Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Joseph Aberl

  • ‘Knives Out 2’ Eyeing Late 2022 Release

    ‘Knives Out 2’ Eyeing Late 2022 Release

    Netflix caught everyone’s attention when they made the deal of a century to purchase any future entries of the murder mystery franchise Knives Out. The series, created by Star Wars: The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson, will not only get one sequel but two as part of the deal. It looks like the next entry, which started filming last year, is already eyeing a release in the last quarter of 2022 according to a new report by Variety.

    Not just that, it also will try to release at festivals early, but there has been no word which one it might end up being. For now, Netflix is all in with the project, and with a festival focus, they are likely trying to prepare for next year’s Oscar season, as they are currently expected to dominate with The Power of the Dog, Don’t Look Up, and Tick, Tick … Boom!.

    The only returning actor for the film is Daniel Craig as the iconic detective. Johnson’s team is also rounded out with those that helped in the first feature, such as editor Bob Ducsay and cinematographer Steve Yedlin. The first one was originally released through Lionsgate and was produced by Media Rights Capital before Netflix purchased the franchise for $450M back in March. It’ll be exciting to see the next storyline with an all-star cast, which includes Edward Norton, Dave Bautista, Kathryn Hahn, Jessica Henwick, and more.

    Source: Variety

  • ‘Lucifer’ and ‘Luca’ Top 2021’s Streaming Chart

    ‘Lucifer’ and ‘Luca’ Top 2021’s Streaming Chart

    2021 has been quite a year, to say the least, as the pandemic continued to keep us at home. As such, we had a bit more time on our hands and luckily the various streaming services had plenty of content to keep us busy throughout the year. Of course, there’s always hope that your favorite show of the year might make it to the top of the list. While streaming services still won’t quite tell us how shows and films are performing, Nielsen still conducts its studies to give us an inclination on how the year went.

    In 2021, the most-streamed original show was not the extremely popular Squid Game, but actually Lucifer. It switched to Netflix some time ago and now has become their most streamed offering. The Great British Baking Show takes the third spot followed by Virgin River, Bridgerton, You, Cobra Kai, The Crown, and Longmire. It’s not until the tenth spot that a non-Netflix offering joins the ranks with Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale. Disney+ and Apple TV+ only got one entry each with WandaVision and Ted Lasso.

    There’s a very different story when it comes to movies, as eleven of the most viewed cinematic offerings were from Disney+. The list is dominated by Luca, Moana, Raya and the Last Dragon. Netflix’s Red Notice takes the fifth spot and they also nabbed the ninth with Mitchells Vs. The Machines. Marvel Studios also joined the list with Black Widow on the eleventh spot and rounds out the Top 15 with Avengers: Endgame. The performance of Disney+ is a good hint at the fact that family- and child-friendly offerings were the big winners.

    Overall, it’s a strong list of shows. There’s always a chance that if we’d ever get a chance to see the true numbers their positions might shift. Nielsen also only uses third-party information that excludes mobile numbers, which could work in specific offerings favor. They only rank TV screens and HBO Max and Peacock are not currently included in the list, whose offerings with Friends and Yellowstone are likely candidates to be in the list. Still, it’s at least a small inclination what 2021 was like and we’ll see what 2022 has in store for us.

    Source: Deadline

  • Pixar is “Really Bummed Out” On ‘Turning Red’ Heading to Disney+ Instead of Theaters

    Pixar is “Really Bummed Out” On ‘Turning Red’ Heading to Disney+ Instead of Theaters

    There has been a rather discouraging trend of Disney sending Pixar films to Disney+ for free. The prestigious animation studio was one of the leading voices in spearheading our modern understanding of CG-animated filmmaking. Yet, as the pandemic hit, things haven’t been easy for everyone in the industry. Especially with uncertainty if families will visit cinemas as they did before the pandemic started in 2020. As such, Disney made the move to release some of its films on their new streaming service.

