Category: Features

What to Expect from Lucasfilm at D23 Expo 2022

Disney’s second Studios Showcase at D23 2022 looms large as both Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm are set to roll out first looks and announcements for their upcoming slates. We’ve taken a shot at predicting what Marvel Studios might get up to on stage in Hall D23, now it’s Lucasfilm’s turn.

Big Indy Energy

Perhaps the biggest news expected to come out of the Studios Showcase surrounds James Mangold’s Indiana Jones film. After a number of setbacks over the years, Indy V is set to release in theaters on June 30, 2023, nearly 4 years after its original target date. An all-star cast surrounds the legendary Harrison Ford in this one, so bringing them onstage to reveal the official title of the film and a teaser (there have been rumors that one is in the works) would make for a big splash for one of Lucasfilm’s largest non-Star Wars properties.

Bad Batch Bash

A second season of The Bad Batch is coming soon, but how soon? Originally, it was expected that the sophomore season of the animated series would drop on Disney + on September 28th; however, much has changed since then that could impact the series, most notably, the Star Wars live-action series Andor saw its release date pushed back nearly a month. With that change and no official word from Lucasfilm about when to expect the Batchers’ Season 2 exploits, fans aren’t entirely sure what to expect. That should all change at D23. An updated trailer and a release date are entirely reasonable expectations for a series that is all but a lock to premiere before the end of the year.

The Further Adventures of Willow Ufgood

The Disney Plus streaming series Willow was rolled out at Star Wars Celebration back in May and hasn’t been heard from since. Currently set to debut on the service in November, Willow has to be in the plans for D23. The first trailer was pretty nostalgic, so a second trailer that provides a bit more of an idea of what the series is all about is probably in order. It wouldn’t be too surprising if the star of the series, Warwick Davis, were on hand for something. Davis has a wonderful relationship with Lucasfilm, so if there’s an opportunity for him to be there, he certainly would be.

Mando and Ahsoka Updates

It is probably far too early for publicly released teasers/trailers for Season 3 of The Mandalorian and/or Ahsoka and those two projects were front and center at Star Wars Celebration back in May, but that doesn’t mean fans at D23 won’t be seeing something! Expect footage to be shown from both series and HOPEFULLY some target windows for release. These two series are among the Crown Jewels of Lucasfilm’s properties and you can expect the studio to show them off and generate hype around them whenever possible.

Who’s on the Crew?

Production on Jon Watts‘ streaming series, Skeleton Crew, has been underway for over a month now and short of Jude Law, the cast of the coming-of-age story is completely unknown. In fact, everything about the series is wrapped up in mystery and short of a few decent rumors and leaks, fans just don’t have a lot of information about the show. One thing that is known, however, is that it’s filming in California, making it possible for that unknown cast to swing into Anaheim and be introduced to the D23 crowd. Even if they don’t take a break from filming to pop in, however, it seems fair to expect some sort of update on the series.

Double Visions

Season 1 of Star Wars: Visions, a non-canon animated anime-inspired anthology, became an overnight sensation when it streamed on D+. A second season of the series was announced at Star Wars Celebration and rumors have indicated it may still stream in 2022. The new season will expand its menu of cultural influences beyond anime and continue to introduce new characters, locations and stories. An announcement of a release date along with either a trailer or some concept art doesn’t seem like too much to expect.

Tales Teasers and Timeline

Expected to stream on D+ sometime this Fall, Tales of the Jedi has no official release date and no official trailer, though one did leak online along with the plots of all six episodes. Since the series was first shown off back in May, it’s commandeered quite a bit more attention than anyone probably expected. A trailer, which would be made public, and a release date certainly seem in order.

Answers about The Acolyte

The Acolyte is one of Lucasfilm’s most mysterious and most talked about streaming projects. Even though it’s set to begin principal photography in October, there’s been next to no official news about the project. As of now, only the series lead, Amandla Stenberg, has been officially revealed by the studios. All this means that the series could have a fairly major presence in the Hall D23 presentation, introducing the cast and giving fans a little better idea of what to expect and either confirming or shooting down those Darth Plageuis rumors.

Announcements

If everything listed above happened at D23, not only would it fill Lucasfilm’s portion of the 2-hour time slot, but also please even Star Wars fans. However, there are a couple of other pieces of low-hanging fruit that Lucasfilm could pluck that would really send fans away in a frenzy. A second season of Obi-Wan Kenobi is as sure of a thing as any Star Wars project, so why not announce it? Now that Taika Waititi has fulfilled his obligations to Marvel Studios around Thor: Love and Thunder, how about some information on his Star Wars film? Three titles were recently trademarked(The Great Circle, The Galactic Circle, and Circle of Resistance.) that fans believe are Star Wars-related and COULD indicate an announcement is imminent. Could one of them be Waititi’s film? And of course, there’s always the element of surprise and the option that something entirely new pops up, whether Star Wars-related or related to another one of Lucasfilm’s major IPs.

No matter how you slice it, D23 is shaping up to be a can’t-miss event for fans of Lucasfilm’s many properties.

August 27, 2022
What to Expect from Marvel Studios at D23 Expo 2022

True to his word, Kevin Feige over-delivered at SDCC ’22. Fans were given a glimpse at the overarching structure of the multi-phase Multiverse Saga, including titles and dates for the next two Avengers films, The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars. Throw in the announcement of the 18-episode Disney Plus streaming series Daredevil: Born Again, the date for the Fantastic Four reboot and a few other projects, and there was certainly something for everyone. With so much news coming out of SDCC, it’s hard to imagine anything could top it; however, that’s what I’ve been told in no uncertain terms that Marvel Studios plans to do at this year’s D23 Expo. What would it take to top SDCC’s extravaganza? Let’s take a look at what we MIGHT expect when Marvel Studios takes the stage as part of Disney’s Studio Showcase at 10:00 AMPT/1:00 PM ET on Saturday, September 10th.

