Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Torbjorn Frazier

  • ‘Solar Opposites’ and ‘Koala Man’ Creative Teams Discuss Relationship with Hulu

    ‘Solar Opposites’ and ‘Koala Man’ Creative Teams Discuss Relationship with Hulu

    With Hulu having further developed its base of original adult animation content, the question can permeate of how much of a presence does the streaming service have in overseeing the content it distributes. Luckily for the creative teams behind the likes of Solar Opposites and the upcoming Koala Man, the Disney majority-owned platform appears to have a strong tolerance for what can be included in these shows. Murphy’s Multiverse had the opportunity to sit down with the head creative figures of these two shows during San Diego Comic-Con last week, and they offered some insight regarding their working relationship with Hulu. Justin Roiland, co-creator of Solar Opposites and executive producer on Koala Man, even went on to discuss his fortune when it comes to this dynamic.

    I’m really lucky to have partners at Hulu, and all the folks I’m working with, and even at Adult Swim. Everyone that believes in it and is chill. Obviously, Rick and Morty was the foot in the door to get us to Solar Opposites. And then our relationship with Hulu… we’re all friends with the network executives, it’s really a magical thing that is not always the case. There’s certain places where the executives, there’s a very adversarial line. But they (Hulu) trust us and on Solar, we get to do what we want to do. We get notes here and there, but they will let us address them how we feel best to address.

    Justin Roiland

    This concept was further confirmed by specific members of creative team members on both of the series respectively. Specifically, a theme permeated in the writer’s rooms trying to push the boundaries of what they could get away with, only to learn that Hulu was fully on board with keeping the creative process unfettered. Solar Opposites co-creator Mike McMahan and Koala Man executive producer Dan Hernandez both addressed this topic.

    Sometimes we’re like ‘Can we try to piss Hulu off?’ And then we never do, but the episodes come out like we were trying to, which I really like…We’ve tried to get Hulu to tell us ‘no,’ and they just won’t do it.

    Mike McMahan

    There were a few times where we got to ‘Could we do that?’ And Hulu was like ‘Sure, sounds good.’ And I was like, ‘I can’t believe they let us do that.’ It’s been amazing to be at Hulu where there’s nothing that’s holding us back from telling the funniest, best stories that we can think of.

    Dan Hernandez

    Ultimately, this seems to be a good sign that Hulu will remain a strong home for the high concept and daring projects that creative minds such as Justin Roiland and Michael Cusack can concoct. This is certainly the case as seen with the consistent success of Solar Opposites and the high anticipation that has built for the upcoming Koala Man.

    This interview was done in conjunction with Saturday Morning Cereal, Pixelated Geek, and JVS Media & Productions.

  • ‘Koala Man’ Executive Producers Preview Upcoming Series

    ‘Koala Man’ Executive Producers Preview Upcoming Series

    Hulu will be the home to the latest creation from the mind of animator Michael Cusack, a rising star within the field based on the cult followings from various recent projects. Koala Man follows middle-aged dad Kevin and his not-so-secret identity, whose only superpower is a burning passion for following the rules and snuffing out petty crime in the town of Dapto. During the past weekend’s San Diego Comic Con events, Murphy’s Multiverse had the opportunity to sit down with Cusack, alongside executive producers Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez to discuss the upcoming series.

    Michael Cusack and Benji Samit discussed how this project serves as a major step towards creating a project appealing to a more general audience, but also maintaining the goal of keeping the content of the show generally in line with the content of Cusack’s previous work.

    Koala Man is the experiment in doing something more mainstream, more for a broad audience. But still trying to keep that edge that I had on YouTube and with other projects. But seeing how to marry that with something that’s a bit more serialized.

    Michael Cusack

    I sort of took it as a mission to take Michael (Cusack)’s Youtube, AdultSwim energy…which is also funny and good, but bringing it to a half-hour family sitcom adventure, superhero thing. To bring in a bigger audience and widen it, but also not lose sight on what makes Michael uniquely Michael.

    Benji Samit

    One element of this series that stood out during the interview was the creative team discovering a surprisingly emotional core to the show that has helped define Koala Man as a truly distinct entity in the universe of Michael Cusack projects and adult animation at large. Executive Producers Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez both discussed this topic.

    We’re also really proud that the show is weirdly very optimistic and very emotional…Koala Man really loves his family, and really loves his town, and really cares about other people in a kinda earnest, almost naive kind of way sometimes. I think there is a sweetness to the show that is a little bit unexpected in the adult animated space.

