Murphy's Multiverse

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  • Theory Thursday: How Doctor Strange May Became an Unwilling Mentor in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’

    Theory Thursday: How Doctor Strange May Became an Unwilling Mentor in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’

    The Marvel Cinematic Universe has established a motif in its Spider-Man films. Parker has a mentor of some kind watching over him over the course of the film. In Spider-Man: Homecoming, that role was introduced with Robert Downey Jr’s Tony Stark. That concept was twisted in Spider-Man: Far From Home, where it seemed like that role was Mysterio but need up being Talos disguised as Nick Fury. Now, in the upcoming threequel Spider-Man: No Way Home, we have a new mentor entering the fray. Benedict Cumberbatch‘s Doctor Strange seemingly may take on this role. In the comics, these two have frequently crossed paths and Strange is no stranger to guiding the wall-crawler through the magical world. Now, the main question is how he will factor into this potentially multiversal storyline.

     

    What We Know So Far

     

    Spider-Man’s identity was ousted to the world and he is accused of murdering Mysterio. We know that most of the main cast from the previous two films will return, along with the addition of Cumberbatch reprising his role as Doctor Strange and not one, but two villains (so far) that will go toe to toe with our protagonist. What’s interesting about these antagonists is that they’re characters we’ve seen before in previous Spider-Man films, portrayed by the same actors.  Jamie Foxx returns as Electro, which e played in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Alfred Molina also officially confirmed he will play Spider-Man 2‘s Doctor Octavius again. Ever since the news hit that we might get some legacy characters, the rumor mill started to spinning.

    Many believe that this film could delve into the concept of the multiverse and a possible live-Action adaptation of the Spider-Verse storyline. The reason is that Doctor Strange’s involvement hints at a connection to his upcoming sequel, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. So, his appearance is no accident. Having the Sorceror Supreme appear in the film certainly points this film in a more “magical” direction compared to the previous installments. With nearly dozens of different adventures to adapt in the comics, Marvel Studios’ approach is to often mix and match different moments from a number of comics. And with that thought, here’s today’s theory.

     

    Taken from the Comics

    In Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Vol. 1 24, Spider-Man goes to Stephen to see if he could help his Aunt May after a fatal gunshot. The doctor sadly couldn’t help him. As such, he decides to take matters into his own hands and tries to meddle with forces beyond his understanding. We’ve explored this idea if it may have gotten set up via WandaVision back in the day. They end up altering the fabric of reality. And in the Happy Birthday Story Arc, Doctor Strange is trying to keep evil forces from stepping into our reality. Spider-Man accidentally messes with the incantation that ends up throwing them across time and space. They end up reliving moments from their lives and facing countless villains, as well as peering into the future.

    My theory is that the film could potentially combine these two events. It is possible that Peter could seek Doctor Strange for a magical solution to his current predicament, but is given the same answer as in the comics. In the heat of the moment, Peter may not listen to Strange’s warnings as he wants his old life back. As such, he’ll end up causing a ripple by meddling with magic beyond his comprehension, which affects the flow of time and perhaps even ruptures the fabric of the multiverse. As such, it’ll be up to the duo of Spider-Man and Doctor Strange to face whatever threats come their way, no matter how Sinister.

  • Andrew Garfield Retracts His Denial and Leaves the Door Open for ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’

    Andrew Garfield Retracts His Denial and Leaves the Door Open for ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’

    It’s incredible how much can happen within 24 hours. You may recall that yesterday, Andrew Garfield continued what seems to be an ongoing tradition at Marvel Studios by wholeheartedly denying his involvement in the upcoming Spider-Man sequel, Spider-Man: No Way Home. The first rumors of his involvement started months ago. It was believed that multiple actors from the previous  Spider-Man franchises would be returning to reprise their roles.

    The rumors also included the return of Alfred Molina and Jamie Foxx, who will reprise their roles as Doc Ock and Electro, respectively. Of course, Garfield’s return seemed like a shoo-in after multiple rumors until he denied it in an over-the-top manner. Now, in an interview with Access, The Amazing Spider-Man actor was once again asked about the rumors, calling the potential of him returning “a really cool idea” and to “never say never”.

