Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Charles Murphy

  • Pixar Leans Into ‘Monsters Inc. 3,’ ‘Incredibles 3’ and ‘Coco 2’ to Secure its Future

    Pixar Leans Into ‘Monsters Inc. 3,’ ‘Incredibles 3’ and ‘Coco 2’ to Secure its Future

    If you feel a sense of déjà vu coming from Emeryville, you aren’t alone. As Pixar’s newest original effort, Hoppers, hops into theaters today, a massive deep dive from the Wall Street Journal has effectively laid out the studio’s roadmap for the next decade. And spoiler alert: It’s very, very familiar.

    The report confirms that coming off of the massive success of Zootopia 2, Pixar will indeed continue to lean into reliability via franchise, officially moving Monsters Inc. 3, Incredibles 3, and Coco 2 into active development.

    Return to Monstropolis

    The headliner here is undoubtedly Monsters Inc. 3. While we’ve had the Monsters at Work series on Disney+ and the Monsters University prequel, we haven’t had a direct theatrical sequel to the 2001 original, which remains a beloved Pixar classic.

    The project is in the early stages, but the timing makes sense. Disney is currently building a massive Monstropolis-themed land at Hollywood Studios in Orlando. Developing a third film ensures the IP remains fresh for a new generation of park-goers. Whether Billy Crystal and John Goodman return is the $200 million question, but given their history with the roles, it’s hard to imagine anyone else in the booth.

    The Incredibles & Coco Expansion

    The WSJ report also provided updates on two other heavy hitters:

    • The Incredibles 3: Following the announcement at D23 2024, the film has officially found its release window—reportedly targeting 2028. In a massive shakeup, Peter Sohn (Elemental) is rumored to be taking the director’s chair, with original architect Brad Bird potentially moving into a producer/consultant role.
    • Coco 2: This is the real surprise. Despite the original being a perfect standalone story, Pixar is reportedly aiming for a 2029 release for a sequel.

    The Original Front: Musical Felines and Ghost Markets

    It’s not all sequels, though. Pixar is still trying to find the “next big thing” with two new original announcements:

    • Untitled Musical: Turning Red director Domee Shi is officially helming Pixar’s first-ever full-blown musical.
    • Ono Ghost Market: A film inspired by Asian myths about a supernatural bazaar where the living and the dead interact. This is works as a vibe check for the studio as they try to balance high-concept originals with safe sequels.

    This is the Iger Era in a nutshell. After a few years of original films struggling to find theatrical footprints, the mandate is clear: give the people what they know. While the purists might groan at Coco 2, the box office reality is that sequels like Inside Out 2 and Zootopia 2 have become the lifeblood of Disney Animation. Pixar is simply following in those footsteps and following the money.

    Source: Wall Street Journal

  • Obi-Wan Kenobi Appearance All But Confirmed for ‘Ahsoka’ Season 2 via Crew Leak

    Obi-Wan Kenobi Appearance All But Confirmed for ‘Ahsoka’ Season 2 via Crew Leak

    For a year, Lucasfilm has tried to tell us that Ewan McGregor was only on the Ahsoka set to visit his wife, Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Following a recent revelation, it looks as though the visitor excuse may be running out of steam.

    A YouTuber who worked on the Season 2 stunt team recently shared a look at official crew merchandise. When pressed about his favorite on-set moments, he dropped the bombshell: “When Ewan let me hold Ahsoka’s lightsaber.”

    This lines up with long-standing rumors from Kristian Harloff that McGregor filmed scenes alongside Hayden Christensen and Ariana Greenblatt. We aren’t just getting an Anakin reunion; we are getting the full Clone Wars Trinity.

    With Season 2 potentially leaning heavily into Mortis mythology, a Force-ghost reunion between Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Ahsoka feels less like fan service and more like a narrative necessity to bring balance to Peridea.

    This would be a big swing by Dave Filoni. By bringing Ewan back, Ahsoka Season 2 is positioning itself as the true spiritual successor to The Clone Wars finale.

  • Rumors Suggest Danny Rand Will Punch His Way Into ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2

    Rumors Suggest Danny Rand Will Punch His Way Into ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2

    It’s certainly starting to look as though the creative overhaul of Daredevil: Born Again wasn’t just about fixing Matt Murdock. With Marvel’s streaming skipper Brad Winderbaum making it clear that Daredevil will be the studio’s flagship series for the near future, it looks like Kevin Feige is using the show to systematically rebuild the entire Netflix-era Defenders roster. We’ve already got Jon Bernthal’s Punisher back in the mix, with his own Special Presentation coming soon, and Krysten Ritter’s Jessica Jones will return later this month. But today, the most divisive member of the team is stepping back into the spotlight.

