Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Marvel

  • Mahershala Ali’s ‘Blade’ Eyeing ‘Mogul Mowgli’ Director Bassam Tariq

    Mahershala Ali’s ‘Blade’ Eyeing ‘Mogul Mowgli’ Director Bassam Tariq

    It looks like Marvel Studios has finally found its director for the Mahershala Ali-led Blade film. Deadline is reporting that Bassam Tariq is in talks to join the project to bring the famous vampire hunter to life. Stacy Osei-Kuffour joined the project around five months ago to write its script after her work on HBO’s Watchmen. The director is best known for his work on Mogul Mowgli, where he worked together with Riz Ahmed. Negotiations aren’t final as of now. It seems they’ve been meeting with dozen of candidates since last fall.

    Marvel Studios has been hard at work finding a director for this project. They’ve gone through various options, such as a writer-director but then decided to hire Osei-Kuffor. Her joining the project shortened the list of potential candidates. It looks like Tariq’s pitch was the one to beat out the rest but he has yet to sign a deal. The film originally was pitched by Mahershala Ali, who is heavily involved with the film’s development.

    It’ll be the director’s first major deal and is similar to how they chose Taika Waititi after his success with Hunt for the Wilderpeople. His vision of introducing the vampires officially into the MCU will be a must-watch, as it could open up darker avenues for the company. It seemed early on that the film was going to release October 2022, but the search for the right team delayed the production by quite a bit. Still, it’s good they are prioritizing the project and not rushing it out to hit a specific deadline.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Loki’s Threshold: A Scarlet Nexus Event Into the Multiverse

    ‘Loki’s Threshold: A Scarlet Nexus Event Into the Multiverse

    There’s still a lot to digest from Loki‘s grand finale. Time is no longer what it used to be, and we face a multiverse of problems. He Who Remains warned our loving duo that the other villains to follow are far more dangerous than his control over the Sacred Timeline. Yet, throughout all the explanations on the future coming of Kang, we break past a threshold. The point of no return where a single choice will change the outcome of the entire multiverse. All eyes were on Jonathan Majors‘ performance. So, we never thought to question what that very threshold ended up being. So, let’s take a closer look and see what may cause such an event where even the master of time has no more control.

    Once the threshold got broken, we see the multiverse slowly grow. It’s not at one point but multiple nexus events simultaneously. The show implied that it would be Sylvie and Loki’s love that ends everything. Yet, the threshold takes hold long before the kiss. It does lead to the eventual breaking point, as it is the last act in deviance before the multiverse completely breaks free. In the end, it wasn’t the literal breaking point but rather the event that would push it. He Who Remains knew their journey. So, the events beyond that point were merely a prediction. In a way, the way he acts before his death. It seemed like it was his hope of freedom. Somehow it was He Who Remains’ last act of free will. Even if he knew nothing beyond that point, he did know of the threshold’s existence and potential.

     

    Who Is He Who Remains in 'Loki'? Could He Be Phase 4's New Villain?

     

    Yet, if he knows what will happen throughout time, what kind of chaos would keep him from knowing beyond this point. The Time Variance Authority’s existence is to keep order across the Sacred Timeline. In a way, their natural enemy would be chaos. It’s an important element we’ve gotten introduced to in the first Disney+ series by Marvel Studios. In WandaVision, we learn that the Darkhold predicted the coming of the Scarlet Witch. A being forged out of chaos magic that may break reality as we know it. Her chapter states she will destroy the world. Yet, it never specifies which one. It doesn’t even specify but we know it connects to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of the Madness.

    All we know is the Darkhold in her possession may break reality as we know it. With the rumored appearance of Shuma-Gorath, perhaps the book was created by this being rather than Cthon to lure the being to break him free from the restraints of time. Perhaps the Scarlet Witch is a nexus being within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but not in the way we know it from the comics. Loki introduces us to Nexus events that create Variants within the Sacred Timeline. Perhaps, her fully coming into control of that power created the ultimate Variant. Her existence of pure chaos energy is not just a Nexus event but an entire being. The word exists within her dreams for a reason.