Fantastic Reveals

Perhaps the biggest move left for the studio to make would be to announce the director and cast for Fantastic Four and bring them out on stage. With a tentative release date of November 8th, 2024 having been set at SDCC ’22, the studio also indirectly set up a production timeline. Traditionally, Marvel Studios prefers to give their director roughly a year to work with the studios before production, so having one on board by early September works nicely. Disney has been targeting D23 for this reveal for quite some time now, so here’s to hoping they have found their fits for the Fantastic Four!

DDC at D23

While Avengers: The Kang Dynasty was announced at SDCC ’22, the news that Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings director Destin Daniel Cretton had signed on to helm the project was revealed via a trade report just a few days later. Cretton was already on board to write and direct a Shang-Chi sequel and serve as an executive producer on the Disney + streaming series Wonder Man, so by taking on an Avengers film, he’s become one of the most important creatives of the Multiverse Saga. Having him at D23 would allow them to officially confirm his work on The Kang Dynasty, announce a date and title for the Shang-Chi sequel, which should arrive in 2025 ahead of The Kang Dynasty and officially announce Wonder Man and give it a target release window.

Holiday Road

Unbeliveably, Marvel Studios has two holiday specials due to hit Disney + over the last 4 months of 2022 and has yet to officially date either of them. James Gunn has publicly talked about The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special and Michael Giacchino has confirmed he’s working on the still-to-be-officially-named-but-called-Werewolf-By-Night special, but D23 should mark the first time fans really get an idea of what to expect. It would be shocking if fans didnt’ get to see some footage of both specials and if they weren’t both given release dates. It’s also reasonable to assume that the cast of these specials could be on hand, especially since in the case of the Guardians Holiday Special, they’ll be able to double dip and hype…

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Marvel Studios doesn’t really have “small films” anymore, but Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is going to see a massive publicity push from the studio and will almost certainly be one Marvel’s most emotional and talked about films since Infinity War and Endgame. If the cast is already on site for the Holiday Special, they’ll take some time to let the crowd salute them and likely show the same footage that was shown at SDCC. It’s a LITTLE early for this footage to become public, so expect this to be kept in the expo.

A New Look at Wakanda Forever

The first look at Black Panther: Wakanda Forever came at SDCC ’22. By the time D23 rolls around, that trailer will be 7 weeks old and there will only be 9 weeks left until the film hits theaters. That means it’s almost certainly time for a second trailer for the film and one that gives fans a bit more of an idea of what’s going on. Should the cast and creatives be on hand, it would also provide Ryan Coogler and Dominique Thorne an opportunity to discuss upcoming projects such as the Wakanda-centric streaming series, Ironheart and any other potential properties they might be attached to.

D+ Series Updates

Secret Invasion has completed additional photography and Marvel Studios has three Disney + series at different points in production in Echo, Loki Season 2 and Ironheart. Between Disney Plus Day on September 8th and the Studio Showcase on September 10th, it’s fair to expect major updates on these series and more. Marvel Studios could chose to finally address the casts of these projects, show some footage and give an idea of what might be going on in them. With Secret Invasion set to be the first D+ project in 2023, it’s very likely the footage from SDCC will be shown again and, POSSIBLY, even made public. However, any footage from the other series isn’t likely to hit the web.

Since this is Disney’ own convention, expect them to go big on not only the D+ stuff already in production, but to continue to emphasize how integral the streaming service is to Marvel Studios’ plans by addressing the next wave of projects as well. Details and casting information could drop for Agatha: Coven of Chaos and Daredevil: Born Again and Feige could fill out the empty slot in Phase 6 that currently looks to be made up of 8 streaming series spread out from late-2024 through Summer 2025. This means projects like Wonder Man, the Wakanda-centric project we like to refer to as Midnight Angels and a half-dozen more could be officially titled/announced. This could include second seasons of Ms. Marvel and Moon Knight as well as a handful of projects that have yet to be revealed and that long-awaited update on Armor Wars. Again, expect there to be a heavy D+ push between Disney Plus Day and the Showcase.

Major(s)-mania

Jonathan Majors will be the face(s) of the franchise over the next 3 years. His appearance at SDCC had the crowd on its feet and it’s likely he’ll be in attendance at D23 and get a similar reaction. It’s also likely he will be there with the teaser for Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania and it is POSSIBLE that with that film only 5 months away from D23, the studio could let the hype train start rolling by making sharing it on social and YouTube. If Majors in on site, expect some MAJOR teasing about his upcoming roles outside of Quantumania. Majors is a generational talent and Marvel Studios knows it. He’ll be a busy man over the next 3 years.

The Marvels

With a release date just shy of 10 months away from D23, fans shouldn’t expect a teaser to drop publicly, but there should be enough finished footage to give fans in attendance at the Expo something to think about. Maybe it’s part of a larger sizzle reel or maybe it gets its own part of the panel, but it’s hard to imagine Marvel Studios not giving this project a presence at D23, especially since it was largely absent from SDCC.

Blade

With production finally set to get underway in October of 2022, it’s time for Marvel Studios to give an official update on Blade. Other than finally getting a release date, the studios hasn’t provided any information on the film since it was announced at SDCC ’19. If Mahershala Ali were to pop out on stage and join Feige in announcing the cast of the film, it would really renew hype in the project.

