Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Interviews

  • EXCLUSIVE: Details on Scrapped ‘Offenders’ Hulu Team-Up Cartoon

    EXCLUSIVE: Details on Scrapped ‘Offenders’ Hulu Team-Up Cartoon

    Once upon a time, Hulu was to be the new home for a slew of adult-oriented Marvel content, specifically an edgy animated team-up show titled the Offenders. Starring a line-up of offbeat characters that included the likes of Howard the Duck, MODOK, Hit-Monkey, Dazzler, and Tigra, the concept never saw the light of day due to Marvel Television shutting down. MODOK and Hit-Monkey, however, managed to survive the ordeal.

    I spoke to Hit-Monkey showrunners Will Speck and Josh Gordon today and asked about what exactly Marvel had in store for an original concept like The Offenders.

    It was a very loose plan. It was the idea that there were a few sidelined characters that could, at some point, join up and that was the vision. One of the original concepts, when they pitched it to Hulu, was, “Let’s design four separate shows that don’t necessarily have plans to combine and find a way to combine them.” We were always in talks with the other showrunners like [MODOK executive producer] Jordan Blum to figure out where the points of intersection were. Stylistically and humor-wise, the shows were never created to resemble each other. We always thought that it was such a cool choice to combine the different styles.

    From the sound of it, it kinda seems like Offenders would have been a show that was unlike any other superhero show currently out there. The idea they had in mind sounds very familiar to a lot of the Adult Swim mashups like Harvey Birdman, Attorney-at-Law and Space Ghost, Coast to Coast; an idiosyncratic marriage of polarizing premises to create a crazy blob of a show.

    As fun as it would have been to see a stop-motion MODOK interact with a 2D Hit-Monkey, it’s hard to imagine a Feige-led Marvel brand agreeing to something this wacky. MODOK, for all its oddities, was actually a well-made show. Saving more of my elaborate thoughts in my review, I’ll say that Hit-Monkey was also a pleasant surprise.

  • EXCLUSIVE: Lia McHugh on Sprite’s Future Within the Marvel Cinematic Universe

    EXCLUSIVE: Lia McHugh on Sprite’s Future Within the Marvel Cinematic Universe

    When most actors sign on to appear in a Marvel Studios film, they do so without a clear idea of how long their character will be around. In the past, Marvel Studios was known to sign actors for six-picture deals, however, that has since changed. Still, it’s hard to imagine most actors don’t envision a future for their characters within the greater Marvel Cinematic Universe at one point or another. For Eternals actor Lia McHugh, she’s unsure of Sprite’s future but seems hopeful.

    In an exclusive interview with Murphy’s Multiverse, McHugh briefly discussed her future as Sprite. While she can’t comment on future appearances, the actress does discuss how she has earned the distinction of being the youngest superhero within the Marvel Cinematic Universe – despite playing a character well over thousands of years old.

    You know, as a kid you sort of daydream about different, crazy things that don’t ever really come true. And I never thought in a million years that I would play a superhero because there’s never really been a kid superhero, especially at this level in the MCU. So, when I got this part, I was absolutely shocked and its been special that I’m the youngest superhero in the MCU. I’ve officially gotten that title. I really can’t comment on any future movies, they don’t tell me anything. So, you probably know more than I do.

    She is open to doing voice work in an animated project, though. When asked if she would voice Sprite in an animated series for Marvel, McHugh kept it simple.

    I mean, I don’t know. I would probably be open to anything.

    Fans can meet McHugh’s Sprite when Eternals hits theaters on Nov. 5.

  • EXCLUSIVE: Lia McHugh Talks About the Casting Process for ‘Eternals’

    EXCLUSIVE: Lia McHugh Talks About the Casting Process for ‘Eternals’

    Marvel Studios’ latest blockbuster, Eternals, will not only tell the story of some of its oldest characters. The film will also debut 10 brand new heroes into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including Lia McHugh‘s Sprite. During an exclusive interview with Murphy’s Multiverse, the young actress briefly discussed the long casting process she endured for the role as Sprite.

    During our one-on-one interview with McHugh, we asked her about the casting process for her role as Sprite in Eternals. Interestingly enough, McHugh revealed she auditioned for Marvel television roles in the past.

    I had auditioned for, I think, a couple of Marvel TV shows when I was a lot younger. So, it was the same studio that I had been to for auditions back when we used to do in-person auditions.

