Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Nicole

  • ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Tracking for Massive Debut

    ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Tracking for Massive Debut

    With less than a month until release, Marvel Studios’ Black Panther sequel, Wakanda Forever, is tracking for a massive debut. Box Office Pro has unveiled the latest tracking for the film, and as it stands, Wakanda Forever could potentially set a new November record.

    Box Office Pro believes Wakanda Forever could open between $180 million and $225 million. Working in the film’s favor, of course, is that Black Panther was a phenomenon and demolished records with its $202 million domestic debut. The character later went on to become a big part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in both Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, and later in an episode of What If…? on Disney+. With a huge gap between films, fans have been eagerly awaiting Wakanda Forever‘s release, helping to push the film’s trailer views past those of its predecessor.

    Of course, given that we are still very much in a pandemic, it’s possible the film could open lower than expected. The box office has struggled since COVID first hit in 2019, and it’s still struggling to return to normal. Moviegoers don’t seem as ready to head to theaters like they once did. It doesn’t help either that Thor: Love and Thunder had such a mixed reception, or that many feel as though there’s too much content hailing from Marvel Studios thanks to Disney+.

    Wakanda Forever is set to hit theaters on Nov. 11th. Tickets are on sale now.

    Source: Box Office Pro.

  • RUMOR: Tom Ellis in the Running for Reed Richards

    RUMOR: Tom Ellis in the Running for Reed Richards

    With a director set in place and a set of writers tackling the script, it shouldn’t be too surprising then that stories regarding the film’s cast have begun to circulate. A new rumor from the folks at Deux Moi suggests that Marvel Studios is already looking at actors for its first family, including actors from Lucifer and Hamilton.

    Per Deux Moi, Maddie Hasson and Tom Ellis are reportedly in the running for the roles of Sue Storm and Reed Richards. The site also claims that Daveed Diggs has auditioned, although it’s not specified as to which part that might have been for. It’s also rumored that Michael Provost is the favorite for Johnny Storm, while Jason Biggs is thought to have auditioned for The Thing. It’s of note that this is all merely a rumor. In fact, Deux Moi previously reported that Alexandra Daddario and her brother, Matthew Daddario, were being considered for the movie.

    These names, however, are an interesting mix of up-and-coming actors and established actors. Hasson has worked on a lot of television shows, such as ABC Family’s Twisted and Peacock’s Mr. Mercedes adaptation. While Ellis is perhaps best known for his starring role in Lucifer. Diggs, of course, got his big breakout with Hamilton and has since built a rather impressive resume that includes the Snowpiercer television series and the forthcoming Little Mermaid film. As for Provost, like Hasson, he’s perhaps best known for his work on the small screen, including Netflix’s Insatiable and Fear Street: Part Two – 1978. Biggs, of course, is best known for the American Pie films, but he’s also appeared in Orange Is the New Black and recently appeared in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

    Production on Fantastic Four is expected to kick off next year. The film is slated to hit theaters on Feb. 14th, 2025.

    Source: Deux Moi, via Reddit

  • ‘Red Sonja:’ Rhona Mitra Joins, Oliver Trevena Exits

    ‘Red Sonja:’ Rhona Mitra Joins, Oliver Trevena Exits

    As production continues on Red Sonja, the film looks to be experiencing a bit of a shake-up with its cast. Deadline reports that Rhona Mitra is joining the production, as Oliver Trevena has been forced to exit the project. Details regarding who Mitra is playing are unavailable, but Trevena is said to have left the project over scheduling conflicts. The news comes just days after Millennium Media revealed the first official look at Matilda Lutz as the titular character.

    Mitra has appeared in films such as Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, Game Over, Man!, and Skylines. While on the television side, she’s starred in shows like Supergirl, where she played Mercy Graves, and The Strain.

