Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Joseph Aberl

  • ‘Fast X’: Scott Eastwood Returns to the ‘Fast and Furious’ Franchise as Little Nobody

    ‘Fast X’: Scott Eastwood Returns to the ‘Fast and Furious’ Franchise as Little Nobody

    It looks like Fast X is continuing to expand its cast, as even after facing the loss of its initial director, the project is moving forward. Now, it has been revealed that Scott Eastwood will return to the Fast and Furious franchise in his role as Little Nobody. The production picked up again with Louis Leterrier at the helm after replacing Justin Lin.

    Eastwood last played the character in 2017’s Fate of the Furious, where he was a government agent working with Kurt Russell‘s Mr. Nobody. There is, sadly, no word if this also means that Russell will return to the franchise as well, but it’s great to have another familiar face join the production. He joins a once again stacked cast consisting of Jason Momoa, Charlize Theron, Alan Ritchson, and Brie Larson, who will join returning favorites like Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, and Tyrese Gibson.

    It’s unclear where the film is going, especially now with the new director on board. The project will lead into the final installment in the now-titled Fast Saga, and they were originally going to shoot these films back-to-back. For now, we’ll have to see if we get any further updates as they continue filming. With the delays costing around a million per day, it hopefully won’t mean they’ll undertake any budget cuts as a result.

    Source: THR

  • ‘Stranger Things 4’s Major Plot Points Leaked Due to Tie-In Monopoly Board Game

    ‘Stranger Things 4’s Major Plot Points Leaked Due to Tie-In Monopoly Board Game

    Merchandise has become rather dangerous, as not only do early leaks tend to reveal the first look at characters long before they were originally meant to drop, such as Thor: Love and Thunder‘s Gorr the God Butcher, but it seems they are also spoiling massive aspects of upcoming series. Netflix has been hyping up its fourth season of Stranger Things, which will release in two parts this year. Yet, it turns out that massive plot points have been leaked through the officially licensed board game. While Netflix seems unhappy, the series’ creators, The Duffer Brothers, are having a “total meltdown” over the leak.

    The monopoly game is not leaked early but was able to be “purchased fair and square by a consumer,” which adds to the frustration surrounding these plot points being included. It seems like this version is now already on eBay while retailers try to hold back on the variant for the fourth season. The problem seems that the scale of Netflix’s production led to someone potentially accidentally letting it ship early. So, if you’re actively avoiding spoilers of any kind, be sure not to purchase the officially released Monopoly tie-in board game.

    Still, it’s frustrating for the creatives involved as tie-in merchandise have become a general source for leaks and reveals. Funko Pop listings have become popular teases of character reveals and confirmations, which normally would’ve been hidden until the last second. Jon Favreau famously did not allow a single design of Baby Yoda to find its way to any merchandise manufacturer to ensure this wouldn’t happen, which led to a massive pre-order crash after his reveal.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • ‘Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic’ Remake is Being Built “From Scratch”, Update Not for Another “Several Months”

    ‘Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic’ Remake is Being Built “From Scratch”, Update Not for Another “Several Months”

    Ever since the initial reveal, many were excited to see what the remake of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic might be like. It seemed like they might have to wait a little longer on an update, as during the Q4 report by Embracer Group, which owns the developers Aspyr Media, they revealed that the game is being remade “from scratch.” While discussing the game and the Playstation exclusive deal, board member Matthew Karch talked about the game’s size and that we’ll probably get an updated “in the next several months.”

    We’re fully confident that the game is going to be fantastic but it’s a massive, massive product and massive products require a lot of effort and a lot of time to make good. And especially when you’re talking about a game already old — very old — we’ve basically had to remake that game from scratch. I would say in the next several months you’ll be hearing more from us about it.

    Matthew Karch

    It does sound like the game has become a “massive,” as Karch put it, undertaking for Aspyr. It seems Saber Interactive is also involved with the production. There’s a lot of excitement for what the project might bring, especially with how beloved the Knights of the Old Republic franchise is. There have been hints that the game might not replicate the gameplay from the original but take a very different approach, but so far we only got a teaser but not actual gameplay. Here’s hoping we may get at least a glimpse of what the new version will play like.

    Source: Push Square

  • CW’s ‘Riverdale’ Ending With Season 7

    CW’s ‘Riverdale’ Ending With Season 7

    It looks like CW is truly cleaning the house. During the reveal of their 2022/2023 release schedule, they’ve also made the announcement that Riverdale will be ending with Season 7. It’s not too surprising, as some of the actors have pointed out that an end is quite likely plus the series has lost quite a bit of momentum even as it embraced more out there storytelling ideas and concepts, moving further away from its initial Twin Peaks inspiration.

