Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: DC Movies

  • Frontrunners Emerge for Key ‘Superman: Legacy’ Roles

    Frontrunners Emerge for Key ‘Superman: Legacy’ Roles

    With principal photography on Superman: Legacy set to kick off in just eight months, writer/director James Gunn has begun the process of casting. A series of trade reports have provided some insight into a list of potential frontrunners for some of the 2025 film’s key roles while also giving some more details about what to expect from the all-new, all-different DCU’s first feature film.

    Casting Kal-El

    It’s not unfair to say that whoever Gunn chooses for his Kal-El could make or break not only Superman: Legacy but also the fledgling DCU. Fortunately, Gunn has an uncanny knack for nailing key castings. Despite a list of monster names having auditioned for the Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy, Gunn famously fought to have Chris Pratt in the role despite the star flubbing his audition. Dave Bautista probably owes his now acclaimed acting career to Gunn, Karen Gillan became a star as Nebula and Chukwudi Iwuji put together one of Marvel Studios’ best villainous turns as the High Evolutionary in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Gunn knows talent and given he also knows Superman: Legacy inside and out, he knows exactly what he’s looking for in the next actor to wear the symbol of the House of El and according to the Hollywood trades, he’s getting close to finding his leading man.

    THR reports that after viewing audition tapes for the role of Clark Kent, DC Studios is preparing to screen test a handful of frontrunners. Topping that list are Pearl and House of Cards star David Corenswet and X-Men alum Nicholas Hoult, while Euphoria star Jacob Elordi and Andrew Richardson seem to have been among a larger group of earlier contenders that has since been thinned out.

    Finding Lois Lane

    When the star of your show is an omnipotent, god-like alien, it’s pretty important that he stay grounded. To that end, Gunn’s selection for Lois Lane is nearly as critical as that of Superman. Much like the casting of Sue Storm is essential for Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four, Gunn has to land a star as Lois. Despite being married to a nigh-invulnerable hero, it’s Lois who stands tall as the unshakable center of Superman’s life. Appropriately, Gunn has put together quite a list of stars for the role.

    The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’s Rachel Brosnahan, Bridgerton’s Phoebe Dynevor, Sex Education star Emma Mackey and neo scream queen Samara Weaving have reportedly made their way through the early screening process. Brosnahan’s audition seems to have caught Gunn’s eye though multiple reports indicate the Emmy-award-winning actress may be just outside of the age range Warner Bros. Discovery has in mind for their new universe.

    The Big Bad

    While the trades have casually reported the news that the film’s antagonist will be Lex Luthor, it is the first confirmation that Gunn has chosen Superman’s oldest and most well-known foe to occupy his time in the first film. It’s simultaneously the most and least bold choice Gunn could make.

    After checking in with an unknown star of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 on their interest in the role, Gunn is reportedly now meeting with Black actors for the role of “Apex.” While that’s just a code name, it does refer to a very recent iteration of the character who was an extremely powerful human/Martian hybrid.

    The reports indicate that the casting process for all three roles is expected to pick up steam after Memorial Day. It would certainly be in DC Studios’ best interest to have the cast of Superman: Legacy introduced on stage in two months at SDCC ’23 and given Gunn’s history with the convention, that wouldn’t be a surprise.

    Sources: THR, Deadline, The Wrap

  • James Gunn Reveals Another Character Set to Appear in ‘Superman: Legacy’

    James Gunn Reveals Another Character Set to Appear in ‘Superman: Legacy’

    In many ways, James Gunn‘s Superman: Legacy is sounding more and more like a throwback. Though it is expected to be set in the modern continuity of the all-new, all-different DCU, Gunn has made it clear that the film, which DC Studios co-chair Peter Safran said will launch the new DCU, will explore some “old-fashioned” values and will see a Superman who stands for truth, justice and the American way. It’s an interesting challenge for Gunn because the perception that Superman represents a bygone era has made it tough for modern writers to crack new stories that resonate with modern readers; however, a pattern is emerging that might give some insight into how Gunn plans to take on that challenge.

    Part of keeping the old-fashioned spirit of Superman alive might be surrounding him with other old-fashioned characters, making Kal-El feel a bit less like a fish out of water. To that end, Gunn has already confirmed that Superman’s pal, Jimmy Olsen, is set to appear in his new Superman film. Olsen was a fixture in the comics and in the late 1970s/early 1980s Superman films played by Marc McClure. That Olsen came complete with an innocent “Aw shucks, Mr. Kent” persona that was in stark contrast to the CIA assassin version of the character that briefly appeared in the Snyderverse. It seems far more likely that Gunn’s version of the character would be in line with the original interpretation of the character, helping establish a more old-fashioned feel around Superman.

