Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Charles Murphy

  • First Look at the Mild-Mannered Clark Kent from the Set of ‘Superman’

    First Look at the Mild-Mannered Clark Kent from the Set of ‘Superman’

    A deluge of photos from the Cleveland set if DC Studios’ Superman has but social media over theast several days and it doesn’t seem as though it’s slowing down. Fans were recently treated to the first look at David Corenswet‘s Superman standing in the wake of destruction in Metropolis. Now, the first look at Corenswet as Kal-El’s mild-mannered alter ego has emerged.

    Fresh from set of Superman, feast your eyes on Corenswet as the intrepid Daily Planet reporter Clark Kent!

    Corenswet’s look as Kent is certainly a little more modern take and provides a semi-believeable “disguise.”

    In addition to the first look at Kent, today’s action also provided a glimpse of Mikaela Hoover‘s Cat Grant. The photo shows Grant stepping off the same prop as Lois Lane and Perry White in previous photos.

    Updating…

  • ‘Rogue One’ Star Confirmed to Return for ‘Andor’ Season 2

    ‘Rogue One’ Star Confirmed to Return for ‘Andor’ Season 2

    Nearly two years after it debuted on Disney Plus, Lucasfilm’s Andor remains the standard for a Star Wars streaming series. Set five years before the events of Rogue One, Andor dove into the earliest days of the Rebellion and boldly did so with an all-new cast of characters outside of the series’ lead, Cassian Andor, once again portrayed by Diego Luna. Recently, Luna teased that Season 2–which will cover the four years between Season 1 and Rogue One–would feature cameos from Rogue One characters and now it seems one has been revealed.

    The scale of the show is so huge. Directors work in blocks of three episodes, so we did four blocks [in Season 1] of three episodes each. We looked and said, ‘Wow, it’d be really interesting if we come back, and we use each block to represent a year. We’ll move a year closer with each block.’ From a narrative point of view, it’s really exciting to be able to work on something where you do a Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and then jump a year.

    –Andor creator Tony Gilroy on the structure of the show’s timeline.
    In an interview with The Playlist, Alonso Ruizpalacios, who is one of several directors to have worked on Andor Season 2, revealed that Ben Mendelsohn is set to reprise his role as the villainous Orson Krennic.

    While discussing Season 2 of the streaming series, Ruizpalacios said he was excited to have worked with “heavyweights” such as “Stellan Skarsgård, Forest Whitaker, and Ben Mendelsohn.” While the return of Krennic makes plenty of sense, it’s the first news of Mendelsohn’s return; in fact, the actor had previously indicated that he did expect to be involved in the show. “As for being contacted by Lucasfilm for a new project, I can tell you that no, I have not been approached for something like this,” Mendelsohn told Bad Taste in February 2024. “And yes, it would be great to see him again somewhere, but for now, everything stops here,” he continued.

    But as far as I’m concerned, I would be very willing to explore it further and significantly in that world. I never expected to play a character like that, but then again, I never expected to become an actor, either. For me, they are all wonderful things. I think Krennic has a tremendous amount of things left to give to the audience. What you need to understand about a character like Krennic is that, if he had the chance, he would have tried to take over the entire game, and it seems to me that this aspect has not yet been explored sufficiently.

    -Ben Mendelsohn on returning as Krennic, Bad Taste, February 2024

    Series creator Tony Gilroy has already stated that the last shot of Andor Season 2 will be set immediately before the opening of Rogue One. “Our final scene of the show is no secret. It’s going to be [Cassian] walking across the tarmac to get in the ship to go to the Rings of Kafrene to go meet Daniel Mays’ [the character Cassian kills in the opening of the film], he’s going there.” So where does Mendelsohn’s character fit in? As a member of the Republic’s Strategic Advisory Cell, Krennic was involved in the planning of the Death Star from its earliest days, suggesting that the work of his former colleague, Galen Erso, be utilized in weaponizing the DS-1. While Rogue One provided a flashback to Krennic’s tragic encounter with Erso after the former had failed in his work, Andor Season 2 leaves plenty of room to tell more of Krennic’s story and could even see him interacting with other high-level members of the Empire such as Tarkin or Thrawn. Whatever the case, we’ll have to wait quite some time before we find out as Andor Season 2 isn’t expected to hit Disney Plus until 2025.

