Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Charles Murphy

  • 5 Asian Superheroes We’d Like to See in ‘Shang-Chi 2’

    5 Asian Superheroes We’d Like to See in ‘Shang-Chi 2’

    A new rumor made the shocking claim that the as-yet untitled sequel to Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will introduce a new wave of Asian superheroes into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With so many options from which to choose, we thought we’d narrow it down a bit. Here are 5 Asian heroes from the pages of Marvel Comics that we’d like to see in the Shang-Chi sequel.

    Amadeus Cho

    The time might finally be right for Amadeus Cho to make his entrance into the MCU. His mother, Helen, appeared in 2015’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, and fans of Amadeus have been waiting for him to follow her since. The current “present day” of the MCU seems to have moved as far along as 2026 and the Shang-Chi sequel is at least a couple of years away, which could provide enough time for Helen to have had Amadeus, and his twin sister Maddy, and for them to have aged up to 12 or so by the time the film hits theaters. That’s not too far off from the age the characters were when they first appeared in the comics and assuming there isn’t another time jump coming that we don’t know about yet.

    Why would Marvel Studios introduce a pre-teen/teen hero into the MCU? Other than the fact that he’s one of the 10 smartest people in the world (he was listed as the 7th smartest when he first appeared) and is essentially a walking hypercomputer and a brilliant strategist. If, as the new rumor also suggests, time travel is involved, Cho would be uniquely positioned to help the heroes quickly calculate when and where they need to be.

    Additionally, the time is right for Cho to make his debut because it seems the MCU is setting the stage for a pair of stories that Cho was part of in the comics. The rumored World War Hulk project could include Cho as he played a big role in it in the comics. Cho also developed a close relationship with Hercules, who was recently introduced into the MCU. It’s certainly not “now or never” for Cho but now is as good of a time as any.

    Lin Lie

    Shang-Chi introduced the quasi-mystical dimension of Ta Lo to the MCU and, with it, the idea that there is a rich and hidden history of magic, both good and evil, that could be explored down the line. Other dimensions and hidden cities like Ta Lo exist and so too do other ancient evils like the Dweller in Darkness. The MCU is also starting to find itself populated with mysterious and powerful artifacts that when wielded by the right person are capable of incredible things. If Marvel Studios wanted to add another character to their roster of heroes that checks off a couple of those boxes, Lin Lie should be near the top of their list.

    Lin is the descendant of Fu Xi, a legendary Chinese hero who created a powerful sword which held defeat and imprison the God of War, Chiyou, and his demon horde. Lin inherited the sword in modern day just as Chiyou’s spirit was released from it’s prison. Lin took on the name Sword Master for a time before becoming the Immortal Weapon known as the Iron Fist.

    Lin Lie has always felt like a character who was designed with an MCU future in mind. The Sword of Fu Xi could join the Ten Rings and the bangle of Kamala Khan as artifacts of ancient and alien origin that seem to be a major part of the coming battle against Kang. Additionally, the Shang-Chi sequel, like its predecessor, is rumored to feature some mystical, magical madness. It wouldn’t be a stretch for the film to take another trip back in time and introduce another ancient evil…and who knows, maybe a Kang Variant played a role in the forging of Sword Master’s sword.

    Mr. Lao

    If you hadn’t caught on yet, the inclusion of Mr. Lao probably gives away the team we’re hoping is assembled in Shang-Chi 2: the Agents of Atlas.

    The Atlas Foundation fits nicely into the Multiverse Saga and into a time travel film because of its ancient origins. In fact, the MCU origins of Atlas Foundation could easily be reconned to have connections to a Kang Variant. Either way, the Foundation’s long history with advanced weapons and mysticism could make them a formidable ally in the fight against Kang.

    Mr. Lao, a human who was transformed into a Lung Dragon, could serve nicely as the expository device for the Atlas Foundation’s long history while recruiting Shang-Chi and the other heroes to his cause as Agents of Atlas.

