Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Joseph Aberl

  • ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ First Road Map Confirms Black Panther, MCU Skins, Events, Patrol Mode, And So Much More

    ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ First Road Map Confirms Black Panther, MCU Skins, Events, Patrol Mode, And So Much More

    We have been waiting for some time now for it finally to be unveiled. Crystal Dynamics has finally given us a first look at Marvel’s Avengers roadmap alongside the reveal trailer for Black Panther. The start of this game has been bumpy, to say the least, but we are heading in the right direction. The latest update is also available now, which will allow players to try out the latest hero, Clint Barton. It also includes the possibility to replay the original campaign. It is a perfect addition alongside the next-gen upgrade that is also available now. In the Square-Enix Presents event, they started off showcasing the new story element. Well, it took a turn and suddenly showcased multiple Hulks in a singular mission. It caught us off-guard, as you cannot do so currently. Well, it looks like we have a lot more to look forward to, as they unveiled various events and new additions to the game. Luckily @CalexStreams shared the full-image:

    Crystal Dynamics is here to stay with this reveal. We are finally getting the chance to play multiple heroes as we please. They also revealed the inclusion of Patrols, so you can explore the various environments at your own leisure. It also finally confirms that Marvel Cinematic Universe skins are on the way. Of course, they topped it off with the final reveal of Black Panther, who was first teased in the War Table video during its release.

    I have been with the game since the Beta when it released eight months ago, so I am really excited to see where this game is heading. These are the first major steps towards its future, as they also revealed in a blog post that not everything has been unveiled. It’ll be exciting to see this game expand, especially with how they approach the Gear 2.0 that was teased in previous developer streams. Whatever they have planned, it’s going to be quite the ride and just the beginning of the game’s future as a Games-as-a-Service.

    Source: Twitter (Roadmap), Twitter (Black Panther)

  • ‘Marvel’s Avengers’: Pitching Non-Marvel Cinematic Universe Skins

    ‘Marvel’s Avengers’: Pitching Non-Marvel Cinematic Universe Skins

    Here’s a special something before we get into the article. Today’s Marvel’s Avengers article is a special one, as we are cooperating with the upcoming Assemble for Charity event, which you can follow via Twitter via @AForCharity. It’s a 24-hour Community Livestream that starts on 18th March at 10 AM PT/5 PM GMT. The community is celebrating the release of the next DLC character by supporting the Cancer Fund for Children. I will also be part of the opening event, so be sure to drop by and support a good cause.

     

    You can access the Twitch link by clicking on the following Stream Schedule:

     

    I have been writing about Marvel’s Avengers for some time now. Tomorrow, we’ll finally get the release of the second DLC character, Hawkeye. Clint Barton isn’t alone, as we are also getting quite a lot of content to celebrate the game’s next-gen update. Players will finally be able to revisit the campaign with the push of a button. Anyone who wants to experiment around will be able to do so with the new customizable HARM room. It’s looking to be their biggest update and hopefully only the beginning of a lot more to come. We’ve already talked in-depth about how they could update their endgame content, so I wanted to have some fun with this one. Here are a few ideas for some ways to add unique skins they can add to the game.

     

    Embrace the Avengers’ Media History

    We have been focused primarily on getting Marvel Cinematic Universe skins and comic-inspired skins. However, these characters have had quite a few adaptations throughout the years. It would be amazing to see skins inspired by the animated series Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. How about we get even crazier? I would love to see the insane costumes introduced in Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers. They went all out with overdesigning these characters and it would be such an amazing addition to the game.

