Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Nicole

  • ‘Constantine’ Sequel Still Moving Ahead at Warner Bros.

    ‘Constantine’ Sequel Still Moving Ahead at Warner Bros.

    DC Studios officially unveiled its official slate earlier this month and noticeably absent was the previously announced Constantine sequel with Keanu Reeves. The film’s absence led many to believe the film was no longer in development, however, that does not look to be the case.

    According to Entertainment Weekly, Warner Bros. has confirmed that despite rumors suggesting otherwise, the sequel has not been scrapped. The news comes after reports stated that because the film wasn’t listed as part of DC Studios’ Chapter One slate, it was no longer in development. Many were quick to believe this to be the case as the sequel was ordered before James Gunn and Peter Safran, the heads of the newly formed DC Studios, took over DC’s future for Warner Bros. Discovery. It’s unclear how the film will fit in with DC Studios’ current plans, although DC will also offer the Elseworlds banners for films that fall outside the DCU continuity.

    Reeves, who starred in the first film, will return to reprise the titular role with director Francis Lawrence returning to direct the sequel. As of now, the film does not yet have a release date.

    Source: EW.

  • ‘Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches’ Renewed for Season 2

    ‘Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches’ Renewed for Season 2

    AMC has renewed Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches for a second season. The news comes halfway through the show’s first season, following the show’s performance thus far. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Mayfair Witches has averaged around 560,000 viewers from initial viewers. That’s ahead of Interview With the Vampire which tends to average around 490,000 viewers. As it stands, Mayfair Witches had the biggest series debut to date on AMC+ and, over its first 30 days, was the most-watched season of any series on the streamer.

    “We are thrilled with the reaction to this series, especially in the wake of the incredibly strong reception to Interview, and can’t wait to bring the fans second seasons of both series in this rich, vibrant and expanding universe based on the works of Anne Rice,” AMC Networks entertainment president and AMC Studios head Dan McDermott said in a statement to the press. “In a business in which ‘nobody knows anything,’ we knew what we were hoping for in terms of building a television franchise around these remarkable characters and stories, and to see these shows arrive and captivate viewers in the way they have is so gratifying and energizing for everyone involved, and there is so much yet to come.”

    Esta Spalding, who serves as the showrunner for Mayfair Witches, expressed their excitement over the renewal. “Anne Rice’s Lives of the Mayfair Witches is a sumptuous epic tale that we’ve only begun to explore. I’m so grateful to the fans and viewers of the show who’ve given us the chance to continue telling this story.”

    Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches, which is based on Rice’s Lives of Wayfair Witches trilogy, follows doctor Rowan Fielding (played by Alexandra Daddario) who discovers she is the heir to a family of witches. Jack Huston, Tongayi Chirisa and Harry Hamlin star in the series alongside Daddario.

    Season 1 is expected to end its run on February 23rd, while production on Season 2 will begin later this year in New Orleans.

    Source: THR.

  • BOOK REVIEW: ‘Some Desperate Glory’ by Emily Tesh

    BOOK REVIEW: ‘Some Desperate Glory’ by Emily Tesh

    Some Desperate Glory is an emotional rollercoaster of a book, but it’s a ride readers will be glad they’ve taken when all is said and done. It is a fast-paced, action-packed space story. You will laugh. You will cry. You will question what you’re willing to do when the world is dependent upon you. More importantly, though, this book will break your heart and somehow put it back together at the same time.

    Some Desperate Glory by author Emily Tesh tells the story of a young girl named Valkyr, aka Kyr, and her life aboard Gaea Station. Earth as we know it is long gone, and Kyr and the rest of Gaea Station are humanity’s only hope at survival in an ongoing war against an alien race. It sounds like a simple premise, but there’s so much more to this story.

    Kyr is, admittedly, a pretty unlikable character for most of the book. She’s stubborn, unrelenting and gullible. It can be frustrating as the entire book is told from her point-of-view, but we get to see her grow and became something more. Is she likable in the end? Yes and no. She’s still an incredibly frustrating character, but there’s so much growth by the final pages, that her issues are easy to forgive. She’s a perfectly flawed character who is forced to learn how to live when faced with the possibilities of a world beyond what she knows.

    While a strong story, though, there are some hiccups in the book. The worldbuilding can be lacking occasionally, and sometimes, the way the story jumps around can make it difficult to follow. (This is an issue that happens later in the book.) But Tesh’s writing makes up for any shortcomings. She knows how to tell a fascinating story with complicated characters that you’ll both love and hate.

