Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Movie News

  • ‘Barbarian’ Wins Opening Weekend With $10M

    ‘Barbarian’ Wins Opening Weekend With $10M

    Barbarian is a terrifying success in its opening weekend. The new horror film from writer and director Zach Cregger absolutely trounced its own expectations with a staggering $10 million in ticket sales across 2,340 theaters. This number is far better than what was projected for the Georgina Campbell vehicle, which was estimated to hit just $5 million or $6 million heading into the weekend. It’s likely the film’s viewership was propelled forward by excellent early reviews and a hefty amount of good social media word-of-mouth. Distributed by 20th Century Pictures and New Regency, Barbarian was extra successful on large format screens such as IMAX, which ultimately contributed to 29 percent of the movie’s total gross.

    Barbarian, which serves as Cregger’s solo directorial debut, is currently resting comfortably at 92 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. The story follows Campbell’s character, Tess, as she arrives at an Airbnb to discover it’s already occupied by a mysterious stranger, played by It star Bill Skarsgård. Critics have praised the project’s many surprising twists and turns, which are said to be best experienced without any spoilers. Former Alvin and the Chipmunks star Justin Long also appears in the film.

    The thriller has been a bright spot in an otherwise quiet Labor Day film slate, which has mostly been dominated by talk of ongoing film festivals. Sony’s highly-anticipated action-drama, The Woman King, will debut next week as Barbarian’s primary competition. It will be interesting to see how the film stands against such a star-studded affair.

    Barbarian is in theaters now.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • Giancarlo Esposito Reveals ‘Professor X’ Fan Casting Led Him to Approach Marvel About a Movie Role

    Giancarlo Esposito Reveals ‘Professor X’ Fan Casting Led Him to Approach Marvel About a Movie Role

    With so many iconic Marvel properties seemingly on the horizon for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, fan casting and speculation seems to be at an all-time high. Actor Giancarlo Esposito is one of the beloved talents that fans want to see cast in huge roles. There are, of course, rumors swirling now that Esposito is already in talks with Marvel Studios to play Charles Xavier, or Professor X, in the future of the MCU. But the actor recently explained how fan casting has affected his relationship with Marvel Studios.

    During a panel at Rose City Comic Con, Esposito was asked by an audience member about the Marvel rumors. The actor comedically described how fans create all of the rumors themselves:

    I love how all this happens…[t]he fans come to me when I’m in line, a lot of comic cons, and it started with Dr. Doom maybe over a year ago. And then fans came and said [that I should do Freeze]…then it was Magneto. And these are fans suggesting to me what might be appropriate for me to do.

    Giancarlo Esposito

    Still, the actor detailed how the Professor X fan casting may have changed his outlook on the situation. Specifically, he suggests that the overwhelming fan support over time, and specifically for Professor X, got him to contact Marvel Studios directly. He detailed:

    And then, right, so the last year…people are coming and saying it’s [Professor] X. And they asked me, would you like to do that? I said I’d love to be in the Marvel Universe. And so all that got translated when the fan casting started to blow up that they’d like to see me play Professor X. It got so huge, I finally had to have my people call Marvel and explain that, you know, that this is a fan want and we would love to work with you. And [Marvel Studios isn’t] quite ready to get into that conversation. But when they are, I am here.

    Giancarlo Esposito

    Interestingly, Esposito notes that Marvel isn’t ready to have that casting conversation with him. Of course, all types of casting news for Marvel should be taken with a grain of salt due to its notorious secret. In any event, Esposito has made it clear he is ready to be a part of the MCU.

    Source: Rose City Comic Con

  • Giancarlo Esposito Reveals He Did Not Turn Down ‘Loki’ Role: “I Wasn’t the One Who Was Chosen”

    Giancarlo Esposito Reveals He Did Not Turn Down ‘Loki’ Role: “I Wasn’t the One Who Was Chosen”

    Last month, a report circulated that beloved actor Giancarlo Esposito—known for his roles in Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, The Mandalorian, and more—turned down a role in Marvel Studios’ Loki series. It was speculated that perhaps Esposito sought a film role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe rather than on television. After all, rumors spread last month that the actor was in talks with Marvel Studios to play the iconic character Professor X in the MCU. However, Esposito himself revealed that he did not turn down a role in Loki. In fact, he says he did not get the part. 

    Speaking to a crowd at Rose City Comic-Con on Sunday, Esposito answered a fan question about his rumored relationship with Marvel Studios. Not only did Esposito say he did not believe he was the one chosen for the unknown Loki part at issue, but he revealed he likely would have liked to have played that role. Esposito stated:

    The truth of the story Is this. about four years ago I met with Louis D’Esposito who [is] in the television unit of Marvel. And they had come to me to play possibly play Loki on the television side. And so I did not do [that part], and there were reasons for it. I think I wasn’t the one who was chosen [would] be the honest truth. But I would have maybe liked to do it.

