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  • EXCLUSIVE: Marvel Didn’t Allow ‘Hit-Monkey’ To Use Bullseye In Series

    EXCLUSIVE: Marvel Didn’t Allow ‘Hit-Monkey’ To Use Bullseye In Series

    Marvel TV’s last bastion Hit-Monkey premieres tomorrow on Hulu, ending the department’s near-decade-long stint with a brutal and violent spectacle. The show is filled with lots of gore, emotion, and features a handful of Marvel characters that some comic readers may recognize. Characters like Silver Samurai, Fat Cobra, and Lady Bullseye all make memorable appearances all throughout.

    One character that almost made the cut, however, was the original Bullseye. Once again, the old adage of corporate mandates hijacking creative visions took place, prohibiting showrunners Will Speck and Josh Gordon from using the fabled Daredevil character. In our exclusive interview with the directing duo, they said:

    Yes, Bullseye. Bullseye was in the original issues of Hit-Monkey and that was who we originally thought we would use but for various reasons, we couldn’t. But Marvel offered us Lady Bullseye instead and we thought, ‘Wow. That’s so much more interesting since she’s a character we haven’t seen much of yet.’ We were thrilled that we got that pivot.

    These things happen a lot with Marvel TV. Jeph Loeb and co. want to use a character for their shows but the powers that be at Marvel Studios veto it for reasons related to their own plans for the characters at hand.

    In this instance, this could’ve been a case of Marvel not wanting to touch anything that had to do with the Netflix clause that prohibited the use of characters from their shows for an X amount of years, though the production timeline might say otherwise. Interestingly, this could also very well be a mandate from Marvel Studios as Kevin Feige begins to get his hands on some of Marvel’s most famous street-level characters.

  • Hailee Steinfeld Describes the Emotional Moment She Landed Her ‘Hawkeye’ Role

    Hailee Steinfeld Describes the Emotional Moment She Landed Her ‘Hawkeye’ Role

    With Marvel Studios’ Hawkeye set to premiere next week, people are anxious to see what’s next for Clint Barton. The introduction of his co-archer Kate Bishop is also exciting fans more so than ever, as actress Hailee Steinfeld is already getting rave reviews for her performance as Kate. While Marvel Studios executive producer Trinh Tran has previously said that Steinfeld was the Studios’ “go-to girl” for Kate Bishop, the actress recently opened up to Cosmopolitan about the emotional moment she learned that she landed the role:

    When I found out I got the job, I was actually pulling up to set on Dickinson. My driver got out of the car and went to open my door and I held it shut because it was like, “I need a moment.” I hadn’t gotten a “you got the job” call in a minute. My mom was on the phone and I started crying in the back seat of the car. I was like, “Wow, this is so wild.” I was trying to wrap my head around how different it was going to be from Dickinson and how ready but anxious I was about the whole thing.

    Hailee Steinfeld

    The actress landing the role was arguably emotional for fans as well. Rumors upon rumors floated around regarding whether or not Steinfeld had signed on for the role. Multiple project delays affected her ability to take the job, but eventually, it was clear that Steinfeld would be taking her place in Hawkeye after we got the first photos and videos of her on set. While audiences will be able to judge for themselves when Hawkeye drops on November 24th, it seems likely that Steinfeld’s turn as Kate Bishop is a casting that will be celebrated all-around.

    Source: Forbes, Cosmopolitan

  • EXCLUSIVE: ‘Hawkeye’ Will Test Kate Bishop’s Relationship With Her Mother

    EXCLUSIVE: ‘Hawkeye’ Will Test Kate Bishop’s Relationship With Her Mother

    We’re only a few weeks away from Hawkeye‘s release on Disney+. The series will take a more grounded approach with our titular hero taking on mobsters rather than planet-destroying space tyrants. Clint Barton’s series will also see him take a young protégé under his wing, Hailee Steinfeld‘s Kate Bishop. The series will explore their dynamic and the importance of family. While Barton is struggling to make it home on time for the holidays, Kate is juggling her relationship with her mother.