  • Amazon Developing ‘Tomb Raider’ Movie

    Amazon Developing ‘Tomb Raider’ Movie

    Hours after it was announced that Amazon’s Prime Video was developing a Tomb Raider television series with Fleabag‘s Phoebe Waller-Bridge penning the scripts, it appears there’s more in store for Lara Croft. The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that Amazon has won the film rights to Tomb Raider and is also developing a new film.

    Per the outlet, Amazon seems to have teamed up with Dmitri M. Johnson’s dj2 Entertainment to secure the film rights for Tomb Raider. It was previously announced in December that Amazon would also publish the next video game entry within the franchise. Amazon’s plan is to reportedly build out a connected world, much like with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, through television, film and video games. While financials regarding the deal are unclear, it’s thought that the deal is “among the largest commitments at Amazon after Lord of the Rings.” (Refresher: That deal ultimately cost Amazon $250 million just to secure the rights.)

    THR was able to confirm that, while Waller-Bridge is penning the television series, she does not look to be involved with the film or video game. The film seems to still be in the very early stages and as of now has no writer, director or talent attached to the project.

    Source: THR.

  • Phoebe Waller-Bridge Developing ‘Tomb Raider’ TV Series for Amazon

    Phoebe Waller-Bridge Developing ‘Tomb Raider’ TV Series for Amazon

    Tomb Raider is heading to the small screen. The Hollywood Reporter revealed on Friday that Phoebe Waller-Bridge is currently developing the project as part of her overall deal with Amazon. While the project is still very much being developed, it’s said that Waller-Bridge will pen the scripts. She is not expected to star in the series, though. Waller-Bridge will also executive produce the project along with the former head of comedy and drama, Ryan Andolina, and the former head of overall deals, Amanda Greenblatt. 

    This will mark the latest attempt to bring Lara Croft to life in live-action. Angelina Jolie previously starred in two films as the archaeologist, while Alicia Vikander starred in a 2018 film that was originally set to receive a sequel. That project, which had Lovecraft Country‘s Misha Green set to pen the script, was ultimately scrapped when MGM lost the film rights last year.

    Fans of the series will not only be getting a new live-action take thanks to Amazon, but also a brand new video game installment. Back in December, it was revealed that Amazon Games would publish the next video game within the Tomb Raider franchise. As of now, that project does not have a release date.

    Source: THR.

  • ‘The Last of Us’ Renewed for Season 2

    ‘The Last of Us’ Renewed for Season 2

    HBO has renewed The Last of Us for a second season. The series, which stars Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, is an adaptation of the video game series of the same name. Since its premiere earlier this month, The Last of Us has quickly become a breakout hit for HBO, amassing an astounding 22 million viewers across all platforms.

    “I’m humbled, honored, and frankly overwhelmed that so many people have tuned in and connected with our retelling of Joel and Ellie’s journey. The collaboration with Craig Mazin, our incredible cast and crew, and HBO exceeded my already high expectations. Now we have the absolute pleasure of being able to do it again with season two!”

    Neil Druckmann, Executive Producer

    To date, the series has only aired two episodes, with the third set to premiere this Sunday. However, the adaptation of The Last of Us looks to be connecting with viewers. Episode 2 reportedly jumped 22% in the overnight ratings compared to the first episode across HBO and HBO Max.

    Mazin, who serves as the showrunner on the project, expressed his gratitude to those involved in the project as well as the fans of the show. “I’m so grateful to Neil Druckmann and HBO for our partnership, and I’m even more grateful to the millions of people who have joined us on this journey.”

    The Last of Us is expected to tackle the second video game, The Last of Us: Part II, for its second season. Season 1 of The Last of Us consists of nine episodes, with a new episode dropping every Sunday.

    Source: THR.

  • Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni to Star in ‘It Ends With Us’ Adaptation

    Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni to Star in ‘It Ends With Us’ Adaptation

    Author Colleen Hoover‘s best-selling novel, It Ends With Us, is heading to the big screen. Deadline reported on Thursday that Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are set to star in the adaptation for Sony and Wayfarer Studios. Along with starring in the film, Baldoni will also serve as the director.

    Baldoni and Wayfarer optioned the rights to Hoover’s novel back in 2019. The book continues to dominate the bestseller lists and is a phenomenon on BookTok on TikTok. Hoover’s hashtag on TikTok has been viewed over 2 billion times, and the novel has been on the New York Times Best Seller List for over 90 weeks and earned the title of the top-selling print book in 2022. Hoover, who currently has multiple titles on the bestseller list, will consult on the film adaptation.

