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  • Don’t Expect the Multiverse in ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’

    Don’t Expect the Multiverse in ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’

    In an interview with Total Film, director Taika Waititi got the chance to discuss some of the theories that have run rampant ever since the first time he announced that Natalie Portman was going to become the Mighty Thor. Some believed that they may be a version from the multiverse, as many other projects like Loki, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness start expanding beyond the Sacred Timeline. Yet, while there wasn’t a clear confirmation, Waititi confirmed that this is definitely not part of the expanding multiverse.

    While he said that he “[likes] the idea of the Multiverse,” he wants to make clear that this film is “the singular-verse” part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and that “nothing like that in this film.” Though he does highlight that he wanted this project to stand out from the rest as it also focuses quite a bit more on romance, which isn’t too surprising with a title like Love and Thunder.

    ”I feel like this one feels more original and unique, and stands apart from a lot of other Marvel films because of that element of love, and leaning into that idea of what love means for all these characters. You never go to those superhero movies to see a movie about love. It’s a preposterous answer. No fan wants to see that. But as I said with the last film,  they don’t know what they want until they get it.

    Taika Waiti

    So, if you’ve been wondering if we’ll explore the multiverse in the upcoming film, here’s your clear confirmation that won’t be the cast. Some might not be too excited for a romance subplot in the MCU again, as they were mostly sidelined for the main story but it does seem like Waititi had an idea to make it stand out.

    Source: Total Film via The Direct

  • BREAKING: Marvel Studios President Confirms SDCC Panel on MCU’s New Movies and Shows

    BREAKING: Marvel Studios President Confirms SDCC Panel on MCU’s New Movies and Shows

    There have been many debates if Marvel Studios will even show up during this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. With D23 and Disney+ Day on the horizon, it does seem strange to also add one more event to the list. Yet that isn’t stopping them after all as Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has just confirmed during the Thor: Love and Thunder press conference that they will be attending the event.

    There’s naturally no exact word but as the event is only a little over a month away, it means we’ll be in for a plethora of information regarding where the Marvel Cinematic Universe is heading. San Diego Comic-Con is mapped out to run from July 21 until July 24th but there’s no exact wording on when exactly the panel may take place. So, we might get a clearer picture once we’ve entered July next week.

    It’s certainly exciting to see where the future is heading for the franchise, especially as Phase 4 has been quite diverse in its offerings. As their plans have gone through some massive shifts due to the pandemic; as has most of the industry has been hit. So, we may have a clearer picture moving forward and maybe even the confirmation of the next Avengers title.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Surprise Actor Opens Up on Return to ‘Star Wars’

    ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Surprise Actor Opens Up on Return to ‘Star Wars’

    Obi-Wan Kenobi has come to an end and ended on a high note for the limited series (you can read our review by clicking here for the finale). There were some big surprises towards the end but nothing had people more excited than the return of Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn. After famously stating he wouldn’t make an appearance, the final moments of the show had the former master and padawan reunite.

    In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Liam Neeson revealed what inspired his return and also why he decided to give Qui-Gon Jinn another shot after his recent statement. It seems a lot of it has to do with George Lucas and Ewan McGregor.

    I certainly didn’t want anyone else playing Qui-Gon Jinn, and I wanted to show my respect for George [Lucas] and that mythical world that he created. Plus, Ewan [McGregor] is a pal, and I loved working with him during The Phantom Menace 25 years ago.

    Liam Neeson

    This marks the first live-action appearance of the actor since he played him in The Phantom Menace back in 1999. Jinn died at the hands of Darth Maul and passed on the responsibility of teaching young Anakin Skywalker to his padawan at the time, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Sadly, we didn’t get that many interactions between the two, but perhaps they kept the door open for further exploration. For now, we’ll see what the future has in store for McGregor‘s Kenobi in the Star Wars franchise.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • REVIEW: ‘Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area’

    REVIEW: ‘Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area’

    Money Heist proved to be a huge hit for Netflix upon its release in 2017, so it’s not entirely surprising then that the streaming service has continued to grow the franchise. The latest installment, Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area is a bit of a slow burn. There’s a lot of story to cram within six episodes, and despite such a vast story, it often feels like the story drags. That isn’t to say it’s not enjoyable. It is. It just fails to ever feel like something exciting.

    Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area starts off with Jeon Jong-seo‘s Tokyo as she seeks a better future for herself after North Korea and South Korea are unified. Unfortunately, she soon finds herself desperate and willing to do anything to get by, even going as far as to join a group as they seek to perform a bank heist for the ages. She’s been in the army, and she’s dreamt of a bright future in South Korea. Sadly, though, upon the unification, the future she’s promised is nothing more than a lie that results in her working as an escort and a waitress, before she’s driven to fight back.

    The first episode is incredibly slow and frustrating to get through. It’s all the more frustrating because the beginning just feels entirely uneven in both the way it is shot and filmed. Thankfully, though, the show begins to find its footing with the second episode as the heist team begins to come together. The series truly benefits from its ensemble cast. Each role is perfectly cast, and Yoo Ji-Tae absolutely shines as the Professor. His on-screen presence helps to carry some of the weaker scenes; he oozes confidence and charm. The same, however, cannot be said for the rest of the cast. Some performances fall flat. The actors seem to give their all, but not all are quite able to reach the heights of Ji-Tae’s Professor.

    As the series moves away from Toyko’s point-of-view, we begin to learn about each heist member at the start of each episode. It’s a nice touch that helps to further develop these characters that would’ve otherwise been merely background characters. They had their own arcs, a tough act to accomplish in just six episodes. Yet, while the series succeeded in crafting its characters, it failed with its handling of the overall story. Money Heist: Korea could’ve easily benefited from an additional two episodes. Sure, it’s a remake of the original series, but that doesn’t mean it needs to stay within the same episode limitations as the original series.

    As for the cinematography, Money Heist: Korea is a visually appealing series. Between the lighting, the angles and the color scale, Money Heist: Korea is wonderfully shot. It’s one of the highlights of the series, honestly. The shots with the group performing the heist as they stand among the masked hostages is stunning. Every scene is framed perfectly. Sadly, while the visuals are great, the music can be lacking at times. There are some excellent music beats, sure, but for the most part the music adds nothing to the scenes.

    Overall, Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area is a great effort. Yes, the early episodes are slow, but if viewers stick with it, they’ll be greatly rewarded with an exciting heist drama. It’s a stressful watching experience in the best type of way.

  • ‘Thor Love and Thunder’s Natalie Portman Wants to Team Up With Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel

    ‘Thor Love and Thunder’s Natalie Portman Wants to Team Up With Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel

    In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, crossovers are one of the fun aspects that such an interconnected universe offers. Newly introduced characters will get a chance to meet others which leads to interactions you wouldn’t expect. Luckily, it seems that Natalie Portman, who is returning as Jane Foster in Thor: Love and Thunder, is game to meet other members of the MCU. In an interview with Variety during the red carpet event, she revealed that she would love to team up with Brie Larson‘s Captain Marvel.

    I love Captain Marvel. Brie is a dear friend so that would be a fun one.

    Natalie Portman

    The two powerhouses would definitely make for a strong duo, especially with Valkyrie joining the fray. So, we’ll see what the future has in store, especially if there are any other crossovers planned. There’s still no official announcement for an Avengers film, which may still be on the horizon and could open up many opportunities for the MCU to grow in unexpected ways. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has teased that they may make some announcements in the coming months. Perhaps, we’ll find out more about what the future has in store. So, even if we don’t know when we can expect a Mighty Thor and Captain Marvel team up, it does seem like at least Natalie Portman is down for one.

