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Tag: Marvel News

  • Ryan Coogler Reveals Original Plot of ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

    Ryan Coogler Reveals Original Plot of ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

    It’s not a secret that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the highly-anticipated follow-up to 2017’s Black Panther, was forced to undergo some changes in 2020. With production on the project already well underway, star Chadwick Boseman passed away unexpectedly from illness. As a result, changes had to be made to the story to account for his absence, leading to a very grief-focused sequel. Since the first plot details began to release on Wakanda Forever, fans have wondered what the film might have looked like before it lost Boseman’s King T’Challa. According to co-writer and director Ryan Coogler, it really wasn’t all that different.

    Speaking to Inverse during a recent interview, the acclaimed creative revealed that Wakanda Forever was always going to be about grief. The main difference in the original script, however, was the subject of the lead’s regret. In the finished product, audiences will see Letitia Wright’s Shuri and Angela Bassett’s Queen Ramonda grieving the loss of their loved one, while in the initial version of the movie, it would have been Boseman’s T’Challa grieving the loss of time.

    The tone was going to be similar. The character was going to be grieving the loss of time, you know, coming back after being gone for five years. As a man with so much responsibility to so many, coming back after a forced five years absence, that’s what the film was tackling. He was grieving time he couldn’t get back. Grief was a big part of it.

    Ryan Coogler

    Black Panther was one of many heroes who turned to dust in 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War, before returning to life the next year in Avengers: Endgame. It seems that the original take on Wakanda Forever would have joined the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase 4 in dealing with the fallout of “The Blip.” As for Namor, the new film’s antagonist who strikes as Wakanda is at its most vulnerable, Coogler confirms he was always part of the story:

    There were other characters, for sure, that we considered including. Namor was always there.

    Ryan Coogler

    Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hits theaters on November 11th.

    Source: Inverse

  • Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in Talks for ‘Wonder Man’

    Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in Talks for ‘Wonder Man’

    Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is in talks to star in the Wonder Man series for Disney+ and Marvel Studios. The news was revealed on Monday by Deadline with the outlet reporting that the actor is officially in talks for the titular role. News of the actor’s casting comes after he was reported as being up for the role in the past few weeks.

    Abdul-Mateen, who currently portrays DC’s Black Manta in the Aquaman films has also starred in HBO’s Watchmen, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Nia DaCosta‘s Candyman, and The Matrix Resurrections where he played Morpheus. He’s currently coming off the Suzan Lori Parks play Topdog/Underdog where he’s earned rave reviews for his performance. He’ll join the previously announced Ben Kingsley in Wonder Man, who is set to reprise his role as Trevor Slattery.

    Wonder Man hails from Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings director Destin Daniel Cretton, who is executive producing the project, and Andrew Guest (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), who will serve as the head writer on the series. While not yet set in stone, Cretton, who is also on board Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, could potentially direct an episode or more, too.

    As of note, Wonder Man does not have a release date on Disney+.

    Source: Deadline.

  • William Jackson Harper Joins ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’

    William Jackson Harper Joins ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’

    After rumors circulated suggesting William Jackson Harper had joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the trades confirmed his casting on Thursday evening. Harper will make his MCU debut in the upcoming Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which dropped its first trailer earlier this week. The Good Place actor will appear in a mysterious role that Marvel Studios is keen to keep under wraps.

    Harper will appear along returning stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michelle Pfeiffer and Michael Douglas, as well as newcomer Kathryn Newton who will appear as Cassie Lang. The movie will see the group enter the Quantum Realm, where they’ll come face-to-face with the threatening Kang the Conqueror played by Jonathan Majors. Majors, of course, made his first appearance as Kang in the Disney+ series, Loki.

    Outside of The Good Place, where he played Chidi Anagonye, Harper has appeared in Midsommar, The Underground Railroad, and Love Life. He is next set to appear in Cory Finley’s sci-fi film Landscape with Invisible Hand, and he’ll lend his voice to the Daria spinoff, Jodie.

    Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania will hit theaters on Feb. 17, 2023.

    Source: Variety.

  • RUMOR: Dr. Doom Will Not Be ‘Fantastic Four’ Villain

    RUMOR: Dr. Doom Will Not Be ‘Fantastic Four’ Villain

    When Marvel Studios regained the rights to Fox’s roster of characters in 2019, speculation began to run rampant. Starting with its fourth “Phase,” the Marvel Cinematic Universe would be able to include everyone from the X-Men to the Silver Surfer in its films and series, and fans couldn’t wait for their favorite heroes and villains to be introduced. At the top of most people’s wish lists, however, was perhaps the greatest villain ever to grace the page. In the minds of fans, Dr. Victor Von Doom, played by Julian McMahon and Toby Kebbell in previous failed attempts at bringing the baddie to life, had a shot at big screen redemption in the next Fantastic Four. Unfortunately, if the latest rumor from Jeff Sneider is true, that won’t exactly be the case.

    In the latest episode of Sneider’s video series Hot Mic, the insider claims that Dr. Doom will not be the antagonist in 2025’s reboot of Marvel’s first family. Instead, he says, Doom will be introduced in the film’s mid-credits scene, setting the villain up for a bigger role in the future of the franchise. If correct, that kicks the door open for a brand-new villain to take the reigns as the Fantastic Four’s initial challenge. Doom has been used as the main threat in both previous live-action origin stories, although he was not part of the group’s first outing in the comics. That honor belonged to the Mole Man, who has yet to appear on film. Perhaps this will be the classic villain’s chance to nab the spotlight, or maybe Kevin Feige and Matt Shakman will opt for something a little crazier – like a trip to the Negative Zone and a bout with Annihilus. Fans will have to wait and find out.

    Source: Hot Mic

  • Marvel Studios Releases Official Synopsis for ‘Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania’

    Marvel Studios Releases Official Synopsis for ‘Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania’

    Along with a first-look teaser and a poster for their upcoming 2023 film, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quatumania, Marvel Studios has released a synopsis for the Peyton Reed-helmed project.

    In the film, which officially kicks off phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Super-Hero partners Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) return to continue their adventures as Ant-Man and the Wasp. Together, with Hope’s parents Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), the family finds themselves exploring the Quantum Realm, interacting with strange new creatures and embarking on an adventure that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought was possible. Jonathan Majors joins the adventure as Kang. Director Peyton Reed returns to direct the film; Kevin Feige and Stephen Broussard produce. 

    News of the development of Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania was first broken in October 2019. COVID put the project on hold, but it has always been intended to be a MAJOR movie, as reported here.

  • Barry Keoghan Hasn’t Heard of Any Future ‘Eternals’ Plans

    Barry Keoghan Hasn’t Heard of Any Future ‘Eternals’ Plans

    As we near the first anniversary of Eternals’ theatrical release, there remains no word on what the future of the franchise is. And based on the words of Barry Keoghan (who starred as Druig in the film), the stars of the original film don’t know either. While discussing his upcoming role in The Banshees of Inisherin with Uproxx, the actor spoke about how he hasn’t heard anything about his future with Marvel Studios and who he’s relied on to keep up to date with this sort of news.

    Kumail (Nanjiani) is always the one I’m texting. I’m like, “Yo, have you heard anything on Eternals 2?” Kumail knows everything. You know what I mean? He loves comic books. The comic world…I’m always texting him like about San Diego Comic-Con. I’m like, “Hey, are we going to San Diego for Eternals?” but I’d love to see where it goes. I really would.

    Barry Keoghan

    Eternals was one of the few notable Marvel franchises that did not have any news come out of San Diego Comic-Con or the immediate following weeks. Based on the ever-dwindling amount of open slots within the Multiverse Saga of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it could end up being a while before the team returns to screens. And with that, Barry Keoghan has expressed curiosity in terms of where the story will go next.