    Starring alongside Lutz in the film are Wallis Day, Robert Sheehan as Draygan, Michael Bisping as Hawk, Martyn Ford as General Karlak, Eliza Matengu as Amarak, Manal El-Feitury and Katrina Durden. M.J. Bassett (Solomon Kane) is directing the film from a screenplay penned by Joey Soloway (Transparent) and Tasha Huo (Netflix’s Tomb Raider).

    As of now, the film does not have a set release date.

    Source: Deadline.

  • REVIEW: ‘The Curse of Bridge Hollow’

    REVIEW: ‘The Curse of Bridge Hollow’

    When Disney released Halloweentown in 1998, it’s safe to say no one imagined how believed the Disney Channel Original Movie would be over twenty years later. It wasn’t a spooky film, and sometimes the acting was subpar, but there was something charming about the film and the inclusion of the iconic Debbie Reynolds as a witch didn’t hurt, either. A town with a supernatural secret. And an evil determined to take over the world if a young girl and her family don’t do something to stop it. Simple enough plot, right? Sure, but it was a charming movie that continues to delight even now. And Netflix’s latest movie, The Curse of Bridge Hollow feels like it could become the streaming giant’s Halloweentown.

    The Curse of Bridge Hollow focuses on Sydney and her family as they move from Brooklyn to a small town called Bridge Hollow. It’s a safe small town, which Syd’s mother adores. For Sydney, though, she quickly finds herself enthralled by the town’s love of Halloween, especially as her father has always refused to let the family celebrate it. After hearing a rumor that her new house is hunted, Syd sets out to find the truth and ends up unleashing chaos upon the small little town.

    Here’s the thing, there’s nothing super special about The Curse of Bridge Hollow. The plot is simple, the acting is sometimes so-so, and the writing can leave something to be desired. But! It’s a delight that families are sure to eat up. A charming tale of a daughter and her father as they uncover supernatural secrets of their new town? Perhaps it’s not the easiest of sells, especially when that father despises Halloween, but Marlon Wayans and Priah Ferguson are a dynamic duo. The movie’s tone feels reminiscent of Halloweentown, and that’s far from a bad thing. In fact, like that Disney movie, Bridge Hollow isn’t trying to be a masterpiece, it’s simply trying to entertain, and it does so with ease. Those looking for a spooky Halloween title will be disappointed, but those in search of something more light-hearted with an occasional thrill with delight in Bridge Hollow.

    The Curse of Bridge Hollow knows what it wants to be and thrives on its willingness to let loose. It doesn’t try to take itself seriously, and it’s a refreshing change of pace. There are some legitimately creepy character designs – let’s just say Clowns – but most of the haunted decorations are family-friendly. Kids will adore this Halloween movie that feels like a classic in the making. It’s far from perfect, but the occasional hiccup is acceptable with a movie that understands how to have fun.

    Those with children should definitely give The Curse of Bridge Hollow a watch as Halloween nears.

  • ‘Marvel Zombies’ Episode Count Confirmed

    ‘Marvel Zombies’ Episode Count Confirmed

    In 2021, Marvel Studios announced that Marvel Zombies would be coming exclusively to Disney+. Since then, however, details regarding the animated series have been sparse. Now, thanks to an interview with Comicbook, it looks like we at least know the episode count for the series and it’s on the shorter side.

    While at New York Comic Con, the folks at Comicbook were able to speak with writer Zeb Wells who revealed some brief information regarding Marvel Zombies. Wells noted that, while he didn’t work on the zombie episode of What If…?, he did work on its spinoff series, Marvel Zombies, which he says will consist of four episodes. Unfortunately, like the rest of us, he’s unsure when the series will actually hit Disney+. Well did, however, state that it’s “looking really cool.”

    In July, it was revealed that the forthcoming series would be rated TV-MA for mature audiences. As of now, a release date has not yet been announced, but it’s expected to be released sometime next year.

    Source: Comicbook.

