Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Disney Plus

  • Kamala Khan’s New Origin is an Upgrade for ‘Ms. Marvel’

    Kamala Khan’s New Origin is an Upgrade for ‘Ms. Marvel’

    Two episodes into Ms. Marvel, viewers are left with more questions than answers about Kamala Khan’s powers and their origin. Much of this stems from the fact that the series has seemingly overhauled the superhero’s origin from the comics, and plenty of debate on that has ensued. Of course, any significant change from the comics for any character will ruffle some feathers, but Ms. Marvel is demonstrating why it can be a positive thing. While we are still learning how Kamala’s story will play out, the changes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe so far have some obvious advantages.

    There is no dancing around the fact that Kamala does not appear to be Inhuman like she is in the comics. There are countless rumors that theorize how she will ultimately be revealed as Inhuman, but there are countless others that support what the series has shown so far—the Inhuman aspect is not in play. Still, Kamala’s story looks like it will still bring many of those important aspects but also improve on them. The familial history and heritage aspects are still intact in Ms. Marvel. It is crystal clear that whatever her powers’ origin is, it is tied to her ancestors. The series may be actually taking this a step further in the sense that Kamala’s Pakistani and Muslim background drives that journey. While in the comics she was connected to a larger, well-known super-group, in the MCU she may learn she is part of a larger group or family that is more closely tied to her culture that is front and center for Kamala in Ms. Marvel anyway.

    No matter your preference on Kamala’s new “hard light” powers versus her comics version’s embiggening abilities, her MCU powers are still inherently Kamala. When early rumors and news came out that her bangle would be the source of her powers, there was some reasonable concern over the concept of Kamala not actually possessing powers of her own. But the second episode of Ms. Marvel whisked away those fears when Bruno confirmed that the powers stem from Kamala and that the bangle seemed to simply activate them. 

    But perhaps the greatest upgrade her power change relates to Ms. Marvel’s story. In the age of a hyper-connected universe, it is easy for an individual story or plot to get lost in the greater scheme of the MCU. But here, her unknown origin is driving a mystery that so far is a driving force in the alluring nature of the main story of the series. By dissolving the foundation laid by the comics, the MCU opened up space for the growth of new ideas. For an MCU series, new ideas mean fans have far fewer resources to predict how Ms. Marvel will actually play out. The overhaul of Kamala’s super-powered origin leaves a mystery-filled space that keeps both hardcore comic book readers and casual fans on edge to learn more. It arguably makes for a more engaging and better series, and it allows viewers to speculate and theorize more than they would have been able to if her background closely mirrored the comics.

    Overall, the loss of Kamala’s embiggening powers will always leave a sour taste in many fans’ mouths. Without discounting that, there is still reason to be optimistic about where the changes will lead Ms. Marvel and affect Kamala in the series and in her MCU future. In the long term, it may open up an entirely new corner of the MCU or connect Kamala to the universe in a way that transcends the comics. In the short term, it may help Ms. Marvel be a phenomenal standalone series.

    The first two episodes of Ms. Marvel are now streaming on Disney+.

  • REVIEW: ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ Part 5

    REVIEW: ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ Part 5

    Darth Vader’s hunt for Obi-Wan Kenobi continues as we’ve entered the endgame for the Disney+ series. After a more lukewarm bridge episode, we’re back into the final confrontation as Darth Vader closes in on his former mentor and we finally unravel the secret of Reva’s obsession. While the episode keeps one wondering how exactly they’ll close out the series, it did offer a more thrilling experience than its predecessor. Yet, is it building up to become one of Star Wars best entire son Disney+?

    Let’s get one thing clear from the get-go, Darth Vader is the definite highlight once again. The force of nature that is being showcased continues to stand out and there’s something haunting about the way he blindly follows his rage. Yet, he’s also showcased to be fully aware of his surroundings; no matter the distraction. The best part is how they finally gave us a sequence with Hayden Christensen out of the suit, showcasing a lesson he seemingly has still not learned to overcome.

    Though as great as that sequence was, it once again highlighted just how many cuts are used to keep a flow going in this show. When we’re in the bunker under attack, the camera goes on a free-for-all and it sadly still is one of the show’s weakest parts. Yet, you can see the diamond under the rough when we get a final lightsaber showdown to cap off the episode. There’s a purpose for the camera work but it feels a bit too disjointed from the rest of the show’s more focused approach.

    Speaking of, Reva finally getting the necessary reveal on her overly ambitious goals; which were perfectly hinted at through the posters as uncovered by our own Hunter Radesi. In a way, it was a bit predictable in how it connected to the opening of the series and she isn’t truly “redeemed” by the end. They play on her having a different kind of ambition than the rest of the Inquisitors, but she isn’t suddenly a good person saving Kenobi. She simply has her own goals and is willing to use anyone to accomplish them.

