Murphy's Multiverse

Author: dalbinosorio

  • ‘Hawkeye’: Clint Barton Succeeds Where Tony Stark Failed

    ‘Hawkeye’: Clint Barton Succeeds Where Tony Stark Failed

    The Marvel Cinematic Multiverse is in full-swing and, as it turns out, in a point of transition as it moves from a semi-grounded MCU into the next phase of the content Marvel wants to put out. I’ve long theorized that Phase 4 would be made up of smaller phases building out over one big story, as opposed to the first 23 films where it was all building to Thanos. We have original Avengers transitioning their titles to the next generation of heroes, some of which are even younger than they were when they joined the fray. One transition in particular deserves special attention, both for what it means for the future and how it handled the present in the shadow of the juggernaut that is Marvel’s latest big-screen offering. It also deserves kudos for successfully landing the plane on the mentor-mentee relationship in a way that Peter Parker’s arc really didn’t. We now have a new Hawkeye and that is Kate Bishop.

    After being put through the ringer while finding out her parents were willing members of organized crime, the world’s greatest archer ensures that her mother faces some consequences for her actions. The Elder Bishop is last seen asking her daughter if sending parents to jail is what heroes do after she is unable to gracefully exit the Kingpin’s criminal enterprise. It would not surprise me to see the Kingpin enlist a masked vigilante like Madame Masque to take the younger Bishop down if we get a Season 2 or a Hawkeye and Black Widow movie down the line. Whatever form she next shows up in, Kate Bishop won’t be alone.

    At the end of Hawkeye, Clint Barton solidified his relationship with Kate Bishop, and completes the arc that began in 2012’s Avengers. His family is safe, his wife’s past life is secure, and he can now finally rest. Not only does he do this, but he brings Kate home with him. At this point, only Nick Fury and the Avengers even knew his family existed. This shows how much he actually cares about Kate, and how much the “your mess is my mess” line isn’t delivered just for kicks, but actually symbolizes a partnership that began reluctantly. It’s a much better partnership than that of Peter Parker and Tony Stark.

    Whereas Iron Man recruited Spider-Man out of necessity, he then took the young man into space and watched him die in his arms. Before taking him to space, Stark wanted to have Peter join the Avengers: this was his grand gesture since letting him go against The Vulture alone as a way to clean up the public relations mess after Captain America broke the Avengers out of The Raft. He let a 16-year old kid keep a hyper-advanced suit and it was the way he treated past employees that led to one of them targeting Peter to the point of outing his identity. In a lot of ways, it was Tony Stark’s recruitment of a starstruck Peter Parker that has now led to the multiverse exploding.

    Clint Barton is no Tony Stark.

    Clint went out of his way to protect Kate from the beginning, and he risked his family just to make sure she was safe. He didn’t want her to get involved, then got to know her and doubled down on protecting her, and even tried to send her home when he realized things got too dangerous. When Kate wanted to confront her mother after receiving the video of the Kingpin, he told her he’d help. Clint taught Kate how to make arrows and how to assess targets. Compare that to Stark, who didn’t take Peter seriously when he told him about the Vulture and who left him (and the rest of the Avengers) absolutely no financial stability after his passing. Given her mentor, Kate Bishop has a chance to be a better Avenger than Spider-Man’s ever been.

  • EXCLUSIVE: Djimon Honsou Talks Training for His Action Scenes in ‘The King’s Man’

    EXCLUSIVE: Djimon Honsou Talks Training for His Action Scenes in ‘The King’s Man’

    The King’s Man is opening in theaters across the country todayOur own Hunter Radesi recently got a chance to sit down with stars Djimon Hounsou and Rhys Ifans for an extensive interview. Talk naturally turned to their roles in the prequel film in Matthew Vaughn’s acclaimed Kingsman series where Ifans is playing the villainous Grigori Rasputin, while Hounsou is playing Shola, one of the first King’s men. In the interview, Hounsou talked about some of what fans can expect regarding the fight scenes and how he made sure it was him doing the fighting.

