Murphy's Multiverse

Category: News

  • EXCLUSIVE: Live-Action ‘One Piece’s First Season No Longer Ten Episodes

    EXCLUSIVE: Live-Action ‘One Piece’s First Season No Longer Ten Episodes

    There’s been a lot of speculation surrounding the upcoming live-action adaptation of One Piece. When the project first picked up momentum in 2020, a message by series creator Eiichiro Oda was released finally offering an update. Sadly, COVID has postponed the project by quite some time, but we finally got a casting confirmation in November for the main members of the Straw Hats. In the initial announcement by Oda, it was announced that the series will run for ten episodes in its first season. However, we can exclusively share that the episode count has changed.

    It seems that at some point in its pre-production the episode count has been reduced from 10 to 8 episodes for its premiere season. That is a similar length to Netflix’s recent release, The Witcher. Currently, it seems the show is eyeing a potential start in spring or in the summer of this year. Of course, that has been constantly changing and Omicron concerns may also influence it with rumors of other productions closing down. The recent cancelation of Cowboy Bebop – another production by Tomorrow Studios – by Netflix after only one season might seem like a potential factor, as these are high-budget projects with high expectations of return for Netflix, but highly doubt it as it could’ve already been something that was decided before that show even aired.

    The first season will cover the East Blue saga from the original manga series, which ran for 100 chapters. What is noteworthy about this saga is that it mainly focused on smaller arcs where Luffy gathered his initial crew before heading out into the Grand Line, meaning there are quite a few separate storylines that’ll be intertwined into this season. In that case, two fewer episodes could be a sign of tighter pacing and a stronger overlap between these arcs. Eight episodes have worked well for some series like The Witcher, Stranger Things, and more, so a slightly shorter season could work in One Piece‘s favor.

  • Latest ‘Batgirl’ Set Photos Tease the Court of Owls and Vicky Vale

    Latest ‘Batgirl’ Set Photos Tease the Court of Owls and Vicky Vale

    The Batgirl set photos have been a smorgasbord filled with Easter eggs or hints of what we can expect from the upcoming HBO Max film. A mural gave us our first look at a potential appearance of Robin, as it even sparked rumors about a potential Nightwing spinoff. Yet, the latest set photos have added some more interesting references to the original 1989 Batman and one of Batman’s most iconic foes. Let’s start with the latter, as @BatgirlFilm has noticed a magazine that very openly discusses the usually secretive society known as the Court of Owls.

    It’s weird seeing them so openly discussed on the cover of the fictional Gotham Tattler. So, either Michael Keaton‘s Batman faced off against them in the past and they’ve been exposed as a result, or they took a very different approach with their mythology as part of his rogue’s gallery. Speaking of Keaton, a different set photo including another magazine cover includes the name of Vicki Vale, who was played by Kim Basinger back in 1989.

    There’s no word that we might actually see Vicky Vale in the film, but it’s great that they are also including references to the original 1989 project. We saw that the film#s take on Robin is quite different from how the original films introduced the character, but Keaton also wasn’t invovled once that character was included. So, they have enough wiggle room to recreate specific elements while still paying tribute to others from the original Tim Burton films.

    Source: Twitter, Twitter (Vale)

  • RUMOR: Ethan Kai May Be Playing Jason Bard in ‘Batgirl’

    RUMOR: Ethan Kai May Be Playing Jason Bard in ‘Batgirl’

    Batgirl recently started production over in Glasgow. In the past few days, we’ve gotten quite a few set photos that offered us a glimpse into the HBO Max film’s take on Gotham City. They, however, aren’t the only news we’ve gotten recently, as just today the film added Corey Johnson, Ethan Kai, and Rebecca Front to its cast. No details on their roles were revealed as plot details for the film are still under wraps, but it seems we may have a clue who Kai could be playing in the film.

    Many were hoping that we may finally have our Dick Grayson, as recent rumors have pointed to the first Robin making an appearance. Yet it turns out Kai may be playing a very different character. Some new set photos have surfaced that may hint at the actor playing Jason Bard, a GCPD cop and love interest to Barbara Gordon. Leslie Grace and Ethan Kai are seen on set holding hands during filming, which hints at a romantic relationship between their characters.

    The proof that may seal the deal on this is another set photo of a trailer belonging to a character only listed as “Jason.” As it seems quite unlikely Jason Todd would be popping up in this film, it seems like the most likely scenario is that this trailer belongs to the actor who could be playing Jason Bard, which looks to be Ethan Kai.

    For those unfamiliar with Jason Bard, he isn’t a huge character but he is an ally of Batgirl and Batman. He was a man fueled by the death of his mother, who was murdered at the hands of his abusive father. Eventually, he would become a cop and join the GCPD to avenger his mother’s death, where he would meet Barbara Gordon and would often team up with her alter ego without a clue who she was. While this remains unconfirmed, it seems to be a possible outcome for Kai’s character. It seems fans may just have to wait a bit longer to see if Dick Grayson pops up in Batgirl.

