Murphy's Multiverse

Category: News

  • Marvel Emmy Submission Casts Doubt on ‘Hawkeye’ and ‘Moon Knight’ Season 2 

    Marvel Emmy Submission Casts Doubt on ‘Hawkeye’ and ‘Moon Knight’ Season 2 

    Marvel fans have been eager to learn what the future might hold for Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop, and a recent development has revealed it may not include a second season of Hawkeye. The studio is hard at work campaigning for its slate of Disney+ shows for the next awards season, with series like Loki, Moon Knight, and the aforementioned Hawkeye all up for nominations. What’s interesting is that while Loki, which has a confirmed second season on the way, was submitted in the “Drama” category, both Hawkeye and Moon Knight were only entered into the “Limited Series” field. This has added fuel to the fire of speculation that neither show will receive a second season, an honor that has thus far only been bestowed upon Loki and Marvel’s animated What If…?.

    Actor Oscar Isaac recently caused a stir when he revealed he was not signed up for any further appearances as Marc Spector after the completion of Moon Knight. Similarly, the lack of any sort of progress on another installment of Hawkeye has caused concern that the show might have been a one-and-done. Obviously, even if standard second seasons never occur, the Marvel formula would likely still allow for the protagonists’ stories to continue in other projects and spin-offs, like the upcoming Hawkeye by-product Echo.

    Of course, this doesn’t completely rule out the possibility of continuations for the programs. Marvel apparently attempted to submit Loki as a “Limited Series” before the second season announcement forced the studio to place it elsewhere. The remaining choices for Marvel Studios were to categorize the Tom Hiddleston series as either “Drama” or “Comedy,” with the former being a less competitive field. It’s still entirely feasible that Hawkeye and Moon Knight eventually get their episodic sequels, this news just seems to imply that Marvel Studios has no plans for second seasons in the near future. 

    Source: Variety

  • Susan Sarandon Joins ‘Blue Beetle’ As Main Villain

    Susan Sarandon Joins ‘Blue Beetle’ As Main Villain

    One of the most exciting upcoming film’s set within the DC Extended Universe is Blue Beetle. The film will see the debut of Xolo Mariduena as Jaime Reyes in Blue Beetle. The film will follow Mariduena as a teen superhero who comes into possession of a alien scarab that attaches itself to his back and enables him the abhility to summon an exoskeleton suit and array of weapons. Plot details on the film are scarce, but it seems the project has found a new face for its foe.

    A new report from The Wrap states that Susan Sarandon is set to join the cast of Blue Beetle in the role of Victoria Kord, an original character created for the film. She will be the main antagonist alongside Raoul Max Trujillo who is set to play the villain Carapax The Indestructible Man.

    Just a few weeks back it was announced that Sharon Stone had joined the film in the very same role Sarandon now has. Stone was initially in talks for the role, but it seems things did not work out.

    The film will be directed by Angel Manuel Soto with a script from Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer. Mariduena will star alongside George Lopez, Harvey Guillén, Bruna Marquezine, Elpidia Carillo, Adrianna Barraza and Damián Alcázar.

    Production on Blue Beetle is set to kick-off sometime this month with a release date currently set for Aug. 18th, 2023.

    SOURCE: The Wrap

  • DC Searching For its Own Feige After Discovery Merger

    DC Searching For its Own Feige After Discovery Merger

    Since Man of Steel, the DC Extended Universe has been trying to build a universe around some of its most beloved characters. Certain issues have seen aspects of the DCEU cast astray, resulting in some creative roadblocks that have resulted in certain characters seemingly getting lost along the road. The recent Discovery merger has seen new heads at the combined company eager to overhaul the DC Cinematic Universe.

    A new report from Variety suggests that, following ther Warner Bros Discovery merger, top leadership at the newly formed company is looking to overhaul the DC Entertainment branch. David Zaslav and company are reportedly looking for someone with a business background and less of a creative mind to maintain the many branches of DC Entertainment. The studio wants the films to be much more aligned, similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

    The new leadership is unhappy with how many important characters within the DCEU, such as Superman, have been shelved with no plans to return in the future. The studio also believes that more films like Joker should be explored.

