Murphy's Multiverse

Category: News

  • Early ‘Multiverse of Madness’ Concept Art Shows Unused Designs for Nightmare

    Early ‘Multiverse of Madness’ Concept Art Shows Unused Designs for Nightmare

    There’s the Multiverse of Madness that was. There’s also the Multiverse of Madness that never was. After initially returning to helm the sequel, Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson left the project early in 2020. Michael Waldron came on to rewrite the script and Sam Raimi took over as director and the film that premiered in May of 2022 was vastly different than the one Derrickson originally set out to make.

    Dating back to his original pitch for the first Doctor Strange film, Derrickson had been trying to find a way to include one of the Sorcerer Supreme’s classic comic book villains, Nightmare, into a story. Now, thanks to newly released concept art from Ryan De Silva, fans can get a look at some early designs of Nightmare, who Derrickson had intended to use as the villain of the sequel.

    The designs indicate that Nightmare was set to be the villain, rather than the Scarlet Witch, though the film was still set throughout the multiverse. Now that there’s proof that Nightmare was the intended villain, it would be incredibly interesting to find out exactly how Derrickson hoped to use the Lord of Dreams while exploring the multiverse. As it stands, fans of the character, including Derrickson, will have to hold out hope that the villain will find another way into the MCU.

    Source: Deviant Art

  • ‘She-Hulk’ Writer Reveals Rejected Pitch For ‘Black Widow’ Movie

    ‘She-Hulk’ Writer Reveals Rejected Pitch For ‘Black Widow’ Movie

    Jessica Gao has officially joined the Marvel fold as the head writer on She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, but it seems it’s not the first time she’s tried getting in the door. During a recent interview with The Wrap, the former Rick & Morty creative revealed her first pitch to Marvel Studios was actually for the Black Widow movie. Of course, Gao didn’t end up getting the job, but if she had, it seems the film would have played out dramatically different than what audiences actually saw. According to Gao, her pitch revolves around Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff having to attend a high-stakes high school reunion with people who knew her as someone else. She elaborated:

    It was basically a ‘Grosse Pointe Blank’ story for Black Widow… basically you find out that in high school, as a teenage spy/Russian agent, she was planted at an American high school, because she had to assassinate someone’s dad and then 20 years later, she goes back to the high school reunion and has to deal with the fallout of this fake identity where she betrayed all these people in high school.

    Jessica Gao

    The pitch feels more like a She-Hulk story than it does a Black Widow one, and Gao believes that’s exactly why she eventually got the gig she did. The writer says she also pitched concepts for Shang-Chi and Captain Marvel, and while none of those worked out, they did allow her to spend some quality time with Marvel big wigs like Kevin Feige. She explained:

    I’m a big believer that every opportunity you miss is actually setting you up for something else… I truly believe that I didn’t get any of those three Marvel movie jobs because it was building to this point. Because what it really did for me is every single time that I pitched to Kevin [Feige], and Lou [D’Esposito] and Victoria [Alonso], and Brad [Winterbaum], I get to spend an hour with him, and I get to shoot the shit and hang out and chat…

    Jessica Gao

    Hanging out with important people can sometimes have good side effects, as Gao continued:

    Each time, they got to know me more, I got to know them more. By the time I came into pitch ‘She-Hulk,’ I think they had a very good sense of what my sense of humor was. They had a good sense of what type of writer I was, what kind of story I built. They just had a very good indication of what I’m about. I think that that really helped sell it, because they weren’t coming into me cold. They already talked to me so many times, they understood the quirks and nuances and the little things that I really infuse into everything.

    Jessica Gao

    While that Black Widow film would never be, it’s good to see that Marvel kept giving a talent like Gao the opportunity to pitch and collaborate. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is now streaming on Disney+, and while it has yet to feature a high school reunion, it does have a lot of Gao’s signature sense of humor.

    Source: The Direct

  • The Morning After Huddle: August 19, 2022

    The Morning After Huddle: August 19, 2022

    Welcome to the Morning After Huddle. This morning’s Huddle is recapping the Deshaun Watson suspension with accompanying thoughts.

