Murphy's Multiverse

Blog

  • Theory Thursday: Mordo’s Role in the “Multiverse of Madness”

    Theory Thursday: Mordo’s Role in the “Multiverse of Madness”

    Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated Marvel movies of Phase 4, coming March 2022. The name of the sequel alone has managed to spark hundreds of thousands of theories regarding its plot and after the WandaVision finale post-credit scene, fans certainly can’t wait to see what Marvel Studios has in store for the film. Helmed by director Sam Raimi, the film already has a star-studded cast with the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Xochitl Gomez. Today, we’ll take a look at Karl Mordo, who was last seen in 2016’s Doctor Strange, and what role he might have to play in the sequel.

     

    When we last saw Mordo, he paid fellow sorcerer, Jonathan Pangborn, a visit in his workshop during the Doctor Strange post-credit sequence. In it, we learn that Mordo had left Kamar Taj many months after the events of the film took place. He talked about how he had a revelation and that the true purpose of a sorcerer was to “twist things out of their proper shape… stealing power… perverting nature.” He absorbs Pangborn’s power and strips him of it before finishing with what he sees wrong with the world: “Too many sorcerers.”

     

    Following the MCU timeline we’ve prepared, we know that it’s been approximately around 7 years since we’ve seen Mordo. It is possible that during that time, he’s been searching for other sorcerors and possibly absorbing their magic as well. Now, at the time, this ability seemed rather new, but thanks to WandaVision, we know that both sorcerers and witches have the ability to absorb the energy from another magical user, so it is possible that during his time in exile, Mordo could have learned this ability from other persons or means. That plot will certainly carry over into the Doctor Strange sequel, but how exactly is the question.

     

    Marvel Studios has been upping its game in terms of developing more complex antagonists than flat-out villains. What I mean by this is that a lot of the characters that play the role of the “antagonist” to our “protagonist” really present motives that justify their actions and really blur the lines between the standard “good vs evil” motif. Some examples within the MCU are Vulture, Thanos, Killmonger, Baron Zemo, and Agatha Harkness to name a few. I sense that Mordo might do the same in this sequel. Out of all of the characters I mentioned above, Mordo is a character that clearly is a stickler for rules and the “natural order”. Coming into the Multiverse of Madness, I sense Mordo might not play an antagonist to Dr. Strange throughout the whole film, but rather present to us again the team-up dynamic between Strange and Mordo.

    Many theorize (myself included) that a world (perhaps even universe) ending event could occur during Multiverse of Madness and Wanda Maximoff aka The Scarlet Witch is at the center of it all. Wanda’s powers at the end of WandaVision have significantly grown since we saw her debut in 2015. Wanda literally had the ability to create her own pocket reality and cast “magic on autopilot” as Agatha Harkness put it. And now that she’s in the possession of the Darkhold, who knows what sort of magic she could learn. The point in case being, whatever Wanda is up to, it’s most likely not going to be good. Especially with that prophecy that Agatha recited regarding the Scarlet Witch. This of course will draw the attention of Dr. Strange who may attempt to put a lock on Wanda and given Mordo’s current goal and interest to stop ALL sorcerors, then at the moment, the two might share a common goal and a common enemy; to stop Wanda Maximoff and make sure that the Scarlet Witch prophecy never comes to pass.

    Now, of course, while their interests to stop Wanda align, that doesn’t mean that the two necessarily have the same ideas as to how to stop Wanda. Dr. Strange will probably attempt to help Wanda hone in her powers and pass through her grief in an adequate manner, but Mordo on the other hand might see her as a threat to the natural order and try to stop Wanda Maximoff by any means necessary, including possibly absorbing her power. This goes back to the idea I was mentioning about how Mordo has become a complex character, a character who believes he has the best intentions in the world, but obviously is morally wrong. But for now, we can only wait until Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness drops in theaters in 2022.

  • ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ First Road Map Confirms Black Panther, MCU Skins, Events, Patrol Mode, And So Much More

    ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ First Road Map Confirms Black Panther, MCU Skins, Events, Patrol Mode, And So Much More

    We have been waiting for some time now for it finally to be unveiled. Crystal Dynamics has finally given us a first look at Marvel’s Avengers roadmap alongside the reveal trailer for Black Panther. The start of this game has been bumpy, to say the least, but we are heading in the right direction. The latest update is also available now, which will allow players to try out the latest hero, Clint Barton. It also includes the possibility to replay the original campaign. It is a perfect addition alongside the next-gen upgrade that is also available now. In the Square-Enix Presents event, they started off showcasing the new story element. Well, it took a turn and suddenly showcased multiple Hulks in a singular mission. It caught us off-guard, as you cannot do so currently. Well, it looks like we have a lot more to look forward to, as they unveiled various events and new additions to the game. Luckily @CalexStreams shared the full-image:

    Crystal Dynamics is here to stay with this reveal. We are finally getting the chance to play multiple heroes as we please. They also revealed the inclusion of Patrols, so you can explore the various environments at your own leisure. It also finally confirms that Marvel Cinematic Universe skins are on the way. Of course, they topped it off with the final reveal of Black Panther, who was first teased in the War Table video during its release.

    I have been with the game since the Beta when it released eight months ago, so I am really excited to see where this game is heading. These are the first major steps towards its future, as they also revealed in a blog post that not everything has been unveiled. It’ll be exciting to see this game expand, especially with how they approach the Gear 2.0 that was teased in previous developer streams. Whatever they have planned, it’s going to be quite the ride and just the beginning of the game’s future as a Games-as-a-Service.

    Source: Twitter (Roadmap), Twitter (Black Panther)

  • REVIEW: ‘The Falcon and The Winter Soldier’ Is a Return to Form For Marvel Studios

    REVIEW: ‘The Falcon and The Winter Soldier’ Is a Return to Form For Marvel Studios

    Heavy is the hand that bears the shield. 

    The Falcon and The Winter Soldier wastes no time in centralizing the idea of legacy and the burden it brings; that Steve Rogers and his shield are impossible to live up to. Within the show’s first minute, we already know the burden Sam Wilson feels by simply holding the physical symbol of Cap’s legacy. Even for Bucky Barnes, it’s an issue of legacy. Compared to Steve’s, Bucky’s legacy on the world is as harrowing as it comes. His sins as the Winter Soldier continually creep up on Bucky in his nightmares and it’s up to him on how he makes up for his legacy. 

    The world hasn’t moved on from the Blip. In fact, the Blip has complicated things in unexpected ways. Instead of fixing the world back to what it was before the Snap, the Blip has only upended the status-quo of the last 5 years of the MCU. Perspectives have changed; an organization called the Flag Smashers wants a pre-Blip status quo for the world. One without borders or governments. Down to the minutiae, laws have changed: Sam Wilson can’t get a loan for his sister because everything went under for 5 years. Fans who’ve been yearning to see the true effects of the snap will be happy to watch this show. 

    This episode has yet to introduce the full ensemble. Zemo and Sharon Carter are nowhere to be found in this episode so it’s mostly relegated to just the titular duo. However, we do get to meet a new sidekick in the form of Joaquin Torres, played by Danny Ramirez. Comic fans will recognize Torres as Sam Wilson’s successor to the Falcon mantle in the comics . Torres, an intelligence officer in the MCU, is Falcon’s man-in-the-chair. Ramirez plays him with a Hardy Boys-charm that a lot of fans will like.

    The episode’s strengths are in these character-heavy moments and it’s up to Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan to bring life into these moments that could be otherwise dull if mishandled poorly but man, do these two bring it. The beauty of these long-form stories is that they allow so much room for depth for each character. In this first episode alone, we see sides of Sam and Bucky that we’ve never seen before. Whether it’s Sam going to Louisiana to reconnect with family or Bucky having lunch with a friend, it’s all character gold. Just like how Wandavision humanized Vision by having him go on social calls with the neighborhood watch, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier brilliantly gives us lovable human moments with these titular characters. Who knew superheroes in their downtime could be so great to watch? 

