Murphy's Multiverse

Category: News

  • Matthew Lillard Voicing Ultra Instinct Shaggy in ‘Multiversus’

    Matthew Lillard Voicing Ultra Instinct Shaggy in ‘Multiversus’

    Okay, he’s technically not called Ultra Instinct Shaggy but going by the initial trailer they are embracing the long-running joke. Still, it’s great to see Matthew Lillard continue his work as the popular Scooby-Doo character. After playing the character in the 2002 live-action version, he went on to become a mainstay in the franchise voicing him throughout most of the animated projects.

    He was only noticeably absent in the animated movie SCOOB! where Will Forte took over the role. Well, he’s returning for the role in the new Warner Bros. Super Smash Bros. clone titled MultiVersus. They announced his return as the character in a new tweet.

    They’ve added quite a few recognizable voices for the game, such as Maisie Williams returning to voice Arya Stark in the game. They even brought back other iconic voice actors to replay their roles from animated projects like Batman: The Animated Series, Steven Universe, and Adventure Time. The addition of Shaggy is a great touch given the long-running jokes about him secretly being the most powerful character across the multiverse.

    They even recently referenced the ongoing joke in Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms. The franchise’s mascot Scorpion suddenly gets grabbed by an empowered Shaggy with an aura around him and Scooby before they are hidden away by the Warner Bros. logo once again. It’s been a joke for quite some time and it’s great to see the company embrace it.

    Source: Twitter

  • Valkyrie, Namor Joining Jason Aaron’s Avengers Ahead of 2022 MCU Appearances

    Valkyrie, Namor Joining Jason Aaron’s Avengers Ahead of 2022 MCU Appearances

    The current Avengers comic run written by Jason Aaron has been pretty blatant in terms of focusing on characters that are either gaining new relevance in the movie side of things or that are straight-up joining the MCU in the coming months. After devoting arcs to the Celestials (and introducing a new Avengers HQ similar to the one the MCU might get to in a few movies’ time), Ghost Rider, Moon Knight, Echo, Blade, and She-Hulk (all of which are soon to be the focus of their own TV series or movie) we are now getting word that the series is focusing on both Namor and Valkyrie as the duo are joining Marvel’s core Avengers team in 2022.

    The current head Valkyrie in the comics is no other than Jane Foster, a former Thor (an arc also written by Aaron and that is a major inspiration for the upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder) that has had a new part to play in the comics for some time now. As for Namor, he’s known for showing up now and then in the series but is now becoming a full-fledged member as he reunites with his long-time nemesis, Black Panther, in what is another interesting comic-to-movie connection.

    These are interesting news in what the comics are concerned, but they can also mean something towards the future of the MCU. Ever since Kevin Feige was named Chief Creative Officer for Marvel Comics, Marvel Television, and Marvel Animation in October 2019, in addition to being President of Marvel Studios, you now can sometimes catch glimpses of what some MCU projects might be focusing on down the line by reading up on the latest issues. This was something that had already been going on for a while, but it was with Feige’s formal appointment that it likely became a more reliable reality.

    Avengers #53 will be available on February 9, 2022

  • Maisie Williams Reprises Role as Arya Stark in WB’s ‘Multiversus’ Game

    Maisie Williams Reprises Role as Arya Stark in WB’s ‘Multiversus’ Game

    After many rumors were hitting the web, we finally got the confirmation that Warner Bros. Multiversus game. The game will introduce a bunch of characters from various WB-owned projects like Scooby-Doo, DC Comics, Adventure Time, and more. Many voice actors are reprising their iconic roles, such as Matthew Lillard as Shaggy, Kevin Conroy as Batman, Tara Strong as Harley Quinn, and many more. What is interesting is that while most of the cast has leaked some time ago, Game of Thrones‘ Arya Stark was a surprise addition. Not only that, it seems that Maisie Williams will also reprise the role she made famous in the HBO show for the new gaming franchise.

