Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Nicole

  • Universal Television Adapting YA Novel Series ‘We Were Liars’

    Universal Television Adapting YA Novel Series ‘We Were Liars’

    Julie Plec and Universal Television are teaming up to adapt a trio of bestselling titles from author E. Lockhart. Per Deadline, Plec and Universal Television have acquired the rights to We Were Liars, Family of Liars and Again Again.

    We Were Liars is described as a tragic love story and amnesia thriller that is set on a privately owned island off the coast of Massachusetts. It features a “beautiful and distinguished family,” and a “brilliant, damaged girl” and a “passionate, political body.” The book has become a TikTok phenomenon and has been on the New York Times bestseller’s list for the past twenty-two months. 

    Family of Liars, one of the books optioned, is a prequel to We Were Liars. It brings readers back inside of the world crafted in We Were Liars and sees another generation during another summer, featuring brand new secrets that’ll haunt them for decades to come.

    While Again Again is a story about a girl named Adelaide Buchwald who finds herself catapulted into a wild summer following a near-fatal family catastrophe. Like We Were Liars and Family of Liars, Again Again features plenty of secrets while also exploring the possibilities of love and the “grandiosity of the human mind.”

    “I’ve chased We Were Liars for years,” Plec said in a statement to Deadline. “It’s one of the best YA novels I’ve ever read, and I’ve read a lot. It’s mysterious, romantic and devastating — and Family of Liars showed me just how sprawling and multi-generational the series can be. Being able to adapt it for television is a career highlight for me — not to mention how thrilled I am to bring the lovely, intimate, emotional journey that is Again Again to life with Carina and the Emilys (Lockhart and Cummins).”

    Carina Adley MacKenzie, who worked with Plec on Roswell New Mexico and The Originals, will co-write the adaptation of Again Again with Lockhart. And while Plec is set to adapt both We Were Liars and Family of Liars, MacKenzie will serve as the showrunner on the series with Plec on board as an executive producer.

    Source: Deadline

  • Rob Zombie’s ‘The Munsters’ to Release on Blu-Ray and Streaming Ahead of Netflix Debut

    Rob Zombie’s ‘The Munsters’ to Release on Blu-Ray and Streaming Ahead of Netflix Debut

    When the first trailer for Rob Zombie’s The Munsters reboot dropped, it left many viewers confused by its tone and visuals. At the time, the trailer simply teased a September release. Now, it looks like not only is the film skipping theaters for Netflix, but it’ll also hit digital and Blu-Ray ahead of its Netflix debut.

    Zombie’s The Munsters reboot will be available for digital purchase and Blu-Ray as of Sept. 27th. While no clear date has been announced as to when fans can expect it on Netflix, it is confirmed to be hitting the streaming service sometime later this year. The digital, Blu-Ray and DVD copies will include over an hour of Collector’s Edition bonus content that includes behind-the-scenes footage with Zombie and his cast, as well as commentary by Zombie.

    The Munsters is based on the ‘60s black-and-white sitcom of the same name. Zombie’s film reboot stars Jeff Daniel Phillips as Herman Munster, Sheri Moon Zombie as Lily Munster and Daniel Roebuck as Grandpa. Butch Patrick and Pat Priest, who were a part of the original series, also appear in the reboot. Fans can also expect an appearance by Cassandra Peterson, best known as Elvira, who will be playing a real estate agent named Barbara Carr.

    News of Zombie’s The Munsters reboot was first announced by our team here at Murphy’s Multiverse in March 2021. 

  • Christina Ricci to Play Harley Quinn in New DC Podcast

    Christina Ricci to Play Harley Quinn in New DC Podcast

    The Hollywood Reporter has announced that Christina Ricci will be starring in a brand-new podcast from Spotify and Warner Bros. alongside Billy Magnussen and Justin Hartley. Ricci will voice Harley Quinn, while Magnussen will voice The Joker and Hartley will voice Batman. Production is currently underway on the series.

    The podcast series, titled Harley Quinn & The Joker: Sound Mind, will tell Harley’s story from her point of view, rather than the Joker’s. It begins with Quinn, still known as Dr. Harleen Quinzel, as she tries to help the patients at Arkham Asylum that the others have given up on helping. Her desire to help others, including her sick father, will see Dr. Quinn make questionable decisions for the sake of others – including building a relationship with a man known as ‘Patient J.’ Her decision to trust him will lead the duo down a dangerous path that will change their lives forever.

    This marks the second audio series to be released through the multiyear licensing deal between Spotify and Warner Bros./DC, with Batman Unburied being the first. Batman Unburied, which stars Black Panther actor Winston Duke, has already been renewed for a second season.

    Harley Quinn & The Joker: Sound Mind hails from Homecoming’s Eli Horowitz. As of this writing, no release date has been announced.

