Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Disney Plus

  • Alaqua Cox on Bringing Echo to Life in ‘Hawkeye’

    Alaqua Cox on Bringing Echo to Life in ‘Hawkeye’

    Hawkeye will become the springboard for two important MCU characters moving forward. Not only will we meet Hailee Steinfeld‘s Kate Bishop but it’ll also introduce the world to the mute assassin Echo. Not just that, the character will also get their series which was officially announced during Disney+ Day. Newcomer Alaqua Cox will bring the character to life and that she wasn’t interested in acting until she saw a casting call for a deaf Native American to tackle the character. With her series on the horizon, the actress shared a bit of her experience on set and preparing for the action sequences:

    Deaf people have really good visual skills. I can easily catch things. During training they were like, ‘Oh, wow, you’re a fast learner.’ I was like, ‘Well, I just watched you.’

    Alaqua Cox

    Speaking of training, Cox‘s right leg is a prosthetic which didn’t restrict her in bringing any of the action sequences or fight choreography to life.

    People with a disability like me can do anything: We can fight, we can flip, we can fall. I’m excited for people to say, ‘Wow, she can do that.

    Alaqua Cox

    She also highlights the support she got for joining the franchise. Marvel Studios has been pushing for more representation in their projects.

    The deaf community is in huge support of this role because they want to see deaf people represented in these deaf roles. Most of the time it’s hearing people that take these roles, but finally authentic representation is here. So I’m excited for that, and so as everybody else.

    Alaqua Cox

    She’s the second deaf actress to join a Marvel Studios project after Lauren Ridloff played Makkari in Eternals, who has become quite a fan-favorite after the film’s release. There’s also the potential of exploring the story of the character in this world, as Hawkeye offers a more grounded storyline within a world with aliens, gods, and magic. She might continue that storyline thread in her series and offer a look into new corners of this franchise.

    Source: Entertainment Weekly

  • REPORT: ‘Ahsoka’ Eyeing Spring 2023 Release on Disney+

    REPORT: ‘Ahsoka’ Eyeing Spring 2023 Release on Disney+

    Star Wars was quite the no-show during this year’s Disney+ Day. While Marvel and Pixar got their own 2021 special, the franchise of a galaxy far far away only had a brief tease of the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series. They already released The Book of Boba Fett trailer ahead of the celebrations. So, it left us wondering about all the other projects. Luckily, Bespin Bulletin might offer us at least some insight into what the plan is with The Mandalorian spinoff, Ahsoka and it looks like we might have a time window for its release.

    According to their sources, it seems that the series is planning a production that lasts until the fall of 2022. With that time window, the series is currently eyeing a 2023 spring release. It also seems that The Acolyte is eyeing a similar release window and will join in 2023. It’s uncertain if they’re the only series to the eye that year, as there are some uncertainties about what other projects might enter production due to nothing new getting announced.

    They go on to include a March 2022 production start according to Production Weekly. So, it would certainly manage the release window in 2023, as the fall production end would offer enough time to also finish up post-production work. Here’s hoping that we get a bit more information on what the future of Disney+ has in store for Star Wars.

    Source: Bespin Bulletin

  • Kevin Feige Reflects on Year 1 of Marvel Studios TV

    Kevin Feige Reflects on Year 1 of Marvel Studios TV

    Next week, Hawkeye, the fourth and final live-action Marvel Studios streaming series of 2021 will kick of it’s 5-week run on Disney Plus. During Tuesday’s press event, our own Charles Villanueva asked Marvel Studios One-Above-All, Kevin Feige, to reflect on the first year of Marvel Studios produced streaming series and what he and the studio learned that they will take into their second year and it seems that to Feige, the most important takeaway is how well they’ve all been received.

    Yeah. Well, it’s the-yes, the end of year one of the-of the project’s finally, finally coming out and people being able to see them. But it’s about year three or four for us as we’ve been developing them. And I think we learn on-we learn on everything. The reception to each of them is what has been most gratifying. Because we always-we wanted them to be different here. We’re sitting talking about a fun grounded action Christmas series. Loki is this very otherworldly thing. Falcon and Winter Soldier, geopolitical. And WandaVision, ode to-to sitcoms and grief. And it feels like the audience has responded the way we wanted to.

