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  • Peter Dinklage Teases Possible Return in ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’

    Peter Dinklage Teases Possible Return in ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’

    It’s a big day for Thor: Love and Thunder, as the first merchandise has found its way online. We got the tease of Christian Bale‘s Gorr the God Butcher and an updated look at Natalie Portman‘s Mighty Thor. Seems like the day isn’t quite over for the film, as in an interview with Empire, Peter Dinklage was asked about a potential return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe after his appearance in Avengers: Infinity War. Naturally, he wouldn’t give an exact answer but played coy on it and didn’t really deny any involvement.

    Well, there’s another Thor movie there, isn’t there? Coming out that Taika’s directed. But, I didn’t say anything. I didn’t say anything.

    Peter Dinklage

    He took on the role of Eitri, the smith that created Mjolnir and Stormbreaker. As we’ve seen with the latest images, it seems like Mjolnir was reforged from the shatters that Hela left behind in Thor: Ragnarok. So, the return of Eitri would make sense to bring the hammer back to life before it eventually chooses Jane Foster as its new wielder. He had some of the best lines during his time with Thor and Rocket, and we also don’t know what happened to his people after Thanos forced him to create the Infinity Gauntlet. So, hopefully, he was reunited with his people.

    Source: Empire via The Direct

  • ‘Uncharted’ Director Open to Return for a Sequel

    ‘Uncharted’ Director Open to Return for a Sequel

    Uncharted, the Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg-led adaptation of the popular video game franchise, made its debut this weekend to mixed reviews – you can read ours by clicking here. Despite an uninspiring critical success, Uncharted is projected to rake in a solid $51 million domestic haul over its four-day opening weekend, well above its original $30 milllion estimate.

    With such box office success, it becomes more and more likley that Sony will want to churn out a sequel. Director Ruben Fleischer is certainly on board to take on the sequel, which was heavily teased in the film’s post-credit sequence. In an interview with Deadline, he says that:

    I can’t help but hope we’ll be doing a sequel…I think Sony is appropriately superstitious and they don’t plan things without knowing how they’ll be received.

    Ruben Fleischer

    While Sony may hold off on announcing any sequel while Uncharted is still in the eraly days of its release, it seems like audiences cannot get enough of Holland, who has been dominating the box office with Uncharted as well as Spider-Man: No Way Home. In any event, Fleischer is down to direct any followup that Sony might greenlight.

    Source: Deadline

  • REVIEW: ‘Vikings: Valhalla’ is a Slow Burn With Potential

    REVIEW: ‘Vikings: Valhalla’ is a Slow Burn With Potential

    Vikings: Valhalla is technically a spinoff to the original Vikings series, which ran from 2013 until 2020, but isn’t burdened by its legacy. The story takes off a century after Ragnar’s legacy and further explores the aftermath and history that surrounds the characters of Leif Eriksson (Sam Corlett), Freydís Eríksdóttir (Frida Gustavsson), and Harald Sigurdsson (Leo Suter). Not only does it explore the invasion of London but also the inner conflict between Christian and Pagan beliefs within the Viking community. Does it manage to offer a compelling story while continuing what made the Vikings franchise popular?

    I’ll confess that I’ve not seen the original series. So, I went into this blind and without much knowledge, but luckily the 100-year gap made it quite easy to jump in as a newcomer. You are quickly caught up with the main story, an opening text does hint at Ragnar and his story from the original before jumping directly into the conflict that defines this spinoff. The English royals betray the Vikings that lived in their land. As they gather for vengeance, the conflict between their changing culture also reaches a boiling püoint. In a way, it allows for an ongoing conflict within and outside of their ranks.

    This divide was the most compelling storyline throughout the season, especially with how its portrayed. It never is a simple “good or bad” view, but two beliefs at a constant front. We regularly see members of both sides pick a fight because of their difference, while the leadership struggles to keep them in line. It establishes a constant tension between the parties, which makes you wonder when or how people will try to take it out on each other. Yet, it also feels oddly held back by the series trying to juggle more than it can chew at times.

