Tag: Movie Features

The ‘Eternals’ Post-Credit Scene Hints at a Dark Legacy and An Uncertain Future for the Black Knight

You clicked on an article about a post-credit scene, so proceed at your own risk knowing it will be spoiled.

It’s not just about the post-credit scene. Yes, that post-credit scene, which sees Kit Harrington’s Dane Whitman interact with an evil, talking sword before being snapped out of a trance by Mahershala Ali’s Blade, is one of Marvel Studios’ best in recent memory, but it’s not just about that scene. Harrington’s role as Dane Whitman in Eternals turned out to be a lot smaller than most people had originally imagined but it perfectly set up the character for a terrifying future and put Harrington on a path to one of the MCU’s faces over the next decade.

By the time Eternals‘ lengthy runtime expires, Harrington’s Whitman is surrounded in enough mystery to make him one of the more interesting characters to explore down the roads. All the hints are there: his estranged uncle, his “complicated” family history and, of course, the very, very dense post-credit scene all of which leaves a lot to unpack, especially for those unfamiliar with the character’s journey through the pages of Marvel Comics.

While Harrington kindly pretends he doesn’t know what’s next for the character, it’s hard to imagine Kevin Feige and the Parliament do not and Eternals gives fans a pretty clear idea of what to expect in the eventual Black Knight project.

The Funky Uncle

While Facetiming with Dane from the Amazon, Sersi implores him to reach out to his uncle and put whatever it is behind them that’s left their relationship strained. That uncle is Nathan Garrett, a British geneticist and inventor and the ancestor of one of the Knights of the Roundtable, Sir Percy of Scandia. As an ancestor to Sir Percy (the Black Knight of Arthurian legend), Garrett inherited the ancestral Garrett Castle which held within it the Ebony Blade, a magical weapon that carries with it a terrible curse. Garrett was found unworthy of the blade, but found plenty of ways to use his natural gifts to become a villain, even joining the Masters of Evil at one point. Before he died, Garrett, in an effort to make good on his potential and make amends for a life of crime, reached out to his nephew and bequeathed him Garrett Castle and all the remained inside, including his brilliant research and the cursed Ebony Blade.

The Complicated Family Legacy

As mentioned above, Whitman’s uncle is descendant of Sir Percy of Scandia which means so is Whitman. So Whitman is one of a long line of people who have had the cursed Ebony Blade, forged by Merlin himself and gifted to them as a birthright. Percy handed the blade to his nephew, Sir Raston (who was killed by Immortus) and from there it found its way through several owners throughout time, including members of the Knights Templar, before finding its way to Garrett Castle. As complicated as that family legacy may seem, it might be even further complicated in the MCU should they choose to pull a particular thread about some potential familial connections to King Arthur himself. What’s worse is that, as it turns out, it might not be the Ebony Blade that’s truly cursed, but the family itself as it was recently revealed during the King in Black event that the sword simply works with its wielder to reveal an unhealthy set of behaviors common in the line: blood lust, psychosis and extreme violence.

What’s In the Box???

And as you may have guessed, that’s the Ebony Blade in the post credit scene…and Marvel Studios knocked it out of the park. There’s no telling what origin the sword will have in the MCU, but they did their best to let us know it’s a terrifying artifact. As Dane opened the box, which was adorned with the same family crest seen on the ring Sersi gave him in the beginning of the film. the cursed sword began to call to Dane who then reads aloud (and not in modern English) the words “Death is my reward.” If that wasn’t creepy enough, as Dane reaches towards the blade, its surface reacts to what you have to believe is his DNA and behaves similarly to iron filings drawn towards a magnet. What plans Whitman has for the sword or vice versa will have to wait, however, as Blade interrupted their union. Choosing Blade as the interloper here is incredibly interesting as the time the two have shared together in the comics is minimal, but it does seem to indicate that the supernatural aspect of the sword will be something of interest later on.

What’s Next?

Whitman’s Black Knight has been an Avenger. He’s been a part of Excalibur. He’s been a member of MI-13. He’s traveled throughout time. He’s fought Skrulls. He’s found himself on Weirdworld. With Harrington on board in the role, it’s reasonable to assume that not only will we see a Black Knight solo project in the not too distant future, but we’ll also likely see a lot of the young hero in other projects over the next decade or so. He’s a character with a rich enough comic book past to connect more of the MCU’s unexplored history (and could especially help unlock the enormous and greatly unexplored potential of the magic, myth and legends of Britain) while also helping shape its future. For Harrington, it’s not just another guy with a sword. Harrington has said on multiple occasions over the past several weeks that he’s drawn to the darker side of this character. Let’s hope Marvel Studios minimizes the changes and maximizes the potential of a character with an already fascinating and established story.

November 5, 2021
Murphy’s Team-Up, Volume 4: Favorite Horror Film

Last weekend, the team shared their MCU mulligans. This week’s topic is a little more seasonal as the team shares what makes their favorite horror movies their favorite. We’ll get started with the choice of this week’s special guest, author Richard Newby.

