Murphy's Multiverse

Author: John Sabato

  • ‘Titans’ Season 4 Set for November Release, Titus Welliver Joins as Lex Luthor

    ‘Titans’ Season 4 Set for November Release, Titus Welliver Joins as Lex Luthor

    While the fate of HBO Max has already been sealed, it looks to be business as usual for now with the return of Titans on the horizon. The comic book series will return with its fourth season on the streamer later this year. Entertainment Weekly has the first details on the Titans’ return as well as some exciting casting news that could give us a hint into who could be a major player this season. 

    Entertainment Weekly has revealed that actor Titus Welliver will make his debut as Lex Luthor this season after being teased for quite some time now. Showrunner Greg Walker dished on Welliver’s arrival, revealing the actor to be a massive comic book fan, especially of George Perez and Marv Wolfman’s beloved run on the Teen Titans. 

    “You usually have to do this whole dog-and-pony show to get an actor to do the show, But when I called to kind of lure him in, I could barely get a word in. We were talking on the phone and he was just walking through his library, telling me about all his Wolfman/Perez Titans editions. He’s a giant, giant fan. He’d watched every episode of the show, and could tell me about certain stories, certain shots. It was the most unexpected call I’ve ever had.

    Greg Walker
    First Look at TItus Welliver as Lex Luthor alongside Anna Diop as Starfire

    Luthor is sure to add an interesting dynamic to the team as the Titans make their way back to Titans tower in San Francisco. While talking to EW, Walker also teased just what makes this Lex tick, and what sets him apart from any other foe the team has come to face.

    “He has a very sensitive, thoughtful approach to evil and power. You know what he’s done, what he’s capable of doing, except like many of those people, he’s personable. He doesn’t have a cat on his lap. Yeah. He’s curious, which I think is very interesting about his character. He wants to know about people and what makes them tick, and how they’re different from him. He sees the world through the lens both of his own power and his own inadequacy, and tries to compensate for both.”

    Greg Walker

    One of Conner’s most defining character traits in the history of his character would be his dual nature, being of human and Kryptonian biology, the character has never known where he fits. Luthor’s arrival really pushes the spotlight on Conner, finally making him come face to face with the person who is responsible for his existence and has him face the truth.

    “We’re really going deeper in all these characters and shaking them up, What shakes Conner up is an identity story. He’s explored his Superman self, but he has not really explored his Lex self. What does that mean when you do? What happens when you give that self the keys to the car? Does it start driving the wrong way at rush hour 100 miles an hour?” 

    Greg Walker

    Although no specific date has been announced just yet, Entertainment Weekly has confirmed that the fourth season will indeed premiere in sometime in November.

    SOURCE: Entertainment Weekly

  • REVIEW: ‘Stargirl,’ 3×02: ‘The Suspects’

    REVIEW: ‘Stargirl,’ 3×02: ‘The Suspects’

    Blue Valley is that perfect little slice of America, a town that seems as if it’s a glimpse back into the ’50s with such a vintage feel, what could ever go wrong? Ever since the Injustice Society rolled into town on Stargirl? Well, it would seem a whole lot. Since Season 1, we’ve seen the town shaken with mind-control and even a chaos demon, but this time around, a murder has hit Blue Valley, and it has taken Steven Sharpe, aka The Gambler, with it.

    When we traveled back to Blue Valley in the season premiere, tensions were already high. This was due in part to the Justice Society’s bubbling leader, Courtney, working to make the transition period between the team’s oldest members more comfortable with the welcoming of Cindy Burman, looking to turn a new leaf. However, this dynamic isn’t exclusive to just the kids, as the people all around town are looking for a fresh chance. The Shade, Tigress, and Sportsmaster are all villains who have returned to Blue Valley with better intentions but, in the end, it just results in them all being considered suspects in the murder of The Gambler.

    Burman, of course, is the team’s biggest suspect, and it could not have come at a worse time as she continues to find her spot amongst the Justice Society. Half of the team lacks trust, and it is understandable as to why. Not even Courtney’s optimistic outlook and Beth’s voice of reason can help her find a way out of the hot seat.

