Murphy's Multiverse

Category: News

  • Tim Blake Nelson Cast in ‘Dune: Part Two’

    Tim Blake Nelson Cast in ‘Dune: Part Two’

    The all-star cast assembled for the Warner Bros. Entertainment and Legendary Entertainment produced Dune: Part Two has grown even more. Tim Blake Nelson has officially been announced to join the highly anticipated sequel in an undisclosed role. The star actor will be joining the likes of Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, Léa Seydoux, and Christopher Walken as new additions to the franchise. These names will be joining original leads Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, and Javier Bardem. Director Denis Villeneuve will be helming the sequel feature film.

    Tim Blake Nelson most recently starred in the first episode of the Netflix anthology series Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosity. Nelson also worked with the acclaimed director on the critically acclaimed adaptation of Pinocchio from late last year, providing the voice for the Black Rabbit. Nelson is slated to make his long-awaited return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Samuel Stern, aka The Leader, for 2024’s Captain America: New World Order.

    Dune: Part 2 will complete the adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic 1965 science-fiction novel of the same name, which is the first in a sprawling literary saga. No official word has been on the future of any theatrical sequels following the release of Dune: Part 2 later this year. Villeneuve has expressed interest in adapting Dune Messiah, the second novel of the series, depending on the success of this year’s film. In addition, a prequel spinoff series of Dune: The Sisterhood is currently in production for HBO Max.

    Dune: Part 2 is set to release exclusively in theaters on November 3rd of this year.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • Paul Mescal to Star in ‘Gladiator’ Sequel

    Paul Mescal to Star in ‘Gladiator’ Sequel

    The long-awaited sequel to Gladiator is finally moving ahead. Deadline has announced that Paul Mescal is currently in talks to lead the film. Ridley Scott, who will return to helm the sequel, is producing the film along with Scott Free President Michael Pruss and Doug Wick & Lucy Fisher via Red Wagon Entertainment. Scott helms the film from a script penned by David Scarpa (The Day the Earth Stood Still).

    Per Deadline, also set to return for Gladiator 2 are costume designer Janty Yates and production designer Arthur Max. While the first film was produced by both Universal and DreamWorks, the latter will not be involved in the project. In fact, as it stands, Universal doesn’t look to be involved just yet — although Universal has the right to partner again when the project is packaged.

    Mescal is set to play the role of Lucius, the son of Lucilla, who was played by Connie Nielsen. The rising actor is said to have beat out the likes of Miles Teller, Austin Butler, Richard Madden and Timothée Chalamet for the gig. Mescal is perhaps best known for his role in Hulu’s Normal People.

    Source: Deadline.

  • James Cameron Confirms ‘Avatar 2’s Profitability and He’ll Make All Planned Sequels

    James Cameron Confirms ‘Avatar 2’s Profitability and He’ll Make All Planned Sequels

    James Cameron has been quite open about the importance of how profitable Avatar: The Way of Water will be. While he mapped out up to five sequels, if the franchise doesn’t prove financially stable for Disney, the new owner of 20th Century, there’s no point for them to invest upwards of $400M per entry moving forward. Luckily, the film has had some truly impressive legs throughout the Holiday season and in a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, director James Cameron confirmed the film will be profitable in the “next few days.”

    It looks like just with the momentum that the film has now that will easily pass our break even in the next few days, so it looks like I can’t wiggle out of this, I’m gonna have to do these other sequels.

    James Cameron

    He does slightly reluctantly share that he will be quite busy for the next few years. Avatar 3 has already finished filming and they are working on bringing the world to life CG-wise. He also confirms that the fourth and fifth entries are already written as well.

    I know what I’m going to be doing the next six or seven years. The point is we’re going to be okay. I’m sure that we’ll have a discussion soon with the top folks at Disney about the game plan going forward for Avatar 3, which is already in the can – we’ve already captured and photographed the whole film so we’re in extended post-production to do all that CG magic. And then Avatar 4 and 5 are both written. We even have some of 4 in the can. We’ve begun a franchise at this point. We’ve begun a saga that can now play out over multiple films.

    James Cameron

    It certainly sounds like the director will be quite busy in the next few years, but he does love the franchise. He’s also talked about expanding Avatar in multiple ways and even with a new director taking over when he eventually no longer can. So, if it remains as profitable, we’ll see a lot more of Avatar in the future of our cinemas.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • RUMOR: Damon Lindelof’s Untitled Star Wars Project May Already Be Casting a POC Lead

    RUMOR: Damon Lindelof’s Untitled Star Wars Project May Already Be Casting a POC Lead

    Star Wars has continued to grow, but its cinematic ventures took quite the set p back throughout the last few years. Rogue Squadron was originally set to release this year. Yet, project ha to show any development or even start filming. So, we don’t know what the future might have in store for their cinematic ventures. Suprrisingly, it seems that an only recently announced project in the works by Damon Lindelof may have entered a casting phase.