    Strangely, there still is seemingly no clear strategy moving forward. Only select films were made available through their Premier Access options, where you can purchase the film for a set price. Yet, while their original and Marvel Studios offerings got the special treatment, Pixar’s Soul and Luca didn’t get the same. They were made available for free to push Disney+’s subscription numbers. Turning Red, their next film, was their big return to cinemas but ended up following the same fate. In a new piece by The Hollywood Reporter, they shared a statement by an anonymous Pixar employee on the situation.

    Everyone is really bummed, but most of us get it. Families just aren’t going to the movies

    They highlight that the company isn’t mad about the decision, but more disappointed. There’s a good chance that Encanto’s low box office numbers were one of the reasons they went down this route, especially. Sing 2, the most recent animated film to release in theaters, also didn’t fare much better if compared to pre-pandemic numbers. Here’s hoping that the current omicron development gets better so that Pixar can make its grand return to cinemas once again.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • Disney+ Added All Marvel Studios One Shot

    Disney+ Added All Marvel Studios One Shot

    There was a time when Marvel Studios did quite a bit of experimenting. In the early days of Phase 1, they tested out a concept known only as Marvel One-Shots at the time. The physical Blu-ray release of some films included these short episodes that helped tie together some loose ends, such as The Consultant, or just have some wacky fun, like Team Thor. Suddenly, there were sightings of All Hail The King – which introduced viewers to the fact that there was an actual Mandarin out there – after Shang-Chi was added to Disney+. Now it seems they have added all One-Shots as part of a collection, as shared by @riverrun779.

    https://twitter.com/riverrun779/status/1484503856541167623?t=K2LF4dk7HfT4a6soJt9r7A&s=19

    It’s interesting to note that the series of shorts have the logo “Marvel Studios One Shot,” but when you search for them they are only available with the name “Marvel One-Shot.”

    Their addition is great for the purists that want to watch every part the Marvel Cinematic Universe has to offer. Plus, it also helps them add it to their timeline on the service, which helps give some hints when and where to place these stories. As a fan of logo design, it’s great to see All Hail The King or The Consultant get actual visuals that add some flourish to their stories, even if they are quite small in the grand scheme of the wider MCU. Their inclusion with a new logo also opens up the possibility they might revisit the concept with new 15 minute shorts for minor characters. So, we’ll see if this opens up a window for more opportunities later down the line.

    Source: Disney+, Twitter

  • Official Japanese Marvel Site Removed ‘What If…?’ and ‘Secret Invasion’ From 2022 Line-Up

    Official Japanese Marvel Site Removed ‘What If…?’ and ‘Secret Invasion’ From 2022 Line-Up

    Just last week we reported on the official Japanese Marvel site that included an overview of its 2022 Disney+ and film slate. What surprised us was the inclusion of Secret Invasion and What If…? Season 2, as both were not announced for that year. Especially with their placement, it seemed like we’d have six Disney+ series premiering in just one year. Interestingly enough, the site has been updated and those two series have been removed. Not only that, but they also seemingly adapted the order of release.

    When we first reported it, the line-up seemed quite deliberate with Moon Knight ahead of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. She-Hulk was then placed after that film’s release, which implied it would also follow in May or June. Now, the order has Ms. Marvel ahead of She-Hulk, but the films are given their own separate location. So, either they accidentally uploaded it in the wrong order, or things have shuffled around. Moon Knight even has its March 30th release date included now, but with Ms. Marvel planned for the summer, She-Hulk might not release until November.

    Marvel Studios has been known for their steady output of content and with films has always been ver upfront about when they will release. Disney+ has been a very different experience, as they don’t truly advertise a show’s release until around two months in advance. While no one expects concrete release dates, it’s been strange we haven’t gotten release windows for some of the shows, especially when Ms. Marvel was originally going to be a 2021 release. The pandemic has affected productions quite a bit and could be a factor, but we still know very little about their plans for this year. We’ll have to see if we get more information as the year goes on.

