Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Nicole

  • The CW Passes on ‘The 100’ Prequel Series

    The CW Passes on ‘The 100’ Prequel Series

    The untitled prequel to The 100 is not moving forward at the CW.

    After two years in development, the project now appears to be dead. The project was to hail from The 100 showrunner Jason Rothenberg and was initially given the green light back in 2019. The 100, of course, was one of the network’s biggest titles prior to its ending last September.

    The untitled prequel received a backdoor pilot during The 100‘s seventh, and final, season. While the CW did not order it to series last May, the project was being kept alive to be reworked. The plan was for the series to run concurrently on the CW and HBO Max, per Deadline.

    Earlier this year, CW president Mark Pedowitz remained hopeful the series would see the light of day. “Discussions are still happening,” he said during the network’s upfronts. Unfortunately, it appears the project did not unfold as hoped.

    The prequel was to be set 97 years before the events of The 100. It would have started with the end of the world following a nuclear apocalypse that wipes out most of Earth’s human population. The prequel would have focused on a band of survivors on the ground who must learn to cope in a new world where they’ll have to fight to create a new and better society from the ashes of what came before.

    It’s of note that while Iola Evans, Adain Bradley and Leo Howard appeared in the backdoor pilot, their options expired over a year ago.

    The 100 ended its seven season run on the CW in Sept. 2020.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Superman & Lois’ Will Serve as a Lead-In for ‘Naomi’ on the CW

    ‘Superman & Lois’ Will Serve as a Lead-In for ‘Naomi’ on the CW

    The CW is making Tuesdays a DC night for fans. The network unveiled its upcoming midseason schedule. Superman & Lois will serve as a lead-in to Naomi to help launch its newest DC Comics adaption.

    The second season of Superman & Lois kicks off on Jan. 11 at 8pm. During its premiere, Superman & Lois pulled in an impressive 3.25 million viewers. However, the viewership declined, as with most shows. By season’s end, the show was pulling in under 1 million views, with a less-than-stellar 0.2 in the all-important 18-49 demographic and 891,000 viewers. Still, for a CW show, those numbers are rather normal. The decision to have Naomi follow the series when it returns, however, could prove beneficial to both series.

    Naomi, of course, is based on the DC Comic of the same name. It is a drama that focuses on a high schooler (Kaci Walfall) who discovers her hidden destiny after a supernatural event affects her hometown. The series was developed by Ava DuVernay, who serves as an executive producer alongside Jill Blankenship (Arrow).

    Source: THR

  • ‘Wicked’ Movie Adds Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande

    ‘Wicked’ Movie Adds Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande

    After years of being in development, the Wicked movie has finally found its leading ladies. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande will star in Universal’s adaptation of the hit musical being directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians). Erivo is playing Elphaba, while Grande is playing Glinda.

    The news was shared by the duo over social media, with the actresses sharing videos of their reactions on Instagram. Both Grande and Erivo also shared photos of flower arrangements they sent to one another expressing their excitement over working together.

    Wicked has been in development since 2004 when Universal first announced its plan to bring the hit musical to the big screen, just a year after the Broadway musical debuted. The story is based on the 1995 novel of the same name by author Gregory Maguire and is a take on Wizard of Oz. It tells the story of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.

    Production is set to kick off in Summer 2022 in the UK.

    Source: THR

  • EXCLUSIVE: ‘Manifest’ Season 4 Start Date, Plus New Character Breakdown

    EXCLUSIVE: ‘Manifest’ Season 4 Start Date, Plus New Character Breakdown

    Manifest is heading to Netflix for Season 4 after three seasons on NBC. The show that was once canceled, then nearly brought back by NBC before Netflix picked it up, has had its share of delays heading into production. Now we can exclusively reveal Season 4 is tentatively preparing to start production on November 18th.

    Along with the production start date, we can also reveal Manifest is looking to cast a character named Henry Kim. The role calls for an Asian male between the ages of 50-80 years of age. The character must appear frail and thin and speak English with a noticeable accent. The casting call is specifically calling for a visually impaired actor. Henry is a character who has been through numerous trials and tribulations but remains a fighter. The role is that of a recurring character. 

