Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: MCU Movies

  • Scrubbed From the Web — Taken-Down ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Art Book Spoils Scrapped Gray Hulk and Rocket Raccoon’s Surprising Role

    Scrubbed From the Web — Taken-Down ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Art Book Spoils Scrapped Gray Hulk and Rocket Raccoon’s Surprising Role

    Marvel Studios’ strict security guardrails just suffered a major pre-release breach. Yesterday, popular comics outlet AIPT briefly published an extensive, highly detailed review breaking down pages from the upcoming hardcover Spider-Man: Brand New Day – The Art of the Movie.

    While the article and its accompanying concept art images were rapidly scrubbed from the internet, the structural data has already leaked across the web.

    The leaked contents pull back the curtain on the film’s massive final act, revealing heavily debated, scrapped plans for an iconic Marvel variant, and how an off-screen Guardians of the Galaxy hero reshapes Earth’s defenses.

    Street-Level Spidey

    The book sheds some significant light on the technical, grounded modifications made by Peter Parker as he makes the move to a friendly, neighborhood Spider-Man.

    • The Fabricator: Following the memory-wiping events of No Way Home, a totally isolated Peter Parker natively built an AI-infused sewing machine inside his apartment dubbed The Fabricator, which he relies on to mechanically stitch and repair his suit.
    • Tarantula & Jean DeWolff: Early design boards reveal that the villain Tarantula was stripped of his comic-book chest symbol to keep his cinematic profile distinct from Spider-Man. Meanwhile, character sheets tracking Detective Jean DeWolff outline a deeply volatile, tumultuous text-alliance with Peter that continuously shifts as the street crime procedural unfolds.

    The Scrapped Gray Hulk

    According to the book, the final third of the Brand New Day art book shifts its focus toward Bruce Banner. The book reveals that Marvel Studios spent extensive time in pre-production developing a live-action debut for Gray Hulk.

    • The Designs: The book featured dozens of detailed facial studies and concept art pieces that intentionally pushed the Savage Hulk’s facial geometry away from resembling Mark Ruffalo, offering a much more comic-accurate, brutal aesthetic. The creative team even considered rendering Smart Hulk’s form as gray before ultimately chickening out and defaulting back to the familiar green version to avoid confusing casual audiences.
    • The Cat-and-Mouse Dynamic: Storyboards shared in the book confirm a massive, terrifying showdown between Spidey and the Savage Hulk. The art notes specify that Hulk becomes increasingly unhinged and frustrated because Tom Holland’s Spider-Man simply moves too fast to hit, turning the third-act slugfest into a chilling, predator-versus-prey dynamic that Jon Bernthal’s Punisher finds himself drawn into.

    Rocket Raccoon’s Off-Screen Weapon Legacy

    In an incredible bit of cross-franchise worldbuilding, the art book explicitly confirms that Rocket Raccoon has an influence on the film’s lore.

    Following the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame, the Department of Damage Control (DODC) successfully built out a highly sophisticated new New York headquarters. Concept art layouts showcase that the DODC’s modern, highly dangerous armored arsenal has been entirely engineered from scavenged Chitauri, Sakaaran, and leftover tech designed by Rocket during his time on Earth.

    Seeing Marvel get cold feet on Gray Hulk for a second time is bound to frustrate comic purists, but the leaked storyboards prove that Destin Daniel Cretton is using Bruce Banner for exactly what he’s best suited for: an absolute force of nature. By dropping an isolated Spider-Man into a horror-style survival sequence against an unhinged Savage Hulk, Brand New Day isn’t just delivering another generic superhero team-up. It grounds Peter’s Spider-puberty fears in a terrifying, physical reality, framing the broader MCU tech landscape as a dangerous weapon turning against its own street-level protectors.

  • Director Jake Schreier Shuts Down Wild ‘X-Men’ Casting Rumors

    Director Jake Schreier Shuts Down Wild ‘X-Men’ Casting Rumors

    If you’ve spent the last few months reading “leaked” casting shortlists for Marvel Studios’ upcoming X-Men reboot, director Jake Schreier has a reality check for you. Speaking exclusively at the Gotham Television Awards, the Thunderbolts* and Beef filmmaker officially broke his silence on the tidal wave of internet speculation, confirming that while creative discussions are well underway, the rumors flooding social media are entirely fabricated.

    As the MCU prepares to slowly introduce its own core iteration of mutants post-Secret Wars, Schreier is reminding fans that Marvel’s actual war room is keeping its cards incredibly close to the chest.

