Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Joseph Aberl

  • Seth Rogen Believes ‘The Boys’ “Wouldn’t Exist” Without Marvel Studios

    Seth Rogen Believes ‘The Boys’ “Wouldn’t Exist” Without Marvel Studios

    There’s been an online debate for years if Marvel Studios catering too much to a younger audience. With the rise of more adult fare like The Boys, some people feel like there’s no place for that franchise anymore. The series creator Seth Rogen, however, does acknowledge that the films are “just not for” him as he believes it’s not made for an “adult with no children.” Though he also aknowledges that is his own personal taste and praises Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige.

    Yet, he also goes on to highlight that The Boys “wouldn’t exist” if it weren’t for the existence of Marvel Studios. It’s classic counterprogramming that we’ve seen many times throughout the years and a simple evolution that was set by the produciton company in the superhero genre. It’s common that alternatives pop up that cater to different types of audiences that may want to embellish in mocking the other. He also highlights how the “Western” never truly went away but many of its elements still live on in modern projects.

    Truthfully, without Marvel, ‘The Boys’ wouldn’t exist or be interesting. I’m aware of that,” Rogen said. “I think if it was only Marvel [in the marketplace], it would be bad. But I think it isn’t – clearly. An example I’m always quoting is, there’s a point in history where a bunch of filmmakers would have been sitting around, being like, ‘Do you think we’ll ever make a movie that’s not a Western again? Everything’s a Western! Westerns dominate the fucking movies. If it doesn’t have a hat and a gun and a carriage, people aren’t going to go see it anymore.

    Seth Rogen

    ONe could argue that the understanding of what is and isn’t “adult” does leave a lot of wiggle room. The Boys offers some powerful story telling but also enjoys its over-the-top violence and earning its hard-R rating. Yet, that isn’t the case for everyone. Marvel Studios isn’t making films specifically for children but something anyone can enjoy at all ages, as not every adult without a child might agree with Rogen‘s view on the matter.

    He makes a good point that a certain type of filmmaking has been very dominant finanically speaking in comparison to traditional cinematic experiences, though he also tries to drive a wedge between these two by describing one as “audiovisual entertainment” and “cinema,” creating a distinction of these experiences.

    The debate that sparked from Martin Scorsese has flip-flopped from creative to creative. Blockbusters are still a big part of the cinematic experience but what one describes as “cinema” can change from person to person. There should not be a reason to create a distinction but consider the ramifications of one type dominating the other. Though this is a matter we’ll likely never see a consensus on the matter given how discourse has changed over time.

    Source: Variety

  • ‘Detective Pikachu’ Sequel Still “In Active Development”

    ‘Detective Pikachu’ Sequel Still “In Active Development”

    Yeah, I had to question that title as well but it seems that the long-awaited sequel to Pokémon: Detective Pikachu is still “in active development” according to a Legendary Entertainment representative. Of course, we don’t know at what stage it is exactly without anyone actively involved with the project but it seems Legendary is still keen on releasing the project at some point if possible.

    The sequel was renewed ahead of the first entries’ theatrical release. So, Legendary was all in creating their own universe. Yet, we also heard that Netflix was potentially going to reboot the film to better tie into their new TV series that is being developed by Lucifer‘s Joe Henderson.

    As such, it’s hard to say if we should ever actually expect a sequel or not. The new series was announced back in July of 2021 and there has been little movement on the project since. So, we don’t know if Netflix passed on the project or if even The Pokémon Company may have decided not to move forward. As of now, the cinematic future of this franchise leaves us questioning things like a Wobbuffet.

    Even the writer of Detective Pikachu, Benji Samit, and Dan Hernandez, pointed out that there’s a general rights issue for Pokémon that may be the leading cause of why we haven’t seen anything moving forward. The film did a lot right and offered some of the best live-action adaptations of an anime but sadly seemingly lost all momentum since its release in 2019.