    Benji Samit

    One of the cool things with the show is that it kinda sneaks up on you that it’s a superhero adventure. And that by the end of the season, you’re like ‘I’m really invested in the story of what’s happening and I really didn’t expect that’. And that was intentional on our part. That was something that we really spent a lot of time talking about. I think a lot of the time, the more seriously that you take something, the more funny it is and that it can actually offer it at the same time. And I think that this has been a real experiment in that. So at least for me, when I watch the finale, I’m emotionally moved.

    Dan Hernandez

    Koala Man is produced by 20th Television Animation and will be released on Hulu. The main cast consists of Michael Cusack, Hugh Jackman, Rachel House, Jarrad Wright, Claudia O’Doherty, Michelle Brasier, and Natalie Tran. And this past Thursday’s San Diego Comic-Con panel confirmed the additions of Sarah Snook and Demi Lardner to the principal cast. 

    This interview was done in conjunction with Saturday Morning Cereal, Pixelated Geek, and JVS Media & Productions.

  • ‘Creed III’ Moved to 2023

    ‘Creed III’ Moved to 2023

    Fans will have to wait slightly longer to return to the Rocky franchise and the story of Adonis Creed. MGM’s Creed III has officially shifted its release date by approximately five months from November 23 to March 3, 2023. This will now lead to a release date showdown with Paramount Picture’s Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.

    Creed III marks Michael B. Jordan’s third time portraying the character of Adonis Creed on the big screen. In addition, Jordan will be sitting in the director’s chair to helm this sequel film, marking his feature filmmaking debut. Production for the film commenced in early 2022 and wrapped by the middle of the year. Tessa Thompson and Phylicia Rashad will be returning as Creed’s girlfriend and stepmother, respectively. While Jonathan Majors has been cast as Anderson Dame, who seemingly will serve as the main antagonist for the film.

    One notable element of this new film is that it will mark the first time Sylvester Stallone will not be portraying the iconic Rocky Balboa character in the franchise. Creed II ended with Balboa visiting Vancouver to make amends with his estranged son and have the opportunity to meet his grandson. This mirrored the themes of Adonis Creed coming to terms with the complicated legacy of his father in the same film.

    The Creed films thus far have been a relatively successful financial success with the first earning $173 million and Creed II increasing to earning $214 million at the box office.

    Source: Variety

  • ‘Solar Opposites’ Executive Producers Discuss Creative Process for the Series

    ‘Solar Opposites’ Executive Producers Discuss Creative Process for the Series

    Solar Opposites recently released its third season, consisting of 11 episodes, on Hulu, and much praise has been given to the extremely high concept ideas that are presented and the overall strong writing from the adult animated series. During this past weekend’s San Diego Comic-Con events, Murphy’s Multiverse had the opportunity to sit down with series co-creator Mike McMahan and executive producers Josh Bycel and Danielle Uhlrik to talk about the creative and writing process behind Solar Opposites. McMahan opened the interview by discussing the ultimate creative freedom the team has and their ability to formulate absurd pitches into tangible content. 

    Half the time, I’ll pitch an insane thing, Joshua (Bycel) will go, ‘Well we can’t do that,’ and we’ll spend the day thinking how we can do it.

    Mike McMahan

    A good portion of the “insane” ideas that end up being folded into the series come from a deep lexicon of film and television references. Both Danielle Uhlirk and Josh Bycel spent some time talking about these inspirations that permeate in the writer’s room.

    We love TV and movies so much that the more we can break the rules, the better. And then we are just surprising ourselves, because, at the end of it, we are just trying to entertain ourselves in the (writer’s) room.

    Danielle Uhlrik

    So many times, so many of the nods or the homages are only things that we like that no one else is asking for. Like no one was asking for us to do a storyline about Sylvester Stallone’s movie Daylight, but we thought it was funny and Mike (McMahan) and I liked it.

    Josh Bycel

    With that in mind, Mike McMahan brought up the advantages that the animation medium has in being able to reach these unpredictable concepts that the creative team produces.

    When you’re watching an animated show, you know right at the beginning…it isn’t going to be a ‘standard’ show. So how are we going to wield that? Executives always ask, ‘Why is this animated?,’and for us, it’s because you’re never going to predict what happens in the show.

    Mike McMahan

    Josh Bycel also took some time to discuss the joy he and the writing team get to have in getting to branch out into various genres of film and television for this show, even within their distinct background of comedy.