    The stand out moment is an emotional one in the episode, which I don’t want to spoil. But, I will say I was surprised in how it did hit me and it was another highlight of the path that Kenobi has gone down in his life. There’s also a hilarious twist that kind of seemed obvious but still managed to keep people wondering if Obi-Wan Kenobi killed canon for weeks. Either way, it’s setting up what might be an exciting finale but does sometimes feel like they could’ve tightened the script up in some places, but it still was the best entry so far.

  • REVIEW: ‘Ms. Marvel’ Episode 2

    REVIEW: ‘Ms. Marvel’ Episode 2

    After the triumphant first episode of Ms. Marvel, the series is back for its second installment. It brings most of the same shine and quirkiness, but it competes with a deeper, darker narrative as well as classic Marvel Cinematic Universe storytelling. It is still a bit too soon to figure out what exactly Ms. Marvel’s ultimate tone will be, but Episode 2 proves it has the potential to be just about anything. A coming-of-age comedy, a superhero origin story, or an emotional mystery—all of those elements can be easily teased out of this episode.

    While the series’ premiere felt emphatically unique, the second episode’s venture into more rigorous superhero territory fairly brings up concerns as to whether Ms. Marvel might eventually suffer from being “too MCU.” After all, Kamala Khan is directly connected to other heroes in the universe, and there is no denying that she will make her way into a variety of future projects. Episode 2 undoubtedly took on more conventional superhero or superpower-type tropes, though no one would expect the series not to feel like part of the universe. Still, the personality of Episode 1 felt slightly diluted in this episode, which may be something to keep an eye on as the series continues.

    The second episode aptly showcases a couple of dualities. The layers to Kamala’s story not only reflect the nuance of her character but also the complexity of the story being told. It is easy to pick out the fact that she now has two identities—“Night Light” and Kamala—but it goes further.

    On one hand, Kamala is a regular teenager with concerns such as crushes and parties. In regard to that part of Kamala, Episode 2 featured lighter subplots and more trivial (but genuine concerns). On the other hand, she is gradually getting engulfed in a clearly darker narrative surrounding her newfound powers and her family history. There is almost an awkward tension between the two levels of Ms. Marvel, though given the awkwardness of teenage years perhaps that is the point.

    While Kamala’s superhero tale unfolds, it is looking like the future Ms. Marvel will be facing two major adversaries as well. Obviously, the Department of Damage Control has made a strong racist and xenophobic entrance as a comic book DIY United States Homeland Security. Her escape from them and their drones at the end of Episode 2 cements their role as ongoing foes, but signs are pointing elsewhere for the true threat of Ms. Marvel. With nothing but some visions and an ominous final scene, Kamran’s mother is already radiating big bad energy. Kamran himself is a villain in the comics, so there is little reason to think that Kamala has not encountered her match for the series in him and his family. Given the strong familial themes of both the live-action series and Ms. Marvel comics, there is a good chance Kamala might see these new faces as trustworthy before the truth comes crashing down.

    The second episode of Ms. Marvel proves that the series did not peak in its first episode. While concessions may be made to support the ever-present greater MCU (both in front of and behind the camera), Kamala still outshines most freshman heroes across the board. Not only that, but the series is doing something that virtually no comic book adaptations can actually do: make it all a mystery. Because Kamala’s powers and origins have seemingly been overhauled from the comics, casual and hardcore fans alike have no idea what to expect with the revelation of her backstory. To keep all audiences on the edges of their seats in the MCU is not an easy feat, and it might be another reason Ms. Marvel ends up as one of the most successful Marvel Studios projects. 

    The first two episodes of Ms. Marvel are now streaming on Disney+. 

  • ‘Ms. Marvel’ Episode 2 May Have Introduced an Obscure Super Group as Kamala’s Foe

    ‘Ms. Marvel’ Episode 2 May Have Introduced an Obscure Super Group as Kamala’s Foe

    The mystery of Kamala Khan’s powers and her family’s past was in the spotlight in Ms. Marvel Episode 2. So far, the series has done a great job at keeping this aspect of Kamala’s story in suspense, and the most recent episode certainly ended in a cliffhanger that will surely take the series in a new direction. But while the show itself has not made much overly obvious to fans, we might have an idea as to where it is headed. The tail end of Episode 2 might have given us our first glimmer at one of Kamala’s main adversaries, and it is a group you may have never heard of. 

