Murphy's Multiverse

Category: News

  • Wild Rumor Points to a Fan-favorite Clone Wars Villain Appearing in ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’

    Wild Rumor Points to a Fan-favorite Clone Wars Villain Appearing in ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’

    Though set in the previously unexplored New Republic era, Lucasfilm’s D+ Star Wars series have included plenty of familiar faces. The studio’s creative grand admiral, Dave Filoni, has utilized The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett and Ahsoka as vehicles to allow a dozen characters from a pair of animated series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, to make the jump to live-action.

    Appearances by Filoni faves such as Bo-Katan Kryze and Cad Bane, who played key roles in the animated series, have been largely well-received, though nothing pleases everyone, especially not the very divided Star Wars fandom. With plenty more projects to go before Filoni puts a bow on the Mandoverse, comes plenty of time to bring a few more animated favorites to life and an absolutely wild new rumor suggests that one of Star Wars: The Clone Wars deadliest bounty hunters will make his first live-action appearance in 2026.

    According to Kristian Harloff, Kyuzo bounty hunter Embo will reportedly have a major role as one of the main villains in director Jon Favreau‘s The Mandalorian and Grogu.

    Harloff’s report indicates that The Mandalorian and Grogu will feature Din Djarin and Grogu attempting to save Rotta the Hutt from Embo–voiced by Filoni–who has been hired to kidnap the offspring of Jabba. It was recently announced that Jeremy Allen White was set to portray Rotta (another Clone Wars character set to move into live-action) and there are some pretty wild theories and rumors out there about what’s become of the Hutt since last time he was seen.

    Of course, should this rumor turn out to be true, it would certainly make for a fun adventure but with the Shadow Council also set to appear, there will be more to the plot of The Mandalorian and Grogu than a kidnapping.

    The Mandalorian and Grogu will hit theaters on May 22, 2026.

    Source: YouTube

  • Kathryn Hahn Eyed for Major Role in Disney’s Next Live-action Reimagining

    Kathryn Hahn Eyed for Major Role in Disney’s Next Live-action Reimagining

    Kathryn Hahn‘s portrayal of MCU’s wicked witch, Agatha Harkness, in the 2021 streaming series WandaVision was so enchanting that the powers at be at Marvel Studios greenlit am Agatha-centric spinoff. Originally titled Agatha: House of Harkness, the series hit D+ in the Fall of 2024 as Agatha All Along and was a huge hit for Marvel Television. Hahn’s performance was widely praised, earning her a Golden Globe nomination and leaving fans asking for more of the character. While it’s starting to sound as though the Marvel Parliament is listening and considering a Season 2 of Agatha All Along, Hahn may be preparing to inhabit the role of another power-hungry witch.

    According to industry insider Daniel Richtman, Hahn is at the top of Disney’s list for the role of Mother Gothel in the recently announced live-action reimagining of Tangled.

    Also included in Richtman’s report is news that in relation to Disneyland’s recently revealed Villain’s Land attraction, the company will be producing multiple live-action, villain-centric projects and that Hahn, or whoever lands the role of Mother Gothel, would be in line for a Mother Gothel film or series.

    There’s little doubt that Hahn would be excellent in the role. Truth be told, Gothel and Agatha have quite a bit in common, allowing Hahn to tap into the irreverent energy she’s brought to her performance as the MCU’s ancient witch.

  • ‘Ahsoka’ Season 2 Reportedly Enlisting Ewan McGregor for an Insane ‘Clone Wars’ Flashback

    ‘Ahsoka’ Season 2 Reportedly Enlisting Ewan McGregor for an Insane ‘Clone Wars’ Flashback

    Through a series of flashbacks distorted by the power of The World Between Worlds, Ahsoka saw the return of Hayden Christensen as a younger, Clone Wars-era Anakin Skywalker. Fans revealed as Skyguy and Snips, played by Ariana Greenblatt, brought moments and character designs from the beloved animated series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, to live-action for the first time.

    With Ahsoka stranded on Peridea under the watchful presence of Anakin’s Force ghost, the return of Christensen for Season 2 of the D+ streaming series always seemed a certainty. And so when insiders, such as Daniel Richtman, reported that the actor was indeed on board for Season 2 of Ahsoka, it went largely unnoticed. However, a new report from Kristian Harloff has certainly captured the attention and imagination of fans, especially those who have a fondness for The Clone Wars animated series.

