Murphy's Multiverse

Category: News

  • ‘Scanners’ is Getting an HBO Series Adaptation

    ‘Scanners’ is Getting an HBO Series Adaptation

    HBO has given a series order to Scanners based on the cult classic horror movie of the same name from David Cronenberg. The news comes courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter with the outlet stating that William Bridges (Black Mirror) is set to act as writer and showrunner for the HBO series. Yann Demange, who directed the pilot for HBO’s Lovecraft Country, is on board to direct. Both Bridges and Demange will executive produce the series.

    The original film focused on a small group of people with powers ranging from psychic abilities, telepathy and telekinesis. These people were referred to as scanners. One faction of scanners, led by a power-mad man, aimed to take over the world while a private security firm recruited other scanners to try and stop him. It went on to become the first mainstream success for Cronenberg who has since gone on to build an impressive catalog throughout the years. Cronenberg will serve as an executive producer on the HBO series along with Michael Ellenberg and Lindsey Springer of Media Res Studio and Meredith Duff and Sarah Sullivan of Wayward Films.

    This take on Scanners is being described as a “visceral thriller set in the mind-bending world of Cronenberg’s film.” It’ll follow two women who find themselves living on the fringes of modern society as they are pursued by relentless agents with unimaginable powers and thus must learn to work together to topple a vast conspiracy determined to bring them to heel.

    Outside of Black Mirror, Bridges has worked on the reboot of The Twilight Zone, Netflix’s mega-hit Stranger Things and he helped co-create the AMC series, Soulmates. While Demange has directed titles such as White Boy Rick starring Matthew McConaughey and ’71.

    Source: THR.

  • Jonathan Bailey in Talks to Join ‘Wicked’

    Jonathan Bailey in Talks to Join ‘Wicked’

    Jonathan Bailey is set to join the cast of Wicked.

    Variety reports that Bailey will join the cast of the Wicked films as Fiyero. The two films will star Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and hail from director Jon M. Chu. Stephen Schwartz who was behind the lyrics and music for the Broadway show is penning the script with Winnie Holzman.

    News that Wicked would be split into two films came in April, with Chu noting two movies allowed for the story to be told properly. “With more space, we can tell the story of ‘Wicked’ as it was meant to be told while bringing even more depth and surprise to the journeys for these beloved characters.”

    Bailey is perhaps best known for his role as Lord Anthony Bridgerton in Netflix’s Bridgerton. He has also appeared in shows like Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Broardchurch and Crashing. On the film side, Bailey has appeared in Testament of Youth, The Mercy and Best Birthday Ever.

    The movies are being produced by Marc Platt via his Universal production banner, Marc Platt Productions, and David Stone. While Universal’s senior executive vice president of production Erik Baiers and vice president of production development Lexi Barta are on board to oversee the films.

    The Wicked movies are currently slated to hit theaters on Christmas in 2024 and 2025.

    Source: Variety.

  • ‘Ms. Marvel’ Director Teases Season 2 of Disney+ Series

    ‘Ms. Marvel’ Director Teases Season 2 of Disney+ Series

    The future adventures of Kamala Khan beyond The Marvels may be happening sooner rather than later on Disney+. Following the critically successful first season of Ms. Marvel earlier this year, questions had begun to circulate if a season two would be in the works. Fans may now have a more clear answer thanks to the primary directors of the series. Adil El Arbi shared on Instagram a minute-long sizzle reel discussing the success of the first season of the show, though the main point of intrigue comes from his comment of asking “who’s ready for season 2?!”

    It shouldn’t come as any real type of surprise that Ms. Marvel would receive a second season. The format of the show served as one of Marvel Studios’ first real triumphs in capturing the spirit of a television series (as opposed to segmented films) since producing content for Disney+. As well, there has been an overwhelmingly positive response from especially younger audiences towards the Iman Vellani-led ensemble cast.

    One question that can be asked following this potential confirmation is which (if any) other Marvel Studios series will receive follow-up seasons. So far, Loki is the only other project with a confirmed season two, which is currently in production and is slated to air in the summer of 2023. Moon Knight and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law specifically appeared to be primed to have continuing stories set on Disney+. It ultimately remains to be seen when they would officially be announced, though, as with season two of Ms. Marvel itself.