    Lively will play Lily, a young woman who is looking to start her life after finishing college, while Baldoni will play Ryle. As things begin to grow between Lily and Ryle and she finds herself falling for him, her ex, Atlas, soon appears to try and challenge their budding relationship.

    Lively is best known for Gossip Girl. She’s set to make her directorial debut with the adaptation of Bryan Lee O’Malley‘s Second, with the script being penned by writer-director Edgar Wright. While Baldoini is perhaps best known for Jane the Virgin, although he has recently moved behind the camera with an adaptation of Five Feet Apart.

    Source: Deadline.

  • Ayo Edebiri Joins Marvel Studios’ ‘Thunderbolts’

    Ayo Edebiri Joins Marvel Studios’ ‘Thunderbolts’

    Ayo Edebiri is set to join the cast of Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts. The news was revealed on Thursday by Deadline with the outlet revealing Edebiri’s role is being kept under wraps. The actor is coming off of the critically-acclaimed FX series, The Bear, where she plays Sydney Adamu. She has also appeared in Dickinson and has lent her voice to Netflix’s hit series, Big Mouth.

    Thunderbolts is set to mark the actor’s first big studio role. She recently appeared in Theater Camp, which recently premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and sold to Searchlight for $8 million. She also has the second season of The Bear coming this summer to Hulu. The Bear proved to be Edebiri’s big breakout, even earning her a Critics Choice nomination.

    Edebiri will join a cast that already includes Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan as Winter Soldier, David Harbour as Red Guardian, Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, Wyatt Russell as US Agent, and Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster. And while recent reports have suggested otherwise, Hannah John-Kamen still seems locked to return as Ghost.

    Jake Schreier will direct Thunderbolts from a script by Black Widow writer Eric Pearson. The movie is currently slated to hit theaters on July 26, 2024.

    Source: Deadline.

  • ‘Doom Patrol’ and ‘Titans’ to End on HBO Max

    ‘Doom Patrol’ and ‘Titans’ to End on HBO Max

    It’s official, after months of speculation, it has been confirmed that Doom Patrol and Titans will end their runs on HBO Max. Originally designed as DC Universe exclusives, the shows were moved to HBO Max after DC Universe shifted its focus to comics. The current fourth seasons of both series will be their last. Luckily, for fans of the series, though, the producers on both shows expected the decision and were able to give the shows a proper ending for fans.

    “While these will be the final seasons of Titans and Doom Patrol, we are very proud of these series and excited for fans to see their climactic endings,” an HBO Max spokesperson said in a press release to The Hollywood Reporter.

    “We are grateful to Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television for making such thrilling, action-packed, heartfelt series. We thank Titans showrunner Greg Walker, executive producers Greg Berlanti, Akiva Goldsman, Sarah Schechter, Geoff Johns, Richard Hatem, and the team at Weed Road Pictures. For Doom Patrol, we celebrate showrunner Jeremy Carver and executive producers Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Geoff Johns, Chris Dingess and Tamara Becher-Wilkinson. For four seasons, fans have fallen in love with the Titans and Doom Patrol, investing in their trials and tribulations, and in their legendary battles saving the world time and time again.”

    Source: THR.

  • Roiland Dropped from ‘Solar Opposites,’ Loses Overall Deal at 20th Century Animation

    Roiland Dropped from ‘Solar Opposites,’ Loses Overall Deal at 20th Century Animation

    A day after it was announced that Adult Swim has cut ties with Rick & Morty co-creator Justin Roiland, Hulu has decided to follow suit. Roiland, who voiced Rick & Morty on the Adult Swim series, also helped to co-create Solar Opposites for Hulu. Solar Opposites, renewed for a fourth season, will continue, but Roiland will no longer be attached due to his domestic assault charge.

    The news was announced on Wednesday with The Hollywood Reporter confirming that Roiland’s overall deal with 20th Century Animation is also no more. “We have ended our association with Justin Roiland,” Hulu and 20th TV Animation revealed in a statement to the press.

    With 20th Century Animation and Hulu cutting ties with Roiland, he will also no longer be involved in Koala Man. That series recently launched on Hulu and hails from creator Michael Cusack and showrunners Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez. Roiland has also willingly resigned from Squanch Games, the video game developer he helped to co-found.

    While Rick & Morty is set to recast the titular characters for the remaining 40 episodes left from the show’s renewal back in 2018*, Hulu hasn’t officially announced its plans regarding who will voice Korvo in future episodes of Solar Opposites. (The renewal for Rick & Morty at the time was for 70 episodes overall.)

    Source: THR.