Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Charles Murphy

  • Kevin Feige Provides Updates on the Futures of Several Major Marvel Characters

    Kevin Feige Provides Updates on the Futures of Several Major Marvel Characters

    Marvel Studios had a fairly large presence at Disney’s D23 Expo in Brazil which ran from November 8th through November 10th. While no new projects were announced, footage was shown from upcoming projects from all the studios under the Marvel umbrella. Marvel Studios showcased its 2025 film slate with Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four: First Steps; Marvel Television shared a look at next March’s Daredevil: Born Again; Marvel Animation unveiled the first trailer for Season 3 of What If…?, which debuts on December 22nd, and gave the fans a look at Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, which hits D+ on January 29th, 2025.

    Despite not breaking any news on the stage, Marvel Studios One Above All, Kevin Feige, did have plenty to say to the Brazilian outlet Omelete about the potential futures of several big-time MCU players.

    Blade

    “We are committed to Blade,” said the Feigster. “We love the character. We love Mahershala’s take on him. And rest assured: whenever we change direction with a project, or are still figuring out how it fits into our schedule, we let the audience know. You’re all up to date on what’s happening. But I can tell you that the character will indeed make it to the MCU.”

    Parsing words a bit, it does seem interesting that Feige chose to say that “the character would indeed make it to the MCU” rather than the film. It may ultimately be nitpicking but it is worth noting and tracking as things continue to develop.

    Deadpool and Wolverine

    After finishing up an incredible run in theaters, Deadpool & Wolverine is now available digitally and, as of November 12th, is streaming on Disney Plus where it’s sure to generate another round of hype. According to Feige, fans can probably expect to see more of the odd couple. “The plans with Deadpool and Wolverine will always be the same,” teased Feige. “We’re always wondering where we can fit them in, and how quickly.” With rumors that both characters will have roles in the studio’s 2027 Multiverse Saga finale, Avengers: Secret Wars, it may not be too long before the deadly duo suits up again.

    Scarlet Witch

    Despite apparently sacrificing herself to destroy the Darkhold in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Wanda Maximoff’s future in the MCU has never really been up for debate. In late 2022, Feige made it clear that the studio had plans for the character and recently those plans have started to take shape with WandaVision and Agatha All Along creator Jac Schaeffer rumored to be developing a solo Scarlet Witch project. Even star Elizabeth Olsen has recently teased a very specific direction in which she’d like to see the character’s story move, leaving little room for doubt that Wanda will indeed be back in the MCU.

    And now, whatever room remained to harbor doubt was wiped out by Feige in Brazil.”We had Agatha All Along on Disney+ just now, and that series was great for us. Since then, there have been a lot of questions about Wanda in fans’ minds,” said Feige. “So all I can say is that we’re excited to find out when and how Scarlet Witch can come back.” New rumors suggest the character will play a large role in Avengers: Doomsday; if those rumors are true, we’ll likely find out soon as the film is expected to go before cameras in early 2025.

    X-Men

    marvel studios x-men

    Fans have been eagerly awaiting Marvel Studios’ take on the X-Men since the live-action rights to the characters were acquired as part of Disney’s 2019 merger with Fox. And while some mutants have been sprinkled into other projects over the past few years, the studio does have much larger plans for the X-Men, including a film being written by Michael Lesslie. While there was some hope it might end up in the Multiverse Saga, Feige put all that talk to bed in Brazil.

    “When we were preparing for Avengers: Endgame years ago, it was a matter of getting to the grand finale of our narrative, and then we had to start all over again after that,” Feige explained. “This time, on the road to Secret Wars, we already know very well what’s going to happen. be the story until then and beyond. The X-Men are an important part of that future.” With a script already in the works, it’s very possible that Phase 7 of the MCU (if Phases are even a thing anymore) could lead off with Marvel Studios X-Men.

    Eternals

    eternals 2

    Perhaps in part because of the success of Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel Studios made the choice to develop a film around the Eternals, an obscure group of characters created by Jack Kirby in the 1970s. However, rather than lean into what Kirby intended the characters to be, the studio stripped them of everything their creator built into them that was of interest. The result was a film that was poorly received critically despite having one of the MCU’s most impressive ensemble casts.