    Of course I did quite a bit of extensive training. Rhys and I had different times scheduled for training, but we knew the choreography going into it. We’ve never gone off on each other like that though, so we were trying to save that for later so that we wouldn’t hurt one another. That’s one way to look at it, but it was a tough one to do.

    The conversation naturally pivoted to Hounsou’s experience in fight scenes, beginning with Blood Diamond and then being fleshed out in other films:

    I’ve obviously done a lot of fight sequences before. Action is something that I like and that I enjoy doing, but on this one with Matthew (Vaughn), I had no idea to what degree he requests and demands the action to be more epic than we’ve ever seen. More different and more engaging than we’ve ever seen. That came with a bit of a price tag, in terms of physicality.

    As Hounsou said, he’s no stranger to action sequences, having starred in the films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Fast and the Furious franchise; however, as the trailers have indicated, audiences are in for something special with what he’s put on film in The King’s Man which is now playing in theaters.

  • REVIEW: ‘Spider-Man 2’ Remains the Definition of a Perfect Sequel

    REVIEW: ‘Spider-Man 2’ Remains the Definition of a Perfect Sequel

    There aren’t many things that are fortunate enough to be described with what I like to call “GOAT status.” That list includes the likes of Michael Jordan, begrudgingly Tom Brady, Heath Ledger‘s Joker performance, and anything Denzel Washington-related. There’s one that I want to talk bout today that stood the test of time. For 17 years, the superhero movie to hold that very title for me is none other than Spider-Man 2. As we’re about to witness the return of some iconic faces in Spider-Man: No Way Home, it’s the perfect time to let you know why it’s garnered that prestige.

    5 Reasons Spider-Man 2 Is The Best Superhero Movie Of All Time

    A couple of months ago, a debate popped up in my Twitter feed on who the best live-action Spider-Man was, especially in regard to the distinction between Parker and his alter-ego. For my money, Tobey‘s performance in Spider-Man 2 is the best rendition of a college-bound Peter, who also has garnered quite a bit of experience in crime-fighting. In the first Spider-Man film, he took the more awkward approach with the character. This time around, Maguire seems much more comfortable in bringing these two sides to life and it’s not an easy balance to capture.

    This time around, he’s haunted by the life he can’t have with MJ, and you can feel that anguish throughout the film. It’s not just that, we also witness the struggle he has with his best friend slowly losing himself to his thirst for vengeance and their eventual falling out throughout the course of the film. Tobey truly sells that anguish throughout the film wheel still balancing it with the light-hearted aspects of the story and what it means to be Spider-Man.

    Spider-Man 2 (2004) - Theatrical Cut or Extended Cut? This or That Edition

    Of course, we can’t talk Spider-Man 2 without discussing the performance of Alfred Molina as Doctor Otto Octavius. He is a legend, to say the least, and to have him in this role lends a certain gravitas to such an important character in the webhead’s mythology. Molina delivers a standout performance and really makes you sympathize with Otto, who’s driven to this point because he’s lost everything. All of it is gone within seconds, be it the woman he loved or all the work he’s invested his entire life for.

    It’s a powerful journey throughout the film. Even more so once the moment comes that he can finally overpower the tech that was changing him. He finds the inner strength to take control once again and save Peter along with the rest of the city. It is a beautiful moment that really cemented him as more of an anti-hero than a straight-up villain. Even to this day, it is one of the strongest performances in a superhero movie.

    Peter Parker "Pizza Time" Scene - Spider-Man 2 (2004) Movie CLIP HD - YouTube

    Kirsten Dunst as MJ was panned 17 years ago, but after rewatching it I can’t seem to remember why. I think she is fine in the role, especially in how she sells it that is struggling to make it as an actress and wants a normal relationship with Peter. While the first in one painted her as unattainable for Parker – following high school clichés of the time – this one twists that in its axis by having it be that they can’t be together. It’s a nice twist and one that Dunst handles well throughout the film.