    This is definitely quite the tone shift from “I’m not the werewolf” from the last interview. It’s not the first time an actor has denied their involvement in a Marvel project. Several MCU actors and actresses have denied their involvement in the past. Jeremy Renner, Evangeline Lilly, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Rudd, and most recently Tatiana Maslany have all denied their involvement as part of the MCU. It’s obvious Marvel Studios and Sony are trying to make sure nothing regarding this film is potentially leaked out to the public, especially if the cast for this film is rumored to incorporate the three live-action Spider-Men from different franchises.

    Andrew Garfield‘s comments yesterday did nothing more than fan the flames of perhaps the worst kept secret in Hollywood. However, he is no stranger to keeping secrets. For the moment, we’ll have to take his word and say he isn’t involved in the film until we receive some sort of official confirmation. But until such a time happens, we’ll have to keep very close attention to see how this tangled web unfurrows.

    Source: Twitter

  • Kevin Feige Opens Up About Doctor Strange’s Original Role in ‘WandaVision’

    Kevin Feige Opens Up About Doctor Strange’s Original Role in ‘WandaVision’

    It looks like WandaVision still had a couple of secrets that haven’t seen the light of day yet. The latest issue of Rolling Stone had an in-depth analysis of the Disney+ limited series. In it, Kevin Feige revealed that Doctor Strange was originally meant to appear in WandaVision but was ultimately written out. This change caused rewrites for both the limited series and the upcoming sequel, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

    He even revealed that he would’ve had a bigger role in the story. Interestingly enough, the “commercials” that appeared during the various sitcom episodes were originally intended to pose as messages to Wanda Maximoff from the Sorceror Supreme. These messages were Stephen Strange’s attempts at piercing through her sitcom pocket reality in WestView. They even mentioned that Marvel Studios had finalized a deal with Benedict Cumberbatch to appear in the final episode of the show before being ultimately written out. Feige went on to explain why the Sorceror Supreme was ultimately cut out:

    Some people might say, ‘Oh, it would’ve been so cool to see Doctor Strange. But It would have taken away from Wanda. We didn’t want the end of the show to be commoditized to go to the next movie – here’s the white guy, ‘Let me show you how power works.

    This scenario is similar to how Falcon and Winter Soldier briefly considered including Spider-Man in the finale but decided he didn’t fit into the series’ story. While we never had the opportunity to explore this premise in the show, it will be interesting to see if Marvel Studios plans to include this concept regarding Strange trying to intercept Wanda in the upcoming Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness sequel or part of the rewrites for the sequel will not include Strange being aware of Wanda’s abilities at all. Feige went on to describe the overall process of writing, plotting, and rewrites at Marvel Studios as:

    [A] wonderful combination of very dedicated coordination, and chaos. Chaos magic.

    Still, it doesn’t take away the fact that WandaVision was an excellent opener to Phase 4 of the MCU and fans certainly cannot wait to see what the future has in store for Wanda Maximoff, Doctor Strange, The Vision, and the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

    Source: Rolling Stones via Movieweb

  • ‘Secret Invasion’ Eyeing ‘Damnation’s Killian Scott in Undisclosed Role

    ‘Secret Invasion’ Eyeing ‘Damnation’s Killian Scott in Undisclosed Role

    As the Marvel Cinematic Universe expands, it continues to attract new talent to the franchise. According to Deadline, actor Killian Scott is currently in negotiations to join the upcoming Disney+ show Secret Invasion. He joins the ranks of Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Mendelsohn, who are reprising their roles as Nick Fury and Talos respectively. They will be joined by other newcomers, Kingsley Ben-Adir, who is rumored to play an antagonist, Game of Thrones‘ Emilia Clarke, and The Crown actress Olivia Coleman. Killian Scott‘s role is being kept under wraps.

    The upcoming Marvel Studios series’ plot is still shrouded in mystery. However, we can assume that the show will be an adaptation of the comic book event of the same name. In it, the Skrulls slowly infiltrated Earth and replaced several important individuals. They took over parts of the government and even our favorite heroes. As a result, they were pitted against each other in a thrilling event that questioned everyone’s identity. Anyone could’ve been a Skrull.