    This decision could impact future development plans for projects as the studio attempts to rework and better streamline the DC Cinematic Universe. They also believe that DC must be more present in the gaming industry, as a way to push the brand to its fullest potential. Projects over the last couple of years have been significantly improving under the leadership of Walter Hamada, who took over following Geoff Johns and Jon Begs stepped down. Hamada is still under contract with Warner Brothers Discovery to lead DC films until 2023, and could play a vital role in what Zaslav aims to do with the future of DC.

    Fans have been vocal about their distaste for the absence of many of their favorite characters within the film universe and worried about what the Justice League may look like in future appearences. Hopefully, whatever Zaslav and company have in store for the future of DC is able to please both sides and unite the fanbase.

    SOURCE: Variety

  • Issa Rae and Michael Cera Join the Growing Cast of ‘Barbie’

    Issa Rae and Michael Cera Join the Growing Cast of ‘Barbie’

    Another day, another Barbie casting announcement.

    Issa Rae (Insecure) and Michael Cera (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) are set to join the cast of the forthcoming Barbie movie. The news comes courtesy of People. The film, which stars Margot Robbie in the titular role, has been on a casting streak as of late. On Monday, it was revealed that Will Ferrell and Emma Mackey, who is considered Robbie’s doppelganger by fans, had joined the cast. They join the previously announced Ryan Gosling, who will portray Ken, as well as America Ferrera, Simu Liu, and Kate McKinnon.

    Unsurprisingly, details as to who Rae and Cera are playing are being kept under wraps, much like many details regarding the film.

    A Barbie film has been in development for a few years now, with Amy Schumer originally set to star in a live-action take for Sony. That project, of course, fell apart and now Warner Bros. is developing what is being described as “something totally different” by star and producer, Robbie. In an interview last year, Robbie briefly talked about the film and how they intend to subvert expectations. “Whatever you’re thinking, we’re going to give you something totally different — the thing you didn’t know you wanted.”

    Production on the film is currently underway in the U.K. Greta Gerwig is directing Barbie from a script she co-wrote alongside partner Noah Baumbach. While no release date has been announced, the film is expected to hit theaters sometime next year.

    Source: People.

  • Levi Miller Joins Cast of Sony’s ‘Kraven the Hunter’

    Levi Miller Joins Cast of Sony’s ‘Kraven the Hunter’

    Production on Kraven the Hunter, Sony’s follow-up to the disappointing performance of Morbius, has been underway for some time now in the U.K., but the cast is still rounding into shape. According to a trade report, the latest addition is Levi Miller, a 19-year old Australian actor best known for playing Peter Pan in WB’s 2015 Pan.

    Directed by J.C. Chandor, the film will star Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Sergei Kravinoff, one of Spider-Man’s greatest foes. The film is not expected to feature Spider-Man. Instead, it will feature Kravinoff’s half-brother, Dmitri Smerdyakov, aka the Chameleon (another one of Spidey’s great foes), played by Fred Hechinger, and their father, played by Russell Crowe.

    Kraven the Hunter will join Venom, Venom: Let There Be Carnage and the aforementioned Morbius in Sony’s growing universe of films created around some of Spider-Man’s greatest foes, but without Spider-Man. The film is set to release in January of 2023.

  • Paul Bettany Responds to ‘Multiverse of Madness’ Rumors

    Paul Bettany Responds to ‘Multiverse of Madness’ Rumors

    Actor Paul Bettany has been around as long as the Marvel Cinematic Universe has existed. Initially the voice of Tony Stark’s A.I. J.A.R.V.I.S, Bettany debuted as Vision in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Most recently, we saw Bettany’s Vision in WandaVision, and the action ended the series as White Vision and he flew off to an unknown location.

