Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Film

  • ‘Mortal Kombat’: First Look at Nitara Revealed

    ‘Mortal Kombat’: First Look at Nitara Revealed

    We’ve been anxiously awaiting the next attempt at a live-action adaptation of Mortal Kombat. The franchise found its footing on the silver screen in 1995. As technology wasn’t as advanced at the time, they focused on specific characters that wouldn’t be easy to adapt. Plus, the roster has only grown since then, as the game franchise is already on its eleventh incarnation. When they started advertising the film, we got a slew of character posters that revealed the massive roster. Yet, eagle-eyed viewers noticed that the trailers were hiding some secrets. It wasn’t until later that we got our first look at Cabal. Well, it seems one more classic fighter is joining the upcoming film, as Greg Russo has revealed our first look at Nitara:

    The character made her debut in 2002’s Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance. She is a vampire that preys on the life of others, similar to Shang Tsung. Unlike him, she requires blood rather than soul energy. It looks like her live-action design will keep the iconic wings, but her body seems covered in something. There is a chance that she might be able to transform. So, we’ve only gotten a glimpse at her true form. Hopefully, she’ll still stick to her gothic design from the games, or at least they pay tribute to it. The character is neutral and doesn’t serve anyone. It’ll be interesting to see how large a role she might have, but if they didn’t even give her an official announcement, she might be one of the many Fatality victims throughout the film.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘007: No Time to Die’s Cary Fukunaga Adapting Rick Remender’s ‘TOKYO GHOST’

    ‘007: No Time to Die’s Cary Fukunaga Adapting Rick Remender’s ‘TOKYO GHOST’

    The list of comic book adaptations in development continues to grow. Rick Remender‘s Tokyo Ghost is a classic cyberpunk comic. It takes place in a futuristic Los Angeles and in the garden nation of Tokyo. It is getting adapted to the big screen with Cary Fukunaga (007: No Time to Die) set to direct. Hollywood Reporter also confirmed that Fukunaga will serve as producer with Remender penning the script.

     

     

    The series, originally published by Image Comics, came out in 2015 and ended after its 10th issue. The story told in comic form is certainly something that, due to its structure, might allow for the development of not one but two movies. The original series ended with a massive cliffhanger. One might assume that it could go beyond the original story in subsequent chapters could become a reality. As a fan of the series, I certainly hope so.

    Remender also worked on 2018’s Deadly Class, a series adapting one of his best comic series. It got produced by the Russo Brothers that sadly got canceled after just one season. Ever since, it gathered a considerable following after being made available through Netflix, which allowed it to reach a larger audience. Fear Agent, another of Remender’s comics, is also being adapted by Seth Rogen’s production company for Amazon. He remains one of the most prolific comic book writers of the past decade. has developed several brilliant independent series (Black Science, Death or Glory, and Low, Scumbag to name a few) as well as a few books for Marvel, being one of the minds behind giving Sam Wilson the Captain America shield, something being currently developed in Disney+’s Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

    Source: Hollywood Reporter

  • Netflix Announces ‘BRZRKR’ Sequel Anime and Live-Action Adaption

    Netflix Announces ‘BRZRKR’ Sequel Anime and Live-Action Adaption

    Keanu Reeve has been on a hot streak for some time now. The man has become unstoppable as a movie star. He recently even played Johnny Silverhand in Cyberpunk: 2077 and even wrote his comic book. Just two weeks ago, the first issue of BRZRKR hit the shelves, a story about an immortal warrior known as “B.” He has been around for over 80,000 years, fighting through wars across history, who just so happens to be half-mortal and half-god. In the modern era, he has become an operative for the US government, who fights the battles no one else wants. Now, he is hellbent on uncovering the secret to his neverending life. 

    Netflix has acquired the rights to the new comic book series, which has already sold a whopping 615,000 units according to its publisher, Boom! Comics. Netflix will develop a live-action adaption alongside a sequel series in the form of an Anime. It’ll serve as a follow-up to the comic that will run for twelve issues. Reeves is also set to star in both projects, as the character’s likeness is based on his own.

