Murphy's Multiverse

Category: News

  • ‘Wakanda Forever’ Producer on the Sequel’s Place on the MCU Timeline

    ‘Wakanda Forever’ Producer on the Sequel’s Place on the MCU Timeline

    Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s place in the chronology of the MCU has become the subject of a debate on social media lately. Marvel Studios has quite a job to do in keeping a tidy timeline, especially following the 5-year time jump of Avengers: Endgame which makes the MCU’s “present day” sometime in the year 2025. Some people believe that the film takes place in between the events of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame while others are convinced it’s not quite so easy to determine when it takes place. Fortunately, Cinema Blend asked Marvel Studios’ Parliament member and Wakanda Forever Executive Producer, Nate Moore, for some clarification.

    While hesitant to put a time stamp on it, Moore did place it chronologically amidst other films.

    This movie clearly happens after No Way Home and Eternals. I think it probably happens potentially concurrent with [Thor: Love and Thunder]. New Asgard does exist in our universe, for instance, or in our film. And almost concurrent with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which is coming out in February.

    Nate Moore

    Realistically, and in terms of understanding where the sequel fits in the timeline of the connected universe, Moore’s answer gives the only information fans really need. The film, which serves as the capstone to Marvel Studios’ Phase 4, takes place in the “present” of the MCU, making it part of the Multiverse Saga, unlike Black Widow which was clearly placed in the Infinity Saga between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War.

    Fans can do more work on giving it a proper time stamp when Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hits theaters on November 11th.

  • ‘A Christmas Story Christmas’ Sees Ralphie Become the Head of the Parker Household

    ‘A Christmas Story Christmas’ Sees Ralphie Become the Head of the Parker Household

    1983’s A Christmas Story has stood the test of time as a quotable Christmas classic that finds itself on the yearly watchlists of many. The story of Ralphie Parker provides the right mix of laughter and holiday spirit that combine to make a beloved film. So why did it take nearly 40 years for a sequel, A Christmas Story Christmas, to be made?

    According to Peter Billingsley, who returns to the role of Ralphie in the upcoming HBO Max film, time just got away from everyone involved, but that might have been just what needed to happen to make A Christmas Story Christmas work.


    There was a lot of conversation about doing a sequel much closer to when the original film came out in 1983. And then, of course, in the early ‘90s… Eventually, it seemed like a distant memory, like we’d never be able to do it. But here we are, Ralphie is all grown up, he has his own family, and it’s an opportunity to really take what was so great from the first one and bring so much of that magic back but with a whole new perspective. You see what his dreams are, where his life is now, who his family is. In some ways, waiting this long makes it all the more special because there were so many new characters that we could bring in, and so many of the old fan favorites that we got to explore as well. Always in the back of my mind I’d hoped that this day would come.

    Peter Billingsley

    The sequel, which Billingsley produced and co-wrote, finds a grown-up Ralphie the head of the Parker household following the death of his father. His goal in the film is simple: provide a wonderful Christmas experience for his kids; however, the Parker family isn’t particularly well-known for things going smoothly. Part of the problem, according to writer and executive producer Nick Schenk, is that Ralphie is still, in a lot of ways, that little kid with the wild imagination that audiences met in A Christmas Story.

    Ralphie, though, is like a lot of people who are not ready to grow up. I think secretly, that’s the most scary thing a lot of people have to deal with, when you become fully adult. Ralphie’s faced with taking on the mantle, really, and he really isn’t prepared for that. In a lot of ways, like a lot of us, at heart he’s still a kid.

    Nick Schenk

    How will Ralphie handle the new role? What other characters, old and new, will be around to complicate things for him? Find out when A Christmas Story Christmas will debut on HBO Max on November 17th.

