Murphy's Multiverse

Category: News

  • First ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ Reactions Indicate It’s Another James Cameron Classic

    First ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ Reactions Indicate It’s Another James Cameron Classic

    After a thirteen-year wait for the sequel, it sounds like audiences who fell in love with 2009’s Avatar are about to have a very happy holiday season at the movie theater. Avatar: The Way of Water premiered yesterday and those who were in attendance in London or at press screenings around the globe were allowed to take to social media to share their thoughts. In a nutshell, the film is another hit for director James Cameron.

    Our own Hunter Radesi called the film an “improvement over its predecessor” and praised the film’s incredibly “immersive” use of VFX:

    Reel Blend’s Kevin McCarthy joined Hunter in praising the use of technology to make the “most jaw-dropping immersion” he had ever seen in theaters.

    Fandango’s Erik Davis called the film “phenomenal” and “visually breathtaking.”

    Joseph Deckelmeier, who attended the World Premiere in London called it a “cinematic achievement.”

    THR’s Beatrice Verhoeven didn’t go in looking forward to it, but says the film changed her mind!

    While Scott Mantz jumped on board the VFX train, he believed the story behind the sequel wasn’t quite as good as the first and that it felt drawn out over the film’s extensive run time of 190 minutes.

    Fellow filmmaker Guillermo del Toro praised Cameron’s work on the film, saying the sequel showed the work of “a master at the peak of his powers…”

    While there was never really a doubt that the film would be a major box office draw over the holiday season, the initial word of mouth about the VFX and the overall quality of the story are sure to help Avatar: The Way of Water be one of 2022’s biggest box office draws when it hits theaters beginning December 16th!

  • Michael B. Jordan Discusses What It Took to Keep Killmonger’s Return in ‘Wakanda Forever’ a Surprise

    Michael B. Jordan Discusses What It Took to Keep Killmonger’s Return in ‘Wakanda Forever’ a Surprise

    A debate about which character should become the next Black Panther in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever arose among fans following the death of franchise star Chadwick Boseman. Some fans believed Marvel Studios should follow the route established in the comics and have Shuri assume the mantle. Other fans, however, had other ideas. Nakia, M’Baku and the villain of Black Panther, Killmonger, all made the lists of fans around the globe. Killmonger, who was played in the first film by Michael B. Jordan, was an interesting choice given the fact that he was both canonically deceased and made terrible choices during his reign as King and Black Panther of Wakanda. Ultimately, writer and director Ryan Coogler made the decision to have Shuri become the protector of Wakanda and take on Namor. But that didn’t mean there wasn’t room for Jordan’s Killmonger in the film.

    Upon recreating the heart-shaped herb and moving into the Ancestral Plane where she believed she would be greeted by her brother, Letitia Wright’s Shuri was shockingly greeted by her cousin, the villainous Killmonger. The return of the character to the Ancestral Plane was the subject of rumor and speculation long before the film’s release, but Jordan never gave it away. In fact, according to the star, he knew that working with Marvel Studios meant he “had to lie to everybody” to keep the appearance a secret.

    While discussing his return in an interview with Extra, Jordan indicated that lying and denying is just part of the deal when working with Marvel and that includes lying to his family.

    I had to lie to my family over here. I had to lie to everybody out here… I had to just keep it under wraps… When you’re dealing with Marvel and stuff like that, you know the routine. So you just gotta, you know, deny, deny, deny, deny, deny until the end of it, yeah.

    Michael B. Jordan

    Marvel Studios and its actors are, of course, famously disingenuous when it comes to discussing upcoming projects. The “Marvel way” of lying and misleading fans rather than using the actors’ presence in the project is certainly a curious way to build hype, but Marvel has maintained its intense level of secrecy for well over a decade, at times to the dismay of stars such as Zoë Saldaña, who compared working with the studio to being part of a cult in terms of holding on to secrets. Hopefully, Jordan’s family forgives him in time for the holidays!

    Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is still in theaters!