     

    WandaVision: Finale erklärt Ursprung und Schicksal der Scarlet Witch

     

    Even from an outsider’s perspective of time, it is an “event” that happens randomly to onlookers. In a way, it happens at a transfixed point of time outside of the literal timeline. The man knew when Loki and Sylvie’s Variants would come into existence. So, he must know when the Scarlet Witch would be born. He exists beyond time, but the only variable to how time breaks is through a Variant. From an outside perspective, time is flat. They aren’t living at a specific point in time. Yet, the threshold echoed throughout the room as a certain event passed. So, the only way a breaking point erupts is when a specific Variant breaks away from the timeline. We learn that Loki’s are the most frequent visitors of the TVA. They are agents of chaos. As such, they can easily break free from their timely restraints. In a way, a being that forged in pure chaos could even break beyond those limitations that even He Who Remains loses sight of what is to come.

  • ‘Black Widow’ Drops 67% in its Second Weekend as ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ Takes Top Spot

    ‘Black Widow’ Drops 67% in its Second Weekend as ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ Takes Top Spot

    Black Widow was a very frontloaded release, which got boosted by their Disney+ Premier Access release. There was some uncertainty if it’ll have a strong second weekend or face a steep fall. Sadly, it seems the latter has come to pass as its new release Space Jam: A New Legacy took the top spot with $32M. While nowhere near the Marvel Studios’ release, it is still the year’s fourth-best release ahead of Godzilla Vs. Kong‘s 31M. The film is also the biggest family-focused film launch since Pixar’s Onward in March of 2020. Still, early predictions did believe the Scarlett Johnasson-run film would keep the top spot.

    The bigger shock is that the film’s international presence also took quite a hit. It barely scratched the $30M, which is on par with F9‘s current running after a two-month release. However, if you take a closer look at its international presence, Black Widow has yet to release in China. The latest Fast and Furious entry has been very dominant in that market throughout its run. The theatric-only release has been playing well into its hand and gave the film some considerable legs, especially as it rolls out into other markets.

    The second weekend was a 67% drop for the Marvel Studios film, which some expected. The Friday 79% drop was the worst the franchise has ever seen and is on par with Batman v Superman or Man of Steel. To offer a pandemic comparison, F9 dropped 67% and Wonder Woman 1984 around 67.1%. The last two Marvel films to see that kind of drop were quite leggy experiences and managed to hold over quite a bit over their total runtime. So, theories are that the film could still manage a $200M+ domestic launch. If you include their Disney+ numbers, they add another $60M on top, which also doesn’t have to get shared with theaters. Sadly and expectedly, Disney has not released the numbers for their second weekend.

    Without a China release, it’s unclear if Black Widow will manage to pass F9‘s total Box Office, which seems likely at around $700M. China’s Hi, Mom is currently the top grosser with $825M. Many factors have been influencing its growth, such as international markets fearing the rise in COVID’s delta variant and the return of harsher restrictions. The film has shown some commendable Monday to Thursday performances, which could be the film’s saving grace, as it topped $100M in record time domestically.

     

    Black Widow": Superheldin auf Schmerzmitteln und ein heimlicher Star | STERN.de

     

    Disney+’s Premier Access also hurts the film’s legs if you consider that a one-time payment includes multiple viewings at your leisure. Why should one risk going to the theaters again if I can watch it from the comfort of my home? Plus, piracy is a growing issue with this approach to film releases. If Disney simply accepted the risk, they might be looking at a much stronger second weekend. Still, the lack of transparency after boasting the numbers may leave a sour taste and it’ll be interesting to see if Jungle Cruise follows the same drop once it releases later this month to have a direct comparison.

    Source: Forbes (Space Jam), The Numbers (F9), Forbes (BW), Deadline, Hollywood Reporter, The Numbers (BW)

  • ‘Loki’: Open Questions for Season 2

    ‘Loki’: Open Questions for Season 2

    After a long six-week wait, Loki has come to an end. Luckily, it is just the beginning as a second season is already in the books. Even if it closed many questions, there are still quite a few questions left remaining. As we enter the Marvel Cinematic Multiverse, it’s time to ask how the events of this first season will shape the second.

