Tag: Marvel

  • ‘WandaVision’: Agatha Kind All Along

    ‘WandaVision’: Agatha Kind All Along

    Here’s a crazy theory to throw out. At the end of WandaVision’s seventh episode, it ended with a massive twist. Agnes turned out, as predicted, to be Agatha Harkness. She even got a brand new intro that seemed inspired by The Munsters. As its title implies, she was responsible for some of the actions in the past episodes. It was her that manipulated the drunk Vision and the fake Pietro. Yet, was she really behind it all, as the title states? The latest episode revealed that it was Wanda’s grief that created the Hex. In reality, Agatha may be selfish, but she isn’t the villain that we think she is. There might be a softer side that will get explored in tomorrow’s finale.

     

    WandaVision': Hints that Agnes' character was Agatha Harkness

     

    The catchy musical entry reveals Agatha’s actions throughout the early shows. We see her manipulate Vision so that the townfolks would realize what is happening. She also frees Herb from Wanda’s control. If you look closely, she does it after he already cut through the wall. In a way, she was trying to reveal something to Vision that would make him realize what is happening. As we learned, the Pietro plotline was to get Vision to explore outside of the hex. So, while she was behind some of the shenanigans, she isn’t the root cause of it all. The latest episode confirms that Wanda created the sitcom world in her grief.

    It’s also strange how the episode turns Agatha into a therapist for Wanda. Yes, her ulterior motive is to uncover how she used her abilities, but they tease some humanity. The moment we briefly see her shed a tear when they revisit her time in the Avengers compound solidifies the fact that she isn’t evil for the sake of it. As we are about to enter the final episode, I think Agatha will have a change of heart and support Wanda moving forward. They teased it when she wondered how she had no idea about runes but could put her magic on auto-pilot throughout Westview. She never was a villain in the comics. It was through her that Wanda learned to control chaos magic. The potential of teaching a new incarnation of the Scarlet Witch might be an exciting prospect for her.

     

    WandaVision villain Agatha Harkness, explained by the comics - Polygon

     

    Once the new Vision teased in the post-credit sequence enters Westview alongside SWORD, they have a common enemy. She might end up fighting alongside them, as she has no interest in losing a powerful witch like Wanda. Yes, she does absorb the life force of her fellow witches back in Salem. If you pay close attention, she seems to have no control over it. It almost seemed like the purple magic she was dabbling in was protecting her. At the end of the idea, it was self-defense. She didn’t attack them but retaliated when they tried to kill her. So, she is obsessed with mastering magic and has the perfect pupil. I would love to see her and Doctor Strange get into a dispute over who is the better teacher for her. As such, she would follow her comic roots and introduce Wanda and us to the world of witchcraft. It would be a shame to introduce this part of the MCU without exploring its history. After that brief tease at the beginning of the last episode, I want a history lesson on this crazy universe. Plus, I believe it would be a waste not to give Kathryn Hahn more time to shine in this ever-expanding franchise.

  • REPORT: Marvel Studios’ ‘X-Men’ Reboot in Early Development

    REPORT: Marvel Studios’ ‘X-Men’ Reboot in Early Development

    Ever since Disney purchased 20th Century Fox, we’ve been waiting for the X-Men to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. During Disney’s Investors Day, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige revealed that they are adapting Fantastic Four, but the mutants will have to wait a bit. There have been theories that they could appear in WandaVision, as Wanda Maximoff has close ties with Magneto. It seemed unlikely to happen with each passing episode, but it looks like Marvel Studios is finally moving forward with their adaptation of the iconic mutant family.

    Illuminerdi has just shared that the X-Men film reboot has entered the early stage of development. As of right now, there is no talent of any kind attached to the project. It’ll enter development under the working title “The Mutants,” which is beautifully straight-forward. We have no details of how they will approach the project, but it would indicate that we could maybe get some news by the end of the year.

     

     

    It will be interesting to see which direction they go. 20th Century Fox introduced the first film in the franchise back in 2000. So, the franchise has been going for around 20 years. Last year’s The New Mutants marked the end of an era. The original franchise focused a lot on Wolverine. It made sense as he is one of the group’s most popular characters. They might take a different route and focus on the school, as they could take the same path as the Harry Potter franchise did by focusing on the students. No matter what direction they take, we can’t wait to see it unfold on the silver screen.

    Source: Illuminerdi

  • REPORT: ‘Blade’ Reboot Casting Supporting Roles Ahead of Fall Production Start

    REPORT: ‘Blade’ Reboot Casting Supporting Roles Ahead of Fall Production Start

    Just two days ago, we got the first casting details for the upcoming adaptation of Blade. The Mahershala Ali-led project will introduce the Marvel Cinematic Universe to the mystical world of vampires. It will be the second adaptation since Wesley Snipes tackled the role back in 1993. The seemed to hint at the addition of his daughter. She was a character that almost made her comic debut in 2015. Now, POC Culture revealed that Marvel Studios is casting two African-American female roles for an upcoming project. They do hint that there is a possibility they might also be for Black Panther, but it seems pretty likely, going by the descriptions, these belong to Blade.

    Marvel is trying to cast an African-American woman in the age range of 20 to 35 to play Betsy. She aspires to become a heroine, and it seems that her role requests comedic chops from the stress. She would appear alongside Lucy, who is in a similar age range. She is on the run after her mother passed away under mysterious circumstances and living off the grid. It would make sense that the strange occurrence might get tied to a vampire attack, which some might not even believe in a world filled with heroes.

    These characters might have a connection to Ruby, who was the focus of the last casting reveal. They are older, but she could accidentally get involved as the “mysterious circumstance” makes its return to haunt Lucy. It could be how she gets involved as a major supporting character and what leads to her meeting Ali‘s Blade. We still know very little about the story, so it is only speculation. With casting underway, we will hopefully find out who will direct the film in the coming weeks.

    Source: POC Culture

  • Theory Thursday: The Spider-Verse Paradox

    Theory Thursday: The Spider-Verse Paradox

    Multiple topics are trending amongst Marvel fans. The upcoming finale of WandaVision and the premiere of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier are on everyone’s mind. Yet, perhaps nothing riles up all four corners of the fandom quite like Spider-Man. Last week, the official title for the upcoming threequel got revealed via a social media post, Spider-Man: No Way Home. The title reveal has sparked multiple theories ever since. They range from possible plotlines based on crossed-out names to the suspicious use of hexagons across the board.

     

     

    Yet, the biggest question on everyone’s mind is whether or not Spider-Man: No Way Home will incorporate the multiverse. Kevin Feige confirmed that the events of WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will tie into the third entryAs such, there is a high probability that we will witness some multiverse shenanigans. With that in mind, it would imply that we could see former iterations of the character return to the silver screen. Yet, Tom Holland has denied any potential cameos by Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield on multiple occasions.

    The rumor of a live-action Spider-Verse has gotten rumored for quite some time. This time, the concept seems plausible. So, in the case that Spider-Man: No Way Home does go that route in December, we might wonder how they would approach this storyline. We are talking about characters that haven’t been on the silver screen for some time. Andrew played the character around seven years ago, while Tobey hasn’t donned the suit since 2007. Keep in mind that Far From Home takes place in 2024. So, how do we bring them from their respective timelines into the MCU? Let us try to answer this Spider-Verse Paradox.

     

    The Timelines

     

    In my Phase 4: Reality Checked feature, I talked about how Marvel Studios explicitly defined the MCU’s time travel concept by taking the multiverse approach. In essence, any alteration in the past would create a new timeline, which ruptures the flow of time into a new universe. It’s pretty much a butterfly effect on a larger scale. So far, we know that it will get presented in the upcoming Disney+ shows Loki and the animated What If…? series. They seem to exist in alternate timelines (and therefore alternate universes), proving the existence of a Marvel Cinematic Multiverse. That theory is for another day. Now that we have a clear picture of the MCU timeline. So, let’s take a look at other universes.

     

     

    Let’s apply the concept of the multiverse to another franchise: Sam Raimi‘s Spider-Man trilogy. Based on the multiverse concept, the Raimi films exist in another timeline and therefore are pretty straightforward. The same principle would apply to The Amazing Spider-Man films, which exist in a separate timeline and universe. Now, how will Marvel Studios bring them all together for Spider-Man: No Way Home?  

     

    Spider-Verse Paradox

    The Spider-Verse Paradox Theory refers to the diagram above. In essence, all of the alternate universes have their separate timestreams. When that flow gets disrupted by an event caused within the MCU, whether it’s caused by Wanda Maximoff in WandaVision or something else entirely, we will have a convergence-style event. It will be similar to the one we witnessed in Thor: The Dark World. Yet, instead of the nine realms, multiple universes converging towards the center of the singularity. At the center of it, all will be the MCU’s New York City.

    What is the point I’m trying to make? The timelines of each universe will flow linearly and converge during Spider-Man: No Way Home. As it is set in 2024, then that means that the other timelines have to be in the same year. It means that Andrew Garfield‘s Peter Parker would have been Spider-Man in the TASM universe for about ten years, and Tobey Maguire‘s version will have existed for nearly 20 years. It would be interesting to revisit the character after that many years on the job.

