Murphy's Multiverse

Category: News

  • RUMOR: Working Titles for Marvel Studios’ ‘Ironheart’ and ‘Echo’ Disney+ Series

    RUMOR: Working Titles for Marvel Studios’ ‘Ironheart’ and ‘Echo’ Disney+ Series

    We have a lot of Marvel Studios projects to look forward to. We are this close to the release of Black Widow. Loki has two more episodes to go before What If premieres sometime this summer. That isn’t all, as it looks like two Disney+ projects are picking up speed over at Marvel Studios. It’s a common practice for their films to work under a pseudonym. Around three months ago, we found out that the Captain Marvel sequel, which now is titled The Marvels, entered production as Goat Rodeo. Now, it seems that Cosmic Circus might have gotten their hands on the working titles for Ironheart and the upcoming Echo spin-off.

    The first on the list is the upcoming series that will introduce moviegoers to the character of Riri Williams. The genius MIT student ends up creating the most advanced suit since Tony Stark. With a confirmed War Machine-focused Armor Wars series around the corner, it seems clear she might also be involved in the project to some capacity. According to Cosmic Circus, the Ironheart Disney+ series got the working title “Wise Guy,” which is an odd choice. The titles don’t always give away what the project is about and sometimes also act as a way to get you off their scent.

    Echo’s working title “Whole Branzino” is another case that opens up more questions than answers. The Branzino is the Italian name for the European bass, which might play into her close ties to the mafia in the comics. The character will be portrayed by Alaqua Cox in the upcoming Hawkeye series before she branches off into her own adventure. We know the Tracksuit Mafia will be involved. So, it might be a play on her connection to them. It’s always fun o speculate with working titles what they could mean, but each new project shows that Marvel Studios is no sopping anytime soon to find creative working titles.

    Source: Cosmic Circus (Ironheart), Cosmic Circus (Echo)

  • James Gunn Talks the Inspiration for ‘The Suicide Squad’ Spin-Off ‘Peacemaker’

    James Gunn Talks the Inspiration for ‘The Suicide Squad’ Spin-Off ‘Peacemaker’

    Everyone has their eyes set on James Gunn‘s The Suicide Squad. The DC film will reintroduce the world to the iconic team of ex-villains that are all gathered for one reason: they would get killed if they didn’t. Luckily, the director isn’t stopping there as we are also getting a spin-off series that focuses on John Cena‘s über-patriotic character, Peacemaker. So far, the story has been kept tightly under wraps outside of some classic Charlton Comics characters, such as Judomaster. As the release for his Suicide Squad sequel is drawing near, we also got a first official look at a blood-drenched Peacemaker and some insight into the series.

     

     

    In the interview with Empire, Cena and Gunn mock the show’s titular character but also tease that there might be more to him than meets the eye. The director stated that:

    Peacemaker has a clear set of ideals that I find really interesting. You know: ‘I want peace no matter how many men, women and children I need to kill to get it.’ Sounds like nonsense, but it also makes a lot of sense. And you see in John’s performance how he does not feel good about it – something I thought was the seed of an entire eight-episode show.

    He also teased that the upcoming story will be a sci-fi story that focuses on real-world issues when you have people like Peacewalker killing for his specific beliefs. Cena teases that the series will explore what made him who he is in the upcoming DC film. Gunn has also been open about a potential second season. So, we might see a lot more of Peacemaker in the future and get a closer look at the unique corner of the DCEU he inhabits.

    Source: Empire

  • ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Spider-Man Eyeing an End of 2021 Release

    ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Spider-Man Eyeing an End of 2021 Release

    Marvel’s Avengers set out to accomplish an interesting goal. Through the Games-as-a-Service model, we would get a continuous expansion of its core roster. We’ve already gotten our hands on Kate Bishop and Clint Barton with Black Panther to release next month. There was also the open question about when we can expect the PlayStation exclusive Spider-Man. In the FKNA podcast, lead animator Anthony Garttmeyer from Crystal Dynamics offered some insight into the game’s development, which included the following line:

    Spider-Man is the End of the Year. That is all I can say.

    We have to take into account that the lead animator is not involved directly with the approval process. So, we shouldn’t take this as an official confirmation. We’ll most likely get a clearer picture once the Year 2 Roadmap drops this or next month, which could potentially include the character. He is also exclusive for one console. So, it’s uncertain how large his content drop will be and if we might see him get added alongside other content. At one point, PlayStation’s official magazine confirmed a March release but that didn’t pan out as planned.

