Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Marvel Studios

  • Following His Uncanny Cameo in ‘The Marvels’, Kelsey Grammer Reveals the Future of Beast

    Following His Uncanny Cameo in ‘The Marvels’, Kelsey Grammer Reveals the Future of Beast

    As is too often the case, the post-credit scene for Marvel Studios’ latest MCU installment, The Marvels, has generated more hype than the events of the film. The tag, which revealed what happened to Monica Rambeau following her universe-saving actions in the film’s climax, took place in another universe where Monica’s mother, Maria, was the costumed hero Binary and where Charles Xavier had put together a team of X-Men. One member of that team, Dr. Henry McCoy, was voiced by Kelsey Grammer, who first played the role in 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand and the scene seemed to hold some promise that it might not be the last time Grammer would reprise the role, though as we’ve learned from Marvel Studios litany of unfulfilled stingers, nothing is certain.

    While Grammer’s return to the role in The Marvels was surprising to fans, it’s something the actor had hoped might happen. And, in an interview with The Wrap, Grammer has expressed his desire to return as Beast again…and perhaps teased that his return is imminent. “It is my hope that you will,” replied Grammer when asked if audiences might see him as the furry, blue genius. However, as is refreshingly becoming more and more common with actors working with the studio, Grammer went a bit further, adding, “I can say with a certain amount of confidence that you will. I would love to.”

    The actor, who also recently returned to his career-making role as Frasier Crane, shared that he was “very pleased” by the reaction to his return as Beast. “I’ve always wanted to play him again, said Grammer. “I see him as an extraordinary character, a real character of gravitas and importance in our culture. I’m delighted Beast is back and hope he’s back in a real way.”

    This certainly seems like a case where Grammer is well-aware of what’s in store for the character but is not quite willing to completely cross the line. Obviously, Monica Rambeau will be expected to reunite with at least Carol if not Kamala and find her way back to the 616 universe. Given the level of genius possessed by Hank McCoy–and his status as a member of the Illuminati during Marvel Comics Secret Wars–he seems as good of a character as any to start to figure out the just how damaging the ongoing Incursions are to the Multiverse.

    Source: The Wrap

  • RUMOR: Marvel Studios Said to Be Reworking the 2-Part Finale to the Multiverse Saga

    RUMOR: Marvel Studios Said to Be Reworking the 2-Part Finale to the Multiverse Saga

    As Hollywood gets up and running again following a months-long work stoppage due to a pair of strikes, it’s becoming clear that the fine folks at Marvel Studios have continued to be hard at work behind the scenes. Projects such as Deadpool 3 and Marvel Spotlight’s Wonder Man are said to be resuming filming this month, casting is underway for 2025’s Fantastic Four, and there have been some changes to the creative teams behind multiple projects. Most recently, it was revealed that Destin Daniel Cretton, who directed Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings, has decided to leave Avengers: The Kang Dynasty to focus on his work with Wonder Man and the sequel to Shang-Chi. As that news broke earlier this week, the rumor mill once again began to turn and it’s churned out some interesting tidbits.

    Kang and the Multiverse of Madness

    Paired with Jonathan Majors‘ ongoing legal troubles, Cretton’s departure from The Kang Dynasty led to some rumblings that Marvel Studios had decided to part ways with Majors and ditch their ongoing Kang storyline entirely. Part of that rumor has since been disputed by scooper Daniel RPK who explained that while Marvel is open to recasting Kang, “they’re not leaving the character aside.“

    Given Loki producer Kevin Wright’s revelation that Michael Waldron, who was originally tabbed by Marvel Studios to write Avengers: Secret Wars, had taken over writing duties on Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, RPK’s information seems consistent with what the studios is saying publicly. “He loves obviously this world as he helped create it“, said Wright of Waldron, referring to the fact that the writer was behind Kang’s introduction to the MCU as the creator of the first season of Loki.

    Secret Secret Wars

    With Waldron taking over creative duties on both ends of the two-part Multiverse Saga finale, there’s been some speculation that the studio may scrap the title “The Kang Dynasty” altogether. Insider Jeff Sneider shared that his source indicated that might be the case and that the studio might opt for Avengers: Secret Wars, Part 1 and Avengers: Secret Wars, Part 2. That seems a little unlikely for a studio that loves to coopt comic book titles from Marvel Comics but another bit of info shared by the scooper does line up with something we’ve heard from our own sources.

