Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Marvel Studios

  • Latest ‘Loki’ Funko Pop Revealed for Sophia Di Martino’s Sylvie

    Latest ‘Loki’ Funko Pop Revealed for Sophia Di Martino’s Sylvie

    The tradition continues, as another Funko Pop has found its way online for the latest Disney+ series. As the latest episode focused on introducing the world to the Loki Variant played by Sophia Di Martino, it was only. question of time before we get her unique Funko. Not just that, it seems they also wanted to make her stand out, as the new Funko will also include a glow-in-the-dark version to highlight her green enchantment powers.

    Here is the Funko Variant showcasing her eyes and sword glowing in the iconic green:

    We got the reveal for two more Funkos last week featuring some more TVA members last week and there might be many more heading our way. It’s uncertain what other characters we might expect in the coming weeks to join the series and if they are big enough to get their own Funko Pop. Still, it’s become a fun tradition that these get revealed shortly after even if sometimes they accidentally end up leaking things ahead of time for upcoming series due to early listings.

    Loki has been an exciting project that explores the Marvel Cinematic Universe in creative ways. We got our glimpse at the opening of the multiverse and the introduction of the Time Variance Authority. It broke many of the classic conventions and it’ll be interesting to see how it continues to grow. We still know very little about the show’s next few episodes with the latest featurette offering a glimpse at Sylvie’s fate. We cannot wait for Wednesday to return.

    Source: Twitter, Twitter (Glow)

  • ‘Shang-Chi’s Latest Trailer May Hint at the Ten Ring’s Origins

    ‘Shang-Chi’s Latest Trailer May Hint at the Ten Ring’s Origins

    The latest Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings trailer gave us our first look at the grand return of Abomination. He is fighting what most likely is Wong during a tournament. It’s been what everyone has been talking about, but there is one more major reveal that got a bit overlooked in the trailer. We briefly get a sequence of Shang-Chi underwater getting confronted by a mysterious dragon. Now, we automatically assumed it might be Fin Fang Foom, but a Funko Pop leak offered a better glimpse. It even confirmed his name is the Great Protector. Now, the fact we get to see him interact with Shang-Chi made me wonder how he connects to the mysterious Ten Rings and the overarching story.

     

    In the trailer, Simu Liu‘s character is submerged in water while wearing what seems to be the outfit from the final fight in the trailer. We see the entire body of the Protector with his head coming closer. The visual has a deeper meaning, as in Chinese mythology, the dragons, also known as Long or Lung, are rulers of weather and water. There is also a Chinese idiom that states people are “hoping one’s child will become a dragon.” This belief might match Teny Leung‘s words as Wenwu: “You can’t run from your past!” They might reflect his hopes of bringing his son back into the family business. The trailer seems to imply there might be a deeper connection between the dragon and his family’s history, which may tie together with the physical symbol of their legacy, the Ten Rings.

    In the comics, they are literal rings one wears on their fingers that each has a unique ability. They weren’t magical creations but of alien origin, which made us think it might connect to Fin Fang Foom. He is a shape-shifting alien from Kakaranthraa or Maku IV. It’s still uncertain how the rings work, but they seem to have an energy field. Not just that, they also seem to change depending on the user, as they light up yellow when Shang-Chi is holding them. They might utilize a person’s energy and give it form, which matches the abilities showcased by Michelle Yeoh’s Jian Nan, where she is controlling nature around her. So, it may act more like an energy siphon to utilize one’s inner powers, which, if we return to Chinese mythology, is known as Qi.

     

     

    So, how does it all connect? Well, the Great Protector might be the originator of the rings. They may pay tribute to the comics by them being literal rings on the dragon’s claws. They got gifted to the founding father of Shang-Chi and Wenwu’s family, who might have been part of the war teased in the trailers. The brief sequence of floating water might be another reference to that deep connection. Liu‘s character coming face-to-face with the dragon might be the passing of the torch before the final battle between him and his father commences. In Chinese mythology, four Dragon Kings represent the four seas. One of them, most notably, being the White Dragon that is the patron of Qinghai Lake. The colors would match with the Great Protector, and it might be the birthing place of the Ten Rings. It may even be the lake teased in a brief sequence in the latest trailer, but it may be an original location that is strongly inspired by the original myth.

