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Russo Brothers Offer Their Thoughts on Current MCU Phase 4 Critique

Marvel Studios and the fourth phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been under heavy critique. Not only did its recent releases face a lower CinemaScore than previous entries, but as they experiment and try out new things, people are feeling a bit aimless in where it’s all leading. Well, directing duo Anthony and Joe Russo, who had a hand in shaping some of the biggest entries of the MCU, offered their thoughts on the matter.

Anthony Russo highlighted some of the critiques that recent Marvel movies aren’t breaking records like previous entries, which stems from the belief that their success metric is reaching at least a billion, which is technically still an uncommon action for any other franchise or film. Well, Anthony Russo believes that Marvel simply had such a success that even a slight sophomore slump is being turned into the end of an era.

The overwhelming success of those movies has caused them to represent something that has become ‘other,’ or maybe not attainable to some others for whatever reason. Not every movie has to be liked globally.
Anthony Russo

While his brother Joe Russo pulled in a comparison with his own relationship to the band U2. Especially highlighting how people tend to act towards any medium that reaches a certain point of popularity.

When I was 19, I used to love U2. And then they started getting some commercial success, beyond their MTV early days, where they were the biggest band in the world. And I was like, ‘I hate U2. I’m sick of U2. They’re so ubiquitous!’ That was just my ego trying to define myself against the masses. Then, 10 years later, I was like, ‘I fing love U2. Why did I do that?’ I outgrew it. It feels like a very juvenile conversation. The whole thing feels sad and cynical and pessimistic. You’re talking about movies that 10-year-olds are weeping over and begging to go see. They’ll remember for decades that they were there with their grandfather. Like, give me a fing break.
Joe Russo

The medium has definitely reached young and old, especially for those that found a way into comics and film through these projects. While some will point at these films as expendable and forgotten, there are definitely people that are now locked in a nostalgia for the Infinity Saga, as they face a new future and direction. We’ll see if perhaps SDCC or D23 have what the MCU fans have been waiting for.

Source: Hollywood Reporter

July 19, 2022
Sony Delays Upcoming ‘Spider-Man’ Spinoff ‘Madame Web’

Sony is going all out when it comes to expanding their Spider-Verse without the iconic Spider-Man, as multiple films based on many of the characters within the wide library of characters Sony has at their disposal in the works. One of the projects with the most interest looks to be the upcoming Madame Web solo films, but it seems like fans are gonna have to wait just a little bit longer to dive into another corner of their new Marvel expansion.

Borys Kit of The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Sony has delayed the upcoming Spider-Man spin-off film, Madame Web, from its previously set date of July 7th, 2023 back a few months to October 6th, 2023. The film just recently started filming in Boston, with set photos giving us a first look at the film that looks to be set within the early 2000s.

On top of the current delay for Madame Web, Sony has pushed back an untitled Marvel film that previously held the October 6th date and will now release said untitled film to June 7th, 2024. It’s unknown just what that film is, but it seems possible to be the currently untitled sequel to Venom: Let There Be Carnage.

And Sony pushes its secret Untitled Sony/Marvel Universe that was to open on Oct. 6 to June 7, 2024. https://t.co/zaBF4MU58Z
— Borys Kit (@Borys_Kit) July 19, 2022

While many of what Sony has released under their banner of Marvel films has not been entirely well received, the cast for Madame Web has many people quite excited with the likes of Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Emma Roberts, Isabel Merced, Mike Epps, Celeste O’Connor, Tahar Rahim, and most recently Adam Scott.

Source: Twitter

July 19, 2022
Marc Forster Set To Direct Neil Gaiman’s ‘The Graveyard Book’ Adaption for Disney

Neil Gaiman adaptions are quite the trend right now, and everyone wants a slice of the pie. Deadline is reporting that Marc Forster, who is known for his work on Christopher Robin, Quantum of Solace, and World War Z will direct an adaption of The Graveyard Book for Disney. The project will be an adaption of a book by the same name written, as you guessed it, by Neil Gaiman.

The project will be produced through 2Dux2, Forster‘s production company with Renée Wolfe, who will produce the project alongside Gil Netter. Ben Browning also serves as a producer on the project. The film will be written by David Magee, whose previous works include Mary Poppins Returns and Life of Pi.