    When we get to do The Wall stuff and now with this new season, SilverCops…for us it’s so fun as we get to cosplay being drama writers. We’re like nerdy comedy writers that no prestigious drama would ever hire, but we get to do our own prestigious drama with tiny little people eating Peeps.

    Josh Bycel

    On the concept of The Wall, Mike McMahan revealed that the Solar Opposites team still has large amounts of story to be told from that arc that will cover a good portion of the show’s future.

    I think for The Wall, we have at least two or three more seasons figured out, but luckily it’s such an open book. Because you can switch the genre and because it’s just little people in a society…it’s like a video game in a way. We can always adjust it and change it, we just have to introduce new villains and new heroes and let time pass. The one thing we push the breaks on is we don’t want to jump ahead, it’s more funny to us to be like ‘Okay, now the Cherie character has a baby, but next season it can’t be a teenager, that almost has to be a toddler and let it be a slow, unexpected serialized thing.’ But then because we get to genre-change all the time, it feels like a different Oscar-movie thriller every year which we never get to write that stuff as comedy writers. It’s like a whole new sandbox, and we never run out of ideas

    Mike McMahan

    If Solar Opposites is able to maintain the high level of creative quality it has exuded thus far for the multiple future seasons of content the writing team has accounted for, Hulu could have a long-term success story on their hands. All three seasons of Solar Opposites are currently available to watch on Hulu and a fourth is currently in development.

    This interview was done in conjunction with Saturday Morning Cereal, Pixelated Geek, and JVS Media & Productions.

  • Book Review: ‘Squirrel Girl: Universe’

    Book Review: ‘Squirrel Girl: Universe’

    The latest adventure for the ever-popular Squirrel Girl is heading towards bookstores in the not too distant future. I’ve had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of the latest novel in Simon & Schuster’s Marvel Heroines series. Squirrel Girl: Universe by author Tristan Palmgren is scheduled to be released on August 2, 2022.

    Squirrel Girl: Universe follows the story of Computer Science student Doreen Green, though best known as the superhero Squirrel Girl, on her latest adventure alongside her best friends as they aim to solve a mystery involving strange occurrences involving New York City landmarks. What they come to encounter becomes a plot larger than they could’ve imagined and brings the characters to numerous unexpected locations beyond their comfort zones. Their journey brings the protagonist face to face with impending massive universal stakes and potential galactic doom. Though while having to deal with such large external stakes, the internal struggles with Doreen could weigh just as large.

    Ultimately, Squirrel Girl: Universe was an enjoyable read that has the ability to leave the audience excited for what narrative twists and turns may occur. And this is a novel that certainly places its characters in unexpected situations on multiple occasions. Framed through the literary device of a time capsule, the novel does a strong job in making these events seem like the largest-scale adventure Squirrel Girl faces in her young life as a superhero. Readers will face a major challenge in trying to put down this book based on what may happen after each chapter. In addition, this novel is quite fast-paced and readers are immediately thrown into the crux of the main adventure by the end of the first chapter.

    A make-or-break for the reader’s opinion on this book will be its connection to the larger Marvel Universe. This is a story deeply tied into the lore of Marvel Comics, including numerous references beyond the scope of Squirrel Girl’s immediate world and lexicon. It isn’t enough to necessarily dissuade most readers from being able to appreciate the central plot of the novel, but Squirrel Girl: Universe would certainly be most appreciated by those who can understand at least most of the references sprinkled in throughout.

    In terms of which character will most likely connect the most with readers, Brian Drayne, aka Brain Drain certainly is the most distinct and unique character that’s part of Squirrel Girl’s ensemble. Especially with how he is framed from a literary standpoint, he will be hard to not connect with when reading the novel.

    Though what makes this novel most standout is its thematic messaging. Without delving too deep into the specifics, Squirrel Girl: Universe is a story about internal guilt and how we respond to making the incorrect decision. It’s a challenge often found in humanity, and this novel serves as a resonant way for young readers to have a better understanding of how to deal and move past mistakes made. What makes some of the best young adult novels so powerful is the ability to hold deeper philosophical discussions with the backdrop of some sort of fun action set-piece. And Squirrel Girl: Universe adeptly accomplishes this task with both excitement and heart.

    The Verdict: Squirrel Girl Universe is absolutely worth a purchase for any young adult who is an avid reader, and especially one that already has a penchant for the Marvel Universe. The one caveat might be that a reader could be even better served to have at least some understanding of the Squirrel Girl character before jumping into this novel. Though past that, Tristan Palmgren has successfully provided young adults with an exciting superhero adventure worth reading about.

