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  • Songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman on How They Wrote ‘Hawkeye’s Musical Number

    Songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman on How They Wrote ‘Hawkeye’s Musical Number

    When the first trailer for Hawkeye dropped, it revealed that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is celebrating Steve Rogers’ life in the form of a musical. Rogers: The Musical caught many by surprise but it was a fun idea to explore the different corners of how people in this universe live with superheroes existing. The musical will get a song from award-winning songwriting duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

    [Scott and I] were at an Academy Award dinner, and I’m sitting there and someone taps me on the shoulder and says, ‘Excuse me, Kevin Feige would love to meet you. I knew who Kevin was, and I was like he wants to meet me, really? Turns out Kevin is a film score nerd. He started talking about [the scores I’ve written] one by one and I was like, I cannot believe this is happening. We started trading emails about scores and this and that, and when I would see [Marvel movies] I would send him an email. I guess when this idea came up for Hawkeye, for there to be a musical on Broadway, he luckily thought of us and couldn’t be more ecstatic about it

    Marc Shaiman

    Wittmann also highlights how the pandemic influenced their work on the musical numbers, especially how it brought the mentality together that “someone please save New York” as part of the song.

    We were in the middle of the very worst part of the pandemic. When we were writing it was like when people would go and bang on pots and pans for the hospital workers, first responders. It all seemed to fit into the universe that we were writing to. So, the notion of ‘someone please save New York,’ was the battle cry of [the song].

    Scott Wittmann

    We haven’t gotten a true tease of what the music has in store. It’s fun to see Kevin Feige‘s love for film scores lead to this out-of-the-box idea of including a musical in an MCU series. Here’s hoping they might explore turning it into its own special to add something a little different about the series.

    Source: Marvel

  • ‘Eternals’ Writers Pitch Sequel as an “Intergalactic Rescue Mission”

    ‘Eternals’ Writers Pitch Sequel as an “Intergalactic Rescue Mission”

    Rumors abound on what the future has in store for the Eternals. Their first film has found its way into theaters and many already set their sites on what is heading our way. Writers Ryan and Kaz Firbo shared their excitement for the project, hoping they won’t only get to tackle a sequel but even a Disney+ prequel. While there’s still no confirmation, they offered a tease of what they have in mind in an interview with Screenrant. Ryan Firbo discussed that they certainly have a few ideas while praising the way Marvel Studios approaches their projects.

    The analogy that I use a lot is that, if you’re playing chess, then your objective is to checkmate the opponent, but you don’t know exactly how you’re gonna do that – you’re setting up a bunch of paths to victory, and I think Kevin and everybody at Marvel are brilliant chess players, and they know how to set those pieces up and give themselves multiple paths to victory. So while there is not specifically the exact storyline, we have a lot of ideas of where we could go, and it’ll be based on a lot of other variables that come to fruition.

    Ryan Firbo

    Luckily, co-writer Kaz Firbo was a bit more direct on what we can expect from a sequel, which makes quite a lot of sense considering how the first film ends.

    I think the words ‘intergalactic rescue mission’ is pretty clearly where we’re gonna have to go.

    Kaz Firbo

    Our favorite heroes are split into two groups, as one heads out into space looking for other Eternals before getting visited by a surprise cameo. The others had a darker fate, as the Celestial Arishem appeared to pull his creations in and that he’ll judge Earth based on their memories. It would be quite a story if our group of unlikely heroes have to infiltrate and save their friends from a Celestial threat.

    Source: ScreenRant

  • ‘Wheel of Time’ and its Long Journey to the Small Screen

    ‘Wheel of Time’ and its Long Journey to the Small Screen

    The Wheel of Time is a beloved fantasy series by author Robert Jordan. Yet, despite its continued popularity, the series has had a long road to being adapted. In 2000, the series was initially optioned by NBC, however, a project never came to fruition. Then four years later, Jordan sold the rights to the series to Red Eagle Entertainment. The sale included film, television, video game and comic rights. At the time of the sale, Red Eagle Entertainment assured fans it had plans to bring Jordan’s magical world to audiences worldwide.

    Like with the NBC deal, though, things seemed to stall under Red Eagle Entertainment. In 2007, the author wrote a blog post showing his frustration at the lack of movement on a live-action film. Unfortunately, Jordan died about a month later. It wasn’t until 2008 that movement on a Wheel of Time film began to take place, with Universal optioning the title. No movie would come, though. Instead, as a surprise to everyone, Red Eagle Entertainment would go on to produce a ‘pilot’ for a Wheel of Time series. Unfortunately, it was an act merely to retain the rights. The pilot episode aired on FXX, technically fulfilling the contract to keep hold of the rights. However, FXX later admitted it was paid to air the supposed ‘pilot.’