The award winning 2008 novel follows a young boy named Nobody Owens, better known as “Bod” to those closest to him. The boy’s life is perfectly normal, up until his entire family is brutally murdered and the young boy comes to find a new home in a graveyard, where he is raised by a handful of supernatural beings such as Ghost, a werewolf, and an Vampire caretaker of the cemetery. So long as Bod remains in the graveyard, he is able to use ghost-like abilities that allow him to phase through walls, talk with the dead, and even become invisible to humans.

This is one of a few high profile adaptions of Gaiman’s work in the past few years, with Amazons Good Omens upcoming season and Netflix’s highly anticipated adaption of The Sandman, set to release on August 5th. No release date has been set for the film, and no casting announcements have been made at this time.

Source: Deadline

July 19, 2022
‘Moon Knight’ Star Joins the “Scorsese vs. Marvel” Conversation

For fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the casting of Ethan Hawke in Moon Knight was surely a surprise as he’d been critical of superhero projects in the past. For Hawke, he didn’t like that superhero films – including Marvel films – were highly praised as though they were arthouse projects. When it came to Moon Knight, though, Hawke felt the project was interesting enough to join, especially with Oscar Isaac as the leading man. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t mean he’s fully taken back his comments, though.

In a new interview with Indiewire, Hawke commented on the “Scorsese vs. the MCU narrative.” The actor noted that people like Scorsese and Coppola deserve to be able to speak their truth regarding films and how there are more important things than making money.

“It’s easy for them, but it needs to be somebody in the community saying, “Hey, everybody, this is not Fanny and Alexander,” he explained. “If you keep reviewing these movies that are basically made for 14-year-olds like they’re Fanny and Alexander or Winter Light, then who the hell’s going to get to make Winter Light? I appreciate the elder statesmen of the community reminding people not to set the bar too low. I know it makes some people think they’re stuck up, but they’re not stuck up.”

That isn’t to say he didn’t have a good experience with Moon Knight, of course. For Hawke, it was important that he – along with Isaac – play in Marvel’s sandbox while still showing the studio what they’re capable of. “I said to Oscar Isaac, “We’ve got to go play in Marvel’s sandbox and try to do what we do. We don’t have to change Marvel. We just want to show them what we’re capable of doing and see if they find it interesting,”’ Hawke explained. “So we had a lot of rehearsals and worked on things a lot. We had a really good experience.”

While Hawke might not agree that Marvel is director friendly, he insists the studio is actor friendly. “They might not be director-friendly, and that could be what Scorsese and Coppola are talking about. But they love actors. I think Kevin Feige had a great thing happen with Robert Downey Jr. and he understood that Downey’s passion was a large part of the success,” the actor said. “When actors are excited by a part, audiences get excited about watching them. Feige understood the algorithm there, so they’re extremely respectful toward the process.”

As of now, it is currently unknown if a second season of Moon Knight is happening. Nothing had been announced, and all involved with the Disney+ series have suggested they’ve heard nothing from Marvel Studios as of yet. If the series returns, though, Hawke is uncertain if he’ll return as he isn’t a fan of long-term commitments. “I protected myself because I didn’t know what it was going to be. I just wanted to know what that sandbox was like. And it’s what young people are watching, so why are we going to sit there and tell them it’s not good?”

Moon Knight is currently streaming on Disney+.

Source: Indiewire.

July 19, 2022
‘Ms. Marvel’ From Page to Screen: Episode 6.2

With Ms. Marvel’s Episode 6 and finale, entitled “No Normal”, the series’ connection to Ms. Marvel comics continues to be present, in both major and subtle ways. In Episode 1, we looked at how the series adapted from the comics the moment Kamala’s powers were activated; for Episode 2 we delved into the comics’ and series’ introduction and handling so far of the character Kamran; in Episode 3 we looked at the interesting source material for the series’ villains, the Clandestines; and in Episode 4 we went into how Red Daggers were introduced and how they compare to the comics’ Red Dagger. As for Episode 5, following our dive into Kamala’s ancestors during Partition, we also looked at some Bruno-centric plotlines the series may have invoked or started.

The first From Page to Screen for the Ms. Marvel finale focused on the episode’s inclusion of major aspects of Ms. Marvel lore. In particular, we looked at the significance of Kamala saying “embiggen” and how Kamala got her “Ms. Marvel” name in the live-action series. In this article, however, we spend time on more subtle references that maybe were only apparent to more hardcore fans of Ms. Marvel comics.

It All Ends In High School

Many of the other obvious references to Ms. Marvel comics in the finale were based on well-known plots or arcs that were significantly altered—but included—in the finale. Fans of the first Ms. Marvel (2014) run will no doubt remember that that very run ended with the incursion that led into Secret Wars (2015). In this part of her story, Kamala also met Carol Danvers for the first time, and the eeriness of the pre-incursion madness made for a phenomenal read.