    It is unknown if Marvel Studios plans to use any of its vast arsenal of heroes (or even villains) in the series, but as this stellar cast continues to grow and expand, we certainly can’t wait to see what Marvel has up their sleeves for the series. There is also the question of it might tie into the upcoming Captain Marvel 2, which first introduced the world to the alien species. We might even see the Kree make an appearance of some kind, who are no strangers to infiltrating worlds. Here’s hoping we get more info once production starts.

    Source: Deadline

  • How an MCU Adaptation of ‘Dark Phoenix’ Could Be the X-Men’s ‘Avengers: Endgame’

    How an MCU Adaptation of ‘Dark Phoenix’ Could Be the X-Men’s ‘Avengers: Endgame’

    The Dark Phoenix Saga is perhaps one of the most controversial topics when discussing comic book movies. The story has been adapted twice in modern film media, and, frankly, those interpretations were not the best translations from comic books to film. Earlier in the week, a question by Twitter User @TheHexTown inspired me to look back at these films. When comparing X-Men: The Last Stand to X-Men: Dark Phoenix, we have to consider that they’re both very different interpretations of the same story. When we boil it down, they are very different in how the world-building connects these films to the overarching X-Men franchise. It will also help us understand how a potential future adaptation can avoid these very issues.

     

    Two Sides of the Same Coin

     

    Famke Janssen had three films to develop her interpretation of Jean Grey. She had already learned how to control her powers and worked as the team’s doctor. Not only that, she was an active fighter for mutant rights and defended the lives of both her students and mutant-kind in general. So, in part, the first series of X-Men films gave us backstory and context to who Jean Grey was before teasing her true nature at the end of X2. It made her inevitable fall to the dark side in The Last Stand even more tragic. Meanwhile, Sophie Turner only had two movies to develop her version.

    In  X-Men: Apocalypse, she was already struggling with the Phoenix Force in her dreams, and they were already setting Jean up to take up the Phoenix mantle from the get-go. That made Jean’s character development far too rushed to be able to see any cohesive structure. We barely spent time with this version of the character. I would love for Sophie Turner to get another shot as Jean Grey in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a soft rebooted version. Let’s take a closer look at how both versions failed to adapt the Phoenix Saga and how the MCU could avoid its pitfalls.

     

    It’s All About the Build-Up

     

    The original comic run got divided into two parts. Firstly, Jean Grey encounters the Phoenix Force for the first time while the X-Men repaired the M’Kraan Crystal on the planet of Shi’ar. The second part occurs a few issues later, and we witness the Phoenix Force consume Jean Grey and usher in her run as a villain. She would ultimately sacrifice her life to save her friends and the world once she regains control. The complexity of the comic arc highlights how it isn’t easy to shove into a two-hour film. Dark Phoenix was meant to be two films but got cut down after the Disney-Fox merger. Kinberg did have the right idea on how to adapt the story, but his hands were tied.

    Marvel Studios isn’t a stranger to a two-arc storyline. With the recent expansion into Disney+, they could even take a series approach. Still, it needs time to build up before it gets the spotlight. Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame was such a success, was because they were the culmination of a story told over eleven years. Of course, we also need to get our official introduction into the MCU’s version of mutants first. They could already plant the seeds once the rumored The Mutants project is adapted. They might even set up multiple arcs from the iconic franchise to explore in the future. Their introduction into the ever-expanding franchise finally allows them to adapt the interconnected stories we’ve come to love from the comics. Nevertheless, we can’t wait to see what Marvel showcases when the Mutants finally arrive in the MCU.

    Source: IndieWire

  • How ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ Broke Tired Stereotypes of Buddy Movies

    How ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ Broke Tired Stereotypes of Buddy Movies

    Even before the official start of Phase 4 and Marvel’s Disney+ era, it was clear that the studio was taking full advantage of the opportunity provided by the platform to tell stories outside the typical vein of what audiences expect from an MCU movie. The most obvious example was WandaVision’s foray into various old sitcoms, but Loki and What If…? both promise to push that envelope as well.

