Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Captain America

  • SDCC ’24: Marvel Studios Sets 3 Films for Theatrical Release in 2025

    SDCC ’24: Marvel Studios Sets 3 Films for Theatrical Release in 2025

    Though we’ll never see it here, somewhere on a parallel Earth, Marvel Studios’ fans just saw Thunderbolts at the theater are preparing to be treated to some version of Avengers: The Kang Dynasty next May. Scrapped in favor of the return of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty is one of several projects revealed at comic-cons past as part of a future MCU slate that didn’t quite work out. During Marvel’s last trip to San Diego, they rolled out an ambitious plan for the Multiverse Saga; two years later, nine of the projects have seen their release dates shift significantly, including five projects that would have been released by now had the original plan been followed. While there are myriad reasons for the shifts, the fact remains the slate has changed several times over the last two years and now, it has again.

    As Marvel Studios took the stage in Hall H last night, its latest 2025 theatrical slate was the presentation’s focus. Recently the studio still had plans for four films to be released next year but work stoppages and difficulties locking down quality scripts have caused fans to call into question the pragmatism of that slate for some time and now it’s been made official: Marvel Studios will only release 3 films in 2025.

    With the studio still searching for yet another director to helm Mahershala Ali‘s Blade, the vampire hunter’s MCU debut has been delayed indefinitely. With Blade on the shelf, Marvel Studios’ 2025 theatrical slate will consist of Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

    February 14, 2025: Captain America: Brave New World

    Despite some significant issues behind the scenes, Captain America: Brave New World remains on track to hit its mid-February release date. After the events of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, Anthony Mackie‘s Sam Wilson takes center stage as the all-new, all-different Captain America.

    The story follows Sam Wilson, who after meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, finds himself in the middle of an international incident. Sam must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.

    -Official Synopsis, Captain America: Brave New World
    SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 27: (L-R) Rob Delaney, Kevin Feige, President, Marvel Studios, Harrison Ford, Tim Blake Nelson, Danny Ramirez, Giancarlo Esposito and Anthony Mackie speak onstage during the Marvel Studios Panel in Hall H at SDCC in San Diego, California on July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
    SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 27: (L-R) Danny Ramirez, Tim Blake Nelson, Harrison Ford, Anthony Mackie and Giancarlo Esposito attend the Marvel Studios Panel in Hall H at SDCC in San Diego, California on July 27, 2024. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
    SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 27: (L-R) Harrison Ford and Anthony Mackie attend the Marvel Studios Panel in Hall H at SDCC in San Diego, California on July 27, 2024. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)

    Harrison Ford will make his MCU debut as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross and Tim Blake Nelson returns to the role of Samuel Sterns, aka The Leader, after first appearing as the character in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk. Danny Ramirez returns as Joaquin Torres, who will take over as The Falcon and Giancarlo Esposito will make his MCU debut as Serpent Society King, Sidewinder.

    May 2, 2025: Thunderbolts*

    Directed by Jake Schrier, Thunderbolts* boasts an impressive ensemble cast and serves as a sequel to multiple projects. Though the film’s true lead is Florence Pugh‘s Yelena Belova, it also stars MCU first-timers Geraldine Viswanathan and Lewis Pullman along with returnees Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sebastian Stan, Olga Kurylenko and David Harbour, who showed up at SDCC in full Red Guardian garb.

    An irreverent team-up featuring depressed assassin Yelena Belova alongside the MCU’s least anticipated band of misfits.

    -Official Logline for Thunderbolts*
    SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 27: (L-R) Florence Pugh, Lewis Pullman, Geraldine Viswanathan, Hannah John-Kamen, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jake Schreier, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour and Wyatt Russell attend the Marvel Studios Panel in Hall H at SDCC in San Diego, California on July 27, 2024. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
    SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 27: (L-R) Rob Delaney, Kevin Feige, President, Marvel Studios, Jake Schreier, Geraldine Viswanathan, Lewis Pullman, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Florence Pugh and Sebastian Stan speak onstage during the Marvel Studios Panel in Hall H at SDCC in San Diego, California on July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
    SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 27: (L-R) Jake Schreier, Geraldine Viswanathan and Lewis Pullman speak onstage during the Marvel Studios Panel in Hall H at SDCC in San Diego, California on July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
    SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 27: David Harbour speaks during the Marvel Studios Panel in Hall H at SDCC in San Diego, California on July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)

    Though details on Pullman’s character, Bob, were not revealed at SDCC, it’s widely accepted that he’ll be playing Robert Reynolds, aka The Sentry, one of the most powerful characters in the pages of Marvel Comics.

    July 25, 2025: The Fantastic Four: First Steps

    THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.

    One of the most anticipated Marvel Studios projects in quite some time, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is still set to land in theaters next July despite the fact that production has not yet gotten underway.

    The Fantastic Four: First Steps sees Galactus and Silver Surfer target Earth for destruction

    -Official Description of The Fantastic Four: First Steps
    SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 27: (L-R) Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn, Vanessa Kirby, Pedro Pascal and Matt Shakman speak onstage during the Marvel Studios Panel in Hall H at SDCC in San Diego, California on July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
    SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 27: (L-R) Rob Delaney, Matt Shakman, Kevin Feige, President, Marvel Studios, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn, Vanessa Kirby and Pedro Pascal speak onstage during the Marvel Studios Panel in Hall H at SDCC in San Diego, California on July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
    SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 27: (L-R) Matt Shakman, Kevin Feige, President, Marvel Studios, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn, Vanessa Kirby and Pedro Pascal speak onstage during the Marvel Studios Panel in Hall H at SDCC in San Diego, California on July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
    SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 27: (L-R) Vanessa Kirby and Pedro Pascal speak onstage during the Marvel Studios Panel in Hall H at SDCC in San Diego, California on July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)

    Director Matt Shakman was joined on stage in San Diego by Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who will play the MCU’s version of The First Family. Shakman described the film as retro-futuristic and explained that it will look both into the past and future of the Fantastic Four though it will not be an origin story.

  • SDCC ’24: Giancarlo Esposito’s ‘Brave New World’ Character Officialy Revealed

    SDCC ’24: Giancarlo Esposito’s ‘Brave New World’ Character Officialy Revealed

    It turns out Giancarlo Esposito wasn’t pulling anyone’s chain when he said nobody has correctly guessed who he was playing in Captain America: Brave New World. While word had leaked out among multiple insiders that Esposito was set to play an obscure character known as G.W. Bridge, it turns out that big of info was a bullshit.

    During Marvel Studios’ Hall H panel at SDCC ’24, Esposito revealed that he’ll be playing Seth Voelker, aka Sidewinder, the King of the Serpent Society!

    Updating…

  • SDCC ’24: Kevin Feige Reveals How ‘Eternals’ Leads into ‘Captain America: Brave New World’

    SDCC ’24: Kevin Feige Reveals How ‘Eternals’ Leads into ‘Captain America: Brave New World’

    Though no direct sequel to Eternals is in the works at Marvel Studios, Head Honcho Kevin Feige recently teased that the events of the film will indeed continue to influence the ongoing shared narrative of the MCU. Tonight, during the studio’s big Hall H panel at SDCC ’24, the cat was let out of the bag.

    After months of rumors, it was confirmed that the body of Tiamut–the large Celestial that began to emerge from the ocean in Eternals–is composed of adamantium and will be central to the plot of Captain America: Brave New World.

    Updating…

  • Marvel Studios’ “New Approach” to Controversial ‘Captain America 4’ Character Revealed

    Marvel Studios’ “New Approach” to Controversial ‘Captain America 4’ Character Revealed

    Since Shira Haas was first revealed to be playing Ruth Bat-Seraph in Captain America: Brave New World, the character has been the center of online controversy, including calls for her to be removed from the film. In 2022, Marvel Studios made it clear that rather than remove her from the film, they took a “new approach” in reimagining her for the MCU. Now, shortly after the first look at the film hit social media, that new approach is becoming very clear.

    While our characters and stories are inspired by the comics. They are always freshly imagined for the screen and today’s audience, and the filmmakers are taking a new approach with the character Sabra who was first introduced in the comics over 40 years ago.

    -Official Statement from Marvel Studios on Ruth Bat-Seraph in Captain America: Brave New World

    Haas‘ brief appearance in the teaser trailer for the film didn’t give much away about what changes may have been made to the character, however, a follow-up piece on Marvel.com shed some light on what to expect. Rather than appearing in the MCU as a member of the Israeli Secret Service, Ruth is described as “a former Black Widow,” who “is now a high-ranking U.S. government official who has the trust of President Ross.” Given how Black Widow played out, the change works just fine but according to a new trade report, the changes don’t stop there.

    In the comics, Ruth Bat-Seraph also went by the alias Sabra; however, according to THR, the studio chose to drop that code name entirely as well as her allegiance to Israel. Essentially, Marvel Studios’ new approach to the character was to keep the name and recreate her entirely–and it’s hardly the first time they’ve done such a thing. Though it’s unlikely that the changes made by the studio will relieve any of the tension online, it does show at least some semblance of awareness by the execs while also calling into question why the chose to use the character in the first place when an original character would have worked well in her place.

    Captain America: Brave New World hits theaters February 14, 2025.

