Murphy's Multiverse

Category: News

  • ‘The Batman’ Eyes $225 Million Global Launch

    ‘The Batman’ Eyes $225 Million Global Launch

    The Caped Crusader is looking to tackle the box office.

    Following the massive success of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Warner Bros. and DC’s The Batman seems likely to continue the upward trajectory of the box office. Current projections for the film have The Batman looking to bring in $115 million to $125 million domestically, and another $110 million to $120 million internationally. Should these numbers hold, The Batman could see an international haul of $225 million to $245 million worldwide.

    The Batman carries a $200 million production budget and marks a return to theaters for both Warner Bros. and DC. Its last superhero flicks, Wonder Woman 1984 and The Suicide Squad, were released day-and-date on HBO Max. The film is also off to an impressive start in Korea, where The Batman opened to $1.7 million with previews. That’s enough to make for the best launch day during the pandemic, while also marking the second-best debut for a Batman movie since The Dark Knight Rises. Interestingly enough, it’s also an industry best in the country so far this year.

    The Batman, which is directed by Matt Reeves, stars Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Colin Farrell and Paul Dano. The film was co-written by Reeves & Peter Craig and is in theaters now.

    Source: Deadline.

  • John DiMaggio Finally Joins Hulu’s ‘Futurama’ Reboot

    John DiMaggio Finally Joins Hulu’s ‘Futurama’ Reboot

    Just a few weeks ago, it was announced that Futurama would be returning yet again as it found a new home on the streaming service Hulu. The entire cast was set to return besides John DiMaggio, who was still in negotiations. At the time, he vocally campaigned for better pay than what was being offered. Yet, he still remained in talks with the studio. Variety has reported that DiMaggio has officially signed onto the reboot, issuing a statement celebrating his return.

    “I’M BACK, BABY! So damn grateful for the love and support of fans and colleagues alike during this whole time (especially my wife, Kate), and I cannot wait to get back to work with my ‘Futurama’ family,” DiMaggio said in a statement. “#Bendergate is officially over, so put it on the back of a shelf behind Xmas decorations, or maybe in that kitchen drawer with all of the other crap you put in there like old unusable crazy glue, or maybe even put it in a jar you save farts in. Whatever floats your boat, I don’t care, you get the picture. I’M BACK, BABY! BITE MY SHINY METAL ASS!”

    John DiMaggio

    Original cast members such as Billy West, Katey Sagal, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Lauren Tom, David Herman, and Phill LaMarr are all set to reprise their roles. If DiMaggio wasn’t to complete negotiations the series would’ve moved forward with a replacement, which would’ve come at the cost of Bender’s iconic voice. Luckily, we do not live in that timeline.

    The next season of Futurama has already been picked up for 20 episodes over at Hulu with production on the series already underway. The revival is currently eyeing a 2023 return although no specific date has been announced just yet.

    Source: Variety

  • New ‘Batgirl’ Set Photo Offers First Look at Brendan Fraser’s Firefly Costume

    New ‘Batgirl’ Set Photo Offers First Look at Brendan Fraser’s Firefly Costume

    We’ve got our first look at Brendan Fraser on the set of Batgirl some time ago, but he was seemingly wearing civilian clothing while setting a building on fire. He certainly was staying true to the arsonist nature of his character during that shoot, but we’re all excited to see what his costume may look like. Luckily, a new set photo has found its way online which may have given us our first look at his Firefly costume for the HBO Max original film. It doesn’t reveal too much, especially as he is missing the iconic helmet, but it does seem like it’s taking inspiration from the comics with the giant fuel tank on his back and arm-mounted flamethrowers.

    The biggest missing aspect is the wings, but they may be something they add in through post-production. He may have also lost them during a fight with Batgirl, which left him with just a few more elements of his costume. Of course, there is probably a simpler solution in the form of that they are currently taking a break in this set photo and that is why he isn’t wearing everything. Though, a new video does hint that him standing on the firetruck is on purpose and we can see Batgirl chasing him down.

    Still, it’s great to finally get confirmation that he will wear the armor of some kind during his tenure as Firefly in the series. So far, he’s still the only confirmed villain to appear in the Batgirl film, but with a large rogue’s gallery-like Batman’s, you never know who else might show up. Given the story’s inspiration, it would be fun to see a live-action adaptation of Killer Moth, especially if they just have fun with the concept. When else would we get the chance to see him on screen?

    Source: Twitter

  • First Look at ‘Multiverse of Madness’ Defender Strange Funko

    First Look at ‘Multiverse of Madness’ Defender Strange Funko

    Earlier today, it seemed like the Funkos for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness may have accidentally leaked early. It included most of the faces we’ve already seen in the first two trailers, but also included some new surprises like a Variant of Doctor Strange that was quite a bit different from the ones we saw in the trailers. Now, it seems that we finally got a first look at the Funko for the Defender Variant of Strange, as it was shared by @DrStrangeUpdate, which you can check out here:

    This design is still amazing in how accurate it adapts the iconic version of Doctor Strange from the comics. Even the name is in reference to his time as part of the Defenders, which many might connect to the Netflix version. His roe in the story still remains quite unclear but it does seem to imply something dark happening to the character given the strange Zombie version at the end looking quite similar to that Defender wears throughout the trailers.