Richard “New Nightmare” Newby:

There are an endless number of scary movies that I love but when it comes down to the one I think about most often, the one that has had the greatest impact on my love for the genre and my own writing, David Cronenberg’s The Fly(1986) looms large. While horror will seemingly always live in the shadow of the notion that remakes are bad, The Fly, alongside The Thing (1982) and The Blob (1988) serves as a counterpoint, a reminder that even the seemingly familiar can be made frighteningly new with a bold visionary at the helm. Cronenberg, who developed so much of the language surrounding body horror, questions what it means to be human and to age from one’s own perspective and that of loved ones in The Fly. There’s a universality to the story being told, which makes the experience of watching it all the more emotionally involving. From the central performances from Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis, to the incomparable practical effects work by Chris Walas, The Fly is a showcase of the best of what horror can offer. You can have your gore and shock value and get genuine character development along with it. It’s the emotional sincerity of Seth Brundle and Veronica Quaife’s romance that binds the film even as Brundle goopy transformation takes center stage and races towards its inevitable and tragic end. Yes, The Fly is a scary movie but it’s also a love story, one that demands empathy for the monster, even as he grows increasingly monstrous. And what’s scarier than facing the monster inside of us all?

Arlyn “Angel of Death” Murphy:

My favorite scary movie is Halloween (1978). I like that movie because I like the jump scares and I like all of the sequels as well. They all are just very exciting. I like it so much that I will be dressing up as Michael Myers this year for Halloween.

Charles “Chop-off” Murphy:

As always, I have my daughter’s back here. John Carpenter’s Halloween has long been my favorite scary movie. Despite the 7 older sequels, the 2 Rob Zombie remakes (I think those are quite a bit better than they’re given credit for) and the 2 most recent sequels, the original remains a classic. When I was a kid, Freddy Krueger scared the hell out of me; over time, Michael Myers has made Krueger an afterthought. Myers is every parent’s worst nightmare and a being or pure evil whose motives and means aren’t clear. Myers is terrifying because while they don’t all wear masks, there are Michael Myers all around us. And to date there’s still few horror movie scenes as memorable for me as him sitting up in the background just after Laurie thinks she’s ended the threat again. Pure terror!
Note: Cabin in the Woods, Alien and Trick ‘r Treat are all right there for me.

Anthony “The Big Grizzly” Canton III:

Get Out is my favorite horror movie as it reflects the realities of the black experience. It’s one of the greatest horror movies ever because of the truths in its messaging. Daniel Kaluuya’s portrayal of this experience is excellent in its fear and desperation to get out. The truth about being black in America is exemplified in this film. Thinking psychologically and emotionally this film attacks white liberalism in subtle and not so subtle ways. Get Out is a horror movie the likes of what we’ve never seen or will probably see again. Jordan Peele’s vision here was bold in a way that changed the paradigm of what horror films can be.

Nathan “Satan’s Manifestation” Miller:

Although the first film I remember being scared of was Terminator 2: Judgement Day, I think the next scary film I remember seeing, before I should have, is my favourite. I have a vivid memory of my parents raving about From Dusk till Dawn after getting back from the cinema when I would have been too young to go myself. It didn’t disappoint when I did get to see it! I love the genre blending and referential elements of it, as well as the morbid humour. It’s also fun seeing such a great cast in some different roles to where their careers would then go. The scares are perhaps my least favourite part of the film, though the funnier ones are probably my favourites of them. I still tell people they’re missing out if they haven’t seen it, hoping they haven’t heard much about it! Finally, an honourable mention for favourite scary film: Cabin in the Woods.

Joseph “Didn’t You Learn Anything from WandaVision” Aberl:

When I was a kid, the first horror film I ever saw was A Nightmare on Elm Street. Ever since it has stuck with me no matter how goofy future entries have become. There’s something about the simplicity of the first film that lingers with you. The idea of “if you die in your dreams, you die in real life” was nightmarish when I was younger. Any dream I had could be my last. So, an overactive imagination added to that very scare. Yet, as an adult, the horror of dying in your sleep takes on a new meaning. In a world filled with anxiety, Freddy Kruger may simply be an allegory that haunts us when we’re awake and asleep. The film may have aged but what seems like a typical 90s slasher flick with a creative idea, still remains a relevant scare to this day, just not in the way we might remember.

DA “Nightmare Before Christmas” Osorio:

For me, hands down, it’s the original Candyman. As a young Afro-Latino, I didn’t fully grasp the mythology but understood that there was something inherently off about a Black woman being labeled crazy because of what was happening to her. In that respect, I came to view Candyman as a hero because he was fighting for the innocent and the marginalized. However, as young as I was I was terrified of the guy who opened his jacket and had bees come out and had a hook for a hand. It was absolutely terrifying, especially with a name like Candyman. Saying his name 5x became like a myth, something only the bravest did. And I’m not even brave enough to write his name again.

