Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Joseph Aberl

  • ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Might Push Peter Parker to His Breaking Point

    ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Might Push Peter Parker to His Breaking Point

    The MCU’s Spider-Man films have had some dark moments but were mostly light-hearted. Now, he’s about to face his biggest challenge yet, as villains from other cinematic storylines are entering the fray. Not only is he about to face multiple villains, but he’ll also learn fast that they’ve already faced a Spider-Man before, especially with how Alfred Molina‘s Doc Ock seemed quite familiar with Peter Parker. In an interview with Total Film, Tom Holland highlights that this might be the darkest entry in the trilogy.

    What people will be really surprised about is that it’s not fun, this film. It’s dark and it’s sad, and it’s going to be really affecting. You’re going to see characters that you love go through things that you would never wish for them to go through. And I was just really excited to kind of lean into that side of Peter Parker.

    Tom Holland

    It’s certainly an intriguing tease by the actor, especially with how this might push our favorite webhead to his limits. Of course, the actor also gets a chance to explore Parker in new and distinctive ways. He goes on to highlight:

    Peter Parker is always someone who’s looking up. He’s always really positive. He’s always like, ‘I can fix this. I can do this.’ Whereas in this film, he feels like he’s met his match. He’s like, ‘I don’t know what to do.’ That was an aspect of the character that I’d never seen before, and I was really, really excited to try to tackle.

    Tom Holland

    It makes you worried about what it might mean for Parker and his supporting cast. In a way, it makes you wonder if he might face another tragedy in his life that continues to push him forward while forcing him to rethink what it means to be a hero. He already lost his mentor and is about to face an ever-changing universe.

    Source: Total Film

  • Tom Holland on How ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ is “Three Generations Coming Together”

    Tom Holland on How ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ is “Three Generations Coming Together”

    Now, we all know what you’re thinking about with the title. So did Total Film when they sat down with Tom Holland to discuss his role in the upcoming Spider-Man: No Way Home film. Throughout the interview, it seemed that the actor almost let slip one of the worst-kept secrets in the industry. It didn’t help that when they questioned if he had to prove himself on set with the cast while pointing out rumors of Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire making the rounds, he said the following:

    It was interesting having those guys come in because they have a certain ownership over Spider-Man in their own way”

    Tom Holland

    He naturally corrected quickly to point out he is talking about working alongside Alfred Molina, Jamie Foxx “and those guys,” probably alluding to the other rumored returning actors like the recently teased Willem Dafoe. Both actors are returning from very different types of films. Holland also points out how interesting it was to see them adapt to a new director and new Spider-Man, as they bring back these classic characters.

    It means a lot to me. The first time you see Doc and the rest of the characters that come back, it’s so exciting – and it’s such a huge moment in cinematic history. It’s three generations coming together.

    Tom Holland

    His last point is certainly the highlight of what the film’s new multiverse direction is offering, as we get another chance to revisit characters we’ve come to love over the years. It’ll be interesting to see how the film explains their appearance and what it might mean for the character’s future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He did jokingly reference that no one would believe him if he continues to deny that previous Spider-Man actors are in the film, but laughs it off.

    Source: Total Film

  • Kumail Nanjiani Almost Didn’t Join ‘Eternals’ Due to ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’

    Kumail Nanjiani Almost Didn’t Join ‘Eternals’ Due to ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’

    Sometimes things happen for a reason. There are castings that are hard to imagine being played by someone else, but others were you imagine what could’ve been. It seems that Kumail Nanjiani had quite a curious history in joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We now know him as the Eternal Kingo, but it seems he almost didn’t have the role. In an interview with the podcast My Mom’s Basement, writer Kaz Firpo pointed out that the actor didn’t initially join the project because he was already cast in James Gunn‘s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

    Little fun fact, we literally basically pitched from like the jump. We were like, we love Kumail, we love everything he pretty much has done, specifically Silicon Valley and what he is up to. And we pitched to the producers right from the beginning, like it’s got to be Kumail. They were like: ‘It can’t be because he’s got a role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, James Gunn like has already written him into it so he can’t do Eternals.’

    Kaz Firpo

    Of course, as we all know things didn’t quite pan out for the third Guardians film early on and it got delayed indefinitely. Luckily, the wait has come to an end, as it just recently entered production. Sadly, the writer has pointed out that they don’t know what role exactly he had, but it’s quite interesting that Gunn wrote one with him in mind. Perhaps we’ll find out later down the line once we’ve learned more about the threequel.