    In a way, the show drags early on and also rushes through storylines. There’s a lot of history here that is complex and worth exploring, but the way it goes from one plot point to the next, it kind of feels like a cliff notes version. You could perfectly split this season into two halves without really changing much, as it suddenly introduces new characters late into the game. While one of them might be my personal favorite just for his general attitude – I don’t want to spoil who that is – it still feels like some of these conflicts could’ve used more time.

    Leif Eriksson, whose history is very much defined by his discovery and not his war prowess, is certainly a kickass character but just along for the ride. His main storyline ties into the overall conflict but it feels somewhat unrealized. Outside of a literal symbol and a heartfelt goodbye, we don’t spend too much time with his conflict. This is war and it takes sacrifices. One of the highlights was seeing him come to grips with the loss and his potential new belief does make a very compelling storyline. Yet, it feels convenient when the story needs it rather than an actual arc throughout.

    Even Freydís’ storyline focused more on build-up than the end execution. Though I will say, I felt like she had the stronger arc throughout this season in comparison to everyone else. I especially loved exploring the Pagan culture and mystical elements surrounding her character. It helped her path stand out from the rest, as the actual England invasion was a bit rushed to get everyone to where they needed to be. They tried to tell so many storylines that it comes to the detriment of its pacing

    I quite enjoyed the back half – even if I believed it should’ve been its season overall to flesh it out more – and it made me happy that I sat through it. Yet, I struggled to get through the earlier episode. There are quite a few characters to keep track of, and it ends up overshadowing our main cast which should be the guiding light throughout the story. We not only have to keep up with our main cast, the Viking royalty, their goals, those that are Pagan and Christian, a side story with a compelling villain played by Asbjørn Krogh Nissen, and the English royalty.

    It’s this weird effect where a lot is happening yet it feels dragged out until suddenly it’s just resolved. Everything else about the series is well-made. The costume design is fantastic, even as many Vikings are similar in design, you can still pick out Leif from the crowd. It doesn’t shy away from brutality from that time, even as we’re watching Pagan rituals. It all comes together at the end, but some might’ve jumped ship as the series doesn’t truly get going until quite a few episodes in. As a weekly release, it could’ve been its detriment but the Netflix binge model may help it out. And with a second season on the horizon, perhaps the best parts are yet to come.

  • New ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Merchandise Offers New Look at Jane Foster’s Thor Design and Reforged Mjolnir

    New ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Merchandise Offers New Look at Jane Foster’s Thor Design and Reforged Mjolnir

    Some time ago, we got our first look at the upcoming design for Jane Foster’s transformation into Thor in the upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder film. It looked quite faithful to the original comic storyline with its own little details that are right at home in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Now, a new line of merchandise has found its way online that offers a closer look at her design alongside further confirmation that the hammer she wields is the reconnected Mjolnir that Hela destroyed in Ragnarok.

    We also got a new action figure that offers a high-quality look at her design and the many details that went into bringing Natalie Portman‘s new tenure as the Goddess of Thunder to life. There are some nice details added, such as the design on her helmet and on the chest plate. It also looks like she’ll definitely have blonde hair when she transforms like in the comics.

    The hammer is also highlighted here once again made of different shards held together. If the toy is any inclination, it seems that the lightning is holding the pieces together and something may have awoken it to its power once more now that Jane is wielding it. Perhaps she found one of the shards and it deemed her worthy to wield it. Whatever direction they go, it’s going to be exciting to see her in action.

    Source: Marvel

  • First ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ LEGO Set Teases Gorr the God Butcher Wielding His Necrosword

    First ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ LEGO Set Teases Gorr the God Butcher Wielding His Necrosword

    We’ve been wondering just how the upcoming Marvel Studios film Thor: Love and Thunder would bring the iconic Gorr the God Butcher to life. Especially if they would include his All-Black the Necrosowrd, which many of us assumed was already used by Thor’s sister Hela in Thor: Ragnarok. Luckily, the first merchandise has found its way online and the official LEGO set “The Goat Boat” sees the already confirmed trust goats pulling a Viking ship. While most of the characters we’ve seen through promotional material in the past, it’s our first look at Christian Bale‘s Gorr the God Butcher.

