Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Charles Murphy

  • Mahershala Ali’s Blade Reportedly Slated for a Pair of Upcoming Marvel Studios Projects

    Mahershala Ali’s Blade Reportedly Slated for a Pair of Upcoming Marvel Studios Projects

    The Daywalker is skipping the line straight to the end of the world.

    According to industry insider Daniel Richtman, Marvel Studios has pinned down exactly when and where we will next see the Daywalker. The report claims that despite the solo film’s notoriously fluid production history, Marvel Studios is planning to bypass the solo film bottleneck by officially debuting Mahershala Ali’s Blade in the grand multiversal finale, Avengers: Secret Wars ahead of a major role in Midnight Sons.

    It has been an agonizing seven years since Kevin Feige introduced Mahershala Ali at SDCC 2019, and five years since his disembodied voice warned Dane Whitman about the Ebony Blade in Eternals. While fans have worried that the endless revolving door of directors and script drafts meant the project was dead in the water, it seems as though Marvel and Ali have come to terms on a path forward for the character.

    This is the most pragmatic move Kevin Feige could make. Moving ahead with a half-assed Blade solo film just to check a box has proven to be a creative minefield. By introducing him, and Ghost Rider–potentially played by Ryan Gosling— as high-stakes, multiversal heavy-hitters in Secret Wars, Marvel will satisfy the fans, honor Ali’s immense patience, and cleanly establish the supernatural infrastructure needed to launch the Midnight Sons in Phase 7.

  • ‘Lanterns’ Reportedly Recruits Christopher Cantwell to Map Out Season 2 Ahead of Premiere

    ‘Lanterns’ Reportedly Recruits Christopher Cantwell to Map Out Season 2 Ahead of Premiere

    DC Studios and HBO aren’t just confident in Lanterns—they are already building the future. Industry insider Jeff “The In” Sneider has revealed that Christopher Cantwell has officially signed on as an executive producer and writer for the high-prestige Green Lantern series.

    Even though the series hasn’t formally debuted its first season yet, the creative team is reportedly heading back into the writer’s room immediately to pen scripts for Season 2. Bringing Cantwell into a brain trust that already features Damon Lindelof and Tom King is a massive statement of intent. Cantwell has spent years proving he can juggle complex, character-driven television (Halt and Catch Fire) while simultaneously understanding the intricate lore of major comic book universes.

    According to Sneider, “HBO took the opportunity to bring in an experienced TV veteran, and Cantwell was the perfect fit, as it just so happens that he’s a prolific comic book writer. Cantwell has worked on such titles as Iron Man, Captain America, Doctor Doom, Gold Goblin, The Mask, and Star Wars: Obi-Wan.”

    As Sneider explains, Cantwell‘s addition to the creative team of the HBO Max series comes without a second season having been officially given the GREEN light.

    Cantwell is coming aboard now because the writer’s room for Lanterns will soon be reconvening despite the lack of official renewal. TV networks often want to have scripts ready so they can start production faster if a show is picked up for a second season, which again, feels somewhat inevitable here — the pending Paramount merger notwithstanding.

    This proactive writing cycle is designed to entirely bypass the lengthy multi-year gaps that routinely plague premium HBO dramas. By locking down scripts now, James Gunn and Peter Safran are ensuring that once the pending Paramount/WB corporate merger clears, the production pipeline for the cosmic side of the DCU remains completely uninterrupted.

    Per WBD, The series follows new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) and Lantern legend Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler), two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.

  • Marvel TV Boss Takes the Reins in Massive Marvel Leadership Restructuring

    Marvel TV Boss Takes the Reins in Massive Marvel Leadership Restructuring

    The line separating the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the comic book source material just got a lot thinner. In a monumental corporate restructuring announced on Marvel.com, Brad Winderbaum has been promoted to the newly created position of Head of Marvel Television, Animation, Comics & Franchise.

    The promotion effectively hands the creative steering wheel of Marvel Comics over to the executive who championed the streaming renaissance of X-Men ’97 and Daredevil: Born Again. Concurrently, the studio announced the retirement of longtime Marvel veteran Dan Buckley and the arrival of Disney’s David Abdo.

    After nearly 30 years shepherding the brand through bankruptcy, corporate buyouts, and the ultimate explosion into Hollywood royalty, Dan Buckley is officially stepping down. Buckley isn’t walking out the door immediately. He will remain with Marvel through mid-2027 in an advisory role to ensure a smooth transition of the publishing empire. In an official statement, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige praised Buckley’s immense footprint, noting his stewardship of legendary publishing events ranging from Civil War and House of X to the upcoming Midnight imprint.

