Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Hunter Radesi

  • ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ Trailer – Top 5 Moments

    ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ Trailer – Top 5 Moments

    The trailer for Marvel’s third Ant-Man film, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, has finally arrived, and it’s far more glorious than anyone might have expected. Set to the tune of Elton John‘s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, the two-minute teaser takes fans on a wild journey through Scott Lang’s post-Avengers: Endgame life. Now a bona fide celebrity, Paul Rudd‘s shrinkable mischief maker is in the midst of figuring out his next steps. Unfortunately, things fly off the rails when his daughter, Kathryn Newton‘s Cassie Lang, crafts a machine that can send signals to the Quantum Realm, resulting in a brand-new, no-holds-barred adventure that sucks the entire Ant-Family into a wacky new world.

    Despite its minimal runtime, the Quantumania trailer still manages to be chock-full of buzz-worthy moments and jaw-dropping visuals. Anticipation for the film has never been higher, and the first teaser proves why the hype is justified. However, no matter how breathtaking the large majority of the footage turned out to be, there were some moments that stood above the rest. Murphy’s Multiverse has identified those highlights and broken them down for the pleasure of readers everywhere. So, without further ado, the top five moments from Quantumania’s first sneak peek:

    5 – “Thank you, Spider-Man!”

    One of the most interesting aspects of every Marvel Cinematic Universe film is seeing how previous entries are impacting the current lives of heroes and the people around them. Based on the opening of the trailer, it would appear Quantumania will continue to explore society in a post-Blip world. Before he and his family are pulled into another dimension, viewers get to see Scott Lang reflecting on his newfound personal life and the way he’s treated now that he’s helped save half the universe. It’s an adorable, funny few seconds of pure humanity in an otherwise wonky teaser, and exactly the kind of thing one would hope to see from an Ant-Man project. In particular, bringing I Think You Should Leave‘s Ruben Rabasa in for a perfectly delivered, “Thank you, Spider-Man!“, is a great way to assure audiences this is still the same lovable-loser franchise they’re accustomed to seeing.

    4 – Are Those The Micronauts?

    Perhaps the most delightful surprise from the Quantumania trailer was just how gorgeous the Quantum Realm looks in full. Several wide, stupendously dazzling shots are sure to keep the casual viewer’s attention, but it’s the inhabitants of the infinitesimal world that are likely to sound alarms for die-hard fans. In Marvel comics lore, the Micronauts are a team of heroes who exist in the Microverse, effectively acting as the Avengers of their microscopic “Homeworld”. Several behind-the-scenes licensing issues have forced Marvel Studios to call their version of the Microverse something else, “the Quantum Realm”, and prevented them from using the Micronauts in live-action. However, the lifeforms present in Quantumania‘s trailer certainly look a lot like the Micronauts, or seem to at least be inspired by them.

    The unexpected appearance of Micronaut-like beings in the trailer opens the door to a whole new – *AHEM* – realm of possibilities, and promises Quantumania won’t hold back from its weirdest attributes. Even if this is an original group of characters, without even an inkling of Micronaut inspiration, it’s still exciting to know audiences will get to experience another fresh perspective on the MCU in a manner only an Ant-Man film could provide.

    3 – You Have Michelle Pfieffer, Use Her

    Three words to sum up the Quantumania trailer: Janet Van Dyne. For fans of the original Ant-Man and the Wasp comic books, perhaps the biggest let-down of the film adaptations has been the absolute lack of agency for Michelle Pfieffer‘s classic superhero. Janet has always been a huge part of Marvel’s legacy, playing an active role in most of the universe’s biggest events as, maybe, the most underrated Avenger. The first two Ant-Man films opted to fill the Wasp role with Evangeline Lilly‘s Hope Van Dyne, and put Jan on the backburner as a woman lost to space and time. Even with a talented Hollywood legend like Pfieffer cast in the role for the second film, the elder Van Dyne has not really had much to do since she was formally introduced to the MCU in 2018.

    Luckily for fans of the character, the Quantumania trailer seems to put Jan front and center as the brains of the film’s plot. Hopefully, this means she’ll finally get some justice on the big screen, and those unfamiliar with the first Wasp will get an idea as to why she’s so beloved. Let’s just pray her promotion from side character to leading hero isn’t hinting at a tragic demise before the credits roll.