    Garrtmeyer also discusses the details on how long heroes take to get developed, such as around four to eight months until the animation is finished. We have to also keep in mind that early data mines showed that a lot of prep work has been accomplished for the game, which is rather common for the GaaS genre. So, they might have done a lot of prep work to keep a tight timing for the releases. Of course, the pandemic and launch bugs have delayed the game’s initial roadmap. A potential December release would align with Spider-Man: No Way Home, but we’ll have to wait for an official word

    Source: Twitch, YouTube

  • ‘Black Widow’ Eyeing a $110M Post-Pandemic Domestic Opening

    ‘Black Widow’ Eyeing a $110M Post-Pandemic Domestic Opening

    It looks like a lot of bets are on Marvel Studios’ grand return to cinemas after a two-year pandemic-induced hiatus. The last entry of the franchise was released in June 2019 with Spider-Man: Far From Home. Black Widow was originally going to premiere last year in May but got continuously pushed back. Finally, we are only a few days away from its release and Box office predictions are already aplenty. Marketing recently kicked into overdrive with various short spots and featurettes getting released. Rotten Tomatoes currently has it Certified Fresh at 82% with 162 reviews. After F9‘s $70 million debuts, there was a lot of hope that the next MCU flick could even surpass that and current predictions are looking great.

    According to Box Office Pro, the film is currently predicted for a domestic premiere between $80 to $110M. As the film’s release draws nearer, the predictions have gone up. That would put it at a potential $310M total run. It’s certainly a sign that cinemas are still helping form the effects of the pandemic, but it also has to be considered that Black Widow will also be made available via Disney+’s Premier Access option.

    So, you can technically stay at home and purchase the film for an additional fee through the streaming service. It will potentially cut into its opening day earnings, but it still looks like the film is set for an impressive Box Office. The higher end of that opening would put it on par with 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming. Even the lower end is slightly below 2016’s Doctor Strange release, which opened with $85M. So, it’s looking good for Marvel Studios to continue their Box Office dominance even after the long hiatus.

    Source: Box Office Pro, Rotten Tomatoes, Business Insider

    Black Widow design for header by @valentinromeroa

  • First Details for Disney+ Anthology Series ‘Star Wars: Visions’ Revealed

    First Details for Disney+ Anthology Series ‘Star Wars: Visions’ Revealed

    Lucasfilm is venturing out into new territory. Most of the Star Wars series that hit Disney+ continued the overarching story and explored the different eras throughout the franchise’s history. Currently, The Bad Batch is continuing where The Clone Wars left off. We also are expecting the release of The Book of Boba Fett that continues where The Mandalorian’s last season left off. Luckily, that isn’t all, as they just revealed the upcoming anthology series Star Wars: Visions during the Anime Expo Lite. It’ll release September 22nd with nine unique stories that are inspired by the famous franchise and they even revealed the official listing of which iconic Anime studio is tackling which story:

    • The Duel (Kamikaze Douga)
    • Lop and Ocho (Geno Studio)
    • Tatooine Rhapsody (Studio Colorido)
    • The Twins (Trigger)
    • The Elder (Trigger)
    • The Village Bride (Kinema Citrus)
    • Akakiri (Science Saru)
    • T0-B1 (Science Saru)
    • The Ninth Jedi (Production IG)

    It’s quite the line-up of talent and Lucasfilm did not restrict them to follow the franchise’s current canon. As such, these unique shorts are their own independent stories that even explore stories of existing characters, such as Tatooine Rhapsody. The pandemic has affected the productions with various shorts being in production simultaneously. As the trailer revealed, each episode will follow a different art style, such as The Twins looking like it could be an episode of Kill la Kill. Akakiri and T0-B1 have a similar art style and tone with the former seeing the return of Astro Boy‘s sound designer, which was recorded at the Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall. It’s great to see the franchise explore new avenues and, hopefully, it might also be a sign that Marvel adds an anime-inspired anthology series in the future s well.