    Wave

    A relatively new hero from the pages of Marvel Comics, the Filipino hero Pearl Pangan would give the team an elemental powerhouse. Pearl gained the power of hydrokinesis after a run of the mill Marvel science accident. As the hero Wave, she stood tall as an Agent of Atlas during Malekith’s invasion of Earth in the War of the Realms event.

    The addition of Wave to the roster would not only give the team a truly superpowered member but also introduce the MCU’s first Filipino superhero.

    White Fox

    The South Korean superhero Ami Han is about as good of a fit as anyone for the world of mysticism first seen in Shang -Chi. Han is a member of South Korea’s National Intelligence Service and of their superhuman response team, Tiger Division.

    A formidable hand-to-hand combatant and high-level intelligence agent, Ham would serve the team with those skills alone. However, it’s her identity as a shape shifting Kumiho and the rare power set that comes with it that ties into the mystical world of Ta Lo and other like it.

    Kumiho are the nine-tailed foxes of legend who seduce and kill mortal men. Han is the last known Kumiho in existence in the comics. Han’s mesmerism and energy absorption would provide the Agents of Atlas unrivaled powers against their potential foes.

    After being introduced in 2006, the Agents of Atlas were reconfigured in the comics recently as a collective of heroes from across Asia. If Shang-Chi 2 is truly looking to add more Asian heroes (and it wouldn’t take inside information to imagine it might), the new version of the Agents of Atlas is a ready-made solution. While we only chose 5, there are plenty of other options, including others who serve as agents of the Atlas Foundation in the comics already. And of course, should Shang-Chi 2 be introducing the time, Randall Park‘s Jimmy Woo should get his time to shine as the rightful khan of the organization.

  • Producer Stephen Broussard Teases Marvel Studios Next-Gen Team-Ups

    Producer Stephen Broussard Teases Marvel Studios Next-Gen Team-Ups

    Marvel Studios’ Phase 4 introduced audiences to more than a dozen new heroes, many of whom are (or on track to become) legacy heroes in the MCU. Kate Bishop and Yelena Belova have stepped into their respective roles as Hawkeye and Black Widow and Riri Williams is primed to become the MCU’s new Armored Avenger. Marvel Studios’ latest project, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, will see another legacy hero added to that list as Cassie Lang, who has long hoped to be a superhero like her Dad, will finally suit up.

    There’s definitely a pattern forming and while it doesn’t only include young legacy characters (Sam Wilson has taken on the mantle of Captain America, there’s a new Hulk in Jen Walters and Jane Foster served as Thor for a spell), they certainly seem to be at the forefront. According to Quantumania producer Stephen Broussard, Cassie’s emergence as a hero is something inherent in the DNA of the Ant-Man franchise and not necessarily connected to the larger plan. “I think it’s very germane to the Ant-Man film because it’s a generational film,” said Broussard. “The Ant-Man mantle gets passed down from Hank to Scott and now essentially to Cassie, who’s almost more of like the new Ant-Man, even though she doesn’t go by such, more so than the new Wasp.”

    Still, fans of the comics can see a pattern within the pattern of the young heroes being added to the MCU. Now that Cassie has assumed her mANTle as a hero, she joins Kate Bishop, America Chavez and Elijah Bradley as members of the comic book team known as the Young Avengers who have made their way into projects in the Multiverse Saga. WandaVision introduced and took away Billy and Tommy Maximoff, but with Joe Locke set to bring Billy Kaplan into the mix in Agatha: Coven of Chaos, it seems likely that Tommy Shepherd won’t be far behind. Should Teddy Altman and the Kang Variant Iron Lad make their way into upcoming projects, all the original Young Avengers (and then some) would be present and waiting for their team-up.

