Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Disney Plus

  • REVIEW: ‘The Bad Batch’ Pays a Heavy Toll in Two-Part Season Finale

    REVIEW: ‘The Bad Batch’ Pays a Heavy Toll in Two-Part Season Finale

    Season 2 of The Bad Batch has spent a great deal of time establishing the titular team as a burgeoning family. Following the harrowing events of the Season 1 finale, the team slowly retreated from their mercenary missions and turned their focus towards building a new life for themselves in a galaxy that continues to rapidly evolve around them. In Summit and Plan 99, the two-part finale to the sophomore season, Clone Force 99 is reminded just how much they have evolved and that you can only lose what you already have.

    While the preceding episode, Tipping Point, seemed to put al the ducks in a row for the finale, writers Jennifer Corbett (Plan 99) and Matt Michnovetz (Summit) did wonderful work in subverting expectations of a predictable sequence of events–thanks almost entirely to Saw Gerrera’s interloping–in the finale even if the end result was probably on everyone’s bingo card. The dual episodes made good on quite a few of the season’s ongoing developments and left enough hanging to allow Season 3 (Lucasfilm hasn’t officially announced a third season yet but it seems extremely likely even as Disney cuts back) to get off to a strong start.

    (L-R): Wrecker and Hunter in a scene from “STAR WARS: THE BAD BATCH”, season 2 exclusively on Disney+. © 2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.

    The sacrifice and subsequent loss of Tech is probably most emblematic of the progress the series–and Clone Force 99–made this season. Undoubtedly the most annoying member of the team over the first season, Tech’s growth into an almost identifiable human, complete with emotions and everything, is a constant reminder that these clones are all more than their special purposes. While he didn’t wear them comfortably, Tech’s father-daughter relationship with Omega along with his new, romantic relationship with Phee were evidence that there was more out there for the Batchers than running merc missions. And just as they began to realize what they had, it was taken from them by the sheisty Doctor Hemlock and a vengeful Cid.

    Speaking of Hemlock, the full scope of his and Sleepy Sheev Palpatine’s sinister plan isn’t revealed in Tipping Point, which includes a great cameo by Ben Mendelsohn’s Orson Krennic updating Tarkin on Project Stardust, or Plan 99 but Omega’s role in it is. While the easy money was on Omega’s DNA being so special that it would crack the whole cloning process wide open, the finale revealed that Hemlock simply wanted Omega as a means to further manipulate Kaminonan clone queen Nala Se to work for the Empire. For the time being, Omega’s unaltered genetic code seems of little to no interest to Hemlock. Can the same be said, however, for Emerie Karr, whose identity as a sister clone of Omega’s was revealed in Plan 99? Karr does seem to have her own agenda and revealing herself to Omega only furthers that suspicion.

    Summit and Plan 99 worked together to provide an emotional gut punch that wouldn’t have been possible without some of the groundwork laid throughout the season. With Tech seemingly dead, Omega and Crosshair in the clutches of Hemlock and Ord Mantell no longer a safe haven for the remaining members of the Bad Batch, the not-yet-announced-but-all-but-a-sure-thing two-part Season 3 premiere is set up for an emotional return to Pabu before a high stakes rescue of the imprisoned clones. Season 2, taken in its totality, feels like the second act of a three-part story which would mean Season 3 would be the end of the line for the stories of Clone Force 99. Now that they have so much to lose, Season 3 is set up to be a helluva ride.

  • REVIEW: ‘The Mandalorian’ Hits Hyperspace in “The Pirate”

    REVIEW: ‘The Mandalorian’ Hits Hyperspace in “The Pirate”

    For a show that’s often been criticized as a slow burn, The Mandalorian has indisputably picked up the pace in its third season. Showrunner Jon Favreau–perhaps in response to those criticisms; perhaps not–seems to have evolved a bit in his storytelling, adapting it to move the overarching plot along more quickly while continuing to build the world of the New Republic. Chapter 21 of The Mandalorian, The Pirate, is perhaps the most impressive display of Favreau’s new approach as it continued to establish the failings of the fledgling New Republic while allowing the increasingly exciting story of the Mandalorian covert–and its future–to push ahead.