    We can only imagine how many stories they could tell. There is also the possibility they hung up on the mantle. Perhaps Maguire‘s Peter settled down with Mary Jane Watson and started a family. What happened after Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man came back in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and took on Paul Giamatti‘s Rhino? The possibilities in those stories are endless. It’s all just a matter of waiting to see if it comes to fruition.

    Source: Walt Disney

  • RUMOR: Michael Korvac to Appear in ‘Captain Marvel 2’

    RUMOR: Michael Korvac to Appear in ‘Captain Marvel 2’

    Marvel Studios seems to be quite busy casting for its upcoming Captain Marvel sequel. We got the reveal that they are currently looking to cast the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s version of Blue Marvel. Now, we got another revelation about an iconic Marvel character joining the film that kind of conflicts with the before-mentioned Blue Marvel reveal. That Hashtag Show believes that the role, which is described as a supporting male role between 20 to 30 years of age, will turn out to be Michael Korvacs.
    They reference that the casting looking for a Michael B. Jordan or Jon Boyega type actor also included Timothy Chalamet for reference. As such, they’ve heard that the character will be one of the multiple villains, like Zawe Aston. He will have a supporting role throughout the film before turning out to be the main threat, Michael Korvac. It looks like he was part of the original script written by Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck, and Nicole Perlman before Megan McDonnell rewrote it.
    In the comics, Korvac was from the alternate universe Earth-691, where he was turned into a cyborg by the alien race Badoon. They are the same race that we saw alongside Ronan in Guardians of the Galaxy. His transformation has given him the ability to absorb any energy. He even absorbed Galactus’ cosmic energy at one point, which made him a dangerous existence in the multiverse. He would make for a formidable foe for Captain Marvel to face, as we haven’t seen her get pushed to her limits yet. It does conflict with the Blue Marvel news, so we’ll have to take it with a grain of salt for now.

    Source: That Hashtag Show

  • ‘WANDAVISION’ Episode 9 Primer

    ‘WANDAVISION’ Episode 9 Primer

    The last episode of WandaVision helped us see how we got to where we are. There are two major things that were presented clearly in the flashbacks. 1: Wanda has always had powers, 2: Her grief has shaped everything that has happened to her. The combo of those two things led to the BIG psychotic break that recreated the whole town of Westview to fit Wanda’s ideal life, including creating Vision out of nothing.

    What Fate Awaits WANDAVISION's Twins, Billy and Tommy?

     

    There are a few unresolved things that are going to have to get worked out in the finale. Vision is headed back to the house where the twins are being held captive by Agatha. Also, Woo, Monica, and Darcy have to wrap up their stories in some way. We also saw that they took Vision apart only to put him back together and create White Vision. Seeing this new version of her dead husband could really add another weight to Wanda’s shoulders.

    Arlyn’s Assumptions

    WandaVision' Episode 9: Predictions for Finale | Hollywood Reporter

    The episode is probably going to be pretty intense right away with so many things to work out. Monica is sure to escape “Fietro” and find some way to try to help and finally show off her new powers but is she powerful enough? I think the series is going to end off with Dr. Strange showing up and teaming up with Wanda and the real Vision to defeat White Vision and Agatha. This will end up being a big fight scene that might mess something up in this reality. My one concern is who will fix it? Well there is a new Dr. Strange movie coming out and maybe the whole plot will be trying to fix what Wanda messed up in this reality. Real Vision will not make it out of this mess as the show has proven that he will fall apart outside of the HEX, so if this reality were to fall then he would die. But what about the twins?! With all the loss Wanda has already experienced, losing them too would be too much.

    The final episode of WandaVision streams tomorrow

  • ‘Blade’ Casting May Hint at the MCU Debut of His Daughter

    ‘Blade’ Casting May Hint at the MCU Debut of His Daughter

    Just today, we got our first casting detail for Marvel Studios’ upcoming Blade film. It describes that the studio is looking to add a character named Ruby, a teenager described as “thoughtful, serious, and burdened by growing up in a complex world.” It’s a curious casting choice, especially with them trying to cast the character so early. It made our gears turn until we remembered a story that never made it into comic bookshelves. It may also bring back life to a rumor that has been around for quite a few years now. What if Ruby is Fallon Grey, Blade’s daughter?

    If you are confused, don’t worry. This character is quite obscure. In 2015, Tim Seeley revealed that he is working on an all-new version of Blade. It would premiere his teenage daughter. In a now-deleted article, Seeley revealed that he had quit the book before it ever got published. So, the character only existed through some artwork and a cover. It became a rather popular theory for a future Marvel Studios film, especially when Wesley Snipes, who played the character in the 1998 original film, revealed he had talks with Marvel for over two years.

     

     

    There is also the following quote by Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige that also adds to the theories of her getting adapted in a future film adaptation:

    I think Blade is a legacy character now, and I think it would be fun to do something with him one day.