    At the time, McHugh wasn’t entirely sure what she was auditioning for, although she had her suspicions it could be for Marvel again. As we’ve seen in the past, Marvel Studios used fake sides for the casting process, which threw the young actress for a loop.

    I kind of had the idea that it was something for Marvel. I didn’t know what, um, it was weird sides and the description was someone with dark hair, dark eyes. I remember when I went in, I was like ‘Just so you know, I’m willing to dye my hair and wear contacts’.

    Eventually, McHugh was brought in to audition once again. This time, though, she was given real sides, and she realized she was auditioning for the chance to be a superhero.

    I got a callback and then, I think my second round of callbacks, I finally got real sides. “It was one or two scenes… and I was sort of able to figure out who Sprite was by googling and I was like ‘Oh my gosh, this is for an Eternal. I could play a superhero.’

    McHugh would go on to do a massive screentest on a soundstage in front of director Chloé Zhao and the film’s producers, where she found herself feeling nervous. She was told she would hear back within 30 days regarding whether or not she got the part. To her surprise, at the end of the 30 days, she was then flown out to London to do a screen test with Richard Madden at Pinewood Studios.

    I got to go to London for a week before I even got the part, and I got to meet Richard Madden. And then, it was actually my brother’s birthday when we got the call, and they called my mom and she accidentally hung up the phone because she was so nervous. They called back and she woke me up because I was asleep… and we all started crying. It was a very vigorous process.

    It was a long process for the young actress, but luckily, McHugh secured the role as Sprite. Fans can catch McHugh in Marvel Studios’ Eternals when it hits theaters on Nov. 5.

  • EXCLUSIVE: Lia McHugh Was Surprised By Changes Made to ‘Eternals’

    EXCLUSIVE: Lia McHugh Was Surprised By Changes Made to ‘Eternals’

    Major studio films rarely stay the same from start to finish. Whether it be thanks to reshoots or constant script changes, movies are constantly evolving. It would seem Marvel Studios’ newest blockbuster saw plenty of changes, too, throughout production. During an exclusive interview with Murphy’s Multiverse, Eternals star Lia McHugh revealed she was caught off guard by a handful of changes made to the movie between the time of filming and its release. Of course, this is common practice for the House of Ideas. Sometimes it’s meant to keep actors in the dark. Other times, however, the alterations are made to enhance the quality of the film. Either way, statements regarding alterations throughout production have become a recurring statement among those involved with Marvel’s projects. 

    When asked directly if any parts of the final product were a surprise to her, McHugh responded:

    There were a lot of changes… I mean, not a lot. There were a few changes made from when we shot the movie and then a couple things were changed in reshoots.

    While this may not be all too interesting, it’s what she says next that will pique fans’ interest:

    One of the after-credits scenes I was surprised. I watched like a rough cut of the movie before I saw the final cut, and I actually was surprised by a few things. I can’t say too much about it. But yeah, there were a few things that were changed that I was surprised.

    It’s important to note that the up-and-coming actress does not specify what she was surprised by; it could have been because the after-credit scene was changed, or simply because she didn’t know it existed. Either way, it would appear Marvel Studios had a few secrets up its sleeve for both audiences and the cast of Chloe Zhao‘s latest work. 

    Eternals hits theaters on November 5, should fans like to see what surprises McHugh might have been talking about.

  • Brian Tyree Henry Comments On Race And Body Image Informing His Role in ‘ETERNALS’

    Brian Tyree Henry Comments On Race And Body Image Informing His Role in ‘ETERNALS’

    Marvel Studios’ Eternals features a sprawling and diverse cast, with people of multiple ethnicities and backgrounds working both in front of and behind the camera. During a global press conference earlier today, actor Brian Tyree Henry was asked about his knowledge-driven character’s relationship with Earth’s population and what may have had an effect on Phastos’ view of humanity. His intricate response discussed the role race most likely played in Phastos’ view of the world:

    The thing that really attracted me to this part was that I just think about all the images of Black men out there and how we are portrayed. And what I loved the most about Phastos is that, one, he’s an ancestor. All of us are ancestors technically, so Phastos predates everything and had to probably go through all these things which could actually make someone lose faith in humanity very quickly.