    2 – Mama’s Got a Brand New Suit

    Speaking of the Wasp, it looks like someone is coming equipped with their best look yet. Although a little nitpicky, one of the most talked-about elements of Hope Van Dyne’s character in the MCU has been her suit. The comics have typically featured the Wasp in bright yellow attire, a la her namesake, or red outfits designed to match her partner, Ant-Man. Fans have already seen the latter come to life in live-action, but the Quantumania trailer is the first time they’ve seen either version of the hero don their most iconic, comic-accurate colors. Previous appearances by the Wasp have seen her wearing a suit the costume designers described as being a mix of gold and silver, and while that was a cool departure at first, it didn’t sit well with the comic book faithful after a few too many years.

    On top of the Wasp suit reveal, audiences also got their first look at Kathryn Newton‘s Cassie Lang in her very first superhero costume. The design and color scheme are much closer to her “Stinger” identity in the comics than they are her initial codename, “Stature”, which makes sense when one considers the MCU might want to stick to the insect theme they have going on in the Ant-Man franchise.

    1 – Lo, There Shall Come a Conqueror

    What else was going to take the top spot? One of the things on everybody’s mind before the Quantumania trailer dropped was when Marvel might give the first look at Jonathan Majors‘ Kang the Conqueror. After a standout performance as “He Who Remains” in last year’s Loki, Majors solidified himself as the most hotly-anticipated villain in the MCU’s upcoming repertoire. The Quantumania teaser did not disappoint, giving fans a solid peak at Kang in all his comic-accurate glory. All Majors had to do was utter a single line of dialogue, and social media lit up like a fanboy candle. The MCU better beware, because if this footage is any indication, it’s in for another terrifying challenge once Kang comes to conquer.

  • Damon Lindelof’s Secret ‘Star Wars’ Movie May Bring Back Sequel Characters; Hires New Co-Writer

    Damon Lindelof’s Secret ‘Star Wars’ Movie May Bring Back Sequel Characters; Hires New Co-Writer

    Here’s a fun, massive surprise for Star Wars fans: Damon Lindelof’s (previously) secret movie is reportedly set to take place after the events of 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and may even bring back some of the sequel trilogy’s beloved characters. The Hollywood Reporter has dropped a new article confirming that the mysterious film, which was only just quietly revealed a few days ago with Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy on board as director, is gaining steam with a new co-writer and collaborative creative team. According to the outlet, development on the Lindelof-led movie began shortly after this year’s Star Wars Celebration, with a roundtable of talent convening in July to break the story.

    Names present at the meeting were Patrick Somerville, a previous Lindelof creative partner on projects like The Leftovers; Rayna McClendon, a former consulting producer on Lucasfilm’s own Obi-Wan Kenobi; Andy Greenwald, the creator of 2019’s Briarpatch; and, possibly, even Dave Filoni, the Lucasfilm mainstay shepherding the large majority of their television projects. Justin Britt-Gibson, who worked with Guillermo del Toro on his vampire drama The Strain, has since been hired to co-write the new film with Lindelof, and the duo are reportedly working on the final script as this news breaks.

    Although there is currently no information on a release date or any potential plot details, sources have stated to THR that the project is intended as a stand-alone. Lucasfilm is apparently switching gears away from its previous trilogy-based plans, though sequels to Lindelof’s untitled movie are apparently possible if the initial film succeeds. The closest announced release date for a Star Wars film is 2025, so it’s likely this is the soonest fans see whatever Lindelof has planned come to life.

    Source: THR

  • ‘House of the Dragon’ – Best & Worst of ‘The Black Queen’

    ‘House of the Dragon’ – Best & Worst of ‘The Black Queen’

    “Dreams didn’t make us kings. Dragons did.“

    These words, uttered by Matt Smith‘s Prince/Prince Consort Daemon Targaryen in a moment of raging spousal abuse, really set the tone for an unexpectedly intense season finale. House of the Dragon returned for another hour on HBO last night, it’s last of the year, and somehow managed to up the dramatic ante on a show that’s been pretty consistently melodramatic for ten-straight episodes. Titled The Black Queen, in reference to Emma D’Arcy‘s Princess/Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, the finale stands as the series’ official boiling-over point in the conflict between members of the Targaryen family.

