Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Movie News

  • Kevin Feige Promises ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Will Make “‘Evil Dead 2’ Fans Happy”

    Kevin Feige Promises ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Will Make “‘Evil Dead 2’ Fans Happy”

    For quite some time, we’ve gotten teases that Sam Raimi‘s next film, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, will feature Bruce Campbell in some capacity. While he teased that it might be quite bigger than we initially expected, any return of his would’ve been treated with open arms as see they continue their tradition. It looks like there will be quite a bit more callbacks to Raimi and Campbell‘s filmography, as in an interview with Empire, Marvel Studios CEO Kevin Feige teased that fans of Evil Dead II will be “very happy” with the upcoming film.

    This action is cool – you’re competing with Avengers and Spider-Man, no problem – but don’t forget the Sam Raimi parts.’ You will see just how Sam Raimi it is, in ways that will make fans of Evil Dead II very happy.

    Kevin Feige

    Feige goes on to highlight that they wanted to ensure the director’s signature style remains intact as he jumps into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Perhaps it is in reference to the zombified version that we briefly see in the ending of the previous trailer. Who knows if it’s generally going to act as a reference to the Deadites, but Campbell appearing as Ash Williams would be a treat, especially for fans of the crossover Marvel Zombies comic. Whatever it might end up being, we’ll see if there are more references

    Source: Empire

  • Sydney Sweeney Further Hints at Marvel Studios’ Involvement With ‘Madame Web’

    Sydney Sweeney Further Hints at Marvel Studios’ Involvement With ‘Madame Web’

    It looks like history is set to repeat, as right after Sydney Sweeney was cast in a co-starring role for Sony’s upcoming Madame Web film, she took to Instagram to share her casting. The thing that stands out is the fact that she not only tagged Sony and Dakota Johnson in the picture but also Marvel Studios. In a way, it seemingly might build up a connection that they are involved with the project.

    The curious aspect is that Johnson did the exact same shortly after her casting. With their involvement with the latest Spider-Man trilogy and hints that Olivia Wilde‘s upcoming adaptation of Spider-Woman may also be set in the MCU, the tag does add some potential to them taking on a more active role in Sony’s expanded universe moving forward.

    Their involvement and Web’s potential multiversal connection could be a hint at how they can further expand this franchise without any continuity issues. The question is also who Sweeney might be playing, especially if she is co-starring alongside Dakota as Web. She’s been quite popular for a variety of Spider-Man characters, most notably Gwen Stacy and Black Cat. We’ll see if we get a clearer picture in the near future.

    Source: Instagram

  • Madame Web Will Be Sony’s Spider-Man Universe’s Doctor Strange

    Madame Web Will Be Sony’s Spider-Man Universe’s Doctor Strange

    Sony is still moving forward with their expanded universe that is building around Spider-Man rather than using him as a jumping-off point. The news just broke that Euphoria‘s breakout star Sydney Sweeny was joining the project in an unnamed role. Yet, there was another big reveal hidden away, as it seems that they have big plans for Dakota Johnson‘s Madame Web. According to Deadline, she will be Sony’s equivalent to Doctor Strange due to her psychic sensory powers.

    Strange has previously appeared in Spider-Man: No Way Home and it may have sparked the idea to explore some magical-based storytelling in their own universe. Plus, his upcoming adventure through the multiverse may have also made the easy connection. It does make you wonder if Multiverse of Madness also has him temporarily landing in this alternative cinematic universe to meet her before venturing on. Web could be a Variant of Strange if they want to make a loose connection.

    Of course, there’s still the question of what Spider-Man might become the focus of this spinoff universe, as they now have three to choose from. At first, many thought Tom Holland might end up lost in this new universe but he remained in the MCU even as everyone forgot who he is. We’ll have to see what the future has in store for him and this new universe.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Euphoria’s Sydney Sweeney Joins Dakota Johnson-Led ‘Madame Web’

    ‘Euphoria’s Sydney Sweeney Joins Dakota Johnson-Led ‘Madame Web’

    Sony is moving full force with their upcoming Madame Web film, as it seems they’ve now added Euphoria‘s Sydney Sweeny to star alongside Dakota Johnson in the Spider-Man spinoff. The film will be directed by S.J. Clarkson based on a screenplay by Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless. Kerem Sanga had worked on a previous draft. As you might guess, her role is still kept under wraps and the only thing we know is that she’ll be a co-star alongside Johnson.

    It’s quite the big get for Sony, as she is hot off HBO’s second-most show just behind Game of Thrones. Sweeny also was quite the focus in the latest season, which put her on many studios’ top lists. She’s been quite the popular fan cast for various Spider-Man roles, but I doubt anyone expected her to join Sony’s universe as most had their money on Marvel studios trying to nab her for an upcoming project.

    Still, it seems that the opportunity to work with Johnson was what inspired her decision. Plus, it’ll be the first female-centric film from the Spider-Man spinoffs, which could also be quite the draw. It’ll be interesting to see if other familiar faces from across the Spider-Verse make an appearance given Madame Web’s abilities. Perhaps they are using this as a jumping-off point for a live-action adaptation of the popular comic by the same name.