Full Phase 5 and Phase 6 Slates

By the end of the panel, it is very reasonable to expect that all of Marvel Studios Phase 5 and 6 projects have been revealed. Much of that work will be done via the D+ announcements, but there are still 3 films (February 2024, February 2025 and July 2025) that haven’t been revealed. Expectations are that Deadpool 3, Shang-Chi 2 and Nova will fill those slots, but there could be another film that slides into one of those spots. However, there’s never been a more fluid time in production schedules than now, so fans almost have to expect dates to shift at this point. It’s also possible that since Feige basically has as much time as he wants (while the Showcase is scheduled to run 2 hours, the stage is open for another 3.5 hours afterwards), he could tease projects such as Captain America: New World Order and Thunderbolts by giving fans a little more info on what they might be about and who might show up.

The Surprise

Nothing contained in this article would come as a surprise to fans who follow Marvel Studios closely, thus the title and the premise that these things can be “expected.” What Feige has excelled at during these types of events, however, is dropping a bomb before heading off stage. At SDCC ’19, it was Blade. At SDCC ’22, it was the Phase 6 slate and the reveal of the Avengers double-feature to end it. What will he bring to D23? It wouldn’t be much of a surprise if anyone could tell fans ahead of time, but given the fact that by the time D23 hits fans will be aware that Bruce Banner/Smart Hulk has left Earth for Sakaar and the rumor that Disney would be able to distribute a Hulk film starting in 2023, it would be fantastic time for Feige to confirm that the rumors of a World War Hulk film are true! Early rumors had the film going into production late in 2022. Even if that slid into early 2023, it would still be possible for the film to meet the February 2024 release date. If not then, a pre-Secret Wars release date would be eminently possible.

August 26, 2022
How ‘WandaVision’ Proves Matt Shakman is a Great Choice for ‘Fantastic Four’

With the looming approach of D23 and the slew of major news that is likely to come from the event, many are anticipating an announcement on who will be directing Marvel Studios’ upcoming Fantastic Four film. Since Jon Watts stepped away from the project this past April, the question of who would helm this project has been ever-present in the cultural zeitgeist. This especially has risen again with the official announcement at San Diego Comic-Con of Fantastic Four kicking off Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with a November 8, 2024 release date.

Though it seems there may be an answer to this question with rumors gradually circulating that Matt Shakman will be overseeing Marvel’s first family. With this rumor coming to light, the response for the most part has been met with general optimism for what Shakman can bring to the table. Though the case can be taken one step further in that Matt Shakman would be a most fantastic (pun intended) choice to direct this film based alone on his previous experience with WandaVision.

When looking at why Matt Shakman is aptly qualified to helm the Fantastic Four remake for the MCU, the most obvious place to start is the director’s previous experience with Marvel Studios. For starters, bringing in the director of one of their most critically-received Disney+ projects is bound to turn heads in anticipation. On top of it all, Shakman’s work on WandaVision has showcased his ability to cultivate strong family dynamics in a limited time. Themes pertaining to “family” are arguably the most important component when developing a Fantastic Four project, and he’s definitely proven to have a talent for it.

Another notable component of WandaVision is the stylistic vintage pastiche it has to offer. The concept of visually recreating the aesthetics of classic sitcoms from the middle of the 20th century appealed greatly to make the series stand out during its run on Disney+. Considering there has been a contingent of fans that have long desired for Fantastic Four to be a period piece set in the 1960s to pair with the comic origins of the characters, it’s the perfect match.

Whether or not Marvel Studios would move forward with that creative direction is one thing, but it’s possible that Shakman’s directorial vision from the previous Disney+ series could help influence some type of 1960s vibe to help make Fantastic Four standout within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The other element that WandaVision also uses is its cosmic undertones, which the series maintained with the character arc of Monica Rambeau. One of the more surprising parts coming out of the series was how it leaned slightly more towards the concepts of science fiction in relation to Wanda’s supernatural abilities. Between the introduction of SWORD and the inclusion of Skrulls, WandaVision also has played an arguably equal part in setting up the cosmic side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with that of the mystical and multiversal.

With that in mind, it’s not a reach to think that Marvel Studios would at least consider Matt Shakman thanks to his experience with this corner of the universe. Given the X-Files-esque mystery elements of figuring out the science fiction phenomenon of the Hex, it would not be surprising if this type of intrigue is what Kevin Feige and his team would want from the cosmic exploration that is synonymous with the comic versions of the Fantastic Four. Even the way Monica gains her abilities stood out in a way that could inspire the way the Fantastic Four become Marvel’s first family.

Ultimately if these rumors end up becoming true, fans of the Fantastic Four should be excited about the prospects of Matt Shakman as director. If his merits from WandaVision were strong enough to land him a position directing the next theatrical Star Trek film, then he is certainly qualified to step up and oversee one of Marvel Studios’ most important properties of the future.

August 25, 2022
‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’ From Page to Screen: Episode 1

Another Marvel Studios Disney+ series, another installment of From Page to Screen. Each week, we will compare Marvel comics’ elements to the live-action episodes of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. You can check out previous From Page to Screen series for Hawkeye, Moon Knight, and Ms. Marvel. With the first episode of She-Hulk streaming, it is the perfect time to look at the character’s origin in comics and on screen.

In the comics, as laid out in Savage She-Hulk #1 (1980), Jennifer Walters was a prosecutor who also happened to be the cousin of Bruce Banner, aka the Hulk. Jen was an ambitious lawyer who took her job very seriously. One day, Bruce came to visit her and revealed to her that he was the Hulk, which at the time was more or less a secret to the public. At the time, Jen was eyeing bringing criminal charges against Nicholas Trask, a notorious crime boss. Trask’s goons followed Jen and Bruce as they were driving. When they got out of the vehicle, Trask shot and seriously wounded Jen. Bruce, deciding there was not enough time to get Jen to a hospital, gave her a transfusion of his own blood. The transfusion saved Jen’s life, but gamma radiation in Bruce’s blood caused her to transform into the She-Hulk.

