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  • RUMOR: Laura Donnelly May Be Playing Elsa Bloodstone in the Untitled ‘Werewolf by Night’ Halloween Special

    RUMOR: Laura Donnelly May Be Playing Elsa Bloodstone in the Untitled ‘Werewolf by Night’ Halloween Special

    It’s still weird to think that Marvel Studios has already started work on their Werewolf by Night Halloween special but still hasn’t officially announced the project in any capacity. The Disney+ special will see composer Michael Giacchino take on directing duties for the project. It has gone silent since, as Marvel Studios tries to keep as much a secret as possible. Yet, a new rumor seems to hint that actress Laura Donnelly, famous for her work on The Nevers, has joined the project in a role that comic fans will be happy to hear about.

    It was in January when we learned that she joined Gael Garcia Bernal in the series, who will play Jack Russell or the famous Werewolf by Night. At the time, she was believed to be Russel’s niece Nina Price who was a vampire and werewolf hybrid. Now, Cosmic Circus is reporting that she may be playing a different character altogether. According to them, she’ll play the famous monster huntress Elsa Bloodstone, a popular character fans have been hoping to see join the Marvel Cinematic Universe at some point.

    It does beg the question of which one of the two rumored characters she might end up playing. We have to keep in mind that the Halloween special currently has no official title and Werewolf by Night was simply attributed due to the lack of one and it focuses on Russel. So, we might get a better picture once they do officially announce as the project is currently still eyeing a release this Halloween. Bloodstone does make a good choice as we start to explore the darker, Universal Monster-inspired side of the universe and it’ll be interesting to see if the special is also there to set up the seeds for the Midnight Sons moving foward.

    Source: Cosmic Circus

  • New ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Merch May Confirm Mighty Thor’s Comic-Accurate Origin

    New ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Merch May Confirm Mighty Thor’s Comic-Accurate Origin

    When it was first announced that Natalie Portman would take on the role of Mighty Thor in the Thor: Love and Thunder, it not only had many cheering but also raised some questions. Given the heavy subject matter of her storyline in the comics, it did raise the question if the Marvel Cinematic Universe would also explore her battle with cancer. It seems that a new piece of merchandise may have given us the answer to that very question.

    The Mighty Thor’s Helmet (Thor: Love and Thunder) Replica | Marvel Movie Museum

    Eagle Moss shared a replica of Mighty Thor’s helmet. While the collector’s item already stands out on its own, what caught our eye was the description included. Not only does it give us our first glimpse into her storyline and how Mjolnir is restored, but also confirms that Jane Foster is suffering from cancer in the upcoming film. The description is as follows:

    Suffering from cancer, astrophysicist and Thor’s ex-girlfriend, Jane Foster, visited New Asgard and her life was changed forever. Mysteriously, the broken pieces of Mjolnir, the hammer of the thunder god, transformed her into the Mighty Thor and gifted her the superpowers of Thor, to battle threats internal and external. Wielding Mjolnir herself, she had become a godly protector and a new hero was born!

    So, it seems they are following the comic storyline quite closely. It does make you wonder how they’ll tackle it and how it may intertwine with Thor’s story of trying to retire from superhero-ing. Perhaps their paths cross and we uncover just what may have affected the growth inside her. Given that the Aether used her as its host, they may tie that storyline back to Thor: The Dark World and Thor takes a certain responsibility for what happened to her. Perhaps the next trailer offers a few more teases of how that plot line will come together, or even if they tease who is behind the mask.

    Source: EagleMoss

  • Deebo Samuel’s Trade Request Creates Questions, Uncertainty for the 49ers

    Deebo Samuel’s Trade Request Creates Questions, Uncertainty for the 49ers

    I find it WILD that the best offensive player for the San Francisco 49ers is asking for a trade. Deebo Samuel stated, per Jeff Darlington of ESPN, “He did not want to discuss specific reasons behind his request, but he has indeed let the 49ers know his desire to leave the organization.” Deebo is such a versatile player that he is, essentially, positionless. He can play any skill position the team needs and is not pigeon-holed into being just a wide receiver or running back or punt returner or kick returner. This makes him unique, and thus, valuable. There is no one in the NFL like Samuel. Deebo is not a player you can just replace with a veteran or through the draft. He understands his current role, how to play in the league, AND how to have and maintain success.

