Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Amazon Studios

  • REVIEW: ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ Is Back and More Anxious Than Ever

    REVIEW: ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ Is Back and More Anxious Than Ever

    It feels like a lifetime since we last saw Rachel Brosnahan step on stage and grab a mic as the exuberant, crowd-pleasing Mrs. Midge Maisel. A lot has happened in the real world since 2019’s excellent third season aired, and fans of the show are no longer who they once were. Where there was once cool determination towards fast-paced success, there is now loads of anxiety surrounding an uncertain future. Many post-pandemic projects have tackled this newfound era of global turmoil with on-the-nose allegories, while others have chosen to ignore it completely and embrace the concept of escapism. The first two episodes of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel‘s latest outing have taken a more subtle approach, opting to reflect the current state of affairs with a fresh tone that puts Midge and Alex Borstein‘s Susie Myerson on a new path of personal apprehension.

    To be clear, it does this exceptionally well. It helps that the shift in the titular character’s mood is an organic offshoot of where we last saw her, having been kicked off a life-changing tour and left to mope on the airport tarmac. A moment like this leaves a lot of doors open, and what the writers choose for the character next becomes a defining moment in the show’s story. In the season’s first episode, Rumble on the Wonder Wheel, it’s a mental break not unlike what many viewers have likely experienced in the past few years. It’s self-doubt and self-sabotage meant to rationalize the blow of life falling apart and slipping out of one’s own control. Charmingly, it’s also how someone who really wants something can crawl out of their own gutter to go and get it. The season’s second episode, Billy Jones and the Orgy Lamps, is a wonderful flip side of the coin. Despite the darkness of everything our heroes must face, viewers are treated to the glimmer of light that comes from no longer caring to play the game. This batch of episodes sees Midge, and Susie, in rare form, and sets them up for a journey that promises a confrontation with questions they’ve never been asked before.

    Though the show may be venturing into unfamiliar emotional territory, its other signature hijinks remain gleefully intact. In particular, the pacing of each episode continues to be some of the best tempo work on television. Even in the slower, more dramatic moments, every comment made, sound created, and move taken fits together like a well-choreographed dance number. The natural chemistry of the show’s cast oozes out of every conversation, with dialogue rattled out at speeds that would make theater kids blush. It’s joyous watching sets brought to life by a machine that’s so well oiled, with steadily reliable tracking shots and visual color coordination that make it hard not to be engaged. If anyone thought Amy Sherman-Palladino‘s energetic production would lose steam heading into its fourth season, they should be pleased to find it’s more alive than ever.

    This is due, in large part, to the supporting cast. While Midge and Susie face demons, the rest of the gang bring the show back to the upbeat comedy that made audiences love it in the first place. There’s a great bit at the end of the season’s first episode that puts the series and it’s characters on the same level of blissful, beautiful, unaware chaos as It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. These are people with massive personalities, and much of the best humor comes from when innocent civilians are thrown in their way. In this scene and many others, Tony Shalhoub and Kevin Pollak remain the series’ underrated MVPs. Timing is everything in the world of Maisel, and these two have it in spades. Every line is delivered with neurotic perfection, bouncing off whoever shares the screen like a basketball on a concrete court. Michael Zegen is perhaps more likable than ever as Joel Maisel, who seems to be on the latter end of his redemption arc. The B-plot revolving around his new life as a club owner in New York’s Chinatown is surprisingly interesting, and more welcome than the show’s previous forays into his rollercoaster personal life. Along with Shalhoub‘s math teacher-to-art critic character journey, the series appears to be shaping into it’s final form as a story about people realizing what they’re truly passionate about.

    Speaking of final form, Season Four, so far, feels very much like the beginning of the end for this beloved series. While it’s possible it goes on for a little while longer, the essence of Rumble and Billy Jones is that the overarching story is starting to figure out where it’s going. From the very first, striking shot of the season’s open, it feels as though The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel may be headed toward her final act. Luckily, there’s still some ground to cover, and this new set of episodic installments promises to bring a whole lot of laughs, and maybe a few more tears before it’s all over.

  • REVIEW: ‘Book of Love’ is a Delightful Rom-Com

    REVIEW: ‘Book of Love’ is a Delightful Rom-Com

    If you’re looking for a fun, romantic comedy to enjoy this Valentine’s Day, Amazon Studios’ Book of Love should easily fit the bill. The film stars Sam Claflin as Henry and Verónica Echegui as Maria, two very different people who soon find themselves at odds over a book.