    As Feige mentioned, these projects have been in development at the studio for several years and, as we all remember, the COVID-19 pandemic took a big chunk out of each of them in their own ways; some productions were interrupted and others delayed. At one point in time, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier was supposed to kick off Phase 4 before delays moved WandaVision to the front of the queue. Nothing was made easy during Marvel Studios first foray into live-action streaming series but as Feige said, audiences have, for the most part, enjoyed the series as they explore some of the MCU’s characters on a deeper level and introduce some new characters to the mix.

    As Marvel Studios moves ahead into Year 2, there have been fewer COVID-related delays and you can bet that Feige and Parliament have implemented the lessons they’ve learned over Year 1 to do a better job of the simple thing they’ve always set out to do: entertain audiences.

  • Vincent D’Onofrio on Hawkeye: “This is Going to Be Fun”

    Vincent D’Onofrio on Hawkeye: “This is Going to Be Fun”

    For months now, rumors have swirled that Vincent D’Onofrio would be reprising his role as Wilson Fisk in the upcoming Marvel Studios streaming series Hawkeye. If the “rumors” are true, D’Onofrio would join Charlie Cox in making the jump from Marvel’s Netflix Defender-verse to the mainstream MCU.

    While both actors have attempted to deny their involvement, they’ve both recently commented on what they’d like to see their characters do if they did return with D’Onofrio recently saying he’d love to go up against Spider-Man. D’Onofrio is always active on social media and with Hawkeye’s debut just a week away, the actor took to Twitter to indicate that he’s also a big fan of the Marvel Studios’ produced series on Disney Plus and that he thinks this one is “going to be fun.”

    With Maya Lopez, aka Echo, appearing in Hawkeye and her character having such strong comic book ties to Kingpin, the series provides the perfect opportunity for the character to come on board. The return of Cox and D’Onofrio in their respective roles could prove to be just the beginning of big things for those characters in the future, with a Daredevil project rumored to be in the works. With Hawkeye’s 6 episodes spanning the holiday season and wrapping up before the new year, maybe Kingpin is Feige’s gift to us all.

  • How ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Could Set Up a ‘Daredevil’ Soft-Reboot

    How ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Could Set Up a ‘Daredevil’ Soft-Reboot

    It’s looking more and more plausible that Daredevil is becoming a reality in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Charlie Cox will make his return in Spider-Man: No Way Home and there are already strong hints that a new project is in its earliest stages of development. With the next trailer for Sony’s multiversal adventure nearing, it seems like the perfect time to explore what an adaptation by Marvel Studios could do to make it build upon what came before while also adding its twist to the character. In a way, they could do that literally by taking inspiration from the comic line Shadowlands that could be perfectly set up through the events of No Way Home.

    Marvel's Daredevil | Netflix – offizielle Webseite

    We’ve already been introduced to the Hand in the Netflix series. While its canonicity remains a mystery, it might not be too difficult to introduce the organization as one pulling many strings throughout New York City. Yet, as they are likely to soft reboot some aspects of the original three seasons, they could make that very apparent by taking inspiration from the series’ first season. In 2015, one of the main plotlines revolves around Wilson Fisk buying up real estate throughout Hell’s Kitchen. He planned to destroy and rebuild it. How about in this reintroduction, he did exactly that.

    Hell’s Kitchen is being torn down and Matt Murdock can hardly recognize it anymore. He starts an investigation to find out what is going out, as the rework of his home has raised criminal activity. In his investigation, he uncovers that this is more than just Fisk. The Hand, an old foe, has been one of the main investors in this new development, as they’ve taken over quite a few of the buildings. The NYC landscape is changing with so-called Shadowland temples being erected. Daredevil feels somewhat hopeless as non of his actions are stopping it.

    Shadowland revealed! | The Other Murdock Papers

    In a way, the series becomes an allegory on taking the familiar from Netflix but adding a new paint job to make it feel fresh. We have a familiar foe with the Hand, but their objectives are a bit more specific. We once again dive deep into Murdock’s psyché throughout these events, as he slowly realizes that he might be more closely involved than he might expect at first. They start to toy with him, as they either cause more damage or even push him beyond his limits.

