Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Disney Plus

  • New ‘Loki’ Episode 5 Images Tease Richard E. Grant’s Classic Loki in Action

    New ‘Loki’ Episode 5 Images Tease Richard E. Grant’s Classic Loki in Action

    The last episode of Loki offered us the reveal of four brand new Variants of our titular anti-hero. After getting pruned, he awakens in a strange place he believes might be Hel. Luckily, the credits did confirm that his new friends are Richard E. Grant‘s Classic Loki, Jack Veal‘s Kid Loki, and Deobia Oparei‘s Boastful Loki. The ending left us with quite a few questions and excitement about what these new renditions of the characters might mean for the multiverse. Luckily, @cosmic_marvel shared some images from the upcoming fifth episode. They offer a closer look at Kid and Classic Loki. It also shows the latter using his magic. 

     

    https://twitter.com/cosmic_marvel/status/1412064483132858368

     What is interesting about these images is that Boastful Loki and the Loki Alligator are noticeably absent. There is a good chance that these images take place later in the episode as they start to explore this strange land. One also shows Classic Loki and the Variant we’ve been following since Avengers: Endgame in a green glow. Grant’s Variant might be behind it, as he is trying to pull him out of a fight to continue their main objective. The green glow might also tease a unique vision for his abilities.

    So, this sequence might take place after as we’ve seen Boastful Loki join the battle. It would also imply that the trailer’s Vote Loki might be a new Variant. We most commonly assumed it was Tom Hiddleston‘s current version after a time skip, but it wouldn’t be too surprising that doubles of the actor got pruned at some point in the Time Variance Authority’s long history. We’re only a few days away, and it’ll be exciting to see how these new Variants will play into the story and if Classic Loki might be the version we’ve come to love from the comics.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘LOKI’: The Time-Keepers, the Hourglass and the Man Behind the Curtain

    ‘LOKI’: The Time-Keepers, the Hourglass and the Man Behind the Curtain

    Episode 4 of Marvel Studios latest and greatest Disney Plus streaming series, Loki, exposed the great lie of the TVA when it was revealed that the Time-Keepers were nothing more than some Chuck E Cheese style animatronics instead of the almighty overlords of the Sacred Timeline. Now that we finally know for sure that they’re not in charge (we’ve speculated for a while now that they weren’t all they were cracked up to be), the big question left to answer is who was behind the curtain and making the decisions about what was allowed to go on and what had to be pruned. My money has always been on Kang, or at least one Variant version of him, and it’s possible that this episode may have given us a small, Easter egg-y type of clue that it is him.

    This could easily be a case of someone (me) seeing something and interpreting it to fit their desired outcome; it could also be a case of Marvel Studios sneaking something so subtle that it could easily go undetected. So here’s the plan: I’ll point it out and you decide for yourself.

    After being teased for 3 episodes, we finally find out that the Time-Keepers are just an elevator ride away for Ravonna; however, this doesn’t seem to be the same elevator we’ve seen before in scenes with Loki and Mobius, rather an elevator only Judge Renslayer has access to. And it’s this elevator, adorned with what look to be hundreds of hourglass shapes, that might be hinting at the man truly in charge of the TVA or is simply the kind of symbol you’d place on the doorway to the keepers of time.

    Maybe, long ago the Time-Keepers were real. Maybe, like in the comics, they sought out Kang and made him guardian of the timeline. Maybe the Time-Keepers were never real. Either way, someone built the TVA and someone designed those elevator doors. In following the line of thought that Kang, or one version of him, is behind all this, the hourglass shape becomes more than just a nice nod: it was actually the symbol worn by one version of Kang, the Scarlet Centurion.

