Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: DCEU

  • ‘The Old Guard’s Marwan Kenzari Confirmed for ‘Black Adam’

    ‘The Old Guard’s Marwan Kenzari Confirmed for ‘Black Adam’

    While Black Adam may have gotten removed from the studio’s release slate, nothing seems to be slowing down its production. Recently, news on the film has been scarce, as many fans were waiting on the edges of their seats to hear who else will join the film. It seems the most recent update is confirming a report we’ve known a few months back on the film’s villain. Hollywood Reporter has confirmed Illuminerdi’s story from October that Marwan Kenzari is joining the production.

    While the official report states that Kenzari‘s role is still under wraps, we knew from just a few months ago that the studio was eyeing the actor to play Sabbac. He will be the main antagonist in the film’s ongoing story. The villain had three different comic iterations over the years, but the film will focus on Ishmael Gregor. He is the most well-known identity of Sabbac for those that read his short run. He was a Russian immigrant who made his way to New York, where he becomes a mob boss. Ishmael initiates a demonic ritual in which he sacrifices innocent people to gain the powers of the demon. His name is an acronym for Satan, Aym, Belial, Beelzebub, Asmodeus, and Crateis, the beings that give him his powers. This naming is quite similar to how Shazam’s name in the comic derives from six immortal elders. Those were Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury.

    Black Adam currently has no set release date. Jaume Collet-Serra is directing the film, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will star as the titular character. Aldis Hodge, Sarah Shahi, Noah Centineo, and Quintessa Swindell will round out the cast. We are still waiting on the casting for Doctor Fate.

    Source: Illuminerdi, Hollywood Reporter

  • RUMOR: HBO Max Seeking a Riz Ahmed Type for ‘Constantine’s Titular Role

    RUMOR: HBO Max Seeking a Riz Ahmed Type for ‘Constantine’s Titular Role

    It looks like HBO Max has some grand plans for its DC line-up. They took over the series that started on the original DC Universe streaming service, such as Doom Patrol and Titans. Now, they will expand their DC catalog. We are about to get next month’s Zack Snyder: Justice League release, and a Green Lantern Corps series is in active development. They are working on another brand new series that will explore the darker side of the DC Multiverse. Last September, it was revealed that shows focused on Zatanna and Constantine are in development. HBO Max is developing them alongside J.J. Abrams‘ Bad Robot Productions. Illuminerdi learned a few details on the Constantine show. They state it will be different from previous incarnations, as it will be more horror-focused. That is not all, as it seems casting has already started.

    They are switching it up with their casting, as they are looking for a BIPOC actor in his late 20s. The description hints at them looking for a Riz Ahmed type in the titular role. Keep in mind, it doesn’t mean they are casting the actor but looking for someone who fits his description. It certainly sounds like they want to mix up the casting to distinguish it from Matt Ryan‘s run with the character. Guy Bolton will write up the horror story. It is a great angle to take, as they could use this chance to connect it to DC Universe’s canceled 2019’s Swamp Thing show. As they point out, previous incarnations were more focused on the religious angle of the character. It is still a defining trait of his characterization. So, it might play just take a backseat in the series. I am excited to see where they could potentially take this storyline and can’t wait to see who nabs the iconic anti-hero role for the series.

    Source: Movieweb, Illuminerdi

  • HBO Max’s ‘Peacemaker’ Adds Alison Araya and Lenny Jacobson

    HBO Max’s ‘Peacemaker’ Adds Alison Araya and Lenny Jacobson

    Hot off the production of The Suicide Squad, James Gunn got right to work and began writing a series based around Peacemaker. The series would reportedly follow the origin of the character following his debut in the upcoming film. John Cena will reprise the role. Christopher Smith is a man who seeks peace no matter what the cost is. Not much else is known about the series’ story so far, but we did get some early casting announcements. The inclusion of Vigilante is hinting at a Janus Directive-inspired story. Shortly after, we got the casting announcement for Judomaster, whose origins are tied to Charlton comics, where Peacemaker made his debut.