    He also is noticeably absent during the meeting with the Illuminati that is teased in the trailer. Plus, we got a third – maybe even a fourth given the recent Funko reveals – Variant that has an unknown role. Here’s hoping we get to see all three in the same room. Benedict Cumberbatch probably had a lot of fun acting off of himself and give different perspectives on the same character.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Mr. Robot’ Creator Remaking Fritz Lang’s ‘Metropolis’ as a Series

    ‘Mr. Robot’ Creator Remaking Fritz Lang’s ‘Metropolis’ as a Series

    It looks like Sam Esmail, the creator behind the Mr. Robot series, has found his next project in remaking the iconic Fritz Lang film, Metropolis. The announcement comes via Apple TV+, which will become the new home for the remake of the 1927 look at a futuristic dystopia. The original script was written by Lang‘ wife Thea von Harbou and the film would go down in history as one of the first cult classics, even as it was originally met with mixed reviews.

    Universal Studio Group’s UCP will produce the project with Esmail set to serve as showrunner and director. Currently, there is no information on a potential cast with the project being in the early steps of development. It’s unclear how much of the original story will be carried over, but the social-political commentary is definitely something worth exploring in the modern age.

    This project comes fresh off of Esmail‘s work on the limited series Gaslit starring Julia Roberts and Sean Penn. Most remember the director and writer for his work on Mr. Robot which he worked on from 2015 to 2019. While he mainly worked in TV, he has also directed a 2014 film titled Comet. It’ll be interesting to see how he brings this cinematic classic to life and what he may add to make it stand out from the modern take on futuristic dystopias.

    Source: Collider

  • West Side Story’s Ariana DeBose Joins ‘Kraven the Hunter’

    West Side Story’s Ariana DeBose Joins ‘Kraven the Hunter’

    Ariana DeBose stunned critics and audiences with her role as Anita in Stephen Spielberg’s West Side Story, winning the SAG Award for Best Supporting Actress and earning an Oscar nomination for the same role. Now, DeBose will step into the world of comic book adaptations as she boards Sony’s Kraven the Hunter.

    According to a trade report, DeBose will play voodoo priestess Calypso, a role for which Jodi Turner-Smith had previously been rumored. Calypso and Kraven shared a highly antagonistic relationship in the comics that often saw the hunter driven into fits of rage by the manipulations of Calypso, who also created potions for Kraven to augment his strength.

    DeBose joins Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who landed the lead as Kraven late last year, Fred Hechinger, who recently joined the film as Kraven’s brother, the Chameleon, and Russell Crowe, who will play the father of the two men. Kraven the Hunter, directed by J.C. Chandor, is due in theaters next January.

  • HBO Max’s ‘Titans’ Season 4 Started Production

    HBO Max’s ‘Titans’ Season 4 Started Production

    In a way, it was only a question of time but it looks like production has finally started on the next season of HBO Max’s Titans. The official Twitter account shared a picture from the TV series’ clipboards that also confirm that production originally started yesterday on February 28th. Nicholas Copus, who worked on projects like Animal Kingdom, The Right Stuff, American Gods, and more, will take on the role of director for the first episode of that season.

    We still know very little about the upcoming season outside of a few rumors, such as iconic Superman villain Lex Luthor potentially appearing. They also are eyeing Joseph Morgan and Franka Potente in the villainous role of the latest season. If these casting rumors end up true, they would take on the roles of Brother Blood and Mother Mayhem. There have been some hints sprinkled throughout the last season that would help support this direction for the fourth season as the Titans leave Gotham behind them and everything that happened with Scarecrow.

    It’ll be interesting to see how they tackle the fourth season, as it seems mostly freed from the weight that bogged it down before. The series is quite popular on the platform, and it made sense that they would renew it for a fourth season. There are even hints that they’ve already signed on the talent for the fifth season that may start production once this season wraps. Here’s hoping we might get some teases of Brother Blood and confirmation on the rumored castings soon.

    Source: Twitter

  • John Cho Looks Back at ‘Cowboy Bebop’s Cancelation

    John Cho Looks Back at ‘Cowboy Bebop’s Cancelation

    While the live-action adaptation of Cowboy Bebop was met with a mixed reception, the cast was definitely dedicated to the series. Many expected that it’ll get a second season, but Netflix suddenly pulled the plug shortly after the series finally premiered on the streamer. It was never made clear why the series wasn’t continued, but given its troubled production, it must’ve hit hard for everyone involved. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, former Spike Spiegel actor John Cho finally opened up on the cancellation.