    The Scarlet Centurion was one of the more aggressive versions of Nathaniel Richards (and yes it was also a name taken up by one of his sons at one point) who confusingly created another version of himself that found himself up against the Squadron Supreme (rumored to be in Loki) but who also ultimately became the most recognizable version of Kang. I’ve always found it strange that the TVA, a place that exists outside of space and time, has such a 60’s feel to it. Maybe, in this instance, it’s another bread crumb on the trail leading us to Kang, who was introduced in the 60s, or to the Scarlet Centurion version of the character who first appeared in 1967’s Avengers Annual #2. Maybe the version of Kang we’ll see here is the tired version who has literally seen it all and not one who has the edge of his less-experienced self who, maybe, built the TVA as a means to conquer time. Of course, it makes sense that these hourglasses symbols are just there because they are things that keep time and adorn the entrance of the Time-Keepers, but I wouldn’t put it past Marvel Studios to hide a subtle clue in plain sight, either. With only 2 episodes left, we’ll find out soon enough.

  • ‘Black Widow’ Eyeing a $110M Post-Pandemic Domestic Opening

    ‘Black Widow’ Eyeing a $110M Post-Pandemic Domestic Opening

    It looks like a lot of bets are on Marvel Studios’ grand return to cinemas after a two-year pandemic-induced hiatus. The last entry of the franchise was released in June 2019 with Spider-Man: Far From Home. Black Widow was originally going to premiere last year in May but got continuously pushed back. Finally, we are only a few days away from its release and Box office predictions are already aplenty. Marketing recently kicked into overdrive with various short spots and featurettes getting released. Rotten Tomatoes currently has it Certified Fresh at 82% with 162 reviews. After F9‘s $70 million debuts, there was a lot of hope that the next MCU flick could even surpass that and current predictions are looking great.

    According to Box Office Pro, the film is currently predicted for a domestic premiere between $80 to $110M. As the film’s release draws nearer, the predictions have gone up. That would put it at a potential $310M total run. It’s certainly a sign that cinemas are still helping form the effects of the pandemic, but it also has to be considered that Black Widow will also be made available via Disney+’s Premier Access option.

    So, you can technically stay at home and purchase the film for an additional fee through the streaming service. It will potentially cut into its opening day earnings, but it still looks like the film is set for an impressive Box Office. The higher end of that opening would put it on par with 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming. Even the lower end is slightly below 2016’s Doctor Strange release, which opened with $85M. So, it’s looking good for Marvel Studios to continue their Box Office dominance even after the long hiatus.

    Source: Box Office Pro, Rotten Tomatoes, Business Insider

    Black Widow design for header by @valentinromeroa

  • First Details for Disney+ Anthology Series ‘Star Wars: Visions’ Revealed

    First Details for Disney+ Anthology Series ‘Star Wars: Visions’ Revealed

    Lucasfilm is venturing out into new territory. Most of the Star Wars series that hit Disney+ continued the overarching story and explored the different eras throughout the franchise’s history. Currently, The Bad Batch is continuing where The Clone Wars left off. We also are expecting the release of The Book of Boba Fett that continues where The Mandalorian’s last season left off. Luckily, that isn’t all, as they just revealed the upcoming anthology series Star Wars: Visions during the Anime Expo Lite. It’ll release September 22nd with nine unique stories that are inspired by the famous franchise and they even revealed the official listing of which iconic Anime studio is tackling which story:

    • The Duel (Kamikaze Douga)
    • Lop and Ocho (Geno Studio)
    • Tatooine Rhapsody (Studio Colorido)
    • The Twins (Trigger)
    • The Elder (Trigger)
    • The Village Bride (Kinema Citrus)
    • Akakiri (Science Saru)
    • T0-B1 (Science Saru)
    • The Ninth Jedi (Production IG)

    It’s quite the line-up of talent and Lucasfilm did not restrict them to follow the franchise’s current canon. As such, these unique shorts are their own independent stories that even explore stories of existing characters, such as Tatooine Rhapsody. The pandemic has affected the productions with various shorts being in production simultaneously. As the trailer revealed, each episode will follow a different art style, such as The Twins looking like it could be an episode of Kill la Kill. Akakiri and T0-B1 have a similar art style and tone with the former seeing the return of Astro Boy‘s sound designer, which was recorded at the Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall. It’s great to see the franchise explore new avenues and, hopefully, it might also be a sign that Marvel adds an anime-inspired anthology series in the future s well.

