One of Marvel Studios’ most talked about upcoming projects is the 2024 theatrical release Thunderbolts. The team’s roster was revealed at D23 and while it certainly doesn’t resemble any particular iteration from the comics, its composition raised the collective eyebrows of fans. Serving as a quasi-sequel to Black Widow, Thunderbolts will see Florence Pugh, David Harbour and Olga Kurylenko reprise their respective roles as Yelena Belova, Red Guardian and Taskmaster. They are set to be joined by Hannah John-Kamen‘s Ghost, Wyatt Russell‘s U.S. Agent and the film’s MCU old-timer, Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes.

    Julia Louis-Dreyfus‘s Valentina Allegra de Fontaine has been busy assembling the titular Thunderbolts throughout the first phase of the Multiverse Saga, collecting Yelena and John Walker along the way. While some of the other characters set to join the team don’t come as a surprise, Bucky’s arc in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier didn’t seem to leave him in a place to be a “joiner.” In an interview with EW, Marvel Studios head honcho Kevin Feige talked about the team of what he calls “barely heroes” and Bucky’s surprising inclusion.

    That’s another one. We’ve got a lot of things that start shooting relatively soon. What’s fun about that, and I sort of said this at D23, is that they are barely heroes. None of them would consider themselves heroes. When your de facto leader is Bucky Barnes, that’s sort of all you need to know. That’s the trickle down. But again, it goes to the amazing work that [casting director] Sarah Finn has done across the whole MCU. You’ve got David Harbour and Florence Pugh and these people who are at the top of their game and popping in everything they’re doing. They’re already here and established in the MCU, and we get to build the movie around them.

    Kevin Feige

    So what is Bucky doing on a team of non-heroes? It’s a great question and one that might have its answer in the character’s deep ties to Wakanda. He certainly isn’t in their good graces at the moment so perhaps some time as the White Wolf of Wakanda is in order.

    Thunderbolts is scheduled to hit theaters in July 2024.

    Source: EW

  • Kamala Khan Set to Steal the Show in ‘The Marvels’

    Kamala Khan Set to Steal the Show in ‘The Marvels’

    After Avengers: Endgame marked the end of the road for many of the MCU’s key heroes, Phase 4 introduced a number of new heroes who look to be headed for big things in the Multiverse Saga. One such character, Kamala Khan, will be spinning out of her own show, Ms. Marvel, and into July’s Captain Marvel sequel, The Marvels, where she’ll share the screen with Monica Rambeau, another of Phase 4’s new heroes, and Carol Danvers.

    In an interview with EW, Marvel Studios One Above All, Kevin Feige, was asked to reflect back on the success and challenges of Phase 4 and used the opportunity to gush about Kamala Khan and her role in The Marvels.

    Kamala Khan, for instance, is a great new character in the pantheon. I’m very proud of the Ms. Marvel show. I also know — and this is a spoiler — she essentially steals The Marvels, which is coming out.

    Kevin Feige

    Feige was also asked about the dynamic between the film’s three leads: Carol, Kamala and Monica. “That’s what the entire movie is about,” explained. “There are fun cosmic elements to it. Marvel comic fans will recognize elements of the Kree-Skrull war. And it’s picking up directly after the end of Captain Marvel 1, not in timeline but in story,” he said of the sequel. “But there’s something immensely powerful about seeing Monica and Kamala and Carol together in a frame,” Feige continued about bringing the heroes together. “To me, it’s only akin to the first Avengers movie and seeing the six of them together in a frame. It’s chill-inducing. They’re so great together, and they all have different histories with one another.”

    Comparisons to prior big-time MCU films kept coming from Feige as he couldn’t contain his excitement for the project, especially when it came to describing how in-universe MCU superfan Kamala Khan fits in. “The great thing about Kamala in her show, and now in this movie, is that she’s not unlike Tom Holland’s Peter Parker in Civil War,” said Fegie of Iman Vellani’s character. “She can’t believe she’s with these other heroes, and can’t believe that she finds herself in these places. And that’s fun because we want to be that. I want to be that.“

    It sounds like Vellani‘s trajectory toward stardom will get another major boost this summer!

    Source: EW

  • Kevin Feige on Moon Knight’s MCU Future

    Kevin Feige on Moon Knight’s MCU Future

    Marvel Studios D+ streaming series Moon Knight was well-received by critics and fans, leaving the latter hungry for more adventures with the character. Star Oscar Issac and director Mohamed Diab seem ready to spin more stories as well, but nearly a year after the conclusion of the first series, the future of the character has remained a mystery…until now.

