Murphy's Multiverse

Category: News

  • Daniel Bruhl Speaks Out on Zemo’s Role in ‘Thunderbolts’

    Daniel Bruhl Speaks Out on Zemo’s Role in ‘Thunderbolts’

    When he was last seen in the Disney Plus streaming series The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, Helmut Zemo seemed primed to make an appearance in Marvel Studios Thunderbolts. Given the character founded the group in the pages of Marvel Comics, ending up in the Raft seemed the perfect way to leave Zemo in the position to lead a group of ragtag characters on a mission for thr U.S. government. However, as details about Thunderbolts began to trickle out, it became clear that Daniel Bruhl‘s fan-favorite bad guy was not a part of the ensemble cast, much to the disbelief of MCU fans.

    Recently, Wyatt Russell–who will star in the film as the MCU’s newest super soldier, U.S. Agent–confirmed that Zemo was not in any of the drafts of the scripts he had read for the film, which seemed to put a nail in the coffin of fans’ hopes. Now, in an interview with Screen Rant, Bruhl addressed Zemo’s MCU future.

    “I mean, they haven’t killed me yet…,” said Bruhl of Zemo. “[Right] now I’m doing a series, which is called The Franchise,” he continued, referencing the superhero satire series he’s currently filming for HBO, “but if there are people who have a lot of sense of humor, then it’s Marvel and it’s Kevin Feige. I’m very happy to shoot something about the franchise world and with a comical approach.” Clearly, Bruhl isn’t concerned that Marvel Studios One Above All will take the satirical series too seriously and cut Zemo out of future plans…but are there any at the moment? Bruhl took the long road to answer that question.

    “But I guess it was nice with that Zemo guy because he was so surprising and different. Also, the second time around,” said the actor in reference to the character’s role in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, “I was invited to explore the sense of humor in that character, which I relish and enjoy so much. So again, it was a surprise, I was invited to surprise the people.” And his take on Zemo in the streaming series did surprise the audience and they responded in a very positive way which, in part, has led to the hopes he’d show back up in Thunderbolts; however, Bruhl revealed that is not in the cards, though he hopes to return to the role someday.

    So I guess that if he shows up again, you really need to carefully think what is this crazy little guy up to this time around? So if the right opportunity would come, I wouldn’t say no, obviously. But for now, I’m into other things that I’m very happy with because that might have collided. I think they’re shooting [Thunderbolts] right now, so the destiny and fate always. I strongly believe in that. You just follow the path that you are offered to follow.

    Daniel Bruhl revealing Zemo will not be in Thunderbolts

    Given the derivation from the source material, it seems logical that Zemo won’t be leading this team of Thunderbolts; however, given the rotating nature of the roster of the team in the comics and the character’s in-universe resourcefulness, it seems possible that Bruhl may find his way to his rightful role as team leader down the road.

    Source: Screen Rant

  • ‘Thunderbolts’ Star Wyatt Russell Confirms the Absence of Two Rumored Characters

    ‘Thunderbolts’ Star Wyatt Russell Confirms the Absence of Two Rumored Characters

    It would be easy to believe that Marvel Studios Thunderbolts would feature General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross. A common misconception is that the comic book team, which first appeared on the page in 1996, was named for the character or that he started the squad. In fact, the team was first formed by the villainous Baron Zemo who chose the title because it was “crypto-fascist and friendly”, so it would be easy to believe that Zemo might appear in the 2025 film as well. There’s been plenty of speculation and debate online as to whether or not they’ll show up and different insiders have reported on both sides of the debate. Now, one of the film’s stars has spoken out about whether or no either of those characters will show up.

    In an interview with The Playlist, Wyatt Russell, who will reprise his role as John Walker in Thunderbolts, indicated that he doesn’t expect either of the characters to appear…unless they’ve been included in an updated version of the script. “Daniel [Bruhl] is not going to be it, [but] he could play a part in it. I don’t know. I haven’t read a script yet, but as of now, I’m not sure,” said Russell when asked if the actor behind Zemo’s mask was set to return after his last appearance in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier.

    So if Zemo won’t appear, surely Ross–who was a member of one iteration of the Thunderbolts in the comics–will, right? Afterall, when Harrison Ford’s deal to play the character became public, it was widely reported he’d show up in Thunderbolts after starring in Captain America: New World Order Brave New World. Not so fast. “Harrison’s in Captain America 4, I think,” said Russell. “I don’t know, I haven’t read a script, so I don’t know who exactly who’s in it,” he continued, before switching gears to talk about actors he’s sure ARE in the film.