    Source: Twitter, Alamy,

  • James Wan Shares ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ Set Photo as Production Wraps

    James Wan Shares ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ Set Photo as Production Wraps

    James Wan has been quite busy filming the second entry of the Aquaman franchise starring Jason Momoa titled Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. While actively sharing when the production started some months ago, the director also took to his personal Instagram account to announce that they’ve finished work on the upcoming DC sequel that is set to premiere this December. In the picture, it features him, Momoa, and a returning Patrick Wilson celebrating the production coming to an end.

    His thank-you note highlights that 95% of the film was shot in the United Kingdom, and the rest through Hawaii and Los Angeles. It’s always a sweet move by directors to give their thanks to the teams that help bring these projects to life, especially with how many people are involved with the bid-budget projects. The joke about them being wet a lot is a cute reference to how many scenes are filmed underwater.

    Source: Instagram

  • Vincent D’Onofrio Describes “The Game” Behind Marvel Studios’ Secrets

    Vincent D’Onofrio Describes “The Game” Behind Marvel Studios’ Secrets

    Marvel Studios loves their secrets. Whether it’s casting reveals, plot details, or even the episode count of a streaming series, the studio works hard to keep things undercover. For Hawkeye, that meant trying to keep the return of Vincent D’Onofrio as Kingpin a secret, something that was no small task.

    In a recent interview with Marvel News Desk, D’Onofrio was asked about working with the famously secretive studio:

    In the end I find it hard to believe that, the fans that I come across are intelligent people and I find it hard to believe that they don’t know its a game. And that the game evokes excitement and sometimes provokes excitement, and so I think it’s a fun game to play. And yes, sometimes its weird because in the moment, it gets bizarre, but you know the best thing about that situation from the actor’s point of view, I’ll say, is that I really don’t know anything. I literally don’t, you know, and at this point I would rather not, because its an uncomfortable position to be in.

    Vincent D’Onofrio

    D’Onofrio quickly clarified that while it is bizarre and uncomfortable for the actor to have to keep so many secrets while fans wildly speculate, it is still enjoyable:

    You know even when I said its an uncomfortable position to be in, just as I said that, the first thing comes to my mind is: “but it’s kind of fun. The game is kind of fun”

    Vincent D’Onofrio

    Keeping a return such as Wilson Fisk quiet definitely couldn’t have been easy, especially for D’Onofrio who loves the character so much, but it was sure worth the wait. Now let the games begin again people wonder just where Kingpin will show up next.

    SOURCE: Marvel News Desk

  • UPDATE: ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’s Tessa Thompson Talks Valkyrie’s Comic Powers

    UPDATE: ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’s Tessa Thompson Talks Valkyrie’s Comic Powers

    UPDATE: It turns out that the powers Tessa Thompson was describing in her interview with W Magazine weren’t for the Thor: Love and Thunder version of her character, but rather the comics. In an Instagram story, she offers some insight into what she was discussing in the interview and simply shares her excitement of the character’s comic abilities and backstory.

    In talking about Valkyrie to W Mag, I was talking generally about powers that are canon and that I loved in reading the comics and not Thor: Love and Thunder. I shan’t be a home for spoilers.

    Tessa Thompson

    Source: Instagram via ScreenRant

    There are quite a few exciting projects heading our way in 2022. Of course, all eyes are on May’s release of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, as it’ll continue what was set up in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Yet, Thor: Love and Thunder have been slowly teasing the new designs of Taika Waititi‘s next MCU entry which promise an even crazier fourth entry in the franchise. It’ll also see the return of Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie who’ll have a major role in the story. In a new interview with WMagazine, she reveals that her character might have a new and very powerful ability in the film:

    She has weird skills, to be honest. She can sense when someone is close to death, and she takes them into Valhalla, which is essentially the afterlife. She can revive people. But when she revives people, sometimes she ends up in their body. It’s a weird thing. It can be quite erotic. And then she has superhuman strength and is essentially God.

    Tessa Thompson

    That’s a curious ability that hasn’t truly been hinted at in Thor: Ragnarok. It’s an ability that fits what the Valkyries do in Norse mythology, but this ability might also be our first hint that they are staying true to Jane Foster’s transformation into the Mighty Thor. In the comics, she is fighting cancer before she gains the abilities.

    So, Valkyrie might be the one to figure out her real identity – if it’s a secret, to begin with – and connect the dots. Her being able to revive someone does make you wonder if someone might end up dying in the film only for her to bring them back. It opens some interesting questions about the upcoming fourth entry of the Thor franchise.

    Source: WMagazine

  • ‘What If…?’s Composer Laura Karpman Joins ‘The Marvels’

    ‘What If…?’s Composer Laura Karpman Joins ‘The Marvels’

    It looks like The Marvels has found its composer in Marvel Studios veteran Laura Karpman, who has previously worked on What If..? and is also well-known for her work on the Lovecraft Country HBO seires. She’s the second female composer for one of their films following the first Captain Marvel film’s Pinar Torprak, who sadly isn’t returning the project. Yet, as the franchise is moving away from its singular focus on Carol Danvers, it makes sense to give it a new audio identity. Karpman shared her excitement for joining the project:

    I am thrilled to be going on this wild adventure with Nia DaCosta and Carol Danvers and am really looking forward to the collaboration.

