Murphy's Multiverse

Category: News

  • Sam Raimi’s ‘Spider-Man 4’ Was Going to Feature Kraven the Hunter

    Sam Raimi’s ‘Spider-Man 4’ Was Going to Feature Kraven the Hunter

    As Sam Raimi makes his grand return to the Marvel universe with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, it’s hard not to ask him about what could’ve been with Spider-Man 4. Many years after the director left the projects behind, it was hinted that it was going to feature Bruce Campbell‘s cameo as Mysterio and Vulture would appear in some capacity. Yet, it turns out that the plans were originally going to include another classic member of his rogue’s gallery.

    It looks like Kraven the Hunter was going to be part of Spider-Man 4. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Sam Raimi reveals that not only was Mysterio not a definite, as they had other plans for Bruce Campbell to cameo, but they also were going to include the iconic villain in the film. The reasoning is the same for any comic fan., he wanted to see them fight on the silver screen.

    We had other things in mind, too, but that was one of them. And I missed Kraven the Hunter. We were going to work that character into the next Spider-Man; I always wanted to see Kraven fight Spider-Man on the big screen. I thought that would be really unique. He’s the ultimate hunter, and Spider-Man is like the most agile trickster of the skies. And I wanted to see Peter continue forward as a human being.

    Sam Raimi

    It’s crazy to think that Spider-Man: No Way Home may have almost featured the character as well before fully jumping into the multiverse. The character is currently getting their own spinoff series starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, but it’s unclear how it may tie together with Sony’s overarching plans. Still, it’s a shame he never got to explore the character, and perhaps he’s interested in integrating that story into the fourth entry of Tom Holland‘s Spider-Man as a nice tribute to his original plans.

    Source: Rolling Stone

  • Sam Raimi on How the Reshoots Helped ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    Sam Raimi on How the Reshoots Helped ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    There has always been a strange uncertainty online surrounding the wording of “reshoots,” especially when it comes to Marvel Studios. It’s become an essential tool for directors to revisit elements of their story that may not have worked as initially expected. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Sam Raimi opened up on their approach with exactly that for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

    In the interview, he highlights that their main focus was on making the film accessible and ensuring that everything works well together. while many might not be fans of test screenings as a concept, it does help directors receive feedback from an external source to potentially uncover elements that just aren’t hitting as initially expected. Of course, that is also helpful for storylines with complex concepts like the multiverse.

    There’s a lot of points where the audience says, “I don’t understand this. I don’t understand this concept.” Or, “I’m aware of this concept, and then you explained it again in the third act.” “Oh, you’re right. The audience knows that already.” Or: “They had to know that in order to accept this next story beat.” A lot of it is test screenings, learning what is confusing on a complex picture like this, or learning things that have overstayed their welcome. Recognizing when something is too slow, and even though it’s a proper beat to put in, the audience doesn’t need it.

    Sam Raimi

    It also carries over into the editing process, as they try to bring the film together. In a way, Raimi highlights it also gives him the opportunity to uncover elements that might work even better or are worth expanding as a result of it.

    They can figure that out on their own, so what seemed like a logical step now becomes, in the editing process, “Hmm. That’s slowing us down. Let’s skip it and let the audience make the leap themselves.” But it’s also about recognizing what they really like, and sometimes expanding those things that they’re really reacting well to. It’s recognizing what’s original about the picture, and when you’ve got the opportunity to, expanding upon that.

    Sam Raimi

    It definitely sounds like the concept helps the directors tighten their work on projects, and it’s become a common practice for films of any kind from any studio. In a way, it’s just an additional toolkit that helps creatives build upon their work and potentially even lean further into the elements that are original and stand out. It helps add a little more insight into Bruce Campbell‘s comments when he jokingly said Benedict Cumberbatch might not even know if he’s in his own film.

    Source: Rolling Stone

  • Sam Raimi on How ‘WandaVision’ and ‘No Way Home’ Impacted ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Production

    Sam Raimi on How ‘WandaVision’ and ‘No Way Home’ Impacted ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Production

    COVID has made quite a mess out of many things, and a franchise that builds upon itself being shifted around willy-nilly may have faced many more consequences than it initially expected. We’ve heard in the past that the release schedules between Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Spider-Man: No Way Home ended up forcing their hand to rewrite both projects to better fit the overarching narrative. Still, it made many wonders how that exactly impacted the production.

    In a lengthy interview with Rolling Stone, director Sam Raimi got a chance to sit down and talk bout his experience working with Marvel Studios and within the MCU playbox. He has already praised the work in the past and is even open to returning for a future project. Yet, he also highlighted how the pandemic’s influence on two interconnected releases, previously-mentioned No Way Home and the Disney+ series WandaVision, impacted the writing process.

    Yes, it was all on the fly. “Now this is happening. Now that’s happening.” It was a fun juggling game. I guess it must be like that for all of the directors and writers of these very big Marvel properties that now have a long history. It was a very chaotic, wonderful, creative — I don’t want to use the word “mess,” because that’s unfair — but it was just a cascade of ideas. We’d take the best ones and quickly weave together the fabric of this universe. It was very exciting, actually.