    Before it flopped in theaters, there seemed to be big plans for the characters introduced in Eternals. That no longer seems to be the case with Feige already saying “there are no immediate plans for Eternals 2” earlier this year and now indicating that whole the studio remains “very proud of that movie” adding that cast was incredible” while giving no indication that’s something he’s actually attempting to do.“We’d be lucky to get any of them back at some point,” he closed, which would be a strange thing to say if he were planning on using the characters.

    Inhumans

    Originally in development as a film for a 2019 release, Marvel’s Inhumans was pulled from the slate in 2016. From there, the property moved to Marvel TV and ultimately turned into one of the most ridiculously embarrassing projects the company ever produced.

    Though Anson Mount‘s Black Bolt did appear in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, it’s never really seemed as though Feige had large-scale plans for the Inhumans within the confines of the MCU. And if his response to a question about the characters is any indication, he still doesn’t have any. “We’ll see where, if, and when, they return,” replies Feige to an inquiry about their MCU future. At least we’ll always have that great moment where one of Marvel’s most disciplined heroes accidentally killed himself!

    Source: Omlete

  • Denzel Washington Reveals Upcoming MCU Role

    Denzel Washington Reveals Upcoming MCU Role

    The MCU has dominated pop culture over parts of three different decades. Marvel Studios projects have launched careers, relaunched careers and been a sought after by many veteran actors who, in some cases, are fans of the connected universe themselves, or, in other cases, are happy to collect a big paycheck. Icons such as Ben Kingsley, Michelle Pfeiffer, Michael Douglas and Harrison Ford have all brought their star power the MCU and now one of the biggest stars of all time has revealed he is finally ready to do so as well.

    While promoting Gladiator II in an interview with The Today Show, Denzel Washington shared the news that Black Panther franchise writer/director Ryan Coogler has created a role for him in Black Panther 3.

    While outlining the next steps in his incredible career to the Today Show, Washington said “Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next Black Panther.“ While Marvel Studios has yet to officially announce a third film in the franchise, it was rumored earlier this year that Coogler had committed to the project.

    Source: Twitter

  • Kevin Feige Finally Addresses Miles Morales’ MCU Future

    Kevin Feige Finally Addresses Miles Morales’ MCU Future

    Since debuting in the pages of Marvel Comics in 2011, Miles Morales has grown into one of the publisher’s most popular and beloved characters. Thanks to starring in video games and two animated Spider-Verse films, Morales’ star has continued to shine leaving really only one last medium to conquer: live-action.

    Despite Sony’s continued insistence in developing live-action films about their stable of Spidey-related characters, they’ve never moved forward with a live-action Miles Morales project. Earlier this year, it was reported that at least part of why Sony hasn’t made a solo Morales film yet was because Amy Pascal and Kevin Feige had agreed to bring him into the MCU in Spider-Man 4. And now as Feige joined the party at D23 Brazil, it sounds as though that may truly be the case.

    Innan interview with Omelete, Feige was asked about the future of Miles Morales and gave a very interesting response.

    “Miles will appear in the third ‘Spider-Verse’ movie, which is in production,” said the Feigster, adding, “I hope that, shortly after that, he can enter the MCU in live-action.”

    Though the third Spider-Verse film is currently undated after being removed from its originally planned March 2024 release, it’s likely to hit theaters before Spider-Man 4, which was recently slotted into July 2026. If that’s the case, Feige may have just teased the MCU debut of Morales being just a couple of years away!

    Source: Omelete

  • Lucasfilm Revelas ‘Andor’ Season 2 Release Date

    Lucasfilm Revelas ‘Andor’ Season 2 Release Date

    Despite the popularity of The Mandalorian, Andor remains the gold standard in terms of Lucasfilm’s Star Wars streaming series. Andor was an immediate hit with fans when it launched on Disney Plus in Fall 2022 and fans have been eagerly anticipating the upcoming second season, which was originally intended to stream in 2024. Those plans changed, however, with the second and final season of the series being pushed to 2025, though a release window wasn’t provided…until now.