    • Loki and Sylvie learn that free will is an illusion after meeting Jonathan Majors’ He Who Remains. A season of running through time and introspection led them to a dissertation of horror. This leads to Sylvie’s dead-set thirst for vengeance being quenched, and Loki being left alone. The additional gut punch comes when even Mobius and B-15 don’t recognize him. We are left questioning what happened and if Loki will be able to trust again or fall back to his old ways.
    • We know that Jonathan Majors will return as Kang the Conquerer in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. He Who Remains made sure to warn Loki, Sylvie, and the audience with his chilling words in the finale. It does open the question if we will see any of those Variants before then, or will we just have to wait for the second season. The terror is foreboding, whether it’s Kang, Scarlet Centurion, or Rama Tut, all as we know is in grave danger.

     

    Loki season finale recap: Post-credits scene, ending of episode 6 explained - CNET

     

    • Ravonna still has faith in the TVA. She wants to know the truth and heads out on the search for free will. We know the comic book implications of Ravonna and Kang throughout history. Miss Minutes changed the notes Ravonna downloaded and she’s on her way to somewhere else in time. Whatever her goal is, it may redefine her own path moving forward.
    • One has to wonder if He Who Remains knew that the kiss between Loki and Sylvie would be the Nexus event that breaks the timeline. As Sylvie chooses to breaks time as we know it, where does she go from here? She has spent her life believing that she deserved retribution. Consumed by it, now nothing will ever be the same. It’s quite the weight to carry. Will she find Loki and try to repair things? Maybe not immediately. It feels like there’s a new road for her to travel in light of the cataclysmic events.

    There’s a lot to accomplish in the second season, as it continues to build upon the rules set in the first season. We don’t know what the Multiverse truly has in store with only inclinations for the Doctor Strange and Spider-Man sequels. We have no idea when the second season releases and how it ties into the overarching storyline set with future installments. Of course, the only question that truly matters at the end of the day is if Mobius finally gets to ride a jet ski next season. 

  • ‘Loki’: The Mystery Behind the Unused King Loki Scenes

    ‘Loki’: The Mystery Behind the Unused King Loki Scenes

    There have been many mysteries surrounding Loki. The show built up the big question of who is the man behind the curtain. We all wanted to know who was the puppet master of the Time Variance Authority. Trailer after trailer teased whoever it could be. There were countless teases, and even the trailers put many on the path of the mastermind being a king version of Loki.

    Well, it turns out that brief tease had nothing to do with the actual finale. It was a big question mark for many viewers, and it turns out it originally was part of the first episode all along. Chris Hemsworth even recorded the grunts of that brief cameo. Composer Natalie Holt offered some insight into why the scene didn’t make it into the first season in an interview with The Direct.

    That was a moment in Episode 1. When Mobius is showing [Loki] his life, there were more moments in there. I think they just kind of cut it down to kind of give it a bit more focus. But there were a few extra moments in there, and that Frog of Thunder moment was one of them. I had actually written, I had done something with choir for it like it was this big, grand moment where Loki takes over the crown in Asgard, and then you see Thor as a frog

    Interestingly enough, a week ago, we already heard that the first episode planned a fight sequence between Loki and Throg. It’s our first confirmation that this ties together with the King Loki sequences we’ve seen scattered throughout the trailers. It’s a great move to avoid this sequence, as it would’ve taken away from his cameo in the fifth episode. We also got a lot of comedic moments in the opening and adding more could’ve taken away from the dramatic core of Loki’s acceptance.

    There’s always a chance they might revisit this concept in the future, especially now that Loki will have a second season. Still, it was clever to use this unused footage in the trailers to keep people guessing until the end. Even if it didn’t serve the series directly, it was a clever idea by Marvel Studios’ marketing team.