    I know Florence [Pugh] is in it,  I know Sebastian’s [Stan] in it. I know David Harbour is going to be in it. David Harbour is another guy who’s, like, so good. I love everything he does. I love his NHL commercials. He plays this, like, insane NHL fan guarding the Stanley Cup. I love everybody in it so much. And the director, [Jake Schreier], who [directed me in HBO’s] Lodge 49 or [directed] a lot of ‘Lodge 49’— I feel very, very lucky. I hope it ends up being as good as I feel lucky. And yeah, I’m really excited.

    Wyatt Russell on the cast and director of Thunderbolts

    The script has gone through multiple drafts–originally it was very much a sequel to 2021’s Black Widow and Zemo was definitely not in it–and, as Russell stated recently, has come close to staring production multiple times. It’s currently slated to get underway next April ahead of its July 25th, 2025 release date.

    Source: The Playlist

  • Aooooh! Christopher Abbot Replaces Ryan Gosling as Universal’s Wolf Man

    Aooooh! Christopher Abbot Replaces Ryan Gosling as Universal’s Wolf Man

    With Ryan Gosling having departed the project prior to the SAG strike, Universal has been searching for a new leading man for director Leigh Whannell’s Wolf Man for quite some time. According to a trade report, they have found him in Poor Things star Christopher Abbot.

    Gosling had been attached to the project, which he pitched to Universal, since it was first announced in 2020. Derek Cianfrance (Cage Fighter, I Know This Much Is True) was on board to direct but like Gosling bailed on the project earlier this year. He’s now been replaced by Whannell, who previously helmed 2020’s The Invisible Man for the studio.

    Wolf Man is a collaborative effort between Universal and Blumhouse. Whannell, who also wrote the film along with Corbett Tuck, Lauren Schuker Blum and Rebecca Angelo, is a frequent collaborate with Blumhouse having directed not only The Invisible Man but also Upgrade and Insidious 3 and working as a writer on several other projects.

    The Wolf Man is currently slated to hit theaters on October 25, 2024.

    Source: Deadline

  • Marvel Releases Episode Descriptions for Two Episodes of ‘What If…?’ S2

    Marvel Releases Episode Descriptions for Two Episodes of ‘What If…?’ S2

    Marvel Studios held a press event for Season 2 of What If…? at the Walt Disney Studio Lot last night and screened two episodes of the animated multiverse adventure. Marvel Studios head of streaming, television and animation, Brad Winderbaum, writer and executive producer AC Bradley, director and executive producer Bryan Andrews and writer Matthew Chauncey were on hand for the event in which press viewed the first and third episodes of the new season before participating in a question and answer session. Following the event, Disney released some new information about each episode.

    Season 2, Episode 1: “What If… Nebula Joined the Nova Corps?”

    Nebula in Marvel Studios’ WHAT IF…?, Season 2 exclusively on Disney+. © 2023 MARVEL.

    In a world where Ronan deposes Thanos long before the events of “Infinity War,” Nebula is recruited to join the Nova Corps. Desperate to escape her father’s shadow, she sets out to prove her detective chops.

    Season 2, Episode 3: “What If Happy Hogan Saved Christmas?”

    A scene from Marvel Studios’ WHAT IF…?, Season 2 exclusively on Disney+. © 2023 MARVEL.

    When Justin Hammer lays siege to Avengers Tower during the annual holiday party, there’s only one person left on site to stop him—Happy Hogan. But in setting out to prove his hero chops, Iron Man’s errand boy may end up transforming himself in more ways than one.

    While Marvel debuted only 2 episodes, a list of episode titles for the rest of the series has leaked. Among the many interesting ideas rumored to be explored in the second season is one based on a Marvel Comics series written by Neil Gaiman that’s set in 1602.

    Disney is rolling out one episode of the series a day beginning on December 22nd. With just ten days before the first episode debuts on Disney Plus, there’s still time to work your way through The Ultimate List of What to Watch Before Season 2 of What If…?!

