Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Black Panther

  • ‘Black Panther’s Ryan Coogler Also Working on Disney+’s ‘Ironheart’

    ‘Black Panther’s Ryan Coogler Also Working on Disney+’s ‘Ironheart’

    There are quite a few Disney+ series on our horizon, and among them is the newcomer Ironheart. It surprised many that the young hero was going to get her own series. During the Disney’s Investors Day in 2019, Dominique Thorne was already cast in the role and we would later found out we’ll meet her for the first time in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. So, it immediately built up a curious connection between the franchises, but it turns out there is one more connection.

    During the Oscars, ExtraTV got a chance to interview Anthony Ramos, who just recently was announced as a new addition to the upcoming series with a potential larger role moving forward in the MCU. While talking about his upcoming Disney+ premiere, he also revealed that Ryan Coogler, the director of the Black Panther films, is involved with the project.

    Yeah that’s what we hope for. I feel blessed. It’s an amazing project. Incredible people, Chinaka Hodge and Ryan Coogler, and just like a dope squad, Dominique Thorne and I feel blessed and grateful.

    Anthony Ramos

    It’s quite a curious reveal. While he is busy working on the upcoming Wakanda-focused Disney+ series as part of his new deal with the studio. Well, it looks like that he’s also adding his talent to the project to keep it consistent going from her first introduction into her solo adventure. We don’t know how she might play into that film, and how it might inspire her to also build her own Iron Man armor..

    Source: Extra TV via The Direct

  • VFX Veteran Talks ‘Black Panther’s Final Act and the Challenge of the Industry’s Demand

    VFX Veteran Talks ‘Black Panther’s Final Act and the Challenge of the Industry’s Demand

    The discussions surrounding the use of CGI in modern blockbusters have been heated. Most use it as the basis for their take on what makes or breaks a modern blockbuster, even going as far as to break down an entire film into one single screenshot. What is lost in the shuffle is the dire state of the entire industry, as many VFX companies are forced to close shop and work under problematic deadlines.

    While a general industry issue, it has been boiled down to the MCU due to their film’s reliance on special effects. Still, VFX veteran Todd Sheridan Perry sat down with Inverse to discuss the general situation in the industry and how VFX has to be created within short deadlines, as the count grows while postproduction time windows shrink.

    It falls squarely on the shoulders of studios that set a release date and then work backward from there. The time isn’t enough to live up to the ambition of the project.

    Todd Sheridan Perry

    Perry has worked on the infamous Black Panther third act, where the effects have struggled even as the film received critical acclaim. He highlights that “there were multiple things going on in act three” that played a factor. What does paint an interesting picture is that Marvel Studios actually recognized the time crunch and wanted to support the production studio. The only issue is that the good intention accidentally leads to a different issue as they utilize very different software that doesn’t cooperate as well.

    We’d already done tons of development work on the vibranium mines and it all had to be packaged up and sent over to DNEG. Even if you’re in the same company and sending it to a different department, packaging all that up and having it work requires a lot of elbow grease. DNEG didn’t have the time to polish their shots as much as other companies who’d been working on the film for seven or eight months, and they were caught at a disadvantage. I’m not saying DNEG is a bad company – they have a closet full of Oscars. They thankfully took it on and it actually got done. We wouldn’t have been able to accomplish it otherwise.

    Todd Sheridan Perry

    Understanding the context adds up a lot to what exactly happened. Marvel Studios seemingly had good intentions in supporting its VFX company. Yet, they also still fall into some old issues such as some of their biggest films getting finished a week before release, which is something that they hopefully start learning to avoid moving forward.

    Even the Marvel films, which have all the resources in the world, play this dangerous game. Avengers: Endgame had 1,000 VFX shots delivered one week before the film was in theaters.

    Todd Sheridan Perry

    Yet, there are some productions that also push it to their brink, such as the infamous work on Cats, which he also highlights in his interview.

    The worst example is Cats. Cats didn’t just suffer from bad CG, but missing CG. And it’s for all the reasons we’ve talked about.