    While Broussard denies that a Young Avengers project is in the works, he does admit that a pattern is emerging. “But a lot of Phase Four was about introducing the next generation and introducing new characters,” said Broussard. And if the Young Avengers are all hanging out in the MCU, wouldn’t it make sense for them to team-up? Broussard agrees it would be a good idea and teases it’s probably on the table. “I think that’s one of the themes that the next generation reminds us,” Broussard said of the idea of these heroes finding each other and working together, adding “and that would be exciting to explore with Cassie going forward, or with any of the new characters, like Kate Bishop. People like that, who have inherited the mantle, and keeping to fight the fight, and make the world a better place.”

    In summary, Broussard said that yes, they wanted to introduce the Young Avengers in the Multiverse Saga and that yes, they’d like to see them all team up but no, there’s no Young Avengers project in the works. We hear you loud and clear, Stephen.

    Source: Inverse

  • Evangeline Lilly on the Growth of Hope and Why It’s Time for a Wasp Solo Film

    Evangeline Lilly on the Growth of Hope and Why It’s Time for a Wasp Solo Film

    Evangeline Lilly‘s Hope van Dyne stands among Marvel Studios‘ most decorated female heroes, now making her fourth appearance in Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania. Hope has undergone an incredible transition over the course of her appearances, providing Lilly with the opportunity to spread her acting wings and put her versatility as an actress on display. Ahead of Quantumania’s premiere, Lilly reflected on her character’s past and waxed hopeful about the future in an interview with Entertainment Tonight.

    “She started the films as a very cold, very detached, very insular woman, who was independent and not reliant or really intimate with anybody,” said Lilly of Hope. “And now, suddenly, I mean, we’ve evolved through this third iteration of the story where she has redeemed her relationship with her father, she’s reunited with her mother, she has fallen in love with Scott and she’s also like a stepmother to Cassie.“

    As happy as Hope is to reunite with her mother, Michelle Pfeiffer‘s Janet hasn’t been entirely honest with her family about her time in the Quantum Realm, which ruffled some family feathers, according to Lilly.

    It was really good for me. It felt like we were entering a space that I was far more comfortable in. I was like, ‘OK, this is my jam now. Now we’re talking about the space where I thrive, which is more dramatic material. And I was excited to dive in with Michelle and Michael

    Evangeline Lilly

    Lilly’s excitement about the growth of her character led her to pitch a solo project for her character to Marvel Studios’ head honcho, Kevin Feige. And while Feige stayed non-commital, Lilly expressed her certainty that the time was right for the project.

    When I first started, it was like, ‘No, no, no. Ant-Man and the Wasp, they’re a duo. They’re so good together. Three movies later, I’m like, ‘OK. Alright. We did it. C’mon, I want some time to tell a story.

    Evangleine Lilly

    Lilly’s passion for the character speaks for itself; however, Marvel Studios plans its work out several years in advance, so while there is certainly room for The Wasp, it may be a matter of years before fans can catch it in theaters or on Disney Plus.

    Source: ET

  • Michael B. Jordan’s ‘Rainbow Six’ Finds a Pair of Writers

    Michael B. Jordan’s ‘Rainbow Six’ Finds a Pair of Writers

    Though the John Krasinski-led Jack Ryan series will come to an end following its fourth season, the future of the Clancyverse continues to look bright. In January, Amazon announced it was moving forward with an adaptation of Tom Clancy‘s Rainbow Six, to be directed by Chad Stahelski, as a follow-up to 2021’s Without Remorse, which starred Michael B. Jordan as John Kelly. Now things are prepped to heat up as the project has found its co-writers.

    Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan and Marlon Smith, who co-wrote 2013’s British TV series Run, have signed on to write Rainbow Six, according to THR. Unlike its predecessor, Rainbow Six is expected to debut in theaters.

