Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Joseph Aberl

  • ‘The Flash’s New Suit Spotted at Licensing Expo

    ‘The Flash’s New Suit Spotted at Licensing Expo

    While we still have quite some time to go before The Flash hits theaters and redefines the DC Extended Universe, a new look at the updated costume has been revealed during the Las Vegas Licensing Expo. Not only do we get a good look at the Flash’s costume in all its glory, but he’s also joined by what will be Sasha Calle‘s Supergirl suit. You can see the shared images below:

    Sadly, it doesn’t look like they also have Michael Keaton‘s updated Batman suit at the Expo, but it seems they are focusing on these two pieces. It does look like they have The Batman‘s iconic cycle in the background. Still, it’s great to get a closer look at the design that moves away from the armored design we see in the Justice League films. It seems more closely inspired by the iconic comic designs, which were more of a skintight outfit.

    It’s crazy to think that we’ve originally seen this design in concept art almost two years ago, but still have to wait one more year to finally see it on screen. The pushback on the multiversal storyline also creates an issue with other releases, as some that take place in whatever new universe is set up by this film also may not release for some time, such as Batgirl which will feature Michael Keaton‘s Batman. There’s no official word for what the future of the DCEU will look like. So, we’ll have to wait for an update.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ on its Way to Become Tom Cruise’s Biggest Worldwide Opening Ever

    ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ on its Way to Become Tom Cruise’s Biggest Worldwide Opening Ever

    Tom Cruise has always been a box office draw, and it looks like that isn’t going to change anytime soon. According to early estimates, Top Gun: Maverick is on its way to a weekend opening of $92M to beyond $100M stateside. It also would add up to another $80M internationally, which would put its opening weekend at $180M worldwide.

    The film is being described as a “five-quad” movie that is expected to become an aggressively overperforming title, especially as older men are open to checking the film out. Paramount has taken a smart strategy by promoting the film over the course of the last month, especially when it was previewed at CinemaCon to get exhibitors excited for what’s to come. It also left a splash at the Cannes Film Festival, where Cruise received a surprise Palme D’or.

    The film will also receive the widest release in the United States since The Lion King in 2019. China and Russia aren’t in the mix, which puts its development towards beating the actor’s previous biggest worldwide opening with The Mummy at $172.3M. It’s also considered an award season contender, which echoes similarly how Dune was a “blockbuster release that isn’t quite a blockbuster” in the eyes of the Academy.

    It’s great for Tom Cruise‘s career and most likely will help boost the way they tackle his upcoming Mission: Impossible films in the promotion as well. Cruise has made a career out of single-handily pushing his films in a way that others can’t due to his position which is quite admirable but also highlights the exception rather than the rule. Having his biggest opening weekend with a legacy title like this does bode well for other films to enter the market in a big way.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Echo’ Head Writer Shares Set Photo With First Look at New Logo

    ‘Echo’ Head Writer Shares Set Photo With First Look at New Logo

    It’s not uncommon that Marvel Studios’ projects go through a variety of logos while they go into development. Initial announcements tend to use a logo strongly inspired by the character’s comic runs before starting to evolve into its own unique design. While we knew long before Hawkeye entered production that the character of Echo (Alaqua Cox) would get her own Disney+ series.

    It wasn’t until Disney+ Day that we got our first look at its logo, which took a very simple design approach that isn’t new with any of the Marvel films. Yet, it looks like production has recently updated that they’ve updated the logo once again, as shared by the series head writer, Marion Dayre, on Twitter. While we don’t see anything from the actual production, we do get the series’ production name Solidarity alongside the new Echo logo.

    The design seems a bit more steeped in what the series represents, and we may hopefully also get that in the eventual updated design for the logo, which has become part of their usual development cycle. The logo showcased above is very likely not going to be used outside of the production.

    Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania had a unique logo design that was hard to decipher at first but was only meant for the production team. So, this design is very likely also following that very rule. Still, it’s always great to get an update, no matter how small it is and there’s a lot of promise to explore a smaller scale story with this series.

    Source: Twitter

  • HBO Max Brazil to Add ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ in July

    HBO Max Brazil to Add ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ in July

    As Spider-Man: No Way Home is not owned by Marvel Studios, its release is quite scattered across the world. If you live in Brazil, you’re in luck if you have an HBO Max subscription, as the film is heading to the Warner Bros.-owned subscription service on July 22nd. Not every release is currently known on the Spider-Man threequel worldwide, but there is the deal that Sony made with Netflix and Disney+. We still haven’t heard any update on how exactly that deal works and when we might expect the MCU films to make their appearance on the Disney-owned service. It’ll likely head to Netflix in those markets that don’t yet have HBO Max access.