    Like with most Netflix productions, the streaming service is enforcing mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations to ensure a safe production/set. All who submit tapes for casting calls must confirm they’ve been vaccinated, or submit proof of a disability preventing them from being vaccinated.

    Production on Manifest Season 4 will kick off in New York in a couple of weeks.

  • BREAKING: Gael Garcia Bernal Boards Marvel Studios’ Werewolf by Night

    BREAKING: Gael Garcia Bernal Boards Marvel Studios’ Werewolf by Night

    Gael Garcia Bernal is joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

    Per The Wrap, the actor is set to headline the forthcoming Disney+ Halloween Special from Marvel Studios believed to be Werewolf by Night. Details on the forthcoming project are sparse, however, production is slated to begin in early 2022.

    With the project thought to be Werewolf by Night, it seems likely the actor is playing the Jake Gomez iteration of the character. Gomez, of course, was the second Werewolf by Night of the character, having debuted in Werewolf by Night #1 by Taboo, Benjamin Jackendoff and Scot Eaton. Prior to Gomez, there was Jack Russell, the first Werewolf by Night, who was created by Gerry Conway and Mike Ploog and first appeared in a 1972 issue of Marvel Spotlight.

    Bernal is a huge get for Marvel Studios and Disney+. The Mexican-born actor has built up quite a resume throughout his career, having starred in Coco for Disney, as well as nabbing the leading role in Amazon’s critically-acclaimed Mozart in the Jungle. He most recently starred in M. Night Shyamalan’s Old. Up next for the actor is the HBO Max miniseries Station Eleven, based on Emily St. John Mandel’s novel of the same name.

    Prior to Bernal’s casting, it was thought Marvel Studios was eyeing Anthony Ramos (In the Heights, Hamilton) for the leading role.

    Source: The Wrap

  • Marvel Studios’ ‘Eternals’ Pulled From Release in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait

    Marvel Studios’ ‘Eternals’ Pulled From Release in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait

    Marvel Studios’ Eternals is no longer releasing in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait or Qatar. Per The Hollywood Reporter, the film was banned from being released in the three countries do the inclusion of a same-sex couple in the film.

    Eternals was originally slated to hit theaters in the Gulf Region on Nov. 11, shortly after its release in the United States. However, the film has been quietly removed from appearing on websites in the three countries. Interestingly, though, it is still showing as coming soon in the United Arab Emirates.

    The ban comes as Disney was given a series of edit requests to make on Eternals to adhere to the local censors. Disney, however, refused to comply with the requests, resulting in the film being pulled from release. While not on the record, it’s thought one of the requests was to cut the on-screen kiss between Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry) and his on-screen husband Ben (Haaz Sleiman).

    Phastos, of course, is the first gay superhero to appear within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which makes the on-screen kiss between the two characters monumental. Unfortunately, though, because homosexuality is still illegal across the Gulf, the depiction of it in the film was always going to ruffle some feathers.

    Eternals hits theaters tomorrow. It is directed by Chloé Zhao and stars an ensemble cast including Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Don Lee, Harish Patel, Kit Harington, Salma Hayek and Angelina Jolie. 

    Source: THR

  • Gal Gadot Says They’re Working on the ‘Wonder Woman 3’ Script Now

    Gal Gadot Says They’re Working on the ‘Wonder Woman 3’ Script Now

    Yesterday, Netflix held the red carpet premiere of Red Notice, which hits the streaming service later this month. On hand to promote the film was one of its stars, Gal Gadot, who is best known for playing Wonder Woman these days. While the second installment of the Wonder Woman franchise, Wonder Woman 1984, wasn’t as well-received as the first film, DC and Warner Bros. quickly greenlight the sequel following the film’s success on both HBO Max and in theaters.

    The last we heard about Wonder Woman 3 was during DC’s FanDome when director Patty Jenkins confirmed the project was moving forward. However, thanks to Gadot, we now have a better idea of how things are going on the third installment. During an interview with Variety, Gadot confirmed the script for Wonder Woman 3 is being worked on now.

    When asked when Wonder Woman 3 would hit theaters, Gadot seemed as unsure as fans. “I can’t tell you yet,” she says. “But we’re working on the script.”

    As to whether or not she could provide more details, Gadot teased that DC was watching, explaining that people would “come down from the roof” and take her away if she said anything else.