    Source: Twitter

  • RUMOR: ‘Agatha: House of Harkness’ Eyeing 2023 Production Start

    RUMOR: ‘Agatha: House of Harkness’ Eyeing 2023 Production Start

    We know that a new Disney+ Day is just around the corner alongside D23 and SDCC. So, it seems like we’ll get a look at some of the already announced projects and maybe even some new productions heading our way. Now, it seems we may have gotten a small update in regards to Agatha: House of Harkness. It seems that work on the project may start on it by 2023.

    Insider Daniel Richtman has seemingly shared a grid that hints at production eyeing a start from January to May 2023. As such, we may see some casting announcements in the coming months as they prepare to kick off the new year with its production.

    There’s also a hint at a new character known only as “Tyler.” They are casing someone between the ages of 17 and 20 years that is a “formidable and dark sense of humor, incredibly witty, astute, and of the moment.” He’s even highlighted as a “fan-boy at times.” While DisInsider believes this might be the character of Billy, there is also the possibility they introduce Agatha’s son Nicholas Scratch.

    It’s an exciting prospect to see what they do with a series focused on Agatha Harkness, especially after Kathryn Hahn‘s amazing performance in WandaVision. While we can only speculate for now, here’s hoping we get more details on Agatha: House of Harkness in the near future to build up what exactly Marvel studios has planned for this character.

    Source: Patreon via DisInsider

  • REVIEW: ‘Rise’ is an Inspiring Retelling

    REVIEW: ‘Rise’ is an Inspiring Retelling

    It’s never easy adapting a real story like the tale of the Antetokounmpo family. These are real people that are seeing their own story romanticized to tell a story within a specific format. Disney+ has undertaken this tale with Rise, as Nigerian director Akin Omotoso explores the story of basketball stars and the history that their family faced moving from Nigeria to Greece before they’d eventually find themselves in the NBA playing field making a name for themselves. Yet, can the Disney+ film pull off their story?

    Surprisingly, this film takes a heartfelt direction and avoids the general trappings of any sports film by simply not really being about the sport. Yes, we do get elements of that sprinkled throughout, but it’s not a basketball film. It’s more about the family of Antetokounmpo and their journey to the point that Giannis (Uche Agada) and Athanasios (Ral Agada) find their passion in the sport. The National Basketball Association is a big part of their journey but it’s mostly the big tension builder within the climax that brings their journey together into the successful career the brothers have built.

    What this film is about is the Antetokounmpo family. It’s exploring their roots as they fled Nigeria and started their life in Greece, which is where most of the film takes place. It was great to get a focus on their story and a lot of time is spent with their parents Veronica (Yetide Badaki) and Charles (Dayo Okeniyi). Especially with an emotional speech at the end, you see why this choice was made. It’s a story about immigrants and the challenges they faced being undocumented. It’s a story that will always be relevant and it doesn’t shy away from the harsh treatment they had to face.

    Still, there’s a hopeful message here. It’s about finding your passion and going for it. Charles Antekounmpo‘s past as a soccer player and he wants his kids to enjoy sports the same way he did. Yet, there’s the constant fear of losing everything due to their undocumented status and putting his family at risk throughout. The story isn’t creating a definite “villain” but does showcase various people as selfish that are trying to benefit from the family’s situation. The conflict is simply the constant fear of them being discovered and fighting the system that refuses to give them documents, to begin with.

    Once the spark of passion is discovered for Giannis and Athanasios, it gives us some truly heartwarming moments. Seeing the brothers share shoes due to them only being able to afford a single pair is powerful. We don’t have traditional “bullies” but have some typical reactions from people, but the story isn’t then suddenly about them handling people mocking them for poverty. The film focuses on the hopeful message at its core and it does that wonderfully. There are times when the story drags slightly, but it’s an emotional tale that takes its time.

