Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Marvel Movies

  • Chris Hemsworth Reveals His “Favorite Villain” in the MCU

    Chris Hemsworth Reveals His “Favorite Villain” in the MCU

    Through three solo adventures in the MCU, Thor has more often than not found himself facing off with members of his family as primary antagonists. Thor: The Dark World featured Malekith and Kurse, but even there Loki’s machinations featured prominently in the story. Thor: Love and Thunder breaks free of that pattern, bringing one of Thor’s most terrifying villains from Marvel Comics into the MCU: Gorr the God Butcher, played by Academy Award-winning actor Christian Bale. And according to Hemsworth, Bale’s work with the character was so special that he became Hemsworth’s favorite MCU villain.

    He’s my favorite villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and I love everyone I’ve worked with, but this was particularly special.  And a lot to do with what Christian said before, there’s this empathic quality there, there’s a vulnerability.  You kind of find yourself going, oh what’s he’s doing is wrong, but I get the sort of motivation behind it.  And every time you work with someone different, different characters that bring different things out of you, and that was the case here.  And yeah, he did an incredible job. 

    Chris Hemsworth

    It’s high praise indeed, given that Hemsworth’s Thor faced off against his brother, played brilliantly by Tom Hiddleston, his sister Hela and, most notably Thanos, who sent the god of thunder down a dark path. It’s hardly surprising that Bale delivers big in his performance, however, because he’s never been known to mail in a performance. Audiences won’t have long to wait to see where Gorr fits on their lists of favorite MCU villains as Thor: Love and Thunder hits theaters on July 8th.

  • Christian Bale on His Gorr the God Butcher Not Being Comic-Accurate in ‘Thor 4’

    Christian Bale on His Gorr the God Butcher Not Being Comic-Accurate in ‘Thor 4’

    There have been quite a few discussions surrounding why Thor: Love and Thunder moved away from Gorr the God Butcher’s iconic comic design. Many theorized that having Christian Bale involved with the project was one of the decisions, but the actor now offered some insight during the press tour on how they approached the design, most notably due to Bale‘s restrictions after wrapping up another project.

    Yeah, I was coming off of a film where it had been necessary to be sort of rather lacking in muscle. And then I saw the images and thought: “Well, that’s not going to be possible. And this G-string that#s going on there.” He looked in the comic books like physically a, you know, someone to reckon with Thor. And I said: “Well, you know that’s just not going to be possible in the state I’m in.

    Christian Bale

    He goes on to highlight that he only had three days between productions, which is the result of COVID. We’ve seen with many productions that they had less prep time and with VFX houses slammed, it’s not easy for these productions to somehow get their projects out in a meaningful way; which Marvel Studios has found a balance to work with.

    And so we said: “Alright, now we’ll go with the supernatural powers that he does have that he gets from the Necrosword etc, which I think works really effectively.

    He also highlighted that the G-string was already decided not to be part of the film before Bale even sat down with director Taika Waititi. So, it seems that they’ve already decided on some aspects of the design before he joined, but also adapted to his thinner frame due to his previous project. It once again highlights how these productions are far more complicated and also have to adapt when they adapt talent, especially ones as big as Christian Bale.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Doctor Strange 2’ Beats Out ‘Shang-Chi’ and ‘Eternals’ Viewership in First 5 Days on Disney+

    ‘Doctor Strange 2’ Beats Out ‘Shang-Chi’ and ‘Eternals’ Viewership in First 5 Days on Disney+

    It looks like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has been a big release on Disney+ even while it’s still available in theaters. The film has been building up quite a bit over the last few weeks in cinemas, as it’s likely to end its run with at least $950M. While it isn’t a billion, it’s quite the jump from the previous entry and further proves that Marvel Studios has a hold at the box office. Now, they also released the film on Disney+ to grab a home audience and it looks like the film performed quite well.

    According to a study by Samba TV, a third-party analytics company, the film pulled in 2.1M US households that watched the Doctor Strange sequel in its first 5 days of streaming. To put it in perspective, SambaTV reported that Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Teen Rings pulled in around 1.7M viewers back in November. Eternals also pulled in a strong 2M which now puts Doctor Strange on top with 2.1M.

    It needs to be pointed out that this value is only a temporary look and might not truly represent how these projects are truly performing. Still, from a third-party perspective, it does seem like the project is doing quite well. 2M viewership seems to be the core audience for Marvel films, which is a curious benchmark for future projects. These numbers could be quite a bit higher due to it relying on Samba TV’s household panels but it at least offers us a little glimpse of how our favorite projects are performing.

    Source: Twitter (Strange), Twitter (Shang-Chi), Twitter (Eternals)

  • Emma Roberts Joins the Cast of ‘Madame Web’

    Emma Roberts Joins the Cast of ‘Madame Web’

    The cast of Sony’s Madame Web has grown again, this time adding Emma Roberts in another undisclosed role. Roberts joins Dakota Johnson, Isabel Merced, Celeste O’Connor and Sydney Sweeney in the Sony film.