    Rumor Mill vs. Reality

    With co-writers Lee Sung Jin (Beef) and Joanna Calo (The Bear) officially in the writing trenches alongside Kevin Feige, fan-casting has reached a fever pitch. Rumors have linked everyone from Emma Mackey to Hunter Schafer to classic mutant roles. However, Schreier explicitly debunked the idea that any of these names have come from official auditions.

    “Right now we’re talking about things, we’re thinking about things,” Schreier clarified regarding the state of the casting process. “I can tell you that most of the stuff that gets posted online… I don’t know where it comes from, because it doesn’t come from our room and it isn’t what we’re discussing. But there is a process.”

    Schreier, who has spent the last year balancing the final touches on Thunderbolts* and mapping out the Mutant Saga, admitted that taking on an IP with this much generational weight brings an immense amount of creative pressure. With the script currently undergoing extensive, character-first writing sessions with Joanna Calo and Lee Sung Jin, casting is unlikely to officially heat up until late 2026, targeting a production start ahead of an anticipated Phase 7 slate.

    Source: Collider

  • Fan Detective Work May Have Uncovered ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Trailer Release Date

    Fan Detective Work May Have Uncovered ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Trailer Release Date

    While the Russos SXSW surprise may have underwhelmed fans who were expecting an Avengers: Doomsday trailer reveal, it may well turn out that the actual trailer date was already revealed on the brother’s Instagram account.

    While discussing where things stand in the creative processes of both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, the brothers revealed that one fan theory about their Instagram posts was correct and fans believe they know which one.

    One fan’s detective work uncovered the fact that the green color used in Doom’s coffee logo is HEX color code 71826, which would coincide with a potential trailer release on July 18th, the Saturday of SDCC.

    This has been the most prevalent theory for some time so the detective work identifying the date may well confirm that.

  • SXSW London: Easter Egg-Laden Coffee Shop Pop-Up Teases Doom’s Latveria in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ & “Richards Was Wrong” Slogan

    SXSW London: Easter Egg-Laden Coffee Shop Pop-Up Teases Doom’s Latveria in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ & “Richards Was Wrong” Slogan

    While fans eagerly await a surprise promised by the Russo Brothers for today at SXSW London, a coffee shop pop-up dripping with deep cut comic book references to Victor Von Doom’s origins and history has been spotted with images slowly making their way online.

    Images shared by Comic Book Resources reveal a menu for Dom Latveria Coffee along with a look at a bag of their product with the same logo the Russos revealed on Instagram over the weekend.

    The menu for Dom Latveria is essentially an Easter egg-laden look at the origin of Victor Von Doom.

    • Fortunov-according to Marvel Comics lore, Vladimir Fortunov was the ruthless ruler of Latveria during World War II. He was eventually overthrown and killed by Doom.
    • The Rapprochement-a reference to the official Latverian holiday of forgiveness.
    • Cynthia’s Blend-a reference to Doom’s mother, Cynthia, a Romani sorceress.
    • Zefiro-a reference to the Zefiro Clan, Romani natives who were persecuted by Fortunov. It is the clan of Doom’s mother, Cynthia.
    • Hassenstadt-prior to Doom’s takeover of Latveria, the capital of the country was called Hassenstadt. Once he took control, Doom renamed it Doomstadt.

    Of interest on another menu shared online is the phrase “Richards is Wrong.” While we know Latveria exists on Earth-828, The Fantastic Four: First Steps gave no insight into any shared history between Doom and Reed Richards. While the phrase could point toward a conflict specific to Avengers: Doomsday, it is possible that it rather refers to an already established rivalry between the two men.

  • Detailed ‘Spider-Man Brand New Day’ Synopsis Confirms [SPOILER], Teases Mystery Character

    Detailed ‘Spider-Man Brand New Day’ Synopsis Confirms [SPOILER], Teases Mystery Character

    Spider-Man: Brand New Day will bring Tom Holland’s Peter Parker back to the big screen for the first time since 2021. Following a time jump, the film will deal with the fallout of the spell cast by Doctor Strange in Spider-Man: No Way Home with a forgotten Peter leaning heavily into the duties of Spider-Man.

    While another likely more revealing trailer should be on its way soon, a new detailed synopsis of the film has confirmed a major change to the hero’s web-slinging and teases a mysterious character who may or may not be Sadie Sink‘s Jean Grey.

    When Peter Parker is forgotten by the world, having lost his best friends and loved ones, he returns to the streets alone to protect the city. However, a genetic mutation causes his body to suddenly malfunction. Meanwhile, multiple evil forces seize the opportunity to infiltrate, plunging New York into crisis once again. Faced with an unprecedented enemy, can Spider-Man break through the deadlock and be reborn?