  • Live-Action ‘One Piece’ Series Adds a Key Arlong Park Character

    Live-Action ‘One Piece’ Series Adds a Key Arlong Park Character

    Those excited about the first live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda‘s One Piece have been facing quite a dry spell since production wrapped up some time ago. We still have no exact release date for the project or any hint on when we might expect the promotion to start. Tudum sadly didn’t offer any real updates and it seems we might have to wait until next year for any official update.

    Luckily, some actors have taken to their official CVs to update them with their newly acquired roles that have offered some minor castings during our wait. Now, another has been spotted by @OP_Netflix_Fan as Rory Acton Burnell has revealed he is taking on the role of Captain Nezumi. For those that might not know the character, he is a Marine that has a minor but relevant role in the events of the Arlong Park arc.

    There is some surprise to this casting, as there was the opportunity that they’d potentially merge characters for a more consistent storyline throughout the East Blue saga. Most of the storylines don’t directly connect, and it seemed like a great opportunity to have elements from others potentially tie into the events of others. We ourselves theorized that perhaps Nezumi might get skipped for Captain Morgen, but it seems we were off if they still have a role in the story. We still have to see if any official announcements may offer more insight into how they tackle the project.

    Source: ERMStars

  • Russo Brothers Tease When You Could Expect a Marvel Return

    Russo Brothers Tease When You Could Expect a Marvel Return

    Joe and Anthony Russo made quite their mark on the filming market by not only directing two great additions to the Captain America franchise but also directing two of Marvel Studios’ highest-grossing films Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers. Endgame. When rumors of what may be the next addition to the franchise might be, many threw their names back into the hat. They even teased how they would tackle an adaptation of Secret Wars throughout various interviews promoting films from their newly established AGBO production studio.

    While Shang-Chi director Daniel Destin Cretton took over the first of the Multiverse Saga’s Avengers entries, many thought there is still a chance for them to tackle the finale which is Avengers: Secret Wars. So far, Marvel Studios has yet to announce a director to tackle the project but it seems we should definitely not expect the Russo Brothers to tackle the project according to Joe Russo in an interview with Variety.

    We won’t be ready to do anything with Marvel until the end of the decade.

    Joe Russo

    It’s no surprise that they won’t have any time until later in the decade, especially with their many deals with Amazon and Netflix currently moving forward in full force. Marvel Studios ended up giving them the opportunity to establish their name in the industry and push forward on their own passion projects. Of course, there’s also always the question of finding the right project that would catch their interest, and perhaps something pops up throughout the coming years that pulls them in eventually.

    Source: Variety

  • ‘She-Hulk’ Concept Art Reveals Unused Daredevil Villain

    ‘She-Hulk’ Concept Art Reveals Unused Daredevil Villain

    If there was one thing She-Hulk: Attorney at Law had plenty of, it was low-tier foes for the titular hero to face. Almost weekly, fans were introduced to new, second-rate baddies from the Marvel universe, whether they be in the courtroom or making ill-advised decisions in the streets. In fact, there were so many ridiculous characters, it almost seemed like nothing the writers pitched ever hit the cutting room floor. Unfortunately, that is not true. It would seem that at least one minor villain actually failed to make the grade, and was removed from the show prior to filming.

    Concept artist Wesley Burt, who did a lot of the early design work on the series, took to Instagram to reveal a classic Daredevil villain was, at one point, supposed to make an appearance in She-Hulk. Carl Burbank, better known as Bushwacker, is a mercenary and longtime enemy of the Man Without Fear. Formerly a priest, he abandoned his vows after a string of deaths in his parish, and instead became a paid killer for the CIA. He was outfitted with weaponized, cybernetic arms, which he eventually used to get jobs from bigger baddies like Kingpin and The Hood.

    Burt claims that Bushwacker would have appeared in an early episode of She-Hulk, though it’s unclear where he would have fit in. Based in the show’s track record, it’s likely the character would have had a small, comedic role. Burt essentially confirms this when he says the mercenary would have struggled to change out and load his “robohands” during his time on screen. Either way, it would have been cool to see such a deep-cut Marvel villain in live-action. Perhaps Marvel Studios will find somewhere else to use Bushwacker soon.

