Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Joseph Aberl

  • HBO Max’s ‘Titans’ Season 4 Started Production

    HBO Max’s ‘Titans’ Season 4 Started Production

    In a way, it was only a question of time but it looks like production has finally started on the next season of HBO Max’s Titans. The official Twitter account shared a picture from the TV series’ clipboards that also confirm that production originally started yesterday on February 28th. Nicholas Copus, who worked on projects like Animal Kingdom, The Right Stuff, American Gods, and more, will take on the role of director for the first episode of that season.

    We still know very little about the upcoming season outside of a few rumors, such as iconic Superman villain Lex Luthor potentially appearing. They also are eyeing Joseph Morgan and Franka Potente in the villainous role of the latest season. If these casting rumors end up true, they would take on the roles of Brother Blood and Mother Mayhem. There have been some hints sprinkled throughout the last season that would help support this direction for the fourth season as the Titans leave Gotham behind them and everything that happened with Scarecrow.

    It’ll be interesting to see how they tackle the fourth season, as it seems mostly freed from the weight that bogged it down before. The series is quite popular on the platform, and it made sense that they would renew it for a fourth season. There are even hints that they’ve already signed on the talent for the fifth season that may start production once this season wraps. Here’s hoping we might get some teases of Brother Blood and confirmation on the rumored castings soon.

    Source: Twitter

  • John Cho Looks Back at ‘Cowboy Bebop’s Cancelation

    John Cho Looks Back at ‘Cowboy Bebop’s Cancelation

    While the live-action adaptation of Cowboy Bebop was met with a mixed reception, the cast was definitely dedicated to the series. Many expected that it’ll get a second season, but Netflix suddenly pulled the plug shortly after the series finally premiered on the streamer. It was never made clear why the series wasn’t continued, but given its troubled production, it must’ve hit hard for everyone involved. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, former Spike Spiegel actor John Cho finally opened up on the cancellation.

    I put a lot of my life into it. I’d gotten injured shooting that show and so I took a year off because of the surgery and devoted myself to rehab, came back and finished the show. It was this huge mountain for me to climb healing from that injury. I felt good about myself as a result. We also shot the show in New Zealand, so my family moved there. It was just a huge event in my life and it was suddenly over. It was very shocking and I was bummed.

    John Cho

    It must be tough to fully commit to a role and face an injury that takes you out for an entire year, only for all that hard work to be thanked with a quick cancellation. He did share his thoughts on teh upside of tackling this role:

    But I was very warmed by the response. I wish I could have contacted everybody and gotten hugs. You can’t do that now, but … I don’t know what this is. I’m mystified a little bit about how you can connect with people that you don’t know doing your work, but I won’t question it. I will value it and treasure it. I’m just really deeply appreciative that anyone would care. It’s stunning to me.

    John Cho

    There was certainly a lot of love between the cast members, as some of them took to Social Media to share their thoughts on Netflix’s sudden decision. Cho has still been busy since, as he’s currently promoting his middle-grade debut Troublemaker. So, while the series has sadly come to an end, it’ll always be exciting to see what the cast has in store next.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • What ‘Daredevil’ and Co.’s Disney+ Addition Might Mean for Marvel Studios’ Future

    What ‘Daredevil’ and Co.’s Disney+ Addition Might Mean for Marvel Studios’ Future

    It’s been long-rumored now since the Marvel Netflix series like Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and more are making their way to Disney+. After many back-and-forths online, the confirmation has finally arrived, as they dropped a sudden teaser that they are joining the series on March 16th. The big takeaway is that the streaming service is embracing more mature content without restricting it to other services, especially as they went out of their way to offer bundles with Hulu. Yet, this addition might have bigger implications for Marvel Studios’ future ventures.

    The timing for these additions is perfect with a darker-toned Moon Knight just on the horizon. Not just that, but it also means that older R-rated projects like Blade, Deadpool, Logan, or more can get added soon. Not just that, we know that Deadpool 3 is going to be an R-rated project and now we don’t have to worry about it potentially landing on Hulu. It’ll be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it would’ve been a shame if it wasn’t going to be part of the showcase in Disney+.

    The streamer was showcased as an “archive” for classic projects from Marvel, Pixar, and any other Disney brand. So, its family-friendly focus is not only restrictive from an archival standpoint but also creatively. They lost a lot of projects early on due to this restriction, such as the Lizzie McGuire revival and pushing the Love Simon spinoff, Love Victor, to Hulu. While it seems unlikely we’ll get an R-rated Pixar film any time soon, Marvel and Star Wars are very different stories. This move might be an implication that Disney+ Original projects will no longer fully adhere to the streaming’s initial set-up.