    Source: Polygon

  • Marvel Studios Publishing Scott Lang’s Memoir From ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’

    Marvel Studios Publishing Scott Lang’s Memoir From ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’

    If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to get a look into the mind of Scott Lang, you’re in luck. Marvel has unveiled that they are publishing the book Look Out for The Little Guy which is inspired by the novel written by Scott Lang in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

    The book is set to hit bookstores and was created in cooperation between Marvel Studios, the filmmakers, and Hyperion Avenue, which will explore what truly happened between the Avengers and Thanos. The statement shared by Lang is the following:

    Once upon a time I was just a guy living a normal life who committed a crime (for the greater good!), unfortunately, went away for a couple of years, got out and became a Super Hero, joined the Avengers, went down to the Quantum Realm, and then came back and saved the universe. You know, typical dad stuff. Dive into the pages of my new book, Look Out for the Little Guy, to read all about what it’s like to be the little guy (and sometimes, the very, very big guy) overcoming all the odds to help defeat Thanos

    Scott Lang

    The book will include 20 pieces on Scott Lang’s time as Ant-Man and is set to release September 5th. It’s already available as a preorder for those willing to take a look into the story of Avengers’ smallest yet biggest hero. It’ll be a must-buy for anyone who wants a deeper look into what it’s like living in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

    Source: Marvel

  • Blumhouse’s ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ Kicks Off Production With First Set Photo

    Blumhouse’s ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ Kicks Off Production With First Set Photo

    Five Nights at Freddy’s has seemingly been trapped in production hell as creator Scott Cawthon couldn’t find the right script to bring his video game series to life. Still, Blumhouse stood by to support their adaptation and after a long wait we’re finally at that point where production has started.

    Jason Blum, the head of Blumhouse, has shared the very first set photo highlighting that it is “Day 1” for the production of Five Nights at Freddy’s. We don’t see much from the actual production, only that they are hiding the face of the actor in a specific scene wearing a shirt that seemingly has some purple in it;first tease of this version of Purple Guy?

    The production is seemingly going by “Bad Cupcake” which is fitting given the iconography of Chika’s little demonic cupcake. Yet, that isn’t all there is to see here. If you look closer, there’s one specific figurine from Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach. While it may just be a set design addition, it does seem possible they could be hinting at the appearance of Vanny.

    That would match with recent rumors hinting at the addition of a character named Vanessa, who was a prominent part of the PlayStation 5 exclusive release. There’s still no information on if this adaptation will act as an origin story or simply combine elements from across the games to create its own unique take. Whatever it may be, it seems that we’re finally closer to the answers than ever before.

    Source: Twitter

  • 5 Years in the Making: Netflix’s ‘One Piece’ is Real

    5 Years in the Making: Netflix’s ‘One Piece’ is Real

    It’s crazy to think that we first heard about the live-action One Piece series in 2017. For many years, we’ve waited for some sign of life until it suddenly picked up steam in January 2020 with creator Eiichiro Oda announcing the partnership with Netflix. We got an official logo, and a tease of the script, and finally, the project was slowly moving forward. While it wouldn’t start filming until January 2022, it still felt like we were closer than ever before. To kick off 2023, we got our first look at the series with not just one teaser poster but a second one hinting at the entire Straw Hat crew.

    It’s been a wild ride following the many steps of this production and seeing as it evolved. Showrunners Steven Maeda and Matt Owens have reassured their love for the franchise throughout the years and with Eiichiro Oda heavily involved, it almost seems like there’s a chance the anime live-action adaptation curse could finally be lifted. Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop may have been recently scolded by its creator, this project feels like there’s a chance things might go a little differently.

    Even the small details in these posters give the feeling that a lot of love and care has already been put into the project. We know the first episode will be titled Romance Dawn like the manga’s first chapter. So, it’s fitting that we get our first look at Inaki Godoy‘s Luffy staring off into the beautiful orange of dawn. We get a good look at the iconic Straw Hat and his sleeveless red shirt from the East Blue Saga. If you zoom in, the bird in the sky is a News Coo, as he even has the iconic hat and bag around his neck.

    The main cast image doesn’t give us a full look at their designs, but they are very close to what they were in the manga and anime. We have some minor details added (and people freaking out over Luffy not wearing sandals) but even seeing Usopp’s slingshot brought to life just adds that little something. We even got some iconic poses to just add that little tribute to the original. Their ship is in full display with her new figurehead, which truly brings the merry to the Going Merry.

    Many fans online noticed that this may also be a tribute to the first ending of the One Piece anime with the characters from behind staring into the ocean reflecting the orange sun of dawn. It’s a recurring element in the early days of the anime, as it was also a visual utilized in the eyecatchers that were used in between commercial breaks. Twitter user @Monkey_D_2shar even used the poster designs to bring that iconic visual to life for the live-action variation.