    Sam Raimi

    In a way, it sounds like they were able to weave their story even with the “cascade of ideas” weaving out of these projects. One has to admire the work these creatives go through to bring an entire franchise to life and the way Raimi is praising it sounds like it helped them become even more creative. It seems that WandaVision also only became a factor during the writing process, as that series was also facing changes and delays due to COVID.

    I’m not really sure what the WandaVision schedule was or how it changed. I just know that halfway, or maybe three-quarters of the way into our writing process, I’d first heard of this show they were doing and that we would have to follow it. Therefore, we had to really study what WandaVision was doing, so we could have a proper through line and character-growth dynamic. I never even saw all of WandaVision; I’ve just seen key moments of some episodes that I was told directly impact our storyline.

    Sam Raimi

    As he highlights, things changed a lot behind-the-scenes and it’s to be expected when any projects are currently in development,w which also influence each other on a character and story basis. Raimi highlighted that these changes created a potential for creativity, which highlights a core aspect of these story elements. He highlights that he was heavily involved with the writing process alongside Loki‘s Michael Waldron and it makes the exciting prospect of what story they ended up within that playfield

    Source: Rolling Stone

  • Most of ‘That ’70s Show’ Original Cast Returning for 90s Spinoff Series

    Most of ‘That ’70s Show’ Original Cast Returning for 90s Spinoff Series

    Here’s a pleasant surprise, as it looks like most of the original cast of That ’70s Show is returning for the newly announced sequel, That ’90s Show. When we first heard about the project, Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp were the only cast members attached to the sequel series, returning as Red and Kitty Forman. Now, it looks like they managed to convince Topher Grace, Laura Prepon, Ashton Kutcher, Wilmer Valderrama, and Mila Kunis to return as guest appearances throughout the spinoff series.

    What will stick out is that the only missing main cast member is Danny Masterson. While Netflix’s The Ranch featured him and Kutcher as brothers, even sometimes acting as a That 70s Show reunion with many other cast members appearing on it, the actor is currently preparing to stand trial due to multiple sexual assault allegations.

    The series also will feature newcomers Ashley Aufderheide, Mace Coronel, Maxwell Acee Donovan, Callie Haverda, Sam Morelos, and Reyn Doi. The story follows Haverda as Leia Forman, the daughter of Eric and Donna, as she is visiting her grandparents. The multi-cam show will see her gather a new group of friends across ten episodes at Point Place while under the supervision of Kitty and Red. Creators of the original series, Bonnie and Terry Turner are joined by their daughter Lindsey as writers and executive producers. That ’70s Show Alum Gregg Mettler is also joining as showrunner, writer, and executive producer.

    Source: Variety

  • REPORT: Sony Expects Jon Watts, Tom Holland, and Zendaya to Return for Spider-Man 4′

    REPORT: Sony Expects Jon Watts, Tom Holland, and Zendaya to Return for Spider-Man 4′

    The timing of this story is quite fitting, but director Jon Watts has just left Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four franchise. Unlike some in the past, it’s not over creative differences but rather to take a break after working back-to-back on three massive blockbusters. After the success of Spider-Man: No Way Home, it’s not surprising that he’d want to take it easy for a bit. Yet, it seems that Sony seemingly is still counting on him to return to direct the fourth entry in the MCU’s incarnation of Spider-Man.

    As shared by ComicBook.com, the production company hopes to have him alongside Tom Holland and Zendaya return for a fourth entry in the franchise. While many were hoping to potentially see a new director leave his imprint on the franchise, it’s not surprising that they’d want to bank on the success of the third entry. It’s unclear though when we might expect the next entry. As Watts takes a step back from the spotlight, the statement from Marvel Studios has hinted that they are keeping an eye out for other projects they could work on.

    The addition of Zendaya being expected to return is a rather interesting surprise considering the ending of the third film. It seemed like they were moving away and giving Spidey a new cast of characters resulting from the final spell that Doctor Strange unleashed upon the world. We know from Marvel Studios CEO Kevin Feige that they started work on a fourth entry, and many things can change throughout production.

    Source: ComicBook.com

  • First Images of ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ Leak Online

    First Images of ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ Leak Online

    CinemaCon was the big event for studios to showcase their upcoming films. Many offered some trailers and even snippets of upcoming projects. Disney gave us our first look at the long-awaited Avatar sequel, which is now subtitled The Way of Water. We still have to wait until next week for our first look at the trailer, but it seems first images have leaked for the Avatar sequel, which you can check out here:

    UPDATING

    Source: Twitter

  • New ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Set Photos Offer a Close-Up of Mantis and Drax Enjoying the Holidays

    New ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Set Photos Offer a Close-Up of Mantis and Drax Enjoying the Holidays

    We’ve had a few set photos in the past from the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. It teased that the upcoming special will see the Guardians return to Earth. There were even rumors that hinted at Kevin Bacon potentially appearing in the Disney+ special but there was no hint on what role he might have in the project. No matter what it might end up being, a new batch of set photos has found their way online with our best look yet at Dave Bautista‘s Drax and Pom Klementieff‘s Mantis.