    Giancarlo Esposito

    Interestingly, Esposito stated that not getting the Loki part is actually what led him to be interested in a film role within the MCU. He continued:

    And then I thought when I wasn’t selected for that, that it would be great if I could be in a Marvel movie, not just a television show because I like films a lot. I love television, obviously I had a great run in the television world, doing last year was four shows at one time and the year before five shows. 

    Giancarlo Esposito

    Only time will tell if Esposito joins the MCU. But one thing is certain: fans all over the world would celebrate the announcement.

    Source: Rose City Comic Con

  • D23: Anthony Mackie is Open to Chris Evans Appearing in ‘Captain America: New World Order’ 

    D23: Anthony Mackie is Open to Chris Evans Appearing in ‘Captain America: New World Order’ 

    Captain America: New World Order is shaping up to be quite the adventure. The film will be the fourth main installment in the Captain America franchise and former Falcon actor Anthony Mackie’s first official solo outing as the titular hero. During a panel at this year’s D23 convention, it was revealed that fellow The Falcon and the Winter Soldier co-star Carl Lumbly and Danny Ramirez would return to their respective roles for the movie follow-up, alongside The Incredible Hulk’s Tim Blake Nelson as villain The Leader. Not among the many returning cast members announced, however, were fan-favorite Sebastian Stan or 2021 newcomer Wyatt Russell. Instead, this duo was revealed to be appearing in 2024’s Thunderbolts project, something Mackie jokingly took issue with at the event’s red carpet.

    Speaking with Variety, the Marvel A-Lister was asked if Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers, the previous Captain America, would make any sort of surprise appearance in New World Order. Mackie’s reply was that he wouldn’t mind, as a form of revenge for being left out of Thunderbolts himself:

    I hope so, man. You know, Chris is my boy. We all love and enjoy Chris. I’m highly upset that they put Sebastian in a movie with Wyatt and left me out. It’s a whole lot going on. If Sebastian gets Wyatt, I should get Chris.

    Anthony Mackie

    It’ll be a while before fans find out if this wish comes true, but it might not be worth anyone holding their breath. Chris Evans appears to be done with the Marvel Cinematic Universe at the moment, and Mackie deserves his time to shine in New World Order. Either way, a cameo is never out of the cards, and anything can happen when the film hits theaters on May 3rd, 2024.

    Source: Variety

  • D23: Teyonah Parris On Monica Rambeau’s Origin in ‘The Marvels’

    D23: Teyonah Parris On Monica Rambeau’s Origin in ‘The Marvels’

    Marvel Cinematic Universe fans learned a whole lot about the future of the franchise at this year’s D23 convention, and that included a bunch of new information about Nia DaCosta‘s The Marvels. A sequel to 2019’s Captain Marvel, the story will reportedly revolve around Brie Larson‘s Carol Danvers, Iman Vellani‘s Kamala Khan, and Teyonah Parris‘ Monica Rambeau as the characters begin swapping places every time they use their powers. Parris, who debuted in her role to much acclaim in 2021’s WandaVision, was on hand at D23 to discuss Monica’s development in The Marvels and explain how fans might see her next.

    Speaking with Deadline, the actress revealed The Marvels will find her heroine learning to deal with newfound abilities:

    With Monica, we see her at the end of ‘WandaVision’ gain powers. And so, in ‘The Marvels’, we pick up learning how Monica’s been learning about her powers, working with them – or if she has at all. Like, what she’s not been doing. So, that’s where we pick up with Monica in ‘The Marvels’.

    Teyonah Parris

    Nudged further about the specifics of Monica’s superheroic adjustment, Parris played coy and danced around the question. However, she did drop a little nugget about the character’s overall arc in the MCU, stating that the combination of WandaVision and The Marvels acted as a sort of drawn-out origin for Rambeau:

    She is adjusting… Between ‘WandaVision’ and ‘The Marvels’, we really get to fully realize Monica’s origin story here in the MCU. So, it’s been really fun.

    Teyonah Parris

    The Marvels flies into theaters on July 28th, 2023.

    Source: Deadline

  • Marvel Studios Unlikely to Have Already Cast its ‘Fantastic Four’

    Marvel Studios Unlikely to Have Already Cast its ‘Fantastic Four’

    Even as we neared D23, there were a lot of rumors hitting the web about a potential Fantastic Four casting announcement. Even though the film won’t release until 2024, it was the talk of the town everywhere you could see. Not only did we get countless fan castings but a lot of people claimed they’d heard that the line-up would be the big reveal during D23.

