Murphy's Multiverse

Category: News

  • ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ To Have the Widest Release in North America of All Time

    ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ To Have the Widest Release in North America of All Time

    There’s been a lot of discussion regarding the current trends of Hollywood blockbusters dominating cinemas. Yet, it looks like another big release is going to be present across the entire United States with Top Gun: Maverick set to become the all-time widest opening in the United States. It’s now set to release in 4,732 theaters, which beast 2019’s Lion King held the record at 4,725. To put it into comparison, this year’s biggest releases so far included Doctor Strange in the Mutliverse of Madness at 4,534 and The Batman at 4,417.

    A wide release highlights the expectations set by Skydance Media and Paramount Pictures in what the film has to offer. The hype has been great, especially with its overwhelmingly positive reviews. Of course, it’s been a while since the first Top Gun found its way into theaters back in 1986, but Tom Cruise has always been quite the box office draw, the Mission: Impossible franchise is certainly a testament to that.

    Current predictions do see the film releasing between $98M to $125M, which has been growing steadily as we near its release later this week. For now, there’s a chance it might go beyond those expectations especially as they widen its release in the United States. There’s no word if the European and other international markets will also see an expansion.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Cobra Kai’ Season 5 to Introduce a New Sensei

    ‘Cobra Kai’ Season 5 to Introduce a New Sensei

    According to Deadline, Alicia Hannah-Kim has joined the series as a South Korean Sensei named Kim Da-Eun who is a part of Terry Silver’s (Thomas Ian Griffith) plans to quickly grow the Cobra Kai franchise. Along with the addition of Hannah-Kim, Season 4 newbie Dupree Young, who portrays Kenny Payne, has been upgraded to a series regular for Season 5.

    Given how the end of Season 4 played out, with Martin Kove’s John Creese being arrested, it seems likely Da- Eun will play a leading alongside Silver. We know that Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) has already brought in his former enemy, Chozen (Yuji Okumoto), to help out Miyagi-Do as William Zabka’s Johnny Lawrence took off to Mexico in search of Miguel (Xolo Maridueña). Da-Eun looks to be filling the shoes of Creese for Cobra Kai. Whether or not Da-Eun becomes another victim of Silver remains to be seen.

    Hannah-Kim recently appeared in HBO Max’s Minx as Wendy Mah. She has also appeared in Freeform’s Alone Together and ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. As for Payne, outside of Cobra Kai, he has appeared in Nickelodeon’s Cousins for Life.

    The fifth season of Cobra Kai wrapped production back in December. The creator of Cobra Kai, Josh Heald, has previously teased that the series would run for six seasons. As of this writing, Netflix has not confirmed the sixth season, but scripts are already being written.

    Season 5 of Cobra Kai hits Netflix on Sept. 9th.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’ to Take Inspiration From Martial Arts Films

    ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’ to Take Inspiration From Martial Arts Films

    Russian Doll’s Leslye Headland got a chance to sit down with Vanity Fair to talk about the future for Star Wars fans with her new series, The Acolyte. We’ve been anxiously awaiting an update on what to expect from the series. The new interview gave us a tease of how she’s approaching the series by highlighting the advice she got from The Mandalorian‘s Jon Favreau.

    Jon Favreau said that when you’re working in this world, you want to go back to what George was inspired by. There were Westerns and then of course, Akira Kurosawa samurai films, and the fact that he originally offered Obi-Wan Kenobi to Toshiro Mifune …

    Leslye Headland

    Hearing that there are many ways to approach the series, it seems that she focused on martial arts films as how she’ll approach the series. Headland highlights some of the inspirations that she is taking with her while working on this series.

    So I actually went more toward martial arts films, and storylines that are a little bit more personal and less global and galactic. Those warriors were on missions that were deeply personal, with people feeling wronged and having to make it right. Wuxia Films and martial arts films from King Hu and the Shaw Brothers, like Come Drink With Me and Touch Of Zen. They’re monks that are also martial arts heroes.

    Leslye Headland

    The projects mentioned certainly sets up a great concept. Most of Star Wars inspirations were from westerns and samurai films. We’ve seen some influences from martial art films, but never a project that was built around the concept. So, here’s hoping we get some great action and drama that these iconic films are known for.