  • ‘Koala Man’ Writers Preview the Scope and Creative Freedom of their Upcoming Series

    ‘Koala Man’ Writers Preview the Scope and Creative Freedom of their Upcoming Series

    Animator Michael Cusack‘s universe is expanding with the upcoming release of Koala Man. Murphy’s Multiverse had the opportunity during San Diego Comic-Con to sit down with the YOLO and Smiling Friends creator, alongside writers Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit to discuss the new superhero animated series coming to Hulu. Cusack started by providing a template of what to expect in terms of the scope of this new world.

    It’s usually low stakes, relatable kinda small town things that I’ve experienced or other writers experienced. Not just from Australia, but small towns too…and using small stakes, low stakes situations and seeing where they can go. Either they go big and surreal or we commit to the low stakes and see where that goes too. It’s a sandbox where we can just do what we want.

    Michael Cusack

    As someone who has been involved with various bombastic, adult-oriented animations in his career, Cusack and the writer’s team provided some insight into the tone that we can expect from the project.

    It’s good to have the freedom for sure. In saying that, it doesn’t mean that we’re like ‘oh we can do anything so it’s got to be as gratuitous as we want’. It’s not really that hardcore adult. It’s really just an elevated Simpsons in a way.

    Michael Cusack

    They also highlighted how much creative freedom they had while working on it. So, no idea was shot down at any time throughout their time working on it.

    But I think that it is exciting to not limit where the story can go and how it can be expressed. Because sometimes in others’ writers rooms…you pitch something that’s hilariously funny and go ‘oh but we could never do that’. But that phrase was not uttered in the Koala Man writers room.

    Benji Samit

    Koala Man is produced by 20th Television Animation and will be released on Hulu. The main cast consists of Michael Cusack, Hugh Jackman, Rachel House, Jarrad Wright, Claudia O’Doherty, Michelle Brasier, and Natalie Tran. And Thursday’s San Diego Comic-Con panel confirmed the additions of Sarah Snook and Demi Lardner to the principal cast. 

    This interview was done in conjunction with Saturday Morning Cereal, Pixelated Geek, and JVS Media & Productions.

  • Justin Roiland on his Creative Collaboration on ‘Koala Man’ and ‘Solar Opposites’

    Justin Roiland on his Creative Collaboration on ‘Koala Man’ and ‘Solar Opposites’

    As someone deeply ensconced with numerous projects simultaneously, Justin Roiland is very much grateful for the creative relationships he has with collaborators on his various adult animation programs. While sitting down with Murphy’s Multiverse at San Diego Comic-Con, Roiland discussed his involvement with the creative team and the production behind the upcoming Koala Man series.

    I surround myself with amazing, talented people. For Koala Man, I’ve got Benji (Samit), Dan (Hernandez), and Michael (Cusack). Which that’s their thing, I’m very hands-off with that show. My whole thing was like ‘I just need Michael to have a show’ and so my job was to just get that show green-lit, and then to protect them from notes, and to protect them from…if there was anything that’s bumming them out, that they feel really strongly about, then they can call me and I can step in. And surprisingly, I haven’t had to do it that much because Hulu is so fucking chill. They believe in the show. They’re like ‘yeah this is great.’ But in terms of actually writing and the moment-to-moment and the writer’s room, I’m two arm-lengths away from it. I’m more of a fan of it.

    Justin Roiland

    Being able to have that level of distance between himself and the series shows the level of trust Roiland holds with his collaborators. It’s certainly notable to see an influential figure such as Roiland go to bat on that level for Michael Cusack in providing the outlet for him to have his own Hulu animated series. Roiland compared his involvement, and his trust in his collaborators, with Koala Man to that of his own series in Solar Opposites.

    And then for Solar Opposites, it’s Danielle (Uhlarik), Josh (Bycel), and Mike (McMahan), and our writers on that. And you know I’m closer to that one obviously, but still that show would not be as good as it is…we have all these amazing ideas coming from our other crew that feed into that show.

    Justin Roiland

    Justin Roiland certainly expresses a great deal of respect and trust in his creative co-workers. And with that, it’s not a surprise to see the developing success that has been established through this new era of adult-oriented animated projects with Hulu.

    This interview was done in conjunction with Saturday Morning Cereal, Pixelated Geek, and JVS Media & Productions.