    Throughout Episode 2, Kamala finds herself with a hardcore crush on the new senior, Kamran. The two have a lot in common and he seems to show a lot of interest in Kamala in return. At the end of the episode, however, it becomes clear that he is more than a new kid in school. He helps Kamala escape the Department of Damage Control, making it clear he knew she was the super-powered person who dresses like Captain Marvel. Even more, he introduces Kamala to his mother who just so happens to be the lady Kamala kept seeing in her visions when her bangle would act out. 

    In the comics, Kamran was an Inhuman who gained Kamala’s trust in order to recruit her to a faction of Inhumans that, because of a superiority complex, was trying, essentially, to destroy Earth’s non-Inhuman population. But considering Inhumans are not likely at play in Ms. Marvel, Kamran may be a member of a different kind of superhuman group. The fact that his mother is already involved speaks to how genes and lineages are still important to the character and to his connection to Kamala. 

    Once it became known that Kamala’s powers and origin were being changed for Ms. Marvel, rumors circulated that Kamala, her powers, or something major in the series were related to Djinn. Djinn, or Jinn, are spirits in Islamic mythology and theology. Anglicized as “genies”, these spirits are recognized in Marvel comics as an ancient race with powerful magical abilities. Ms. Marvel has off-handedly mentioned Djinn or “evil Djinn” multiple times so far. Going back to the importance of family, heritage, and genes in Kamala’s origins, Marvel has a super-powered family that descends from a powerful Djinn, and that may be what Kamran is a member of.

    The comic book super-family Clan Destine is a family of super-powered individuals that spans centuries given the immortality of the patriarch, Adam Destine, which came from the magic of the mother of all the children, the Djinn Elalyth. Clan Destine is not particularly well-known, and the group is neither a superhero nor supervillain one, but instead, certain members have taken on their own roles. But considering the super family is not popular and a bit odd, why would Ms. Marvel feature them as an adversary?

    Technically, we do not know that Kamran and his mom are villains, but considering Kamran’s comics history and the general tone at the end of Episode 2, it is probably a safe bet that they will ultimately not be on Kamala’s side. Kamran’s mother looked to be from a very different time period when she would appear in Kamala’s visions, so it looks likely that she may be the immortal leader like Adam Destine is in the comics. But using Clan Destine as a template or inspiration would allow Kamala’s story to still take the Inhuman-like structure but without Inhumans. 

    Whether or not Kamala would be related to the Clan Destine-type family in Ms. Marvel is an interesting question. On one hand, it makes a lot of sense considering the Djinn connection could explain her powers and fill in the gaps in her mysterious family history. Kamran’s role as a distant relative would also be preserved from the comics, and his motivation in recruiting her to supposedly advocate for the larger family could similarly make its way into the live-action series. 

    Whether Kamran and his mother are part of “Clan Destine” or a family group that resembles it is yet to be seen. But it would be an interesting way for the Marvel Cinematic Universe to keep Kamala’s traditional origin story relatively intact while avoiding the concept of Inhuman if they choose to go that route.

    The first two episodes of Ms. Marvel are now streaming on Disney+. 

  • ‘Ms. Marvel’ Episode 2 Dropped the MCU’s First ‘Eternals’ Reference

    ‘Ms. Marvel’ Episode 2 Dropped the MCU’s First ‘Eternals’ Reference

    It is no secret that the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s latest series, Ms. Marvel, is a haven for Easter eggs and references to the rest of the franchise. Teenage soon-to-be superhero Kamala Khan is a fangirl of the Avengers herself, so between her conversations and AvengerCon, the new series almost certainly already holds the record for most MCU easter eggs in a project. Among all of it, though, the second episode of Ms. Marvel dropped a particularly interesting MCU reference.

    While Kamala and Kamran are at the restaurant, they bond over things they have in common. One of those things is a love for Bollywood movies. When mentioning which celebrities they like, Kamala mentions that her mom, embarrassingly, still has a crush on Kingo, Sr. It is a quick name drop that is easy to miss, especially for viewers not as familiar with Bollywood stars. But the mention is a reference to Kumail Nanjiani’s Kingo from Eternals. As we learned in that movie, Kingo has posed as a long line of Bollywood stars, embodying a new generation of “Kingo” as he ages in order to avoid exposing himself as immortal.

    Interestingly, this reference to Kingo is actually the first Eternals reference in the MCU since the movie was released last November. We did learn that Moon Knight creators at one point wanted Eternals—particularly Kingo—in an Ancient Egypt flashback scene. Alas, it never happened. Because the ending of Eternals left many of the Eternals with a fairly ambiguous fate, little glimmers like this reference in Ms. Marvel are all fans have to go on until they formally return to the screen.

