Murphy's Multiverse

Category: News

  • Deadpool Wants to Join Marvel’s ‘Midnight Suns’

    Deadpool Wants to Join Marvel’s ‘Midnight Suns’

    Marvel’s next big video game is just around the corner, and everybody wants to be a part of it. Midnight Suns, the upcoming tactical role-playing game based on the comic book group of the same name, is releasing on most platforms on December 2nd and will feature a wide variety of playable characters for gamers to toy with when it does. The list of names included in the project ranges from classic supernatural members of the titular team, like Ghost Rider and Blade, to more popular Marvel heroes like Spider-Man and Wolverine. One famous character not currently involved, however, is Deadpool, and apparently, he would like to change that.

    In a new video released by the official Midnight Suns Twitter account, temporarily being called #DeadpoolSuns, the Merc With a Mouth addresses fans and asks them to voice their desire for his inclusion in the game. While he has yet to be formally announced as playable, the cinematic footage being released by the project’s own account is a pretty good indicator the studio plans on introducing him to the roster sooner than later.

    Midnight Suns will follow Marvel’s heroes as they combat Lilith, the Mother of Demons, after she’s awoken from eternal slumber by the evil forces of Hydra. If Deadpool does ever make an appearance in the game, it sounds like he might be portrayed by Nolan North, who previously voiced the character in his own solo adventure and multiple other animated projects. He would be one of many actors returning to their iconic role, with Yuri Lowenthal also reprising his role from Insomniac’s Spider-Man and Lyrica Okano getting a second chance at Nico Minoru after playing the character in Marvel Television’s Runaways.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Agatha: Coven of Chaos’ to Begin Filming in a Month

    ‘Agatha: Coven of Chaos’ to Begin Filming in a Month

    After being one of the biggest surprises in upcoming shows announced by Marvel Studios, Agatha: Coven of Chaos has been subject to numerous questions as to what the show may pertain to. Though with a recent update, it may not be too long until there will be some idea of what to expect from the WandaVision spin-off. While at the Chicago Film Festival, Kathryn Hahn (who is set to star in the titular role) spoke about her excitement about what this opportunity has provided. As well, Hahn provided a somewhat surprising update on the speed at which the show is moving along.

    It’s nothing I could have ever dreamed of, was to be asked to play a centuries-old witch that no one had ever heard of. And then all of a sudden, cut to a spin-off show, which is just like, ‘What?’ So, it’s very, very exciting. We’re in the middle of getting the Coven ready, and it’s going to be very delicious. I’m very excited for people to see that. We start shooting in about a month.

    Kathryn Hahn

    Production starting next month is certainly an exciting development for Marvel Studios as it begins producing the next swath of shows that will make up Phase Five. Some rumors, though, have already begun to surface for major players in the series. Firstly, a casting grid has been discovered that seems to potentially involve the inclusion of both Wiccan and Hulkling in Agatha: Coven of Chaos. And then comes the currently developing rumors that Sacha Baron Cohen will be playing the infamous Mephisto in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While his debut would seemingly be in Ironheart, rumors suggest he will play a larger role in Marvel Studios’ future in projects such as the Agatha series. Either way, the concept of magic in the Marvel Universe is certainly set to be further explored for Agatha: Coven of Chaos.

    The series is currently set to be released on Disney+ in the winter of 2023 and/or 2024.

    Source: Brooke Geiger McDonald via Twitter

  • Oscar Isaac Confirms Active Discussions for ‘Moon Knight’ Follow-Up with Marvel Studios

    Oscar Isaac Confirms Active Discussions for ‘Moon Knight’ Follow-Up with Marvel Studios

    After Moon Knight proved to be a critical and commercial success for Disney+ and Marvel Studios, star actor Oscar Isaac has confirmed that he is actively discussing a follow-up to Moon Knight with Marvel Studios executives. Though the major point of note comes in the uncertainty of whether this would come in the form of a second season or in a film. While talking with Comicbook.com, this is what the actor had to say about his future with Moon Knight.

    There have been some specific conversations. They were pleasant. The spilling of the details is that there’s no details. We don’t know [if there will be a second season], but we’re talking about it.