    In an interview with EW, Marvel Studios’ biggest decision maker, finally gave some insight into what’s next for Moon Knight. “I think there’s a future for that character as we move forward,” Feige said of Marc, Steven and apparently Jake. Whether that means a second season of the show or simply a continuation of his story told in theatrical projects is unclear, but with Marvel Studios looking to cut back a bit on the number of streaming projects and their pacing, Season 2 of Moon Knight might be YEARS away. In that case, the Fist of Khonshu might turn up as a powerful ally to the Avengers in a film or two before the end of the Multiverse Saga!

    Source: EW

  • Marvel Studios to Cut Back on Disney Plus Programming

    Marvel Studios to Cut Back on Disney Plus Programming

    Not too long ago, it seemed as though rolling out four films and four streaming series might be the norm for Marvel Studios, but 2022 was not without its challenges. For some time now, rumors have swirled that Marvel Studios might look to cut back on the amount of content it releases each year as it learned from its first couple of years of streaming programming. While Kevin Feige isn’t ready to put a number to it, it sounds like fans might be getting back to waiting longer in between projects.

    In an interview with EW, Feige was asked about the studio’s ever-expanding library of content, which has become the source of frustration and jokes among fans.

    “It is harder to hit the zeitgeist when there’s so much product out there — and so much “content,” as they say, which is a word that I hate,” said Feige. “But we want Marvel Studios and the MCU projects to really stand out and stand above. So, people will see that as we get further into Phase 5 and 6. The pace at which we’re putting out the Disney+ shows will change so they can each get a chance to shine.”

    When asked to clarify if a change of pace meant spacing out the shows or releasing fewer a year, Feige gave a relatively clear answer, “Both, I think.” Part of that process may be a natural progression as the studio realizes that fans are having a hard time keeping up with all the changes made to characters between appearances. Part of that process may also be the result of a history of productions being rushed to meet timelines. In that regard, Marvel may have learned their lesson and the streaming series Echo may be the first evidence of that. Originally said to be coming to D+ in Summer of 2023, the series seems to have been delayed indefinitely, though not canceled as many rumor-mongers would have you believe.

    Surely some more details about changes to the upcoming slate of projects should be forthcoming from Marvel Studios given the fact that they rolled out a two year calendar at SDCC, but until then it looks like fans should start preparing themselves for a little less Marvel every calendar year.

    Source: EW

  • A New Report Confirms Who Emma Corrin Won’t Be in ‘Deadpool 3’

    A New Report Confirms Who Emma Corrin Won’t Be in ‘Deadpool 3’

    Along with the revelation that Emma Corrin had joined the cast of Deadpool 3 as the film’s villain came the less than-surprising tidbit that the identity of the villain they will be playing is unknown. For some time now, a popular theory was that the villain of the film was going to be Danger, the physical manifestation of the X-Men’s training room. Now it sounds like fans are going to have to keep digging.

    According to Deadline’s Justin Kroll, Corrin will not be taking on the role of Danger in the film.

    We’re about 10,000 reports of who Corrin isn’t playing away from figuring out who they are playing, but there are certainly some choices that make much more sense given the time-traveling plot and the project’s place in Marvel Studios’ Multiverse Saga.

  • ‘The Crown’ Actor Emma Corrin Joins ‘Deadpool 3’

    ‘The Crown’ Actor Emma Corrin Joins ‘Deadpool 3’

    Deadpool 3 is set to kick off production in a few months and is now beginning to add to what promises to be a fascinating cast. Star Ryan Reynolds has revealed that Emma Corwin has signed up for an as yet undisclosed role.

    Corrin’s role as Princess Diana won them Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Awards. Little is known about the third installment in the Deadpool franchise and outside of the return of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, Corrin’s casting is the first major casting for the project, which will be directed by Shawn Levy.

    A follow-up report from Deadline has confirmed that Corrin will play the villain of the project, though that villain’s identity remains unknown.

    Source: Deadline

  • Anthony Mackie Explains How His Approach to Captain America Will Differ From Chris Evans’

    Anthony Mackie Explains How His Approach to Captain America Will Differ From Chris Evans’

    Captain America: New World Order is shaping up as one of 2024’s most exciting MCU projects. Harrison Ford has joined the cast, taking over the role of Thunderbolt Ross from the late William Hurt; more than 15 years after his debut, Tim Blake Nelson is returning to the MCU as Samuel Sterns; and Anthony Mackie will lead his first film after assuming the mantle of Captain America during the events of Marvel Studios’ Disney Plus streaming series The Falcon and The Winter Soldier.