    Source: The Direct

  • How Disney+ Could Adapt ‘Young Avengers: Children’s Crusade’

    How Disney+ Could Adapt ‘Young Avengers: Children’s Crusade’

    Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is well underway with the premiere of its Disney+ shows. There have been several motifs that have been recurring across the last three Marvel Studios entries. One of these elements is the subtle nods to the next generation of heroes. With the introductions of several characters like Billy and Tommy Maximoff, Elijah Bradley, Kid Loki, Cassie Lang, Riri Williams, Kate Bishop, and America Chavez, all of this leads towards the very likely possibility that the MCU is setting up the introduction of the Young Avengers for Phase 4 or beyond. So, it’s time for a live-action adaptation of The Children’s Crusade storyline.

     

     

    In the comics, it is a coming-of-age story following House of M. Wanda Maximoff goes missing. So, the Young Avengers set out to find her in an adventure filled with unexpected twists and turns. With the MCU loosely adapting their version of House of M for WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, it seems fitting that the follow-up to follow in this saga would be The Children’s Crusade. Especially because it mainly focuses on Billy Kaplan and Thomas Shepherd, the reincarnations of Billy and Tommy Maximoff in the comics. After our brief introduction o them in WandaVision and a potential return in the upcoming Strange sequel, it’s time to follow their story.

     

    How the series would play out

     

    The Disney+ series would be a loose adaptation of the comics. The Young Avengers will be at the forefront of this story. At this point, they’ve already got introduced to another project. However, it will primarily focus on Wiccan and Speed as they search for a deeper understanding of their powers and who they are. Neither one realizes that they’re the other’s twin, but they find it curious that they look similar. I’d start the series with Billy and Tommy experiencing what they believe are very vivid nightmares that viewers might recognize. It later turns out that they are memories from their previous lives as the Maximoff twins.

    They could have very weird, cryptic dreams similar to how WandaVision used fake commercials to showcase Wanda’s inner turmoil. As such, they would conclude that their dreams are a message to come and find Wanda Maximoff, who I believe will disappear following the events of the Doctor Strange sequel. Fearful of leaving their new friends behind, they ask for their help in this mission, and the team joins them without hesitation in their crusade.

     

     

    The series will progress with a globe-trotting adventure, as they search for any clue that’ll lead them to Wanda. We’ll get to explore iconic locations linked to Wanda, such as Sokovia, Westview, New York, and many more. The team will eventually find her in a remote location. She has no memories or recollection of her past life as the Scarlet Witch. This, of course, confuses the team, but Billy and Tommy most of all. How could one of the most powerful individuals in the multiverse be reduced to a simple nobody? This is how we introduce the viewers to the antagonist of the series. Someone is pulling the strings all along. It turns out to be Agatha Harkness.

     

    Agatha All Along Again

     

    At one point, Agatha found a way to free herself from the Scarlet Witch’s binds and eventually reunite with the amnesiac Wanda. Taking pity on her, she treats her in a friendly, almost neighborly manner as she tries to search for ways to recuperate her magic from Wanda. This would draw a parallel to their first interaction in WandaVision. Agatha could potentially serve as the plot device to reveal to the team the true nature of Tommy and Billy, the fact they are indeed reincarnations of the Maximoff twins.

    The dreams that the twins experienced at the beginning of the series are more than just memories. They’re a manipulation tactic by Agatha to lure the twins. She believed they were the key to regaining her powers but the plan failed. Agatha would be left with no choice but to try and kill the Young Avengers since they know of her plan. The twins face off against the individual responsible for their nightmares and trauma as kids. In the climax of the final battle, Wanda Maximoff regains her memory and aids the team in their battle against Harkness, thus defeating the witch once more and reuniting a family.

  • ‘Loki’: Jonathan Majors Voiced The Time-Keepers in the Disney+ Series

    ‘Loki’: Jonathan Majors Voiced The Time-Keepers in the Disney+ Series

    The Loki finale finally revealed the mysterious man behind the Time Variance Authority, Jonathan Majors. While he was only referred to as He Who Remains, we’ve known for a while that he is playing Kang the Conqueror in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. His early casting opened the floodgates to theorize his appearance and, luckily, it panned out. However, it seems we were wrong when he made his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We only get to meet him in person in the finale, he did appear in the fourth episode of the season, as director Kate Herron revealed he voiced all three of the Time-Keepers.