    Rise is a film about inspiring people and it does that well. It also needs to be highlighted to not focus only on their NBA history. This is a story about a Nigerian-Greek family struggling in that environment and trying to get by. Finding hope and passion in basketball, but never purely focusing or defining its story by it. The act that Akin Omotoso tells this story is a delight, as the Nigerian director brings something to the table that makes this project stand out in interesting ways. Nothing is truly glorified in this story, it feels grounded and human with many influences from the many countries that represent the Antetokounmpo.

    If you’ve been looking for a film to just give you that spark to follow your dreams again, this film might be exactly the one you’re looking for. It’s also a story that definitely was worth telling and gives some talented newcomers a chance to tell this story. The ending hits you emotionally, even for those that may not have a connection to the NBA and these players’ stories prior to watching this film. There’s something powerful about a hopeful message and just seeing a success story that seemingly beats the odds.

  • ‘Moon Knight’ Star Comments on Representation in MCU

    ‘Moon Knight’ Star Comments on Representation in MCU

    Moon Knight, despite the character’s relatively low-profile presence in the comics, is now firmly entrenched in the Marvel Cinematic Universe following the successful run of the series on Disney+ from March to May. The show was filled with firsts for Marvel Studios, including a deep look into dissociative identity disorder (DID) with Oscar Isaac’s characters Steven Grant, Marc Spector, and Jake Lockley.

    Most importantly, Moon Knight introduced audiences to the first Egyptian hero — May Calamawy as the Scarlet Scarab. Calamawy co-starred alongside Isaac as Layla El-Faouly, the estranged wife of Marc Spector. Instead of being just a love interest for the main character, Moon Knight empowered El-Faouly to be independent and powerful on her own as her story in the Disney+ showcased.

    In a recent interview with Yasmine Kandil from Discussing Film, Calamawy was asked if she like feels like there has been a recent shift in MENA representation both in front and behind the camera. Here’s what she had to say:

    I really do. I experienced it on Moon Knight and I’m lucky to experience it also on Ramy, there are Arabs on that show which is a testament to Ramy [Youssef], he’s very selective with who he brings on board. With Moon Knight, it’s a testament to Kevin Feige and that whole team for creating that space. We are in a time where I think we’ve realized that the only way to get closer to how a region really feels is to have people most intimately bring it there, and usually that will be either people who’ve lived there or understand it at a very deep level. 

    May Calamawy

    She goes on to also compare how creating these spaces for all is important and how opening beyond Western beauty standards also further anchors the importance of modern representation.

    I know so many women who are from the Middle East, one of my best friends is from Pakistan, we’re all actors working on our craft and I really want there to be a space for us all. I never want someone to question if they are pretty enough because I went through thinking I wasn’t pretty enough to be in a Western production and it’s an embarrassing thought to have, but I’m not going to say it wasn’t there. Often Western beauty standards don’t include how everyone around the world looks and representation is going to help us to feel that freedom and I think that’s happening more and more.

    May Calawamy

    Calamawy also discussed her decision to keep her curls for the show, which is something she said she struggled with growing up:

    One thing that’s been amazing to see is that so many women have posted that they are wearing their hair curly, or that they’re throwing out their hair irons and that’s what makes me happy because I had to go through my own journey of accepting my curls and feeling beautiful. There was a time when I left them curly and I can’t say I felt beautiful, looking back it pains me. I went through that and thank god I feel good in my curls now, but I wish everyone grew up that way. If that’s something Layla can bring to others, then I’m so happy.

    May Calamawy

    She highlighted that she brought in a hairpiece that mimicked her hair during production. It mostly served as a way to keep continuity.

    They brought in a hairpiece that mimicked my hair. In the beginning, they even suggested we straighten it and I did that too much growing up. I didn’t want to go back to that, so I was really adamant about them getting a hairpiece for continuity’s sake because curls, they will do what they want. Marvel really delivered because I loved it and they could just put it on and my hair was ready. It really helped me step into Layla and it was bigger than my own hair which was really fun.