    Todd Sheridan Perry

    He has praised productions like Parasite and Little Women for “absolutely invisible” VFX work. These films work under very different circumstances with less pressure of putting out a high-budget blockbuster within a specific release date. There’s a general issue in the modern-day that content needs to be dropped at a fast pace, as it is believed to keep interests and franchises alive. That issue is definitely affecting big-budget projects, especially Marvel which only can rely on its singular IP. Demand and supply have created a cycle that will be hard to break. Yet, hopefully, the cycle breaks before the talent that manages to provide amazing work under extreme pressure.

    Source: Inverse

  • Angela Bassett Says ‘Black Panther’ Sequel Will Be Better Than The Original

    Angela Bassett Says ‘Black Panther’ Sequel Will Be Better Than The Original

    Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has seemed to have had far more hurdles in its pre-production and production processes over the past couple of years than its predecessor or even its fellow MCU films. Between the tragic passing of star Chadwick Boseman and lengthy delays, the Black Panther sequel has persevered.

    With some fans worried about the franchise’s future, Queen Ramonda actress Angela Bassett has declared that Wakanda Forever will be even better than Academy Award Best Picture nominee Black Panther, and she went on to praise director Ryan Coogler:

    It’s going to be amazing. It’s going to top [the first] one. Can I say that? Marvel, can I say that?…[Ryan Coogler] was such an example, such a leader, an amazing talent — we all know that. Big heart, great intellect, and we just hope to raise his standard. It will be amazing. Our director Ryan Coogler. Writer. Director. Perfect leader.

    Angela Bassett

    To give a film such high praise nearly 8 months out from its release is certainly a big statement, especially when the film is being compared to the incredibly successful Black Panther. Some may be skeptical of Bassett’s declaration, particularly given the fact that the MCU’s current Black Panther, T’Challa, will not be in the film. Wakanda Forever is expected to significantly expand the roles of Letita Wright’s Shuri and Winston Duke’s M’Baku among others, and introduce major new Marvel characters to the MCU such as Tenoch Huerta’s Namor and Domique Thorne’s Ironheart.

    The film is certainly set to be larger in scale than Black Panther considering the fact that it is introducing Namor and Atlantis and paving the way for so many future MCU stories. Fans will have to wait and see how Black Panther: Wakanda Forever stacks up to Black Panther when the film is released on November 11, 2022.

    Source: The Direct

  • RUMOR: ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s Reshoots Heading to Puerto Rico

    RUMOR: ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s Reshoots Heading to Puerto Rico

    It hasn’t been an easy production for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, as they were forced to wrap up early due to Letitia Wright getting injured on set. They did start production on reshoots some time ago, which were eyeing a March wrap-up but it seems they have added a new production location according to One Take News.

    In their latest article, they shared that the upcoming film is ending their work in Atlanta and then heading to Puerto Rico in the near future. They highlight that the location will be used as a backdrop for Haiti, but no further details. It is curious they are adding a new location this late into the production, but if they weren’t able to return to Haiti.

    With the rumors surrounding Namor becoming a primary addition in the upcoming sequel, the location would seem fitting as a location that has ties to the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s take on Atlantis. We don’t know how they might tackle the mystical sunken city, perhaps it is not underwater but hidden from the world. The addition of this late into production might also be an indication of this being used for a post-credit sequence potentially.

    We won’t know for sure until Black Panther: Wakanda Forever releases later this year. The film is still eyeing a November production start, but the longer reproduction drags out, the more it seems like that’ll be unlikely. Hopefully, it doesn’t rush the post-production but they may have used the time in between reshoots to cover the loss of time.

    Source: One Take News

  • UPDATED: ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Production Reportedly Restarted After All

    UPDATED: ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Production Reportedly Restarted After All

    UPDATED: So, there has been some confusion surrounding the current state of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘s production. In the THR article, it was included with the statement that “production was set to restart this week” without a confirmation it was able to do so. It’s uncertain if this was a statement based on old information, but The Direct’s Jack McBryan has offered an update stating that production is currently underway:

    While he mentions something that happened earlier this month, the implication is on a report from January 14th – last week – by THR. It’s when the production wasn’t able to restart as planned that Monday and includes the reference to the cast and crew, as well as Lupita Nyong’o, contacting COVID. At the time, the report was accidentally overlooked, which is why the latest entry was mistakenly written as the first update on her condition. For now, it seems that the latest THR piece published on the 18th may have been based on old information, or they were able to restart today. No matter if they did or not, hopefully everyone affected by COVID was able to recover.