    Oscar Isaac

    It should definitely come as a point of excitement that Isaac remains interested in continuing the story of the multi-personalities of Moon Knight. While further elaborating on the topic, Isaac talked about his openness to whatever type of story best keeps him passionate for the character (whether that be a second season, transferring him to a film franchise, or placing him as part of a team).

    Truthfully, it’s about the story. Is there a story worth telling? Is it interesting? Will I feel embarrassed about it when it comes out? So it’s just about, is there something worth pouring everything you have into. And with Moon Knight, that was very much about that. It’s creating a structure so that every morning when the alarm went off, I couldn’t wait to get to the set because I wanted to try something different. Whether that’s in a group thing or maybe a great idea comes around for a season two or if it’s a standalone film or whatever it could be. I think it’s just approaching it in that kind of way. It’s the story first.

    Oscar Isaac

    Ultimately, it will be quite interesting to see what direction Marvel Studios will take with the character in the current landscape of the Multiverse Saga. The end of the first season of Moon Knight certainly left the door open for a solo follow-up focusing on the Jake Lockley persona and openly facing his Marc Spector and Steven Grant identities. Whether that will be in the form of a narratively extended second season or a more streamlined feature film or a special presentation remains to be seen at this point.

    As well, Isaac‘s suggestion of a team-up is interesting with the current line-up of heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While the Avengers franchise is gearing up for its next two outings in the coming years, one of the more appealing teams for Moon Knight would potentially be the Midnight Sons (or whatever they’d be referred to as by Marvel Studios). With Werewolf by Night releasing this month and Blade (finally) arriving in the future, Moon Knight could have ample amounts of compelling stories in the supernatural side of the universe.

    The entirety of the first season of Moon Knight is available to watch on Disney+

    Source: Comicbook.com

  • Laurence Fishburne Thinks ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ is “Best One” Yet

    Laurence Fishburne Thinks ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ is “Best One” Yet

    It feels like it’s been ages since the last John Wick film hit theaters. The saga’s third chapter, Parabellum, was released to critical acclaim in 2019, but audiences won’t be able to see the movie’s sequel until March of 2023. John Wick: Chapter 4 was originally set to debut on May 21st, 2021, but was delayed nearly two years by the global COVID-19 pandemic and star Keanu Reeves’ prior commitments to The Matrix Resurrections. As a result, expectations for the fourthquel have never been higher. Luckily for fans, franchise staple Laurence Fishburne thinks the wait will be well worth it.

    Speaking to Variety on the red carpet for his newest project, The School For Good And Evil, the Hollywood icon revealed his opinion that the next John Wick is the best they’ve ever made. When asked what people should expect from Chapter 4, the actor responded:

    For me, I’ve gotta tell you. Honestly, when I read it, I was like, ‘This is the best one’. On the page, it just was. I mean, from the way that it opens, there are like three or four really incredible set pieces that are, just like, ‘Whoa!’. There’s new characters, one in particular that’s so much fun. Well, actually, three that are crazy fun. Yeah, and I got to be in it again. I come back from the dead.

    Laurence Fishburne

    Fishburne closed his statement with a reference to the last time viewers saw his character, The Bowery King. Parabellum ended with both the King and Reeves’ protagonist severely wounded, but ready to take revenge on those who wronged them. As for the “fun” new faces, Fishburne could be talking about Donnie Yen, Hiroyuki Sanada, or Bill Skarsgård – all of whom are major stars making their Wick debuts in the film.

    John Wick: Chapter 4 is set to release on March 24, 2023.

    Source: Variety

  • ‘Black Adam’ Now Eyeing $60 Million Opening

    ‘Black Adam’ Now Eyeing $60 Million Opening

    Earlier in the month, tracking for Black Adam had the Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson-led flick looking at a $70 million opening, with the potential to go even higher. Now, following less-than-stellar reviews, it looks like those estimates have dwindled a bit. Box office experts currently have Black Adam on track for a $60 million domestic opening.

