Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Marvel Studios

  • ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’: A Desperate War for Vibranium

    ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’: A Desperate War for Vibranium

    The rumors are pointing that the upcoming Black Panther sequel will introduce the world to Namor and Marvel’s Atlantis. The first hint came when Illuminerdi shared the info that Tenoch Huerta had already gotten cast in the role. The Marvel Cinematic Universe would potentially connect Atlantis with Mayan civilization, which would make it distinct from DC’s Aquaman franchise. Just a few days ago, Production Weekly shared some story plot points that hinted at a war brewing between these two isolated cities. As Wakanda expands to meet the world, Namor’s home country remains hidden from the world. The only question is, why will these two end up in conflict. Well, perhaps that listing may give us our first hint.

     

    Marvel: The Eternals would introduce Atlantis and the Prince of the Seas Namor

     

    There’s a curious line regarding Namor’s human father at the tail end of the description. It states that he went to search for the Vibranium in Antarctica. Sadly, it cuts off there, but it echoes the events from the comics. Winston Churchill sent Ernest Shackleton to find the rare metal there. He would end up falling in love with Princess Fen, and they would give birth to Namor. So, they might be closely following his comic origins. As Atlantis, a highly advanced civilization, was also hidden away in Antarctica, it might be another location where a Vibranium meteorite crashed long ago.

    Interestingly enough, Homo Mermanus also had an alien origin, as they are from the water planet Vodan. They may have arrived on Earth a long time ago to find the crashed metal. Yet, they shared their information and mixed it with Mayans that then moved underwater after the fall of their civilization. It could even connect to Chloé Zhao‘s Eternals, who played an integral role in the fall of the first Atlantean city of Lemuria. They fled from the surface world and used past scriptures to uncover the remnants of the meteorite. Yet, unlike Wakanda, where it took root in the fresh soil, the icy environment would not allow the alien meal to take root. So, they would eventually run out.

     

    Marvel Locations: Wakanda Forever - Hero Collector

     

    As Namor took over the throne, the country has reached a boiling point. Their source to keep the city safe is depleting. As such, a tough decision had to be made, and they set out to find the only other known source of the material. They send out some scouts that get caught by the Dora Milaje. It ends up pushing the conflict as they try to uncover the new secret invaders. Namor sees it as an attack and prioritizes the safety of his people. With it, the war for the final source of Vibranium starts. Wakanda faces a threat that no one would’ve seen coming. 

  • ‘Black Widow’ Eyeing a $110M Post-Pandemic Domestic Opening

    ‘Black Widow’ Eyeing a $110M Post-Pandemic Domestic Opening

    It looks like a lot of bets are on Marvel Studios’ grand return to cinemas after a two-year pandemic-induced hiatus. The last entry of the franchise was released in June 2019 with Spider-Man: Far From Home. Black Widow was originally going to premiere last year in May but got continuously pushed back. Finally, we are only a few days away from its release and Box office predictions are already aplenty. Marketing recently kicked into overdrive with various short spots and featurettes getting released. Rotten Tomatoes currently has it Certified Fresh at 82% with 162 reviews. After F9‘s $70 million debuts, there was a lot of hope that the next MCU flick could even surpass that and current predictions are looking great.

    According to Box Office Pro, the film is currently predicted for a domestic premiere between $80 to $110M. As the film’s release draws nearer, the predictions have gone up. That would put it at a potential $310M total run. It’s certainly a sign that cinemas are still helping form the effects of the pandemic, but it also has to be considered that Black Widow will also be made available via Disney+’s Premier Access option.

    So, you can technically stay at home and purchase the film for an additional fee through the streaming service. It will potentially cut into its opening day earnings, but it still looks like the film is set for an impressive Box Office. The higher end of that opening would put it on par with 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming. Even the lower end is slightly below 2016’s Doctor Strange release, which opened with $85M. So, it’s looking good for Marvel Studios to continue their Box Office dominance even after the long hiatus.

    Source: Box Office Pro, Rotten Tomatoes, Business Insider

    Black Widow design for header by @valentinromeroa

  • REPORT: She-Hulk to Face the Wrecking Crew in Disney+ Series

    REPORT: She-Hulk to Face the Wrecking Crew in Disney+ Series

    She-Hulk has been quietly filming in Atlanta. Only a few tidbits found their way online. There was a rumor three weeks ago that Hulk’s son Skaar might make his live-action debut in the series. We got the official confirmation that Jameela Jamil will play the iconic villain Titania. Surprisingly, we haven’t seen much from the film’s set outside of a photo of Mark Ruffalo in his mo-cap suit and a brief tease of Tatiana Maslany as the titular heroine. So far, it’s been otherwise quiet, and we’ve been wondering what else the series might have in store for us. Well, it looks like Cosmic Circus might have gotten their hands on a juicy tidbit as it seems the Wrecking Crew will appear in the upcoming series.

