Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Marvel Studios

  • Peyton Reed Shares First BTS Photo as ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ Starts Production

    Peyton Reed Shares First BTS Photo as ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ Starts Production

    It looks like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania has officially entered production. Director Peyton Reed shared the first image from the principal photography on Twitter, which features Cassie Lang’s iconic ugly rabbit from the first film. The director teased their use of The Mandalorian‘s Volume around two months ago, as they prepared for production. Its official start isn’t too far off from the June 2021 start predicted around a year ago. Even Evangeline Lilly hinted at the summer production start in her Instagram post from a few months ago.

    The brief look of Cassie’s rabbit is a curious detail, as it may hint at the story revolving around her becoming Stature. The Biohazard sign in the background doesn’t tease an easy journey ahead. It’s still uncertain why they recast Lang’s daughter, as Kathryn Newton will take over the role of Avengers. Endgame‘s Emma Fuhrmann.

     

    There’s a good chance that Cassie may start her journey to becoming the Young Avengers’ member Stature. We’ve seen countless members appear throughout the last few projects. Plus, the inclusion of Jonathan Majors‘ Kang the Conqueror also hints at their connection. We still don’t know how exactly the stories will connect. Perhaps the change in casting is a catalyst for the story, as Lang tries to find out what happened to his daughter that he reunited with during the events of Endgame.

    It leads them on an adventure through the Quantum Realm and comes face-to-face with Kang. There are still some open questions surrounding Michelle Pfeiffer‘s Janet van Dyne and her time in this realm. So, it might connect to the overarching multiverse plotline that got kicked off by Loki‘s final episode.

    Source: Twitter

  • Marvel Studios’ Multiverse is Both a Blessing and a Curse

    Marvel Studios’ Multiverse is Both a Blessing and a Curse

    Loki has unleashed the multiverse. It’s probably what you’ve been reading for the last two weeks since the episode was released. Everyone is excited to finally explore the possibilities of multiple Variants of our favorite heroes existing. It offers some credence to the rumors of Tom Holland‘s Spider-Man getting joined by Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield. It even opens up all kinds of possibilities for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Yet, there is one big problem with this new development. It creates an easy-to-exploit way to solve future issues. Its existence establishes brand new trappings that could hurt future Marvel storytelling through an overreliance. The multiverse could end up as the franchise’s biggest Deus Ex Machina.

     

    Here's What Loki's Multiverse Should Bring Us In The MCU

     

    What do I mean by that? The phrase once referenced ancient plot devices’ in Greek and Roman theatre performances. Yet, it has become the go-to term for unexplainable or random plot points that solve storylines. To give an example, 1954’s The Lord of Flies by William Golding famously had a naval officer appear at the perfect time to shift an ongoing plot point. In the world of comics, Batman’s utility belt serves that function by offering the exact tool he needs to solve his problem. In a way, the multiverse is Marvel Studios’ new storytelling utility belt. They can tell new types of stories yet also fall into the trapping of relying on it to solve any potential problem.

    The newly introduced multiverse opens up many new avenues for the franchise. Yet, it also creates a plethora of potential plot holes and exploits. With hints pointing at iconic characters from other franchises returning, it seems like an easy pass to introduce characters from alternative dimensions to solve problems. Our main hero can’t take on the enemies on his own? Fine, here are others from the multiverse to aid him. It could end up being more convenient than purposeful, which is a challenge for Marvel studios’ future directors to juggle.

     

    What is the TVA from Loki in Marvel comic books? | GamesRadar+

     

    Kevin Feige and his crew have proven some foresight by setting specific rules for how the multiverse works in their franchise. They even tied it into how time traveling, which could prove helpful to avoid one element complicating the other. There’s also the question of how long the multiverse will remain, as it could be a temporary element for the Kang-focused overarching storyline. We know that the end goal lies in the Multiversal War, but the path to that point will be a complicated one.

    There’s a chance that only specific films will deal with this storyline, which includes Spider-Man: No Way Home, the Doctor Strange sequel as well as Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Here’s hoping we get a bit more insight into how these storylines will intersect in the franchise’s future. So, only a specific group will have to directly tackle the outcome of Loki while others are more independent. The path ahead won’t be an easy one for Marvel Studios, but it’ll be exciting how they reinvent the franchise through this new direction.

  • New ‘What If’ Funko Pop for Party Thor Revealed

    New ‘What If’ Funko Pop for Party Thor Revealed

    We’ve covered quite a few of Marvel Studios’ Funko Pop lines. They’ve offered some insight into character designs or even confirmed leaked storylines for the upcoming What If series. We normally get a small line-up of characters ahead of the series premiere with new reveals following shortly after. Yet, the animated series might have the largest line-up ahead of its August premiere.

