Murphy's Multiverse

Category: News

  • Lucasfilm Confirms Development of Several Star Wars Theatrical Projects

    Lucasfilm Confirms Development of Several Star Wars Theatrical Projects

    The official announcement that Ryan Gosling was on board to lead Shawn Levy‘s Star Wars: Starfighter rightfully stole the show at Star Wars Celebration Japan. As A-list as it gets, Gosling‘s casting is a bit of an oddity for a franchise that looks to create stars, not cast them, so the repoers of Lucasfilm targeting him caught fans off guard and with so many projects going by the wayside, it seemed possible–even likely–that Levy’s film may never get made.  With production set to kick off thos fall ahead of a May 28, 2027 release, it seems Starfighter is indeed happening and it won’t be alone.

    As part of an official release via StarWars.com, Lucasfilm has confirmed that sic additional theatrical projects remain in active development at the studio.

    One of several theatrical projects still in development from Lucasfilm, including films by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, James Mangold, Taika Waititi and a new trilogy by Simon Kinberg, Levy’s film — Star Wars: Starfighter — will star Gosling and go into production starting this fall.

    First announced at Star Wars Celebration Europe in 2023, the Daisy Ridley-led New Jedi Order era film set to be directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy was once expected to launch Star Wars back into theaters before experiencing some difficulties getting off the ground and being pulled from the release schedule. In January, The Bourne Ultimatum and The Banker scribe George Nolfi became the film’s third known lead writer and there’s been no news since, making the film’s inclusion in the official release a surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one.

    Like the Obaid-Chinoy film, director James Mangold‘s Dawn of the Jedi era/Jedi Prime project was first announced at Star Wars Celebration Europe. Referred to as “Star Wars Zero” by Mangold, the project will be set in “the deep past, telling the tale of the first Jedi to wield the Force and harness it as a liberating power in an era of chaos and oppression.” It’s been over a year since it was revealed that Andor co-writer Beau Willimon had come on board to co-write the film, which fans had begun to fear had made its way down the chute and into the trash compactor.

    Taika is on Taika time. I’ve just continually said to him, look, when you feel that you’re ready and you can really devote the time, we’re going to do it. We’ll be waiting. I’m just hoping we get there. That will be a great Star Wars movie.

    –Kathleen Kennedy on the status of Taika Waititi’s Star Wars film

    While nothing official has been revealed about the project, a Star Wars film written and directed by Taika Waititi has been in development since May of 2020. The film was originally expected to begin production in 2023 but was pushed back as Waititi continued to work on other projects such as Thor: Love and Thunder and Klara and the Sun. Star Wars boss Kathleen Kennedy also revealed that Poor Things scribe Tony McNamara is working on the script for the film she says will ultimately be “a great Star Wars movie.”

    We’re absolutely rolling fast and furiously. That has gone exceptionally well, and he’s literally going to script as we speak. We’ll see something probably around June. Simon, if you remember, he did some work with us years ago with the animated show, which was a really wonderful collaborative experience. And he then got very, very busy with X-Men and then recently became available again, and he segued into this space beautifully. We’re really excited about where that’s headed.

    -Kathleen Kennedy on Simon Kinberg’s Star Wars Saga trilogy

    Finally, the press release confirmed that work remains ongoing on the trilogy in the works from Star Wars Rebels co-creator Simon Kinberg. In February 2024, Kennedy explained that the new trilogy would be “the next iteration, the new saga that moves us into the future” of the Star Wars franchise.

    Source: Deadline, Screen Rant, StarWars.com

  • ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Showrunner Teases Matt Murdock’s Season 2 Army

    ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Showrunner Teases Matt Murdock’s Season 2 Army

    The Season One finale of Daredevil: Born Again left Matt Murdock–and all of New York City– in the shadow of Mayor Kingpin. “Straight to Hell” left no doubt that Wilson Fisk won the battle but it also made it clear that Matt Murdock is regrouping and preparing for war. Faling back to Josie’s, Murdock is now looking to put together an army to take on Fisk and his Anti-vigilante Task Force, an idea that has fans of the Netflix Defenders-verse convinced Jessica Jokes, Luke Cage, Danny Rand and more will ultimately be featured in Season 2.