    In a teaser for the series, we briefly saw the archer trying to explain to her mother that she is important in solving an Avengers-level threat. Vera Farmiga will bring her mother, Eleanor Bishop, to life and has been highlighted in the trailers so far. It’s interesting to note that she died in the comics during a visit to Colorado with her husband Derek raising Kate and her sister Susan. It was a big part of her character development in the comics, which the MCU will add a new spin on it. Hawkeye producer Trinh Tran offered some insight into why they made the change in an exclusive interview with our own Charles Villanueva

    We haven’t had many opportunities to explore a mother-daughter relationship in the MCU. I’m not saying that hasn’t happened, but it’s just there hasn’t been too many of that. And what I find interesting is that there is a lot of, I guess, fresh territory that we can go to for the relationship for the two of them.

    Trihn Tran

    Many Marvel stories indeed focus on the dynamic between fathers and their children, such as Thanos and Gamora, Ego and Star-Lord, and many more. So, it’s a great move to use this opportunity to explore a mother-daughter dynamic, especially as she highlights how Kate’s personality adds that extra layer that’ll test their relationship.

    She thinks she knows what is best for Kate, but Kate is you’ve seen in the comics is sometimes hard-headed, and she speaks her mind and she is not afraid to do so. And there could be opposing opinions in who she is. So, I think that, like I said, is a more personal, more emotional between the two characters that we wanted to explore in this particular direction for the both of them.

    Trihn Tran

    There’s a possibility that this change was also inspired to explore the darker side of her family’s history. Given what we learn about the character in the comics, they might want to also further establish their dynamic before the story hits a more dramatic turn.

  • ‘Cowboy Bebop’ is an Important Stepping Stone for Live-Action Anime

    ‘Cowboy Bebop’ is an Important Stepping Stone for Live-Action Anime

    The first reviews have hit for Cowboy Bebop. Netflix’s latest attempt at a live-action adaptation has arrived and might just be the beginning of their future venture. There’s a noticeable trend among many that the series doesn’t quite live up to the original, which it doesn’t, and in many ways never could. Yet, there’s something rather interesting surrounding the discussion of it. The inspiration of that very discussion is a simple question on the live-action adaptations reasoning to exist, such as how Brian Lloyd of entertainment.ie put it in his review: “Why bother with this when the original anime is on Netflix?”

    It’s a fair question, especially with many adaptations, especially of anime, seemingly not living up to the highs of the original. Netflix kind of pushed this very question when it announced that the original 1999 anime was going to release ahead of their live-action adaptation. If they’re going to provide the classic, why invest all that money into a separate adaptation that will very likely never live up to the original due to the relevance it holds to this day. Hell, they’re going even further with a live-action adaptation planned for other beloved classic anime like One Piece, Pokémon, and even Mobile Suit Gundam.

    Cowboy Bebop review: Netflix's adaptation has heart, style, and some rough edges - The Verge

    The series is far from where we were with projects like Death Note or the best-forgotten Dragonball Evolution. In a way, there’s a long path ahead of any of these adaptations due to fan expectations. It took years before Marvel Studios got to the point that they create believable adaptations of their comics that don’t fall into the valley of ridiculous. I mean, could you imagine ten years ago that we’ll have a film featuring a wizard traveling through the multiverse potentially facing a Lovecraftian tentacle monster as a May-opening blockbuster? We’re at a point where no one proclaims anymore: “Why not just read the comics?” but rather: “How and when will they adapt this story?” The curiosity has spread to those that don’t even read comics and created a new generation of potential readers.

    Cowboy Bebop took risks while also trying to play it safe. It’s kind of almost every adaptation does, but there’s a spark there of people that loved the original. It doesn’t always translate so easily but it does inspire. Even if this series isn’t perfect, it’s something that’ll introduce people that otherwise would have no interest in it. Yes, the original anime is available but not everyone is willing to watch everything that is out there. Countless people still downplay the relevance of storytelling through animation outside of the classic Pixar or Disney films. Anime has become more mainstream, but there’s a strong focus on specific franchises rather than the genre as a whole. Just like people didn’t take comics seriously due to it just being for “kids” for quite some time.