But a major moment in those last few issues of Ms. Marvel (2014) revolves around Jersey City’s response to the incoming incursion. While the world is panicking and preparing emotionally for the end of the world, Jersey City congregates in Coles Academic High School at the request of Ms. Marvel. The community, even those normally opposed to one another, come together to create a space for supplies, worship, and comfort.

Ms. Marvel #19 (2014)

Ms. Marvel #19 (2014)

It is a very different situation in Ms. Marvel, but the fact remains that the main characters sought refuge in the high school in the midst of the series’ final threat. The high school setting, of course, calls the comics into mind. But the fact that practically the whole ensemble gets involved in the Department of Damage Control “battle” also invokes the imagery of a community coming together in support of Ms. Marvel.

Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 6

Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 6

Zoe Zimmerman’s Change of Heart

Almost out of nowhere in the finale, Zoe Zimmerman because a friend rather than a foe. In Ms. Marvel comics, she had a personality overhaul after the traumatizing events of the incursion and became an activist-type who was self-aware of her prior bullying behaviors and worked to move past that time in her life. We can see some of this new change begin to happen in the last moments of Ms. Marvel, where she appears to be using her social platform for good to specifically amplify Nakia’s voice in on video.

Ms. Marvel #19 (2014)

Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 6

Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 6

She became a main figure in Kamala’a social group, along with Bruno and Nakia. Zoe’s further character development later involved her coming out as gay. Her unrequited crush on Nakia was a subplot that was both heartwarming and heartbreaking in some of the most high-school-type ways. Interestingly, the way the two characters interact at the tail end of the Ms. Marvel finale could be hinting at this development down the line in future projects.

Ms. Marvel #16 (2015)

Ms. Marvel #16 (2015)

Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 6

“He Multiplies Now?”

One small mention in the high school sequence of the finale came when DODC agents wondered if the suspect(s) could multiply because our characters were wearing identical outfits and the agents had no idea what was going on. It does bring to mind an interesting arc in Ms. Marvel #4-6 (2015) where Bruno created essentially low-functioning clones of Kamala, at first in an effort for Kamala to meet all of her school, family, and superhero responsibilities. The clones ultimately go out of control and essentially took over Jersey City. Captain Marvel and Iron Man eventually had to bail her out, reminding her that she is still human and needs help sometimes…and it also leads into Civil War II.

Ms. Marvel #5 (2015)

Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel Episode 6

Ms. Marvel is now streaming on Disney+.

July 19, 2022
John Boyega Teases ‘Attack the Block’ Sequel

John Boyega is about to have his second wind. The actor found his mainstream footing with a lead part in the latest Star Wars trilogy, but now that his time in a galaxy far, far away is over, he’s ready to look at what’s next. Among Boyega’s many brewing projects is a sequel to Attack the Block, one of his first-ever roles, in which he will return as London-born alien-killer Moses. When the film, directed by Joe Cornish, released in 2011, it became an instant cult classic. It was announced last year that both Cornish and Boyega would come back for a second installment.

Speaking with Deadline at the premiere of Jordan Peele’s Nope, Boyega finally gave fans an update on the film’s progress. The Golden Globe winner explained that he and Cornish met to discuss the sequel just last week, and that more official news about the project should be coming soon:

We’re in the lab. We’re cooking, we’re cooking. I sat down with Joe Cornish just literally a few weeks ago. So expect some news soon. We’re still in development but we’re cooking something real sweet. We’ll have something soon.
John Boyega

Attack the Block centered around a group of London teenagers, led by Boyega’s character, who band together to fend off an alien invasion inside their own housing building. There has been no word on whether or not anyone else from the original cast will also return, but it’s possible viewers will see more of Jodie Whittaker or Nick Frost when the sequel hits theaters. Until then, Boyega can be seen in the upcoming films The Woman King and They Cloned Tyrone.