    With the sophomore season already well into production, there’s been no sign of the Defenders yet; however, in a recent interview, showrunner Dario Scardapane made it clear those characters–and others from Matt’s circle of friends–arent far from his mind as he continues work in the show.

    “Without giving too much away…when you’re working in what I would call the Hell’s Kitchen corner of the MCU, those iconic characters are always in your mind,” said Scardapane of Jones, Cage and Rand…but those heroes aren’t the only characters with ties to the Kitchen.

    “The thing is that — and this is kind of hard, I’m trying to thread a needle here — you want to bring in people and relationships and past figures in Matt’s life because they help the story, particularly in terms of a story where Fisk has taken over the city. And there is a resistance and a rebellion, so to speak, rising. So there’s going to be people, vigilantes, superheroes that are involved in that. There has to be because this is happening to their city,” Scardapane explained. Of course, as integral to his story so far as the Defenders have been, nobody has been a more important figure in Matt’s past than Elektra. However, bringing her back from the dead or even bringing in living Defenders just because isn’t something Scardapane is willing to do.

    “…you also want to create a completely organic story for that. So who comes in and why has to be beyond anything earned. So the easiest answer to your question is, yes, those characters that you just listed off are absolutely in my head and everybody’s head as we’re working,” said Scardapane of the trio of heroes who helped save New York City in the Defenders crossover event.

    “How that manifests itself is both really tricky writing-wise and a pretty closely guarded secret at this point,” he continued. “So I’m being intentionally cagey, but I’m also saying, ‘Hell yeah!’ in terms of it’s something we’re thinking about.“

    Season 2 of Daredevil: Born Again will hit D+ in March 2026.

    Source: EW

  • SWC Japan: Fan-Favorite Baddie Set for 2026 Return in ‘Maul-Shadow Lord’

    SWC Japan: Fan-Favorite Baddie Set for 2026 Return in ‘Maul-Shadow Lord’

    Sith apprentice Darth Maul was the face of Lucasfilm’s marketing for 1999’s Star Wars: Episode I-The Phantom Menace. The vengeful Dathormirian lined the shelves of Toys “R” Us and was prominently featured in the studio’s posters and trailers, giving fans the idea that he’d become the trilogy’s Darth Vader. And then he was cut in half by Obi-Wan Kenobi in what was nothing short of one of the cruelest twists George Lucas has ever deployed.

    When Lucas’ plan to bring Maul back from what seemed like certain death in Star Wars Episode II-Attack of the Clones didn’t work out, the character found new life in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Solo: A Star Wars Story and Star Wars Rebels, becoming one of the studio’s most well-developed and tragic characters. With Lucasfilm deciding not to follow up on Solo and with Maul finally put to rest by Obi-Wan Kenobi, it seemed as though the studio had finally put a bow on the fan-favorite character’s story but as revealed at Star Wars Celebration Japan, more Maul is on the way.

    Now in production and headed to D+ in 2026, Star Wars: Maul-Shadow Lord, set after the final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, will follow Maul as he “rises again to lead the underworld factions.”

    Sam Witer will return to voice Maul in the new Lucasfilm animated series which looks to make good on The Creator’s original plan to make Maul “the godfather of crime in the universe.” According to StarWars.com, Maul-Shadow Lord will tell the story of Maul as he attempts to “rebuild his criminal syndicate on a planet untouched by the Empire.” In that way, the new series should serve as a prequel to Solo: A Star Wars Story, which revealed Maul as the head of Crimson Dawn.

  • ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ Confirmed to Star Ryan Gosling

    ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ Confirmed to Star Ryan Gosling

    It’s official. Months after rumors suggested Ryan Gosling was set to head to a galaxy far, far away, Lucasfilm confirmed the actor has joined the Star Wars franchise during Star Wars Celebration Japan. The news was revealed by director Shawn Levy, who brought the actor out to confirm his casting. The duo then revealed his previously untitled Star Wars movie had finally received a title: Star Wars: Starfighter. The movie is set to enter production this Fall for a 2027 release date.

    While there is still a fair amount of secrecy surrounding the project, Levy and Lucasfilm did confirm that Starfighter will take place approximately five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. As for Gosling, the actor will play a brand-new character yet to be unveiled by the studio.