    This adaptation would also fit nicely in the current theme of MCU projects reshaping the MCU as we know it. Shang-Chi introduced us to a new dimension, WandaVision turned an unknowing town into a pocket dimension and Eternals added a new landmark to Earth. So, it’s safe to assume Spider-Man: No Way Home might also unleash some lasting changes upon an unsuspecting NYC. It’ll probably sustain enough damage from the battle aiding Kingpin and the Hand’s efforts. Hell’s Kitchen was already falling apart and might not quite recover from this one like they did the Incident so long ago.

    SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME | Sony Pictures Austria

    So, the aftermath of Spider-Man‘s third film, which also serves as our reintroduction to the character of Daredevil, sets up his story that reshapes a world we’ve come to love back in 2015. Yes, things will likely change but by embracing the first season’s core elements we’re putting the character on a similar yet different path. Some elements might repeat and could be twisted in new directions, but it would finally bring Daredevil back into the fold.

  • Hailee Steinfeld Describes the Emotional Moment She Landed Her ‘Hawkeye’ Role

    Hailee Steinfeld Describes the Emotional Moment She Landed Her ‘Hawkeye’ Role

    With Marvel Studios’ Hawkeye set to premiere next week, people are anxious to see what’s next for Clint Barton. The introduction of his co-archer Kate Bishop is also exciting fans more so than ever, as actress Hailee Steinfeld is already getting rave reviews for her performance as Kate. While Marvel Studios executive producer Trinh Tran has previously said that Steinfeld was the Studios’ “go-to girl” for Kate Bishop, the actress recently opened up to Cosmopolitan about the emotional moment she learned that she landed the role:

    When I found out I got the job, I was actually pulling up to set on Dickinson. My driver got out of the car and went to open my door and I held it shut because it was like, “I need a moment.” I hadn’t gotten a “you got the job” call in a minute. My mom was on the phone and I started crying in the back seat of the car. I was like, “Wow, this is so wild.” I was trying to wrap my head around how different it was going to be from Dickinson and how ready but anxious I was about the whole thing.

    Hailee Steinfeld

    The actress landing the role was arguably emotional for fans as well. Rumors upon rumors floated around regarding whether or not Steinfeld had signed on for the role. Multiple project delays affected her ability to take the job, but eventually, it was clear that Steinfeld would be taking her place in Hawkeye after we got the first photos and videos of her on set. While audiences will be able to judge for themselves when Hawkeye drops on November 24th, it seems likely that Steinfeld’s turn as Kate Bishop is a casting that will be celebrated all-around.

    Source: Forbes, Cosmopolitan

  • EXCLUSIVE: Details on ‘Hawkeye’s Version of Clown Revealed

    EXCLUSIVE: Details on ‘Hawkeye’s Version of Clown Revealed

    The upcoming Hawkeye series will explore many aspects of Clint Barton’s comic history yet non more than that of the My Life as a Weapon run. The story by Matt Fraction and David Aja introduced us to the bro-speaking gang known as the Tracksuit Mafia and the dangerous assassin Kazimierz Kazimerczak, or better known as the Clown. Fra Fee will take on the role in the series and they might switch it up for this adaptation.

    Our very own Charles Villanueva got a chance to sit down with producer Trinh Tran to discuss the upcoming series. In it, she offered some insight into how the show tackled the character and teased that he might be quite a bit different from what we are used to from the popular comic storyline.

    I can’t say much about how his character unfolds in this series, but what I can say is that part of the interesting thing about bringing these characters to life from the comics is that we wanted to give it a fresh spin. I think part of Kazi’s story in the comics is a little bit tied to how Kate’s world is like in the Matt Fraction run. But that’s not necessarily true in the MCU because once we bring that character in and explore them in the story that we have, it can go in any and all kind of direction.

    Trinh Tran

    It’s not uncommon that they change the characters to fit these new adaptations that take familiar comic storylines but add a new twist. Captain America: Civil War only loosely explores the themes and registration act from the comics, but doesn’t completely feature a full-on war between countless superheroes. It’ll be interesting to see how they adapt this character and what their role will be in the story.