    In the Pandemic-era, that’s not necessarily a bad number. However, Black Adam is said to have cost $195 million to produce. With such a hefty price tag, Black Adam will need to legs at the box office and hope that word of mouth among audiences is better. While that is still higher than 2021’s The Suicide Squad, which opened to $26 million while simultaneously debuting on HBO Max, it’s far behind The Batman‘s $134 million opening. That film, of course, featured one of DC’s most famous characters, the Caped Crusader. Black Adam does not have that same advantage, though.

    Black Adam will easily defeat Universal’s Ticket to Paradise starring Julia Roberts and George Clooney, which is expected to open with $15 million from 3,500 cinemas. It should also easily overtake the poorly reviewed Halloween Ends, which opened with $41 million last weekend. As is often the case with estimates, though, it’s entirely possible Black Adam could open lower than expected. Worldwide, the movie is only expected to clear $135 million worldwide. With a 55% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s possible word of mouth hurts the film, but it’s also a superhero film, so that should help push it forward some.

    Source: Variety.

  • Lupita Nyong’o Comments on the Marvel Movie Debate

    Lupita Nyong’o Comments on the Marvel Movie Debate

    Marvel Studios has been the top player in the superhero genre for quite some time now, and with more titles still yet to come, the studio has become the subject of some big debates among creatives. In the past, we’ve seen creatives such as Martin Scorsese, Bong Joon-ho, Ridley Scott, Francis Ford Coppola, Jodie Foster, and Alejandro G. Iñárritu speak out against Marvel movies – and often superhero films in general. They seem to feel that these projects are hurting smaller projects, are not true cinema, or are simply for children.

    During a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter to promote Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, actress Lupita Nyong’o was asked to weigh in on this debate. Especially as, not only was Black Panther nominated for Best Picture, but Nyong’o has moved between franchise films and indie films throughout the years. As it puts it, it all boils down to what one deems art and what one deems to be its purpose.

    “It becomes a philosophical question about what is art and what is its purpose. I believe that art plays a role in moving the people that experience it, and a lot of people are moved by Marvel. Is you being moved by this thing less important than me being moved by Picasso?”

    Using sugar as a metaphor, the actress continues to explain why she feels options are not necessarily a bad thing. And that, just because something is a small character-driven film, it doesn’t mean it lacks an emotional pull.

    “I think to be culturally prosperous, to be artistically prosperous as a people, is to have options. In Kenya, sugar was sugar, it was brown or it was white. You come to the States, and a whole section in the supermarket is dedicated to sugars. So many different sugars. That is a symbol of prosperity, when you have options. So I personally love a good Marvel movie, but it doesn’t take me away from really wanting the little character-driven film. I believe in the fight for those things to be kept alive because the one thing we always want, the ultimate privilege, is choice.”

    While superhero films and television shows have been a mainstay for a while now, they’re not merely just mindless titles for children. As Nyong’o explains, there’s nothing wrong with giving people a choice.

    Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, a film meant to honor the late Chadwick Boseman, will hit theaters on Nov. 11th. Tickets are on sale now.

    Source: THR.

  • Nyong’o on Why She’s Glad T’Challa Wasn’t Recast

    Nyong’o on Why She’s Glad T’Challa Wasn’t Recast

    Following the incredible success of Black Panther, many were curious when a sequel to the blockbuster film would follow. Fans were eager for more of Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa, as well as more of the Dora Milaje and Letitia Wright’s Shuri. What no one knew, though, was that Boseman was terminally ill. His untimely passing was a shock to nearly everyone, including the cast and crew of Black Panther, and in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Lupita Nyong’o discussed what it was like to lose him.

    As the actress noted, Marvel Studios and the rest of the cast and crew from Black Panther didn’t know how – or if they could – revisit the franchise without their leading man. As Nyong’o explains, director and co-writer Ryan Coogler had already drafted a screenplay for the sequel before Boseman’s passing. That film would’ve heavily focused on T’Challa and it was expected to “delve deeply into his psyche and situation.” Many fans had expected Marvel Studios to recast the role, but out of respect, the studio opted not to. The sequel was later reworked, instead turning Wakanda Forever into a film meant to honor T’Challa and Boseman without recasting the role – a decision the actress wholeheartedly agrees with.

