Murphy's Multiverse

Category: News

  • ‘Dune’ Prequel Series Adds Mark Strong, Chris Mason, and Jade Anouka

    ‘Dune’ Prequel Series Adds Mark Strong, Chris Mason, and Jade Anouka

    Director Denis Villeneuve has been quite busy on the sequel to last year’s Dune. Yet, they have many more plans for this franchise as the upcoming HBO Max series has been busy working on the prequel series Dune: The Sisterhood. It’s based on the novel Sisterhood of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson which takes place 10,000 years before the original novels and film. Now, the story has seemingly found its next batch of actors.

    Acting legend Mark Strong is joining the project as Emperor Javicco Corrino, who is “a man from a great line of war-time Emperors, who is called upon to govern the Imperium and manage a fragile peace.” Jade Anouka has also joined the project as Sister Theodosia, who “harbors a dangerous secret about her past.” while Chris Mason will take on the role of Keiran Atreides, “a Swordmaster to a Great House whose ambition to live up to his family name is disrupted when he forms an unexpected connection to a member of the royal family.”

    The serise already has an impressive cast that consists of Indira Varma, Travis Fimmel, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Aoife Hinds, Chloe Lea, and many more. Diane Ademu-John is working on the project as an executive producer, but passed on the showrunner duties to Alison Schapker. With the introduction of a member of the Atreides family, it’ll be interesting if they still want to set up seeds that connect the project to the original films even if 10,000 years set it apart.

    Source: Variety

  • Gurinder Chadha to Direct & Produce Indian Princess Movie for Disney

    Gurinder Chadha to Direct & Produce Indian Princess Movie for Disney

    Disney has brought on Bend it Like Beckham director Gurinder Chadha and screenwriter Paul Mayeda Berges to craft a new original musical feature that will be inspired by a dynamic princess from Indian history. Both Chadha and Berges will pen the screenplay for the film, while Chadha will direct the feature. Further details about the project are being kept under wraps.

    Along with her work on Bend it Like Beckham, Chadha has directed titles like What’s Cooking?, Bride & Prejudice and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging. Throughout her career, Chadha has been nominated twice for a BAFTA, once for Bend It Like Beckham and once for her feature film debut, Bhaji on the Beach. Bend it Like Beckham was a surprise box office hit, earning an impressive $76.5 million at the worldwide box office on a reported $5.6 million production budget.

    The untitled project will be developed for Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production. Lindy Goldstein (The Nutcracker and the Four Realms) will produce the movie along with Chadha. As of now, the film doesn’t have a release date and no cast has been announced.

    Source: Deadline.

  • Netflix Loses ‘Midnight Mass’ Creators to Amazon

    Netflix Loses ‘Midnight Mass’ Creators to Amazon

    Now this is quite the development, as after having worked on a multitude of Netflix original projects, Mike Flanagan and Trevor Macy have moved on and signed an exclusive multiyear deal with Amazon Studios. They worked on popular horror projects like The Haunting of Hill House or Midnight Mass.

    The exclusivity deal means that future projects they work on under their Intrepid Pictures banner will stream on Prime Video’s 240 countries. Head of Global Television, Vernon Sanders, has shared some words on the exclusivity deal.

    Mike and Trevor are remarkable at telling immersive, suspenseful stories that masterfully keep audiences engaged from start to finish. We are excited to welcome them to Amazon Studios and are looking forward to our global customers experiencing their genre-bending creativity.

    Vernon Sanders

    Flanagan and Macy also have shared their excitement of joining the studio’s future ventures.

    Amazon is a studio that we have long admired. Their commitment to engaging in groundbreaking series and content aligns with the ethos of what we have built at Intrepid. We are looking forward to working with the entire Amazon team as we bring our brand of genre productions to the service and audiences around the globe.

    Mike Flanagan and Trevor Macy

    There’s no word on what exactly their next project might be. Intrepid last worked on The Midnight Club for Netflix and still is working on The Fall of the House of Usher for next year. Yet, it seems like future horror ventures from the duo will move away from their usual home and it does wonder if they’ll do something unique to make their new home stand out from previous ventures.