Savage She-Hulk #1

Savage She-Hulk #1

Savage She-Hulk #1

Savage She-Hulk #1

How the Series Handled the Origin

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’s first episode focused on Jen’s origin as She-Hulk. While the fundamentals of the character’s comics origin are still in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the live-action version of her origin is undoubtedly significantly different. Still, the basic concept of Jen becoming a Hulk because Bruce’s blood entered her veins made it into the series. Instead of a transfusion, however, their blood accidentally comes into contact after a car wreck. Jen, whose arm is leading from slicing it on some vehicle wreckage, pulls Bruce (who is also bleeding) from the car. Bruce warns her to stay away, but it is too late.

Marvel Studios’ She-Hulk Attorney at Law Episode 1

Marvel Studios’ She-Hulk Attorney at Law Episode 1

Marvel Studios’ She-Hulk Attorney at Law Episode 1

Another interesting component that is present in the comics and series is the car ride. It seems relatively insignificant to the greater story, but both involve tragedy after Bruce visits his cousin. How the car ride turns out, though, is obviously very different. In She-Hulk, Jen is still a prosecutor, but there is nothing about her targeting a crime boss. Instead of being shot, the car goes off a cliff to avoid a Sakaaran ship that blocks the road.

Marvel Studios’ She-Hulk Attorney at Law Episode 1

Marvel Studios’ She-Hulk Attorney at Law Episode 1

Considering She-Hulk is being introduced, essentially from scratch, in the MCU, it makes sense that her origin would be updated to reflect the established universe and also benefit the series. As a half-hour comedy, a more elaborate crime boss backstory could take up too much time if it isn’t particularly relevant. The accidental blood mix-up also streamlines Bruce’s role in Jen’s transition—he may have a lot less emotional investment or guilt surrounding the event if it didn’t involve an intentional choice by him.

We will keep analyzing how the comics are adapted in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law as the series continues. The first episode is now streaming on Disney+.

August 22, 2022
‘House of the Dragon’ – Best & Worst of ‘The Heirs of the Dragon’

Westeros is finally back on television, and there’s a whole lot to be excited about. HBO’s House of the Dragon, the first spin-off and prequel to the smash hit series Game of Thrones, premiered last night after much anticipation. The show had quite the legacy to live up to, and by all accounts, it checked off almost every box it needed to be considered a worthy successor. Coming on the heels of a controversial final season of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon found its rhythm early and picked up where the absolute peak of Thrones left off. However, despite a rather strong start, nothing can be truly perfect. In a new weekly article series, Murphy’s Multiverse will break down both the best and the worst each episode of Dragon has to offer.

The Best – Jousting & the Politics of the Throne

There was quite a bit of good in this wildly eventful pilot episode, aptly titled The Heirs of the Dragon. With King Viserys I Targaryen, played by Paddy Considine, and his family suffering from some hushed health issues, the topic of the next royal heir is more relevant than ever in King’s Landing. This leads to several heated moments between Viserys’ advisors because as in any good court drama, nobody seems to be able to agree on who should gain true political power. The scenes focused on this are perhaps the episode’s most exhilarating, bringing fans back to a time when double-crossing and backhanded planning were the franchise’s main focus.

Specifically, the tension between Matt Smith‘s Prince Daemon Targaryan – a nasty fellow – and Rhys Ifans‘ Ser Otto Hightower – a calculated King’s Hand – proves to be among the very best the premiere puts forward. The two high-ranking officials at first appear to be on opposite ends of the political spectrum, but small moments throughout the episode hint that they may be more alike than their demeanors suggest. The major difference between them is their execution. Where Daemon is outward with his intentions and desires, often far too aggressively, Otto hides behind a façade of respectability. Both seem to want more power, but where Daemon will say this to his brother’s face, Otto instead sends his daughter to woo a grief-stricken friend. It seems House of the Dragon is setting up an ongoing conflict between its own versions of Aiden Gillen’s Littlefinger and Iwan Rheon’s Ramsay Bolton, which should be enough to bring any viewer back from week to week.

What the Westeros franchise does best, however, is bring together multiple smaller conflicts onto one larger stage. In Heir of the Dragon, this occurs at a joust. The King happily announces to his subjects that the Queen is in labor, something the audience knows to be a dangerous scenario, and allows the festivities to commence. During the “celebration”, nearly every plotline collides, intensified by the tragedy the viewers know is about to play out in the background. Daemon causes a stir, Otto confronts his anxieties, the Princess Rhaenyra questions her future, and men are murdered violently. Everything anyone could want from the show, wrapped up nicely in a single elongated sequence.

The Worst – The Death of Queen Aemma & Alicent’s, *Ahem*, Awkward Situation

It’s odd to call these things the “worst” of the episode when they were both also referenced as part of the “best”, but maybe that just speaks to the complexity of storytelling. Ever since the pilot of Game of Thrones hit the small screen in 2010, uncomfortable situations have been a key part of the viewing experience. The writers and directors on the series would tend to use the raw emotion of disturbing visuals and implications to their advantage, using the planned reactions from audiences to prop up the severity of important moments, and it’s now apparent the creatives behind House of the Dragon will do the same. Either way, the death of Queen Aemma Arryn, portrayed by Sian Brooke, is hard to watch, especially when it’s so obviously unnecessary and unfruitful for the man who ordered it. Yes, the scene works exactly as planned by the writers, but it also felt partly gratuitous to show so many of the gory details.

In a similar vein, watching Otto Hightower “suggest” to his young daughter that she “comfort” the King in his time of need was – to be honest – not great. Again, this is something that comes with the territory of Westeros, and it effectively tells fans everything they need to know about both Otto and Alicent at this point in time, but that doesn’t make it entertaining to witness. Prior Thrones storylines give viewers a pretty good idea of where this is likely headed, and it probably won’t be the fan favorite subplot going forward. Although, who knows? Maybe this is just the beginning of a Sansa Stark-type turnaround in future seasons. Viewers will just have to keep watching to find out.