    About What If…? Season 2

    The Watcher returns to season two of Marvel Studios’ What If…? when the animated series
    begins streaming on Disney+ on Dec. 22. And in the spirit of the holiday season, fans are
    invited to unwrap a new episode nightly for nine nights.

    With a new episode debuting nightly beginning December 22, season two of What If…? continues the journey as The Watcher guides viewers through the vast multiverse, introducing brand new and familiar faces throughout the MCU. The series questions, revisits and twists classic Marvel Cinematic moments with an incredible voice cast that includes a host of stars who reprise their iconic roles. Featuring fan-favorite characters this season like Nebula, Hela and Happy Hogan, episodes are directed by Bryan Andrews (eps 2-9) and Stephan Franck (ep 1) and written by AC Bradley (eps 3, 4, 5, 8), Matthew Chauncey (eps 1-3, 7, 9) and Ryan Little (eps 6, 8). The animated series is executive produced by Brad Winderbaum, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Bryan Andrews and AC Bradley. Available press

  • Marvel Studios New Animated Spider-Man Series Gets a New Title; Confirmed for 2024 Release

    Marvel Studios New Animated Spider-Man Series Gets a New Title; Confirmed for 2024 Release

    Following a screening of two episodes of Season 2 of What If…?, Marvel Studios head of streaming, television and animation, Brad Winderbaum, gave an update on the studio’s animated projects. In addition to revealing Eyes of Wakanda for the first time, Winderbaum revealed that the studio’s upcoming Spider-Man animated series now has an all-new, all-different title and remains on track for a 2024 release.

    First announced as Spider-Man: Freshman Year on November 12th, 2021 on Disney Plus Day, the animated series will now be titled Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. The development of the series has always been interesting as it was originally described as a story that would follow “Peter Parker on his way to becoming Spider-Man in the MCU.” However, in 2022, Winderbaum clarified that the series is set elsewhere in the multiverse and not on the Sacred Timeline.

    It follows the pattern that you see in [Captain America:] Civil War. Down to Peter getting the broken Blu-ray player from the trash and he walks into his department for the famous moment where Tony Stark is waiting for him to offer him the stark internship and take him to Berlin. But because of things that happen in the multiverse because of new, random occurrences, it’s not Tony Stark who’s waiting for him there. It’s Norman Osborn and that sends his life in an unexpected trajectory that collides him with many unexpected characters in the Marvel universe

    Brad Winderbaum

    As of SDCC ’22, the new series was set to feature a slew of MCU supporting characters such as Doctor Strange and Matt Murdock, voiced by Charlie Cox, as well as characters who have yet to debut in the MCU such as Harry Osborn, Nico Minoru and Amadeus Cho. It was also revealed that it would feature multiple villains from Spidey’s Rogues Gallery including Unicorn, Chamelon, Scorpion, Speed Demon, Tarantula, Rhino, and Doc Ock as well as Norman Osborn. As of the latest update, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man was rumored to be released on November 2nd, 2024.

    About Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

    Peter Parker’s life, while getting ready for his High School orientation, is forever changed by events that send him on a journey like none before. In the first episode, we discover that the new era of Spider-Man begins here!

    Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man will feature the voices of Hudson Thames as Peter Parker, Eugene Byrd as Lonnie Lincoln, Grace Song as Nico Minoru, Hugh Dancy as Otto Octavius, Kari Wahlgren as Aunt May and Zeno Robinson as Harry Osborn

    Jeff Trammell served as the head writer and executive producer.

  • ‘Eyes of Wakanda’: Marvel Studios Announces New Animated Series

    ‘Eyes of Wakanda’: Marvel Studios Announces New Animated Series

    In March 2023, rumors began to swirl that Black Panther director Ryan Coogler’s Proximity Media production company had begun developing an animated series for Marvel Studios. As Marvel Studios revamped their streaming slate and skipped out on SDCC ’23, the series, said at the time to be referred to as The Golden City, remained nothing but a rumor until now. During a press event for Season 2 of What If…? held at the Walt Disney Studios Lot, head of streaming, television and animation for Marvel Studios, Brad Winderbaum, revealed that the new series will hit Disney Plus in 2024.