    It makes sense with each episode focusing on a new Variant from the recently established multiverse. Just the other day we got our first look at an exclusive Black Widow and Collector Funko Pop for Marvel’s Collector Box. It seems they aren’t the only one, as Party Thor’s Funko Pop is heading to Walmart.

     

    The episode will explore a party so large, it threatens the future of the galaxy. We got a glimpse of this version of Thor facing Ultron bots in an earlier trailer, which may hint at them intersecting at some point. We still don’t know exactly if each episode will be unique and then crossover at some point. We did get a full look t his golden armor with some early artwork leaks. It seems like this version of the God of Thunder never learned humility as he became the next ruler of Asgard. Here’s hoping we get another glimpse n the coming weeks of what this party is all about and who the guests might be. If he involves the entire galaxy, we might see quite a few familiar faces join the festivities.

    Source: Twitter

  • Top 5 Directors To Direct ‘SPIDER-MAN’s Next Trilogy

    Top 5 Directors To Direct ‘SPIDER-MAN’s Next Trilogy

    Jon Watts‘ time behind the Spider-Man camera is coming to an end. The director will close his run on the character with this year’s No Way Home before making a lateral move to take control of Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four franchise. This means that, should Tom Holland‘s Peter Parker be renewed for a second trilogy, the series will require a brand new supervisor. Luckily, there is no shortage of hungry talent in Hollywood that would be perfect to helm one of the world’s most profitable intellectual properties. I’ve taken the liberty of combing through the endless list of names to present you with five that I think have a shot at keeping things interesting.

     

    Rick Famuyiwa

     

    Let’s talk about Dope. The 2015 indie hit is a coming-of-age tale about an intelligent, nerdy kid thrust into a bigger, more dangerous world than he ever intended to join. Doesn’t it sound familiar? It was all pulled off with softhearted, fast-paced brilliance by the maestro Rick Famuyiwa, who is perhaps my top pick to direct the next entry in the Spider-Man mythos. If his name sounds familiar to all the geeks out there, it’s because he’s spent the past couple of years directing acclaimed episodes of The Mandalorian. His work shows his good relationship with Disney and his adeptness at mixing big-budget action with tender personal moments. Famuyiwa‘s early projects, like Brown Sugar, prove he can handle Peter’s romantic personal life, and the brief time he was hired to direct Warner Bros.’ The Flash gave the world a tease at how committed he could be to bringing a comic adaptation to life.

     

    Edgar Wright

     

    Maybe the fan-favorite pick to helm the next generation of Spider-Man. It makes so much sense that I barely feel the need to elaborate. Edgar Wright makes crowd-pleasing movies that are fast, fun, and colorful. His protagonists are typically quirky, with skill and a heart of gold. All in all, Wright‘s sensibilities feel tailor-made for the realm of Peter Parker, and comic purists would be pleased to know the guy who ripped Scott Pilgrim vs. The World straight off the page was in charge of bringing Spidey into adulthood. He has worked with Marvel Studios in the past, and while it didn’t end on the best of terms, it seems that hatchet got buried some time ago. 

     

    Zoe Lister-Jones

     

    You may best know Zoe Lister-Jones for her work in front of the television camera. She had a recurring role on New Girl and Life in Pieces. Yet, some of her best work in the industry might have happened in the director’s chair. Lister-Jones entered the scene with an underrated masterpiece, Band Aid, which focused on a married couple who use music as a form of couple’s therapy. More recently, she produced How It Ends, wherein a woman tries coming to terms with herself before the world ends.

    If you didn’t pick up on it, there’s a theme in her body of work. She’s obsessed with discussing the human condition, and it’s the kind of obsession any director needs to have if they’re going to get to the heart of Spider-Man correctly. She might not have a gigantic resume, but Marvel loves to hire up-and-coming indie filmmakers with a good pitch and a better passion.

     

    Justin Lin

     

    Justin Lin is the unsung hero of the modern blockbuster. This is the man who made the Fast & Furious franchise a global sensation and reminded audiences that a big-budget Star Trek film could be both beautiful and thought-provoking. As ridiculous as some of Lin‘s projects can be, there are few directors working today that manage to produce such outrageous action scenes while keeping the idea of love and family so central to their story. Many people forget that the Taiwanese filmmaker also has a background in acclaimed television. He directed the famous paintball episode of Community and episodes of the Emmy-winning True Detective. His range alone, with experience in both low-budget and big-budget comedy, action, and drama, is enough to justify a Spidey nod from Marvel Studios.

     

    Rob McElhenney

     

    At first, it may sound like a reach, but hear me out. Rob McElhenney has never directed a film before, but he has produced some of the last decade’s best episodes of television history. Everyone knows he co-created America’s finest comedy series, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, but fewer people seem to know about his work on the AppleTV+ show Mythic Quest. There, McElhenney has directed what could be equated to four nearly-perfect short films, handling topics like the downfall of marriage, the growth of man, and the brutal COVID-19 pandemic with grace and understanding. If Marvel Studios and Sony wanted to go outside the box with their pick to bring Peter Parker’s college years to life, they could do a lot worse than McElhenney.