August 22, 2022
‘She-Hulk’: Episode 1 Ragnarok Easter Egg Explained

Episode one of Marvel Studios’ latest Disney Plus streaming series, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, gave audiences plenty to chew on. The immediate fourth-wall break, the appearance of one of the MCU’s douchiest characters to date and the breakthrough appearance by Jameela Jamil’s Titania were certainly all eye-catching and worth discussion, however, another brief Easter egg is one that might foreshadow the biggest payoff.

Well before Episode One, “A Normal Amount of Rage”, aired, fans were well aware that a car crash was responsible for Jennifer Walters gaining the incredible powers of her cousin, Bruce Banner’s alter ego, the Hulk. What fans did not know, however, was that the car crash was caused by a Sakaaran ship that came to Earth in search of the Hulk. Why would that ship be on Earth? What could the Sakaarans want with the Hulk? A potential answer comes from both the comics and the ship’s appearance could lend credence to a nearly year-old rumor.

The planet of Sakaar was introduced in 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok and although the Hulk’s adventures on the planet are done, it doesn’t mean the consequences of those adventures have all come to bear. As explained in Thor: Ragnarok, time moves in mysterious ways on Sakaar, so while Hulk may not have been gone too very long as perceived by his friends on Earth, he also may have spent quite a bit of time on Sakaar.

Thor: Ragnarok very clearly adapted bits and pieces of one of the Hulk’s most popular Marvel Comics’ stories: Planet Hulk. Miek and Korg, who were both major players in Greg Pak’s Planet Hulk, were introduced in Ragnarok, but there were another half-dozen or so other major characters who never appeared. Foremost among them are Caiera, who Hulk married on Sakaar, and their son, Skaar.

Rumors have long pointed to the potential appearance of Skaar in She-Hulk: Attorney At Law and the appearance of the Sakaaran ship on Earth does little, if nothing, to dispel those rumors. Fans of the Marvel Comics might remember that Skaar first appeared in the midst of the World War Hulk event; notably, a World War Hulk film is rumored to be in development at Marvel Studios.

Could the Sakaaran ship be the precursor to Bruce Banner meeting his son, Skaar? Could that meeting be a precursor to a World War Hulk movie being announced, given the rumors that Universal’s distribution rights for Hulk films are set to expire in 2023? Hopefully, these questions will be answered in the near future, allowing fans to start guessing about a whole new set of possibilities.

August 18, 2022
Trial and Error: Every Failed Attempt at Bringing ‘She-Hulk’ to Life

Marvel Studios’ fourth Phase has been full of exciting new characters making their live-action debut, and tomorrow, Tatiana Maslany will join their ranks as the title character in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. The Disney+ series marks a milestone in the 42-year history of Jennifer Walters, but it’s far from the first time a studio has tried to bring the Jade Giantess to life. From the very first time she tore through the page in 1980’s The Savage She-Hulk #1 – Stan Lee‘s last major contribution to the Marvel universe – it was clear Jen had the potential to be every bit as popular as her incredible cousin. Hollywood took note, and the first attempt at putting She-Hulk on camera came within a decade of her conception. Before fans sit down to watch Attorney at Law, it may be worth taking a journey back through time to discover how the series came to be.

The Death of the Incredible Hulk

From 1977 to 1982, the Columbia Broadcasting System (or CBS, to be less dramatic) aired a full 80 episodes of The Incredible Hulk. A dramatic interpretation of the Hulk story, the series starred Bill Bixby as Dr. David Banner, a lonely physician on the run after exposure to Gamma radiation curses him with turning into a giant green rage monster whenever agitated. With very limited digital effects to rely on, bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno famously stepped in for Bixby whenever he transformed, and the overwhelming popularity of the duo is arguably responsible for the Hulk’s lasting influence on mainstream culture.

Following the end of the series, Bixby maintained his interest in playing Banner and pitched an exciting new concept to Columbia – a made-for-television sequel film that paired his character with Nicholas Hammond‘s Spider-Man, who previously headlined his own less-successful show from 1977 to 1979. The idea fell through pretty quickly, despite interest from all parties involved, and Bixby remained determined to make a live-action Marvel crossover happen. Years later, in 1988, this would result in The Incredible Hulk Returns, which paired Banner with Eric Allen Kramer‘s Thor. In concept, the film would act as a backdoor pilot for a Thor show on rival network NBC, although this never happened. Instead, another sequel movie would be made, titled The Trial of the Incredible Hulk, that featured the big muscle-bound meanie teaming with Daredevil, played by Rex Smith. Again, this was intended as a backdoor pilot, and again, it led to nothing but another Hulk film.

On the third try, according to Starlog Communications’ Comics Scene magazine, the writers intended to introduce a newer Marvel character to help carry the franchise forward. As of 1989, Bixby‘s last telefilm was planned to feature She-Hulk in all her green-skinned glory. Oddly enough, when it was ultimately released as The Death of the Incredible Hulk in 1990, there was no sign of Jennifer Walters to be found anywhere. It’s still unknown exactly why the heroine was booted from the production. Some reports, including another from Comics Scene, claim that Jen was abandoned in favor of a Black Widow team-up. Though Natasha Romanoff does not appear in Death, there is a Russian spy character named Jasmine (portrayed by Elizabeth Gracen) who plays a large role in the plot. There was a brief rumor that She-Hulk would be utilized in a possible fourth film, tentatively titled The Revenge of the Incredible Hulk, but production on that project stalled, and Bixby passed away tragically before it could be made. However, it wouldn’t be long before She-Hulk’s name was once again being batted around for television contention.