    With Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness quickly approaching, fans wants answers now more than ever on who exactly will make surprise appearances in the film. With Vision’s connection to Wanda—who will play a major role as the Scarlet Witch in the film—it is natural that some wonder if some version of Vision, perhaps White Vision, will show up. In an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, host Steven Colbert asked Bettany directly whether White Vision would appear in the Doctor Strange sequel. The actor responded:

    This is a really great question. And, again, I said I was going to be entirely honest with you. You’re asking if… ‘Am I in Doctor Strange?’… Yes, no, yes, no, yes, no. I don’t know. Am I? What do you think?… I can neither confirm nor deny rumors that I am in said and aforementioned Doctor Strange.

    Paul Bettany

    It is only expected that MCU actors play coy about potential or rumored future appearances in Marvel Studios projects. Bettany may simply be teasing fans and taking advantage of all the surprise cameo fervor that has been going around for Multiverse of Madness. Still, plenty will read into the fact that he does say “yes” at some points in his answer, even if it is always followed by “no.”

    Audiences will find out if Bettany or White Vision makes an appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness when the film is released on May 6, 2022.

    Source: YouTube

  • DC’s ‘Titans’ Leaked Set Photos Offer First Look at Jinx

    DC’s ‘Titans’ Leaked Set Photos Offer First Look at Jinx

    We just ran the first real set photo we got from the cast of DC’s Titans, which revealed that the upcoming season is very likely adapting the iconic White Raven storyline from the animated Teen Titans series and comic books with a twist. It looks like that isn’t the only element they are carrying over from the animated adaptation, as a new set photo offers our first look at the HBO Max show’s version of Jinx.

    In one of the set photos, we can see actress Lisa Ambalavanar with a familiar hairstyle for those that followed the Cartoon Network animated series. With purple hair and some black stripes, they clearly took inspiration from the Teen Titans when bringing the character to life in the HBO Max series if the set photo provided by @seansmovies (as shared by @DCTBMidias) is anything to go by.

    It certainly looks like they took inspiration from the animated design, but similar to what they did with Raven, they didn’t change her skin tone. We don’t know yet how they might adapt her abilities, as the animated show gave it a special purple spark to let people know she’s used the ability. So, here’s hoping the first trailer gives us a first look.

    Source: Twitter, Deadline

  • Leaked ‘Titans’ Set Photo Features White-Haired Raven

    Leaked ‘Titans’ Set Photo Features White-Haired Raven

    It looks like the upcoming fourth season of DC’s Titans will feature an iconic transformation for Teagan Croft‘s Raven. Fans of the original animated Teen Titans series might remember that when Raven confronted her father Trigon, she would embrace her purest energy to take on the representation of evil. This transformation led to the costume turning white. Well, it seems that the upcoming season of the HBO Max series will do something similar but this time around her hair will change.

    It’s certainly a surprising reveal, but a new set photo from @seansmovies (as shared by @DCTBMidias) offers a look at a few of the actors of Titans. In it, we can clearly see Croft with a very different hairstyle. It’s gone completely white which would hint at her potentially going through a similar storyline in the upcoming season.

    It’s a curious direction to take, especially as we already had a Trigon-focused storyline in the first season. Either they might build upon it, or her abilities are pushed to their limits in a new way. Brother Blood has been cast for the upcoming season and is likely its main villain. So, perhaps he is someone who worships Trigon and is trying to find a way to unleash him on the world. We’ll see if the trailer gives us our first look on what may end up being the cause for her transformation.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Shang-Chi’s Meng’er Zhang, Robbie Ammell and More Join ‘The Witcher’ Season 3

    ‘Shang-Chi’s Meng’er Zhang, Robbie Ammell and More Join ‘The Witcher’ Season 3

    Actress Meng’er Zhang left quite an impression with her first mainstream film appearance in Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. She took on the role of Xu Xialing, the sister of our hero. She has quite a history with stage and musical productions in her hometown. Now, it seems she has set her eyes on the next franchise as she has officially joined the upcoming third season of Netflix’s The Witcher.

