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  • Episode 5 Has the Final Clues That Jake Lockley Could Appear in ‘Moon Knight’ Finale

    Episode 5 Has the Final Clues That Jake Lockley Could Appear in ‘Moon Knight’ Finale

    With only the finale remaining, Moon Knight feels like a completely different series now than it did when it first premiered. There are numerous outstanding questions going into the final episode, but among them is still whether Jake Lockley — Marc Spector’s third identity from the comics — will make an appearance. Episode 5 seemed to focus exclusively on Marc and Steven, and there were fewer obvious nods to another identity being present. But the episode still leaves the door wide open for Jake to appear.

    Because Episode 5 is the last chance to speculate whether Jake will or will not actually show up in Moon Knight, here is a bit of a recap of the evidence we have so far. In Episode 1, there were several suspicious reflections where it looked like more than Marc was present, the inclusion of Crawley (a traditionally Jake-centered character), and some interesting imagery in the end credits that seemed to have a theme of three Oscar Isaacs. In Episode 2, reflections, comments from Layla and Harrow, and a violent Marc outburst were all notable. Episode 3 did all but confirm that a third personality took over when both Marc and Steven blacked out during a fight. And Episode 4 practically showed us Marc and Steven passing by Jake’s own sarcophagus. Now, let’s talk about Episode 5.

    The Scales

    One of the most significant components plot-wise of Episode 5 were the scales of justice that weighed Marc and Steven’s hearts against the feather of truth. To enter paradise, the scales had to balance. The episode used the fact that the hearts were not balancing as an excuse for Marc to lay out his past—including Steven’s origin as a personality. But most interesting was the fact that Taweret said that the hearts were “not full” and “incomplete.” Now, there is plenty of suggestion that they were incomplete because Marc had not revealed the truth to Steven, but it would also make a whole lot of sense if they were incomplete if there was a third heart/identity out there not on the scale.

    However, all of that gets confused when the scales balance after Steven seemingly dies in the sand of the Egyptian underworld, Duat, and Marc is allowed into the Field of Reeds. It is not entirely clear if Steven’s apparent “death” is what actually caused the scales to balance. Essays could probably be written on different theories for this, but the incompleteness of Marc/Steven up until then seemed like a huge clue that the acknowledgment of a third identity could make them whole. While less certain by the end of the episode, I would not count it out.

    Marvel Studios’ ‘Moon Knight’

    Marc Spector’s Fugue State

    As Marc and Steven travel through the psych ward that is Marc’s mind, Marc at one point casually drops the information that he was discharged from the army after going AWOL in a fugue state. Fugue states are often associated with a dissociative identity disorder. He does not imply that the fugue state is a time when Steven took control, and it also implies that he does not know who or what was in control at that time. That tracks with the fact that Marc did not seem to know who took control when he and Steven blacked out during a fight in Episode 3, and Marc has obviously never mentioned another alter. So, if something else took control of Marc’s body during that time, another personality could likely be the culprit.

    Marvel Studios’ ‘Moon Knight’

    We will find out for sure if Jake Lockley will appear in the series when the Moon Knight finale airs on May 4, 2022. The first five episodes of the series are now streaming on Disney+.

  • Tom Hiddleston to Start Working on ‘Loki’ Season 2 in 6 Weeks, Promises Answers

    Tom Hiddleston to Start Working on ‘Loki’ Season 2 in 6 Weeks, Promises Answers

    Loki was a standout among the Disney+ series with its exploration of the inner turmoil and losing your “glorious purpose.” It surprised many when the season ended with quite the cliffhanger, as Loki found himself back at the TVA yet no one could seemingly remember him. We got a tease that it’ll be the first Disney+ series to get a second season, and it looks like production may start sooner than expected.

    As Kate Herron left the project, Moon Knight directors Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson are taking over the second season. They’ll build upon the foundation she set and it looks like they’ll start work on it in six weeks. Its leading star Tom Hiddleston revealed it in an interview with The Playlist, and promised there will be “lots of questions to be answered.”

    Absolutely. We’re in it already. I mean, we’re not filming, but we’re in prep, but we start in like six weeks or something. So we’re in full steam ahead in terms of a script and story and it’s really exciting. Yeah, I can’t say too much, but lots of questions to be answered.