     

    Source: Star Wars, YouTube

  • REPORT: She-Hulk to Face the Wrecking Crew in Disney+ Series

    REPORT: She-Hulk to Face the Wrecking Crew in Disney+ Series

    She-Hulk has been quietly filming in Atlanta. Only a few tidbits found their way online. There was a rumor three weeks ago that Hulk’s son Skaar might make his live-action debut in the series. We got the official confirmation that Jameela Jamil will play the iconic villain Titania. Surprisingly, we haven’t seen much from the film’s set outside of a photo of Mark Ruffalo in his mo-cap suit and a brief tease of Tatiana Maslany as the titular heroine. So far, it’s been otherwise quiet, and we’ve been wondering what else the series might have in store for us. Well, it looks like Cosmic Circus might have gotten their hands on a juicy tidbit as it seems the Wrecking Crew will appear in the upcoming series.

    For those wondering who they are. The Wrecking Crew is a team that consists of four supervillains known as Bulldozer, Piledriver, Thunderball, and Wrecker. They made their first appearance in The Defenders #17 back in 1974. In the comics, Dirk Garthwaite, the future Wrecker, was mistaken for Loki and gained mystical powers when he got an enchanted crowbar by the Norn queen Karnilla. After his friends grabbed it when it got struck by lightning, they all got their abilities. It’s uncertain which members will appear, as the roster has changed over the years in the comics.

    As you can guess by their origin, they commonly get connected to Thor’s rogue’s gallery but some adaptations have also added Gamma radiation to their powers, such as The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. The team seemed like a classic Saturday morning cartoon villain. So, it seemed unlikely they would get adapted into the Marvel Cinematic Universe anytime soon. So, it’s great that Marvel Studios is using these Disney+ shows to introduce some minor characters from the comics.

    Source: Cosmic Circus

  • ‘The Suicide Squad’: James Gunn Reveals the Villains Who Didn’t Make the Cut

    ‘The Suicide Squad’: James Gunn Reveals the Villains Who Didn’t Make the Cut

    When it got announced a few years ago the James Gunn would be writing and directing the next Suicide Squad film, many fans knew he would dig deep within the depths of the DC Universe for the best possible candidates. For a while, we could only speculate. Set photos would only offer a glimpse at the roster. It wasn’t until DC Fandome that we officially got confirmation on who joined the infamous squad. Gunn lived up to the expectations. He is using characters like Javelin, Savant, Weasel, Peacemaker, Bloodsport, and even a reimagined version of Arm-Fall-Off-Boy in his film. It seems there were a lot more candidates that didn’t cut. Well, not yet, at least.

    When asked by a fan via Twitter, the director opened the flood gate, revealing he’d kept a folder on his computer with candidates for the squad and shared a few that didn’t make it. In the thread, we got the confirmations that Livewire, Punch, Jewelee, Black Spider, and even Deathstroke almost appeared in the sequel. The latter has been a popular choice for fans. In the rest of the thread, he also revealed some familiar villains that include Man-Bat, Plastique, Chemo, Killer Frost, Mister Freeze, KG-Beast, GunHawk, Knockout, Rainbow Creature, and even Solomon Grundy. You can check out the Twitter thread here:

    https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/1411386522704637954

    While some of these great characters didn’t make that cut, that isn’t an entirely bad thing and won’t be cut down like an overgrown lawn. If Gunn was to return for a future Suicide Squad film he’d most definitely revisit that folder for some more of the best and brightest that DC can offer.

    Source: Twitter

  • HBO’s ‘Lovecraft Country’ Won’t Get a Season 2

    HBO’s ‘Lovecraft Country’ Won’t Get a Season 2

    This one really hurts. HBO’s Lovecraft Country is a one-of-a-kind series yet it seems that the show will not make a return with a second season. Mischa Green‘s work on the series was unrivaled. with the blend of horror, period drama, and social commentary to adapt Matt Ruff‘s 2016 novel. the series starred Jurnee Smollett and Jonathan Majors that became true standouts through the series. It even garnered a high 1.5 million viewership and the first season’s finale was the most-watched new episode on its first day. It managed to cross the 10M mark by October, but sadly it didn’t ensure that it’ll get the renewal. In February, they seemed to hint at the team were working on a second season, as stated by HBO’s Chief Content Officer Casey Bloys:

    Misha is working with a small team of writers and they’re coming up with a take. She had a book to go on in the first season, she and the writers wanted to go off and take some time to go out and figure out without a book with these characters, what’s the journey we want to go on. We all want to be sure she’s got a story to tell. That’s where she is right now, working on those ideas. I’m very hopeful, as is Mischa, so we’re giving them the time to work.