    Snieder indicated that, regardless of titles, the two films are a two-part story and that with the departure of Cretton, the studio was now looking for one director/team of directors to rule them all as was the cast with the Russo brothers on Avengers: Infinty War and Avengers: Endgame. As it was explained to me, Marvel was looking for a “cohesive vision for two movies” and with Waldron on board to write both, they are halfway there. This sheds some light on Cretton’s departure (how could he handle the Shang-Chi sequel–which is rumored to be part of this Saga–AND both big Avengers films?) and then opens the door to who might be available for both films. While Sneider suggested the studio might look at Fantastic Four director Matt Shakman, internet sentiment would have Kevin Feige at least consider Justin Benson and Aaron Moorehead who were recently lauded for their work on Loki Season 2. Though the duo recently took over on Daredevil, their schedule might clear up afterward and just because Avengers: The Kang Dynasty is currently slated for a May 2, 2026 release doesn’t mean that’s where it will end up. At this point, the studio would happily move the film if it meant it hit as hard as Avengers: Infinty War did in 2018.

    Whatever the case, evidence is mounting that Marvel Studios has evaluated and changed course a bit…just how much remains to be seen.

    Source: The Insneider

  • ‘Invincible’ Creator Robert Kirkman Goes Honey Badger on Steven Yeun’s Rumored MCU Role

    ‘Invincible’ Creator Robert Kirkman Goes Honey Badger on Steven Yeun’s Rumored MCU Role

    While the entirety of the internet clamors over reports and rumors about who will ultimately be cast in Marvel Studios Fantastic Four, the studio’s worst kept casting secret actually belongs to another of its 2025 films. Last February, The Walking Dead and Beef star Steven Yeun joined the cast of Thunderbolts in a “mystery role” which was no mystery at all. By early March, reports revealed that Yeun had joined the MCU as the Sentry and while Yeun refused to talk to much about his role, he did share his excitement about landing a role in a Marvel Studios project.

    I feel good. I feel excited. I feel like a new challenge. I feel blessed to be able to play in a place that reaches so many people. I got to touch that on Walking Dead. It feels exciting to get another chance to connect with people in another way.

    Steven Yeun on joining the MCU-Total Film

    As expected, nobody at Marvel Studios has addressed the nature of Yeun’s role either, keeping it a “big surprise” for an official reveal at some sort of con or event. But while neither Yeun nor the powers that be at Marvel Studios want to address it, writer Robert Kirkman who created Marvel Zombies at Marvel Comics back in 2006 and both The Walking Dead and Invincible–two projects which have been adapted to TV and starred Yeun–has no problems discussing it. During a conversation with artist David Finch, Kirkman shared a fun anecdote about Yeun, attending a costume fitting for the Sentry.

    “My good friend Steven Yeun in playing the Sentry in a movie,” said Kirkman. “Yeah, he called me…he went in for a costume fitting…I hope I’m not…I don’t think this is a spoiler or anything that’ll get anybody in trouble. I don’t know. Maybe. We’ll see. I don’t care. I don’t work for Marvel what are they gonna do to me?” Kirkman continued, “But he called me and he said, ‘I just came back from a costume fitting for the Sentry! I guess I only do superheroes that are yellow and blue.’ He said he was at the costume fitting and was like ‘Aw, crap! I forgot Invincible is yellow and blue.’“

    Kirkman’s realization that he had potentially revealed something was quickly followed by the realization that he didn’t care at all. After more than a decade of Marvel sniper culture, it’s refreshing to see Kirkman address the studio’s chicanery in regard to these “super secret” castings.

    After quite a few changes to the creative team and delays due to the WGA and SAG strikes, Thunderbolts is expected to go into production in 2024 and land in theaters on July 25, 2025.

    Source: YouTube

  • RUMOR: Javier Bardem Emerges as the Frontrunner for a Massive ‘Fantastic Four’ Role

    RUMOR: Javier Bardem Emerges as the Frontrunner for a Massive ‘Fantastic Four’ Role

    As it works toward a possible Spring 2024 start of production, Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four is looking to round out its cast which is already rumored to be loaded with talent. After news broke that The Mandalorian and The Last of Us star Pedro Pascal was in talks for the role of Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, rumors about the studio having settled on actors to fill the rest of the roles of Marvel Comics First Family weren’t far behind. Now, another rumor centered on one of the Fantastic Four’s most well-known antagonists has hit the web.

    According to scooper Jeff Sneider, Marvel Studios is looking hard at Javier Bardem for the role of Galactus. Should Bardem’s busy schedule prevent him from filling the role of the Devourer of Worlds, the role could fall to Antonio Banderas, who was rumored to be the frontrunner for the Hunger That Does Not Cease earlier this year.