    Tom Hiddleston

    It looks like we might get to see the series next year if they start production soon. So, luckily the wait might not be as long as we expected plus with Kang’s appearance teased, it’s the perfect timing to release it ahead of the third Ant-Man and the Wasp film. So, we’ll see if they manage to get it out by then.

    Source: The Playlist

  • RUMOR: ‘Moon Knight’s Final Episode May Be its Shortest

    RUMOR: ‘Moon Knight’s Final Episode May Be its Shortest

    With all the threads that were set up in past Moon Knight episodes, it’s looking like the finale might end up being quite a bit shorter than initially expected. Amid Chaudhari, who has shared the episode lengths of previous Disney+ episodes, took to his Twitter account to potentially reveal the length of the final episode of Marvel Studios’ latest Disney+ series. It looks like it’ll be its shortest, as the episode will be around 42 minutes long. If we put that into comparison from past episodes (according to Disney+):

    • The Goldfish Problem – 48 min
    • Summon the Suit – 53 min
    • The Friendly Type – 53 min
    • The Tomb – 54 min
    • Asylum – 50 min

    So, it seems like the final episode is eyeing a runtime that is similar to the first episode The Goldfish Problem. We have to also keep in mind that the runtime also includes the credits, which opens up the question of just how they might tie everything together in such a short timeframe. perhaps they’ll surprise us with a second season announcement, but given that it’s been described as a limited series on multiple occasions, it almost seems uncertain if or when we can expect his story to continue within the MCU.

    It’s one of the issues these stories face is that they tend to end with “there’s more to come” but without an actual second season or direct connection, the wait in-between projects makes it a bit difficult to truly create a connection for audiences.

    Source: Twitter, Disney+

  • The Superhero Mock Draft

    The Superhero Mock Draft


    Rules:
    All superheros are draftable
    Rosters include a QB, 3 Offensive Weapons, 3 Defensive Weapons
    No Variants

    Hunter is on the clock.

    Round One:

    The Defenders Draft Pick #1:

    Peter Parker, a.k.a. Spider-Man (WR)

    Dalbin’s reaction: Going young right off the bat doesn’t make me nervous. I’d be more concerned if Hunter chose a wide receiver that can catch (sorry Gwen Stacy).

    Hunter’s response: Betting on Parker learning from his mistakes in college. He’s a young guy but it’s his spirit, determination, and ability to adapt that catch my eye. The sticky fingers don’t hurt either.

    The Illuminati Draft Pick #1

    Steve Rogers, aka Captain America (QB)

    Hunter’s reaction: This is an intimidating pick. Incredible leadership ability and one of the most accurate throws in his class. Rogers was definitely someone we kept an eye on. Maybe could have picked someone with better arm strength though.

    Dalbin’s response: What better way to combat the kid from Queens than with the kid from Brooklyn? Throwing vibranium around means the adjustment to the pro game will take a minute, but please believe that the intangibles are through the roof.

    Round Two:

    The Defenders Draft Pick #2

    Clark Kent, a.k.a. Superman (QB)

    Dalbin’s reaction: A leader who never compromised his values despite what Injustice says. He’s faster than a speeding bullet, which means he’d revolutionize the game, so I’m really worried now. Defensively, I may have to draft someone with his mother’s name to stop him.

    Hunter’s response: Heard from a few scouts he’s resolved his conflict with Mr. Wayne. Some described it as a “rebirth.” I’m excited for his future as both a leader and an athletic talent, not to mention I think the camaraderie between Kent and Parker will result in Burrow and Chase levels of success.

    The Illuminati Draft Pick #2

    James Howlett, aka Wolverine (RB)

    Hunter’s reaction: A little guy, good for putting his head down and getting through the line. Scrappy and sturdy. I’ll need a sturdier, angrier linebacker if I have any hope of putting him down.

    Dalbin’s response: With the selection of Cap, I wanted someone with a strong relationship with him in the backfield, and the only person with a better relationship with Cap than Logan is Bucky, but I couldn’t draft a former war criminal who Cap himself didn’t pick. Logan is my Derrick Henry.