    Source: THR

  • Report: Henry Cavill Could Make an Appearance at DC’s Hall H Panel

    Report: Henry Cavill Could Make an Appearance at DC’s Hall H Panel

    Comic-Con International officially kicks off this Thursday, and while Marvel Studios looks to be readying some surprises for fans, it looks like Warner Bros. and DC might have an even bigger surprise in store. In its breakdown of what to expect from SDCC this weekend, Deadline seemed to tease the long-awaited return of Henry Cavill as the Man of Steel.

    According to the outlet, there is currently buzz that Cavill will show up to make a surprise appearance and talk about Superman. Cavill’s future as Superman has been uncertain ever since the Justice League movie. It seemed doubtful he’d get to don the cape again, especially as it was confirmed Warner Bros. – prior to the merger with Discovery – was working on multiple Superman projects, including a reboot with Ta-Nehisi Coates on board to pen the script. The status of that project is currently unknown, as Warner Bros. Discovery has been revamping its planned DC slate in recent months.

    While Cavill has been busy starring in Netflix’s hit series, The Witcher, the actor has made it clear he’s ready to put the cape back on. In May 2021, a report from The Hollywood Reporter suggested Warner Bros. and DC were looking for a new actor to portray Superman in the DC Extended Universe. Perhaps it is possible those plans have since changed? After all, with David Zaslav now leading the way, Warner Bros. Discovery looks keen to overhaul DC’s film slate. For now, fans of Cavill’sSuperman should make sure to follow DC’s panel on Saturday, just in case. And if he doesn’t show, well, there should be plenty of news hitting regarding both Black Adam and Shazam: Fury of the Gods.

    Source: Deadline.

  • Jennifer Kaytin Robinson Pitched on ‘The Marvels’ Before Landing ‘Love and Thunder’

    Jennifer Kaytin Robinson Pitched on ‘The Marvels’ Before Landing ‘Love and Thunder’

    With Thor: Love and Thunder now heading into its third weekend, those involved with the fourquel are finally opening up on what it was like behind the scenes. For Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, who saw her big break with MTV’s critically acclaimed Sweet/Vicious, the journey to Thor: Love and Thunder was an interesting one. The writer revealed in an interview with Variety that she’d gone in to pitch for another Marvel Studios film before landing the fourth Thor movie.

    “I actually pitched to write ‘Captain Marvel 2,’” Robinson tells Variety. “And off of that pitch, they were like, ‘So we’re not giving you this job. We’re going to pair you with Taika and you’re going to help him on ‘Thor.”’

    Of course, Captain Marvel 2, which is now titled The Marvels, ended up being written by WandaVision writer Megan McDonnell. Although Robinson didn’t get to write a Captain Marvel sequel, she was more than happy to adapt the Mighty Thor storyline from the comics. “What an amazing thing to be able to show a superhero with cancer and really not shy away from the ugliness of it and the things that are hard about it, but also really being able for this character to shine,” she explained. “A lot of the conversations were like, “How do we do this justice and how do we put something on screen that’s going to mean something and resonate with cancer survivors?”’

    While Love and Thunder has been quite divisive among both fans and critics, Robinson and her co-writer, director Taika Waititi seemed to get along great. The duo worked well together, even with Waititi being known to throw out the script during filming. As Robinson notes, though, despite Waititi’s unusual approach on set, he makes sure to retain the core of the story at all times. “He threw out his own work,” she explained. “We really sat in rooms and Zooms together for months and months and months, and then we would get there, and we would rehearse it, and — “throw it out” is the wrong word. I mean, he does throw it out, but the core is still there. I would say he pluses — he can’t help but always try to plus. I can’t imagine Taika is ever going to write something and be like, “It’s done and we’ll shoot it.”

    Thor: Love and Thunder is currently playing in theaters.

    Source: Variety.

  • ‘Moon Knight’ Star Joins the “Scorsese vs. Marvel” Conversation

    ‘Moon Knight’ Star Joins the “Scorsese vs. Marvel” Conversation

    For fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the casting of Ethan Hawke in Moon Knight was surely a surprise as he’d been critical of superhero projects in the past. For Hawke, he didn’t like that superhero films – including Marvel films – were highly praised as though they were arthouse projects. When it came to Moon Knight, though, Hawke felt the project was interesting enough to join, especially with Oscar Isaac as the leading man. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t mean he’s fully taken back his comments, though.

    In a new interview with Indiewire, Hawke commented on the “Scorsese vs. the MCU narrative.” The actor noted that people like Scorsese and Coppola deserve to be able to speak their truth regarding films and how there are more important things than making money. 

    “It’s easy for them, but it needs to be somebody in the community saying, “Hey, everybody, this is not Fanny and Alexander,” he explained. “If you keep reviewing these movies that are basically made for 14-year-olds like they’re Fanny and Alexander or Winter Light, then who the hell’s going to get to make Winter Light? I appreciate the elder statesmen of the community reminding people not to set the bar too low. I know it makes some people think they’re stuck up, but they’re not stuck up.”