    Henry is an up-tight male author who managed to get his debut book, The Sensible Heart, published. Unfortunately, though, the book is performing poorly despite his continued attempts at promoting it; reviewers have dubbed it boring and it seems as though he’s about to be dropped by his publisher until… the book becomes a hit in Mexico. As it turns out, the book has been translated and is a top-seller in Mexico, much to Henry’s surprise. What he doesn’t know, however, is that the translator took a lot of liberties with his novel and turned it into an erotic story that was full of passion rather than a passionless love story. With the book becoming a success in Mexico, the publisher quickly throws together a book tour for Henry in Mexico, where he’s joined by his translator, Maria. What ensues is a love story that, while by the book, is still delightful and sure to keep viewers smiling.

    As someone that writes books when I’m not working, it was easy to lose myself in this story. Henry can, admittedly, be very frustrating upon introduction. His book isn’t selling, but he refuses to give up on it and move on to the next thing. For him, The Sensible Heart, is his main focus because he spent years of his life trying to get it right. Trying to accept that readers simply are not interested in a passionless love story is not something he can do. He’s forced to accept the truth, though, when he realizes the only reason his book is selling well in Mexico is because of the changes the translator made. At times, it feels as though the film is picking at the romance genre as a whole, but by the end, it’s clear the film is merely trying to prove there’s nothing wrong with a bit of passion.

    There’s no denying Book of Love is a cliché story. It features two unlikely individuals who find something in one another with the usual bumps along the way. It’s not a film that’s going to win awards, but not every film needs to. Sometimes, we just need something to help us escape from the reality we’re in and Book of Love does that exceptionally well. It’s a heartwarming love story that will make you laugh, make you frustrated and then keep you smiling as the ridiculousness continues to unravel. (Courtesy of Jen, Henry’s British publisher.)

    Claflin nails the role of Henry; he’s awkward, arrogant and vulnerable when needed. Yet, while he is the lead, Book of Love is ultimately a showcase for Echegui who lights up the screen as Maria. The passion between them is rather great, too. They feed off each other which helps to sell this romantic story of two unlikely individuals.

    In the end, Book of Love is a love story that reminds us love is never what we imagine it to be – it’s both better and worse, but always worth the fight in the end. It’s a romantic comedy you’ll want to add to your watch list this Valentine’s Day. Allow yourself to get lost in the ridiculousness of these two characters, it’s a sweet trip.

  • REVIEW: ‘Reacher’ Is Your Dad’s New Favorite Show

    REVIEW: ‘Reacher’ Is Your Dad’s New Favorite Show

    Picture a stereotypical father. He’s wearing a flannel and a pair of reading glasses he insists he doesn’t need. Perhaps he’s just finished barbecuing chicken on the grill and has cracked open a light beer after giggling to himself over the worst joke you’ve ever heard. Now, he plans to sit down in his chair, kick up the footrest, and turn on his latest favorite show. It’s another straightforward tale of the hero with a thousand faces, a lonesome wanderer who keeps finding that he’s the only thing standing between a group of innocents and those that would seek to harm them.

    Thirty years ago, this show might have been Walker, Texas Ranger on CBS, and ten years before that it may have been Knight Rider on NBC. Starting this month, it will be Reacher, a new show based on Lee Child‘s acclaimed series of novels, streaming on Amazon Prime.

    Over the course of eight episodes, Reacher checks off pretty much every box that its genre requires. We’re introduced to a quiet, pie-loving man’s man with more muscles than any shirt could adequately contain. His past is a secret, his emotions are cut off, and his proficiency with a gun is seemingly unmatched. He is portrayed as a force of good, who always knows what he’s doing and never does anything wrong. If he ever gets close to committing a crime, he probably has a good reason for it. He’s flanked by skeptical companions that do most of the talking and opposed by bad guys who’ve never met a line they won’t cross.

    There is soft-hearted romance, tough-guy bromance, criminal conspiracy, damsels in distress, and plenty of violence to go around. The general plot is mostly predictable, even if the central mystery is not, and you can pretty much guess how the season will end before it’s done beginning. It’s easy reading, better as a light rational dessert than a full mental meal. Yet, in spite of the entire preceding paragraph, I actually think the show is pretty enjoyable.