    There’s a lot that we could dive into and there’s a lot of character stories that we can go with and that as well. So I will be curious to see where Kevin (Feige), Victoria Alonso, and they all take it.

    Barry Keoghan

    When speaking about the specific process of making the first Eternals film, Keoghan gave high praise to director Chloe Zhao and how she helmed the film. As well, he brings up his desire to work with Zhao again for a future project.

    It was shot and made, you really get, with the characters, it sort of felt like an independent movie at some points as well. But she’s amazing. Chloé, she’s another great one I would work with. At the drop of a hat again.

    Barry Keoghan

    Ultimately though, it still remains unclear when the Eternals will return in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. One potential sign of hope comes from a few months ago when post-credit scene actor Patton Oswalt seemingly confirmed on the Today Show that a sequel being helmed by Chloe Zhao was in active development. It remains to be seen if this was something the actor spoke too soon about, but there in theory is certainly room in the expansive Marvel Cinematic Universe for the ancient deities to have an active presence in some form.

    Source: Uproxx

  • Deadpool Wants to Join Marvel’s ‘Midnight Suns’

    Deadpool Wants to Join Marvel’s ‘Midnight Suns’

    Marvel’s next big video game is just around the corner, and everybody wants to be a part of it. Midnight Suns, the upcoming tactical role-playing game based on the comic book group of the same name, is releasing on most platforms on December 2nd and will feature a wide variety of playable characters for gamers to toy with when it does. The list of names included in the project ranges from classic supernatural members of the titular team, like Ghost Rider and Blade, to more popular Marvel heroes like Spider-Man and Wolverine. One famous character not currently involved, however, is Deadpool, and apparently, he would like to change that.

    In a new video released by the official Midnight Suns Twitter account, temporarily being called #DeadpoolSuns, the Merc With a Mouth addresses fans and asks them to voice their desire for his inclusion in the game. While he has yet to be formally announced as playable, the cinematic footage being released by the project’s own account is a pretty good indicator the studio plans on introducing him to the roster sooner than later.

    Midnight Suns will follow Marvel’s heroes as they combat Lilith, the Mother of Demons, after she’s awoken from eternal slumber by the evil forces of Hydra. If Deadpool does ever make an appearance in the game, it sounds like he might be portrayed by Nolan North, who previously voiced the character in his own solo adventure and multiple other animated projects. He would be one of many actors returning to their iconic role, with Yuri Lowenthal also reprising his role from Insomniac’s Spider-Man and Lyrica Okano getting a second chance at Nico Minoru after playing the character in Marvel Television’s Runaways.

    Source: Twitter

  • Nyong’o on Why She’s Glad T’Challa Wasn’t Recast

    Nyong’o on Why She’s Glad T’Challa Wasn’t Recast

    Following the incredible success of Black Panther, many were curious when a sequel to the blockbuster film would follow. Fans were eager for more of Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa, as well as more of the Dora Milaje and Letitia Wright’s Shuri. What no one knew, though, was that Boseman was terminally ill. His untimely passing was a shock to nearly everyone, including the cast and crew of Black Panther, and in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Lupita Nyong’o discussed what it was like to lose him.

    As the actress noted, Marvel Studios and the rest of the cast and crew from Black Panther didn’t know how – or if they could – revisit the franchise without their leading man. As Nyong’o explains, director and co-writer Ryan Coogler had already drafted a screenplay for the sequel before Boseman’s passing. That film would’ve heavily focused on T’Challa and it was expected to “delve deeply into his psyche and situation.” Many fans had expected Marvel Studios to recast the role, but out of respect, the studio opted not to. The sequel was later reworked, instead turning Wakanda Forever into a film meant to honor T’Challa and Boseman without recasting the role – a decision the actress wholeheartedly agrees with.