    It’s great to see Williams return in the role, as it adds some authenticity to the game. They went out of their way to bring back some of the voice actors that made these characters iconic back. The designs are probably the biggest highlight, as they gave every character something that reminds you of Pixar. It blends the live-action characters like Arya seamlessly into a world where she’s beating up Steven Universe or Bugs Bunny. They promised more character reveals in the future. So, here’s hoping we won’t have to wait long until we can play Ultra Instinct Shaggy.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Hit-Monkey’ Creators Already Mapped Future Seasons

    ‘Hit-Monkey’ Creators Already Mapped Future Seasons

    Hit-Monkey has just been released on Hulu and it seems the creators behind the series, Josh Gordon and Will Speck, have quite the plans moving forward. The series is one of the few survivors of Marvel TV’s original The Offenders crossover plans. When the subsidiary was fused into Marvel Studios, we knew very little about these projects and if they’d even have a long-term future.

    It looks like depending on its success, there might be plans for up to 10 seasons. Not just that, they’ve already mapped out a second or third, which are “enormously detailed and drawn out” according to Gordon. In his full statement he highlights that:

    Certainly, the second and third seasons were enormously detailed and drawn out. We wanted the first season to work as its own complete meal and it really does sort of operate almost like an extended feature in that way, where it has a very strong beginning, middle and end and it does stand alone. But in terms of where these characters would go, including Lady Bullseye, there’s a lot to be had there.

    Josh Gordon

    We’re still waiting for a confirmed renewal for MODOK, which was well-received during its initial release. Yet, as we learned during Disney+ Day, their new animated projects are now given the Marvel Studios logo even if they aren’t MCU canon. So, Hit-Monkey still holds the “Marvel” title from Marvel TV’s era and we’ll see if they’ll be able to bring their future season ideas to life.

    Source: ScreenRant

  • Jamie Dornan In Talks With Marvel Studios for a Hero Role

    Jamie Dornan In Talks With Marvel Studios for a Hero Role

    Marvel Studios has attracted some talented people throughout the years. They still tackle their franchises by introducing fresh talent from the industry, especially to those that are interested in wearing a cape one day. It seems like they may have already set their eyes on the next addition in the form of actor and musical James Dornan. The actor has appeared in countless projects with his next big project, Belfast, on the horizon. During an interview with New York Times, he revealed that he’s already in talks with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige about potentially donning a cape in a future project. He added the following regarding his ambition moving forward and how becoming a parent also helped push him.

    I’m more ambitious than I’ve ever let on before. It’s like a necessity to deliver and provide, very caveman-esque: I must succeed for these precious little people. Also, since my dad died, it’s lit this extra fire within me, this extra burner of wanting to succeed. […] But for some reason, since he’s gone, I have a weird thing of wanting to prove something to myself, to prove some sort of succession that is impressive.” And now that he’s channeled his own father, shouldn’t some other heroes be on the table?”

    Jamie Dornan

    Dornan might be most famously known for his role as Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise opposite of Dakota Johnson. The actor has appeared in more varied projects since, such as 2018’s action-adventure Robin Hood alongside Taron Egerton and Jamie Foxx. He even voiced a character in last year’s Trolls World Tour release before tackling another romantic comedy with Wild Mountain Thyme. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of role he might tackle, as the current projects we know about actively casting would be Fantastic Four.

    Source: New York Times

  • Michael Keaton Returning as Vulture in Mystery Marvel Project

    Michael Keaton Returning as Vulture in Mystery Marvel Project

    Spider-Man: Homecoming featured the live-action debut of a Spidey foe we’d yet to see hit the big screen: Vulture. The Vulture, as played by Michael Keaton, is regarded as one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s best antagonists, with a twist that no one saw coming. Since Homecoming, fans have been eager to see Keaton return to the MCU as Adrian Toomes. And well, following a brief appearance in both Morbius trailers, we’re just wondering where he’s going to end up next.

