Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: MCU

  • Kevin Feige Updates the Status of Marvel Studios’ Long-Delayed ‘Blade’ Reboot

    Kevin Feige Updates the Status of Marvel Studios’ Long-Delayed ‘Blade’ Reboot

    Somehow, Wesley Snipes‘ Blade made a full-fledged appearance in an MCU film before Mahershala Ali‘s take on the character. Six years ago, when Marvel Studios One Above All, Kevin Feige, electrified the Hall H crowd during Marvel’s SDCC ’19 panel by announcing the Ali-led Blade film was in development, that would have seemed impossible; however, getting that film off the ground has proven quite a chore for Feige and the Marvel Studios Parliament.

    Production on Blade has been delayed multiple times beginning with the decision of original director Bassam Tariq to leave the film in 2022. At least five different writers have taken a turn on the script after original scribe Stacey Osei-Koffour parted ways with the project with Marvel Studios’ vet Eric Pearson (Black Widow, Thunderbolts*) having most recently penned a draft. Without a director since Tariq’s replacement, Yann Demange, bailed in June 2024, there was simply no way Blade was making it in front of cameras and was ultimately removed from the studio’s 2025 theatrical slate. Fans have begun to believe that they may never see the film but according to Feige, that’s simply not the case as the studio and Ali remain committed to the project.

    “You can start and have a good script and make it a great script through production, but we didn’t feel confident we could do that on Blade,” said Feige during a recent press event at Marvel HQ. “We didn’t want to do that to Mahershala and didn’t want to do that to us.“

    “We didn’t want to put a leather outfit on [Ali] and have him start killing vampires,” he explained, adding that after looking at a couple of different versions of the film that would have been period pieces, the studio “landed on modern day and that’s what we’re focusing on.”

    As for when the studio expects the film to begin principal photography or hit theaters, Feige didn’t say, choosing to tease a seven-year plan that would keep the MCU going strong through 2032…if we’re all lucky, Blade might make it to theaters between now and then.

    Source: Deadline

  • New BTS Videos Show Jon Bernthal Back in Costume and in Action on the Set of ‘The Punisher’ Special Presentation

    New BTS Videos Show Jon Bernthal Back in Costume and in Action on the Set of ‘The Punisher’ Special Presentation

    As has been the case with both seasons of Daredevil: Born Again, The Punisher: Special Presentation is filming out in the open in the streets of New York City. As such, it is to be expected that plenty of plset photos, snapped by paps and the public alike, will make their way online and so far, that’s exactly how it’s played out.

    The Special Presentation, co-written by star Jon Bernthal and Reinaldo Marcus Green, began principal photography earlier this week and it didn’t take long for images of a hard-boiled looking Frank Castle to make the rounds. While Castle was laying low on those photos, a trip of new videos show the former Marine back in action…and suited up in his iconic vest.

    The action looks to be taking place in and around Gnucci’s Family Restaurant, owner by the rumored villain of the feature, Ma Gnucci. Though she’s yet to appear, Frank wiped out several members of the Gnucci Crime Family, including her son Tony, in Episode 1.01 of Netflix’s The Punisher. It’s likely that Ma would be out for vengeance and equally likely that Frank would be up for finishing the job.

    The Punisher Special Presentation will debut on Disney Plus in 2026.

  • The Ultimate List of What to Watch Before ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’

    The Ultimate List of What to Watch Before ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’

    WandaVision director Matt Shakman was tasked with solving everything and finding a way to bring Marvel’s First Family into the MCU. By setting the film in a retrofuturistic alternate universe, Earth-828, Shakman freed it–and the fans–from the shackles an increasingly gargantuan shared narrative.

    Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel’s First Family—Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm/Human Torch and Ben Grimm/The Thing as they face their most daunting challenge yet.

    -Synopsis for The Fantastic Four: First Steps
    (L-R): Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 MARVEL.

    Originally announced by Kevin Feige at SDCC ’19, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, originally intended to be directed by Jon Watts, is finally hitting theaters next week and that means it’s time for…The Ultimate List of What to Watch Before…The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

    It is a no-homework-required movie. It literally is not connected to anything we’ve made before.

    -Kevin Feige

    For the first time in a long time, maybe since Iron Man launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2008, there’s no required reading, no homework and nothing to watch that will add to the experience of a Marvel Studios film. Incredibly enough, The Fantastic Four: First Steps stands completely on its own.