    According to a report from Cryptic4KQual—a source that has become increasingly reliable regarding Marvel’s production schedules—Finn Jones is set to reprise his role as Danny Rand in the second season of Born Again…or at least be mentioned.

    I think this world is extremely rich, and there are many stories to be told on the streets of New York.

    -Brad Winderbaum

    The first season of Iron Fist is often cited as the low point of the Netflix era. But by the time The Defenders and Iron Fist Season 2 rolled around, fans have argued Jones had finally started to find the groove of the character and the character seemed to be headed in the right direction. If Marvel Studios is bringing him back, you can bet they aren’t interested in retreading the corporate boardroom drama of the old show.

    The rumor suggests that Danny’s return won’t just be a cameo. Instead, it’ll be a “tease” that sets up a more significant role. Perhaps suiting up as Daredevil while Matt Murdock is behind bars? Ed Brubaker’s “The Devil in Cell-Block D” continues to be a popular pick for quasi-inspiration for Season 3 of Daredevil: Born Again and might serve as the perfect way to reintroduce Danny Rand while making him more palatable to MCU fans.

  • ‘LANTERNS’ Trailer Leaks Early, Revealing Premiere Month and a Controversial New Look

    Well, so much for the big Thursday reveal. In a move that probably has the DC Studios security team looking for new jobs, the first full trailer for Lanterns leaked online today. While the official drop was slated for tomorrow, the cat is out of the bag, and it’s bringing a release window with it: August 2026.

    However, it’s not the revelation of th “late-summer” date that’s getting talked about online, it’s the tone—and a very specific color palette.

    True Detective with a Ring

    James Gunn and Chris Mundy made it clear early on that they were not interested in a Green Lantern project set in a bubble-gum-colored corner of the galaxy. Instead, the trailer reveals that this is every bit the grounded, atmospheric murder mystery it has always been made out to be.

    Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan is every bit the “grizzled vet” we expected, but the internet is currently losing its mind over the first look at the suits. Instead of the emerald-green glow fans of the comics and animated series have grown accustomed to, the trailer receals a tactical, almost “brownish-green” weathered uniform. It’s a choice congruent with what Nathan Fillion‘s Guy Gardner was sporting in Superman and that leans heavily into the utility aspect of the Corps—making them look like intergalactic peacekeepers who have been through the ringer a time or two.

    We also got a brief glimpse of the supporting cast, including Kelly Macdonald and Garret Dillahunt, who seem to be playing the local resistance to the Lanterns’ investigation. And yes, for those counting frames, there was a subtle nod to the larger DCU roadmap—specifically a hint that the murder in the American heartland isn’t just a local crime, but a thread that leads directly into Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.

    The early reaction is mixed at best–and I get it. Fans who were hoping for an immediate trip to Oa or a Sinestro Corps war tease are feeling a bit let down by the lack of massive constructs. Aside from a brief shot of Hal taking flight and a look at a very industrial-looking Power Battery, the trailer very much seems to be keeping its powder dry…but there’s really no guarantee that will change over the course of the series.

    Maybe, choosing to start slow is the right choice. Maybe by starting in the Nebraska mud and focusing on the friction between Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart and a reluctant Hal, they’re building a solid foundation. Maybe, by the time the  “ancient horror on Earth” is unveiled, the scale will come. For now, they’re selling us a story about two guys who have a job to do. DC is positioning Lanterns as the serious, adult-skewing prestige counter-programming.

    Is Hal’s tactical brown”l suit a mistake? Maybe. But if the mystery is as tight as Ozark or Watchmen, the color of the spandex won’t matter. Or maybe, it’ll be DC Studios’ Iron Fist.

  • 5 Things to Hunt for in Tomorrow’s ‘LANTERNS’ Teaser

    5 Things to Hunt for in Tomorrow’s ‘LANTERNS’ Teaser

    Tomorrow is the big day. We’ve been talking about the shift from space opera to “Earth-based mystery” for over a year, and now we finally get to see if James Gunn’s “Gods and Monsters” gamble pays off. But don’t let the Nebraska setting fool you—this show is intended to be the connective tissue for the entire DCU.