    With Tom Glynn-Carney‘s Aegon II Targaryen crowned King of the Seven Kingdoms against the proper line of succession, Rhaenyra and her supporters – known as the “Blacks” – must devise a game plan to win back the Realm. Unfortunately, as is often the case in Westeros, nothing really plays out all that smoothly. While Rhaenyra hopes to find a peaceful transition between rulers, Daemon goes rogue and begins plotting a full-scale war. Elliot Grihault‘s Prince Lucerys Targaryen and his brother Jacaerys (played by Harry Collett) head north in search of allies among the Starks and Baratheons, but a surprise confrontation with Ewan Mitchell‘s Prince Aemond Targaryen puts a major damper on Rhaenyra’s rallying cry.

    In the only bit of good news, Steve Toussaint‘s Lord Corlys Valaryon is revealed to have survived his wounds. He and his much-smarter wife, Eve Best‘s Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, pledge their dragons and their navy to the Black Queen, setting up an action-packed second season with tensions high and hearts broken. As per usual, it’s a lot to break down. Luckily for the folks at home, Murphy’s Multiverse has already determined the best and worst moments that occur in The Black Queen.

    BEST – Deaths in the Family

    House of the Dragon‘s first season finale begins and ends with the deaths of Rhaenyra’s children. Both moments are fairly impactful in terms of viewing experience, but it’s Emma D’Arcy‘s performance in reaction that solidifies The Black Queen as one of the series’ best installments yet. At the top of the hour, Rhaenyra is informed rather abruptly by Rhaenys that her father has finally passed and that Aegon has been chosen to succeed him – in what could be considered a coup on the part of Olivia Cooke’s Queen Alicent Hightower. This shocks the pregnant, would-be Queen into a premature stillbirth, which she delivers on her own – standing up – before walking away to initiate her rightful rule of the Seven Kingdoms. It’s exactly as impressive as it sounds, and an incredibly powerful sequence that likely made it hard for fans to keep their jaws from dropping. The grace and capability with which Rhaenyra handles the situation is eye-opening and sufficiently proves she has the temperament to lead that Aegon does not.

    As if that wasn’t enough trauma for poor Rhaenyra, the hour concludes with the loss of a beloved son. Prince Lucerys travels to Storm’s End in an effort to sway Roger Evans’ Lord Borros Baratheon to his mother’s side, but when he arrives, he finds an uncooperative, and surprisingly rude, Borros has already aligned with Aegon at the behest of the latter’s brother, Aemond. The kindly Lucerys tries to leave peacefully on his dragon, Arax, but is pursued by his violently vengeful uncle in a gorgeous – *ahem* – dance of the dragons in the dark skies over Storm’s End. As beautiful and awe-inducing as the moment is, it also results in Aemond losing control over his dragon, Vhagar, with the beast killing both Lucerys and Arax in a shocking clamp of its teeth.

    Stylistically, the ending is one of the best to come out of the entire Game of Thrones franchise. Storm’s End and the lightning-filled clouds above it appear to be out of a 1980’s-style Jim Henson film, a la The Dark Crystal, and the visual effects on the dragons and their duel are stunning. There’s a lot to love. However, it’s the minutes following Lucerys’ death that resonate the most. Aemond, for the first time, seems to show some sort of compassion, and the look on Rhaenyra’s face when she learns of what happened can only mean one thing – The Black Queen now has a pretty good reason to be a little less reasonable. Perfect set-up for a second season.

    WORST – Otto Hightower Being Himself

    Truthfully, there wasn’t much to hate in The Black Queen. The episode sped along at an insane pace and was chock-full of buzz-worthy scenes. However, there was one moment that felt truly infuriating as a viewer, and that was the only one involving a Hightower. Rhys Ifans‘, as good as he is, continues to be one of the most obnoxiously vile characters on the show, with his Otto – Hand of the King – arriving in Dragonstone in an attempt to make Rhaenyra and Daemon swear fealty to their new King. Obviously, they do not, and Otto is forced to make several snide remarks before leaving ominously with the promise of death floating in the air. The best part of his brief appearance in the finale was when Rhaenyra removed his symbol of the Hand and tossed it off a bridge. Hopefully, he never gets it back.