    Sony’s release strategy on streaming has been smart, as they don’t carry any of the costs without setting up one, but still enjoy the licensing fees from offering them to others. While Warner Bros., Disney, Peacock, and Netflix fight over the dominance in the market, Sony is making its cash mostly through offering its library to them. It’s a great strategy in an already crowded market that is reaching its limits.

    The only drawback is that it becomes quite the question mark where and when we can expect specific releases. If there’s no overall deal, like Netflix and Disney+, it strongly depends on local market contracts. For now, it feels like a free-for-all though we’ll likely see a shift within the market as time goes on and some overall deals are finalized with the main subscription services cementing themselves within the market.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ To Have the Widest Release in North America of All Time

    ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ To Have the Widest Release in North America of All Time

    There’s been a lot of discussion regarding the current trends of Hollywood blockbusters dominating cinemas. Yet, it looks like another big release is going to be present across the entire United States with Top Gun: Maverick set to become the all-time widest opening in the United States. It’s now set to release in 4,732 theaters, which beast 2019’s Lion King held the record at 4,725. To put it into comparison, this year’s biggest releases so far included Doctor Strange in the Mutliverse of Madness at 4,534 and The Batman at 4,417.

    A wide release highlights the expectations set by Skydance Media and Paramount Pictures in what the film has to offer. The hype has been great, especially with its overwhelmingly positive reviews. Of course, it’s been a while since the first Top Gun found its way into theaters back in 1986, but Tom Cruise has always been quite the box office draw, the Mission: Impossible franchise is certainly a testament to that.

    Current predictions do see the film releasing between $98M to $125M, which has been growing steadily as we near its release later this week. For now, there’s a chance it might go beyond those expectations especially as they widen its release in the United States. There’s no word if the European and other international markets will also see an expansion.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’ to Take Inspiration From Martial Arts Films

    ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’ to Take Inspiration From Martial Arts Films

    Russian Doll’s Leslye Headland got a chance to sit down with Vanity Fair to talk about the future for Star Wars fans with her new series, The Acolyte. We’ve been anxiously awaiting an update on what to expect from the series. The new interview gave us a tease of how she’s approaching the series by highlighting the advice she got from The Mandalorian‘s Jon Favreau.

    Jon Favreau said that when you’re working in this world, you want to go back to what George was inspired by. There were Westerns and then of course, Akira Kurosawa samurai films, and the fact that he originally offered Obi-Wan Kenobi to Toshiro Mifune …

    Leslye Headland

    Hearing that there are many ways to approach the series, it seems that she focused on martial arts films as how she’ll approach the series. Headland highlights some of the inspirations that she is taking with her while working on this series.

    So I actually went more toward martial arts films, and storylines that are a little bit more personal and less global and galactic. Those warriors were on missions that were deeply personal, with people feeling wronged and having to make it right. Wuxia Films and martial arts films from King Hu and the Shaw Brothers, like Come Drink With Me and Touch Of Zen. They’re monks that are also martial arts heroes.

    Leslye Headland

    The projects mentioned certainly sets up a great concept. Most of Star Wars inspirations were from westerns and samurai films. We’ve seen some influences from martial art films, but never a project that was built around the concept. So, here’s hoping we get some great action and drama that these iconic films are known for.

    Source: Vanity Fair

  • ‘The Acolyte’ to Explore the Rise of the Sith During the High Republic

    ‘The Acolyte’ to Explore the Rise of the Sith During the High Republic

    Russian Doll‘s Leslye Headland will head into a galaxy far far away with the new Star Wars series Acolyte. We’ve learned that the series takes place long before the prequel trilogy with around 100 years stated. Now, in an interview with Vanity Fair, Headland offered some more details on how the storyline will explore how the Sith grew in power before the events of the Prequels. Headland highlights a quote from Mace Windu that inspired her to take on the story:

    In the prequels, Mace Windu says: ‘There’s no way that the Sith could have reemerged without us knowing about it.’ And Yoda says, ‘Hard to see, the dark side is. He acknowledges that this is a part of the Force that has been dormant, or at least hidden from them, for so long. What I immediately wondered about this particular period was: Who is practicing it

    Leslye Headland

    She also teases that the title has many significant references to where the story heads, such as pointing to someone that is closer to the dark side of the Force. So, we may be seeing the rise of the Sith, with Amandla Stenberg set to play the leading role. Though the wording also hints at someone who assists a religious leader in a ritual. So, we might see the padawan that supported Palpatine’s rise to power. Many also hope that perhaps we meet Darth Sidious, who has been teased briefly in an iconic sequence from the prequels.