    While we know that there are larger plans at play, it would be a bit more beneficial to the story if they could touch on it a bit more. It’s good to let the tensions amongst the characters develop a bit more as the mystery continues, but it feels like the antagonist could be a bit stronger if he was more of a present threat. As of right now, we can only presume that Mr. Bones and Helix are the ones surveying Blue Valley through the strange network of cameras planted about town. It feels like our characters’ growing agitations and feelings towards each other will pay off much better if the upcoming villains just felt a bit more like puppet masters in an “experiment” that currently doesn’t feel like a very controlled one as much as it was led on to be.

    With Courtney, of course, already appropriately being the shining star of the series, the growing mentor and mentee relationship between her and Sylvester is still one of the series’ most interesting. It’s exciting to watch as they find this middle ground in whose turn it is to be the red, white, and blue staff wielder, and how Courtney can grow alongside Sylvester. It is even more interesting to see how Sylvester reacts to a world that he left ten years ago, to see how it has changed, how he is still caught in 2010, and that person who voted to kill Bruce Gordon still finds his way out occasionally. In a way, Courtney is teaching Sylvester just as much as he is her, sharing her compassion and softhearted nature with him to eventually lead to both being the best versions of themselves.

    With Stargirl Season 3, Episode 2, fans are quickly going to realize this is a very different season than either that have come before. It is a much more character-oriented season. So far, Season 3 looks to be testing character limits by making them question who they let into their lives and if they can be genuinely rehabilitated in order to let go of their past villainous actions.

  • Jodie Turner-Smith Joins ‘The Acolyte’

    Jodie Turner-Smith Joins ‘The Acolyte’

    Announced during Disney’s 2020 Investor Day, The Acolyte was one of many Star Wars projects that went dark for a while with virtually no updates on the series. That was until it had been announced that Amanda Stenberg was set to lead the cast of the Sith-based prequel series for Disney+ and it looks like the project has secured yet another cast member.

    Deadline is reporting that actress Jodie Turner-Smith, best known for her work in projects like After Yang, Queen and Slim, and Anne Boleyn, has joined the cast of the Disney+ series. The trade report didn’t have any details on who Smith will be playing in the series as details on the project still remain under wraps.

    The series, developed by Netflix’s Russian Doll creator Leslye Headland, is said to take viewers into the last days of the High Republic as the Dark Side grows in power and will follow a young Sith apprentice, known as an Acolyte. The project is reportedly set to begin filming sometime this Fall.

    Fans can most likely expect to hear more on the project at the upcoming D23 expo set for September 9th and 10th where anything and everything under the Disney umbrella will have time to shine during two major Studio Showcase panels.

    Smith can be seen in multiple upcoming projects such as White Noise alongside Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig, directed by Noah Baumbach and Netflix’s Murder Mystery 2.

    SOURCE: Deadline

  • RUMOR: ‘Cruella’ Sequel Will Be a Musical, Taylor Swift Eyed for Antagonist Role

    RUMOR: ‘Cruella’ Sequel Will Be a Musical, Taylor Swift Eyed for Antagonist Role

    Disney’s Cruella was one of many films to face the pandemic head-on after movie theaters began to re-open following COVID. As theaters continued to struggle, Disney made the move to shift certain films to dual releases with Premier Access on Disney+ allowing films like Black Widow, Mulan, and Cruella to be rented from home while still playing in theaters. Despite that, Cruella was still able to score quite a successful haul and land a sequel. While news has been sparse regarding the sequel, a new rumor suggests that might soon be changing.

    DisInsider has released a rumor that the sequel could be a full-on musical, as the soundtrack from the first film featured an extensive library of songs and original music for the film. The outlet also reports that the film may have even already found its villain, with Taylor Swift reportedly eyed for the role as what is described as “Cruella’s match.” They mention that this could have some correlation to a rumor that popped up on Deumoix a while back, claiming that “This A+ singer who has a minor appearance in Cruella (very tiny, you probably haven’t even noticed) might have a larger part in the sequel.” Swift herself does not physically appear in the first film but what looks to be cut from a magazine of her face can be seen plastered on a wall and scribbled on.