    Though he may not carry the same name recognition or star power as Chuck Norris or David Hasselhoff before him, the headliner behind the titular man of action is a big part of why the show works as well as it does. Alan Ritchson gives a stoic performance as Jack Reacher, slipping a surprising amount of acting into the motions of the strong, silent type. He’s exactly the kind of lead a show like this wants to build itself around; charming, authoritative yet somehow able to make the audience feel safe while delivering bad news with gruff curtness. His buddy-cop banter with Malcolm Goodwin‘s straight-laced detective character makes for a few good laughs, even if his romantic sub-plot with Willa Fitzgerald feels a little forced at times. A testament to Ritchson‘s likability in the role can be found in the way nobody really outshines him for the duration of the series, despite the fact he’s often given little to do in the script outside of spitting facts and taking names.

    The show occasionally succumbs to a handful of superficial low-budget television tropes, like poorly choreographed hand-to-hand combat and background fire that feels a little too obviously fake. Luckily, the events of each episode prove to be engaging enough that none of it matters all that much. There are some genuinely surprising twists and turns as the story goes on, and I found myself pleasantly surprised by how interested I was in what would happen next. In fact, some of the season’s cheesier moments play as fairly self-aware, breaking away from an intriguing conversation or important plot development for a corny one-liner or an action shot out of an early Stallone film. If you’re in the right state of mind, it might just make you smile.

    Ultimately, Reacher proves to be a completely serviceable television series, and maybe even a better adaptation of the source material than the pair of Tom Cruise movies that came before it. There may not be enough spark to garner attention from a wide range of Amazon viewers, but those who gravitate towards it will probably find pleasure in a series of episodes that are exactly what they expect. If not, perhaps, a little bit better. At the very least, your old man will probably love it.

  • ‘Good Omens’ Season 2 Announces New Cast Members

    ‘Good Omens’ Season 2 Announces New Cast Members

    Ahead of Season 2 of Good Omens, Neil Gaiman‘s fantasy series for Amazon Prime in conjunction with BBC studios, the studio has officially announced the cast list.

    Michael Sheen and David Tennant will return to their roles as Aziraphale and Crowley respectively, and Derek Jacobi will also return as Metatron. The trio will be joined by newcomer Dame Siân Phillips.

    Also returning this season are Mark Gattis, Steve Pemberton, Reece Shearsmith, and Niamh Walsh. They will be joined by a series of newcomers including Tim Downie (Outlander), Pete Firman (The Magicians), Andi Osho (I May Destroy You) and Alex Norton (Pirates of the Caribbean).

    Other cast includes Jon Hamm, Miranda Richardson, Maggie Service, Nina Sosanya, Doon Mackichan, Gloria Obianyo, Liz Carr, Quelin Sepulveda, and Shelley Conn. Unfortunately, neither Benedict Cumberbatch, nor Francis McDormand will be returning for Season 2.

    Season 2 of the show will no longer be following the novel of the same name. As the series continues, new plotlines will develop the relationship between the main characters as they are greeted with a brand new story full of potential.

    The show is currently being developed in Scotland, and writer Neil Gaiman had this to say with the new casting announcement: “We are so thrilled that we were able to get so many fabulous actors to return to the Good Omens family. Some of them are reprising roles, some of them are playing completely new characters. And we are just as thrilled by the people coming to the Good Omens team for the first time. We have an ensemble cast of astonishing talent, and seeing what they’re giving us is a daily treat. I can’t wait until the rest of the world gets that treat, too.”

    The show is certainly lining up an excellent cast, even if it is disappointing to lose Cumberbatch and McDormand as God and Satan, the rest of the cast list is looking jam packed. Although announced in June 2021, we still have no solid confirmation of a release date of the new season.

    Source: Deadline

  • REVIEW: ‘The Legend of Vox Machina’ Is Raunchy, Violent, Fantasy Fun

    REVIEW: ‘The Legend of Vox Machina’ Is Raunchy, Violent, Fantasy Fun

    The world of animation is home to a rather wide variety of genres, and most of them are designed to cater to a very specific audience. Those with a flair for the theatrical tend to love an action-packed anime, filled with an ample amount of drama and enough fast-paced violence to make a vampire blush. Escapists will frequently stray towards fantasy epics, which transport them away from the realities of life and towards a more magical land of adventure. Late-night crowds love adult comedies, which typically go to great lengths to make their raunchiest jokes an auditory and visual experience. Pleasing an audience is no easy task, so it’s impressive when a show can hit the mark on any one of these concepts. It’s even more impressive when it succeeds in hitting on all three.