    Source: Marvel

  • Disney Working on Live-Action ‘Aristocats’ Film

    Disney Working on Live-Action ‘Aristocats’ Film

    Disney has been quite obsessed with bringing their many animated projects to live-action. They even made an entirely CG film based on The Lion King, which was still treated as a live-action adaptation due to the photorealism. Yet, they also used real animals for the Disney+ adaptation of Lady and the Tramp It looks like they have set their eyes on another project mostly focused on animals in the form of Aristocats. A new piece has revealed that Will Gluck and Keith Bunin are writing the script for a live-action take on the 1970’s animated film.

    The original story was about a family of cats living in Paris that were thrown out of their home by a jealous butler, as they were set to inherit everything from their wealthy owner. With the help of a tomcat, they make their way home and meet some colorful characters along the way. The project is in very early development but there are hints it’ll be closer to Lady and the Tramp rather than a fully animated adaptation like The Lion King.

    The original has some questionable characters in it that will definitely be rewritten, but there’s a good story here to revisit and even expand potentially. If they are going for the style that is hinted at, it’ll be impressive for them to get cats to play along to bring the project to life. I am especially curious how they might tackle the musical scenes if they are included at all. Not every live-action adaptation has embraced the musical aspects, but it wouldn’t be the same without “Everyone wants to be a cat” at one point in the film.

    Source: Deadline

  • Peter Billingsley Returning for ‘A Christmas Story’ Sequel

    Peter Billingsley Returning for ‘A Christmas Story’ Sequel

    Here’s a sequel I am sure no one ever asked for, but it looks like Legendary and Warner Bros. are making a sequel to the Holiday classic, A Christmas Story. Deadline broke the story that Peter Billingsley is also set to return as Ralphie for the sequel, which is creatively titled A Christmas Story Christmas and it will premiere exclusively on HBO Max. They also believe that Julie Hagerty will return to play his mother, but nothing else is known about the rest of the cast.

    The film follows Ralphie in the 1970s, who wants to give his children the same magical Christmas that he had years ago. He reconnects with his old childhood friends while also getting over the fact that his old man has passed away. It’s not the first time the story was revisited, as Billingsley was also involved with a Broadway musical version known as A Christmas Story The Musical, which went on to nab three Tony nominations.

    Nick Schenk, who is known for his work with Clint Eastwood on films like Cry Macho or Torino, will write the script and is set to executive produce the film. Christmas Chronicle‘s director Clay Kaytis has been attached to direct the legacy sequel. Wild West Picture Show productions will oversee the project with Billingsley and Vince Vaughn set to produce. Legendary’s Cale Boyter and Jay Ashenfelter will oversee the project, which is set to start production in Bulgaria this February.

    Source: Deadline

  • REVIEW: Kaido and Luffy Collide in ‘One Piece’ 1037

    REVIEW: Kaido and Luffy Collide in ‘One Piece’ 1037

    One Piece always seems to manage to continue to grow a world in creative ways. Elements that seemed like small tidbits from years ago can suddenly become relevant within seconds. Worldbuilding has always been Eiichiro Oda‘s greatest strength and the final moments of this chapter truly solidify that. Yet, we also get a dense chapter filled with some of the series’ best action and some actual character development for a villain, who seemingly was left behind and barely explored outside of the way he took over Wano. The battle between Luffy and Kaido may have done more for the character than the rest of the entire three acts of this storyline.

    If I bring it up, it may be good to start there with a look at this latest chapter. Kaido reveals he had a secret up his sleeve all along. He’s an alcoholic. Okay, technically yes but the point is that alcohol seems to make him unleash most of his abilities. We get some Drunk fu from a man who can turn into a fire-breathing dragon and he is taking it out on Luffy. the different phases showing a personality that he had seemingly hidden away. The Emperor of the Sea is having fun as someone is finally putting up a challenge. His smile also fits perfectly into King’s flashbacks on when he believed he may be Joy Boy.

