Murphy's Multiverse

Author: John Sabato

  • HBO Max’s ‘Peacemaker’ Adds Alison Araya and Lenny Jacobson

    HBO Max’s ‘Peacemaker’ Adds Alison Araya and Lenny Jacobson

    Hot off the production of The Suicide Squad, James Gunn got right to work and began writing a series based around Peacemaker. The series would reportedly follow the origin of the character following his debut in the upcoming film. John Cena will reprise the role. Christopher Smith is a man who seeks peace no matter what the cost is. Not much else is known about the series’ story so far, but we did get some early casting announcements. The inclusion of Vigilante is hinting at a Janus Directive-inspired story. Shortly after, we got the casting announcement for Judomaster, whose origins are tied to Charlton comics, where Peacemaker made his debut.

    It looks like they are still rounding out their cast. Variety has revealed that actors Alison Araya and Lenny Jacobson have joined the project in recurring series roles. They only that they will play Amber and Evan, a married couple in the series. Interestingly enough, this isn’t Araya‘s first step into the DC Universe, having played two characters on Arrow.

    Peacemaker is currently set for a January 2022 release exclusively on HBO Max. The project will be written by Gunn, who will direct multiple episodes of the upcoming series. The series cast includes John Cena, Steve Agee, Danielle Brooks, Robert Patrick, Chris Conrad, Nhut Lee, and Annie Chang. It is Gunn’s last project before he starts work on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Hopefully, this spin-off’s success could lead to more stories inspired by characters from The Suicide Squad.

    Source: Variety

  • First Look at Granny Goodness in Latest ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ Teaser

    First Look at Granny Goodness in Latest ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ Teaser

    The build-up to Zack Snyder’s Justice League has been monumental. For a while now, Snyder has been teasing the inclusion of Darkseid in his film. At one point, the character got cut from the theatrical cut of the film aside from a few name drops from Parademon grunts. We got our first look at the lord of Apokolips back at DC Fandome, and from there, fans weren’t sure just how much we would see of the character, as his uncle Steppenwolf remains the primary foe of the film. Now that the countdown has begun, it makes us wonder if we get more teases of how much of the New Gods we can expect. Snyder has dropped short teasers every day to build up to its release. It seems fans are about to get a lot more than they bargained for, as the newest teaser provides a much better look at Darkseid alongside his closest and trusted confidants.

    The short teaser offered us our first possible look at a classic New God that’s commanded the legions of Parademons and Female Furies since their very inception. In a short glimpse at what looks to be a throne room on the planet of Apokolips, we see an armor-clad Darkseid joined by Desaad. Now, the big surprise is on his other side, as it confirms the first live-action appearance of Granny Goodness. It makes sense for Darkseid to keep her close by, especially during times of war. She was the one that trains and commands his army, so she is a powerful ally to have. It looks like the film is set to feature much more of the New Gods than previously seen before. Zack Snyder’s Justice League starts streaming on March 18th exclusively on HBO Max. 

    Source: Twitter, Vero

  • ‘Peacemaker’ Reportedly Set for Early 2022 Release

    ‘Peacemaker’ Reportedly Set for Early 2022 Release

    Hot off the production of The Suicide Squad, James Gunn got right to work once more and began writing and developing a series based around John Cena’s Peacemaker. The series would reportedly follow the origin of the character following his debut in the upcoming film. The series will see Cena reprise the role of Christopher Smith, the man who seeks to achieve peace no matter the cost. Not much else is known about the series aside from it being a prequel and the involvement of Vigilante, possibly hinting at a Janus Directive Inspiration, but now it seems we may just know when we’ll be getting a whole lot more Peacemaker.

    During an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, HBO and HBO Max content chief Casey Bloys confirmed that Peacemaker was one of the first DC projects that he greenlit as well as confirming that the series is set to be released in January of 2022. The series has just begun filming and is still adding members to its cast, with them quite recently casting Nhut Lee as the classic Charlton comics character of JudoMaster. Bloys’ full statement from the interview can be seen below and offers some insight into how they’ve begun to shape the DC universe moving forward at WarnerMedia.