    It looks like they are still rounding out their cast. Variety has revealed that actors Alison Araya and Lenny Jacobson have joined the project in recurring series roles. They only that they will play Amber and Evan, a married couple in the series. Interestingly enough, this isn’t Araya‘s first step into the DC Universe, having played two characters on Arrow.

    Peacemaker is currently set for a January 2022 release exclusively on HBO Max. The project will be written by Gunn, who will direct multiple episodes of the upcoming series. The series cast includes John Cena, Steve Agee, Danielle Brooks, Robert Patrick, Chris Conrad, Nhut Lee, and Annie Chang. It is Gunn’s last project before he starts work on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Hopefully, this spin-off’s success could lead to more stories inspired by characters from The Suicide Squad.

    Source: Variety

  • ‘JUSTICE LEAGUE’: Zack Snyder’s Unusual Shot Composition May End up Being the Right Choice

    ‘JUSTICE LEAGUE’: Zack Snyder’s Unusual Shot Composition May End up Being the Right Choice

    By now most of us are already familiar with what an IMAX movie screen provides to the cinematic experience. These screens are much bigger than usual ones, with an aspect ratio that brings them closer to the 4:3 ratio found in old CRT televisions, moving away from the wider ratios cinemas became accustomed to. Over the years with the advancing IMAX technology, IMAX cameras became both smaller and cheaper allowing directors to use them more often, up to the point where we got entire feature films where only such cameras were used.

    But the main thing with the format isn’t the aspect ratio, it’s the size of the frame/screen itself. The point was to allow for an image of such size that, aided by the steeper angle in which the seats are arranged, the audience would undergo a much more immersive experience as its field of view would be completely occupied by the image being projected. But this would also mean that, as audiences wouldn’t be able to properly keep up with the entirety of the screen, the edges (and especially the upper and lower ones) shouldn’t contain crucial information to the scene as it could end up being lost to the viewer. This way, when framing a shot, one should take all of this into consideration to allow for the best possible viewing experience, and not having to ask the audience to keep tracking a screen so big in its entirety in search of vital story details.

    Snyder explaining how he’s composed shots to go beyond the usual boundaries.

    But Zack Snyder, while using such a tall aspect ratio, had a different approach when composing Justice League shots. He decided to use every square inch of the frame to tell his story, including placing crucial information to the story both front and center as well as in the edges of the frame. If this was to be a regular theatrical release one might argue that this would be an ill-usage of the IMAX format, as having such an action-packed movie asking the viewers to keep up with so much information, on such a large screen, might prove too much. But the circumstances dictated that Snyder’s cut would end up being released through HBO Max, and audiences will now have to experience the feature film in their own homes, through their TVs. This means that the screen size has been considerably downgraded, and having information scattered throughout its entirety suddenly becomes a non-issue. In fact, it might even add to the experience since, by using both the upper and lower edges of the screen to their full potential, you are now reaching the home-theater audiences in a much more engaging way. If the shot composition was less on the unusual side, when adapting the material to the small screen you could always, as many do, cut the image without leaving out important material to the story, but that would mean that, in this case, people wouldn’t get to enjoy the shots to their fullest since there was no usual theatrical run to go with the home media release.

    This way, a creative choice that seemed to deviate from the norm (and not in the best way), might end up proving itself as the right decision as, a little over a month from now, audiences sit on their couches to enjoy Snyder’s definitive take on his Justice League project.

     

     

    Source: Justice Con / Youtube 

  • First Official ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ Trailer Teases the Coming of Apokolips

    First Official ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ Trailer Teases the Coming of Apokolips

    Yes, it has been a long wait but the official full trailer for Zack Snyder’s Justice League has finally dropped. As one might suspect, it gives us a good look at the many elements that didn’t make it into the original 2017 release of the film. We get a good look at Darkseid, the new design for Steppenwolf, and so much more. The age of heroes has returned with the brand new trailer that is sure to make a lot of people happy that are highly anticipating our first real look at Snyder‘s original vision of the film.