  • New ‘What If’ Funko Pop Leak Offers Closer Look at Black Widow and Collector

    New ‘What If’ Funko Pop Leak Offers Closer Look at Black Widow and Collector

    It looks like the next wave of What If Funko pops have found their way online. It’s been only three weeks since the first wave found its way online featuring Captain Carter, Star-Lord T’Chall, Hydra Stomper, Gamora, and Doctor Strange Supreme. Now, the next two Funko’s have found their way online from the upcoming animated series that will be available with the Marvel Collector Corps. They feature the version of Black Widow from the post-apocalypse and The Collector. Instagram user dis.trackers provided the first look at the new Funko Pops that are a must-buy for many collectors.

     

    It’s been around two months since we first heard about the post-apocalyptic episode featuring Black Widow. The episode would explore the aftermath of Ultron dropping Sokovia and decimating the planet. It could be the first time we see the comic location known as the Wasteland in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We don’t have any details on the episode, but the official poster does tease Vision in Ultron armor wielding all Infinity Stones. So, he might’ve finally obtained his perfec body and ruled the galaxy while he was at it.

    The Collector isn’t too much of a departure from what we know of the character. There was a tease of T’Challa facing off against him, which seems to be the most likely episode to feature him. In it, Yondu picks up the Wakandan instead of Peter Quill and he becomes an integral part of the Ravagers. The trailer teases a very unique dynamic between the two and could see the world unravel in a unique way. Wht If premieres August on Disney+ and we can’t wait to see what other scenarios we might witness.

    Source: Instagram

  • ‘What If’: Agatha Christie Inspired Episode Will Explore ‘Fury’s Big Week’ Prelude Comic

    ‘What If’: Agatha Christie Inspired Episode Will Explore ‘Fury’s Big Week’ Prelude Comic

    Total Film got a chance to talk with the team behind Marvel Studios’ first foray into animation, What If. They offered some insight into what we can expect from the new Disney+ series, which will explore different outcomes of iconic storylines. The latest trailer focused on T’Challa as Star-Lord, Killmmonger saving Tony Stark, and Peggy Carter taking the Super Soldier serum. It’s only a glimpse of what the series has to offer. Head writer A.C. Bradley teased the flexibility the animated show gave them a chance to tackle each episode creatively.

    Our episodes are either darker or lighter than a traditional Marvel movie, and we also have a couple of straight-up tragedies. We have an episode that’s like a political thriller. We’ve got a dark Doctor Strange episode that’s like a tragic love story. One of them is just me wanting to goof off and relive my favourite movies as a kid. Can’t Hardly Wait was a touchstone… I can’t imagine any other point in my career when I’m going to get to write one of those National Lampoon crazy party movies

    We’ve first heard rumblings of the Doctor Strange episode some time ago. Bradley confirms that the tragedy will be the point of no return when Strange goes down a much darker path. It opens up the question of his story might even connect to the teased zombie episode. If he tries to bring back Christine Palmer to life, he may cause something even darker.

    It seems they won’t just retell the films, but even adapt an MCU tie-in comic, as executive producer Brad Winderbaum also teased an Agatha Christie episode that takes place in the Fury’s Big Week storyline, which was only part of a comic run that acted as a prelude for Marvel’s Avengers.

    Then we have a great Agatha Christie episode. It takes place in this obscure point of detail that only hardcore fans know called ‘Fury’s Big Week’.

    There were quite a few hints in the first trailers that they may tackle this story, where Fury has to clean up the mess left behind by the Avengers. It even featured a cameo by Samuel Sterns, who last appeared in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk. There’s a lot of potential with this series, and it may even indirectly fill some holes between films that never got explored before. As it takes place in the Multiverse, it would be fun to get a brief cameo by Edward Norton as Bruce Banner or Terrence Howard as Rhodey.

    Source: Total Film

  • RUMOR: ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Madness’ to Feature ‘What If’s Captain Carter

    RUMOR: ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Madness’ to Feature ‘What If’s Captain Carter

    The upcoming What If Disney+ series will open up the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the multiverse. While the latest trailer teased this development, it was Loki‘s finale that cemented it. The only question remained if Marvel Studios’ first foray into animation may crossover into live-action. It has worked for Star Wars. So, it didn’t seem far-fetched of an idea. Luckily, a new rumor may hint at a connection as the latest episode of the DisInsider Show hinted at a rumor that Hayley Atwell‘s Captain Carter will appear in next year’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

    It was part of their Rumor of the Week segment. So, we can only take it with a grain of salt for now. They also could only state that she’ll have a small part in the film. It would make sense for someone to crossover into the film from the series, as the first trailer even hinted at the presence of Benedict Cumberbatch‘s Doctor Strange in the animated series.