    Additionally, Kyle Shanahan has done a masterful job of creating touches for Deebo that has allowed him to use his full compliment of skills…and those skills have helped lead the 49ers to past two NFC Conference Championship Games. The same cannot be said for every coach, including coaches in the NFL. Think Percy Harvin when he was in the league. Shanahan has been given the moniker of “genius” throughout his time as an offensive coordinator. Where that “genius” lies is in his ability to find the weakness of the defense, create formations and motions that attack those weaknesses and then an ability to counter the defenses adjustments. In layman’s terms, Shanahan uses his most gifted and explosive athletes against the softest part of the defense. The relationship between Shanahan and Deebo seemed to be symbiotic, with each party benefiting from the skills of the other.

    Something has occurred between the Niners and Deebo that has pushed Samuel to ask for a trade. Samuel stated it’s because of how he was used in the offense, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport. That could be the reason. It seems improbable. Finding more ways to take advantage of Deebo’s skills is, seemingly, in Shanahan’s wheelhouse. What seems more probable is the communication, personalities, and/or off-field interactions between Samuel, Shanahan, and the Niners have created a chasm so wide that it’s unable to be mended. While he may have been frustrated with how he was used in the offense, it doesn’t seem plausible that that singular issue would create such discontent as to implode the relationship.

    As of now, two things are clear: Samuel’s request and the 49ers desire not to trade him. It’s important to note that the Niners have the leverage in this situation. The “why” hasn’t been shared and we may never know the real reason and, invariably, any comments that come from Shanahan or 49ers’ general manager John Lynch will be “coach speak.” Lots of words that say little to nothing about the topic.

    The Niners will, most likely, start 2nd-year quarterback Trey Lance from North Dakota State this coming season and, unless they get a TRUCKLOAD of talent and picks, will be playing with an unhappy WR/RB/PR/KR1.

    In the end, the only person who knows the real reason is Deebo.

  • ‘Madame Web’ Film Scheduled For 2023

    ‘Madame Web’ Film Scheduled For 2023

    Morbius is still biting his way through theaters, but Sony is already looking ahead. The studio has set an official release date for Madame Web, revealing the title character will make her live-action debut on July 7th, 2023. This puts the premiere of the movie, which reportedly takes place within Sony’s Universe of Marvel Characters, a solid seven months after that of its predecessor, J.C. Chandor‘s Kraven the Hunter. It also puts the project in competition with several other highly anticipated summer blockbusters, like Mission: Impossible 7 and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which release later that same month.

    Madame Web will adapt the story of Spider-Man’s one-time comic book spiritual guide. Although it has not been confirmed which version of the character will headline the plot, it has been reported that Sony is looking to make Madame Web their world’s version of Doctor Strange. S.J. Clarkson, known for her work on television shows like Dexter and House, will direct a script from frequent Sony collaborators Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless. Up-and-coming actress Sydney Sweeney recently boarded the film to star alongside Dakota Johnson. It is not known who either of the thespians are portraying, but it’s likely the studio would want such popular talents as leading faces of their franchise.

    The move to give Madame Web a release date comes at the same time Sony revealed it would be delaying it’s sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. With so many upcoming projects based on their most iconic intellectual property, it’s at least nice to have a good idea when they will all arrive in theaters.

    Source: Twitter

  • Sony Delays Release of ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,’ Sets Date For Sequel

    Sony Delays Release of ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,’ Sets Date For Sequel

    It would seem fans are going to have to wait a while longer for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. It’s being reported by Jeff Sneider that Sony has delayed the release of the highly anticipated sequel by around eight months. Originally set to debut on October 7th of this year, Across the Spider-Verse (Part One) will now hit theaters on June 2nd, 2023. On the bright side, the third installment in the popular animated franchise, which will presumably be titled Across the Spider-Verse (Part Two), now has an official release date. That adventure will swing through the big screen almost a year later on Mar. 29th, 2024.

    The news is somewhat shocking, considering that the production of the next Spider-Verse film seemed to be chugging along at full speed. No reason was given for the delay, but it could be anything from strategic marketing timing to the animators simply needing a little more time. Either way, the push back is probably a good thing, giving animators more time to work on the movie as needed. Across the Spider-Verse (Part One) will see Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, and Jake Johnson return to their roles as multiversal Spider-People, only this time they’ll be joined by Oscar Isaac as Spider-Man 2099 and Issa Rae as Jessica Drew’s Spider-Woman.