    All 10 episodes of House of the Dragon are now streaming on HBO Max. A second season is unlikely to stream until 2024 or later.

  • RUMOR: Ezra Bridger Will Receive ‘Ahsoka’ Spin-Off Series

    RUMOR: Ezra Bridger Will Receive ‘Ahsoka’ Spin-Off Series

    The Star Wars universe continues to grow, and if rumors are true, a fan favorite character will be front and center for the expansion. It was revealed last month that Eman Esfandi would bring Ezra Bridger, the beloved protagonist of Disney XD’s animated Star Wars: Rebels, to life in the upcoming live-action Disney+ series Ahsoka. Now, it would seem Esfandi will be around for more than just the Rosario Dawson-starring project, as a new rumor suggests he will receive his own solo series after Ahsoka’s conclusion. The report comes from industry insider Daniel RPK, who claims the actor is already signed on to headline his own show in the coming years.

    RPK dropped the disclaimer that he’s unsure whether the Bridger series would be a direct sequel to Rebels or something entirely different. The last fans saw of the character, he was sacrificing himself to bring down Lars Mikkelsen’s Grand Admiral Thrawn and a large portion of the Galactic Empire. Voiced by Taylor Gray in the animated show, Ezra was thrust into parts unknown, alongside Thrawn, with his future left as a giant question mark for viewers and his loyal companions. Ahsoka promises to give an answer to that mystery, but it’s possible Ezra’s journey remains incomplete by the time the final episode airs. An Ezra solo project could then, hypothetically, act as the final installment in a trilogy of shows about the character and his Ghost crew.

    It’s important to remember this is only a rumor and should be taken with a grain of salt. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not a fun concept to fantasize about. Fans will be able to learn the truth when Ahsoka begins airing in 2023.

    Source: TheDisInsider

  • ‘The Flash’ Set Photos Confirm Javicia Leslie as Red Death

    ‘The Flash’ Set Photos Confirm Javicia Leslie as Red Death

    Batwoman may be over, but it looks like Javicia Leslie is here to stay. Recent set photos from filming of The Flash’s ninth and final season have seemingly confirmed the actress will return to The CW as the multiversal villain Red Death. Leslie previously portrayed an original character named Ryan Wilder, better known as the second Batwoman, in the latter two seasons of Batwoman’s run. She took over the title role from Ruby Rose, who departed the series following behind-the-scenes issues, and quickly became a fan-favorite member of the Arrowverse. Since Batwoman’s cancellation, which occurred in April of this year, viewers have wondered whether Leslie would ever get another chance to put on the cape and cowl. Apparently, the answer is a resounding “sort of.”

    In the lore of DC comics, Red Death is actually an alternate-universe version of Bruce Wayne. In his timeline, Red Death became traumatized by the deaths of his various sidekicks and sought to harness the Speed Force as a means of upgrading his crimefighting ability. He eventually succeeded in doing so by defeating the Flash of his universe and fusing with him, resulting in a single super-powered being. Red Death possesses Bruce Wayne’s body, with Barry Allen’s consciousness trapped inside, and a corrupt connection to the Speed Force. After using his newfound abilities to slaughter his rogues gallery, Red Death joined The Batman Who Laugh’s multiversal supergroup ‘The Dark Knights’, and embraced his role as a violent ‘protector’.

    It would appear that The Flash’s upcoming season will at least partially adapt this story, but with Leslie’s Wilder taking the mantle of Red Death as opposed to Bruce Wayne. While not confirmed, it’s likely that – much like the comics – this is a variant of Wilder and not the same character fans followed on Batwoman. Either way, however, it will be fun for longtime Arrowverse viewers to see Leslie back in action with a Bat symbol on her chest.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Dune: The Sisterhood’ Adds Five Cast Members

    ‘Dune: The Sisterhood’ Adds Five Cast Members

    Fear not, Dune believers, it would appear The Sisterhood is still on track to come alive at HBO. The prequel series, set 10,000 years before the events of Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 sci-fi epic, has added five new performers to its cast. Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Faoileann Cunningham, Aoife Hinds and Chloe Lea have joined the production as series regulars, alongside previously announced stars Emily Watson, Shirley Henderson, and Indira Varma.