    Peter’s neogenic nightmare looks to be ripped straight from Spider-Man: The Animated Series and the synopsis confirms that he will develop the ability cause organic webbing during the film.

    Peter Parker has been completely forgotten by the world. Without family, friends, or loved ones, he wanders the city streets alone, silently shouldering the responsibility of protecting the city as Spider-Man. A sudden genetic mutation unlocks his new ability to use organic webs, but he also loses control of his body. Already trapped in a double predicament of physical mutation and mental loneliness, Spider-Man must also face a series of villains.

    The teaser confirmed that Spidey will face multiple villains over the course of the film and while the new synopsis mentions a few of those, it also references a “mysterious figure” who could be Tombstone or another, yet-to-be revealed villain.

    The Hand, with its large numbers and overwhelming force, attacks Spider-Man alongside Tarantula and Boomerang. A mysterious figure, whose true identity remains unknown, is also lurking in the shadows; his allegiance is uncertain. The streets, rooftops, and buildings become Spider-Man’s battlefields. Faced with these formidable obstacles and utter isolation, can Spider-Man break free from his predicament and await his moment of rebirth?

    Insiders have been teasing more surprises are in store in an already jam-packed film. With just 8 weeks to go until release, it remains to be seen how many of those Sony will spoil in the next trailer.

    Source: Sohu.com

  • New ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Poster Provides First Look at the Web-Head Taking on the Green Goliath

    New ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Poster Provides First Look at the Web-Head Taking on the Green Goliath

    It’s been over a year since entertainment journalist Chris Higashi revealed that Mark Ruffalo‘s Hulk would turn savage and take on Spidey in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. With the film’s release date now just two months away, the Hulk’s new look has been revealed via marketing and merchandise, but the studios have yet to show off any footage of the heroes battling. It seems as though they’re saving that for the next trailer; however, as posters and standees have begun popping up, a first look at the hero-on-hero battle has shown up online.

    The new poster was seen at Meijer and while it doesn’t give away much, it does confirm Higashi’s claim that Spidey will be forced into battle with Hulk in the fourth installment in the MCU-set Spider-Man franchise.

    Of course, Tom Holland‘s Peter Parker will have his hands very full in the film, taking on villains such as Scorpion, Tombstone, Boomerang and Tarantuala while also dealing with Jon Bernthal‘s newly reinvigorated Punisher.

  • Mahershala Ali’s Blade Reportedly Slated for a Pair of Upcoming Marvel Studios Projects

    Mahershala Ali’s Blade Reportedly Slated for a Pair of Upcoming Marvel Studios Projects

    The Daywalker is skipping the line straight to the end of the world.

    According to industry insider Daniel Richtman, Marvel Studios has pinned down exactly when and where we will next see the Daywalker. The report claims that despite the solo film’s notoriously fluid production history, Marvel Studios is planning to bypass the solo film bottleneck by officially debuting Mahershala Ali’s Blade in the grand multiversal finale, Avengers: Secret Wars ahead of a major role in Midnight Sons.

    It has been an agonizing seven years since Kevin Feige introduced Mahershala Ali at SDCC 2019, and five years since his disembodied voice warned Dane Whitman about the Ebony Blade in Eternals. While fans have worried that the endless revolving door of directors and script drafts meant the project was dead in the water, it seems as though Marvel and Ali have come to terms on a path forward for the character.

    This is the most pragmatic move Kevin Feige could make. Moving ahead with a half-assed Blade solo film just to check a box has proven to be a creative minefield. By introducing him, and Ghost Rider–potentially played by Ryan Gosling— as high-stakes, multiversal heavy-hitters in Secret Wars, Marvel will satisfy the fans, honor Ali’s immense patience, and cleanly establish the supernatural infrastructure needed to launch the Midnight Sons in Phase 7.

  • ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ Production Schedule Sparks Delay Rumors

    ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ Production Schedule Sparks Delay Rumors

    Fans are beginning to worry that te road to the end of the Multiverse just got a little longer. Though the information had been known and available for quite some time, confirmation from a member of the cast about thefilming schedule for Avengers: Secret Wars has sparked widespread industry speculation that the massive crossover event may miss its current December 2027 release date.

    In an interview with Dog Day Afternoon, Fantastic Four star Ebon Moss-Bachrach confirmed that he’ll be able to do a play until mid-June because Avengers: Secret Wars won’t begin production until August.

    While Marvel Studios has yet to officially move the needle, the logistical realities of filming back-to-back Avengers epics are beginning to settle in, and fans believe there might be a push to May 2028 which is coincidentally the 20th anniversary of the MCU.