    Now in the back half of the season, The Mandalorian is making good on some of the plot points left outstanding over the course of the first four episodes..and even the first two seasons. The bulk of the episode’s action takes place on Greef Karga’s new and improved Nevarro. That setting allows Favreau to highlight just how far the world of The Mandalorian has come over the course of three seasons while serving as a reminder that even though things seem on the upswing for these characters, there’s still a terrible evil out there that’s fated to take over. Karga’s renaissance as a man of morals who seeks to serve others in the service of himself illustrates just how fast and loose things are in the Outer Rim while also standing of a symbol of where the galaxy stands in the wake of the fall of the Empire: even though progress is being made, everything is still a work in progress.

    Paz Vizsla (Tait Fletcher) in Lucasfilm’s THE MANDALORIAN, season three, exclusively on Disney+. ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

    As the rest of the galaxy attempts to make progress, no story is as progressive as the story of the Mandalorian culvert. From Paz Vizsla’s tense and passionate speech to the culvert’s return to Nevarro–this time as heroes–to the Armorer’s delayed acknowledgment of Bo-Katan’s experience in the Living Waters, the advancement of the Mandalorians and their place in the New Republic jumped through hyperspace in The Pirate. Since joining the Children of the Watch in Chapter 19, Bo-Katan’s place within the Tribe has been the source of constant speculation by fans, many of whom still don’t quite trust the former Nite Owl despite Katee Sackhoff‘s claims that the character is content falling in line behind someone else’s command. Though it’s not crystal clear in The Pirate, it does seem that while Bo-Katan will fill an incredibly important role in uniting the many tribes and clans of Mandalore at the behest of the Armorer, she’ll do so with the full support of Din Djarin.

    However, just as things seem more promising than ever for the armored warriors of Mandalore as they forge a new path to the future…one in which they all look to put their old ways behind them…comes a reminder of their violent past. As much as the emergence of the Mythosaur moves the Armorer to begin the new age and reclaim Mandalore, the ghost of Gideon continues to haunt them. Though he’s yet to appear in Season 3, the architect of the Great Purge of Mandalore is out there and, it seems, there will be no true progress until his story comes to an end. In that regard, Favreau cleverly sows the seeds of the next arc of The Mandalorian into the closing moments of The Pirate. Was Gideon taken by a Mandalorian or were the Mandalorians set up? Given Gideon’s resourcefulness and vision, both seem equally possible and either spell trouble for the Mandalorians as look to reestablish themselves in the New Republic. It would be hard to find a better use of 43 minutes than what Favreau did with The Pirate.

  • The Fate of a Beloved ‘Rebels’ Character Revealed in ‘The Mandalorian’

    The Fate of a Beloved ‘Rebels’ Character Revealed in ‘The Mandalorian’

    Dave Filoni maintains that he “very rarely” makes a concerted effort to find ways to provide avenues for characters he created for the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels to make the jump to live-action. Rather, Filoni says he looks at them as characters with whom he is “comfortable” and likes “to see around” as he continues to tell stories in the live-action series The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and soon, Ahsoka.

    One such character with whom Filoni–and fans–is exceedingly familiar, Bo-Katan Kryze has become an integral part of the ongoing story of The Mandalorian after first being introduced in Star Wars: The Clone Wars before returning in a major role in Star Wars Rebels. While Bo-Katan’s story continues in The Mandalorian, the core cast of characters of Rebels will see their story continued in Ahsoka, which streams later this year on Disney Plus. But while Ahsoka Tano’s live-action debut came during the second season of The Mandalorian, the crew of the Ghost is patiently waiting to take their turn. While footage from Ahsoka has revealed that Chopper, Hera, Sabine and Ezra, as well as villain Grand Admiral Thrawn, are all set to appear, there had been no word on whether Lasat hero Zeb would make the jump to live-action.

    The good news is that fans won’t have to wait any longer to find out as Zeb made his live-action debut in Chapter 21 of The Mandalorian, The Pirate. While it was little more than a cameo, Zeb shared a scene with Paul Sun-Hyung Lee‘s New Republic Adelphi Ranger Carson Teva in a bar on an unnamed planet. The bar was a cameo fest as Filoni, executive producer Rick Famuyiwa and director and Obi-Wan Kenobi showrunner Deborah Chow all appeared in their respective Star Wars roles but the surprise appearance of Zeb was certainly the highlight.

    The scene revealed that Zeb, whose familiar voice was once again provided by Rebels voice actor Stephen Blum, has joined the New Republic as a Ranger. For a character who often expressed his desire to stay out of the larger goings on in the galaxy, Zeb has certainly come a long way. The episode of The Mandalorian also works as a bit of a proof of concept for bringing the Lasat character to live-action for Ahsoka and it’s a test Lucasfilm passed with flying colors. Given the intersection of the plots of The Mandalorian and Ahsoka, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a way for Zeb to meet up with his old friends and join their search for Ezra Bridger!