    I’ve always felt that Stan always had the short end of the string when it came to sharing the screen with Chris Evans and Anthony Mackie at the same time and understandably so. Evans’ presence alone lights up a scene with his stoic gravitas while Mackie oozes charisma and charm. It’s almost inevitable to get upstaged by those two. Stan, for the most part, never got to do much in the shadow of the larger stories of the MCU and the intrinsic likability of his scene partners. 

    So as far as first episode performances go, I think Sebastian Stan gives a more noteworthy performance here. He brings a freshened sense of excitement to the role, despite inhabiting it for a decade now. Stan finally gets to have fun with the character and gives him range. There are inevitable moments of darkness for Bucky but also surprising moments of happiness and Stan deftly shifts between the two. 

    And of course, you have the action. Raving about Marvel Studios’ action feels trite so I’ll keep it to a minimum. Right from the get-go, they serve up an action sequence that’s on par with the helicarrier third act of Captain America: The Winter Soldier. There’s an awe-inspiring cinematic precision as to how they’ve managed to pull this off on television. 

    Henry Jackman’s score here really stood out for me and can only expect to be blown away in upcoming episodes. As a huge fan of what Jackman did for Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War, hearing him revisit some of his motifs from those two films but in a new context is chilling. If he brings back more themes from the last two Cap films, I’ll be beyond happy. 

    Without going much into spoilers, there are parts of this episode that feel clunky. There are premises and beats that don’t feel as polished as the rest of the episode’s high-quality aspects. Some moments have a bit of tonal whiplash wherein the subtext is meant to be serious and somber but the execution makes it seem unintentionally comedic. I have a lot of questions about Bucky’s road to redemption, which in concept is super intriguing, but in execution feels safe at the moment. Granted, there are 5 episodes left that could change these nitpicks of mine but as it currently stands, the episode flaws made it feel like a mixed bag as soon as I finished watching. 

    Overall, this show is gonna be one hell of a ride and the first episode is clearly just a taste of it. In retrospect, WandaVision being the first out of the gate feels very beneficial for The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. After all the discussion WandaVision‘s mystery box generated, the outrage it garnered from its twists and turns, and heartwarming emotions that it elicited from fans, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier feels like the ideal follow-up. It’s a safe return to form in many ways but it’s also one that fans might need after all the Mephisto craziness. This is Marvel returning to what it does best: fist-pumping entertainment with a dose of depth. 

  • ‘Marvel’s Avengers’: Pitching Non-Marvel Cinematic Universe Skins

    ‘Marvel’s Avengers’: Pitching Non-Marvel Cinematic Universe Skins

    Here’s a special something before we get into the article. Today’s Marvel’s Avengers article is a special one, as we are cooperating with the upcoming Assemble for Charity event, which you can follow via Twitter via @AForCharity. It’s a 24-hour Community Livestream that starts on 18th March at 10 AM PT/5 PM GMT. The community is celebrating the release of the next DLC character by supporting the Cancer Fund for Children. I will also be part of the opening event, so be sure to drop by and support a good cause.

     

    You can access the Twitch link by clicking on the following Stream Schedule:

     

    I have been writing about Marvel’s Avengers for some time now. Tomorrow, we’ll finally get the release of the second DLC character, Hawkeye. Clint Barton isn’t alone, as we are also getting quite a lot of content to celebrate the game’s next-gen update. Players will finally be able to revisit the campaign with the push of a button. Anyone who wants to experiment around will be able to do so with the new customizable HARM room. It’s looking to be their biggest update and hopefully only the beginning of a lot more to come. We’ve already talked in-depth about how they could update their endgame content, so I wanted to have some fun with this one. Here are a few ideas for some ways to add unique skins they can add to the game.

     

    Embrace the Avengers’ Media History

    We have been focused primarily on getting Marvel Cinematic Universe skins and comic-inspired skins. However, these characters have had quite a few adaptations throughout the years. It would be amazing to see skins inspired by the animated series Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. How about we get even crazier? I would love to see the insane costumes introduced in Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers. They went all out with overdesigning these characters and it would be such an amazing addition to the game.