Joao “Agents of SHIELD is Canon” Pinto:

Before launching one of the biggest Disney franchises of the early 21st century, Gore Verbinski directed The Ring, starring Naomi Watts. It was a north-American remake of the original Japanese Ringu, which was an adaptation of an early 90s novel by Koji Suzuki. It was one of the first times I came in touch with an Asian horror sensibility, albeit through a more Western-friendly cinematic language which helped to embrace the ambiance. Watts delivers an incredible performance, something I’d never really associated with the horror genre and that really helps selling the entire movie. By not revolving the plot around jump scares but on a sense of suspenseful eeriness that still managed to linger after that initial viewing made for a may more impactful experience than I would have hoped for at the time. The fact that twenty years later I still associate TV static with The Ring speaks volumes.
Seven days.

John “Jeph Loeb” Sabato:

Favorite horror movie has to be Hereditary. Ari Aster crafted such a suspenseful and horrifying story inspired by demonic mythology. What really sells it for me is the cast. Toni Collete, Nate Wolf, and Milly Shapiro are amazing with Collete giving one of her absolute best performances in this. The movie is top notch and terrifying and something I can always rewatch.

Hunter “An Upstate Werewolf in New York City” Radesi:

I was never much into the horror genre until recently, so it tracks that my favorite film in the category would be a recent one. I had the pleasure of seeing James Wan’s Malignant in theaters, and it hit all the boxes for me. Creative, unexpected, and thrilling, with the appropriate amount of camp surrounding some genuine frights. I’ve started recommending it to every friend I have.

Nicole Sobon:

My favorite horror movie is Child’s Play. It’s not as gory as some others named by my colleagues and leans into humor a bit more. However, I grew up on Child’s Play. As a toddler, Chucky quickly became a favorite of mine and at 3-years-old, I liked to utter his catchphrase. “Hi, I’m Chucky, wanna play?” (To be fair, my parents did try to keep me from the film. It just didn’t work.)
While I’ve come to adore the horror genre as a whole as I’ve gotten older, Child’s Play still remains my favorite. Even now, I find myself re-watching it – along with the terribly stupid, yet great, Leprechaun films – every Halloween.

October 31, 2021
The Sanctity of Canon: How Being Canon Sometimes Hinders Storytelling

The sanctity of canon has always been a contentious topic for fandoms, in particular, how inclusive or exclusive it is. Lucasfilm famously dismantled decades worth of precious Star Wars canon in novels and comics after the company was acquired by Disney, pissing lifelong fans who invested precious time immersing themselves in those novels to no end. Warner Bros. and DC films are notorious for setting stories in their own bubble and adjusting as things go on. And then you have Marvel Studios and Marvel Television’s cold-war squabble of the films never acknowledging the television world’s existence, despite the latter insisting they’re in the same club as the former.

For some, whether or not a narrative is canonized determines its value. The more important or essential a story is to the larger understanding of the written body, the more it outweighs the others, regardless of quality. The less important it is, the less valuable it is. It understandably takes so much time to invest a lot of effort into something so why do it with the inessential stuff? Why should you watch 5 seasons of a show that has zero bearing on the larger story in the metaseries?

That line of thinking can sometimes be detrimental to how we consume art. Just because something is inessential to the metaseries, doesn’t invalidate its existence. You can partake in a series or a comic simply because it moves you, or because it’s good, or because it makes you happy. Or perhaps you value quality over ancillary world-building. None of the nerdy connectivity matters in the face of gratification and fulfillment. You like a show because you like it.

On the flip side, having something you enjoy be acknowledged feels just as good. It’s a validation of your investment. Imagine what fans felt when it was announced in Star Wars Celebration 2016 that Thrawn, a famous character from the decanonized Legends novels, was being recanonized in the main continuity. Not only would unfamiliar fans get to know a great character they otherwise wouldn’t know, but it’s also somewhat akin to seeing an old friend. You spent 7-years following the intricacies of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., falling in love with their characters, and growing with them every step of the way. Seeing The Cavalry show up in the films naturally feels like an apt reward for all that support.

While the series would often reference the events of the movies, even going as far as to include guest appearances by the likes of Samuel L. Jackson and Cobie Smoulders, the Marvel films never acknowledged the events of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.E.D. This is something fans hoped would be ‘corrected’ following the ending of the ABC series, with many adamant Chloe Bennet would reprise her role as Daisy Johnson in Secret Invasion – something she has denied.

Fan frustration only became worse when the writer for The Story of Marvel Studios seemed to suggest the series was, in fact, not canon to the Marvel Studios film. Agent Carter being the exception, of course. Fans of the series grew angry, not wanting to hear the series was its own entity outside of the films. The frustration is understandable, to an extent. The feeling that the creatives owe them something, though, is a major problem.

Us fans, we tend to feel a sense of ownership over these stories. We make these stories a part of our daily lives. Quotes become part of our vernacular. Memes become a cornerstone of our online interactions. These characters begin to shape with some of what we identify with, which is great. However, the fact that fans expect to be rewarded for all of these things feels misplaced in the face of corporate interest.

These stories are a business at the end of the day and none of them owe fans anything, as harsh as that sounds. While studios and creatives are without a doubt thankful for the support, they operate on the whims of numbers and their own creative vision. If the idea of fully incorporating hours of television (that were created separately in a vacuum) into a cinematic narrative doesn’t logistically fit with their vision, that’s tough luck for all the fans who want it. The bigger picture of what the company wants gets served above what fans want.