     

    BRZRKR’s first issue has hit shelves two weeks ago. The story was developed by Reeves, who worked on it alongside Matt Kindt. As these new projects are early in development, they currently have no release date. So, it’s the perfect time to explore the BRZRKR universe.

    Source: THR, Twitter

  • Haley Bennett Joins Eli Roth’s ‘Borderlands’ Film

    Haley Bennett Joins Eli Roth’s ‘Borderlands’ Film

    The Borderlands film has been a shock to many. There is a negative stigma surrounding the very idea of video game movies. There have been exceptions, but their track record hasn’t been motivating. Maybe in the coming years, that’ll finally change. Something feels different with this one. The film has managed to acquire a large cast for what’s sure to be a volatile and deranged adventure on the planet of Pandora. We recently broke the exclusive on the film seeking an aged-up version of the popular character, Mad Moxxi. Now, it seems that they are expanding with a brand new character

    The Hillbilly Elegy and The Devil All The Time star Haley Bennett has officially joined the production. She will play a brand new character. According to the description, she will be “the key to Cate Blanchett’s character, Lillith.” For those who don’t know, Lillith is a being with incredible and mysterious powers. She belongs to the famous Sirens, who are covered in tattoos. It is also interesting to note that only six can exist at a time. As IGN points out, Bennet could get connected to how Lillith gains her abilities. It is also interesting that they

    Borderlands is set to be directed by Eli Roth, with a star-studded cast that includes Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Florian Monteau, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Ariana Greenblat. Plot details are currently under wraps, but considering it’s a Borderlands movie, we’ll probably see them crack a vault or two.

    Source: IGN

  • ‘MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 7’ Adds Five New Cast Members

    ‘MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 7’ Adds Five New Cast Members

    The cast of Christopher McQuarrie‘s seventh Mission: Impossible film has grown by a quintuple. All five new cast members were revealed by McQuarrie on Instagram, alongside teaser images hinting at their character’s roles. The group consists of Cary Elwes, Indira Varma, Rob Delaney, Charles Parnell, and Mark Gatiss. They join an already jaw-dropping ensemble headlined by franchise star Tom Cruise, who is returning alongside Angela Bassett, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg, and Ving Rhames. The adventure flick will follow up on the events of 2018’s wildly successful Mission: Impossible – Fallout, which became a popular topic of conversation due in large part to its impressive action sequences and Henry Cavill‘s arm pumping. It will film back-to-back with an untitled eighth installment, which again will be directed by McQuarrie.

    The exact nature of their roles is currently unknown. Fans of the series should be excited to welcome such a wealth of talent to the cast’s ranks. Elwes is best known for his portrayal of Wesley in the cult hit The Princess Bride and has since found steady work in cult-hit projects like USA Network’s detective show Psych. As for Varma, she made a name for herself in the popular HBO drama Game of Thrones and recently joined the cast of Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi limited series. Delaney is something of a social media celebrity who charmed audiences with his bright smile and bushy mustache in Fox’s Deadpool 2. Famed British actor Gatiss has his following as both a writer and actor in the BBC’s Sherlock and Doctor Who series. Rounding out the newcomers is Parnell, who can be found on television with roles in TNT’s The Last Ship and ABC’s soap All My Children.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • EXCLU: HBO’s ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’ Eyeing a May Production Start in NYC

    EXCLU: HBO’s ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’ Eyeing a May Production Start in NYC

    Love is a tale as old as time. In 2003, Audrey Niffenegger tested its timelessness with her novel, The Time Traveler’s Wife. It told the story of Henry, who has a gene that makes him involuntarily travel through time. Of course, his absence strains his relationship with his wife, Claire. The story got adapted into a film back in 2009 by Warner Bros.’s New Line division. Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana were in the leading roles.

    Steven Moffat, the creator of BBC’s Sherlock and former Doctor Who showrunner, plans to adapt the story once more for HBO. The series still has no release date, but we learned that HBO is eyeing a May production start. It looks like the production is planning to film in New York City. It is uncertain if they plan to change the book’s location from Chicago to the Big Apple. There is also the chance that as he travels through time, he may arrive in different locations at various points in time, so anything is possible.