    Thankfully, fans of Kamala Khan won’t have to wait as long as the potential season two for her to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Vellani is set to co-lead in The Marvels alongside Brie Larson and Teyonah Parris. That film is scheduled to release theatrically on July 28, 2023.

    Source: Instagram

  • Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer to Pen ‘Fantastic Four’ for Marvel Studios

    Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer to Pen ‘Fantastic Four’ for Marvel Studios

    Marvel Studios has found its writers for Fantastic Four. Deadline reports that Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer are set to pen the screenplay for Fantastic Four. The outlet notes that the duo have actually been involved with the project for a bit now, having signed on before director Matt Shakman (WandaVision) officially signed on for the project. Kaplan and Springer are said to be “outlining where this next series of films will fit into the Marvel Cinematic Universe” alongside Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige. The writers will now work with Shakman to ensure they’ve all aligned their visions for the film before Kaplan and Springer crack the screenplay.

    Like with many writers Marvel Studios brings on board, the duo is still relatively new to Hollywood. Prior to landing Fantastic Four, they sold Disaster Wedding to Warner Bros. which has Max Barbakow on to direct. They also penned K-Pop: Lost in America, which is set to star Rebel Wilson and Charles Melton.

    The Fantastic Four reboot was first announced in 2019 with Spider-Man: No Way Home director Jon Watts originally on board to direct. Watts has since exited the project and Shakman has since signed on, with news of his hiring being announced at this year’s D23.

    Fantastic Four is set to hit theaters on Nov. 8, 2024.

    Source: Deadline.

  • ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ Will Premiere in November

    ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ Will Premiere in November

    As production continues, Paramount+ has announced that its Criminal Minds reboot, Criminal Minds: Evolution, will premiere in time for the holidays. The 10-episode series will debut on the streaming network on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24th, with two episodes. The remaining eight episodes will then drop weekly on Thursdays, until its mid-season finale on Thursday, Dec. 15. Following its holiday break, Criminal Minds: Evolution will return to wrap up its first season on Thursday, Jan. 12 new episodes dropping weekly through the finale on Thursday, Feb. 9. 

    In the past, Criminal Minds saw the team solve the case usually by the episode’s end. In the revival, though, the series is expected to take a more serialized approach. Per the logline, Evolution will see the team “come up against their greatest threat yet, an UnSub who has used the pandemic to build a network of other serial killers. As the world opens back up and the network goes operational, the team must hunt them down, one murder at a time.”

    Criminal Minds: Evolution hails from showrunner Erica Messer, who worked on the original hit series. Production on the revival is currently underway. The series stars the returning cast of Joe Mantegna, Kirsten Vangsness, Adam Rodriguez, A.J. Cook, Aisha Tyler and Paget Brewster. Joining the cast is Zach Gilford, who will portray Elias Voit, an analyst for a cyber-security firm who has a dark side and an obsession with death. 

    Source: Deadline.

  • ‘Bond’ Producers On Idris Elba and Casting Their Next Star

    ‘Bond’ Producers On Idris Elba and Casting Their Next Star

    James Bond will be back, he’ll just look a little different when he finally returns. The last time fans saw the iconic secret agent on the big screen, he was doing something he’d never done before – dying, and closing out an emotional arc to finish off Daniel Craig’s tenure in the role. Producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, who have been in charge of the Bond franchise since 1995’s GoldenEye, recently sat down with Variety to discuss what the future holds for 007 after such a definitive ending in 2021’s No Time To Die. The duo confirmed that their next leading man will be a “reinvention” of the character, something that became a necessity after Craig quote, “cracked Bond open emotionally”.

    Broccoli explained a bit further with a resonating pull-quote, reflecting on the current times and looking at the years to come:

    It’s an evolution. Bond is evolving just as men are evolving. I don’t know who’s evolving at a faster pace.

    Barbara Broccoli

    Wilson and Broccoli also joked about Craig’s infamous distaste of the franchise’s demanding time schedule and decades-long commitment, which the producers admitted will play a role in the casting process for their next film. They explained a star like Idris Elba, who fans have long been wanting for the role, would likely be too old or too busy to put aside so much of his life for the Bond films. The elaboration of their point also revealed the official casting probably won’t happen for a while:

    The thing is, it’s going to be a couple of years off. And when we cast Bond, it’s a 10-, 12-year commitment. So [Elba] is probably thinking, ‘Do I really want that thing? Not everybody wants to do that. It was hard enough getting [Daniel Craig to do it].