    You can watch the full interview on the topic here:

    Source: Twitter

  • EXCLUSIVE: Diane Guerrero on How Mental Health Played a Role in Joining ‘Encanto’

    EXCLUSIVE: Diane Guerrero on How Mental Health Played a Role in Joining ‘Encanto’

    Disney is about to embark on a new kind of animated adventure with Encanto. The story of an unlikely family with powers explores the different dynamics that come to play when one of them stands out for one simple reason: she doesn’t have any. It allows us to explore a very different kind of dynamic, as the family must face an unlikely challenge. It features an all-star cast that includes Stephanie Beatriz in the leading role, John Leguizamo, Angie Cepeda, Adassa, and many more. Among them, of course, is Diane Guerrero, who made a name for herself in the DC comics-inspired series Doom Patrol. 

    Our very own Hunter Radesi got a chance to sit down with the actress to discuss what drew her to the role of Isabel Madrigal. Along with discussing what drew her to the role, she explained how different it is from her previous work. Guerrero revealed most of her work and the roles that interest her are all about mental health. With Encanto, that was partly what drew her to the project, but she also liked that it explores the family dynamic.

    I’m a huge fan of Disney and the roles that I play, I care about them aligning with my values. I care about mental health, I care about family, I care about mental wellness in family And this film addresses something that we, you know, rarely talk about, especially, in family films. We have family films, they talk about family dynamics but rarely do we see the sacrifice and the ancestral trauma that comes along with some of some of those trials and tribulations that, you know, what it actually took to get you here.

    Diane Guerrero

    It’s quite interesting to learn how she approaches her roles, especially with the glimpse of what Encanto will explore once it hits theaters. The trailers tease the importance of family and the challenge of sticking out from the rest of the family. It puts a lot of pressure on someone, and it’s not easy for everyone to take in without it weighing them down. So, it’s great to see Guerrero‘s put her very values at the forefront when choosing roles.

    Encanto hits theaters on Nov. 24th.

  • Netflix’s Live-Action ‘Yu Yu Hakusho’ Eyeing December 2023 Release

    Netflix’s Live-Action ‘Yu Yu Hakusho’ Eyeing December 2023 Release

    Here’s a curious way to start off the day, as Netflix has revealed on Twitter that their live-action adaptation of Yoshihiro Togashi‘s manga Yu Yu Hakusho will eye a release in 2023. While they haven’t offered an official first look just yet, there’s still some time as it won’t premiere on the streaming service until December of 2023. There has been rather little fanfare surrounding this adaptation, but a set photo leaked back in June as it was filming in Japan at the time.

    Netflix has been quite busy preparing live-action adaptations of popular anime and manga. Cowboy Bebop is only a week away before we get to explore a Western adaptation of the classic series. They also announced a One Piece series some time ago, which has been slowly building up momentum since the official first logo was finally unveiled a few months ago. Even if Netflix is announcing a release date for its Yu Yu Hakusho series, it doesn’t mean we’ll get an official first look yet. With almost two years to go, which is odd considering it started production supposedly in June, we might have a long wait ahead of us.

    Source: Twitter, CBR

  • Patty Jenkins’ ‘Rogue Squadron’ Film Delayed Indefinitely

    Patty Jenkins’ ‘Rogue Squadron’ Film Delayed Indefinitely

    Not too long ago, rumors were swirling that Patty Jenkins‘ upcoming Star Wars film titled Rogue Squadron might get delayed by a year. It was originally going to enter production by 2022 and release in 2023. Yet, it seemed a new Old Republic-inspired film was fast-tracked while it was pushed back by a year. The Hollywood Reporter has now confirmed the delay due to scheduling issues with Jenkins. It most likely is connected to the quickly confirmed third entry of Wonder Woman and a new Cleopatra film. The film is currently taken off the release schedule, but there is no word if it even might release in 2024.

    It’s never great news when production is pushed back, especially if you consider we haven’t had a new Star Wars film since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker. At this rate, if we don’t get a confirmation on The Old Republic film, we might not get a new entry until 2025. Disney has been focusing more on their Disney+ offerings, which is keeping us covered until then. The Mandalorian has its first spinoff releasing in December with The Book of Boba Fett and there are quite a few others that may release next year. So, we’ll see what the future has in store for its cinematic outings.

    Source: THR

  • ‘Raised by Wolves’ Line Producer Joins Netflix’s ‘One Piece’ Series

    ‘Raised by Wolves’ Line Producer Joins Netflix’s ‘One Piece’ Series

    We’ve been still waiting for quite some time to find out what exactly the future has in store for Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece. Recently, some new photos have surfaced teasing the Straw Hats’ famous ship, the Going Merry, parked comfortably in their shooting location in Cape Town. Yet, we still haven’t heard anything about the upcoming cast that will bring the East Blue saga to life. To bridge our wait until we get more information, a listing on the website CallaCrew has revealed that Cheryl Eatock joined the project as a line producer.

    The website includes the resumé of Lerato Tshabalala, who is Eatock‘s production secretary. Of course, it doesn’t explicitly call it by the series’ name but rather the production title we’ve uncovered back when we shared the news on Marc Jobst directing the pilot episode. At one point, the production changed from Project Roger, named after the famous king of the pirates to Project Panda. The title is a joke reference to the manga’s creator Eiichiro Oda‘s ongoing joke of including a random character known as Pandaman in the background.