    Source: THR, Twitter

    It seems like just a few days ago, we were reporting that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was able to start up production again after a long vacation break so that Letitia Wright‘s severe injury can heal. Sadly, it seems that in a new piece by The Hollywood Reporter the production was forced to close down again, as cast and crew members were tested positive for COVID. It was originally going to start up production this week again, which will once again face further delays. Among those tested positive is also one of its stars Lupita Nyong’o.

    This news is sadly becoming common once again, as Star Trek Picard also was closed down after over 50 people involved with the production were tested positive. As a result of this rise in numbers, it seems a new deal was struck for new COVID-19 safety protocols to ensure that this cannot happen further with the spread of the Omicron variant.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • RUMOR: Doctor Doom May Have a Minor Role in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

    RUMOR: Doctor Doom May Have a Minor Role in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

    We all know that the Fantastic Four are on their way to cinemas once again, but there have been quite a few rumors we might see elements of their mythology appear in the MCU at an earlier date. A long time ago, there were some hints that their most famous adversary, Doctor Doom, might have a role in sparking the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. A new rumor has found its way online offering a bit more information on his potential appearance.

    Bleeding Cool reports that he’ll have a very minor role in the story. They’ve heard that Marvel Studios has already been working on a costume of some kind, which adds to a potential appearance. We’ve heard very little about the Fantastic Four film so far, and it’s uncertain if it even entered some form of pre-production as of now. So, if they are already trying to bring one of Marvel’s most iconic villains to life early, it seems likely he’d appear in a project sooner rather than later. If he appears, it would mainly be to tease a potential connection to the Wakandan and Atlantean war.

    Of course, it’s still a rumor for now as we haven’t even got official information on the involvement of Namor and Atlantis in the story. So, we still have to take it with a grain of salt, but his involvement would be a great addition to the story and potentially tease a larger role for the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe later down the line. He’s known for forcing everyone throughout the Marvel universe to band together and it wouldn’t be too surprising he does the same here.

    Source: Bleeding Cool

  • RUMOR: ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ May Set Up a Namor Franchise

    RUMOR: ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ May Set Up a Namor Franchise

    There have been many rumors pointing to Namor becoming the main threat for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. It’s still unclear how the story will unravel, but it seems more and more likely that a clash is inevitable between Wakanda and the Atlanteans. In a new story by Bleeding Cool, they offer some additional insight into what the upcoming sequel may have planned for the iconic Sub-Mariner and it seems they are using this as a jumping-off point for the character to get his own franchise.

    It seems their plan is to use this film in a similar fashion to how Captain America: Civil War introduced Black Panther into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The future king of Wakanda had a substantial role in that film with his own arc that would become the starting point where the first Black Panther film started off. So, it’s likely that wherever the conflict between these two nations ends up, it’ll probably continue his storyline through its aftermath.

    We still have to take it with a grain of salt, but given how much the franchise has been expanding as of late, it wouldn’t be too surprising that they’d want to set up a franchise for a character that’s been with Marvel since the beginning. He’s also known as the first mutant, which may also be an interesting setup in connecting him to the larger mythology developing through the MCU. There’s a lot of potentials and we’ll see what the future has in store once the film releases later this year.

    Source: Bleeding Cool

  • Letitia Wright Returns to Film ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

    Letitia Wright Returns to Film ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

    After almost five months, as Black Panther: Wakanda Forever took an extended break for the holidays, its leading star has returned. Letitia Wright returns to the set of the Marvel Studios sequel months after her serious injury. At first, it seemed like she only had a minor injury but later turned out to be a fractured shoulder and a concussion with severe side effects. So, it’s no wonder that production was forced to take an extended break, as they wait for her to recover.

    A spokesperson for the star has told the BBC that Wright has now returned to the production in order to complete the film, which is scheduled for release in November of this year. Her character Shuri is set to be a lead character for the film which will focus on Wakanda and its place in the world amidst pressure from the outside after the events of the first entry. With Spider-Man: No Way Home wrapping production at the end of March 2021 for a December release, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever should have plenty of time now that it has resumed production, as they are probably catching up with scenes that involve Wright.