    I put a lot of my life into it. I’d gotten injured shooting that show and so I took a year off because of the surgery and devoted myself to rehab, came back and finished the show. It was this huge mountain for me to climb healing from that injury. I felt good about myself as a result. We also shot the show in New Zealand, so my family moved there. It was just a huge event in my life and it was suddenly over. It was very shocking and I was bummed.

    John Cho

    It must be tough to fully commit to a role and face an injury that takes you out for an entire year, only for all that hard work to be thanked with a quick cancellation. He did share his thoughts on teh upside of tackling this role:

    But I was very warmed by the response. I wish I could have contacted everybody and gotten hugs. You can’t do that now, but … I don’t know what this is. I’m mystified a little bit about how you can connect with people that you don’t know doing your work, but I won’t question it. I will value it and treasure it. I’m just really deeply appreciative that anyone would care. It’s stunning to me.

    John Cho

    There was certainly a lot of love between the cast members, as some of them took to Social Media to share their thoughts on Netflix’s sudden decision. Cho has still been busy since, as he’s currently promoting his middle-grade debut Troublemaker. So, while the series has sadly come to an end, it’ll always be exciting to see what the cast has in store next.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • ‘Euphoria’ Star Javon Walton Joins ‘Umbrella Academy’ Season 3

    ‘Euphoria’ Star Javon Walton Joins ‘Umbrella Academy’ Season 3

    We have yet to get an official release date for the third season of Umbrella Academy, but things seem to be ramping up over a Netflix. So, we could be close. Over the past few weeks, Netflix has released a series of character posters featuring the Umbrella Academy and the mysterious Sparrow Academy. There’s still no date in sight, but it seems another star has joined the project in a mysterious role.

    Netflix took to Twitter today to confirm that Euphoria star Javon Walton has indeed joined season 3 of Umbrella Academy, although it is unknown just who he will be playing. He is best known for his role as Ashtray in the first two seasons of Euphoria. He played a drug dealer and was the adoptive brother of Fez. Walton first teased his casting during an interview with Complex in which he listed his upcoming projects only for Netflix to confirm it now.

    Just a last month Netflix revealed that Justin Cornwell, Britne Oldford, Jake Epstein, Genesis Rodriguez, and Cazzie David had all joined the cast as members of the Sparrow Academy. It’s possible that Walton could be playing the seventh member of the Academy, maybe even lending his voice to the mysterious cube. The cliffhanger ending of season two left fans on the edge of their seats with the reveal of a newly altered timeline due to their meddling. This season is sure to be highly anticipated and will definitely turn the series on its head.

    Source: Twitter , Complex, Deadline

  • What ‘Daredevil’ and Co.’s Disney+ Addition Might Mean for Marvel Studios’ Future

    What ‘Daredevil’ and Co.’s Disney+ Addition Might Mean for Marvel Studios’ Future

    It’s been long-rumored now since the Marvel Netflix series like Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and more are making their way to Disney+. After many back-and-forths online, the confirmation has finally arrived, as they dropped a sudden teaser that they are joining the series on March 16th. The big takeaway is that the streaming service is embracing more mature content without restricting it to other services, especially as they went out of their way to offer bundles with Hulu. Yet, this addition might have bigger implications for Marvel Studios’ future ventures.

    The timing for these additions is perfect with a darker-toned Moon Knight just on the horizon. Not just that, but it also means that older R-rated projects like Blade, Deadpool, Logan, or more can get added soon. Not just that, we know that Deadpool 3 is going to be an R-rated project and now we don’t have to worry about it potentially landing on Hulu. It’ll be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it would’ve been a shame if it wasn’t going to be part of the showcase in Disney+.

    The streamer was showcased as an “archive” for classic projects from Marvel, Pixar, and any other Disney brand. So, its family-friendly focus is not only restrictive from an archival standpoint but also creatively. They lost a lot of projects early on due to this restriction, such as the Lizzie McGuire revival and pushing the Love Simon spinoff, Love Victor, to Hulu. While it seems unlikely we’ll get an R-rated Pixar film any time soon, Marvel and Star Wars are very different stories. This move might be an implication that Disney+ Original projects will no longer fully adhere to the streaming’s initial set-up.

    Marvel may be able to fully embrace the darker and more mature tones that upcoming projects may have. Moon Knight is a big implication of Disney+ maturing, which we’ve talked bout here, but it also means R-rated projects are a possibility. The long-rumored Werewolf by Night project can embrace the darker aspects of having a werewolf-centric story. Their Blade remake might also start moving towards an R-rating, as there are no longer concerns about streaming availability being restricted to specific services.

    There’s also the continuation to keep in mind, as we know Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio returned in the roles they made famous. Rumors are hinting at a new Daredevil revival, which now can embrace the darker story arcs introduced through the Netflix incarnations. There are more mature storylines possible now that the glass ceiling has been broken. It may be a small step for now, but once Deadpool or Logan get added with the parent control sometime in the future, we might be able to see the first steps for a new MCU.