    Source: The Playlist, Bad Taste

  • Giancarlo Esposito Teases His “Badass” MCU Character

    Giancarlo Esposito Teases His “Badass” MCU Character

    After years of being fancast in multiple MCU roles, Giancarlo Esposito finally joined the cinema’s largest interconnected universe. It’s been just under a month since it was revealed that Espositio‘s character was set to debut in Captain America: Brave New World when it hits theaters in early 2025 and as reshoots on that project have wound down or moved out of the public eye, the buzz around the debut has died down a bit. However, at the premiere of his next film, MaXXXine, Esposito was asked about the role and teased that he’s set to be a real badass.

    “When you see me in the MCU, you’re going to see a badass and I’m excited for that,” Esposito told Deadline. “Acting is using every part of your body, your emotions, your senses, your feelings to portray something. But when you…you haven’t really seen me use my body in a way I’ll be using it. The MCU is exciting. I can’t tell you who I play but you’re gonna be excited when you see it,” he teased.

    The MCU has knocked on my door and it’s a role you won’t predict. It will be teased and there will be a series afterwards.

    -Giancarlo Esposito on his mystery MCU character

    While Esposito has done plenty of teasing of his character over the past couple of months, the identity of the agent of chaos has yet to be revealed. A set photo released online in early June showed the character will be heavily armed and led to wild theorizing and speculation by fans who believe he’s playing every Marvel character from Bushman to Willis Stryker to Shatterstar. To date, I’ve not seen an accurate guess of Esposito‘s character.

    Captain America: Brave New World hits theaters on February 14th, 2025.

  • More ‘Superman’ Set Photos Provide First Look at Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane

    More ‘Superman’ Set Photos Provide First Look at Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane

    As production on DC Studios’ Superman continues in Cleveland, so does the run of photos of the Metropolis set hitting the web. Just hours after the first look at David Corenswet on set in the suit alongside Edi Gathegi‘s Mister Terrific, new photos have provided the first look at Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane.

    While we can’t share them here, you can click the link to Just Jared below to check them all out; however, from the photo embedded in the tweet, you can see Brosnahan‘s Lane wearing her trademark purple!

    While it’s still not entirely clear what’s happening in downtown Metropolis in the photos, additional photos seem to show Brosnahan‘s Lane and Wendell Pierce‘s Perry White stepping off a plane amidst some destruction in the streets (Loeb Drive, specifically, in reference to Jeph Loeb, who wrote 1998’s Superman For All Seasons, a four-issue miniseries that has been referenced by James Gunn as inspiration for the film).

    Given that earlier photos from the set showed Superman looking to the sky, it’s possible that in addition to whatever caused chaos in the streets of Metropolis, Kal-El also saved a plane, carrying Lois, Perry and others, from crashing. Whatever the case, there seems to be quite a bit going on in Superman outside of a beef with Lex Luthor. With filming expected to continue in Cleveland, perhaps some more details will emerge allowing fans to piece together a bit of the story.

  • Mister Terrific and Superman Team Up to Save Metropolis in Latest ‘Superman’ Set Photos

    Mister Terrific and Superman Team Up to Save Metropolis in Latest ‘Superman’ Set Photos

    As production on Superman has gotten underway in Cleveland, the first true set leaks from the project have begun to hit social media. From a look at the Easter egg-laden set to action shots of David Corenswet‘s Kal-El from the front pages of Metropolis newspaper props, fans have been treated to some awesome material of late. Today, it got even better.

    Fresh photos from the set have revealed the first true look at Corenswet in action in the suit and the first look of any kind at Edi Gethegi as Mister Terrific.

    The new photos come as earlier shots showed mass destruction in Metropolis. While it’s unclear what the cause of the damage is, it apparently results in the military being called in to assist. While some have theorized that Metropolis is under attack by Mongul in the photos, the Warworld madman has yet to appear on set.

    Corenswet’s costume came under fire when it was first revealed on social media by James Gunn but it certainly passes in he eye test in action. Gathegi’s Mister Terrific looks to have the most comic accurate costume in CBM history and it looks… terrific.

  • ‘Superman’ Set Photos Provide First Look at David Corenswet in Action

    ‘Superman’ Set Photos Provide First Look at David Corenswet in Action

    As production on DC Studios’ Superman gets underway in Cleveland, Ohio, pictures of the set have made their way online over the last few days. With downtown Cleveland being transformed into Metropolis, key locations have been spotted along with countless Easter eggs that pay homage to Superman’s long history both in the comics and on the screen. Now, a new round of photos is giving fans their first look at David Corenswet in action despite the actor not having been caught on set just yet.