    Finally, it’s reported that the sequel could find a home exclusively on Disney+ and will completely avoid releasing in theaters, even after the first film grossed over $230M at the worldwide box office. With D23 around the corner, it is possible we’ll learn more about Creulla very, very soon.

    SOURCE: DisInsider

  • REVIEW: ‘Stargirl’ Season 3 Premier-“The Murder”

    REVIEW: ‘Stargirl’ Season 3 Premier-“The Murder”

    Blue Valleys’ resident superhero is back! The third season of Stargirl is setting up what looks to be a much more character-focused, slow burn compared to previous seasons. The Frenemies theme teased towards the end of the second season makes things feel a whole lot more personal this season and the dynamics that it brings into this chapter could be the most enticing aspect of the season, as it feels like it’s the only thing really going on.

    Season 3 brings quite a few familiar faces back into the spotlight, with characters such as Sportsmaster, Tigress, Gambler, and the long-awaited arrival of Joel McHale as Sylvester Pemberton, who returned at the tail end of Season 2 after being teased over the course of the past two seasons. Pemberton’s return brings the dynamic between him and Courtney into focus, bringing up the question as to how the two would be able to co-exist as the only two who’ve ever been able to wield the cosmic staff. Courtney is obviously a bit hesitant but eager to learn more about the cosmic staff from the old hero.

    Courtney has gone on to make a life in Blue Valley as Stargirl with the support of both her family and her friends; Sylvester never properly gave up the mantle and of course, his first notion would be to find the staff as its really all he ever knew, he lived and breathed those cosmic rays until he was put six feet under by Icicle. The whole mystery behind his return is still a bit murky, with Sylvester speculating that the staff may have made him almost immortal with the energy it radiates.

    Courtney has always been the show’s strongest character, which is a good thing when she is your title character, and the hatchet burying this season really allows room to explore the heights and limits of her heroic nature. We get to see these limits put to the test as she must juggle working alongside Cindy Burman after facing the consequences of releasing Eclipso. Courtney works as the glue, the optimist amongst the few who don’t trust as easily as she does. Cindy’s inclusion in the Justice Society obviously leaves some members feeling a bit uneasy about the situation, as they believe she doesn’t deserve redemption.

    The end of the episode provides quite the revelation. The Gambler’s return is quickly shuttered, as the retired Injustice Society member is cut down by a mysterious assailant, just after discovering a system of cameras had been setup around Blue Valley. These cameras are likely monitoring the town for what could only be the experiment teased by Mister Bones at the end of season 2.

  • Jordan Elsass Exits ‘Superman and Lois,’ Jon Kent to Be Recast

    Jordan Elsass Exits ‘Superman and Lois,’ Jon Kent to Be Recast

    The days of the Arrowverse look to finally be coming to an end as only a handful of shows remain, with The Flash, the longest running of the current series set to make a speedy exit with Season 9. Superman and Lois is one of the newest and few surviving DC series left on the CW and it’s unknown just what its fate will be with the shakeups at Warner Brothers Discovery. However, while its future remains unclear, it seems the series has some more immediate issues to consider as one of the show’s leads looks to have made an unannounced exit. 

    Deadline reports that Superman and Lois star Jordan Elsass will be leaving the series in the upcoming third season, with the role of Jon Kent set to be recast. There is currently no word on who will be playing the son of Clark and Lois but with filming looking to kick off soon, it might not be long before news breaks. It is unknown as to why the Elsass is leaving the series with the only details being provided were that is was due to a “personal matter.” Elsass reportedly did not return to Vancouver by the deadline given to cast and crew ahead of the start of production on the third season. 

    “Jordan Elsass has notified the Studio that he will not be returning to Superman & Lois for season three due to personal reasons. The role of Jonathan Kent will be recast”

    Warner Bros. TV

    Elsass played a very different version of his comic book counterpart, showing no signs of having Kryptonian abilities like his father and brother. Elsass himself has yet to release an official statement regarding his sudden departure from the series.

