Murphy's Multiverse

Category: News

  • Tom Holland Teases a “Bright” Spider-Verse Future and Fresh Faces in the MCU

    Tom Holland Teases a “Bright” Spider-Verse Future and Fresh Faces in the MCU

    The promotional tour for Spider-Man: Brand New Day is officially hitting hyperdrive, and Tom Holland is starting to talk look ahead to what happens after the smoke clears from Peter Parker’s upcoming detective arc. Despite being on the fence about returning initially, Holland has declared Brand New Day as “the best Spider-Man movie we’ve ever made,” teasing a deeply personal, isolation-driven study of Peter Parker

    Speaking on the Spanish television program El Hormiguero, Holland dropped a tantalizing quote about the long-term trajectory of the franchise, heavily hinting that Marvel and Sony are actively prepping the runway to expand the live-action Spider-Verse.

    “All I can say is that the future of Spider-Man is really bright, and we have plans to introduce really exciting new characters,” Holland teased. “How will they do that? We don’t know yet, but that’s how it will be, and it will be awesome.”

    Setting Up the Next Generation

    While Holland’s quote is characteristically tight-lipped, his concurrent press junket comments for Esquire UK and Empire paint a much clearer picture of what this “bright future” actually looks like: a heavy focus on legacy and mentorship.

    Holland has completely walked back his old stance on leaving the character behind by 30. Instead, he’s explicitly framing his future around replicating the exact dynamic he had with Robert Downey Jr. “In the way that Robert Downey was such a mentor for me in my first three movies, I would love to be that person for whoever is next,” Holland shared.

    The actor openly name-dropped Miles Morales, Spider-Gwen, and Spider-Woman as the logical next chapters he wants to help develop. Recently, in his Esquire cover story, Holland personally backed 16-year-old Adolescence breakout Owen Cooper as his dream choice to play a younger web-slinger down the line.

    Holland has been playing Peter Parker for a decade, having been cast at just 18 years old. Hearing him confidently state that the future involves introducing “really exciting new characters” while actively comparing his future role to RDJ’s Tony Stark proves that Marvel Studios is building a multi-generational Spidey pipeline. Brand New Day isn’t the end of a road; it is the foundation for an expanded, interconnected live-action universe where Peter Parker finally steps up as a veteran leader.

    By utilizing the July 31 film to isolate Peter via a four-year time jump, Destin Daniel Cretton is carving out the perfect narrative space for Peter to eventually find, train, or stumble upon younger heroes like Miles Morales. The friendly neighborhood is getting bigger…

  • A Long Time Ago…Ian McDiarmid Reveals George Lucas’ Forgotten ‘Palpatine’ TV Show

    A Long Time Ago…Ian McDiarmid Reveals George Lucas’ Forgotten ‘Palpatine’ TV Show

    Before Disney+ made live-action Star Wars television a routine reality with The Mandalorian and Ahsoka, George Lucas was dreaming up a vastly different small-screen empire. Speaking to an enthusiastic crowd at Spacecon 2026 in San Antonio, legendary actor Ian McDiarmid dropped a massive bit of lost Lucasfilm lore: George Lucas once personally pitched him a live-action prequel-era television series tracking the political ascent of Sleepy Sheev Palpatine.

    Described as a dark, historical character study, the unproduced project would have pulled back the curtain on the bureaucratic manipulation that transformed a Naboo senator into a galactic tyrant.

    The Creator’s Pitch

    During a panel appearance, McDiarmid reminisced about a private lunch he shared with Lucas prior to the director selling the company to Disney in 2012—a time when live-action Star Wars TV was considered entirely speculative.

    “[George] said, ‘I’ve got this idea, and I hope you might want to be involved,’” McDiarmid shared with the audience. “‘We could sort of follow the Emperor’s progress, like Hitler’s, some of that. There might be an assassination attempt, and of course it wouldn’t succeed.’ It sounded really exciting. And he also said that maybe you could direct one, and then I fainted. But sadly, that didn’t come to pass.”