She-Hulk: Metamorphosis (ABC)

Only a year after she failed to debut in The Death of the Incredible Hulk, ABC reportedly began development on a stand-alone live-action series for She-Hulk. Nothing is really concretely known about the project, aside from the fact it was briefly publicized in 1990 as an upcoming venture from Marvel and New World Pictures. Unsubstantiated internet rumors suggested it may have been intended as a spin-off of CBS’ The Incredible Hulk, with Ferrigno and Bixby returning once more as supporting characters. Producer Jill Sherman Donner, who had worked extensively on the original show as a screenwriter, was attached to make the series happen. Gabrielle Reece, a volleyball player and fashion model, is rumored to have been cast as She-Hulk, while Baywatch actress Mitzi Kapture was supposedly on board as Jennifer Walters.

If the legend is true, ABC’s She-Hulk made it all the way to filming a pilot in 1991. The premiere episode is said to have revolved around Jen as an assistant district attorney, who is still haunted by the murder of her parents when she was a child. Hellbent on exposing a well-respected businessman as a secret criminal mastermind, presumably the one responsible for her family’s death, Walters is sent on a forced vacation to the Caribbean, where she bumps into Bixby‘s former physician. In this world, Jen and Dr. Banner are supposedly not related, and a romance is hinted at early on. Before anything can flourish between the two, however, a hitman shoots Jen for going after his businessman boss, and Banner makes the hard decision to give Walters some of his blood so she may survive. This results in Walters’ transformation into the Savage She-Hulk, who would not be as intelligent as her comic book counterpart. Instead, Reece‘s She-Hulk was rumored to be a lumbering monster much like Ferrigno.

Much of this was actually somewhat confirmed in the 2011 book You Wouldn’t Like Me When I’m Angry: A Hulk Companion, by Patrick A. Jankiewicz.* In his coverage of the Hulk’s history, Jankiewicz interviewed She-Hulk‘s Sherman Donner about the aforementioned pilot – which she had apparently titled “Metamorphosis.” The creative relayed much of the same information, and even revealed her version of She-Hulk was going to look radically different than the traditional design. Instead of being entirely green like her predecessor, Jen would have had golden skin with bright red hair and green eyes. Why? Sherman Donner explained:

I made her golden instead of green because green isn’t pretty. Changing her skin color made her seem more feminine, prettier and different than just making her green.
Jill Sherman Donner

It’s not known exactly why the pilot was canned before it aired, but the same sources that spread the plot claim there was concern over the lead actress’s ability to hold her own series. ABC is said to have wanted the more well-known Melissa Gilbert for the part and cancelled the entire production when Kapture couldn’t be replaced. Another potential reasoning behind the show’s end was the lack of interest in more Hulk content after the last telefilm flopped in the ratings. That, combined with Bixby‘s eventual passing, ended up derailing all plans for the jolly giant at the time, and if ABC’s She-Hulk was truly supposed to be connected to Bixby‘s world, it could have simply been an unfortunate casualty of the franchise’s untimely demise. Of course, that is mostly conjecture, but the timing does help the theory make sense.

*Disclaimer: Information regarding You Wouldn’t Like Me When I’m Angry: A Hulk Companion came from secondhand sources (cited below) and was included for the sake of providing as much information as possible. The author has not read this book personally.

She-Hulk: The Movie

Once it became clear She-Hulk wasn’t going to appear on television anytime soon, New World Pictures decided to shift gears and begin development on a film adaptation instead. Much like the previous live-action attempt, most of the details surrounding the ill-fated production are a little fuzzy. Different sources have claimed a variety of details, most of which will at least be mentioned here, but there are only a few solid truths that are known to be 100% accurate. Firstly, most everyone can agree that B-movie director Larry Cohen was hired to helm the project sometime in the early-to-mid-1990’s. Some outlets have said that Cohen also wrote the script, while others say screenwriter Carl Gottlieb was commissioned in his place. Either way, the project never made it to filming, and nothing much is known about the hypothetical plot.

What is known for certain, and what is perhaps the most famous aspect of this doomed idea, is that actress Brigitte Nielsen was cast in the title role. Now-infamous publicity photos made their way online some time ago, originating from an article in an issue of Wizard Magazine, showing Nielsen as both Jennifer Walters and the mighty She-Hulk. At that point in the 90’s, the former Red Sonja star had made a name for herself as an action franchise lead. It’s been claimed in the past that the studio wasn’t confident She-Hulk would actually make it off the ground and hoped a photoshoot with someone of Nielsen‘s caliber would interest investors and get the project moving. Alas, the financial failures of the era’s other low-budget Marvel flicks (i.e. Captain America, The Punisher, and Howard the Duck) proved to be too damning and killed the film before lift-off.

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law

Oddly enough, Larry Cohen‘s failed blockbuster would be the last major attempt at bringing She-Hulk to life until Marvel Studios announced it would make a Disney+ series – previously mentioned as being titled She-Hulk: Attorney at Law – in 2020. This was likely, in large part, due to Universal’s acquisition of the Hulk’s film distribution rights in the late 1990s, and their subsequent determination to focus on getting a Hulk movie correct for over a decade. With all eyes on Bruce Banner, it doesn’t seem Universal had much interest in Jen Walters.

Even when Marvel Studios were able to get its hands on the Hulk, it was for crossover films only, preventing the studio from developing a full-blown solo franchise for the character that could have resulted in She-Hulk making her MCU debut years earlier. Luckily, after a lengthy and mysterious behind-the-scenes battle, it would seem Marvel Studios was at least able to come away with the ability to produce a streaming series, and now fans all over the world will finally get to see Jen Walters hulk-out in live-action. With any luck, there won’t be a problem bringing her to the big screen going forward.