    The photos provided by @guardiansupdate offer some close-up images of the two seemingly enjoying the wonders of the Holidays on Earth. The reaction of the Mantis to a human statue is an adorable addition. Her costume has seemingly changed the least between films but Drax got quite an upgrade with his outfit.

    https://twitter.com/guardiansupdate/status/1520192538367385601

    It’s strange not to see Bautista shirtless as Drax, as there was an ongoing joke that his nipples are sensitive in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. We’ll see if the others forced him to put on some clothes while on Earth so that he wouldn’t stick out too much, but they may not include any reference. Still, it seems likely that this is also the design he’ll have in Vol. 3, which might wrap up his story in the franchise.

    Guardians of the Galaxy’s current roster might undergo quite a change moving forward if the team remains at all. Director James Gunn will wrap up his time with the team and move on to other projects afterward. So, we’ll see who will remain within the MCU or who might be leaving the franchise behind.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Legends of Tomorrow’ Canceled After 7 Seasons by The CW

    ‘Legends of Tomorrow’ Canceled After 7 Seasons by The CW

    Hot off the heels of Batwoman‘s cancelation, it seems that the CW is busy cleaning up as Legends of Tomorrow is now also facing a similar fate. The series ran for seven seasons on the network and many feared the cancelation due to it still being on the fence even after The Flash got its early renewal. Yet, there are expectations that the last of the original CW series potentially also come to an end with the upcoming ninth season, it seems they are entering a new era for their DC projects.

    It doesn’t mean they aren’t going to further explore DC projects, as they are currently working on the Gotham Knights series, which isn’t a Batwoman spinoff even if it has a similar setup. The only other series still waiting for a renewal is the latest addition to CW’s schedule, Naomi. As there are rumors of Warner Bros. potentially interested in selling the entire network to focus more on HBO Max, it’s unclear just how long these series might stick around with the current trends moving forward.

    For now, it’s unclear what the future of the Arrowverse looks like, but it’s still impressive it ran for as long as it did. They included various crossover events that adapted some iconic comic storylines. While it confused those that we’re only watching a select few episodes, it definitely was something special for many and perhaps we’ll get one big final moment with a farewell if the franchise is coming to an end while the rest of the multiverse explores new stories independent fro the original.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • RUMOR: Warner Bros Discovery Possibly Looking to Sell Game Studios

    RUMOR: Warner Bros Discovery Possibly Looking to Sell Game Studios

    The acquisition war is seemingly not going to end anytime soon. New rumors suggest that the newly united Warner Bros. Discovery is looking to sell its gaming studios, and instead, license out its IP to other game developers for future projects instead.

    Multiple rumors about WB Games being sold off have been floating around for a while now, however, it seems more likely than ever with Discovery and Warner Bros merger. The two companies have already been restructuring elsewhere, including canceling all scripted television from two of their largest TV networks. With more cuts likely to make their way to the company during these restructures, It doesn’t seem out of the realm of possibilities to see the game development side of things get sold for good.

    According to the rumors, interested parties include Microsoft, Sony, EA, Tencent, Take-Two, and NetEase. As a reminder, franchises like Mortal Kombat and studios like NetherRealm (Mortal Kombat, Injustice) and RockSteady (Batman Arkham, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League) would be up for grabs if this rumor is true, while new DC games may go the route of Marvel Games, being developed by companies far and wide across the industry.

    Other notable developers owned by Warner Bros are Monolith Productions (Shadow of Mordor, Wonder Woman), Avalanche Studios (Hogwarts Legacy), and WB Games Montreal (Gotham Knights). This could be a very large shakeup in the gaming space, make sure to keep up to date here with any new information that may come as this rumor develops.

    Source: Twitter

  • Netflix Continues Cancel Spree, ‘Space Force’ Won’t Return for Season 3

    Netflix Continues Cancel Spree, ‘Space Force’ Won’t Return for Season 3

    Space Force was a strange addition to Netflix at the time, as the series was fast-tracked in reaction to Donald Trump‘s plans for a space exploration branch of the army was announced. Instantly, Steve Carrell and some The Office creator Greg Daniels jumped at the occasion to mock the concept with a series. They even managed to replicate elements from the project and get the name out before it was an actual reality. Sadly, it seems that the comedy series is coming to an end as Netflix has canceled it after two seasons.

    Carell played General Mark Naird, who was stuck with the new administration alongside an all-star cast that consisted of Diana Silvers, John Malkovich, Ben Schwartz, Lisa Kudrow, and many more. Daniels and Norm Hiscock were the active showrunners on the series’ first and now only two seasons.

    Netflix has once again been on a cancel spree, as they also recently canceled the popular Raising Dion series, which also only managed to pull in up to two seasons. Cowboy Bebop, which was produced with multiple seasons in mind, didn’t even make it to a second one. They have new projects already in development, but their current trajectory, adds to an ongoing issue with the subscription service. If they don’t let their newest series get more than two seasons, they may continue losing people that joined for those specific offerings.

    Source: Variety