Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Movie News

  • ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Coming Out On Digital Next Month

    ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Coming Out On Digital Next Month

    With $800M to its name and a couple million more to close out its theatrical run, it’s safe to say that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is another notch of success for the MCU. The film will be heading to everyone’s home on Digital come June 22 and on Blu-Ray on June 26. Check out the announcement trailer below:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4EBvzMqW84

    Like Eternals and Shang-Chi before it, it’s likely that the Disney+ release will be on the same day, something that was rumored last week. With it finally available for everyone to access in the comfort of their home or computer, fans will be able to post HD pictures of Anson Mount getting his head blown off and John Krasinski turning into spaghetti.

  • ‘Avengers: Endgame’ Directors Decline Comment on ‘Avengers 5’ Rumors

    ‘Avengers: Endgame’ Directors Decline Comment on ‘Avengers 5’ Rumors

    Joe and Anthony Russo have made quite the mark in the industry, as not only did they direct some of the most successful films for Marvel Studios, but they went on to found their own production company AGBO to support smaller productions. Everything Everywhere All at Once was also thanks to their support and made quite the splash in the industry. Yet, there have been rumors that they may be returning to Marvel Studios for a fifth e entry.

    In a new piece by Den of Geek, they got a chance to sit down with the directors who shared their thoughts on the treatment of Scarlet Johanssen, where Disney left quite a sour taste with many of its talent moving forward due to the sudden shift towards streaming releases. They said “it was disturbing to us as artists” and are happy that it has been resolved since. They denied to comment on a potential return to Marvel Studios, Joe Russo did highlight their view of where cinema is currently developing.

    I think we will start trending back towards original IP. I think it’s a great opportunity… I think that original IP will start to emerge in this market as corporations become more pedantic and factory-like with the execution of their current IP. I just think people are going to crave new ideas

    Joe Russo

    We’re definitely seeing some more unique IPs taking a stronger stand and in the best-case scenario, there will be a balance between franchise films and original IPs. The industry is learning that there’s no necessity for every film to be a massive box office breaking success, instead of focusing on smaller-scale projects taking a stronger stand in the market.

    Franchises will still be around, they’ve always been around since the 70s and we’ll likely see a continuous change with streaming dominating the market, as highlighted by Russo.

    We’re certainly concerned with the trend in the market that’s moving away from artists. There’s been a lot of value in tech companies getting involved in making content, but there’s also some downsides to that. And those downsides include tech companies like Netflix and Apple and Amazon having much deeper pockets than studios do, and they can pay more and that’s starting to scare the studios.

    Joe Russo

    While many in the industry are focused on franchises as the main cause of the current trend. Yet, streaming, YouTube, TikTok, and more have been bombarding the market with content that shifts entire viewing behaviors. Yes, superhero films have a certain dominance but we’re seeing original IPs make their stand and continue to have a stronger standing. Like any industry, competition helps develop the market but the problem is that external factors are showing their fangs.

    Source: Den of Geek

  • ‘The Flash’s New Suit Spotted at Licensing Expo

    ‘The Flash’s New Suit Spotted at Licensing Expo

    While we still have quite some time to go before The Flash hits theaters and redefines the DC Extended Universe, a new look at the updated costume has been revealed during the Las Vegas Licensing Expo. Not only do we get a good look at the Flash’s costume in all its glory, but he’s also joined by what will be Sasha Calle‘s Supergirl suit. You can see the shared images below:

    Sadly, it doesn’t look like they also have Michael Keaton‘s updated Batman suit at the Expo, but it seems they are focusing on these two pieces. It does look like they have The Batman‘s iconic cycle in the background. Still, it’s great to get a closer look at the design that moves away from the armored design we see in the Justice League films. It seems more closely inspired by the iconic comic designs, which were more of a skintight outfit.

    It’s crazy to think that we’ve originally seen this design in concept art almost two years ago, but still have to wait one more year to finally see it on screen. The pushback on the multiversal storyline also creates an issue with other releases, as some that take place in whatever new universe is set up by this film also may not release for some time, such as Batgirl which will feature Michael Keaton‘s Batman. There’s no official word for what the future of the DCEU will look like. So, we’ll have to wait for an update.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ on its Way to Become Tom Cruise’s Biggest Worldwide Opening Ever

    ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ on its Way to Become Tom Cruise’s Biggest Worldwide Opening Ever

    Tom Cruise has always been a box office draw, and it looks like that isn’t going to change anytime soon. According to early estimates, Top Gun: Maverick is on its way to a weekend opening of $92M to beyond $100M stateside. It also would add up to another $80M internationally, which would put its opening weekend at $180M worldwide.