    “That is not the death of the Black Panther, that’s the whole point. It’s laying to rest [T’Challa] and allowing for real life to inform the story of the movies. I know that there are all sorts of reasons why people want him to be recast, but I don’t have the patience. I don’t have the presence of mind, or I don’t have the objectivity to argue with that. I don’t. I’m very biased.”

    While moving ahead with the sequel was emotionally difficult for all involved, Nyong’o said that Coogler had successfully crafted something to honor Boseman, while still carrying the story forward.

    “Ryan wrote something that so honored the truth of what every one of us was feeling, those of us who knew Chadwick. He created something that could honor that and carry the story forward. By the end, I was weeping.”

    Fans will get the chance to help honor Boseman’s legacy when Wakanda Forever hits theaters on Nov. 11th.

    Source: THR.

  • Paul Calderón Joins ‘Ironheart’

    Paul Calderón Joins ‘Ironheart’

    Deadline has announced that Paul Calderón has joined the cast of Marvel Studios’ Ironheart. Details regarding the actor’s role are currently unknown. The actor is the latest to join the cast of the Marvel Studios title following news that Sacha Baron Cohen has apparently joined the cast as none other than Mephisto.

    Calderón has quite the impressive resume, having appeared in titles such as Pulp Fiction, Girlfight, and King of New York. The actor has also appeared in television shows such as Law & Order, Hostages, Boardwalk Empire, and Bosch. He most recently appeared in an episode of This is Us and is in pre-production on 10-13 from writer and director David Zayas.

    Ironheart, which consists of six-episodes, hails from head writer Chinaka Hodge and stars Dominique Thorne as Marvel character Riri Williams. Olayiwola joins a cast that includes Anthony Ramos, Shakira Barrera, Manny Montana, Alden Ehrenreich, Regan Aliyah, Shea Couleé, and Zoe Terakes. Sam Bailey (Dear White People) and Angela Barnes (Atlanta) are directing the forthcoming Disney+ series.

    As of now, Ironheart doesn’t have a release date.

    Source: Deadline.

  • Charlie Cox Endorses Jessica Henwick as MCU’s Iron Fist

    Charlie Cox Endorses Jessica Henwick as MCU’s Iron Fist

    By now, it’s no secret that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is bringing back it’s Netflix characters. Charlie Cox, who headlined the corner of Marvel Television that came to be known as the ‘Defenderverse,’ has slowly returned to his role as Matt Murdock, a.k.a. Daredevil, in projects over the last two years, while Vincent D’Onofrio made a surprise comeback as his archnemesis Wilson Fisk in last year’s Disney+ series Hawkeye. There are even rumors swirling that the likes of Jon Bernthal and Krysten Ritter may soon reappear as their respective characters, Frank Castle and Jessica Jones. However, nowhere to be found are claims of Iron Fist‘s cast joining their fellow street-level heroes in the MCU sandbox.

    Fortunately for them, Cox stated in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter that he would ‘put in a good word‘ for some of his former Defenders castmates. Specifically, the actor mentioned Jessica Henwick as someone he thinks should get a second chance with Marvel Studios. The actress portrayed Colleen Wing, a New York City-based martial artist who begins as an ally of Finn Jones‘ Danny Rand before becoming the Iron Fist herself. When asked about the potential of her reprising the role, Cox stated:

    Yeah, she’s amazing. She’s amazing. Look, I agree with you, wholeheartedly. I could also say that about a number of people that I worked with not only on Daredevil, but also on the other shows we did there. So I don’t know what they’re thinking, but I will absolutely put in a good word. And you’re 100 percent right about that. [Jessica] is awesome. And I did get a lovely text from her the other day saying that she read the news and was thrilled for me.

    Charlie Cox

    Iron Fist was not loved by many, but Henwick was almost universally praised for her performance. With the way her story was left off, it seems plausible that she could end up taking over as the MCU’s main Iron Fist should she be contacted by Marvel boss Kevin Feige. At the very least, Cox seems to think she deserves the chance.

    Source: THR