  • Disney+ May Have Revealed ‘Secret Invasion’s June Release Date

    Disney+ May Have Revealed ‘Secret Invasion’s June Release Date

    Here’s an interesting way to leak a potential release date. It’s been long rumored that we might get our next major Disney+ series from Marvel Studios at some point this summer, as Secret Invasion was hinted at as the big release for this year. Yet, we haven’t had much information on when to expect the project. At least, that was until now courtesy of Disney+ itself.

    It seems that Disney+ has added a release date to the Secret Invasion series of June 21st. While we’ve had a similar scenario in the past with the second season of Star Wars’ The Bad Batch which didn’t hit the initial release, it does give us an inclination that they might have this as a potential release date. So, there’s always a chance it might get postponed or just taken down.

    The Bad Batch was hinted at a September release date before it actually hit Disney+ in January. So, there’s always a chance that this timeline isn’t going to stick but given the radio silence we’ve seen from Marvel Studios on the show, anything is possible. We’ll know it’s true if they do end up releasing a trailer in April, as streaming services usually go by a two-month promotional cycle.

    If the June release turns out true, this is also the longest wait we’ve had between the Disney+ series marking the big change that the Internet has been asking for: less is more. While one could argue how that standpoint, we’re definitely seeing the old Marvel Studios back adjusting to a post-Chapek Disney.

    Source: Disney Plus

  • ‘Percy Jackson’ Season 2 Already Being Written

    ‘Percy Jackson’ Season 2 Already Being Written

    It looks like Percy Jackson and the Olympians is already working on the next season even before its initial one premiered on Disney+. While it is still slated for a 2024 release, it seems like they are getting ready just in case a season two renewal is around the corner as revealed by Percy Jackson creator Rick Riordan in his personal blog.

    He does highlight that nothing has been green-lit but they have been approved to start work on scripts, which helps production jump straight into the next season once they get the renewal rather than going through the writing process and delaying the next season’s release even more.

    W]e have started work on the writers’ room for season two. This does NOT mean the second season has been green-lit yet. It’s too early for that. But we have been approved to start developing scripts, and I think everyone’s expectation is that a second season will happen if all goes as planned. It sure is exciting to be part of the room, though. We’ve broken down the action of the second ‘Percy Jackson’ book, ‘The Sea of Monsters,’ into a series of episodes, and have begun outlining what the first episodes would look like.

    Rick Riordan

    It’s something that a WGA entry recently hinted at for Netflix’s One Piece, as it might also already working on the scripts for its second season as well. The practice is common as it gives them shorter waiting periods between entries and it mostly means they are working on the basic season outline before finalizing any scripts once there’s a confirmation for the second season.

    Source: Rick Riordan

  • Vincent D’Onofrio Teases a “Very, Very Different” Direction, Confirms Second Season of ‘Daredevil: Born Again’

    Vincent D’Onofrio Teases a “Very, Very Different” Direction, Confirms Second Season of ‘Daredevil: Born Again’

    Production on Marvel Studios Daredevil revival, Daredevil: Born Again recently got underway in New York City, kicking off an ambitious production schedule that is slated to be spread out over the majority of 2023. Over the past week, photos from the set have indicated that the series will be revisiting the childhood of Wilson Fisk, a time that was well established in the Netflix Daredevil series. Star Charlie Cox has already made it clear that Born Again isn’t a fourth season of Daredevil but rather a “whole new deal,” that would provide the opportunity to revisit and retell stories from the Netflix series. Now, for the first time, co-star Vincent D’Onofrio has given his input on how the new series compares to Daredevil.


    “We’ve only just started shooting. I think we’re a couple weeks in, and the show is going to be very, very different than the Netflix show, and it’s so exciting because what we’re doing is quite something.”

    Vincent D’Onofrio

    What exactly will be so different? According to D’Onofrio, Daredevil: Born Again is set to subvert the expectations of the audience.

    I think it’s something that people are not going to expect. But, always with these Marvel old comic stories that are being revisited and reinvented by us actors, and the writers, the main thing is to answer the fans.

    Vincent D’Onofrio

    How will showrunners Matt Corman and Chris Ord pull that off? According to D’Onofrio, by providing an original and emotional take on the characters.

    To give them what they want but try to be original in some way at the same time, and so that’s what we’re doing on the show. It’s definitely an original way to look at this, and it’s really deep, really emotional.