    Fast forward to 2016, the series looked to finally be happening, but as fans of the series know: nothing is ever set in stone. Just when they found themselves excited over the prospect of an adaption, something always got in the way. Luckily, this no longer was the case. The series would officially be ordered by Sony Television a year later, before moving to Amazon Studios in 2018.

    In 2019, the first cast member for Wheel of Time was announced when actress Rosamund Pike joined the series. Since then, Amazon Studios has taken the time and effort to give the property the attention it rightfully deserves. While some details have been changed, the core of Wheel of Time has been captured finally on film for Jordan’s fans to revel in when the series later this month.

    It was a long road to get here, but the Wheel of Time is finally coming.

  • Jim Starlin Hopes Pip the Troll Returns in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’

    Jim Starlin Hopes Pip the Troll Returns in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’

    Some time has passed and Jim Starlin, the creator of Thanos, finally had a chance to discuss another of his popular characters, Pip the Troll. At the end of Eternals, we meet the character for the first time voiced by Patton Oswalt as he drunkenly introduces Harry Styles‘ Starfox. It was a surprise little cameo that caught many by surprise and the legendary comic creator revealed that he hopes the character makes his return in the upcoming third Guardians of the Galaxy film.

    There’s no telling with the movies and anything I say is just speculation. I assume that there’s maybe some kind of link up with Guardians 3, because it seems like Warlock’s going to be in there, seeing that they made a big thing about casting an actor on it.

    Jim Starlin

    While his actual next appearance is uncertain, it does make sense to see him return in the third Guardians film. The character has close ties to Adam Warlock, who was also created by Starlin. He acted like a comic foil to add some levity to the story. After fleeing the Universal Church of Truth, he ends up meeting the golden man, who he’d join on various adventures to face the leader of the church, Magus.

    We know that Will Poulter will return for the third and potentially final entry of James Gunn‘s space odyssey. So, Pip’s connection to the character would make it a fitting next appearance. Yet, it’s uncertain what it means for the other Eternals that were out in space to find others of their kind. It seemed like Starfox took over Warlock’s role from the comics, or they might even twist the relationship in new ways. Here’s hoping we get a hint in the near future.

    Source: ComicBook.com

  • Jim Starlin Envisions Adam Warlock as “Clint Eastwood in Space”

    Jim Starlin Envisions Adam Warlock as “Clint Eastwood in Space”

    Jim Starlin didn’t create Adam Warlock but he is as associated with the cosmic weirdo as much as anyone. Starlin gave Warlock a starring role in 1991’s Infinity Gauntlet event and kick off a renaissance for the character who had been absent from Marvel Comics for over a decade. From there, Warlock went on a wonderful journey that saw him face off against different versions of himself, lead the Infinity Watch, team up with the Silver Surfer, become linked at the hip with Thanos and, eventually, join the Guardians of the Galaxy.

    Needless to say, Starlin knows the character as well as anyone. With James Gunn recently revealing Warlock would be among the new characters joining the cast of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Starlin sat down with Comicbook.com’s Adam Barnhardt and gave some ideas on how he’d like to see him adapted in the MCU, starting with him having a whole lot less to say than Thanos:

    I imagine him dark. He’s like the cosmic Batman. I would keep his dialogue down to a minimum, make him Clint Eastwood in space, or something like that.

    The dark, brooding Batman and Eastwood’s Man With No Name (likely the version of Eastwood Starlin is referencing here) are an interesting point of comparison for a character who has been known to be a bit loquacious, but also fit with Warlock’s more mysterious nature. Starlin’s comments also make one think about how a Clint Eastwood Batman film might be the greatest thing we never saw.

    Two of Starlin’s creations, Pip the Troll and Starfox, recently made their debuts in Eternals and it sound like he’d like to see them meet up with Warlock on screen as members of the Infinity Watch:

    It sounds like they’re going to start off with him probably as a villainous type of character, an antagonist, let’s say, inside the Guardians movie. But we’ll see where they go from there. They’re putting Pip up, bringing Eros in, who knows what they’re going to do. They might bring back the Infinity gems and start the Infinity Watch.

    It’s great to see Starlin, whose most famous creation, Thanos, played a major role in the MCU’s past, have a handful of characters who are looking like they’ll play a part in the MCU’s future. Adam Warlock, played by Will Poulter, will debut in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 when it hits theaters on May 5, 2023.