    Sneider believes that the role of Galactus will mostly require Bardem to do voice work, which could ultimately make it possible for him to land the role. However, it’s possible that some motion-capture work might also be necessary which means both that the MCU’s Galactus would be more than an effervescent fart cloud and that Bardem would have to work around his schedule on F1 which co-stars Brad Pitt.

    Source: The Insneider

  • RUMOR: The Rest of Marvel Studios First Family Has Been Cast in ‘Fantastic Four’

    RUMOR: The Rest of Marvel Studios First Family Has Been Cast in ‘Fantastic Four’

    The resolution of the SAG strike has allowed the big wheel in Hollywood to start spinning again and over the last several days, it has spun at breakneck speed. Over the course of just a few hours on November 15th, Pedro Pascal went from a rumored front-runner for the role of Reed Richards in Marvel Studios Fantastic Four to having trade reports indicate that he’s close to signing on for the role. Now, a new rumor from a familiar source indicates that the studio has also cast Pascal’s co-stars in the 2025 film.

    According to Jeff Sneider, who was among the first to report Pascal’s involvement with the film, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon-Moss Bachrach have been cast in the film as Sue Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm, respectively.

    Our own sources indicated in August that Kirby had agreed to star in the film prior to the strike and that Quinn was a top choice for the studio which had concept art created of the actor as The Human Torch. Bachrach, who recently worked with Disney on Lucasfilm’s Andor and also starred as Micro in Netflix’s The Punisher, has been rumored as the front-runner for Ben Grimm/The Thing for several months.

    While no deals have been announced yet, Sneider believes it’s just a matter of time before the three actors officially become part of the MCU. Fantastic Four, which is being helmed by WandaVision’s Matt Shakman, is scheduled to go into production in Spring 2024 and release in theaters on May 2nd, 2025.

    Source: The Insneider

  • UPDATE: Pedro Pascal In Talks for ‘Fantastic Four’

    UPDATE: Pedro Pascal In Talks for ‘Fantastic Four’

    UPDATE: After /Film revealed that Pedro Pascal has signed on for Fantastic Four, Deadline has reportedly shared that while he is definitely in talks: “a deal is far from done.” Supposedly it is heading in the right direction and while he’s busy the next year, scheduling will work out for him to take on the role. So, unless some big surprise drops, it seems very likely he’ll have the role.

    Source: Deadline

    Earlier today, there were rumors that a new frontrunner has emerged for the role of Reed Richards in the upcoming Fantastic Four film. Many have supposedly declined the role since the first wave of castings started but The Mandalorian’s Pedro Pascal surprisingly came out as the next potential person to take on the role.

    Well, a new report by /Film has seemingly stated that not only was he offered the role but according to their sources he’s already signed on. The rumor started with Daniel RPK sharing that he was the next in line shortly followed by Jeff Sneider supporting the rumor. Though that’s not including the crazy rumors that have piled on before and during the pandemic.

    For now, it’s still not a full confirmation but further hints that Marvel’s First Family might be slowly coming together on the big screen. A variety of actors have supposedly been up for the role ranging from Adam Driver to Matt Smith, as well as MCU veternals like John Krasinski (who even played a Variant of the character in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) and Spider-Man’s Jake Gyllenhaal.

    The big question though is how he’ll juggle his roles in other projects like The Last of Us, The Mandalorian, and many more. He hasn’t been actively showing up in the Star Wars series and mainly focuses on voicing the character of Din Djarin, but scheduling conflicts with The Last of Us’ second season is definitely going to impact when Marvel Studios can start work on the Fantastic Four. Though given current developments it was going to need a bit more time anyway.

    Source: /Film

  • ‘What If…?’ Season 2 Trailer Introduces a Totally Tubular Team of Avengers

    ‘What If…?’ Season 2 Trailer Introduces a Totally Tubular Team of Avengers

    Marvel Studios is trying something all-new and all-different with the second season of their first canonical animated adventure, What If…?, by switching up their long-standing release strategy. Starting December 22nd, fans will be able to tune into one multiversal adventure per day for nine days and, as seen in the first trailer for the project, will be meeting an interesting variant Avengers team.

    The trailer comes out swinging by introducing fans to an alternate universe where a very powered-up Peter Quill in what, based on Quill’s age, is either set in the late 1980s or early 1990s. The young Quill Variant, who based on the use of his powers, seems to have spent some time with his father, Ego, draws the attention of S.H.I.E.LD., run by Peggy Carter and Howard Stark, who send a very interesting team of Avengers to deal with the boy.

