Murphy's Multiverse

Author: John Sabato

  • Jason Momoa in Talks for ‘Minecraft’ Movie

    Jason Momoa in Talks for ‘Minecraft’ Movie

    Video game adaptions are quickly becoming all the rage again, with many studios looking to find the next hot property to turn into a successful franchise. Many have struggled to take off due to the fact that they just were not easy to adapt. One adaptation that’s been in the works for quite some time is one based on Minecraft, the popular open-world sandbox game where the sky is the limit. It seems the old project may have picked up the steam yet again as the film looks to be on the hunt for its star.

    Ankler is reporting that Jason Momoa is currently in talks to voice the protagonist in the feature film adaptation. The Aquaman actor will voice the film’s main hero for what the studio is hoping will blossom into a new franchise. This news comes as Warner Bros. is set to lose its lease on the film rights to Minecraft by January if a project does not go into development by then. It seems the director of Napoleon Dynamite and Nacho Libre, Jared Hess, is set to direct the project although it is unknown just who is writing.

    Not much is known plotwise for the film as it seems its taken many shapes over the past couple of years. Originally it was reported that the film would follow a female protagonist alongside a group of adventurers who’d set out to defeat the Ender Dragon as he broke free from the End and into the overworld. The film has seen multiple directors like Peter Sollet and even It’s Always Sunny in Philidelphia’s Rob Mcelhenney, with Steve Carrel at one point set to star. For now, that is all we know but we’ll see if Minecraft can truly grow into a franchise.

    Source: The Ankler

  • RUMOR: Werewolf By Night Will Be Practical in Upcoming Disney+ Halloween Special

    RUMOR: Werewolf By Night Will Be Practical in Upcoming Disney+ Halloween Special

    The supernatural corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is slowly beginning to unravel with characters like Werewolf By Night on the horizon. The character is set to make his live-action debut in an upcoming Halloween special for Disney+ that started production not too long ago. Although the special has yet to be officially confirmed by Marvel Studios, we know it’s happening and that it’s already filming.

    While we still don’t know a whole lot plot-wise for the upcoming special we know that Werewolf By Night will lead the project with hints that Vampire By Night might be popping up as well. It seems some internet sleuthing by the folks over at AfterHoursMedia led to them discovering some interesting evidence that Werewolf By Night will be a practical design. They’ve uncovered that some make-up artists behind the popular Halloween Horror Nights event at the Universal theme parks is working on the project.

    They’ve discovered tweets from crew members supposedly working on the project saying “working on a certain Halloween special for a certain streaming platform” and shared a message he sent via text saying “I have a stunt performer who is in full werewolf makeup.”. They also shared that while things onset will be practical, things could be touched up in post-production with CGI similar to what they do on The Witcher with a lot of their monsters.

    We still don’t have a release date or any official confirmation for the upcoming Halloween special but it sure is something exciting to look forward to. This will be the first of two holiday specials this year, with the Guardians of The Galaxy Holiday Special releasing sometime in December.

    Source: AfterHoursMedia

  • Leslie Grace Shares Her Excitement Working With Brendan Fraser on ‘Batgirl’ Set

    Leslie Grace Shares Her Excitement Working With Brendan Fraser on ‘Batgirl’ Set

    Brendan Fraser has found himself a home within the DC Universe. The beloved actor made his big return a few years back as Cliff Steele, better known as Robotman, in Doom Patrol, lending his voice to the character and sometimes appearing as the race car driver. Fraser is set to appear in yet another corner of the DC Multiverse, playing Firefly in the DC Extended Universe and we couldn’t be more than thrilled.

    In an interview with Variety, Batgirl star Leslie Grace talked about getting to work with Fraser and just how crazy his role as Firefly is.

    I had to summon up some things in me that I didn’t even know were there. It was an incredible learning experience to be on set with also action veterans like Brendan Fraser, and soak up it all up. It was so hard because he’s our villain and I’m not supposed to like but he’s such a huge teddy bear. He is one of the nicest people that I’ve ever met. In our fight sequences the way he would just hit marks, it came from all of his experience. You can’t improvise that kind of experience. There’s some crazy stuff that happens. There’s lots of fire because as everyone knows by now, he plays Firefly. There’s crazy fire. There’s crazy stunts, crazy drops. She’s a biker chick, so you’re going to see her do a bunch of badassery.

    Leslie Grace

    It’ll be interesting to see if Firefly is alone, as he mostly plays the role of a silent enforcer to Killer Moth in Batgirl: Year One, the story by which the film seems to be heavily inspired. We can’t wait to see what kind of chaos Fraser causes as Firefly in Batgirl, but it’s mostly just exciting to see the actor back doing what he loves.

    Source: Variety

  • Leslie Grace Already Reached Out To Some of Her DCEU Co-Stars

    Leslie Grace Already Reached Out To Some of Her DCEU Co-Stars

    Being in a shared universe of films and television series can be exciting when there’s just potential for many fan-favorite characters to interact and simply co-exist alongside each other. Over the past few years, the DC Extended Universe has confirmed many new characters like Blue Beetle, Supergirl, Static Shock, and Batgirl are set to join the shared universe. Yet, it seems like Batgirl herself has already got a jump on bringing those worlds together.