    Source: Deadline

  • Doctor Strange Isn’t an Avenger in the MCU

    Doctor Strange Isn’t an Avenger in the MCU

    Here’s an interesting revelation. After the events of Avengers: Endgame, it seemed like so many have become members of the organization. We still never found out what exactly happened to the organization given that everyone only talks about it in the past tense. While a new generation seems to be brewing, Benedict Cumberbatch has shared his thoughts on where Doctor Strange lies when it comes to being a member of the Avengers.

    He’s fine with aligning himself with creatures and spirits and everything else that’s thrown at him and that’s why he can be a slight outsider as an Avenger. People say that you were in the Avengers, but you’re not an Avenger, right? No, I’m not. I’m not at Stark Tower with Nick Fury. No, he’s sort of outside of that realm, but I don’t think that’s necessarily a character trait. I think that is just a job title. He’s there to protect the reality of the Avengers in a different way to what they have been fighting up until the point that everything collides in the last two Avengers movies, so he holds his position as an adult on the periphery of that, but I think only for so long.

    Benedict Cumberbatch

    While an Avenger doesn’t necessarily have to live in Stark Tower–especially with how little we know who took over the tower–but he makes a good point. Avengers are part of a team with it being like a job title. Unlike Spidey, he never was announced or accepted the role of an Avenger. He just showed up in Infinity War and Endgame to help out, especially the former because Banner just happened to drop into the Sanctum Sanctorum. So, while he’s appeared in the films, he still works independently from them. Though he may wish they’d come to help him as he explores a Multiverse of Madness.

    Source: KCRW

  • Chloé Zhao Reflects on ‘Eternals’ Critical Reception

    Chloé Zhao Reflects on ‘Eternals’ Critical Reception

    Eternals was quite the departure for Marvel Studios, as indie darling Chloé Zhao spearheaded a project that tried to explore a very different part of the MCU. What seemed like a sure hit ended up becoming a surprisingly divisive film among its critical reception as it ended on 48% on Rotten Tomatoes. The audience reception has overall been more positive, but it definitely left its mark on the market as a curious experiment of Marvel Studios trying to break away from its usual fare.

    In an interview with Empire, the indie director looks back at the overall reception and offers her takeaway from what the melding of these two worlds may have ended up leading to its reception. She highlights generally how a general “level of comfort” has set itself within the industry for Marvel films just as well as for indie films.

    When people have that feeling, like they need to put order into things, they need to understand it by putting it into boxes… It is not about us, it is about them. And I say that lovingly, because they have a level of comfort [with] how their entertainment and their world – their beloved Marvel, or their beloved indie filmmaker – functions. That’s the order of the logic of their world that’s being disturbed. So I appreciate their passion, to try to make sense of it.

    Chloé Zhao

    She then goes on to highlight that the melding of these two worlds has just ended up adding different perspectives that may take away something or not. She highlights those that look for that conflict, while also discussing that making people “uncomfortable” pushes their project forward.

    So I completely understand the divisiveness coming from critics and the fans. Because when you take this to extremes that are seen as opposition – the world I come from and the world of Marvel, that has been divided in a way that’s so unfair and unfortunate – and to merge the way we did, I actually see the reaction as a testament to how much we had merged with each other; how uncomfortable that might make people feel.

    Chloé Zhao

    Overall, the viewer reception has been stronger than the critical one, but you can definitely see that some have taken away different things from this film. I’ve personally tended to call it an indie film with a Marvel coating due to the way it focuses more on character moments rather than the usual bombastic fair–the final being the exception to that rule. One could also argue that some actors didn’t fully sell their characters as much as they could’ve due to an enlarged cast on top of a very exposition-heavy film. It’s still interesting to hear the director’s thoughts and we’ll see if the film might get a second life later down the line.

    Source: Empire

  • Kevin Feige Debunks Rumors on Why Scott Derrickson Exited the ‘Doctor Strange’ Sequel

    Kevin Feige Debunks Rumors on Why Scott Derrickson Exited the ‘Doctor Strange’ Sequel

    We’re all excited to see what the future has in store for the ever-expanding Marvel multiverse with Sam Raimi‘s premiere MCU film, Doctor Strange in the Multiverseof Madness. Yet, at one point this project was going to be in the hands of director Scott Derrickson, who introduced the character with the first solo title. Sadly, it seemed that creative differences led to him exiting the project. Naturally, that got the rumor mill going on his take being “too scary” as he wanted to dive into a more horror-themed entry.