    Here’s what you need to know:

    • The NFL is suspending Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson 11 games and fining him $5 million for multiple violations to the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy. His fine, with $1M contributions from the NFL and the Browns, is going to organizations that support education, prevention, and healthy relationships related to sexual misconduct and assault.
    • Let me be clear, this is nasty work. The NFL’s policy on personal conduct should be reevaluated. Watson’s initial suspension of 6 games happens because that policy has a standard baseline, but is extremely inconsistent with suspensions. Additionally, it is evident by the behavior of the Haslams and Watson’s camp that his talent is always going to prevail over the livelihoods of the women impacted and every female fan in the NFL. (For example, Watson’s lawyer tweeted and then deleted a post yesterday. In it, he claims that Judge Sue L Robinson was biased before Watson’s case ever hit her docket.)
    • In my eyes, this gets worse when you look at the financial impact. Watson is losing just $632,500 – $57,500 per game because this impacts only his base salary in 2022. The Browns claim his contract is like any other contract, with the first year being a very small base salary. Any other day this would be acceptable, but only Deshaun Watson has a fully guaranteed contract of $230 million, which includes $46 million in year 2.
  • ‘Ally McBeal’ Sequel Series in Development

    ‘Ally McBeal’ Sequel Series in Development

    It looks like She-Hulk, Attorney at Law has revived a classic genre, as the legal dramedy Ally McBeal might be making its return after two decades. The five-season series will act as a follow-up and focus on a new lead, a young black woman who joins the law firm from the original series after law school. She’ll be the daughter of Ally McBeal. Calista Flockheart has been approached to potentially set to reprise her role.

    Karin Gist of Mike fame is set to executive produce and write the series. It does seem like Flockhart’s potential return hinges on the script but there’s hope that the series will start moving forward. The original series was created by David E. Kelley and was an Emmy-winning series at the time. The creator has also seemingly given his blessing to the new project and stepped out to let a new generation handle it.

    It seems that 20th TV has actively been looking into reviving the franchise for years, especially after Disney acquired the studio. ABC’s focus on female-driven character dramas made it the perfect home but nothing is definite in the streaming era. It’s ironically not the first revival of a series like this, as NBC’s Night Court did something similar.

    The timing is also perfect as She-Hulk is currently using a lot of inspirations from that era of law dramedy to offer something with a heroic twist. It may also be a showcase that Disney was quite happy with the format and saw the potential in once again pushing this revival a bit stronger internally. We’ll see how it develops once more news arrives on the project.

    Source: Deadline

  • Sega Working on ‘Comix Zone’ and ‘Space Channel 5’ Film Adaptations

    Sega Working on ‘Comix Zone’ and ‘Space Channel 5’ Film Adaptations

    It seems like Sega has already found its next projects, as they are joining forces with Picturestart, who worked on Cha Cha Real Smooth and Am I Ok? to develop films based on two iconic 1990s games. It seems that they’ve decided to explore adaptations from their more cult favorites with Space Channel 5 and Comix Zone next on their list. There’s no word on a director or even writer for any of these projects, but they seemingly are in the process of getting their teams together. Still, it seems Hollywood Reporter did get its hands on how they’ll adapt these stories.

    Space Channel 5 will be a comedy adaptation of the 1999 game, seemingly titled Channel 5. It’ll follow the story of a fast-food employee turned reporter to save the future from aliens. With the help of viral dances, it’ll make saving the universe an easy task that’s only dependent on the beat. It’ll be interesting if they’ll keep the visual style from the original. There’s no word if the protagonist will be Ulala. It recently returned with a new VR variation of the game.

    Comix Zone is a very different story, which may only be titled Zone, as it’ll follow the jaded comic book writer and a queer writer of color, who end up getting trapped in the final issue of his comic book. They will have to work together to take down a supervillain as it explores the way storytelling has evolved over the years.

    It’s great to see Sony also adapt some cult classics, especially ones as visually unique as Comix Zone and Space Channel 5. If they already have stories prepared, it does seem likely that they have writers on board and are further along in preparing these new projects. Of course, without an official confirmation, we won’t know for sure, but we also heard a long time ago that a Yakuza film is in some form of development. We’ll have to see what releases first besides Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

    Source: Hollywood Reporter

  • Ryan Gosling in Negotiations for ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ Prequel

    Ryan Gosling in Negotiations for ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ Prequel

    Ryan Gosling is seemingly set to reunite with his Barbie co-star Margot Robbie in a film set within the Warner Bros Ocean’s Eleven franchise. The film is set to be directed by Jay Roach with the script being written by Carrie Solomon. The project has not yet been greenlit by the Warner Bros Discovery executive team, but they are targeting an early 2023 start of production should things come together. Word from insiders has been that this project will be a prequel film set in the 1960s covering a heist transpiring somewhere in Europe.

    The Ocean’s Eleven franchise technically stemmed from the generally maligned 1960 film of the same name starring Frank Sinatra and various members of the infamous “Rat Pack.” However, the more recognizable history of the film series began with Steven Soderbergh’s reboot in 2001 which boasted an A-list cast including George Clooney and Brad Pitt. This was followed by two sequels with the original creative team and then 2018’s female-centric Ocean’s Eight starring Sandra Bullock. Though the potential 1960’s European setting of this new film would provide a distinct difference from any of its predecessors.

