Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Movie News

  • Pixar’s ‘Lightyear’ Eyeing a $135M+ Opening Weekend Worldwide

    Pixar’s ‘Lightyear’ Eyeing a $135M+ Opening Weekend Worldwide

    With Lightyear releasing in theaters in the near future, it seems that we’re finally getting some projects in on where exactly the film will perform. First estimates are giving the Toy Story spinoff a smaller estimate going into the theater due to not being a direct sequel and is potentially eyeing a $70M to $85M opening stateside. The film will make good use of Father’s day to pull in a Sunday audience plus Juneteenth is on Monday.

    Internationally, the film is going to release in 43 markets, as it has been banned in specific markets. UK and Mexico are frontrunners for the market but the estimates are at around $50M+ opening internationally. As of such, the film will likely play around $135M worldwide in total by the end of the weekend.

    Though it should not be underestimated that Top Gun and Doctor Strange kicked off an overall strong summer blockbuster, which is showing some of the best numbers we’ve seen since the pandemic started. So, the film may surprise us and pull in quite the audience given its legacy status. Sonic the Hedgehog left quite an impression with younger audiences that may motivate them to visit the theater again more often.

    Source: Deadline

  • Animated ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Spinoff Trilogy in Development

    Animated ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Spinoff Trilogy in Development

    Netflix has been busy with its live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Yet, after the original creators of the series, Bryan Konietzko and Michael DiMartino, departed the adaptation to found an entire studio focused on the iconic franchise, we’ve anxiously waited for an official confirmation of their next projects Turns out they have not one but three films currently in development.

    Lauren Montgomery, a veteran of the franchise, is directing an untitled film in the franchise with two sequels already being worked on. The creators will be producing alongside Eric Coleman. They will be part of the Avatar Studios banner that was first founded back in February 2021. Ramsey Naito, Paramount Animation, and Nickelodeon Animation president offered the following statement.

    As original creators Mike and Bryan expand the ‘Avatar’ universe with us, we’re keeping it all in the family with Lauren bringing the same kind of expert, beautiful work she did on the original series to her new directing duties on the forthcoming theatrical.

    Ramsey Naito

    UPDATING

    Source: Variety

  • HBO Max Working on ‘Looney Tunes’ Musical

    HBO Max Working on ‘Looney Tunes’ Musical

    The whole gang is about to put the tune back in Tunes, as HBO Max and Cartoon Network are actively developing a musical titled Bye Bye Bunny: A Looney Tunes Musical. It‘s the second musical reveal from Warner Bros. Discovery after the Joker sequel was teased to take that direction with Lady Gaga in talks to join as Harley Quinn. According to Deadline, the film will feature an original song and dance numbers, as well as orchestrations of some classic WB musicals. The story is as follows:

    After starring in a long-running Looney Tunes Broadway smash production, an exhausted Bugs Bunny decides it’s time to trade in sold-out shows for life as a regular rabbit. Ever the spotlight opportunist, Daffy Duck attempts to step into the lead role, but his star ambitions are quickly sidetracked when he is kidnapped by an obsessive fan who has more sinister plans for her favorite stage duck. With his ticket to Broadway retirement in danger, Bugs sets off on a rescue mission to find Daffy and, with the help of his Looney Tunes co-stars, hopefully, his joy of performing again.

    Amy Friedman, Warner Bros. Head of Kids & Family Programming, has pointed out that it’ll offer “old Hollywood and Broadway vibes” as it offers the usual mayhem we’re used to from the Looney Tunes. The announcement follows shortly after a preschool series was also announced titled Bugs Bunny Builders. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert‘s Ariel Dumas and Next to Normal‘s Tom Kitt is set to write the screenplay and lyrics. It’ll be interesting to see what this take on the iconic cartoon characters might have to offer for young and old. Here’s hoping Elmer Fudd gets to scream “Kill the wabbit” at least once.