    Source: Comicbook.com

  • Henry Cavill is Open to Playing Captain Britain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

    Henry Cavill is Open to Playing Captain Britain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

    Marvel fans have long been clamoring for Superman himself, Henry Cavill, to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Given Cavill’s familiarity with the very vocal internet voices that tend to populate these spaces, it is likely he’s seen the many fanmade posters of him playing, well, everyone from Wolverine to Hercules. Yet no one ever thought to ask him who he would play in a Marvel movie: that is, until today. 

    In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Cavill had this to say:

    “I’m never going to say a Marvel character that is already being played by someone else because everyone’s doing such an amazing job. However, I have the internet and I have seen the various rumors about Captain Britain and that would be loads of fun to do a cool, modernized version of that — like the way they modernized Captain America. There’s something fun about that, and I do love being British.”

    Brian Braddock is technically introduced in Avengers: Endgame. When Steve goes back in time and stumbles upon Peggy, who is the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. at this point, she mentions that Braddock hasn’t checked in in a while to a subordinate. Braddock, who later becomes Captain Britain after a horrific motorcycle crash, gains his powers from Merlin The Wizard (yes, King Arthur’s Merlin). Merlin offers to save Braddock’s life in exchange for him donning the Amulet of Right and becoming the aforementioned superhero. It is a story that can easily be adapted for the current MCU, especially when you factor in the introduction of variants and the multiverse and an expanded upcoming role for Captain Carter herself.

    Who knows, maybe instead of Merlin being the wizard who saves him, it’s Dr. Strange. Marvel does seem keen on adding a lot of actors who’ve been in the running for the sexiest man alive.

    Source: THR

  • ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Set Photo Seems to Indicate Becky Lynch Has Joined the MCU

    ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Set Photo Seems to Indicate Becky Lynch Has Joined the MCU

    As we’ve seen with stars like John Cena, Jon Moxley and Ronda Rousey, the linkages between the squared circle/octagon and your local AMC theatre have always existed. With bigger stars like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Sasha Banks and Dave Bautista, the runway from the WWE to the big screen is more pronounced than ever, and it becomes especially true when we notice that the latter have all now dabbled in the world of comic book movies and properties. Bautista is suiting up as Drax for his sixth go around, Banks joined the Star Wars universe in the critically-acclaimed The Mandalorian, and the Great One will next be seen in DC’s Black Adam. Now it seems we might be adding “The Man” Becky Lynch to that list.

    As WWE fans know, Lynch took some time off from the ring to get married to the Architect Seth Rollins and have a new baby. She promptly returned at WrestleMania this year, turned heel and became the WWE Raw Woman’s Champion amidst some controversy. Rumors surfaced last year that the Irish Lass Kicker would be joining the MCU and a set photo from last weekend may have given new life to that rumor.

    The picture above, found on Atlanta Filming’s Instagram, looks to be WWE superstar Becky Lynch on the set of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Lynch looks to be dressed for the part of a mercenary for hire which makes sense given the context of the scenes shot this past weekend. Other photos indicate Lynch is part of a larger team of mercs, likely there to protect some researchers working on a vessel that was also photographed and shared on social media. Given that the scenes were filmed near the water, it’s possible that Lynch’s character could find herself face to face with Tenoch Huerta’s Namor or some of his forces.

    Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will be in theaters almost one year from now on November 11, 2022

    Source: IG

  • Stephanie Beatriz on How “Awkwardness” Brought ‘Encanto’s Mirabel to Life

    Stephanie Beatriz on How “Awkwardness” Brought ‘Encanto’s Mirabel to Life

    Encanto will introduce us to a family filled with special individuals that each have a unique ability. There is, however, one outlier. Mirabel Madrigal, played by Brooklyn Nine-Nine‘s Stephanie Beatriz, has to juggle the fact that she stands out in her family for being normal. In the latest press junket, the actress offered some insight into how she tackled the role and revealed that she brought her own “awkwardness” into the character. She goes on to highlight what she added to the role from her own life, such as:

    My anxiety, my “oh,” my “and” and honestly, like, my
    use of comedy. Often when I’m uncomfortable or don’t really know what to do, or how to handle a situation, I often turn to try to make a joke out of it. Too make myself more comfortable, to make somebody else more comfortable. think comedy is-it’s really useful ’cause it takes the air out of stuff, you know?