    The film is being described as a “five-quad” movie that is expected to become an aggressively overperforming title, especially as older men are open to checking the film out. Paramount has taken a smart strategy by promoting the film over the course of the last month, especially when it was previewed at CinemaCon to get exhibitors excited for what’s to come. It also left a splash at the Cannes Film Festival, where Cruise received a surprise Palme D’or.

    The film will also receive the widest release in the United States since The Lion King in 2019. China and Russia aren’t in the mix, which puts its development towards beating the actor’s previous biggest worldwide opening with The Mummy at $172.3M. It’s also considered an award season contender, which echoes similarly how Dune was a “blockbuster release that isn’t quite a blockbuster” in the eyes of the Academy.

    It’s great for Tom Cruise‘s career and most likely will help boost the way they tackle his upcoming Mission: Impossible films in the promotion as well. Cruise has made a career out of single-handily pushing his films in a way that others can’t due to his position which is quite admirable but also highlights the exception rather than the rule. Having his biggest opening weekend with a legacy title like this does bode well for other films to enter the market in a big way.

    Source: Deadline

  • HBO Max Brazil to Add ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ in July

    HBO Max Brazil to Add ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ in July

    As Spider-Man: No Way Home is not owned by Marvel Studios, its release is quite scattered across the world. If you live in Brazil, you’re in luck if you have an HBO Max subscription, as the film is heading to the Warner Bros.-owned subscription service on July 22nd. Not every release is currently known on the Spider-Man threequel worldwide, but there is the deal that Sony made with Netflix and Disney+. We still haven’t heard any update on how exactly that deal works and when we might expect the MCU films to make their appearance on the Disney-owned service. It’ll likely head to Netflix in those markets that don’t yet have HBO Max access.

    Sony’s release strategy on streaming has been smart, as they don’t carry any of the costs without setting up one, but still enjoy the licensing fees from offering them to others. While Warner Bros., Disney, Peacock, and Netflix fight over the dominance in the market, Sony is making its cash mostly through offering its library to them. It’s a great strategy in an already crowded market that is reaching its limits.

    The only drawback is that it becomes quite the question mark where and when we can expect specific releases. If there’s no overall deal, like Netflix and Disney+, it strongly depends on local market contracts. For now, it feels like a free-for-all though we’ll likely see a shift within the market as time goes on and some overall deals are finalized with the main subscription services cementing themselves within the market.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ To Have the Widest Release in North America of All Time

    ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ To Have the Widest Release in North America of All Time

    There’s been a lot of discussion regarding the current trends of Hollywood blockbusters dominating cinemas. Yet, it looks like another big release is going to be present across the entire United States with Top Gun: Maverick set to become the all-time widest opening in the United States. It’s now set to release in 4,732 theaters, which beast 2019’s Lion King held the record at 4,725. To put it into comparison, this year’s biggest releases so far included Doctor Strange in the Mutliverse of Madness at 4,534 and The Batman at 4,417.

    A wide release highlights the expectations set by Skydance Media and Paramount Pictures in what the film has to offer. The hype has been great, especially with its overwhelmingly positive reviews. Of course, it’s been a while since the first Top Gun found its way into theaters back in 1986, but Tom Cruise has always been quite the box office draw, the Mission: Impossible franchise is certainly a testament to that.

    Current predictions do see the film releasing between $98M to $125M, which has been growing steadily as we near its release later this week. For now, there’s a chance it might go beyond those expectations especially as they widen its release in the United States. There’s no word if the European and other international markets will also see an expansion.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Madame Web’: Celeste O’Connor is the Latest to Get Caught in Sony’s web

    ‘Madame Web’: Celeste O’Connor is the Latest to Get Caught in Sony’s web

    The Ghostbusters: Afterlife actress is set to join Sony’s Madame Web. She’ll star alongside Dakota Johnson and Sydney Sweeney in the film. Johnson, of course, is expected to portray Madame Web, while the roles of Sweeney and O’Connor are currently unknown.

    The film is Sony’s latest Spider-Man offshoot and will mark the first film to be headlined by a female character within the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters. While details are sparse regarding Madame Web, it is thought the film will be an origin story for the clairvoyant character, whose psychic abilities allow her to see within the spider world. 