    As you’re watching the footage tomorrow, here is exactly what I’ll be looking for:

    1. The “Ancient Evil”

    James Gunn has been very specific about Hal and John finding an “ancient horror” on Earth. Rumors have been swirling about everything from The Centre (from New Frontier) to The Rot. Look for any imagery that feels Lovecraftian or out of place in a small-town murder mystery. If we see something that doesn’t look like a typical alien, it’s a sign that the DCU’s overarching big bad is closer than we think.

    2. The Suit (or Lack Thereof)

    There’s been a lot of internal chatter about whether the Lantern suits will be practical or CG. Given the leaked first look at Hal’s brown(?) suit, we may see much for of him and John them in plain clothes with the rings glowing, indicating that DC Studios is leaning into the Supercop grit rather than the superhero spectacle.

    We have a few other Lanterns peppered in there but this is really a terrestrial based TV show which is almost like True Detective with a couple of Green Lanterns who are space cops watching over Precinct Earth in it they discover a terrifying mystery that ties into our largest story of the DCU.

    -James Gunn

    3. Ch’p and the Weirdness

    You can’t have a Tom King/James Gunn project without a dash of the weird. Reports have suggested that the fan-favorite squirrel Lantern, Ch’p, might get a name-drop or a brief cameo. If a talking rodent shows up in a gritty HBO procedural, you’ll know exactly whose fingerprints are on the script.

    4. The “Hal is a Jerk” Factor

    Showrunner Chris Mundy has described Hal Jordan as having a “Chuck Yeager vibe”—someone you’re not sure if you want to hug or punch. Keep an eye on the friction between Chandler’s Hal and Pierre’s John. If the teaser emphasizes their bickering over their heroics, it confirms the buddy-cop dynamic is the real heart of the show.

    5. Sinestro’s Shadow

    We know Ulrich Thomsen is in the mix as Sinestro, but will he be a friend or foe yet? Look for any purple-tinted shadows or a mention of the Yellow spectrum. If he’s still a Green Lantern in this teaser, it sets up a massive fall from grace arc for later in the series.

  • Brightest Day is Finally Here as First ‘LANTERNS’ Teaser Set to Drop Tomorrow

    Brightest Day is Finally Here as First ‘LANTERNS’ Teaser Set to Drop Tomorrow

    It’s been a long, winding road through the emotional spectrum to get here. From the early days of the Greg Berlanti-produced space opera that never was, to the creative pivot that landed the project in the hands of Tom King, Chris Mundy, and Damon Lindelof, the wait for a live-action Green Lantern has felt like an eternity. But according to a new teaser for the teaser, the first look at the DCU’s Lanterns officially arrives tomorrow.

    DC Studios has taken wildly different approach than expected to its first Green Lantern project. This isn’t a CG-heavy trek across the stars; it’s a True Detective-style procedural set right here on Earth. The series is expected to follow intergalactic legend Hal Jordan and the new recruit John Stewart as they investigate a “terrestrial mystery” that has massive implications for the broader DCU Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.

    James Gunn and Peter Safran have taken their time with this one. They scrapped the previous iteration to ensure the Lanterns felt like an essential pillar of the new universe rather than a side project. If tomorrow’s teaser shows us that “Ancient Evil” they’ve been hinting at—the one that connects to the center of the DCU’s overarching narrative—then the hype for the 2026 release is going to hit an all-time high.

    Our show is in a lot of ways about replacement—when should someone step aside and when is it time for the next person to take the reins? That push and pull between those two characters is really important.

    -Chris Mundy

    Previously, Mundy revealed that Lanterns would be “as much of a buddy cop show as a superhero show.” If the “buddy-cop” dynamic is the engine of this show, tomorrow’s footage needs to nail the tone immediately. And they might want to explain why that ring is framed in gold because that could really pose an issue…

  • ‘Shadow of Maul’ #1 Invades Janix and Sets the Stage for Disney+

    ‘Shadow of Maul’ #1 Invades Janix and Sets the Stage for Disney+

    The wait is officially over. Marvel Comics’ Star Wars: Shadow of Maul #1 hits shelves today, and if you were expecting a typical Sith-heavy power trip, you’re in for a surprise. Writer Benjamin Percy and artist Madibek Musabekov are using this five-issue prequel series to build a world that feels more Andor than Skywalker Saga.