    That isn’t to say he didn’t have a good experience with Moon Knight, of course. For Hawke, it was important that he – along with Isaac – play in Marvel’s sandbox while still showing the studio what they’re capable of. “I said to Oscar Isaac, “We’ve got to go play in Marvel’s sandbox and try to do what we do. We don’t have to change Marvel. We just want to show them what we’re capable of doing and see if they find it interesting,”’ Hawke explained. “So we had a lot of rehearsals and worked on things a lot. We had a really good experience.”

    While Hawke might not agree that Marvel is director friendly, he insists the studio is actor friendly. “They might not be director-friendly, and that could be what Scorsese and Coppola are talking about. But they love actors. I think Kevin Feige had a great thing happen with Robert Downey Jr. and he understood that Downey’s passion was a large part of the success,” the actor said. “When actors are excited by a part, audiences get excited about watching them. Feige understood the algorithm there, so they’re extremely respectful toward the process.”

    As of now, it is currently unknown if a second season of Moon Knight is happening. Nothing had been announced, and all involved with the Disney+ series have suggested they’ve heard nothing from Marvel Studios as of yet. If the series returns, though, Hawke is uncertain if he’ll return as he isn’t a fan of long-term commitments. “I protected myself because I didn’t know what it was going to be. I just wanted to know what that sandbox was like. And it’s what young people are watching, so why are we going to sit there and tell them it’s not good?”

    Moon Knight is currently streaming on Disney+.

    Source: Indiewire.

  • SDCC Will Require a Health Pass and Mask for Attendance

    SDCC Will Require a Health Pass and Mask for Attendance

    Those planning on attending San Diego Comic-Con will have to adhere to health and safety protocols. It was announced today that anyone attending San Diego Comic-Con – whether it be fans or vendors – will be required to wear a mask while in attendance. All parties will also be required to provide verification that they are fully vaccinated or provide proof of a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours.

    Attendees will need to download a health pass through Clear, which will be used to verify testing and/or vaccination status while at the convention. All of those who follow protocol and verify that they’re either vaccinated and/or negative with their health pass will then be given a wristband allowing entry into the convention. There will reportedly be three wristband stations on site to try and make things move smoother. Interestingly, though, there’s no mention of testing being provided on-site.

    Those that do not adhere to the health and safety protocols in place will be removed from the convention – this includes those that opt to remove their face masks. “This policy is in place to ensure the health and safety of all fans. Security will be on-site to support adherence to the policy.”

    In order to avoid any confusion, Comic-Con has made it clear, too, that masks will need to cover the nose and mouth completely and fit snugly against the sides of the face.

    The decision to enforce masks at the convention shouldn’t be too surprising, of course. California is still a hotspot for COVID, and in a space where people are often on top of one another, it is important to try to keep all in attendance safe, especially as the BA.5 variant is going around.

    This year’s Comic-Con kicks off on July 21st and runs through July 24th.

  • ‘The Hunger Games’ Prequel Adds ‘Game of Thrones’ Alumni

    ‘The Hunger Games’ Prequel Adds ‘Game of Thrones’ Alumni

    Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes has added yet another impressive name to its cast. Deadline reports that Game of Thrones alumni Peter Dinklage has joined the cast as Casca Highbottom, who is the dean of the Academy.

    “Dean Highbottom is one of the most powerful people in Snow’s life. As the austere and vindictive face of the games, he sets the rules that will determine every aspect of Coriolanus’s fate. I’m thrilled that Peter will be bringing him to life,” director Francis Lawrence said in a statement to Deadline.

    Dinklage joins a cast led by Tom Blyth, who will play the young Coriolanus Snow, and Rachel Zegler, who plays tribute Lucy Gray Baird. Also starring in the film are Josh Andrés Rivera, Hunter Schafer, Jerome Lance, Ashley Liao, Knox Gibson, Mackenzie Lansing, Aamer Husain, Nick Benson, Laurel Marsden, Lilly Cooper, Luna Steeples, Hiroki Berrecloth and Jason Schwartzman. Production on the Hunger Games prequel is currently underway, with the film slated to hit theaters next year.

    “With production underway, we couldn’t be more excited about the way this cast has come together and thrilled to be welcoming Peter Dinklage to Panem. Peter is not just a fan favorite actor who brings a commanding presence to every part he plays,” Nathan Kahane, President of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group told Deadline. “He is one of the best actors alive. He will bring a formidable, charismatic authority to the important role of the dean of the Academy.”

