Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Movie News

  • ‘Joker’ Sequel Will Receive Massive Budget Increase From First Entry

    ‘Joker’ Sequel Will Receive Massive Budget Increase From First Entry

    Here’s quite the surprise but it looks like the upcoming Joker sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux will have a twice as large budget as the previous entry. While it did surprise many when it pulled in over a billion at the international box office in 2019, it seems that the ambitious sequel will have quite a higher investment than the previous entry. The first was reported to have a budget between $55M to $70M, and it now seems that the latest entry will be closer to a high-budget Marvel film in scope.

    According to Variety, the film will have a budget of $150M due to the high salaries of Joaquin Phoenix and Todd Phillips, who are expected to get $20M. Lady Gaga, the long-rumored addition show as recently confirmed, will get $10M. That is not all, as the production costs will get raised quite a bit due to the complicated musical sequences that are planned for the project, even if Variety hints that it’s closer to A Star is Born than In the Heights.

    We’ll have to see just where the budget will go, especially if the project is mostly taking place at one location. Perhaps they plan to have the dance sequences break the mold of reality and add interesting showpieces to the two dance sequences. It does seem curious how the budget ballooned for the sequel after Phillips statements in regards to keeping the project “smaller and more personal” in the past but we’ll see how the Joker sequel will turn out.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Watchmen’ Showrunner Shares His Thoughts on Marvel’s Expansion

    ‘Watchmen’ Showrunner Shares His Thoughts on Marvel’s Expansion

    There’s been a lot of discussions surrounding Marvel Studios’ recent expansion. Fans of the franchise have been enjoying a smorgasbord of offerings with fan-favorite characters getting a chance at a live-action adaptation, which wouldn’t happen in any normal circumstance. Yet, some also feel like the franchise is watering down its offerings with the Disney+ series and releasing up to four or five films a year.

    Well, Watchmen showrunner Damon Lindelof shares the latter sentiment, as he highlights his own personal taste when it comes to media. In an interview with Variety, he highlights his own personal feelings towards franchises; something that has gotten quite popular from many more veteran members of the cinematic landscape.

    It’s always going to be hard because once you’ve got someone’s attention, you want to keep it. And so the idea of letting it go and not knowing if you’re ever going to get it back again is sort of like it’s antithetical to the way that we’re wired.

    Damon Lindelof

    He also gives that he believes that less is more in this case, as he’d love to see more memorable projects. Yet, he also makes the point that he simply likes things to end, one aspect of how he approached Watchmen that some believed could get a sequel season but remained a limited series after all.

    From a slightly sort of more cynical standpoint, this is a business. It’s an industry. And if you make a couple of great Marvel movies, the instinct is, ‘We need to make more Marvel movies, and we need to expand this.’ And I have this sort of interior feeling of like, ‘Wow, I wish they made less because it would make each one that came out a little bit more special. But I watch all of them…People don’t want things to end. I do.

    Damon Lindelof

    Lindelof also makes sure to point out that he doesn’t blame Marvel for doing what they are doing. It simply makes sense and he’s not innocent in working on franchising as well given his experiences with Star Trek and Prometheus.

    I don’t begrudge them the right to keep it going. I’ve made prequels and sequels and reboots, so I can’t be a hypocrite and say, ‘God, come up with an original idea.’ Meanwhile, I’m making two ‘Star Trek’ movies and ‘Prometheus.

    Lindelof

    Damon Lindelof‘s points are definitely fair as something being short-lived tends to get a different view than when they continue going on. Phase 4 has been hit with criticism even by long-time fans due to hitting that sophomore slump that any long-running show or franchise tends to hit. There is a fun addition to this story, however, as Lindelof actually highlighted that he actively watches all these projects on his personal Instagram account, which adds an interesting bit of levity to the discussion

    So, it seems that Lindelof is also a fan of the franchise and it’s a shame that this may have been committed from the interview. He also goes on to highlight praise for Ms. Marvel as “one of the best things I saw on any network, streamer or movie screen in the past year. Originality masked in I.P… and a cultural authenticity that dares the entire industry to rise to it“

    Source: Variety, Instagram

  • Russo Brothers Set Impressive Ensemble Cast for ‘The Electric State’

    Russo Brothers Set Impressive Ensemble Cast for ‘The Electric State’

    The Russo brothers are moving full steam ahead with their next film for Netflix. Deadline reports that a slew of top talent has boarded the duo’s film, The Electric State. Michelle Yeoh, Stanley Tucci, Jason Alexander, Brian Cox and Jenny Slate will star alongside Chris Pratt and Millie Bobby Brown in the film.