    Sources: Marvel.com, THR

  • Disney Confirms Controversial Character Remains in ‘Captain America: Brave New World’

    Disney Confirms Controversial Character Remains in ‘Captain America: Brave New World’

    Marvel Studios rolled out the first look at 2025’s Captain America: Brave New World which looks to be a high-octane thriller. While the teaser trailer gave away quite a bit, including the inclusion of Red Hulk, it held back quite a bit as well, including leaving out some key cast members. One of those members of the cast, Shira Haas, is set to play Ruth Bat-Seraph, known in the comics as Sabra, who has become the center of some controversy. Fans have threatened to boycott the film over her inclusion and some rumors arose that the character would be taken out of the film entirely. As it turns out, that is not the case as Haas was included on the list of cast members sent out by Disney in an official press release.

    “Captain America: Brave New World” stars Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas, Xosha Roquemore, Carl Lumbly, with Giancarlo Esposito, Liv Tyler, Tim Blake Nelson, and Harrison Ford. The film is directed by Julius Onah and produced by Kevin Feige and Nate Moore. Louis D’Esposito and Charles Newirth serve as executive producers.

    Despite backlash from fans, Haas‘ character was never going to be removed from the film. In 2022, the studio released a statement indicating that they were “taking a new approach” with the character.

    While our characters and stories are inspired by the comics. They are always freshly imagined for the screen and today’s audience, and the filmmakers are taking a new approach with the character Sabra who was first introduced in the comics over 40 years ago

    With only a brief hint of the character in the teaser, fans will have to wait to see what that new approach is and how they incorporate her into the MCU despite the controversy that has surrounded her since she was first revealed to be in the film.

    Captain America: Brave New World hits theaters on February 14, 2025.

  • Marvel Studios Official Synopsis for ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Teases a “Nefarious Global Plot”

    Marvel Studios Official Synopsis for ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Teases a “Nefarious Global Plot”

    Following the release of the teaser trailer for Captain America: Brave New World, Disney unveiled the first official synopsis for the action-packed 2025 film. The film has been described as a political thriller in the past and the synopsis indicates fans should expect just that.

    CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD. © 2024 MARVEL.

    After meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, played by Harrison Ford in his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut, Sam finds himself in the middle of an international incident. He must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.

    Official Synopsis for Captain America: Brave New World

    Though he’s only briefly seen in the teaser, that “true mastermind” is certainly Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns who is returning to the role for the first time since 2008’s The Incredible Hulk. Brave New World director Julius Onah teased Sterns’ role in the film in an interview with ComicBook.com in 2022.

    One of the things that really drew me to this project is The Leader is a man who operates from intellect. And it’s so great to have an adversary who is working with this incredible intellect to really put Sam through the wringer in this story. And again, it’s a paranoid thriller; it’s this grounded adventure where I think everything that happens in this film feels so real and intense because of who this adversary is. What he’s going to have to go through in this film is because he’s got an adversary who is so terrifyingly intelligent.

    -Jullius Onah

    The teaser trailer lays out how Sam Wilson moves ahead following the events of the Disney Plus streaming series The Falcon and The Winter Solider as President Thaddeus Ross looks to make Captain America an official position within the United States military. Onah previously talked about the challenges Wilson would face in that role saying, “He is in a new position. Stepping up to be the leader as Captain America is going to be a new set of challenges for him. And in this story, a big part of his journey is how do you define that leadership? That’s the thing that he hasn’t had to deal with just yet. As the Falcon, he was always there supporting the rest of the team, but now he’s the man leading the team and I think that’s going to be a really exciting journey to go on with him.”

    Captain America: Brave New World hits theaters on February 14th, 2025.

  • Giancarlo Esposito Teases His “Badass” MCU Character

    Giancarlo Esposito Teases His “Badass” MCU Character

    After years of being fancast in multiple MCU roles, Giancarlo Esposito finally joined the cinema’s largest interconnected universe. It’s been just under a month since it was revealed that Espositio‘s character was set to debut in Captain America: Brave New World when it hits theaters in early 2025 and as reshoots on that project have wound down or moved out of the public eye, the buzz around the debut has died down a bit. However, at the premiere of his next film, MaXXXine, Esposito was asked about the role and teased that he’s set to be a real badass.

    “When you see me in the MCU, you’re going to see a badass and I’m excited for that,” Esposito told Deadline. “Acting is using every part of your body, your emotions, your senses, your feelings to portray something. But when you…you haven’t really seen me use my body in a way I’ll be using it. The MCU is exciting. I can’t tell you who I play but you’re gonna be excited when you see it,” he teased.

    The MCU has knocked on my door and it’s a role you won’t predict. It will be teased and there will be a series afterwards.

    -Giancarlo Esposito on his mystery MCU character

    While Esposito has done plenty of teasing of his character over the past couple of months, the identity of the agent of chaos has yet to be revealed. A set photo released online in early June showed the character will be heavily armed and led to wild theorizing and speculation by fans who believe he’s playing every Marvel character from Bushman to Willis Stryker to Shatterstar. To date, I’ve not seen an accurate guess of Esposito‘s character.

    Captain America: Brave New World hits theaters on February 14th, 2025.