    The easter egg is also interesting because it is practically the only reference that Kamala is unaware of the significance of. She, of course, loves the Avengers and other known superheroes, such as Doctor Strange, but the Kingo nod is a reminder that the regular people of the MCU still have no idea about the existence of the Eternals. It also leaves major questions for Eternals open—for example, how have people reacted to the giant marble Celestial in the ocean or the even larger Celestial that appeared over Earth in the film? Perhaps someday we will find out, but that day is not today.

    The first two episodes of Ms. Marvel are now streaming on Disney+. 

  • ‘Ms. Marvel’ Episode 2 Primer

    ‘Ms. Marvel’ Episode 2 Primer

    This first episode of Ms. Marvel, “Generation Why”, was incredibly relatable to most teens. The first episode introduced Kamala Khan, a 16-year-old Pakistani girl, who is obsessed with the superheroes that saved Earth, especially Carol Danvers. She lives a typical teenage life and has a loving- and hilarious-family. While her mother is very conservative and her father is a bit disconnected, they love her very much. Kamala has two best friends, Bruno and Nakia, and seems to spend most of her time at school (all the time really) with her head in the clouds, daydreaming about and doodling superheroes. Day to day, she lives a pretty ordinary life and goes mostly unnoticed.

    That all begins to change quickly once Kamala finds this a bangle that her Grandma gifted her. Kamala and Bruno have been looking forward to AvengerCon and Kamala has spent a lot of effort on her Captain Marvel costume. She needs just one final piece of flair and the bangle is it! Unfortunately, while Kamala’s mother is fine with Kamala going to the Con, she has a problem with her costume: she thinks that it is too skimpy. Because of this, her mother refuses to let her go, so Kamala had to sneak off to the convention. During the convention, Kamala went on stage for a costume contest. As soon as she puts the bangle on, her powers start to show and she immediately has what’s maybe a vision (?) of what looks like hundreds of people walking in a crowd. On stage, her powers are totally unleashed and since she has no control of them, she accidentally puts one of the “cool kids” from her school in danger before saving her with a pretty cool “stretchy arm” that looks like her powers from the comics.

    The big question is obviously why Kamala’s grandmother had a bangle that unlocked super powers just sitting around in a box of stuff. Does the bangle give Kamala the powers? Does the bangle activate powers Kamala already had? In the comics, Kamala was an Inhuman whose powers were activated accidentally. While she’s different in the show, it seems like that part could stay the same. It definitely feels like there’s some connection between the powers and Kamala’s heritage.

    Arlyn’s Assumptions

    The next episode will definitely see Kamala explore her powers a little more. I’m a teenage girl who loves Marvel movies and the heroes. If I suddenly had powers, I’d spend all kinds of time trying to figure out how they work and see what cool stuff I could do! I also think that she will be in quite some trouble for sneaking out to the convention.

    Episode 2 of Ms. Marvel streams tomorrow on Disney Plus.

  • ‘Venom’ and ‘Into the Spider-Verse’ Joining Disney+ in Key Markets

    ‘Venom’ and ‘Into the Spider-Verse’ Joining Disney+ in Key Markets

    There’s something about June 17th, as it’s looking like we’re getting more announcements regarding the release of Sony films in key markets. Not only did Disney+ UK announce that they’ll add a multitude of iconic Spider-Man films, which is our first hint at the Sony-Disney deal from last year, but now we also have the confirmation for two more Spidey-based titles getting added to the streaming service.

    Disney+ Japan has revealed that the Sony-Verse film Venom will also get added to the streaming service on June 17th. As it’s part of the Sony-Disney deal, we shouldn’t expect Venom: Let There Be Carnage to follow anytime soon, as Netflix has a first-look deal overall with the production company. Still, it’s addition is a big step forward for Disney+ to establish its “Marvel” home.

    That was not all, as Italy has also shared a poster confirming that Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is making its way to the service on June 17th. So, it looks like there won’t be much consistency between the markets on who gets what film. Italy includes a Venom announcement but not the other Spider-Man films.

    Disney Japan is getting Spider-Man: Far From Home while the UK has not included the title in its line-up. They even shared that they are adding The Incredible Hulk, which is a character owned by Universal Studios and landed on HBO Max in the States. So, we might get an announcement from the US Disney+ at one point on what projects they might be adding.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘The Incredible Hulk’ to Join Disney+ Japan in June

    ‘The Incredible Hulk’ to Join Disney+ Japan in June

    Just as we got the news that Spider-Man films are finally making their way to the Disney+ streaming service in the UK, it seems one more missing part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is finding its way to the service. The official Disney+ Japan Twitter account has unveiled that they are adding The Incredible Hulk on June 17th, which is the first hint at the character’s solo film getting added to the Disney-owned service.