  • Ryan Reynolds, Qui Nguyen Developing Film Based on ‘Society of Explorers and Adventurers’

    Ryan Reynolds, Qui Nguyen Developing Film Based on ‘Society of Explorers and Adventurers’

    Another theme park attraction is getting the movie treatment. On Thursday, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Ryan Reynolds was teaming up with Strange World co-director Qui Nguyen to develop a movie based on Society of Explorers and Adventurers. Nguyen will pen the screenplay for the film, which will be a live action take, while Reynolds will produce through his Maximum Effort banner.

    This marks the second project centered around the Society of Explorers and Adventurers attraction. A Disney+ series is also in the works from executive producer and writer Ron Moore (For All Mankind). It’s said that Moore’s project will exist within the Magic Kingdom Universe, while Nguyen’s film will add “alternative angles to SEA mythology in present day by adding a new supernatural element to the history and following new characters not present in the original SEA lore.”

    The Society of Explorers and Adventurers, or the SEA, first launched in Tokyo Disneyland before expanding to Hong Kong Disneyland. The attraction has a rich mythology to it that “sees its founding in 1538 in Italy and expanding around the globe as an organization that consists of not only explorers and adventurers but also scientists, artists, and travelers.” Disney is hopeful to launch a new franchise with the film.

    Reynolds, of course, is prepping for Deadpool 3, the first Deadpool movie to be a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Production is expected to kick off sometime next year. While Nguyen has Strange World up next with Disney in November. He penned the screenplay and co-directed the film starring Jake Gyllenhaal. Prior to that, Nguyen also wrote the screenplay for Raya and the Last Dragon.

    Source: THR.

  • ‘Black Adam’ Writers on Bringing Lesser-Known DC Characters to the Big Screen

    ‘Black Adam’ Writers on Bringing Lesser-Known DC Characters to the Big Screen

    After being attached to the role for over a decade, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is finally set to debut as Black Adam in the character’s solo film later this month. The film will serve as an introduction to lesser-known characters like Doctor Fate, Cyclone, Atom Smasher and Hawkman. For the film’s writers, Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani, it didn’t matter whether or not these characters were well known – they simply wanted to introduce “great” characters on screen.

    While walking the film’s red carpet on Wednesday, Haines explained that introducing these characters was a collaborative effort. As he explains, it isn’t only about their screenplay, but it also comes down to the studio and the director sharing their vision for these characters.

    We think about these characters as, “Hey, here’s some great characters that hopefully an audience will enjoy. And of course we’re working with the studio and with Jaume, the director, and, of course, DJ, who is also super entrenched in this material, so really it’s a collaborative effort.

    Rory Haines

    While Haines noted the collaborative effort it took to really create these characters on screen, Noshirvani noted that the duo wasn’t really concerned with using well-known characters. Instead, it was all about taking characters they felt were generally great characters as they felt the audience would connect with them more.

    At the end of it, we’re not worried about how well-known they are, we just want to make sure they’re great characters first. Cause if they’re great characters, the fans will connect with them.

    Sohrab Noshirvani

    Black Adam is set to hit theaters on Oct. 21st. It is currently on track to earn between $70 million and $75 million.

  • Jake Choi Joins ‘Vacation Friends’ Sequel at Hulu

    Jake Choi Joins ‘Vacation Friends’ Sequel at Hulu

    After scoring Hulu’s biggest opening weekend for an original title back last year, Hulu is moving ahead with a sequel to Vacation Friends titled Honeymoon Friends. The film starred Lil Rel Howery, Yvonne Orji, John Cena and Meredith Hagner as two couples who meet while on vacation in Mexico, only to have their lives take a surprising turn after returning home. While details regarding the sequel are sparse, Deadline has confirmed that Jake Choi (Single Parents) has joined the sequel’s cast.

    Choi is said to be playing a hotel group exec named Yon. The character is described as being dour and confident and is said to talk a big game and make it a point to cut down Marcus (Howery) from the moment they meet. The duo eventually form a bond and become friends, but not without plenty of chaos along the way.