    With so many unknowns about the film and the cast continuing to expand, it’s hard to even speculate about what character Roberts may be playing. It’s believed that Johnson will be playing Julia Carpenter, the second character to go by Madame Web in the comics. Rumors around Sweeney’s character range from Silver Sable to Black Cat to Gwen Stacy, while fans are convinced that Merced will play Anya Corazon. One thing is certain, however, Sony is loading up the film, to be directed by S.J. Clarkson, with major talent.

    In the comics, Madame Web was originally an older woman, Cassandra Webb, who possessed precognitive powers. Webb passed her powers, and the moniker, on to Julia Carpenter who held down the role during many major Spider-themed comic events. Madame Web will follow Venom, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Morbius and the recently wrapped Kraven the Conservationist in Sony’s ever-expanding universe of Marvel films.

    Source: Deadline

  • RUMOR: ‘Blade’ Production Start Delayed Until Fall

    RUMOR: ‘Blade’ Production Start Delayed Until Fall

    There have been many theories on when exactly the upcoming Blade film may star production. Mahershala Ali has been attached for some time and there was no real update on where the project exactly is heading. Just recently, we got our first big casting announcement in a while with The Wonder Years‘ Milan Ray, who joined the production in a key role. Now, it seems that they may be inching closer to an actual production start if the new rumor is to be believed.

    In a new piece by The Cosmic Circus, they hint that production is now eyeing a start in October. It seems they will be heading to Atlanta to film at Tyler Perry Studios. They may also be considering filming in New Orleans and Morocco, but the latter is unsure at this moment. Of course, as we’ve seen in the past, these production start dates can shift once again so we’ll have to see if it remains with October.

    Blade may be one of Marvel Studiois’ most “adult” characters they’ve added to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While it’s unclear what direction they are going with the character, especially with Ray‘s casting adding some curious rumors based on a character that never made its way into the comics. Still, if Ali was the one to approach Kevin Feige to bring this character to life, he may already have a clear vision how to tackle this character, and it’s going to be exciting to see what the future has in store.

    Source: Cosmic Circus

  • ‘Doctor Strange 2’ Director Offers Details on 616 Mordo’s Grisly Fate

    ‘Doctor Strange 2’ Director Offers Details on 616 Mordo’s Grisly Fate

    There has long been a rumored sequence teased where Mordo would take on Wanda Maximoff in an earlier draft of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. During the commentary track from the latest digital release, as shared by Insider, director Sam Raimi reveals just how that sequence was going to end up. It looks like he was going to face a terrible fate and already hint at the brutal takedowns Wanda was going to execute upon the Illuminati.

    Michael had written an early scene with Chiwetel where we saw him in our universe, 616, where he was the Mordo that we knew from ‘Doctor Strange 1.’ Only he had been through many battles since that. He had a limp, and he was coming after the Scarlet Witch to take her power because he knew she was dark and terribly corrupted by the Darkhold. She killed him and cut off his head. Presented it to Strange in a later scene.

    Sam Raimi

    While praising the work by writer Michael Waldron, he does reveal that it slowed down the beginning and it was the reason it was dropped from the script. It also would’ve given away her dark turn quite early on and the mystery did add a little something special early on.

    What seemed like a sequence that would be dragged out throughout the film was swiftly pushed to the side and we got some creative creature designs. Plus, it kept us on edge when the actual takedown happens during the meeting with the Illuminati. Plus, it also keeps Mordo’s fate open and not just kill him off before truly exploring his rivalry with Strange more.

    Source: Insider

  • ‘Doctor Strange 2’ Producer on Making the Mr. Fantastic Fan Cast a Reality

    ‘Doctor Strange 2’ Producer on Making the Mr. Fantastic Fan Cast a Reality

    John Krasinski joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the role he’s been fan-cast ever since an image made the rounds of him looking like Mr. Fantastic from the comics. Many years later, he would arrive in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as part of the Illuminati. Many wondered if this opens up the potential of him taking on the role in the mainline MCU, but while it’s not confirmed, producer Richie Palmer revealed why he was cast in the commentary track (as quoted by The Direct).

    It’s so funny that Kevin [Feige] cast John [Krasinski] because the fans had a dream of who the perfect Reed Richards would be. And because this is an alternate universe, I think Kevin said, ‘Let’s make that dream come true.’ I’ve always really enjoyed all of his performances.’

    Richie Palmer

    It’s something that once again highlights just how much Marvel Studios listens to fans and it’s incredible that they were able to make it a reality. Krasinski and Marvel Studios have not given away if there’s a future for him with the franchise, but it definitely was a cameo alongside Anson Mount‘s return as Black Bolt that had many excited for the future of these characters.

    They also confirmed that Mr. Fantastic uses Doctor Doom’s Time Platform to appear in the sequences, which many theorized due to the visual design that is also not too different from the TVA’s transportation device. So, we may see more of it moving forward, and here’s hoping we ‘ll get more teases of the Fantastic Four joining the MCU at one point.