    Director Patty Jenkins is returning to direct Wonder Woman 3 for DC and Warner Bros. with Gadot reprising her role as the titular hero once again. No release date has been set.

    Source: Variety

  • Gal Gadot in Final Talks to Play Evil Queen in ‘Snow White’

    Gal Gadot in Final Talks to Play Evil Queen in ‘Snow White’

    Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?

    Gal Gadot and Disney are joining forces. Per Deadline, the Wonder Woman actress is in talks to play the Evil Queen in its live-action Snow White. According to Deadline, Gadot is in final negations for the role. The actress is coming off the highly anticipated Red Notice, which hits Netflix later this month.

    Disney reportedly took its time to find the perfect actor for the role of the Evil Queen, however, the studio always had its eye on Gadot. Deadline reports Gadot was excited at the prospect of joining the likes of Angelina Jolie and Cate Blanchett, who have played iconic villains in live-action Disney remakes of its animated classics. (Jolie was Maleficent, while Blanchett was the stepmother in Cinderella.) Unsurprisingly, there were scheduling issues to work out, but it seems a deal was made this week.

    Along with her forthcoming turn as the Evil Queen, Gadot is returning for the third installment of Wonder Woman for Warner Bros. and DC. It seems likely Gadot will film Snow White before Wonder Woman 3.

    Marc Webb (The Amazing Spider-Man) is directing Disney’s live-action Snow White, while Marc Platt (Legally Blonde, Dear Evan Hansen) is producing. Production kicks off next year.

    Source: Deadline.

  • RUMOR: ‘Moon Knight’s Production Designer Stefania Cella Joins Marvel Studios’ ‘Blade’

    RUMOR: ‘Moon Knight’s Production Designer Stefania Cella Joins Marvel Studios’ ‘Blade’

    While a release date has not yet been announced for Marvel Studios’ Blade, it seems the studio is moving full steam ahead on the project. Back in July, it was revealed that Mogul Mowgli director Bassam Tariq signed on for the project. He’ll be working from a script by Stacy Osei-Kuffour (HBO’s Watchmen), who joined the project back in February.

    As it stands, the only cast member attached to the film is Mahershala Ali, who was announced to be playing the character at SDCC back in 2019. With casting still underway, the Marvel Studios film looks to be building its crew. A new rumor from Geek Vibes Nation suggests Stefania Cella will serve as the production designer on Blade. Cella has previously worked on Moon Knight for Marvel Studios, as well as Sony’s forthcoming Morbius adaption.

    https://twitter.com/GeekVibesNation/status/1455958078516498435?s=20

    As of this writing, Blade does not have an official release date.

    Production is expected to kick-off on the project sometime next year.

    Source: Twitter, IMDb

  • Carole Baskin Sues Netflix for Using Footage of Her in ‘Tiger King 2’

    Carole Baskin Sues Netflix for Using Footage of Her in ‘Tiger King 2’

    Carole Baskin is suing Netflix.

    As Tiger King 2 readies to hit the streaming platform, Baskin is suing the streaming giant for using footage of her in the second season. Baskin and her husband, Howard Baskin, filed a lawsuit in Florida against Netflix on Monday. Variety was able to uncover some of the documents in which Baskin alleges she only signed on for a single season.

    Per Baskin, Netflix breached their contract by using footage of her and her husband in Tiger King 2. The court document states that footage of the Baskins and Big Cat Rescue was only contracted for the initial documentary. “The Baskins believed that any sequel – though odious – would not include any of their footage.”

    Footage of the couple, however, was used in the trailer to promote the upcoming second installment hitting the streaming service this month. “By utilizing the film footage of the Baskins and Big Cat Rescue secured by Royal Goode Productions under the Appearance Releases in ‘sizzle reels’ and promotional trailers for the sequel entitled ‘Tiger King 2,’ the Defendants are in breach of the terms of the Appearance Releases.”

    Baskin also described how the documentary was something different than what was originally pitched to her when they made Tiger King. During production on that project, Baskin believed it to be an exposé of the big cat breeding and cub petting trade along the lines of Blackfish. Instead, she felt as though the show focused far too much on Joe Exotic.

    It’s unclear what’ll happen with Tiger King 2 slated to debut on Nov. 17.

    Source: Variety