    Round Three:

    The Defenders Draft Pick #3

    Bruce Banner, a.k.a. The Hulk (LB)

    Dalbin’s reaction: Oh, dear God. I wouldn’t like when he’s angry and playing for Hunter means he will always be angry. This is a good way to counter my first two picks, but will the comics repeat themselves on a screen pass? We’ll see!

    Hunter’s response: Hulk smash.

    The Illuminati Draft Pick #3

    Barry Allen, aka The Flash (WR)

    Hunter’s reaction: Talk about a prospect with speed. No way I can draft anybody who can keep up with Allen, but I can draft someone (witch) crafty enough to get around it.

    Dalbin’s response: The only worry with Barry was immaturity, but the speed is too tantalizing a prospect to pass up here in round 3.

    Round Four:

    The Defenders Draft Pick #4

    Mark Grayson, a.k.a. Invincible (S)

    Dalbin’s reaction: *An audible gasp exits from the Illumaniti war room, and it doesn’t come from a Captain Marvel variant while fighting the Scarlet Witch* I had Hunter’s word that he wouldn’t take Grayson. He was MY sleeper!

    Hunter’s response: If there’s anything Grayson is familiar with, it’s shocking betrayals from people he trusts. This is a defensive player who can be anywhere on the field, and no longer trusts anyone else to do his job for him.

    The Illuminati Draft Pick #4

    Harley Quinn (LB)

    Hunter’s reaction: A bit confused by this one. Quinn is brutal and unpredictable, the definition of a wild card, but I would have thought she’d end up on the offensive side of things. I’ll need to make some picks that can handle her chaos.

    Dalbin’s response: I needed a leader on defense, and who better than the person who leads DC’s best movie (Birds of Prey)? With the array of weapons, ahem, I’ll add around her, it’s really over for you jokers.



    Round Five:

    The Defenders Draft Pick #5

    Wanda Maximoff, a.k.a. Scarlet Witch (CB)

    Dalbin’s Response: She lacks vision, but the potential is through the roof now that she’s embraced her true self. A true mutant at the position, this might be Hunter’s best pick.

    Hunter’s response: There’s really no cap on her potential, and what she lacks in vision she makes up for with a fierce sense of team play. She’ll do anything to make sure her family comes out on top.

    The Illuminati Draft Pick #5

    John Stewart, aka Green Lantern (S)

    Dalbin’s reaction: How do I support the wild card in the middle of the defense? By giving her a player with range behind her. The best Green Lantern brings leadership skills and no desire to fall to the dark side like his predecessors from Green Lantern University.

    Hunter’s reaction: Egads! This was going to be my next pick. A truly multifaceted talent, with the ability to make up defensive plays on the spot. I’ll need someone with experience and endurance to get through Stewart, because there may be no going around.

    Round Six:

    The Defenders Draft Pick #6

    Hellboy (TE)

    Dalbin’s response: *A visible smirk is shown on the face of the new GM in the Illumaniti war room*


    Hunter’s response: Needed someone who could drop a shoulder, stiff arm, or block just as well as they can catch. Hellboy is the definition of that skill set. It’s almost like he’s got two different hands, one for the soft touch and one you hope he never uses on you.

    The Illuminati Draft Pick #6

    T’Challa, aka Black Panther (WR)

    Dalbin’s reaction: Completing my offense with a franchise player in round 6? Too hard to pass up. With Cap, Flash, Wolverine, and T’Challa on offense, we are talking vibranium over Baghdad.

    Hunter’s reaction: Hard to believe T’Challa was still on the board. He never fit into my offensive scheme, but I was praying to Bast that he didn’t fit the Illuminati’s either.

    Round Seven:

    The Defenders Draft Pick #7

    Scott Lang, a.k.a. Ant-Man (RB)

    Dalbin’s response: When we talk shifty, this is what we mean. Plus, when you singlehandedly save the universe by planning a time heist, you’d think there’d be more hype, but this might be Hunter’s best pick. Plus, there’s so much potential for him to play bigger than what he currently is.

    Hunter’s response: This is someone who can carry the ball anywhere on the field, and fits in perfectly with an offense designed to constantly adapt. Good luck catching a guy you can barely see breaking away downfield.