    I just started to get involved with the DC content in August. Peacemaker is one of the first shows I greenlit and one of the first shows coming out, in January 2022. It’s a great example of what HBO Max can do with DC content in that we’re producing at al level we haven’t seen DC content on TV do thus far. It’s been one of [WarnerMedia CEO] Ann Sarnoff’s priorities to organize the DC world for exactly what you’re talking about — to make sure that the universe is logical and makes sense. She talks about the flywheel: that the movies speak to the TV shows that speak to the movies — that it’s all connected. There’s a lot of work going on in that at DC and Warner Bros. That is very much something that Ann has made a priority and the company is doing. It’s one of the things in terms of WarnerMedia today vs. Time Warner five years ago, I have regular conversations now with [Warner Bros. film chief] Toby Emmerich and [DC content chief] Jim Lee and we talk about all things in way that never would have been discussed before. That’s probably how you got a little DC over here, a little of DC over there, etc. The idea going forward is that we’re talking with one voice about the DC universe. It’s a really valuable world to have and we want to make sure we’re using it correctly.

    It’ll be interesting to see how Peacemaker helps to bring order to the chaotic DC Universe.

    SOURCE: Hollywood Reporter

     

  • ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’: First Look at Jared Leto’s Joker Released

    ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’: First Look at Jared Leto’s Joker Released

    Zack Snyders Justice League will see the return of many familiar faces, whether that be the League themselves or the new gods of Apokolips. Everyone’s sure to know one of the many faces that will show up throughout the film. A more controversial addition to the table is Jared Leto, who will reprise his role as the clown prince of crime. This inclusion marks his first return after his appearance in 2016’s Suicide Squad. He was notably absent from Birds of Prey and The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn, in which musical artist Johnny Goth doubled for the character. It looks like Zack Snyder is going to explore a very unique version of Leto‘s Joker, which he revealed in Vanity Fair to the public, as we countdown to the March release.

     

    pJared Leto as Joker in Zack Snyders emJustice Leagueem.p

     

    The black-and-white image reveals that he doesn’t have the controversial tattoos from Suicide Squad. The director did confirm that we will also get a version of the character covered in police badges, which he collected as trophies, at some point in the film. This version of the character seems more road-worn. Snyder did reveal that he will play an essential part in a sequence featuring Ben Affleck‘s Batman. Justice League aims to build upon the various plot threads set-up in Batman v. Superman. He also pointed out that the Joker’s inclusion will add to the backstory involving Robin. We still never got any details on what transpired, so it’ll be interesting to get some more information on the event. We are only a few weeks away from the release, so here’s hoping we get more reveals. 

    Source: Vanity Fair

  • Funko Leak Reveals Which ‘The Suicide Squad’ Member Gets a Pop

    Funko Leak Reveals Which ‘The Suicide Squad’ Member Gets a Pop

    Some time ago, we found a listing via dis.pops that revealed the many upcoming Funko Pops for WandaVision, the Spider-Man: Miles Morales game, and Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Now, it looks like they got their hands on another list that includes a variety of collectibles from Hamilton, Parks and Recreation, Fire Force, Masters of The Universe, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and perhaps the most exciting, The Suicide Squad. Of course, the variety includes their famous Pop! figurines and keychains. Yet, if you take a closer look at the list, it seems not every member of the Suicide Squad is getting a spotlight in this collection.

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CK4PV1-s_jy/?igshid=izbk2vsr3lrx

    Going by the list, Harley Quinn remains the film’s most popular character with two different pops listed. There are some noticeable members missing, which includes Pete Davidson‘s Blackguard, Alice Braga‘s SolSoria, Flula Borg‘s Javelin, and Nathan Fillion‘s TDK. They aren’t the only ones, as even Jai Courtney‘s Captain Boomerang, Michael Rooker‘s Savant, as well as Peter Capaldi‘s The Thinker. It certainly could be a hint at the character’s fate in the story, or they might be included in a future line-up that will be added in the future. There is also the possibility we might get some Funko’s that highlight the way they exit the film. It is surprising they didn’t give the team’s new mascot Weasel, who is played by Sean Gunn, his own figurine. They might be part of the toy company’s new pops focusing on Movie Moments. It’s interesting to see them embracing new ways to expand their figurines.

    Source: Dis.Pops

  • ‘Peacemaker’ Series adds Elizabeth Ludlow and Rizwan Manji

    ‘Peacemaker’ Series adds Elizabeth Ludlow and Rizwan Manji

    Peacemaker, the upcoming HBO Max spin-off for The Suicide Squad is now in production and continues to add more members to its cast. The show follows the character of Peacemaker, a man who seeks to achieve peace no matter the cost, even if means breaking someone’s arm. The project is set to serve as a prequel for the character and will dive into the origins of the character with other plot details remaining under wraps. It’s highly possible that the project will see writer and director James Gunn adapt another John Ostrander story, the Janus Directive, a story that plays almost perfectly into what we know about Peacemaker.