     

    MARVEL DISK WARS: AVENGERS is the Best Anime You've Never Seen - Nerdist

     

    There have also been attempts at adapting the franchise in live-action before. It would be wonderful to have a cheesy outfit inspired by 1977’s The Incredible Hulk. Just imagine the Green Goliath rocking that hairstyle in the game. Some designs are getting sold by Square-Enix that would make for fantastic additions to the game. I am talking about the Variant figures designed by the man behind Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy 7s designs, Tetsuya Nomura. They already own the designs. So, why not bring them into the game? They are just as crazy as those from the previously-mentioned Disc Wars Anime, and it would be a shame not to use them if the game carries the Square-Enix logo

     

    square-enix-marvel-variant-figures

     

    A Hero’s Final Fantasy

    Speaking of Square-Enix, it wouldn’t be too surprising to think that they would have the possibility to utilize the iconic designs from their historic gaming library. I would love to see the Avengers in Final Fantasy or other famous franchise-inspired outfits. Steve Rogers would look great in Cloud’s costume from last year’s remake. How about Iron Man’s armor inspired by Automata‘s machines? Who wouldn’t want to see a Deus Ex outfit for Clint? Crystal Dynamics has its flagship franchise that they can use for inspiration. Black Widow would look fantastic in a Tomb Raider-inspired costume. These are just some ideas off of the top of my head. Of course, they should focus on Marvel adaptations, but I think they can start expanding to add something special.

     

    Square Enix Eidos Anthology Bundle Recently Appears On Steam Platform | Sirus Gaming

     

    Freaky Friday

    Here’s a simple yet hilarious idea for a future skin update. Wouldn’t it be hilarious if the different Avengers members swapped costumes? I could imagine Captain America wearing an Iron Man-inspired armor that got made from a cheap carton. It would be the perfect joke costume for Halloween. Hulk running around with a mini bow on his back would be hilarious. CD could even throw in a special emote of him trying to grab it on his back unsuccessfully. I mainly got the idea while thinking back when Tom Hiddleston and Charlie Cox dressed up as their respective characters during a convention. Just like the other skins, these are some simple ideas that would add something special to the game as it starts to expand.

     

    Tom Hiddleston and Charlie Cox swap super costumes for Halloween

  • Let There NOT Be Carnage Anytime Soon: ‘Venom’ Sequel Delayed Again

    Let There NOT Be Carnage Anytime Soon: ‘Venom’ Sequel Delayed Again

    Sony’s sequel to 2018’s Venom has been delayed again, this time moving from June to September 17, 2021.

    Production on the project began in January of 2019 and was wrapped prior to COVID shutting down Hollywood. However it was quickly moved from it’s original October 2020 release date when it became obvious theaters would not be open. It’s new June 2021 release date seemed safe, with director Andy Serkis recently saying a first look at the film might be coming soon. While that might still be the case, Sony has pushed the film a little further out once again, leaving fans wondering when they’ll finally get a look at the sequel.

    Venom: Let There Be Carnage, starting Tom Hardy and Woody Harrelson, is now set for a September 17, 2021 release.

  • ‘Black Widow’: Disney CEO Bob Chapek Plays Coy on a Potential Disney+ Release

    ‘Black Widow’: Disney CEO Bob Chapek Plays Coy on a Potential Disney+ Release

    We are already in the second half of March. Black Widow is supposed to release the latest at the beginning of May internationally. There is still no sign of a new poster or trailer that would signify it is still aiming for that release date. It was only a few days ago that some BTS pictures made their way online. It was the first real sign of life from the film that was delayed by an entire year. Disney also stated during their Annual Meeting of Shareholders that they are still sticking to a theatrical release. Well, in a recent interview with Bloomberg Television, Disney’s CEO Bob Chapek seems to have backpedaled a bit on that comment.

