Murphy's Multiverse

Category: News

  • Post-Apocalyptic Earth Needs Avenging — Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto Relaunch ‘Avengers’ #1 This November

    The Marvel Universe is about to burn, and when the smoke clears, the flagship title of the publishing house is getting a total structural reset. Following an official announcement on Marvel.com, the powerhouse creative duo of Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto are officially reuniting to launch an all-new ongoing Avengers #1 on November 4, 2026.

    Spinning directly out of the catastrophic fallout of this summer’s 5-issue event Avengers: Armageddon, this series isn’t about traditional heroics—it’s about survival in a world that completely blames the costumed community for its collapse.

    Avengers: Armageddon kicks off when Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (Red Hulk) seizes control of Latveria, dragging the global community into a super-powered cataclysm. Zdarsky and Checchetto’s new ongoing series deals with a completely rewritten global order where a broken humanity actively fears and distrusts the team.

    The official, stripped-down roster for the November relaunch features Captain Marvel and a heavily active street-level presence in Daredevil and Luke Cage while also bringing back together Spider-Man and Wolverine, who are stepping up to guide a decentralized world order.

    “It’s obviously a massive honor getting to write the world’s greatest super hero team!” Zdarsky shared. “And after what happens in Avengers: Armageddon, this lineup is angry as hell and ready to avenge. Avengers is a book that should lead the Marvel Universe, where big things happen and surprises keep hitting.“

    The “Disassembled” Parallel

    Following Brad Winderbaum’s historic corporate promotion to oversee both Television and Publishing, this print relaunch perfectly aligns with the live-action mandate of “character-first, grit-driven drama.”

    Marvel is explicitly marketing this relaunch as the biggest systemic shakeup to the franchise since Brian Michael Bendis’ Avengers: Disassembled over twenty years ago. The status quo of the team being high-class, government-backed celebrities is officially over.

    By populating the team with street-level icons like Luke Cage and Daredevil alongside heavy-hitters like Captain Marvel and Wolverine, Zdarsky is fundamentally altering how the team operates. This is a defensive, underground line of survivors. In a year completely defined by multiversal stakes on screen, the comic universe is pulling the camera down into the dirt—and it starts with a broken world that needs to be avenged.

    Source: Marvel

  • A New Hope—Leslye Headland Open to ‘The Acolyte’ Season 2 Return

    A New Hope—Leslye Headland Open to ‘The Acolyte’ Season 2 Return

    The weather in the Star Wars universe might be constantly shifting, but Leslye Headland isn’t closing the door on the High Republic just yet. Following the sudden and highly publicized cancellation of The Acolyte back in 2024, the showrunner has dropped a new wave of comments that have fans making an immediate appeal to Lucasfilm’s creative brass.

    In a brand-new profile published by Empire, Headland made it clear that despite the online vitriol and the streaming bubble burst, she is still completely down to bring her dark side narrative back to Disney+.

    While Lucasfilm famously opted not to move forward with a second season due to dwindling viewership against a massive production budget, Headland revealed the show has been experiencing a noticeable streaming resurgence and a shift in public perception.

    “I would still want to do it! Absolutely,” Headland told Empire. “As more people discover it, I think people may want to see some form of the story come back… I’m having a resurgence of The Acolyte in my real life. I speak with people who are really big fans, and were disappointed in the cancellation.”

    Season 1 ended on a series of massive, cliffhanger lore-drops—including the physical reveal of Darth Plagueis lurking in the shadows and Jedi Master Yoda’s looming complicity in a High Republic cover-up of the massacre at Brendok.

    Had a renewal come through, Headland shared that her long-term plan was designed to act as a direct narrative runway into the sequel trilogy.

    Season 2 would have delved further into the backstory of Qimir/The Stranger (Manny Jacinto), diving deep into his fractured relationship with Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh. It would have also focused on the dangerous web of Sith lineage between The Stranger, his new apprentice Osha, and his ultimate master, Darth Plagueis.

    “We did have a lot of stuff that we wanted to explore, including tying in lore to the sequels,” said Headland. “Getting into who exactly Manny’s character is, his connection with Vernestra, his connection with Plagueis, and then his connection with other sequel-established things.“

    The Acolyte still holds the unfortunate milestone of being the first live-action Disney+ Star Wars show to be out-and-out publicly canceled by the studio, a decision Headland admitted surprised her with its “swiftness,” making her willingness to return to the sandbox shows an immense amount of creative resilience. The Acolyte took bold, unprecedented structural risks by showcasing a fundamentally flawed Jedi Order and centering the emotional narrative around an active Sith dynamic. Leaving Darth Plagueis as a one-frame cameo feels like a massive disservice to the broader tapestry of the saga.