    The Illuminati Draft Pick #7:

    Diana, Princess of the Amazons, aka Wonder Woman (EDGE)

    Dalbin Reaction: Diana, Harley, and John on defense gives me range, versatility, and downright power. It’s the ultimate bend but don’t break defense, but one that will do what’s needed given the offense will score points.

    Hunter’s reaction: This pick makes me glad I have a quarterback with steel nerves. Nothing scarier than a Themyscira alum coming hot off the corner.

  • THEORY THURSDAY: This is How Jake Lockley Will Appear in the ‘Moon Knight’ Finale

    THEORY THURSDAY: This is How Jake Lockley Will Appear in the ‘Moon Knight’ Finale

    While the fifth and second-to-last episode of Moon Knight accomplished quite a lot, it kept fans hanging on one of the most theorized, anticipated, and likely inclusion of one specific thing: Marc Spector’s third personality, Jake Lockley. Every single episode of the series has included references and evidence that seem to point directly at another alter’s existence, and Oscar Isaac himself has seemingly confirmed this on multiple occasions. 

    Many are surprised that the alter (presumably named Jake Lockley given the comic book history) has still not fully appeared given that Moon Knight has only the finale remaining. After the events of Episode 5, there is reason to think that Jake will make his appearance in a bold way. This article explains my theory that Jake will be the personality that has full control of Marc’s body when he is resurrected in the finale. At the end, I do mention a couple of other easy ways for the personality to be revealed, though they are nowhere near as fun. 

    The Theory

    Looking at the endings of both Episodes 4 and 5, combined with some knowledge of the comics, Jake Lockley may take the reins immediately upon Marc’s resurrection. After Marc’s apparent double death, a resurrection of sorts clearly seems necessary in order for the story to move forward and conclude in any reasonable way. Episode 4 saw Marc be shot and killed by Arthur Harrow, and the psych ward twist and the events of Episode 5 seemingly confirm that he did, in fact, die. 

    The imagery of his death in the tomb is surprisingly reminiscent of one particular resurrection-based issue from 1991. Even without that reference, Episode 5 ended with the additional apparent deaths of both Steven and Marc individually. So, quite frankly, someone has to be brought back from the dead at some point. In the comics, it is Khonshu who does the resurrecting, but he is currently imprisoned. Since there are currently no obvious other contenders, it might be fair to assume that the god gets released in the finale before bringing Marc back. But his motives are still a little suspect.

    In any event, the real significance of the deaths is that both Marc and Steven died separately. This implies that their individual personalities also died, not just their physical body that also died prior to their journey through the Underworld. So, the focus on their deaths leaves one giant door open—Jake did not die. 

    Marvel Studios’ ‘Moon Knight’

    It’s helpful to look at the comics. The personalities are, by nature, their own people. Extremely relevant to this theory is the fact that in Moon Knight’s history, Jake specifically has survived after Marc “died,” and the same is true for other personalities. After Marc seemingly sacrifices himself in order to stop a villain, everyone assumes he is dead. But as his close friend Frenchie says, while Marc might be dead, Jake Lockley is not. Jake then goes on a non-Moon Knight action-adventure in Mexico as the sole personality. While Marc’s body presumably stayed alive, it is prime evidence that his alters can “die” at least for some time. Those that don’t (Jake), remain and take over some mental space that the others left behind.

    ‘Moon Knight’ (2006)
    ‘Moon Knight’ (2006)

    Basically, the idea is that when Marc’s body is resurrected—however that happens—it will be Jake as the sole personality in control, as he is the only one who did not die in the Underworld or make it into the final paradise. This would be a cool and a bit more unexpected way for the alter to reveal himself, as viewers could think initially that Marc and Steven have returned, only for a brand-new character to go into full-on attack mode.

    This theory could actually help explain why Marc’s scales balanced at the end of Episode 5. It seems to be explained by Steven’s death, considering Taweret told them that their hearts were “incomplete.” But, even with Steven out of the picture, it is almost certain that Jake exists given the extra sarcophagus at the end of Episode 4 in addition to consistent evidence throughout Moon Knight. So, if Jake is still around and Marc has not made peace or separated from all of his alters, it does not make a ton of sense that his scales balanced. My guess is that the moment the scales balanced is the moment Jake was resurrected back into the physical reality. In that situation, because Steven has died and Jake is no longer present in the Underworld, Marc is left alone. 