     

     

    We’ve already seen glimpses of Chinese mythology playing a key role in the film. It would make sense they would also establish the Ten Rings to have a stronger connection to the country’s mythology. Of course, it is just speculation and it may be purely the resting place of the dragon, as earlier sets did hint at the Valley of the Sleeping Dragon. They could’ve combined the comic location with a real-world inspiration. Whatever direction they may take, it is great to finally explore a new section of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and its vast mythology.

    Source: YouTube

  • Latest ‘Loki’ Featurette Teases Sylvie’s History With The TVA

    Latest ‘Loki’ Featurette Teases Sylvie’s History With The TVA

    Marvel Studios has done a tremendous job promoting their Disney+ shows with a flurry of unique character posters and featurettes releasing throughout the series’ runtime. Most commonly, they would focus on the introduction of new characters or bigger reveals to offer a slight glimpse behind the scenes. Loki continued that tradition with a look at the newly introduced Sylvie, who is played by Sophia Di Martino. She took center stage in the latest episode alongside Tom Hiddleston‘s iconic God of Mischief and it seems the featurette may have given away a lot more than expected.

     

    If you are trying to avoid any details regarding future episodes, only continue at your own risk.

     

     

    The trailer confirms a few things about future episodes. Sylvie will get caught by the Time Variance Authority in an upcoming episode. She is wearing the same outfit we saw her wear at the end of the third episode. As such, she may get called in after the events and put on trial. We also get a brief glimpse of her as a child. Now, she did mention she knew about her adoption early on, and she barely remembers her family. As such, we theorized that she might be part of the original multiverse and may have never grown up alongside Thor. 

    It looks like she was got plucked from the Sacred Timeline as a young child, which explains her backstory. That also confirms why there were documents at the TVA on her. Not just that, it also reveals why she is so focused on getting her close to the Time Keepers and why she had to teach herself how to use enchantments. It seems our theories were unnecessary on her identity, as she truly is a Loki Variant, but we’ll get a closer look at her past in an upcoming episode.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Loki’: Questioning the True Identity of Sophia Di Martino’s Sylvie

    ‘Loki’: Questioning the True Identity of Sophia Di Martino’s Sylvie

    The following article contains spoilers of the latest Loki episode. Only continue reading at your own risk.

     

    Ever since the second episode, we’ve all been wondering what is the secret behind Sophia Di Martino‘s Loki Variant. Her existence goes against the well-established rule of how these characters spin out of the Sacred Timeline. They all commonly look like Tom Hiddleston, even if he went through different transformations. We thought she might just be Loki changing his form. but literal documents are mentioning her as Sylvie. She confirmed it in the latest episode but then reveals that she chose the name. Hell, she even detests the Loki mantle. Is there perhaps a bigger secret at play with her character’s identity?

    Now, there are a few things we learn about Sylvie throughout the latest episode. She taught herself how to use enchantments and seems to only possess that specific ability. The version we follow from Avengers: Endgame learned his countless abilities from Frigga, with whom she has no recollection. On multiple occasions, he even questions her if she is, in fact, a Loki. Her personality is similar but doesn’t match with what we understand from the character. She even gets defensive when she is called a Variant. The whole point of the episode seems to create the illusion that Sylphie isn’t truly a Loki.

     

     

    Well, what do we know about her? The documents found in the TVA offices hint at her name being Sylvie Laufeydottir. It alludes that she was indeed born as the daughter of Laufey, which is a custom in Nordic namings. She also talks bout knowing that she was adopted early on. Yet, we can also assume she never was an Asgardian royalty. She mocks Loki on multiple occasions and never speaks of her time with the Asgardians. It’s almost as if she was down on her luck for most of her life. If she is perhaps part of an old multiverse before the Sacred Timeline was formed, she may be trying to find her old life again. She does hint that she has been fighting this fight for quite some time now.