    McDiarmid’s comments reveal that Lucas’ ambitions were far grander, implying Palpatine’s political machinations and survival against internal coups were actually intended to be the central driving engine of the narrative; however, the series died when Lucasfilm transitioned to Disney, with the studio shifting focus back to theatrical sequels and eventually the safer, post-Empire Mandoverse era of television.

    While this specific iteration is dead, the DNA of Lucas’ political thriller lives on in Tony Gilroy‘s Andor. If Lucasfilm sees the passionate fan response to McDiarmid’s Spacecon comments, perhaps the door isn’t entirely shut on a Marvel Spotlight style historical look back at the dark side’s finest politician.

    Source: Popverse

  • Marvel Sets Unprecedented, Exclusive Launch Day for All Three ‘MIDNIGHT’ Universe Titles

    The light had its turn, and Marvel is making sure the darkness takes over completely. Following last month’s initial reveal of the horror-tinged Midnight Universe, Marvel Comics has just announced a massive, unprecedented adjustment to their release strategy: all three flagship titles are dropping simultaneously on October 7, 2026.

    And here’s the kicker—Marvel is clearing the entire deck for it. In a highly rare and impactful move, no other Marvel titles will be published on October 7. For one week, the House of Ideas belongs exclusively to the dark.

    From the original New Universe to two Ultimate Universes, Marvel has a long history of creating and inspiring bold worlds filled with unforgettable characters and fresh ideas that feel new yet recognizable at the same time. With the new Midnight line, we’ve given some of our most outstanding creators the opportunity to delve into the darkest corners of their imaginations and birth some of the creepiest, most terrifying takes on the Marvel Universe you’ve ever seen.

    -Editor in Chief C.B. Cebulski

    Originally scheduled to trickle out month-by-month starting in August, the corporate realignment spearheaded by Brad Winderbaum has shifted the Midnight Universe (Earth-1031) into a singular, coordinated launch event. The three ongoing titles reimagining Marvel icons through creator-owned horror sensibilities will now collide on day one:

    • MIDNIGHT X-MEN #1 (Written by Jonathan Hickman, Art by Matteo Della Fonte): The franchise architect returns to the mutants, but there’s no dream of peaceful coexistence here. This universe sees mutantkind fractured into competing “Mutant Empyres” and vampire covens, turning the species into bloodthirsty predators vying for control.
    • MIDNIGHT FANTASTIC FOUR #1 (Written by Benjamin Percy, Art by Kev Walker): A cosmic-horror tragedy. The story tracks an obsessive Reed Richards delving into secrets of the universe that should have remained unknown, leaving the First Family warped into strange, horrifying, and destructive monsters.
    • MIDNIGHT SPIDER-MAN #1 (Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Art by Scie Tronc): Leaning heavily into visceral body-horror. Rather than a friendly neighborhood hero, a young Peter Parker is grotesque, violently transformed into a hideous spider-hybrid by an Oscorp Corporation desperate for eternal life.

    The more we talked about Midnight, the more we realized it was far more than just the birth of another new universe—it was on an entirely different scale creatively, a doorway to something that was not only immediately exciting, but had immense long-term promise.

    -Dan Buckley

    To enhance the eerie vibe, each book will utilize a “Cloaked Cover” program. The main covers will arrive at comic shops partially obscured, meaning readers will literally have to open the book or turn the page to unmask the hidden artwork inside.

    Because Marvel is giving October 7 over entirely to these three books, they are pairing the unified launch with exclusive promotional mailers, unique incentive programs, and a massive Midnight variant cover initiative to ensure the horror line completely dominates comic shop walls.

    The world these creators are building is truly special and the passion behind the stories they’re envisioning was palpable. We wanted to match their ambition with this unique launch plan, one that allows both retailers and fans to fully immerse themselves into this new line right from the start. When the clock strikes Midnight on October 7, these three series will unleash a bold new energy that we hope echoes throughout the industry for the foreseeable future.

    -Dan Buckley

    By utilizing writers known for grit, dread, and action—like Benjamin Percy (Wolverine) and Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Incredible Hulk)—Marvel is ensuring the horror isn’t just window dressing. It’s a poisoned, terrifying alternative reality that has been given a massive runway to grow.