    Variety recently spoke with Leslie Grace who gushed about all her excitement about the upcoming Batgirl solo film. The interviewer asked if she’d reached out to any other actors like Gal Gadot or Alicia Silverstone, Grace said she didn’t but did confirm she reached out to Sasha Calle and Xolo Mariduena.

    I did reach out to Sasha Calle, who is Supergirl in “The Flash.” I’m hoping that we get to meet soon because we’re part of the new gen. I did reach out to Xolo Mariduena, our Blue Beetle. He is freaking awesome. I’m so happy for him.

    Leslie Grace

    It’s fun to see Grace so passionate about the character and the ones she could one day share the screen with. Many are already awaiting the team-up between Supergirl and Batgirl, for what will be yet another first for DC live-action.

    Source: Variety

  • Leslie Grace Talks ‘Batgirl’ Story and Teases Sequel

    Leslie Grace Talks ‘Batgirl’ Story and Teases Sequel

    Fans are eager to see the debut of Leslie Grace as the DCEU’s Barbara Gordon as production on the HBO Max film wrapped just recently. The story is seemingly taking a lot of inspiration from the Batgirl: Year One storyline, one of the characters best and most popular stories detailing her early days and how she became the hero we love today. Yet, a new interview may hint that there could already be plans for Grace to reprise her role as Batgirl as it seems a sequel is already in the cards.

    Variety recently caught up with Batgirl star Leslie Grace promoting her new brand partnership and quickly began talking about her upcoming debut as the titular hero. The interviewer jokingly asked Grace when she was getting to work on the sequel and her answer seems to hint that ideas for the potential film are already in the works.

    We got to see this first one first. But there’s definitely some talks about what it could be. I’ve seen some of what we’ve shot, obviously in the playback and stuff like that, and it’s insane. We’ve already been talking about where do we take this from here because there’s so much that happens in this film. There are a lot of different themes in the plot that we touch on. It’s not just the action. There’s a love story. There’s this father-daughter relationship. There’s looking at the world through a lens that isn’t just black and white and seeing the color and the spectrum between things.

    Leslie Grace

    While we currently do not have a set release date for Batgirl we’re still getting excited for it. Barbara and her fathers relationship is something so important to the character and we can’t wait to see it explored in the film, especially with the return of J.K. Simmons.

    Source: Variety

  • Leslie Grace on Working With Michael Keaton and J.K. Simmons in ‘Batgirl’

    Leslie Grace on Working With Michael Keaton and J.K. Simmons in ‘Batgirl’

    The Flash is set to see the return of Michael Keaton into one of his most iconic roles, reprising Batman for the first time since Batman: Returns. For those that grew up with his version of the character, he is the Batman they grew up with. In Batgirl, he’ll also be joined by J.K. Simmons, reprising his Justice League role as Commissioner Gordon in what seems to be a new universe where they both co-exist.

    The upcoming HBO Max film will see Leslie Grace take on the role of Barbara Gordon, as she becomes Gotham’s newest vigilante all on her own. Variety recently chatted with Grace in which she dished out how exciting it was to work with such legendary actors.

    It was wild for everyone. Our directors were like two little kids. They’re legit Batman nerds openly. He’s Batman, man! I couldn’t even believe that I was sharing space with Batman. I want to say more, but I can’t. It was insane, surreal, incredible. It was the stuff of dreams really. It was insane, surreal, incredible. It was the stuff of dreams really. And J.K. Simmons playing my dad. That’s my pop. I was so nervous because all I could hear in my head was his voice in “Whiplash.” Like what would he do and say if I didn’t get something right?. then we became the best of friends. And he just told me all his great stories of starting out and being a waiter and working in a pizza shop and trying to be an actor and doing theater.

    Leslie Grace

    Working with such influential actors seems incredibly intimidating but it’s nice to see they were quite welcoming to Grace as she is a relative newcomer to acting. Batgirl currently has no set release date but had already wrapped filming.

    Source: Variety

  • Susan Sarandon Joins ‘Blue Beetle’ As Main Villain

    Susan Sarandon Joins ‘Blue Beetle’ As Main Villain

    One of the most exciting upcoming film’s set within the DC Extended Universe is Blue Beetle. The film will see the debut of Xolo Mariduena as Jaime Reyes in Blue Beetle. The film will follow Mariduena as a teen superhero who comes into possession of a alien scarab that attaches itself to his back and enables him the abhility to summon an exoskeleton suit and array of weapons. Plot details on the film are scarce, but it seems the project has found a new face for its foe.

    A new report from The Wrap states that Susan Sarandon is set to join the cast of Blue Beetle in the role of Victoria Kord, an original character created for the film. She will be the main antagonist alongside Raoul Max Trujillo who is set to play the villain Carapax The Indestructible Man.