    Today, Gunn confirmed the addition of two more members to the production’s cast, with Elizabeth Faith Ludlow and Rizwan Manji joining the film. The initial report doesn’t clarify who the actors will be playing and mentions that their roles are being kept under wraps but it’s highly likely that Ludlow will be playing the role of Keeya. She is described as a Black Female, in her late 20’s to early ’30s, gay supportive but tired wife, reluctantly dealing with her wife’s new government job and the secrecy it requires. For Manji it’s possible that he could be playing a character known as Jose, described as someone 20-40 and a hospital janitor who reluctantly gets pulled into a discussion with a hospital patient. Both actors fit quite well to that get ranges for the characters and fit the descriptions given.

    https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/1356374554705231874?s=20

    Peacemaker currently has no release date but was written by James Gunn who will also be jumping behind the camera for a number of episodes. The show will see John Cena reprise his role from the upcoming film The Suicide Squad. Cena will be joined by Chris Conrad, Jennifer Holland, Danielle Brooks, and Annie Chang.

    SOURCE: Illuminerdi

  • ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ Release Date Revealed Alongside New Poster

    ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ Release Date Revealed Alongside New Poster

    The time is drawing near, many said that it would never happen and for years denounced the claims, but in the end, the passion of the movement triumphed all and justice will finally be served. Early last year, following an anniversary screening with Zack Snyder for Man of Steel, where it was revealed that Snyder had gotten the green light and the funding to finish his cut of the film. The cut was revealed to release sometime in early 2021 exclusively on HBO Max, and today we finally got a concrete date for the upcoming director’s cut of the upcoming comic book epic.

    Alongside a new poster, the film is set to officially release on March 18th on HBO Max here in the US. The release date was announced alongside three brand new, black and white, never-before-seen posters. The director’s cut is currently being marketed under the name Zack Snyder’s Justice League, but the name is notably absent from the posters which could hint at another possible title change. The cut is currently expected to release on March 18th as a full four-hour feature on HBO Max, opposed to the one-hour release weekly that was thought to be the project’s release strategy before.

    Zack Snyder’s Justice League will somewhat see the return of Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Ray Fisher, Ezra Miller, Henry Cavill, Jason Momoa, Cirian Hinds, Amy Adams in their respective roles from previous films and the theatrical release of Justice League. The director’s cut will also of course feature new and never-before scenes that never made the original cut of the film with appearances from Jared Leto, Joe Manganiello, Willem Dafoe, Kiersey Clemons, Karen Bryson, Orion Lee, Harry Lennix, and of course Ray Porter as Darkseid.

  • UPDATE: ‘Titans’ Casting Jay Lycurgo as Tim Drake Confirmed

    UPDATE: ‘Titans’ Casting Jay Lycurgo as Tim Drake Confirmed

    Update: Well, it didn’t take long for the official Titans account to finally confirm the casting.

    Source: Twitter

     

    The upcoming season of Titans may become a turning point for the series. Finally, long-awaited characters are joining the series. During the FanDome event in August, we learned that the third season would see the debut of Barbara Gordon and Scarecrow in this series. We also learned that Jason Todd would become the Red Hood, as Blackfire finally arrives on Earth. It teased a great battle for the future of our planet. There was, however, one more rumor that had been teasing the upcoming season’s direction. We might see the live-action debut of one more iconic Batman character, the only other mind that could rival the world’s greatest detective, Tim Drake.

    We’ve been anticipating any casting news that would confirm this rumor. Supposedly, Titans may have already cast Robin, and that he could join the ranks of the Titans to fill the void Todd left behind. The small site Full Circle Cinema ran a story that Ryan Lycurgo was cast in the role based on a posting in the DC’s Titans Facebook Group. Interestingly enough, the actor is no stranger to DC, as he can be seen in the trailer for the upcoming The Batman film. He was one of the goons with painted faces near the end of the trailer. Now, we had no other word on if this casting may turn out to be true. At least until Ryan Potter, who many might recognize as Titans’ Beast Boy, confirmed the casting on Twitter.

    https://twitter.com/RyankPotter/status/1354869325312745478

    Titans’ third season is currently in production after suffering a massive delay due to the ongoing pandemic. The project will debut on HBO Max and will see the return of the Titans as they make their way to Gotham City. There, they’ll find themselves working with the new commissioner, Barbara Gordon. Drake’s introduction makes sense within this season and could lead to a larger role alongside this version’s Batman. We’ll see how his role will fit into the larger narrative set-up by the show and if we might see some spin-offs shortly.