    Photos of props from the set include newspaper stories about Superman’s heroics in Metropolis including one written by the Daily Planet’s Clark Kent that shows the Man of Steel, fully suited up, from stopping a train. Clearly a nod by writer and director James Gunn to show that Kal-El is indeed more powerful than a locomotive, it also gives fans the first look at David Corenswet‘s Superman in action.

    https://twitter.com/DCU_Updates/status/1804288099759067197

    In addition to stopping a train, another set photo reveals that Superman also saved people from a collapsing building via the Metropolis Eagle, a rival publication of the Daily Planet. The article provides another look at Corenswet striking the classic hands-on-hip Superman pose.

    https://twitter.com/DCFilmNews/status/1804289770128126445

    The two articles seen in the set photos show publication dates of May and September, which may indicate a heroic montage is on the way in Superman. Also of interest on the front page of the Eagle is the mention of Lex Luthor winning the “Arcane award.” In the pages of DC Comics, Anton Arcane is a supervillain who first appeared in Swamp Thing #1 and became a frequent thorn in the side of Alec Holland.

  • ‘Avengers 5’ Star Confirms Production Timeline

    ‘Avengers 5’ Star Confirms Production Timeline

    As the final countdown for Marvel Studios one and only theatrical release of 2024 begins, preparations for the studio’s next Avengers movie continue. Word recently came down that Kevin Feige and crew have begun the search for a director and that Deadpool & Wolverine‘s Shawn Levy may be in contention for the job. Typically Marvel prefers to begin working with directors a year or so before the start of production which would indicate that filming should be on track to get underway in mid-2025. And it turns out that may just be the case, according to one of the film’s expected stars.

    While reflecting on his time as Doctor Strange, Benedict Cumberbatch indicated that he’s expecting to suit back up for production on Avengers 5 next year.

    Originally known as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Avengers 5 remains on track for its May 2026 release despite a complete overhaul behind the scenes which included a new writer and director and, reportedly, a new main character.

  • ‘Superman’ Set Photos Reveal an Easter Egg-Rich Metropolis

    ‘Superman’ Set Photos Reveal an Easter Egg-Rich Metropolis

    Once dubbed the “Miistake on the Lake, Cleveland, Ohio has been the butt of plenty of jokes over the last century. However, the city has undergone a bit of a renaissance over the last decade, seeing the downtown transformed into an exemplar of how to revive long abandonded downtown areas. Downton Cleveland has served as the backdrop for several major films over the last few years and will do so again in DC Studios’ Superman. And as the area is being prepared for filming, photos of the areas being used to double as downtown Metropolis have been revealed and it is FULL of Easter eggs, nods and some plain old comic accurate depictions of key locations.

    The most noteworthy example of how much attention to detail is being paid by James Gunn‘s design and production crews comes in the way of Cleveland’s Leader Building. Crews are turning the building into the exterior of The Daily Planet, complete with comic accurate logos and a near perfect front entrance.

    Signs around town also reference New Troy, one of the boroughs of Metropolis where key locations such as The Daily Planet, Lexcorp Tower and the Ace of Clubs Pub.

    Another round of photos show some storefronts including the Wounded Duck,a bar owned by Tim Drake, aka Robin, on Earth-2. It’s also very worth nothing that a storefront for Jitters coffee shop, featured in CW’s The Flash has been created, and gives a look at the Metropolis skyline. From the looks of it, The Daily Planet will be sporting its trademark massive globe atop it. It also looks as though a Lexcorp building may be outlined in the far left of the Jitters’ logo.

    Other storefronts include nods to Superman actor Christopher Reeve and DC Comics artist Frank Quietly.

    We certainly haven’t found all the references and nods but it is clear that Superman is being created with a deep reverence to quite possibly EVERYTHING DC-related that has preceded it.

  • More Deadpool? Shawn Levy on a Possible Return for ‘Deadpool 4’

    More Deadpool? Shawn Levy on a Possible Return for ‘Deadpool 4’

    As the director of Marvel Studios’ one and only theatrical offering of 2024, Shawn Levy has been and will continue to be in the spotlight throughout the summer. Not only was he charged with bringing the Merc with a Mouth into the MCU and crafting the studio’s first R-rated project but also with the tall task of getting the MCU back to the heights it so frequently visited before a rough 2023.