    May Calamawy

    As for the future of the Scarlet Scarab in the MCU, no project has been officially announced involving the character. While there have been rumors of a Moon Knight Season 2, nothing has been revealed. But with the cliffhanger ending to the first season, it would not be a surprise to see these characters on-screen again in the future.

    Source: Discussing Film

  • Uche Agada on How He Got the Role of Giannis Antetokounmpo in ‘Rise’

    Uche Agada on How He Got the Role of Giannis Antetokounmpo in ‘Rise’

    It’s not an easy task when an actor has to now only bring a performance to life but also based on someone that really existed. So, imagine if that person is still alive and you have to take on the role of one of the NBA all-stars Giannis Antetkounmpo. Well, that task landed in the hands of Uche Agada who shared his story during the Disney+ film’s press conference.

    The young actor revealed that this was his first role, and it was him sending in a video after he saw that Giannis shared a link to getting cast in his Disney+ film. Somehow, he ended up getting the callback and would eventually get the role. Not only that, but

    And for me, I was never an actor prior to this, so this was very weird for me. So, when it said callback with a director of a movie, in my mind, I’m like, yo, that’s crazy. But I did that callback and did another callback. And eventually, they told me I got the part, which is absolutely incredible.

    Uche Agada

    He also reveals that he would be asked a rather curious question, as a “couple of weeks later, they asked me if I had any siblings” which would lead to his real-life brother, Ral Agada getting cast as Athanasios Antetkounmpo in the Disney+ film. He even revealed that they had the brothers to have a chemistry read.

    So, I go on the court, put in some clips, and then they asked me to do a chemistry read with my brother. I’m like, “Hm, all right.” ‘Cause he is my brother. It shouldn’t be hard to act like that.

    Ral Agada

    It definitely sounded like an interesting experience and it’s a nice touch to have actual brothers portray the two main characters of the film. It seems that it didn’t take long after he sent in some clips that they were called up to film the film during the summer. They even got to film on location in Greece, as revealed by Ral Agada. It’s crazy to think what a random Instagram post can lead to.

  • Chris Pratt’s Mario Portrayal to be ‘Unlike Anything You’ve Heard in the Mario World’

    Chris Pratt’s Mario Portrayal to be ‘Unlike Anything You’ve Heard in the Mario World’

    Chris Pratt is ready to bring something new to the Mario landscape, whether we’re ready to or not. While talking with Variety during the premiere of his new Amazon Prime series The Terminal List, the actor discussed the direction he will take for the upcoming Illumination Entertainment and Universal film being produced based on the popular Nintendo character.

    I worked really closely with the directors and trying out a few things and landed on something that I’m really proud of and can’t wait for people to see and hear. It’s an animated voiceover narrative. It’s not a live-action movie. I’m not gonna be wearing a plumber suit running all over. I’m providing a voice for an animated character, and it is updated and unlike anything you’ve heard in the Mario world before.

    Chris Pratt

    This quote from Chris Pratt certainly piques interest into what exactly is planned for this film adaptation of the Super Mario Bros franchise. Many questions and concerns have been raised about Pratt’s casting and the risk of him providing a needlessly stereotypical performance. Though having a wildly different interpretation of the character also runs the risk of alienating audiences familiar with the source material for the sake of fitting a square peg in a round hole with Chris Pratt as Mario. His involvement with the film also has come with a large amount of fatigue based on the actor being cast in a large swath of animated projects portraying the main protagonist. 

    Pratt’s analysis of his performance also comes off of Illumination’s CEO Chris Menedandri giving high praise for what the actor is bringing to the role. It will be interesting to see whether these quotes end up holding actual merit, or are simply a means to draw empty good-will and early marketing towards the project.

    Along with Pratt, the untitled film is set to co-star with the likes of Charlie Day, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, and Seth Rogen. The film is being directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic of Teen Titan Go! fame and is scheduled to release on April 7, 2023.


    Source: Variety