Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Charles Villanueva

  • Kevin Feige Refused To Voice K.E.V.I.N. in ‘She-Hulk’

    Kevin Feige Refused To Voice K.E.V.I.N. in ‘She-Hulk’

    Fans were enraptured by the lengthy fourth-wall-breaking sequence in this week’s She-Hulk finale where Jennifer Walters stormed the offices of Marvel Studios to confront the mastermind behind all the wackiness happening in the episode. Turns out, it was Kevin behind it all. Not the Kevin Feige, per se, but an AI robot named K.E.V.I.N., an obvious reference to the big boss himself.

    In an interview with She-Hulk head writer Jessica Gao, the team lobbied hard for Feige to voice his MCU robotic counterpart and to sign off on the robot’s own hat.

    We campaigned very hard for Kevin to do the voice and he refused. Yes, we did get in a fight over the hat because in the script it says that SHe-Hulk enters the inner sanctum. There is this big Akira-like Hal-9000 type machine. The pre-vis team, had already started mocking up all types of versions of Kevin. They all had a little black baseball cap on top. Real Kevin says, ‘You can’t have the… It doesn’t make any sense for a machine to wear this baseball hat.’ I was like, ‘Kevin, this is the problem you have with all of this?

    The scene was a fun nod to the machinations of the MCU, poking fun at its own shortcomings through its tenure while acknowledging the franchise’s criticisms. Had Kevin Feige voiced K.E.V.I.N., the scene would come across way better. Nonetheless, it’s a bold sequence to end the season with.

  • Concept Art of Brett Goldstein as Hercules Officially Released

    Concept Art of Brett Goldstein as Hercules Officially Released

    The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s post-credits cameos for Phase 4 haven’t been particularly exciting. The Blade voice cameo in Eternals was laughable while Charlize Theron‘s goofy random appearance as Clea at the end of Multiverse of Madness didn’t feel as impactful for the MCU’s future. Thor: Love and Thunder‘s stinger, however, breaks that mold as it introduced a major Marvel player in Hercules played by Ted Lasso star Brett Goldstein.

    Marvel Studios artist Andy Park revealed on Twitter today the look they had for Roy Kent on paper.

    And like most Phase 4 costumes, this version of Hercules has a pitch-perfect accurate costume. From the headpiece down to the motifs, this rendering is a 1:1 recreation of the comic except with a real person’s face on it. Goldstein’s physique is understandably that of a normal man and not the hulking demi-god from the comics but nonetheless works. Hercules is a burly, hair, rugged man, and Goldstein pretty much fits the bill.

  • EXCLUSIVE: Jamie Clayton on Reinventing Pinhead in ‘Hellraiser’

    EXCLUSIVE: Jamie Clayton on Reinventing Pinhead in ‘Hellraiser’

    Classic horror remakes don’t always stick the landing but when they do, it’s a remarkable feat. This year’s Hellraiser reboot does exactly that, delivering new thrills for the modern audience while reinventing the franchise. At the center of this film is Jamie Clayton‘s Pinhead, who succeeds Doug Bradley’s original version in more ways than one.

    We sat down with Clayton and asked about her process of reinventing the character. Clayton credits much of her performance to director David Bruckner‘s vision.

    It was wild. It was unlike anything I’d ever done. This role was the biggest challenge for me physically, mentally, and emotionally. Luckily, I had David [director] who literally one of the most amazing directors I’ve worked with. So generous with his time and ideas. We had many conversations about what the Hell Priest’s intentions were. What she would be feeling and thinking at every given moment. David gave me the room to play on set and we tried lots of different things and moments. He would direct me in a way that was so patient. I’m so happy that it’s me.

    Clayton’s incredible performance should only lead to more appearances in brand-new Hellraiser films. The look, voice, and gravitas she brings to the role are what makes the film ultimately sing. Without Clayton, the film wouldn’t have had the same reception at all.

  • Bad Bunny’s Marvel Film Lands Director and Writer

    Bad Bunny’s Marvel Film Lands Director and Writer

    El Muerto is the latest in a long line of Spidey-less Spider-Man movies Sony threatens to unleash upon cinemas. Music superstar Bad Bunny is slated to lead the film, a story about a luchador who gains mystical powers. According to the Wrap, the film has found its director and writer, Jonas Cuaron and Gareth-Dunnet Alcocer, respectively. Cuaron is best known for his acclaimed film Desierto and being the son of legendary director Alfonso Cuaron while Alcocer recently penned DC’s Blue Beetle film.

