Murphy's Multiverse

Category: News

  • BREAKING: Keanu Reeves to Reunite With Francis Lawrence for ‘Constantine’ Sequel

    BREAKING: Keanu Reeves to Reunite With Francis Lawrence for ‘Constantine’ Sequel

    Here’s something you may have never guessed: Keanu Reeves is set to once again take on the role of Constantine in an upcoming sequel. He’ll reunite with director Francis Lawrence who helmed the original 2005 adaptation of the popular DC character. Akiva Goldsman is writing the screenplay and is also producing through Weed Road Pictures. J.J. Abrams and Hannah Minghella are also attached to produce the sequel of a film that was released 17 years ago.

    There were rumblings around 2020 that they might be interested in doing a sequel but when Abrams started working on his Justice League Dark universe with its own take on John Constantine it seemed like they moved on from the project. The character has seen a resurgence in popularity with an NBC series starring Matt Ryan who would, later on, join the CW’s Arrowverse, and even with The Sandman‘s Johanna Constantine, who was played by Jenna Coleman.

    It’ll be interesting to see what this entry means for Abrams series, as it might have quietly been canceled. There’s also the fact that this once again muddles the “a united DC Cinematic Universe” strategy of Warner Bros. Discovery’s CEO David Zaslav. Without any new leadership to map out the project, it seems they’ve been busy mapping out various projects that have no direct connection with each other.

    Either way, this is a great surprise for those that have been longing for a sequel and it’s always great to see Reeves return to a role he loved dearly. There’s no exact window yet on when we might expect the project to release but with Lawrence‘s busy schedule there might still be some time before it releases.

    Source: Deadline

  • Sony Delays ‘Madame Web’ and ‘Kraven the Hunter’ Release Dates

    Sony Delays ‘Madame Web’ and ‘Kraven the Hunter’ Release Dates

    It looks like we’ll have to wait just a little longer for the upcoming Marvel projects from Sony, as they have now pushed back quite a few releases. While they’ve also updated their upcoming schedule to include a new Karate Kid film, which we exclusively revealed just last month, and the sequel to Searching titled Missing (here’s hoping the third one is named Finding), it seems their various Marvel films have also been delayed.

    Kraven the Hunter is now eyeing a release on October 6th, 2023, quite a few months away from its initial January 13th release date that same year. It took over Madame Web‘s original release which is now scheduled for 2024 on February 16th. Both films are set to also screen in IMAX. The delay also affected one of its untitled Marvel films which were initially planned for June 7th, 2025 but it is now a July release. Some have theorized this might be the next Spider-Man MCU entry, but there hasn’t been an announcement so far.

    Sony is still moving forward with its projects even after Morbius didn’t quite make it the first two rounds it attempted in theaters. It’s uncertain how their relationship stands with Marvel and what the future has in store for Spider-Man. We haven’t heard anything about a new trilogy or even if the character will appear in Sony’s own universe. There are a lot of unknown variables at the moment and we can only hope that an update isn’t too far away.

    Source: Deadline

  • CONFIRMED: Sony Moving Ahead With a New ‘Karate Kid’ Movie

    CONFIRMED: Sony Moving Ahead With a New ‘Karate Kid’ Movie

    Back in August, we exclusively revealed that Sony Pictures was moving ahead with a new Karate Kid movie. Now, the studio has officially announced a release date for the untitled Karate Kid movie, which is being called a return to the original franchise. Per the outlet, the new Karate Kid movie will hit theaters on June 7th, 2024. While no further details were made available, it’s expected that the kid will serve as the teacher in this new installment.

    From what we could gather, the new film will center on a teenage boy named Li. The young student is said to be small for his age, but tough, smart and scrappy. Li is said to be a skilled fighter and a student in Beijing who finds his life uprooted after his mother moves them to Brooklyn, New York. After meeting Mia, a student from his high school, and her father, Victor, at a local pizza restaurant, he’ll soon find his life has changed yet again – for the better.