    Source: Extra

  • ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ Concept Art Reveals Wild Character Mash-Up Cut from Film

    ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ Concept Art Reveals Wild Character Mash-Up Cut from Film

    In 2018, Marvel Comics published Infinity Wars, a 6-issue event that saw Gamora inadvertently use the Infinity Stones to create some mash-up characters such as Iron Hammer (Iron Man and Thor) and Soldier Supreme (Captain America and Doctor Strange). It was a crazy idea that made resulted in some great-looking character designs, but they ultimately stayed behind in their own Warp World when things returned to normal.

    Infinity Wars certainly didn’t corner the market on character mash-ups. Donny Cates has made a living on them and the long-running What If…? comic series explored the idea often but the idea hasn’t really translated to the big screen. However, some newly located concept art from Avengers: Infinity War reveals that fans were almost introduced to Iron Strange in the 2018 film!

    Found on Reddit, the concept art from Phil Saunders, who has worked on Marvel Studios from Iron Man through Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which was created for a scene that didn’t make the final cut of Avengers: Infinity War, explored the idea of Tony Stark using the Mark 50 suit to save Doctor Strange from his torture at the hands of Ebony Maw. However, according to Saunders, it wasn’t just as simple as Strange wearing the suit. Once covered in the Mark 50, Strange’s Eye of Agamotto became the power source for the suit, making it a true mash-up: Iron Strange!

    One early script idea that didn’t make into the final movie was this hybrid of the Iron Man Mk 50 suit and Dr. Strange. This would have been for a scene in the Q ship when Tony and Spidey are trying to rescue Dr. Strange from Ebony Maw. To protect Strange from Maw’s magic needle torture, Tony transfers his suit onto him. I imagined the Eye of Agamotto would have taken the place of Tony’s RT and powered the suit, burning a sigil around it. Later in the scene Tony gets Strange’s cloak, leading to a bizarre team-up. Could have been cool, I don’t know why they cut it from the script.

    Avengers: Infinity War Concept Artist Phil Saunders

    The concept even goes so far as to show Strange’s signature energy projection coming from the suit! As Saunders points out, this would have made for a fascinating scene and one that would likely stand out in the minds of fans for its uniqueness. Perhaps there’s a chance for the concept to find new life down the road, perhaps in Avengers: Secret Wars, should Doctor Strange come across any multiversal Iron Men.

    Sources: Phil Saunders Art Station, Reddit

  • All-Star Ensemble Cast Set for ‘Book of Clarence’

    All-Star Ensemble Cast Set for ‘Book of Clarence’

    An elite cast of Hollywood names has been announced to join Jeymes Samuel’s second feature film, Book of Clarence. Benedict Cumberbatch, James McAvoy, Anna Diop, David Oyelowo, RJ Cyler, Alfre Woodard, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Caleb McLaughlin, Eric Kofi Abrefa, Babs Olusanmokun, and Tom Glynn-Carney are set to join LaKeith Stanfield and Omar Sy in roles for the film. Book of Clarence has officially just now begun its production in Italy.

    Book of Clarence is based on Biblical-era epics that used to be a tried and true genre in Hollywood. The story follows Clarence, played by Stanfield, in an attempt to capitalize himself as a celebrity off the back of the Messiah. The film is said to be an exploration of the themes of faith and how it can come from unexpected places.

    The film is being produced by Legendary Pictures and will be one of the first films from the studio following its new deal with Sony Pictures. The film is to be released theatrically, unlike Samuel’s debut film, The Harder They Fall, which was a Netflix original. With The Harder They Fall playing as a pastiche to classic Western film, it will be interesting to follow if Jeymes Samuel can do the same with this genre of vintage Hollywood history. Based on the directorial style he brought in his debut and mixed with the all-star cast assembled, one would think that this has the potential to be another success story for the young director.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • ‘Ghostbuster: Afterlife’ Sequel Lands Director; Jason Reitman Returns to Co-Write

    ‘Ghostbuster: Afterlife’ Sequel Lands Director; Jason Reitman Returns to Co-Write

    Earlier this year, Sony slated a sequel to 2021’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife for a December 20, 2023 release. Right on time, the studio has now found a director for the film in Oscar nominee Gil Kenan. Afterlife director Jason Reitman, whose father Ivan created the franchise with 1984’s Ghostbusters, will produce and co-write the sequel with Kenan, who also shared script duties for the first film.