    According to an advertisment seen on the Disney Plus mobile app, Season 2 of Andor is set to debut on the service on April 22nd.

    The series, which stars Diego Luna as the title character who first appeared in Rogue One, was created by Tony Gilroy and introduced a cast of all-new characters into the galaxy far, far away. The second season will serve as a direct prequel to Rogue One and will see Forest Whitaker, Ben Mendelsohn and Alan Tudyk return to reprise their respective characters from the 2016 film.

    Source: Screen Rant

  • Marvel Studios Reportedly Bedeviled by the Prospects of Reteaming with One of 2024’s Biggest Surprises

    Marvel Studios Reportedly Bedeviled by the Prospects of Reteaming with One of 2024’s Biggest Surprises

    2024 may not have been the year Marvel Studios had planned it to be a couple of years ago but it was exactly the year it needed to be. Once set to see four feature films, including Fantastic Four, and four live-action streaming series, including Daredevil: Born Again, roll out over the course of the year, the planned 2024 slate took a major hit as Bob Iger forced Kevin Feige and the Marvel Parliament to take a moment to sit in the corner and think about what they had done. As a result, the live-action slate was pared down to 2 series and 1 film; however, the studio found incredible success in its reduced release schedule with a return to form at the box office and arguably its most complete streaming series to date. As they look in the rearview mirror on what did and did not work in 2024, the studio will see more good than bad for the first time in a few years.

    Marvel Studios’ one and only 2024 theatrical release, Deadpool & Wolverine, looked to be a surefire hit and while it was certainly not universally loved by critics, the bloody buddy comedy put butts in seats and reminded most fans of how to have a good time at a Marvel Studios movie. While those butts were in those seats, the unspoiled in the audience were treated to some incredible surprises in the film as non-Marvel Studios OGs such as Wesley Snipes‘ Blade, Jennifer Garner‘s Elektra and Chris Evans‘ Johnny Storm popped up for more-than-just-a-cameo appearances. As surprising as it was to see those actors reprise those roles, Channing Tatum‘s Gambit stole the show as audiences fell in love with the actor’s long-awaited debut as the Cajun. It didn’t take long for fans to begin to call for more of Tatum‘s mumbly mutie. And with a little post-credit magic here and a deleted scene there, more of Tatum as Gambit in the MCU seemed to possibly be in the cards. Now it seems as though it might be more likely than anyone might have ever believed.

    In a recent interview with EW, Deadpool & Wolverine star Ryan Reynolds claimed that the decision makers at Marvel Studios are “obsessed” with Tatum as Gambit while drawing a comparison to his own struggle to get Deadpool to the big screen.

    “I honestly don’t know what goes on behind closed doors in the bookkeeping sessions at Marvel, but I do know that they’re obsessed with him in that role,” said Reynolds. “It’s kind of like the same situation I went through. Once you show that it works well, that’s really what they need. Sometimes they just need to see it in action.” Reynolds’s passion for Deadpool kept hope alive for years that a reasonable version of the character to finally make it to the big screen and paid off with two successful Fox films and a major win at the box office for Marvel Studios. As referenced in his comments, Tatum had to endure a similar process after his long-gestating Gambit solo film was cancelled when Disney merged with Fox.

    And Channing is so singular in how he plays that character but also he’s so beautiful physically, the way he moves and the way he can pick up steps.

    Ryan Reynolds on Channing Tatum as Gambit

    Obviously Tatum’s future as Gambit is not for Reynolds to decide but with the buzz his performance in Deadpool & Wolverine created and Marvel Studios moving toward their own mutant era, it’s hard to imagine fans won’t get the chance to see Tatum make even more of a name for himself as the beloved X-Man.