    The Legend of Vox Machina is Amazon Prime’s latest animated offering, based on a long-running Dungeons & Dragons campaign played by some of the industry’s most talented vocal performers. The group, who initially presented their journey in the form of a web series called Critical Role, all return to voice their respective characters in a new adaptation that entertainingly balances the earnestness of good storytelling with the jolly aura of nerds just messing around. Though the humor may sometimes be a bit on the nose, its honest bluntness makes it hard not to laugh. For example, when one of our protagonists is confronted by a monstrous demon beast, he appropriately exclaims something along the lines of ‘What in the actual [insert expletive] is that!?’ This, being probably exactly what the viewer was also thinking, makes for a good reminder that the majority of the show’s jokes stem from someone sitting at a table and reacting to plot twists with as much humanity as any viewer.

    As hinted above, however, it’s not just the R-rated comedic material that makes Vox Machina so charming to watch. Jokes hit harder when an audience is engrossed in the plot, and more so when the characters involved are actually made to be interesting. Throughout the series’ first six episodes, those ready to observe will be introduced to a seemingly expansive world of magic and monsters (or rather, dungeons and dragons). None of the concepts presented are especially new or groundbreaking, but a handful of genuinely fun-to-watch sequences and the sporadically very cool character design will surely be quick to convince viewers of their right to exist. The exaggerated nature of animation, paired with the occasionally brutal nature of fantasy, serves to make the action scenes sometimes shockingly violent. It’s most definitely not a show for children, and some moments may even be too grotesque for grown adults, but fans of a satisfyingly choreographed fatality should be pleased by what the series has to offer.

    The likability of the story’s titular band of misfits also helps to keep a potential fandom wanting more, whether it be to see further evidence of the easy chemistry between actors or simply because they’ll want to know what happens to their sort-of-heroes next. By the tradition of role-playing games, all protagonists are a bit of a stereotype. Yet, the dualistic authenticity with which each is portrayed in Vox Machina helps to inject a certain amount of lifeblood into the plot. Travis Willingham‘s Grog Strongjaw is your typical meathead barbarian, but the actor delves into the role with enough heart to make him one of the team’s softest members. Laura Bailey‘s half-elf ranger Vex Vessar is as independent as they come, and Sam Reigel‘s Scanlan Shorthalt is a musical gnome with a penchant for sex and self-obsession, yet somehow both keep finding themselves in danger for someone they care about. Some of the more prominent character developments can’t be discussed without giving away some really intriguing spoilers, but suffice to say the rest of the cast has a lot of fun as well. Especially when the story deviates from the expected.

    Ironically, a final bright spot worth mentioning is just how gleefully dark the series can get. With old-fashioned villains who are bad for the sake of being bad and cherish the idea of causing others pain, it sometimes feels like nothing is off the table. Despite a generally jovial tone, any show with evil books, giant wolves, and mustache-twirling bad guys is sure to make it to some scary places. What’s surprising is just how willing Vox Machina is to embrace the chaos.

    While every minute spent watching The Legend of Vox Machina was thoroughly enjoyable, it does seem like the series is meant to flourish with a very specific niche. Those who love the original web series will flock to this new take, and they’ll more than likely fall for it quicker than most. However, anyone unfamiliar with the source material should prepare themselves for a ride that pulls out quite a few stops. If you’re expecting a straightforward show that commits to any one style, you might want to look elsewhere. If you’re willing to let yourself be open to anything, then you just might find yourself a new favorite adventure on Amazon Prime.

  • REVIEW: Amazon’s ‘With Love’ Uses the Holidays to Tell the Struggles of Love

    REVIEW: Amazon’s ‘With Love’ Uses the Holidays to Tell the Struggles of Love

    Amazon’s With Love is a series that focuses on the Diaz family. Over the span of five episodes, the series covers Christmas Eve (Nochebuena), New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, Independence Day and Day of the Dead before circling back to Christmas Eve a year later. Upon first meeting the Diaz family, it’s clear that while this is a lovely bunch of people, some of them are dealing with some personal issues over the holidays. Whether it be a recent break-up, a wife craving affection or a cousin fearful of love there’s a story we all can relate to. By the end of episode one, it’s hard not to wonder where these stories will go and how they’ll possibly be wrapped up in a series meant to skip months at a time. Shockingly? It works.