    If there was one series in this first wave of Disney+ Marvel projects that seemed like it was going to be more of the same, relatively speaking, it was The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Not only was it marketed as a fast-paced, action-heavy, and quippy show akin to the style of movies Marvel is known for making, it went a step further. People were even pointing out that the Super Bowl spot earlier this year made the series look as testosterone-heavy and adrenaline-filled as possible.

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    The other main expectation that people seemed to have going into the series was that the two leads would have a rivalry with each other before becoming friends at the end. This made some sense since the creative team was making it a point to emphasize that Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes were friends with Steve Rogers, but not each other, but fans took it to a meta-level and made it about the shield. Specifically, that the two would both want it and fight over it, even though Avengers: Endgame made it clear it was going to Sam and there was no indication Bucky even wanted it.

    The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: Sebastian Stan Reveals Who Wins the Staring Contest

    The kicks, flips, and quips were all there, and the tension between the two main characters was, in fact, largely about the shield being in the right hands. But it wasn’t a matter of who was more worthy to wield it and bask in the public’s glory; it was about recognizing the gravity of its meaning and showing respect to it, and their friend. Sam didn’t feel prepared to take it all on, and Bucky was hurt that Sam gave up the shield because it went against Steve’s wishes.

    The person who did have a desire to be the next Captain America, John Walker, ended up being the antithesis to a lot of what Sam and Bucky said and did during the series. For example, while he initially claimed to feel uncomfortable with all the fanfare surrounding the title, he sure did like to introduce himself with it before providing his actual name.

    Walker was also the one who put an end to Bucky’s therapy sessions. Mental health issues aren’t really a thing in most buddy movies but were a major part of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Both leads have suffered from PTSD for a while, though Sam has more time to figure out healthy ways to deal with it than Bucky. This isn’t treated as a shameful thing they try to hide from each other, but a problem they ultimately work together to solve. While Bucky’s therapy sessions end in Episode 2, he does write a note to Dr. Raynor thanking her for her help in the finale, showing that while Walker likely meant well in ending the sessions, it probably wasn’t for the best overall.

    On a somewhat related note, it was also refreshing to see Bucky and Sam openly admit to each other when they were wrong about something. Pride, especially male pride, tends to be very fragile in media, especially within the action genre (this also goes for real life) so it was great to see the two leads actually talk to each other about topics like race and mental health without visible reluctance. This showed up in other ways as well, like how Sam preferred to talk with Karli Morgenthau about her beliefs and actions instead of rushing into a fight with her and the other Flag-Smashers (while Walker was used to battling against his opponents and liked it that way).

    The Falcon and the Winter Soldier wasn’t just the story of Sam Wilson becoming Captain America, or Bucky Barnes finding his place in the world after becoming free of HYDRA’s brainwashing; it was all about being a good man. It’s what Dr. Erskine said was the reason Steve Rogers was chosen for Project Rebirth all the way back in Captain America: The First Avenger (as opposed to a “perfect soldier”, which John Walker arguably was) and it’s what sets this series apart from other buddy action or comedy movies.

  • Theory Thursday: Bucky Barnes Will Become Nomad

    Theory Thursday: Bucky Barnes Will Become Nomad

    With The Falcon and The Winter Soldier series drawing to a close tomorrow, I can’t help but reflect and speculate on where some of the characters are going from here. It’s clear Sam Wilson is and will be the next Captain America, and a much anticipated new suit reveal seems imminent in the next episode. But what about Bucky? What happens to him after this? The series, especially episode 5, has dropped some significant clues. That along with this scoop by our own Charles Murphy four months ago about a Nomad series in development had led me to think the next step for Bucky will be as Nomad in his own Disney+ series somewhere down the line. 

    Charles himself mentioned in his article the possibility of Bucky, among a few others, taking on the mantle of Nomad in the series. However, I’m now convinced that Bucky is the strongest possible candidate with a lot of potential for the character going forward.

    I am no longer the Winter Soldier. I am James Bucky Barnes, and you are part of my efforts to make amends.