     

    Source: Star Wars, YouTube

  • REPORT: She-Hulk to Face the Wrecking Crew in Disney+ Series

    REPORT: She-Hulk to Face the Wrecking Crew in Disney+ Series

    She-Hulk has been quietly filming in Atlanta. Only a few tidbits found their way online. There was a rumor three weeks ago that Hulk’s son Skaar might make his live-action debut in the series. We got the official confirmation that Jameela Jamil will play the iconic villain Titania. Surprisingly, we haven’t seen much from the film’s set outside of a photo of Mark Ruffalo in his mo-cap suit and a brief tease of Tatiana Maslany as the titular heroine. So far, it’s been otherwise quiet, and we’ve been wondering what else the series might have in store for us. Well, it looks like Cosmic Circus might have gotten their hands on a juicy tidbit as it seems the Wrecking Crew will appear in the upcoming series.

    For those wondering who they are. The Wrecking Crew is a team that consists of four supervillains known as Bulldozer, Piledriver, Thunderball, and Wrecker. They made their first appearance in The Defenders #17 back in 1974. In the comics, Dirk Garthwaite, the future Wrecker, was mistaken for Loki and gained mystical powers when he got an enchanted crowbar by the Norn queen Karnilla. After his friends grabbed it when it got struck by lightning, they all got their abilities. It’s uncertain which members will appear, as the roster has changed over the years in the comics.

    As you can guess by their origin, they commonly get connected to Thor’s rogue’s gallery but some adaptations have also added Gamma radiation to their powers, such as The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. The team seemed like a classic Saturday morning cartoon villain. So, it seemed unlikely they would get adapted into the Marvel Cinematic Universe anytime soon. So, it’s great that Marvel Studios is using these Disney+ shows to introduce some minor characters from the comics.

    Source: Cosmic Circus

  • Leak Offers First Look at Marvel Studios’ ‘What If’ Funko Pops

    Leak Offers First Look at Marvel Studios’ ‘What If’ Funko Pops

    Marvel Studios is set to release one of their first animated projects in the form of What if?, a series that will explore variants who broke out of the Sacred Timeline. We’re still eagerly awaiting a release date for the project as it was slated to release sometime this summer, which we should soon get when Loki ends. Recently, we’ve been learning a lot about the episodes and just who and what will be featured in each and this new promo leak from Funko gives us a brand new look at the characters before their debut in the series, so make some room on that shelf for your inevitable purchases.

    The upcoming wave of pop figures features five figures, not listing any potential retailer exclusives. The first figures look to be Captain Carter, joined by the Hydra Stomper, piloted by Steve Rogers. We also get a look at T’Challa as Star-lord alongside what could be our best looks yet at Gamora, Daughter of Thanos, and Doctor Strange Supreme, the evil sorcerer.

     

    The most interesting addition here is Gamora’s new title, as she seems to have inherited the same weight of the name Thanos once held as a scourge on the galaxy. This one seems to have lived up to her father’s legacy and never joined the guardians of the galaxy. The figures currently have no set release date but look to be hitting stores now, an indication that the series could be coming soon. Fans will have to wait for official word from Marvel as to when they can expect the series though.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Loki’ and the Harsh Reality of the TVA

    ‘Loki’ and the Harsh Reality of the TVA

    It’s easy to focus on all the multiversal shenanigans of Loki. We finally got introduced to the Time-Keepers, are exploring beyond our understanding of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and might get one of the strangest love stories ever put on a streaming platform. In the middle of it, all is the Time Variance Authority. A highly bureaucratic organization that is responsible for cleansing the Sacred Timeline and preserving the vision of its leaders. They see a purpose in their tasks, even if it is as menial as greeting new Variants and Minutemen at the front desk. In a way, their entire life revolves around their job. They believe they were created solely for that purpose, as it gives them meaning. The only moment of solace they get seems to be a time-gated lunch break. It’s pretty hard to deny that anyone working from nine to five may have felt a bit too at home with these moments.

