Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: dcu

  • Mark Strong Confirmed to Appear in a Mystery Role in ‘The Penguin’

    Mark Strong Confirmed to Appear in a Mystery Role in ‘The Penguin’

    In a now-deleted Instagram post, Mark Strong‘s personal trainer, Giacomo Farci, confirmed that the star has a role in the upcoming MAX streaming series, The Penguin. While it’s not the first time the actor’s name has been associated with the project, Farci’s comments are much more believable than when Strong was listed as part of the cast on IMDB a couple of months ago. Now, the real question is, of course, who will the actor be playing?

    With Shazam! baddie Doctor Sivana and Green Lantern goober Sinestro among the roles on his resume, Strong already has a notable history portraying DC villains. While there’s no indication by Farci who Strong will be playing in The Penguin, it seems more likely than not that it will be yet another villain given what’s known about the project. Given that the streaming series will serve to bridge the gap between 2022’s The Batman and 2026’s The Batman Part II, it’s also possible Strong’s character could appear in the Matt Reeves‘-helmed sequel and though he didn’t share the identity of Strong’s character, Farci did leave one hint for fans to decipher.

    When asked which character his client was playing, Farci said he was unable to answer the question but then encouraged the fan who posed the question to “watch Gotham” which he then said was “a good series for DC lovers.” Then, to make sure the fan caught the hint, Farci capped off the sentence with a cute winky face emoji.

    Over 5 seasons, the Fox series Gotham used a whole slew of villains from Batman’s rogues gallery. Some of those make more sense for Strong than others, such as psychopath Victor Zsasz, Mr. Freeze, Hugo Strange or even Clayface; however, given that The Penguin seems very mob-centric, it’s also possible Strong might play any number of mafioso types who could be vying for power after Carmine Falcone’s death. We’ll all find out together when The Penguin streams on MAX later this year.

  • Frank Grillo Joins the Cast of DC Studios ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2

    Frank Grillo Joins the Cast of DC Studios ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2

    Having been cast as Rick Flag Sr. In the upcoming streaming series Creature Commandos, Frank Grillo is already a part of the all-new DCU. And as audiences wait for the animated Max series to debut, they can also look forward to Grillo’s first live-action appearance, too.

    As revealed on Instagram by DC Studios’ co-chair James Gunn, Grillo has joined the cast of Peacemaker Season 2.

    As is expected to be the case with the entire cast of voice actors on Creature Commandos, Grillo will portray the live-action iteration of Flag Sr. in the John Cena lead streaming series. Production on the second season of Peacemaker kicked off last month.

    Gunn created the series and directed five of the first season’s eight episodes. While he will be unable to carry that load on Season 2 due to his commitment to Superman, Gunn will still direct some episodes. Though no release window has been set, Peacemaker Season 2 is expected to stream on Max in 2025.

  • First Official Look at David Corenswet’s Superman

    First Official Look at David Corenswet’s Superman

    DC Studios’ Superman has been in production for some time and has, more or less, avoided any major leaks from the set. Short of a pretty pedestrian look at Maria Gabrielle de Faria’s villain known as The Engineer, set photos and videos haven’t provided anything of interest. Incredibly enough, there’s been nearly nothing in terms of a look at The film’s star, David Corenswet, neither as Clark Kent nor Kal-El, until now…

    Via Instagram, director James Gunn unveiled the first look at Corenswet in full costume as Superman.

    Updating…

  • DC Studios’ Co-Chair’s ‘Lanterns’ Tease Has Reignited a Very Exciting Rumor

    DC Studios’ Co-Chair’s ‘Lanterns’ Tease Has Reignited a Very Exciting Rumor

    James Gunn may still be very busy working on making sure Superman is ready for theaters in 2025 but as the man in charge of the entire creative vision of the DCU, he has to make time for other projects as well. He’s already done some work behind the camera on Season 2 of Peacemaker and helped get Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow up and running for a 2024 start of production but a new tease on social media may indicate he’s also making some headway on another project.

    At various times across multiple social media platforms, Gunn posted a relatively innocent piece of art featuring the Power Ring of a Green Lantern. However, what’s more interesting is who was paying attention to the post.

    While not much is known about Lanterns, one of the more intriguing rumors about the series was that it was set to be written by Tom King while Damon Lindelof would serve as an executive producer. While we’re certainly in no position to confirm anyone’s involvement, it is of note that Lindelof made a point to like the post.

    Described by DC Studios’ co-chair Peter Safran as a “terrestrial-based investigation story” in the vein of True Detective, Lanterns certainly sounds like a project right up King‘s alley. According to Gunn, the show will feature Lanterns who “find this ancient horror on Earth, and these guys are basically supercops on “Precinct Earth.” With a premise like that, Lanterns would certainly be within Lindelof’s range if not his sweet split as a creative.

    Whoever does end up making it, Lanterns will stream on Max when it’s ready to roll out.

  • Why Did You Say That Name? DC Studios Casts Its New Martha

    Why Did You Say That Name? DC Studios Casts Its New Martha

    As the James Gunn-produced Brightburn proved, a lot of shit can go wrong when a nigh-omnipotent alien crash lands on Earth and gets raised by some rubes. Fortunately for Kal-El–and everyone who lived on his fictional Earth–he was found and raised by a pair of rubes who believed in truth, justice and the American way. Jonathan and Martha Kent’s selfless and compassionate rearing of an alien baby gave Earth its greatest hero as their adopted son, Clark, grew into Superman. Given their importance in his story, Clark’s Earth parents have played a role in almost every adaptation of the hero’s story and it has now become apparent they will in the latest version of his story. Just a day after the revelation that Pruitt Taylor Vince was cast as Jonathan Kent, a trade report has disclosed the actress set to bring Martha “Ma” Kent to life in Superman.

    According to Umberto “El Mayimbe” Gonzalez, actress Neva Howell has been cast as Marth Kent in DC Studios’ Superman.

    The casting of Howell and Vince indicates that Gunn is embracing the idea of true salt-of-the-Earth, middle-America types for the adoptive Earth parents of David Corenswet’s Kal-El.

    DC Studios Superman is currently slated to fly into theaters on July 11, 2025.

    Source: The Wrap

  • ‘The Walking Dead’ Actor Joins ‘Superman’ as Pa Kent

    ‘The Walking Dead’ Actor Joins ‘Superman’ as Pa Kent

    Production is well underway on DC Studios’ Superman and most of the cast of James Gunn’s 2025 film have been known to the public for some time. But while fans know who will be playing Kal-El, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, Jimmy Olsen and even Perry White, the faces behind Superman’s father figures have not been revealed despite plenty of amateur detectives doing some digging. Now, one of those roles have been filled and it’s a face that will be recognizable to many.

    Character actor Pruitt Taylor Vince, who played Otis in The Walking Dead and J.J. La Roche in The Mentalist, has been cast as Kal’s adoptive Earth Dad, Jonathan “Pa” Kent.

    Vince joins Kevin Costner, Glenn Ford and John Schneider as actors who have portrayed Pa Kent in live-action. There is currently no word on who which actor will fill the role of Kal’s space Dad, Jor-El, who has been brought to life by Russell Crowe and Marlon Brando among others.

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

    Updating…

    Source: The Wrap

  • James Gunn Confirms Production Has Begun on His Next DC Studios’ Project

    James Gunn Confirms Production Has Begun on His Next DC Studios’ Project

    Despite a dozen known projects being on it, DC Studios’ DCU slate is fairly undefined. Though Creature Commandos has been confirmed for a 2024 streaming debut, the only project with a known release date is Superman, which is currently in production ahead of its July 11, 2025 bow. It was originally believed that the streaming series Waller would hit Max in 2024; however, the 2023 WGA strike put a dent in those plans. With the scripts for Waller still being written by Jeremy Carver and Christal Henry, Season 2 of Peacemaker became next in line. Peacemaker star Jennifer Holland recently revealed cameras were set to roll on the John Cena-led series this summer but DC Studios co-chair James Gunn just surprised everyone with an update on the project.

    Production Is Underway on Season 2 of Peacemaker

    As is his way, Gunn–who confirmed he is directing some episodes of Peacemaker Season 2–took to social media to announce that production on the sophomore season of the streaming series had begun.

    The announcement comes as a bit of a shock as principal photography on Superman is ongoing; however, there’s no arguing with the man with the plan.

    Could Superman Appear in Peacemaker Season 2?

    One interesting possibility that arises from Peacemaker and Superman filming in the same spot at the same time under the watchful eye of the man directing both and in charge of the shared universe is a potential crossover. At some point, Peacemaker’s presence in the new DCU will have to be explained since the events of Season 1 predate the existence of the all-new, all-different universe. Given Gunn is the boss, having all the principal actors available together provides the perfect opportunity for the director to cross major task off his to-do list.

  • DC Studios Targeting Craig Gillespie to Direct Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’

    DC Studios Targeting Craig Gillespie to Direct Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’

    For some time now, it’s been believed that Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow would be the next DC Studios’ film to go before cameras. With a completed script and star Milly Alcock cast as Kara Zor-El, almost all the pieces have been in place to get production underway but one. And now, according to a trade report, that final piece has been found.

    Deadline is reporting that DC Studios has  Cruella director Craig Gillespie in its sights to helm the film. Should Gillespie sign on, the studio will look to begin principal photography before the end of 2024.

    Updating…

    Source: Deadline

  • New Rumor Reveals Lex Luthor’s Plan of Attack in DC Studios’ ‘Superman’

    New Rumor Reveals Lex Luthor’s Plan of Attack in DC Studios’ ‘Superman’

    Production on DC Studios’ Superman began just over a month ago and though little aside from the film’s design for the crest of the House of El has been officially revealed, rumored details about the plot have begun to trickle out. One of the more tantalizing tidbits to make the rounds is that star David Corenswet will be playing multiple versions of the character as Nicholas Hoult‘s Lex Luthor will team up with a dangerous doppelgänger in order to take on the Man of Steel. While that sounds dangerously close to the plot of the critically nuked 1987 film Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, director and DC Studios’ co-chair James Gunn has stayed out of the online discourse, leading folks to believe it might just be true. Now, a new rumor has emerged online that gives a bit more information about Luthor’s plan in the film. If the rumor proves true, the details could be fairly spoilery so proceed at your own risk.

    According to online scoopster Can We Get Some Toast, Luthor’s plan to battle Kal-El in Superman revolves around the bald baddie using Kal’s DNA to create a corrupt clone of the hero! The idea, of course, is pulled straight from the comics where the concept has been explored multiple times, usually with Luthor’s clone being one take or another on Bizarro. However, Gunn’s take is rumored to give the clone a different identity, blending it with an evil, multiversal alternate Kal known as Ultraman.

    In the comics, Ultraman goes by Kal-II and is Earth 3’s version of the Last Son of Krypton. Ultraman is the complete antithesis of Superman: a being of pure evil who certainly does not value truth, justice and the American way. Gunn’s Superman has been described as “kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old fashioned,” so pitting him against an alternate version of himself that values none of that could provide for both an interesting commentary on modern society and a dangerous foe.

    Should this indeed be part of Luthor’s plot to defeat Superman, it would not be surprising to see him in league with Maria Gabrielle de Faria’s Angelica Spica, aka The Engineer, who Gunn has said will be a villain in Superman.

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

  • 5 Alternate Versions of Kal-El Who Could Appear in ‘Superman’

    5 Alternate Versions of Kal-El Who Could Appear in ‘Superman’

    Buzz has grown that DC Studios’ Superman will feature some sort of evil doppelgänger of the Man of Steel that David Corenswet‘s Kal-El will have to take on. Is it true? Who knows? Also, who cares? This type of buzz around CBMs is part of the process and it’s always fun to play with the possibilities and so we present…

    5 Alternate Versions of Superman Who Could Appear in Superman!

    To be fair, not everyone on this list is truly an alternate universe Superman. Perhaps it’s more accurate to label some as copies or imitations of the real deal. Regardless of the description, the idea remains the same: a Supes vs. Supes type battle will ensue.

    Bizarro

    Certainly the most well-known alt Supes, El-Kal is probably not the odds-on- favorite to actually appear should these rumblings prove accurate. The idea of Nicholas Hoult‘s Lex Luthor already having been hard at work cloning Superman doesn’t seem to fit with what little is known about the film but a Bizarro World Bizarro does seem a bit more reasonable.

    Cyborg Superman

    The Snyderverse tackled xenophobia pretty well so the Hank Henshaw version of the character may not make his way into the DCU but as is almost always the case with DC’s stable of characters, there’s another option. Would Kal-El’s uncle, Zor-El, the father of Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl, be an option? Kara is rumored to be showing up in Superman, so perhaps her believed-to-be-dead daddy could show up…but that wouldn’t require Corenswet to double up, as is the rumor. So maybe a full-on cyborg built by one of Kal’s enemies could do the trick.

    The Eradicator

    The buzz around a potential “second Superman” appearing in DC Studios’ Superman has grown steadily over the past few weeks. Nothing has been officially shared about James Gunn‘s 2025 film but with production underway, it’s possible that bits and pieces of the plot could have trickled out and the one heard the most is that David Corenswet will be playing two versions of Kal-El.

    A character who has been reinvented over the years, the most recent version of the Eradicator went head-to-head with Kal-El over his choice to father a human/Kryptonian hybrid, Jonathan Kent. They won’t work in Gunn’s Superman since Corenswet’s Kal is still in the early days of his heroic journey; however, the original idea of the Eradicator–as devised by Roger Stern and Curt Swan–as a creation intent on preserving Kryptonian culture by ERADICATING all non-Kryptonian cultures could work.

    Red Son

    In 2003, Mark Millar‘s Superman: Red Son brilliantly explored a “what if” scenario that revolves around baby Kal-El being found and raised by Russians rather than in Smallville. In Red Son, Lex Luthor uses some of Soviet Superman’s DNA to create “Superman Two”, an abomination of a clone who becomes weaponized by the U.S. government. Gunn could pull a switcheroo in Superman, having the Russians creating Супермен 2 to take on the original version. Gunn would certainly take some heat for coming so close to the plot of Superman IV but it would likely only come from people who never saw that movie anyway.

    Ultraman

    Outside of the Nazi version of Overman, Ultraman is the most despicable version of Kal-El in the Multiverse. The Kal-El of Earth-Three, Ultraman is truly the embodiment of everything Superman should never be. Selfish rather than selfless; heartless rather than compassionate; simply evil rather than purely good. Ultraman leads the Crime Syndicate, an evil version of the Justice League and is actually strengthened by exposure to kryptonite. Given what Gunn has said about his ideas for Superman in the film, Ultraman could be the best choice on this list for the film’s antagonist.