    For those wondering who they are. The Wrecking Crew is a team that consists of four supervillains known as Bulldozer, Piledriver, Thunderball, and Wrecker. They made their first appearance in The Defenders #17 back in 1974. In the comics, Dirk Garthwaite, the future Wrecker, was mistaken for Loki and gained mystical powers when he got an enchanted crowbar by the Norn queen Karnilla. After his friends grabbed it when it got struck by lightning, they all got their abilities. It’s uncertain which members will appear, as the roster has changed over the years in the comics.

    As you can guess by their origin, they commonly get connected to Thor’s rogue’s gallery but some adaptations have also added Gamma radiation to their powers, such as The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. The team seemed like a classic Saturday morning cartoon villain. So, it seemed unlikely they would get adapted into the Marvel Cinematic Universe anytime soon. So, it’s great that Marvel Studios is using these Disney+ shows to introduce some minor characters from the comics.

    Source: Cosmic Circus

  • James Gunn Declares ‘WandaVision’ As The “First MCU” Show

    James Gunn Declares ‘WandaVision’ As The “First MCU” Show

    There has been a lot of discussion surrounding the canonicity of Agents of SHIELD, Agent Carter, or even the Netflix series. Loki added the concept of the Sacred Timeline into the Marvel Cinematic Universe that may have put Marvel TV’s shows in a strange limbo. No one openly wants to confirm or deny their connection to the overarching stories developed by Marvel Studios. Early seasons of SHIELD had some strong connections to overarching events in the films but started to distance themselves as the story continued to unfold. The first film acknowledgment of a series was James D’Arcy‘s return as Edwin Jarvis in Avengers: Endgame. Well, James Gunn took to Twitter discussing MCU actors that appeared in DCEU projects and vice-versa. In it, he also made a clear statement regarding the former Marvel TV series.

    https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/1410677884390236160

    He also went on to clarify that there wasn’t as much communication between Marvel TV and Marvel Studios as we thought. There were implications they got some of the older assets to recreate iconic locations such as the Triskellion. Well, Gunn states that there wasn’t any coordination between the two companies.

    https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/1410764308712022018

    We do know there was some communication regarding events, as Agents of SHIELD did tie its release around Captain America: The Winter Soldier‘s twist. The big difference is that the mentioned WandaVision series was not only produced in its entirety by Marvel Studios, but it is also part of their complete roadmap. While story elements connected to the films, they didn’t build upon any from the series like how Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will continue Wanda’s story from her Disney+ series. There was still no reference to the newly formed spy organization at the tail-end of SHIELD‘s final season. Of course, it doesn’t mean the story could never be part of the MCU. There is still the likelihood of Marvel TV’s old series acting as part of the multiverse that is independent of the rest. Of course, Kevin Feige and his team could surprise us and add more elements from the shows in the near future that pay tribute to the Marvel TV projects but add their own spin.

    Source: Twitter (MCU), Twitter (Coordination)

  • ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Funko Pops Offer Closer Look at Anti-Ock Inspired Suit

    ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Funko Pops Offer Closer Look at Anti-Ock Inspired Suit

    That didn’t take long. Just yesterday, we found a listing for the upcoming Funko Pops inspired by Spider-Man: No Way Home. Well, it looks like the Funko Pops already found their way online via Marvel. What stands out is that it includes Doctor Strange holding a shovel, which is a rather curious detail. It also confirms which suits are given the respective title and it seems I was off by quite a bit. Check out the Funko Pops right here:

     

     

    The Iron Spider combo is the Integrated Suit that was listed. It seems the Gold Suit wasn’t just a gold-covered figurine but the black and gold mesh teased through the LEGO set. It’s interesting to note they connected the hat costume to a set that was inspired by Spider-Man: Homecoming and it’ll be interesting to see why Peter creates this suit. In Far From Home, it was made through Stark technology. So, perhaps he gets back to Happy to build it after his previous suit didn’t work. What makes this design stand out is that it seems strongly inspired by the 2018 Insomniac game’s Anti-Ock suit. Perhaps he might upgrade his arsenal to take on the confirmed return of Alfred Molina in the iconic role. The additionally leaked Legends figurines showcase red fingertips for the design, which are absent with the Funko Pops.