    It makes you wonder if we can even trust the words she is speaking throughout the episode. One thing that stands out is that this episode has a strong thematic tie built around “love.” Even before Loki’s ill-conceived metaphor about invisible daggers, we get a glimpse of her softer side. There is a slight vulnerability and reasoning for her actions that she still is keeping close to her chest. Perhaps she has taken on the mantle of someone she once loved. The planet’s name, besides being a comic reference, as Lamentis might be on purpose. While on the nose, grief plays an integral role in this story. Loki is heartbroken over his “glorious purpose” and is the reason his mother dies.

     

    Who Is Sophia Di Martino's 'Loki' Character?

     

    Perhaps Sylvie isn’t a Loki Variant but an illusion. She knows how the TVA’s technology works but was surprised when her abilities were mute while being present in the location. So, she doesn’t seem to have all the information that we thought she did. Her horn is also strongly inspired by a version of Lady Loki in Loki: Agent of Asgard. In that comic storyline, a younger version of the character was being manipulated by his former self. Perhaps they’re playing around with a similar concept. A Loki Variant achieved their goals but realized there is an even higher power at play. To get them off of his tail, he created a fake version that has some of his memories. The TVA believes she is a female Variant as she is, in essence, a copy of Loki but not the way they think. She is a means to an end while the true mastermind is waiting for his moment.

  • Tara Strong Teases Miss Minutes’ Future in ‘Loki’

    Tara Strong Teases Miss Minutes’ Future in ‘Loki’

    Loki has introduced the world to a variety of standout characters that work for the Time Variance Authority. Owen Wilson‘s Mobius is a standout, whose dynamic with Tom Hiddleston has become a highlight of every episode so far. Now, we’ve also got introduced to a curious animated character named Miss Minutes, who first appeared as a Jurassic Park-style part of n animated intro to the organization. Later, we find out she actually has a hologram-like form as she interacts with the God of Mischief. Well, her voice actress, Tara Strong, teased that there s more to the character in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

    I can cryptically tease that you’ll see her again. There’s much more to be revealed, and it’s fun to watch that unfold. The beautiful thing about this character is you don’t really know who she is, where she’s from, what her origin story is, how sentient she is, if she has a horse in this race at all, and what her intentions are, if any. Like any good, exciting adventure, TV or film, you are left wondering that all the time. So she’s an intriguing character, and that will continue.

    It certainly sounds promising that we’ll find out more about how exactly Miss Minutes fits into the TVA. The latest episode had a rather large reveal regarding the different agents that work there and she may have a connection to the Time Keepers. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait long to find out what exactly her role is and what the future holds for the iconic franchise.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • Theory Tuesday: Exploring the Endgoal of Sophia Di Martino’s Loki Variant

    Theory Tuesday: Exploring the Endgoal of Sophia Di Martino’s Loki Variant

    The second episode of Loki (quite literally) dropped a bombshell on us. We got the reveal of Sophie Di Martino as the mysterious Loki Variant, the explosion of the multiple reset charges throughout the Sacred Timeline, and the possible introduction of the multiverse in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as we know it. The Disney+ series isn’t pulling any stops when it comes to its fast-paced action and thrilling storytelling. Now, many curious details deserve a closer inspection, but one thing has me wondering. Why exactly did the Variant create the multiverse, and what was her plan with the reset charges? It seems C-20, her prisoner throughout the episode, served a specific purpose, and it’s time to take a closer look.

     

    The End of the Universe

     

    Let’s start with something simple that may already have gotten alluded to by Mobius halfway through the second episode. When Loki asked what happens when the Time Keepers complete their duty to the timeline, Mobius teases what seems to be the end of the TVA’s job. They signal it as “peace” and “order” once they enter their timeline’s epilogue. But what if it didn’t end like that but just ends infinite chaos? The Sacred Timeline could be leading to an apocalyptic end, and that’s what the Loki Variant aims to avoid? The TVA’s blind trust in the Time Keepers could be a potential undoing that the newly introduced Variant wants to avoid.