    Stephanie Beatriz

    She highlights that she improvised and loved to bring her humor that builds upon the anxiety she mentions in the press junket. It builds upon the awkwardness and generally showcases how we use comedy to make tense situations we’re uncomfortable with more manageable.

    Like, everything can be really intense, and then you make a joke and everyone relaxes. You can’t be tense that you can’t really laugh if you’re tense. Does that make sense? So, I think I try to bring that to Mirabel. I like to improvise. I like jokes and I like making other people laugh.

    Stephanie Beatriz

    It’s a great insight and the trailers have teased the way Mirabel stands out from her family, not just due to her lack of ability. We can’t wait to see how Beatriz‘s take on the character adds another layer to this wacky adventure that’s all about family. 

    Encanto hits theaters on Nov. 24th.

  • ‘Olaf Presents’ is the Latest Example of Disney+’s Creative Freedom

    ‘Olaf Presents’ is the Latest Example of Disney+’s Creative Freedom

    The upcoming Disney+ series Olaf Presents features the Frozen franchise’s famous snowman sidekick retelling classic Disney tales in bite-sized episodes. At a press conference for the series, Olaf Presents’ producer, director and star Josh Gad all praised the creative freedom the show enjoyed. Producer Jennifer Newfield discussed how “Let’s Play” was a guiding creative concept:

    “Being able to play I mean, I think I think that was throughout the entire production is let’s play. And I think that our collaboration efforts come in the way that we went about it was in that way. And we knew that we could take liberties which is not often the case, especially in animation, we have to be very precise with our decisions. And I think the playfulness of the whole the whole way through from the script, writing to the recording sessions, all the way to animators really being able to kind of take the reins a little bit and yeah, be able to just enjoy that freedom is so nice.”

    Jennifer Newfield

    Gad expressed that one of his favorite parts about voicing the titular character is that the creators just “let [him] go crazy.” Director Hyrum Osmond doubled down on the creators’ philosophy in making the show:

    “But I think one of the things is so great, you know, we talked about the inspiration of these films, but it’s also just taking the liberty to not take ourselves too seriously. And I think that is just so fun. And especially when you start telling these things, from the perspective of this, the sort of naive Olaf, right, like the way he sees it. I mean, you can’t help but have some of these fun moments.”

    Hyrum Osmond

    The Frozen spin-off isn’t the only new Disney+ animated series to apparently be allowed extensive creative freedom. Marvel Studios’ What If… ? head writer A.C. Bradley often said similar things about her experience:

    “When I took the job, one of my rules was let’s be free. We’re in the multiverse — we should be as free as can be and go and run into the wild, into the stories the movies will never do, into the stories the TV shows will never do, and show both Disney and the fans all the possibilities of these characters.”

    A.C. Bradley

    Maybe Olaf Presents is another hint as to how Disney+ intends to handle some of its original series, particularly animated ones. Allowing writers and actors to simply have fun with a project can undoubtedly be rewarding for the studio and audience alike. 

    Olaf Presents starts streaming on the platform on Disney+ Day on November 12. 

  • New ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Synopsis Shines a Light on That Parker Luck

    New ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Synopsis Shines a Light on That Parker Luck

    A new synopsis for Spider-Man: No Way Home has surfaced on the Brazilian website CineMark. Unlike other screencaps floating around the internet, there is no reference to other cast members other than Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Jon Favreau, and the supposed trailer release date is also notably absent. Fitting with Holland‘s quotes regarding what might be in store for Peter Parker in the trilogy’s finale, where he mentioned the character’s “breaking point”, this new synopsis seems to answer some of the most mentioned critiques of Marvel Studio’s approach to Spider-Man: the way, unlike his comic counterpart, Parker seems to be able to balance his personal life to that of a super-hero, sometimes referred to as “Parker Luck.”

    The synopsis reads as follows:

    For the first time in Spider-Man cinematic history, our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is unmasked and can no longer keep his ordinary life separated from the challenges that go with being a superhero. After asking for Doctor Strange’s help the risks become even more dangerous and force him to discover what it means to be Spider-Man.

    In what’s expected to be the most emotional of the three Marvel Studios Spider-Man solo outings, and unfortunately also the most spoiled, we’re sure to witness the growth Holland will bring to the character, as it sheds its boyish ways and takes a step forward into the future, and possibly an entirely new trilogy. Spider-Man: No Way Home premieres only in theaters on December 17 in the United States. It’s directed by Jon Watts and features a number of actors portraying several characters that you may or may not have seen before or even heard about.