    Something that was really fun for me was we hadn’t, for example, cast the voice of the Time Keepers yet, because you know Wizard of Oz was an obvious reference of ours. I was like, ‘Oh, let’s get Jonathan to do it, because he’s an amazing character actor,’” she said. “We sent him the art of all the characters and it was really fun [because] he was sending us all of these different voices he could do for each character, which was great.

    It makes a lot of sense that he would voice them. He was the mastermind behind it all and pulled the strings on the puppets. We’ve wondered why there was no mention of the voices, which was a better-kept secret than the identity of the Loki Variants. The breaking of the multiverse will determine the future of the franchise and we might see a lot of different versions of Majors in the near future.

    Source: Entertainment Weekly

  • ‘Marvel’s Avengers’: First Hints at Black Panther’s Backstory Ahead of ‘War for Wakanda’ Expansion

    ‘Marvel’s Avengers’: First Hints at Black Panther’s Backstory Ahead of ‘War for Wakanda’ Expansion

    The latest Marvel’s Avengers dev stream was quite an event. Not only did we get to chat with Christopher Judge on his approach to bringing Black Panther to life, but also some insight into the story by Evan Narcisse and Hannah MacLeod. They offered some interesting details on how they approached the story and the relevance of clearly defining this worlds’ Wakanda alongside its history. Here are some of the highlights from the dev stream:

    • Narcisse worked as a narrative consultant on the project. His work was to find the combination between the story and its game mechanics. He ensures that they satisfyingly inform each other and everything is told holistically.
    • Their focus was to follow an older version of T’Challa. In comparison to other versions, they wanted to dive deeper into his intellectual and scientific side. He likes to think things through before jumping into danger.
    • There was a lot of pressure following the films’ well-established version of Black Panther and Wakanda.

     

    Marvel's Avengers on Twitter: "One more day until #SquareEnixPresents! Here's a screenshot to whet your appetite.… "

     

    • CD was inspired by the concept of a superpowered state that was the main focus of the Enemy of the State comic storyline. When a nation is highly advanced, diplomacy might never be such a simple answer. Wakanda will face its biggest threat in the upcoming expansion and that will further explore the aftermath in a nation that believed it was untouchable.
    • T’Challa isn’t just a king. He is the living embodiment of Wakanda’s symbol. The Black Panther is a heavy burden to carry and it will inform his character. Plus, he’s been carrying this weight for some time. His worldview also puts him in conflict with Shuri. An event has shaped a crater in their relationship, which will get explored in the story.
    • He’s much more of an isolationist and is carrying some anger. He is still in control of his emotions, but it’s only a question of time before he hits his limit.

     

    Avengers Game: Black Panther Release Date Revealed With Free DLC

     

    • Klaue is also a unique adaptation in the game. He isn’t a mercenary or would-be colonizer. While his obsession with Vibranum remains, this version of the character is a scientist. He built his technology and is using AIM’s gear to his advantage.
    • They’ve explored the Dora Milaje history to inform their relationship with him in the game. In the comics, they were not only warriors but also concubines. So, Okoye has some traits from the films, but they tried to balance her respect towards her king in a curious way.
    • McLeod and Narcisse shared their experience tackling this ever-expanding story and confirmed that many stories get mapped out simultaneously. Their team works together on each operation, and it helps to put together how the story continues to evolve.

    It sounds very promising what Crystal Dynamics cooked up in their writing team. They teased more insight in the following weeks ahead of his release. We’ll get a gameplay showcase and even some hints on what to expect with the War for Wakanda expansion. The unique approach to the character is promising, and it feels like we’re about to enter a new era for Marvel’s Avengers.