    Marvel Studios’ ‘Moon Knight’

    One of the big questions with Jake is whether he will have his own Moon Knight suit and what that might be. One of the theories is that the character poster for the series already showcases Jake in the middle, who is wearing some more casual gear rather than an elaborate suit. Interestingly, this theory supports that as well. Marc is killed by Harrow while wearing that exact outfit, so if Jake takes control after the resurrection, that is what he will already be wearing. 

    Marvel Studios

    The major loose end of this theory is where Marc and Steven come back into play. The mechanics of Moon Knight are not totally clear, and they may never be given the complexities of mental health and Ancient Egyptian deities coming together for rather complex metaphysical ideas. But a classic theme in Moon Knight comics is that Marc’s alters can never truly leave. While they may be gone for some time, they will always return. Perhaps Marc and Steven come back as eventual attachments to Jake’s personality. Or, the series finale could be so bold as to keep Jake as the primary identity for the bulk of the episode, only to tease the other two’s later return. 

    The Less Exciting Options

    To get it out of the way, the most straightforward approach to Jake’s appearance is still on the table. Considering that Jake has become known as the most violent and brutal alter in the comics, a very simple way he might appear is in a moment of great need for Marc and Steven. For example, if the two are losing in a major fight or even a final battle, Jake could dramatically come out of the woodwork to turn the tables. While that seems like a fairly obvious way to introduce the character, you can see it coming a mile away. Plus, it would likely mean that it would take some time for the finale to build up to it, which would mean he might get very little screen time at the end of the day. 

    Another less exciting option is for the series to leave Jake as either a brief cameo or lingering tease at the end of the finale. In this way, Marc and Steven would not have to share the spotlight in the final (probably) hour or so of Moon Knight. It would also leave the audience with a clear sense that the titular hero will return and have plenty to explore in the future. While these two options are certainly strong guesses, there is another avenue that the show has opened up that could bring Jake into the picture early and in full control.

    In any event, the Moon Knight finale is shaping up to be one to remember. The first five episodes of the series are currently streaming only on Disney+.

  • First Details On ‘Halloween Ends’ From CinemaCon

    First Details On ‘Halloween Ends’ From CinemaCon

    Back in 2018, the Halloween reboot brought the franchise back from the dead, and featured the return of the original scream queen, Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode. The critical and financial success of the film led Universal to green-light two sequels with Halloween Kills, followed by Halloween Ends, with both films set to release back to back in 2021 and 2022. Now, with October quickly approaching, the studio has unveiled the first footage from Halloween Ends during CinemaCon.

    Erik Davis, who was in attendance at the event, teased the footage, as well as Curtis’ last appearance as Laurie. Curtis, who was on hand for the footage, teased, “This Halloween we will experience Laurie’s last stand. Trust me, it’s going to f*ck you up.” Considering how Halloween Kills ended, Laurie is probably doing everything in her power to put Michael down once and for all.

    Unfortunately, as none of the footage presented at this event seems to be making its way online, those in attendance are providing us with the best descriptions of said footage. The first look at the film presented at the Universal panel featured Laurie facing off against Michael in a kitchen, with Michael throwing Laurie across the room. Laurie then stabbed Michael through the hand, with the last shot revealing Laurie having trapped Michael.

    Halloween Ends will hit theaters on October 14th, 2022.

    SOURCE: Twitter

  • ‘Shazam: Fury Of The Gods’ Shifts Release Date, Avoids ‘Avatar 2’

    ‘Shazam: Fury Of The Gods’ Shifts Release Date, Avoids ‘Avatar 2’

    Shazam: Fury of the Gods will no longer face off against Avatar: The Way of the Water.