    In the podcast The Hot Mic, it was hinted that the film may already be casting its lead. It’s currently looking for a person of color. No real details are known besides that the main lead is likely to be male and it may be the film to hit the December 19th, 2025 release date that is currently set without any specified project connected at the moment, but that’s only a theory. For now, we still have to take this rumor with a pinch of salt.

    We first heard the news that the Watchmen showrunner was working on the project back in March of 2022, but nothing besides that. As trust in Lucasfilm hasn’t been high on them ever meeting their goals with any cinematic franchises, it seems like if this rumor turns out true, the project moved forward at quite a fast pace. If this turns out to be true, we might get some more details in the coming months as they prepare to film later this year.

    Source: YouTube via The Direct

  • Hugh Jackman Teases a Wolverine He’s “Never Done Before” in ‘Deadpool 3’

    Hugh Jackman Teases a Wolverine He’s “Never Done Before” in ‘Deadpool 3’

    Deadpool is about to return with his third film entry, which will also mark his arrival in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. There is still some uncertainty about how exactly they’ll accomplish it and if he might find his own insane way of traveling from the Fox universe.

    The announcement that he’ll be joined by Hugh Jackman‘s Wolverine added a lot of speculation and excitement given his return since he hung up the claws back with Logan back in 2017. In an interview with People, he shared what inspired him to return to the role in Deadpool 3.

    When I keep thinking of me and Ryan, of Deadpool and Wolverine, which are classic comic-book rivals, there’s also a dynamic that I’ve never really got to do before as Wolverine. I just thought, ‘This is gonna be fun. Something I’ve never done before. I can’t wait.

    Hugh Jackman

    It seems to be able to do something new with the character was what mainly gave him the inspiration, but he also highlights getting a chance to “be punching the shit out of each other the whole time” may have also become a fun selling point.

    I think being on set with [Ryan] every day and those two on film in every city together everyday…I think it’s fair to say they’ll be punching the sh*t out of each other the whole time. All jokes aside, I’ll probably have more fun on this movie than any other I’ve ever done.

    Hugh Jackman

    There has been some outcry over his return after the finality of Logan, but considering that the first two Deadpool films built up their reality. The sequel even went out of its way to mock the film and we’ve all wanted these two to finally confront each other; a true Wolverine vs. Deadpool clash to get rid of the aftertaste of X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

    Source: People via ComicBookMovie.com

  • Netflix Has Renewed ‘Wednesday’ for Season 2

    Netflix Has Renewed ‘Wednesday’ for Season 2

    While rumors suggested Wednesday was heading to Prime Video for a second season, it was announced on Friday that Netflix has renewed the series for Season 2. The news was unveiled in a special renewal announcement video from Netflix.

    The video, which can be seen below, recaps the events of the first season. It opens to the gates of Nevermore Academy and follows Wednesday in a car as she recounts being hunted, haunted, and mimicked on the internet – with a clip showcasing the now iconic dance from Season 1. It moves to Jenna Ortega‘s Wednesday with a grin and a voiceover saying, “It’s been pure torture. Thank you.” There’s a promise of more misery being on the way followed by clips from Season 1.

    Wednesday, which hit Netflix in November, quickly went on to become one of the streamer’s biggest titles and a global phenomenon. Not only did it ignite a dance craze on the internet, but the series also ranks at No. 2 on the most popular (English) TV list with 1.237 billion hours viewed within its first 28 days. More impressively, Wednesday is now only the third series on Netflix to ever cross 1 billion hours viewed, following Dahmer and Stranger Things.

    Season 1 of the hit series is now streaming. A release date for Season 2 has not yet been revealed.

    Source: Deadline.

  • ‘Loki’ Concept Artist Reveals Inspiration for Jonathan Major’s He Who Remains

    ‘Loki’ Concept Artist Reveals Inspiration for Jonathan Major’s He Who Remains

    Not too long ago, we got our first tease for the upcoming second season of Loki. The story will pick up where we last left off, as Sylvie killed He Who Remains, a Variant of Kang the Conqueror, who was keeping the multiverse from branching out. It was our first meeting with Jonathan Majors‘s impressive take on the character that already left a lasting impression before we meet another Variant in Ant-Man and the Wasp. Quantumania.

    We still have to wait a bit before we find out when to expect the release of the second season, but concept artist Wesley Burt took to his personal Instagram account to share a look at the finalized concept art for He Who Remains. He also pointed out that he was inspired by “a lounging Miles Davis at the end of time.” Of course, he also highlights the inclusion of He Who Remains and Immortus as inspiration from the comics.