    “That is not the death of the Black Panther, that’s the whole point. It’s laying to rest [T’Challa] and allowing for real life to inform the story of the movies. I know that there are all sorts of reasons why people want him to be recast, but I don’t have the patience. I don’t have the presence of mind, or I don’t have the objectivity to argue with that. I don’t. I’m very biased.”

    While moving ahead with the sequel was emotionally difficult for all involved, Nyong’o said that Coogler had successfully crafted something to honor Boseman, while still carrying the story forward.

    “Ryan wrote something that so honored the truth of what every one of us was feeling, those of us who knew Chadwick. He created something that could honor that and carry the story forward. By the end, I was weeping.”

    Fans will get the chance to help honor Boseman’s legacy when Wakanda Forever hits theaters on Nov. 11th.

    Source: THR.

  • Charlie Cox Debates Himself on Daredevil’s Continuity Continuing in the MCU

    Charlie Cox Debates Himself on Daredevil’s Continuity Continuing in the MCU

    In true Marvel Studios’ fashion, their latest project, She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, has continued to make news nearly a week beyond its finale streamed on Disney Plus. Most of that news has come from post-finale interviews and most of those have been focused on guest star Charlie Cox, whose appearance as both lawyer Matt Murdock and the costumed vigilante Daredevil in Episode 8 fully integrated his character into the MCU after a brief appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Cox has a lot of MCU in front of him, with a rumored appearance in Echo and an 18-episode series of his own, Daredevil: Born Again, set for 2024. With all that ahead of him, however, much of the focus remains on his past and whether or not this Matt Murdock is the same one introduced in Netflix’s Daredevil.

    In the past Cox has been clear that whatever the case, Daredevil: Born Again will not serve as a continuation of the Netflix series, calling it a “whole new deal” and explaining that Marvel Studios head honcho Kevin Feige sees it as Season 1 rather than Season 4. Cox has also expressed enthusiasm at the fact that his future in the MCU will allow for the opportunity “to potentially get to tell some of the stories over and over again.” These comments certainly leave room for this iteration of the character to be a multiversal variant rather than THE exact same character seen over three seasons of the Netflix series.

    Interestingly enough, EW addressed this very topic in a recent interview by asking Cox if he was playing Daredevil “the same as in the Netflix series”

    It should be and it is always the same character. The difference is just like with people, we morph and change and are very different based on what’s going on in our lives. The Matt Murdock from the Netflix show, that world and what was going on for Matt meant that most of the time we were living with a man who had a huge amount of pressure and strain and tonally the show was very dark and gritty and heavy. I don’t know what the new show will be like, but when I came over to do Spider-Man and She-Hulk, the tone is much more lighthearted and tongue in cheek and fun and witty and full of levity, so the hope was that Matt is able to fit into that world and participate in it without it being a different character, a different person.

    Charlie Cox

    Pretty clear cut. Same character, same person. However, asked by THR if the character he will be playing in Daredevil: Born Again will be “the exact same character” as the one from the Netflix series, Cox’s response was a little different.

    I honestly don’t know. I haven’t read any scripts yet, and we haven’t really talked at length about what this current iteration will be like. Just by the fact that they’re using me as an actor to play the part, it’s clear that there are going to be some consistencies and … some differences. We have an opportunity to at least take what worked really well and then also add some cool elements, ideas, concepts and themes that we weren’t able to do before. So it’s Daredevil, but upgraded.

    Charlie Cox

    Given that Daredevil entered the MCU in the Multiverse Saga, the second statement seems to fall in line with what Marvel Studios has put on film so far in Phase 4. Plenty of examples exist of characters who are almost identical, but just a little different. And that statement also points out the creative freedom of choosing to portray Daredevil (and Kingpin or any other Netflix character for that matter) as a Variant. As Cox says, they would have the “opportunity to at least take what worked really well” while also having the freedom to change parts of the story they didn’t like. A well-placed Nexus Event essentially makes Matt Murdock the same character at his core but allows Marvel Studios to retell stories (as Cox indicates they are willing to do) in a way that fits their shared narrative rather than having to force the Netflix stories into it.