    Vincent D’Onofrio

    Daredevil: Born Again was presented as an 18-episode maxi-series slated for 2024. While the release schedule of any and all Marvel Studios streaming projects remains up in the air while the company restructures a bit under Bob Iger’s renewed leadership, Born Again not only looks to still make its debut in 2024 but also, according to D’Onofrio, already be penciled in for a second season. According to D’Onofrio, fans of the Netflix series may have to play the long game, but by the end of that second season, they’ll get “what they want.”

    And, by the second season, there are gigantic, gigantic payoffs—in the first season, too, but I can’t say much about that—but the fans are gonna really get what they want. It’s really quite cool to be doing it.

    Vincent D’Onofrio

    What is it fans want? If it’s a healthy amount of Cox and Jon Bernthal who is returning as Frank Castle, D’Onofrio has some.good news.

    These are two guys that, just as men and actors themselves, are legitimate people and I love those guys, Jon and Charlie. I just love them. They’re just awesome, good people, and their acting ability speaks for itself. They’re both very good, and it’s nice. It’s always nice to come on a set and you know that the other main actors are as prepared as anybody could be. It shortens the day, and that kind of preparation lends itself to a great scene.

    Vincent D’Onofrio

    As if it weren’t already evident given the 18-episode structure of Season 1, fans are going to have to sit back and let the story of Daredevil: Born Again unfold before they get an idea of exactly what’s going on and how it does or does not connect to the stories told on Netflix. Fortunately, with Bernthal, Cox and D’Onofrio on board, it should be an enjoyable ride.

    Source: Newsweek

  • BTS Photos from the Times Square Set of ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ May Confirm Rumored Plot Point

    BTS Photos from the Times Square Set of ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ May Confirm Rumored Plot Point

    As Daredevil: Born Again continues filming in and around New York City, set photos from the production continue to find their way online, treating fans with plenty of tidbits around which they can speculate. Nothing that’s made its way into the wild thus far has been incredibly spoilery but the latest behind-the-scenes look at the streaming project might be the most interesting yet. The new photos, captured at the Times Square set of the show, seem to confirm one of the longest-standing rumors about the plot of the show, so spoiler-sensitive fans should check out these great pictures of Charlie Cox walking instead.

    In what appears to be a scene ripped right from the pages of 2017’s Daredevil #595, a New Year’s Eve celebration, sponsored by the Pym van Dyne Foundation, seems to be doubling as either a rally or celebration of Wilson Fisk’s mayoral campaign.

    While the majority of the paraphernalia seen at the event bears the Pym van Dyne Foundation logo, a foam fist with “FISK” printed across it can clearly be seen. The Mayor Fisk arc, written by Charles Soule over the course of Daredevil #595-600, see Fisk become Mayor of New York City and launch a crusade against the city’s vigilantes.

    Though no shots have been shared online yet, it’s possible that Vincent D’Onofrio made his way on set last night. While the presence of the Pym van Dyne Foundation merch in the photos may seem like innocuous shared universe minutia, it’s worth pointing out that one of the most interesting fan theories about Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania posit that when the Ant-Family emerges from their adventure in the Quantum Realm, they do so into an alternate universe. That theory may be pretty spot on (Quantumania writer Jeff Loveness indicated it’s “not too far off”) and could open a whole world of possibilities for any project set within that alternate universe, such as explaining how a character like Fisk, who was incarcerated in the Netflix Daredevil series, could end up as Mayor of New York City.

    A previous batch of photos from the Harlem set of Daredevil: Born Again indicated that the series will be visiting a young Wilson Fisk in the 1970s. The Netflix Daredevil series established the childhood trauma of Fisk incredibly well; so well, in fact, one would be excused for wondering why they’d need to revisit it again. However, if it were to establish that this Fisk is one who lives in the same alternate universe the Ant-Family may have entered into. Star Charlie Cox has stated that the new project will offer the opportunity for portions of the characters’ stories told on Netflix to be revisited and retold and perhaps this alternate universe theory could help explain why.

  • Laurence Fishburne Confirms His MCU Return in ‘What If…?’

    Laurence Fishburne Confirms His MCU Return in ‘What If…?’

    Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania skipped out on a few of its iconic characters introduced throughout the first two entries. Sadly, we will have to wait a bit longer to see Laurence Fishburne return as Bill Foster once more, but it seems the wait might not be as long as we may have assumed.