    Along those old-fashioned lines, it sounds as though James Gunn is set to drop another one of Superman’s friends in Superman: Legacy; in fact, it sounds like it’ll be (Super)man’s best friend: Krypto the Superdog! While promoting Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 with Chris Pratt, Gunn jokingly said he’d cast Pratt as the on-set reference for Krypto. When the interviewer asked if he had just gotten a scoop about Krypto’s appearance in the film, Gunn confirmed that he did!

    https://twitter.com/DCUWORLD/status/1655373029495406595?s=20

    When Warners was courting Gunn, the studio gave him his pick of properties, including Superman. Though Gunn never got far enough along to seriously consider tackling a Superman movie, the filmmaker did take a shine to the Man of Steel’s superpowered dog Krypto during his comics research — which makes sense for a man who turned a talking raccoon into one of Marvel’s most popular big screen characters.

    THR Heat Vision, 2019

    Gunn has always been a fan of Krypto and, dating back to when he first started work at DC has explored using the character in a project. Back in 2021, we erroneously reported that Gunn was developing a Krypto project for Warner Bros but Gunn’s interest in the character has clearly not waned. Adding Krypto to the mix seems to further ground the story of Superman: Legacy in those old-fashioned values Safran talked bout. A man’s best friend. A boy and his dog. However you put it, there’s a certain sentimentality to the idea of Superman having a canine sidekick with him on his new adventure.

    Superman: Legacy is currently set to hit theaters on July 11, 2025.

  • ‘Superman Legacy’ to Feature Someone from ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’s Cast

    ‘Superman Legacy’ to Feature Someone from ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’s Cast

    James Gunn has always had a knack for keeping secrets on his various projects and outright even denying any claims made that he can easily debunk. As the new CEO of DC Studios, it creates an opportunity. Yet, in a short AMA on Twitter, he has given some the opportunity to ask a question he’ll answer with yes or no. While most focused on his latest release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 given he restricted it to that topic, someone asked if any of the cast members might appear in his next DC project.

    Surprisingly, Gunn actually did confirm that “Yes.” someone from the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise will appear in Superman Legacy. Of course, he hasn’t exactly said who it will be and what kind of role they’ll have, but it’s great to know that some of his usual faces will return one way or another. We already saw them in The Suicide Squad, where his brother Sean Gunn played the role of Weasel and will continue to do so in Creature Commando.

    Though, there’s also a good chance that he will include some of his usual cast members in one form or another. Nathan Fillion has appeared in all three Guardians films in a cameo or small role. He loves casting his close friend Michael Rooker in roles, who is also very likely to potentially appear. At the end of the day, we could also just see his brother Sean Gunn have some kind of role in bringing another CG creation to life. There’s ag good list of “definitely back” actors that would be listed that would fit the bill.

    Source: Twitter

  • WGA Strike Seemingly Won’t Impact ‘Superman: Legacy’ Production

    WGA Strike Seemingly Won’t Impact ‘Superman: Legacy’ Production

    While the WGA strike might have come as a surprise to some, the possibility of an impending work stoppage has been buzzed about for months. As such, studios have been able to do some advance work on scripts to ensure their completion ahead of the strike. Marvel Studios brought Lee Sung Jin in to touch up Thunderbolts and Nic Pizzolato to work on Blade about a month ago, possibly in hopes they’d be able to complete their work before the strike shut down that particular production arm. While those seem safe, the status of other major productions will remain in limbo for the time being but there is at least one more tentpole that seems to have made the cut.

    According to The Wrap’s Umberto Gonzalez, the first theatrical release on DC Studios new slate, Superman: Legacy, won’t have to wait on a resolution to the contract dispute for a finished script. Gonzalez reports that James Gunn‘s script for the reboot was finalized just days ahead of the strike. Gunn is also directing the film and is in the process of casting ahead of an expected January 2024 start of production.

    Gunn’s Superman: Legacy will be based on DC Comics All-Star Superman and will focus on the Man of Steel seeking to balance his “Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing,” according to DC Studios’ co-chair Peter Safran. Gunn has long been a fan of the character and has been working hard to make sure the newest version of the character both lives up to the previous live-action versions and carves its own nice. “Superman is for everyone,” explained Gunn. “That’s [Superman: Legacy] a four-quadrant film that should speak to everyone in the world.”

    Superman: Legacy is currently slated to hit theaters July 11, 2025.

    Source: The Wrap

  • Pom Klementieff Seems Likely to Join James Gunn in the All-New, All-Different DCU

    Pom Klementieff Seems Likely to Join James Gunn in the All-New, All-Different DCU

    Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 director James Gunn has pulled no punches as he’s transitioned from Marvel Studios to his new gig atop DC Studios hierarchy. Through his career, Gunn has repeatedly shown a sens of loyalty to various actors. Nathan Fillion and Michael Rooker, for instance, have found themselves in more than one of Gunn’s films over the years, even if only in minor roles. As Gunn’s Marvel tenure comes to an end, the shepherd of the Guardians films is continuing the trend.