  • Set Pics Reveal Lex’s Warsuit in Action as James Gunn Reveals Time Jump in ‘Man of Tomorrow’

    Set Pics Reveal Lex’s Warsuit in Action as James Gunn Reveals Time Jump in ‘Man of Tomorrow’

    Rather than let the first look at Lex Luthor’s practical effects Warsuit come via blurry set photos, Man of Tomorrow director James Gunn took to social media earlier this week to share the iconic purple and green battle suit with fans. Now, as principal photography for the project continues in Atlanta, fans have captured Nicholas Hoult, and a stunt double, on set in the monstrous suit preparing to go to battle with David Coresnwet‘s Superman.

    The final video shows Gunn directing Corenswet, who is sporting a suit that is “not the exact same” as the one he wore in Superman, on how to reign blows down upon Luthor.

    While responding to fans on Threads, Gunn revealed that Man of Tomorrow will take place 2 years after the events of Superman, saying the time between the two is “basically real time.”

  • Director Jake Schreier Shuts Down Wild ‘X-Men’ Casting Rumors

    Director Jake Schreier Shuts Down Wild ‘X-Men’ Casting Rumors

    If you’ve spent the last few months reading “leaked” casting shortlists for Marvel Studios’ upcoming X-Men reboot, director Jake Schreier has a reality check for you. Speaking exclusively at the Gotham Television Awards, the Thunderbolts* and Beef filmmaker officially broke his silence on the tidal wave of internet speculation, confirming that while creative discussions are well underway, the rumors flooding social media are entirely fabricated.

    As the MCU prepares to slowly introduce its own core iteration of mutants post-Secret Wars, Schreier is reminding fans that Marvel’s actual war room is keeping its cards incredibly close to the chest.

    Rumor Mill vs. Reality

    With co-writers Lee Sung Jin (Beef) and Joanna Calo (The Bear) officially in the writing trenches alongside Kevin Feige, fan-casting has reached a fever pitch. Rumors have linked everyone from Emma Mackey to Hunter Schafer to classic mutant roles. However, Schreier explicitly debunked the idea that any of these names have come from official auditions.

    “Right now we’re talking about things, we’re thinking about things,” Schreier clarified regarding the state of the casting process. “I can tell you that most of the stuff that gets posted online… I don’t know where it comes from, because it doesn’t come from our room and it isn’t what we’re discussing. But there is a process.”

    Schreier, who has spent the last year balancing the final touches on Thunderbolts* and mapping out the Mutant Saga, admitted that taking on an IP with this much generational weight brings an immense amount of creative pressure. With the script currently undergoing extensive, character-first writing sessions with Joanna Calo and Lee Sung Jin, casting is unlikely to officially heat up until late 2026, targeting a production start ahead of an anticipated Phase 7 slate.

    Source: Collider

  • Fan Detective Work May Have Uncovered ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Trailer Release Date

    Fan Detective Work May Have Uncovered ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Trailer Release Date

    While the Russos SXSW surprise may have underwhelmed fans who were expecting an Avengers: Doomsday trailer reveal, it may well turn out that the actual trailer date was already revealed on the brother’s Instagram account.

    While discussing where things stand in the creative processes of both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, the brothers revealed that one fan theory about their Instagram posts was correct and fans believe they know which one.

    One fan’s detective work uncovered the fact that the green color used in Doom’s coffee logo is HEX color code 71826, which would coincide with a potential trailer release on July 18th, the Saturday of SDCC.

    This has been the most prevalent theory for some time so the detective work identifying the date may well confirm that.

  • Joe Russo Updates the Production Status of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ & Multiverse Saga Finale, ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’

    Joe Russo Updates the Production Status of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ & Multiverse Saga Finale, ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’

    While fans found themselves frustrated that the Russo Brothers promised surprise was simply an appearance at an Easter egg-heavy Dom Latveria coffee shop, Joe Russo did provide an update on the progress of both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.

    While talking to the crowd at SXSW London, Russo explained that work was still being done on Avengers: Doomsday–and would be for some time yet–and that as has been widely reported, principal photography on Avengers: Secret Wars has not yet begun.