    Seeing Dr. Octopus in live-action was visually incredible at the time and it still holds true to this day. The score is exceptional, especially when the citizens of New York City carry Spider-Man after he stops the runaway train. An iconic scene deserves iconic notes, and this one is delivered in spades. That’s just on top of a memorable villain, great performances by the leads, and a story as personal as the original catapults Spider-Man 2 into the upper echelon of superhero films.

  • Amazon’s ‘Harlem’ Draws Inspiration From Living Single and That’s Not a Bad Thing

    Amazon’s ‘Harlem’ Draws Inspiration From Living Single and That’s Not a Bad Thing

    In the 90s, there was an incredibly well-received series called Living Single. It aired on Fox for five years and starred Kim Coles, Erika Alexander, Kim Fields, and the one and only, Queen Latifah. It followed the story of a group of friends and the trials and tribulations of their careers and love lives as they navigated a world not really accepting of strong Black women. It won four Emmys and, as fans watched Friends essentially Wally Pipp the premise and splash a fresh white paint on it, there has always been a clamoring for a revival or reboot. 

    Well, friends, that reboot/revival has arrived on Amazon with Harlem. Created by Girls Trip writer Tracy Oliver, the 10-episode series stars Meagan Good, Jerrie Johnson, Grace Byers, and Shoniqua Shandai as four girlfriends who now have to navigate a world that doesn’t particularly care for strong Black women. Does that sound familiar? Harlem gets kudos for showing all different kinds of Black love, too, whether it is Black queer love or strong, independent love. Even in the way it depicts Black vulnerability, Harlem hits the right notes, and it’s no surprise given how Oliver carefully simultaneously handled the comedic and serious moments of Girls Trip. 

    While the four ladies are vital to the heart of Harlem, there is undoubtedly a fifth main character in the show: Harlem, the mecca of Black culture in New York. As a New York resident for most of my life, Harlem has always been a mythical place to me. However, having worked on 140th Street and 8th Avenue for a long time, I saw firsthand the impact Harlem had on its residents. By extension, I saw the pain when gentrification came to take away what was theirs. Harlem captures that essence through introspection and funny moments. Meagan Good’s character, for example, is an anthropology professor at Columbia University, and so she’s teaching in an area already gentrified while living in an area that hasn’t been claimed yet. As the season goes on, her character, Camille, is forced to accept that Harlem as she’s known it is changing – for better or worse, and the only way her voice will be hard is if she lets it.

    Harlem is a celebration of Black culture, what it means to be a Black woman, and how success is defined for them. Like Living Single before it, Harlem is not hesitant to break the stereotypes that are often associated with its leads, but what makes it work is its willingness to address them head-on when they’re hinted at. It is incredible television with a cast that brings it every scene.

  • ‘Money Heist’ Spinoff in Development at Netflix

    ‘Money Heist’ Spinoff in Development at Netflix

    Casa De Papel, which translates to House of Paper is better known as Money Heist in the West. It is coming to an end this month after five parts chronicling the journey of The Professor and his makeshift family he trained to be modern-day Robin Hoods across Europe. Many fans were sad that the series was coming to an end, but luckily Netflix has other plans. It seems that the series is getting a spinoff focused on the character of Pedro Alonso‘s Berlin.

    The series is eyeing a 2023 release as it continues the story of Andrés de Fonollosa, who became a fan favorite in his short stint throughout the story. He died in a sea of bullets during the Royal Mint of Spain heist, which made it into the cultural phenomenon it is today. The timing is also perfect, as we are just days away from the final five episodes streaming on Netflix. It does make you wonder if they have some interesting teases planned when the final season ends.