    Joe and Anthony Russo will direct the film from a script by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. The brothers will also produce the project with Mike Larocca through their AGBO banner. Chris Castaldi and Patrick Newall are also on board as producers for The Electric State, while Angela Russo-Otstot, Jake Aust, Geoff Haley, Markus and McFeely are executive producing. The movie is based on the illustrated novel of the same name by Simon Stålenhag. It is set in a retro-futuristic past and follows Brown’s orphaned teen as she traverses the American West with a robot companion and an eccentric drifter in search of her younger brother. While it is unclear who Yeoh, Tucci, and Alexander will play, Deadline states that Cox and Slate are expected to voice CGI characters in the film.

    Ever since leaving behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Joe and Anthony Russo have quickly crafted a new home for their projects at Netflix. Extraction, which stars Thor actor Chris Hemsworth, proved to be a success for the streamer and production on its sequel recently wrapped. And the brothers have already confirmed both a sequel and a spinoff film to their latest effort, The Gray Man starring Ryan Gosling.

    Source: Deadline.

  • Warner Bros. Weighing Options as Ezra Miller’s Spiral Continues

    Warner Bros. Weighing Options as Ezra Miller’s Spiral Continues

    As Ezra Miller’s very public downward spiral continues, Warner Bros. is now reportedly weighing their options with how to proceed with their $200M+ Miller vehicle, The Flash. After being charged with felony burglary, Miller was in the news again when it was reported that a mother and her three children who had been staying with Miller are now missing and being searched for by child’s services in Vermont. With Miller continuing to be in the news for all the wrong reasons, Warner Bros. is said to be considering three options with The Flash.

    According to THR, while it is not the studio’s first choice, they have come to the realization that should Miller’s erratic and headline-grabbing behavior continue, they will have to bury the film and eat its massive budget. While this is not their first choice nor their preferred option, it is the first time during Miller’s spree that reports out of the studio indicate it’s a possibility. At the other end of the spectrum, should Miller seek help and come forward with a public apology, the studio is willing to move forward with the film and allow Miller limited opportunities to promote it. In between those two ends is an option where the studio releases the film and keeps Miller away from press entirely, and then recasts the character moving forward, a move that has been the subject of fan speculation and discussion for months.

    According to the report, a recast and reshoot for The Flash would be impossible because Miller plays several characters in the film and “is in almost every scene.” Even as Warner Bros. has canceled several projects and looks to the future, their decision to move forward with The Flash, which was first announced in 2014, seems informative. Fans of long speculated that the movie could serve as an opportunity to “reboot” the continuity of the existing DC Universe and with the studio’s newly announced direction, it does seem a likely option.

    Source: THR

  • Neve Campbell Speaks Out on Exiting ‘Scream 6’ Over Pay Dispute

    Neve Campbell Speaks Out on Exiting ‘Scream 6’ Over Pay Dispute

    The new Scream film caught many by surprise when it offered a fresh new take on the iconic franchise. Legacy sequels are currently all the rage and it was exciting to see it perform as well as it did for long-time horror fans. As it also became a surprise hit at the box office, a new installment wasn’t too surprising. What did catch many off-guard was that long-time star Neve Campbell was moving away from the franchise.

    Speculation went wild on the reasoning behind her departure before first reports hinted that it was due to a pay dispute. Hollywood still struggles with payment inequality for non-male actors. Now, the actress has spoken out on why she decided to leave the franchise behind.

    I did not feel that what I was being offered equated to the value that I bring to this franchise, and have brought to this franchise, for 25 years. And as a woman in this business, I think it’s really important for us to be valued and to fight to be valued. I honestly don’t believe that if I were a man and had done five installments of a huge blockbuster franchise over 25 years, that the number that I was offered would be the number that would be offered to a man.