    The series was renewed alongside The Flash, All American, Kung Fu, and Walker. It was quite the hit with some strong ratings and eventually kicked off a new wave of momentum once it was released on Netflix, especially internationally where it was considered a “Netflix Original” for specific markets. Its “out-there” storytelling approach seemingly had many gripped, especially when some of its most viral moments spread online.

    It had quite the cast with KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, Cole Sprouse, Madelaine Petsch, and many more. The cast has gone through some curious storylines, which included a murder case, escaping the clutches of a cult, time travel, and some characters even getting their hands on superpowers. It definitely was a wild ride fo those watching but one cannot deny that it was quite a memorable one.

    Source: Variety

  • Anime Spinoff Series In Development for ‘Rick and Morty’

    Anime Spinoff Series In Development for ‘Rick and Morty’

    It looks like Rick and Morty is about to fully embrace the anime format, as Adult Swim has ordered a ten-episode season from Tower of God‘s Takashi Sano simply titled Rick and Morty: The Anime. It follows his work on the anime shorts “Rick and Morty vs. Genocider” and “Summer Meets God (Rick Meets Evil),” which have become viral hits for the Adult Swim’s digital platforms.

    It seems the project will try to focus on keeping the themes and even events from the original. Telecom Animation Film is involved with the production, and this is an actual series, not part of the digital shorts that were teased some time ago. Sano shared the following statement on tackling the project:

    The multiverse-straddling exploits of Rick and the gang pose challenges to the family bond, but they always rise to the occasion,. It’s such a life-affirming sight, and Jerry is no exception. I am honored to have been given an opportunity to tell a new story about this amazing family. I hope you enjoy their adventures!

    Takashi Sano

    There’s no word if it’ll follow the same animation style as the shorts, but given Sano‘s involvement, it seems like they’ll stick to it. The cast of the original series is probably also expected to return, but it’s unclear how this series will act as a series, as each episode might include a unique animation design and act as an anthology, or they’ll try to tell a connected story across all ten episodes. For now, we’ll have to wait and see which direction it takes.

    Source: Hollywood Reporter

  • ‘Secret Invasion’ Will Explore the Blip, Hints at MCU Timeline

    ‘Secret Invasion’ Will Explore the Blip, Hints at MCU Timeline

    It looks like one more detail has slipped past us during Disney’s TV Upfront. All eyes were on the big release of She-Hulk, Attorney at Law‘s trailer. Yet, there was a tiny segment on Secret Invasion as well where some information was shared on what to expect from the Disney+ series. The Koalition‘s Dana Abercrombie covered the event and also shared some tidbits from the brief segment where Kevin Feige talked about when exactly the series will take place and it seems like it’ll explore the events during the Blip.

    There does seem to be an issue on what was quoted during the event, as it seemingly has been hinted at as “It will explore the events that occurred during The Blip” while others claim the series takes place during that event. Of course, this opens up a big can of worms as Nick Fury wasn’t around during that time period. So, the entire Secret Invasion event may have started during his absence and we now explore his return, as he tries to uncover what happened during those five years.

    It actually makes a lot of sense for a secret Skrull invasion to happen during the Blip era, as many people already vanished and they could’ve easily replaced them and just pretend they weren’t dusted. Plus, who knows if the events of that time also shaped some of the Skrull’s outlooks when their own family and friends got dusted. Plus, with hints of the Skrull God appearing in some form, perhaps the event was part of the original prophecy. Whatever it may be, we’re going to be in for a deeper exploration of the impact the Blip had on the galaxy.

    Source: Twitter

  • Marvel Makes a 20-Year Deal With Genius Brands and POW! Entertainment for Stan Lee’s Likeness and Name

    Marvel Makes a 20-Year Deal With Genius Brands and POW! Entertainment for Stan Lee’s Likeness and Name

    It’s definitely a weird deal to talk about, but it seems that Marvel has acquired the rights to bring Stan Lee, who passed away in 2018, back to life through archival footage and digital technology. If you’re wondering what exactly this is all about, it seems that Marvel has signed a 20-year deal with Stan Lee Universe, which is a venture of Genius Brand International and POW! Entertainment. It lets them license the use of his name and likeness in any future film or TV production, as well as Disney theme parks, “experiences,” and merchandising.

    The CEO of Genius Brands, Andy Heyward, has shared the following statement on the decision to make this deal and revive the beloved comic creator, who quickly became the face of Marvel, through digital means.

    It really ensures that Stan, through digital technology and archival footage and other forms, will live in the most important venue, the Marvel movies, and Disney theme parks. It’s a broad deal.