     

    The Birth of the Multiverse

     

    Now, some details remain classified regarding the creation of time or the TVA. All we know is that there was a Multiversal War where various timelines battled for dominance before they were all condensed into the Sacred Timeline. Perhaps the idea that a multiverse exists is impossible to the TVA since they always pruned any potential branch that could’ve turned into an alternative timeline. Yet, is it possible that the multiverse continued to exist, and they never knew? Think about it. Why would the Ancient One ask Strange who he was in the “vast Multiverse” if the TVA constantly went out of their way to ensure it never existed in the first place. Is her understanding of a multiverse different, as we know the Dark and Mirror Dimension exist? There might be many more secrets existing beyond the red limit, and our new Loki is trying to restore it once more.

     

    Something Far Worse

     

    Perhaps, in the darkest corners of the universe, there is a being who is lying in wait for their opportunity to strike and take control of the universe. One of these beings could potentially be Shuma-Gorath, a character that has been rumored multiple times in the past to be coming to the MCU for the Doctor Strange sequel. We know that in the past, there was a multiversal war, but we don’t know which being fought for control of the multiverse. Could Shuma-Gorath be one of those beings? Is Sophia Di Martino‘s character perhaps an agent of chaos sent out by this mysterious being? He preserved her existence to ensure his goals are achieved. Perhaps C-20’s crazy ramblings are a result of coming face-to-face with the Eldrich-inspired being.

  • ‘LOKI’ Episode 3 Primer

    ‘LOKI’ Episode 3 Primer

    I, like everyone else, am super excited for the next episode of Loki. In the last episode, Loki discovered that the clever Variant was hiding in apocalypses. This is a great hiding spot because you have materials and resources you will need and you can do whatever you want because eventually the whole place will get wiped out and no one will remember you. The Variant known as Sylvie is a time terrorist and sets off time bombs that create dozens of new timelines. The Sacred Timeline is in huge trouble and they are going to have to work very hard to get it back to normal.

    The Best Loki Episode 2 Easter Eggs and References – /Film

    Sylvie’s plan is very clear: she uses the time bombs to get the TVA agents out of there so she can get to the Time-Keepers. At the end of the episode, we see everyone emptying out of the TVA so her plan worked and thanks to C-20, she knows where to go. But what does she want from them? One more thought, are the Time-Keepers even real or is someone else behind the TVA’s curtain?

    Arlyn’s Assumptions

    At the very end of the episode, Sylvie tells Loki it’s not about him. Curious about what Sylvie is up to, Loki follows her through a door; in this next episode, we are going to find out who Sylvie is and why she is after the TVA. We’ll also probably be visiting some of the other apocalyptic places we saw in the trailers for the series.

    If the Time-Keepers aren’t real I think that the person running the show and taking care of the sacred timeline is Kang the Conquerer. I first met him playing Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 on my Switch. In the video game, Kang is working with Ravonna, the same Ravonna who has a big role in Loki.  I do believe that everyone in the TVA works for Kang but doesn’t know it. Therefore, Kang is the Time-Keepers. The real question is, will the TVA be able to undo all of the damage that Sylvie has done? Or will it kick off the next multiversal war? Maybe Secret Wars?

     

    The next episode of Loki will premier tomorrow!

  • REPORT: ‘Just Mercy’s Joel P West to Score ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’

    REPORT: ‘Just Mercy’s Joel P West to Score ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’

    It feels like a renaissance for Marvel Studios. Black Widow is only a few weeks away from release. We got official trailers for Eternals and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Speaking of, it seems that Film Music Reporter was able to confirm that Joel P West is scoring the upcoming film directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. It makes a lot of sense he would also be working on the film, as he has quite the history with the director.