    Along with confirming Gosling will star in Levy’s forthcoming Star Wars movie, Lucasfilm also revealed that Star Wars projects from Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, James Mangold, Taika Waititi and a new trilogy by Simon Kinberg remain in development. Obaid-Chinoy, of course, is set to direct a new Star Wars movie starring Daisy Ridley‘s Rey, while Mangold’s Star Wars film is expected to be a prequel to Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi.

    Star Wars: Starfighter will fly into theaters on May 28, 2027.

  • ‘Pacific Rim’ Live-Action Series Set at Amazon

    ‘Pacific Rim’ Live-Action Series Set at Amazon

    Amazon is looking to turn Pacific Rim into its next big television series. Variety announced on Thursday that Amazon’s MGM Studios has teamed up with Legendary Television to develop a live action Pacific Rim series for the small screen. The news comes after it was revealed last year that the project was previously in development at Legendary. Amazon has hired Eric Heisserer to serve as the writer and executive producer; he will develop the project under his Chronology production banner.

    Heisserer is coming off the Netflix series, Shadow & Bone, where he served as the writer, executive producer, and showrunner of the series based on the Grishaverse novels by bestselling author Leigh Bardugo. Along with Shadow & Bone, Heisserer previously penned the hit Netflix series, Bird Box, as well as titles including the 2010 remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street and Lights Out.

    The first Pacific Rim movie was released in 2013 and hailed from Guillermo del Toro, who also penned the film alongside Travis Beacham. The movie, which focused on a war between human-operated Jaegers and Kaujus that managed to break into our world and attack humanity, only earned $411 million worldwide. However, it would go on to spawn a sequel with 2018’s Pacific Rim: Uprising, a Netflix animated series with Pacific Rim: The Black, and comic books, novels, and more.

    Source: Variety

  • Showrunner Reveals ‘Dardevil: Born Again’ Season 2 Release Date

    Showrunner Reveals ‘Dardevil: Born Again’ Season 2 Release Date

    With the Season 1 finale of Daredevil: Born Again now in the wild, it’s clear that Marvel Studios D+ revival’s sophomore season is set to embrace the series’ Netflix roots. Showrunner Dario Scardapane, who came on board in October 2023 after the series underwent a creative retooling, immersed New York City–and the audience–in darkness in “Straight to Hell” and with production already well underway on Season 2, it’s clear that The Man Without Fear won’t emerge from it anytime soon. However, it turns out fans of the series will be tuning into Daredevil Season 4 Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 pretty soon.

    As part of Marvel Studios’ new “considered approach” to streaming projects, the studio cut back on the number of series in development in an attempt to ensure a higher quality product. Additionally, Marvel Television headman Brad Winderbaum explained that the studio was hoping to identify properties that fans could count on to return year after year. “Moving forward our priorities have shifted,” said Winderbaum. “We’re making shows as shows that can exist as annual releases, more like television.”

    As we develop things for the future, I think they’re going to be designed to be multiple seasons, have more of a pattern, and be able to be released annually.

    -Brad Winderbaum

    Those comments came during an interview in which Winderbaum made it pretty clear that Daredevil: Born Again was primed to be the test case for the studio’s annual approach, something he clarified in a separate interview.

    “Season 2 will come out next year, and then hopefully season 3 and season infinity after that,” said Winderbaum of Born Again. “I think this world is extremely rich, and there are many stories to be told on the streets of New York.” Now, we know exactly when to expect Season 2 and it’s not really much of a surprise.

    According to an Instagram post from Scardapane, who is returning to run Season 2 of Daredevil: Born Again, the series will return to D+ next March.

    With the Season 1 finale leaving Matt in a very tough spot, fans are hoping Season 2 might also feature the return of some of his Defenders buddies. And with Matt looking to put together “an army”, that’s not totally out of the question.

  • ‘Daredevil: Born Again’: [SPOILER] Returns as Action Moves to Key Netflix Series Location in Latest Set Photos

    ‘Daredevil: Born Again’: [SPOILER] Returns as Action Moves to Key Netflix Series Location in Latest Set Photos

    Ironically, as Season 1 of Daredevil: Born Again enters into its Netflix era, production on Season 2 of the D+ streaming series has returned to one of the Netflix series’ key locations. After what seemed like a daily onslaught of set photos early on, production on the new season of the Marvel Studios revival hadn’t been gathering much attention; however, that’s certainly changed now.