    Tier 1

    Not a single thing

    Tier 2

    Yep, still nothing

    Tier 3

    Nothing

  • Welcome Back, Frank! Photos Reveal Jon Bernthal’s Hard-Boiled Frank Castle on Set of ‘The Punisher’ Special Presentation

    Welcome Back, Frank! Photos Reveal Jon Bernthal’s Hard-Boiled Frank Castle on Set of ‘The Punisher’ Special Presentation

    In the finale of Daredevil: Born Again, after taking a beating at the hands of the Anti-Vigilante Task Force, Frank Castle is imprisoned in Wilson Fisk’s facility at the Red Hook free port, alongside other enemies of Fisk, including Tony Dalton‘s Jack Duquesne, aka The Swordsman. In a relatively ridiculous post-credits scene, Frank talks to a guard named Anthony Petruccio, who idolizes the Punisher. Frank uses his charisma to convince the guard to shake his hand. When the guard extends his arm through a small opening in the cage, Frank breaks his arm, snags his keys and makes his escape, setting the stage for Marvel Television’s 2026 The Punisher Special Presentation.

    With principal photography on the Special Presentation, co-written by star Jon Bernthal and Reinaldo Marcus Green, now underway in New York, set photos have begun to circulate online. Earlier today, photos of an NYC storefront being remade into Gnucci’s Restaurant seemingly confirmed that mob boss Ma Gnucci will serve as the main antagonist of the project, backing Marvel insider Daniel Richtman’s claim about the feature’s big bad. Now, a new series of photos has provided a first look at Bernthal‘s Castle, who is once again sporting the “no, I’m not The Punisher” beard.

    To check out the entire series of set photos, you’ll have to head over to Just Jared but from the looks of it, The Punisher Special Presentation is likely to begin with Frank on the down low, looking to avoid the kind of attention walking around with a giant skull painted on his chest might bring.

    Marvel Studios has had very little to say about the new project, which is set to film for just a few weeks in New York. With that in mind, it’s unclear exactly what the timeline for it is, making it possible it takes place right after Frank escapes from Fisk’s dungeon or following the conclusion of Season 2 of Daredevil: Born Again, making it a bridge to Bernthal’s next MCU appearance in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Either way, with the Special Presentation possibly adapting Garth Ennis‘ BRUTAL 12-issue “Welcome Back, Frank” arc, fans are likely in for some more of that dark, gritty and violent fare straight from the old Netflix days.

    Source: Just Jared

  • New Report Reveals Mephisto’s Next MCU Stop

    New Report Reveals Mephisto’s Next MCU Stop

    Sacha Baron Cohen‘s secret role in Marvel Television’s Ironheart was one of Hollywood’s worst-kept secrets. Despite efforts to keep the true identity of Cohen‘s “Mystery Man” from leaking, word of the actor portraying the role of Mephisto made its way online in early 2022, more than three years before the Great Corrupter popped up in the Ironheart series finale.

    Cohen brilliantly brought Mephisto to life, bringing a superficial graciousness to the character whose only true goal is collecting souls. With major changes to Marvel Studios’ plans between the production and release of Ironheart, fans have been theorizing when–if at all–Mephisto May next appear and it seems as though there may not be an answer.

    According to Marvel Studios insider Daniel Richtman, Cohen will step back into the shoes of the Master of Malice in the long-rumored supernatural team-up film, Midnight Sons.

    Though Marvel Studios has never officially addressed the property, a Midnight Sons film has been rumored to be in development since 2022, with Werewolf By Night director Michael Giacchino having originally been attached to direct. In 2024, Fede Álvarez‘s name popped up on the radar as a potential director with Logan scribe Michael Green working on a screenplay for Marvel and the studio hoping to fast track the project.

    With the studio potentially looking to get Midnight Sons off the ground ahead of the long-troubled Blade reboot, it tracks that they’d be starting to move toward putting together a cast and having Cohen’s Mephisto front and center as a major antagonist is a great start.

  • ‘Punisher’ Set Leak Seems to Confirm the Villain of the Upcoming Marvel Television Special Presentation

    ‘Punisher’ Set Leak Seems to Confirm the Villain of the Upcoming Marvel Television Special Presentation

    Set to stream on D+ in 2026, The Punisher Special Presentation, co-written by star Jon Bernthal and Reinaldo Marcus Green, has begun filming in New York City. While no details have been officially revealed nor any cat members outside of Bernthal, a report earlier this year from Marvel insider Daniel Richtman revealed the likely villain of the project. Now, leaked photos from the set seem to confirm that report.