And the way these companies go about dealing with canon is fascinating on a lot of levels. You have HBO and its Watchmen series. When HBO gave The Leftovers and Lost creator Damon Lindelof keys to Alan Moore and David Gibbons‘ dystopian superhero world, Lindelof made sure he only looked at the seminal 1985 comic as his basis. It was the Old Testament he would use to create the Watchmen’s New Testament. This was done despite dozens of Watchmen sequel comics and Zack Snyder‘s reimagined movie adaptation. Lindelof ignored every single one of those and created his own take of what happened after the comic. And it worked perfectly.

Then you have the DC Extended Universe whose canon is a free-for-all. While its cohesion pales in comparison to the relatively cohesive tapestry of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the DC films have that the MCU doesn’t: the freedom to do whatever they want. It’s how you end up with a movie like Joker, divorced from anything their tentpoles are doing. We’re at a point where we will see three different Batmans in live-action (Affleck, Keaton, and Pattinson) next year. These films aren’t beholden to a strict continuity and simply exist on their own merits. In a pop-culture landscape where interconnectivity is getting more complex, being able to watch The Batman on its own feels satisfying.

All of this brings us to the MCU, arguably the most successful franchise with the most cohesive continuity. A decade into its existence, more and more MCU projects are bringing elements from the early days of its canon, signifying Kevin Feige’s vision of a tighter and more consistent network of stories. However, even the MCU isn’t exempt from just throwing things at the window. Thor: Ragnarok famously shits on all the Thor films before it, foregoing much of its predecessor’s qualities including some story beats.

Marvel Studios is starting to take things further by possibly adding talent from the Marvel Television world. With the closing of Marvel TV along with the shows under its purview and the reported involvement of its key players in the proper MCU via soft reboot, fans have been divided as ever over what constitutes canon. Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio have both cemented their performances in shows that are being written out of continuity, yet their shadows loom over the future of the MCU. Upcoming shows Hawkeye and Echo are being touted as vehicles for the return of these Marvel TV staples, complete with a new canon. It’s more than likely to see Marvel Studios make more cherry-picking decisions like this when it comes to castings outside its purview. J. Jonah Jameson is another great example of this decision.

There’s also Lucasfilm, which recently released Star Wars: Visions, a non-canonical anthology show that distilled all the best elements of Star Wars into something fresh and exciting for the franchise. The result is a widely acclaimed show that pushes the boundaries of what Star Wars can be. In many ways, it was a proof of concept of how exciting the franchise could be without any of the main saga’s bells and whistles.

Like a belief losing its hold on its believers, the sanctity of canon feels subjective these days. What these franchises have come to understand is the importance of fluidity in storytelling. Nothing is sacred, for better and worse. The story is king at the end of the day and takes precedence over anything else.

Should the need arise to forego established premises to accommodate the larger narrative, storytellers should be able to do as needed.

October 30, 2021
What I Heard This Week: Zawe Ashton Is Kree in ‘The Marvels’

It’s been quite some time since we published a “What I Heard This Week” article at Murphy’s Multiverse. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the concept, the information in these articles is typically unconfirmed by multiple sources and, as such, should be treated as a rumor. You’ll notice they’re not called scoops or exclusives. It’s information that came our way that we thought fans would like to hear and discuss. In the past the information has been correct (Peyton Reed directing The Mandalorian), shot down publicly (James Gunn developing Krypto) or might even remain unresolved (what type of contact did JGL have with Marvel Studios?). Logically, if it’s an unconfirmed rumor to me, it shouldn’t be a big deal to anyone else.

With all that said, the focus of this week’s WIHTW is the villain of The Marvels, set to be portrayed by Zawe Ashton. In the months since Ashton’s casting was made public, fan speculation about who she might be has run rampant. Is she Rogue?! Is she Moonstone?! As it turns out, she is neither of those characters and, if the information that’s come our way is correct, she’s playing a character most of us will have never heard of, though it is one that is unsurprisingly tied to the Kree empire.

The events of Captain Marvel took place in 1995 and the Kree Empire we see in The Marvels will have undergone some major changes. We know from Guardians of the Galaxy that the Supreme Intelligence was displaced in favor of an emperor. It’s also pretty clear from what’s already been circulated about the movie that the Kree have not forgotten about Carol.

And that’s where Ashton’s character comes into play. I heard that Ashton’s character, described by the trades as the villain ofThe Marvels, is loosely based on an incredibly minor Kree comic character named Ael-Dan, who has appeared and/or is referenced in a total of 3 comics. In those appearances, General Ael-Dan works in tandem with a General Dar-Benn to assassinate the sitting emperor and then take his place. Their great reign ended during Operation Galactic Storm when they were killed by Deathbird of the Shi’ar. Ashton’s character in The Marvels is a gender-swapped take on this character which means that for all intents and purposes, she’s playing an original character. I’ve heard the character described as both the Kree Emperor and a Kree general. In the comics, both are true and I can’t confirm if Ashton’s character will be one or the other or both in the film.