    Keaton recently appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! where he revealed something he probably wasn’t supposed to. Joining the likes of Alfred Molina and Jaimie Foxx, it’s becoming a trend amongst veteran actors who’ve played Spider-Man foes to disregard their Non-Disclosure Agreements. “I’m shooting tomorrow. I’m shooting some Vulture stuff.”

    The biggest question here is, if Keaton is indeed shooting scenes for the Vulture, what is he shooting them for? He may be filming additional photography for Morbius, possibly a post-credit stinger to further connect these worlds, potentially pairing the MCU sinister six together. Or the other option could be that he is filming something for Spider-Man: No Way Home. It feels much too late to add in him a larger capacity here, but it could be yet another post-credit scene for an upcoming Marvel project. 

    We might just have to wait and see where Adrian Toomes pops up next, whether it be in the MCU or the weird amalgam universe Sony seems to be shaping up over there.

    Morbius is currently set to release in theaters on Jan. 28th, 2022 exclusively in theaters. 

    Source: Twitter

  • Kevin Feige on the Future of Marvel Studios: “I’m Not Anywhere Near Bored Yet”

    Kevin Feige on the Future of Marvel Studios: “I’m Not Anywhere Near Bored Yet”

    The threat of “superhero fatigue” has been looming over Marvel Studios since 2011 when they brazenly doubled their output from 1 film a year to 2 films a year. In the decade since, critics of comic book films have taken to social media to warn us all of the impending end of the genre due to the lack of interest of fans. As they continue to bang that drum, Marvel Studios, under the leadership of Kevin Feige, is wrapping up a year in which they will have launched their first 4 live-action streaming series on Disney Plus, streamed their first in-universe animated series and will release four films for the first time in their history. At a global press event for Hawkeye, Feige was asked by our own Charles Villanueva to think about what they learned about putting so much content on streaming as they head into year 2 of Disney Plus. After talking about how positively the audiences have responded, Feige talked about one big takeaway from year one, saying:

    That it doesn’t seem like an overabundance of this. I have always said, nobody will get bored before we at Marvel Studios will of these projects. And going 20 plus years, I’m not anywhere near bored yet. Because we’re allowed to do within the sub-genre, so many different types of things.

    This is encouraging news for fans of Marvel Studios on a couple of levels. Feige has always indicated that he’d be willing to make as many projects per year as exist good scripts. With nearly a dozen films and at least a dozen streaming series (both live-action and animated) at different stages of development and headed to consumers over the next 3 years, it seems like Marvel Studios has found a sweet spot in script development. Additionally, there’s been unfounded concern over the past couple of years that Feige was looking to move on: a DC rumor here, a Star Wars rumor there. Knowing that he’s not ready to let go of the reigns at Marvel Studios, especially with the MCU versions of the Fantastic Four and the X-Men on the horizon, gives fans confidence that the same care for the characters and stories to which they’ve grown accustomed will be given to those characters as they enter the shared universe. Superhero fatigue looks like it’ll continue to be a fictional construct engineered by critics of the genre while fans continue to consume any and everything superhero-related.

  • Jeremy Renner Comments on ‘Black Widow’ Post-Credits Scene

    Jeremy Renner Comments on ‘Black Widow’ Post-Credits Scene

    Even before the character was officially announced as part of the show, fans had a feeling that Marvel’s upcoming Hawkeye series would feature the next generation of Avenging Archer in Kate Bishop. What few people expected was for Hawkeye to also usher in the next generation of Black Widow. 

    It was revealed in December of last year that Florence Pugh‘s Yelena Belova would appear in the new Disney+ series after first debuting in Scarlett Johansson‘s long-delayed solo outing. The post-credits scene of Black Widow finally gave fans a reason why, with Belova’s character swearing revenge on Clint Barton for his supposed role in the death of her sister figure.

    During a recent interview with Variety, series star Jeremy Renner was asked about his reaction upon seeing the scene play out for the first time. His response was perhaps more light-hearted than some might have expected:

    Well, I was with my niece…and she said ‘Uncle Jeremy, what did you do?’ I didn’t do anything! I had no reaction, I was laughing at my niece.