    It’s like a shotgun blast of a story, but also has all the pathos and emotion that you want out of a Frank Castle story.

    –Brad Winderbaum on The Punisher Special Presentation

    Among photos of storefronts being constructed for the Marvel Television Special Presentation, Gnucci’s Restaurant can be seen, likely confirming that Isabella “Ma” Gnucci will indeed be the main antagonist of The Punisher.

    The head of the Gnucci Crime Family, Ma Gnucci tried to take Frank Castle out in Volume 5 of The Punisher, written by Garth Ennis. The 12-issue arc, known as “Welcome Back, Frank”, launched Ennis’ 49-issue run with the character and has long been hailed as a classic Punisher tale. Harboiled and gruesome, “Welcome Back, Frank” took the character back to his roots and allowed him to do what he does best: kill bad guys with extreme prejudice…and a flamethrower. In terms of MCU Punisher continuity, Ma Gnucci makes quite a bit of sense as an antagonist for the project given that Frank wiped out several members of the Gnucci Crime Family, including her son Tony, in Episode 1.01 of The Punisher, “3 AM.“

    -Ma Gnucci

    It’s going to be dark; Frank has no interest in breaking out the darkness. It’s not going to be easy. I don’t know if that’s the Netflix tone then that’s what it’s going to be. It will not be Punisher-lite, I promise you that.

    –Jon Bernthal on The Punisher Special Presentation

    After escaping Wilson Fisk’s dungeon prison in Season 1 of Daredevil: Born Again, it looks as though Bernthal’s Castle will find himself in the sights of a second mob boss in The Punisher Special Presentation. With Vincent D’Onofrio just recently completing production on Season 2 of Daredevil: Born Again, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Mayor Fisk may also have a small role in the project, perhaps even alerting the Gnuccis to Frank’s presence on the NYC streets.

  • ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Showrunner Celebrates Wrapping Production on Season 2

    ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Showrunner Celebrates Wrapping Production on Season 2

    Just as fans were starting to get a feel for what Marvel Studios’ Daredevil: Born Again was all about in March, production on the second season of the Disney Plus revival began in New York City. Plenty of spoilery photos and videos from the set made their way online, including a few featuring Krysten Ritter‘s return as Jessica Jones. Time flies, as they say, however and just four months after work on the sophomore season began, showrunner Dario Scardapane took to social media to share the news that production has wrapped.

    And that is a WRAP on Season 2 of Daredevil Born Again. Thank you to all who made this something truly special.  Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Deborah Ann Woll, Wilson Bethel, Matt Lillard, lili Taylor Krysten Ritter, Michael Gandolfini, Margarita Levieva, Ayelet Zurer, Nikki M. James, Arty Froushan, Clark Johnson, Gennaya Walton, Zabryna Guevara, Sana Amanat, Brad Winderbaum, Eleena Khamedoost, and of course Phil Silvera!

    Extra thanks to Michael Shaw and the entire Art Department for the flattering (?) Bobblehead, Iain Macdonald, Justin Benson, Aaron Moorehead, Hilary Spera, Jeff Waldron, Kevin Feige, Lou D’Esposito, Slick Naim, Angela Barnes, Cedric Nairn-Smith, Melissa Lawson-Cheung, Stephanie Filo, David Chambers, Derek Wimble, Dylan Hopkins, Vincent Casciani, Chantelle Wells, Jesse Wigutow, Heather Bellson, Omar Najam, Gene and John O’Neil and the man behind the wheel. Pete Leith. Best Cast Ever. Best Crew Ever.

    With the new season scheduled to stream in March 2026, the creative team has plenty of time to work through the footage they’ve already compiled for the eight-episode run and determine if any additional footage needs to be shot. If not, Scardapane and crew can get to work on Season 3, plans for which have already been confirmed by Marvel Television head man Brad Winderbaum. As priorities at the studio have shifted toward “making shows as shows that can exist as annual releases, more like television,” it’s beginning to sound as though the new D+ model may just be the old Netflix model and the Defenders-verse will become the main focus.

