Murphy's Multiverse

Author: John Sabato

  • Vincent D’Onofrio Admits Uncertainty Over Netflix Canon

    Vincent D’Onofrio Admits Uncertainty Over Netflix Canon

    Back in 2018, we witnessed half of the Marvel Cinematic Universe blipped out of existence. Even today we’re still learning just who survived and who got dusted. Recently in Hawkeye, we learned that Yelena Belova, sister of Natasha Romanoff, was a victim of the blip. One character from that show whose fate during the blip remains a mystery is Wilson Fisk.

    Vincent D’Onofrio recently sat down with the folks over at Marvel News Desk, who asked the actor if he’d played this version of Kingpin as if he blipped or hadn’t.

    Well, I don’t think I can talk about it because I don’t really know. I can only go by what I think and how I played it but I don’t want to put it out there because then it will become canon. I never had that discussion with anybody so just because of what I had to do in the story, I had to think about it a certain way for me to be able to understand my sort of history up until that point. Hopefully I’ll get another stab at Fisk and it’ll come out another way.

    Contrary to what people initially thought, it now seems that D’Onofrio was never really given any information on the canonicity of Fisk’s previous appearance in the Netflix shows. The man certainly reserves the right to portray the character such – with canonicity in mind – but until the story explicitly states it, the debate continues to be in flux. The Fisk we met in Hawkeye was a bit different than the one we were quite used to on Daredevil, so whether it’s a post-blip Fisk or even a soft rebooted one remains to be seen.

    Source: Marvel News Desk

  • Vincent D’Onofrio Currently Not Interested in Directing an MCU Project

    Vincent D’Onofrio Currently Not Interested in Directing an MCU Project

    The Marvel Cinematic Universe is always on the lookout for talented directors to helm one of their future projects, and recently many prominent actors in Hollywood have been hopping behind the camera to either write, produce, or even direct. While none of the on-screen talent at Marvel Studios has made the jump to directing just yet, never say never. Well, maybe with the exception of Vincent D’Onofrio.

    The Kingpin actor joined the fine folks at Marvel News Desk for an episode, where they got a chance to ask him about his recent return as Wilson Fisk on Disney+ and the long history of the Netflix series, Daredevil. At one point, D’Onofrio was asked if he’d ever considered possibly directing a project for Marvel Studios, and he offered a very straightforward take on why he currently has no interest.

    I don’t think so. Nah, I don’t think so. I know, Ive gotten to know directors and DP’s that are working for Marvel a lot these days and I think that they’re really and I think everybodies just doing a great job, and you know I really just, when it comes to that kind of stuff, I really its like I wouldn’t direct and episode in The Godfather of Harlem, i never tried to direct in Law and Order or any series that I’ve done. The only way that I would ever do that is if I was one of the developers and producers from the get-go of a project.

    Vincent D’Onofrio

    The actor is no stranger to the role, as he was the writer and director for 2010s Don’t Go in the Woods and recently directed 2019’s Sheriff Romero. Of course, he does point out that he isn’t interested in a project if he wasn’t part of its initial planning stage. So, it opens up the window for them to eventually find a project where he’d join as a producer that might persuade him to take on a directing role after all. For now, Marvel fans will just get to enjoy his onscreen work as Wilson Fisk.

    Source: Marvel News Desk

  • Netflix Canceled ‘Daredevil’ Because of Disney+, Says Vincent D’Onofrio

    Netflix Canceled ‘Daredevil’ Because of Disney+, Says Vincent D’Onofrio

    Some would say that Netflix was where Marvel Television thrived. With shows like Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Punisher, they really took the cake when it came to adapting the street-level fare. However, in 2018, each of the Marvel series on Netflix was canceled. Perhaps the cancellation that stung the most was Daredevil, the beloved series that had three seasons and garnered universal praise for its adaption of classic marvel storylines and characters.

    Kingpin actor Vincent D’Onofrio recently stopped by the Marvel News Desk podcast and shared his firsthand experience and reaction to the cancellation.

    I don’t think any of us were okay. I think that we were like, “Oh okay, we had a hit show and now it’s gone.” You know, at the same time the group #SaveDaredevil started to rise, we started to learn the reasons why that happened and so we understood what Marvel was doing because Disney+ coming out.

    D’Onofrio follow up his initial reactions to the cancellation of Daredevil with how they all began to understand the why and how the series was canceled.