    With Love does not have a single main character. This truly is an ensemble cast. Each character is important to the story and receives a fair amount of screen time. More impressively, though, along with juggling such a big cast, the series somehow manages to smoothly transition between stories. The downside to this method is, sometimes, the story gets told off-screen and then we’re thrown into the after of it all. This is something that becomes quickly apparent thanks to the fourth episode. While I do enjoy the premise, I do wish the series filmed some backstories to fill in the gaps. Sometimes, viewers need to see the story unfold rather than hear about it after the fact. It’s the one flaw With Love suffers from.

    If you’re a sucker for Christmas movies or cheesy romantic comedies, With Love will be something you’ll want to devour. It’s all about romance; the messiness of it and the truths people refuse to believe at times. We see what happens when parties give up, we see what happens when others refuse to. Yes, there’s heartbreak, but With Love isn’t about selling tragedy. It’s a series about growth and learning to accept our screw-ups. It’s one of the strongest elements of the series. The characters do experience some major growth over the course of five episodes. The Lily (Emeraude Toubia) we meet in the first episode is a far cry from the woman in episode five. There is one character though, that doesn’t get to show as much growth as one would hope, though. Desmond Chiam‘s Nick is a delight in this series, although I wish he had more of a storyline.

    While most shows work best with at least ten episodes, With Love manages to succeed partially because of its five-episode order. Yes, as stated, the series could benefit from some flashbacks. Ultimately, though, the year timeline forces the writers to tell a tight, cohesive story. There isn’t room for a filler episode because each episode moves the story forward. The only downside is, by the end of the fifth episode, you’ll want to spend more time with the Diaz family. Unfortunately, though, until a second season is ordered, it remains to be seen whether or not viewers will get that chance.

    Full of young talent like Toubia, Chiam, Mark Indelicato and Vincent Rodriguez III, With Love is a present you’ll gladly want to unwrap this holiday season – especially if you’re a fan of Hallmark movies.

    With Love debuts on Dec. 17 only on Amazon Prime.

  • REVIEW: Wheel of Time 1×1, ‘Leavetaking’

    REVIEW: Wheel of Time 1×1, ‘Leavetaking’

    Adaptions are a tough thing. Choosing to make a straight adaption of a title can be viewed as lazy, while failing to stay true to the source material can upset fans. Amazon’s Wheel of Time is one of those titles with a rabid fanbase that has been eagerly awaiting a live-action take on the project for two decades. For book purists, Amazon’s Wheel of Time may be disappointing. After all, it does take departures from the novels, however, the adaption is successful in capturing the spirit of Robert Jordan‘s epic fantasy.

    The first episode of Wheel of Time wastes no time in moving the story forward. We see women on horseback chasing after a man who has fallen under the control of the taint. As they apprehend him, the story changes focus to the story’s main character, Rand, as he helps his father transport a cart full of brandy and cider to the Winespring Inn ahead of Bel Tine. In the book, Rand sees a cloaked figure watching them during the journey to the Inn. The series, however, skips over this detail and instead sees the duo reach the Inn safely and without questioning any mysterious figure watching over them.

    It’s a minor change, but one that does leave an impact, as Rand was unsure and anxious following the event. It’s an odd scene to omit, however, despite this, the story still manages to pull viewers in. As with most adaptions, the cast has been aged up, which allows the writers to explore possibilities on the small screen that might’ve been skipped over in the novels. Case in point is the relationship between Rand and Egwene Al’Vere, which sees the duo as well-established and in intimate settings. It’s a bit startling at first, especially given how young the characters are in the books, but the television series does a good job at establishing its own take on these characters while adhering to the characteristics of each in the novels.

    When we finally move into the village of Two Rivers is when the series shines. Viewers will become engrossed in the world before them. Jordan might’ve been criticized for his tendency to write flowery text and his love of descriptions. However, the images painted by his words come alive on screen in this adaption so perfectly.

    As Rosamund Pike‘s Moiraine Damodred comes into the picture, joined by Daniel Henney‘s Lan Mondragoran, Wheel of Time becomes its own take on the beloved fantasy series. It pulls from the book, but manages to offer its own twist on the story, an important detail when adapting a title as loved as this one.

    Midway through the episode, the Trollocs make their way into the village and wreak havoc. They are after the chosen one – Rand – and will not stop coming and destroying life in the village until they’ve gotten him. The Trollocs were so well-designed, they’re absolutely terrifying and the CGI work is impeccable. It’s impressive just how well done the battle is, s much so it becomes hard to look away in fear of missing something.

    When Damodred helps to save the village to the best of her ability, she tells Rand he will need to leave in order to remain safe. Resulting in him, and his group of friends, joining her on a journey that’ll take them out of the village of the Two Rivers and into a world of the unknown.

