Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Joseph Aberl

  • DC FANDOME: First Tease of Michael Keaton’s Batman in ‘The Flash’ Teaser

    DC FANDOME: First Tease of Michael Keaton’s Batman in ‘The Flash’ Teaser

    We’ve been anxiously awaiting a first look at The Flash. The upcoming film will explore the multiverse and a variety of Batmen from different universes. Ezra Miller returns as Barry Allen, whose actions will change the course of DCEU history. He’ll meet Michael Keaton‘s version of the iconic Batman from Tim Burton‘s 1989 film. The new teaser offered the first glimpse at his return alongside the various universes we may explore in the film. While they didn’t give us a clear picture, even if the information has been out there for some time, it’s a great little tease.

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    Source: DC FanDome

  • DC FANDOME: First Look at Kevin Hart’s Ace the Bathound in ‘DC League of Superpets’

    DC FANDOME: First Look at Kevin Hart’s Ace the Bathound in ‘DC League of Superpets’

    In a surprising little panel during DC FanDome, we got a new teaser for DC’s League of Superpets that included our first official look at the cast. The highlight was our first clear look at this film’s version of Ace the Bathound, who’ll be voiced by Kevin Hart. He’ll join Dwayne Johnson‘s Krypto the Superdog in an unlikely adventure.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YiI0UDNfNw
    Image

    Source: DC FanDome, YouTube

  • DC FANDOME: Brandon Thomas to Write Animated Milestone Film

    DC FANDOME: Brandon Thomas to Write Animated Milestone Film

    It looks like we got a nice surprise from Milestone during this year’s DC FanDome, as they teased that alongside the new Static Shock film, they’ll also be tackling a new animated project. While they didn’t go into details the only thing they revealed was that Brandon Thomas will tackle the animated adaptation of one of Milestone’s popular characters.

    Source: DC FanDome

  • ‘Love and Monsters’ Michael Matthews to Direct Disney’s ‘Merlin’

    ‘Love and Monsters’ Michael Matthews to Direct Disney’s ‘Merlin’

    Disney has found their director to adapt T.A. Barron‘s novel series focused on the early days of the wizard Merlin long before he meant King Arthur. Michael Matthews of Love and Monsters fame will tackle the project after Ridley Scott had to leave the project due to his schedule. The project is currently in early development with Gil Netter set to produce and Chris Weitz having written the film’s script.

    The film will act as an origin story for the famous mentor of King Arthur, but there’s no word if they might also pay tribute to Disney’s animated film The Sword in the Stone from 1963. As it’s an adaptation of Barron‘s work, it will most likely not include any elements even if it’s an easy connection to make given the versatility of King Arthur adaptations.

    Matthews made his name in the industry with the adventure film Love and Monsters, which starred Dylan O’Brien and Jessica Henwick. It especially got a new life when it was released on Netflix internationally after a good PVOD run a few months earlier. It’ll be interesting to see what he brings to this adaptation and what Disney’s plans are with the franchise.

    Source: Deadline

  • Matt Reeves Shares New Look at ‘The Batman’s Selina Kyle Ahead of DC FanDome

    Matt Reeves Shares New Look at ‘The Batman’s Selina Kyle Ahead of DC FanDome

    The wait isn’t long until we get a new trailer for The Batman. Matt Reeves’ version of the iconic Caped Crusader will release next year with Robert Pattinson in the role. He’ll be joined by quite the cast which includes Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle. We only briefly got a glimpse at the actress in last year’s DC FanDome, but luckily to hype up the next reveal the director shared a brand new image featuring the actress in clear view. He also teases that we’ll get quite a bit more of her in the upcoming trailer.

    The upcoming film will reimagine the popular DC franchise in a more noir-themed storyline going by the first trailer. Paul Dano‘s Riddler took center stage in the first trailer and may challenge Pattinson‘s Bruce Wayne throughout the film’s runtime. Kyle’s exact role remains uncertain, but with Batman: The Long Halloween as potential inspiration, her role might connect to this universe’s version of Falcone. We see her with a cat-inspired mask stealing from an unsuspecting victim, which may also end up being the first time she confronts Batman. We can’t wait to see what Reeves and his team have in store for us with tomorrow’s trailer.