    Neve Campbell

    It’s definitely heavy to hear the troubles she’s going through considering how she would go on to shape the franchise over the years. Campbell was one of the defining factors that made Scream what it is today, and her absence will be felt in the upcoming sequel. It makes you wonder if the draw will be the same without Neve Campbell when long-time fans return.

    Source: Hollywood Reporter

  • Disney+ Beats Expectations and Adds 14.4M New Subscribers

    Disney+ Beats Expectations and Adds 14.4M New Subscribers

    It looks like the streaming market isn’t taking a nosedive after all. Netflix and HBO Max have been low expectations; especially the former continuing to lose subscriber count. The same fear existed with Disney+ but it seems that they managed to pull it to their advantage as they just reported that they’ve added 14.4M subscribers, which is ahead of their predicted 10M. As such, the stock is up 6% as a result and its revenue continues to be driven by its parks offerings.

    Bob Chapek, the current CEO of Walt Disney, has shared the following statement on their third fiscal quarter:

    We had an excellent quarter, with our world-class creative and business teams powering outstanding performance at our domestic theme parks, big increases in live-sports viewership, and significant subscriber growth at our streaming services. With 14.4 million Disney+ subscribers added in the fiscal third quarter, we now have 221 million total subscriptions across our streaming offerings. We continue to transform entertainment as we near our second century, with compelling new storytelling across our many platforms and unique immersive physical experiences that exceed guest expectations, all of which are reflected in our strong operating results this quarter.

    Bob Chapek

    Unlike most, Disney has a diversified portfolio that can counterbalance any scares with the booming streaming business. Plus, the confirmation that an ad-supported model of Disney+ will hit the US in December also adds to the excitement on what exactly the future may hold for investors. Of course, the price hike to $10.99 for an ad-free version might rub som the wrong way.

    Chapek promised investors in late 2021 that they’d reach 230M+ subscribers by September of 2025. It’ll be interesting to see if that continues to rise or if we should expect a slow-down anytime soon. They also expect Hulu and ESPN+ to become profitable by then as well.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Disney+’s Ad-Supported Model Gets US Release in December

    ‘Disney+’s Ad-Supported Model Gets US Release in December

    The day is coming closer as the ad-supported streaming variations of Disney+ has finally gotten a release date; at least for the United States. According to Deadline, Disney+ will be made available with advertising on December 8th. It’ll cost $7.99 a month rather than its premium model at $10.99. Naturally, they also have various bundles planned such as lower-priced basic plans with ads getting their own combinations for Hulu and ESPN+.

    Disney+ with Hulu would go for $9.99 a month while adding ESPN+ would put it at $12.99. There’s also a basic monthly fee for Hulu with Live TV, which also includes Disney+ and ESPN+ for $69.99. Kareem Daniel, the Chairman for Media & Entertainment Distributions shared the following statement regarding the announcement:

    With our new ad-supported Disney+ offering and an expanded lineup of plans across our entire streaming portfolio, we will be providing greater consumer choice at a variety of price points to cater to the diverse needs of our viewers and appeal to an even broader audience. Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ feature unparalleled content and viewing experiences and offer the best value in streaming today, with over 100,000 movie titles, TV episodes, original shows, sports and live events collectively.

    Kareem Daniel

    Disney’s quarterly earnings are just around the corner, which makes this announcement quite interesting and a hopeful grab to get on the good side of Wall Street. Netflix and HBO Max have been hit quite hard as of late due to Netflix’s recent tumble, which may be one of the reasons that the streaming war will continue the way it currently is going. Disney+ is a safe bet to remain but the rest are up for question.

    Source. Deadline

  • ‘Nope’ is Jordan Peele’s Third Film to Pass $100M Domestically

    ‘Nope’ is Jordan Peele’s Third Film to Pass $100M Domestically

    It’s a big weekend for the box office, as not only did Thor: Love and Thunder manage to pass $700M but it also looks like Jordan Peele‘s third film has now joined the $100M club. Not every director can claim that his first three films manage to hit that mark, especially in an IP-dominated market with original pictures. Still, in three weeks, the film has managed to pull in $100.32M domestically.