     

    MARVEL DISK WARS: AVENGERS is the Best Anime You've Never Seen - Nerdist

     

    There have also been attempts at adapting the franchise in live-action before. It would be wonderful to have a cheesy outfit inspired by 1977’s The Incredible Hulk. Just imagine the Green Goliath rocking that hairstyle in the game. Some designs are getting sold by Square-Enix that would make for fantastic additions to the game. I am talking about the Variant figures designed by the man behind Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy 7s designs, Tetsuya Nomura. They already own the designs. So, why not bring them into the game? They are just as crazy as those from the previously-mentioned Disc Wars Anime, and it would be a shame not to use them if the game carries the Square-Enix logo

     

    square-enix-marvel-variant-figures

     

    A Hero’s Final Fantasy

    Speaking of Square-Enix, it wouldn’t be too surprising to think that they would have the possibility to utilize the iconic designs from their historic gaming library. I would love to see the Avengers in Final Fantasy or other famous franchise-inspired outfits. Steve Rogers would look great in Cloud’s costume from last year’s remake. How about Iron Man’s armor inspired by Automata‘s machines? Who wouldn’t want to see a Deus Ex outfit for Clint? Crystal Dynamics has its flagship franchise that they can use for inspiration. Black Widow would look fantastic in a Tomb Raider-inspired costume. These are just some ideas off of the top of my head. Of course, they should focus on Marvel adaptations, but I think they can start expanding to add something special.

     

    Square Enix Eidos Anthology Bundle Recently Appears On Steam Platform | Sirus Gaming

     

    Freaky Friday

    Here’s a simple yet hilarious idea for a future skin update. Wouldn’t it be hilarious if the different Avengers members swapped costumes? I could imagine Captain America wearing an Iron Man-inspired armor that got made from a cheap carton. It would be the perfect joke costume for Halloween. Hulk running around with a mini bow on his back would be hilarious. CD could even throw in a special emote of him trying to grab it on his back unsuccessfully. I mainly got the idea while thinking back when Tom Hiddleston and Charlie Cox dressed up as their respective characters during a convention. Just like the other skins, these are some simple ideas that would add something special to the game as it starts to expand.

     

    Tom Hiddleston and Charlie Cox swap super costumes for Halloween

  • ‘Black Widow’: Disney CEO Bob Chapek Plays Coy on a Potential Disney+ Release

    ‘Black Widow’: Disney CEO Bob Chapek Plays Coy on a Potential Disney+ Release

    We are already in the second half of March. Black Widow is supposed to release the latest at the beginning of May internationally. There is still no sign of a new poster or trailer that would signify it is still aiming for that release date. It was only a few days ago that some BTS pictures made their way online. It was the first real sign of life from the film that was delayed by an entire year. Disney also stated during their Annual Meeting of Shareholders that they are still sticking to a theatrical release. Well, in a recent interview with Bloomberg Television, Disney’s CEO Bob Chapek seems to have backpedaled a bit on that comment.

    Our situation and our conditions change. Just a few weeks ago, theaters in New York and Los Angeles weren’t even open. Now, all of a sudden they’re open, so we’re waiting to see how prospective theatergoers respond to these reopenings. We’re going to remain flexible. We’ll make the call probably at the last minute in terms of how these films come to market, whether it’s Black Widow or any other title.

    Now, the interesting thing to note is that Chapek seems to be slowly opening up to a possible Disney+ release. He remains strong on his belief in the theatrical window, but also seems to hint at the dynamic market redefining their current approach.

    We think it’s important for building our franchises. At the same time, we don’t think it’s the only way to do it. … We’ll see what happens over the next couple of months. So much is changing, it’s such a dynamic environment. It’s really hard to predict what’s going to happen with consumer behavior in the next month as it comes to re-emergence back into the world of normal. We’ll be watching the call carefully and make the call when we have to.

    It looks like the chances of a Disney+ release are on the tables to some capacity. Disney cannot drag out the film’s release, as it already has been postponed by an entire year. They also have Shang-Chi and the Legends of the Ten Rings releasing in July followed by Eternals in November. If they truly make a “last-minute” decision, they will have to start advertising it soon to hit that May release date.