    Titled Eyes of Wakanda, the animated series will tell the story of “brave warriors” who “throughout Wakandan history have been tasked to travel the world retrieving dangerous vibranium artifacts.“

    One of the rarest metals on the planet, Vibranium came to Earth 2.5 million ago as a series of meteorites crashed into Africa and the Atlantic Ocean. Wakandans mined the Great Mound and learned to refine the precious metal which quickly allowed them to become the most technologically advanced civilization on the planet. Though they worked hard to keep the Vibranium a secret, artifacts have made their way outside the isolationist nation. Captain America’s shield, created by Howard Stark, was made of Vibranium that a group of researchers from Stark Industries located in Africa; aided by N’Jobu, Ulysses Klaue stole a quarter ton of the substance in 1992; and, as seen in Black Panther, a Vibranium Wakandan warhammer was on display in the Museum of Great Britain until it was taken by N’Jadaka.

    Given the enormous period of time available for storytelling, Coogler’s Proximity Media has the opportunity to explore some previously unexplored eras of the MCU’s timeline, though no indication has been given at this time Eyes of Wakanda will be considered canon. As of now, no release date has been given by Disney.

  • EP Kevin Wright Shares His Hopes for the Future of ‘Loki’

    EP Kevin Wright Shares His Hopes for the Future of ‘Loki’

    Marvel Studios Loki stands out among the MCU streaming series as having delivered high-quality episodes consistently. The Season 2 finale did a fine job of wrapping up both the sophomore season and the longform narrative that kicked off in 2021. If no further Loki stories were to be told, though it would be a shame, the character–and those who worked as supporting characters over two seasons–were well served. However, star Tom Hiddleston has made it clear that he hadn’t entirely closed the door and now Kevin Wright, who worked as an executive producer on Season 2, has made it clear that the studios is open to more stories being told in that corner of the universe.

    “For two seasons, I’ve loved working with this team… I would love to keep telling those stories with them, in this world,” Wright told TVLine. “I don’t think any of us would ever want to rush into a Season 3 if there’s not a good story to tell. But I think this team could go off and tell other stories. Maybe it’s not Loki Season 3. Maybe there’s something we can continue to do at the TVA, and it’s like our Better Call Saul to Loki‘s Breaking Bad. That would be cool, to me.”

    (L-R): Wunmi Mosaku as Hunter B-15, Owen Wilson as Mobius, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Eugene Cordero as Casey, and Ke Huy Quan as O.B. in Marvel Studios’ LOKI, Season 2, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Gareth Gatrell. © 2023 MARVEL.

    The notion that more stories could be told through the lens of the TVA and its various interesting characters seems to fit with Marvel Studios new creative strategy to produce multiple seasons of serialized streaming series. Wright was quick to clarify, however, that his comments aren’t an indication of what is happening, only what he would like to see happen. “I don’t know the future of these characters in the MCU,” Wright explained, adding it’s only him saying when he “would love to do.”

    Given the very unique nature of the TVA, it would seem logical that it’s very fetrile creative ground. Add to that the fact that Loki has been among the studio’s most roundly praised shows and it does seem as though there might be some more stories to be told. “I have to think, with how people have really enjoyed this story,” he continues, “that other filmmakers are going to want to come in and continue to tell stories [in this world]. That would be my hope.” And that’s a hope shared by many who would love to see further adventures in the very strange sci-fi world Marvel Studios has built at the TVA.

    Source: TV Line

  • Morena Baccarin Confirms Return for ‘Deadpool 3’

    Morena Baccarin Confirms Return for ‘Deadpool 3’

    With Marvel Studios untitled Deadpool and Wolverine film continuing to bring back all sorts of characters from previous Fox Marvel films and the plot clearly revolving around time travel/multiversal hijinks, it’s easy to believe that just about anything is fair game for the 2024 films. The Fox X-films were certainly not known for their attention to continuity details so any plot thread left dangling could be in play as well as continuing some stories that were ongoing when Disney and Fox struck a deal for the live-action rights to the X-Men, the Fantastic Four and related characters. Foremost among those, it would seem, would be the events of the post-credit scenes to Deadpool 2 in which Wade Wilson used Cable’s time-traveling tech to undo some damage done in the film, including saving the life of his fiancée, Vanessa, played by Morena Baccarin. Earlier in the year, the actress explained that she had not finalized terms to return but that’s all changed now.

    In an interview with CBM, Baccarin confirmed that she had struck a deal with Marvel Studios to appear in the film. “It did work out! I finished my shooting days on it, already,” said Baccarin, indicating she’s most likely finished work on her part well before the mid-summer work stoppage. “I think the film is now underway again after the strike and I think it’s going to be quite good! Yeah, I think fans are in for a fun surprise.”