    “Brad’s exceptional creative leadership and David’s deep experience in operations and digital innovation will be a powerful pairing as we begin building out the next 90 years of Marvel’s comic book legacy,” said Marvel’s One Above All. “Brad brings a proven ability to lead creative teams and craft ongoing, episodic narratives that resonate with our fans around the world, while David offers a strong track record of operational excellence and strategic growth. I’m excited for what they’ll be able to do together.”

    Winderbaum’s ascent within Marvel has been nothing short of meteoric. Having started his journey during the production of 2008’s Iron Man, Winderbaum became the architect of Marvel’s Disney+ television and animation output in 2021.

    While Winderbaum now commands the creative blueprint, David Abdo is stepping in to run the physical business as the new General Manager, Comics & Franchise. Abdo moves over to Marvel following a highly successful tenure as General Manager of the Disney Music Group, where he was credited with driving massive revenue growth and digital innovation. Abdo will report directly to Winderbaum, focusing heavily on digital distribution, subscription models, and expanding Marvel’s global footprint into newer multimedia sectors.

    While some purists may worry about the MCU-ification of the comic line, Winderbaum’s recent creative successes—particularly the deep reverence for comic history displayed in X-Men ’97—suggests the publishing house is in the hands of a true believer. With Buckley easing out through 2027, this transition prepares Marvel Comics for a heavily synchronized future just as Avengers: Secret Wars looks to reshape the corporate canvas.

    Source: Marvel.com

  • Hayden Christensen’s Post-‘Ahsoka’ Star Wars Future Reportedly Revealed

    Anakin Skywalker isn’t fading into the Force just yet. Despite the agonizing wait for Ahsoka Season 2 pushing into early next year, a new report indicates that Lucasfilm has plans for Hayden Christensen to return as th Chosen One.

    According to industry insider Daniel Richtman, Christensen has signed on for at least two additional Star Wars projects following his excursion to Peridea.

    Christensen’s transition from prequel star to the absolute emotional anchor of modern Star Wars has completely revitalized the franchise’s legacy storytelling. While Dave Filoni has clearly set the stage for Anakin’s Force Ghost to play a pivotal, cosmic role guiding Sabine and Ahsoka through the runes of the Mortis Gods, this new deal could extend beyond the streaming universe.

    Rumors of an Obi-Wan Kenobi Season 2 concept continue to float around the campfire, but all eyes are currently on the upcoming theatrical slate. Dropping Christensen’s Force Ghost into the Rey-led film to offer historical counsel on rebuilding an untainted Jedi Order would provide the ultimate thematic bridge connecting all three generations of the Skywalker Saga.

    Whether he’s pulling on the dark leather of Darth Vader for an Underworld-era flashback or guiding the future of the Jedi as a radiant specter, keeping Hayden on the payroll is the smartest piece of world-building Lucasfilm has executed this decade.

  • Marvel Reportedly Fast-Tracks ‘One Last Kill’ Sequel; May Feature Punisher’s Most Terrifying Rogue

    Marvel Reportedly Fast-Tracks ‘One Last Kill’ Sequel; May Feature Punisher’s Most Terrifying Rogue

    The Netflix renaissance is no longer a phase—it’s a takeover. Fresh off the wave of positive response to the TV-MA Special Presentation The Punisher: One Last Kill, industry insider Daniel Richtman has reported that Marvel Studios is moving full steam ahead on a follow-up project for Jon Bernthal’s lethal vigilante.

    While it’s currently unclear if this next step is another tight Special Presentation a full-scale limited series or a feature film, the narrative trajectory is obvious. One Last Kill intentionally left Ma Gnucci on the board, setting up a comic-accurate turf war that will feature Frank shielding Sadie Sink’s mystery MCU character from the ever-present Department of Damage Control in Spider-Man: Brand New Day before heading up another Punisher project. And it looks as though whatever they project it is, it will feature one of Punisher’s most lethal villains.

    Though he had a small role as Barry in Punisher: One Last Kill, fans were convinced that Jamal Johnson was actually playing the merc known as Barracuda in the special presentation. Thanks to an Instagram post from Johnson, it seems fans were indeed correct…and Johnson is teasing the potential for him to return in the role.