    As unexciting as a Spidey-less Spider-Man cinematic universe sounds, El Muerto does have the tremendous distinction of being the first Marvel film led by a Latino character. Having huge names such as Bad Bunny, Cuaron, and the burgeoning Alcocer behind the film gives the project legitimacy and prestige. It’s hard to imagine how this film will tie in to Sony’s other Marvel properties but the pedigree attached to the project should keep fans hopeful that the studio gets a superhero movie correct after Morbius and Venom.

    Source: The Wrap

  • EXCLUSIVE: Genevieve O’Reilly On Mon Mothma’s Home Life in ‘ANDOR’

    EXCLUSIVE: Genevieve O’Reilly On Mon Mothma’s Home Life in ‘ANDOR’

    Mon Mothma is one of the iconic Star Wars characters making their return in Andor. Played by Genevieve O’Reilly, the show explores Mon Mothma’s early days in the Rebellion, giving insight into how she navigated the Empire’s political landscape.

    This week’s episode, in particular, reveals the life she had at home away from all the politics. It is revealed that her husband is in cahoots with some of the Empire’s most questionable personnel, much to her frustration. We spoke with O’Reilly, and asked what she thought of this brand new examination of such an important Star Wars character:

    Isn’t it interesting that we usually see Mon Mothma surrounding by rebels in a bunker? Where we meet her now is so polar opposite to any position we’ve seen her in before. She’s living and working within the imperial senate but not only that, her husband is clearly a card-carrying paid-up member of that Empire. We know that she’s been a senator since she was 16 years old. That comes with some serious constructs. We know her has a woman with a voice and an advocate for democracy. But really, how much of a voice did you have at 16? What is the structure of the life you stepped into as a senator at 16? What choices did she have? What’s interesting in Tony’s version when we meet her in her home life is you go, “What choices has this woman ever had?”

    It’ll be interesting to see just how Mon Mothma’s home life plays out given how she eventually rises to lead the Rebellion a couple of years from Andor. Her husband’s fate will be one to watch out for when he realizes his wife is working for the Empire’s enemy. Will he rat Mon out? How will he find out? One of Andor’s biggest strengths is its willingness to ask these questions and that makes for incredible Star Wars storytelling.

  • ‘Werewolf By Night’ Runtime Revealed

    ‘Werewolf By Night’ Runtime Revealed

    Next month sees the release of Marvel Studios’ first special presentation on Disney+ with Werewolf By Night. Not too long after that, the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special will follow suit. Marvel Studios’ dive into special TV presentations has long been a point of interest among fans with many wondering just how long these specials will be. Fortunately, we may have an idea based on how long Werewolf By Night is.

    https://twitter.com/bigscreenleaks/status/1573344790338740225

    Given James Gunn‘s comments on the Holiday Special’s runtime and this confirmation of Werewolf By Night’s own runtime, it’s safe to say that future MCU D+ Specials won’t reach the lengths of the infamous 2-hour Star Wars Holiday Special. Nonetheless, an hour’s worth of schlocky black-and-white horror content in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is hard to complain about. If anything, the MCU could use more one-off presentations like this.

  • EXCLUSIVE: ‘ANDOR’ Stars on Tony Gilroy’s Writing

    EXCLUSIVE: ‘ANDOR’ Stars on Tony Gilroy’s Writing

    This week’s release of Andor sees the Star Wars universe change in an unexpected way. The series strongly echoes the visuals and themes of Rogue One while presenting it in a darker tone. Murphy’s Multiverse sat down with a few of Andor’s stars and asked about the show’s script and Tony Gilroy‘s vision for a grittier Star Wars.

    Kyle Soller, who plays Syril Karn, said that the show’s unique tone was immediately present from the writing alone:

    I definitely felt it through the writing. When the script first came to me and I was talking to Tony Gilroy, I had the same exact reaction. It was not what I expected in the best possible way. It’s grittier. It’s more human. It’s very domestic. It’s a socio-political drama while also being a Star Wars epic. It built off the promise of what Rogue One was. This writing plus Tony Gilroy plus Diego Luna, it was just, “Wow!”

