Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Movie News

  • ‘Black Adam’ Pulls in Fall’s Strongest Weekday at the Domestic Box Office

    ‘Black Adam’ Pulls in Fall’s Strongest Weekday at the Domestic Box Office

    The fall has not been kind to the box office, as there have been barely any releases to keep cinemas afloat. Yet, there’s a lot of hope that Black Adam has a chance to do exactly that and it does seem like the latest DC flick is doing numbers for Dwayne Johnson‘s usual fare. While the weekend went beyond the initial expectations with a B+ CinemaScore, it still had a strong Monday showing.

    Pulling in $67M over the weekend, the film has the best weekday release for this fall season with $4.5M, which is ahead of Smile‘s $2.98M on a Tuesday. As of now, the film stands at $71.5M total in four days. The release also beat last year’s Halloween Kills‘ $2.7M and Dune‘s $1.75M, which was released on Peacock and HBO Max alongside its theatrical release.

    The film also manages to pass other Dwayne Johnson-led projects like Central Intelligence with $4M, Jumanji: Next Level‘s $3.58M, Jungle Cruise‘s $3.7M, and others. It only hasn’t beaten out Hobbs and Shaw, which leads his weekday numbers with $5.87M and San Andreas‘ $4.8M. Yet, the film is already ahead of the Fast and Furious spinoff and will be the ultimate test of just how much staying power his film has with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever on the horizon ready to take a big bite out of its omentum.

    Source: Deadline

  • Damon Lindelof’s Secret ‘Star Wars’ Movie May Bring Back Sequel Characters; Hires New Co-Writer

    Damon Lindelof’s Secret ‘Star Wars’ Movie May Bring Back Sequel Characters; Hires New Co-Writer

    Here’s a fun, massive surprise for Star Wars fans: Damon Lindelof’s (previously) secret movie is reportedly set to take place after the events of 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and may even bring back some of the sequel trilogy’s beloved characters. The Hollywood Reporter has dropped a new article confirming that the mysterious film, which was only just quietly revealed a few days ago with Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy on board as director, is gaining steam with a new co-writer and collaborative creative team. According to the outlet, development on the Lindelof-led movie began shortly after this year’s Star Wars Celebration, with a roundtable of talent convening in July to break the story.

    Names present at the meeting were Patrick Somerville, a previous Lindelof creative partner on projects like The Leftovers; Rayna McClendon, a former consulting producer on Lucasfilm’s own Obi-Wan Kenobi; Andy Greenwald, the creator of 2019’s Briarpatch; and, possibly, even Dave Filoni, the Lucasfilm mainstay shepherding the large majority of their television projects. Justin Britt-Gibson, who worked with Guillermo del Toro on his vampire drama The Strain, has since been hired to co-write the new film with Lindelof, and the duo are reportedly working on the final script as this news breaks.

    Although there is currently no information on a release date or any potential plot details, sources have stated to THR that the project is intended as a stand-alone. Lucasfilm is apparently switching gears away from its previous trilogy-based plans, though sequels to Lindelof’s untitled movie are apparently possible if the initial film succeeds. The closest announced release date for a Star Wars film is 2025, so it’s likely this is the soonest fans see whatever Lindelof has planned come to life.

    Source: THR

  • REPORT: ‘Saw X’ to Feature the Return of Tobin Bell

    REPORT: ‘Saw X’ to Feature the Return of Tobin Bell

    Long-running horror franchises are often only as good as their iconic killers and John Kramer/Jigsaw quickly joined the list of terrifying maniacs after the 2004 release of Saw and its subsequent sequels. Though the character died in Saw III, he’s lived on through flashbacks as inspiration for fellow psychos as the franchise has evolved. Actor Tobin Bell has played Kramer in 8 of the 9 films in the series (Spiral being the only film in which he did not appear) and now a new report from One Take News has the actor returning for the tenth installment in the franchise.

    Bell is back on board for Saw X, which Lionsgate promised will capture “hearts — and other body parts — with all-new twisted, ingenious traps and a new mystery to solve” when it releases in theaters on October 27th, 2023. Kevin Greutert, who directed Saw VI and Saw 3D/Saw VII, is back for the tenth film and is working from a script by Spiral co-writers Jose Stolber and Peter Goldfinger.

    Commenting on the announcement, Saw franchise producers Mark Burg and Oren Koules told One Take News, “What a thrill to be reuniting with Tobin. His performance as John Kramer is part of the magic that made this franchise a phenomenon and his character is an active part of this film.”

    Earlier this year, following the announcement of the film, Burg and Koules, who have been with the franchise since its inception, promised fans more of what they’ve come to love about the series:

    We have been listening to what the fans have been asking for and are hard at work planning a movie that Saw aficionados and horror fans alike will love. And part of that is giving the reins to Kevin Greutert, director of Saw VI, which is still one of the fans’ favorites in the entire series. More details will be revealed soon.