    Source: THR

  • Vin Diesel Signs On for One More Ride in the Franchise That Launched His Career

    Vin Diesel Signs On for One More Ride in the Franchise That Launched His Career

    Before he broke out the white tank in The Fast and The Furious, Vin Diesel boldly sported a black tank in the 2000 sci-fi adventure Pitch Black. Diesel’s twisted space Jesus, Richard B. Riddick, went on to be the focus of a pair of follow-up films in 2004’s The Chronicles of Riddick and 2013’s less wordy Riddick. Now, a decade later(and as the Fast franchise comes to an end), Diesel is heading back to the Pitch Black universe.

    According to Deadline, Diesel and David Twohy, who wrote and directed the three previous installments in the franchise, are working together on developing Riddick: Furya. Twohy, whose screenwriting credits also include Kevin Costner’s Waterworld, Harrison Ford‘s The Fugitive and Demi Moore‘s G.I. Jane, broke the news in an official release.

    Our legion fans have demanded it for years, and now we’re finally ready to honor their call to action with Riddick: Furya. My collaboration with Vin and One Race has spanned 20 fruitful years, as together we’ve created three movies, two video games, an anime production, and motion comics for the internet. This new big-screen event will see a return to Riddick’s homeworld, where we finally get to explore Riddick’s genesis.

    David Twohy

    The announcement came with a brief synopsis of the new adventure and based on what can be gleaned from it, it seems that Riddick’s latest adventure may lead him to the discovery of the most important thing in the universe: family.

    Riddick finally returns to his home world, a place he barely remembers and one he fears might be left in ruins by the Necromongers. But there he finds other Furyans fighting for their existence against a new enemy. And some of these Furyans are more like Riddick than he could have ever imagined.

    Diesel’s return to the role of Riddick, one he famously snagged at the last minute, as he wraps the Fast franchise could open the door to more projects in the Pitch Black universe. Though none of the films have landed well with critics and the most recent one didn’t really resonate with audiences, Vin is Vin and two of the three films earned more than double their production budgets. Perhaps Vin will take Dom’s advice, see how the next film is received and plan the future of the Pitch Black franchise a quarter mile at a time.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Quantumania’ Producer & Director Weigh In on the Film’s Most “Insane Character”

    ‘Quantumania’ Producer & Director Weigh In on the Film’s Most “Insane Character”

    M.O.D.O.K. seemed like one of the most unlikely characters to jump from the pages of Marvel Comics to the shared cinematic universe being created by Marvel Studios. Everything about the character seemed for too over-the-top for a live-action version to be accepted…and then came Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania. Against all odds, M.O.D.O.K., played by Corey Stoll, will make his debut in the film as a member of Kang’s Quantum Realm crew. The inclusion of the character, who was greatly reimagined for the film, was no easy task but thanks to the commitment and imagination of the creatives working on Quantumania, M.O.D.O.K. is ready for his grotesque closeup.

    “For me, it was a personal thrill,” said director Peyton Reed about the inclusion of the massively craniumed character. “I was a kid who spent a lot of my childhood alone in a room reading Marvel comics.  And M.O.D.O.K. was always this insane character.  And he’s grotesque.  He’s a giant head that has been turned into a mechanized organism designed only for killing,” explained Reed. “That was intriguing. So, we started talking about, is there a place in the MCU in the Ant-Man movies, for a live-action version of M.O.D.O.K.?  And what would that look like and how would we go about it?“

    Reed’s line of questioning was addressed by Marvel Studios’ Parliament member and Quantumania executive producer Stephen Broussard. “I mean, it’s a very odd character, to say the least,” stated Broussard.  “It’s kind of loomed large in our imagination of how and if we could pull that off.  You know, it always felt like a challenge, like, going back years, here at Marvel.  And we hit on an idea.  And we think we had an idea that we were excited about,” he added of bringing the character to the MCU. “And I don’t wanna say too much here in this forum,” teased Broussard, “but I think the time was right to bring M.O.D.O.K. to the big screen, finally.“

    M.O.D.O.K. was almost certainly not on many lists as a character who would make their way into the MCU, but as Broussard said, the time was right and tying Stoll’s Darren Cross’s grotesque exit in 2015’s Ant-Man to M.O.D.O.K.’s classically discomforting look was a brilliant way to tie things together and find an in for the villain. Judge for yourself if Reed and Broussard made the right choice wit the character when Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania opens in theaters on February 17th.