    Choi is perhaps best known for his role on ABC’s Single Parents where he starred as Miggy. Prior to that, he starred in Ry Russo-Young’s adaptation of Nicola Yoon’s young adult novel The Sun Is Also a Star. He recently wrapped production on World’s Best for Disney and is set to appear in Please Baby Please.

    Clay Tarver, who directed Vacation Friends, returns to direct Honeymoon Friends from a screenplay by Tom Mullen, Tim Mullen, Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley.

    Source: Deadline.

  • DC’s ‘Legion of Super-Heroes’ Sets its Cast

    DC’s ‘Legion of Super-Heroes’ Sets its Cast

    DC has set its cast for its animated Legion of Super-Heroes movie. The Hollywood Reporter has announced that Meg Donnelly (The Winchesters), Harry Shum Jr. (Shadowhunters), Darren Criss (Glee), Matt Bomer (White Collar), and Jensen Ackles (Supernatural) have joined the cast.

    Donnelly will voice Supergirl/Kara, Shum Jr. will voice Brainiac 5, and Criss will lend his voice to the Man of Steel, Superman. Bomer, who currently stars in DC’s Doom Patrol series, is on hand to voice The Flash, while Ackles has been set as Batman. Also cast in the film are Cynthia Hamidi as Dawnstar, Gideon Adlan as Phantom Girl, Ely Henry as Bouncing Boy, Robbie Daymond as TimberWolf & Brainiac 4, Yuri Lowenthal as Mon-El, Eric Lopez as Cosmic Boy & Chemical King, Darin De Paul as Brainiac & Solomon Grundy, Ben Diskin as Arms Fall off Boy & Brainiac 2, Victoria Grace as Shadow Lass, Jennifer Hale as Alura, Daisy Lightfoot as Triplicate Girl and Zeno Robinson as Invisible Kid & Brainiac 3.

    The synopsis for the film hints at Kara struggling to adjust to her new life on Earth after the loss of Krypton, and her life at Legion Academy.

    The story picks up as Kara, devastated by the loss of Krypton, struggles to adjust to her new life on Earth. Her cousin, Superman, mentors her and suggests she leave their space-time to attend the Legion Academy in the 31st century, where she makes new friends and a new enemy: Braniac 5. Meanwhile, she must contend with a mysterious group called the Dark Circle as it searches for a powerful weapon held in the Academy’s vault.

    Jeff Wamester (Green Lantern: Beware My Power) directs the film from a script by Josie Campbell (Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous). The animated film, which hails from Warner Bros. Animation, DC and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, is slated to be released next year.

    Source: THR.

  • Indira Varma Joins ‘Dune: The Sisterhood’

    Indira Varma Joins ‘Dune: The Sisterhood’

    Game Of Thrones and Obi-Wan actress Indira Varma has joined the cast of Dune: The Sisterhood. The news was first revealed by Deadline with the outlet noting she’s set to portray Empress Natalya, who is described as “a formidable royal who united thousands of worlds in her marriage to Emperor Corrino.” The actress will join the previously announced Emily Watson and Shirley Henderson.

    The Sisterhood takes place 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides and focuses on the Harkonnen sisters as they “combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect known as the Bene Gesserit.”

    Varma can next be seen in the Apple TV+ anthology series Extrapolations. She’s also set to star in next year’s Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning – Part One. She recently starred as Tala Durith in the Disney+ series, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Other credits to Varma’s name include the animated series The Legend of Vox Machina and the Prime Video series Carnival Row.

    Diane Ademu-John (The Haunting of Bly Manor) serves as the creator, writer, co-showrunner and executive producer for Dune: The Sisterhood. She’ll work with Alison Schapker (Lost) who also serves as co-showrunner and executive producer. Johan Renck (Chernobyl) is set to direct the pilot episode and will also serve as an executive producer. Denis Villeneuve (Dune) is also executive producing with Jon Spaihts, Scott Z. Burns, Matthew King, John Cameron, Cait Collins and author Brian Herbert.

    Source: Deadline.