    Barbara Broccoli

    Wilson then added in jokingly that Craig was also in his early 30s at the time of his casting, adding further fuel to the rumor that the studio is looking mainly at younger actors during their process. It’s become clear that whoever ends up as the next Bond will be around for the long haul, and will have to be prepared to focus on the franchise above all else for at least a decade of their career. Here’s hoping it doesn’t take too long before a face can be put to the world-famous name.

    Source: Variety

  • The Cast of ‘Avatar’ on What They Love About the Films

    The Cast of ‘Avatar’ on What They Love About the Films

    Back in 2009, when Avatar flew into theaters, no one expected the James Cameron flick to become the megahit it would go on to be. Now, thirteen years later, the cast is readying for the release of the film’s long-awaited sequel, Avatar: The Way of the Water. Before the sequel hits theaters in December, however, Avatar will return to theaters for two weeks to allow new fans to experience the film on the big screen in 4K High Dynamic Range.

    To promote the upcoming re-release, Cameron gathered alongside the cast for a virtual press conference to discuss the franchise — both past and future. While the writer and director had plenty to say regarding how Avatar impacted blockbusters, the cast got a chance to talk about the films as a whole and why they enjoyed working on them.

    According to actor Stephen Lang, he is just grateful to have been a part of such a talented group of people. “I think I’m proud to be just part of a team of such talented, creative, generous people,” he explained. “And I think over the years that we’ve been together and apart and together, we’ve been able to kinda maintain a collegial and a forward kind of feeling amongst us. And that kind of, you know, spirit. That kind of team spirit I guess is something that I feel so pleased and gratified to be part of. And I’m just proud to be on the team.”

    While Michelle Rodriguez, who is also busy starring in the Fast & Furious franchise, it all comes down to the effort put into the storytelling. The actress feels that Cameron has put so much “mind and attention” into the storytelling, which she doesn’t feel is as valued by society these days. “I feel like Jim’s decision to tell this story is a decision also to show love and respect for life. And I feel like that’s rare,” she explained. “And I’m proudest of just being a part of that. Because I feel like it’s not done enough, you know? And for it to be as impactful as it was says a lot.”

    Sigourney Weaver, who has a long history of working with Cameron, noted she loves the character she gets to play most of all. She notes that Cameron is a bit of a scientist himself, which helped him create the character of Dr. Augustine. “I guess I’m proud that I got to play Dr. Augustine who is a scientist.  A woman scientist.  And Jim had given the world, the audience, and certainly my character this whole universe of a new flora and fauna, taking it so seriously… And so I was so proud to be part of the science of this so that you’re not dumbing down something for the mass audience.”

    Last but not least was Zoe Saldaña, who explained her excitement over belonging to a group she has much in common with and feeling as though she belongs. She also explained getting to work with Cameron has been a great experience because he’s “not an elitist,” but more of a “curious” person. “I got an opportunity to belong to a group of people that, you know, that I just, I feel I have so much in common with… You know, like jigsaw that you’re searching to belong,” she explained. “And you meet the ultimate curious person who’s Jim, and he extends, he shares, he’s curious. He’s not an elitist. And I just, you know, you get to be an artist.  I was given an opportunity, and I honestly feel that I ran with it. And then to be able to come back to that opportunity, it feels like it’s the gift that continues to give.”

    Avatar will be temporarily removed from Disney+ ahead of its re-release in theaters. The re-release will be for two weeks only beginning on Sept. 23rd and will see the film available in stunning 4K High Dynamic Range. Written and directed by Cameron, Avatar stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez and Sigourney Weaver. The film was produced by Cameron and Jon Landau. The long-awaited sequel, Avatar: The Way of the Water, will finally be released in theaters this December, just in time for the holidays.

  • New ‘Wakanda Forever’ Merch Offers Closer Look at Comic-Accurate Ironheart Armor

    New ‘Wakanda Forever’ Merch Offers Closer Look at Comic-Accurate Ironheart Armor

    Many were surprised when the first look at Ironheart’s armor in Riri William’s first live-action debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever looked nothing like her original comic armor. With her sweet to have her own Disney+ series in the near future, it would’ve made sense to build up to the more comic-accurate design. At least that was until a new merch leak revealed a more comic-accurate design.