    Source: Twitter

  • First Look at ‘Fortnite’s Batman Who Laugh’s Skin

    First Look at ‘Fortnite’s Batman Who Laugh’s Skin

    It looks like Fortnite is adding one of Batman’s most fearsome rogue’s, as a brand new Batman Who Laugh’s set has been unveiled. Twitter user @iFireMonkey shared the first look at the skin alongside the confirmation it is a redeemable code through a limited edition Batman/Fortnite Foundation comic. He’ll also be available through the Item Shop, but won’t include the exclusive loading screen. The design looks like it was taken directly out of the original comic line. He’s the Bruce Wayne of Earth -22 that ended up killing his universe’s Joker before becoming consumed by a virus that turned him into the next Joker. He first appeared in 2017’s Dark Days: The Casting #1.

    The game’s art style has proven like the perfect blend to bring any type of medium into its battle royale universe. Fortnite has also built up quite the relationship with Marvel and DC to bring various characters from their multi-media franchises to life in the game. It’s crazy to think that there’s Tom Hardy‘s Venom in a shootout with Shang-Chi, Kratos from God of War, and Batman Who Laugh’s. The game has just recently started a new season and who knows who else might find their way into the game as it continues to grow.

    Source: Twitter, ComicBook

  • Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Talks Playing a New Morpheus in ‘The Matrix Resurrections’

    Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Talks Playing a New Morpheus in ‘The Matrix Resurrections’

    After the trailer for The Matrix Resurrections finally dropped, we got our first look at Yahya Abdul-Mateen II who had an eerie similarity to Morpheus. The way he is introduced alongside some similarities to previous entries, it seemed like he’ll play a new version of Laurence Fishburne‘s classic character. The actor didn’t waste any time and confirmed it shortly after its release on Instagram. Yet, the answer also raised quite a few new questions surrounding why they recast this character while Neo and Trinity are returning.

    Luckily, he offered a clearer picture in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that while it is Morpheus, it isn’t the one you might think it is. After praising Fishburne‘s performance, who famously pointed out that he wasn’t asked to return for the fourth entry in the franchise, Abdul-Mateen goes son to say that:

    I think what the script provided was a new narrative and some new opportunities that did make room within the Matrix universe for a new Morpheus.

    Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

    Of course, in a world like the Matrix, anything seems possible. Even the tragic recasting of the Oracle between films was given in-universe reasoning. There’s possibly a play on why Morpheus has taken on a new, younger form while still taking on the same role towards Neo. The Aquaman actor highlights that his character is very well aware of what has happened in the series’ past.

    I play a character who’s definitely aware of the history of the Matrix [and] the history of Morpheus. This character is on a journey of self-discovery. There’s a lot in our story that’s about growth, defining your own path. Morpheus isn’t exempt from that.

    Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

    It’s certainly raised some eyebrows that they took this direction, but there might be a story reason for it. Even the first trailer teased that the Matrix has changed since the last time we’ve seen it. Keanu Reeve‘s Neo shouldn’t technically be alive after the events of the third film, but we see him alongside a returning Carrie-Anne Moss. Once we witnessed it on the silver screen, who knows how we’ll see our world.

    Source: Entertainment Weekly, Instagram

  • Dolph Lundgren Confirms Return in ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’

    Dolph Lundgren Confirms Return in ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’

    DC FanDome is just around the corner and it may offer some insight into future projects. Among them is the sequel to 2018’s Aquaman movie. After its massive box office success, it was only a matter of time before they’d start work on a sequel. In June, production started as director James Wan shared the first photo from the set. We got a new photo from the production, but this time from Dolph Lundgren. In his latest Instagram post, he confirms he’s returning to play King Nereus.

    It’s great to see Lundgren return in the role and that he gets to keep his red hair from the first. The absence of a beard is quite interesting. They might still be in the middle of adding the fake beard, or they chose to keep it out this time around. The post doesn’t give away anything on what role he might have in the film. Arthur Curry might try to make amends for his brother’s actions as he brings the kingdoms back together.