    You know when you’re in this business a long time like we have all been, it kind of made sense business-wise. What didn’t make sense to us was why we wouldn’t continue that show or the idea of how that worked and how well it worked. Conceptually, I think we were disappointed but I think we all understood what was going on and it was sort of was inevitable. In this business you learn to accept things because you know its a business in the end and there’s nothing you can really do about it.

    While we may not see the Daredevil series live on again, it’s good to know the characters still have a chance as both D’Onofrio and Charlie Cox have reprised their roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

    Source: Marvel News Desk

  • Vincent D’Onofrio On Bringing His Approach to Kingpin into ‘Hawkeye’

    Vincent D’Onofrio On Bringing His Approach to Kingpin into ‘Hawkeye’

    In the opening moment of Episode 6 of Hawkeye, it was a bit obvious that Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin wasn’t the same one fans had gotten to know over 3 seasons of Netflix’s Daredevil. Over the course of the episode, the different wardrobe and near superhuman resistance to damage continued to lead fans to believe this wasn’t the same old Wilson Fisk. While it still remains to be seen just how this Fisk fits into the Marvel Cinematic Universe following the events of Hawkeye, it’s likely we’ll see him again, giving D’Onofrio more room to grow in the role.

    Recently the folks over at Marvel News Desk had the chance to sit down with the Kingpin himself and took the time to ask just how D’Onofrio went about bringing Fisk into the MCU, after all that time in a very different world at Netflix.

    I have to say, that from the get-go with my involvement with Marvel, from Jeph Loeb to where we were at Hawkeye, that I’ve had complete freedom the whole time. I’m not sure why I have? I know that my initial coming into Netflix was contingent on whether I thought it was an interesting part for me, because I knew who Kingpin was.

    Vincent D’Onofrio

    D’Onofrio went on to describe how he was able to work closely with Marvel Studios’ Trinh Tran and the writers of Hawkeye to transition the character into the MCU:

    You know with Hawkeye it was the same thing. I was immediately, you know Trinh had me on the phone immediately, and I was talking to writers and the producers and we were having-every couple of weeks-we were having discussions about script and about changes and about ideas in the way my approach was. And they were happy enough to pass that on to the directors and how I work, and my approach and how I felt about it, and Kevin was very clear that I was going to be able to bring my stuff into the part.

    Vincent D’Onofrio

    D’Onofrio has gone on record several times saying that he’s playing Fisk as if he were the same character as the one from the Netflix series. It’s clear from this interview that he truly cares for the character and any future appearances of Kingpin will benefit from his involvement in determining where he goes next.

    SOURCE: Marvel News Desk

  • ‘Peacemaker’ Episodes 1-3 Primer

    ‘Peacemaker’ Episodes 1-3 Primer

    The chrome-domed beacon of freedom will be making his return tomorrow when the first 3 episodes of Peacemaker debut tomorrow, exclusively on HBO Max. It’s been a few months since we last saw the character, and since then we’ve had plenty of comic book-based content released, so minds may be a bit cloudy on just how we got here, and some may even be wondering just how is Christopher Smith alive? I mean he looked quite dead last time we saw him, well we’ve got a bit of a refresher for you to be ready to jump right in tomorrow.

    We first met Peacemaker in The Suicide Squad, assigned to Task Force X for Project Starfish which found him in Corto Maltese. Smith was assigned to Squad B, the “real team” as Squad A had been sent into the other side of the beach in order to provide a distraction. Peacemaker instantly began butting heads with everyone on the team, determined only to finish the mission and establish peace on the small island nation. It would later be revealed that Smith had been sent with an alternate objective assigned to him by Amanda Waller: to destroy the truth behind Project Starfish at any cost necessary. That lead to multiple altercations, including one that resulted in Peacemaker killing Rick Flag, and one in which Bloodsport took out Smith and left him for dead.

    But Peacemaker, of course, is not dead. In the post-credits of The Suicide Squad, he is pulled from the rubble of Jotunheim and barely hanging onto life. After surviving the mission, Smith is met by John Economos and Emilia Harcourt, who defied Waller’s orders and helped to extract Task Force X from Corto Maltese. Both characters will return for Peacemaker.

    The series will also introduce multiple new character to Christopher Smith’s team like Clemson Murn, Leota Adebayo, and Vigilante. This new team has been tasked with hunting down targets labeled as “Butterflies” that pose a risk to national security. The team’s first targets are US Senator Royland Goff and his family, who are under the protection of Judomaster, another classic Charlton Comics character introduced in the series.