    Not much is known about the plot, but the project’s first teaser revealed audiences would see Moore‘s Miles Morales dueling with Isaac‘s Miguel O’Hara. Unfortunately, the true reason for this won’t be known until the summer of 2023.

    Source: Twitter

  • Don’t Expect Johnny Depp to Ever Return to ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’

    Don’t Expect Johnny Depp to Ever Return to ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’

    Johnny Depp is currently on a trial with Amber Heard due o the allegations made against the actor years ago. It dragged down his image and led to him losing quite a few roles, which included getting replaced in the Fantastic Beasts: Secrets of Dumbledore and even a sixth Pirates of the Caribbean film. At one point, it was rumored that Margot Robbie joined the franchise but we haven’t gotten an update on that in quite some time. He states that the film hasn’t been produced and is in “dangle mode” since he was dropped from the project by Disney.

    He went on to highlight that even though they’ve distanced themselves from the actor, it never stopped the company from using the character he played in their various merchandise and rides. In last year’s E3 event we even got the reveal of Jack Sparrow and elements from Pirates of the Carribbean being added to the popular pirate game Sea of Thieves, which he certainly had no say in considering he brought the character to life.

    They didn’t remove my character from the rides. They didn’t stop selling dolls of Captain Jack Sparrow. They didn’t stop selling anything. They just didn’t want there to be something trailing behind me that they’d find.

    Johnny Depp

    It definitely left some deep scars, especially with the general effect these allegations have had on his career. When asked if he’d return to work on a new entry if Disney offered him “$300 million and a million alpacas” he’d still refused to return to the franchise. It’s a harsh statement but an understandable one given the way how the events unfold. For now, if Disney decides to move forward with the franchise, they won’t be able to rely on Jack Sparrow to keep the boat afloat.

    Source: Variety

  • Connecting Imaginary Dots: ‘Reservation Dogs’ Devery Jacobs May Have Joined Disney+ Series ‘Echo’

    Connecting Imaginary Dots: ‘Reservation Dogs’ Devery Jacobs May Have Joined Disney+ Series ‘Echo’

    We just ran the news that Alaqua Cox has shared that Echo’s production is seemingly going to start tomorrow. She announced it via an Instagram story featuring flowers. What stands out though is that she got the flowers from fellow actress Devery Jacobs, who many might remember for her role in FX’s Reservation Dogs. Well, if we take a closer look at the letter that she sent, it would hint that the actress may also have joined Echo in an unknown role. So, let’s connect the dots here.

    In her letter, she states that “I wish I could be there to kick it off.” That alone wouldn’t really give it away, as she simply could be sharing that she wished she could join her on the series to support her, but also hints that she would join just not that early in production. But, what does definitely hint at her potentially having a role in the series is the addition of “see you soon” which highlights that she may join production at a later date.

    Jacobs would also match a casting of a character known as Julie. Echo was looking to cast a Native American actress between the age of 27 to 33 in the role, who is the responsible type with a strong will of her own. A casting that would match the actress perfectly, as it’s not too dissimilar to her character Elora Danan Postoak from Reservation Dogs.

    What also helps is that director Sydney Freeland is involved with the series, something she confirmed back in March. It’s not uncommon that directors would bring along talent that they are interested in working with again. There’s no official confirmation so far, but Devery Jacobs‘ letter would certainly hint at her potentially having some kind of role in the series. Perhaps we’ll get an official casting announcement soon, as production starts tomorrow or before she joins the project at a later date.

  • Marvel Studios’ ‘Echo’ Seemingly Starting Production Tomorrow

    Marvel Studios’ ‘Echo’ Seemingly Starting Production Tomorrow

    There have been quite a few hints that Echo is going to start production soon. We learned some time ago that they would start production under the working title “Grasshopper” and their location scouts were quite busy back in March. Earlier this month, it was seemingly confirmed that Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio would join the project. Last year, it was hinted that the series would start production in January but it looks like they are already preparing to start production tomorrow.

    Echo actress Alaqua Cox took to her Instagram account to share a story. In it, she reveals that she received some flowers as a celebration ahead of their production start. It’s uncertain if we’ll get any photos from the set as a way to celebrate the start, but while she doesn’t mention what project exactly, it’s safe to assume that it’s Marvel Studios’ next Disney+ series.