    With just more than a month until it hits theaters, all signs point to Deadpool & Wolverine being a massive financial success for Marvel and with Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman teaming up and bringing their incredible chemistry to the he project, it’s hard to imagine it won’t be a hit with fans as well. As the film continues to gather momentum, Levy has found himself rumored to be in the mix to direct Avengers 5 and fans are already clamoring for news on Deadpool 4. As promotion for Deadpool & Wolverine kicks off, Deadline asked Levy about the potential for him to return to helm another Deadpool film.

    “Usually I have to lie,” said Levy. “I’m waiting for the questions when I have to lie and pretend I don’t know the answer, but this one I can sincerely say I don’t know.” With Marvel Studios continuing to reassess the future of their theatrical slate, it’s not too hard to imagine Levy is telling the truth. However, it sounds as though while putting Deadpool & Wolverine together was a tough task, the director would be up for more.

    Marvel Studios presents their most significant mistake to date—”Deadpool & Wolverine.” A listless Wade Wilson toils away in civilian life. His days as the morally flexible mercenary, Deadpool, behind him. When his homeworld faces an existenal threat, Wade must reluctantly suit-up again with an even more reluctantlier… reluctanter? Reluctantest? He must convince a reluctant Wolverine to—Fuck. Synopses are so fucking stupid.

    -Official synopsis, Deadpool & Wolverine

    “But I can, in the same breath, say, ‘Man, this thing has been the hardest, most all-consuming thing I’ve ever done’, said Levy.  “But it’s also been the most creatively gratifying. Because with Deadpool, there’s no rules. It is, in its very DNA, built on tonal audacity. So, for a filmmaker, what a delight,” he explained before adding that working with two long-time friends helped make working on the project “a blast.”

    “And to do it with my best friend Ryan, my other buddy Hugh, the three of us who have known each other now for a very long time, it was just a blast,” Levy concluded. All in all, it doesn’t sound like the studio would have to twist Levy’s arm to return and given the referenve he’s shown for the source material, that may be something worth keeping an eye on.

    Deadpool & Wolverine hits theaters on July 26th.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures’ Sets Season 2 Release Date

    ‘Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures’ Sets Season 2 Release Date

    Debuting on May 4th, 2023 as part of Lucasfilm’s Star Wars Day celebration, the animated Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures proved to be “a wholesome adventure series set in an ever-expanding universe that provides a wonderful jumping-on-point for young Star Wars newbies.” Set during the High Republic era and centered around Younglings Kai Brightstar, Lys Solay and Nub and their friend, Crimson Firehawk pilot Nash Durango, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures set its own course for adventure in Season One and was very well received. With the first 25 episodes available on Disney Plus and playing daily on Disney Jr., the series has largely been a hit for Lucasfilm and now we have word on when the next round of adventures will debut.

    Season 2 of Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures will debut on Disney + and Disney Jr. on Wednesday, August 14th with new shorts arriving on both outlets on August 2nd. The second half of Season 2 will debut sometime in 2025.
    (L-R): Kai Brightstar (voiced by Jecobi Swain.), and Lys Solay (voiced by Juliet Donenfeld) from “STAR WARS: YOUNG JEDI ADVENTURES (Season 2)”, exclusively on Disney+ and Disney Junior. © 2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.

    Set 200 years before The Phantom Menace, during the High Republic era, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures follows Jedi younglings Kai Brightstar, Lys Solay, and Nubs as they study the ways of the Force, explore the galaxy, help citizens and creatures in need and learn valuable skills needed to become Jedi along the way.

    -Official synopsis for Young Jedi Adventures

    According to an official release from Disney, in addition to continuing to follow the Youngling’s adventures with Jedi Master Zia, Season 2 will introduce a new character to the series.

    Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures Season 2 follows the younglings as they continue their training and embark on even bigger missions across the galaxy. Helping to lead the younglings on these missions is Master Zia’s new Padawan, Wes Vinik, and his astromech R0-M1. As they continue their training and grow in the ways of the Force, the young Jedi will travel to new planets with new and old friends and encounter adversaries like The Ganguls, who are growing in their pirate ranks…

    Ahead of the release, the first episode of a new digital series, Fun with Nubs, has been released and is available at StarWarsKids.com and at the Star Wars Kids YouTube channel. New episodes are set to debut each Friday.