The meat of the story here isn’t the name of the character, but rather the fact that Carol will find herself at odds with the new Kree government 30 or so years after their last known run in and that at least one of the faces of that government is an ambitious and ruthless character played by Ashton. Marvel Studios has wanted to work with Ashton for some time, so while I can’t say if her character will make it out of this film or appear in other projects, her impact will be felt far more than the comic book counterpart on which the character is based. With so many major Kree characters from which to choose, it’s curious to see Marvel Studios chose such a minor one, though that’s not to say this is the only Kree character in the film.

It’ll be a long, long time before we see Ashton’s Kree as The Marvels isn’t set to debut until February 17, 2023.

October 28, 2021
World War Hulk(s): What It Could and Should Be

On Wednesday, Geeks World Wide broke the news that the next time we could potentially see Mark Ruffalo‘s Jade Green Giant is in a film adaptation of World War Hulk that will spring out of Disney Plus’s upcoming She-Hulk series releasing in 2022. With a World War Hulk(s) movie in the making, Anthony and Dalbin break down what a feature adaption of the comic could and should be!

Anthony: There’s always been a fascination from the comic book community about what a World War Hulk adaption would look like on the big screen. Does it need to be comics canon? Not completely. Some things are necessary, though.

We need to see Bruce Banner at odds with the Avengers physically. We got a taste of that in Age of Ultron as Hulk took on Veronica the hulk buster, but that didn’t have the emotional stakes this one could potentially have.

Whether it’s an accident or something more significant, Bruce could be at odds with one of the more powerful leaders of the Avengers. Maybe a throwdown with Captain Marvel, or perhaps a rematch with Thor? All the possibilities are tantalizing, the difference being that this time there’s personal stakes attached.

Even seeing something like the Hulk and his brethren take on multiple Avengers could have catastrophic consequences for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It also would be extremely compelling, bringing grit and grime the Hulk has been way overdue for. This is also potentially a great way for Mark Ruffalo to end his run as the Hulk. He’s getting a bit older and maybe he doesn’t want to do this forever. A story like this would be a satisfying conclusion to his arc if Marvel Studios and Ruffalo chose to go that route. However it goes, World War Hulk has the potential to change the fabric of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s storytelling as we know it.

Dalbin: She-Hulk, the Disney+ 10-part series, is shrouded in some mystery, but what we know is it will star Tatiana Maslany as the lead heroine and Jameela Jamil as the villainous Titania. They’re the newcomers joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but the show is equally as important for who is returning.

Fresh off appearing in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the Abomination and a now-human Bruce Banner will feature in She-Hulk. As Jennifer Walters’s cousin, it’s no surprise we’ll see Banner, but last we saw Emil Blonsky he was no longer in a S.H.I.E.L.D. holding facility. (He was most likely on board the Raft). Instead, he had just fought Wong in the underground Fight Club that the new leader of the Ten Rings was overseeing. He and Wong left through a portal as Wong was training him on how to be a more effective fighter, however, it’s never made clear as to why Wong is training Abomination.

Could the Abomination, who is now free, be recruited by Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Val for whatever her endgame is? Does she send Blonsky after She-Hulk? More importantly, is Banner then forced to transform into the Hulk to defend his cousin from the two superpowered villains?

Banner is the one whose appearance in Shang-Chi‘s post-credits scene raised even more eyebrows. No, not because Jolly Green seemed to be serving in a leadership role post-Endgame with Captain Marvel and Wong, but because he was human. Yes, his arm was in a sling, but he was very much Mark Ruffalo. What happened post-Endgame that split Hulk and Banner after Banner spent time post-Infinity War bringing them together? And how do we get from Banner in a leadership role to Banner potentially being exiled off Earth Prime?

What if it isn’t the Hulk we know? Could we be getting ready to see the introduction of the Immortal Hulk? A Bruce Banner whose timeline mirrors the Banner from Earth-Prime until the One Below All possesses him? This Hulk, in the comics, actually killed the son of Sue Storm and Reed Richards. Yes, the Franklin that tried to save the multiverse. An all-powerful Hulk unhinged is strong enough to be jettisoned off-world, but what if stopping at one Hulk isn’t enough? What if She-Hulk or any Hulk-like character are blasted off Earth Prime?

With the Multiverse opening up following the events of Loki, what we thought we knew about the Marvel Cinematic Universe no longer applies. After all, a Secret Invasion is heading our way soon that could pave the way for even more Skrulls to descend upon Earth or reveal themselves. Everything has within the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been leading to this. Yet, it’s hard to believe we are ready for what Marvel Studios has in store for Hulk.

World War Hulk will enter production sometime in 2022. A release date is yet to be announced.