    Source: Marvel.com

  • Charles Melton Rumored in the Mix for Marvel Studios’ ‘X-Men’ Reboot

    On the heels of director Jake Schreier explicitly warned fans that the internet’s X-Men casting shortlists weren’t coming anywhere near his official writing room, a brand-new, heavyweight rumor has entered the arena. According to a fresh report from insider Jeff “The In” Sneider, May December and Riverdale breakout Charles Melton is in early contention for a major role in Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated X-Men reboot.

    According to Sneider, Melton–along with others such as Peter Claffey–is being considered for the role of Hank McCoy/The Beast.

    Melton earned massive critical acclaim and an Oscar buzz campaign for his deeply layered, heartbreaking performance in Todd Haynes’ May December. He has proven he possesses the dramatic gravity and underlying sensitivity needed to play a brilliant scientist struggling with a tragic, progressive physical mutation.

    At 35 years old, Melton falls into a perfect sweet spot for a multi-film franchise commitment. He is young enough to carry the character through a decade of Phase 7 storylines, but mature enough to convincingly portray a world-class geneticist.

    If Melton is truly being eyed for Hank McCoy, it could suggest Marvel Studios is leaning toward a framework reminiscent of the classic X-Men: Evolution animated series. In that continuity, established, slightly older adult mutants like Beast and Storm acted as mentors, while characters like Scott Summers and Jean Grey were framed as the younger generation of students.

    For decades, live-action iterations of Beast have been defined by the excellent, theatrical portrayals of Kelsey Grammer and Nicholas Hoult. Sneider’s scoop could indicate Kevin Feige is looking to completely redefine the visual tapestry of the core team for the MCU native timeline. Melton brings a commanding presence and an incredible emotional range that would instantly elevate Hank McCoy from a standard CGI heavy-hitter into the psychological heart and soul of the new Xavier Mansion.

  • Disney Drops Final Trailer for Live-Action ‘Moana’ As Tickets Go On Sale

    Disney Drops Final Trailer for Live-Action ‘Moana’ As Tickets Go On Sale

    Get ready to sail past the reef! We just got word from Disney that tickets for the highly anticipated film are officially on sale, and they dropped an all-new trailer to go with it.

    Disney’s live-action Moana sails exclusively into theaters on July 10, 2026.

    The trailer showcases the epic continuation of Moana’s journey, which is great, but the big news for fans is getting confirmation on the returning talent. Dwayne Johnson is back to reprise his role as the legendary trickster demigod Maui. Joining Johnson is Jemaine Clement, who will be reprising his role as the voice of the giant, glitz-obsessed crab, Tamatoa. Hearing both of those fan-favorite voices back for the live-action version should get everyone excited.

    They join an incredible cast of Pacific talent led by Catherine Lagaʻaia as the determined wayfinder Moana. The rest of the ensemble includes:

    • Rena Owen as Moana’s revered Gramma Tala
    • John Tui as Moana’s no-nonsense father, Chief Tui
    • Frankie Adams as Moana’s playful and strong-willed mother, Sina

    The movie is a live-action take on the beloved, Oscar®-nominated animated adventure, where Moana finally answers the Ocean’s call and voyages beyond her island of Motunui with Maui to restore prosperity to her people.

    Rooster Heihei in Disney’s live-action MOANA. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2026 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    The project has some serious creative muscle behind it. The film is directed by Emmy® and Tony Award® winner Thomas Kail (of Hamilton fame). It’s also produced by Dwayne Johnson, Beau Flynn, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Miranda also returns with Opetaia Foaʻi and Mark Mancina to provide the original songs, with Mancina also composing the original score.

    In a nice nod to the original, Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated films Moana and Moana 2, is serving as an executive producer.

  • Disney Reveals When Oscar-Winning ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Hits D+

    Disney Reveals When Oscar-Winning ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Hits D+

    Disney+ Media Relations has officially announced that James Cameron’s Oscar®-winning global blockbuster, Avatar: Fire and Ash, will stream exclusively on Disney+ starting June 24.

    Read my Avatar: Fire and Ash review.