    Source: EW via Variety

  • What I Heard This Week: John Malkovich’s ‘Fantastic’ Role

    What I Heard This Week: John Malkovich’s ‘Fantastic’ Role

    At 70 years old, John Malkovich has shown no interest in pumping the brakes on what has been a prodigious acting career. With a film career that began in earnest 40 years and over 70 projects ago on his resume, the actor has remained as busy as ever, starring in 14 movies in the 2020s as well as taking on recurring roles in 4 streaming series including The New Pope, Space Force and Billions. However, despite his very full plate, the eccentric actor made the decision to jump into one of Hollywood’s most popular franchises.

    In May 2024, a Hollywood trade report broke the news that Malkovich had joined the very impressive cast of Marvel Studios The Fantastic Four: First Steps in an unknown role. Speculation around Malkovich’s role had the actor filling in as anyone from Phillip Masters, aka the Puppet Master to Reed Richards’ time-traveling father, Nathaniel, and many other interesting roles in between. As it turns out, Malkovich will be portraying one of the Fantastic Four’s oldest foes and one I speculated might end up in the film in February 2024.

    This week, I heard that Malkovich is playing Marvel Comics’ villain and twisted genius Ivan Kragoff. First introduced in January 1963’s Fantastic Four #13, Kragoff is better known as the Red Ghost, a recurring foe of Marvel’s First Family who often used his army of Super-Apes to aid him in his plans.

    A brilliant Russian scientist, Kragoff was fascinated with Cosmic Rays and, following the exposure of the Fantastic Four to them built his own spacecraft, loaded it up with primates and intentionally exposed himself to Cosmic Rays as well. He and his simian sidekicks were all mutated by the exposure and took on the Fantastic Four on the Blue Area of the Moon. Malkovich has a famously horrible Russian accent which he has shown off in both Rounders and Billions and given how sharp director Matt Shakman is, that’s almost certainly part of the reason Malkovich is playing Red Ghost.

    As speculated back in February, given that The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set in the 1960s and that Reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben’s mission to space will be part of the film, the Space Race may well be included. If so, Malkovich’s role as Kragoff makes sense as he both fits the mold of many Marvel Studios villains in that his origins as a villain are uniquely tied to the heroes and he also has enough ties to other characters and potential storylines that he could be kept around and used again down the road.

    Once upon a time, Malkovich was set to play the Vulture in Sam Raimi‘s scuttled Spider-Man 4 and we once dreamt of the star joining other eccentric legends like Beneci del Toro and Jeff Goldblum as Elders of the Universe in the MCU. Alas, fate had its own plans and know we know who John Malkovich is being.

    The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to hit theaters on July 26, 2024.

  • ‘Star Wars: Rebels’ Co-Creator Tapped to Launch New Trilogy for Lucasfilm

    ‘Star Wars: Rebels’ Co-Creator Tapped to Launch New Trilogy for Lucasfilm

    As Lucasfilm continues to prepare for its return to theaters in 2026 with The Mandalorian and Grogu, the studio continues to chart a new path forward in the galaxy far, far, away. With a trio of films announced at Star Wars Celebration Europe set to tell tales in all-new eras and Dave Filoni‘s Mandoverse creeping toward its end, a trade report has broken news that Lucasfilm CEO Kathleen Kennedy has reteamed with a Star Wars vet to bring more adventures to the big screen.

    According to THR’ Borya Kit, Simon Kinberg, who co-created the beloved animated series, Star Wars: Rebels, has signed on to write and produce a new trilogy of Star Wars films for Lucasfilm.

    Though the trade report came with no details about what the new trilogy will be, it does seem clear what it won’t be. According to THR, Kinberg‘s trilogy will NOT be a continuation of the Skywalker Saga which spanned Episodes I through IX. Kinberg’s goal, as was the case with Rebels, is to introduce audiences to a new story and a new group of characters although, as THR’s report indicated, that does not necessarily mean characters from other Star Wars projects won’t potentially appear in the new trilogy. Kit made it clear that the new trilogy is not being designed as Episodes 10, 11 and 12.

    As it stands now, Lucasfilm will return to theaters for the first time since 2019’s Star Wars: Episode IX-The Rise of Skywalker with the Jon Favreau-led The Mandalorian and Grogu on May 22, 2026. Beyond that, the Daisy Ridley-led New Jedi Order era film is expected to be on deck with James Mangold‘s Dawn of the Jedi era film and Dave Filoni‘s Mando-verse finale also on the lineup card.