October 21, 2021
Marvel Studios Could Do What Universal’s Dark Universe Couldn’t

Marvel Studios is expanding in more ways than one. Yes, our focus is primarily on the multiversal focus of the stories so far, but there’s another one that is heading our way soon. Its first tease came in 2019’s San Diego Comic-Con panel. Mahershala Ali came out and shared that he’ll star in a new adaptation of Blade. The Marvel Cinematic Universe would soon introduce vampires into its ever-expanding universe. Yet, that wasn’t all as shortly after followed the reveal of a Moon Knight Disney+ series. The supernatural side of this universe is expanding, but the report of a Werewolf by Night special for next year might hint at a bigger story at play. Marvel Studios might accomplish what the Dark Universe couldn’t.

To bring up some memories, In May 2017, Universal Pictures announced that a slew of films would create its universe. The idea made sense if you consider that the original Universal Monster films built their cross-over universe back in the day. Tom Cruise‘s The Mummy was the first in many projects to bring this idea to life but quickly fell into obscurity. It mostly is used as branding for the classic films to still make use of the visual. Still, the idea of various monsters facing each other is something that would’ve been great to see in the modern age.

Luckily, if Marvel Studios continues down this path, we might see that vision become a reality. Moon Knight is no stranger to face off against supernatural beings like Werewolf by Night. He’s a mercenary that believes he is possessed by the Egyptian god Khonshu. So, he could take the place of the usual mummy character in these types of stories. Blade makes for a natural addition to the team to represent vampires. Marvel Comics even had their own Invisible Man who was part of the modern Howling Commandos alongside Abominable Snowman, Glob, Man-Thing, The Living Mummy, Vampire by Night, and many more. Hell, they even had a clone of Frankenstein’s Monster that went by Frank.

Yet, they’re not bound by the classic movie monsters and can mix it up with their own. It’s uncertain if the team of the Midnight Sons is in the cards, but the potential of Ghost Rider, Hellstrom, and other supernatural characters teaming up would make for a compelling storyline. There’s also the option of pushing Nick Fury into a new part of the world, as he gathers the Howling Commandos together to face supernatural enemies. They could even bring back Dum Dum Dugan as a self-conscious Zombie in this story that leads the team. Not only would we get Neal McDonough back into the live-action franchise, but build upon the What If…? episode.

The comics offer quite an extensive source of inspirations to build upon a distinct corner of this universe. It’s also a genius move by Marvel studios to diversify their cinematic portfolio. Each new aspect of their universe allows them to attempt different types of stories. A space opera is not bound by the story conventions of a horror flick. They’re truly embracing their genre diversity rule by mixing up the characters they introduce. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was pitched as a horror story and we may get many more in the future. Perhaps his story is also building into the Marvel Monster corner of this franchise.

Source: YouTube

October 17, 2021
Exploring Riddler’s True Goal in ‘The Batman’

The latest trailer for The Batman has finally dropped during 2021’s DC FanDome. After around three-and-a-half hours, we got a sneak peek behind the scenes and then a new look at the second trailer to build up to its March release. It still kept quite a few secrets as it kicks off with Paul Dano‘s Edward Ashton getting arrested by the Gotham PD, but it only builds the mystery from there. After the first trailer teased his role in the story, it was a curious way to start the new trailer this way. His face is purposely obscured throughout the trailer, as we get a better look at Matt Reeves‘s noir-inspired story. There is one shot in particular that may open up a bigger question: who is the true villain of The Batman?

Last year in August, we theorized that perhaps this version of the Caped Crusader’s mythology is building up to his eventual meeting with the Court of Owls. Reeve‘s even hinted at a deeper corruption in the 2020 DC FanDome panel. His version of the Riddler even asks the question “If you are justice, please do not lie. What is the price for your blind eye?” So, one could assume that Ashton’s role in this story is to bring something far sinister to Bruce Wayne’s attention throughout the story. The second trailer highlights this fact when you notice that he’s obsessed with a mystery surrounding his parent’s death.

As the screenshot from the trailer highlights, he’s highlighted the statement hinting at the sins of his father. What is interesting is that this might be a callback to Batman: The Long Halloween, where his father saved a young Carmine Falcone from a bullet wound. Perhaps this one action would end up unleashing the crime wave that established the darker side of this corrupted city. So, Ashton may be one of many victims of John Turturro‘s Falcone throughout history. Selina Kyle’s inclusion in the story with The Long Halloween ties would add to that potential storyline intersecting. Riddler’s actions in this story are to leave the breadcrumbs to bring the darker history surrounding the Falcone family to the forefront.

It doesn’t seem like this version of Batman will face off against rogues like Mr. Freeze or Clayface any time in the future. So, we might have a much smaller story for now. Falcone is the prelude to the bigger picture, as his downfall could open up to a much larger story. I’ll still hold on to the belief that the Court of Owls will have a role of some kind in this trilogy, but there’s also a possibly simpler explanation. Perhaps it’s truly the tale of Batman taking down organized crime by dismantling Roman’s empire throughout Gotham. In reality, this might be Riddler’s goal by the end of the story. Not too dissimilar from Alberto Falcone’s storyline in the original comic. It’s not uncommon for adaptations to fuse characters.