    So, there is a possibility that Ruby may end up being Fallon Grey. They could give her a new name and just carry over the concept of a high school girl finding out her father is a vampire hunter. As the character never officially debuts in the Marvel comics, they aren’t restricted in any way. Ruby could be a play on the color of blood and act as a tribute to the red rose design on Grey’s outfit. No matter what direction they go, it would be a unique way to make the MCU’s version of Blade take a unique angle.

    Legacy characters will be at the center of various stories, such as WandaVision, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Hawkeye, and many more. At this point, Blade could add a unique twist while also allowing Ruby to be the audience’s surrogate into the world of vampires. It’s certainly going to be something to keep an eye out for before it enters production at the end of the year.

    Source: CBR, JoBlo, Newsarama via CBR, ToyLabs, Syfy

  • REPORT: First Casting Details for ‘Blade’ Revealed

    REPORT: First Casting Details for ‘Blade’ Revealed

    Marvel Studios is starting to expand its portfolio in new and curious ways. No, I am not talking about its future Disney+ shows. I am talking about their visit to the darker corners of the Marvel comics. Mahershala Ali got cast in the role of the famous Daywalker Blade. The moment they announced it, we knew we will explore a new look Marvel Cinematic Universe. Yesterday, we got the reveal that the upcoming film is eyeing a late 2021 production start, so we didn’t expect some casting news until the latter half of the year.
    Well, it looks like something already found its way online, as DisInsider shared a news piece that the film is eyeing a production start in September in Marvel Studios’ go-to Trilth Studios. The large takeaway is that the series seems to be casting a strong supporting role for the film. They are looking for a teen named Ruby. She is described as “thoughtful, serious, and burdened by growing up in a complex world.”
    Interestingly, they are already casting this early if they aren’t going to enter production until September. This revelation would imply that the character may have a considerable role in the story, which could have some interesting implications for the MCU’s adaptation. The 1998 adaptation had a smaller cast, which included his mentor, Abraham Whisler, played by Kris Kristofferson. It would make sense to include Whistler, who is an essential character in Blade’s comic history, so the teen is a curious addition that could also have its roots in comics.

    Source: Daniel Richtman via DisInsider

  • Sam Neill Returns as “Odin” in More ‘THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER’ Set Photos

    Sam Neill Returns as “Odin” in More ‘THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER’ Set Photos

    Over the past day, we’ve seen the cast of Asgaridan thespians from Thor: Ragnarok return to the set of Thor: Love and Thunder. Matt Damon and Luke Hemsworth were spotted yesterday reprising their roles as “Loki” and “Thor” in what looks like it will be a recap of the main events of Ragnarok, including the death of Odin. Later, a new round of photos captured Melissa McCarthy on set as “Hela” and now, as expected, Sam Neill has showed up on set as “Odin.”

    Damon, Hemsworth and Neill’s “Tragedy of Loki of Asgard” was one of Thor: Ragnarok‘s funniest moments and from the set pics we’ve seen we know that Thor: Love and Thunder is going to give us not only Thor and Loki’s time with Odin before his death but also the final battle of Asgard. We’ll see what director Taika Waititi comes up with this time to help audiences recap the events of Ragnarok.

  • Melissa McCarthy Sighted on ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Set as Hela

    Melissa McCarthy Sighted on ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Set as Hela

    Taika Waititi has been busy filming Thor: Love and Thunder in Australia. Just a few hours ago, we got the revelation that Matt Damon, who was revealed to return for the film, was indeed playing the character from the last entry in the franchise. It would see the return of the iconic play sequence, which will offer a quick recap of the last film’s events. Once we saw Liam Hemsworth also return to portray Thor, it made us wonder who might take on the role of Hela, who was an essential character in Ragnarok. Well, it looks like we finally got our answer and it is quite a surprise. @loveandthundernews shared some images from Daily Mail glimpse at the iconic headgear that reveals that Melissa McCarthy is playing the fake Hela in the play.

    I did not expect that casting, but I love it. McCarthy seems like an actress, who we wouldn’t expect to appear in this franchise anytime soon, so this is the perfect way to give her a brief role. We don’t know if these characters are only going to appear briefly in the play, especially those who wrote this version. In Ragnarok, it was Loki disguised as Odin that created the play to glorify his “death.” I cannot wait to see her interpretation of the character that Cate Blanchett played. These events may have been written by Tessa Thompson‘s Valkyrie, who has taken over as the ruler of New Asgard after the events of Avengers: Endgame. Whatever they might have planned, I cannot wait to see the reenactments and McCarthy in her Hela costume on the silver screen.

    Source: Daily Mail via Twitter