    Of course, the LEGO Minifigure won’t give us a full look at his costume but does hint that they’ll mostly remain true to his comic design. While in the comics he ran around butt naked, he does seem to have some clothes on that gives him the “white” design he had. It doesn’t seem like he has his black hoodie included, which was created from the Necrosword, but his weapon of choice can be found in the second image.

    Here for a closer look:

    If he is included in this LEGO set, it would mean we might get our first full look at his design soon. Plus, if they are releasing merchandise now we might also get ready for an upcoming teaser trailer in the coming weeks. They interestingly left Gorr out of the action figures, but he may get added once the first full look has been revealed, as they don’t want to take that away from the upcoming trailer. Spider-Man: No Way Home did something similar with only focusing on the story’s heroes in its earlier merch run.

    Source: Marvel

  • Murphy’s Team-Up Volume 18: MoM Trailer Reactions

    Murphy’s Team-Up Volume 18: MoM Trailer Reactions

    Anthony Canton III

    The trailer really gave us an inkling of what’s to come. Visually, it makes this movie feel like a spectacle of epic proportions. The multiple Strange variants and Wanda variants were quite the treat. It leans into some of what we know as far as Wanda being the real villain of the story. Seeing the Ultron bots and what seems to be Charles Xavier and the Illuminati was quite the shot. It was just enough of an appetizer to make us speculate and think what’s next.

    One of the bigger questions personally, is we see what clearly seems to be a variant version of Mordo. Where’s the original one? With his plan of no more sorcerers from the end of Doctor Strange, it has to feel like he’ll be in direct conflict with someone like Wanda who’s been studying the Darkhold. To bottom line the trailer, you get the sense that the MCU is in the process of big change. When it’s all said and done you have to wonder if Kang will be waiting at the end to pick the bones of what’s left of this multiverse of madness.

    Filip Manka

    The new trailer looks fantastic to me and that board with Sam Raimi’s name on it is not a lie, because indeed his style is evident in this trailer. It was already clear at the teaser trailer that visually the film would be interesting and better than the “standard” Marvel movie, but this trailer has raised the bar and my expectations. It looks insane and conceptually it’s inventive and creative (the shot of Strange’s face falling apart or the zoom in on Wanda’s eye). Moreover, the special effects aren’t plastic this time and look spectacular, at least at the trailer stage, and the improved color grading and photo saturation enhance that layer.

    Still my most anticipated MCU movie this year. I’ll swallow the cameos and fanservice, but let’s hope the direction and visuals will deliver because the trailer gave me an appetite for more. Finally, we get Ditko’s weirdness in a proper release. Raimi, I trust you <3

    Joseph Aberl

    I didn’t expect a full trailer drop during the Super Bowl, but what a way to let people know there’s a big one heading our way. The multiverse opens up many possibilities, and it was uncertain just how much the marketing might lean into it. Luckily, the trailer did exactly that while still offering a grounded focus on Strange as its central figure. The Patrick Stewart tease was fitting, as they leaned into the rumors without giving it fully away. We get small bits of the story here or there, as they still keep America Chavez as somewhat of a mystery. It did add a lot of excitement to its release and I cannot wait to see what the first 2022 Marvel Studios film has in store for us.

    Mary Maerz

     I absolutely adore how intense and eerie the trailer is–I think it is worth noting that there is not a single joke or moment of comic relief in the entire thing. The visuals so far look phenomenal and on point with what I would want in a Doctor Strange story. It was no secret that the movie would have horror-inspired elements, but the trailer really showcased that Multiverse of Madness might genuinely have a dramatically different tone than other MCU films. It’s pretty clear that Marvel is putting a lot of importance on this one, which is cool to see for a solo film, and for a film without the traditional A-team MCU heroes. I’m actually so excited! I really think it has the potential to be one of the most visually exciting, adrenaline-pumping, awe-inspiring MCU film. I’m ready for Wanda to go nutty. Mentally unstable, confident, evil-adjacent or adversarial women are vastly underrated. I have yet to see better villains or threats than those.