This concept sets up some incredible future storylines and breaks up The Long Halloween story throughout the initial trilogy. Riddler’s story may simply be the prelude, as once Falcone is taken down, the rest of his family tries to take over. Pattinson’s version of Bruce Wayne might have to take on other mob bosses that are fighting for power to fill that vacuum. We’d get the Maroni family, who have an important role in turning Harvey Dent into Two-Face. It could setups the Sinois family with Black Mask and White Shark entering the field. The trilogy could end in an all-out turf war where Batman has to learn what it truly means to be Gotham’s hero.

October 17, 2021
What to Expect at 2021’s DC FanDome

DC FanDome is set to hit tomorrow, October 16th. The 2020 event was one of the good things that came out of the pandemic, allowing fans across the world to tune in to live streams from the biggest names that DC had to offer. With the event returning this year were set to get some closer looks at many upcoming projects like The Batman, Peacemaker, Black Adam, Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom, The Flash, and Shazam: Fury of The Gods.

The Batman

After shaking FanDome to its core and breaking the internet after that trailer drop, Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson will return to FanDome 2022 to do it all over again. A trailer has already been confirmed to premiere at the event, one that comes after the film completed production, unlike the first trailer that was comprised of things from just 25% of the film. Fans can probably expect to get a closer look behind the scenes of the film and how Reeves created Gotham in his own unique vision.

Black Adam

After 14 years, Dwayne Johnson will finally don the lightning bolt as the fallen champion of the wizard Shazam. We can expect to get a real good look at the film but I don’t think a trailer is in order just yet. We will probably get our first real look at Johnson in the Black Adam Suit alongside the Justice Society of America. But who knows, The Rock loves to put on a show just like he did last year, so we could get a bit of footage from the upcoming blockbuster.

Peacemaker

After the release of The Suicide Squad, James Gunn and John Cena are another pair that’ll be making their return to FanDome this year. Peacemaker is set to debut sometime in January with Cena reprising his role as Christopher Smith, the man who won’t let anyone get in the way of his quest for peace. A trailer for this HBO Max series seems to be in order as its release is only just a few months away. The series was written by Gunn, who also directed the bulk of the episodes.

Doom Patrol and Titans

Both series are currently in their third seasons and will wrap both up within the next few weeks. There’s been no word on if one or both or neither series had been officially picked up for season 4, but it seems like if one or both were to score a renewal, it would be announced during their respective panels.

The Flash

While The Flash still has a little over a year before it releases, that doesn’t mean we can’t get a bit of a tease of what’s in store as the film just recently wrapped production. Both Andy and Barbra Muschietti have confirmed a surprise is in store for fans at FanDome, which could be a behind-the-scenes look at the film as well as our first looks at Ezra Miller, Sasha Calle, and Michael Keaton suited up.

Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom

There might not be much here as the project is currently still in production, but we could expect a look behind the scenes look at the film and a little insight into just what the Lost Kingdom is. It would be great to get a new look at some new as well as some returning characters in the film as well.

Shazam: Fury of The Gods

The sequel to the hit 2018 film Shazam has just recently finished production a few weeks ago with Zachary Levi reprising his role as the titular character. While the film is still quite some ways away we’ll probably get something like a BTS reel and maybe an official look at Lucy Liu, Helen Mirren, and Rachel Zegler as the daughters of Atlas.

Gaming:Gotham Knights and Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League

Both were revealed at last year’s DC Fandome event, hopefully, this year we can expect a much closer look at each project, hopefully, gameplay from both projects as well as release dates. Gotham Knights was originally supposed to release sometime this year but was hit with a delay and it is unknown when the game will release, but most likely sometime early next year.

DC FanDome is a worldwide digital event that is sure to have something for everyone. DC and WB might have even more to show off this year than they did last year. With so many big-name blockbusters in the works and close to release, it’s surely going to break the internet once again.

October 15, 2021
No Time to Die: How Existing Characters Can Give New Life to the World of James Bond

In an interview with Fandango, James Bond producer and head decision maker, Barbara Broccoli, stated that the studio doesn’t have any future plans to create spinoff projects for other characters in the franchise, saying, “We have not done [a spinoff] in the past and I don’t think we have any plans to do it in the future.” While nobody can argue with the success of the Bond franchise, the unfortunate “that’s the way we’ve always done it” mindset (the TTWWADI mindset known as “the most dangerous phrase in business”) leans far too heavily into the past at the expense of the future.

There’s been a lot of conversation lately about genderbending and/or racebending the character of James Bond in the future. The idea was met with a definitive response by outgoing Bond actor Daniel Craig who explained why he was not in favor of either of those ideas:

The answer to that is very simple. There should simply be better parts for women and actors of colour. Why should a woman play James Bond when there should be a part just as good as James Bond, but for a woman?

And the reality is that those characters already exist within the orbit of James Bond, a character who, since 1953, has traveled the globe in adventures at which he has always found himself rightfully at the center. But those adventures have always been made more interesting by his supporting cast and, in the Craig films, that cast has become increasingly more diverse. No Time to Die introduced Lashana Lynch’s Nomi, a new 00, to a cast that already boasted Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter, Naomie Harris as Moneypenny and Ben Wishaw as Q. Each of those actors not only represents an underrepresented segment of society, but also potentially fascinating characters that could expand the world of James Bond from within. Craig said “there should simply be better parts” and there already are…it’s just that Broccoli is refusing to move forward with them.