    Fans of the Netflix series may not love it, but Cox said it himself: “it’s Daredevil, but upgraded.” Ultimately it’s clear that Cox isn’t even sure himself what’s happening and the truth is that the longer he and fans are kept in the dark, the better it is for Marvel Studios because it allows them to do what they do best: keep interest in their characters and project alive even when there’s nothing new to see.

    Sources: THR and EW

  • ‘She-Hulk’ Writer Discusses How ’70s Homage in Finale Came to Be

    ‘She-Hulk’ Writer Discusses How ’70s Homage in Finale Came to Be

    The big fourth wall break in the middle of the She-Hulk: Attorney at Law finale may be the most memorable part of the episode, but the very beginning was also iconic. The opening was a stellar homage to the opening credits of The Incredible Hulk television series starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno that aired on network television in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was not too off-the-wall that the self-aware show would reference the classic Marvel show, but head writer Jessica Gao recently opened up about the somewhat surprising way it came about. Speaking to Comicbook.com, Gao said:

    One day, out of the clear blue — this was post-lockdown, so everyone’s just working from home — my fiance, Truck Torrence, just walks into the room that I’m in working. And just announces, ‘I think you should do an opening that’s like an homage to the 1970s Incredible Hulk. That is all.’ And then he just walked out of the room. And I thought, ‘That’s a great idea,’ and then it just snowballed from there.

    Jessica Gao

    The idea luckily worked in practice at the end of the day. Even if some younger viewers did not immediately make the connection, most did and the aesthetic was absolutely on point. Gao continued:

    And I am so tickled that we actually got to do it…[i]t looks fantastic. Our second unit director, who is also our stunt coordinator, Monique Ganderton, directed that. And you could tell that Tatiana and Mark had so much fun in those ’70s clothes. In the scripts I wrote ‘Ruffalo is in a Bill Bixby wig.’ But what was great is Mark naturally has this beautiful curly hair, so we didn’t need to put a wig on him. Like his hair naturally could support that wonderful ’70s volume.

    Jessica Gao

    She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is now streaming on Disney+.

    Source: Comicbook.com

  • Tim Blake Nelson’s The Leader Was Included in the Original Pitch for ‘She-Hulk’

    Tim Blake Nelson’s The Leader Was Included in the Original Pitch for ‘She-Hulk’

    She-Hulk: Attorney at Law ultimately ended without a major hook into the greater Marvel Cinematic Universe. The tail end of the episode featured the brief introduction of Hulk’s son, Skaar, which will undoubtedly have ramifications down the line. But one common Hulk-related theory did not pan out for fans. However, apparently, the show’s original pitch had it in mind.

    Considering She-Hulk brought back major references to 2008’s maligned and often ignored The Incredible Hulk, many thought that additional characters from that movie might make an appearance. Specifically, some theorized that Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns, who was last seen beginning his transformation into the supervillain known as The Leader, would be the overarching or background villain of the series, especially after he was announced to be returning in Captain America: New World Order.

    While The Leader was nowhere to be found in She-Hulk, head writer Jessica Gao says he was in her original pitch for the series. Speaking to Comicbook.com, Gao stated:

    In my original pitch, I did have The Leader in there. Just as an option, as a suggestion, you know?…[b]ut really, I can’t remember why [it was taken out]. I don’t remember if it was organically taken out, because we just came up with other stuff, or if we were told no. I honestly don’t remember. But there was thought about either bringing him back or doing some version of a new version of Leader, or some relation to him. But, I mean truly, this was three years ago, and the show has evolved so much that I don’t remember what actually happened.

    Jessica Gao

    Now having seen the full She-Hulk series, The Leader’s absence did not weighing heavily on the character or story. Still, Gao’s comments add fuel to the growing theory flames that Marvel Studios is plotting a grand and expansive Hulk-related plotline in the future.

    She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is now streaming on Disney+.

    Source: Comicbook.com