    As revealed over several scenes from the trailer, Quill is met by Bucky Barnes, Mar-Vell, Hank Pym/Ant-Man, Bill Foster/Goliath, King T’Chaka/Black Panther and Thor. The team is quite time-appropriate given what we know about the Sacred Timeline, though the inclusion of T’Chaka and Mar-Vell is very interesting given the relative anonymity of their alter egos in the 616 multiverse. Avengers Assemble!

  • Marvel Studios was Aware of ‘The Marvels’ Troubles, Reworking Future Slate

    Marvel Studios was Aware of ‘The Marvels’ Troubles, Reworking Future Slate

    2023 was certainly a rough year for Marvel Studios and potentially the one to reshape their future. Phase 4 seemed to be the most experimental for the studio, especially facing troubles during COVID and the recent strikes completely scrapping any plans that were finally coming together. The Marvels‘ box office is definitely going to be something many cling to for a variety of reasons, but it does look like Marvel Studios wasn’t just blinded by the troubles heading their way.

    In a new report by The Hollywood Reporter, they claim that according to their sources, “Marvel studios and Disney were well aware The Marvels was in trouble” even before it was released in theaters. As such, they are going to take their time to rework their theatrical tentpole releases and also evaluate generally how they will move forward.

    Marvel Spotlight is their first move to create a more distinct separation of the projects that are relevant for the bigger picture, but it does seem like this might be how they’ll brand most of their Disney+ series moving forward. THR also highlights that Deadpool 3 is a deliberate choice as the only release next year and perhaps is one of the reasons they are considering reworking Captain America: Brave New World. Marvel Studios’ future may seem uncertain but it’s definitely a good sign that they are learning from their lessons.

    Source: Hollywood Reporter

  • ‘The Marvels’ EP Confirms the Post-Credit Scene’s Uncanny Inspiration

    ‘The Marvels’ EP Confirms the Post-Credit Scene’s Uncanny Inspiration

    The final scene of Marvel Studios’ action-packed The Marvels, which features Kamala Khan recruiting Kate Bishop to join a team of young heroes, was clearly inspired by the MCU’s first-ever stinger which introduced Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury as he recruited Tony Stark after the events of Iron Man concluded. The post-credit scene to The Marvels hit hard as well and while it’s inspiration might not have been quite as apparent to moviegoers, we had a hunch we knew exactly where it came from and now Executive Producer Mary Livanos has confirmed that suspicion in an interview with EW.

    The scene features Teyonah Parris‘ Monica Rambeau waking up in an alternate universe and coming face-to-face with a super-powered Variant of her mother, Maria, played once again by Lashana Lynch. While it’s not the first time a powered up Variant of Maria has been seen on screen, this particular Variant was hanging out with the X-Men and going by the name Binary which seemed like a nod to author Chris Claremont’s beloved run on Marvel Comics Uncanny X-Men in which Carol Danvers spent quite a bit of time with the mutant super team. According to Livanos, that’s exactly what went down.

    “The notion that Monica ends up in an alternate universe with the hope that it could tie in with the X-Men was something I always had on my to-do list. I love how in the comics, Carol Danvers as Binary spends some time with the X-Men in space,” explained Livanos of the inspiration for the tag. “I’m so delighted that Kevin [Feige] and folks were stoked about the idea of Binary and the fact that she does fit into the X-Men universe. As a fan, I was just absolutely floored and delighted that we got to get Beast in there and have a big old X, right behind Binary. It was bananas.“

    As for how Kelsey Grammer, who first appeared as Beast in 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand, ended up back in character for the first time in nearly a decade, Livanos said that was all Marvel Studios One Above All. “Kevin Feige just called him up! Kevin, of course, worked on the X-Men films back in the day, so they have their own wonderful relationship. We were just so lucky to have him.” Only a couple of years ago, Grammer expressed an interest in returning to the role so it’s unlikely Feige had to twist his arm for this appearance; however, given the way The Marvels ended, it seems possible the actor might get at leat one more chance to voice Dr. McCoy in the future.

    Source: EW

  • Iman Vellani Speaks Out on ‘Young Avengers’, MCU Muties Tag and ‘Ms. Marvel’ Season 2

    Iman Vellani Speaks Out on ‘Young Avengers’, MCU Muties Tag and ‘Ms. Marvel’ Season 2

    Despite a less-than-impressive box office, the majority of critics gave The Marvels a thumbs-up though not everyone was on board with Marvel Studios latest entry; however, it seems that very few, if any, critics had anything other than praise to heap upon Iman Vellani in her return as Kamala Khan. The young actress, who first appeared as the character in 2022’s Ms. Marvel, served both as the heart of the film and the film’s eponymous team and made quite the impression in her big screen debut. Though the SAG strike kept her from promoting the film and appearing at the premiere, Vellani was able to make a public appearance at a post-strike screening at the El Capitan and talked to THR about her experience.