  • First Look at Giancarlo Esposito’s ‘Captain America’ Character Generates Fan Frenzy

    First Look at Giancarlo Esposito’s ‘Captain America’ Character Generates Fan Frenzy

    For MCU fans, discovering the identity of Giancarlo Esposito‘s mystery character in Captain America: Brave New World has become their latest obsession. While many roll out uninspired guesses like Doctor Doom, Magneto, Mephisto and Norman Osborn, others are digging deeper to figure out who the “antagonist agent of chaos” played by Esposito might be. Now, the first look at the character’s costume has fans’ heads spinning.

    Photographer Atlanta Filming, who has a long history of capturing photos from the sets of Marvel Studios’ projects, has given fans some interesting details to chew on in their Wiki searches for the identity of Esposito’s baddie.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/C7nKVaFgoR2/?igsh=MXRtZjV2N3YwZ3pnYQ==

    From his sketch of the character and the look at the stunt double, it seems clear that Esposito’s character is decked out in tactical gear. That likely indicates he’s an assassin or mercenary hired to take out one of the film’s main characters. Recent reports from the set have centered around Sam Wilson being involved in a car chase which was comparable to those seen in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Could Captain America be in Esposito’s sights?

    By Esposito’s own admission, his character is unlikely to have a major role in Brave New World, calling it a “tease” before the character returns for a presumably larger appearance in a streaming series. With that in mind, Esposito’s time on set may be coming to and end shortly, which may mean we’ve seen all we will see of his character. Perhaps, just maybe, the identity of that character will stay under wraps until the film hits theaters on February 14th, 2025.

  • Giancarlo Esposito Set to Appear in a 2025 Marvel Studios Film

    Giancarlo Esposito Set to Appear in a 2025 Marvel Studios Film

    For years, fans have dreamt of Giancarlo Esposito landing a role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Esposito recently revealed that dream had become a reality and teased fans that his character, which he hinted would be “new and original and fresh” would be revealed “sooner than you think.” He wasn’t wrong.

     Wouldn’t you like to see me play a character in a Marvel movie who is original, and new, and fresh? So, mark my words: This will happen sooner than you think.

    Giancarlo Esposito, CCXP24
    Murphy’s Multiverse can confirm that Giancarlo Esposito is set to appear in Captain America: Brave New World.

    A significant portion of Captain America: Brave New World was filmed in 2023 before the Hollywood work stoppage forced the production to go on pause. During that time, Marvel Studios execs determined that the project needed a major overhaul and brought writer Matthew Orton on board to assemble a script for reshoots. It would seem that Esposito‘s character, who appears as an antagonistic agent of chaos in the film, was added by Orton.

    The MCU has knocked on my door and it’s a role you won’t predict. It will be teased and there will be a series afterwards.

    Giancarlo Esposito, Phoenix Fan Fusion 2024

    Esposito has thrived as a disruptive force on the screen for nearly 20 years. The actor played arguably one of TV’s greatest villains as Gus Fring in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul and has since continued to make his mark as a big bad as The Mandalorian‘s Moff Gideon, the corrupt Stan Edgar in The Boys and, recently, Stanley Johnson in Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen. While he won’t be playing Magneto or Doctor Doom in the MCU, as so many had hoped, Esposito‘s role in Brave New World certainly matches the actor’s indication of it being one which fans will not have expected and it appears as though he’s set to be a serious thorn in Sam Wilson’s side.

    Captain America: Brave New World hits theaters on February 14, 2025.

  • Captain America: Brave New World Still Offers First Look at Xosha Roquemore’s Mystery Character

    Captain America: Brave New World Still Offers First Look at Xosha Roquemore’s Mystery Character

    Originally slated to hit theaters in 2024, Captain America: Brave New World has seen its release date moved a few times over the past year. Though it is currently on track for a February 14, 2025 release, it seems as though some marketing decisions were made with a 2024 release in mind. Over the past month, promo art, McDonald’s Happy Meal toys and other assorted merchandise have provided first looks at some of the characters. Additionally, the latest issue of Empire Magazine included some bits about the film and several new stills the latest of which gives fans their first look at Xosha Roquemore‘s new character.

    Via The Cine Geek, the BTS still from Empire shows Roquemore and Anthony Mackie prepping for a scene with director Julius Onah.

    Roquemore’s character–who is rumored to be Leila Taylor–is sporting some sort of lapel that looks similar to a U.S. Marshall’s badge. If Roquemore is indeed playing Taylor, it would be an all-new, all-different iteration of the character. In the comics, the character was a reporter and one-time romantic interest of Wilson’s who mostly got into a lot of dangerous situations that allowed Sam to do some heroing. From the looks of the still, the MCU’s Taylor might be doing some heroing of her own.

    Captain America: Brave New World flys into theaters on February 14th, 2025.