    -Bucky Barnes to Senator Atwood

    As Bucky states to the rattled Senator Atwood in the first episode, he is trying to leave the Winter Soldier behind him and make amends for the wrongs he’d done because of people like her and Hydra. I’m not saying Bucky will never be referred to as the Winter Soldier again, he may even reclaim it and make it mean something more positive, but for now, he seems to want to leave it in the past. The White Wolf moniker, given to him by the Wakandans, isn’t necessarily a name he wants to be known to the wider world as either, especially given some Wakandans may still feel betrayed and angry by his perceived involvement with Zemo’s escape. As Ayo tells Bucky in episode 5, “It would be prudent to make yourself scarce from Wakanda in the time being, White Wolf.” Indeed, as Bucky replies, this is “fair enough.” In other words, I don’t expect him to show up in Black Panther 2 as the White Wolf, and maybe not the planned Disney+ series either.

    TFATWS' star Sebastian Stan reveals how Bucky might die in MCU - Deseret News

    There is, however, still the whole very important theme of the necessity for Bucky to try to make amends to people he feels he’s wronged as the Winter Soldier. That seems to be too much to completely wrap up in this final episode. Bucky needs to feel he’s righted some of these wrongs, not only for his own mental health, but for the good of those that he’s wronged. Family members of people the Winter Soldier murdered such as his friend Yori Nakajima (Ken Takemoto) from the first episode need closure, and only Bucky can give them that. It could be that they can wrap up this part of Bucky’s story with Yori specifically in the finale, but as Bucky admits to Sam, there are at least a dozen or so people that he could help bring closure to, other than just hurting the baddies that made him do these terrible things. 

    But you gotta make them feel better. You gotta go to them, and be of service. I’m sure there’s at least one person in that book who needs closure about something. You’re the only person who can give it to them.

    -Sam Wilson to Bucky, episode 5.

    This is a perfect setup for Bucky as Nomad in his own series. Think of it, a charming but mysterious loner, with a painful past, going from town to town on his motorcycle, writing wrongs, making amends. This would be a great series where Sebastian Stan would get to shine even more than he already has as Bucky Barnes. 

    The main roadblock to Bucky’s potential Nomad motorcycle redemption tour, however, is the US government. As we’ve seen, a condition of Bucky’s pardon has required him to check in and have therapy sessions. Now, don’t get me wrong, therapy for Bucky is good, he needs it, but the idea that he could be arrested for not checking in while trying to do good in the world, or even be made to do something bad by the government as part of his pardon agreement, is not good at all. So, how does he get out of that? How does Bucky get to a place where he can truly be free, and not under the control of any government or person?

    And just keep in mind as you watch that finale tomorrow, as was asked in the very first episode, Bucky may be free of the programming and mind control, but “to do what?” A Nomad series perhaps?

  • Theory Thursday: Scarlet Witch’s Fate in the ‘Doctor Strange’ Sequel

    Theory Thursday: Scarlet Witch’s Fate in the ‘Doctor Strange’ Sequel

    With principal photography for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness approaching its end and a near-perfect “no-leak” track record, fans are pretty much going blind into the highly anticipated sequel. With a stellar character lineup up like Doctor Strange, Baron Mordo, Wong, Christine Palmer, America Chavez, and more, we can certainly expect to be in for a spectacle the likes we may have not yet seen in the MCU. However, there is one character that fans are excited to make a return to the big screen following her Disney+ series, Wanda Maximoff the Scarlet Witch.

     

     

    The story will continue where WandaVision left off. How exactly it ties in from the post-credit scene remains a mystery. We are also unaware of what she’s been doing for the past year since the events of WestView, which took place just weeks after Avengers: Endgame. The Doctor Strange sequel will take place in 2024. Our first clue at her role stems from Agatha Harkness’ Darkhold prophecy:

    The Scarlet Witch is not born, she is forged. She has no coven, no need for incantation. Your power exceeds that of the Sorcerer Supreme. It’s your destiny to destroy the world.