    Source:

  • Don’t Expect More ‘Final Fantasy 7 Remake’ DLC In the Near Future

    Don’t Expect More ‘Final Fantasy 7 Remake’ DLC In the Near Future

    Final Fantasy 7 Remake surprised players with the reveal of a DLC storyline focusing on Yuffie. The reveal confirmed that it would only be available via the next-gen consoles. It was a curious decision and made us wonder why they limited it to it. Of course, it also opened up the window to more DLC storylines getting added for characters that might not get the focus they deserve until late installment in the game. Well, it sadly looks like Integrade just happened to come together due to the recent console release. The game’s director, Tetsuya Nomura, revealed that there aren’t any plans for more DLC chapters in an interview with Famitsu. It isn’t available in English but luckily Twitter user @aitakimochi was kind enough to translate it.

    […] we really have no plans for any or DLC. With FF7R Integrade, we are able to adjust to the PS5 environment, which makes for an easy transition to development for the next installment. The roadwork we have laid out to complete the entire story takes priority, and if we are to ever add DLC, it will not be until after everything has been done.

    That is a surprising reveal. It seemed like the Integrade concept would allow them to fill blanks between the releases of the new episodic take on the 1997 original. Yuffie’s story would allow them to integrate more elements from the expanded universe, so it felt like a perfect way to bridge the gap. Yet, it seems that it ended up getting created to adapt to the new console generation quickly. So, we can thank PlayStation’s release window for them to be inspired to offer early access to the character and content. This revelation also confirms why it is only available on next-gen. It is still uncertain how long we will have to wait for in-between releases, so there is a chance it could change if development on titles gets dragged out due to the pandemic.

    Source: Famitsu via Twitter

  • REPORT: ‘Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi’ Adds Production Designer Todd Cherniawsky

    REPORT: ‘Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi’ Adds Production Designer Todd Cherniawsky

    Disney+ is only starting its expansion into the Marvel Cinematic Universe and a galaxy far, far away. While the MCU is dominating the streaming service right now, there is quite a bit more of Star Wars just around the corner. In May, we will get the Star Wars: The Clone Wars spin-off, The Bat Batch. The Book of Boba Fett is also in production before they jump on the third season of the series that started Disney+, The Mandalorian. Of course, many other series are in some form of development. We are anxiously awaiting the return of Ewan McGregor in an upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series. It will tell the story of what happened after the events of Revenge of the Sith. There hasn’t been a lot of updates on the series, but that is changing now.

    Discussing Film has exclusively learned that production designer Todd Cherniawsky has joined the series. He has worked with Lucasfilm before. He was the supervising art director for The Last Jedi. He even got nominated at the Art Director’s Guild for his work. He has also worked in another galaxy, as he is also involved with various Star Trek: Discovery and Picard.

    He is joining cinematographer Chung-hoon Chung, who just finished up Sony’s live-action adaptation of Uncharted. Some might recognize his work on the Korean films Oldboy and The Handmaiden. Their filmography is a promising showcase of what we can expect from the series. Cherniawsky‘s work on Star Trek could also tease some beautiful alien planets that Obi-Wan will explore in his upcoming quest. It’ll be interesting to see what stories await the Jedi.

    Source: DiscussingFilm

  • Disney+ Adding Genndy Tartakovsky’s ‘Star Wars: Clone Wars’ in April

    Disney+ Adding Genndy Tartakovsky’s ‘Star Wars: Clone Wars’ in April

    It looks like Disney+ is about to add some Star Wars history in April. All our eyes are on the release of Falcon and the Winter Soldier that will continue into the next month, but some other big additions are heading our way. There has been a bit of a draught in Star Wars content. We’ve been waiting for more since the release of last year’s The Mandalorian. Well, it looks like Disney has plans to make up for the wait until Star Wars: The Bad Batch releases in May. They are finally releasing the original Star Wars: Clone Wars from 2003 on the service alongside the Ewok series and films.

     

    Star Wars needs to acknowledge Genndy Tartakovsky's Clone Wars

     

    April 2nd will be a big day for Star Wars historians, as they will add the original two seasons of the animated series, Star Wars: Ewoks. It also includes the film 1984’s Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure and its sequel, Ewoks: The Battle for Endor. It is crazy to think that Disney is adding these pieces of George Lucas’s legacy, which many may have forgotten over time. They are even releasing The Story of the Faithful Wookiee, which is an animated short that was part of the original Holiday Special. Mando’s iconic gun was inspired by a brief sequence featuring Boba Fett in this special.