    Source: BBC

  • The Aftermath of ‘Eternals’ May Lead Into ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

    The Aftermath of ‘Eternals’ May Lead Into ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

    Marvel Studios continues to expand in new and creative ways. We’ve seen the MCU’s version of Earth changing in ways we never thought possible, such as now a giant Celestial sticking out like marble from the ground. Tiamut the Sleeper has now become a fixture within the MCU after the release of Eternals and his awakening might have led to some curious ripples across the world. With rumors hinting at Atlantis and Namor playing an integral role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, there’s a good chance this event might cause the unearthing of Atlantis.

    In Eternals, we learn that Earth is actually an egg. The otherworldly Celestials are born when planets reach a certain level of population and then bring entire galaxies to life as a result. Tiamut would’ve joined their ranks if the Eternals (which a little help from the Celestial himself) kept him from, well, hatching. The build-up to that moment was in the form of countless earthquakes hinting at the arrival of the event known as The Emergence. The fact that his hand and head start popping out of the planet will certainly leave behind cracks in the planet. So, if Atlantis was hidden away for so long, there’s a chance his awakening might’ve opened up the crack that kept the underwater city hidden.

    Of course, if there’s an Earth-altering event that may change the ecosystem we know and love, any scientist is going to explore the aftermath to make sure our planet isn’t falling apart. This might become the catalyst that unleashes the Atlanteans, most notably Namor, out into the world. They are no longer safe from outsiders. Who knows how the Emergence may have also affected their city, as most of the earthquakes seemed to be underwater. Desperation will push anyone to a darker path and if they hint at a Vibranium connection, a conflict is inevitable.

  • ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Production Officially on Hold Until 2022

    ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Production Officially on Hold Until 2022

    Just a couple of weeks ago, it was reported that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever would be halting production while one of the film’s leads, Letitia Wright, recovered from an injury sustained while filming in August. Now, according to a trade report, production has officially paused and will not resume until January.

    The Deadline report indicates that the cast and crew were notified today via a message from Marvel Studios’ top brass. It seems that’s Wright’s injuries will require more time to heal before she can get back to work. With Wright playing a major role in the film, it seems the studio has completed all the principal photography that it can without her and now must allow her to convalesce. The text of the note can be read below:

    As we wind down for the holidays, we wanted to send a note of thanks and appreciation for the hard work of our entire cast and crew, as well as an update on timing. First and foremost, this project is exceptional and something we know audiences are eager to see. We could not be any more excited to complete this film and share it with the world next year. Thank you for everything you’ve done to get us to this place.

    Unfortunately, we’ve not gotten here without a few setbacks. Running a production of this scale in the midst of a pandemic is not an easy task, and you have remained diligent and professional throughout. In addition, as you are all aware, Letitia had a frightening accident on our set during a stunt back in August. It was a reminder of the importance of safety at all times in our work, which we know you understand and are committed to. What we had initially thought were minor injuries turned out to be much more serious with Letitia suffering a critical shoulder fracture, and a concussion with severe side effects. It has been a painful process and Letitia has been home recovering with her doctors and the support of family.

    We’ve adjusted our production schedule so she has the time she needs to heal, but there’s only so much we can do without Shuri! We also want to thank Letitia for everything she’s doing to get back to the set – we know how much she loves this role, how tough it’s been for her to be away, and how hard she’s working to recover as quickly as she safely can. We are eagerly awaiting her return and we know we will all come back stronger together.

    Please be on the lookout for more information on your specific return-to-work date. As of now, we’re on schedule to resume filming – with Letitia – in January 2022. We are all focused on finishing the movie with excellence, honoring the memory of our dear brother Chadwick in the process. We are thrilled to share Black Panther: Wakanda Forever with the world, confident that the challenges that we have overcome together as a team will make the film even more impactful. Please take care of yourselves and enjoy the holidays.

    The film’s release date was recently moved to November 11, 2022 and, according to the report, the production delay is not expected to cause any further shifts to its release.