    Source: Instagram

  • ‘Wakanda Forever’ Producer Reveals ‘Ironheart’s Place on the MCU Timeline

    ‘Wakanda Forever’ Producer Reveals ‘Ironheart’s Place on the MCU Timeline

    There have been many questions surrounding when exactly the upcoming Ironheart series takes place. Not only is Dominique Thorne going to be introduced in the upcoming Black Panther sequel, Wakanda Forever but set photos from the Disney+ spinoff hinted at some new armors she is working on. With no sighting of the one that was recently leaked through tie-in merchandise, it seemed odd that Riri Williams wouldn’t use it in her own series.

    Well, luckily producer Nate Moore who worked on Black Panther Wakanda Forever offered some insight into the series and its place on the ever-growing Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline. While we don’t yet know exactly when the sequel takes place, it looks like the Disney+ series is a direct continuation rather than a prequel.

    Riri is carrying the experience that she had in this movie back home to MIT & there’s some interesting repercussions to her adventures that will set her on a fun course.

    Nate Moore

    It’s definitely a curious direction and it does make sense that they’d want to continue her storyline. Plus, the experience of working with the Wakandans could become a helpful tool when she is faced with a new challenge in the form of magic. Many set photos and the confirmation of The Hood as an antagonist do give credence to her taking on a new kind of challenge. Perhaps the new suits we see are prototypes to take on this new threat. Of course, the power source required to run her finalized Ironheart armor may also need some rework which leads to her experimenting. Whatever the direction may be, it remains promising to see what the future of the MCU has in store.

    Source: YouTube via Twitter

  • ‘Ironheart’ Set Photo Seemingly Confirms ‘Doctor Strange’ Comics Character

    ‘Ironheart’ Set Photo Seemingly Confirms ‘Doctor Strange’ Comics Character


    A recent rumor hinted that actress Regan Aliyah is set to bring Zelma Stanton—a Doctor Strange ally and apprentice—to live action in Ironheart. A new set photo that has emerged from the series seems to support that Zelma will make an appearance.

    In the photo, a sign for a bookstore reads, “Stanton’s Sweets, Reads, & More.” In the comics, Zelma initially joined the sorcery world as Doctor Strange’s librarian, so the fact that the character is linked to a bookstore signals that the character may be introduced in her early stages as the Sorcerer Supreme’s ally.

    Zelma is a relatively new character to the comics anyway, first appearing in 2015 in Jason Aaron’s Doctor Strange run. After being helped by the sorcerer, Zelma becomes the librarian for the Sanctum Santorum. After several adventures in this capacity, she decides to practice magic as Strange’s apprentice. The series already features The Hood as the main antagonist, and Sacha Baron Cohen is heavily rumored to play Mephisto in the series, so having another magic-related character in Ironheart further fuels the technology versus magic theme or plot for the series.

    Check out the set photo below:

    Ironheart is set to stream on Disney Plus in the Fall of 2023.

  • ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ Prequel Announced as Graphic Novel

    ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ Prequel Announced as Graphic Novel

    This is Halloween, everybody make a scene! Or in this case, a full-blown graphic novel. TOKYOPOP, publisher of Western manga-style works, has officially announced a new installment in their line of comics based on Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Subtitled The Battle For Pumpkin King, the series will act as a prequel to the critically-acclaimed film, exploring a time before Jack Skellington was the undisputed Pumpkin King of Halloween Town.

    The story, set years prior to the events of the movie, will see Jack and his future rival – Oogie Boogie – as close friends. Eager to prove themselves, the pals pour all their passion into spooky projects so they might be known as the scariest duo in town. However, only one can earn their rightful place as the titular Pumpkin King. The Battle For Pumpkin King will reveal what happens between the two that turns them into bitter enemies, and leads to Jack’s eventual crowning.