    The third film in the phenomenally successful Avatar franchise was a major theatrical event upon its December 2025 release. It grossed a worldwide total of $1.48 billion and earned an Academy Award® for Best Visual Effects. The film was praised by critics and fans alike for its grand spectacle, thrilling action, and “spectacular visual effects, dazzling new environments, and stunning new creatures“.

    The movie dominated the domestic box office for five consecutive weeks. However, its theatrical staying power did not match its predecessors, as it fell out of the top five in only its seventh weekend of release, a record pace compared to the original Avatar (12th weekend) and The Way of Water (11th weekend). Despite this, it was reported to be holding stronger than its 2022 predecessor in the early weeks of its run.

    The film will join the existing Avatar Collection on Disney+, which includes the first two installments in the series and the documentary Fire And Water: Making The Avatar Films.

    Synopsis and Creative Team

    Avatar: Fire and Ash returns audiences to Pandora with Marine turned Na’vi leader Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), Na’vi warrior Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña), and the Sully family. After living amongst the Metkayina Clan in Pandora’s picturesque reefs, and still recovering from a family member’s death at the hands of the RDA, the Sullys attempt to protect another loved one. Aiding them are the peaceful Tlalim Clan, also known as the Wind Traders, who sail the skies. However, their journey is cut short when they are attacked by members of the Mangkwan Clan, or the Ash People, who blame the deity Eywa for the volcanic devastation of their home.

    The Oscar®-winning film was directed by James Cameron and features a screenplay by Cameron, Rick Jaffa, and Amanda Silver. The story was crafted by Cameron, Jaffa, Silver, Josh Friedman, and Shane Salerno. The all-star cast features Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Oona Chaplin, Jack Champion, and Britain Dalton, among others.

  • Rumored ‘ViSiONQUΞST’ Synopsis Teases Man on the Run

    Rumored ‘ViSiONQUΞST’ Synopsis Teases Man on the Run

    Though it has been in development since late-2022, details about the Paul Bettany-led Vision-centric series–including an official title–proved difficult to pin down. That all changed during New York Comic Con 2025 when Bettany made a surprise appearance to discuss the series, now confirmed as VisionQuest. With the project now set for an October 14th debut, details have begun to emerge, including a potential synopsis that sets the stage for Vision to be a synthezoid on the run.

    Shared by social media scooper My Time To Shine Hello, the synopsis indicates that while Vision is attempting to reconnect with his memories, a bounty forces him to change course.

    The Vision, rebooted and having escaped those who sought to use him as a weapon, has been in hiding. His quest for new meaning and discreet existence is interrupted when a bounty is placed on his head, forcing Vision to forge real connections and embrace found family if he’s to survive

    -Possible synopsis for VisionQuest

    Showrunner Terry Matalas previously explained that the series would follow a “Vision who has died and come back to life…going through a bit of an identity quest.” Part of that quest will involve a heavy dose of artificial intelligences that, like Vision, are part of Tony Stark’s legacy, including Henry Lewis as D.U.M.-E, Jonathan Sayer as U, James D’Arcy as J.A.R.V.I.S., Orla Brady as F.R.I.D.A.Y., Emily Hampshire as E.D.I.T.H, and James Spader as Ultron, all of whom may be the “found family” teased in the synopsis.

    And if that won’t put enough on the plate if the Synthezoid Avenger, the soul of his son Tommy is now inhabiting the body of Thomas Shepard, played by Ruaridh Mollica. Suffice it to say, there will be quite a bit going on in VisionQuest, however, where and when it takes place may just make things even more complicated.

  • DC Studios Jimmy Olsen Spin-Off Title Leaks Online

    DC Studios Jimmy Olsen Spin-Off Title Leaks Online

    According to a fresh update via a new Writers Guild of America (WGA) production registry leak has seemingly unmasked the official final title for James Gunn‘s Superman mockumentary spin-off series: American Villain.

    The project, which initially made waves under the since-debunked rumored title DC Crime, is moving forward aggressively at HBO, bringing a meta, comedic lens to the grounded underworld of Metropolis.