    While Mackie’s Sam Wilson shared a wonderful friendship with Steve Rogers, the road to becoming Cap was very different for Sam and that path will certainly shape his time with the shield. As Mackie explained in an interview with Kevin Polowy, his Captain America is much more grounded in his real-world experiences as a non-powered hero and counselor.

    “I think with my Cap, he’s not a superhero; he doesn’t have a super serum,” explained Mackie. “So his superpower is his humanity,” he continued, “so I think with him, he has to come to the stage with a very different understanding of what it is to be a good guy or be a bad guy and what are the decisions that make you toe that line in the way that you did. I just see him as more of a humane Cap as opposed to a distinctive–a Cap of judgment–where this is right and this is wrong…your decisions that make you choose right or wrong.”

    Mackie’s insight into the character is pretty telling considering some of the more well-founded rumors about the plot of the film which point to Wilson finding himself less than thrilled with the choices being made by the U.S. Government. What happens when Captain America disagrees with the choices being made by America?

    Wilson’s time as Cap is just getting started and will be defined by the choices he makes as a hero but according to Mackie, one choice he believes to be an upgrade over Steve Rogers is the costume, which debuted in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. “And a flyer costume!” added Mackie, when describing why Sam’s Cap is different than Steve’s. “It’s leg day every day, baby. We going straight spandex. None of this cotton stuff. We doing straight spandex!” Mackie’s already taking on the mantle of Captain America and now it sounds like he’s issuing a challenge to Winston Duke over the mantle of the thick-thighed god of the MCU.

    Captain America: New World Order heads into production in March ahead of its scheduled May 3rd 2024 release.

  • Revisiting Superior Iron Man

    Revisiting Superior Iron Man

    As Marvel Studios has grown into one of the most consistently successful production entities in Hollywood, the value of information about the studio’s upcoming projects has spawned an industry of its own. No other IP has the cachet of Marvel Studios IPs and those with information on those projects–the scoopers, leakers, insiders and influencers–have a major impact on how a small fraction of the audience perceives upcoming projects. If we’ve learned anything from WandaVision, it’s that Marvel Studios’ fanbase has a bit of an issue separating speculation from rumors and separating legitimate rumors from gobbledygook and no one example better illuminated that than a flatly false rumor that lingered around the direct follow-up to WandaVision: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

    One year ago today, Marvel Studios released the official trailer for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness just ahead of Super Bowl LVI. Partly because of Marvel Studios’ overly intense secrecy and partly because of a new creative team taking over the film late in the game, an unusually high number of rumors sprang up around the film, most of which came from a new wave of “insiders” who hadn’t established any sort of track record in regards to being an accurate, trustworthy source of information. However, what was true then and is more true now is that a track record of accuracy isn’t necessary for “inside information” to gain traction online. Fans want to hear what they want to hear and if the “inside information” checks off a few boxes, it spreads like wildfire.

    And so, the legend of Tom Cruise‘s Superior Iron Man was born. It’s not worth tracking down where the rumor began much less digging into how it was ever able to cross over from the small fraction of fans who typically follow the rumor mill so closely into mainstream media; it happened and fans wanted to believe it so desperately that when the Super Bowl trailer for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness debuted, thousands of fans took to Twitter to proclaim that the screenshot of Lashana Lynch‘s alternate universe Captain Marvel seen below was in fact Cruise‘s Superior Iron Man.

    Even as higher-resolution screenshots from the trailer emerged, fans held strongly to their beliefs that they were seeing Marvel Studios debut Tom Cruise‘s MCU character in a trailer. Fans held so strongly to this belief, which was strongly stoked online by insiders old and new, that when the movie debuted and Cruise wasn’t in it, they were furious and shocked that they had been misled despite all the evidence they needed to know Cruise wasn’t in the film was quite literally right in front of them. Some convinced themselves that the actor filmed scenes for the movie but that Marvel Studios ultimately chose to cut them.

    After the fact, Multiverse of Madness writer Michael Waldron explained that not only did the studio not cut footage of Cruise from the film but that there never was any footage because Cruise was, as anyone with access to the internet could have known, busy shooting back-to-back Mission: Impossible films. Though Waldron admitted he thought the idea would have been pretty cool because Cruise was offered the role of Tony Stark in 2008’s Iron Man before declining, it never progressed past the idea stage. Interestingly enough, rumors of a Superior Iron Man appearing in Avengers: Secret Wars (which doesn’t even begin filming for at least another 18 months) have already begun popping up online and you can bet it won’t be long before Cruise’s name gets associated with them again and fans take the bait…again.