    It seems this work will be included in the upcoming Art of Loki book, which has traditionally been released alongside the various shows a few years later. So, it’s great that this tradition continues, and given how visually unique the Disney+ series was in comparison to the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’ll be great to get a look behind-the-scenes at how they brought this unique vision to life. Now, we’re left with the question if Majors will return in the second season, as his Conqueror Variant was teased at the end of the series.

    Source: Instagram

  • Nicolas Cage Won’t Return as Spider-Man Noir in ‘Across the Spider-Verse’

    Nicolas Cage Won’t Return as Spider-Man Noir in ‘Across the Spider-Verse’

    Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is finally about to get a sequel, which twists the concept of the original. Miles Morales finds himself chased through the multiverse by others of the Spider-Man creed, but the reasoning still remains a mystery. He still has the allies that he met in his first travel before Across the Spider-Verse, but it seems that one member is sadly not returning.

    In an interview with ScreenRant, Nicolas Cage reveals that he did not return to voice the character of Spider-Man Noir in the sequel. There is still a chance they may have animated a cameo for the character, he’ll not have any voice lines going by the statement shared by Cage.

    You’d have to ask Sony. I don’t know what’s going on with that. No one’s spoken to me about that. Ask them. I don’t know. I really don’t. I wish they would. I love Spider-Man Noir, too. I think that’s a great character. Spider-Man’s the coolest superhero. And then you combine that with Cagney and Bogart and Edward G. Robinson, come on, it’s a great character.

    Nicolas Cage

    It’s a shame that we won’t get his quirky take on the character, but there’s a third entry on the horizon that could see his return as well. For now, most of the work went into the first sequel and who knows how things might’ve changed in the production that sees his potential return. There’s also the question if others besides Gwen Stacy and Peter B. Parker will appear at all, as there haven’t been any hints at Kimiko or Spider-Ham returning, at least for now.

    Source: ScreenRant

  • ‘M3GAN’ Opens Strong, Unlikely to Dethrone ‘Avatar 2’

    ‘M3GAN’ Opens Strong, Unlikely to Dethrone ‘Avatar 2’

    The latest January horror release is upon us from Blumhouse Productions. The long-awaited M3GAN is finally in theaters, which showcases a modern take on Child’s Play with a PG-13 horror. The film has opened around 3,400 theaters in North America, and it’s opening to quite a strong start. The film was projected to make around $17M to $20M, an impressive start on a tiny $12M budget.

    As such, the film will likely make its money back internationally in the coming weeks and has a good chance of picking up the pace over the weekend if it ends up quite popular with audiences. The PG-13 rating could end up pushing the film further at the box office.

    As of now, the film has pulled in $2.75M in its Thursday previews, which sets it on the perfect path to reach its projects. Though it won’t beat Avatar: The Way of Water as the film has dominated theaters since its pre-Christmas release. The film is expected to have a soft 50% drop to around $30M, which would keep it at the top spot.

    M3GAN is playing the usual January counterprogramming strategy, as it’s generally a dead month for releases and has become quite popular for horror films. Most projects avoided Avatar‘s release in the Holidays, and this became quite profitable for the company, but M3GAN is hopefully going to start a strong 2023 release schedule that would push the box office to its usual legs from back in 2019. It seems unlikely it’ll revive that quickly, but each year the box office has been showing some growth.

    Source: Variety

  • ‘Gen V:’ Michele Fazekas to Run Season 2 as Writers Room Opens

    ‘Gen V:’ Michele Fazekas to Run Season 2 as Writers Room Opens

    The Boys spinoff, Gen V, has yet to premiere its first season, but that isn’t stopping Prime Video from looking ahead to Season 2. Deadline reports that, while an official season two has not been ordered, a writers’ room is being set up for a second season. The outlet has also reported that Michele Fazekas (Agent Carter) will lead the room and serve as the sole showrunner for Season 2.

    Fazekas served as a co-showrunner alongside frequent collaborator, Tara Butters (Agent Carter), however, Butters will not be returning for Season 2. The decision not to return seems to be on Butters’ end, as the producer has some personal matters to tend to. Deadline reports that Butters is hoping to return to writing and producing down the line.

    Gen V, a spinoff from The Boys, will focus on America’s only college exclusively for young adult superheroes that just so happens to be run by Vought International. The project stars Jaz Sinclair, Chance Perdomo, Lizze Broadway, Shelley Conn, Maddie Phillips, London Thor, Derek Luh, Asa Germann, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sean Patrick Thomas, and Marco Pigossi.

    Gen V, of course, had a bumpy production during its first season. The series saw numerous recastings and changes in showrunners. However, it seems Prime Video is high on the series, which will finally debut sometime this year.

    Source: Deadline.