  • Kevin Feige Responds to the Prospect of a ‘The Wasp’ Solo Film

    Kevin Feige Responds to the Prospect of a ‘The Wasp’ Solo Film

    In 2018, Evangeline Lilly‘s Wasp became the first female character to have her name in the title of a film in Ant-Man and The Wasp. The Wasp is back (and back in the title) in Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania and the character has undergone significant growth since being introduced in 2015’s Ant-Man. With Scarlett Johannson‘s Black Widow off the board, The Wasp now shares the title of the MCU’s longest-tenured female lead with Zoe Saldaña‘s Gamora and Elizabeth Olsen‘s Wanda Maximoff.

    While there’s already been talk of a fourth Ant-Man film in the works at Marvel Studios, one that would almost certainly see Lilly return as Hope, the actress also has bigger plans in mind for her character. During the world premiere of Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, Lilly expressed her desire to see her character star in her own solo project, “a Wasp standalone film.” During the global press junket for Quantumania, Marvel Studios One Above All, Kevin Feige, was asked about the prospects of such a project. “The opportunities within the MCU are endless, as they are in the multiverse,” said Feige.  “So, we will have to see what happens in the future.“

    Feige’s non-commital comments shouldn’t be read into too deeply. The head honcho of Marvel Studios wouldn’t confirm or deny the existence of such a project during a junket. Phase 5’s slate looks to be set and probably won’t even include whatever Peyton Reed and Paul Rudd throw together for Ant-Man 4; however, the Multiverse Saga is certainly not the end of the MCU and, as Feige says, the possibilities for its future are endless and those may just include The Wasp somewhere down the line.

    Marvel Studios kicks off Phase 5 with Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania on February 17th.

  • ‘Quantumania’ Star Paul Rudd on What He Admires Most About Scott Lang

    ‘Quantumania’ Star Paul Rudd on What He Admires Most About Scott Lang

    10 years ago, Paul Rudd may not have been on a lot of lists to portray a Marvel superhero. After making a name for himself in 1995’s Clueless, the actor had a great run of comedies in the early 2000s with memorable supporting roles in Anchorman, Forgetting Sarah Marshall and I Love You, Man. Then, in 2015, Rudd debuted as Scott Lang, who has become one of the MCU’s greatest heroes. A lot has changed for Rudd–and Lang–since then and now he’s back for another go around as the MCU’s most everyman hero in Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania.

    As Quantumania begins, Lang and his family look to have put their superhero days behind them. Since the events of Avengers: Endgame, Lang has published, Look Out for the Little Guy, a memoir of his time in the suit. Memoirs require reflection and thus, during the global press event for the upcoming entry in the Ant-Man franchise, Rudd was asked to reflect on his time as Lang and about what he likes (and dislikes) the most about the character.

    Well, I think what I like most about him is that he is a regular guy who has reservations about all of this, still.  And that, you know, he’s just a dad.  I like the fact that he is kind of a part of this group with some pretty impressive people, and superheroes, and that he would be the first guy to say, “What the hell am I doing here? This makes no sense at all.” 

    Paul Rudd

    Rudd’s words certainly call to mind his first encounter with Captain America and the Avengers during the events of Captain America: Civil War. Lang’s superheroing has mostly gotten in the way of his best intentions with his daughter, Cassie, and his relationship with her has been at the core of the Ant-Man franchise. That relationship has drawn fans to the franchise and, unsurprisingly, is part of what Rudd enjoys the most about the character.