    The Spanish series took many on an exciting journey as an unlikely group of people attempted the heist of a century. What originally felt like it was going to end after the initial heist during the first two seasons, we got a surprise renewal as the story continued with a few more parts expanding the heist-filled universe. We’ll see if Berlin is just the first of many spinoffs planned for the series.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Hawkeye’s First Episodes May Already Hint at the Series’ Main Threat

    ‘Hawkeye’s First Episodes May Already Hint at the Series’ Main Threat

    After a long wait, the first two episodes of 2021’s last MCU Disney+ series have finally been released. Hawkeye introduces the world to Clint Barton’s protégé Kate Bishop played by Hailee Steinfeld. While we spend quite a bit of time with the Tracksuit Mafia, the second episode ends with the introduction of Alaqua Cox‘s Echo in very familiar red lighting. Yet, as hilarious as they are, the Tracksuit Mafia aren’t big enough bad guys to really be the big threat in this series. Perhaps a single line in the first episode could be our first real hint at a kingpin pulling the strings in the shadows.

    I’ve got powerful friends, too. The kind you don’t want to mess with.

    This quote, delivered to Eleanor Bishop by the elder Duquesne, would seem innocent enough except throwaway lines aren’t given this much attention normally. We also are teased with an evil side with Eleanor’s future husband, Jack Duquesne, who might also have close ties with these “powerful friends.” The murder that Bishop Ronin got framed for is our first real hint that something sinister happening in NYC’s high society.

    There is one iconic figure that has always had a powerful hand in these actions, especially with the first episode featuring a black market deal for dinosaur bones and the Ronin’s costume. Of course, the inclusion of his adoptive daughter, Echo, in the second episode’s ending is enough points to set up the appearance, or rather reappearance, of Wilson Fisk.

    If there is anyone that is running the New York City underbelly and has close ties to the rich and famous, it’s very likely Fisk. There are enough rumors pointing to Vincent D’Onofrio‘s return as the iconic character and with Charlie Cox‘s return as Daredevil in Spider-Man: No Way Home. We may only have to be patient for a little bit longer until the true man in the shadows reveals his face.

  • Amazon Prime Nearing Deal to Adapt ‘Mass Effect’ as a Series

    Amazon Prime Nearing Deal to Adapt ‘Mass Effect’ as a Series

    Mass Effect was released to critical acclaim in 2007. The 3rd-person shooter developed by Bioware initially followed the story of an almost fully-customizable character named Commander Shepherd. Their mission was simple: hunt down a rogue Spectre named Saren across the galaxy. Its success led to a sequel that has become heralded as one of the greatest games of all time. Now, the franchise is finally heading into live-action, as Amazon Studios is nearing a deal to develop a series based on the gaming franchise.

    Jennifer Saalke, the head of Amazon Studios, said that we will see the studio “continuing to invest in fantasy genre of all kinds. We have a genre-focused team on the ground in Studios who work tirelessly with our creative partners on those slates, and you can look forward to more.” Mass Effect was highlighted in the article by Deadline about the studio’s upcoming projects to do exactly that.

    The franchise saw a resurgence with the release of the Legendary Edition, which includes the first three entries of the game. While the Andromeda game was controversial during its release, there’s a lot of hope for the recently announced Mass Effect 4. It’ll be interesting to see if the series adapts Commander Shepherd’s story or takes a unique approach within this universe. There are many corners that could get explored in a series with some familiar faces popping up here and there. Sadly, we won’t get to choose our protagonists’ dialogues this time around.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Sons of Anarchy’s Roberto Patino to Adapt Scott Snyder’s ‘Nocterra’ as Part of Multi-Year Deal With Netflix

    ‘Sons of Anarchy’s Roberto Patino to Adapt Scott Snyder’s ‘Nocterra’ as Part of Multi-Year Deal With Netflix

    Roberto Patino, who is fresh off writing and producing series like Sons of Anarchy, Westworld, and DMZ, just inked a multi-year deal with Netflix to create his own production company. The producer’s contract with Warner Bros. ended in 2018, and he’s been searching for a new home since. With this contract, Patino will establish Analog Inc. to focus on original productions.