    Cowboy Bebop review: "A stellar remix that hits all the right notes" | GamesRadar+

    To give an example, One Piece is a deep series of characters going through extreme hardships at times, but its cartoony exterior may keep many from wanting to check it out. The same might go for those that may be a little anxious about the more methodical pace of the original Cowboy Bebop. It’s a bounty-of-the-week series that is more philosophical and far beyond classic understandings of genre. While streamlining this story may feel far removed from the original and make you question its existence, its easier-to-digest nature is a gateway for those unwilling to check out something they may have trivialized as a “cartoon from Japan.” A flawed adaptation that comes from the right place and made by fans of the original will play an integral part as the first stepping stone where quality meets intention.

    Source: Entertainment.ie

  • Latest HBO’s ‘The Last Of Us’ Set Photos Offers a Closer Look at Jackson City

    Latest HBO’s ‘The Last Of Us’ Set Photos Offers a Closer Look at Jackson City

    We’ve gotten a glimpse of HBO’s production of their live-action adaptation of The Last Of Us. Early in October, we got a look at a post-apocalyptic city that showcases their attention to detail in bringing the games to life. Now, new photos have found their way online teasing a very familiar landmark in the Naughty Dog franchise, Jackson City. The Wyoming safe haven played an important role in both games. In the first, we visit Tommy, Joel’s brother, in this town during the cross-country tour. The self-sustaining town would play a vital role in the opening act of the sequel. So, its inclusion makes sense and it’s great to see this many practical sets bringing it to life. The pictures are provided by Russell and Russell Design Studios, who turned the Canadian city of Canmore into Jackson.

    The weather also hints at this story taking place during the winter, especially around the holiday season with some other photos teasing a giant Christmas tree.

    We’re seeing a great level of practical work bringing this series to life throughout these set photos. It’s a great touch, as it adds to the harsh reality that our duo is about to face on their cross-country storyline. Of course, the fact they built Jackson opens up the possibility that we’ll see a similar storyline from the first game and the introduction of Tommy. His original voice actor, Jeffrey Pierce, did join the project but as an original character, as Agents of SHIELD’s Gabriel Luna takes on the role in the live-action series opposite of Pedro Pascal‘s Joel.

    Source: Instagram, Instagram (Tree)

  • All-New, All-Different Murphy’s Law: Episode 3(103)

    All-New, All-Different Murphy’s Law: Episode 3(103)

  • ‘Batgirl’ Adds ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Cinematographer John Mathieson

    ‘Batgirl’ Adds ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Cinematographer John Mathieson

    Barbara Gordon is set to make her DC extended universe debut after quite a bit of time in development hell. The film looks to be taking inspiration from Batgirl: Year One as well as the Batgirl of Burnside storyline. The HBO Max original movie landed the directing duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, who most recently worked on the Disney+ series Ms. Marvel. It seems the films added yet another Marvel Studios veteran to its crew, with Arbi announcing the projects found has found its cinematographer.

    In one of his Instagram stories, he announced that John Mathieson, whose previous works include Gladiator, Logan, and Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness has joined their film’s production. This is an interesting development considering the Doctor Strange sequel is currently slated to begin reshoots in the coming weeks that are considered to be quite extensive and time-consuming. So, joining Batgirl might imply that once Doctor Strange wraps up, he’ll join the DC project shortly after.

    Plot details on the film are still being kept under wraps as the DCEU continues its expansion. The film is set to be one of the first projects that will air exclusively on the HBO Max streaming service. It’ll also be joined by a project focused on Blue Beetle. Plot details and a release date for the film are still unknown as the film is set to start production in Glasgow. Batgirl is set to star Leslie Grace as the titular hero alongside Jacob Scipio, J.K. Simmons reprising his role as Commissioner Gordon and Brendan Fraser as Firefly.