    The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes follows an  18-year-old Coriolanus Snow, long before he became the president of Panem, as he becomes the last hope for his fading lineage, a once-proud family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With the 10th annual Hunger Games approaching, Snow is alarmed to find he’s assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird, a young girl from District 12 – the same district Katniss is from in the original series. Like Katniss, Lucy is defiant, but Snow finds a way to turn the odds in their favor as they race to survive and ultimately reveal who is a songbird, and who is a snake.

    The film will be released into theaters on Nov. 17th, 2023.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Star Wars: Clone Wars’ Writer to Adapt ‘Grounded’ as an Animated Series

    ‘Star Wars: Clone Wars’ Writer to Adapt ‘Grounded’ as an Animated Series

    Deadline has announced the videogame Grounded is being adapted into a television series. The videogame, which is an Xbox exclusive, is being adapted for television by Star Wars: Clone Wars writer Brent Friedman. He’ll craft the story for Halo director Brien Goodrich, currently attached as a director on the project.

    The game was released for early access in July 2020. Since then, it has amassed over 10 million plays. The full version of Grounded will be released this September. The game follows four friends who have big plans before they start high school to help elevate their social standing. Unfortunately, though, their plans are soon upended after they stumble upon shrinking technology that leaves them two inches tall. Now, the four friends face a new obstacle: the backyard full of predators as they uncover a corporate conspiracy threatening their town.

     “We couldn’t be more excited about diving into the whimsical universe of Grounded. This partnership will be one of great collaboration, expanding on an already wonderful journey of exploration and adventure,” Tina Chow, the CEO of Bardel Entertainment said in a statement to Deadline.

    “The team at Obsidian have created an incredible world that has already grabbed the attention of the gaming community. We are excited to work with our incredible partners to bring the story to life in an animated series,” added Carl Whiteside, MD, WP/SC Productions.

    The animated adaptation of Grounded is being produced through Obsidian Entertainment and Xbox in association with Waterproof Studios/SC Productions, Kinetic Media, and Bardel Entertainment. As it stands, the series does not look to have a network attached.

    Source: Deadline

  • REVIEW: ‘Love Accidentally’

    REVIEW: ‘Love Accidentally’

    Freevee’s Love Accidentally is everything fans expect from a Hallmark movie, but perhaps not in a good way. This cheesy romance is an easy watch, but it’s far from good. While the cast is decent – Brenda Song is the leading lady – the film is impractical and poorly acted.

    Love Accidentally follows Song’s Alexa Parker as she seeks to earn a promotion at her job. This being a cheesy rom-com, however, Parker finds herself facing competition in Aaron O’Connell‘s Jason, who will do absolutely anything to earn the promotion over Parker. They despise each other, so naturally, their story soon turns into a mysterious love story, right? (This is not a spoiler as it is evident in the trailer.) It’s a love story that sees plenty of issues as it unfolds, and ultimately ends with the truth being unveiled.

    After her boyfriend dumps her in a restaurant on her birthday, Parker accidentally drops her phone into liquid and ruins it. Even worse? She forgot to back it up in the cloud, so when IT gives her a new phone, she’s lost all of her contacts. Eager to talk to her friend about her broken heart, Parker texts a number she believes to be her friend, only to discover it is a wrong number. That wrong number? None other than Jason, who was also dumped earlier in the day. They spend the rest of the movie secretly texting – well, using voice to text – throughout the rest of the movie, failing to realize who they are talking to all along. At last, not for some time.

    It’s a very cliché storyline, which is fine. Romantic comedies are great when they embrace clichés and Love Accidentally would’ve easily been one of them if the story was stronger. While the whole voice to text thing was more than likely used to keep the audience engaged, it does come across as awkward, especially when they’re doing it in public and spelling their hearts out to one another. It’s an odd choice, and in it is those moments were the acting seems to suffer because of how awkward it is. Song and O’Connell make for an attractive couple, but there is absolutely no on-screen chemistry between the two of them. It’s all the more evident in the final moments they share together on screen. They work well with the banter part of the film, but when they’re brought together and supposed to share a connection, it fails to come across the screen.

    The film was written by Robert Dean Klein, whose biggest film is perhaps Little Fish, Strange Pond, and directed by Peter Sullivan, who has directed a slew of television movies. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with two men working on a romantic comedy, there are eyeroll worthy moments in the film that feel like this was written by men who had no business crafting a romantic comedy. There’s a comment made in the film regarding the leading man’s reading material, where a character dubs it chick-lit and gives him crap for reading it. It’s a scene that feels entirely unnecessary; it serves no real purpose other than to get a jab in.

    In the end, Love Accidentally has all of the ingredients for a cute romance, but the film doesn’t know what to do with them. Overall, the basis of the story just feels unrealistic and it is made all the worse by the poor acting. It might not be the worst rom-com out there, sure, and I did enjoy it to an extent… but it’s painful to watch at times. Still, Love Accidentally is not the worst way to spend a rainy afternoon.