  • Justin Roiland On Why He Prefers to Tell Alien-Based Stories

    Justin Roiland On Why He Prefers to Tell Alien-Based Stories

    A common theme found in the world of projects by Justin Roiland, between the likes of Rick and Morty and Solar Opposites, is the primary focus on alien characters and worlds. While some may view it as a simple creative coincidence, there is a deeper reason behind why Roiland comes back to them when developing his shows. While sitting down with Murphy’s Multiverse during San Diego Comic-Con, Roiland discussed this subject in detail.

    There’s no coincidence that a lot of my shows are alien-based. Because when you have an alien cast, it just eliminates a lot of identity politics and a lot of stuff goes out the window. And you can just focus on the characters underneath. And that’s how I live my life. I don’t care what you are, I just want to know who you are as a person and your heart and your brain.

    Justin Roiland

    Being able to distinctly take away the concept of identity politics from stories of character development is a fascinating concept in today’s day and age. The stigmas and biases from society can’t help but not be a major factor in how the world is viewed, and it especially can be pervasive in the analysis of artistic and entertainment content. By taking it away, Roiland has found his way to adeptly tell human stories through the means of setting them as different species within the universe. And with that in mind, Roiland’s point in this interview provides newer context to how his projects can be perceived.

    This interview was done in conjunction with Saturday Morning Cereal, Pixelated Geek, and JVS Media & Productions.

  • Adam Scott Joins Cast of ‘Madame Web’

    Adam Scott Joins Cast of ‘Madame Web’

    The cast of Madame Web continues to grow in recognizable star power. Fresh off his Emmy nomination for his lead performance in Apple’s hit series Severance, Adam Scott has joined the cast of Sony’s latest Marvel film. Sony declined to comment on the news and the nature of Scott’s role remains unknown at this time. Madame Web will features Dakota Johnson’s portrayal of the titular character alongside the likes of Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O’Connor, Isabela Merced, Emma Roberts, and Tahar Rahim. The film is being directed by S.J. Clarkson and currently is in production in Boston, Massachusetts.

    Not much is known about what this film will ultimately be about as the character of Madame Web hasn’t had much of anything in the way of a solo-based story in the comics. Industry insiders have speculated that this film will seeJohnson’s character essentially become the Sony version of Doctor Strange and tie into Spider-Man’s connection to the multiverse. Meanwhile, it’s also been suggested that Madame Web could end up being some different, secret project (whatever that may mean). Recent set photos revealed a probable early-2000s New York City setting for at least part of the film (which could hint at this film connecting with the Sam Raimi-directed universe of Spider-Man). 

    In addition, there have been some rumblings that Marvel Studios is involved with this film in some way. If this is accurate, it has the potential to be game changing both in terms of how the greater ensemble of Spider-Man characters could connect to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and for the working relationship between Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Scream 6’ Adds Samara Weaving and Tony Revolori to Cast

    ‘Scream 6’ Adds Samara Weaving and Tony Revolori to Cast

    The Scream franchise has officially expanded its ensemble with two marquee additions for its next film. As initially reported on by Bloody Disgusting and later confirmed by Deadline, both Samara Weaving and Tony Revolori have been cast in undisclosed roles for Scream 6. The latest installment in Paramount Pictures’ horror franchise is currently in production and is slated to release theatrically on March 31, 2023.

    In addition to the new names, Melissa Barrera, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, and Jenna Ortega return after appearing in the initial revival film earlier this year. In addition, this film will see the return of Hayden Panettiere to the world of Scream as her character Kirby Reed. Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett are helming this new film after their work on the most recent Scream film.

    The young Tony Revolori has established himself as a mainstay in the landscape of Hollywood and this currently untitled Scream sequel has the potential to continue to elevate him as a performer. He’s best known from his work as Flash Thompson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Spider-Man trilogy and especially for his critically acclaimed performance in Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel.

    Meanwhile, this film serves as a reuniting of Samara Weaving and directors Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett after working together on 2019’s Ready or Not. The comedy horror film served as a launching pad for Weaving’s career into more mainstream attention that she has been capitalizing on moving forward. As well, Weaving confirmed to Collider previously that she was approached for a role in this most recent Scream film, but scheduling conflicts prevented her from appearing.

    We were talking about it, but our schedules aren’t gonna work, which is a bummer. We talked about it a lot, but unfortunately, because of scheduling, I couldn’t do it. I’ll still be [in Australia], working on Nine Perfect Strangers, so we couldn’t make it work. Traveling is very difficult these days.

    Samara Weaving

    It certainly will be interesting to follow any further developments for Scream 6 in the year heading into its release and what it may mean for the future of the franchise.

    Sources: Bloody Disgusting, Deadline, Collider