  • Marvel Studios Reshapes Its 2028 Release Slate

    Marvel Studios Reshapes Its 2028 Release Slate

    Under Bob Iger’s second tenure as the head of Disney, the big Marvel machine was instructed to scale back its production efforts, prioritizing quality over quantity. “We’ve also learned over time that quantity does not necessarily beget quality. And frankly, we’ve all admitted to ourselves that we lost a little focus by making too much,” Iger told investors in March. “By consolidating a bit and having Marvel focus much more on their films, we believe that will result in better quality.” As such, projects began to disappear from the release slate and the studio looked to schedule 2 or 3 films a year moving forward, starting in 2026. However, plans are always subject to change and it now looks as though Marvel may look to launch its next saga with a more aggressive approach.

    Disney has added a fourth Marvel Studios film to its 2028 release slate, reserving December 15th for an untitled film. Should the studio hold to the current plan, fans can also count on being in theaters on February 18th, May 5th and November 10th.

    Marvel has yet to officially announce any of its 2028 projects, though its X-Men reboot and a third Black Panther film are expected to land in theaters that year. In an interesting development, Variety reports that a sequel to this summer’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps is also in development and may be on track for a 2028 release. In addition, Thor, Doctor Strange and Shang-Chi sequels could be on the docket, as well as the studio’s long-awaited Blade reboot or the Midnight Sons ensemble film or Ryan Reynolds X-Men team up film. Whatever the case, it’s clear that the studio has options and may feel comfortable about moving forward with releasing four films because four good scripts have been turned in.

    Source: Variety

  • Marvel Studios Has Reportedly Solved Its Blade Problem

    Kevin Feige‘s announcement that Marvel was developing a Blade film with Mahershala Ali on board as the Daywalker was not only the highlight of SDCC ’19 but also one of the studio’s biggest-ever Hall H bombshells. However, six years later, fans are still waiting to see Ali in action as the studio struggles to crack the story. While the studio may well continue to develop the film, a new report claims the character may end up on the big screen in the maybe-sort of-near future.

    According to Marvel Studios insider Daniel Richtman, Ali’s Blade will appear in the supernatural ensemble film, Midnight Sons.

    Buzz around a Midnight Sons project dates back several years, though the studio has remained mum on the possibility. In February 2024, Richtman reported that Werewolf By Night director Michael Giacchino was lined up to direct the film.

    First assembled to battle Lilith in 1992’s Ghost Rider #31, the roster of the Midnight Sons/Midnight Suns team has changed greatly with each iteration though the mission has mostly remained the same: stop supernatural shit from happening on Earth. And that’s where Giachhino fits in.

    On the subject of the roster, Richtman also reported that Midnight Sons will feature the MCU’s Ghost Rider, who is rumored to appear in Avengers: Doomsday and possibly played by star Ryan Gosling. Should that work out, a team led by Gosling, Ali and Oscar Isaac‘s Moon Knight would provide plenty of star power to bring audiences to the theater.

  • Sadie Sink’s Latest Rumored ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Role Could Bring the Spider-Verse into Live-Action

    Sadie Sink’s Latest Rumored ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Role Could Bring the Spider-Verse into Live-Action

    Since it was reported that Sadie Sink joined the cast of Spider-Man: Brand New Day in mid-March, rumors have had the actress portraying just about every high-profile female Spidey character from Mary Jane Watson to Mayday Parker and more in between. While Sink has kept quiet about her role, rumors continue to fly, including a new one which could potentially lead to a tie-in with Sony’s successful, animated Spider-Verse franchise.

    According to a new rumor from Jeff “The In” Sneider, Sink’s character could be an “alternate-universe Gwen Stacey.” While Sneider didn’t provide any further details or speculation, one interesting possibility–should the rumors be accurate–would be Sink playing the Spider-Woman of Earth-65, as seen in Into the Spider-Verse and Beyond the Spider-Verse.

    Voiced by Hailee Steinfeld, Earth-65’s Gwen Stacey is a key character in the Spider-Verse franchise and has gained prominence across multiple Marvel-produced genres.  Sony has been rumored to have interest in bringing some of the more popular Spider-Verse characters into live-action and could be using Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which they co-produce with Marvel Studios, to test the waters with a character whose popularity has already been proven.

    By casting an actress of Sink’s caliber, Sony would likely have had something larger than a one-off role in mind. If that’s the case, the Spider-Woman/Spider-Gwen/Ghost Spider version of Gwen Stacey would be a great fit. Should audiences take to Sink’s portrayal of the character, Sony would have the opportunity to use the appearance as a stepping stone to another attempt at producing their own live-action Spider-Man universe, this time with actual Spiders!