    And, you know, he’s a real person.  And so you want to play, I mean, as an actor, somebody who is relatable and hopefully a sympathetic person.  And somebody that, you know, you understand maybe what they’re going through.  And I like that.  I like playing the father aspect.  I like playing the, trying to, you know, wrap my brain around the situation that I find myself in.  So his human quality is the thing that I like the most.  And as opposed to probably his cyborg quality, which is the, you know, the part I don’t like. No, there’s nothing about the character that I don’t.  I like the guy.  Yeah.  I mean, I’m biased, I guess, but yeah. 

    Paul Rudd

    Rudd’s joke aside, Lang has become one of the MCU’s most lovable characters making it no surprise that Marvel Studios has already begun talking about a fourth Ant-Man film. That film is certainly a ways off given the studio’s already jam-packed slate, but it seems Rudd has more to offer the character before bowing out of the shared cinematic universe.

    Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania debuts in theaters on February 17th.

  • Michael Douglas States His Terms for Hank Pym’s Return in ‘Ant-Man 4’

    Michael Douglas States His Terms for Hank Pym’s Return in ‘Ant-Man 4’

    Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania hasn’t been released in theaters yet but there’s already talk of a fourth installment in the Ant-Man franchise. Marvel Studios’ Parliament member and executive producer Stephen Broussard recently indicated that a plan has been hatched for another Ant-Family film, citing “whispers” between Kevin Feige, director Peyton Reed and himself. With Quantumania looking to take in $100M or so in its opening weekend at the box office, it’s likely those whispers will grow a little louder and that Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Kathryn Newton, Michelle Pfeiffer and Michael Douglas will all be reprising their respective role in Ant-Man 4.

    While Newton’s MCU career is on its first leg, however, Douglas‘s may be on its last though it isn’t because the legendary actor is getting shoved out the door by Marvel Studios. Quite to the contrary, Douglas, who joined the MCU as Hank Pym in 2015’s Ant-Man seems to be ready to turn the page. When asked about his interest in returning for a fourth Ant-Man film, Douglas agreed he’d do it on one condition. “As long as I could die,” the actor joked about Pym’s return.

    The 78-year-old Douglas has had a stellar career and should undoubtedly go out on his own terms. Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, have only played supporting roles in the MCU thus far and it seems unlikely that further films in the Ant-Man franchise would provide more opportunities for meatier roles. Perhaps there’s still more life for the characters in a 70s set Disney Plus series following their adventures, but if so it seems like Disney may have to look to replace Douglas.

    Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania hits theaters on February 17th.

  • Patrick Stewart’s Charles Xavier Might Have One More Death in Him in ‘Deadpool 3’

    Patrick Stewart’s Charles Xavier Might Have One More Death in Him in ‘Deadpool 3’

    Few actors are as deeply associated with comic book movie characters as Patrick Stewart is with Charles Xavier. Stewart has portrayed Professor X in seven films, a post-credit scene and even voiced him in a few video games and has become inextricably linked to the character. He most recently returned to the role as a member of the Illuminati in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and after a memorable entrance was dishonorably discharged from his service by the Scarlet Witch. That wasn’t the first time Stewart’s Charles kicked the bucket on the big screen; according to him, it may not be the last.

    Marvel Studios is just a few months away from beginning production on the third installment of the Deadpool franchise, a film that will introduce Ryan Reynolds‘ Merc with a Mouth and Hugh Jackman‘s Wolverine to the MCU. While Stewart hasn’t been confirmed for the film, he did tell Comic Book that he’s “been told to standby,” before adding, “I know nothing more than that, honest.”

    Given the connection between Wolverine and Charles, it wouldn’t be remotely surprising to see the Professor in the film. However, one of the most sensible theories about the film–and one that seems to be picking up steam–is that its plot will be an adaptation of the Marvel Comic series Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe. Should that be the case, the film might find room for a fourth and final (?) death for the character before Marvel Studios begins their work on the X-Men and recasts the role.

    Deadpool 3/Wolverine and Deadpool begins production in May ahead of its November 8th, 2024 release as part of Marvel Studios’ Phase 4.

    Source: Comic Book