    Marvel may be able to fully embrace the darker and more mature tones that upcoming projects may have. Moon Knight is a big implication of Disney+ maturing, which we’ve talked bout here, but it also means R-rated projects are a possibility. The long-rumored Werewolf by Night project can embrace the darker aspects of having a werewolf-centric story. Their Blade remake might also start moving towards an R-rating, as there are no longer concerns about streaming availability being restricted to specific services.

    There’s also the continuation to keep in mind, as we know Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio returned in the roles they made famous. Rumors are hinting at a new Daredevil revival, which now can embrace the darker story arcs introduced through the Netflix incarnations. There are more mature storylines possible now that the glass ceiling has been broken. It may be a small step for now, but once Deadpool or Logan get added with the parent control sometime in the future, we might be able to see the first steps for a new MCU.

  • ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Funkos Leak Early With Some New Faces

    ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Funkos Leak Early With Some New Faces

    It looks like the Funko Pops for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness have leaked early featuring most of the cast that we’ve already seen in the trailers and teased throughout. We’ve been expecting an official announcement today, but it seems like they accidentally leaked early. popnewws_ shared the various photos that were posted on the site The Mighty Shop.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Caka9C1JIo_/?utm_medium=copy_link

    Yet, others have also found their way online featuring some new characters like Supreme Strange, who doesn’t have a resemblance to the Defender version of the evil version we saw. What sticks out is that this is the first version of Strange that doesn’t have his signature goatee. Perhaps he’s an earlier version of one of the Strange that would get affected by some changes. Or, he’s the version that joins the Illuminati that was teased in the latest trailer. There’s also a new character named Sara included, who might be Sara Wolfe.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CakbhOspEzC/

    There are definitely some more Funko Pops that won’t release after the film had a few weeks in theaters. Even now, we’re only just getting a Funko Pop for Matt Murdock, which will even include the brick he caught during his cameo in the film. The fact that the Supreme version is included has us scratching our head though given that the character was never even teased, the same going for Sara. Perhaps an upcoming teaser trailer will include them or they are purposefully here to make you question who and what role they might have. For now, it’s all we can really do.

    Source: Instagram via the Mighty Shop

  • Zack Snyder’s ‘Rebel Moon’ Adds Rupert Friend and Stuart Martin

    Zack Snyder’s ‘Rebel Moon’ Adds Rupert Friend and Stuart Martin

    Zack Snyder continues his work to expand his tenure at Netflix with a new space opera film titled Rebel Moon. What originally started a Star Wars pitch, is going to become a unique storyline that takes inspiration from classic Samurai films to offer us a story that may be unlike those that came before it. The film has already garnered an impressive cast but has now added two more in the form of Anatomy of a Scandal‘s Rupert Friend and Stuart Martin of Army of Thieves fame.

    https://twitter.com/netflixgeeked/status/1498382521054203908?s=21

    It is worth highlighting that Friend is set to play a lead bad guy in the upcoming film. There are still no details on what role exactly he might be tackling, but we still know very little about the project outside of a rough draft of its core storyline. It’ll be fun to see Snyder attempt a space storyline, as he’s always been in his best element in a storyline that allows for him to unleash his full creativity. Plus, it seems that Netflix is very open to letting him have free reign on his projects, which certainly helps his approach. We just recently got some artwork teasing the project and we’re still a few months away from it actually releasing, but it’s cast and the concept do sound promising for those looking forward to a new space-centric storyline to push the genre forward.

    Source: Twitter, The Hollywood Reporter

  • Patrick Stewart Talks How Professor X Would Interact With Doctor Strange

    Patrick Stewart Talks How Professor X Would Interact With Doctor Strange

    After a long bout of denials, Patrick Stewart finally confirmed that it was him in the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness trailer. He would still not confirm that the character is, in fact, Professor X but during an interview with Jake’s Takes he did offer his insight into how the famous X-Man founder would confront Strange. In a way, he is teasing the approach he may have taken with the character once he comes face-to-face with the almost Sorcerer Supreme in the sequel. He highlights that Professor X would be a bit more cautious when it comes to the good doctor, even if he has good intentions.

    Professor X would be extraordinarily cautious and watchful and perhaps be a little insecure because there’s something that is potentially dangerous about this man.

    Patrick Stewart

    Professor X has always been a rather hesitant person when it came to threats. He isn’t going to jump headfirst into trouble, especially with someone as powerful as Doctor Strange. We don’t know how much the Illuminati know in the upcoming sequel, but if they have him on trial, something is definitely going very wrong throughout the multiversal storyline. Who knows if they might even have the wrong version captured, as we see many Variant throughout the trailers. For now, we can only speculate.