    Now, I am very excited to see the return of the original Clone Wars series. It got developed by Genndy Tartakovsky, who many might know for his work on Samurai Jack and Primal. It ran for three seasons with 25 episodes and originally aired on Cartoon Network. It seems that they are using the structure used fr the DVDs, where the third season, as part of “Volume 2”. It wasn’t deemed canon when Walt Disney took over the franchise. However, there have been references to some moments. It is still great to see them expand the library and embrace the history of the franchise.

    Source: Decider

  • ‘Falcon and The Winter Soldier’ Post-‘Avengers: Endgame’ Timeline Revealed

    ‘Falcon and The Winter Soldier’ Post-‘Avengers: Endgame’ Timeline Revealed

    The events of Avengers: Endgame have shaped the Marvel Cinematic Universe in new and interesting ways. We got a small glimpse at the consequences when Spider-Man: Far From Home first aired in 2019. WandaVision continued the tradition by taking place only weeks after the events, as we witnessed Monica Rambeau returns from the Snap. It changed the landscape of the MCU and it looks like Falcon and the Winter Soldier will continue the tradition. In an interview with Collider, it was revealed that the series takes place at least six months after the event that was dubbed the Blip in-universe. Director Kari Skogland confirmed that this was an important part when scripting the show:

    Everything narratively was informed by that event for us. It meant that we’re just past the shock of it. We’re just past the joy of it — because we’re imagining that there would be a lot of joy, in people returning. Now we’re into the reality of it, which is complicated.

    The timeline would set this quite sometime after WandaVision and shortly before Far From Home. It is one of the MCU’s greatest advantages to explore a new kind of world after an event changes everything. Skogland wants to explore this Blipped world and how it is affected politically. Countries had to adapt to half the world vanishing. Head writer Malcolm Spellman also pointed out that this was a big part of how they pitched the show early in the development process. It will be interesting to see how else the events might influence future entries, or if we even get to explore the time period between the Blip and Snap.

    Source: Collider

  • Kevin Feige Plays Coy On Old Man Rogers’ Absence in ‘Falcon and the Winter Soldier’

    Kevin Feige Plays Coy On Old Man Rogers’ Absence in ‘Falcon and the Winter Soldier’

    Ever since the ending of Avengers: Endgame, there has been one question keeping us awake at night. Is Steve Rogers still around? We see an older version of the first Avenger hand over the shield to Sam, which becomes the main focus of Falcon and the Winter Soldier. In an interview with Empire, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige played a little coy when asked about Roger’s whereabouts during these events and if the upcoming Disney+ show will also address his absence in its six-episode run:

    Yes. In a roundabout way.

    Feige really knows how to confirm and de-confirm something in a single sentence. He later continues to point out that “a fair presumption” but “not necessarily the case.” So, it does look like we will get a feeling for what Steve was up to once he got off that bench during the ending of Endgame. He leaves behind a legacy that will be the emotional core of the series, which may work better in his absence. There are also some moments in the trailers, which seem to hint at a funeral service of some kind.

    The world also seems to believe he passed away, as seen at the end of Spider-Man: Far From Home. At the time, they used an image of a young Steve Rogers. There is also the possibility he returned back to the timeline, where Peggy Carter may have outlived her counterpart from the main timeline. It opens up a lot of interesting avenues to explore, especially how the world would react if the Super Soldier just showed up and is aged up by 80 years. It will be interesting to see how The Falcon and the Winter Soldier bridges the cap from that post-credit sequence into the new show.