    Source: Deadline

  • Disney+ Already Working on Next ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ Film

    Disney+ Already Working on Next ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ Film

    Disney+ has been busy promoting its big-budget shows based on popular IP like Marvel, Star Wars, and many more. Of course, the family-friendly company has not been wasting any time to also focus on some iconic stories for its younger streaming audience. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney has made its way to the streaming service Disney+ as an animated film in 2021.

    It’s sequel, Rodrick Rules, is about to hit Disney+. Yet, as revealed by the series creator Jeff Kinney in an interview with One Take News, they’re already working on a sequel based on The Last Straw. So, those hoping for Disney+ to spend more time on this adaptation are going to be happy to know there’s more to come.

    Yeah, I don’t know how much I’m allowed to say but I will say that yes, The Last Straw is in the works and I’m hoping to do lots and lots of [animated Wimpy Kid films] over time.

    Jeff Kinney

    The book series that this is based on first released back in 2007, and it’s spawned sixteen entries with the latest Diper Överlöde having released this October. So, it’s not too surprising that Kinney is excited to do a lot more. If the series remains as a staple for young kids to check out, he might just get his wish and Disney is no stranger to enjoying a long-running franchise based on a popular IP having a prominent spot on their platform.

    Source: One Take News

  • ‘The Boys’ Casts Rosemarie DeWitt as Hughie’s Mom, Simon Pegg to Return

    ‘The Boys’ Casts Rosemarie DeWitt as Hughie’s Mom, Simon Pegg to Return

    The Boys remains one of Amazon’s biggest shows and remains as the big counter offering for those that have reached a certain limit with current superhero fare. While it revels in the mockery of DC and Marvel’s ongoing history alongside an unsubtle political mockery, the show also has a lot of heart with its many characters trying to just survive in a confusing world. Back in August, many were excited when the show announced that Jeffrey Dean Morgan is set to join the cast in an unknown role for Season 4. That wasn’t all, as we now have even more casting news.

    The biggest reveal is that Rosemarie DeWitt will be playing the mother of Jack Quaid‘s Hughie. Simon Pegg is also set to return to reprise the role of his dad, which was a fun in-joke given that Hughie in the original The Boys comics looked quite a bit like the famous Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz actor. They’ve also added Elliot Knight and Rob Benedict in unknown roles, but there’s always a good chance they are some of the new superheroes joining the fray of Eric Kripke‘s superhero satire.

    It’ll be exciting to see what the new season has to offer, especially after everything that unraveled with Soldier Boy. Jensen Ackles was a fan-favorite last season and the series will definitely continue on that with this season. DeWiitt‘s addition as Hughie’s mother opens some interesting storytelling potential and perhaps we get to spend more time with the character.

    Source: Deadline

  • Mena Massoud Offers an Update on ‘Aladdin 2’

    Mena Massoud Offers an Update on ‘Aladdin 2’

    After the live-action take on Aladdin proved to be yet another success for Disney, a sequel was officially announced as being in development back in February 2020. Unfortunately, since then, things have been relatively quiet regarding Aladdin 2. While promoting his latest project, Amazon Freevee’s Hotel for the Holidays, Mena Massoud, who plays Aladdin, was asked to provide an update on the project, and it seems as though the sequel has stalled out a bit.

    “I don’t know that there is movement. There was a change with the writers, and they are working on a brand new draft. That’s all I know. If ‘Aladdin 2’ happens, that’s fantastic. I think it should happen,” he said. “Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich of Rideback Productions, who do the “Lego” movies and “Aladdin,” want to make sure they get this right. So if we do see “Aladdin 2,” it’s not going to be based off the animated version at all. This is going to be a brand new original story.”

    The Aladdin sequel doesn’t appear to be the only project undergoing changes. Billy Magnussen revealed back in May that the Disney+ spinoff centered around his character, Prince Anders, was still in development but undergoing rewrites. “It’s in development. We are in the stages of rewrites right now, and it’s still moving forward,” the actor revealed at the time.