     

     

    It’s also noticeable that the pops focus primarily on Tom Holland’s Peter Parker. Even as many other classic characters are rumored to appear, it seems very unlikely they’ll reveal everything so early. The film is set to release this December and there is enough time to tease the overarching plot of the film. Doctor Strange seems to have a more prominent role in the promotion and might be. the dominant figure in the film’s first trailer. All we can do now is just wait for it to finally release.

    Source: Twitter, Marvel

  • REPORT: First Story Details Hint at Namor’s Motivation in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

    REPORT: First Story Details Hint at Namor’s Motivation in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

    Black Panther: Wakanda Forever just recently entered production. They also seemed to have added Loki‘s cinematographer, Autumn Durald. That wasn’t all, as DisInsider just shared some information from Production Weekly that offers even more details on the film’s plot. It seems that the reported logline confirms Namor’s live-action debut, which was hinted at by Illumiinerdi some time ago. Not just that, it even offers some details into the film’s story and what role Namor might have once it premieres next year.

    Both Wakanda and Atlantis are hidden civilizations with advanced technology and increased militaristic abilities that decided to separate themselves from the rest of the world for their own safety, and in a way, out of fear. Wakanda feared that their technology would be abused. Atlantis feared that surface dwellers would come and desecrate the mythical city just as they did so many years ago. And yet their fears escalate even further when these two once-hidden nations clash with each other. Wakanda and Atlantis have a shockingly intertwined history. Wakanda is the only county in the world with access to vibranium. However, rumors of its power spread throughout the world, and Namor’s human father was sent searching for this rare material in Antarctica…

    It seems he’ll have an antagonistic role, but what stands out is the hint at Vibranium’s history getting expanded. There is a reference to Namor’s father exploring Antarctica for the material, which may also be why these two nations go to war. It may have a vital role in Atlantean society as it is in Wakanda. Namor’s backstory might also tie closely to these events. It’s also interesting to note that they are revealing his people are from Atlantis, which leads to a direct comparison to DC’s Aquaman franchise. It could be a placeholder for now, but it is still odd it’s in there. One can assume Marvel and Disney want to brand this new city, and avoiding a direct comparison is the best approach.

    The report also includes the cast, which gives Letitia Wright the top billing. It adds more credence to the possibility of her continuing the title of Black Panther from T’Challa. Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Florence Kasumba, and Angela Bassett are also currently listed. So far, none of these actors have been confirmed to return. It’ll be interesting to see if we get more information on the casting and story as the film already started production. For now, it’s our first glimpse into what may be heading our way, and hopefully, we’ll get more details soon.

    Source: Production Weekly via DisInsider

  • Leaked ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Funko Listing Teases Three Suits and August Release

    Leaked ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Funko Listing Teases Three Suits and August Release

    It’s been a busy day for toy leaks, as we got our first look at the What If Funko Pops and the first Spider-Man: No Way Home LEGO sets found their way online. It looks like we might have gotten more information, as Reddit user BubblesBorn shared a Funko listing. What stands out is that the listing hints at an August release, which could potentially hint at a trailer release in the current month. They would commonly make Funkos available after the designs got revealed. It also includes three different suits, which include the upgraded, integrated, and gold suit. So, the recently leaked suit that combined Spider-Man: Far From Home‘s design with the Iron Spider suit from Avengers: Infinity Wars could be the upgraded version.

    Some news I found on the No Way Home Funko pops!
    byu/BubblesBorn inmarvelstudios

    There is also the listing of Doctor Strange, MJ, and Ned. It’s interesting how much focus Benedict Cumberbatch‘s Strange is getting in the toy leaks, which hints at him getting the focus in the upcoming trailer. Of course, the main focus will be his suits. It does seem strange to include three unique suit designs so early on. There is a chance that the “Gold Suit” isn’t actually part of the film but Funko’s usually complete golden version of a character.

    The previously mentioned suit on the LEGO packaging might be the upgraded one, but the “integrated” design is a rather curious naming. The name is used by the military for Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology, or JSLIST, which serves to protect soldiers from chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear hazards.  So, he might face a villain specialized in that kind of weaponry. whatever he might face, the August release might hint at the No Way Home trailer is just around the corner and it’s going to be an exciting next few weeks.