    (L-R): Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) and Ahsoka Tano (Ariana Greenblatt) in Lucasfilm’s STAR WARS: AHSOKA, exclusively on Disney+. ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
    According to Harloff, not only is Christensen on board to return in Ahsoka Season 2, this time in a “pretty big role”, he will be joined not only by Greenblatt but also Ewan McGregor, who will reprise the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

    While the return of Kenobi is a surprise to be sure, the most likely scenario for having the character appear in even more exciting. In the Fall of 2024, McGregor explained that Lucasfilm was exploring ideas for a potential second season of Obi-Wan Kenobi. The star also expressed a sincere desire to reunite with Christensen and to do so in the armor the character wore in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. And while a second season of Obi-Wan Kenobi may not happen anytime soon, it’s very likely McGregor will get his wish to suit up in the armor alongside Christensen in Season 2 of Ahsoka.

    That armor! Putting on that armor would be a great joy. Then me and Hayden can really get back together.

    -Ewan McGregor

    Stranded! Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan Ahsoka Tano are caught in the middle of a treacherous battle between good and evil. The scales now tip toward the dark side. Our three warriors must guard against attack as they plan their escape. A great weight has been placed on Anakin’s shoulders, for it is now that he must face who he really is…

    As seen in the closing moments of the season finale of Ahsoka, Peridea holds some connection to the Mortis gods. And while Baylan Skoll seemed much closer to stepping into that mystery than Ahsoka, the latter has a history with the mysterious beings–and one she shared with Anakin and Obi-Wan. While there’s no mention of it in Harloff’s report, it’s incredibly likely that Ahsoka and Star Wars: The Clone Wars creator Dave Filoni is planning to incorporate a live-action flashback to The Clone Wars three-episode Season 3 Mortis arc. If that is indeed Filoni’s intention, it would explain why Greenblatt would be returning alongside Christensen and McGregor, both of whom could otherwise appear as Force ghosts.

    Source: The Kristian Harloff Show

  • Latest ‘Spider-Man 4’ Rumor Has Spidey Teaming Up with a Surprising Partner to Take On the Hulk

    Latest ‘Spider-Man 4’ Rumor Has Spidey Teaming Up with a Surprising Partner to Take On the Hulk

    With Spider-Man 4 scheduled to be in theaters in just over 18 months, the clock is ticking on the project’s production timeline. Though the film’s star, Tom Holland, confirmed plans for cameras to roll this summer, reports continue to come in that Sony and Marvel Studios have yet to finalize a script for the next installment in the Wallcrawler’s MCU-set franchise despite Holland sharing excitement for an early draft.

    We have a creative and a pitch and a draft which is excellent. It needs work but the writers are doing a great job and I read it three weeks ago and it really lit a fire in me. Zendaya and I sat down and read it together and we at times were like bouncing around the living room. Like this is a real movie worthy of the fans’ respect, but there [are] a few things we need to figure out before we can get that really going. But it’s exciting and I’m really, really excited about it.

    -Tom Holland on the Spider-Man 4 script, October 2024

    With Destin Daniel Cretton taking the reigns from Jon Watts, who directed the first three Holland-led Spidey films, Spider-Man 4 seemed to be headed in the right direction in the Fall; however, as Holland explained, each MCU film is ultimately–and sometimes unfortunately–part of “a large machine” and has to “benefit the bigger picture”…and that statement could do a long way in explaining the latest rumors about some surprising Spider-Man 4 co-stars.

    Obviously, one of the things to like bear in mind with Marvel is that there is, your film is a small cog in a large machine, and that machine has got to keep running, and you need to make sure that you can fit into that timeline at the right time to benefit the bigger picture.

    -Tom Holland

    According to John Roca and his Hot Mic Podcast co-host, Jeff “The In” Sneider, Marvel and Sony have considered–and still may be considering–pitting Holland’s Spidey against Mark Ruffalo‘s Hulk in Spider-Man 4. And if that weren’t enough to have fans fired up about the fourth film, Roca added that he had also heard that Jon Bernthal‘s Frank Castle would join the fray, teaming with Spider-Man to slow down the Jade Giant! If there’s any truth to the possibility of the Hulk going on a rampage in New York in the next Spidey film, it might well serve as the opening chapter of the studio’s long-rumored World War Hulk event.