    Source: Vanity Fair

  • Deborah Chow Played John Williams ‘Star Wars’ Score While Filming ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’

    Deborah Chow Played John Williams ‘Star Wars’ Score While Filming ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’

    There’s something iconic about John Williams‘s score. No matter when you hear it, you instantly can connect it to Star Wars. Obi-Wan Kenobi‘s marketing team knew that as the moment they played Duel of the Fates in the teaser trailer, they knew what kind of emotions it would awaken.

    While talking about making the lightsaber during action sequences in the Disney+ series’ press conference, Deborah Chow revealed that they couldn’t tell if the cast was doing them as they were playing music while filming. Not just any music as they were using John Williams‘ iconic scores to put the actors in the right mind, as Moses Ingram reveals how it felt hearing the music while simply stepping off a ship.

    And it was sick, too. Because we’d be like stepping off the ship or doing something else and the music would swell. And you’re just like feeling like you’re 10 feet tall. It’s very, very cool.

    Moses Ingram

    Chow highlights that this was their intention to use the music that’s become synonymous with the franchise to bring the actors to feel what it means to be part of this franchise.

    Yeah, that was the big reason we did it, because there’s the music obviously brings the emotional component. And what John Williams has done has been so inextricably tied, it is Star Wars. so, if we put it on, all of a sudden, I see Moses go like two inches taller and everybody responds to it.

    Deborah Chow

    The franchise wouldn’t be the same without William’s score and it definitely left its imprint on many. The inclusion during filming is a great way to convey the emotions it brings to life and there’s something special about the soundtrack of the Prequel trilogy. The most exciting aspect is to also hear the return of this soundtrack once the Disney+ series premieres this Friday.

  • Ewan McGregor Would Be Open to a Season 2 of ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’

    Ewan McGregor Would Be Open to a Season 2 of ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’

    It’s no secret that Obi-Wan Kenobi will be a limited series. Most of the advertising highlighted it as such, and head writer Deborah Chow has confirmed that this was their take ever since it was conceptualized. Yet, there’s still always a little glimmer of hope that we could see more and it seems that while Choh remains strong on how she initially perceived the project, Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy is certainly open to the idea.

    Mainly because everybody came together and had such an incredible time. Ewan had an incredible time. Hayden had an incredible time. So certainly from that point of view, everybody involved would love to see this not end. But we have to really spend our time asking the question: Why would we do it? If we were to decide to do anything more with the Obi-Wan character, we’d have to really answer the question why?“

    Kathleen Kennedy

    She’s not the only one surprised, as it seems Obi-Wan Kenobi himself, Ewan McGregor, has also warmed up to the idea of potentially doing more with the franchise. The experience working on the project may have certainly gotten his interest to return to the role in the future.

    Yeah, I would like to make another one. I had such a great time working with Deb, and the actors that we had in this were so great to work with, and the crew are just… I can’t tell you. It was so wonderful to work on. I couldn’t wait to get to work every day, and on a long shoot like this, that’s something. Right to the end, I just loved the experience of it

    Ewan McGregor

    While there’s no necessity for him to continue an Obi-Wan Kenobi series after the initial limited run, there are other options they could take. We have a few Jedi refuges after the event of Order 66, who might stumble upon the former Jedi Master and seek his help. Tatooine also seems to be commonplace for these Star Wars series to visit, which has become a bit of a running gag that every live-action series end up on the desert planet at some point. If they have a spark for a new series to have McGregor return, we’ll have to see what Lucasfilm cooks up in the future.

    Source: Entertainment Weekly

  • New ‘Ms.Marvel’ Documentary Special to Release Ahead of Disney+ Premiere

    New ‘Ms.Marvel’ Documentary Special to Release Ahead of Disney+ Premiere

    Here’s a pleasant surprise, as it looks like a new exclusive look and documentary short will be released ahead of the series premiere of Ms. Marvel. The special will include a look back at her comic origins, as well as how they brought the Disney+ series to life with interviews. The team behind the series, as well as Iman Vellani, who plays Kamala Khan, will be part of the new documentary short titled A Fan’s Guide to Ms. Marvel.” The short is currently eyeing a June 1st release.

    There are no further details currently on what will be included and if it includes entire footage from the series, or if it may focus on the interviews. The June release is just a week away from the Disney+ series premiere. So, we’ll likely see a similar tease like with Hawkeye back during Disney+ Day, which also included a brief segment from a future episode of the December series ahead of its premiere.

    There’s a lot of history even if the character was only introduced in 2013. It’s a nice touch to introduce the character to people that might want to catch up with her comic history before jumping into the series. Plus, we might see more of this small documentary when they introduce new character’s to the franchise that some might not be too familiar with. We’ll see if we might get something similar with the release of She-Hulk in the future, as they find a way to ease in new viewers to these characters as the MCU continues to expand with new characters that are more obscure than others.

    Source: What’s on Disney Plus