    It’s interesting to see how The Karate Kid has become a franchise of its own over the years. Netflix has seen a lot of success with the spinoff series Cobra Kai which further explored the characters from the original films by taking a closer look at where they are all these years later. This isn’t even the first remake of the film as Jaden Smith had the leading role opposite Jackie Chan back in 2010, which didn’t pick up as much momentum as the original did.

    With Cobra Kai going into its sixth season, it remains to be seen whether or not that series will tie back into the new Karate Kid film. However, with a release date set, perhaps we’ll soon learn more about the newest installment.

    Source: Deadline.

  • Marvel Studios “Taking a New Approach” With Shira Haas’ Sabra In Response to Online Backlash

    Marvel Studios “Taking a New Approach” With Shira Haas’ Sabra In Response to Online Backlash

    Not surprising given the recent releases, the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe film is surrounded by controversy online but this time it’s for a different reason than you’d think. During D23, the character of Sabra was introduced and would be played by Shira Haas in the upcoming film Captain America: New World Order. Given the Israel and Palestine conflict, this has led to quite the controversy in addition to the “New World Order” having been used for anti-semites online.

    The controversy took its hold online in certain circles and has now led to an official statement by Marvel Studios through an article for The New York Times. It seems that they’ew highlighting that they are “taking a new approach” with the character of Sabra.

    While our characters and stories are inspired by the comics. They are always freshly imagined for the screen and today’s audience, and the filmmakers are taking a new approach with the character Sabra who was first introduced in the comics over 40 years ago

    It’s hard to say if this jump may have been an assumption on the character’s comic history and Marvel simply wanted to take an existing character to put it in a better spotlight, moving away from its original rather questionable storyline.

    In many ways, this was a lose-lose situation for Marvel even if they tried to pull through with it, as reactions occurred before a single glimpse of the actual story came to light. As they haven’t started production yet, it still gave them a chance to maybe tweak a few elements and this statement also serves to hint at that happening.

    There’s more to this controversy given the history surrounding the name. Many have made the connection to the Sabra and Shatila massacre when it was first announced. So, while the name was carried over from the comics, it has become associated with a terrible act that occurred in Lebanon back in 1982. We’ll have to see how they tackle this challenge once more news surfaces.

    Source: The New York Times via The Direct

  • ‘Magic Mike’s Last Dance’ Gets a Theatrical Release

    ‘Magic Mike’s Last Dance’ Gets a Theatrical Release

    Originally developed as an HBO Max original movie, it looks Magic Mike is taking to the big screen once again. Deadline reports that Magic Mike’s Last Dance is officially heading to theaters on February 10th, 2023 — just in time for Valentine’s Day and Super Bowl weekend. The date is one Warner Bros. Discovery already had on its schedule.

    Unfortunately, those hoping for a day-and-date release will be disappointed. The outlet reports there will be a window between theatrical and HBO Max, with PVOD in between. The move shouldn’t be too surprising as Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav has made it clear he’d rather get films into theaters than develop them for HBO Max. And while never a huge franchise, the Magic Mike films did pull in an impressive amount, having grossed a combined $285.6 million at the global box. While that number might seem on the lower end, it’s important to note these films were produced for $7 million and $14 million, respectively.

    Magic Mike’s Last Dance stars Channing Tatum, Salma Hayek, Caitlin Gerard and Gavin Spokes. The film was written by Reid Carolin and directed by Steven Soderbergh. Gregory Jacobs, who directed Magic Mike XXL, is on board as a producer this time around.

    Source: Deadline.

  • RUMOR: Joaquin Phoenix May Not Be the Lead of DC’s ‘Joker’ Sequel

    RUMOR: Joaquin Phoenix May Not Be the Lead of DC’s ‘Joker’ Sequel

    There have been a lot of questions surrounding the upcoming sequel of Todd Phillips‘ Joker. Not only did many scratch their head at the idea, but it became even more astounding when it was teased to be a musical. Then Lady Gaga was announced as part of the cast and hinted to be taking on the role of Harley Quinn. Now a new rumor may be hinting at a unique direction for the sequel.