    Welcome to Janix

    Percy has described the setting as “one part Gotham, one part Metropolis,” and the first issue doubles down on that noir aesthetic. We’re introduced to Captain Brander Lawson—a single-dad ex-bounty hunter turned cop—and his droid partner Two-Boots. It’s a police procedural with a lightsaber-shaped threat looming in the background.

    Why This Isn’t “Just a Comic”

    You don’t spend this much time and capital building a hyper-detailed, multi-layered city like Janix—with its own distinct law enforcement and political ecosystem—just for a 10-episode animated run and a comic tie-in.

    Buzz has begun to circulate that Janix is being developed as a permanent fixture for the underworld corner of the galaxy. If the Maul: Shadow Lord series–premiering April 6–lands with fans, don’t be surprised if we see Janix transition into live-action sooner rather than later.

    Fans should pay close attention to the background syndicates mentioned in Issue #1. Rumors suggest that names dropped here will tie directly into the live-action Shadow Council seen in The Mandalorian. Perhaps, By grounding the story in a police procedural format, Lucasfilm is testing the waters for more mature, gritty storytelling in animation.

  • Is Loki the Sacrificial Lamb of ‘AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY’?

    Is Loki the Sacrificial Lamb of ‘AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY’?

    For years, we’ve been tracking the God of Stories. We watched him go from the guy who lost to a “dull creature” in Stark Tower to the man literally holding the fabric of reality together at the center of the Multiverse, finally fulfilling his glorious purpose. It was a hell of an arc. But as we inch closer to Avengers: Doomsday, a new, darker theory is emerging—one that suggests Loki’s new job isn’t a permanent promotion, but a setup for the most violent transition of power in MCU history.

    Fans of Jonathan Hickman’s 2015 Secret Wars run know just how important Owen Reece was to the event. As Molecule Man, Reece was the battery of Doctor Doom’s machine. He was the source of Doom’s godhood, the “living bomb” that allowed Victor to shape Battleworld from the wreckage of the incursions. But in the MCU? We haven’t met Owen Reece. We have, however, spent twelve years with Loki.

    The Stand-In

    Marvel isn’t going to spend time introducing a complex new character like Molecule Man to explain Doom’s power. Instead, they’re looking at the man already sitting on the throne at the end of time.

    Loki’s position as the God of Stories, the man keeping the Multiverse together by sheer force of will, will reportedly make him a target of Doctor Doom. In an interesting adaptation of the Hickman beat, Doom is rumored  to strip Loki of his God of Stories powers effectively using them as the conduit to stabilize his own version of reality, making Loki a stand-in for Owen Reece.

    But Marvel reportedly isn’t stopping there. For those who remember Doom’s confrontation with Thanos in Secret Wars—the one where Victor casually reaches into the Mad Titan’s chest and pulls out his spine—there’s a growing belief that we’re going to see a remix of that moment.

    If Doom is going to establish himself as the undisputed big bad of the Multiverse Saga, he needs a moment, like Thanos had in Avengers: Infinity War, that establishes him as a threat. He needs to kill a fan favorite to show he’s not playing around. If reports are accurate, that will come at the expense of Loki once again. Loki doesn’t just lose his power; he loses his life in a way that mirrors that iconic Hickman panel as his heart is ripped out by Victor…even if it is reportedly off screen. Doom ending the God of Stories isn’t just a power move—it’s a declaration that the Loki Era of the Multiverse is over and that there can be only Doom.

    The Long Game

    Hiddlestans aren’t going to like this. A Thor/Loki reunion would have been enjoyable, as would Loki the Avengers as Avenger Prime. But if the Russos are looking for maximum emotional impact, killing the man who is literally holding the Multiverse together is the fastest way to raise the stakes.

    It’s brutal. It’s efficient. And frankly, it’s exactly the kind of move that makes a villain legendary. As always, keep the salt shaker nearby, but don’t be surprised if the “God of Stories” ends up being the foundation upon which Doom builds his empire.

  • Sadie Sink Is Reportedly the MCU’s Jean Grey—and She’s Debuting in ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’

    Sadie Sink Is Reportedly the MCU’s Jean Grey—and She’s Debuting in ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’

    For over a year, the Marvel fandom has been playing a high-stakes game of “Guess the Redhead.” Since Sadie Sink was first reported to be joining the MCU back in early 2023, speculation has swung wildly from her playing Songbird in Thunderbolts to being a Multiversal variant of Mary Jane Watson.

    However, following a series of massive leaks over the last 48 hours, the mystery appears to be solved. Trusted scooper Cryptic HD QUALITY has doubled down on earlier reports from Jeff Sneider, explicitly stating that the Stranger Things star is portraying the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Jean Grey.

    The journey to this confirmation has been anything but linear. When Sink officially joined the cast of Spider-Man: Brand New Day in March 2025, she was famously cagey, calling the Jean Grey rumors “cool” but stopping short of a confirmation.

    As production moved through Glasgow and eventually back to Pinewood Studios, the “Insider Info War” reached a fever pitch. We saw theories ranging from Sink playing a Mark Millar-inspired Ultimate Jean Grey to a live-action version of Spider-Gwen from Earth-65. But as we noted back in August 2025, the sheer scale of Sink’s casting suggested someone much more pivotal to the MCU’s future than a one-off Spider-Man supporting character.

    Why Jean Grey? Why Now?

    The most common question among fans is: Why introduce one of the most powerful X-Men in a Spider-Man movie? According to the latest leaks, the answer lies in the Department of Damage Control (DODC) and the fallout of the Multiverse Saga.

    Reports from the Glasgow set suggest a sequence where Sink’s character is being hunted by the DODC. Insider Daniel Richtman has indicated that Sink’s character utilizes telepathic mind control—a hallmark of Jean Grey’s power set—to manipulate guards and potentially even turn Bruce Banner into the Hulk. And then, there are on-set descriptions that have consistently noted Sink wearing green and yellow—the signature colors of Jean Grey’s Marvel Girl.

    By introducing Jean as a street-level mutant being persecuted by the government, Marvel Studios is effectively setting the stakes for the Mutant Saga before the X-Men even have a team. This grounds Jean in the 616 reality, making her a sympathetic figure Peter Parker feels compelled to protect. And it also makes one ask what might have happened to the Jean Grey from whatever universe the X-Men appearing in Avengers: Doomsday are native to.

    The Road to Avengers: Secret Wars

    Perhaps the most compelling piece of evidence for the Jean Grey reveal is Sink‘s reported future in the franchise. It has been widely reported that Sink will reprise her role in Avengers: Secret Wars, which begins filming in London later this year.

    Casting an actress of Sink’s caliber for a multi-film arc—especially one that leads into the climax of the Multiverse Saga—only makes sense if she is playing a true heavy gitter. Jean Grey isn’t just a mutant; she is a cosmic entity. If the MCU plans on adapting the Phoenix Force in a post-Secret Wars world, Sink is the perfect anchor for what could unfold as a decade-long narrative.

  • Production Speeds Up! ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 4’ Officially Begins Filming

    The fastest franchise in Hollywood isn’t slowing down. Following the massive global success of the third installment, Paramount Pictures has officially moved into the next phase of the Blue Blur’s cinematic journey. Director Jeff Fowler took to Twitter today to confirm that production on Sonic the Hedgehog 4 has officially begun.

    Fowler’s post featured a “Ready 4 Action” teaser image from the set, showing him holding a high-fidelity physical prop of Amy Rose’s Piko Piko Hammer against a backdrop of massive blue screens.

    The Pink Hedgehog is Here: Kristen Bell Joins the Cast

    The production start comes just weeks after the industry-shaking announcement that Kristen Bell (The Good Place, Frozen) has officially signed on to voice Amy Rose, who first appeared in a mid-credit scene in Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

    The casting was first teased on IG by Ben Schwartz, where he posted a photo of the two actors holding their respective character figurines. Bell’s inclusion marks a major win for the franchise, bringing a voice-acting powerhouse to one of the most beloved characters in the Sonic lore.

    The Rumor Mill: Metal Sonic, Time Travel, and “Sonic CD”

    While Paramount is keeping the script under lock and key, the start of production has reignited a frenzy of rumors. Here’s a recap of what fans are expecting from the fourth installment in the franchise.

    Many fans believe the fourth film will take heavy inspiration from the classic game Sonic CD, a theory bolstered by the fact that both Amy Rose and Metal Sonic debuted in that title. Rumors from reliable insiders suggest the plot revolves around a “Bad Future” scenario, that finds Sonic traveling through time to stop a world ruled by Dr. Robotnik’s automated army.

    While Amy is the focus now, fans are already hunting for clues about Silver the Hedgehog. Rumors suggest he may not appear in the main film but is a prime candidate for the inevitable post-credits stinger for the film, which is set to release March 19, 2027.