    Source: Vanity Fair

  • ‘The Acolyte’ to Explore the Rise of the Sith During the High Republic

    ‘The Acolyte’ to Explore the Rise of the Sith During the High Republic

    Russian Doll‘s Leslye Headland will head into a galaxy far far away with the new Star Wars series Acolyte. We’ve learned that the series takes place long before the prequel trilogy with around 100 years stated. Now, in an interview with Vanity Fair, Headland offered some more details on how the storyline will explore how the Sith grew in power before the events of the Prequels. Headland highlights a quote from Mace Windu that inspired her to take on the story:

    In the prequels, Mace Windu says: ‘There’s no way that the Sith could have reemerged without us knowing about it.’ And Yoda says, ‘Hard to see, the dark side is. He acknowledges that this is a part of the Force that has been dormant, or at least hidden from them, for so long. What I immediately wondered about this particular period was: Who is practicing it

    Leslye Headland

    She also teases that the title has many significant references to where the story heads, such as pointing to someone that is closer to the dark side of the Force. So, we may be seeing the rise of the Sith, with Amandla Stenberg set to play the leading role. Though the wording also hints at someone who assists a religious leader in a ritual. So, we might see the padawan that supported Palpatine’s rise to power. Many also hope that perhaps we meet Darth Sidious, who has been teased briefly in an iconic sequence from the prequels.

    Source: Vanity Fair

  • Netflix’s ‘That 90’s Show’ Adds Another ‘That 70’s Show’ Alumni

    Netflix’s ‘That 90’s Show’ Adds Another ‘That 70’s Show’ Alumni

    Tommy Chong is officially returning as Leo for That 90’s Show. The actor confirmed his return during a recent appearance on The Dark Mark Show. “They gave me a call and I did my part,” he confirmed. “They never gave me any instructions, so I don’t know if I’m supposed to be talking about it or not. I really don’t give a s— to tell you the truth. I’ve got a big mouth. That’s what I’m known for…I’m back as Leo.”

    Chong is the latest cast member from That 70’s Show to be confirmed. It was recently announced that Topher Grace, Laura Prepon, Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, and Wilmer Valderrama are returning for guest appearances. They’ll join series leads, Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp, who are reprising their roles as Red and Kitty Forman.

    The spinoff series will focus on Leia Forman (Callie Haverda), the daughter of Eric (Grace) and Donna (Prepon), as she visits her grandparents during the summer of 1995. Much like her parents, she’ll find herself forming bonds with a new generation of Point Place kids under the watchful eye of Red and Kitty.

    Over the course of its run, Chong appeared as Leo in 65 episodes of That 70’s Show as a hippy stoner who built a close relationship with Hyde after employing him at the Foto Hut. Danny Masterson is not expected to reprise his role as Hyde in That 90’s Show.

    That 90’s Show was ordered straight to series by Netflix with a 10-episode count. The creators of That 70’s Show, Bonnie Turner and Terry Turner, have boarded the series as writers and executive producers alongside their daughter Linsey Turner. Gregg Mettler, who also worked on That 70’s Show, is also on board as a writer, executive producer, and showrunner.

    Source: The Dark Mark Show via Variety

  • ‘Madame Web’: Celeste O’Connor is the Latest to Get Caught in Sony’s web

    ‘Madame Web’: Celeste O’Connor is the Latest to Get Caught in Sony’s web

    The Ghostbusters: Afterlife actress is set to join Sony’s Madame Web. She’ll star alongside Dakota Johnson and Sydney Sweeney in the film. Johnson, of course, is expected to portray Madame Web, while the roles of Sweeney and O’Connor are currently unknown.

    The film is Sony’s latest Spider-Man offshoot and will mark the first film to be headlined by a female character within the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters. While details are sparse regarding Madame Web, it is thought the film will be an origin story for the clairvoyant character, whose psychic abilities allow her to see within the spider world. 

    O’Connor is steadily building an impressive resume. Following Ghostbusters: Afterlife, the young actor can next be seen in Zach Braff’s A Good Person from MGM. O’Connor can currently be seen in Paramount+’s The In Between where she stars alongside Joey King.

    Madame Web is being directed by S.J. Clarkson (Jessica Jones) from a script by Morbius writers Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless. Kerem Sanga, who write First Girl I Loved, took an earlier pass at the script prior to Sazama and Sharpless.

    Madame Web will hit theaters on July 7th, 2023.

    Source: Deadline.

  • It looks like Jason Sudeikis Isn’t Actually in DC’s ‘Blue Beetle’

    It looks like Jason Sudeikis Isn’t Actually in DC’s ‘Blue Beetle’

    On Monday, a casting call made the rounds online suggesting that the Blue Beetle film would not only include Ted Kord, but that actor Jason Sudeikis would potentially be playing the role. Unfortunately, for those hoping to see Ted in the film, it’s looking as though he’s not in the film – nor is Sudeikis.

    Umberto Gonzalez, who works for The Wrap, took to Twitter to deny the reports. “No, Jason Sudekis is NOT playing Ted Kord in Blue Beetle,” he tweeted. “He is not in the movie AT ALL.”