    Source: Deadline

  • Miranda Otto to Return as Eowyn in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Anime Film

    Miranda Otto to Return as Eowyn in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Anime Film

    While all eyes are on the upcoming big-budget live-action prequel The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, we also have a new animated film on the horizon. The War of the Rohirrim promises to tell the story of what happened to the House of Helm Hammerhand, which was part of J.R.R. Tolkien‘s appendix. They have now announced the voice cast for the series. The big surprise is the return of Miranda Otto, who played Eowyn in the original films by Peter Jackson.

    She’ll be joined by Succession‘s Brian Cox, who’ll play King of Rohan alongside Gaia Wise (A Walk in the Woods), who’ll play Hammerhand’s daughter Hero. The ruthless Dunlending lord, Wulf, will be voiced by Snowpiercer‘s Luke Pasqualino. The story will take place before the events of the original novels as we learn the story of the fortress Hornburg, one that would eventually be known as Helm’s Deep.

    The voice cast is also joined by Lorraine Ashbourne, Yazdan Qafouri, Benjamin Wainwright, Laurence Ubong Williams, Shaun Dooley, Michael Wildman, Bilal Hasna, Janine Duvitski, and Jude Akuwedike. So, the film by director Keni Kamiyama has quite an impressive voice cast and will be the first anime adaptation of the franchise. Philippa Boyens, who was part of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit‘s screenwriting team, is attached to produce alongside Joseph Chou of Blade Runner: Black Lotus fame.

    Source: Deadline

  • New ‘Black Adam’ Promo Art Offers a Closer Look at Hawkman’s Full Design

    New ‘Black Adam’ Promo Art Offers a Closer Look at Hawkman’s Full Design

    It looks like more promotional art has found its way from Black Adam. While a big highlight of these visuals was in the form of the titular character as well as offering a tease of the upcoming silver screen debut of the Justice Society of America. While the JSA has some iconic members and we got our first look ahead of the recent trailer drop through Funko Pops, it does seem like new promotional material has surfaced, as shared by Twitter user @TaurooAldebaran.

    What stands out this time around is we get a new wingless look at Hawkman. Aldis Hodge is taking on the task of bringing the iconic JSA member to the silver screen and it finally gives us a confirmation of his iconic battle mace. He also seemingly will have a shield that’ll definitely help him in his fight against Black Adam that was teased in earlier promotional material.

    We still know very little about the film and the trailer has seemingly stuck to only teasing a small part of the overarching story. It does try to paint the picture that the JSA is going to face off against Adam, but it does seem like there are other threats in the future, especially one with their different ideologies. Still, his overall design is great and we can’t wait to see more of Hodge‘s Hawkman when the film releases later this year.

    Source: Twitter

  • UPDATE: Amber Heard Not Cut From ‘Aquaman’ Sequel

    UPDATE: Amber Heard Not Cut From ‘Aquaman’ Sequel

    Despite a report to the contrary, a spokesperson for Amber Heard has stated that the actress will not be removed from the upcoming DC film Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom.

    Referencing a report from Just Jared, Heard’s spokesperson had the following to say, “The rumor mill continues as it has from day one — inaccurate, insensitive and slightly insane.” The previous report stated that Heard’s role would be entirely recast and her scenes reshot following the conclusion of the defamation trial with her ex-husband, Johnny Depp.

    While Heard’s role in the Aquaman sequel was said to be considerably smaller than her role in the first film, it would still be expensive and problematic for Warner to cut her, recast her and reshoot the scenes. It’s possible that Heard’s role as Mera, Aquaman’s love interest, might be recast for future appearances in the DC universe, but for now it seems that the actress will remain on board through her already filmed appearance.

    Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom will hit theaters March 17th, 2023.

  • REPORT: ‘Aquaman 2’ Will Recast Amber Heard’s Mera

    REPORT: ‘Aquaman 2’ Will Recast Amber Heard’s Mera

    There’s been a lot of reports on what exactly the future looks like for Amber Heard in the upcoming Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. She was initially cast as Mera in the first film, and there have been countless petitions for Warner Bros. to recast the role. Now, the trial with Johnny Depp has come to an end with rumors circulating that she’d be cut entirely from the film. JustJared has now added to the story that she’ll be recast entirely but no further details have been given in regard to how that would look like or who may take over the role.