    We still don’t have a release date and the fact that Netflix is willing to promote a series early on without a fixed release date. It seems strange to say so but Netflix isn’t famous for truly promoting its shows and projects over a long period of time. Not only did we get cast announcements throughout last year but even a first look behind-the-scenes in a video during Netflix Geeked, their biggest live-streaming event.

    Some have some concerns but that isn’t uncommon when seeing a manga being brought to life; though did not expect issues with sandals to overshadow the complete redesign of the Going Merry. Even though some pointed out a similarity to the Cowboy Bebop premiere poster but that is mostly due to the shot from behind with an orange hue, a poster does not reflect an entire production.

    Plus, this poster isn’t with a set release date with only a few months to go like with the last Tomorrow Studios production. So, they are set to promote this over a longer period of time, and the last series to get a teaser poster was Wednesday and went on to actually get a rare Season 2 renewal from Netflix. There’s no direct correlation but if they are willing to promote it as much as possible, there’s a chance they believe in this project.

    Source: Twitter

  • HBO Max Cancels Batman Prequel Series ‘Pennyworth’

    HBO Max Cancels Batman Prequel Series ‘Pennyworth’

    The most shocking news of all time has arrived, as HBO Max has axed another series, especially a DC-related one. As Titans and Doom Patrol are coming to an end, it seems that the third season of Pennyworth will also be it’s last. The series originally premiered on Epix back in 2019 only to find its third season as an HBO Max original last year.

    Though it received a new title, as it was now titled Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman’s Butler to ensure we knew its DC ties. Yet, outside of the absurdity in its name, there wasn’t much buzz surrounding a Batman prequel about Alfred Pennyworth. Still, it did manage to go on for multiple seasons, a rarity in the streaming age. HBO Max has shared the following statement on its cancelation:

    While HBO Max is not moving forward with another season of ‘Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman’s Butler,’ we are very thankful to creator Bruno Heller and executive producers Matthew Patnick, Danny Cannon and John Stephens, along with Warner Bros. Television, for their brilliant, unique, gripping depiction of the origin of Alfred Pennyworth, one of the most iconic characters in the Batman world. An incredible blend of action, drama and humor, for three seasons, ‘Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman’s Butler’ has taken fans on a mind-bending ride into Alfred’s eccentric world and the beginnings of cutting-edge super heroes and super villains

    It’s definitely interesting to see what projects end up scrapped and others will continue. Superman and Lois is still set to have at least one more season as James Gunn and Peter Safran prepare their plans for their take on a connected DC Cinematic Universe. Pennyworth b being scrapped was probably the one project most expected wouldn’t survive after it moved to HBO Max, but it still left its own impact with three seasons.

    Source: Variety

  • Chris Pratt’s ‘The Terminal List’ Gets Second Season and Prequel Spinoff Series

    Chris Pratt’s ‘The Terminal List’ Gets Second Season and Prequel Spinoff Series

    Here’s a surprise but it looks like The Terminal List starring Chris Pratt is not only returning for a second season but is also going to be turned into a full-fledged franchise. According to a new report by Deadline, the Amazon Studios production is picking up an additional origin series focused on Taylor Kitsch‘s character from the series. Kitsch is also set to executive produce the adaptation similar to how Pratt was an executive producer on The Terminal List. David DiGilio, the creator of the series inspired by Jack Carr‘s 2018 novel.

    While details are still kept under wraps, it does seem like the prequel series would introduce a few characters from the original novel that weren’t present in the series. The series was a huge hit for Prime Video, and it seems they’ve been discussing a potential second season for quite some time now. It also seems that it was Pratt‘s idea to expand the series with a prequel which he is also an executive producer on. They want to use this series as a way to explore the “true darker side of warfare.”