    Laura Karpman

    We still don’t know a lot about the sequel’s storyline, especially how it might tie into Secret Invasion on Disney+. Either they’ll explore the Skrull invasion that leads into the series, or they could focus on the Kree-Skrull War instead that becomes a catalyst for that storyline. WandaVision‘s Megan McDonnell wrote the screenplay, which is a promising hint at a great twist as the story sees Carol Danvers, Kamala Khan, and Monica Rambeau join to fight a common threat.

    Source: Variety

  • Corey Johnson, Ethan Kai, and Rebecca Front Join Leslie Grace’s ‘Batgirl’

    Corey Johnson, Ethan Kai, and Rebecca Front Join Leslie Grace’s ‘Batgirl’

    The HBO Max film Batgirl has just recently started production in Glasglow, as we’ve already gotten a few glimpses from the Easter egg-filled set of the production. Leslie Grace has also already been sighted on the film’s set and as more actors may make get sighted, more castings have found their way online. So far, we only know about Brendan Fraser, J.K. Simmons, and Michael Keaton joining the project. Now, Deadline has shared a new trio of actors that will have a role in the project.

    Rebecca Front, Corey Johnson, and Ethan Kai have officially joined the HBO Max film. Front recently appeared in Ryan Reynolds‘ film Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard. Kai has appeared on the British soap opera Emmerdale, but also was featured on the popular Killing Eve series. Johnson mostly had minor supporting roles in various shows and is currently set to appear in Morbius. There are no details of who they are playing, but they may have minor roles in the story.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • Vincent D’Onofrio Admits Uncertainty Over Netflix Canon

    Vincent D’Onofrio Admits Uncertainty Over Netflix Canon

    Back in 2018, we witnessed half of the Marvel Cinematic Universe blipped out of existence. Even today we’re still learning just who survived and who got dusted. Recently in Hawkeye, we learned that Yelena Belova, sister of Natasha Romanoff, was a victim of the blip. One character from that show whose fate during the blip remains a mystery is Wilson Fisk.

    Vincent D’Onofrio recently sat down with the folks over at Marvel News Desk, who asked the actor if he’d played this version of Kingpin as if he blipped or hadn’t.

    Well, I don’t think I can talk about it because I don’t really know. I can only go by what I think and how I played it but I don’t want to put it out there because then it will become canon. I never had that discussion with anybody so just because of what I had to do in the story, I had to think about it a certain way for me to be able to understand my sort of history up until that point. Hopefully I’ll get another stab at Fisk and it’ll come out another way.

    Contrary to what people initially thought, it now seems that D’Onofrio was never really given any information on the canonicity of Fisk’s previous appearance in the Netflix shows. The man certainly reserves the right to portray the character such – with canonicity in mind – but until the story explicitly states it, the debate continues to be in flux. The Fisk we met in Hawkeye was a bit different than the one we were quite used to on Daredevil, so whether it’s a post-blip Fisk or even a soft rebooted one remains to be seen.

    Source: Marvel News Desk

  • Vincent D’Onofrio Currently Not Interested in Directing an MCU Project

    Vincent D’Onofrio Currently Not Interested in Directing an MCU Project

    The Marvel Cinematic Universe is always on the lookout for talented directors to helm one of their future projects, and recently many prominent actors in Hollywood have been hopping behind the camera to either write, produce, or even direct. While none of the on-screen talent at Marvel Studios has made the jump to directing just yet, never say never. Well, maybe with the exception of Vincent D’Onofrio.

    The Kingpin actor joined the fine folks at Marvel News Desk for an episode, where they got a chance to ask him about his recent return as Wilson Fisk on Disney+ and the long history of the Netflix series, Daredevil. At one point, D’Onofrio was asked if he’d ever considered possibly directing a project for Marvel Studios, and he offered a very straightforward take on why he currently has no interest.

    I don’t think so. Nah, I don’t think so. I know, Ive gotten to know directors and DP’s that are working for Marvel a lot these days and I think that they’re really and I think everybodies just doing a great job, and you know I really just, when it comes to that kind of stuff, I really its like I wouldn’t direct and episode in The Godfather of Harlem, i never tried to direct in Law and Order or any series that I’ve done. The only way that I would ever do that is if I was one of the developers and producers from the get-go of a project.

    Vincent D’Onofrio

    The actor is no stranger to the role, as he was the writer and director for 2010s Don’t Go in the Woods and recently directed 2019’s Sheriff Romero. Of course, he does point out that he isn’t interested in a project if he wasn’t part of its initial planning stage. So, it opens up the window for them to eventually find a project where he’d join as a producer that might persuade him to take on a directing role after all. For now, Marvel fans will just get to enjoy his onscreen work as Wilson Fisk.

    Source: Marvel News Desk