    The first three episodes of the series follow an intricate web of stories and complex characters. One of those characters is Cassian Andor’s close confidant Bix Caleen, a mechanic who may have ties to the Rebellion that Cassian has no clue about. Adria Arjona dished on Gilroy’s script and how it felt reading the story on the page:

    I think Tony is a brilliant writer. Tonally, when you read the script you realize how grounded it is and complex each and every character is and how interesting every storyline is and how they intertwine. It’s complicated and the characters are really going through something bigger than themselves. I think Tony did something beautiful where no one in this show lives in black or white. Everyone is in a grey area. There’s no such thing as good or bad and you get to explore ‘why’ in the intimacy of the character’s homes.

  • Mahershala Ali’s ‘Werewolf By Night’ Cameo Was Reportedly Cut

    Mahershala Ali’s ‘Werewolf By Night’ Cameo Was Reportedly Cut

    If you were one of the many fans confused at Mahershala Ali‘s random voice cameo at the end of Eternals then Werewolf By Night would have been the MCU project to make up for that confusion. A rumor from the Weekly Planet Podcast is claiming that Ali was originally supposed to make his live-action appearance in next month’s Werewolf By Night Halloween special but was cut due to scheduling problems. According to podcast host James Clement:

    Anyway, here’s a scoop, Mason… Blade, I can’t prove this, was originally set to debut in a Halloween special but was cut due to scheduling conflicts… Monster hunter, goes to a monster house. Makes sense, love that. It’s not happening, apparently.

    Announced 3 years ago in SDCC 2019, the Blade project has long been in the works. By the time the film releases next November, it’ll be 4 years since Ali was announced. With a project taking this long, it makes sense for Marvel Studios to introduce the character elsewhere while fans wait for the film. There’s no telling if there are other plans to have Blade appear in an upcoming film but fans are surely excited to see the character finally debut in the MCU.

    Source: Weekly Planet Podcast via MCU Direct

  • Kevin Feige Confirms ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Won’t Be A Continuation of Previous Series

    Kevin Feige Confirms ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Won’t Be A Continuation of Previous Series

    Charlie Cox made his first major public appearance last night since returning as Matt Murdock in Spider-Man: No Way Home when Kevin Feige presented Daredevil: Born Again to the rabid public in D23. Cox’s return was rapturous and was only made better standing next to Vincent D’Onofrio, who appeared for the Echo presentation.

    There has been much debate on whether Daredevil: Born Again serves as a fresh start for the franchise, as the title suggests, or rather a continuation of where the Netflix series ended. During the press line, Cox revealed that Feige had iterated to him that the show would be different and be about “new stories and new ideas.” Cox went on to affirm this.

    It is a Season 1. It is not Season 4, so it is a whole new thing. Which I think is the way to go. If you are going to do it again, do it differently.

    Fans looking to see what happens next following the defeat of Kingpin and Bullseye will be disappointed by this quote but the decision to do a whole new thing isn’t surprising. As beloved as the cast of the show is, Feige may not share the same feelings about how certain plot points developed. At the most, Born Again may likely end up being a soft reboot where elements such as casting are continued and loose ends are completely ignored. Much like any new comic run where a new creative team takes over, Born Again’s situation is essentially the same thing.

  • ‘Uncharted’ Creator’s Marvel Game Is Rumored to Be A WW2 Captain America Game

    ‘Uncharted’ Creator’s Marvel Game Is Rumored to Be A WW2 Captain America Game

    Last year, a report surfaced saying that Uncharted creator Amy Hennig was working on a AAA Marvel under her new company, Skydance Games. While no other information was divulged in the report, the game was described as a “narrative-driven, blockbuster action-adventure game, featuring a completely original story and take on the Marvel Universe.”

    A Twitter account is claiming that the game Hennig is working on is a Captain America-Black Panther adventure set in WW2. Regarding their track record, said Twitter account is also claiming they leaked Matt Shakman directing Fantastic Four ahead of The Direct so take as much salt as you will.

    Should this story be true, this won’t be the only Black Panther game in development as EA is reportedly working on an open-world Black Panther game set in Wakanda. Nonetheless, a WW2 game starring Captain America game seems like the kind of story-driven game a visionary like Hennig would work on. While it’s not being developed by Naughty Dog, a Captain America-Black Panther with the gameplay and graphical fidelity of the Uncharted games would be incredible.