    The actress took to her Instagram account to share the news, where she also offers some details on what her role will be. Her character’s name is Milva and is a human that was adopted by dryads. Here’s the full description:

    A human adopted by the dryads of Brokilon Forest, Milva is a fierce and talented huntress. Exact archery skills coupled with a stone-cold aptitude for survival make her a formidable adversary in the unforgiving Contentint – those that cross her, do so at their peril.

    After an iconic performance in Shang-Chi, it’s great to see the actress get her next high-profile project. There are also quite a few rumors that the Ten Rings will get their own Disney+ series, which would very likely also feature her returning to the role of Xialing. So, it looks like Zhang is going to be quite busy in the coming years.

    She’s not the only one joining the next season, as Netflix has also taken to Twitter to announce that Zhang will be joined by Robbie Amell, Hugh Skinner, and Christelle Elwin.

    It’ll be exciting to see how the project expands, especially as The Witcher further explores Geralt’s travels across the lands. Who knows what other monsters and creatures we might meet that fans of the books have been waiting for it to finally make its way into the popular Netfli series.

    Source: Instagram, Twitter

  • ‘Hawkeye’ and ‘Eternals’ Officially Recognized For Authentic Representation of Disability

    ‘Hawkeye’ and ‘Eternals’ Officially Recognized For Authentic Representation of Disability

    Marvel Studios continues to earn accolades for its work, and the latest honor bestowed on the company is pretty unique. Hawkeye, the hit Disney+ series which aired over the holiday season, and Eternals, the blockbuster film from Chloé Zhao, have been given the Seal of Authentic Representation from the Ruderman Family Foundation. The award is intended to advocate for the full inclusion of people with disabilities in society. It is only given out to movies and television shows that feature actors with disabilities in roles with at least five lines of dialogue. Other projects included in this year’s recipients are Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building and HBO Max’s And Just Like That, which also had deaf characters in major roles.

    Eternals star Lauren Ridloff, who portrayed the lovable speedster Makkari, became the MCU’s first deaf superhero last November. She quickly became a fan favorite from the film, and it’s likely she’s yet to make her last appearance in the franchise. Casting director Sarah Finn released a statement on the matter:

    Not only was [Ridloff] overly qualified to join an already high-level cast, she elevated the ensemble with her unique spirit, talents and charisma. It’s been a privilege getting to know her through the process and seeing what a real-life hero she has become to so many.

    Sarah Finn

    Hawkeye introduced the world to Alaqua Cox, who brought the deaf assassin Echo to life to critical praise. The actress, who is also an amputee, is set to reprise her role in her own solo series on Disney+. Finn continued:

    Alaqua Cox’s character, Maya Lopez/Echo, is based off an existing Marvel character who is deaf and Native American. In casting the role, we wanted to celebrate and honor both Deaf and Native American cultures. We couldn’t be more delighted by Alaqua Cox’s performance. She is phenomenal and part of a new culture in film and television, where authentic representation not only matters but is paramount to the kind of stories we want to tell and how we shape them.

    Sarah Finn

    Ruderman Foundation president Jay Ruderman also spoke highly of this year’s recipients, finishing things off by saying:

    …These practices are increasingly becoming the norm in Hollywood, with the authentic casting of Lauren Ridloff in Eternals and Alaqua Cox in Hawkeye marking a particularly high-profile and momentous milestone for Marvel and the entire entertainment industry. Each time a casting director or other executive makes such a decision, it facilitates the industry’s broader journey towards fulfilling its full potential as a beacon of all forms of diversity and social justice.

    Jay Ruderman

    Marvel Studios has been dedicated to ensuring that everyone can see themselves reflected on the silver screen and even on their television. As such, they’ve started to push for more diversity in their offerings and have used their unique position as one of the biggest blockbuster studios to consistently draw in audiences with each film.

    Source: THR