    It’s great to see the project pick up steam finally, and it seems we can expect it to release in 2023 if it starts production now. To this day, it’s still really impressive to think that Hawkeye, which introduced viewers to the character and her connection to Vincent D’Onofrio‘s Kingpin, was her first role ever. Now, she’s left such an impressive performance that she’s getting her own spinoff moving forward. So, we’ll see what direction they’ll take, especially with the freedom they have with a character like Echo.

    Source: Instagram

  • Duffer Brothers on Potential ‘Stranger Things’ Spinoffs After Season 5

    Duffer Brothers on Potential ‘Stranger Things’ Spinoffs After Season 5

    Stranger Things is set to end with its upcoming fifth season. It’s been quite the ride and while we still have some time before the final episodes arrive, we still know an end is on the horizon. They split up the fourth season into two parts but knowing that the series will soon end feels like the end of an era. For the actors that joined the project, it’ll be the end of a big part of their childhood of bringing these lovable characters to life. So, it’s not been an easy task for Duffer Brothers to decide when to let go.

    In an interview with SFX, they talk about how ending it with Season 5 still feels “a little early” but they still felt like it was “the right move.” Yet, it seems that they may already be thinking about the future, as they do hint that they have some kind of plan but nothing concrete enough that Netflix isn’t even aware of where the journey will go moving forward.

    We haven’t told anyone our plans! Not even Netflix! We have some ideas. In terms of if we were to do any sort of a spin-off, or any continuation of Stranger Things, for us the bar was always, ‘Is the idea exciting enough that we feel the pull of wanting to do it again?’ I want to feel the pull of, ‘God, I really want to do this. I feel really, really excited about this.’ So that’s why we’re being careful about what that is and whether we move forward with it or not.

    Matt Duffer

    As we still have some time until the fifth season releases, we might see their visions become clearer as we near its release. So, we’ll see what they may have planned for us moving forward and if the finale may even give us a clearer look at where Stranger Things will move after its wrapped up the series that started in 2016.

    Source: SFX

  • Oscar Isaac’s Younger Brother Helped to Bring Marc Spector and Steven Grant to Life in ‘Moon Knight’

    Oscar Isaac’s Younger Brother Helped to Bring Marc Spector and Steven Grant to Life in ‘Moon Knight’

    As the latest episode of Moon Knight saw two versions of Oscar Isaac interact with each other, they naturally needed a double to take on the role that he wasn’t playing at the time. To ensure they find someone that would match the actor, the double role ended up going to his younger brother, Michael Benjamin Hernandez. The hilarious part is that he had the code name Mork Sphincter during production. In an interview with Marvel, he shared his experience working opposite his brother.

    If Oscar was playing Marc at the time, I would play Steven opposite of him. Then we would switch around, and he would play the Steven role and I would do the Marc role. It would involve me being on set with him doing the scenes, or an earpiece, where I would give him the lines. So depending on how they were shooting it, I would either be actually there in the scene or off camera.

    Michael Benjamin Hernandez

    He also highlighted that they’d coordinate their scenes throughout the production, where Isaac was an active coach for him and ensure they are approaching their scenes “on the same page.” Yet, they were also open to improvising throughout, but always made sure they were prepared before a scene.

    Before a scene, I’d be in [Oscar’s] trailer and we’d talk about what’s happening here and what’s the intention, what’s going on. That would help me perform in a way that makes sense to him, and we were both on the same page. For me, it was all about making it as real and authentic as possible for Oscar to play off against, as opposed to him recording lines and just going off the line.

    Michael Benjamin Hernandez

    It wasn’t an easy job, as he also had make-up and prosthetics added to make his transformation into Steven and Marc easier, which was a strange experience for Hernandez. Yet, he highlights it helped him immerse into the experience of being Isaac as well.

    It was just this weird, mutated abomination of Marc with a fake prosthetic nose. I had never done the whole casting thing where they pour the green goo over your face…and I was totally game for all of that. I was totally game for like, yeah, you want to give me a wig or fake nose? We even thought of fake chin parts and cheeks. But then we established that if we were going to film from behind my shoulder, the nose was the prominent piece to get. And so that made it feel like it was actually Oscar there, because he has a beautiful schnoz, and we wanted to recreate that

    Michael Benjamin Hernandez

    It certainly sounds like he had quite the experience on the show, and if we see more of Moon Knight in the future, he’ll probably have more chances to bring the character back to life again. Long live Mork Sphincter!

    Source: Marvel