    It did completely hide the ball when it comes to…the plot. I get that it wants to preserve some sort of secrecy, but it is hard to gauge from the trailer if the substance of the movie is going to live up to the grandiosity of the trailer and the potential I think it has. Honestly, I barely care about all the teases and surprise cameos at this point. Maybe it is No Way Home fatigue, but the idea of seeing mostly (I’m guessing) one-off cameos is cool but not something that is going to make or break the film for me. Big cameos are exciting, but less so after Twitter has thoroughly broken down every single one of them, and once they’re revealed, they lose that “wow!” shine pretty quickly. Don’t get me wrong, when we’re talking about a dive into the multiverse, there should definitely be some multiversal characters, but I hope they add quality rather than just fan service quantity.

    Nathan Miller

    I loved the trailer! I’ve watched it quite a few times since it debuted, and am still stunned by small discoveries I pick up with each new viewing. I’m fascinated by the fact that the story seems to be building for Stephen Strange from his debut, through other appearances and into this film. I love the themes that seem to be developing around control, corruption and complexities. I can’t wait to see Wanda and the spectacle it seems she will deliver! The trailer gives just enough hints and the things to come without giving too much away. Really intrigued by how it pushes the Marvel Cinematic Universe forward. The sign for whether I really enjoyed a trailer is how much I go back to watch it and whether the music sticks with me and both seem to be the case. In some ways, I can’t believe this film is real. I’m counting down the days until we can buy tickets and then go see it!

    Charles Murphy

    Not your run-of-the-mill Marvel Studios trailer…and I love it. Obviously, we’ll have to wait to see the movie until we know for sure, but it feels like Marvel Studios is working hard to move away from their standard fare and to begin creating some truly unique experiences for audiences. This seemingly began with Eternals and will continue with Moon Knight and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. That starts with having a director on board with a strong vision and that, in this case, is Sam Raimi. I’d say this trailer looks more like a trailer for a Raimi film than a Marvel Studios film…and that’s just fine with me.

    Dalbin Osorio

    One word: amazing.
    Marvel’s decision to give us as much as they did (a Captain Marvel that isn’t Carol Danvers, Patrick Stewart’s Xavier, a Sanctum that looks like it’s residing at the very end of time and may have Kang waiting for Dr. Strange) leads me to believe that a) we don’t know as much as we think and b) we know enough to continue piecing where we are headed. 


    Whispers Secret Wars.

    The theme for Phase 4 seems to be that our heroes get put through the ringer post-Endgame: as if the fight to save the universe didn’t take enough, you now have Wanda losing Vision again, Strange losing Christine Palmer, and this is after Spider-Man lost MJ. This movie has the distinction of building out three new teams, I’d suspect: the Defenders, Illuminati, and the Young Avengers, all with very distinct missions going forward. The trailer gave us pieces of all 3, and left us with more questions than answers, and in that respect it accomplished it’s mission. Oh, and Professor Xavier has never sounded so regal.

    John Sabato

    First of all, Sam Raimi back in the directors chair and on a comic book film is just absolutely perfect. He’s such a bright mind and his filmography is amazing, so this movie is surely going to have that classic Raimi flair.  Multiverse of Madness looks pretty nuts and, based off that new trailer, I feel like it can definitely live up to NWH and even exceed it. I’m definitely even more interested to see Cumberbatch and Olsen return as Strange and Maximoff after the ending of WandaVision. I feel like we’re gonna see a real push forward on the mystical/supernatural side of the MCU and see that expanded like crazy. But what really has me excited is how close the movie is and how we won’t have to spend months and months listening to awful fan theories and “will they wont they” like Superior Iron Man compared to how annoying the lead up to Spider-Man: No Way Home was.

    Joao Pinto

    he trailer certainly did its job in hyping up a movie that’ll prove pivotal to the MCU’s future. The Doctor Strange IP has managed to bring us some of the most innovative visuals ever since its 2016 debut, the battle between Strange and Thanos on Titan in Avengers: Endgame and even the Mirror Dimension sequence in Spider-Man: No Way Home. By taking advantage of these insane visual cues the trailer made the movie truly feel like a big cinematic event, that’ll manage to breathe fresh air into the MCU as a whole by moving away from the usual landscapes and moving into whole new realities. These new realities, apparently inhabited by not-so-new characters, are yet another huge draw that the trailer manages to bank on.