    He was the composer for Cretton’s other four projects, I Am Not a Hipster, Short Term 12, The Glass Castle, and Just Mercy. It is currently being recorded in London’s Abbey Road Studios, as they prepare the film for its upcoming September 3rd release. It’s the first time we’ve heard about his involvement since IMDb Pro, as shared by Geeks Worldwide, revealed his involvement with the project back in October of 2019.

    Briefly, there was also the rumor that Bloodborne and Elysium‘s Ryan Amon was involved with the project, which supposedly also stemmed from IMDB Pro. He is currently listed to be involved with the film’s music department on IMDB. There hasn’t been an official confirmation so far, but Film Music Report has been reliable in the past. Around six months ago, the same site also revealed that Knightfall‘s Natalie Holt was scoring Loki. It’ll be interesting to see what he brings to the production and what kind of soundtrack we can expect from the film that’ll dive deep into the history of the Ten Rings and finally introduce the world to the true Mandarin.

    Source: Film Music Reporter, Twitter, IMDb (Shang-Chi), IMDb (Amon)

  • REPORT: Doctor Strange to Face a Tragic Future in a ‘What If’ Episode

    REPORT: Doctor Strange to Face a Tragic Future in a ‘What If’ Episode

    We’ve gotten quite a bit of tease regarding Marvel Studios’ next Disney+ series, What If. It’ll be the franchise’s first foray into animation, as it explores beyond the Sacred Timeline and looks at the classic stories from Marvel Cinematic Universe from a new perspective. We heard rumblings of an Erik Killmonger-focused episode that may put the once villain n a more positive light. Now, it seems Illuminerdi continues their streak by also revealing more on a Doctor Strange-centric episode. The first trailers already teased a darker path for the Sorcerer Supreme and they have revealed that his motivations are due to the death of his true love.

    Now, he is obsessed with changing the past. There is a good chance that tragic death may involve Christine Palmer, who was his anchor in the original Scott Derrickson film. It also confirms he’ll once again get his hands on the Time Stone through the Eye of Aggomotto, but it’s uncertain if this may also tease the return of Kaecillius, who introduces the once good Doctor to this darker future. We are seeing the return of some classic Marvel Studios villains which could indicate that Mads Mikkelsen may return to tackle the role once again.

    The teaser trailer also revealed that another incarnation of the Doctor may find his way into the multiverse. It is uncertain if it may connect to his upcoming sequel or how he ends up trapped in the madness that may get unleashed through Loki. Still, it’ll be interesting to see how the tragedy continues to transform the arrogant yet down-to-earth man into the warped version we see in the upcoming Disney+ series.

    Source: Illuminerdi

  • ‘Loki’s Final Episode Officially Finished and With Disney+

    ‘Loki’s Final Episode Officially Finished and With Disney+

    We’re already anxiously awaiting the next episode of Loki, which will continue to unravel the Marvel Cinematic Universe in new and interesting ways. It looks like production on Loki has still continued up until recently, as director Kate Herron took to Twitter to announce that she dropped off the final episode with Disney+. While filming has finished some time ago, it seems they spent a lot of time putting the finishing touches on the series in post-production. Of course, she doesn’t give away any details about the finale but shares her enthusiasm about finally finishing work on the film she pitched two years ago.

    https://twitter.com/iamkateherron/status/1406672108881682440

    It’s interesting that she finished the cut around four to three weeks ahead of its release, as Matt Shakman, the writer behind WandaVision, revealed that they had to work through a lot of crunch time to get it out around two weeks ahead of its premiere. They seemed to be the most affected by the pandemic, but it’s uncertain if Loki also had to work under some restrictions. Whatever is the case, it’s great to know that everything is set to release on time.

    Loki introduced the world to the Time Variance Authority and the Sacred Timeline. We still know very little about how the show will continue to explore Tom Hiddleston‘s character, who faced a harsh reality after Avengers: Endgame. The world also got introduced to Sophia Di Martino‘s Variant Sylvie that will most likely be the focus of the third episode after our favorite Variant chased after her through a Time Door.

    Source: Twitter