    Though Sneider didn’t speak to the possible presence of The Punisher in Spider-Man 4, the character did make his first appearance in the pages of Spider-Man comics and has teamed up with Spidey on more than one occasion. It’s also worth noting that Holland and Bernthal have worked together in the past, including on the film Pilgrimage. During production on Pilgrimage, the two actors were both auditioning for their current Marvel roles and, according to Bernthal, the two “were constantly making tapes for Marvel – just acting together.“

    At this point, with everyone from Mephisto to Knull to Wilson Fisk rumored to be the baddie of Spider-Man 4, there’s simply no reason to take any one of these rumors more seriously than any other. However, with Captain America: Brave New World introducing at least one new Hulk and persistent rumors of Marvel Studios attempting to find a way to bring World War Hulk(s) to the MCU, this one is at least worth keeping an eye on.

    Source: Hot Mic, Digitial Spy

  • Details from Scrapped ‘Spider-Man 4’ Script Reveal a Pair of Abandoned Villains

    Details from Scrapped ‘Spider-Man 4’ Script Reveal a Pair of Abandoned Villains

    Like Spider-Man: No Way Home before it, Spider-Man 4 has become a rumor mill circus. Rumors have truly ranged from the most mundane to the most magnificent and everywhere in between; however, recent rumors suggest that the script is still a work in progress even as the film barrels toward a summer start of production.

    Whatever story the film ultimately ends up telling, there will always be interest in what it might have been. And while fans wait to learn whether or not it’s a street-level civil war, features Knull invading the MCU’s Earth-616 or something entirely different, a new report from a trusted insider has revealed that at least one scrapped draft featured two classic Spidey rogues who had already debuted in the MCU…and one of them is a villain fans have been hoping to see more of since 2017.

    According to Marvel Studios insider Daniel Richtman, before the most recent round of rewrites, Spider-Man 4 would have seen Tom Holland’s  Wallcrawler take on Shocker and Scorpion, both of whom appeared in Spider-Man: Homecoming.

    While Bokeem Woodbine‘s Herman Schultz became “the Shocker” in Homecoming, Michael Mando‘s Mac Gargan seemed prime to become a major thorn in Peter Parker’s side before becoming another bullet point on the list of unfulfilled post-credit promises. Fans have continued to hold out hope that Gargan would return as the Scorpion and will certainly be disappointed to hear he may have been cut from the film.

    Spider-Man 4 is currently on track for a July 24, 2026 theatrical release.

  • Conflicting Reports Cloud the Future of the ‘Black Panther’ Franchise

    Conflicting Reports Cloud the Future of the ‘Black Panther’ Franchise

    Even those who most vehemently opposed recasting the character of T’Challa following the death of Chadwick Boseman  has to have known it would happen eventually. A staple on the Avengers’ roster in the pages of Marvel Comics, it always seemed a certainty that Marvel Studios would find a way to reintroduce the character into the MCU. And with the Multiverse Saga rocketing toward its end, a recent report from an industry insider indicated that the studio might finally be ready to do just that.

    Marvel is looking to recast its Black Panther hero T’Challa ahead of the two Avengers movies and Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther 3.

    -Jeff “The In” Sneider

    Jeff “The In” Sneider ‘s recent report that Marvel Studios was seeking to recast the role of T’Challa for a trio of upcoming films    generated significant online chatter along with some confusion. Initially, many fans interpreted the report to mean that the studio might be searching to recast T’Chall II, the son of T’Challa and Nakia, who was introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. That sentiment was eventually backed up by social media scooper My Time To Shine Hello, who claimed the studio was looking for an actor to play “an older version” of T’Challa II, who was originally played by Divine Love Konadu-Sun.

    However, further details from Sneider have emerged which indicate that Marvel is not looking to recast the role of T’Challa II but rather Boseman‘s T’Challa…sort of. According to Sneider, Marvel Studios is considering introducing a multiversal Variant of T’Challa.

    With Marvel reshuffling the deck in advance of Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, and Robert Downey Jr. coming back not as Iron Man but as Doctor Doom, I’m told that the door is firmly open for T’Challa to be recast via the magic of the multiverse.

    -Jeff Sneider

    Even more interestingly, Sneider claimed that following the studio’s SDCC ’24 reveal that Robert Downey Jr. was returning to the MCU, this time as Doctor Doom, an offer went out to an unnamed star to fill the role of T’Challa.

    I heard that an actor was actually offered the role this past fall, a couple of months after Downey’s big reveal at Comic-Con, but they turned it down, not wanting to jeopardize their career momentum by stepping into Boseman’s gigantic shoes, which may be too big to fill, even for Hollywood’s most talented Black actors.

    -Jeff Sneider

    Sneider went on to say that it’s no longer clear if T’Challa will appear in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, during the difficulty Marvel Studios has had and likely will have finding someone to fill the role; however, Sneider did indicate that whoever filled the role would also likely star in Black Panther 3.