    While it was a shame that it was spoiled instead of kept as a surprise during Wakanda Forever‘s theater run, that has become the norm when it comes to merchandise early releases. Still, the design looks great and stands out even though many worried it be too close to that of Tony Stark’s iconic Iron Man armor. It also seems she’ll use some new types of weaponry at her disposal as first seen in the images shared by @CeeOfCreativity on Twitter.

    We’ve technically never seen the weaponry that she’d rely on and it seems we shouldn’t expect a copy of the arc reactor-based attacks like the Unibeam. She’ll likely make use of what Wakanda has to offer that’ll also help her more quickly develop the armor. So, we’ll likely see different test versions throughout the film until she gets the final design.

    It does open up the question if the upcoming Ironheart Disney+ series will act as a prequel, or if she simply doesn’t have the right energy source to keep this armor going for a long period of time. So, she tests out other types of armor to have other options at hand, or perhaps she’s one of the reasons that Armor Wars‘ storyline kicks off with her actions in the sequel.

    Source: Twitter

  • Brec Bassinger May Have Confirmed a Rumored ‘Stargirl’ and ‘Titans’ Crossover

    Brec Bassinger May Have Confirmed a Rumored ‘Stargirl’ and ‘Titans’ Crossover

    Warner Bros. Discovery is going through a bit of a transitional period as of right now with many projects up in the air for now. Many were wondering if this would also affect shows like Titans, Stargirl and Doom Patrol following the plug being pulled on quite a few projects. Luckily, it seems they aren’t done with these series yet.

    With recent news that the fourth season of Titans would premiere in November, Stargirl actress Brec Bassinger teased that she could be making her way to the blue-filtered world. In the past few weeks, we have seen a few rumors hint at a crossover between Geoff Johns‘ series, Titans, Stargirl, and Doom Patrol, which would all come together as a culmination of the past few years. it seems Brec has all but confirmed that.

    Below you’ll see a recently shared photo of Bassinger suited up as Stargirl alongside Ryan Potter as Beast Boy, who if you look close enough can see he looks to be wearing an all-new suit and finally shed that dreaded jacket.

    Details on this crossover still remain under wraps and it’s unknown just how the Titans cross paths with the citizens of Blue Valley. Seems like the Titans could meet their universe’s version of Courtney, as they head back to San Francisco considering the two shows were confirmed to be taking place on different earths within the new DC Multiverse, which was created following the events of the CW’s Crisis on Infinite Earths event.

    It remains unknown just who from the Titans and Doom Patrol cast will appear and just where this crossover will even happen. Both Titans and Doom Patrol season 4 have wrapped filming with Titans set to debut sometime in November.

    Source: Twitter

  • Jeff Loveness to Start Writing ‘Avengers: The Kang Dynasty’ Soon, May Hint at Production Start

    Jeff Loveness to Start Writing ‘Avengers: The Kang Dynasty’ Soon, May Hint at Production Start

    When we discuss future projects, we commonly get the most insight into when productions start. May it be through hints by actors or others involved with a film, or even just an official statement. In the case of Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, we may have gotten our first hint at when writer Jeff Loveness will start working on the film’s script.

    Grand Canyon University seemingly invited Loveness as their mystery guest for an Inside Entertainment! panel from last week. What stands out is that the schedule includes him attending the event on September 16th with the statement that he’s set to start writing the script “in two weeks.”

    Of course, this confirms that he hasn’t worked on the script already and there’s a chance that he’s likely pitched the idea before getting the gig. Of course, that’s just speculation but given his work on Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, he may have likely been eyed for the project anyway as it’ll potentially lead into the next major Avengers film. Plus, he’ll be the first to also have established the character of Kang in a film.

    Though, what makes this reveal interesting is that it gives us a good hint on when they might start production. It does seem likely that they could start working on the film by the end of 2023 or at least 2024. It’s not unusual for them to start working on a film while the script is still being finalized, which gives the production some flexibility moving forward.

    According to some rumors, a Shang-Chi sequel is eyeing a 2025 release, which could still fit right in if it starts production earlier next year if director Destin Daniel Cretton is set to tackle the project before focusing on The Kang Dynasty. He’s also involved with a Wonder Man Disney+ series, which doesn’t mean he’ll necessarily direct. For now, we can only use these nuggets of information to speculate.