    While promoting John Wick Chapter 4, the actor revealed in an interview with Brandon Pope TV that he voiced his character once again in the upcoming second season of What If…?. While he doesn’t give away any details, it’s great to know that we’ll get a bit more from the actor in the MCU sooner rather than later.

    We’ve wondered if we might see Bill Foster in Thunderbolts, as his adoptive daughter Ava Starr, better known as Ghost, is set to have a major role in the story. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to explore what has happened to the two of them after Ant-Man and the Wasp.

    Of course, there’s still a chance they might add him for a brief appearance or they’ll hint at what happened to the two after the events of that film. Who knows how they were affected by the Blip and if her involvement with the unlikely team is to protect him.

    Either way, it’s great to know that the second season of What If…? will feature another familiar face and we’ll get our first look at an animated Laurence Fishburne. He’s always been an actor who had a great time and perhaps he’ll get to do something a little crazy like finally become Giant Man in the animated spinoff.

    Source: Twitter

  • Michael Gandolfini Teases His ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Character

    Michael Gandolfini Teases His ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Character

    Michael Gandolfini has joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in an undisclosed role for the Disney+ revival/sequel series Daredevil: Born Again. Even with the return of Vincent D’Onofrio and Charlie Cox, there will be something unique that’ll make it stand out from the previous iterations. Gandolfini‘s casting, for example, started a wave of rumors that he might be Wilson Fisk’s son in the upcoming series but in an interview with Collider, Gandolfini could only hint at one aspect of his character.

    I believe all I can say about my character is that my character is from Staten Island, and that’s about it.

    Michael Gandolfini

    While he can’t really divulge any details, Staten Island is certainly an interesting detail. It confirms that he’s a character that is from a New York City borough and might add just that little more weight to him potentially being connected to Fisk. Still, one thing is for sure: Gandolfini is excited to be part of this franchise.

    I mean, it’s incredible. It’s so, so exciting and daunting and everyone is so nice and so talented. I remember getting my first text from the producer, I was driving, and it said, ‘Welcome to the MCU!’ You see that and it just, like, hits you, you know? I teared up, and it’s just like, ‘Oh my God!’ I’m very grateful and lucky.

    Michael Gandolfini

    He also goes on to highlight that he’s “excited to be in Hell’s Kitchen” and we’ll see “the version of Daredevil” that we’ve come to love in the Netflix series not so long ago.

    I think people are going to really be excited to be in Hell’s Kitchen and see the version of Daredevil that everyone knows and loves, but now a part of this much bigger world where all of these other players are now in play, so it’s exciting.

    Michael Gandolfini

    Gandolfini‘s excitement is definitely infectious and it’ll be interesting to see who he is actually playing. If the rumors are true, there’s something interesting about getting to know Fisk through the eyes of his own son. We did meet his adoptive daughter in Alaqua Cox‘s Echo. So, who knows if there was a more sinister side to him that Echo was lucky to avoid.

    Source: Collider

  • Owen Wilson Reveals Timeframe for ‘Loki’ Season 2 Release

    Owen Wilson Reveals Timeframe for ‘Loki’ Season 2 Release

    The once robust 2023 slate of streaming projects for Marvel Studios seems to have been pared down significantly following Bob Iger’s return to Disney. At one point, 5 live-action series were expected to stream in 2023, along with a pair of animated series; however, according to a new trade report, that’s been “narrowed to three or four” with the others moving into “2024 or beyond.” Rumors have the first of those streaming series, Secret Invasion, set to launch in June which is significantly later than its original “Spring” release window. That means the other series, including Season 2 of Loki, have been pushed back as well though it looks like fans may not have to wait too much longer than originally expected.

    Before the big Disney slowdown, the second season of Loki was scheduled for a Summer 2023 release and according to star Owen Wilson, it might still make it despite all the delays. While discussing his appearance in the post-credits scene of Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania in an interview with ET, Wilson said the streaming series should debut around the “end of summer.”

    I guess they have kind of a little shot of Tom Hiddleston and I and Jonathan Majors from Loki season two. And I think that’s coming out end of the summer or September.

    Owen Wilson

    The “end of summer of September” release of Loki Season 2 would also confirm the delay of Echo until late 2023, per showrunner Marion Dayre, as it seems totally inconceivable that Marvel Studios would roll out Secret Invasion, Echo and Loki Season 2 over the course of 3 months. As for what to expect from the second season, Wilson teases that the series is set to “get very wild” following the events of Loki Season 1 and Quantumania which have revealed a whole lot of Kangs out in the Multiverse, none of whom seem to be up to good things!

    Source: ET