    Now, The Weekly Planet’s latest podcast episode has maybe hinted that while the sequel Joker: Folie à Deux still keeps the jester in its title, it won’t be from his perspective. Rather, host James Clement hinted that the project is actually from Dr. Harleen Quinzell’s view, who seemingly sees her romance as a musical that results in the way it’s told.

    Apparently, Joker 2 isn’t so much a Joker movie, it’s a Harley Quinn… It’s from Harley Quinn’s perspective. And the reason it’s a musical is because that’s how she perceives her relationship with Joker.

    James Clement

    It’s definitely an interesting direction o take the sequel nd would make it stand out from its predecessor. Not an uncommon move from Pixar to turn its main star into a side character in the sequel, but there’s a chance this move is mostly that they could have parts switch between perspectives. There’s a chance that we’ll see it from her views when it turns into am musical and the usual ark reality when we switch to Joker, or perhaps we learn how he might see the world in a new light since the last film. We can only speculate for now.

    Source: Weekly Planet via The Direct

  • ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ Rounds Out Cast With Fionnula Flanagan and 10 More

    ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ Rounds Out Cast With Fionnula Flanagan and 10 More

    The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, a prequel that will follow 18-year-old Cornelius Snow in the 10th Annual Hunger Games, has added eleven actors to its roster. Tony Award nominee Fionnula Flanagan, as well as Isobel Jesper Jones, Flora Li Thiemann, Honor Gillies, Eike Onyambu, Konstantin Taffet, Burn Gorman, Scott Folan, Carl Spencer, Michael Greco, and Daniela Grubert have joined the cast.

    The film is led by Tom Blyth, who will play a young Coriolanus Snow, and Rachel Zegler, who plays tribute Lucy Gray Baird from the impoverished District 12. Other announced stars include Josh Andrés Rivera, Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, Jerome Lance, Ashley Liao, Knox Gibson, Mackenzie Lansing, Aamer Husain, Nick Benson, Laurel Marsden, Lilly Cooper, Luna Steeples, Hiroki Berrecloth, Jason Schwartzman, and Viola Davis.

    Flanagan has signed on to play Grandma’am, young Coriolanus Snow’s strict grandmother. Jones will play Mayfair Lipp, the daughter of the mayor of District 12. Thiemann will portray Livia Carden, mentor to a tribute from District 1. Meanwhile, Gillies, Onyambu, and Taffet have all signed on as Barb Azure, Tam Amber, and Clerk Carmine – members of the Convey, a group of nomads in District 12. Additionally, Gorman, Folan, and Spencer will be portraying Commander Hoff, Beanpole, and Smiley – Peacekeepers sent by the Capitol to District 12. Lastly, Greco and Grubert are set to portray Strabo Plinth and Mrs. Plinth, wealthy parents to Sejanus Plinth, Coriolanus’s best friend.

    The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was written by Hunger Games writer Suzanne Collins and was published in 2020. The book is set 64 years before the events of the Hunger Games. The film is directed by Francis Lawrence, who helmed the franchise’s Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part One, and Mockingjay Part Two. The most recent screenplay for the film has been developed by Michael Lesslie and the film is currently set to be released in theaters on November 17, 2023.

    Source: Deadline

  • Orlando Bloom Joins Playstation’s ‘Gran Turismo’ Movie

    Orlando Bloom Joins Playstation’s ‘Gran Turismo’ Movie

    Playstation Studios is kicking it into high gear with its many adaptions of beloved game franchises from its library. Spread amongst an array of different platforms, which includes films and television shows, fans will get to experience some of their favorite projects all over again. Quite recently the development of Sony’s live-action Gran Turismo film has made a lot of progress. It has recently begun to get its cast together, recently adding Stranger Things actor David Harbour in a leading role.

    The Hollywood Reporter has exclusively revealed that the film has found its next star in Orlando Bloom, who’ll be jumping into the passenger seat. The film is set to follow Harbour as a retired racer who begins to teach a young teen, played by See actor Archie Madekwe, how to drive. Bloom is set to play an eager marketing exec set on selling racing as a sport.