    Based on Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson‘s novel Sisterhood of Dune, the show, titled Dune: The Sisterhood, follows the sisters of the Harkonnen family as they deal with forces that threaten the future of humankind and establish the fabled sect known as the Bene Gesserit. Watson and Henderson will play the titular siblings, while Varma portrays Empress Natalya – a formidable royal who united thousands of worlds via a marriage to the Emperor Corrino. Boussnina is set to play Princess Ynez, an independent young woman dealing with the pressures of her responsibility as heir to the Golden Lion Throne. Additionally, Brune-Franklin will play Mikaela, “a strong-willed Fremen woman who serves the royal family while longing for a home planet she’s never known.”

    Cunningham, Hinds, and Lea will help fill out the members of the Sisterhood School. Sister Jen (Cunningham) is a fierce and unpredictable acolyte in training who appears to be emotionally closed off. Sister Emeline (Hinds) is a zealous acolyte descended from a long line of martyrs, who continues to be fervently religious in her training. Finally, Lila (Lea) is the youngest acolyte at the Sisterhood School who is mature well beyond her years.

    Dune: The Sisterhood is being produced by Villeneuve, Herbert and Legendary Television, alongside Jon Spaihts, Scott Z. Burns, Matthew King, John Cameron, and Cait Collins. Diane Ademu-John will serve as creator, writer, and co-showrunner, with Johan Renck directing the pilot episode. There is currently no release date.

    Source: Deadline

  • Charlize Theron Says ‘The Old Guard 2’ is a “Big Movie”

    Charlize Theron Says ‘The Old Guard 2’ is a “Big Movie”

    An early saving grace of the pandemic was Gina Prince-Bythewood‘s superhero action film, The Old Guard. Based on a graphic novel by Greg Rucka and starring Charlize Theron in the lead role, the film chronicled the modern adventures of several centuries-old warriors, who survived for years with the help of unexplained regenerative healing abilities. The project was a surprise hit for Netflix, and one of the first major movies to release directly on streaming following the global shutdown. Less than a year after the first film’s debut, The Old Guard 2 was given the green light, with Theron and the majority of the cast set to return.

    Speaking to Variety at a red carpet event for her latest movie, The School For Good And Evil, the former Mad Max star was asked how the cast and crew planned to up the ante for the sequel. Theron responded that, while all actors tend to claim the second movie is bigger than the last, she really means it when she says it. She elaborated:

    You know, it’s so pretentious when an actor is like ‘It’s so much bigger! So much better!’, and I think you know that I’m not that person. It’s pretty impressive what we did because it felt very specific the first time around, and we wanted to kind of take it out of that. Like, what we let the audience think was this set world, we really kind of turned that on it’s head. So, I’m excited about that and we have a bigger cast and it feels more global. It’s a big movie.

    Charlize Theron

    The Old Guard 2 will be helmed by Victoria Mahoney in her big-budget directorial debut, with Uma Thurman and Henry Golding joining an already stellar cast that includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, KiKi Layne, and Theron. There is no current release date.

    Source: Variety

  • ‘Heroes’ Star Cast As ‘Doom Patrol’ Villain

    ‘Heroes’ Star Cast As ‘Doom Patrol’ Villain

    It would appear Doom Patrol has found another baddie for its upcoming fourth season. According to a recent report from TVLine, former Heroes star Sendhil Ramamurthy has been cast in a recurring role as the villain ‘Mr. 104.’ The character, who will appear throughout Season 4, is being described as a “charming and mysterious man of many elements.” This will be the second time Ramamurthy portrays a DC Comics antagonist, following a stint as Ramsey Rosso, a.k.a. Bloodwork, on the sixth season of The CW’s The Flash. The actor won’t be pulling double duty, however, as that character was written off the show by the end of the season.

