Murphy's Multiverse

Category: News

  • Skydance New Media Working on an Action-Adventure ‘Star Wars’ Game

    Skydance New Media Working on an Action-Adventure ‘Star Wars’ Game

    It looks like Skydance is going to be quite busy, as the studio that was founded in 2019 by Amy Hennig, one of the masterminds behind the Uncharted series, is now seemingly also working on a new Star Wars project. It’s not the first time she was involved with a game from that franchise, such as Visceral Games’ sadly canceled project some time ago. Now, she’s involved with a “richly cinematic action-adventure game” with a promising original story. Hennig gave the following statement on working on a game that takes place in a franchise she grew up with.

    I’ve often described how seeing Star Wars in 1977 essentially rewired my 12-year-old brain, shaping my creative life and future indelibly. I’m elated to be working with Lucasfilm Games again to tell interactive stories in this galaxy that I love.

    Amy Henning
    Image

    We’re still waiting for an update on their Marvel game, but there have been hints that the studio has been fully on board to rival other AAA studios. We did get the hint that Marc Bernardin is one of the writers for the Marvel game, and it’s unsure how early in development the Star Wars project might be at this point. So, we might have to wait a while before we get any update on what exactly the project entails. Still, it’s always exciting to see these projects start development, and here’s hoping that we get some hints in the near future.

    Source: Polygon

  • Hayden Christensen on Preparing for His Return in ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’

    Hayden Christensen on Preparing for His Return in ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’

    While everyone was excited about Ewan McGregor‘s return as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the upcoming Disney+ series, many were caught off-guard when it was revealed that he’ll also be joined by Hayden Christensen. Not only that but shortly after it was confirmed that he’ll also return in the Ahsoka series as well. So, it’s a grand return for the actor that played Anakin Skywalker in the prequel trilogies. In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, he revealed how he prepared for the role after 17 years.

    It seems he really did his homework as the actor revisited not only all the films but also watched The Clone Wars and Rebels animated series, which were quite important to develop his character even after he hung up the mantle. Perhaps it also was what inspired him to join Ahsoka to get involved with the story introduced in the animated series.

    I went back and rewatched all the films,” says the man who will be once again going behind the mask as Darth Vader. “And I also got into the animated shows, The Clone Wars and Rebels.

    Hayden Christensen

    It’s great to see his commitment not only to bringing this franchise to life but generally how much work he’s put in to prepare for his return. We have been teased that he’ll be in the series as Darth Vader, but there’s always a chance that they might use flashbacks to also revisit scenes between Anakin and his former master. Perhaps Ahsoka Tano even gets a cameo in the upcoming series.

    Source: Entertainment Weekly

  • ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Announces Mighty Thor as Next Hero DLC

    ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Announces Mighty Thor as Next Hero DLC

    It’s been quite the wait, but the latest development update by Marvel#s Avengers has given us quite the surprise. It has been rumored for a bit, but the announcement has finally arrived that the next character joining the project will end up being Jane Foster’s Mighty Thor. We even got our first look at the character, which sadly only gives us a glimpse at her upcoming design.

    She won’t be part of the upcoming patch 2.4, which will release sometime in May but is the main focus of 2.5. She’ll also wield Mjolnir and have some common abilities like the current version of Thor but still have some distinct elements to make her stand out. They will offer a better look at the character and more details soon.

    Image

    In regards to update 2.4, it’ll be a way to help solo players to grind to higher levels. Events will get reworked in a way that adds new goals for players and helps with the newly improved game loop from 2.3. So, Crystal Dynamics has put in a lot of work in the current model to ease in new players while also ensuring future updates will have more to offer for players.

    So, those looking for ways to grind and don’t want to be dependent on multiplayer options with Omega-Level Threats or Raids now have an option. While there was still quite a wait for their latest playable character, it’s still great to see the game getting continued support from its developer.

    Source: Play Avengers

  • New ‘Doctor Strange’ Tie-In Ad for Tide Includes Reference to Sam Raimi’s ‘Spider-Man 2’

    New ‘Doctor Strange’ Tie-In Ad for Tide Includes Reference to Sam Raimi’s ‘Spider-Man 2’

    It’s not uncommon for big blockbuster films to get tie-in ads nowadays, as a way to not only promote the film but also a way for brands to get some attention. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness seemingly has one with Tide, where Wong is on the hunt for Strange’s Levitation cape after spilling his Tuna Melt on it. Yet, what stands out is actually the small inclusion that fans of Sam Raimi‘s Spider-Man might quite enjoy.