    When news of a Daily Planet-centric true-crime anthology series first leaked, fans were rightly thrilled to see American Vandal creators Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault tapped as the showrunners. Titling the show American Villain is a direct nod to Yacenda and Perrault’s highly-praised Netflix series. It signals to the audience exactly what the tone is: a highly serialized, deadpan, high-production true-crime parody set within a world where super-crime is a daily reality.

    Gunn famously went to bat on social media last year to state that the project had “never been titled DC Crime, even as a working title.” Perrault recently doubled down, teasing that they were actively “tossing around some names” that avoided standard superhero naming conventions. The WGA filing indicates they finally pulled the trigger.

    Skyler Gisondo will fully anchor the series, reprising his breakout role as The Daily Planet’s resident photojournalist, Jimmy Olsen. Season 1 is locked to focus entirely on Gorilla Grodd, the hyper-intelligent, telepathic ape traditionally associated with The Flash’s rogues gallery and a member of the Legion of Doom

    With writing teams actively logging work under the American Villain banner, the series is moving steadily through with a 2027 release looking increasingly likely.

  • ‘Paradise Lost’ Cancellation Rumors Entirely Debunked; WGA Registry Confirms Top-Tier Scribes Attached to DCU Project

    Put the doom-posting to rest. Despite persistent internet rumors claiming James Gunn had quietly swept the Wonder Woman prequel series under the corporate rug, official Writers Guild of America (WGA) listings have confirmed that Paradise Lost is in active, high-priority development with an exceptional writing duo locked in.

    The guild registry now formally links Kira Snyder and Janet Lin to the HBO Max series. Snyder is a phenomenal pull for a show billed as a gritty, manipulative look at an all-female society, bringing serious prestige pedigree from her acclaimed work on The Handmaid’s Tale and The 100. Lin perfectly balances the equation, carrying an elite history of handling complex ensemble dynamics on Bridgerton mixed with traditional genre experience from The Flash.

    It’s an origin story of how this society of women came about. What does it mean? What are their politics like? What are their rules? Who’s in charge? What are the games that they play with each other to get to the top? I think it’s really exciting.

    -James Gunn

    Gunn has previously teased that this prequel series will lean into the complex, darker structural realities of a mythological society. The historical foundation of the show is expected to treat the Amazons not as flawless superheroes, but as a complex political faction and reveal the “beautiful and ugly truths” behind it all.

    Gunn recently said that the project was in “extreme development” and a WGA registry lock means the corporate wheels are actively turning behind the scenes. By hiring writers who specialize in ruthless institutional power struggles and elite character drama, DC Studios is making sure Paradise Lost delivers the exact “political intrigue” tone they promised.

  • ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Toy Leaks Provide First Detailed Looks at Doom, Thor and More…

    ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Toy Leaks Provide First Detailed Looks at Doom, Thor and More…

    The theatrical debut of Avengers: Doomsday is just over six months away and while fans await the first full trailer for the film, merchandising leaks continue to provide tidbits and detailed looks at what can be expected from the Russo brothers return to Marvel Studios.

    Hasbro’s wide-ranging lines of action figures have often provided first looks at characters from upcoming Marvel Studios’ projects and it’s happened again. This time, peeks at two figures from the company’s Action Verse line (previously known as Epic Heroes) have revealed fairly detailed looks at the costumes and power sets for Doctor Doom and Thor. As always with toy leaks, there’s no guarantee everything seen in the package is a direct translation of what will be seen on screen (Doom’s red power effects ?) but it’s safe to say the costumes are pretty spot on.

    The packages for the Action Verse line also provide first looks at Beast, complete with an old school X-Men belt, a shirtless Thing, a flamed on Human Torch and Captain America.

    Leaked looks at the larger scale Titan Heroes action figures for Doctor Doom and Captain America also made their way online, providing even more detailed (and probably VERY accurate) looks at the costumes for the two.

    Marvel makes a killing on action figures, which means this is likely just the beginning since we’ve yet to see leaks from Hasbro’s premium (and typically very movie-accurate) Marvel Legends line yet. Certainly once the first trailer drops, which many believe will be at SDCC, the studio will blow the lid off in terms of merchandising, making a large chunk of the film’s budget back before it even hits theaters.