    Of course, there’s also the question of what the mysterious Lost Kingdom might be. The first set photo teased an icy cave, which might hint that their next threat is hiding in the Antarctic. Jason Momoa shared a new stealth suit back in September, which might be how he enters the new region. It makes you wonder if he’ll get joined in his adventure. Perhaps Lundgren has a larger role this time around and will also infiltrate the lost kingdom.

    Source: Instagram

  • Oscar Isaac Calls ‘Moon Knight the Biggest Challenge of His Career

    Oscar Isaac Calls ‘Moon Knight the Biggest Challenge of His Career

    Moon Knight will explore a new corner of Marvel Studios’ ever-expanding franchise. The story of a mercenary that lost his mind and believes he is possessed by the Egyptian god Khonshu promises a thrill ride unlike any other in the franchise. Plus, he has close ties to the supernatural horror corner of Marvel, which opens up a lot of new venues for the media franchise. Oscar Isaac will take on the role of Marc Spector and explore a different kind of Marvel hero. It looks like he also had quite the voice in bringing this character to life.

    In an interview with Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast, the actor discussed his work in the industry with the upcoming films The Card Counter, Scenes from a Marriage, and Dune. Of course, they also used the chance to ask him some questions about his work on the Disney+ series. Luckily, he did offer some insight and shared how his work experience was with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige.

    Speaking with Kevin [Feige], I told him I’m going to come in with these big ideas, and if you don’t like them, that’s fair. And immediately, we saw it all. I found so much room to do things that I’ve never done before and had been curious about and wanting to do. I could not wait to get to set, and it was the biggest workload I’ve ever had in my career and most challenging; by the sheer amount of stuff we had to do in eight months, and even yet, I couldn’t wait to get to set and work.

    Oscar Isaac

    The old saying does state that if you do what you love you’ll never have to work a day in your life. Sadly, he doesn’t go into detail about what ideas he was able to implement throughout the project’s development but it’s always promising to know he spearheaded the project. It shows a commitment to the character and series, which hopefully opens up to many more appearances in the future. He may have also had a say in the addition of Egyptian director Mohamed Diab, who’ll bring a unique vision to the Marvel franchise. Here’s hoping Disney+ Day might offer a glimpse at the series.

    Source: Variety

  • RUMOR: ‘The Mandalorian’, ‘Secret Invasion’ and Many More Productions to Shut Down for 90 Days Due to IATSE Strike

    RUMOR: ‘The Mandalorian’, ‘Secret Invasion’ and Many More Productions to Shut Down for 90 Days Due to IATSE Strike

    Just yesterday, reports were going around about a potential IATSE Union strike to ensure reasonable expenses and breaks for crew members. It was hinted that they were going to go on strike Monday, but a new rumor might point to it taking place as of tomorrow. According to Star Wars Time, it seems that the production of The Mandalorian‘s third season will shut down alongside other Lucasfilm productions. It seems that the plans for the company are to close up shop for around 90 days with 60,000 film and TV workers affected. They do highlight that there is a slim chance they might avoid a potential shutdown, but the chances seem quite slim.

    There are also rumblings surrounding Marvel projects eyeing a similar development. So, we can assume the same will happen with other projects like the currently filming The Last Of Us, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, or the recently started Secret Invasion. There’s also the uncertainty of how it may affect post-productions due to VFX departments and editors. The latter may fall into IATSE Local 700 of The Motion Picture Editors Guild. Star Wars Time highlights that their source at the time was unsure. So, the projects like Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, Hawkeye, Ms. Marvel, and other productions could also face delays. There’s also the question of projects that require reshoots within that 90-day window.

    It’s an important step for the industry, as it faced many new challenges with the pandemic. We’ve seen discussion for fair compensation on many levels of Hollywood’s talent, such as Scarlet Johansson‘s ongoing feud with Disney over Black Widow. These actions ripple out to others and draw the attention of the industry to see how they may influence the future. We’ll surely keep a close eye on how it develops, but once the strikes happen we can expect quite a few delays of future releases moving forward.

    Source: Star Wars Time, Variety, Editor’s Guild