    Source: THR

  • One 2026 Marvel Studios Film Reportedly Revealed

    One 2026 Marvel Studios Film Reportedly Revealed

    Following Marvel Studios summer convention circuit, which was laser-focused on the 2025 slate, it’s become clear that the studio has now turned its attention to 2026. In a relatively short amount of time, plans for two films, Avengers: Doomsday and Spider-Man 4, began to crystalize. However, as it stands now, there are still 2 untitled Marvel Studios films on the release schedule for 2026 which means if the studio hopes to make their respective release dates, they’ll need to make decisions in short order.

    The two untitled projects are set to serve as bookends to Doomsday and Spidey 4 which will both arrive in Summer 2026. With one untitled movie dated for February 13th, 2026, time is running out for the studio to get a project up and running if they hope to have something in theaters that day. Typically, Marvel would prefer to give a director about one year of lead time headed into production, meaning they’d typically have had a director on board for the February 2026 film nine months ago. However, despite that not being the case, a new report from a trusted insider points toward one troubled Marvel Studios’ movie potentially making into theaters for that date.

    According to Daniel RPK, Marvel’s long-gestating Blade film starring Mahershala Ali stands as the best bet to join Avengers: Doomsday and Spider-Man 4 on the 2026 theatrical release schedule.

    The insider’s report does come with one interesting caveat, however: he believes that the studio will eventually abandon the February date and try to have Blade ready for theaters in time to make the November 6, 2026 date they have staked out for an untitled film.

    Of course meeting any 2026 release date is contingent on finding a director for the film. Since it was announced in 2019, Blade has already lost original director Bassam Tariq and his replacement, Yann Demange. Fortunately, according to Daniel RPK, things may be headed in a positive direction as the project may be “close to finding a director.”

    Should the studio choose to move Blade into November 2026, that would cut the number of Marvel films on Disney’s recently updated 2026 release schedule by one. While that may be the most realistic option at this time, it’s not the only one. If the powers that be that make up the Marvel Parliament believe they can get Blade and another film in theaters for 2026, there’s no reason they can’t kick the February date down the road while also releasing a fourth film in November.

    Source: Twitter

  • Elizabeth Olsen Teases a Very Specific Future for The Scarlet Witch

    Elizabeth Olsen Teases a Very Specific Future for The Scarlet Witch

    Though she only briefly appeared in Agatha All Along as a dead body, Wanda Maximoff played a major role in the recently wrapped MCU streaming series. Despite sacrificing herself to destroy the Darkhold in the third act of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Kevin Feige made it very clear that there was plenty of room in the MCU’s future for more stories about Wanda.

    There really is so much more to explore. We still haven’t touched on many of her core storylines from the comics. I don’t know that we saw her under rubble? I saw a tower coming down, and a little red flash. I don’t know what that means.

    -Kevin Feige

    Undoubtedly, part of the allure of continuing Wanda’s tale is that it would allow Marvel Studios to continue to work with one of its most talented actresses in Elizabeth Olsen. Feige has taken every opportunity to praise Olsen , calling her “incredibly humble and incredibly down-to-earth” while also stating that she is “a force of nature” when “those cameras roll.” In 2022, Feige claimed that he’d “work with Lizzie for another 100 years”, teasing a possible loophole to her apparent death by saying “anything’s possible in the multiverse!” 

    AsMarvel Studios Multiverse Saga has evolved, Feige’s comments have proven more true than he probably intended. Robert Downey Jr. is now set to be th MCU’s Doctor Doom, Hugh Jackman will reportedly stay on as Wolverine for the time being and Wanda’s children, who disappeared with the undoing of her hex, are now both alive and (sort of) well…and that last point really makes it seem as though Wanda cannot be far behind.