    Mr. 104, while relatively obscure, does have some basis in the comics. Initially known as Mr. 103, the villain is a genius biochemist named Jonathan Dubrovny, who possesses the ability to transform his body – or parts of it – into any element he would like. He uses this power to commit crimes and eventually becomes a foe of the titular superhero team. This power set certainly matches the “man of many elements” portion of his television bio, and will likely not be a problem for the typically-quirky Doom Patrol to adapt.

    Ramamurthy joins a cast that includes Brendan Fraser, Diane Guerrero, Joivan Wade, Matt Bomer, and April Bowlby. He won’t be the only new addition this season, as Twin Peaks veteran Madeline Zima takes on the role of comic character Space Case. Doom Patrol Season 4 will begin airing on HBO Max on December 8th.

    Source: TV Line.

  • Deadpool Wants to Join Marvel’s ‘Midnight Suns’

    Deadpool Wants to Join Marvel’s ‘Midnight Suns’

    Marvel’s next big video game is just around the corner, and everybody wants to be a part of it. Midnight Suns, the upcoming tactical role-playing game based on the comic book group of the same name, is releasing on most platforms on December 2nd and will feature a wide variety of playable characters for gamers to toy with when it does. The list of names included in the project ranges from classic supernatural members of the titular team, like Ghost Rider and Blade, to more popular Marvel heroes like Spider-Man and Wolverine. One famous character not currently involved, however, is Deadpool, and apparently, he would like to change that.

    In a new video released by the official Midnight Suns Twitter account, temporarily being called #DeadpoolSuns, the Merc With a Mouth addresses fans and asks them to voice their desire for his inclusion in the game. While he has yet to be formally announced as playable, the cinematic footage being released by the project’s own account is a pretty good indicator the studio plans on introducing him to the roster sooner than later.

    Midnight Suns will follow Marvel’s heroes as they combat Lilith, the Mother of Demons, after she’s awoken from eternal slumber by the evil forces of Hydra. If Deadpool does ever make an appearance in the game, it sounds like he might be portrayed by Nolan North, who previously voiced the character in his own solo adventure and multiple other animated projects. He would be one of many actors returning to their iconic role, with Yuri Lowenthal also reprising his role from Insomniac’s Spider-Man and Lyrica Okano getting a second chance at Nico Minoru after playing the character in Marvel Television’s Runaways.

    Source: Twitter

  • Laurence Fishburne Thinks ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ is “Best One” Yet

    Laurence Fishburne Thinks ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ is “Best One” Yet

    It feels like it’s been ages since the last John Wick film hit theaters. The saga’s third chapter, Parabellum, was released to critical acclaim in 2019, but audiences won’t be able to see the movie’s sequel until March of 2023. John Wick: Chapter 4 was originally set to debut on May 21st, 2021, but was delayed nearly two years by the global COVID-19 pandemic and star Keanu Reeves’ prior commitments to The Matrix Resurrections. As a result, expectations for the fourthquel have never been higher. Luckily for fans, franchise staple Laurence Fishburne thinks the wait will be well worth it.

    Speaking to Variety on the red carpet for his newest project, The School For Good And Evil, the Hollywood icon revealed his opinion that the next John Wick is the best they’ve ever made. When asked what people should expect from Chapter 4, the actor responded:

    For me, I’ve gotta tell you. Honestly, when I read it, I was like, ‘This is the best one’. On the page, it just was. I mean, from the way that it opens, there are like three or four really incredible set pieces that are, just like, ‘Whoa!’. There’s new characters, one in particular that’s so much fun. Well, actually, three that are crazy fun. Yeah, and I got to be in it again. I come back from the dead.

    Laurence Fishburne

    Fishburne closed his statement with a reference to the last time viewers saw his character, The Bowery King. Parabellum ended with both the King and Reeves’ protagonist severely wounded, but ready to take revenge on those who wronged them. As for the “fun” new faces, Fishburne could be talking about Donnie Yen, Hiroyuki Sanada, or Bill Skarsgård – all of whom are major stars making their Wick debuts in the film.

    John Wick: Chapter 4 is set to release on March 24, 2023.

    Source: Variety