    Just a few weeks back it was announced that Sharon Stone had joined the film in the very same role Sarandon now has. Stone was initially in talks for the role, but it seems things did not work out.

    The film will be directed by Angel Manuel Soto with a script from Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer. Mariduena will star alongside George Lopez, Harvey Guillén, Bruna Marquezine, Elpidia Carillo, Adrianna Barraza and Damián Alcázar.

    Production on Blue Beetle is set to kick-off sometime this month with a release date currently set for Aug. 18th, 2023.

    SOURCE: The Wrap

  • DC Searching For its Own Feige After Discovery Merger

    DC Searching For its Own Feige After Discovery Merger

    Since Man of Steel, the DC Extended Universe has been trying to build a universe around some of its most beloved characters. Certain issues have seen aspects of the DCEU cast astray, resulting in some creative roadblocks that have resulted in certain characters seemingly getting lost along the road. The recent Discovery merger has seen new heads at the combined company eager to overhaul the DC Cinematic Universe.

    A new report from Variety suggests that, following ther Warner Bros Discovery merger, top leadership at the newly formed company is looking to overhaul the DC Entertainment branch. David Zaslav and company are reportedly looking for someone with a business background and less of a creative mind to maintain the many branches of DC Entertainment. The studio wants the films to be much more aligned, similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

    The new leadership is unhappy with how many important characters within the DCEU, such as Superman, have been shelved with no plans to return in the future. The studio also believes that more films like Joker should be explored.

    This decision could impact future development plans for projects as the studio attempts to rework and better streamline the DC Cinematic Universe. They also believe that DC must be more present in the gaming industry, as a way to push the brand to its fullest potential. Projects over the last couple of years have been significantly improving under the leadership of Walter Hamada, who took over following Geoff Johns and Jon Begs stepped down. Hamada is still under contract with Warner Brothers Discovery to lead DC films until 2023, and could play a vital role in what Zaslav aims to do with the future of DC.

    Fans have been vocal about their distaste for the absence of many of their favorite characters within the film universe and worried about what the Justice League may look like in future appearences. Hopefully, whatever Zaslav and company have in store for the future of DC is able to please both sides and unite the fanbase.

    SOURCE: Variety

  • REPORT: ‘Uncut Gems’ Adam Sandler and Safdie Brothers Working on a New Project

    REPORT: ‘Uncut Gems’ Adam Sandler and Safdie Brothers Working on a New Project

    Back in 2019, A24 made quite the splash with the release of Uncut Gems following set photos of Adam Sandler in some interesting getups piquing the interest of many longtime fans. The film by Josh and Benny Safdie saw Sandler pick up one of his most dramatic roles yet. He played Howard Ratner, a jewelry store owner who’d put it all on the line with a Celtics game bet. It seems the trio may be teaming up once again for another project.

    In a recent column from Executive Editor and Chief Critic Eric Kohn of Indiewire regarding Jim Carrey‘s recent comments on possible retirement, Kohn snuck a bit of info into the piece regarding the future project. He states that his sources have told him that Sandler and the Safdies are already developing a new project, but does not go into details about what the project could possibly be. This possible project would mark endeavor number three for the trio after Uncut Gems and the short-film Goldman Vs Silverman, a short produced during the free time in between the production of the first film.

    The directing duo has been a bit busy recently. They are currently developing a new Showtime series alongside Nathan Fielder titled The Curse, which is set to star Fielder, Benny Safdie, and Emma Stone. Benny Safdie will also star alongside what feels like half of Hollywood in Christopher Nolan’s World War II film Oppenheimer. No official word just yet on what could be the next collaboration between the Safdies and Sandler, but it’s unlikely to be a sequel to Gems considering how the film ends. The project will surely be something to watch out for following the success of their first collab.

    Source: Indiewire

  • Brie Larson Joins ‘Fast and Furious 10’

    Brie Larson Joins ‘Fast and Furious 10’

    Fast and Furious is one of the longest-running and most successful franchises that Hollywood has ever seen and will go out in a blaze of glory with a two-part final installment. The film has recently added Jason Momoa as its main antagonist. Joining him is The Suicide Squad actor Daniela Melchior in a currently undisclosed role. Now it seems the franchise has found yet another superhero to join its ranks as Brie Larson has been confirmed for Fast 10. 

    Star and face of the franchise Vin Diesel took to Instagram, sharing a photo of him and Larson and confirming that she would indeed be joining the family. Details on just who she’ll be playing are still under wraps at this team, but we can assume she could be an ally of sorts for Dom and the gang. 

    Production on the final two installments of the franchise reportedly began back in January, with both films being shot back-to-back so that they can release consecutively in 2023 and 2024. Both films will be directed by franchise veteran Justin Lin, who previously directed Fast 9, Fast and Furious, Fast Five, Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift, and Fast and Furious 6. 

    Fast and Furious 10 is currently set to hit theaters on May 19th, 2023, and will star Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, and Nathalie Emmanuel. It’ll be interesting to see just who returns for the franchise’s send-off and those who are believed to be dead may just crawl out of the shadows for one final appearance. 

    Source: Instagram