    Ryan Gosling is currently is set to star alongside Emily Blunt in Universal’s David Leitch-helmed action film The Fall Guy. That film is set to open in theaters in May of 2024. And in terms of upcoming releases, Gosling will portray the role of Ken in 2023’s upcoming Barbie film with Margot Robie in the titular role.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • BREAKING: ‘Cobra Kai’ Creators Working on ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ Spinoff

    BREAKING: ‘Cobra Kai’ Creators Working on ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ Spinoff

    Now that’s a headline you don’t expect to see, but it seems that legacy sequels or even spinoffs remain a big market. It’s just been revealed by Deadline that the creators behind Cobra Kai, Jon Hurwitz, Haden Schlossberg, and Josh Heald are actively working on a spinoff based on Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Bill Posley is set to write the film and it’ll be titled Sam and Victor’s Day Off. Paul Young is producing the film with Make Good Content, whose executive, Devon Young, is supervising the project.

    It’s certainly a surprise to hear that spinoff of this classic is in any form of development. To be fair, one could say the same thing about The Karate Kid legacy sequel Cobra Kai, which became a massive hit after it moved to its new home with Netflix. So, if anyone can make a head-scratching project work again it would be the team behind that series. No story details are revealed but supposedly the story would follow the valet’s name-dropped in the title that joined Matthew Broderick‘s character when he made off with a Ferrari.

    The trio is working on the film under their Counterbalance Entertainment banner with Dina Hillier acting as an executive producer on the project. It will be interesting to see how they tackle this storyline and if it’ll stick to the timeline of the original, or if this takes place in a different time altogether. Plus, it would be strange not to include the fourth wall breaking that the original was famous for. We’ll have to see how the project comes together in the future.

    Source: Deadline

  • Around The League: AFC East

    Around The League: AFC East

    We are back with another installment of Around The League, and this time we are looking at the AFC East. Home to Hunter’s favorite team (the reigning defending division champion Buffalo Bills) and me and Nate’s favorite team (the reigning defending division dwellers New York Jets), one thing is for sure and two things for certain: we are both rooting against the New England Patriots. With the charcuterie board set, let’s take a look at this division, which really means looking at the signal callers. 

    1. Who is Mac Jones throwing to? Fresh off a Pro Bowl season (replacement nods count), the Patriots decided to help their young QB by *looks around* doing nothing. Ok, they went and got Devante Parker, who fans have been waiting to see a breakout season from. Maybe this is the year? In any event, the Patriots had another uneven draft, and now enter this season with the worst pass-catching group in the division. To top it off, they also lost their offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, and have decided to let two gentlemen with no play-calling experience on the offensive side of the ball do just that. Lastly, they traded one of their better offensive lineman (Shaq Mason) to the Bucs once they lost their starting guard. Good to see Bill Belicheck still wants to help Tom Brady succeed. The true sign of love is how we love our people from a distance, and Bill nailed it. He should have really focused on helping his second-year QB though. 

    2. Can Zach Wilson take the leap? Speaking of helping a second-year QB, the New York Jets did exactly that and then some this off-season. Last year, they gave Zach Wilson WRs Corey Davis and Elijah Moore, the former a solid veteran and the latter a dynamic rookie WR that should’ve been drafted earlier than he was. This year, the Jets drafted Ohio State WR Garret Wilson and RB Breece Hall, re-signed Pro Bowler Braxton Berrios, and signed TEs Tyler Conklin and CJ Uzomah and OL Duane Brown and Laken Tomlinson. Most importantly, and unlike New England, they kept OC Mike LaFleur, which means Zach enters year two in the same offense as last year but with much more talent around him. He seems to have avoided a major injury in the first preseason game and looks to be back in time for the week one tilt versus the Ravens, and the offense will go as far as he has developed. 

    3. Is this the beginning of the end of the Tua era in Miami? Whereas the Jets will have the same offensive scheme this year, the Dolphins similarly went to the 49ers tree for their new scheme and hired former 49ers OC Mike McDaniel to be their head coach. They then went out and added a franchise LT, talented RB, traded a former first-round WR within the division, and then made a blockbuster trade with the Kansas City Chiefs to acquire All-Pro WR Tyreek Hill. Like the Jets, this now all falls on the young QB for Miami. This season becomes doubly important when you consider that the Dolphins were just docked draft picks for telling Brian Flores to do on purpose what the team was well-equipped to do by accident: lose games. Armed with less capital, but no less averse to making a big trade if needed, and with a much-hyped QB draft class for next year, this could be Tua’s last shot to impress the coach that did not draft him. 