    He continues:

    I remember when I was coming to this project that I, Brian, had kind of lost faith in humanity…what the images of black men were and how we were being portrayed and how the power was taken from us. The lack of power, and what I love the most about Phastos is that through all of that, him being Eternal, him never being able to die, he still chose love. He still decided to have a family even though he may have to watch them perish. He still tried to find a way to bring heart and love to everything he did… It just really resonated with me, it really resonated a lot with how I felt my place in society was. Y’know, we can be kings and queens and at the same time they’ll take our pedestal and take our superpowers from us like that. What I love about Eternals is that Chloe and Nate really just re-instilled that power back in me again.

    Henry finished his comments by explaining how much he appreciated not being required to change his body image for the role, something many actors and actresses have had to do in the past:

    I remember the first time they were like “So we want you to be a superhero”, I was like “Well, how much weight do I have to lose?” and Chloe was like “What are you talking about? We want you exactly as you are.” And to be a black man and have someone look at you and say “We want you exactly as you are” is unlike anything I have ever felt.

    Marvel’s Eternals releases in cinemas soon, on November 5, 2021.

  • Richard Madden Calls Ikaris A “Soldier Driven By Love” In Marvel’s ‘ETERNALS’

    Richard Madden Calls Ikaris A “Soldier Driven By Love” In Marvel’s ‘ETERNALS’

    Marvel Studios’ Eternals is set to release to the public in cinemas on November 5, but the press train has already begun to chug down the tracks. In a global press conference earlier today, actor Richard Madden spoke about the internal conflict of his character, Ikaris, as it’s portrayed throughout the film. It’s been known for some time that Eternals would be heavily influenced by the love story between Madden’s hero and Gemma Chan‘s Sersi, and now the leading man has commented directly on how it’s made the experience playing Ikaris different from his previous roles:

    I really loved it. I’m kind of used to playing lovers often, and to play someone who’s such a soldier but is completely driven by love. All his decisions are driven by love and it’s actually him that’s wrestling with that. I’m used to characters who are very focused on their love and that comes out, and with Ikaris it’s the opposite of that. He’s kind of trying to bury that love because it gets in the way of his duty and he’s constantly wrestling the two.

    The former Game of Thrones star continued with an explanation of how this direction for the character made an impact on his portrayal of the role:

    And that’s kind of what made it really interesting for me to pull out that relationship with all the characters, from Sprite to Sersi, and kind of work out what this relationship is when you’re trying to stick to duty but feelings get in the way.

    These quotes go a long way in hinting at the idea that Eternals could be an overwhelmingly human experience, despite focusing mainly on gods and monsters. The film releases shortly, so we won’t have long to find out.

  • EXCLUSIVE: Lucasfilm Interested In More Non-Canon ‘STAR WARS’ Content

    EXCLUSIVE: Lucasfilm Interested In More Non-Canon ‘STAR WARS’ Content

    Canon can be intimidating at times and a 40-year old franchise like Star Wars definitely fits that bill. With dozens of canonical comics published a year, multiple shows, and games within the canon in production, it’s no wonder the non-canon Star Wars: Visions feels like a nice reprieve.

    I spoke with Lucasfilm VP for Franchise Story James Waugh on whether the company has an interest in producing more non-canon content like Visions to which he said:

    It’s something we are interested in. The reason we approached Visions as it was is we wanted to empower specific creators within their process and medium. So much of the stuff you see in Visions… the specificity of anime as a medium justifies a lot of the storytelling. So do I think we could do more none-timeline storytelling? I think under the Visions framework, absolutely. There is a certain joy in having celebratory content that is removed from the gravitas of the canon. We’ll have to see what the fandom wants.

    Judging from the critical and fan response, the verdict for Star Wars: Visions overall has been immensely positive. One of the best things about the show is its accessibility. You need only to have seen A New Hope to get the gist of what the show is all about. Here’s to hoping we get more shows like it.

  • EXCLUSIVE: How A Rock Opera Ended Up On ‘STAR WARS: VISIONS’

    EXCLUSIVE: How A Rock Opera Ended Up On ‘STAR WARS: VISIONS’

    Star Wars: Visions is a celebration of all the Star Wars stories that came before. The season showcases a tapestry of diversified Star Wars stories from the best anime studios in Japan. To promote the show’s release, I got to speak with producers James Waugh and Kanako Shirasaki on what it was like to produce such an incredible project.