  • ‘Hawkeye’ Will Include “Giant Reminders” of Natasha Romanoff

    ‘Hawkeye’ Will Include “Giant Reminders” of Natasha Romanoff

    One of the most heartfelt scenes in Avengers: Endgame was the exchange between Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton, as they both try to make the sacrifice for the sake of half the universe. Natasha is the one who takes the leap of faith and leaves behind her closest friend to carry the weight of the Soul Stone in his hand. Her legacy lives on through Yelena Belova, who we were introduced to in the solo Black Widow film and is set to return in Hawkeye. She is confirmed to appear in the upcoming series and it seems like Clint Barton hasn’t quite gotten over the events either.

    In an interview with the Evening Standard, actor Jeremy Renner talked about how Black Widow will play into the story beyond just the appearance of Belova. It seems that we’ll also use this series to explore Barton’s grief from losing her, especially as he did it all for the sake of his family that he once again has to leave behind to look after Kate Bishop and her shenanigans.

    There are giant reminders of Natasha in this series. Reminders of things that tie into losing somebody and reminders of all that beautiful things that come with a lot of pain as well.

    Jeremy Renner

    It makes sense that this death would still hang over his head, as he was the one that had to let go when they were hanging from a cliff on Vormir. Belova’s appearance in the series will definitely bring back the dark reality of that moment and once again bring him face-to-face with the consequences.

    Source: Standard

  • ‘Hawkeye’ Director Plays Coy on Yelena Belova’s Role in the Disney+ Series

    ‘Hawkeye’ Director Plays Coy on Yelena Belova’s Role in the Disney+ Series

    The post-credit sequence of Black Widow set up the return of Florence Pugh‘s Yelena Belova. We meet her at Natasha Romanoff’s grave where she gets a new mission from the mysterious Val. The reality of the events that took place in Avengers: Endgame was twisted, as she is given the task to take out Clint Barton. Of course, we already knew he was getting his own Disney+ series and her return in the series was already confirmed ahead of time. There was also a report in July that she might even appear in multiple episodes. So, Total Film tried to get a bit more out of Hawkeye director Rhys Thomas, who played coy on her exact role.

    I can’t speak to that. But yes, we know their past, and obviously what happened in Endgame. We know in these first two episodes that Clint’s dealing with the fallout of that. But in terms of how they meet, I can’t – I’ll just pretend I don’t know. Imagine it’s a happy meeting, where they talk over coffee and work things out.

    Rhys Thomas

    Total Film was open about the fact if we’ll see these two at each other’s throats, but the director wouldn’t give anything away. Thomas did tease that “it all connects in some way” and that “the story is its own little world.” So, we can expect callbacks and connective tissue to the rest, but given its smaller scale, we might have a much more intimate story on our hands.

    Source: Total Film

  • Matt Fraction Was a Consulting Producer on Disney+’s ‘Hawkeye’

    Matt Fraction Was a Consulting Producer on Disney+’s ‘Hawkeye’

    The upcoming Disney+ series Hawkeye takes many visual and story beats from the popular Matt Fraction and David Aja‘s run on the character. My Life as a Weapon took a more personal approach with the character, as he took care of an apartment building from a local gang called the Tracksuit Mafia. Of course, he’s not superhuman and gets injured quite a bit on the way. So, he also relies on his protégé, Kate Bishop. Hailee Steinfeld will join the MCU in the iconic role. It looks like Fraction did more than just offer the inspiration, but revealed in an interview with The Ringer that he was also part of the production as a consulting producer.

    I am, I think, credited as consulting producer, though, I’d have to check with my agent and probably just read the credits, but it’s the best because I get to take all the credit. And I get to cast glory and David and Annie and hope none of the blame. I read scripts and offered thoughts. And that was in sort of throughout the process.

    Matt Fraction

    In the same interview, he revealed that he also was supposed to play a member of the Tracksuit Mafia during production, but it ended up getting cut due to the pandemic making things a bit difficult.

    I was supposed to be a tracksuit. It was gonna fit, but between COVID, [this] was before shots were really happening and my immunocompromised mother lives with us and traveling was kind of a thing. And we got a pandemic puppy. So between quite feeling cool to travel and a puppy, I didn’t get to be a tracksuit. So I was this close to being a tracksuit. Other than that consultant producer.

    Matt Fraction
    [UPDATING]

    Source: The Ringer