     

    Loki's TVA Organization & Time Prisoners Explained By Tom Hiddleston - Geeky Craze

     

    The depressing reality of existence is that even the most powerful organization falls into repetitive structures. We were only missing a sit down with a departments manager claiming they should switch to agile project management, as it will ensure more productivity. There is a good chance those conversations were happening in the departments we didn’t get to see. Some seem to have the same job for their entire existence, such as the person making sure Variants aren’t secretly robots or the cat lover having to make sure every spoken word gets signed off on. The peons have no say and only know the goals of their operations through a singular “representative,” which is Ravonna Renslayer in this case.

    It’s hard not to see the parallels between the Time-Keepers acting as shareholders of a company acting on a whim to ensure their goals are met. Ravonna is the Chief Executive Officer (and Judge) that ensures those actions are met to their satisfaction. She wasn’t always in her position, but they saw something in her to reach that point in her career. Her job is to ensure that everything is going according to plan and even if sacrifices need to be made, they may be rewarded at some point in the future. Empty promises that overshadow one’s true passion. No matter if that is wanting to enter a specific field or the simple joy of riding a jet ski. The moment Mobius confronted the fake reality he was taught to learn by being at the organization for years, he suffered the consequences.

     

    Juíza Renslayer é destaque em novo vídeo da série 'Loki'

     

    Once you are disenfranchised from the organization that you once believed in, it becomes difficult to push forward. We all are in Mobius’ shoes at one point. Our entire belief structure is broken down because of the thing we dedicated potentially years of our lives to feels like a lie. We lose ourselves in the greater picture of those that stand above us because we hope that we could stand among them. All the hard work has to pay off eventually, right? Yet, we have to face the reality that such decisions come at a price. We will lose something on the way. Perhaps the availability of our dreams, such s riding a jet ski, or even at the risk of our health. We are all puppets connected to the same string. Some are just higher up than others. Perhaps we all need a Loki in our life. An agent of chaos that breaks us free from the monotony of our nine to five and frees us to see the world what it truly is.

  • ‘Loki’s Episode 4 Credits Offers First Clues on Those Post-Credit Cameos

    ‘Loki’s Episode 4 Credits Offers First Clues on Those Post-Credit Cameos

    If you haven’t watched the latest Loki episode, only continue at your own risk, as we will spoil the post-credit reveal in this article. 

     

     

    The latest episode of Loki has finally dropped and continues to expand upon the franchise’s multiversal appeal. While the Time Variance Authority introduced the world to the Sacred Timeline, which seemed to hint at a singular Marvel Cinematic Universe existing, we also see the effects of Variants popping into existence that created branches. It teased the consistency of the Variants, they always looked like Tom Hiddleston. That was until Sylvie appeared in the second episode and twisted our understanding of what makes a Variant. The latest episode didn’t waste any time to continue expanding upon that concept, as the series’ first post-credit sequence revealed a group of familiar characters. We got our live-action debut of Kid Loki and a comic-accurate version of the God of Mischief. They are also joined by the mysterious man holding a self-made hammer and what seems to be a crocodile wearing Loki’s iconic horns.

     

    Image

     

    Most of the characters stand out due to their distinct Loki design, but one does stand out from the rest. We can assume that the fourth member, who is played by Deobia Oparei, is also a Loki variant, even if he seems to be mimicking Thor’s overall look and choice of weapon. The Direct hinted at him playing a classic Marvel character some time ago. Luckily, the Disney+ credits confirm that he is indeed playing a version of the character who is simply named Boastful Loki. So, we could assume a lot of similarities between this incarnation of the character and the God of Thunder. What also stands out is that Richard E. Grant‘s character is named Classic Loki. His role pays tribute to the Loki: Agent of Asgard storyline, where an older version of the character in the same outfit manipulated events from behind-the-scenes. Perhaps this version is similarly a darker take on the character. Perhaps this even is the version introduced in the 616 of the comics that got stranded here for some time. Jack Veal is playing Kid Loki, which confirms our report from around nine months ago that he was cast in the iconic role.