    For the past few days, photos from the New York City set revealed that as part of his New York: Born Again campaign, Wilson Fisk was set to take part in a charity boxing match against someone called Matter Horn. Now, new photos and video reveal that the match takes place at Fogwell’s Gym.

    Fogwell’s, of course, is the home gym of the Murdocks. It’s the place where Jack Murdock trained and where Matt learned to fight. It would almost certainly seem that since Fisk knows Matt is Daredevil, that he’s chosen the venue to draw the hero out as he continues his anti-vigilante agenda. And further video from the set shows that if that was indeed the plan, it worked.

    https://twitter.com/chrisagwrites/status/1910600134141870341

    Wilson Bethel‘s Bullseye has been on set the past few days as well and now we know why…sort of. While it’s not entirely clear what is intent is, the crazed assassin can be seen arriving at Fogwell’s in his tactical suit, once again loaded with knives. And then he can be seen quickly leaving…through the front window!

    It would seem that showrunner Dario Scardapane is intent on having Daredevil and Bullseye crash through the front window of every location near and dear to the heart of Matt Murdock. With the frenzy taking place outside Fogwell’s just before the two exit the gym, it’s clear the action inside was likely just as intense as what went down inside Josie’s in Season 1. However, no spoilers have escaped the set just yet but given who was in attendance, it’s incredibly likely Bullseye was there to take someone out…but who?

    The Season 1 finale of Daredevil: Born Again streams on April 15th on Disney Plus. Season 2 will debut in 2026.

  • Possible Peek at Robert Downey Jr.’s Doom Reveals an Absolutely Absurd Take on the Character

    Possible Peek at Robert Downey Jr.’s Doom Reveals an Absolutely Absurd Take on the Character

    Of the 70,000+ characters created by Marvel Comics over the years, Doctor Doom is arguably the most well-crafted among them. Years of retcons have resulted in a flawed megalomaniac who remains entirely relatable to the Everyman. When Marvel Studios acquired the live-action rights to the character in 2019 as part of Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox, hopes wre high that after a pair of poor representations of Doom were brought to the screen in 2005 and 2015, Marvel might get it right. Those hopes have begun to fade.

    How can we not go backwards? How can we not disappoint expectations? How can we continue to beat expectations? And he brought up Victor Von Doom. I looked into this character. Later on, he goes, ‘Let’s get Victor Von Doom right.’

    -Robert Downey Jr. on Kevin Feige’s pitch for him to return to the MCU

    After what has since been revealed to be nearly a year’s worth of planning, Robert Downey Jr. was revealed to be Marvel Studios choice to bring Doctor Doom to life in the MCU. Questions about the choice haven’t really stopped since the announcement was made at SDCC ’24 and now a possible peek at Downey’s Doom look has generated even more concern.

    Downey’s 60th birthday celebration took place in the UK where the star has been for some time in preparation for the beginning of principal photography on Avengers: Doomsday and a very special invitation was sent out to those lucky enough to be in consideration to attend. Joined by a pair of Doombots, Downey’s Doom appears to be wearing combat fatigues, sporting a pair of black gauntlets and a gold mask. His ensemble is topped off with a fancy purple cape.

    While it would be easy–and perhaps best–to pass this off as simply some artistic choices, the fact that the character’s hair resembles the new look Downey was seen sporting at his party has led people to believe the invite is based closely on how Downey’s Doom will look in the film. And if that is the case, it’s unlikely to relieve concerns about this iteration of the character. Though the invitation does seem to indicate that this Doom will, like his comic book counterpart, be a mastrr of the mystic arts and a scientist, at some point it’s ok to wonder when Marvel Studios will stop attempting to reinvent the wheel each time they bring a major character into the MCU. Simply put, there is only Doom and he doesn’t need to be altered to be great.

    Avengers: Doomsday will be in theaters on May 1, 2026.