    Hulk was one of the last remaining external rights holders alongside Spider-Man, as Universal had the film rights for the character. As such, it’s a big move that the film entry is making its way to Disney+ especially as it was recently added to HBO Max in the United States. It made many question if the Edward Norton film would ever find its way home but with the announcement for Japan. It was pointed out to us by @jamesmutombo2 that the reasoning for these joining is likely due to them belonging to Sony Pictures in Japan and Spain (as listed in IMDb), where it’s also available on the service. @MarvelCineVerse also pointed out their availability in France.

    It should be noted that they are also only adding Iron Man now, as some of the distribution rights internationally are quite a bit different, especially for the first non-Disney produced entries due to Marvel Studios working with different distribution partners. The fact they are adding it could be a hint at the House of Mouse trying to get their hands on all streaming rights for the missing links in the franchise, as even with the addition of the Marvel Netflix series they call Disney+ the “Home of Marvel.” So, can’t have missing entries to make that claim.

    Source: Twitter, IMDb

  • BREAKING: First ‘Spider-Man’ Films Heading to Disney+ UK

    BREAKING: First ‘Spider-Man’ Films Heading to Disney+ UK

    The Marvel collection on Disney+ has been a highlight for many subscribers of the streaming service. An easy way to watch all entries of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and even explore some legacy titles from the 20th Century Fox era. Sadly, there were still some missing, most notably Sony’s iconic Spider-Man franchises. When rumblings hit the web about a deal with Sony to acquire their library, many wondered when it might finally come to fruition. It looks like the first steps have finally been reached.

    The deal initially saw that Netflix will acquire the Sony projects before they would move on to Disney+, which has a multi-year deal for post-day-1-releases. While there’s no confirmation yet for when they hit the United States, the official Disney+ UK account has announced that Spider-Man: Homecoming will join the service on June 17th.

    That is not all, as they have also confirmed that the original Sam Raimi Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2 will be added alongside The Amazing Spider-Man films. The noticeable absence of Spider-Man 3 hints that it’s still part of the Netflix deal and will likely follow at a later date.

    The same will also go for Spider-Man: Far From Home and eventually No Way Home. The latter might take a year or so once it releases on Netflix before it’ll become available on Disney+. Sony has been playing a strategic game in the market as instead of carrying the weight of an entire streaming service, they simply are using licensing deals to make a profit off of these current developments rather than risk losing any investment directly.

    With this release, we may see other Sony films get added to the service in the near future, and we’ll anxiously await the US release window as well. The fact we’re finally seeing the fruits of a deal that was made back in April of 2021 is an exciting prospect for the future of Disney+ and the streaming market.

    Source: Twitter

  • Eugene Cordero Confirms Return to the TVA in ‘Loki’ Season 2

    Eugene Cordero Confirms Return to the TVA in ‘Loki’ Season 2

    There was so much to love in the first season of Loki but for many, Eugene Cordero‘s Casey was a hilarious standout. The Time Variance Authority secretary was a charming member whose deadpan reactions to Tom Hiddleston’s Loki were a highlight in the earlier episodes. Also, it takes a truly powerful person to use Infinity Stones as paperweights. Plus, he offered a clear look into how exactly the TVA worked and hinted at the eventual revelation of their identity as Variants from older dimensions.

    The reveal of his return comes in an interview with the actor from ScreenRant. When asked on his potential return to the franchise, he was surprisingly open about it and just confirmed that we’ll see more of Casey in the upcoming second season. Yet, he didn’t confirm in what capacity or what we can expect.

    Yes, yes, you can [look forward to more Casey]. You know, I can’t [tease anything], because I don’t even know. There’s so many passwords and passcodes that I have to fill out just to even look at the pages that I’m on, and the way that it works is things constantly change in a great way. There’s so many moving parts in that universe that things keep changing, so I can’t really nail it down, but I’m excited. I’m excited to do more and I don’t know to what capacity I’ll be able to be a part of it, but I’m excited to do it. So yeah, get ready, it’ll be fun, I hope? No, it will be, it’ll be great. [Chuckles]”

    Eugene Cordero

    He certainly sounded like he was having some fun teasing the eventual return and what the second season has to offer for fans of the series. Loki was its most-watched series and it definitely isn’t an easy task to follow up on one of Marvel Studios’ strongest seasons. With a new creative team involved and the arrival of Kang the Conqueror, it’s definitely going to be exciting to see what the future has in store for Disney+ subscribers.

    Source: ScreenRant