    A day after Warner Bros. debuted footage from the film at Cinema Con, producer Jon Landau (Avatar 2) and Disney announced the DC film will no longer open against the Avatar sequel. Instead, Fury of the Gods will now move to December 21st, while The Way of the Water will retain its December 16th release date. It’s an unsurprising move, of course, as it always seemed likely one film would move — thankfully, the latest delay is only a matter of days for Shazam! fans.

    Avatar: The Way of the Water, is the long-awaited sequel to the 2009 smash-hit, Avatar. The Oscar-winning film from director James Cameron, is the highest-grossing film of all time having amassed a stunning $2.8 billion at the worldwide box office. The road to the Avatar sequels has been a bumpy one with Avatar 2 having originally been slatted for December 2014. Now, eight years later, the sequel is hitting just in time for the holiday season, with the next three installments having already been dated, too.

    Shazam!: Fury of the Gods is the follow-up to 2019’s Shazam! which took in $365 million at the worldwide box office. The sequel will see David F. Sandberg back behind the camera with Zachary Levi returning as the titular hero.

    Source: Deadline.

  • Muerto Menos: Why Sony’s Bad Bunny Superhero Project Is Far From A Lifeless Proposition

    Muerto Menos: Why Sony’s Bad Bunny Superhero Project Is Far From A Lifeless Proposition

    Earlier this week, fans received the news that Latin hip-hop multi-hyphenate Bad Bunny (or if you prefer, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) would be playing a superhero. This announcement came by way of Sony Pictures, who saw the potential in him due to his upcoming appearance in Bullet Train. Sony, on the heels of the tepid reception of Morbius at the box office, was understandably in no position to receive goodwill from comic book movie fandom. Yet, for the general audience, the news was even more perplexing when it became apparent exactly which member of the Sony Universe of Marvel Characters Bad Bunny would be playing: the Lucha pro-wrestling-themed antihero El Muerto.

    It’s obvious that the initial response to the news prompted a million Google searches. I’m sure the Marvel site appreciated the spike in traffic, but in El Muerto, aka, Juan-Carlos Estrada, Sony has gone deeper than the deepest of comic character cuts, and across the social media world, that confusion quickly gave way to negativity as it was perceived as yet another example of Sony misusing the Spider-Man IP. But is it?

    Obviously, one of the reasons to adapt a comic’s character is to capitalize on the existing fanbase of that character as they move to a new medium. And El Muerto has none to speak of, his two appearances in Spidey comics notwithstanding. However, in Bad Bunny, Sony has an international superstar with a global following in music, as he is Spotify’s most-streamed artist for two years running. The 28-year-old is currently well-positioned to leverage his substantial stardom into a Hollywood vehicle, and a superhero movie, like other action films, will afford him the opportunity to show charm, charisma, and likeability to a broad audience.

    And when you consider the fact that the El Muerto character he is portraying has no profile in the source material to speak of, there will be no constituency of fans decrying the manner in which Bad Bunny imbues the character with Bad Bunny qualities. If Juan Carlos Estrada becomes synonymous with Bad Bunny in the minds of the moviegoing audience, that’s no slight to the comic-reading audience, who probably never thought about Juan Carlos Estrada at all before this week. The bar is low for his performance, even if ultimately he just ends up playing a version of himself.

    Furthermore, there’s a pro wrestling aspect to this character. Bad Bunny, a huge wrestling fan, competed in a celebrity wrestling match in 2021’s Wrestlemania that many observers rank among the best celebrity performances of all time. And we’ve seen the pro wrestling audience activated before when it comes to supporting movie projects based around wrestlers. According to Deadline, Bad Bunny himself chose the character as the ideal fit after meeting with Sony executives, no doubt because of the opportunity to bring together heroics, pro wrestling, and perhaps the most important selling point of the movie: Latin culture.

    Yes, right off the bat, we have to acknowledge that the character of Juan Carlos Estrada is Mexican, and he competes in Mexican Lucha libre as a masked performer, while Bad Bunny is Puerto Rican. As of yet, it has not been confirmed whether the character will be reimagined as Puerto Rican or whether Bad Bunny will portray a Mexican, and obviously, either outcome would be less than ideal for an authentic representation of the culture that the character was originally conceived as embodying. However, it should not be discounted that Hollywood projects which cast Latinx leads are tremendously rare, despite that group representing a substantial segment of the moviegoing public, and with respect to major superhero movies, El Muerto and DC/WB’s Blue Beetle will be the first.