    4. Can Josh Allen finally beat Patrick Mahomes when it counts? Whereas the three other teams in the division have questions about their QBs, the Buffalo Bills have answered theirs. Josh Allen took the leap last year and became a legitimate MVP candidate, and he looks set to build on that with the emergence of Gabriel Davis and the continued development of Dawson Knox. The MVP award might be in his near future, but there’s one thing Josh Allen has not been able to do: beat Patrick Mahomes when it matters. I know the Bengals are the media darling given their surprise run to the Super Bowl last year, but the Chiefs are still the top dog in this conference and all signs point to Allen having to go through Mahomes if he wants to reach the Super Bowl that’s eluded these Bills fans for 20+ years. The AFC is a juggernaut of QB talent right now, and they also have the best young QBs in the league, and the Bills have one of the better ones across the entire league. In order to be solidified as the guy in the AFC though? He’s gotta go through Pat, and we will see if this is the year he does just that. 

  • ‘Moon Knight’s Costume Designer Teases a Few Hidden Details

    ‘Moon Knight’s Costume Designer Teases a Few Hidden Details

    It feels like forever ago that Oscar Isaac‘s passion project, Moon Knight, was released on Disney+. The series took a deep look at the character’s Egyptian ties and what it’s like living with DID; not letting the superheroic aspect of the character overshadow the topics it explores. The project also gave costume designer Meghan Kasperlik a curious challenge with a hero that is mostly covered in white cloth.

    She got a chance to sit down alongside Isaac to discuss how she tackled the project. She highlights that Egyptian director Mohamed Diab wanted to keep the characters grounded, which she took into the design. Not only that, she even added that she hid a few interesting details in the clothing. In addition to the expected Egyptian symbols, she also wanted to give Isaac‘s Guatemalan heritage a callout with some hidden Mayan symbolism.

    Oscar Isaac also reflected on how important these details are, especially when you “pour your heart” into a passion project like this, as he highlights with the following quote:

    You kind of pour your heart into the things that you do just for the sake of doing it — not even for the result. You put that stuff in there out of a sense of play, and a sense of fun and excitement because it means something to you, and whether that shows up literally on camera is kind of beside the point.

    Oscar Isaac

    He adds the importance of why they add detail and texture to these heroic costumes; a counterpoint to many that complain about Marvel Cinematic Universes’ attention to detail in its costumes which is criticized as being “overdesigned.”

    I think the idea is that it infuses depth. You just feel the depth of it. All the detail, all the texture, all of that stuff, someone in a rush — which you definitely were always in — you could kind of let that stuff fall to the side, especially when you have six hours of show to make, which is always just so wild. And to still find the space and the interest to infuse everything you could with some sort of meaning, it’s just so great.

    Oscar Isaac

    It definitely is an important touch, and the way design is adapted into live-action requires different elements and more. You want to make the costume pop, the complexity which is highlighted in Mr. Knight’s design. In the comics, a straightforward white suit would just not translate as well to live-action as many wished it would. So, they add personal touches to make these designs stand out from their comic predecessors.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Outlander’ Actor Sam Heughan Eyeing ‘Days Gone’ Adaptation

    ‘Outlander’ Actor Sam Heughan Eyeing ‘Days Gone’ Adaptation

    Outlander leading man Sam Heughan looks to have lined up his next feature film. Deadline reports the actor is currently in talks to star in a feature film adaptation of the video game, Days Gone. Sony PlayStation Productions is developing the project and has brought Sheldon Turner (Up in the Air) on board to pen the script.

    Days Gone was created by Bend Studios and has sold 9 million copies since it was released in 2019. The game is set in the Pacific Northwest after a devastating global pandemic and follows a former motorcycle club member, Deacon St. John, as he fights to survive against mutated predatory humans while on a quest to find his lost love who is presumed to be dead.

    Heughan is best known for his role as Jamie Fraser on the Starz series, Outlander, in which he has starred in 75 episodes. Outside of the small screen, the actor has steadily been building his film resume with roles in The Spy Who Dumped Me and Bloodshot. As for Turner, he has written films such as Up in the Air, which earned him an Adapted Screenplay Oscar nomination. He also worked on X-Men: First Class and penned the forthcoming Everest.

    The live-action film is being produced by Jennifer Klein and Turner through their Vendetta Productions banner. Also producing the film are Asad Qizilbash and Carter Swan are producing for Sony PlayStation Productions.

    Source: Deadline.