Note: If you liked this article, check out “Fish Out of Water: Every Failed Attempt at Bringing ‘Namor’ to Life”

Source(s): CBR, Comics Scene (No. 9, Pg. 90), Comics Scene (No. 15, Pg. 70), Digital Spy, Legends Revealed, What Culture, Wizard Magazine (No. 14, Pg. 28)

August 17, 2022
Five Cases We’d Love She-Hulk to Litigate in the MCU

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is set to be the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first foray into legal comedy. And in typical procedural fashion, there will most likely be a new court case every episode or two. With that being said, here are 5 potential court cases that Jennifer Walters, a.k.a. She-Hulk, could litigate in her Disney+ series or any of her future appearances in the MCU. Dun-Dun!

Case #1: Rhodes v. Hammer

This is something that’s been done in the comics, but it could be a lot of fun in the MCU. Especially because, while they constantly like to hint at its existence, they’ve never really explored in-universe superhero merchandising to its fullest potential. In the comics, Kingpin owns the merchandising rights to Spider-Man. While Kingpin and Spider-Man wouldn’t be the right characters to do this with here, there is a different hero that’s been on the Avengers, whose enemy could realistically take over their merchandising rights. Honestly, it could actually be really fun to have Justin Hammer purchase the merchandising rights for War Machine.

There could be a Stark Industries fire-sale where Justin Hammer manages to scrounge together some money to secure the rights to sell merchandise based on the War Machine. Hammer can go all out on running the property into the ground, all the while making a huge profit. Rhodes can reach out to She-Hulk for help going up against Hammer in court, suing to get the War Machine merchandising rights back. However, Hammer can retort, claiming that it was he who created the War Machine to begin with. Most of the design choices of the War Machine suit were his, as Rhodes and Stark were using a plain old Iron Man suit. Therefore, they would not be selling War Machine merchandise without Hammer in the first place. It could be a lot of fun.

Case #2: The Innocent Bystander

Remember in Doctor Strange when, after discovering that the Hong Kong Sanctum had fallen, Strange uses the Time Stone to reverse time? Well, it could be funny to see a civilian who was brought back to life after being killed in the Hong Kong Sanctum attack try to collect his own life insurance, since he technically died. Now, this guy can be well-meaning and have good intentions. Maybe he is down on his luck and needs some money. So, he goes to She-Hulk with a brilliant idea: he is going to sue his insurance company, making the case that even though he is alive now, he did die, so they should give him his life insurance money. It’s something that could even be further examined with those that disappeared as part of the snap, only to come back and find their lives had forever changed.

Case #3: Crimes of the Widows

A black widow needs to prove that she was under mind-control when she committed a murder. Mind-control has been a fixture of the MCU since Phase 1, with characters such as Bucky Barnes and Hawkeye being forced to carry out horrible acts while under another’s command. This could be a great opportunity to examine whether or not someone should be held responsible for crimes they’ve committed while under mind-control; something the MCU has never fully acknowledged. While this could also work with Bucky, it would probably be best suited for a black widow, since there’s not really a lot of record of what they’ve done, making it easier for different crimes and assassinations to be pinned on them.

One black widow could be forced to stand trial for a murder they committed while under mind-control, and She-Hulk would have to come up with a way to prove this to the jury, as well as convince them that she should not be held responsible. Bucky could be brought in to testify as a character witness, explaining how mind-control works. She-Hulk could even mind-control an unconvinced member of the jury; a fun way to persuade them that mind-control is real.

Case #4: What Makes a God?

After an Asgardian breaks a local law, She-Hulk could defend them on the basis that you cannot sue a “god.” This would be a great opportunity to explore the nature of “godhood” in the MCU, especially after Thor: Love and Thunder failed to really examine what makes an Asgardian – or any other “deity” in the MCU for that matter – a “god.” Maybe the Asgardians can be a little more sympathetic in this situation. Perhaps the Roxxon Energy Corporation wants to force the Asgardians off of New Asgard so they can dig for oil. She-Hulk can defend the Asgardians and their land, claiming that wherever they are currently is technically sacred ground because they are all “gods” of a religion that did use to exist. There is plenty of room for them to play around with this concept.

Case #5: Hammer v. Stern

Justin Hammer sues to get out of jail, making the case that he was manipulated by Hydra member Senator Stern. There should be more Justin Hammer in the MCU, so why not throw him into She-Hulk: Attorney at Law? And this one’s interesting because Hammer was working with Senator Stern, played by Garry Shandling in Iron Man 2. They were on the same side and the Senator seemed to be propping Hammer up. And it turns out that the Senator was working for Hydra. Now, it’s unclear if everyone working for Stern was part of Hydra, how many people knew about this, or if Hammer even knew about this at the time. However, Hammer can use this as an opportunity to get the charges on him dropped in the process, putting what remains as one of the MCU’s biggest unanswered questions to rest.

Justin Hammer can say that Stern, being a member of Hydra, tricked him into unwillingly participating in Hydra activity, by convincing him that stopping Tony Stark was the right thing to do for the country. Hammer can claim that he didn’t know Stern was a secret evil Hydra Nazi, but ultimately, he was using this as the grounds for why he should be released from jail. Hammer is able to BS his way through the legal system, but She-Hulk can advise that part of the condition of his release be that there needs to be an Avenger looking after him. She appoints Rhodey as his custodian, which could perfectly set up Justin Hammer’s return and play out in Armor Wars.

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law premieres on Disney+ August 18, 2022.

August 17, 2022
Shelving ‘Batgirl’ but Not ‘The Flash’ Isn’t Protecting the Brand

David Zaslav, the new President and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, blamed the shelving of Batgirl on wanting to protect the DC brand. And yet, The Flash movie is still on the studio’s slate as they seek to determine what to do with the film following the countless allegations and arrests surrounding its star Ezra Miller. For a studio intent on protecting its brand, the decision to react slowly to Miller’s actions is a poor one.