    Source: Empire via Twitter

  • Marvel Studios Should Explore Asgard’s History on Disney+

    Marvel Studios Should Explore Asgard’s History on Disney+

    Some time ago, it got announced that we are getting a Disney+ series focused on Wakanda. It doesn’t have an official title or story, but there is a good possibility it will offer a closer look at the fictional African city. In a way, it opens up a new avenue of storytelling that goes beyond the usual superhero stories. We see this new direction with other Disney+ shows, like Armor Wars and Secret Invasions. They are no longer bound to focusing on a specific characters’ journey. As such, it feels like the perfect time to explore the fictional world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. If we start focusing on the MCU’s history, I believe a series based on Thor’s now-destroyed homeworld, Asgard, should be in the works moving forward.

     

    Pin on Story Castle Island

     

    Thor: Ragnarok teased a long history long before Thor was even born. It introduced us to a very different version of Odin, who seemed quite bloodthirsty. Alongside his daughter Hela, he conquered the nine realms. Anthony Hopkins‘ take on the character introduced us to a level-headed man who tried to learn from his past mistakes. We learn about his battle against the Frost Giants, the banishing of Surtur, and the many acts he has done. We even get a glimpse of his father, Bor, in Thor: The Dark World‘s brief flashback. Throughout each entry, we get a small glimpse into the history of Asgard but never the full picture.

    After the events of Ragnarok, the mythical planet is no more. In a way, it feels like the franchise is moving further away from its Nordic routes. There are still so many stories and Norse characters from the comics that deserve more attention. Why not explore a young Odin’s time before he becomes the All-Father. Explore his relationship with his father, who did not return from war. We learn of his family, such as his brother Cul Borson. A tense rivalry, echoing that of his sons, would put them at odds as they try to prove themselves facing the Midgard Serpent, Jormungand.

     

    Avengers Theories: Why Didn't Odin Stop Loki? - The News Fetcher

     

    The series can explore the history of the Nine Realms and reveals how fragile their unity was. Odin’s peaceful nature tries to explore the different realms and find a way to unite them through peace. Yet, his father’s legacy has created a strong divide between them all. In his journey, he starts to raise a young wolf cub, who he names Fenris. The same wolf that would eventually be the one he passes on to his daughter. Cul, however, has his own agenda to gain the throne. His actions start to push the Realms further apart. It forces Odin’s hand to become the man in the hidden mural. We know that he would eventually become a good man, but we’ve never got a chance to explore the sacrifices he had to make to take on to rule over the Nine Realms and condemn his brother for his actions. It also starts a terrible habit of Odin’s to banish his family in some way. It is only one of many possible stories that could be told through a Disney+ series focused on Asgard.

  • New ‘Black Widow’ BTS Images Offer Closer Look at Taskmaster, Red Guardian, And More

    New ‘Black Widow’ BTS Images Offer Closer Look at Taskmaster, Red Guardian, And More

    Disney+ has been our main source of Marvel Studios goodness since everything was delayed for a year. We are still crossing our fingers that Black Widow will release in May, but things are as uncertain as they have always been. Still, we are always excited to see new images from the upcoming project make their way online to build up some hype, as we wait for the official trailer to confirm the upcoming release. The Twitter user @ImAFilmEditor has taken to Twitter to release various new stills from the upcoming film that offer a small glimpse of what is to come.

    https://twitter.com/ImAFilmEditor/status/1371219729625456640

    There are some great images in here, especially those close-up shots from Taskmaster. His design is certainly unique, but it has been growing on us over time. He still has his iconic skull design and you can see the camera that is built into his helmet. That is a great detail for the character, whose main ability is to be able to copy moves from anyone he fights. Even after all this time, we still don’t know 100% who is behind that mask even after it got delayed by a year. There is also a picture of O-T Fagbenle‘s Rick Mason, who has been noticeably absent from the trailers.

    I also love the image of David Harbour holding an action figure of Red Guardian. If this is indeed in the film, it would imply that the Soviet version of Captain America was a public figure. It will be interesting to explore his backstory. It makes you wonder if his legacy might also be discussed in Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which is focused on the legacy that the iconic shield carries. There are also a variety of pictures showing off Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz, and, of course, Scarlett Johansson on the film’s set. Here’s hoping we can see them in action this May.

    Source: Twitter