    Eatock has quit the experience working in South Africa, as she also was the line producer of Ridley Scott’s first TV series Raised by Wolves. She’s also worked on other big-budget films like The Dark Tower and Bloodshot. She once shared that it took them four months of pre-production to prepare for a 22-week shoot. We’ve noticed that some of the production team behind One Piece moved to South Africa, and there’s a chance they are also busy preparing everything. Here’s hoping it means the wait won’t be much longer, but her work on Raised by Wolves might help turn Cape Town into the crazy world of the East Blue.

    Source: CallaCrew, IMDb, Motion Pictures

  • ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Might Get Approved for China Release

    ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Might Get Approved for China Release

    There’s been quite a bit of debacle if any Marvel Studios films would get a release in China, especially with the discussions surrounding Shang-Chi and Eternals. Both projects relied mainly on specific markets with the former even being a strong showcase of Marvel’s resolve to keep the original vision alive by denying edits of LGTBQ+ scenes for specific markets. Yet, it’s a comment by director Chloé Zhao that may be the catalyst for its exclusion. Still, it doesn’t mean they won’t ever release anything in China, as Variety reports that Spider-Man: No Way Home may get approval to release in the Middle Kingdom. It’s a big win for the film especially with how well Spider-Man projects have performed in the country.

    A release in China is a big move for any project, as it adds that extra boost during the pandemic for a better box office showing. Ever since the pandemic started, the country has restricted its already limited availability by quite a bit. One of the highest-grossing films of the year is a locally produced one that was released just as theaters opened there. Given Spider-Man’s popularity, he’s very likely to leave an impact. Given all the theories, there’s a chance the film will leave quite a memorable dent in 2021’s box office.

    Source: Variety

  • ‘Shang-Chi’ and Other Marvel Films Getting IMAX Aspect Ratio on Disney+

    ‘Shang-Chi’ and Other Marvel Films Getting IMAX Aspect Ratio on Disney+

    Disney+ is uniquely expanding its offerings, as you’re going to be able to stream your favorite Marvel movies in a brand new format. To celebrate Disney+ Day, the streaming service is offering your favorite films, including the soon-to-be-released Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, in the newly expanded aspect ratio of 1.90:1. It’s quite the move by Disney to add a layer to their offerings with the service and will be available with a limited amount of films.

    https://twitter.com/Russo_Brothers/status/1457708779806490632?t=DefW1g-YpoJ_lKeT99XnUg&s=19

    Black Widow includes around 22 minutes of IMAX shot sequences, which adds reason to rewatch the film once it is made available on November 12th. The current list of films with the newly expanded aspect ratio is the following:

    • Avengers: Endgame
    • Avengers: Infinity War
    • Black Widow
    • Ant-Man and the Wasp
    • Captain America: Civil War
    • Captain Marvel
    • Doctor Strange
    • Thor: Ragnarok
    • Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
    • Iron Man
    • Guardians of the Galaxy
    • Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

    It’s quite an extensive list and offers a reason for anyone that was looking for another reason to check out their favorite Marvel film. For now, it seems they are doing it mainly for their Marvel offerings, but we may see other films get the same treatment in the future. Disney is showing their fangs in the streaming wars and they are adding more pressure to the competition.

    Source: Twitter, The Verge

  • New ‘The Batman’ Promo Pays Tribute to ‘Batman: The Animated Series’

    New ‘The Batman’ Promo Pays Tribute to ‘Batman: The Animated Series’

    It looks like a new visual has found its way online promoting the upcoming adaptation of The Batman. Matt Reeves will tackle a new interpretation of the Caped Crusader with Robert Pattinson taking on the daunting task of playing the titular character. We just recently got a second trailer during this year’s DC FAnDome event, as we prepare for its release next March. To tie us over, it seems some promotional material has found its way online that pays tribute to one of the most beloved interpretations to the character, Batman: The Animated Series. The visual comes courtesy of Twitter user @DCverso1.

    https://twitter.com/dcverso1/status/1457498003745517571?s=21

    It’s hard to deny the visual similarity with Batman holding up his cape in a similar fashion to that of the original. The 90s animated series was the introduction for many to the character and revolutionized the way we looked at animated projects aimed at kids. Its exploration of adult themes with episodes like “Heart of Ice” or “Baby-Doll” made it stand out from its contemporaries. So, a tribute to the series isn’t too surprising.

    The Batman has generally had a very different marketing push from the series that came before. While Christopher Nolan grounded the character in the real world, Matt Reeves seems to be taking a bite out of the different corners of the character’s history. So, instead of being tied to a specific interpretation, he can pay tribute to the many elements that defined the character over the years. Perhaps, we’ll get other visuals paying tribute to the various versions of Batman in the future.

    Source: Twitter