    We are doing some work still on Doomsday and we’ll be until, probably, they rip it out of our hands in November … We’re in the middle of what we would call pre-production on Secret Wars.

    -Joe Russo

    While fans continue to speculate that Avengers: Secret Wars will be moved from its December 2027 release date, Russo’s demeanor while talking about the project gives off far different vibes. Should cameras roll in August, which is believed to be the case, the Russos will have 16 months to work on the film before its slated debut, with them being able to spend the vast majority of that time giving the project their undivided attention. Unless there are major problems with the creative process, 16 months is more than enough time for a film, even one on the scale of Avengers: Secret Wars to make it to theaters on time.

  • SXSW London: Easter Egg-Laden Coffee Shop Pop-Up Teases Doom’s Latveria in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ & “Richards Was Wrong” Slogan

    SXSW London: Easter Egg-Laden Coffee Shop Pop-Up Teases Doom’s Latveria in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ & “Richards Was Wrong” Slogan

    While fans eagerly await a surprise promised by the Russo Brothers for today at SXSW London, a coffee shop pop-up dripping with deep cut comic book references to Victor Von Doom’s origins and history has been spotted with images slowly making their way online.

    Images shared by Comic Book Resources reveal a menu for Dom Latveria Coffee along with a look at a bag of their product with the same logo the Russos revealed on Instagram over the weekend.

    The menu for Dom Latveria is essentially an Easter egg-laden look at the origin of Victor Von Doom.

    • Fortunov-according to Marvel Comics lore, Vladimir Fortunov was the ruthless ruler of Latveria during World War II. He was eventually overthrown and killed by Doom.
    • The Rapprochement-a reference to the official Latverian holiday of forgiveness.
    • Cynthia’s Blend-a reference to Doom’s mother, Cynthia, a Romani sorceress.
    • Zefiro-a reference to the Zefiro Clan, Romani natives who were persecuted by Fortunov. It is the clan of Doom’s mother, Cynthia.
    • Hassenstadt-prior to Doom’s takeover of Latveria, the capital of the country was called Hassenstadt. Once he took control, Doom renamed it Doomstadt.

    Of interest on another menu shared online is the phrase “Richards is Wrong.” While we know Latveria exists on Earth-828, The Fantastic Four: First Steps gave no insight into any shared history between Doom and Reed Richards. While the phrase could point toward a conflict specific to Avengers: Doomsday, it is possible that it rather refers to an already established rivalry between the two men.

  • Taylor Swift Announces New Country Single ‘I Knew It, I Knew You’ for Pixar’s ‘Toy Story 5’

    Taylor Swift Announces New Country Single ‘I Knew It, I Knew You’ for Pixar’s ‘Toy Story 5’

    Following the massive, history-making success of her latest album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl’, 14-time GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Taylor Swift has officially announced a brand-new original song for Disney and Pixar’s highly anticipated feature, Toy Story 5. The new track, titled ‘I Knew It, I Knew You’, is set to release this Friday, June 5.

    The single will be featured on the official Toy Story 5 soundtrack, which drops on the same day as the film’s theatrical debut, June 19, 2026.

    Co-written and produced by Swift and her frequent collaborator Jack Antonoff, the song marks a significant creative step, signaling a return to Taylor Swift‘s country roots. The track is directly inspired by the ongoing journey of the spirited cowgirl, Jessie (voiced by Joan Cusack), whose story arc first began in Toy Story 2. The song is described as blending the different styles that have defined Swift’s record-breaking career as both a songwriter and artist.

    Andrew Stanton, who serves as director and screenwriter for Toy Story 5, praised Swift’s involvement, calling it “incredible”. Stanton highlighted her deep connection to the character: “Her connection to Jessie and the immediate way she understood what the character was going through was undeniable”. He added that the song instantly felt like it “had always belonged there, like a long-lost family member. It was kismet.”

    The announcement comes after a weekend of heavy speculation fueled by “TS” billboards—a clever dual reference to the film’s title, Toy Story, and Taylor Swift‘s shared initials. These advertisements appeared across major cities including LA, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, Toronto, Mexico City, and London. Today’s news was also preceded by a Toy Story 5-themed countdown that ran on Swift’s official website and on billboards in New York and Los Angeles.