    SOURCE: Deadline

  • First ‘American Horror Story’ Season 11 Cast Members Revealed

    First ‘American Horror Story’ Season 11 Cast Members Revealed

    2021 saw the return of American Horror Story for its tenth season following the pandemic setting the series production back and forcing dramatic changes to the season as a whole. The ‘Double Feature’ theme was met with lackluster reactions as both storylines felt rushed and unsatisfying as neither was given the time be fully fleshed and in the end it was just the best they could make of the situation. However, the cast for the season, featuring familiar faces, was incredibly strong and now some are confirmed to be returning for Season 11.

    Deadline has confirmed that Season 11 will see the return of Billie Lourde, Zachary Quinto, Patti Lupone and Isaac Cole Powell. Newcomers to the anthology series include Sandra Bernhard, Joe Mantello, and Charlie Carver, all of whom have worked with series co-creator Ryan Murphy on his many other projects.

    It’s still unknown just what the theme of this season is but set photos seem to hint that it could be set during the 1970s and in New York City. The eleventh season of American Horror Story is currently set to premiere later this year.

    SOURCE: Deadline

  • OPINION: The Decision to Cancel ‘Batgirl’ Was a Bad One

    OPINION: The Decision to Cancel ‘Batgirl’ Was a Bad One

    To quote Zack Snyder, “You’re Living in a F**king Dreamworld” if you think there’s a single ounce of a plan for the DC Extended Universe anymore. At this point, it would be much better for your mental health to just look at every live-action DC project as its own standalone project and just let go of any attachment to a shared universe with the situations going on right now. What sparked this you ask? Well, if you’ve been living under a rock for the past 48 hours, Batgirl is no more, the film is dead and shelved indefinitely as Warner Brothers Discovery proves that even though it is a new company, the studio has retained the cluelessness of past leadership.

    Batgirl was a film that went through development hell. It was originally set to be written and directed by the now disgraced fandom figure Joss Whedon. After Whedon was accused of butchering Justice League, Whedon ultimately stepped away from Batgirl. The film would go on to gain steam once again with writer Chirstina Hodson being brought on board in 2018, and directors Bilall Fallah and Adil El Arbi boarding the project in May 2021. Leading lady Leslie Grace would later sign on to the project in July 2021, with filming slated to begin later that year. After shifting release dates for other DC films, which would’ve helped to establish the new timeline, Batgirl never received a proper release date outside of 2023.

    And now we know that the film is being shelved permanently. Initial reports claimed it was because the film didn’t fit what David Zaslav and the rest of Warner Bros. Discovery sought for the DC Extended Universe, while other reports claimed the decision was because the film wasn’t an “event film.” As we now know, it appears to have been a mix of it all, with the studio seeking to get a tax write-off for Batgirl.

    The thing is, Batgirl was nearly done. Deadline confirmed the directors were well into post-production on the film and reports indicated the test screenings of the films were getting mixed-positive reviews. This did not stop Warner Bros. Discovery from canning it despite the film costing a reported $90 million because the studio didn’t think it fit its new image of what DC films should be. This is a ridiculous decision that reportedly had one rival studio executive “floored,” calling the situation one of the most “unprecedented” of their three-decade-long career. 

    Not to feed into any rumors or conspiracies but it makes one think the new regime could be completely abandoning the previous one’s attempt at a soft reboot and possibly looking to ditch the concept of a new timeline spawning from the events of The Flash, with Ben Affleck most recently replacing Michael Keaton in Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom. The change the studio is after, however, is mostly attributed to the film’s new release date, now set to release before The Flash and including some important details for the future. 

    The move to shelve the film, though, is just completely and utterly baffling, especially as Warner Bros. Discovery has deemed itself as a new regime that wants to save money and trim. By shelving Batgirl, the studio has willingly shelved a $90 million film for a meager $15-$25 million tax write-off. It’s a project that could’ve easily been released on HBO Max as originally intended. After all, Batgirl was a project that was reportedly near completion and at the tail end of post-production. The fact that the studio felt the film wasn’t built for theaters makes absolutely zero sense as plenty of films made for streaming have received theatrical runs. The most frustrating bit of it all is that with Batgirl being a tax write-down, it means the film can never be released through any monetizable method, or even sold to another studio, so unless the film miraculously makes its way onto the internet via a leak, it will never see the light of day.

    Another downside to this decision? DC had its chance, once again, to capitalize on the potential success of a live-action Batfamily, this could’ve been the jumping-off point, the gateway to so many beloved characters from the comics. Fans have been dying to see the many children of Bruce Wayne come together on the big screen like Cassandra Cain, Stephanie Brown, Duke Thomas, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Damian Wayne, Kate Kane, and Luke Fox, but of course, instead we receive crushed dreams and wasted potential.

    On top of the absent Batfamily, Batgirl would’ve offered another chance for the Birds of Prey and allowed them to become whole as they welcome Barbara Gordon into their ranks. The Batgirl film was even reportedly going to set up the Black Canary solo project, one that could meet a similar fate to Wonder Twins and now Batgirl, as it may not meet the arbitrary standards Zaslav wants DC films to hold. The fact that a tax break factored into all of this makes it feel as if Warner Brothers has lost all of its artistic integrity, leaving the studio merely an IP-fueled cash cow that’ll push out slop for the masses. 

    The decision to cancel Batgirl just makes no sense in the end.

  • Warner Bros. Discovery Working on 10-Year Plan for DC Franchise

    Warner Bros. Discovery Working on 10-Year Plan for DC Franchise

    In the beginning many were frustrated to see Warner Bros. rushing through the DC Extended Universe, jumping the gun to catch up with Marvel Studios. The course correction never really came and since 2017, its been an uphill battle for fans. With the Discovery merger the new heads seem to be dedicated in expanding and pushing the DC property to its fullest potential with quality content.

    During the Q2 earnings call for Warner Brothers Discovery, David Zaslav announced that DC is one of their highest priorities in getting situated. On top of the announcement that DC would be becoming its own studio within the company, Zaslav has confirmed that they’ve put a team together to run said studio and have put together a ten-year plan, mentioning outright it is similar to what Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios have built over at Disney.

    No word has been made on what exactly this “10-year-plan” entails and it’s unknown if WBD will announce a slate anytime soon. Another interesting part of this announcement is what’s going to happen with the current universe. Could the new plan be set on the foundations of the old one, with The Flash mentioned during the call and Zaslav saying he thinks the studio can make the film better? This could possibly hint at reshoots for the film and maybe allow them to alter the ending so that it could allow another new DC Universe to be born of it as a result, as it seems Zaslav is not a fan of the Keatonverse idea.

    The third time’s the charm, as many say, but this might even be closer to their fourth. No matter what, let’s just hope that they can get it right this time and the DC universe is able to thrive the way everyone knows it can.

    Source: Twitter

  • Zosia Mamet Joins ‘Madame Web’

    Zosia Mamet Joins ‘Madame Web’

    The cast for the upcoming Madame Web solo film is by far one of the most intriguing things about it, with names such as Dakota Johnson, Emma Roberts, Isabela Merced, and Sydney Sweeney rounding out the cast. Production on the film is currently underway but it seems to cast on the project isn’t over quite yet as Deadline is reporting that Zosia Mamet is joining the cast of the upcoming Sony Marvel film.

    Mamet is joining the film in yet another undisclosed role within the film, with the film still shrouded in a mystery as we have yet to hear just who anyone in the film will be playing. It’s speculated that the lead, Dakota Johnson, could be playing the role of Julia Carpenter, the second Madame Webb, after being spotted on set sporting a very familiar red leather jacket.

    Madame Webb will be the franchise’s first female protagonist and one of the next entries in the Sony universe of Marvel characters, set to release following Kraven The Hunter in 2023. The original character in the comics was known as Cassandra Webb, who confided to a spider-web-shaped life support machine. Webb was blind and had psychic abilities and clairvoyance that allowed her to watch over the Spider-Verse and was a key part of the original comic event.

    Madame Webb is currently set to hit theaters on October 6th, 2023, and will be directed by S.J. Clarkson who previously worked on Marvel series like The Defenders and Jessica Jones for Netflix.

    Source: Deadline