    Shirasaki shed some light on the studio selection process and how they landed on the six animation studios.

    We wanted to showcase different Japanese anime styles. So we went to different studios with different histories and backgrounds to show the diversity of anime. We reached out and asked them to submit a pitch. I think they sent a brief idea of their episode. Some studios sent multiple ideas.

    According to Lucasfilm VP of Franchise Content, James Waugh, the pitches the team got had some unexpected ideas including the episode Tattooine Rhapsody, which is the season’s most unique story yet.

    We had always knew we wanted a diverse array of creators. We really worked hard on cracking Visons’ framework to allow for fun celebratory swings and unexpected things you can only get from the anime medium. We saw The Duel first and thought, “This is unbelievably beautiful.” I ended up seeing Tattooine Rhapsody and went, “Whoa. We’re doing a rock opera now?” As that slowly went into script, that turned into a wonderful story.

    I asked Waugh how Tattooine Rhapsody came to be given how it felt the most connected to the Star Wars we’re all familiar with yet also felt unlike anything we’ve seen from this world. No one ever imagined Jabba the Hutt and Boba Fett in a rock opera yet this episode gives us just that.

    It was really their pitch. We help ground it in Star Wars because their storytelling was so appropriate for that point in the timeline and was dealing with things that were established. We knew we could ground it in known fiction because their characters were so well rendered and fresh.

    One of the more striking details of Tattooine Rhapsody are the wildly different character designs. Shirasaki revealed that the studio was anxious when they got first got a look at the episode.

    The initial pitch of the character design was different from what you normally see in Star Wars and that made us skeptical. But it turned out great. I think the Star Wars story about rebels fit in with the punk rock attitude of the episode.

  • EXCLUSIVE: How ‘WHAT IF…?’s Composer Balances Dozens of MCU Themes

    EXCLUSIVE: How ‘WHAT IF…?’s Composer Balances Dozens of MCU Themes

    The MCU may not have the most consistent of iconic musical themes but when they’re iconic, they’re pretty damn iconic. A theme like the Avengers theme has penetrated the zeitgeist in the same way the Superman Donner theme has.

    Being an anthology show about the MCU, What If…? unifies all the themes together to create a tapestry of familiar yet unique sounds. At the center of this is composer Laura Karpman, who shared with us how she balances all the different sounds and melodies of the MCU.

    The great thing about all the themes is they have these wonderful handles you can just grab onto. You see Captain America, you hear Captain America’s theme, and then you move on. If you think about Endgame, that’s the way they’re handled. When somebody appears, you hear their signature, and then move on.

    This season’s Black Panther x Guardians of the Galaxy mashup is the prime example of just how a unified What If…? score could be. It meshes the best of both worlds; Ludwig Gorranson‘s hi-fi tribal soundtrack and Tyler Bates’ cosmic orchestral work. Karpman had this to say about that episode’s particular sound.

    For Episode 2, we took elements of Ludwig Goransson’s wonderful score for Black Panther. So you have a Roland TR-808 sound or an African flute and then you can layer that with the orchestral sounds of Guardians of the Galaxy. And it works in addition to the heist theme that I composed. The references to themes of the MCU are spices in a stew that is quite different.

  • The Hardest Thing About Making ‘WHAT IF…?’

    The Hardest Thing About Making ‘WHAT IF…?’

    Making a Marvel Studios property seems hard on so many levels and an animated show like What If…?, done in the vein of the big MCU films, looks like an impossible feat to accomplish. But the people behind the show do the seemingly impossible and pull off thrilling episodes on a weekly basis.

    In an interview we did with Animation Supervisor Stephan Franck, he shared with us what the toughest part of making What If…? is.

    There are different angles that we try to be mindful of. One of them is the continuity of these characters. Their vibe is well established in the movies and we really try to honor that in these new incarnations of the characters. Connecting to that is very important. Who’s a smartass? Who’s more earnest? Who’s more deadpan? All that stuff.

    Keeping characterization is one thing but making sure the action lives up to the million-dollar action sequences of Avengers: Infinity War or Captain America: The Winter Soldier is another thing. Franck notes that action is something they hone in on.

    We try to be very specific with the action. As you mentioned, the action is crazy and intense. The fighting styles are very specific. Those are things we always look out for making this show.