    Introduced by writer Garth Ennis in the 2006 Punisher MAX series, Barracuda isn’t just one of the Punisher’s most formidable physical threats—he’s also one of the few villains who genuinely enjoys the chaos as much as Frank enjoys the punishment. Barracuda is the “anti-Punisher”—a military-trained killing machine who represents what Frank Castle might have become if he actually enjoyed the slaughter instead of viewing it as a tragic, solemn duty.

    Bernthal has made it clear there’s more in the pipeline for the character and though he refuses to give it away, there’s plenty of news crumbs for fans to start imagining what’s next for The Punisher.

  • ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ Production Schedule Sparks Delay Rumors

    ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ Production Schedule Sparks Delay Rumors

    Fans are beginning to worry that te road to the end of the Multiverse just got a little longer. Though the information had been known and available for quite some time, confirmation from a member of the cast about thefilming schedule for Avengers: Secret Wars has sparked widespread industry speculation that the massive crossover event may miss its current December 2027 release date.

    In an interview with Dog Day Afternoon, Fantastic Four star Ebon Moss-Bachrach confirmed that he’ll be able to do a play until mid-June because Avengers: Secret Wars won’t begin production until August.

    While Marvel Studios has yet to officially move the needle, the logistical realities of filming back-to-back Avengers epics are beginning to settle in, and fans believe there might be a push to May 2028 which is coincidentally the 20th anniversary of the MCU.

    Avengers: Secret Wars is the reset button for the entire MCU. If the Russos and Kevin Feige feel they need more time to get the ending of a 20-year narrative right, they will take it. After the fluid script updates reported by Joseph Quinn and the secret names mentioned by Alan Cumming, it’s clear the scope of these films has ballooned beyond Marvel’s initial 2022 projections.

  • ‘Lanterns’ to Reshape DCU Timeline; Sinestro’s Role Revealed

    The DCU timeline is getting a lot more complicated—and a lot more interesting. In a surprising reveal via EW, showrunner Chris Mundy (Ozark) has confirmed that the upcoming HBO series Lanterns is a period piece, officially set in the year 2016…and also in 2026.

    According to Mundy, the show opens with veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan and Lantern-in-training John Stewart investigating a murder in Rushville, Nebraska set in 2016. However, it’s also partially set in 2026, after the events of Superman, where a second–and seemingly connected mystery–needs investigation.

    “That becomes a second mystery that we know is down the road for us,” Mundy revealed. “So eventually two different mysteries get worked out over the course of the show.”

    Mundy confirmed a controversial detail: outside of a few appearances by the “fabulously obnoxious” Guy Gardner, no other Earth-based Green Lanterns will appear in the eight-episode first season. In 2016, Hal and John are the only two humans to have ever worn the ring. This keeps the focus tight on their “True Detective” style mystery in the American heartland.

    The biggest draw for many fans will be the portrayal of Thaal Sinestro, though Mundy stopped short of revealing if the traitorous Korugarian will be the primary antagonist of Season 1.

    “Obviously in the canon, Sinestro’s the big bad,” said Mundy. “The thing that interests us is this idea [that] Hal was trained by Sinestro, Hal is training John. In the coaching tree, we’re very interested in what gets passed on, what doesn’t, how much is human nature. We talked a lot about programming and parenting and training…What did Hal take away from Sinestro that was good or bad? It brings up a lot of interesting worries.”

    By setting Lanterns in 2016, James Gunn and Peter Safran are building a history for the DCU. It gives the world weight—showing what the heroes have been in the years before Superman went public. It also allows the show to potentially focus on the legendary Hal/Sinestro friendship before it becomes the franchise’s most iconic rivalry.

    Lanterns will stream on HBO Max this August.

    Source: Entertainment Weekly

  • Marvel Sets ‘ViSiONQUΞST’ Premiere Date

    Marvel Sets ‘ViSiONQUΞST’ Premiere Date

    Fans can now mark their calendars for the release of the final chapter of the WandaVision trilogy At the Disney Upfront presentation, Marvel Studios officially confirmed that VisionQuest will premiere on October 14, 2026.

    You’re meeting a Vision who has died and come back to life, who is sort of reconnecting with his memories, and his feelings, and is going through a bit of an identity quest.

    -Showrunner Terry Matalas

    VisionQuest has been described as a sort of techno-philosophica journey and certainly one of the studio’s weirdest projects to date which will include the return of James Spader‘s villainous murder bot, Ultron. The Wrap was present at the Upfront presentation and gave a description of the footage revealed from the show.