    Source: YouTube

  • Patrick Stewart Confirms ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Super Bowl Trailer Appearance

    Patrick Stewart Confirms ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Super Bowl Trailer Appearance

    It’s been pretty obvious that Patrick Stewart‘s short voice cameo in the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Super Bowl trailer may have broken the Internet. He was long rumored to appear, and Marvel Studios knew exactly how to embrace it to get people even more riled up for the project. At first, the actor denied that being his voice but in an interview with Jake’s Takes he finally confirmed that the voice and earlobe we see during the trailer belong to him.

    actually didn’t recognize my own voice, it sounded different. Whether I had a cold or something at the time, I don’t know. But I was astonished, and all they saw was the back of my shoulder, and I think my earlobe, nothing else. There would have been so many connections made. But, uh, it pleased me.

    Patrick Stewart

    I think many of us have automatically made the connection that it was him when we first heard the voice, especially how iconic Stewart‘s portrayal has been of Professor X throughout the X-Men films. But, it makes sense that he might not have even recognized his own voice given that we hear ourselves quite a bit different than others do. Who knows if the voice clip played is even in the final film, but there’s no doubt now that he’ll indeed make his appearance at some point throughout Strange’s travel through the multiverse of madness.

    You can check out the full interview from Jake’s Takes here:

    UPDATING

    Source: YouTube via The Direct

  • Anthony Mackie’s ‘Twisted Metal’ Heading to Peacock as Half-Hour Comedy Series

    Anthony Mackie’s ‘Twisted Metal’ Heading to Peacock as Half-Hour Comedy Series

    It’s been a while since we last heard anything on the live-action adaptation of the iconic PlayStation game, Twisted Metal. Well, it seems after a long bout of silence, the Anthonie Mackie produced series is moving forward with Cobra Kai‘s Michael Jonathan Smith serving as showrunner. Peacock will become its new home, and the series is described as a half-hour comedy. Will Arnett and Marc Forman are also involved as executive producers via Electric Avenue production company. NBC’s President for Scripted Content, Lisa Katz, shared her enthusiasm for the project’s potential:

    Twisted Metal has been a global phenomenon for more than 25 years but it was the creative vision for this live-action adaptation, led by Michael Jonathan Smith, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, that blew us away. Also Anthony Mackie starring made it undeniable project:

    Lisa Katz

    Mackie will take on the role of John Doe, a milkman who has a lead foot on his pedal. Without any memories, he may have found his home in a community obsessed with vehicle mayhem. His only way to join is to transport a package across the post-apocalyptic wasteland. It’s unclear how many of the iconic characters from the gaming franchise might make their way to the series, but as the show has only now been greenlit, we’ll see what they’ll reveal once the casting moves forward. Still, the idea of the series as a half-hour comedy would fit well to allow the series to focus on the twisted aspect of Twisted Metal.

    Source: Deadline

  • First ‘The Batman’ Reviews Are Overwhelmingly Positive

    First ‘The Batman’ Reviews Are Overwhelmingly Positive

    The Batman reviews have finally arrived as the Warner Bros. embargo lifts. It looks like it left quite an impression with critics and viewers, who highlight that it might be the most definite take on the character. Some have pointed out that the length is working against it a bit, but it’s a Batman story that takes a lot of inspiration from its comic roots while offering something even more grounded than The Dark Knight. There’s also a lot of praise going to the film’s score, which adds to the darker take on Gotham and its protector.

    Check out the various online reactions here:

  • New Batch of ‘One Piece’ Set Photos Teases Luffy’s Flashback

    New Batch of ‘One Piece’ Set Photos Teases Luffy’s Flashback

    We’ve long wondered how the live-action adaptation of One Piece is tackling in its adaptation of the original manga. When production started, not much was known with Nami actress Emily Rudd being the first to join the production. Now, a slew of new set photos is finding their way online featuring the Marines and even our first look at Shank’s ship, the Red Force. The latest addition of flashbacks may hint that they are currently preparing to film the flashback to Luffy’s childhood.

    @OP_Netflix_Fan has shared a new batch of set photos that tease various windmills in the background. Now, fans of the original manga will instantly recognize it as the small village known as Foosha Village – better known for the West as Windmill Village. It’s part of the Goa Kingdom and was first introduced in the Romance Dawn arc when we first meet Luffy and Shanks.

    It’s further proof that they might be tackling his origin story next. As we’ve seen Alvida’s ship, the series isn’t shooting everything in order but they don’t have to restrict themselves to a specific order. So, the origin could be explored in a second or third episode. Hopefully, it doesn’t closely follow Netflix’s conventions of having an entire episode that mainly focuses on flashbacks ahead of the finale.

    What’s uncertain is if the series might take inspiration from the Post-War arc and also include references to the Goa Kingdom, or even Sabo and Ace. For now, it’s quite fun to speculate even if there’s still some time until the series will probably release on Netflix. Still, these set photos are quite promising and it will be great to see how they bring this series to life.

    Source: Twitter