    Given the rumored presence of the TVA in Deadpool 3, and what is already known about the organization, it’s a safe bet they’d be pretty unhappy with the Merc with a Mouth’s actions in Deadpool 2. The threequel is shaping up to be quite something and with it being Marvel Studios only 2024 film, it’s sure to be under intense scrutiny. Whatever director Shawn Levy and stars Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman have in store, it’s rumored to be tightly tied to the overarching Multiverse Saga narrative and lead into the events of Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars. Let’s see if any of the film goes unspoiled before its July 26th, 2024 release.

    Source: Comic Book Movie

  • EXCLUSIVE: Jeff Kinney Hints at Which ‘Wimpy Kid’ Story Will Hit Disney Plus Next

    EXCLUSIVE: Jeff Kinney Hints at Which ‘Wimpy Kid’ Story Will Hit Disney Plus Next

    After Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules successfully debuted as animated features on Disney Plus, it seemed that audiences were in for a very linear adaptation of creator Jeff Kinney‘s best-selling Wimpy Kid series. Indeed that was the plan as Kinney indicated in 2022 that work had begun on turning the third book in the series, The Last Straw, into a feature intended for a 2023 debut. However, it turns out 2023’s Wimpy Kid release will instead be a Christmas Special adaptation of Cabin Fever. So what will become of The Last Straw?

    Given that Kinney and Disney had done so much work on The Last Straw before pivoting to Cabin Fever, it stands to reason that they would not let that work go to waste. In talking with Kinney about Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever, we asked if he believed The Last Straw would be next up and possibly ready for a 2024 release on Disney Plus.

    “I‘m hoping so,” exclaimed the author. “You never know what the landscape is going to look like in streaming. That world is kind of a work in progress but I’m really hoping that that story gets told.” As Kinney explained, the decision to move to an adaptation of Cabin Fever was at the behest of Disney to provide a holiday special for their streaming service and not an indication of any problems with The Last Straw. Given all those variables, it seems very logical that they’d like to finish production on that project and have it ready for 2024. However, as Kinney points out, things can change very quickly in the entertainment industry.

    Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever debuts at 12 AM PST/3 AM EST on December 8th only on Disney Plus.

  • Mark Ruffalo Addresses the Rumors of Another ‘Hulk’ Solo Film

    Mark Ruffalo Addresses the Rumors of Another ‘Hulk’ Solo Film

    Since rumors about a potential World War Hulk(s) film circulated a couple of years ago, information about a second Marvel Studios-produced Hulk film has dried up almost entirely. With Red Hulk believed to be set to appear in Captain America: Brave New World, the stage seems set for the studio to put together some sort of Battle of the Hulks project; however, it’s not so simple as putting together a script and starting production when it comes to the Hulk and associated characters.

    Similar to Spider-Man, yet unique and a little different, the live-action rights to the Hulk have always been tied up in a deal that now involves NBCUniversal. While it’s thought that perhaps some settlement has been reached during negotiations over Hulu that would allow Disney to take over the rights to the character, nothing official has ever been shared. If the old deal were still in place, Marvel could make the film but would ultimately share profits with NBCUniversal. Still, Hulk actor Mark Ruffalo has expressed the desire to continue to evolve the character on the screen and has made it known he’d love to do another solo Hulk project. While talking with Comic Book, Ruffalo was asked if there was a change of possession of the live-action rights following the Disney an NBCUniversal deal.

    “Not that I know of,” Ruffalo began before adding that he’d “been asked not to comment on it, that specifically.” Once a fountain of MCU spoilers, it seems that Ruffalo has been the subject of some recalibration by Disney. While he wasn’t able to reveal any major updates on the status of the live-action rights, he did, however, share that he was as hopeful as anyone that another Hulk film might happen and that if it does, he’s got some ideas about what it should be. “Hopefully, one day though they’ll work it out,” he said of the right’s exchange. “I think [another MCU-set Hulk film] could be really cool and I’ve been putting a lot into what it could be to be cool, but I don’t know yet.“

    If such a project is officially in the works at Marvel Studios and part of the Multiverse Saga, perhaps Disney will find a way to share some news in 2024.

    Source: Comic Book