Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: DCEU

  • REPORT: ‘Aquaman 2’ Eyeing June Production Start

    REPORT: ‘Aquaman 2’ Eyeing June Production Start

    Warner Bros. and DC have been busy preparing for their future releases. We just recently got a showcase by HBO Max that teases a variety of projects, which included a project focused on Zatanna. They also seem to be hard at work preparing for the upcoming The Flash film adaptation, as Maribel Verdú joined the cast. It looks like the next project is about to enter production, as DiscussingFilm has revealed that the production is planning on beginning next June. They are heading to the United Kingdom to enter production. Of course, the pandemic could potentially postpone these plans.

    They have also learned that Richard Sale is joining in the role of a costume designer. Spider-Man: Homecoming’s Louise Frogley is supposedly also involved in the same role, so it is uncertain if they are working alongside each other. It will enter production under the working title Necrus, which actually has a connection to the comics. Unlike Atlantis, the underwater city of Necrus is falling apart and has been at war with Aquaman’s home often in the past.

    It may tease an all-out underwater war, but could also act purely as a fun node to the comics. We’ve seen production titles act merely as jokes in the past, so we shouldn’t read too deep into it for now. Hopefully, we will get some casting announcements as we near the production start, so we have a better feeling for where the story is heading. Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II will reprise their roles in the upcoming film, which is set to premiere on December 16th, 2022.

    Source: DiscussingFilm

  • Billy Crudup Exits ‘THE FLASH’ As Maribel Verdú Joins the Cast

    Billy Crudup Exits ‘THE FLASH’ As Maribel Verdú Joins the Cast

    A few days ago, Kiersey Clemons was confirmed to be reprising her role from Zack Snyder’s Justice League in The Flash. Now, news dropped that Billy Crudup has exited the project. The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Crudup has exited the upcoming superhero project due to scheduling conflicts. Known for his role as Dr. Manhattan in Watchmen, he played the titular heroes father, Henry Allen, in his Justice League adaptation. Luckily, fans will be able to see him in the role again when the movie’s director cut of Justice League drops on HBO Max later this month.

    Despite the actor’s exit, Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen won’t be without a parent in his solo outing. Maribel Verdú has boarded the project as Barry’s mother, Nora Allen. The Spanish actress is most recognizable for her roles in the Oscar-nominated Y tu mamá también and Guillermo Del Toro’s classic Pan’s Labyrinth. The actress’s role is integral to the origin of The Flash. His mother’s death plays a large part in turning him into the hero he eventually becomes.

    The Flash, which has been delayed multiple times under multiple directors, is scheduled to release on November 4, 2022. It will be directed by Andy Muschietti, who recently helmed both It films to acclaim. Adding to the anticipation surrounding the project are the returns of two Batmen, as Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck are both signed on to reprise their iconic roles in a multiverse story.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • ‘Zatanna’ Project Officially In The Works

    ‘Zatanna’ Project Officially In The Works

    Almost a year ago, it was announced that J.J. Abrams and his production company, Bad Robot, would be getting into development on a series of projects that build up to a Justice League Dark series. At first, it seemed that it was going to be a series purely about the team, but a few months later words got out that HBO Max developing a new solo series surrounding John Constantine. At the time, they’d already begun searching for an actor to play the role. Now, it seems as though we could see a build-up to the eventual meeting of the JLD, as another famous member is getting their own series.

    During an AT&T Investor’s Day presentation, they revealed a variety of DC shows that are in development. Eagle-eyed fans noticed a fan-favorite magician, Zatanna, is getting her own adaptation. While it’s not known if this project will be a film or a series, it seems more likely to be the series if you consider how these characters are being handled at HBO Max. Little is known about the project considering it was just announced but we’ll hopefully get some word on it soon.

    It’ll be interesting to see what eventually brings these magical heroes together. We also will have to see who ends up on the roster of this team. In the comics, the roster has changed so frequently. So, they have a variety of choices for the upcoming series. I do believe that Zatanna is a necessity on the team. She has been part of almost every version, as such, she is a necessity. It will be great to see also see what evil might force these unlikely heroes to work together.

    Source: The Verge, Twitter

  • Kiersey Clemons to Return as Iris West in ‘The Flash’

    Kiersey Clemons to Return as Iris West in ‘The Flash’

    The upcoming Flash solo has been in development hell for quite some time now. It gave development hell a new meaning, as it lost director after director. Finally, it was able to secure the director of the latest It adaptations, Andy Muschietti. The film will see Ezra Miller reprise his role as Barry Allen. He won’t be the only hero returning from the DCEU. Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton will reprise their respective roles as Caped Crusaders. There is also the newcomer Sasha Calle, who is set to play Supergirl. Now it seems another familiar face is set to return in the upcoming film, for what is sure to be too many fans delight.

    During the production of Justice League, fans were excited to learn that intrepid reporter Iris West would be making her DCEU debut. Kiersey Clemons will tackle the iconic role. Sadly, she eventually got cut from the film after Snyder’s departure. As such, many fans wondered if she’d kept the role. After a long wait, it was finally confirmed that Clemons is set to reprise her role in the upcoming film  The Flash. It is uncertain how large her role will be.

    The Flash was written by Christina Hodson and is set for a November 4th, 2022 release date. The film will star Ezra Miller, Ben Affleck, Michael Keaton, Sasha Calle, Billy Crudup. You can catch Ezra Miller and Kiersey Clemons in their respective roles in the upcoming release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League. It will release on HBO Max on March 18th, 2021.

    Source: Hollywood Reporter

  • International Women’s Day: Women on the Rise

    International Women’s Day: Women on the Rise

    It’s International Women’s Day! There aren’t really any special events in the comic book movie world planned to commemorate it a la Captain Marvel’s release two years ago, but that’s okay. A lot has happened to further women in the genre between then and now, and that gives us plenty to reflect on and celebrate today.

    I can’t help but be a bit sad taking a look back, though. Last year was supposed to be the biggest year for women in CBM’s yet, but that – like practically everything else in the world – didn’t end up panning out the way it was supposed to. DC and Marvel each had two films set for 2020, all four with women in the starring role and, possibly even more importantly, directed by women. Of all the MCU and DCEU movies before this, only Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel had been directed by women, and the latter also had a male director working alongside the female one. Yes, there were a few other female-led superhero movies before this, but none from the two main “universes” that are known and loved today. There were many awesome women in both DCEU and MCU movies – I particularly liked that Black Panther had so many different women in it because it allowed each of them to be more than “the token girl” who rolls her eyes when the men get silly and fun – but they didn’t get to lead their own franchises until those films came out.

    On top of this, Marvel revealed at the beginning of the year they were going to release the Disney+ series WandaVision in the same year. It really seemed as though by the end of 2020, women taking the lead on superhero projects on and offscreen would no longer be a novelty, but rather the norm.

    Of course, we all know how that panned out. Due to the pandemic, there was no major MCU release in 2020, as WandaVision was delayed into January 2021. DC’s two female-helmed projects were released, but neither ended up making huge waves. Birds of Prey was admittedly pretty niche from the get-go, but Wonder Woman 1984 would have probably done quite well financially if things had been normal) and the conversation surrounding both circled right back to whether or not women should helm superhero projects.

    That being said, I do think the discussion in this area is improving. I saw little to none of this kind of debate with WandaVision, which, while directed by a man, had a female lead and head writer (with several other women on the writing team). There was and is discourse surrounding the show, but it’s about the content and themes of the project rather than the fact that women played key leadership roles in making it happen.

    Speaking of WandaVision, that show also brought us the origin story of a new female superhero, when Monica Rambeau became…well, we don’t know her official superhero name yet (she’s had several in the comics, and the frontrunners for which one will be used in the MCU seem to be Spectrum and Photon )but she gained some cool new powers and also used her human abilities to help Wanda face her grief. I can’t wait to see her shine some more in Captain Marvel 2.

    I also appreciate that superhero media seems to be moving away from the “men direct male-led movies, women direct female-led ones” mentality. I know some believe projects with female leads should only be directed by women, but I’m okay if not all of them are as long as there are women at or near the top of the decision-making pecking order as well (for example, the aforementioned Matt Shakman-directed, Jac Shaeffer-penned WandaVision).
    And I’m all for women-directed male-led projects as well. In fact, you know the next Marvel project, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier? The one that a lot of guys are saying is more “for them” than WandaVision because it looks fast-paced and action-heavy? Well, it’s being directed by none other than Kari Skogland, a woman who has helmed a bunch of other TV projects and spoken out about the importance of opportunities for up-and-coming female directors.

    Here’s to the further normalization of women in the comic book movie world. They’re not going anywhere, and neither is this woman who writes about them.

  • Stephen Fry Reveals Involvement with Netflix’s ‘Sandman’

    Stephen Fry Reveals Involvement with Netflix’s ‘Sandman’

    Sandman is another title that was trapped in development hell for quite some time. At one point, Joseph-Gordon Levitt was attached to a star before fizzling out. Luckily, that all changed as the Netflix adaptation started releasing its cast. It looks like even more cast members are coming out of the woodwork, as another actor revealed his involvement with the series. Stephen Fry accidentally let his involvement slip during an appearance on Channel 4. It was during the coverage of cricket, where a small remark on his recent work led to the revelation.

    The best part is that Fry didn’t stop there. H ended up revealing that he’ll be playing an ‘Edwardian Writer’ named Gilbert. Many fans will know this as the alias for Fiddlers Green, a sentient part of the Dreaming that all travelers dream of finding someday. Green is known to be able to take a human form, enjoying some wandering from time to time. Fry went on about the excitement that he had for joining this new fantasy project:

    It’s part of what we call the DC Universe but it’s really its own thing. I’m really looking forward to that, I’ve not been in anything quite like it before. I suppose the Hobbit counts as a fantasy world.

    Netflix’s Sandman currently has no release date, and it is set to star Tom Sturridge as Dream, Gwendoline Christie as Lucifer, Boyd Holbrook as the Corinthian, Charles Dance as Roderick Burgess, Asim Chaudhry as Abel, Sanjeev Bhaskar as Cain, and Vivienne Acheampong as Lucienne.

    Source: Metro

  • Zack Snyder Reveals ‘Justice League’ Sequel Plans

    Zack Snyder Reveals ‘Justice League’ Sequel Plans

    We covered an exhibit that offered our first look at the Knightmare designs of various characters for the upcoming HBO Max release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League. It showcased Mera, Deathstroke, and Cyborg in their designs that didn’t make it into the original release. He originally planned to split up his project into multiple films that would tell a complete story. Luckily, it seems that Snyder has revealed his initial plans for the film’s sequel in the same gallery, where he showcased suits from the production. @accidentallydan was kind enough to share the images that give us a closer look at the initial plans.

    The images were taken down, so here are a few we were able to save:

    It seems that Lex Luthor’s League of Doom has always been on the table. It would’ve been amazing seeing the team face Dr. Maru, Captain Cold, Orm, Black Manta, and Riddler. The sequel was going to end on a cliffhanger for a third entry in the franchise. It would pick up in the aftermath of the first, as they go their separate ways. The heroes try to live their lives, as Luthor enacts his plans in the shadows. They would face these villains that would slowly reveal what Luthor was up to. He wants to summon Darkseid back to conquer Earth.

    There are quite a few details that we don’t want to spoil here. So, you can check out the thread above to get a full look at the sequel plans. Interestingly, the 2017 version does end with the Legion of Doom tease, which was part of the original plan. Sadly, it seems that Warner Bros. has no interest in continuing to build on it, as they start refocusing on reboots. It is great to see Jim Lee’s artwork bring the concepts to life. Hopefully, there is a chance we may get an adaptation of them at some point, even if it is in comic or animated form.

    Source: Twitter

  • First Look at ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’s Knightmare Deathstroke and Cyborg

    First Look at ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’s Knightmare Deathstroke and Cyborg

    In almost two weeks, fans will be able to sit down and experience what the 2017 film was originally supposed to be. The film will include all new and never-before-seen footage from director Zack Snyder‘s original vision. One of the most elusive parts of Snyder‘s DC films was the mysterious Knightmare timeline. In it, Superman had fallen to the anti-life equation and was turned into an agent of Apokolips. It would lead to Darkseid’s conquest of Earth. We got our first look at the timeline in Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice. It gave us a brief glimpse of Batman’s rebellion before he was thwarted by Superman’s soldiers and Parademons. It looks as if the story will continue in the upcoming film, as a new gallery of the Justice League has offered us a closer look at the Knightmare designs.

    The images above give us our first look at Knightmare Cyborg. It is shocking to see him in one piece with his armor malformed and rocky. It also seems as if his lights have gone off at some point, but this could be due to the figurine. He also is wearing a brown cloak, which he probably uses to hide his robotic body.

    The next photos from the gallery feature our first look at Mera from this timeline. She is now wielding a trident and has presumably taken the place of Aquaman in the resistance. If you look closer, you can see that she is wielding a Parademon rifle as well. There is also the reveal of a worn-out Deathstroke armor that is covered in sand. We also get a closer look at Jared Leto‘s Joker, reprising the role for the first time since Suicide Squad back in 2016. This Joker seems to be dressed on a surgical gown of sorts, with a kevlar vest covered in bloody police badges, as well as his signature gun, featured in Suicide Squad.

    The gallery includes a variety of other costumes, such as the Flash costume that we briefly saw in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. We’re eager to see where the Knightmare sequence takes the story, and how this motley crew came together. Former enemies putting aside their feud for a chance at a better future. Zack Snyder’s Justice League will begin streaming globally on March 18th exclusively on HBO Max.

    Source: @AccidentallyDan

  • CW Renews ‘Superman and Lois’ for a Season 2

    CW Renews ‘Superman and Lois’ for a Season 2

    In the first season of Supergirl, it seemed unlikely that we would ever see the face of Superman on the CW. They only gave us a brief silhouette of the Kryptonian. Suddenly, after Supergirl‘s second season was announced, Tyler Hoechlin had been cast in the role of Kal-El and would make his Arrowverse debut. From then on, he’d only make brief appearances here and there. His character would only have larger roles in the various crossovers. That all changed when it got announced that Hoechlin was receiving a series titled Superman and Lois.

    The journey isn’t stopping there, as the series has been renewed for a second season following its monumental premiere last week. The series premiere delivered the largest day-one streaming audience for a new series on the CW. It also racked up 1.7 million viewers during its initial broadcast. Of course, the news got instantly shared on the official Twitter account:

    The CW’s Chairman and CEO, Mark Pedowitz, stated the incredible debut for Superman and Lois 

    The phenomenal multiplatform debut of Superman & Lois, which delivered for us in a big way on both a linear and streaming basis, is a testament to the creativity, hard work and dedication of the talented people who worked tirelessly in front of and behind the camera, especially in this challenging environment

    Superman and Lois currently air on the CW Network. Tyler Hoechlin and Bitsie Tulloch are reprising their roles as Superman and Lois Lane in a post-crisis world. Now in the united Earth-Prime after a multiversal reset, they have to juggle being parents of two children and face a world of uncertainty.

    Source: Deadline

  • Rachel Zegler May be the Fury in ‘Shazam: Fury of The Gods’

    Rachel Zegler May be the Fury in ‘Shazam: Fury of The Gods’

    The first film in the Shazam! franchise was a resounding success, gaining critical acclaim across the world for Zachary Levi‘s charming and heart-warming performance as the Wizard’s champion. The sequel quickly got greenlit following the film’s opening weekend. Director David Sandberg, screenwriter Henry Gayden, and most of the first film’s cast set to return for a second round. When the first film finished, Dr. Thaddeus Sivana got locked away for the terror he wrought through the Seven Deadly Sins. Just before we left his cell, he got visited by the small and unsettling Mr. Mind, a telepathic Caterpillar. It’s currently unclear if the duo will return for the upcoming sequel, but it seems the Shazamily may have a bigger problem on their hands this time around.

    The recent casting of newcomer Rachel Zegler was a brow raiser for many who couldn’t tell who she would be playing. The actress played coy on social media and poked fun at the anonymity of her role. Upon further investigation, I believe Zegler could be playing an adaption of the Shazam villain, Sabina. Sabina De La Croix was an orphan who had to watch her parents get magically burned alive in front of her. She would later go on to be discovered by the Council of Merlin after inadvertently killing a classmate out of jealousy after activating a death charm. The council analyzed determined her to be a Fury, a warrior with immense magical strength.

     

    Shazam! HD Wallpaper | Background Image | 1920x1080 | ID:163929 - Wallpaper Abyss

     

    On top of already being a powerful magical being, Sabina was also tenth in line to succeed as the wizard Shazam’s champion. To get there quicker, she began killing those that were next in line to achieve her goal. As such, Sabina has developed an affinity for killing and stealing the power of the Gods. She stole the strength from Hercules, killed Atlas, and even took Mercury’s speed. Sabina would be the perfect villain for the upcoming sequel and would quite literally be the Fury of the Gods and attempt to steal the powers bestowed upon Billy by the Wizard.