    What does it all mean? For the time being, it sounds like it couldn’t be any more confusing than it is. And while that might sound gloomy, at least the studio has options should they fail to find the right fit for the role of T’Challa.

    Source: The Insneider

  • Marvel Studios Reportedly Recasting a Major MCU Hero Ahead of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

    Marvel Studios Reportedly Recasting a Major MCU Hero Ahead of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

    Recasting key actors is hardly a novel idea at this point in the MCU. Edward Norton and Terrence Howard were rather unceremoniously removed from their respective roles as Bruce Banner and James Rhodes after just one outing each. More recently, Harrison Ford joined the MCU as Thaddeus Ross following the passing of William Hurt, who portrayed the character in five films. Multiple actors have also portrayed Cassie Lang, Billy Maximoff and even Thanos, among others. However, one beloved MCU character seemed off limits to a recast…until now.

    According to a report from Jeff “The In” Sneider, “Marvel is looking to recast its Black Panther hero T’Challa ahead of the two Avengers movies and Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther 3.“

    Following Chadwick Boseman‘s death, Marvel Studios weighed its options about how to move forward in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, ultimately deciding to work T’Challa’s death into the sequel rather than attempt to recast the role. Though it would seem problematic to recast the character now, Sneider ‘s report could be interpreted at least a couple of different ways.

    As the studio approaches the end of the Multiverse Saga, the most logical option for “Recasting” T’Challa would be the introduction of a multiversal Variant of the character. Certainly any attempts t resurrect the Sacred Timeline’s T’Challa would be incredibly controversial and, frankly, unnecessary. Presumably, as Avengers: Secret Wars draws near, more alternate universes, or at least more heroes and villains from the ones that have already been introduced, will come into play and a Variant T’Challa would be a great addition to any team of heroes taking on Doctor Doom.

    Of course, another option for the “recast” might involve the studio searching for an older actor to step into the role of T’Challa II, played by Divine Love Konadu-Sun in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. While it’s unclear when Avengers: Doomsday will be set, if the studio does indeed have a three-film arc in store for the character, they may be looking to age the character up a touch.

    In either case, it would seem that Letitia Wright‘s Shuri, who took up the mantle of Black Panther in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, is headed for a reduced role despite delivering a fantastic performance in the sequel. That is, of course, unless the studio chooses a third option: introducing a multiversal Variant of T’Challa who is aligned with Doctor Doom and finds himself at odds with Shuri, T’Challa II and the rest of the Wakanda.

    With production on Avengers: Doomsday set to kick off this year, it’s likely fans will have some clarity on the reported recast of T’Challa relatively soon.

  • Kathryn Hahn Addresses the Future of Agatha Harkness

    Kathryn Hahn Addresses the Future of Agatha Harkness

    Kathryn Hahn‘s performance as the wicked witch of Westview, Agatha Harkness, has proven to be the gift that keeps on giving. After a show-stealing performance in 2021’s WandaVision, Hahn took the lead in the spinoff Agatha All Along and once again left audiences asking for more. Despite what appeared to be the end of the road for the character, the final scene of Agatha All Along saw the spectral sorceress embark on a new journey, showing there’s still some “life” in the old gal yet.

    While whatever the future holds for the wraithlike witch may not have been divined, it certainly seems as though the next chapter in her story will be closely tired to the next chapter in the story of Joe Locke‘s Billy Maximoff. And while we all wait for official word about what that shape that might take, Hahn has shared her thoughts about returning to the role.

    “Am I personally done with playing this witch? No,” said Hahn when asked by TV Line about her future as Agatha. However, the star stopped short of confirming the recent reports and rumors that Marvel Television was close to moving forward with Season 2 of Agatha All Along. “We’d have to let the powers that be make those decisions,” said Hahn when asked if Marvel had given the go-ahead for another batch of episodes.

    Of course, even if Marvel and Hahn are attempting to keep a sophomore season of Agatha All Along a secret, some omens do seem to augur well for an extra season of the witch. Series creator Jac Schaeffer‘s abrupt exit from the Paul Bettany-led Vision series led many to assume she had moved onto another project. And while speculation seemed to center on the rumored Scarlet Witch solo project, a greenlight given to a second season of Agatha All Along would certainly provide a reasonable explanation for her choice to bail on Vision, especially since Schaeffer indicated that she had plenty of unused Season 1 ideas which could be repurposed for Season 2.

    There was more [of Agatha and Rio’s backstory] in the writer’s room. There was never any more on the page. It was our story instinct, I would say, that getting too far into their backstory would sort of be too much of a counterweight to the Nicky material. And so, we really included what we felt was vital to this chapter.