    If you look closely, you can see a food truck with the name “Joe’s Pizza Parlor.” Fans of Spider-Man 2 might instantly recognize that as the place where Peter worked while trying to balance his time as a web-slinging vigilante. Its inclusion is a great little detail and hopefully means we might get a few Spider-Man references in the upcoming film with Raimi in the director’s chair.

    Spider-Man fans are petitioning for Tobey Maguire to get a pizza-based cameo in Far from Home

    Bruce Campbell joined the project in an unknown role. So, we might definitely expect some fun references to his other projects like Evil Dead, especially with the horror vibes. Now that Tobey Maguire returned to the role of Spider-Man, there have been theories that perhaps he even returns in the upcoming film, especially with Raimi in the directing chair. It seems like the perfect opportunity to have them reunite. Of course, the multiverse is vast and who knows what direction the director took with the project, as there are many more opportunities in how they approach the project. We’ll still have to wait just a little longer before we can watch it.

    Source: Twitter

  • Gal Gadot and Patty Jenkins Still Working on ‘Wonder Woman 3’ Script

    Gal Gadot and Patty Jenkins Still Working on ‘Wonder Woman 3’ Script

    Shortly after the release of Wonder Woman 1984, it was swiftly announced that director Patty Jenkins would return to direct a third entry in the series. While we haven’t heard anything on the project since its announcement, there were clear signs that it was being fast-tracked as Jenkins started mixing up the various projects that she’s been working on, such as Cleopatra getting a new director attached. Luckily, Wonder Woman herself, Gal Gadot, offered an update on Wonder Woman 3.

    It looks like they are still currently working on the script, but won’t give away any details on what direction they are taking. The fact they are still in this phase also lines up with the hints that production on the third Wonder Woman film wouldn’t pick up until 2023.

    We’re talking! We’re actually in the mix of working on the script and getting the third one made, so it’s all wheels are working and turning and I’m super, super excited for the fans to come and watch Wonder Woman 3 once it’s made.

    Gal Gadot

    If they follow the theming so far, we may visit the 90s potentially in the fourth film, as it seems like they are keeping Diana Prince’s modern appearances to the recent crossover films and through cameos. Of course, they could also just jump to the future and give us a storyline that no one would expect, as she’ll likely outlive most of the heroes she’s met. There’s a lot of potentials and we’ll see how they might unshackle her storyline from previous entries.

    Source: Forbes

  • Karyn Kusama-Jasmine Cephas Jones ‘Dracula’ Film Cancelled Weeks Before Production 

    Karyn Kusama-Jasmine Cephas Jones ‘Dracula’ Film Cancelled Weeks Before Production 

    It looks like the future of cinema will have one less Dracula film to look back on. In a surprising move, Blumhouse has pulled the plug on Mina Harker, a modern take on the vampiric mythos from veteran director Karyn Kusama. The movie would have told the story of its famous title character, played by Blindspotting’s Jasmine Cephas Jones, as she encountered Dracula on the streets of Los Angeles. Frequent Kusama collaborators Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi had written the script based on Bram Stoker’s original Dracula story. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film entered a freefall and ultimately met its end after Miramax Films, who had been set to produce, exited the project.

    Kusama is a cult favorite genre filmmaker, whose previous work includes sleeper hits like 2005’s Æon Flux and 2009’s Jennifer’s Body. She also regained recognition for her contributions to Showtime’s acclaimed series Yellowjackets. Fans of her work were thrilled when the Dracula concept movie was announced two years ago, and speculation was rampant as to how the creative would adapt such iconic source material. Unfortunately, with the project being killed only weeks before production was et to begin, this will seemingly amount to nothing but an all-time “what if” scenario.

    A separate Dracula adaptation from Blumhouse, Renfield starring Nicholas Hoult and Nicolas Cage, has recently completed filming and is still going forward for release. Hopefully, that project can still be allowed to live up to its hype.

    Source: THR

  • ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’s Goats Were Originally Pitched for 2011’s ‘Thor’

    ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’s Goats Were Originally Pitched for 2011’s ‘Thor’

    Here’s an interesting reveal by writer Zack Stentz. One of the three writers behind the original 2011 Thor has taken to Twitter to share some thoughts on the new Thor: Love and Thunder trailer. In his tweet, he highlighted that the goats we see in the trailer and across the promotional material were originally pitched as part of the 2011 version of the film. He not only shares about the insanity that Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjostr were pretty much Thor’s travel meal in the original mythology, but also that Kevin Feige and his team were a bit uncertain when they included it in the original pitch.

    This reveal says a lot about how much has changed since the Marvel Cinematic Universe just started. Not only did Taika Waititi take the character of Thor in such an outlandish direction that they’re way more open to tackling creative storylines, but the executives also loosened up quite a bit. To be fair, what we also have to keep in mind is that there’s a pre-Captain America: Civil War era where even Feige and his team were supervised by Isaac Perlmutter and his infamous committee.