    I’m personally mostly against bringing specific versions of characters into the MCU that perhaps should have been simply rebooted in this new universe. But the concept of the Multiverse basically permits infinite versions of each reality and/or character, and this allows for the best of both worlds. We now can get iconic actors playing iconic roles that bring the intended emotional resonance to the movie without really needing to bring all the useless baggage from their earlier features. And in that sense, the references to the cameos that we are all sure to get in a couple of months are immensely gratifying, making the trailer a home run on all fronts.

  • RUMOR: Another Fan-Favorite X-Men May Appear in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    RUMOR: Another Fan-Favorite X-Men May Appear in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    If you are actively avoiding spoilers for the upcoming film, then only continue at your own risk.

    It doesn’t look like the rumors will end anytime soon surrounding Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. At this rate, they may be adding any character they possibly could, which hopefully won’t take away from Doctor Strange’s story. Right after a new LEGO set may have confirmed two long-rumored Marvel characters joining the film, it seems that one more rumor pops up. Illuminerdi’s Joseph Deckelmeier has shared on Twitter that we’ll see the addition of Wolverine.

    In his tweet, he does go on to highlight that it is not Hugh Jackman returning to the role. So, we are left with the question of who it might end up being if this rumor turns out true. Plus, we might expect the character, as he could either be part of the Illuminati that we got teased during the Super Bowl trailer, or he may appear throughout Strange’s journey.

    So far, most rumors have surrounded who might be part of the Illuminati’s council, but we forget that he might be traveling through multiple parts of the multiverse. We even saw a glimpse of an animated dimension, which could be the home of the now-confirmed X-Men ’97 revival series. At this point, anything could happen and we are excited to see what rumor may end up true once the film finally releases this May.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Uncharted’ Beats Expectation with $51M Over the President Day Weekend

    ‘Uncharted’ Beats Expectation with $51M Over the President Day Weekend

    It looks like Tom Holland‘s latest film has managed to once again beat expectations, as Uncharted is now on its way to a domestic opening with $51M. Initially, it was expected to make around $30M+ with around $40M being its potential highest point, but the film beat out expectations. Its above-mentioned total is for the President Day weekend with its three-day total landing at $44.2M. Globally, the film has already passed $100M as of this point and received a B+ CinemaScore from its male-dominated audience. Sony Motion Picture Group president Josh Greenstein shared the following statement:

    Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg are brilliant together. Thank you to our sister company, PlayStation, for their incredible partnership, and all the many people who worked so hard to bring this film to life in a big, theatrical way.

    Josh Greenstein

    It’s another win for director Ruben Fleischer, who also made quite the splash in the box office with Venom some years ago. Another winner for the weekend was Channing Tatum’s Dog which also beat out expectations and took in $15.1M over the three days. The film is inspired by the 2017 HBO documentary War Dog: A Soldier’s Best Friend and seemingly struck a chord with audiences. The third spot went to Spider-Man: No Way Home. The Sony-Marvel film is still holding on tightly to the box office as it continues to take in as much as it can before its physical release.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • The ‘Peacemaker’ Finale and Peace In Our Time

    The ‘Peacemaker’ Finale and Peace In Our Time


    The long lingering shot at the end of the season finale of Peacemaker felt appropriate. Christopher Smith had found what felt like a modicum of peace. He had Eagly by his side and the relationship he built with Goff (the last living butterfly) felt like an agree-to-disagree but closing with friendly terms. In watching that moment, there was an ease in Smith as he came to grips with who he is and is ready to move on. It was short lived however, as his father reappeared as a ghost. There can be speculation about what that means for season 2, but there’s something that James Gunn nailed in this moment. Sometimes we are left to carry our trauma as if a butterfly was sitting in our heads.