    Source: Full Circle Cinema via DC’s Titans, Twitter

  • Netflix’s ‘Sandman’ Casts Tom Sturridge, Gwendoline Christie and Many More

    Netflix’s ‘Sandman’ Casts Tom Sturridge, Gwendoline Christie and Many More

    The upcoming Sandman series on Netflix is by far one of the most anticipated adaptions out there. Sandman is another title that was trapped in development hell for quite some time. At one point, Joseph-Gordon Levitt was attached to star before fizzling out. Luckily, that all changed as the Netflix adaptation started filming in October. Yet, they have been tight-lipped on the show’s cast.

    After a long wait, Netflix has graced us with official casting for the upcoming adaption. They have officially revealed who will be playing the Lord of Dreaming and the Lord of Hell. Let’s start with the dreamer, as it was confirmed that Tom Sturridge will take on the role of Morpheus, one of the seven Endless. This reveal confirms a rumor from some time ago that he was in negotiations. Joining Sturridge is Gwendoline Christie as Lucifer. Boyd Holbrook will be playing The Corinthian, who is an escaped nightmare. Vivienne Acheampong has been cast as Lucienne, the librarian of dreams. Charles Dance is the charlatan and magician, Roderick Burgess.  Rounding out the cast are Asim Chaudhry and Sanjeev Bhaskar, who will be playing as the first victim Abel and predator Cain respectively.

    One notable absence from this announcement is that of Dream’s siblings, the other Endless. They are a group of anthropomorphic personification of metaphysical entities that represent Destiny, Desire, Despair, Delirium, Destruction, and Death. It’s possible the rest of the casting has yet to be announced. As they only started filming a few months ago, they might be keeping some news under wraps until the show officially starts its marketing campaign before release. Either way, this is quite the stellar cast they’ve added and it’ll be exciting to see their take on the iconic comic franchise.

    Source: NX On Netflix

  • Why Godzilla is on a Rampage in ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’

    Why Godzilla is on a Rampage in ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’

    Dr. Ishiro Serizawa’s words “Let Them Fight” in 2014’s Godzilla would come to define the franchise, as the films that followed would feature more and more Kaiju smackdown. The now-titled Monsterverse started to dig deeper into the mysterious hollow earth. Since 2019’s Godzilla: King of The Monsters, fans have been teeming with excitement for the fight of the century, Godzilla vs. Kong. We finally got our official look at the film in the recent trailer. After multiple delays due to the pandemic, the film will finally release on March 26th. At first glance, it looked like it would live up to its name, as Godzilla and Kong clash once again for the first time since 1963. However, a small discovery in the trailer may showcase a new direction.

     

    godzilla vs kong trailer

     

    Upon a first watch, the trailer brings us into a post King of The Monsters world, where Godzilla has successfully taken the title after defeating the three-headed King Ghidorah. A voiceover explains that Godzilla has started attacking random cities for no reason, and they need someone to stop him. These events are where Kong comes into play, as old Monarch files must list him as the only other Kaiju that could stand a chance against the giant lizard. Since his first appearance, Kong has grown considerably and now can measure up with Gojira. His more humanoid frame stands a much better chance against the overgrown lizard and his stubby arms. What doesn’t make sense is why Godzilla would all of a sudden turn on the people he’s fought to protect multiple times, even if his dominance got threatened in one case.

    The trailer may be playing a trick on us. If you look closely, a recent toy leak confirmed the existence of a false God, Mechagodzilla. At this point, almost everyone knows the mecha will make his Monsterverse debut in this film, but it seems to be much sooner than initially thought. In the original 1974 film Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla, we know the robot can camouflage and pretends to be Godzilla. It does open up a few questions, however. Why would he do this in this film, and who would have the motives to do such a thing? The previous installment, King of The Monsters, has that answer.

     

     

    We learn in that film that Dr. Ishiro Serizawa has a son, Ren Serizawa. A cast listing did confirm that actor Shun Oguri will play the character, who we see in the trailer in front of a screen featuring Mechagodzilla’s operation status. There is a possibility that Ren now works for a shadow organization to enact his revenge. His father’s fascination with the titans may have pushed him down a darker path. So, his father dying to save Godzilla may have been the last straw, so he took it into his own hands. He aims to frame Godzilla while luring out one of the few survivors so that they may kill each other and end their reign.

    A final note is a moment within the trailer where we return to the aircraft carrier battle between Kong and the fake Godzilla. In one shot, we see what looks like Godzilla’s tail. Upon further examination, it doesn’t seem to be the case after all. It looks to be a lot more mechanical and with links holding it together. I’m unsure when this fight takes place, but this could be the big reveal to the world that the Godzilla they know and love is not behind this. It may be what brings the two Kaiju together to take down the mechanical monstrosity and restore the balance to the world of titans.