    Our situation and our conditions change. Just a few weeks ago, theaters in New York and Los Angeles weren’t even open. Now, all of a sudden they’re open, so we’re waiting to see how prospective theatergoers respond to these reopenings. We’re going to remain flexible. We’ll make the call probably at the last minute in terms of how these films come to market, whether it’s Black Widow or any other title.

    Now, the interesting thing to note is that Chapek seems to be slowly opening up to a possible Disney+ release. He remains strong on his belief in the theatrical window, but also seems to hint at the dynamic market redefining their current approach.

    We think it’s important for building our franchises. At the same time, we don’t think it’s the only way to do it. … We’ll see what happens over the next couple of months. So much is changing, it’s such a dynamic environment. It’s really hard to predict what’s going to happen with consumer behavior in the next month as it comes to re-emergence back into the world of normal. We’ll be watching the call carefully and make the call when we have to.

    It looks like the chances of a Disney+ release are on the tables to some capacity. Disney cannot drag out the film’s release, as it already has been postponed by an entire year. They also have Shang-Chi and the Legends of the Ten Rings releasing in July followed by Eternals in November. If they truly make a “last-minute” decision, they will have to start advertising it soon to hit that May release date.

    Source:

  • Gavin James and Neil Widner Writing an ‘Hourman’ Film for DC and Warner Bros.

    Gavin James and Neil Widner Writing an ‘Hourman’ Film for DC and Warner Bros.

    The Justice Society of America is probably one of the oldest superhero teams in comic book history. Their history dates back to the 1940s, predating the Justice League and the Avengers by decades. They first rose to popularity during World War Two, where they came together to aid in the fight against the rising Nazi threat. The team has faced spouts of popularity here and there ever since. Recently the JSA has rushed back into the spotlight since their reappearance on Stargirl. DC Comics even brought them back into mainline continuity in the comics. On top of it all, they will even make their big-screen debut in the upcoming film, Black Adam. It seems one member of the team will be getting just a bit more love than the rest.

    DC and WB are currently developing a solo film featuring a founding member of the JSA, Hourman. The project hired Gavin James and Neil Widner to write. They are also teaming with the Chernin group, who’ve previously developed the latest Planet of The Apes trilogy. More details regarding the project are currently under wraps, and it is currently unclear what iteration of the character the film will follow.

    Seeing as how Stargirl is currently using the son of the original Hourman, and WB has tried to develop a project with Rex Tyler before, it seems like his Hourman is the most likely candidate for this film. It’ll also be interesting to see how the film connects to the larger DC Universe, especially considering the JSA’s imminent arrival in Black Adam, with a roster featuring Hawkman, Doctor Fate, Cyclone, and Atom Smasher.

    Source: Deadline

  • Martin Freeman Confirms Everett Ross’ Return in ‘BLACK PANTHER 2’

    Martin Freeman Confirms Everett Ross’ Return in ‘BLACK PANTHER 2’

    It appears another familiar face is returning for Marvel Studios’ Black Panther sequel. Martin Freeman, who portrayed government liaison Everett K. Ross in Captain America: Civil War and the first Black Panther film, will reprise his role in Ryan Coogler’s anticipated second Marvel movie. The British actor, known for his work on the BBC’s Sherlock and Peter Jackson’s Hobbit films, had previously mentioned he expected to be back in the MCU but the past year’s tragic developments left many fans uncertain about what remained in the script for Black Panther 2. Freeman gave the following statement regarding his return:

    Yeah, I am doing the second Black Panther. I’m going to be speaking to Ryan Coogler soon about what shape that’s going to look like. I have no idea about the script [so] I don’t know what’s going to happen.