    And for all of the things, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has done well, giving Latinx communities the opportunity to enjoy a film that celebrates and features cultural elements that resonate with them is something the studio has somewhat dragged its feet on. There is a tradition of lucha-style wrestling in both the Mexican and Puerto Rican communities, and the El Muerto hero arc in particular touches on themes of family legacy and the responsibilities of carrying on the tradition, which should resonate with these groups if handled by capable creatives.

    And ultimately, that’s the biggest “if” of all with respect to this film. Will the diversity we’ve come to expect behind the camera when a project centers on a demographic other than a white male protagonist be realized, and will that result in a group of creatives on El Muerto that will raise its ceiling in terms of quality and authenticity? In a vacuum, the announcement of a film about a Lucha pro wrestler who is also a superhero might be viewed in a positive light (though when it comes to the project as a celebrity star vehicle, your mileage may vary).

    From a special effects standpoint, the film shouldn’t have to do much to convey the character’s power set, which means that the budget can stay fairly low. And with an international superstar aboard who is enthusiastic about the project, marketing should take care of itself. The movie just has to be good. And while concern about that part is certainly understandable, we fans would have those concerns no matter which Marvel character was being adapted by Sony. But ask yourself: Wouldn’t you rather roll the dice on a character that you don’t care about them getting wrong as opposed to one that you do?

  • First Look at David O. Russell’s ‘Amsterdam, Eyeing November Release

    First Look at David O. Russell’s ‘Amsterdam, Eyeing November Release

    Throughout the entire shuffle of Pixar and Marvel news of CinemaCon’s Disney panel, we can’t forget to mention that there was also the reveal of David O. Russell‘s untitled film. Now, it’s been revealed that it’s titled Amsterdam and will release on November 4th. It is described as an “original romantic crime epic” during the panel and has some star power behind it with John David Washington, Margot Robbie, and Christian Bale spearheading the project.

    That is luckily not all, as we even got a first look from the official Twitter account of 20th Century Studios. There was little known about the project until the announcement with hints at what direction it is going and that it had quite the star-studded cast that also includes Taylor Swift, Zoe Saldana, Michael Shannon, Chris Rock, Robert DeNiro, Timothy Olyphant, and more.

    The main trio is uncovering “secret plots in American history” during the 1930s. The visual highlights what may be quite a quirky film by The Fighter and Silver Linings Playbook director. Variety also highlights how different Bale‘s character is from the ones you’d normally expect in an O’Russell production but it’s exciting to see what the director has to offer with his new venture and how it may bring the era to life in the upcoming project.

    Source: Variety

  • RUMOR: Man-Thing May Appear in Marvel Studios’ Untitled Halloween Special

    RUMOR: Man-Thing May Appear in Marvel Studios’ Untitled Halloween Special

    The supernatural side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is in full bloom as projects like Blade and the upcoming Halloween special are set to explore that side of the world. The special is rumored to focus on the character Werewolf By Night, a lycan that has been around the Marvel Universe since 1972, with Gael Garcia Bernal set to paly the role. As we await confirmation on the Halloween special, it seems yet another creepy character will debut in the special.

    The folks over at the Cosmic Circus are reporting that none other then Man-Thing is set to make his MCU debut in the upcoming special. This rumor comes after last months rumblings of a Man-Thing-focused Halloween special from Screen Geek, but it seems these could possibly be the same project.

    The role is reportedly a cameo in the special with the character supposedly being partially practical effects. We previously reported on a rumor from After Hours Media in which they discovered the folks from Universals Halloween Horror Nights working on the projects practical make-up for the character of Jack Russell.

    The special is shaping up to be quite the monster mash if these rumors pan out with Cosmic Circus reporting just a few days ago that actress Laura Donnelly would be playing Elsa Bloodstone, a famous marvel universe monster hunter.

    No release date for the Halloween special has been set just yet, as the project still remains unannounced by Marvel Studios. We do know however that composer Michael Giacchino will make his directing debut with this, which we expect to release sometime this October.

    Source: Cosmic Circus