    While rumors of a Scarlet Witch solo project written by WandaVision and Agatha All Along creator Jac Schaeffer continue to be bandied about, Schaeffer claims to be in the dark on the future of the character. When asked about the possibility during September’s Agatha All Along launch event, Schaeffer said, “I don’t know! I’m in witchy Agatha land right now and I can’t quite see through the trees, but we’re hoping.” However, when asked if it was possible that the collapse of Mount Wundagore could have been the end of the Scarlet Witch but not necessarily Wanda,  Schaeffer’s comments were a little more telling. “I am keeping such a good poker face,” remarked the writer. “What I will say is like, I really like how your mind works. That’s my response to that theory.“

    I mean I’m just here hoping for a Scarlet Witch movie. We all want Wanda, so fingers crossed that’s a thing that happens.

    -Jac Schaeffer

    More recently, Schaeffer offered a little more insight into Wanda’s possible future, indicating that the decision was made to explain in Agatha All Along that Wanda was not dead but simply “gone.” And that brings it right back to where Feige left things: anything is possible. And Olsen just teased one such possibility.

    In a recent appearance at a fan convention, Olsen was asked if there was one specific Marvel Comics story she’d like to see adapted for her return to the MCU. And while she didn’t refer to any particular story, she seemed to give away plenty.

    “Well, honestly, if I were to tell you exactly what I would want I think I would maybe be spoiling something,” said Olsen. “Kevin Feige genuinely asks us what we want to do with the character and then he does it [Laughs] so I don’t know if I can share…I just want to come back.”

    As for what the mystery arc might be, rumors have often cited Disney’s interest in adapting Young Avengers: The Children’s Crusade for an MCU project and that possibility has never seemed more realistic than it does now. With Tommy now back among the living, Billy on the hunt for him without control of his powers and the studio reveling in the success of a second streaming series set in the witchy corner of the MCU, a Maximoff family reunion seems like exactly the right move.

    Source: Twitter

  • New Rumored ‘Spider-Man 4’ Title Hints at Amazing New Status Quo for Tom Holland’s Web-Slinger

    New Rumored ‘Spider-Man 4’ Title Hints at Amazing New Status Quo for Tom Holland’s Web-Slinger

    After three years of reports, rumors and flat-out bullshit about Tom Holland‘s next steps as the MCU’s Spider-Man, a fourth installment in Sony and Marvel Studios’ franchise is finally gearing up for a 2025 start of production and a summer 2026 release. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the new film looks poised to play a pivotal role in the final arc of the Multiverse Saga though at this point in time, it remains unclear what story Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers have cooked up for Holland‘s Parker who is now set to face whatever comes his way without the support system that kept him up and running through the first three films.

    Originally rumored as an adaptation of Marvel Comics Devil’s Reign that would feature Spidey teaming up with Daredevil to take on Wilson Fisk in a “street-level Civil War”, more recent buzz had the film evolving into an unprecedented high-stakes crossover event that would feature Sony’s latest Venom villain, Knull, the King in Black. While both of those potential plots certainly have their charms, a new production listing for the film has the film headed in an entirely different direction that would see Parker encounter a familiar face…sort of.

    Production Weekly is reporting that the new film, titled Spider-Man: Brand New Day, will spin out of the events of Avengers: Doomsday and feature Robert Downey Jr.‘s Doctor Doom.

    Following the events of Doomsday, Peter Parker is determined to lead a normal life and focus on college, stepping back from his responsibilities as Spider-Man. However, peace is short-lived when a deadly new threat emerges, endangering his friends and forcing Peter to reconsider his promise. With stakes higher than ever, Peter reluctantly returns to his Spider-Man identity and finds himself teaming up with an unlikely ally to protect those he loves.

    -Reported synopsis of Spider-Man: Brand New Day via Prodcution Weekly

    Reading between the lines, if the rumored subtitle and synopsis are correct, it would seem the studio is adapting Dan Slott’s post-Civil War run on The Amazing Spider-Man.

    The listing also indicates that Michael Keaton and Andrew Garfield are on board to return as Peter 3 and Adrian Toomes, respectively. While it’s all very interesting and could lead to some fun and unexpected turns for the character, it’s too early to get too excited.

    Spider-Man 4 will swing into theaters on July 24, 2026.