    The film is set to be directed by Neill Blomkamp whose best known for his work on District 9, Chappie, and Elysium with a script from Jason Hall and Zach Baylin. The project is based on a true story in which a teenage Gran Turismo player used his skills to win a series of Nissan racing competitions and went on to become a professional racecar driver.

    No other casting on the project has been announced but filming is set to begin sometime next week in Europe with an August 11th, 2023 release date currently in place for the project.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • Charlie Barnett Joins ‘Star Wars’ Series ‘The Acolyte’

    Charlie Barnett Joins ‘Star Wars’ Series ‘The Acolyte’

    Charlie Barnett is the latest actor to head to a galaxy far, far away. The Hollywood Reporter has announced that Barnett has signed on for the Star Wars series The Acolyte. While details regarding Barnett’s character are currently unknown, the outlet states his role is likely a supporting one. Should a deal make, Barnett’s casting would make for a Russian Doll reunion, as the show’s co-creator Leslye Headland is the showrunner on The Acolyte.

    Barnett joins a rather impressive cast that includes Amandla Stenberg, who is toplining the show, along with Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae, Jodie Turner-Smith (Queen & Slim) and Manny Jacinto (The Good Place). Outside of Russian Doll, where Barnett stars as Alan Zaveri, the actor has appeared in Arrow and You.

    The Acolyte is being described as a mystery-thriller that will take viewers into a “galaxy of shadowy secrets and emerging Dark side powers in the final days of the High Republic era.” The project was first announced in April 2020, with Lucasfilm finally confirming the series in December 2020.

    Russian Doll‘s Leslye Headland will serve as the series director, writer, executive producer and showrunner on The Acolyte. As of now, the series does not yet have a premiere date on Disney+.

    Source: THR.

  • Warner Bros. Discovery Leadership May Be Prepping for a Future Sale, Comcast the Likeliest Potential Buyer

    Warner Bros. Discovery Leadership May Be Prepping for a Future Sale, Comcast the Likeliest Potential Buyer

    Warner Bros. Discovery has been quite the chaotic merger for many reasons. The cancelation of almost finished products left a sour taste with many, but taking down exclusive projects from streamers may have been the straw that breaks the camel’s back. In a new report by The Hollywood Reporter, they showcase a lot of uncertainty that’s brewing between talent agencies and investors for the company.

    Their current hunt for a “Kevin Feige” for DC has many concerns as no one really would want that job. Even if you do a decent job, like Walter Hamada did dragging the franchise to its current popular standing after the Zack Snyder fallout, you’re always stuck in comparison. One talent representative highlights the biggest issue anyone would face:

    DC is so fragmented. J.J. [Abrams] had this one, Zack Snyder had that one, Todd Phillips had the other thing. And they’re all such huge egos.

    With that many egos, it’ll be hard to truly bring a united franchise together as WBD hopes to accomplish. Plus, they are still moving forward with Elseworld stories like a Joker sequel and The Batman franchise. Some are suggesting that new CEO David Zaslav, who has been reported in the past to have a harsh leadership style by former Discovery employees, is simply prepping the company for its next sale.

    Most of his endeavors and that of the CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels is to cover Warner Bros.’s massive $50B+ debt; no simple task for anyone. As such building up their biggest brands and covering as much of the debt as possible opens up that very possibility. It seems Comcast’s Brian Roberts is the one that has his eyes on the studio the most to further build up NBCUniversal and combine it with WBD. One executive with inside knowledge gave the following statement in regards to why there’s a good possibility:

    Obviously Peacock sucks. There are some good synergies. I’m sure [Roberts] is licking his chops because the [WBD] stock is so low. And I think that’s Zaslav’s endgame. Get the place sold.

    The head of another company highlighted just how sad this development would be as it would mark the end of another massive studio after Disney purchased Fox some years ago. The issue is simply becoming challenging for these massive studios to stay afloat and handle their debt management. Not everything is doom and gloom, as some are highlighting that some additions have been more talent-friendly unlike under AT&T’s leadership and a seller isn’t something that’s definite as of yet.

    Source: THR