    For most of the footage, we see Paul Bettany in his human form, essentially watching Vision’s memories like a film. When last we saw him, he was the White Vision that we saw fly off at the end of WandaVision. He’s been given his memories back without having lived them, so now he’s trying to figure out his humanity once more, noting he has none of the emotions the first Vision did. There to help him — and taunt him — is Ultron, once again voiced by James Spader. But Spader also appears in human form too.

    Ruaridh Mollica has been confirmed to be playing Vision’s son, Tommy, with Todd Stashwick portraying Paladin, a mercenary out to acquire Vision’s technology for an unknown boss.

    VisionQuest will wrap Marvel Television’s live-action slate for 2026 and conclude in time for any of its characters or plot points to carry over to Avengers: Doomsday if necessary.

    Source: The Wrap

  • Lucasfilm’s Next Star Wars Streaming Show Hit with Significant Delay

    Lucasfilm’s Next Star Wars Streaming Show Hit with Significant Delay

    The path to the galaxy outside the galaxy far, far away has a roadmap. Lucasfilm has officially locked in the premiere window for Ahsoka Season 2…and it’s coming quite a bit later than hoped.

    Dave Filoni’s flagship series is set to return to Disney+ early in 2027.

    The Season 1 finale, “The Jedi, The Witch and The Warlord”, was a dense and expansive installment in the overall lore of the franchise and teed up an incredibly interesting Season 2 which was expected to stream in 2026. However, for reasons Lucasfilm did not reveal at the Disney Upfront presentation, fans will have to wait at least 8 more months before finding out what awaits Ahsoka, Sabine, Baylon and Shin on Peridea and how the returns of Thrawn and Ezra Bridger from that same planet will shape the New Republic.

    The new branding is heavy on the celestial runes we saw at the end of Season 1, suggesting that the World Between Worlds and the statues of the Mortis Gods on Peridea will be the primary focus. Rosario Dawson was on hand at the Upfronts to tease that the “stakes are higher” and the “battles are bigger,” which potentially justifies the extra year of post-production.

    A four-year gap between seasons is a lot, but if it means we get a prestige-level exploration of Anakin’s Force Ghost and the origins of the Mortis Gods, it’s a price worth paying. The logo alone suggests this isn’t just a sequel—it’s a continued spiritual expansion of Star Wars lore that Filoni has been crafting for quite some time.

  • Who’s the Boss? ‘The Punisher: One Last Kill’ Leaves One of Frank’s Most Determined Foes on the Loose

    Who’s the Boss? ‘The Punisher: One Last Kill’ Leaves One of Frank’s Most Determined Foes on the Loose

    Judith Light spent nearly a decade as Tony Danza’s boss but nothing in her impressive filmography would suggest that the Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress would make a menacing mob boss. However, in The Punisher: One Last Kill, Light brings one of Frank Castle’s most menacing and determined foes to life with convincing verisimilitude.

    Light plays Isabella “Ma” Gnucci, the head of the Gnucci Crime Family who tried to take Castle out in Volume 5 of The Punisher, written by Garth Ennis. The 12-issue arc, known as “Welcome Back, Frank”, launched Ennis’ 49-issue run with the character and has long been hailed as a classic Punisher tale. Harboiled and gruesome, “Welcome Back, Frank” took the character back to his roots and allowed him to do what he does best: kill bad guys with extreme prejudice…and a flamethrower.

    In terms of MCU Punisher continuity, Ma Gnucci makes quite a bit of sense as an antagonist for the project, given that Frank wiped out several members of the Gnucci Crime Family in Episode 1.01 of The Punisher, “3 AM” and, subsequently killed her husband and sons as part of his vendetta against those who were responsible for the death of his family. In One Last Kill, it’s revealed that Ma Gnucci has been patiently planning the Punisher’s demise and puts a bounty on his head while revealing exactly where he can be found.

    Unfortunately for Gnucci, her plan to put down Castle fails, not only leaving him alive but providing a glimpse of purpose that ultimately leads to him becoming The Punisher once more.

    Somewhat surprisingly, Gnucci’s role–and that of her intriguing bodyguard Barry–is rather minimal, foreshadowing a future showdown between her and Castle. While Castle’s next appearance is in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, it seems clear that Bernthal already has the next gruesome steps in the character’s MCU journey outlined and it looks like the boss will be back as well.