    Overall, the pandemic has hit the box office quite a bit but there are quite a few films managing to still pull in past the $100M mark with original projects. Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis biopic is doing quite well with $137M, Sandra Bullock managed to pull the same with The Lost City and Ryan Reynolds‘ Free Guy from last year also made an impressive $121M. So, it’s a sign that mid-budget projects still have an important place in the market.

    It should be noted though that Nope faces a similar issue to Thor: Love and Thunder. While the latest Marvel movie is likely to make more than its previous entry, its budget was quite a bit higher according to some sources. Nope also had a higher budget of $68M which is a far cry from Get Out‘s $4.5M and Us‘ $20M. While it’s doing well, it’s unclear if it’ll beat out the previous two entries. There’s still the chance for its international box office to pull in quite a bit as it faces a delayed release but with only a few exceptions, the box office is still recovering in some ways.

    Source: Variety

  • ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Passes $700M Worldwide

    ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Passes $700M Worldwide

    While it didn’t have the momentum early on, Thor: Love and Thunder has officially passed the $700M mark worldwide. It’s currently on its way to passing the box office of its predecessor if you exclude its Chinese and Russian box office. The original pulled in $850M when it was released back in 2017 but owed $112M alone to China with Russia making up 23M. So, it would “only” need to pass $715M to pull in a higher box office than its predecessor. Not too far away from its current $704M international cume.

    Naturally, many would assume that the influx should be higher, especially with the presumed $250M budget this film is standing on. Still, with a B+ CinemaScore and a more mixed critical reception, it still surprised many when it started picking up momentum. The second and third weekends seemingly had a stronger drop but it was during the week when things would pick up for the fourth Thor entry of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

    The film won’t be making a massive profit for Marvel Studios as it likely will break even but a fourth entry making as much or even more than its predecessor is also not a common thing in the market. Thor: Love and Thunder proves that Marvel Studios still has a good hold on the market and $700M is a great win for any production nowadays; Top Gun: Maverick is the exception that may be overlooked in the more fragile market we have right now.

    As of now, the film is likely to pass the first’s overall box office run and even reach around $750M+. There’s still a chance it could go higher if it legs out even with its 45-day window on the horizon; something that may be facing a change sooner rather than later. Still, the film is not a flop as many would make you believe and it’ll b interesting to see how Black Panther: Wakanda Forever performs later this year.

    Source: Twitter, The Numbers

  • EXCLUSIVE: Sony Moving Ahead with New ‘Karate Kid’ Film

    EXCLUSIVE: Sony Moving Ahead with New ‘Karate Kid’ Film

    Sony is looking to move ahead on a new Karate Kid film.

    We here at Murphy’s Multiverse can exclusively reveal that Sony is looking to cast a teen lead for a new Karate Kid film. Sony is looking for a 17-year-old male, Chinese actor who speaks both Mandarin and English. The character is referred to as Li and is said to be small for his age, but tough, smart and scrappy. He is said to be a skilled fighter and a student in Beijing who finds his life uprooted after his mother moves them to Brooklyn, New York.

    Li is said to be struggling with a past tragedy, which drives a wedge between him and his doctor mom, who has managed to handle the same tragedy in her own way. After Li meets Mia, a student from his high school, and her father, Victor, at a local pizza restaurant, he’ll soon find his life has changed yet again – for the better. Li soon finds himself training Victor in the art of Kung Fu, despite his mother’s stance against violence and fighting, and ultimately back in the ring himself.

    The film does not yet have a director attached, but Rob Lieber (Peter Rabbit) is attached to pen the script. A start date has also yet to be revealed for the film’s production.

    News of a new Karate Kid film comes after it was revealed back in December 2021 that Sony Pictures TV renewed its contract with Cobra Kai creators Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg. The deal is said to run for four years and allows for the expansion of the Cobra Kai and Karate Kid franchises. This new film looks to be its own entity separate from that deal as it is a feature film.