    Aladdin, which was a misfire among critics, was a box office success for Disney having earned $1.05 billion at the worldwide box office. The film, directed by Guy Ritchie, starred Massoud, Naomi Scott and Will Smith.

    Source: Variety.

  • ‘We Were Liars’ Series Adaptation Set at Amazon

    ‘We Were Liars’ Series Adaptation Set at Amazon

    Back in July, it was revealed that Julie Plec (The Vampire Diaries) had teamed with Universal Television to adapt a trio of novels from bestselling author, E. Lockhart. One of the titles Plec had optioned was We Were Liars, which she’ll be adapting for the small screen with Carina Adly MacKenzie (Roswell, New Mexico). Now, it looks like the series has found a home with Deadline reporting Amazon has picked up the series.

    Per the outlet, Amazon Prime Video is now developing the project and has set up a mini writers’ room. Plec is set to write the first episode, while MacKenzie is set to write the second episode. The duo will produce the series alongside Emily Cummins, E. Lockhart and Universal Television.

    We Were Liars is described as a tragic love story and amnesia thriller that is set on a privately owned island off the coast of Massachusetts. It features a “beautiful and distinguished family,” and a “brilliant, damaged girl” and a “passionate, political body.” The book has become a TikTok phenomenon and has been on the New York Times bestseller’s list for the past twenty-two months. The book was first published in 2014.

    Source: Deadline.

  • ‘Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ Adds to Season 2 Cast

    ‘Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ Adds to Season 2 Cast

    Season 2 of Amazon’s Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has added seven new cast members. The streamer announced on Thursday that Gabriel Akuwudike (Hanna), Yasen “Zates” Atour (The Witcher), Ben Daniels (The Crown), Amelia Kenworthy, Nia Towle (Persuasion), and Nicholas Woodeson (Rome) have all joined the series for Season 2. As of now, it’s unknown which roles they’ll be playing. Also joining the cast for Season 2 is Sam Hazeldine (Peaky Blinders) who will take over the role of Adar from Joseph Mawle this season.

    In a statement to the press, Vernon Sanders, head of global television for Amazon Studios, noted the success of Rings of Power and what is still yet to come in Season 2. “Since its premiere, ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ has been bringing audiences together to experience the magic and wonder of J.R.R. Tolkien’s magnificent Middle-earth,” he said. “To date, season one is the top Original series for Prime Video in every region and has been viewed by over 100 million people worldwide, a truly global hit that speaks to the universal nature of powerful storytelling. We welcome these wonderful actors to our ‘fellowship’ and look forward to telling more incredible Second Age stories in season two.”

    Production on Season 2 of The Rings of Power is currently underway. The Rings of Power currently stars Morfydd Clark as Galadriel, Ismael Cruz Cordova as Arondir, Nazanin Boniadi as Bronwyn, Charlie Vickers as Halbrand, Tyroe Muhafidin as Theo, and Markella Kavenagh as Nori Brandyfoot.

    Source: Variety.

  • ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Reportedly Adds Michael Gandolfini

    ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Reportedly Adds Michael Gandolfini

    Daredevil: Born Again is preparing to head into production in February and amid rumors of street-level heroes such as White Tiger appearing in the show, comes a very interesting addition to the cast. According to insider Daniel RPK, Michael Gandolfini has landed a role in the streaming series.

    The 23-year-old Gandolfini made a name for himself by playing a young Tony Soprano, a role previously held by his later father, James, in HBO’s The Many Saints of Newark. Gandolfini doesn’t have many credits to his name as his acting career only began in earnest following his father’s death in 2013. He recently had a role in the Jodie Turner-Smith and John Cena film The Independent and will next be seen in the Joaquin Phoenix film, Disappointment Blvd.

    Gandolfini’s role in Daredevil: Born Again has not been revealed but we can add that his character is described as an ambitious and earnest risk-taker with a very Staten Island-esque persona. Given that description, it’s possible Gandolfini is playing an up-and-coming mafioso, given the island’s ongoing reputation as a home for organized crime. Should that be the case, one intriguing possibility for the role could be Richard Fisk, the son of Wilson Fisk, aka the Kingpin. Richard has often been a thorn in his father’s side and has often tried to take his place atop organized crime.