    -Jac Schaeffer on ideas cut from Season 1 of Agatha All Along that could be explored in a potential Season 2

    Beyond that, there’s the interesting decision by Marvel Studios to submit Agatha All Along as a comedy series rather than a miniseries in an effort to snag awards for the project. It’s a strong indication that they plan to make more episodes, something Hahn herself acknowledged. “It does suggest that,” said Hahn, though she held tight to her claim that she had no idea of future plans for her character. “I am as in-the-dark as you are. There’s going to be a Vision show, so that could be of a trilogy [with WandaVision and Agatha All Along]. But who knows?”.

    Despite Hahn‘s hesitance, reluctance or inability to confirm Marvel Television’s plans to move ahead with a Season 2 of Agatha All Along, it’s starting to feel like there’s a growing chance of more purple in the near future.

    Source: TV Line

  • Marvel Has Reportedly Locked In the Core Cast of ‘Champions’

    Marvel Has Reportedly Locked In the Core Cast of ‘Champions’

    As 2025 gets underway and Marvel Studios looks to begin production on two major pieces of the final phase of the Multiverse Saga in Avengers: Doomsday and Spider-Man 4, Kevin Feige and the Parliament must also continue to keep an eye on the future of the franchise. Though nobody is quite certain just what to expect from Avengers: Secret Wars in terms of the impact it will have on whatever the next Marvel saga is, rumors and reports of projects in development do provide some pieces of the puzzle.

    With Michael Lesslie hard at work on a script for the first Marvel Studios-produced X-Men film, it is safe to say the next saga will have its fair share of mutant heroes and villains. And while most of the focus might fall on whatever version of Charles Xavier’s uncanny team of heroes make their way into the MCU, another project featuring the MCU’s first mutant also looks to be gaining traction.

    According to Marvel insider Daniel Richtman, Marvel Studios’ D+ streaming series, Champions, is close to landing a showrunner and has begun locking in key cast members. Richtman reports that in addition to Iman Vellani and Hailee Steinfeld, who appeared together in a credit scene for The Marvels meant to tease Champions, Joe Locke, Dominique Thorne, Kathryn Newton and Xochitl Gomez have also joined the project. Though the report indicates that those six actors are the series’ leads, it does not indicate that other young heroes won’t join the project in supporting roles.

    Previously, Richtman reported that the search for a showrunner had begun and that the studio had an eye on beginning production on Champions in 2026 to have it ready for a post-Secret Wars release on D+. Given the studio’s desire to move to only two streaming projects per year, Champions likely would not be released until the second half of 2027 or even 2028. By that time, many of the actors playing the heroes would be closing in on turning 30 years old. That reportedly played a part in the decision to retitle the project, originally being developed as Young Avengers.

  • Marvel Reportedly Reviving a Second Netflix Series for D+

    Marvel Reportedly Reviving a Second Netflix Series for D+

    After deciding that a creative overhaul was needed to correct course on Daredevil: Born Again, Marvel Television’s upcoming D+ streaming series became a revival of Netflix’s Daredevil rather than the “whole new deal” it was originally intended to be. As a result, Daredevil co-stars Deborah Ann Woll and Elden Henson found themselves written into Daredevil: Born Again after initially not having been part of the story. While spoilery set photos with another Netflix returnee certainly provided some reason to be concerned about the well being of Foggy and Karen, they’re not the only members of Matt’s supporting cast back for more.

    Following rumors that he would return in Daredevil: Born Again as Frank Castle, trade reports confirmed that Jon Bernthal had indeed boarded the project. It wasn’t long before photos from the New York City set caught Bernthal in action alongside Charlie Cox’s Daredevil with the pair apparently under fire from an anti-vigilante task force assembled by Mayor Wilson Fisk. And while Castle certainly didn’t appear to survive that encounter unscathed, it seems as though he’ll live to see another day…in fact, several of them.

    According to industry insider Daniel Richtman, following his appearance in Daredevil: Born Again, The Punisher will return to kill more people that need killing in his own Disney Plus streaming series.

    It’s already been nearly five years since the second and final season of The Punisher debuted on Netflix and given the pace at which Marvel Television is now developing and producing streaming series, it may be another five before the next chapter in Frank’s story is told. With very few loose threads left hanging from the series’ two-season run on Netflix, it’ll be interesting to see which characters, if any, are brought back into the fold on D+ or if Marvel Television sets up Frank’s new story in Daredevil: Born Again and goes in an entirely different direction.