    The series will also see Peacemaker facing his past, reuniting with his father, Auggie Smith, a southern racist who had a very intense method of parenting with Christopher. Hopefully the series is able to give us a glimpse into just what caused Peacemaker to pick up his quest for peace.

    The first three episodes of Peacemaker will stream tomorrow on HBO Max.

  • RUMOR: ‘Batgirl’ May Have Already Cast Its Robin With Potential ‘Nightwing’ Spinoff In Mind

    RUMOR: ‘Batgirl’ May Have Already Cast Its Robin With Potential ‘Nightwing’ Spinoff In Mind

    The Batgirl news is nonstop these days, as production begins to ramp in Glasgow. The city has been transformed into Gotham City once more for the upcoming HBO Max film. Just recently we saw quite a few interesting details from the set, one specifically featuring a mural depicting not only Batman but also Robin. The character’s future in the DCEU has been a bit questionable, as previous entries in the franchise hinted there was no active Robin. Yet, the multiversal shenanigans from The Flash may change that, as a new rumor has found its way online stating that Dick Grayson will make his debut in Batgirl.

    MyTimeToShine, who we have previously reported one hinting at a soft-reboot of the DCEU, has shared that Warner Bros. has already found its choice to take on the role of Robin in the upcoming film. Not only that, but she also hints that Batgirl could possibly set up a Nightwing spinoff, which has been stuck on the back burner in DCEU’s infamous development hell for years.

    This tweet also got the attention of KC Walsh, another source who provided quite a few insights in the past, who gave a rather curious response to highlight the statement. So, there might be more to this story.

    https://twitter.com/TheComixKid/status/1481051731865833472?s=20

    Back in 2017, it was announced that the director of The Lego Batman Movie, Chris Mckay, would be directing a solo Nightwing film with Bill Dubuque set to write the script for the film. Like many other projects that spawned during the early days of the DCEU, it never went anywhere. The project was one of the few that even had someone attached to direct. Of course, there has not been an official word yet and so we still have to take it with a grain of salt for now.

    Source: Twitter, The Playlist

  • Latest ‘Batgirl’ Set Photo Features a Nod to ‘Batman: The Animated Series’ Maxie Zeus Episode

    Latest ‘Batgirl’ Set Photo Features a Nod to ‘Batman: The Animated Series’ Maxie Zeus Episode

    Batman: The Animated Series is undoubtedly a pivotal and iconic part of Batman’s adaptation history. The series has provided some character best stories and introduced many to his extensive mythology. Its influence and relevance have never seemed to dwindle, as it continues to get referenced in films, series, and comics to this day. Some recent photos from the set of Batgirl in Glasgow feature a subtle nod to one particular episode, in particular, featuring one of Batman’s more obscure rogues known as Maxie Zeus.

    we get a look at some more posters from the set with one, in particular, catching the eye of Batman: The Animated Series fans. The pink and black posters feature the name of a band known as “Fire From Olympus” the title of the 63rd episode from the series’ first season.

    https://twitter.com/wxhite_wxolf/status/1480925094767693824?s=21

    The episode featured the origin of Maxie Zeus, a shipping magnate who believed that he was the reincarnation of the Greek god Zeus. Maxie’s company was in charge of shipping a powerful lightning weapon known as the Electronic Discharge Cannon for the government, but Maxie took the weapon for his own personal use after completely falling for his god complex.

    The poster features a silhouette of a man in a suit with horns surrounded by fire, which could be a nod to Hades, even if he isn’t typically depicted with devil-like features. In the episode, Zeus claims that his brother Hades will be arriving any minute and must be ready. Batman arrives and Zeus embraces him, believing him to be his brother. Even if it seems unlikely Zeus has a role in the story, it’s great just how many small details and Easter eggs are getting added to the backdrop alone.

    Source: Twitter

  • New ‘Batgirl’ Set Photos Offer Some Interesting Easter Eggs and Potential Villain

    New ‘Batgirl’ Set Photos Offer Some Interesting Easter Eggs and Potential Villain

    News on Batgirl has been quite plentiful lately as Glasgow has once again been transformed into Gotham City. As the crew prepares to begin filming, more and more Easter eggs have been spotted by some eagle-eyed fans, including images that hint at appearances from Hugo Strange, Robin, and even Black Canary. Now, more photos (sent to us by @thegeeksreview) from the set have made their way online and seem to tease some inspiration from Batgirl: Year One and a reference many diehard DC Fans will love.