    The closing montage to the season found Peacemaker and his crew dealing with new realities. Adebayo outing her mother Amanda Waller; Harcourt recovering and rehabbing her injuries in battle; and Economos right back to Belle Reve. Vigilante gets to be Vigilante so at least there’s that, but the point is the fight doesn’t just end. There’s more. Peacemaker, as it seems, doesn’t get to move forward. Even though he killed his father, that part of it doesn’t end in his death.

    In a lot of ways, whether intentionally or not, Gunn’s writing reflects the time we’ve spent since 2020 sitting and wading in our collective trauma. As the global pandemic has affected everyone in different ways, it’s illuminated the weight we carry. Like Peacemaker, we all have had to keep moving despite those effects. Whether mental, emotional, physical, or spiritual it feels like a price has been paid. As Economos is baring his soul to a butterfly just to attempt to stay alive, you can’t help but feel the weight of that. These are the words we’ve all held onto because life doesn’t wait for us to recover.

    Adebayo speaks poignantly to Peacemaker at the beginning of the episode, referring to the accidental death of his brother: ”Don’t forgive me that’s fine, but don’t let that shit define who you are.” It feels like great advice, in fact it is. However, like all things in life, these are easier problems to think about than the act of forgiveness. The familiarity of trauma for Peacemaker allows him to stay in it because its the easy thing to do. It’s a hard truth for many of us in life to just move on instead of dwell.

    The beautiful thing, whilst heartbreaking, is these characters continue to fight. Adebayo battles Amanda Waller’s influence and voice to become something more. Harcourt grows to understand that while the job is the job, there is room for others in her life. Economos, much so the same, finding friends in the midst of trouble.

    Christopher Smith has been through a great deal, and that last shot of the episode felt like what peace could potentially look like. He can forgive himself for his brother’s death, and feel like there’s a chance for redemption. He can find and cultivate friendships, meaningful ones, that grow through honesty. There was a feeling of accomplishment in that shot. Seeing Auggie again was a reminder of the passengers we carry. It was sad, yet so identifiable. In ways that we can all understand, this is peace in our time.

  • RUMOR: Leaked ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ LEGO Set May Confirm the Appearance of [SPOILER] and [SPOILER]

    RUMOR: Leaked ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ LEGO Set May Confirm the Appearance of [SPOILER] and [SPOILER]

    Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness might be surrounded by the most rumors of any Marvel Studios project so far. With how Spider-Man: No Way Home offered the return of many iconic characters from the franchise’s past, it seemed löike everything is possible for the multiverse traveling film heading to theaters in May. Now, it looks like a leaked LEGO set named “The Sanctum Sanctorum” may be adding some fuel to the fire on who might appear in the upcoming film.

    If this rumor turns out to be true, it may spoil the experience for those wanting to enter the film blind. So, only continue at your own risk.

    The 2,708-piece model will include the usual sets of Minifigures from characters inspired by the upcoming movie. The last one featuring Gargantos included Strange, Wong, and the new MCU addition of America Chavez. Yet, it seems this new large set will include two rather interesting Minifigure additions. As the listing includes Iron Man and Spider-Man in the Sanctum Sanctorum fighting alongside three versions of Strange, Baron Mordo, and Wanda Maximoff. Now, these sets are never a one-to-one representation of what happens in the film, their inclusion is still quite noteworthy.

    Let’s start off with Iron Man. There’s been a lot of theories going around the upcoming film may including a Variant inspired by the Superior Iron-Man, especially with how the returning Ultron Sentry seems to have a design similar to his from the comics. Not only that, there have been rumors that it may not be Robert Downey Jr. but Tom Cruise in the role, as he was in the running for the 2008 film. The former has technically left the franchise behind after Tony Stark’s death in Avengers: Endgame.

    The big addition is that Spider-Man is included in the set, especially with there being rumors that No Way Home would open up the possibility of one of the Variants to make a return in a future entry. There’s no confirmation who it might end up being, but given that Strange no longer knows who Peter Parker is, it’ll be interesting to see him interact with the character again. Of course, it being a Sam Raimi film, it would seem fitting if Tobey Maguire returns once again in the role as a nice reunion. We’ll see once photos of the set find their way online if they tease which designs the LEGO set takes inspiration from to further add to these rumors.

    Source: Brickfanatic