    As it stands, Susan Sarandon is being introduced as a newly crafted character named Victoria Kord who will reportedly play a villainous role in the film. It remains to be seen if Ted is referenced in the film.

    Blue Beetle is being directed by Angel Manuel Soto from Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer’s screenplay. It is set to hit theaters on Aug. 18th, 2023 and stars Xolo Maridueña in the titular role alongside Susan Sarandon, Harvey Guillén, Raoul Max Trujillo, George Lopez, Elpidia Carrillo, Belissa Escobedo, Adriana Barraza, and Damián Alcázar.

    Source: Twitter.

  • Samuel L. Jackson is Joining Chris Pratt in Garfield

    Samuel L. Jackson is Joining Chris Pratt in Garfield

    The new animated Garfield film is being produced by Alcon Entertainment. The movie is based on Jim Davis’ iconic cartoon strip of the same name and will follow Garfield, the cynical and lazy orange cat, and his interactions with his owner, Jon Arbuckle, and fellow pet, Odie. Jackson will be playing a new character crafted for the film – Garfield’s father, Vic.

    Mark Dindal (Chicken Little) is directing the film from a script by David Reynolds (Finding Nemo). Garfield will be animated and produced by DNEG Animation, which was also behind the 2021 film Ron’s Gone Wrong. Also producing the film are John Cohen and Steven P. Wegner, who are producing alongside Alcon co-founders and co-CEOs Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove.

    Up next for the always busy Jackson is Secret Invasion, which he recently filmed for Marvel Studios and Disney+. He can currently be seen in the Apple TV+ series The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, which is based on the novel by bestselling author Walter Mosley. He’s also set to appear in The Marvels, as well as Matthew Vaughn’s spy actioner Argylle.

    Sony Pictures will be distributing Garfield in all major territories with the exception of China. As it stands, Garfield does not yet have a release date.

    Source: Deadline.

  • More Details Emerge on Amber Heard’s Reduced Role in ‘Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom’

    More Details Emerge on Amber Heard’s Reduced Role in ‘Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom’

    As the legal battles continue between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, more details regarding the actress and her role as Mera have come to light. Previously, Heard stated that her screen time had been cut in Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom as a result of her legal troubles and the allegations against her. However, it seems Mera’s screen time was always going to be shorter in the sequel.

    During the latest testimony, Walter Hamada, the head of Warner Bros.’ DC unit, was called to testify regarding Heard’s statement that the allegations against her had impacted her role as Mera. Per Hamada, the accusations against Heard did not impact Heard’s casting in The Lost Kingdom. He did, however, note that the studio did take more time to pick up Heard’s option for The Lost Kingdom for another reason. Hamada stated that the studio feared Heard and leading man Jason Momoa lacked chemistry, which they’d had trouble crafting in post-production on the first film.

    “They didn’t have a lot of chemistry together,” Hamada explained. “Editorially they were able to make that relationship work in the first movie, but there was a concern that it took a lot of effort to get there.”

    Hamada also stated that Mera’s role was not cut down in The Lost Kingdom. He insists that the role has always been on the smaller side since it was first developed because it was supposed to be more of a buddy-comedy film between Momoa’s Aquaman and Patrick Wilson’s King Orm.

    As it stands, Heard’s Mera will return when Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom hits theaters on March 17th, 2023.

    Source: Variety.

  • Rita Moreno Officially Joins ‘Fast X’

    Rita Moreno Officially Joins ‘Fast X’

    Fast X has added a legendary actor to its roster.

    On Tuesday, Fast and the Furious leading man Vin Diesel took to social media to announce that Rita Moreno has joined the cast of Fast X. Moreno’s casting comes after Diesel teased the actress wanted to join the franchise ahead of the release of F9 last year. Moreno will play the role of Dom’s grandmother in the film.

    In the video, which you can see below, Diesel says he has dreamed of working with Moreno and is thrilled to see her join the cast. “It’s been my dream forever to work with Rita Moreno, and the fact that she’s here playing my grandmother makes my soul smile,” Diesel said. “I’m so blessed.”

    As Diesel pans the camera over to Moreno, the actress exclaims, “The answer is yes, I’ll do it.” She continues, “And yes, not only do it, but I’m tickled. I’m tickled to hell to do it. I’m so thrilled. It’s going to be such fun!”

    Moreno is the latest legendary actress to join the franchise after expressing interest. Helen Mirren first expressed her interest in joining the family back in 2015 before finally joining the long-running franchise for F9 as Queenie.

    Production on Fast X is currently underway. Despite a bit of a setback after Justin Lin exited the project over rumored differences with Diesel, Louis Leterrier stepped in as the director and production has since gotten back on track.

    Fast X does not yet have a release date.

    Source: Variety.