    Source: Twitch

  • Peggy Carter’s ‘Legends’ Episode May Confirm ‘Agent Carter’s Canonicity

    Peggy Carter’s ‘Legends’ Episode May Confirm ‘Agent Carter’s Canonicity

    There have been many debates about canonicity surrounding the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Agent Carter, Agents of SHIELD, and Marvel Netflix series have direct tie-ins to the film’s events but not the other way around. SHIELD has been a popular point of discussion. Agent Carter‘s Jarvis, played by James D’Arcy, appeared in Avengers: Endgame and added to the debate that they are, in fact, canon. We may get a more definite answer as of August 4th, as Disney+ will release brand new episodes of Marvel Studios’ Legends. Alongside the Avengers Initiative and The Ravagers episodes, Peggy Carter will get her own episode ahead of her What If return.

    Why is that relevant? Well, the Legends series acts as a supercut of their adventure through the MCU. Haley Atwell‘s return as the character was one of the main focus points for the animated series. Before her grand return in Endgame, she had a cameo in SHIELD and later headlined her own series for two seasons titled Agent Carter. If her appearances in both are utilized in the supercut, it would confirm that the series are indeed canon.

    Of courses, the Disney+ series takes place within the multiverse, which we witness grow in Loki‘s final episode. We’ve played around with the idea that these storylines can always be part of the more fittingly titled Marvel Cinematic Multiverse. At the end of the day, it’s less about canonicity but rather if Marvel Studios will acknowledge Marvel TV’s work. They have included many references to the films and even followed their storylines to connect to them. It may be the first time we get a more definite acknowledgment outside of an actor’s cameo.

    Source: ComicBook.com

  • Christopher Judge Talks Voicing ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Black Panther

    Christopher Judge Talks Voicing ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Black Panther

    A few days ago, we finally got the confirmation Christopher Judge is voicing Black Panther in Marvel’s Avengers. The actor has been in various projects ranging from Stargate SG-1, The Dark Knight Rises to The Mentalist. He also has a history of voicing video game characters. 2018’s God of War is a stand-out performance and reminded everyone of the power of his voice.

    So, he’s been a fan-favorite to take on the iconic mantle since the character got first announced. In today’s Crystal Dynamics stream, viewers had the chance to ask questions to the actor to find out his approach to bringing the character to life. Here are some of the highlights from that stream:

    • Yes, he got to say Wakanda Forever! He even rocked a shirt with it during the stream. He revealed he was hiding his Black Panther outfits so no one would realize he got the role.
    • Black Panther is a character that Judge always wanted to play but never thought he’d get the chance. He only takes roles he 100% believes in, which was his prerequisite before taking it. 
    • The actor highlighted his love for the character and his social relevance being an integral part of tackling the character. It was a humbling experience, especially getting to work alongside Evan Narcisse was a highlight. They geeked out for a bit on stream.

     

    God of War's Kratos Voices Black Panther In Marvel's Avengers New DLC - Game Informer

     

    • He confessed he’s a nerd and has been collecting comics since the 60s. So, he had some insight into the character.
    • His main goal was to make the role his own. He worked with Beth Maguire, who was the dialect coach on the Marvel Studios film.
    • She offered insight into how he can approach the accent and its history as she traveled through Africa to experience the Native languages first-hand. She was very strict on his accent and made sure he stayed true to it.
    • As he usually plays bulky and muscular characters, he lost around 32 pounds to “feel” like T’Challa. He’s a more athletic character, and the actor wanted to get into the right headspace.

     

    Black Panther is coming to 'Marvel's Avengers' later this year | Engadget

     

    • His biggest challenge was recording everything from home in isolation. He couldn’t play off the other actors. So, he had to do a lot of prep-work on the characters, their interactions, and relations. It was sadly a restriction due to the pandemic.
    • Working with Crystal Dynamics was not only a great experience but also an emotional anchor during the pandemic. Their shared belief and passion for the character helped him get through the rough times.
    • Judge confirmed he’s been working on the character for a year-and-a-half.

    His passion for the project is infectious. In the Entertainment Weekly article, he did hint that he was hesitant to tackle the role after Chadwick Boseman‘s tragic passing. He highlights how they are trying to make this a very unique take on the character. They want to carry on the legacy. This version of T’Challa has been in his role for some time. So, we can expect a way more experienced Black Panther once the War for Wakanda expansion releases in August.

    Source: Twitch, Entertainment Weekly