    Admittedly, the episode does have some moments that lull. And yes, there will always be changes from the books that make no sense. However, there’s more than enough here to enjoy. Pike is a force to be reckoned with every moment she’s on-screen, and her chemistry with Henney is exciting. While some of the younger actors stumble at times, when they come together as a group, they seem to lift one another up. The performances are strong, the action is perfectly executed, and the settings perfectly bring Jordan’s words to life.

    Overall, Amazon’s take on Wheel of Time pays respect to Jordan’s work while also establishing itself as its own story. It’s a hard line to walk, but so far, Wheel of Time looks to be off to a promising start.

  • Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman’s Scrapped Ideas Serve as Inspiration for ‘Good Omens’ Second Season

    Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman’s Scrapped Ideas Serve as Inspiration for ‘Good Omens’ Second Season

    In a surprise twist, Amazon Studios has renewed the once limited series Good Omens. It’ll explore the aftermath of the first season that saw Aziraphale and Crowley getting banned to the very Earth they saved. what shocked people about this revelation was the fact that there was no sequel book by authors Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Well, it seems that the idea to create a second season was born from scrapped ideas for a sequel that they developed some time ago but never followed upon. Gaiman offered some insight into this in a statement:

    It’s thirty-one years since ‘Good Omens’ was published, which means it’s thirty-two years since Terry Pratchett and I lay in our respective beds in a Seattle hotel room at a World Fantasy Convention, and plotted the sequel. I got to use bits of the sequel in Good Omens — that’s where our angels came from. Terry’s not here any longer, but when he was, we had talked about what we wanted to do with ‘Good Omens,’ and where the story went next.” And now, thanks to BBC Studios and Amazon, I get to take it there. I have enlisted some wonderful collaborators, and John Finnemore has come on board to carry the torch with me. There are so many questions people have asked about what happened next (and also, what happened before) to our favourite Angel and Demon. Here are the answers you’ve been hoping for. We are back in Soho, and all through time and space, solving a mystery, which starts with an angel wandering through Soho, with no memory.

    We also got a key art offering a small glimpse at what we can expect from the upcoming sequel:

     

    good-omens-season-2-key-art

     

    There is currently no release date planned, but they aim to start productions sometime later this year. Michael Sheen and David Tenant are set to return in their iconic roles. Director Douglas Mackinnon is set to return with Gaiman acting as showrunner, who will write the episodes alongside Josh Cole. It’s an exciting venture to see an author continue a scrapped project through a different medium and a nice way to pay tribute to the late Terry Pratchett‘s legacy. We cannot wait to see what awaits Aziraphale and Crowley once they return to the streaming service.

    Source: Collider

  • ‘Watchmen’s Tom Spezialy Joins Amazon’s ‘Silk’ as Showrunner

    ‘Watchmen’s Tom Spezialy Joins Amazon’s ‘Silk’ as Showrunner

    It looks like development is finally underway for Amazon Studios’ Spider-Man spin-off, Silk. Deadline reported that the executive producer of HBO’s Watchmen series, Tom Spezialy, has signed a deal with Amazon that also includes him joining the Sony Pictures Television project as showrunner. He will work alongside executive producer Lauren Moon, who wrote the series that’ll explore the story of Korean-American superhero Cindy Moon. Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the minds behind Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse, will also act as executive producers and are overseeing the various TV projects based on the webheads’ popular IP.

    What is interesting to note is that Illuminerdi broke the news that Sang Kyu Kim joined the project as showrunner around four months ago. It’s uncertain if he actually was involved with the project and potentially moved on to others. Either way, it seems that Spezialy has taken on those duties moving forward. Story details are still kept tightly under wraps, as the series continues to eye an August production start. Hopefully, it means we’ll get a casting announcement by the latest of July that will finally unveil who will take on the role.

    The development continuing is also an interesting indicator that the series won’t move to Netflix after all. Shortly after the spin-off was announced, Sony and Netflix unveiled their new partnership for exclusive first-look deals on any of their future projects. As of now, it’s uncertain to what extent this deal will work but it’s safe to say that any other Spider-Man-based projects will premiere there first. They also made a multi-year deal with Disney+ to ensure their franchises will be made available on the platform. So, Sony has secured its place in the streaming wars by simply partnering with everyone. It’ll be interesting to see if the amazon series might make international debuts on various other outlets moving forward.

    Source: Deadline