    We even had a glimpse of what could’ve been her facing off against Shuma-Gorath. The stories seem to intersect at some point. So, she might end up facing the god-like creature before getting sucked up into whatever multiverse she meets up with Strange. Either way, it would be exciting to see Atwell‘s return to live-action in a brand new style. If the rumor pans out, it’ll be curious if she will have a future with the newly formed Marvel Cinematic Multiverse.

    Source: DisInsider Show

  • ‘I May Destroy You’s Michaela Coel Joins ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

    ‘I May Destroy You’s Michaela Coel Joins ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

    After a long wait, we finally get some casting news for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Variety has revealed that Michaela Coel has joined the ensemble cast. It‘s already been a few weeks since the sequel entered production. So, this may be the first of many casting announcements to follow. The actress is well-known for her work n Black Mirror, and Chewing Gum. She has worked with Disney before, as she appeared in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

    HBO Max’s I May Destroy You became her breakout role with four Emmy nominations. Once again her role isn’t specified as the plot remains tightly under wraps. There was the report that Namor would have a role in the sequel’s story. It’s pointing to Tenoch Huerta taking on the iconic role, which gives the MCU’s version of the Atlanteans a Mayan twist. The actor was cast almost eight months ago. So, he was the first addition to the film long before it even entered production.

    Either way, Coel is a great addition to the film. Her performance in the BBC One and HBO series was quite memorable. The casting news following her Emmy success also adds to the excitement of which role she could have. Theories are already ranging from Storm to even Madam Slay. The film has a heavy burden to carry, as it continues the torch of Chadwick Boseman after his tragic passing.

    Source: Variety

  • New Artwork Reveals ‘Loki’ Almost Featured a Rocket Variant

    New Artwork Reveals ‘Loki’ Almost Featured a Rocket Variant

    The Time Variance Authority introduced the world to the concept tof Variants. To keep the multiverse from springing into existence, they would prune that version of the character from their original timeline. The entire series follows the story of various Loki Variants. If you look closely in the background, we even seem to get a brief cameo from someone who looks like Haley Atwell‘s Peggy Carter. Sadly, it never got confirmed if the actress returned for the role for that cameo.

    It was strange we didn’t get too many Variants covering the halls of the TVA from familiar MCU characters. It seems that there might’ve been plans for a Rocket Variant to appear, as the latest episode of the Assembled documentary reveals artwork that features the iconic waiting line from the series’ first episode. In it, the waiting room was empty as the time organization kept a very good eye on the timeline. Well, in the concept art, they originally were going to have quite a line for Loki to sit through. If you look closely at the end of the row, Rocket is also waiting in line.

     

     

    Interestingly, this version of the waiting room teases quite a variety of aliens going through the TVA. The show seemed to focus primarily on humans with one Skrull in the first episode. There’s a chance that they had to cut down on some ideas due to the pandemic postponing production and even influencing budgetary restraints. The empty room does make it a bit more sinister and they can introduce this busier version with the second season. Now that the multiverse was born, it seems like the perfect time to round up quite a few Variants that could cause trouble for the newly established leader.

    Source: Disney+

  • ‘Loki’s Jonathan Majors Teases Many Iterations of Kang in the MCU’s Future

    ‘Loki’s Jonathan Majors Teases Many Iterations of Kang in the MCU’s Future

    It’s been ten months since Jonathan Major‘s casting as Kang the Conqueror got announced. He was going to make his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quntumania. Of course, we knew that film wasn’t going to release for some time. So, the early casting was quite a curious reveal. It almost felt like he was meant to appear in another property long before his first appearance as Kang.

    The final episode of Loki confirmed our suspicions, as Majors appeared as a Kang Variant only known as He Who Remains. It is our first glimpse at the iconic Marvel character. Luckily, Marvel Studios’ new behind-the-scenes series Assembled also gave us a hint at what we can expect with the character and it seems

    I think with He Who Remains, the objective for me was to give me the largest canvas possible. And then from that, as Kang begins to rear his head and do his deeds, in so many ways, he has no choice but to be in opposition or to be different from He Who Remains. That was the thing that grabbed me and pulled me into the role. The fact that Kang lives in so many iterations. As He Who Remains says: ‘Reincarnation, Baby’.

    His appearance was even teased as the embodiment of the next Phase in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It sounds like Kang will definitely be a very different character from He Who Remains, who was inspired by characters like Willy Wonka. There’s also a very likely chance that Kang isn’t just one singular threat. We might meet various versions of the iconic character that’ll make the Avengers life a living hell. The ending of Loki‘s first season teased his dominance over the Time Variance Authority. So, he won’t be an easy villain to take down.

    Source: Disney+