    Today’s look at the Glasgow set have revealed what looks to be construction on a restaurant named “Bressi.” For those unfamiliar, Bressi is the last name of an infamous Gotham City, Tony, who was an antagonist of Barbara’s in Batgirl: Year One. In the comic, Bressi is introduced following Batgirl putting a beating on DC villain Killer Moth, who was attempting to kidnap Bruce Wayne. Moth attempts to sell his services as a bodyguard to Bressi, who laughs in his face because he was beaten by a girl.

    Also spotted in the area was a new billboard that serves as a fun nod to a coffee brand seen in multiple mediums of DC Comics: Sundollar Coffee, their universe equivalent of Starbucks. The billboard features a smiling coffee cup alongside the logo and the brand slogan of “The Best Money Can Buy”.

    Batgirl is shaping up to be something really exciting and seems to be greatly inspired by Batgirl: Year One; if you haven’t yet, now is the time to read up in preparation. The film is expected to release sometime late this year.

  • ‘Peacemaker’ Shot Five Episodes Before Recasting Role of Vigilante

    ‘Peacemaker’ Shot Five Episodes Before Recasting Role of Vigilante

    Peacemaker is set to release its first three episodes this Thursday on HBO Max, with the series featuring the return of Christopher Smith, better known as the titular anti-hero Peacemaker. Back when the series was still in development it was announced that actor Chris Conrad was set to play the Adrian Chase, aka the Vigilante, a punisher-like Anti-hero who’d sworn revenge on those who break the law following the murder of his wife and children. However, after production had begun on the series it was reported that Conrad had left the project over “creative differences” and Freddie Stroma had been set as the recast for the role.

    To promote the HBO Max series, writer-director James Gunn recently sat down with the folks at Screen Rant to talk about the new series and revealed that Stroma came into the series quite late, having already filmed five and a half episodes with Conrad as Vigilante. 

    “He came in late. We had already shot five-and-a-half episodes with another actor, who’s an incredible guy, but we were on different pages about certain things and I don’t think he wanted to continue on the series in the long run. And so we brought Freddie in five-and-a-half episodes in, and I reshot all of his scenes.”

    James Gunn

    Gunn went on to gush about just how much he loved Stroma in the role and how well he worked with John Cena as Peacemaker.

    “Freddie is just amazing, and the chemistry between him and John is fantastic. Freddie is so good at… he’s such a sociopath, he’s such a psychopath and yet sweet at the same time. There’s an innocence to him despite the fact that he does these horrible things and is completely lacking in empathy and feelings in a way that Peacemaker is not.”

    James Gunn

    While it is odd for an actor to depart a series that’s nearly complete, it does happen. Creative differences could push many productions into hiatus, thankfully, though, Gunn and company were quickly able to recast the role. Still, it’s a shame to know things didn’t work out for Conrad, although fans will get to see what Stroma brings to the role when Peacemaker debuts on Thursday.

    SOURCE: Twitter

  • Black Canary Reference Spotted in Latest ‘Batgirl’ Set Photos

    Black Canary Reference Spotted in Latest ‘Batgirl’ Set Photos

    The Birds of Prey are a prominent crime-fighting force in DC comics, usually comprised of an all-female roster. They have most recently appeared in the Harley Quinn-led film, where she alongside Black Canary, Huntress, Renee Montoya, and Cassandra Cain teamed up to take down Roman Sionis, aka the Black Mask. There has been some hope that the missing key member may also join at one point, Barbara Gordon. Luckily, new set photos offer a hint that a meeting might be in the near future.

    We’ve seen quite a bit from the set of Batgirl, which included an all-new look at Michael Keaton‘s bat-suit and even confirmation on the existence of Robin in the new DCEU. There was even a tease for a potential appearance of Hugo Strange. A new set photo of some more posters has found its way online and includes a direct reference to Black Canary. While most of the poster is covered, it’s likely connected to her music career.

    It seems Dinah Lance may be going solo in Gotham City these days. Rumors have swirled recently on her inclusion in the film with it even connecting into her upcoming solo project. For those who aren’t familiar with the Batgirl: Year One storyline, Canary played an important role as Barbara Gordon’s inspiration in becoming a crime-fighting vigilante. So, they may take some queues from that storyline to add more inspiration to the character’s motivation outside of Batman.

    Source: Twitter