    Jeremy Renner

    It was a very sweet non-answer from the actor, who has been playing in the Marvel sandbox long enough to know when he should keep his comments short. Nonetheless, it’s interesting to note Renner didn’t say he knew about the scene before watching Black Widow. The fact that he learned about it with his niece and the rest of the fanbase could be an indicator that Clint and Yelena’s interactions in Hawkeye won’t play out as most viewers expect.

    All will be revealed when Hawkeye begins airing it’s season on November 24th.

    Source: Variety

  • ‘Hawkeye’ Writer Jonathan Igla Reveals Origins of ‘Rogers: The Musical’

    ‘Hawkeye’ Writer Jonathan Igla Reveals Origins of ‘Rogers: The Musical’

    The press tour for Hawkeye, Disney Plus’ latest offering from Marvel Studios, is in full swing, and head writer Jonathan Igla is spilling the beans on the details fans care about most.

    Ever since the first trailer for the series revealed the show would feature a fictional stage production known as “Rogers: The Musical,” fans have been enamored by its potential. During a recent interview with Variety, Igla was asked about the story behind the creation of this exciting new addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the creative was happy to answer.

    It was one of the most fun things… We would drive by a ‘Hamilton’ billboard every morning on the way to the writers’ room. One morning I just thought ‘Rogers: The Musical’, and we started talking about it and it expanded. One of the great things about working for Marvel is if you have an idea that starts out small…and you pitch it to them and everybody’s sort of tickled by it and everybody’s excited by it, they’re willing to pick it up and run with it and make it even bigger. I’m so excited for people to see.

    Jonathan Igla

    It would seem the inspiration behind ‘Rogers: The Musical’ was exactly what it looked like. The Marvel Universe’s take on Broadway appears to tell the story of Steve Rogers’ life in the same way that Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s mega-hit Hamilton covered the life of actual Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. The comparison makes a lot of sense, considering both men are considered to have made large impacts on the history of the United States in their respective universes. It’s nice to see little details like this in the greater MCU, to show how the events of that world cause it to deviate from our own.

    Fans will hopefully be able to see ‘Rogers: The Musical’ in all its glory when the first two episodes of Hawkeye drop on Nov. 24th.

    Source: Variety

  • UPDATE: Netflix’s ‘One Piece’ Cast Arrives in South Africa

    UPDATE: Netflix’s ‘One Piece’ Cast Arrives in South Africa

    UPDATE: We got the confirmation that the cast is indeed in South Africa, as a follow-up post by Skylar features most of the cast and a nice nod to Zoro’s habit of getting lost, as he added a comment that he needs someone to pick him up:

    It’s been around a week that we finally found out who will be playing the Straw Hat pirates in Netflix’s live-action adaptation of the popular manga series One Piece. Ever since the announcement, the cast has been enthusiastic about sharing their excitement about tackling these iconic characters. Emily Rudd and Jacob Romero Gibson have even changed their Instagram accounts to the characters they’re about to play The future Pirate King actor, Iñaki Godoy, shared his prep work while Taz Skylar showed off his kicking skills to tease Sanji’s fighting technique in the upcoming series.

    Speaking of, it seems like the cast is slowly heading down to the shooting location in South Africa, as Skylar has shared a rather curious photo in his Instagram stories where he has tagged Rudd, Iñaki, and Gibson. He was recently sharing his travel, which many theorized might’ve been to South Africa but he has finally confirmed the location in another story post. As such, it seems that most of the cast might already be in Cape Town preparing for the shoot.

    Does that mean they are already starting production? Not likely, actors fly to shooting locations some time in advance to acclimate to the new environment. Zoro actor Mackenyu is also not included in the list and might join them at a later point, or he’s already in character and got lost on the way. The touch of the actor who plays Sanji going shopping and preparing dinner for the rest of the team is a great touch by Skylar. In September, the production team was already sighted down there getting things ready. So, we might still have to wait a bit before we get an official production start, but Netflix might announce that moment on Twitter.

    Source: Instagram