    Ironically enough, despite social media’s derision of the film, The Marvels has done more to excite audiences about the future of the MCU than any other film in 2023. While that certainly calls into question the studio’s continued use of post-credit scenes to drive hype (the movie’s final scene and it’s tag are by far the most talked-about moments of the film), the reality is that The Marvels, as Vellai indicated in her interview, is hardly as disinteresting as you might think.

    “There was a version of this in an old script, but we never shot it,” explained Vellani about the film’s final scene in which she recruits Hailee Steinfeld‘s Kate Bishop to serve as one of the MCU’s Young Avengers. “And then there were rumors that we were going to get to it in additional photography, but with a different Young Avenger,” continued Vellaini, “So I never really got the script until right before additional photography and then I flipped out.”

    The film’s final scene serves as a fun imitation of the MCU’s first post-credit scene in 2008’s Iron Man in which Samuel L. Jackson‘s Nick Fury invited Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark into a larger universe. For an MCU superfan like Vellani, having the opportunity to relive that excitement was important. “I immediately rewatched Iron Man and texted Nia in all caps,” said Vellani. “I was like, ‘I cannot believe the honor that I am getting right now. This is crazy!’ I did not need to rewatch that entire movie, but it didn’t hurt. So I was giddy the entire time. All of us were freaking out. It was also the last scene we shot for the movie, and it is the last scene of the movie.“

    As exciting as that scene was for fans of Marvel Comics, the film’s post-credit scene served up an even bigger tease as it revealed that Teyonah Parris‘ Monica Rambeau landed in an alternate universe where the X-Men seemed to be a prominent force. Given that Kamala was revealed as the MCU’s first mutant in Ms. Marvel, the scene, which featured Kesley Grammer‘s Beast, seemed to carry some added significance.

    “They shot the mid-credit scene during principal [photography],” explained Vellani. “They shot it earlier, so they knew what they were doing. But I thought it was going to be something else. I did not realize Beast [Kelsey Grammer] was in it. I knew they shot it, but I was expecting to see something else. And lo and behold, they kept the secret even from me,” added the actress who has a famously open-door relationship with Marvel Studios’ head honcho, Kevin Feige. “I literally jumped and had a heart attack on my bed when I watched it for the first time. I literally texted every single person we worked with, and I was like, “How could you keep this from me?” But at least I got to experience it as a fan, which was so cool. I’m just so excited to see what they do with that in the future.“

    When pressed as to whether or not the scene was included as a tie-in to Ms. Marvel’s reveal that Kamala was the MCU’s first mutant, which Vellani called “an honor”, the actress fell back to the old MCU axiom that it’s all connected. “Yeah, I think they’re connecting a lot of things,” said the actress. “They’re sprinkling in the mutants here and there. We saw [Charles Xavier] in Multiverse of Madness. So I honestly am not privy to what they’re doing with the X-Men and how they’re going to incorporate them, but it is extremely cool and a really big flex to have one in our own movie. Well, two, if you count me.“

    Given Marvel Studios’ less than stellar track record on following through with their post-credit tags and the recent turmoil that has seemed to leave some of the studio’s plans up in the air, it remains to be seen just what importance, if any, the tag will have. However, it’s clearly something that has gained some traction in the minds of fans of the MCU and with the recent struggles the studio’s projects have had, it’s safe to assume they’ll enjoy the online debate about exactly what’s going on in the stinger.

    On the topic of things that seem safe to assume, a second season of Ms. Marvel seems a fairly safe bet despite the uncertainty currently permeating Marvel Studios’ future. Though she certainly didn’t confirm it, Vellani is quite hopeful that the sophomore season will happen, especially given the positive vibes her performance in The Marvels has received. “I am patient, and honestly, I hope all the love that Kamala is getting from this movie inspires people to be more vocal about wanting a season two. I would absolutely love to continue this story, and Kamala and her entire community has so much story left to tell. I want to see Bruno [Matt Lintz] again. I want to see Nakia [Yasmeen Fletcher] again, and that’s just me. So it would be really amazing to have a season two, and there’s so many different directions we can go with it.”

    The Marvels is now in theaters and all episodes of Ms. Marvel are available to stream on Disney Plus.

    Source: THR