    SOURCE: Instagram

  • First Look at ‘The Art of WandaVision’ Artbook

    First Look at ‘The Art of WandaVision’ Artbook

    There’s a tradition with Marvel Studios films that an art book commonly follows at one point. It offers a look behind-the-curtains and how they bring some of our favorite characters to life. It was uncertain if the same is the case for the Disney+ series, but luckily it seems we got the answer we were looking for. Marvel Studios’ Director of Visual Development and Concept Artist Andy Park has shared the first look at an Art of WandaVision book with its cover highlighting Wanda’s transformation into the Scarlet Witch and her family from the Disney+ series.

    Park‘s artwork has always been impressive and showcases his love for detail. Scarlet Witch’s MCU design feels like the perfect blend of her comic outfit with a blend of practicality. There are always interesting secrets hidden in the many chapters of these Art of books, as they sometimes also hint at concepts that didn’t make it past the concept phase. There was artwork prepared for Doctor Strange wearing the Iron Man armor in Avengers: Infinity War and even some alternative designs for Spider-Man’s many suits throughout the MCU. It’ll be interesting to see what secrets this book includes.

    Source: Twitter

  • Mel Gibson In Talks To Direct ‘Lethal Weapon 5’ For HBO Max

    Mel Gibson In Talks To Direct ‘Lethal Weapon 5’ For HBO Max


    It turns out nobody is ever too old for this stuff. Mel Gibson is reportedly negotiating a return to the Lethal Weapon franchise that helped put him on the map. Only this time, he could be sitting in the director’s chair as well as starring in front of the camera. Deadline states that Gibson had long been developing a potential fifth installment in the buddy cop series with the previous director Richard Donner. After the latter’s passing earlier this year, Gibson decided he would take it upon himself to finish the project as a tribute to his longtime friend.

    Any potential plot details are currently being kept under wraps, and it’s unknown if Gibson or his famous costar Danny Glover will return to their iconic roles as well. What is known is that the film would premiere exclusively on HBO Max. The streaming service has been working hard to expand its portfolio of exclusive content, and adding a new Lethal Weapon would do wonders in bringing in a whole generation of viewers who grew up with the franchise. Gibson is currently working on the John Wick prequel series The Continental at Starz, so it’s likely any real production on Lethal Weapon 5 would have to wait until after that project wraps.

    Source: Deadline

  • EXCLUSIVE: Details on ‘Hawkeye’s Version of Clown Revealed

    EXCLUSIVE: Details on ‘Hawkeye’s Version of Clown Revealed

    The upcoming Hawkeye series will explore many aspects of Clint Barton’s comic history yet non more than that of the My Life as a Weapon run. The story by Matt Fraction and David Aja introduced us to the bro-speaking gang known as the Tracksuit Mafia and the dangerous assassin Kazimierz Kazimerczak, or better known as the Clown. Fra Fee will take on the role in the series and they might switch it up for this adaptation.

    Our very own Charles Villanueva got a chance to sit down with producer Trinh Tran to discuss the upcoming series. In it, she offered some insight into how the show tackled the character and teased that he might be quite a bit different from what we are used to from the popular comic storyline.

    I can’t say much about how his character unfolds in this series, but what I can say is that part of the interesting thing about bringing these characters to life from the comics is that we wanted to give it a fresh spin. I think part of Kazi’s story in the comics is a little bit tied to how Kate’s world is like in the Matt Fraction run. But that’s not necessarily true in the MCU because once we bring that character in and explore them in the story that we have, it can go in any and all kind of direction.

    Trinh Tran

    It’s not uncommon that they change the characters to fit these new adaptations that take familiar comic storylines but add a new twist. Captain America: Civil War only loosely explores the themes and registration act from the comics, but doesn’t completely feature a full-on war between countless superheroes. It’ll be interesting to see how they adapt this character and what their role will be in the story.