    Much like the rest of us, Freeman is unsure what the continuation of Black Panther will look like without franchise star Chadwick Boseman. The actor passed away after a long battle with cancer in August. It left director Coogler and Marvel Studios with big shoes and a massive legacy to fill. He further elaborated in another quote to Collider:

    Just before Chadwick died, if my memory serves correctly, the script had gone in. They had the script and they were working on the script, and then Chadwick died, and [I] sort of immediately thought, “Oh, okay, I could see a world where there’s no Black Panther then, because how can you do a Black Pantherwithout Black Panther?” So, I still don’t know what that’s going to look like. And no, obviously, before Chad died, the idea of doing it without him would have been a stupid idea. It would have been crazy. It was very shocking and still is very, very strange, that he is not here. So, I’m as curious as you are to see what that will look like and I find out quite soon. All I know is that I’m in it.

    The last time we saw Freeman’s Ross, he had just aided T’Challa and the rest of Wakanda in fending off Erik Killmonger’s attempted coup. Black Panther 2 will premiere on the big screen in July of 2022. Hopefully, we’ll have answers to all of our big questions by then.

    Source: Collider

  • Don’t Expect More ‘Final Fantasy 7 Remake’ DLC In the Near Future

    Don’t Expect More ‘Final Fantasy 7 Remake’ DLC In the Near Future

    Final Fantasy 7 Remake surprised players with the reveal of a DLC storyline focusing on Yuffie. The reveal confirmed that it would only be available via the next-gen consoles. It was a curious decision and made us wonder why they limited it to it. Of course, it also opened up the window to more DLC storylines getting added for characters that might not get the focus they deserve until late installment in the game. Well, it sadly looks like Integrade just happened to come together due to the recent console release. The game’s director, Tetsuya Nomura, revealed that there aren’t any plans for more DLC chapters in an interview with Famitsu. It isn’t available in English but luckily Twitter user @aitakimochi was kind enough to translate it.

    […] we really have no plans for any or DLC. With FF7R Integrade, we are able to adjust to the PS5 environment, which makes for an easy transition to development for the next installment. The roadwork we have laid out to complete the entire story takes priority, and if we are to ever add DLC, it will not be until after everything has been done.

    That is a surprising reveal. It seemed like the Integrade concept would allow them to fill blanks between the releases of the new episodic take on the 1997 original. Yuffie’s story would allow them to integrate more elements from the expanded universe, so it felt like a perfect way to bridge the gap. Yet, it seems that it ended up getting created to adapt to the new console generation quickly. So, we can thank PlayStation’s release window for them to be inspired to offer early access to the character and content. This revelation also confirms why it is only available on next-gen. It is still uncertain how long we will have to wait for in-between releases, so there is a chance it could change if development on titles gets dragged out due to the pandemic.

    Source: Famitsu via Twitter

  • Mindy Kaling Joins Disney+ ‘Monsters at Work’ as it Eyes July Release Date

    Mindy Kaling Joins Disney+ ‘Monsters at Work’ as it Eyes July Release Date

    Disney+ has been a resounding success, constantly adding new content from within Disney’s umbrella of ownership and offering new life to franchises of the past. One company that’s found a home at Disney+ is Pixar, a staple in the animation world. Many new and original projects got announced during the streaming service’s debut presentation. One of which was an original animated series, Monsters at Work. The series would see the return of Mike and Sully. The monster duo from Pixar’s 2001 film, Monsters, Inc., will return to their daily lives in the titular company.

    The series takes place after the original film. It will follow the newcomer, Tylor Tuskmon, as he lands a job at Monsters, Inc. fresh out of college. Tuskmon had always dreamed of being a Scarer, but, upon arrival, discovers that the company has since shifted to collecting children’s laughter. The change came from when Mike and Sully discovered that it’s ten times more powerful. After a long wait, we finally get our first look at the new monster designs:

    We got our first looks at the characters in the upcoming series via the Disney+ Twitter account. The series will officially premiere on July 2nd. The voice cast features the return of John Goodman and Billy Crystal as Sully and Mike. It will also see Bonnie Hunt reprise her role as Ms. Flint. The series added multiple newcomers with Mindy Kaling joining the cast as Val Little, Alanna Ubach as Cutter, Lucas Neff voicing Duncan, Henry Winkler voicing Fritz, and Ben Feldman voicing Tylor.

    Source: D23, Twitter