    There is a good chance that the prophecy may take place in the upcoming Doctor Strange sequel. Wanda could end manipulated by whomever the real villain in this story is and put in a position where she sacrifices the world to save her children. We got the hint at their existence in WandaVision‘s post-credit scene. There’s also one other question that has everyone’s attention. What happens to Wanda’s story as the film concludes? Does her story conclude along with it? If she truly is meant to destroy the world, how will Doctor Strange handle her? Will he be forced to break his oath as a doctor and take life to guarantee the safety of the multiverse?

     

    A Scarlet Case of Amnesia

     

    It may sound tragic, but it could potentially be the most humane way of saving both Wanda Maximoff and the world. This theory is actually not far off from the comics. After the events of House of M, the world went back to normal, and Wanda Maximoff disappeared from the face of the Earth. Even Doctor Strange couldn’t find her. She eventually reappeared in New Avengers #26, where Wanda was found in a village, with no memories of her time as an Avenger or as the Scarlet Witch. She even didn’t believe in magic when we see her again. I suspect that Marvel Studios could potentially adopt a version of this plot device for the film.

     

     

    Doctor Strange has one truly defining trait in comparison to others. He lives by the Hippocratic Oath. This oath is taken by physicians worldwide where they promise to bring no harm to another human. It was first acknowledged in the first Doctor Strange film, right after he took the life of one of Kaecilius’ acolytes, promising that he wouldn’t do that ever again. He became a doctor to “save lives, not take them.” There’s also a second medical element that Dr. Strange uses later on in Avengers: Infinity War, which is known as “triage.”

    It is how he prioritizes tasks, such as prioritizing the Time Stone over Tony and Peter’s lives because “the universe” depended on it. It will be interesting to see if the film will bring Doctor Strange’s moral system into question by making him decide what’s more important: saving the multiverse or the life of one singular being out of pity. By erasing her mind, it allows Strange to do both as he would technically “erase” Scarlet Witch while still saving Wanda Maximoff and ensures that the dimensional rifts don’t destroy the multiverse.

  • Additional Photography for ‘SHANG-CHI’ Set to Begin This Week in Los Angeles

    Additional Photography for ‘SHANG-CHI’ Set to Begin This Week in Los Angeles

    A new and exciting teaser trailer for Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings premiered yesterday on star Simu Liu’s birthday, but that doesn’t mean the work is done. Additional photography for Shang-Chi is being conducted in Los Angeles beginning this week and will go on for two weeks into early May.

    Director Destin Daniel Cretton announced on his Instagram on 10/24/2020 that the production had wrapped, however additional photography like this is very common, to be expected and part of the plan for Marvel Studios features. 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CGt_BaoJ76Z/?igshid=6sr75f2h1j2a

    Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings stars Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Tony Leung, and Michelle Yeoh. It’s set to hit theaters September 3, 2021, following Black Widow on July 9th. Find out everything there is to know about the project right here!

     

     

  • EXCLUSIVE: Jon Favreau Returning for ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’

    EXCLUSIVE: Jon Favreau Returning for ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’

    After having appeared as one of the more prominent mentor characters for Peter Parker throughout his series of solo films, we can exclusively confirm that Jon Favreau will indeed be returning as Happy Hogan for Spider-Man: No Way Home. It was almost certain that Favreau would be returning alongside the main cast of the previous two films, but due to COVID-19 and filming schedules, there were always doubts regarding his return to the franchise’s next installment. The full details regarding his role in this film remain unknown. However, he could certainly have a considerable supporting role similar to that of Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: Far From Home.

    Happy Hogan had a rather interesting side story in Far From Home, where both Happy and Aunt May (played by Marisa Tomei) developed a relationship that was played for laughs. At the end of the film, when confronted by Peter about the situation, Happy confessed that he actually did have feelings for Aunt May and believed that they were dating, while Aunt May only described the relationship as a “summer fling.”

    It’ll be interesting to see how the dynamic between the two characters develops as well as knowing how Happy will react to the events of the post-credit scene in the last film when Spider-Man identity was outed to the world. Nevertheless, we can always count on Happy to be the man with a plan and we can’t wait to see more of him when Spider-Man: no Way Home hits theaters this coming Christmas season.