    Avengers: Secret Wars is the reset button for the entire MCU. If the Russos and Kevin Feige feel they need more time to get the ending of a 20-year narrative right, they will take it. After the fluid script updates reported by Joseph Quinn and the secret names mentioned by Alan Cumming, it’s clear the scope of these films has ballooned beyond Marvel’s initial 2022 projections.

  • The Future of Frank Castle After ‘One Last Kill’

    The Future of Frank Castle After ‘One Last Kill’

    As fans prepare to dive into The Punisher: One Last Kill on Disney+, a new report from The Direct is fueling speculation that this Special Presentation might be the final audition for a full-blown theatrical Punisher movie.

    While the current project is a standalone, 40ish-minute Marvel Spotlight entry, the conversation is rapidly shifting toward Frank Castle’s big-screen potential—especially with Jon Bernthal already confirmed for a major role in this summer’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

    The Punisher: One Last Kill isn’t just another MCU spin-off; it’s a mission statement. Bernthal didn’t just return as the lead; he also co-wrote and executive produced the special alongside director Reinaldo Marcus Green. This level of creative involvement suggests Marvel is trusting Bernthal to define the adult tone of the character’s MCU future.

    Moving forward. I think, speaking for myself, I know Jon, and I would love to make a movie, something that could go worldwide and be on screens everywhere. But obviously, that’ll be Marvel’s decision.

    -Reinaldo Marcus Green

    Green admitted that while One Last Kill is a streaming event, both he and Bernthal “would love” to see Frank Castle lead his own theatrical film. “Obviously, that’ll be Marvel’s decision,” Green noted, but emphasized that the demand for an R-rated theatrical Punisher has never been higher.

    To be honest, I can’t speak to that. I don’t know what the plans are for the future of the Punisher. The only thing that we hope that we were able to accomplish is the demand for more if we were able to accomplish that. Hopefully Jon [Bernthal] and Marvel will come together to make something worthy of what the audience would want to see out of that character.

    -Reinaldo Marcus Green

    Following the success of Deadpool & Wolverine and the two TV-MA  seasons of Daredevil: Born Again, Marvel Studios is reportedly no longer afraid of the R-rating in theaters. With Disney pivoting back toward theatrical releases and away from aggressive streaming slates, Frank Castle is the perfect candidate to lead a lower-budget, high-impact, R-rated Marvel Knights cinematic line.

    Source: The Direct

  • ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Star Confirms Rumors about the Film’s Curious Creative Process

    ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Star Confirms Rumors about the Film’s Curious Creative Process

    The production of Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be as chaotic and unpredictable as the multiverse itself. In an interview with Josh Horowitz, Fantastic Four star Ebon Moss-Bachrach dropped some fascinating details about the secretive writing process behind the Russo Brothers’ return and hinted at what to expect from Ben Grimm’s time on screen in the upcoming film.

    According to Moss-Bachrach, the sheer scope of the fifth installment in the Avengers franchise made the process of filming his portion feel disjointed, especially in comparison to the smaller scale Fantastic Four film.

    “Doomsday was different in that it’s a bigger movie with more moving parts, and I think it was more compartmentalized, whereas Fantastic Four: First Steps, we were there like every every day, every day, having a sense of the thing,” said Moss-Bachrach.

    “These movies are so interstellar and so galactic and conceptual. So, it’s very hard sometimes to understand what’s going on in the story. And Doomsday was a little bit harder for me to hold all the parts,” he continued. “And, I mean, I knew where I was, I knew which planets, which universe I was in. But how it was connecting to other universes, I would have to go back to, like, ‘Joe [Russo] can you just, I know you’ve talked me through, can you just tell me one more time?‘”

    When asked by Horowitz if he’d worked from a completed script, Moss-Bachrach ultimately revealed that at least his portion of the process wrapped without him being aware of the film’s ending.

    “Yeah, I did read a full script, but those scripts change quite a bit,” he said before changing course. “You know what? Probably not, it probably didn’t have a full, like, third act. I don’t think it had an ending. I don’t think anyone gets to see that stuff.”

    While one of the four teasers released for Doomsday teased Thing’s interactions with Earth-616’s Wakandans and Talokanil, Moss-Bachrach also seemingly revealed that the Thing will be sharing some scenes not only with Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom but also some powerful mutant heroes, marking the first time members of the Fantastic Four and X-Men have shared the screen.

    “What a wonderful man. Like, what a great set leader he was. He’s been doing this for a long time and he was so generous and really, like, checking in, making sure everyone was good. Really good coach energy there… I would look around the room and it’d be like, ‘There’s Ian McKellan, and there’s Channing Tatum,’ it’s a lot.”

    Source: Happy, Sad, Confused