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM-Bja2Gy04

     

    The trailer offers a lot of the sequences that have been teased ever since it was officially revealed. We get a closer look at our favorite heroes and Superman’s new black suit. It will be interesting to see how different the film will be once it officially releases on HBO MAx next March. Surprisingly, there is no showcase of Martian Manhunter, who has been revealed to be in the film some time ago. So, there is a chance there are still quite a few secrets that Snyder is keeping close to the chest for once it officially releases. At least, we got our first look at the SWAT uniform version of Jared Leto‘s Joker. We only have to wait for a little over a month until it finally is released, so you can be sure we will be checking it out once the Snyder Cut is finally released to the world. Let’s see what the future may hold for the DCEU as it continues to expand and explore new ventures.

    Source: Twitter, YouTube

  • ‘Wonder Girl’ No Longer In Development at The CW

    ‘Wonder Girl’ No Longer In Development at The CW

    We recently reported on CW moving forward with a pilot order for a live-action adaptation of Powerpuff Girls. It also included the official order for DC’s Naomi which will be produced by Ava DuVarney and former Arrow executive producer Jill Blankenship. There was one show that was surprisingly missing in the pilot orders. A few months ago, it was announced that a new series based on Wonder Girl was being developed focused on Yara Flor, who was a brand new character that only recently joined DC in their Future State event. It looks like we found out why it was missing, as Dailyn Rodriguez took to Twitter and announced that they passed on the project.

    https://twitter.com/dailynrod/status/1360324356354629633?s=21

    It is a shame that they aren’t moving forward with their first Latino superhero series. I do wonder if this would’ve been set in the Arrowverse’s future. It would’ve been an interesting way to expand the cast with iconic DC characters while also giving the show a bit more freedom. Hopefully, the world that Rodriguez teases gets another chance at HBO Max. Perhaps the streaming service could offer her the budget to create a live-action Future State adaptation that would make it stand out among other DC shows. CW has become more selective in which shows are moving forward, as various veteran shows like Black Lightning and Supergirl are ending. They even skipped on a sequel series to the show that started it all, as Green Arrow and the Canaries was passed on. It’s going to be interesting to see how the Arrowverse continues in the coming years.

    Source: Twitter

  • First Look at Granny Goodness in Latest ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ Teaser

    First Look at Granny Goodness in Latest ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ Teaser

    The build-up to Zack Snyder’s Justice League has been monumental. For a while now, Snyder has been teasing the inclusion of Darkseid in his film. At one point, the character got cut from the theatrical cut of the film aside from a few name drops from Parademon grunts. We got our first look at the lord of Apokolips back at DC Fandome, and from there, fans weren’t sure just how much we would see of the character, as his uncle Steppenwolf remains the primary foe of the film. Now that the countdown has begun, it makes us wonder if we get more teases of how much of the New Gods we can expect. Snyder has dropped short teasers every day to build up to its release. It seems fans are about to get a lot more than they bargained for, as the newest teaser provides a much better look at Darkseid alongside his closest and trusted confidants.

    The short teaser offered us our first possible look at a classic New God that’s commanded the legions of Parademons and Female Furies since their very inception. In a short glimpse at what looks to be a throne room on the planet of Apokolips, we see an armor-clad Darkseid joined by Desaad. Now, the big surprise is on his other side, as it confirms the first live-action appearance of Granny Goodness. It makes sense for Darkseid to keep her close by, especially during times of war. She was the one that trains and commands his army, so she is a powerful ally to have. It looks like the film is set to feature much more of the New Gods than previously seen before. Zack Snyder’s Justice League starts streaming on March 18th exclusively on HBO Max. 

    Source: Twitter, Vero

  • Nhut Le Joins ‘The Suicide Squad’ Spin-Off ‘Peacemaker’ as Judomaster

    Nhut Le Joins ‘The Suicide Squad’ Spin-Off ‘Peacemaker’ as Judomaster

    2021 is going to be a massive year for comic book fans. It also is going to be a great year for James Gunn, who has been working hard on his upcoming DC film, The Suicide Squad. The director still has some time on his hand until he tackles the next entry in the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. So, he decided to make an original HBO Max show that focuses on John Cena‘s character Peacemaker, who is set to make his live-action debut in the upcoming film. The spin-off will be produced and written by Gunn, who will also direct multiple episodes.