    Usually, news of a deal like this means we have to wait to see what projects these producers will tackle first, but this time is different. Variety reports that Patino‘s flagship project will be an adaptation of Scott Snyder‘s comic Nocterra. He will write, executive produce, and serve as showrunner on the project in collaboration with Aquaman director James Wan’s production company Atomic Monster. Patino shared the following words on his new partnership:

    Netflix is an extraordinary champion of intentional and inclusive storytelling, and I’m so eager to use this opportunity to tell bold stories that properly represent the Latinx community in entertaining, exhilarating and powerful ways. I couldn’t be happier to call Netflix my new home, and I can’t wait to hit the ground running with ‘Nocterra’ and my boundary-pushing friends and partners at Atomic Monster.

    Nocterra, for those unfamiliar, follows the story of Valentina Riggs. She’s a skilled ferryman who transports people and goods along dangerous roads in her 18 wheeler during a 10 year period after the world is plunged into an everlasting night. All living creatures were turned into monstrous shades. Scott Snyder and Tony S. Daniel created the original comic storyline, and it was released earlier this year. So, the success was a quick choice

    Source: Variety

  • EXCLUSIVE: Details on ‘Hawkeye’s Version of Clown Revealed

    EXCLUSIVE: Details on ‘Hawkeye’s Version of Clown Revealed

    The upcoming Hawkeye series will explore many aspects of Clint Barton’s comic history yet non more than that of the My Life as a Weapon run. The story by Matt Fraction and David Aja introduced us to the bro-speaking gang known as the Tracksuit Mafia and the dangerous assassin Kazimierz Kazimerczak, or better known as the Clown. Fra Fee will take on the role in the series and they might switch it up for this adaptation.

    Our very own Charles Villanueva got a chance to sit down with producer Trinh Tran to discuss the upcoming series. In it, she offered some insight into how the show tackled the character and teased that he might be quite a bit different from what we are used to from the popular comic storyline.

    I can’t say much about how his character unfolds in this series, but what I can say is that part of the interesting thing about bringing these characters to life from the comics is that we wanted to give it a fresh spin. I think part of Kazi’s story in the comics is a little bit tied to how Kate’s world is like in the Matt Fraction run. But that’s not necessarily true in the MCU because once we bring that character in and explore them in the story that we have, it can go in any and all kind of direction.

    Trinh Tran

    It’s not uncommon that they change the characters to fit these new adaptations that take familiar comic storylines but add a new twist. Captain America: Civil War only loosely explores the themes and registration act from the comics, but doesn’t completely feature a full-on war between countless superheroes. It’ll be interesting to see how they adapt this character and what their role will be in the story.

  • Mahershala Ali Talks Voicing Blade in ‘Eternals’ and His MCU Future

    Mahershala Ali Talks Voicing Blade in ‘Eternals’ and His MCU Future

    Mahershala Ali‘s Blade made his debut much earlier than we initially expected. At the tail end of the Eternals, a voice can be heard talking to Dane Whitman as he tried to touch the Ebony Blade. Director Chloé Zhao confirmed that it was actually the Vampire Hunter actor, who provided the voice-over. After a bit of silence, Ali has opened up on tackling the role for the first time without being physically present.

    It was scary. Because, you know, you’re talking before you’re filming it. I’m pretty particular about my choices, like most actors, and so having to make some choices – even with a line, vocally – this early on, it brought up some very real anxieties. And it made the job real. It’s like, ‘Okay, this is happening now’, you know, and that’s exciting.

    Mahershala Ali

    He was also asked about what it felt like to finally bring the character to life after the announcement all the way back in 2019’s San Diego Comic-Com. Even better, Ali teases that they might finally start work on the project very soon.

    That Marvel world is obviously the biggest in film, and just to get my little introduction to that – starting with the Comic Con a couple years ago, and now the very early stages of stepping into the shoes of that character – it felt special and really cool. I’m excited to get going and do more. We’re getting there. We’re getting close.

    Mahershala Ali

    The last update we got on the project was when they added Mogul Mowgli‘s Bassam Tariq as the film’s director, but there’s been little on the project since. Still, his appearance in Eternals might offer a hint on where this take on the character is heading, especially with the film’s writers teasing a curious connection between vampires and the Ebony Blade. So, we might see him again ahead of his solo film outing.

    Source: Empire