    Fans eager to own the new single have multiple options starting today, as pre-sales have begun on Taylor Swift’s website for three exclusive CD editions. These editions feature the film version of ‘I Knew It, I Knew You’, along with a special acoustic version and a special piano version, all boasting unique vocals and production.

    About Toy Story 5

    Toy Story 5 is set to explore a new theme: Toy meets Tech. Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack), and the rest of Bonnie’s toys find their purpose challenged by the arrival of a new, disruptive tablet device named Lilypad (voiced by Greta Lee).

    The film is directed by Academy Award® winner Andrew Stanton and co-directed by Kenna Harris. It is produced by Lindsey Collins, pga, and written by Stanton and Harris from a story by Stanton. The score will feature a return by Oscar® winner Randy Newman, who is composing his fifth Toy Story feature. The film is rated PG and releases exclusively in theaters on June 19, 2026.

  • ‘Man of Tomorrow’ BTS Photo Reveals Lex Luthor’s Live-Action Warsuit

    ‘Man of Tomorrow’ BTS Photo Reveals Lex Luthor’s Live-Action Warsuit

    Production on Man of Tomorrow is underway in Georgia and as the crew works on bringing parts of Metropolis to life, James Gunn has taken to social media to reveal the first look at Lex Luthor’s iconic Warsuit.

    Interestingly, the Warsuit comes emblazoned with an A.R.G.U.S. logo on the chest!

    Gunn has confirmed that Man of Tomorrow will feature Luthor begrudgingly teaming up with Superman to deal with the threat of Brainiac, though the two certainly won’t become best friends right away.

    Man of Tomorrow is scheduled to hit theaters on July 9, 2027.

  • Major ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ Plot Leak Discloses Roles for Ryan Gosling, Mia Goth, and More

    Major ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ Plot Leak Discloses Roles for Ryan Gosling, Mia Goth, and More

    While the galaxy is currently chewing on Jon Favreau’s safe and nostalgic The Mandalorian and Grogu, director Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine) is heading toward an entirely untamed frontier. A massive new plot leak has revealed the first concrete details regarding the secretive characters played by Ryan Gosling, Mia Goth, and Amy Adams in Star Wars: Starfighter.

    Set five years after the events of The Rise of Skywalker, the May 28, 2027 standalone film is positioning itself as a high-stakes, big-hearted family space adventure—but with a heavy dose of criminal underworld grit.

    The leak, from @fiveswalker, confirms that Ryan Gosling is playing the central protagonist, an isolated, cynical pilot trying to make a living in a rebuilding galaxy.

    His mother (Amy Adams) is force-sensitive, and so is he. At the beginning of the film, she is killed, but in her dying moments, gives her son her lightsaber and tells him to go find his uncle, who he’s never met. The kid’s pretty smart, and manages to get off-world, finding his uncle in a cantina, a washed-up pilot and war hero haunted by ghosts of his past.

    -FivesWalker
    • The Mission: Gosling’s character is thrust into a sudden protective role when he is forced to look after his nephew, played by newcomer Flynn Gray.
    • The Mother’s Plea: Amy Adams plays Gray’s mother (Gosling’s sister). The inciting incident of the film features her sending her son away with his uncle to protect him from a mysterious connection to the Force that has drawn the wrong kind of attention.

    Shawn Levy previously teased that our heroes would be pursued across the galaxy by a dangerous duo of antagonists. We now know exactly what that pairing looks like.

    • The Enforcer: Mia Goth—who described filming the project as one of the best experiences of her career—is playing the lead female villain. Far from a Sith Lord, her character is described as a ruthless, highly calculating mercenary or bounty hunter specializing in capturing Force-sensitive individuals for an elite underground syndicate.
    • The Brains: Matt Smith is locked in as Goth’s partner. The leak describes Smith as a warlord who is “infamous across the galaxy.”

    Mia Goth will be playing a force-senstive, lightsaber using character. She will be working for a warlord/arms dealer (Matt Smith) who is infamous across the galaxy. And yes, she is on the hunt for Ryan Gosling’s nephew. There have been various rumors saying she is a Sith cultist. Those are false. I would describe her more [as] a mercenary (think of Baylan and Shin). While she has ties to Matt Smith’s character, she has her own agenda and plans. Plans that might involve training a certain someone.

    -FivesWalker

    The leak does nothing to cast doubt on the rumors that Star Wars: Starfighter is meant to serve as a bridge to a new trilogy and will feature a cameo by Daisy Ridley‘s Rey.