    The event has passed and we have nothing outside of the confirmation of Matt Shakman‘s involvement with the project. According to Deadline’s Justin Kroll, there’s a good reason we didn’t get one. Shakman has seemingly only boarded the project recently and as he’ll shapes how it’ll develop, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige won’t start the casting process without his input.

    It makes sense and it’s important that the casting process also heavily involves the director, as chemistry is important on set for everyone involved. Plus, they still have until 2024 for the film to release and the film will likely be a big draw for many names in the industry. They may have reached out for some to potentially audition but they won’t move forward without Shakman‘s insight.

    Source: Twitter

  • Don’t Expect MCU’s ‘X-Men’ Movie “For a Very Long Time”

    Don’t Expect MCU’s ‘X-Men’ Movie “For a Very Long Time”

    We’ve all been wondering what D23 might have in store for us and it definitely delivered. We got the reveal for Werewolf by Night, a grand showcase of their currently announced slate, and even the line-up for the upcoming Thunderbolts movie. So, it definitely was full of surprises but there was still no word on when we can expect any updates on the X-Men.

    Well, according to Deadline’s Justin Kroll, we can’t really expect any true announcement or updates on the project “for a very long time” outside of them potentially finding some writers for the project. So, anyone hoping to hear a casting of an iconic X-Men might have to strap in for the long run before we get any real updates on that.

    Marvel Studios has been very open about them not wanting to rush the X-Men and mutants out. Plus, they already have quite the list of characters being rolled out and while there’s a possible appearance in Phase 6 for the project, there’s still a lot more to get out until then. So, it may be something we won’t see until after The Multiverse Saga potentially, but only time will tell.

    Source: Twitter

  • D23: First ‘The Marvels’ Footage Teases the 3 Heroines’ Unique Challenge

    D23: First ‘The Marvels’ Footage Teases the 3 Heroines’ Unique Challenge

    the first footage was shown from The Marvels during D23 and it turns out it also gave us the first reveal on how it’ll tie the three unlikely heroes together with Monica Rambeau, Captain Marvel, and Ms. Marvel. It seems that the story will see the three constantly switching places every time they use their powers and forces them to work together to fix the issue. It certainly sounds like an interesting idea that’ll make it stand out and could even offer some rather unique fighting scenarios throughout the film’s runtime.

  • D23: ‘Thunderbolt’ Line-Up Revealed, Returning ‘Black Widow’ Cast, Bucky, and More

    D23: ‘Thunderbolt’ Line-Up Revealed, Returning ‘Black Widow’ Cast, Bucky, and More

    Fans at D23 Expo 2022 were treated to some major reveals as part of Marvel Studios’ Showcase. Among the biggest surprises of the day was the introduction of the team that will make up the Thunderbolts when the film hits theaters on July 26th, 2024.

    Astute fans have seen the team coming together over the course of the past couple of years as Julia Louis-Dreyfus‘ Val recruited Yelena Belova and John Walker to her cause and now, Marvel Studios’ President Kevin Feige has revealed the rest of the Thunderbolts roster during D23 with the big surprise that Bucky is also joining the unlikely crew.

    Red Guardian

    David Harbour’s Alexi Shostakov, who first appeared in Black Widow, returns for Thunderbolts to work alongside his daughter, Yelena. Fans loved the boisterous character and both Harbour and Feige have teased his return.

    Taskmaster

    Another character making the jump from Black Widow, Antonia Dreykov, aka Taskmaster, will bring her very unique abilities to the team. Controlled by her vile and sleepy father, Taskmaster was freed when Natasha Romanoff broke a vial of Red Dust near her face during their confrontation after the destruction of the new Red Room Academy. Taskmaster, along with Alexi, Melina, Yelena and the dozens of newly liberated Widows all escaped together to parts unknown at the conclusion of Black Widow.

    Ghost

    One of the MCU’s most underrated protagonists, Ava Starr rounds out the roster. In the comics, Ghost worked on several iterations of the Thunderbolts, making her a natural addition to the MCU’s roster. Ghost hasn’t been seen since 2018’s Ant-Man and The Wasp, but actress Hannah John-Kamen has teased her return to the role.

  • D23: ‘The Marvel’s Footage Confirms Goose’s Return and Other Familiar Faces

    D23: ‘The Marvel’s Footage Confirms Goose’s Return and Other Familiar Faces

    While the footage hasn’t been released online, we luckily got a few teases from what to expect of next July’s The Marvels. The film will see an unlikely trio of heroines joining to fight an unknown force and it seems that we can expect some returning faces. The footage shown during D23 included Nick Fury and Kamala’s family but it turns out we’re finally getting the return of the Flerken Goose.