    In a statement published by Deadline, Kenan confirmed his involvement with the film:

    It’s an absolute honor to pick up the proton pack and step behind the camera for the next chapter of the Spengler family saga. I just wish I could go back to 1984 and tell the kid in the sixth row of the Mann Valley West that one day he was going to get to direct a Ghostbusters film.”

    Gil Kenan

    Kenan’s directorial debut was 2006’s Monster House, which was nominated for 2007’s Best Animated Feature Film. Kenan also directed the 2015 Poltergeist reboot as well as one episode of Scream: The TV Series. The Afterlife sequel will be the second film on which Kenan will serve as both writer and director, joining 2021’s A Boy Called Christmas.

    The trade report indicates that Afterlife stars Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon are expected to return and that the sequel will make good on the post-credit scene that saw Ernie Hudson’s Winston Zeddemore returning to New York City hinting at the future of the franchise.

    Source: Deadline

  • Ezra Miller’s ‘The Flash’ Shuffles Its Release Date Again

    Ezra Miller’s ‘The Flash’ Shuffles Its Release Date Again

    DC’s The Flash will now open one week earlier than previously expected, moving to June 16, 2023. The film, which was originally slated to hit theaters on March 23, 2018, is now on its seventh release date since being announced.

    The film has been a considerable source of controversy as star Ezra Miller was at the center of a series of increasingly bizarre scenarios. Amid these scenarios, rumors have swirled about a potential recasting but at the same time, early screenings of the film have been generally positively received.

    According to director Andy Muschetti, the film will be an adaptation of the iconic DC Comic story Flashpoint, though not a one-to-one page-to-screen translation. Principal photography for The Flash ran from April through October of 2021. The most recent move gives the DC film one more week to breathe ahead of the release of Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny, which is slated for a June 30th debut.

  • ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Adds Margarita Levieva and Sandrine Holt in Major Roles

    ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Adds Margarita Levieva and Sandrine Holt in Major Roles

    The time has come, as we’re getting our first real casting announcement for the upcoming Disney+ continuation of Daredevil, Daredevil: Born Again. Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio are the only known cast to return with Matt Corman and Chris Ord acting as showrunners on the new adaptation of the iconic Man Without Fear. Deadline has just revealed that they have cast Margarita Levieva and Sandrine Holt in major roles, which are even described to potentially be love interests for the leads.

    Yes, you read that correctly for both leads. It does raise the question if potentially one of them might be a recasting for Vanessa, the Kingpin’s long-time lover from the comics and the original Netflix series where she was played by Ayelet Zurer. There’s still the big question if we’ll see other actors from that series return and this casting does raise some questions on how Marvel Studios will tackle their take on the character.

    Levieva is no stranger to Disney+ series, as she has also recently been cast in the Star Wars series The Acolyte. Perhaps her involvement with that project caught the attention of Marvel Studios, who always had a habit of casting rising stars. Holt has made a name for herself in American Gigolo, but has an extensive TV background with House of Cards, Better Call Saul, The Expanse, MacGyver, and many more. With this casting out, there’s a good chance we might hear more about additional cast members in the near future as the series gets ready for production.

    Source: Deadline

  • Margot Robbie is All In to Explore Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy’s Relationship in Live-Action

    Margot Robbie is All In to Explore Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy’s Relationship in Live-Action

    Harley Quinn has gone through many iterations throughout the years and became a cornerstone of DC Comics. It’s quite curious if you consider that she wasn’t originally a character introduced as part of the comics but rather the animated series Batman: The Animated Series. Still, she has seen a big surge in popularity when she was brought to live action by the always incredible Margot Robbie.

    In an interview with ComicBook.com’s Jamie Jirak, she got the chance to talk about a story line she always wanted to explore in the live-action DC universe and that is Quinn’s romance with Poison Ivy. While it seems there are no exact plans, she’s definitely excited to give that romance a chance eventually in a project.