There are plenty of films, film franchises and parts of films that serve as homages to the Bond franchise; unfortunately, none of them have been developed by the Broccolis. Wright’s Felix Leiter is a CIA agent who was introduced alongside Bond in the 1953 novel, Casino Royale. Leiter has bailed Bond out and been responsible for bringing him back into the world of espionage but the character, especially with a talent like Wright behind him, has to potential to spinoff into his own world and his own adventures worthy of a Bond-esque treatment. If Leiter can hang with Bond in a Bond film, he can be the man of action in his own.

Wright’s Leiter is just one example of how Broccoli and the creatives behind the Bond franchise don’t have to work too hard to give new life to the franchise. Bond films, on average have come out every 2 years or so with the exception of a 6-year gap between License to Kill and Goldeneye. Since Craig has been in the suit, however, that average trended closer to 3 even before the pandemic delayed No Time to Die. At a time when there are more shared cinematic universes than ever before, why not fill that time between Bond films with films about characters like Leiter, Moneypenny or Q? Why not develop those characters to a place where we’re having discussions 30 years from now about who might be the next actor in a line of great actors to have played them? For now, the only answer we have is because that’s they way it’s always been…and that’s no answer at all.

October 12, 2021
The Black Knight’s Legacy and Kit Harrington’s Future

Will Poulter’s casting as Adam Warlock dominated the afternoon news cycle yesterday, but earlier in the day, multiple sites published Eternals set visit reports and disseminated quite a few interesting tidbits. Key among them and certainly the one that produced the strongest reaction on our social media was the revelation by Executive Producer Nate Moore that Kit Harrington’s Dane Whitman was going to be “just a dude” in Eternals rather than the Black Knight. To sum it up, people were angry. Angry that this news seemed to slight both Harrington and the character, who has a rich legacy in the comics; however, it’s possible that everyone is jumping the gun a little bit and possible that while Kit won’t be swinging the Ebony Blade in Eternals, Marvel Studios might have even bigger plans in store for him. In short, you know nothing, angry fan.

Marvel Studios has plans for the Black Knight. They have for the better part of a decade. Barry Gibbs, longtime Marvel Studios prop master and not Bee Gees falsetto, once told the tale of how the Ebony Blade, the cursed weapon of the Black Knight, was originally set to appear in 2016’s Doctor Strange (presumably in the room in the Sanctum Sanctorum where other artifacts are seen) but was taken out of the script for unknown reasons. They didn’t take it out for no reason. There’s been buzz about the Black Knight in insider circles for several years, so while WHERE they chose to introduce him might have been a little surprising, it wasn’t surprising that they did. And when it’s all said and done, introducing Whitman through his relationship with Sersi-which is comic accurate, by the way-will leave all kinds of stories to be told down the road, something Marvel Studios is very keen to do with new characters on Disney Plus.

You won’t see the Ebony Blade in this movie. He’s not going to be Black Knight necessarily, but that is something that we get to play with down the road.
Nate Moore

Moore’s quote above says as much but it seems that, in anger, fans may have overlooked the last part. Marvel Studios didn’t cast Harrington, a face that is both instantly recognizable and associated with swinging a famous, fictional sword, to have him be Sersi’s man candy. We will see Whitman pick up the Ebony Blade (a long-circulating rumor claims that will be a part of one of the film’s two post-credit scenes) and explore the legacy of the Black Knight. In the comics, it’s a long and dark legacy. A recent merch leak indicates that we’ll see part of that legacy teased (maybe explored a bit) through a ring worn by Whitman bearing the Raven crest worn by all iterations of the character over the years. They pulled the Ebony Blade from Doctor Strange for a reason; they cast Harrington for a reason; they are using the ring to tease the legacy for a reason. I would be absolutely shocked if shortly after Eternals premiers there wasn’t some sort of announcement about a Black Knight series being in development for Disney Plus (perhaps this is the project that goes with the recently formed Speyside Productions LLC: Harrington’s wife was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, the starting point for most Speyside Whisky tours).

A Black Knight series has the potential to change the narrative fabric of the MCU in much the same way as Loki has done. If Eternals is the portal through which Whitman enters the MCU, his series could serve as the portal through which the King Arthur, Merlin, Mordred and Morgan Le Fay join him through their connections to the original Black Knight and Dane’s ancestor, Sir Percy of Scandia. An introduction to those characters could set the stage for Pete Wisdom, MI13, Captain Britain, Excalibur and more…all because Harrington likes Sersi in Eternals. The series could also introduce Whitman’s uncle, Nathan Garrett, and explore the dark side of the nature of the Black Knight, something that will surely be explored as Whitman’s character grows over the years-and make no mistake, the 34-year old Harrington didn’t sign on Marvel without a vision of what he might do over the next decade. At his age, a steady job with Marvel Studios sets him up for life.

So don’t despair, fans of Whitman. While he might take a back seat in Eternals, he’s going to get his time to shine.

October 12, 2021