    Luckily, in the latest Empire magazine, while promoting the film Marvel Studios CEO Kevin Feige also takes a look back at what could’ve been. He doesn’t give away any details, but once again highlights that the reason Derrickson left was due to creative differences, but they were all-in for the “creepier side” of the MCU. So, he is debunking any rumors on the horror aspect being the reason they went their separate ways. His full quote is as follows:

    We love Scott and I think Scott feels the same. Nobody believes it, but it was just creative differences. There’s been some thought that that was the creative difference with Scott and Marvel, and it was not. Because we love that idea. The intention was that Strange would guide us into a much creepier side of the world

    Kevin Feige

    The director has opened up on the matter some time ago, where he highlighted that he’d be open to returning to the franchise to direct another entry. He’s also still in a producing role on the project, so he didn’t leave it with ill intent and also shared his love for the horror veteran Raimi taking over the project. Disney+ is adding Halloween specials with the first potentially focusing on Werewolf by Night. So, maybe it’s his gateway to explore more horror-themed projects in the MCU if he ever desired to return.

    Source: Empire via The Direct

  • ‘Watchmen’s Damon Lindelof May Be Working on a ‘Star Wars’ Film

    ‘Watchmen’s Damon Lindelof May Be Working on a ‘Star Wars’ Film

    While Star Wars has been dominating Disney+, Lucasfilm has seemingly felt a bit aimless when it came to their film ventures. We’re still waiting on any update for any of their announce films, especially with many rumors hinting that Patty Jenkins‘ Rogue Squadron is being postponed indefinitely. Well, according to The Ankler it seems that Lost co-creator and the mastermind behind HBO’s Watchmen series may be working on an unnamed Star Wars film.

    Keep in mind, that we’ve had a variety of announcements or hints at projects that never ended up picking up steam over at Lucasfilm. Rian Johnson had a new trilogy planned before it was just forgotten. Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss were also going to take control over an unnamed project that was also left on the wayside. So, even if he is brainstorming a project it sadly isn’t a definite moving forward.

    The only other confirmed film based in a galaxy far far away would be the one in development by Taika Waititi. Outside of a short logo tease during Disney’s Investor’s Day back in 2020, we’ve heard barely anything on the project. While they have been starting production on various Disney+ series, here’s hoping that they might finally get into the flow of letting projects enter some form of production. A recent reveal has hinted that Rogue Squadron may still be eyeing a 2023 release, but there’s no word on when production starts. So, here’s hoping we get an update sooner rather than later.

    Source: The Ankler via IGN

  • Latest Empire Issue Confirms the Name Illuminati for ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    Latest Empire Issue Confirms the Name Illuminati for ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    The latest Empire magazine has finally found its way online and it seemingly includes some curious details about Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. What may be the biggest reveal is that the article finally names the mysterious multiversal organization that captures Doctor Strange at some point in the film. While it seemed like it was inspired by the comics organization called Illuminati, it seemed that producer Richie Palmer was hesitant to call them by that name.

    I will say that I love the Illuminati. But if we ever introduce the Illuminati in the future, it might be more MCU-driven and have some more ties to our characters in the MCU, versus just replicating what’s in the comics.

    Richie Palmer

    Yet, the latest Empire issue may have accidentally confirmed that it is, in fact, the Illuminati that we know from the comics with a brief mention in the captions as the organization that Strange is facing for his crimes against the multiverse. It’s the exact same scene that we see in the trailer, where we hear the familiar voice of Patrick Stewart.

    Stewart was shy on confirming that the Super Bowl trailer voice was his, but would eventually confirm it. We still don’t know exactly who the members are of the Illuminati, but it does seem safe to assume that a Variant of Iron Man and Captain Marvel is part of the team. It would be fun to see other familiar faces from older Marvel projects, or even characters you would least expect. It’s curious that Empire would just use the name while producers are shy on using the name, but with reshoots currently ongoing who knows if that name might not even survive the final cut.

    Source: Twitter, Empire

  • Denis Villeneuve Offers Update on ‘Dune: Part Two’

    Denis Villeneuve Offers Update on ‘Dune: Part Two’

    After making quite the splash at the box office, Denis Villeneuve‘s Dune has gone on to also become somewhat of an awards darling. Of course, many are quite focused on what the future has in store for the franchise. There have been hints that WarnerMedia is interested in expanding the franchise as its own cinematic universe, but most eyes are currently on Dune: Part Two, which will continue the story of Paul Atreides after being stranded in the dunes of Arrakis.

    In an interview with Collider, director Denis Villeneuve has confirmed that they’ve wrapped up work on the screenplay, while still highlighting that it consistently changes throughout the production. As such, they are currently preparing to start production already.

    The screenplay is finished mostly, but it’s always a work in progress. It’ll be a work in progress until final cut, but I will say it’s solidified. I have a script in my hands. We are in prep right now.

    Denis Villeneuve

    It makes sense that they’d fast-track the project as it’s supposed to release next year already. Villeneuve has hinted in the past that they’ve already prepared most of the work, and he kept it open to just jump back into this world and start production on the sequel. He is interested in tackling it as a trilogy with the second book becoming the third entry. Dune‘s original release was split up into two films due to just how much the story generally explores. So, it’ll be interesting to see how these films connect.

    Source: Collider