     

     

    Moffat has been an avid fan of the story, as it was the inspiration for the Doctor Who episode, “The Girl in the Fireplace.” Of course, his experience with time travel shows will be a great help with the drama. He will serve as writer and producer for the series alongside executive producers Sue Vertue and Brian Minchin. Moffat gets the chance to adapt a story he adores, which is always an exciting prospect. It makes you wonder if he’ll also sneak in a few references to his previous work.

    Source: HBO, Deadline

  • Uncovering the Real Identity of Lewis Tan’s Cole Young in ‘Mortal Kombat’

    Uncovering the Real Identity of Lewis Tan’s Cole Young in ‘Mortal Kombat’

    After a long wait, the Mortal Kombat trailer has finally released. It gave us a good look at the various iconic characters from gaming history in live-action. Not just that, but the trailer teased introduced us to a new character that is new to the franchise that started in 1992. Lewis Tan is playing a man named Cole Young, who seems to have a relevant role in the story. They don’t give away any real details besides the strange dragon birthmark on his chest. They are making a big deal to include this newcomer to such a degree he even got a motion poster alongside MK legacy characters. Lewis Tan is a great actor and a perfect addition to the franchise. It would make sense they want to highlight his inclusion. Yet, it makes you wonder: is there more to this character that they are teasing?

    https://twitter.com/MKMovie/status/1361997570776698880?s=20

    Unlike the first film adaptation, the film seems to be taking a unique direction with the story and isn’t jumping straight into the iconic tournament. It got teased briefly with a shot that alludes to the great Kung Lao, who won the last entry, but it seems the main focus is the ongoing conflict with Sub-Zero. He destroyed Jax’s arms, and it looks like there is a personal vendetta. What stands out is that there is a brief mention that Cole shares the same birthmark with their primary suspect, which implies a connection to Sub-Zero. What makes this so interesting is that they hide the iconic blue ninja’s identity in the trailers. Fans of the games will know that there are two that took on the role. Bi-Han was the first to hold the mantle before his younger brother Kuai Liang took over. It seems to imply that Cole might end up being Kuai, who got separated from Bi-Han at a young age. The big fight between Sub-Zero and Scorpion in an icy landscape reveals a third player, who seems to be Cole.

     

     

    It almost seems like Sub-Zero was after him before Hanzo Hasashi uttered the iconic line to pull him back. We know that these two continue the fight in some manner, so there is a chance that there is a running red herring about who is trying to protect Cole. Scorpion also plays a role in the character’s backstory. Earlier in the trailer, we briefly see Cole staring into the mirror before getting interrupted by a range premonition with Scorpion. It seems to imply that Cole might have some connection to those events. So, as a result of the attack, Cole was cast out from the Lin Kuei, Sub-Zero’s clan. Perhaps Hasashi took his vengeance on the Chinese assassins for killing his family, and Bi-Han tried to hide his brother’s identity so he wouldn’t get targeted. The conflict between the two iconic ninjas may be at the center of this film’s story.

     

     

    It would explain why the story moved away from focusing on Liu Kang, who usually is the stories’ protagonist. They want to switch it up and explore Cole to uncover his history. Perhaps he even learns to master his abilities. If they follow the game’s, Bi-Han’s fate may also be the motivation why Cole will enter the Mortal Kombat tournament. The battle between Scorpion and Sub-Zero has become a staple for the franchise, so they will probably continue fighting in future sequels. Sub-Zero’s introduction as a villain could lead to his potential downfall and future as a specter of darkness. His rivalry with Scorpion and his brother is one of the most iconic storylines of the franchise. It would make sense to try something new and focus on that development instead of going the usual destined warrior route with Liu Kang. I am excited to see which direction they are heading with this franchise once the reboot premieres in April.