    Source: The Direct

  • ‘Doctor Strange 2’ Producer Highlights Wanda and Strange’s Importance to the MCU’s Phase 4

    ‘Doctor Strange 2’ Producer Highlights Wanda and Strange’s Importance to the MCU’s Phase 4

    Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been an interesting experience for many. Each project has been a bit more self-contained without a clear build-up, outside of Loki‘s set-up of what is very likely the final conflict of this new saga, and has led to some confusion about what the future has in store. Without an Avengers film on the horizon, many wondered when these newly introduced heroes would truly unite and who will take on the key roles that Steve Rogers and Tony Stark had in the Infinity Saga.

    Well, producer Richie Palmer has highlighted that “Doctor Strange is the anchor of Phase 4” and “Wanda Maximoff is the jewel in the crown.” Especially Elisabeth Olsen‘s time as Wanda has gone through a major shift with her tale in WandaVision and turn to villainy in the Doctor Strange sequel (transcript provided by The Direct). He highlights them as follows:

    Yeah, it’s crazy to see Wanda act like this for the first time, it’s so exciting. And for fans of the comics, we were so excited to bring this to screen and finally deliver on the promise. Once you introduce the character of the Scarlet Witch, even before she was the Scarlet Witch, we introduced her in Age of Ultron, there was always the hope that we can bring her to this place of her doing things like [infiltrating Kamar Taj]. And it’s really exciting, and she is the best. If Doctor Strange is the anchor of the MCU of Phase 4, then Wanda Maximoff is the jewel in the crown.

    Richie Palmer

    While he doesn’t point to their role in the new saga, which Kevin Feige has teased may become clearer in the coming months. They are seemingly building up towards a Secret Wars crossover which would require some of the strongest universe-defying characters to bring some logic to it. So, who knows if perhaps the remnants of the Dakrhold are the incursion that was just waiting to unleash them unto Battleworld.

    Source: The Direct

  • Taika Waititi Struggled Balancing ‘Our Flag Means Death’ and Editing ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’

    Taika Waititi Struggled Balancing ‘Our Flag Means Death’ and Editing ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’

    Taika Waititi has been quite busy as of late. Besides producing various projects, he’s also been trying to get some projects going that sadly wouldn’t move forward, like a live-action Akira but ended up focusing on directing Thor: Love and Thunder. Yet, he was also involved in playing Blackbeard in the HBO Max series Our Flag Means Death. Turns out, he may have overestimated the projects after all and ended up editing while still in costume.

    In an interview with SlashFilm, the Love and Thunder director talked about it being the first project where he was asked to take on the role. It seems that David Jenkins had him in mind when creating the seris’ take on Blackbeard, and somehow they made it work out that he was able to take on the role.

    This is one of the rare occasions where I didn’t put myself in my own thing; someone else asked me to do it. David Jenkins wrote Blackbeard with me in mind and, at first, I was just too busy to do it. But with some shuffling of schedules, we were able to do it, which was great because I really wanted to play the role. I would have been really bummed out if I had missed out on it.

    Taika Waititi

    He highlights how he would end up editing the project at night after playing Blackbeard

    I was Blackbeard by day and then was editing ‘Thor’ by night and doing various other things. I was trying to work from set with the shaggy hair and the beard. It was a management nightmare, but we pulled it off and it was probably one of my favorite roles that I’ve played because it’s something I didn’t have to write so I could bring a lot of myself to it.

    Taika Waititi

    The irony of two unique love stories overlapping production is a curious fate, but it may have helped develop them. While he does call it a “management nightmare” it seems that he certainly is passionate about both projects. So, we’re the lucky ones to get to see him bring Blackbeard to life and Love and Thunder.

    Source: SlashFilm

  • Don’t Expect the Multiverse in ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’

    Don’t Expect the Multiverse in ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’

    In an interview with Total Film, director Taika Waititi got the chance to discuss some of the theories that have run rampant ever since the first time he announced that Natalie Portman was going to become the Mighty Thor. Some believed that they may be a version from the multiverse, as many other projects like Loki, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness start expanding beyond the Sacred Timeline. Yet, while there wasn’t a clear confirmation, Waititi confirmed that this is definitely not part of the expanding multiverse.

    While he said that he “[likes] the idea of the Multiverse,” he wants to make clear that this film is “the singular-verse” part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and that “nothing like that in this film.” Though he does highlight that he wanted this project to stand out from the rest as it also focuses quite a bit more on romance, which isn’t too surprising with a title like Love and Thunder.

    ”I feel like this one feels more original and unique, and stands apart from a lot of other Marvel films because of that element of love, and leaning into that idea of what love means for all these characters. You never go to those superhero movies to see a movie about love. It’s a preposterous answer. No fan wants to see that. But as I said with the last film,  they don’t know what they want until they get it.

    Taika Waiti

    So, if you’ve been wondering if we’ll explore the multiverse in the upcoming film, here’s your clear confirmation that won’t be the cast. Some might not be too excited for a romance subplot in the MCU again, as they were mostly sidelined for the main story but it does seem like Waititi had an idea to make it stand out.

    Source: Total Film via The Direct