    The series seems to take a lot of inspiration from the original Charlton Comics with many iconic characters being hinted at through the casting breakdowns. We got the first casting announcements around two months ago so we were hotly anticipating the next bit of news. Well, it has finally arrived, as Nhut Le has joined the production in the role of Judomaster.

    The character has an extensive history and originally premiered in Special War Series #4 all the way back in 1965. As Deadline points out, DC created a new version of the character in Justice League Quarterly #14 in 1994. He originally was a sergeant in the Second World War named Hadley “Rip” Jagger. There was also a female version named Sonia Sato, who made their debut in 2007’s Birds of Prey #100. It is uncertain which version the Groundlings and UCB alum might be playing. Le has played a recurring role on Comedy Central’s The Kroll Show and Disney Channel’s Raven’s Home.

    Source: Variety

  • Funko Leak Reveals Which ‘The Suicide Squad’ Member Gets a Pop

    Funko Leak Reveals Which ‘The Suicide Squad’ Member Gets a Pop

    Some time ago, we found a listing via dis.pops that revealed the many upcoming Funko Pops for WandaVision, the Spider-Man: Miles Morales game, and Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Now, it looks like they got their hands on another list that includes a variety of collectibles from Hamilton, Parks and Recreation, Fire Force, Masters of The Universe, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and perhaps the most exciting, The Suicide Squad. Of course, the variety includes their famous Pop! figurines and keychains. Yet, if you take a closer look at the list, it seems not every member of the Suicide Squad is getting a spotlight in this collection.

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CK4PV1-s_jy/?igshid=izbk2vsr3lrx

    Going by the list, Harley Quinn remains the film’s most popular character with two different pops listed. There are some noticeable members missing, which includes Pete Davidson‘s Blackguard, Alice Braga‘s SolSoria, Flula Borg‘s Javelin, and Nathan Fillion‘s TDK. They aren’t the only ones, as even Jai Courtney‘s Captain Boomerang, Michael Rooker‘s Savant, as well as Peter Capaldi‘s The Thinker. It certainly could be a hint at the character’s fate in the story, or they might be included in a future line-up that will be added in the future. There is also the possibility we might get some Funko’s that highlight the way they exit the film. It is surprising they didn’t give the team’s new mascot Weasel, who is played by Sean Gunn, his own figurine. They might be part of the toy company’s new pops focusing on Movie Moments. It’s interesting to see them embracing new ways to expand their figurines.

    Source: Dis.Pops

  • ‘Batwoman’, ‘The Flash’, and Many Other CW Shows Get Early Renewal

    ‘Batwoman’, ‘The Flash’, and Many Other CW Shows Get Early Renewal

    The pandemic has changed up the TV landscape with many shows seeing a postponed release. We are a far cry away from the original September release date. Still, some broadcasters put a lot of trust in their shows even before they even officially aired. Among them, The CW is quite famous for its trend of early renewals. Well, it looks like they have started 2021 with a bang by doing exactly that. Their renewal includes various veteran shows, such as The Flash, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, and Riverdale. Jared Padalecki‘s Walker was picked up for an early second season before it officially aired. Various shows were also renewed for their third or fourth season, such as Batwoman, In the Dark, Legacies, Nancy Drew, and Roswell, New Mexico. Superman & Lois is also getting an additional two episodes for its upcoming season.

    CW’s CEO Mark Pedowitz gave the following statement on this early renewal strategy:

    Though we’re just a few weeks into the new season, we wanted to get a strategic head start on next season with these early renewals, which allows our production teams to start laying out story arcs and hiring staff, and at the same time, continues to provide us with a strong, stable schedule to build on for next season.

    It is hard to deny that the ongoing pandemic might still have a strong influence on this decision. Cinemas are still closed, so TV is the dominant offering for those seeking some escapism. It was the perfect season for streaming services to grow, but it also was an opportunity for channels to gain a wider audience. CW is aiming to expand with some spin-offs, such as one focused on Painkiller from the recently canceled Black Lightning show. There was still the surprising cancelation of Green Arrow and the Canaries, which was going to continue on the show that put the channel’s DC shows on the map. We’ll see what direction the CW heads with its 2021 series and what the future has in store for its DC line-up.

    Source: Variety