    Written by Dan Conner, based on a story by Shaun McLaughlin and D.J. Milky, the full-color project features art from Deborah Allo and Roberto Scalia in another deep-dive into the holiday-themed world crafted by Tim Burton. The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Battle For Pumpkin King will be released as five single issue comics beginning in March of 2023, before dropping as a collected graphic novel in time for next Halloween. The novel follows two others previously produced by TOKYOPOP – Zero’s Journey, also written by Conner, and Mirror Moon, written by Mallory Reaves. Both are currently available.

  • ‘Black Panther’ Producer Gives Update On ‘Wakanda’ Spin-Off

    ‘Black Panther’ Producer Gives Update On ‘Wakanda’ Spin-Off

    When 2017’s Black Panther introduced Wakanda to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it became an instant sensation. Ever since, director Ryan Coogler has been hard at work on expanding the fictional nation’s corner of the Marvel world. A sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, is almost in theaters. After that, Coogler will look ahead to the release of Ironheart on Disney+, a series which he is producing based on a character – Dominique Thorne’s Riri Williams – debuting in his film, Wakanda Forever. On top of this, there are two more Disney+ projects reportedly in development from Coogler. One that’s set to delve into Wakanda and its people, and another that will tell the origin of Danai Gurira’s Okoye.

    It’s possible that these shows are one-in-the-same, though this has yet to be confirmed or denied. In fact, not much has been said about these projects at all in the time since they were announced. That finally changed this past weekend. Speaking to Collider ahead of Wakanda Forever’s premiere, producer Nate Moore gave an update on the Wakanda series. Unfortunately, it would seem the show is still quite a ways off:

    Because of the amount of time and attention that went into this film, and frankly the Ironheart show, that is probably not as far along as people want it to be, but there are certainly great ideas that we’re still talking to Ryan about. So, we’ll see how far we can get with it.

    Nate Moore

    The good news is that Coogler is putting a lot of time and care into the projects in front of him. The downside is that fans will have to wait much longer for anything else. That being said, Moore does not say the projects, or project, are dead. So, there’s no reason to panic yet.

    Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hits theaters on November 11th. Ironheart lands in late 2023.

    Source: Collider

  • Ryan Coogler Reveals Original Plot of ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

    Ryan Coogler Reveals Original Plot of ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

    It’s not a secret that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the highly-anticipated follow-up to 2017’s Black Panther, was forced to undergo some changes in 2020. With production on the project already well underway, star Chadwick Boseman passed away unexpectedly from illness. As a result, changes had to be made to the story to account for his absence, leading to a very grief-focused sequel. Since the first plot details began to release on Wakanda Forever, fans have wondered what the film might have looked like before it lost Boseman’s King T’Challa. According to co-writer and director Ryan Coogler, it really wasn’t all that different.

    Speaking to Inverse during a recent interview, the acclaimed creative revealed that Wakanda Forever was always going to be about grief. The main difference in the original script, however, was the subject of the lead’s regret. In the finished product, audiences will see Letitia Wright’s Shuri and Angela Bassett’s Queen Ramonda grieving the loss of their loved one, while in the initial version of the movie, it would have been Boseman’s T’Challa grieving the loss of time.

    The tone was going to be similar. The character was going to be grieving the loss of time, you know, coming back after being gone for five years. As a man with so much responsibility to so many, coming back after a forced five years absence, that’s what the film was tackling. He was grieving time he couldn’t get back. Grief was a big part of it.

    Ryan Coogler

    Black Panther was one of many heroes who turned to dust in 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War, before returning to life the next year in Avengers: Endgame. It seems that the original take on Wakanda Forever would have joined the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase 4 in dealing with the fallout of “The Blip.” As for Namor, the new film’s antagonist who strikes as Wakanda is at its most vulnerable, Coogler confirms he was always part of the story:

    There were other characters, for sure, that we considered including. Namor was always there.

    Ryan Coogler

    Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hits theaters on November 11th.

    Source: Inverse