    Source: Twitter, YouTube

  • Edgar Wright Set to Direct a Remake of Stephen King’s ‘The Running Man’

    Edgar Wright Set to Direct a Remake of Stephen King’s ‘The Running Man’

    Edgar Wright is nothing if not booked and busy. The director, who has spent the past two decades at the helm of many cult favorites, will add a high-profile remake to his growing list of upcoming projects. Deadline revealed that Wright will take over directing duties on Paramount’s The Running Man, a live-action adaptation of Stephen King‘s novel. It’s the story of a man named Ben Richards, who participates in a futuristic reality show in which contestants are chased by “Hunters” tasked with killing them. The book got previously adapted in 1987, with a film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger in the title role. Michael Bacall, who co-wrote Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, will write the Running Man script for his longtime creative partner. They hope to bring the story into a new age with a more faithful retelling of the science fiction classic.

    Since the beginning of 2020, Wright‘s name got attached to multiple different film projects. He is also set to direct an adaptation of Set My Heart to Five, another science fiction tale about an android dentist who learns to feel human emotion by watching old movies. The famous director will also tackle a version of the thriller novel The Chain. Additionally, Wright has actively assured fans that he is working on the script for a sequel to 2017’s action flick Baby Driver, the last movie the director has managed to drop in theaters. His first venture into the horror genre, Last Night in Soho, was originally going to land in cinemas last year but has since been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and is now scheduled for an October 2021 premiere.

    Source: IndieWire

  • First ‘Mortal Kombat’ Promises R-Rated Action

    First ‘Mortal Kombat’ Promises R-Rated Action

    It has been a long wait but finally, the first trailer to Warner Bros.’s latest adaptation of the iconic Mortal Kombat franchise has been released. Originally the film was going to debut in January but was postponed, while the production company tried to figure out how to approach the upcoming year. Now, it is included in WB’s new hybrid strategy, where they premiere their entire 2021 line-up simultaneously on HBO Max and in theaters.

     

    https://twitter.com/MKMovie/status/1362432505236783105?s=20

     

    The trailer starts with a bank, as we see poor Jax’s defeat at the hands of Sub-Zero. It includes teases of the film’s impressive cast of characters from the game. Lewis Tan is also playing an original character that will be introduced as the viewer’s surrogate. It also looks like Kano might have a very different role once the film starts, as we see him on the side of Earthrealm. He is famous for betraying people, so they might have some larger plans moving forward.

    The trailer certainly promises some great-looking action sequences. It also stayed true to Mortal Kombat traditions by having Sub-Zero and Skorpion fight each in the first trailer. It also confirms that they will embrace the R-rating that made the franchise so iconic and controversial back in the day. The moment Sub-Zero turns blood into a frozen dagger was a really impressive showcase of what is possible with these characters. We also got a variety of character posters some time ago, which highlighted the film’s massive cast. I cannot wait to see it when it premieres on April 16th.

    Source: Twitter

  • Donald Glover Leaves FX For Multi-Year Contract with Amazon

    Donald Glover Leaves FX For Multi-Year Contract with Amazon

    Fans of superstar Donald Glover often find themselves discussing his long list of accomplishments. It looks like they can add another multi-year contract to that list. The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that Glover has exited his previous arrangement with Disney and FX to enter a contract with Amazon, which is reportedly worth eight-figures. The deal includes multiple projects, which will air as part of a content channel that is dedicated to Glover. His brother Stephen Glover, frequent writing partner and co-creator of Atlanta, also signed over to Amazon as part of the deal. The first content to come out of the signing will most likely be a new Mr. and Mrs. Smith reboot, which was announced via Instagram only days ago. Glover will be joined by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who skyrocketed to stardom with Amazon’s hit Fleabag.

    In addition to starring in various projects, the actor-musician will also produce several new series. One of these is in early development, which will go by Hive. The show will center around a Beyonce-like figure and includes former First Daughter Malia Obama as part of the writing staff. Hive‘s showrunner will be Janine Nabers, who is best known for her work on HBO’s Watchmen. 

    Luckily for fans, this move will not affect the fan-favorite show, Atlanta. The Emmy-award-winning FX series already got renewed for two more seasons. The third season will enter production in March. It’s been almost three years since the second season aired in 2018. Luckily, Glover took to his social media recently to ensure viewers that writing for the future of the show is going very well. The next seasons are aiming to air back-to-back.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline