Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Joseph Aberl

  • Animated ‘Super Mario’ Film’s All-Star Cast Revealed During Nintendo Direct

    Animated ‘Super Mario’ Film’s All-Star Cast Revealed During Nintendo Direct

    Here’s a rather surprising reveal during a Nintendo Direct. We got our first official announcement for the upcoming Super Mario film adaptation by Illumination. Not only is the film set to release Holiday of 2022 with North America getting a definite release on December 21st, but we also got a glimpse into the film’s rather massive cast. Chris Pratt will play Mario and will face off against Jack Black‘s Bowser. Seth Rogen will take on the role of Donkey Kong while Peach is played by Anya Taylor-Joy. You can check out the full cast list alongside the poster right here:

    It’s great that Charles Martinet, the original voice of most of the Super Mario characters, will have cameos throughout the film. Fred Armisen as Cranky Kong is also quite a curious addition. In the game’s lore, Cranky is the original Donkey Kong you face off before even Mario got his name. It also matches up with the reveal that a character from the 1985 game, Wrecking Crew, getting added, as we’ll explore the early days of our unlikely hero. Shigeru Miyamoto did highlight that Mario will talk quite a bit, which makes sense with them hiring Chris Pratt in the role. We’ll still have to wait for our official look and here’s hoping we get to see Illumination’s vision in the near future.

    Source: Twitter, Twitter,

  • Original ‘Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic’ Heading to Nintendo Switch

    Original ‘Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic’ Heading to Nintendo Switch

    In the latest Nintendo Direct, they have announced a rather curious addition to the console. Recently, we got the announcement that Knights of the Old Republic was getting a PlayStation 5 exclusive release. Yet, it confused many that the iconic franchise wouldn’t find a home on other consoles. Well, it looks like we might have an answer as they are adding the original game to Nintendo Switch.

    Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic - Remake in Entwicklung - PC-WELT

    It’s great to see Nintendo Switch becoming a safe haven for classic Star Wars games. They added some iconic games like Jedi Academy, Racers, and even Republic Commando. So, the addition of a classic franchise like Knights of the Old Republic makes sense. There is no word if the sequel will also get added, but they might be wanting to keep that for next year as a follow-up release. Either way, it’s great to revisit some classic games and the Nintendo Switch is becoming the home for many classic gaming franchises moving forward.

    Source: YouTube

  • ‘Fortnite’: First Look at ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ Inspired Tom Hardy Skin Leaks Online

    ‘Fortnite’: First Look at ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ Inspired Tom Hardy Skin Leaks Online

    The latest season of Fortnite kicked off the event with a brand new Carnage skin. Well, it looks like Sony and Marvel have one more skin inspired by Venom: Let There Be Carnage, as Twitter user @HYPEX shared a leaked image featuring a brand new Venom skin. Not only does it showcase the design from the films, but it seems the base version is a Tom Hardy-inspired skin for players to run around with. It’s not the first actor look-a-like that joined the project, as they’ve also recently added a Will Smith-inspired skin from Bad Boys.

    The game has truly become a way for brands to promote various projects. Marvel’s Avengers game has also been pushing Marvel Cinematic Universe-inspired skins that showcase how intertwined their projects are at this stage. Fortnite has the advantage of not only being a multiplayer experience but also includes special events. In the past, they had collaborative events like an alien invasion or even an Ariana Grande digital concert. Who knows if we’ll get a future that has film events integrated into these unique experiences, as it continues to grow and combine countless brands.

    Source: Twitter

  • EXCLUSIVE: ‘Daredevil’s Marc Jobst to Direct Netflix’s ‘One Piece’ Pilot Episode

    EXCLUSIVE: ‘Daredevil’s Marc Jobst to Direct Netflix’s ‘One Piece’ Pilot Episode

    Eiichiro Oda‘s One Piece has recently passed the 1,000 chapter mark and has been going strong since 1997. The journey of a young and ambitious pirate named Monkey D. Luffy spirals into an adventure unlike any other. With the end of its current Wano arc on the horizon, Netflix is trying its hand at bringing this iconic franchise to the west as a live-action adaptation. It’s been quiet since it first was announced in 2017 but picked up some pace a few months ago with the first look at their One Piece logo.

    The Critical Order: One Piece: Unlimited Retrospective - East Blue Pt. 2

    There are still some questions on the upcoming production and who might bring this series to life. Early on, Steven Madea joined as showrunner alongside Luke Cage writer Matt Owens. We can now exclusively confirm that the series’ pilot episode also has found its director in Daredevil and Black Sails‘ Marc Jobst. He and Owens have some shared history, as the director also worked on the Luke Cage episode from season two titled “Wig Out,” which Owens wrote. His experience with Black Sails, a Starz series that explored the golden age of piracy, is also a great plus. He may have hinted at his involvement back in March in a Q&A with Newcastle University.

    The project is currently working under the title “Project Panda,” which seemingly has changed at one point in pre-production as it was teased as “Project Roger” in May. It’s a fun reference to Oda‘s joke character Pandaman that he hides as an easter egg throughout the manga. Production was eyeing an August production start in Cape Town last year but got delayed due to the pandemic. The first season will explore the East Blue saga in ten episodes, as Luffy recruits the first members of the Straw Hat pirates before he sets out into the Grand Line.

    Source: YouTube

  • Theory Thursday: Ultron Wants to Replace the Watcher in ‘What If…?’

    Theory Thursday: Ultron Wants to Replace the Watcher in ‘What If…?’

    The latest episode of What If…? finally unveiled the overarching plot that the series is building towards. After Thor made plans for a date, he and the Watcher were surprised by the welcoming of Ultron bots. From a mysterious portal, Ultron appeared in the body of Vision clad in the armor of his former shell. At that moment, the episode ends as even the all-knowing Watcher is confused that a once happy ending would get abrupted by tragedy once again. We, as viewers, are left wondering what his arrival means for the multiverse.

    There are a few things we can take away from his sudden introduction. Ultron managed to achieve his goal from Avengers: Age of Ultron by adding his consciousness into the new body. We still have no confirmation if James Spader is returning to voice the character, but he didn’t return to voice the character in Avengers: Damage Control VR and might have moved on from the franchise. Still, there’s some hope they convinced him to return while he is busy filming The Blacklist.

    He also is wielding all six Infinity Stones on his body, which he shouldn’t feel any side effects from due to his body not being organic. It also implies that this version of the character most likely succeeded in dropping Sokovia and wiping out Earth. We learn in the Age of Ultron that his primary goal is to create an empire of dust where only metal survives. If he achieved his goal on Earth, there’s the chance Thanos came after him due to possessing the Mind Stone. Once he fuses with the stone, he’ll felt the others and reunite them. It makes him one of the most formidable enemies within the multiverse.

    Marvel's WHAT IF...? Assembles the Guardians of the Multiverse for New Hyundai Ad — GeekTyrant

    They might be taking inspiration from the time when Ultron became the leader of the Phalanx during Annihilation: Conquest and with the complete domination of the galaxy, he sets his eyes on the multiverse. Yet, not to annihilate organic life but to rule over them in the mightiest position there is. He’s the worst aspect of Tony Stark and believes he can control the future. The best way to do so would be to replace the Watcher.

    The reason for this theory is due to one single image potentially teasing his end goal. We see Vision in his Ultron armor floating above a scene. There’s a chance that the next episode ends with Ultron taking the Watcher’s position and narrating the final episode as the now fallen god-like entity summons together with the strongest warriors from across the multiverse. The consequences of him gaining the watchful eye of the entire multiverse but with the desire of intervention. Who knows what he would unleash if he obtained that power. If he wins, no place in the vast multiverse would be safe.

    Source: SuperHeroHype

  • Netflix Announces ‘Tiger King 2’ With a 2021 Release

    Netflix Announces ‘Tiger King 2’ With a 2021 Release

    It looks like the world hasn’t had enough of Tiger King, as Netflix has announced that sequel to the original 2020 documentary. The real-life story of a man known as Joe Exotic and the bizarre happenings surrounding his time as the owner of the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park (or G.W. Zoo for short). The documentary is eyeing a late 2021 release. The announcement was hidden in the video teasing Netflix as the “Home of True Crime.” There are no details where the focus will be on the upcoming continuation. It’ll likely continue exploring the original story and expanding what has happened since its initial release. Teaser footage already is hinting at some more insanity.

    The upcoming continuation will kick off their new slate of real-life documentaries that include The Puppet Master, Hunting the Ultimate Conman, The Tinder Swindler, Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King, and Bad Vegan. Netflix has made a name for itself by exploring darker topics through a variety of documentaries. It’s great to see them continue building upon their success, but it does open up the question of a sequel to Tiger King was truly needed.

    It was released just around the time the pandemic started, which gave it quite the boost in viewership yet the insanity also led to some real-world consequences. It makes you wonder what else they could explore within that story, as it would imply some more details have found their way into the world. We’ll get a clearer picture once the first full trailer for the sequel gets released.

    Source: YouTube, The Hollywood Reporter

  • RUMOR: Netflix’s ‘One Piece’ Casting Hints at an Early Introduction of Garp

    RUMOR: Netflix’s ‘One Piece’ Casting Hints at an Early Introduction of Garp

    Netflix entered the dangerous game of live-action adaptations of classic anime properties. Some time ago, we got our first look at Cowboy Bebop, and next, they are preparing to enter production on One Piece. We got a live-action logo with the first script teasing the series’ next step of production, but we’re still awaiting some kind of hint at their upcoming casting. Earlier rumors did hint that Ludi Lin is currently being eyed for the role of Roronoa Zoro, and it looks like they’re adding to the cast.

    The first character descriptions hinted at Luffy gathering the various members of his Straw Hat pirate crew throughout the East Blue. And now it seems two more character descriptions have found their way online. Twitter user @OP_Netflix_Fan shared that Steven Maeda and his team are casting two additional series regulars, Garp and Koby. Their addition as regulars is quite a curious addition, which might hint at how the show will integrate later storylines early on. 

    Koby’s casting was inevitable due to his role in the earlier parts of the East Blue. Luffy stumbles upon him as he got forced to work for the pirate captain Alvida and he has an integral part in Zoro’s brief arc. The casting description highlights that he’ll learn “to stand up for others” throughout the season. Garp’s inclusion is the biggest surprise, as he didn’t have a role until the Post-Enies Lobby Arc in the story. Well, only if you don’t consider the Cover Stories.

    Garp’s first introduction is during Chapter 92’s cover story, which is around the time Luffy fought the Arlong Pirates. It’s the ninth entry in the “Diary of Koby-Meppo” cover story, where we follow Koby and Helmeppo’s training to become cadets. As such, it seems like these cover stories will likely be showcased much earlier in the story as we follow both Luffy and Koby’s journey. It’s uncertain if Garp will also get included in the first episode titled “Romance Dawn,” as they’ll connect the dots much earlier in the story instead of having sudden reveals like in the manga. It’s an exciting prospect and we’ll hopefully get some official news in the coming weeks.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Loki’s Natalie Holt to Compose HBO Max’s ‘Batgirl’

    ‘Loki’s Natalie Holt to Compose HBO Max’s ‘Batgirl’

    It looks like Loki‘s Natalie Holt has already found her next project. The composer took to Twitter to announce that she’ll be working on the upcoming HBO Max film Batgirl. Last we heard of the project, they were preparing to film in Glasgow and it seems that production is picking up the pace if they already added their composer. The unique soundtrack of the Disney+ series was a standout and makes her addition an exciting prospect on what direction they might take.

    Details are still kept under wraps on the upcoming film. Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah offered a brief update that Christina Hodson‘s script has been finished before they started scouting Glasgow. The only confirmed casting is Leslie Grace, who will take on the mantle of Batgirl and her alter-ego Barbara Gordon. It’s uncertain if they’ll stick to her origins as a fan of Batman who took on the mantle on her terms, or she might even be trained by whatever version of the Dark Knight they determine to include.

    Holt has built up quite the reputation in the industry with her work on Paddington, Deadwater Fell, and BBC’s Wallander. She’s even played the closing ceremony of the Olympic games, as she’s an accomplished violinist. It’s exciting to see her join another comic book adaptation to lend her unique voice to the industry. We cannot wait to listen to what she has planned for her Batgirl soundtrack.

    Source. Twitter, Natalie Holt

  • ‘Ms. Marvel’ 2022 Delay Confirmed

    ‘Ms. Marvel’ 2022 Delay Confirmed

    When Marvel Studios announced all the Disney+ series airing in 2021, it seemed like quite the line-up, as we got trailers for WandaVision, Loki, and even a Ms. Marvel sizzle reel. As a result of delays, we had four films and six entire Disney+ series heading our way throughout the year. That doesn’t include the recently announced Hit-Monkey series and MODOK on Hulu. It’s been a busy year and with the lack of announcements surrounding Ms. Marvel, it hinted that she may get a later release. After a long wait, we finally got a confirmation that it’s indeed delayed until 2022.

    Variety’s Adam B. Vary confirmed in a recent showcase of Marvel Studios’ upcoming releases that the series indeed got delayed. While no official release date got included, there have been rumors hinting at a potential February release. The timing would give the Disney+ series The Book of Boba Fett time to release its episodes and get the focus into the new year.

    https://twitter.com/adambvary/status/1440844586016927744

    We know that her character will make her return in The Marvels, which will premiere in November. So, they might’ve decided to postpone its release to consider her return in the same year and continue work on the effects-heavy show. Hawkeye seems to rely on more practical effects, and they’ll require some work to get Ms. Marvel’s embiggening powers right. We only know she’ll gain additional abilities, which have yet to get confirmed outside of merchandise. Here’s hoping that Disney+ Day offers a look and timing for her debut.

    Source: Twitter, Variety

  • R-Rated ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ Was Considered At One Point

    R-Rated ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ Was Considered At One Point

    There has been much debate on the Venom franchise’s choice on a PG-13 rating. In the first film, the character chews off someone’s head and is no stranger to darker stories. Yet, they still went with the audience rating that draws in the most viewers. It wasn’t a surprise that the sequel would share the same rating, but it looks like it was on the table at some point in development for Venom: Let There Be Carnage.

    Mit Carnage, aber ohne Gemetzel: "Venom 2" wird wirklich kein Superhelden-Blutbad - Kino News - FILMSTARTS.de

    In an interview with ComicBook.com, Tom Hardy does confirm they’ve explored the potential of an R-rating. Yet, it seems they wanted to not limit their choices based on the comics, but rather focus strongly on what was right for the film’s overall tone.

    100% we considered it. With all of these symbiotes, you know, you consider it. You read the comic books and it is extreme, but that’s not what we’re here to do. We came here to make a movie which, and correct me if I’m wrong, I mean, there’s a law and a rule into creating a movie that’s accessible to a lot of people, as well as that caters for everybody, including the hardcore fans.

    Tom Hardy

    He does go on to say that they wanted to stay true to Carnage as much as possible, highlighting the scene where he stuffs his tongue down one person’s throat.

    So I hope the hardcore fans at least take home that they look at Carnage and go, ‘Yeah, I recognize Carnage from the comic books. I’m happy with that.’ And yeah, no, we didn’t bite everybody’s head off, but we did stick a tongue down someone’s throat pretty… and managed to come in at a level of rating which is reputable so that grandma can come but also I’ll come watch it too.

    Tom Hardy

    The comment of wanting to watch a film titled Venom with grandma is quite a funny idea. Mine would already hit her limit with the whole gooey alien monster that takes over human bodies to kill strangers. Still, it’s great they are putting the film’s overall theme first instead of forcing a rating in. Director Andy Serkis does tease they also want to leave some moments to the viewer’s imagination. Logan and Deadpool proved the potential of an r-rated project, but not every director will feel comfortable with it. So, here’s hoping that Carnage remains true to his name throughout the film.

    Source: ComicBook