     

     

    Of course, the episode left us with a lot of questions, and it seems pruning doesn’t quite work as the TVA believed it would. It’ll be interesting to see if the Vote Loki shown in the trailers is a different version of Tom Hiddleston’s Loki, or just how our current protagonist ends up after spending some time among these pruned Variants. It’ll be interesting to see how this ties into the overarching storyline surrounding the Time-Keepers and the foundation of the TVA. We might see a lot more versions of Loki in the near future, which hopefully also means we’ll see other iconic characters from our favorite heroes appearing. Crocodile Loki might be a tease for the live-action debut of Throg?

    Source: The Direct, Disney+

  • ‘LOKI’ Episode 4 Primer

    ‘LOKI’ Episode 4 Primer

    I loved the last episode of Loki. After the Variant set off all of the time bombs to distract the TVA, she popped into the building followed by Loki. They worked together to fight off the guards but that’s the least of their worries. Ravonna found out the building is being infiltrated and went after them. Interestingly, we found out that Ravonna was once a hunter. When Loki realized Ravonna was coming for them, he opened a door to Lamentis, the site of another apocalypse.

    Loki: Season 1 – Episode 3 'Lamentis' REVIEW | Cultured Vultures

    Sylvie, the Variant, has been on the run from the TVA her whole life. While Loki grew up as royalty and with great memories of his mom, Sylvie can barely remember her mom and had to learn to take care of herself. The two seem to fight A LOT but by the end of the episode, they seem to have a bond. They work together to get to the evacuation ark to recharge the Tempad; however, the evacuation ark gets destroyed so now they can’t get out of Lamentis. Unfortunately, the episode just kind of ended on a pretty silly cliffhanger since we know they aren’t going to die there.

    Arlyn’s Assumptions

    There are lots of things that can happen in this next episode. The new trailer shows them in the TVA’s custody, so the TVA will clearly pull them out of Lamentis. But them being in the TVA could lead to them getting deleted, especially since Mobius seems to be really unhappy with Loki. I don’t think things are going to end well for our Lokis in this next episode . We only have three episodes left and I expect Ravonna to have a bigger role in these next few episodes, including our first meeting with the Time Keepers (*cough*Kang*cough*) which will probably expose the TVA for the fraud that it is….poor Mobius.

     

    The next episode of Loki premiers tomorrow!

  • ‘WandaVision’s New Post-Credit Secret Cameo May Not Be a Cameo After All

    ‘WandaVision’s New Post-Credit Secret Cameo May Not Be a Cameo After All

    Over the weekend, avid viewers uncovered an interesting secret. Marvel Studios has secretly edited the WandaVision finale. At first, it seemed to mainly adapt to the surrounding of Wanda’s cabin. Of course, theories started that it might be to fit the environment we’ll get introduced to in her net appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. They even edited the credits to include a mention of Michael Giacchino‘s Doctor Strange score. So, of course, the moment Reddit users noticed a strange shadow moving in the background. Instantly, theories started to point it potentially being Strange or even his Astral projection. Well, it turns out, a TikTok user by the name of @curtskelton figured out what the mysterious being was and it’s not what you think. The video was shared by Reddit user u/Cinephobe.

     

    I discovered what that “thing” was in the new after credits scene in WandaVision
    byu/Cinephobe inmarvelstudios

     

    Well, it looks like Doctor Strange still hasn’t made an appearance in WandaVision after all. As the Tiktok user points out, it was simply an editing error that did not get removed in previous frames. It makes sense as the figure was moving awkwardly in the background and it does line up quite a bit with the lighting correction. There is always a chance they could add to it, but now that it’s making the rounds, they might even just take it out with the next edit. It’s still interesting that they adapted the post-credit sequence to begin with, which is a curious decision this long after release.

    They have taken out errors in the past, such as they famously did with The Mandalorian. An extra was accidentally still in a background who got edited out at a later date to correct the error. Sadly, they won’t edit in some of the missing sequences that got cut due to time constraints as revealed by Matt Shakman. We can still dream of Ralph Bohner and Monica Rambeau facing an evil devil rabbit.

    Source: Reddit