    There’s been a lot of reports and Warner Bros. Discovery is ready to invest money to recast and reshoot all her scenes after the drama surrounding her trial would make for an interesting move. There have been hints at what direction the sequel’s story will take and we’ve learned that her role has been greatly reduced, to begin with. So, it may not be as big of a deal as it seems at first.

    There have been quite a few fan castings on who could take the role, such as Emilia Clarke, especially due to her past with frontman Jason Momoa in Game of Thrones. Still, there’s no official confirmation yet from Warner Bros. and we may see an official statement regarding the recasting in the near future as the production enters reshoots eventually.

    Source: JustJared

  • ‘Puss in Boots’ Director to Tackle a ‘Smurfs’ Musical

    ‘Puss in Boots’ Director to Tackle a ‘Smurfs’ Musical

    It looks like Chris Miller has found his next project, as he is set to adapt a Smurfs film installment. The former Puss in Boots director will tackle the next entry for Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation, which was highlighted during the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. It’s part of a deal from the worldwide licensors holders LAFIG Belgium and IMPS, where multiple films were set to get produced based on the popular comics.

    The musical will be produced from Pam Brady‘s screenplay, who’s well-known for his work on Team America: World Police. Paramount Animation’s president Ramsey Naito has also shared the following statement regarding Chirs Miller joining the production.

    We’re thrilled to have such a talented group of people bringing audiences this latest rendition of the beloved Smurfs universe, including the incredible Chris Miller.

    Ramsey Naito

    They have confirmed that this Smurfs entry is going to be a musical that fits the childhood classic characters. So, we’ll see how they bring these characters to life and if it acts more like a standalone project or even acknowledges previous cinematic entries. Either way, it looks like The Smurfs aren’t going to take a break from the silver screen any time soon.

    Source: Hollywood Reporter

  • ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ Adds 5 in Key Roles

    ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ Adds 5 in Key Roles

    The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, a prequel that will follow 18-year-old Cornelius Snow in the 10th Annual Hunger Games, has added five actors to its roster. Knox Gibson, Aamer Husain, Jerome Lance, Mackenzie Lansing and Ashley Liao have joined the film as either tributes or mentors. They join the already announced Rachel Zegler, who will play tribute Lucy Gray Baird, and Tom Blyth, who will play Snow.

    Liao signed on to play Clemensia Dovecote, a mentor from District 11 and a close friend of Snow. Husain will play Felix Ravinstill, another mentor to a District 11 tribute, while Gibson, Lance and Lansing all signed on as tributes from other Districts.

    The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was written by Hunger Games writer Suzanne Collins and was published in 2020. The book is set 64 years before the events of the Hunger Games. The screenplay for the film has been developed by Michael Lesslie and the film is currently set to be released in theaters on November 17, 2023.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Top Gun Maverick’ Beats ‘Doctor Strange 2’ to $400M Domestically

    ‘Top Gun Maverick’ Beats ‘Doctor Strange 2’ to $400M Domestically

    Top Gun: Maverick continues to fly high. The Tom Cruise-led film has crossed the $400 million mark at the domestic box office, making it the highest-grossing movie of the year, pulling ahead of Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which is sitting at $398.7 million domestically as of Monday. With a $401.8 million domestic haul, so far, Maverick has also earned a spot as the second-highest grossing movie of the pandemic following Spider-Man: No Way Home. When all is said and done, Top Gun: Maverick will easily find itself in the billion-dollar club at the worldwide box office.

    As for Jurassic World: Dominion, the dino-flick pulled in another $12.7 million on Monday, bringing its four-day total to a decent $157.7 million. While that’s a less than impressive Monday haul for the month of June, it’s still notable during a pandemic. For comparison’s sake, though, Dominion’s first Monday was below 2015’s Jurassic World ($25.3 million) and 2018’s Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom ($14.7 million). With the release of Lightyear this weekend, Dominion is expected to see a fair 58% drop in its second weekend with experts predicting it’ll pull in another $61 million.

    With a fresh rating of 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear looks likely to upset Maverick and Dominion at the box office this weekend. As to how high Lightyear will fly, however, remains to be seen.

    Source: Deadline