None of us know if Batgirl was good and now with the film being shelved in favor of a tax write-down, it’s likely we’ll never know, which is bizarre. After all, this is the same studio that released Suicide Squad and Wonder Woman 1984, films that while still successful was far from critical darlings. Batgirl was developed as an HBO Max film, with rumors later circulating that, like with Blue Beetle, the Leslie Grace film would actually get a chance to grace the big screen in a theatrical release. It had two promising directors at the helm – a duo that directed some of the best episodes of Ms. Marvel for Marvel Studios – and a rising young star in the titular role.

Let’s not forget, that it also managed to secure the incredibly talented Michael Keaton, who was set to return as Batman, and Brendan Fraser as the film’s villain. Even if it wasn’t an “event film” as the studio had hoped, there was plenty to be excited about with Batgirl. Instead of releasing it, the studio decided not to put any more money into it and try to recoup its cost with a write-down. So, why then has The Flash continued to move along with no problem?

Ezra Miller, who was once a promising actor in Hollywood, has quickly seen his star dim in recent years due to their actions. It all began with a video surfacing of Miller allegedly choking a fan in a video in April 2020. Somehow, despite the video circulating all over social media, nothing seemed to become of it, and it was quickly swept under the rug. Flash forward – pun intended – to March 2022 and Miller was arrested in Hawaii for disorderly conduct and harassment at a karaoke bar. A couple of weeks later, Miller was then arrested again for assault after he was said to have thrown a chair, resulting in the injury of a 26-year-old woman.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, in June the actor was accused of grooming a child and a protective order was put in place against him. The problem? Miller was said to be on the run with the teen. Later reports would suggest a mother and her three children had moved into the actor’s Vermont farm in a “roommate situation” that was concerning because there were said to be unattended guns and drugs on the property. Then the actor was charged with “offense of felony burglary into an unoccupied dwelling” in Stamford, Vermont earlier this week. And that’s just a simple summary of everything.

To say your studio wants to protect its brand all while bringing an actor with so many allegations back for reshoots? I mean, that seems quite ludicrous. The fact that the future of The Flash still remains in question is just downright absurd. If it’s okay to pull the plug on Batgirl, a $90 million film, ya know, one where the leading lady wasn’t at the center of a troublesome media storm? Then surely the same can be done with The Flash.

Canceling Batgirl was cruel to those who worked on the project. There was a sense of pride and passion in Batgirl that was evident by all involved. There’s no reason Batgirl couldn’t have at least been put on HBO Max and given a chance to be seen. Grace and directors Bilall Fallah and Adil El Arbi deserved to have their work seen. And while The Flash director Andy Muschietti is talented, and his cast impressive, they ultimately have to carry the weight of Miller’s troubles into the promotion of the film and that’s not fair to them. Purely removing Miller from marketing the project isn’t enough because the cast and crew will still be asked to answer for their actions.

Sure, The Flash has a hefty budget and could play a huge part in the DC cinematic universe moving forward, but at what point is the line drawn? You can’t claim you want to protect the brand and then release a film starring someone with such a worrisome list of allegations against them. Actions speak louder than words.

August 11, 2022
NFL Weekly Vibe Check: NY Jets

The NY Jets are in uncharted territory. They seem to be in this weird twilight zone where they are having positive reactions from the talking heads around the league and encouraging results from their staff and players. Not to mention when they have been in the news for non-football-related activities, for the first time in a long time, the public discourse is positive. This isn’t the same LOL-Jets we’ve been used to. So yes, maybe it’s a little early for a vibe check and a look at some newsworthy events surrounding the Jets with rose-colored glasses. However, to play Devil’s advocate, in seasons past it hasn’t been far off to already start emulating Ethan Hawke in First Reformed and start journaling in an empty room with a full bottle. While this isn’t going to be a breakdown of all the passes Wilson threw in 7 on 7 or anything like that, this is going to be a quick look at some of the recent stories surrounding the Jets and some of their key players.

First and foremost, let’s talk about Mekhi Becton. ALL OFFSEASON we heard that, despite his constant workout videos, pictures he took with fans, and his own word, he was out of shape and overweight. ALL OFFSEASON. While he may not have been able to rehab as well as he or the team wanted after his injury in week 1 of last year, the media story surrounding him was that it never got any better. Seeing the tweets from the beat writers you would expect Becton to literally have to be wheeled up to camp fresh off losing the starring role in Deron Aronofsky’s The Whale to Brendan Fraser. In most years, the doom tweeting and borderline gaslighting of the fans with the Becton story would have become a self-fulfilling prophecy. In any other year in the past 10, he would have rolled up to camp overweight and underprepared. However, this year? This time? He came looking ready, in shape, and the scary mountain of a man he was drafted to be. Becton switching to Right Tackle and lining up next to AVT could and should form a terrifying wall for the next 10 plus years. Becton showing up, and proving the beat wrong, is step one to making that prediction a reality. *Sigh* and then he got hurt. I will be off crying on a cliff.

Last, but not certainly not least, Zach Wilson was recently in the news. Now, I’m not going to rehash what anyone who has a twitter or was near a phone or tv for a week knows. I’m not going to debate the validity of the rumor (it’s almost certainly not true). However, one thing did stand out: the Jets were in the news, they were being joked about, their player was in the headlines and it was not another buttfumble, another seeing ghosts, or a mono situation. This was a harmless, silly off-season story. So why even address it? Well, this is the first time in a long time I can remember the Jets being in the news for something non-football related that wasn’t used to run the boring LOL Jets takes and jokes. This is just as an important piece to the vibe check as Becton actually being good to go up until yesterday. The view around this team is changing. The vibes around this team are changing, and they are changing for the better.

August 9, 2022