  • What to Expect TODAY from Disney’s CCXP ’22 Panel

    What to Expect TODAY from Disney’s CCXP ’22 Panel

    This afternoon at 2:30 PM ET, Disney will begin a 3-hour and 20-minute long panel at CCXP ’22 in Brazil where it is expected to show off a significant amount of its 2023 slate from across its major brands. 20th Century Studios, Disney, Disney Animation, Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios and Pixar are all expected to have a presence during the panel. Here’s an idea of what to expect.

    20th Century Studios

    The only question here is if Fox will show off anything other than Avatar: The Way of Water. The film is just 2 weeks away from release and press screenings begin early next week. Star Zoë Saldaña and producer Jon Landau are scheduled to be at the event and are likely to show off some footage from the film.

    Disney

    Image from Collider.com

    Thanks to Collider, we know that Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid will be front and center during their portion of the studio’s portion of the panel. The film, headed to theaters on May 26, 2023, stars Halle Bailey as Ariel and looked to be a visual spectacle when a teaser trailer of it was shown at D23. Given the May release, it’s possible a new trailer might be unveiled at CCXP.

    Disney Animation

    As of publication, not much about the animation panel has trickled out. It’s possible, however, that the animation studio might show off the upcoming Disney Plus film, Iwájú, and its next theatrical release, Wish.

    Lucasfilm

    It looks like Lucasfilm will be showing off at least 3 projects from its slate: Willow, which just launched this week on Disney Plus, The Mandalorian Season 3 and Indiana Jones 5. Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni are set to join the panel virtually and discuss Mando S3, which is reportedly streaming in February. A trailer for the third season was unveiled about 2 months ago, so it’s possible a new trailer, complete with an expected release date, might emerge from CCXP. As exciting as that will be, expect Indy 5 to take up a big chunk of Lucasfilm’s time. A trailer for the new film, complete with the title, has been cut and is waiting to roll out. Is today the day?

    Marvel Studios

    Kevin Feige does not do panels unless he can bring something special to the mix. He’ll be on stage in Brazil and will be joined by Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania director Peyton Reed and stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly and Jonathan Majors, whose Kang the Conqueror, a major piece of the Multiverse Saga plans, will be introduced in the film. The film comes out in just over two months on February 17, 2023, and a new trailer for it was just screened at an event in Singapore. Feige is bringing it with him and the only question is whether or not it’ll leave the screens at CCXP or be exclusive to the event. It’s very likely it’ll be playing in front of Avatar: The Way of Water, so even if it doesn’t get into the wild today, we’ll all see it soon.

    Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will also get some attention at the panel, especially with Saldaña already in Brazil. Like Quantumania, new footage of it was shown in Singapore, so a trailer or some footage will be shown. The public has yet to see anything from the film, which is now just 6 months away from its May 5, 2023 release. While Marvel’s marketing window has been shorter recently, the same logic from above applies: they probably want this trailer in theaters with Avatar: The Way of Water.

    Loki Season 2 was also part of the panel in Singpore and the footage shown there featured Majors’ Kang the Conqueror. Fortunately, Majors is already there, so expect him to give an update on Loki and perhaps introduce a new trailer. The series comes out after Quantumania, sometime in the Summer of 2023, so its unlikely an exact release date will be given.

    Marvel Studios is also likely to at least talk about Secret Invasion and The Marvels, both of which are set for 2023 releases. At this point, it doesn’t seem likely that any major new announcements should be expected but rather just a showcase of 2023’s projects.

    Pixar

    Pixar will absolutely be showing off Elemental, the Peter Sohn-helmed film which is slated for a June 16, 2023 release. Here’s the official synopsis from Disney.com:

    Disney and Pixar’s “Elemental” is an all-new, original feature film set in Element City, where fire-, water-, land- and air residents live together. The story introduces Ember, a tough, quick-witted and fiery young woman, whose friendship with a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy named Wade challenges her beliefs about the world they live in.

    Of course, there could always be surprises rolled out during such a long panel and Murphy’s Multiverse will be doing out best to share everything with you as it happens!