    I have been pushing for that for years, I cannot tell you how hard I’ve pushed for that. I honestly when I picture it, I always picture Poison Ivy in the comics, don’t picture an actress doing it.

    Margot Robbie

    The fact she only pictures Poison Ivy from the comics is interesting, but perhaps Jirak‘s question inspired her to explore ideas of who might be perfect int he role. With James Gunn having now taken on this new role as the co-head of DC Studios, perhaps we’ll get a chance to explore this romance sooner rather than later.

    Source: Twitter

  • Zoe Saldana Says Working With Marvel Studios Is Like ‘A Cult’

    Zoe Saldana Says Working With Marvel Studios Is Like ‘A Cult’

    At this point, Zoe Saldana is a superhero veteran. The actress has been playing Gamora, reformed daughter of Thanos and the universe’s deadliest assassin, since 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Since debuting as the character, Saldana has gone on to reprise her role in four more films, with the latest effort being Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – next year’s grand conclusion to Marvel Studios’ space-faring trilogy. Her future with the company past this point is currently unknown, though she has quickly become a favorite among fans who would probably love if she stuck around.

    While the thespian herself has yet to comment on what comes after Vol. 3, a recent appearance on the hit YouTube series Hot Ones shed some light on how she feels working for a massive studio like Marvel. Speaking on her unique experience portraying an alien warrior in multiple blockbuster movies, she explained:

    When you work for Marvel, it feels like a cult, everybody’s like, ‘What’s going on? I’m dressed in green after four hours in makeup, we must be shooting something, what is it?’ [Laughs] That has advantages and disadvantages, the advantages are you savor the surprise for the end, and you don’t ruin it and the audience is able to have an amazing adventure when they go to the movies to watch it. The disadvantage is mainly for the actor, because you don’t know what you’re getting, you don’t know where you’re going, you don’t know what you’re saying, you don’t know what’s going to happen, and that can be a little nerve-wracking.

    Zoe Saldana

    Many performers who’ve played in the Marvel Cinematic Universe sandbox have spoken on their unconventional style of filmmaking in the past. The studio tends to film several projects at once, and enjoys keeping as much of their work secret as possible. As a result, actors are often left in the dark about scenes they’re not in, and sometimes aren’t even sure which project they’re filming for. Saldana lays out the pros and cons of this system pretty well, and her joking spirit seems to indicate the process isn’t actually all that bad. Perhaps just a tad unusual for those more accustomed to doing one thing at a time.

    Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 hits theaters on May 5th, 2023, but Saldana can next be seen reprising an entirely different blockbuster role when Avatar: The Way of Water arrives on December 16th.

    Source: Hot Ones

  • HBO Max and Discovery+ Merger May Simply be Named “Max”

    HBO Max and Discovery+ Merger May Simply be Named “Max”

    You read that title correctly, but it seems a name has potentially been found for the merging of two streaming giants. If you’ve questioned Warner Bros. Discovery’ overall direction since CEO David Zaslav took over, it seems that their plans to simply title the merger of HBO Max and Discovery+ “Max” is a curious choice. The plans are to launch it in the near future, but there are still many questions on what their focus is moving forward.

    HBO Max and Discovery+ were infamously compared with very distinct focus groups, and the Discovery head has no interest to truly invest into creatives if there’s no clear return on investment. AS such, his main focus with streaming will be to push cheap content that can draw in a massive crowd. So, reality TV is definiteley on their radar, such as when they shared with pride their 90 Day Fiance Universe tagline during an earnings call after the merger.

    The source from CNBC has pointed that the company’s lawyer is currently vetting the name, which isn’t the definite name as of now. They may have other ideas on the table, but it’s surprisng they aren’t trying to bank on the Warner Bros. brand if they are moving away from HBO. Supposedly, they are taking inspiration from Disney+’s design with brand focused sections. It will be interesting if they keep some of the elements alive from the original streaming services, especially with HBO Max being among the most visually stunning.

    Source: CNBC