    Most of the chapter is about this fight, as we get some creative sequences with Kaido switching between the different moves. You can see Luffy smiling at times throughout, and he’s gotten quite creative in how he takes on his enemy. That headbutt looks quite painful and there’s a lot of weight to the events that are unfolding. You can feel every single punch as the battle continues to unfold. It seems uncertain if the fight will truly come to an end in the next few chapters, but we’re definitely in the endgame now.

    The big revelation at the end, however, is the true selling point of this chapter. 1037 randomly moves to the Red Line’s Sacred Marijoa. Suddenly, the Five Elders are discussing a secret Devil Fruit. Something about one that hasn’t awakened in “centuries upon centuries” and even was given a fake name. As this is being discussed, the World Government’s ships are closing in on Wano. Yet, a giant shadow has arrived and is ready to take care of an issue the Straw Hats never realized they had. It’s the giant elephant known as Zunesha, who has been traveling for quite some time to a specific location. Could that have been Wano all along?

    So, the lines on the Devil Fruit seem to imply the awakening has a connection to the giant elegant, but they imply that it hasn’t reached its true power in a long time. Plus, if you think about it: there have been two massive teases in this arc. First, we find out that Who’s Who was supposed to be guarding the Gomu Gomu no Mi, but it ended up getting stolen by the Shank’s crew. Secondly, Kid and Law have revealed they already had their awakenings at some point in time. Last, but certainly not least, the chapter is all about Kaido and Luffy’s fight. So, it seems very possible that Luffy’s original fruit might be hiding a rather curious secret that we’ll find out about in the next few chapters.

  • ‘Godzilla’s MonsterVerse Continues In New Apple TV+ Series

    ‘Godzilla’s MonsterVerse Continues In New Apple TV+ Series

    It looks like the Monsterverse will live on, as we’ve been anxiously awaiting an update since the release of Godzilla vs. Kong. Turns out, Apple TV+ has made a massive deal for a new series that takes place in Legendary’s Monsterverse franchise that will explore the aftermath from when San Francisco was destroyed in a battle between Godzilla and the Titans. The story focuses on a family that starts to uncover how their legacy connects to the mysterious organization known as Monarch.

    The project is currently untitled, but Chris Black will serve as showrunner. It seems that Legendary has been searching for a potential buyer to carry on the franchise through a TV series, as they work on a film in the meantime. Apple has been struggling with a lack of IPs, and it seems they were the ones to get their hands on it. What makes this a surprising direction is that the Monsterverse was part of Warner Bros.’ IP, especially with Godzilla vs. Kong releasing simultaneously on HBO Max. Justin Kroll offered some insight into why they decided ended up with Apple TV+.

    Matt Fraction is also a co-creator of the series and will produce alongside Safehouse Pictures’ Tory Tunnell, and Joby Harold. Toho is also involved with Hiro Matsuoka and Takemasa Arita acting as executive producers. Their involvement confirms that the series will include Godzilla in some capacity. It’s great that the franchise will continue, but does raise some questions regarding their relationship with Warner Bros. moving forward, as they are also working on a Dune spinoff series with HBO Max. We’ll see what the future has in store.

    Source: Deadline, Twitter

  • ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Musical Prequel Adds Broadway’s Jelani Alladin

    ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Musical Prequel Adds Broadway’s Jelani Alladin

    Luke Evans and Josh Gad‘s upcoming Beauty and the Beast prequel has found another actor to join its line-up, as The Walking Dead: World Beyond actor, Jelani Alladin, has joined the project. We just recently learned that Fra Fee was also going to have a role in the story, as the series slowly is starting to come together ahead of its production. The musical series will run for eight episodes and continue the stories of Gaston and LeFou after the events of the 2017 original.

    The story follows LeFou’s step-sister Tilly, who will be played by Briana Middleton, as her past comes to haunt her and the three are off unto an unlikely adventure. Alladin will play a quick-witted artist, who goes by Jean-Michel. The actor is no stranger to working with Disney, as he played Kristoff in the Broadway rendition of Frozen. He worked on various TV series such as Law & Order: SVU, and FBI. Given his stage background, he’s a great addition to bring the musical to life.

    Source: Deadline