    DiGilio would be set to showrun the spinoff as well and will include Carr and Antoine Fuqua in its executive production staff. Former Navy SEAL Jared Shaw is also attached as a producer, who is Pratt‘s coach, alongside former Army Ranger Max Adams. It’ll be interesting to see if they focus on the prequel and if it may set up some story elements from the second season.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Superman and Lois’ Won’t Get Canceled According to New DC Studios Heads

    ‘Superman and Lois’ Won’t Get Canceled According to New DC Studios Heads

    Everything was on the chopping block until a few hours ago when the official line-up for DC Studios’ new take on the DC Cinematic Universe was unveiled. No longer where the TV shows and movies compete with each other but rather establish a more coherent experience moving forward. Yet, it seems that they aren’t completely dropping every project after all.

    In an interview with Variety, they have seemingly hinted that Superman and Lois will still go on for “one to two more seasons.” It would also match that they wrap up production on the series just as Superman: Legacy would be making its way to theaters. As such, they can keep the series running until they finish work on their new take that’ll truly kick off the DCU.

    Funny enough, it seems they have no comment in regards to Gotham Knights, the latest CW series whose first season is set to premiere on March 14th. Given that this series seemingly has little to do with its titular inspiration, the series has been dead on arrival. Still, who knows if it’ll find an audience after all as it is the most removed from the usual superhero fare.

    In an era where Doom Patrol and Titans got canceled, it is great to see some series survive to carry on the legacy. The long-running Arrowverse series The Flash is also coming to an end and likely the entire TV spinoff series with it. What that might mean for the future still remains to be seen as some series will remain canon while others aren’t. So, we’ll have to see if the DC Studios logo will be that signifier moving forward.

    Source: Variety

  • ‘The Last of Us’ Viewership Continues to Grow With Each Episode

    ‘The Last of Us’ Viewership Continues to Grow With Each Episode

    Most shows follow a rather similar formula when it comes to how their viewership grows. After a strong debut, most series tend to see a drop in viewership or a strong push once strong word-of-mouth makes the rounds. Though it’s quite common that it starts dropping with the third episode, which we also saw with the monolith release of House of the Dragon last year.

    Yet, The Last of Us is beating those very odds and has seemingly gained more viewers once again going into its third episode. 6.4M viewers have joined according to Nielsen and Warner Bros. Discovery’s first-party data measurement of HBO Max streams. As such, the series has seen an increase of 12% going into Bill and Frank’s captivating story.

    As of now, the series has climbed from 4.7M viewers in its premiere episode and could potentially see another rise after the buzz the latest entry created. It would be great to know if this increase per episode also sees a boost for previous entries. Those that missed the premiere are likely catching up quickly and that rise in retention might play into HBO and HBO Max’s favor.

    It’s not surprising that HBO renewed the series for a second season early on, as there’s definitely an audience captivated by what this post-apocalypse has to offer. The show is surprisingly true to the game while adding or even expanding upon elements in interesting ways. The Last of Us’ third episode had the biggest departure from its source material but also gave us one of the most emotional entries yet. Who knows what future episodes might have to offer?

    Source: Variety

  • New DC Studios co-CEO Says ‘Batgirl’ “Would Have Hurt DC”

    New DC Studios co-CEO Says ‘Batgirl’ “Would Have Hurt DC”

    DC Studios has finally unveiled its plans for the future of the actual DC Cinematic Universe. James Gunn is spearheading various projects alongside his co-CEO Peter Safran. They’re at a crossroads of having to roll out the previous projects that set the bar while also introducing a new era of heroics into the DC Cinematic venture.

    The biggest sacrifice made before they even joined the newly formed DC Studios was Batgirl, an HBO Max original with a promising cast and group of creatives. Many were baffled by the decision to cut a finished film and Safran seems to agree that what he saw from the film was “not releasable.”

    Batgirl’s a character that inevitably we will include in our story. On the Batgirl front, it’s not about late in the process of the film getting canceled. I saw the movie, and there are a lot of incredibly talented people in front of and behind the camera on that film. But that film was not releasable, and it happens sometimes. That film was not releasable. I actually think that [president and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery David] Zaslav and the team made a very bold and courageous decision to cancel it because it would have hurt DC. It would have hurt those people involved

    Peter Safran

    It’s a bit disheartening as a lot of people put a lot of work into this project, but the vagueness of what is and isn’t releasable. Some might argue the same for projects like Black Adam or The Flash surrounded by all its controversy. Yes, it is under new management but the statement is vague enough to open interpretation. Also implying it’ll “hurt DC” seems to add to the confusion given just how messy the past releases have been for the franchise.

    Source: Variety