    Source: One Take News

  • Henry Cavill Confirms His Return as Superman

    Henry Cavill Confirms His Return as Superman

    Henry Cavill is officially back. On Monday morning, the actor took to social media to confirm his return as Superman. He posted a video for his fans along with the caption, “A very small taste of what’s to come, my friends. The dawn of hope renewed. Thank you for your patience, it will be rewarded. #Superman.”

    In the video, which can be seen below, Cavill says he wanted to make his return official. “I wanted to make it official — I am back as Superman,” he says to the camera. The actor thanked his fans saying, “Thank you for your support and for your patience.”

    While a new Superman film hasn’t officially been announced by Warner Bros. Discovery, it is thought the studio wants at least one more Superman film with Cavill in the role. (Reports even suggested the studio had potential directors in mind for the project.) It would mark the actor’s second solo outing as the character after 2013’s Man of Steel. Since then, he’s appeared in films such as Batman v Superman and the poorly-received Justice League. Ahead of his return as Superman for Black Adam, Cavill had discussed his hopes of donning the cape once again, but it seemed as though the studio had other plans.

    With Walter Hamada officially gone, though, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson having fought for his return, it seems Cavill’s future as Superman is brighter than ever.

  • Marvel Studios Releases Official Synopsis for ‘Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania’

    Marvel Studios Releases Official Synopsis for ‘Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania’

    Along with a first-look teaser and a poster for their upcoming 2023 film, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quatumania, Marvel Studios has released a synopsis for the Peyton Reed-helmed project.

    In the film, which officially kicks off phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Super-Hero partners Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) return to continue their adventures as Ant-Man and the Wasp. Together, with Hope’s parents Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), the family finds themselves exploring the Quantum Realm, interacting with strange new creatures and embarking on an adventure that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought was possible. Jonathan Majors joins the adventure as Kang. Director Peyton Reed returns to direct the film; Kevin Feige and Stephen Broussard produce. 

    News of the development of Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania was first broken in October 2019. COVID put the project on hold, but it has always been intended to be a MAJOR movie, as reported here.

  • ‘Ms. Marvel’ Director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy Reportedly Set to Helm “Secret” Star Wars Film; Damon Lindelof to Write

    ‘Ms. Marvel’ Director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy Reportedly Set to Helm “Secret” Star Wars Film; Damon Lindelof to Write

    Oscar Award-winning director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy has been chosen to direct what’s being described as a “secret” Star Wars film based off a script from Damon Lindelof and an as yet unnamed co-writer. Though the film is still in the early stages of development, the report indicates that it has gained steam at Lucasfilm and is among its top priorites on its theatrical slate. Rumors of Lindelof’s involvement in the project date back to March of 2022.

    Obaid-Chinoy recently directed a pair of episodes for Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel, its highest-rated streaming project to date, and continues to ascend. While
    Lindelof is known for his work on the television side of things, with hits like Lost and HBO’s Watchmen, for which he won two Primetime Emmys, he also has two Star Trek films, Ridley Scott’s Prometheus and World War Z under his belt as feature films, so he’s certainly not stranger to penning major theatrical releases. The report indicates that Lindelof and Lucasfilm were keen on finding a director for the project while it was still in the writing stage in order to help shape the vision for the film.

    Lucasfilm has not had a Star Wars film in theaters since 2019 but currently has two untitled Star Wars films on their slate of upcoming releases, one set for December 19th, 2025 and the other for December 17, 2027. While the report indicates that production on the Obaid-Chinoy/Lindelof project is expected to be a ways, it’s possible it lands on one of these two dates, especially considering the relative lack of movement on other Star Wars film, both rumored and announced.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Black Adam’ Opens to $67 Million Domestically

    ‘Black Adam’ Opens to $67 Million Domestically

    As expected, Black Adam took the top spot at the box office this weekend. The DC flick earned $67 million at the domestic box office. That’s enough for Black Adam to mark the biggest opening of leading man Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson‘s career – a title previously held by the Fast & Furious spinoff, Hobbs and Shaw at $60 million.

    Overseas, the movie seems to have done slightly better. Black Adam is said to have earned $73 million from 77 international markets. That would be the film’s opening haul for the weekend to $140 million. This number includes $6.1 million from the United Kingdom, $5.3 million from Mexico and $4.9 million from Brazil. The film’s worldwide opening is a bit higher than initial estimates which had it eyeing a $135 million worldwide.

    Unfortunately, though, Black Adam still has a hill to climb. With a production budget rumored to be between $195 million to $200 million, Black Adam will need legs in the coming weeks. The film currently has a rotten rating of 40% on Rotten Tomatoes and reactions from fans have been incredibly mixed. Next weekend will see the release of the horror film, Prey for the Devil, which could easily bite into Black Adam‘s box office haul.

    Source: THR.

  • ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ Cinematographer Provides Update on Production Start

    ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ Cinematographer Provides Update on Production Start

    It was quite the surprise when a sequel to 2019’s Joker was suddenly announced by Warner Bros. Discovery, especially considering the current reshuffling of the studio’s DC universe. Nonetheless, when it was announced that the film would see the return of Joaquin Phoenix as the titular character, and act as a musical with Lady Gaga taking on the role of Harley Quinn, anticipation certainly grew. Now, in the latest episode of The Hollywood Reporter’s Behind the Screen podcast, cinematographer Lawrence Sher provided an update for when production will start on Joker: Folie à Deux.

    According to Sher, the Joker sequel – which is once again being directed by Todd Phillips, from a screenplay he penned with Scott Silver – will begin filming “in five- or six-weeks’ time.” Additionally, the film will “largely be shot in sound stages in Los Angeles, as well as on location in New York, where the project is set.”

    Joker: Folie à Deux is shaping up to be one of DC’s most curious sequels. Phoenix and Gaga will be joined by Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Zazie Beetz, Jacob Lofland, and Harry Lawtey. And while not confirmed, it’s rumored that the sequel will be told from Harley Quinn’s point of view. The film is also expected to be set in Arkham Asylum and take cues from the Mad Love comics storyline.

    Joker: Folie à Deux is set to hit theaters on October 4, 2024.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • ‘Black Adam’ Opens as The Rock’s Best Feature Film to Date

    ‘Black Adam’ Opens as The Rock’s Best Feature Film to Date

    Box office estimates are in and it looks like Black Adam’s opening night take came in as the best ever for Dwayne Johnson. Reports have the film raking in $26.8M on its first Friday, which as Erik Davis of Fandango pointed out, puts it on track for over $60M this weekend. That total would make it the 2nd biggest DC Films opening that didn’t star one of the studio’s top Justice League stars.

    Though it hasn’t been warmly received by film critics, Black Adam has been a hit with fans, garnering a B+ Cinemascore. The film looks to have about a three-week run ahead of it before Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever takes over the box office, so it’s possible that good word of mouth from opening weekend could stretch Black Adam’s box office legs into the next two weekends.

    The $60M total opening weekend would have Black Adam come in at about half of what DC’s last theatrical release, The Batman, opened to in March. The Matt Reeves‘ directed film, which opened in nearly the same number of theaters, hauled in just over $134M over its first 3 days. However, Black Adam is hardly one of DC’s most well-known characters, so it faces a little tougher challenge, but it seems Johnson’s charisma and star power are the driving force for audiences this weekend.

  • ‘Black Adam’ Director Jaume Collet-Serra Talks Creative Partnership with Dwayne Johnson

    ‘Black Adam’ Director Jaume Collet-Serra Talks Creative Partnership with Dwayne Johnson

    After being announced over a decade ago, Black Adam has finally had its theatrical release. With that, director Jaume Collet-Serra has spoken about the creative process behind making the film and the collaborative process with Dwyane “The Rock” Johnson. While in the process of making last year’s Jungle Cruise with the A-lister, Collet-Serra was quickly brought on board by Johnson and his team to helm the anti-hero project before the pandemic slightly slowed down the production process. From there continued the impassioned working relationship between the actor and director in the former’s passion project. This is what the director had to say about how he was brought onto the film and his process of familiarizing himself with the character.

    I mean it was towards the end of Jungle Cruise. I would hear it sort of in the background, like they would be working on what the angle was of the script and the story for a long time. So, until they were satisfied with the story they wanted to tell, they didn’t bring me in. You know what I’m saying? I mean, that’s like finally when there was a script that they were ready to share then they gave it to me and they asked me what I thought. I basically said, “I think this has a lot of potential, but do I need to read every comic book ever written about Black Adam?” It’s almost like I read the script first and then I needed to learn about [the character], and then obviously I did.

    Jaume Collet-Serra

    The notion of deeply immersing himself into the character certainly provides a strong passion that had the potential to match that of Johnson’s. It isn’t necessarily surprising with the high praise the star actor has given to Jaume Collet-Serra as a creative partner. In the interview with Deadline, Collet-Serra also took some time to talk about the professional chemistry he was able to develop and using that to enhance Black Adam.

    There was a synergy between me and DJ (Dwayne Johnson)during Jungle Cruise. When you’re in sync, you just feel it. I got to know him as a person, which I think it gives me the tools as a director to be able to bring out some aspects into the Black Adam world. As a director, you normally meet an actor or you go to have a coffee, lunch. You agree to work together, but you’re really meeting the person during the process. At the end of the day, you cannot separate the actor from the person, so you have to use the person as a tool as well.

    Jaume Collet-Serra

    After watching the film, one of the major takeaways is how Dwayne Johnson feels very in control of the character he’s spent over a decade developing. While many can debate if the end-product of Black Adam was the strongest film it could have been, it likely can’t be denied Collet-Serra successfully played into the best strengths of its lead actors.

    Black Adam currently is playing exclusively in movie theaters.

    Source: Deadline