    Gunn has openly stated that since hisove to DC, he’s courted talent from his time at Marvel Studios in hopes that they would follow him. Now, in an interview during the World Premiere of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Klementieff revealed that Gunn has opened the door to a DCU role.

    When asked if she had conversations with Finn about a DC Studios role, Klementieff, who reprises her role as Mantis in Vol. 3, held nothing back.

    I’m not gonna tell you guys but we’ve had conversations and we’re like making plans already but nothing is confirmed yet.

    Pom Klementieff

    When pressed further about who that character might be, Klementieff didn’t hesitate to shut down the line of questioning.

    There would be one specific character but I can’t tell you now.

    Pom Klementieff

    While Klementieff stayed clear of revealing who she might end up playing, she did share one last detail about the character. “I mean, I knew about the character, yeah, and I thought the character was fucking cool,” said Klementieff.

    Time will tell how “cool” Klementieff’s character is and how big of a part she plays in James Gunn‘s all-new, all-different DCU when Superman:Legacy hits theaters in 2025

  • James Gunn Reveals Who Won’t Play Superman in ‘Superman: Legacy’ and What Traits He’s Looking for in the New Actor

    James Gunn Reveals Who Won’t Play Superman in ‘Superman: Legacy’ and What Traits He’s Looking for in the New Actor

    As James Gunn closes the door on his time at Marvel Studios, he’s already firmly entrenched in his new job at DC Studios and working hard on bringing the first chapter of the all-new, all-different DCU to life. A major part of that first chapter, Gods and Monsters, is Superman: Legacy, a film that’s being written and directed by Gunn and is slated to hit theaters in the Summer of 2025. Production on that film is reportedly kicking off in Atlanta in January and the search for the next actor to bring Kal-El to life is already underway. While at the world premiere of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Gunn was asked what he’s looking for in his new Superman.

    It’s hard but we’re looking and we actually have some really great choices which I’m excited about. It has to be somebody who has all the humanity Superman has but he’s also an alien. It’s gotta be somebody who has the kindness and compassion that Superman has. And it has to be somebody that you want to give a hug. All the Supermen have been good and so we just have to add to that story.

    James Gunn

    Just in case that sounds like Gunn is describing Guardians star Chris Pratt, he was quick to confirm that’s not the case; in fact, it sounds increasingly more likely that Gunn will be looking to cast a relative newcomer as Kal-El, rather than an already established Hollywood star. It goes without saying that much of the success of the new DCU will rest on the shoulders of Superman: Legacy and the audience’s perception of the actor portraying the Man of Steel. As Gunn and co-chair Peter Safran took over the future of DC films for Warner Bros. Discovery, they moved on from much of the Snyderverse era of projects, including actor Henry Cavill who portrayed Superman in several of those projects. The new actor will have to live up to audiences’ perception of Cavill’s Superman in addition to Christopher Reeve, Brandon Routh and others who have forged the live-action legacy of the character.

  • Zack Snyder Gave His Blessing for Michael Shannon to Return as Zod in ‘The Flash’

    Zack Snyder Gave His Blessing for Michael Shannon to Return as Zod in ‘The Flash’

    Zack Snyder is always a big discussion point online, as his very specific group of fans continues to try to keep the “legacy” alive as much as possible. Even as the DC franchise is starting to move away from what he initially started with Man of Steel. It seems Michael Shannon wasn’t sure either when Andy Muschietti asked him to reprise the role of Zod from the film in the next DCEU entry, The Flash.

    I was hesitant [to come back] because I wasn’t really happy about what happened to Zack Snyder in that whole deal … And I really love Zack. The fact that Zack asked me to play that part to begin with – that’s probably the biggest surprise of my career. It almost felt like a practical joke. I was like, ‘You’re kidding me, right?’

    Michael Shannon

    He goes on to share what it was like when Muschietti offered him the role and it seems he even had some drawings prepared to showcase his vision of what The Flash would look like if he returned to the role and how it would shape the story. Shannon even still owns a drawing from that pitch.

    But I talked to Andy [Muschietti] about it, and I liked Andy, and I said, ‘Andy, look – I just want to get Zack’s blessing on this because it just doesn’t feel right without that.’ And Zack, to his credit, was very understanding. He gave me his blessing, and I went to do it. I loved Andy, too. I loved working with Andy. They’re both super creative guys. Andy’s an amazing artist. He would just make these drawings when I was sitting there talking to him. I’d look over and say, ‘Hey, can I keep that?’ and he’d go, ‘Sure!’ and sign it and give it to me.

    Michael Shannon

    He does, however, highlight that we shouldn’t expect much depth from his version of Zod in The Flash, as they may have seemingly used him as a way to set up an antagonist that blocks our heroes’ way as teased by the trailers.

    But, you know, it’s just really different – these kind of multiverse situations … The story is a lot more all over the place, you know? And I feel like I mainly exist in ‘The Flash’ as, like, an obstacle or a problem. Whereas, in ‘Man of Steel,’ it was more of a story. Like, ‘The Flash’ is definitely about The Flash – as it should be. So, it’s not as in-depth.

    Michael Shannon

    It’s great to know that Zack Snyder gave his blessing to the project and that he was able to return. This film almost feels like a final swan song for that era of DCEU that was built upon Man of Steel’s release. So, we’ll see if it pays tribute to the past while setting the stage for the future.

    Source: The Playlist

  • CinemaCon: First ‘Aquaman 2’ Footage Description Teases Major Plot Points

    CinemaCon: First ‘Aquaman 2’ Footage Description Teases Major Plot Points

    CinemaCon has given Warner Bros. Discovery the chance to highlight its future slate with a strong emphasis on 2023. It’s a big movement for the studio as they have been struggling with their recent DC releases like Black Adam and Shazam: Fury of the Gods. While the big focus is on The Flash which is being screened in its entirety for attendees, they also got some footage teasing Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.

    The big surprise is that quite a bit of the footage shown includes some major spoilers for the sequel. Some reports are sharing that the footage includes Aquaman having a child and that Black Manta is seemingly the main antagonist in the upcoming sequel. Of course, they might be hiding some secrets as there’s no word of the “Lost Kingdom” in the title.

    Black Manta has seemingly gotten his hand on an ancient weapon known as the Black Trident and starts an attack on Atlantis. The rest of the film will see him forced to work alongside his murderous brother Orm the Ocean Master. Of course, they weren’t going to spoil everything but it’s definitely interesting that many early reports are pretty much on point with what we can expect. It’s also great to see Yahya Abdul-Mateen II get a bigger role in the sequel.

    Source: Twitter, Twitter

  • CinemaCon: Xolo Maridueña Shares Why Blue Beetle Stands Out from Other Heroes

    CinemaCon: Xolo Maridueña Shares Why Blue Beetle Stands Out from Other Heroes

    CinemaCon has brought us our first look at what the summer has planned for us and it looks like quite a doozy. Warner Bros. had the second day to kick off with quite a few announcements from their various projects. It’s also quite the gamble for them, as they are putting all their money on the next releases truly making a mark to water down the bad blood that rose with their HBO Max activities in the last few years.

    Among their first big new streaming-to-theatrical releases is Blue Beetle, which only recently got its first trailer. Warner Bros. Discovery took to the stage to showcase the talent they have, and among them was Blue Beetle’s star Xolo Maridueña. The actor took the chance to share why he believes Jamie Reyes stands out from other superheroes.

    I think he’s the only person ever to get superpowers and not want them.

    Xolo Maridueña

    It’s easy to say that there are countless superheroes that aren’t quite happy with being given the powers they have, especially characters like Hulk or The Thing. But, it’s definitely a potential first for the current roster of DC heroes that managed to embrace their powers. Still, Maridueña‘s excitement is infectious and it was great that he was given the stage during CinemaCon.

    Source: Twitter

  • New Report Details When and Where Production on ‘Superman: Legacy’ Will Take Off

    New Report Details When and Where Production on ‘Superman: Legacy’ Will Take Off

    James Gunn‘s Superman: Legacy has consistently been making headlines recently. Gunn recently indicated that he had put together a wishlist of talent for the project and that “early pre-production” on the 2025 release was underway. Now a new report from Heroic Hollywood reveals that the cameras are set to roll on DC Studios’ first theatrical release sooner than expected.

    According to the site, Superman: Legacy will kick off principal photography in Atlanta in January 2024. Atlanta has been a hub for superhero projects over the last decade with dozens of Marvel Studios films and streaming series being produced in and around the area. Agatha: Coven of Chaos and Captain America: New World Order are currently filming in Atlanta with Blade on deck.

    Gunn described Superman: Legacy as the “launch of the DCU” and co-chair Peter Safran explained that the film will see Superman trying to balance “his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing.” A fan of Richard Donner‘s 1978 Superman, Gunn will look to incorporate some of the classic Superman themes that were on display in the film in his Legacy project, according to Safran who said, “Superman represents truth, justice and the American way. He is kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old fashioned.”

    Superman: Legacy is set to land in theaters on July 11, 2025.

    Source: Heroic Hollywood