    Once he was able to break free from Perlmutter and fully work with Disney directly. This way Marvel Studios became a separate entity from Marvel TV and Marvel, but also gave him way more freedom. It’s the only reason we actually are seeing more diversity in their projects. Black Widow was a film that only got a release this late in the game due to that era and most projects of Phase 3 were already in some form of production at the time. So, if they continue to see success with wilder ideas, we may also see them continue to try out new things moving forward.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Streets of Rage’ Film in Development Based on Script by ‘John Wick’s Derek Kolstad

    ‘Streets of Rage’ Film in Development Based on Script by ‘John Wick’s Derek Kolstad

    After Sonic the Hedgehog 2‘s success at the box office, it looks like there’s going to be a new influx of video game adaptations moving forward. Deadline has just reported that SEGA is already eyeing their next project with an adaptation of Streets of Rage in development. Not just that, but Derek Kolstad, the mastermind behind John Wick and Nobody, has written the script on spec. It’ll bring the Genesis title from 1991 to life, where former police offers take on a crime syndicate. There’s not a lot of plot, to begin with. So, it’ll be an easy template to write a story around.

    The fourth entry was released in 2020 on the last generation of consoles with 2.5M copies sold worldwide. So, it’s the perfect time to use the momentum and build a new franchise for SEGA. Sonic the Hedgehog producers dj2 Entertainment and Escape Artists, who worked on the Equalizer franchise, are involved with the project. dj2 has a deal with Amazon to also adapt It Takes Two, which has yet to pick up any pace so far.

    Kolstad has been quite busy, as he continues to stockpile one project after another. The next John Wick film is set to release next year in March and also has a heist thriller with Gerard Butler on the horizon titled Just Watch Me. He also recently worked on Disney+’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier series. He’s also set to adapt Hellsing for Amazon, which was last reported back in March of 2021. So, he’s definitely got a lot on his plate moving forward.

    Source: Deadline

  • Jason Momoa in Talks for ‘Minecraft’ Movie

    Jason Momoa in Talks for ‘Minecraft’ Movie

    Video game adaptions are quickly becoming all the rage again, with many studios looking to find the next hot property to turn into a successful franchise. Many have struggled to take off due to the fact that they just were not easy to adapt. One adaptation that’s been in the works for quite some time is one based on Minecraft, the popular open-world sandbox game where the sky is the limit. It seems the old project may have picked up the steam yet again as the film looks to be on the hunt for its star.

    Ankler is reporting that Jason Momoa is currently in talks to voice the protagonist in the feature film adaptation. The Aquaman actor will voice the film’s main hero for what the studio is hoping will blossom into a new franchise. This news comes as Warner Bros. is set to lose its lease on the film rights to Minecraft by January if a project does not go into development by then. It seems the director of Napoleon Dynamite and Nacho Libre, Jared Hess, is set to direct the project although it is unknown just who is writing.

    Not much is known plotwise for the film as it seems its taken many shapes over the past couple of years. Originally it was reported that the film would follow a female protagonist alongside a group of adventurers who’d set out to defeat the Ender Dragon as he broke free from the End and into the overworld. The film has seen multiple directors like Peter Sollet and even It’s Always Sunny in Philidelphia’s Rob Mcelhenney, with Steve Carrel at one point set to star. For now, that is all we know but we’ll see if Minecraft can truly grow into a franchise.

    Source: The Ankler

  • First Look at ‘Jurassic World: Dominion’s Funko Pops

    First Look at ‘Jurassic World: Dominion’s Funko Pops

    Jurassic World: Dominion isn’t that far off from hitting theaters, and with it, Funko has revealed our first look at some of the new additions to their collection. As to be expected, not only are our human companions getting their own figurines, but a variety of the dinosaurs will also get the focus alongside the veteran T-Rex and the Velociraptor Blue.

    It’s also great to see Funko Pops of our favorite Jurassic Park members, who are making their grand return in the upcoming sequel. While Jeff Goldblum did have a minor appearance at the end of The Fallen Kingdom, this is the first time that Sam Neill and Laura Dern are making their return as Dr. Alan Grant and Dr. Ellie Sattler. So, if you ever wished to add them to your collection, now is your chance.

    The figurines look great and there’s a fun charm to the various dinosaurs, especially how well the design surprisingly works with the dead eyes. The giant addition is very likely the new Giganotosaurus, which is set to make its live-action debut in the upcoming film. We’ll see if they might have other dinosaurs that’ll surprise us in the upcoming film and get some additional Funko Pops after its release. So, we’ll see what other surprises the film has in store for us.

    Source: Twitter