    O’Connor is steadily building an impressive resume. Following Ghostbusters: Afterlife, the young actor can next be seen in Zach Braff’s A Good Person from MGM. O’Connor can currently be seen in Paramount+’s The In Between where she stars alongside Joey King.

    Madame Web is being directed by S.J. Clarkson (Jessica Jones) from a script by Morbius writers Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless. Kerem Sanga, who write First Girl I Loved, took an earlier pass at the script prior to Sazama and Sharpless.

    Madame Web will hit theaters on July 7th, 2023.

    Source: Deadline.

  • It looks like Jason Sudeikis Isn’t Actually in DC’s ‘Blue Beetle’

    It looks like Jason Sudeikis Isn’t Actually in DC’s ‘Blue Beetle’

    On Monday, a casting call made the rounds online suggesting that the Blue Beetle film would not only include Ted Kord, but that actor Jason Sudeikis would potentially be playing the role. Unfortunately, for those hoping to see Ted in the film, it’s looking as though he’s not in the film – nor is Sudeikis.

    Umberto Gonzalez, who works for The Wrap, took to Twitter to deny the reports. “No, Jason Sudekis is NOT playing Ted Kord in Blue Beetle,” he tweeted. “He is not in the movie AT ALL.”

    As it stands, Susan Sarandon is being introduced as a newly crafted character named Victoria Kord who will reportedly play a villainous role in the film. It remains to be seen if Ted is referenced in the film.

    Blue Beetle is being directed by Angel Manuel Soto from Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer’s screenplay. It is set to hit theaters on Aug. 18th, 2023 and stars Xolo Maridueña in the titular role alongside Susan Sarandon, Harvey Guillén, Raoul Max Trujillo, George Lopez, Elpidia Carrillo, Belissa Escobedo, Adriana Barraza, and Damián Alcázar.

    Source: Twitter.

  • Samuel L. Jackson is Joining Chris Pratt in Garfield

    Samuel L. Jackson is Joining Chris Pratt in Garfield

    The new animated Garfield film is being produced by Alcon Entertainment. The movie is based on Jim Davis’ iconic cartoon strip of the same name and will follow Garfield, the cynical and lazy orange cat, and his interactions with his owner, Jon Arbuckle, and fellow pet, Odie. Jackson will be playing a new character crafted for the film – Garfield’s father, Vic.

    Mark Dindal (Chicken Little) is directing the film from a script by David Reynolds (Finding Nemo). Garfield will be animated and produced by DNEG Animation, which was also behind the 2021 film Ron’s Gone Wrong. Also producing the film are John Cohen and Steven P. Wegner, who are producing alongside Alcon co-founders and co-CEOs Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove.

    Up next for the always busy Jackson is Secret Invasion, which he recently filmed for Marvel Studios and Disney+. He can currently be seen in the Apple TV+ series The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, which is based on the novel by bestselling author Walter Mosley. He’s also set to appear in The Marvels, as well as Matthew Vaughn’s spy actioner Argylle.

    Sony Pictures will be distributing Garfield in all major territories with the exception of China. As it stands, Garfield does not yet have a release date.

    Source: Deadline.

  • More Details Emerge on Amber Heard’s Reduced Role in ‘Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom’

    More Details Emerge on Amber Heard’s Reduced Role in ‘Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom’

    As the legal battles continue between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, more details regarding the actress and her role as Mera have come to light. Previously, Heard stated that her screen time had been cut in Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom as a result of her legal troubles and the allegations against her. However, it seems Mera’s screen time was always going to be shorter in the sequel.

    During the latest testimony, Walter Hamada, the head of Warner Bros.’ DC unit, was called to testify regarding Heard’s statement that the allegations against her had impacted her role as Mera. Per Hamada, the accusations against Heard did not impact Heard’s casting in The Lost Kingdom. He did, however, note that the studio did take more time to pick up Heard’s option for The Lost Kingdom for another reason. Hamada stated that the studio feared Heard and leading man Jason Momoa lacked chemistry, which they’d had trouble crafting in post-production on the first film.

    “They didn’t have a lot of chemistry together,” Hamada explained. “Editorially they were able to make that relationship work in the first movie, but there was a concern that it took a lot of effort to get there.”

    Hamada also stated that Mera’s role was not cut down in The Lost Kingdom. He insists that the role has always been on the smaller side since it was first developed because it was supposed to be more of a buddy-comedy film between Momoa’s Aquaman and Patrick Wilson’s King Orm.

    As it stands, Heard’s Mera will return when Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom hits theaters on March 17th, 2023.

    Source: Variety.