    Andy Heyward

    Stan Lee‘s cameos in the various Marvel films, not just Marvel Studios’ MCU, were a staple and they have found indirect ways to mention the comic creator with small tributes to the actor without actually including him. Of course, it’s unclear if he’ll actually return as a digital character in these films. Plus, it’s not certain people will feel comfortable seeing a digital double of Lee on the silver screen. Best case, they might include his likeness in the background like how the Netflix shows had him on posters. Heyward highlights:

    The audience revered Stan, and if it’s done with taste and class, and respectful of who he was, [uses of his likeness] will be welcomed. He is a beloved personality, and long after you and I are gone, he will remain the essence of Marvel.

    Andy Heyward

    The deal is still a strange one, as Stan Lee Universe was originally founded by Gill Champion and Arthur Lieberman with the comic creator to “steward” the legacy he left behind. It’s unclear just how detailed the dealing is and if they have to sign off on the use of his likeness, but we’ll have to see how this deal pans out. They likely may have also made a deal due to existing merchandise using Lee‘s likeness.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • ‘Squid Game’ Season 2 Won’t Release Until the End of 2023 or 2024

    ‘Squid Game’ Season 2 Won’t Release Until the End of 2023 or 2024

    It looks like Squid Game‘s second season will take quite a while to get rolling, as the series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has revealed that Season 2 will very likely not release until the end of 2023 or even 2024. In his interview with Vanity Fair, he talked about his plans for the next entry of Squid Game, and confirmed that he “only has about three pages worth of ideas that he plans to turn into a script.”

    He also talked about what his hopes for the sequel season will be, which seems to be a strong focus on exploring more what it means to cooperate with your fellow contestant; the possibility of there being multiple winners. Perhaps moving away from people “focused on wanting to kill each other off” in the next round.

    I want to ask the question, ‘Is true solidarity between humans possible.

    Hwang Dong-hyuk

    It definitely would mix up the way we explore the Squid Game in the universe, and having the chance of multiple winners could twist up the way the characters have to interact. Perhaps the cooperative version acts as a way for existing winners to get another chance at winning more or might explore how the Line Man ended up with his current position. No matter what may happen, it’ll take some time before we find out.

    Source: Vanity Fair

  • First Look at Mindy Kaling’s ‘Scooby-Doo’ Spinoff ‘Velma’

    First Look at Mindy Kaling’s ‘Scooby-Doo’ Spinoff ‘Velma’

    Many were surprised when Mindy Kaling was working on a Scooby-Doo spinoff that would mainly focus on the character of Velma Dinkley. It would act as a prequel series, but still include the usual mystery format that made the franchise so popular. During Warner Bros. Discovery’s TV Upfront event, creator Mindy Kaling came on stage and offered the first look at the series, which you can see here:

    https://twitter.com/Variety/status/1526950560716533762

    It certainly is going to offer something more mind-blowing than we may have anticipated, as the series has been known to focus on a more adult audience even if animated. Still, no one probably would’ve guessed to see someone with their head chopped open and their brain missing. So, we might expect quite a lot of violence and murder in this spinoff series.

    It’s unclear but the redhead could be Daphne Blake, as its uncertain if the rest of the Mystery Inc. gang will appear in the series in some capacity. Plus, they may also be reimagined such as Velma being South Asian in this series, which is a nice change of pace similar to how the Scoob! movie also being Hispanic, where she was voiced by Gina Rodriguez. The first look is promising and it’ll be interesting to see just what the series has to offer.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘She-Hulk’s Old Logo Design Lives on Through Her Law Agency

    ‘She-Hulk’s Old Logo Design Lives on Through Her Law Agency

    Here’s a cute surprise, but it looks like the last She-Hulk logo design that we saw is still present in the series. While they went for a more modern take on the classic logo, especially with the new “Attorney at Law” addition, it seems that they still had some use for the logo that was revealed during Disney+ day. If you look closely in the background during the trailer, you can spot that the agency she works for is still Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg & Holliway. While the name isn’t stated directly, you can clearly see the initials in the background with GLKH.

    It looks like they repurposed the old logo as the design for the law agency. While not world-breaking in the Easter egg department, it’s fun to see that this might’ve been the original inspiration for that design before they went with the current one. It definitely felt like they were taking cues from law firms and procedural law series as the inspiration, but decided to stick to the comic book design after all.

    Marvel Studios has had this interesting tendency to change their logo designs throughout their entire ad campaign. It’s been a bit jarring how many versions they go through with some projects, such as Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness receiving a new one only weeks before its release. Still, it does become a fun game of which one they might decide is the one that best represents their final project.