    Source: Reddit

  • Leak Offers First Look at Marvel Studios’ ‘What If’ Funko Pops

    Leak Offers First Look at Marvel Studios’ ‘What If’ Funko Pops

    Marvel Studios is set to release one of their first animated projects in the form of What if?, a series that will explore variants who broke out of the Sacred Timeline. We’re still eagerly awaiting a release date for the project as it was slated to release sometime this summer, which we should soon get when Loki ends. Recently, we’ve been learning a lot about the episodes and just who and what will be featured in each and this new promo leak from Funko gives us a brand new look at the characters before their debut in the series, so make some room on that shelf for your inevitable purchases.

    The upcoming wave of pop figures features five figures, not listing any potential retailer exclusives. The first figures look to be Captain Carter, joined by the Hydra Stomper, piloted by Steve Rogers. We also get a look at T’Challa as Star-lord alongside what could be our best looks yet at Gamora, Daughter of Thanos, and Doctor Strange Supreme, the evil sorcerer.

     

    The most interesting addition here is Gamora’s new title, as she seems to have inherited the same weight of the name Thanos once held as a scourge on the galaxy. This one seems to have lived up to her father’s legacy and never joined the guardians of the galaxy. The figures currently have no set release date but look to be hitting stores now, an indication that the series could be coming soon. Fans will have to wait for official word from Marvel as to when they can expect the series though.

    Source: Twitter

  • REPORT: ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Adds ‘Loki’s Cinematographer Autumn Durald

    REPORT: ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Adds ‘Loki’s Cinematographer Autumn Durald

    Just yesterday, Variety confirmed that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has entered production in Atlanta. marvel Studios president confirmed it in an interview with the publisher, where he also promised that they will make Chadwick Boseman proud, as they continue his legacy after his tragic passing. Plot details are still kept tightly under wraps. So far, we only heard from Illuminerdi that the film will introduce the world to the prince of Atlantis, Namor played by Tenoch Huerta. It looks like Discussing Film may have gotten their hands on an interesting detail, as they reveal that cinematographer Autumn Durald has joined the project.

    She’ll replace Ryan Coogler‘s collaborator Rachel Morrison, who worked on the first film. Durald has recently worked on the Loki Disney+ series and was the cinematographer on all six episodes. She has also worked with Gia Coppola on her debut film, Palo Alto and Mainstream. Morrison sadly had to leave the project due to scheduling conflicts, as she is working on her directorial debut Flint Strong. Perhaps it’ll give her an opportunity to join a future Marvel Studios project in a new role.

    We still don’t know which actors are reprising their roles, but as Variety points out Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Daniel Kaluuya, Winston Duke, Lupita Nyong’o, Florence Kasumba, and Angela Bassett seem likely to return. As it has started production, we might get a clearer picture on the film’s plot in the near future.

    Source: Variety, DiscussingFilm, Autumn Durald

  • ‘Loki’ Confirms Vampires Exist in the MCU Ahead of ‘Blade’

    ‘Loki’ Confirms Vampires Exist in the MCU Ahead of ‘Blade’

    We’ve known for a while that the Marvel Cinematic Universe would finally introduce the iconic character of Blade. The Daywalker was going to get a unique film sometime in the next few years with Maharshala Ali cast in the iconic role. What we didn’t know is how the Marvel Cinematic Universe would tackle the existence of vampires. So far, there has never been any acknowledgment of there even being bloodsuckers amongst humans. we never went down into the underbelly of the darker corners of cities to uncover what was hiding there. It created theories that the MCU doesn’t have vampires and we’d get introduced to a very unique take on the character’s mythology. Well, that was at least until Loki was released.

    In a very brief sequence, Owen Wilson’s Mobius is discussing the many variants that have passed through the Time Variance Authority’s offices. In a blink or you miss it line, he confirms that the MCU does, in fact, have vampires. It seems some of them even turned out to be Variants of some kind that the Minutemen of the TVA had to take care of. Sadly, he moves on the conversation back to the God of Mischief, but the implications are enough to open up pandora’s box on the franchise’s future. We no longer have to wonder if they’ll reinvent the creatures of the night or even try to avoid them due to PG-13 ratings. We also don’t have to wonder if they just suddenly pop into existence, but realize they’ve lived among humans for some time now.

    Does the vocal confirmation of their existence mean we’ll see them sooner than later? It seems likely that we might visit the MCU’s supernatural side from a new perspective. We might get a reference in the upcoming film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. As he travels the newly awakened multiverse he might stumble upon an alternative universe where Wesley Snipes‘ version of the character is still active to pay homage to the film that started the modern superhero boom. The most likely candidate seems to be Moon Knight, as he had quite a few run-ins with Blade, vampires, and werewolves in the comics. His own supernatural background makes for the perfect jumping-off point to build upon this singular line as Disney+ starts to expand.