Source: Deadline

July 19, 2022
Brett Goldstein Discusses MCU Future and Surprising His Parents

The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s latest A-list addition is Brett Goldstein. Best known for his role on AppleTV+’s Ted Lasso, the British actor made his surprise debut as Hercules in the post-credits scene for Thor: Love and Thunder. The reveal came as a huge shock for audiences everywhere, and apparently, it was a bombshell for Goldstein’s parents as well. In a recent interview with Variety, Goldstein explained that he kept his new role a secret from almost everyone, including his folks, and sent his family to see the film without telling them he’d be making an appearance:

I didn’t tell anyone because Marvel put a chip in my neck that said ‘If you talk about this you’re dead’. My mom and dad, I sent them a text and said ‘I’ve just seen “Thor.”‘ I knew it’s not the kind of film they’d see. I said, ‘You should go see it. It’s funny.’
Brett Goldstein

The ruse was close to working too well. The Superbob star continued his story and revealed his mother almost missed her son’s cameo:

My mom is texting me all the way through the film giving me a running commentary. I’m like, ‘Just watch the film!’ It gets to the end bit, where it shows Russell Crowe… My mom texts me ‘Russell Crowe’s in it again, he’s very funny.’ I go, ‘Fucking look up at the screen!’
Brett Goldstein

Perhaps much like his own parents, fans are desperate to learn when they might see the Son of Zeus pop up again in the MCU. The post-credits scene hinted strongly he’d return, but there has been no confirmation from Marvel Studios themselves. Unfortunately, it could be a while, as a later bit of the Variety interview had Goldstein stating he has no idea when he might be coming back:

I truly, honestly — this isn’t me lying or being coy — I know nothing. All I know is what I did that day and that’s it. That could be it. It was a fun three seconds.
Brett Goldstein

Thor: Love and Thunder is in theaters now.

Source: Variety

July 19, 2022
New ‘Ms. Marvel’ Concept Art Reveals Alternative Captain Marvel Cosplay

Ms. Marvel just recently came to an end and wrapped up the Disney+ series on a high note. What started off with some of the most memorable entries for Marvel Studios’ venture into long-form storytelling, introducing the world to one of its most culturally relevant. We even get a fun version of Kamala Khan’s time admiring Captain Marvel and see her cosplaying as the hero during Avenger Con.

Now, artist Karla Ortiz took to her Twitter page to share a new look at some alternative Captain Marvel cosplays that Kamala would’ve worn. Considering Brie Larson‘s hero wore a surprising amount of costumes throughout, it does seem like they played around with which color tone they’d might take with the character.

https://twitter.com/kortizart/status/1549147433690546176

Here’s hoping we get some more concept art that teases how the original plan was for the series to develop. You never know what may have changed from the conceptual time mapping out the project to bring it to life. Ms. Marvel was also affected by COVID which likely led to quite a few changes happening as they mapped out their scripts but adapted to whatever was possible.

It’s still crazy to think that our first look at Ms. Marvel was during 2020’s Disney Investors Day before we even saw a single thing from Hawkeye. They likely had to adapt some aspects of the project and were adjusting to whatever the pandemic had heading their way. So, who knows just how much it may have changed, which is always an exciting prospect as well.

Source: Twitter

July 18, 2022
Den Den Murphy Episode 23 – Chapter 1053 & ‘One Piece’s Final Saga

With One Piece on a break, so did our team but they are back to talk about everything in chapter 1053. Fezzy, Suki, and Joe get a chance to also share their thoughts on what we might expect going into the final saga of One Piece, as well as some One Piece Odyssey news.

July 18, 2022
‘Powerpuff Girls’ Creator Returns to Reboot Series

It’s been a bumpy road for The Powerpuff Girls. In 2016, the franchise received a remake from Cartoon Network that surprised many when they completely replaced the main voice cast outside of Tom Kenny, famous for this time as Spongebob Squarepants, returning. Then, CW has been working on a live-action series that would see the trio as teenagers had many scratching their heads. Well, now it seems they are back again but this time with some more motivating news.

The series’ original creator, Craig McCracken, is returning to work on a new set of reboots for Powerpuff Girls, as well as Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends. He’s set to work on the project with Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe. Cartoon Network Studios President, Sam Register, had the following to say on McCracken‘s return:

The Hanna-Barbera homecoming of Craig was an opportunity we could not pass up. Along with his unparalleled sense of fun and imagination, he’s bringing two of his greatest works in ‘The Powerpuff Girls’ and ‘Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends,’ and we are so excited for these characters to be a part of the new legacy taking shape at the studio
Sam Register

While they are moving forward with a second attempt to reboot the popular series, there’s also the highlight that the live-action version of the series is still in some form of development over at CW. Chloe Bennett left the project, as she was originally going to play Blossom, and it’s in a form of limbo as they rework the concept. So, we’ll see which one comes out first.

Source: Variety

July 18, 2022