  • Disney Pumps the Brakes on Its Next Live-Action Reimagining

    Disney Pumps the Brakes on Its Next Live-Action Reimagining

    In 1937, Walt Disney Productions ushered in an all-new age of film with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The studio’s first full-length animated film which introduced the first Disney Princess, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs featured groundbreaking animation and opened the door to a golden age for the genre. By almost every standard, it is considered one of the greatest films of all time.

    The same cannon he said for Disney’s recent live-action reimagination, Snow White. Mired in controversy before its release, the new film foundered at the box office amid harsh critical reception. And while its animated predecessor launched Disney into a new age, the 2025 versionay we’ll have been the final straw for the studio’s plans to remake its animated classics.

    According to THR, as the studio navigates the fallout of its failure with Snow White, it has paused development on its planned live-action reimagining of 2010’s Tangled.

    In December 2024, trade reports revealed that Disney has hired The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey to take the helm of the Rapunzel retelling, working from a script by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson. Rumors quickly followed that stars such as Kathryn Hahn, Florence Pugh and Sabrina Carpenter were being considered for roles in the film.

    According to THR, it’s unclear if Disney will decide to move forward with Tangled down the road. For now, the studio looks to be waiting to process the critical and audience response to two already-completed live-action remake projects, Lilo & Stitch and Moana, before making a decision.

    Source: THR

  • Lucasfilm Reveals ‘Tales of the Underworld’ Ahead of Star Wars Day Release

    Lucasfilm Reveals ‘Tales of the Underworld’ Ahead of Star Wars Day Release

    Following the success of the previous two installments in its Tales anthology series, fans had been speculating about when another round of episodes might hit and also about which corner of the galaxy far, far away they might visit. Lucasfilm addressed both concerns with one surprise announcement, revealing the next batch of animated episodes will be streaming sooner than anyone might have imagined.

    In a press release and social media rollout, Lucasfilm revealed that Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld, will premiere on Disney+ on May 4th. The new episodes will feature fan favorite bounty hunters Cad Bane, last seen in The Book of Boba Fett, and Asajj Ventress, last seen in Season 3 of Star Wars: The Bad Batch.

    Asajj Ventress (voiced by Nika Futterman) in Lucasfilm’s STAR WARS: TALES OF THE UNDERWORLD. Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm. © 2025 Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

    Tales of the Underworld focuses on the criminal underbelly of the Star Wars galaxy through the experiences of two iconic villains. Former assassin and bounty hunter Asajj Ventress is given a new chance at life and must go on the run with an unexpected new ally, while outlaw Cad Bane faces his past when he confronts an old friend, now a Marshal on the opposite side of the law.

    -Synopsis for Star Wars: Tales of the Underwolrd

    While the synopsis doesn’t clarify and previous installments of the anthology have taken full advantage of skipping around through time, it seems as though the episodes featuring Ventress will take place after her appearance in The Bad Batch AND, possibly, post-Order 66. Nika Futterman returns as the voice of Ventress, who, it seems, will be looking after Jedi Lyco Strata, voiced by Lane Factor, protecting him from Troopers and also what looks to be a brand new Imperial Inquisitor.

    Lyco Strata (voiced by Lane Factor) in Lucasfilm’s STAR WARS: TALES OF THE UNDERWORLD. Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm. © 2025 Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
    Asajj Ventress (voiced by Nika Futterman) and Imperial Inquisitor in Lucasfilm’s STAR WARS: TALES OF THE UNDERWORLD. Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm. © 2025 Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
    Imperial Inquisitor in Lucasfilm’s STAR WARS: TALES OF THE UNDERWORLD. Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm. © 2025 Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

    Corey Burton will return as the voice of Cad Bane and given the relatively grim nature of his last appearance, one would be inclined to believe these episodes are set before The Book of Boba Fett. Bane looks to be out to settle a score with an old friend-turned-foe in fellow Duros, Niro, voiced by Artt Butler.

    Niro (voiced by Artt Butler) in Lucasfilm’s STAR WARS: TALES OF THE UNDERWORLD. Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm. © 2025 Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

    The talented voice cast also includes AJ LoCascio, who has voiced Han Solo in the past, Clare Grant, the voice of Latts Razzi in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, the voice of Steela Gerrera, and Eric Lopez, who has voiced both Iron Squadron member Jonner Jin and Imperial Cadet Nazhros Oleg in Star Wars Rebels.