    It seems they might’ve had trouble adapting the story, as the first season covered the entire book. The series was produced by J.J. Abrams’s Bad Robot and Jordan Peele‘s Monkeypaw Productions. Even if we don’t currently get a second season, there is a chance they might return to the series in the future once more ideas have come together on how to continue Green‘s original vision. It was initially pitched as a mini-series. So, the second season wasn’t always on the board. Still, it’s a shame that the series that was giving a stronger focus on those that were left out of history won’t continue to carry that message.

    Source: Deadline

  • Latest ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Dev Stream Confirms Red Room Takeover Returns Next Week

    Latest ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Dev Stream Confirms Red Room Takeover Returns Next Week

    Marvel’s Avengers once again got a brand new dev stream that offered some tiny insights into what the future holds. It was a rather short one as we are still in the middle of the Cosmic Cube event, but there was a nice major reveal. It looks like May’s Red Room Takeover event is making a grand return. It’ll run from July 8th up until the 22nd. We’ll also get a brand new nameplate and they confirmed the issues from last time were fixed. It is also a reason why it is making a return, as they wanted to offer those that missed out on it. Of course, that was not all, as we also got some updates on current bug fixes and what they are working on.

    • They confirmed that a minor patch is heading our way that’ll fix a variety of issues, which includes Captain America’s MCU shield, where his star was pointing the wrong direction, Monica shrinking and falling to her death in the Beating the Odds mission when using Hank Pym, and some other minor issues.
    • The bigger fix is regarding the Mega Hives and Last Avengers Standing, where enemies wouldn’t spawn on specific floors. This is still being looked into, but they found a fix that could help with various other issues. It does not require a patch and will be updated directly in the game.

     

    Marvel's Avengers' Red Room Takeover Is Now Live | Marvel

     

    • Hulk’s combat abilities were indeed nerfed, but only because he was overpowered due to a bug. His Thunderclap ability added 50% to melee damage rather than 25%.
    • They confirmed that up to eight different takedowns can get equipped once War for Wakanda drops.
    • Crystal Dynamics is looking into adding Twitch drops and other community offerings soon. It just sadly takes time due to many people being involved to make it a reality, but it is something to look forward to.
    • We also got a look at some brand new animated skins that feature magma running down their clothes. Luckily, @PlayAvenger was able to grab a video showcasing this effect for Thor’s skin:

     

    https://twitter.com/PlayAvenger/status/1411071667539939333?s=20

     

    Overall, it was a quieter stream as they are heading into a three-day weekend. The return of the Red Room Takeover is great, as it ties into next week’s Black Widow release. Again we got the tease of an MCU-inspired outfit heading our way before Thor gets his. So, I believe there is a good chance it’s a tie-in suit for the film’s release. The event’s runtime might also hint at the OLT’s release being the latest around the 22nd of July alongside multiplayer Mega Hives and permanent multi-heroes matchmaking. Here’s hoping we get more information next week on what is heading our way.

    Source: Twitch, Twitter

  • Gabriel Luna Shares First ‘The Last Of Us’ Set Photo as Production Begins

    Gabriel Luna Shares First ‘The Last Of Us’ Set Photo as Production Begins

    It’s a time to celebrate for The Last of Us fans, as cameras have finally begun rolling on HBO’s upcoming live-action adaptation. The news was shared by actor Gabriel Luna, who is set to portray Pedro Pascal’s brother Tommy Miller in the series. Along with the announcement came an image of Luna, Pascal, and Nico Parker sitting together in a car. The placement of the actors, mixed with the knowledge of who they’re playing, indicates the show will directly adapt the opening sequence of the original game. In the now-famous scene, protagonist Joel, Tommy, and Joel’s daughter Sarah desperately try to escape the chaos of the infection’s initial outbreak. Fans of the franchise know how that sequence ends, and new viewers should be excited to find out.

     

     

    The series pilot is currently being directed by Kantemir Balagov, a Russian filmmaker best known for his work on the historical drama Beanpole. The only other known cast members are Merle Dandridge, who is set to reprise her role from the original game as Firefly leader Marlene, and Bella Ramsey, the Game of Thrones star who will take up the iconic role of Ellie. Franchise creator Neil Druckmann helped to bring this adaptation to life, alongside HBO veteran and former Chernobyl showrunner Craig Mazin. Also back from the video game series is composer Gustavo Santaolalla, who will also take charge of the show’s music. There is no current release date for the series, but now that it has officially begun production, fans should expect more information on that sooner than later.

    Source: Instagram, Deadline