Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Movie News

  • Gavin O’Connor Opens Up on His Scrapped ‘SUICIDE SQUAD’ Sequel

    Gavin O’Connor Opens Up on His Scrapped ‘SUICIDE SQUAD’ Sequel

    The first Suicide Squad film wasn’t exactly a fan-favorite, but it was able to bring a ton of money at the box office with $700M+ in total. With money like that, how could you not greenlight a sequel and try to duplicate that success?. While we did eventually get a sequel with James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, there was a very different sequel in development early on.

    Before Gunn was brought onto the project, director Gavin O’Connor was originally going to be picking up the reigns from David Ayer, as he moved onto a Gotham City Sirens film, which has still yet to make any movement. After a long silence, the director recently went onto the Playlist podcast where he opened up about his sequel that never was.

    What happened there was I wrote a deal to write a script, and they knew what I was writing. At that level, with those kinds of movies, with that budget, no one’s just going off and writing something without walking them through what the movie’s gonna be, and everyone was cool with it.

    Gavin O’Connor

    O’Connor also went into how the project ended up scrapped and how a managerial shake-up affected his film. He even goes on to highlight the direction he was taking with his project.

    What happened was during the latter part of writing the script there was a whole regime change at DC, and when that happened, they wanted it to be a comedy. And I’m like, ‘i’m not writing a comedy.‘ I mean, It [was] fun, but it’s not a yuk-fest. And the new regime wanted a different movie than I was writing.

    Gavin O’Connor

    While it would’ve been neat to see what he had in store for viewers, audiences and critics alike seemed pretty satisfied with Gunn‘s vision. It seems that the comedic direction did help win some viewers over. It’ll be interesting to see if a third installment finds its way into the franchise, or DC moves on to exploring the stories from the individual members, as Peacemaker gets his own HBO Max series.

    Source: The Playlist

  • ‘SHANG-CHI’ Dominates Second Weekend, On Par With Pre-Pandemic Performance

    ‘SHANG-CHI’ Dominates Second Weekend, On Par With Pre-Pandemic Performance

    The numbers are finally in and Shang-Chi continues to impress. In its second weekend, the Simu Liu-led film dropped around 53% from its first weekend and is on par with pre-pandemic performances by Marvel Studios. It currently stands at $35.8M in its second weekend after setting a new Labor Day weekend record. That is quite a difference from Black Widow‘s harsher 70% drop. To be fair, the latter also had a digital release simultaneously that managed to garner $125M on top since its premiere.

    Its performance put it at the top spot for a second week in a row and gave Disney the confirmation to keep the rest of their 2021 slate as theater-only releases, which includes the ambitious Eternals. The only real competition the latest Marvel film had to face was the horror film Malignant that released to a very lukewarm $5.57M. With a C-grading on CinemaScore, it’s difficult to say how it’ll perform long-term. It’s also the first horror film to have a weaker performance in the pandemic.

    The film’s performance definitely feels like the jolt of energy the Box Office needed. Even Black Widow‘s success was followed by some concern regarding the future of theater experiences. It’s also currently on par to surpass the first Phase 4 film’s overall Box Office to become the raining champ until the next major release. Spider-Man: No Way Home‘s trailer viewership may pin it as the champion to take the top spot for 2021, but Eternals could still become quite a contender once it releases in November. We’ll have to wait until predictions are in Marvel Studios kicks of their marketing plan.

    Source: Variety

  • Benedict Cumberbatch Teases ‘SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME’s Ambition and Impact

    Benedict Cumberbatch Teases ‘SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME’s Ambition and Impact

    The Marvel Cinematic Universe is expanding at an exponential rate. We finally jumped into the multiverse with Disney+’s new What If…? series and will soon dive even deeper with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Yet, we’ll have a brief interlude into the Spider-Verse with Spider-Man: No Way Home. The first trailer broke many records as we witness Spidey and Doctor Strange face a familiar threat when Spider-Man 2‘s Doctor Octopus, played by Alfred Molina, makes his first on-screen appearance since 2004.

    With all the rumors circling this project, it’s hard to grasp just how large it may end up being once it premieres this December. In an interview with Variety, Benedict Cumberbatch teases just how crazy this project may end up being.

    There’ll be a lot of debate about it [Spidey 3] I’m sure. It’s a daring, brilliant concept. Seriously, it has got great ambition. I haven’t seen it, but by all accounts, it has achieved it. Even on paper, the audacity of it is like.. how the hell is that gonna.. [expletive].

    He does also praises director Jon Watts for his work on the project and teases that the Doctor Strange sequel will also challenge the ambition of this project. Countless rumors are surrounding this project with the first trailer already teasing a multiversal team of six sinister villains. It even adds more to the potential of other Spider-Men returning to the roles in the threequel.

    Who knows what other concepts and ideas will get introduced in the film that Marvel Studios managed to keep behind closed doors, as we still don’t know what it means for the future of Tom Holland‘s version of the character as Sony expands their own franchise. A lot is riding on this and with Shang-Chi‘s recent success adding hope to pandemic numbers, the film may become the highest-grossing 2021 release.

    Source: Variety

  • BREAKING: Marvel Studios Sets 4 2024 Release Dates

    BREAKING: Marvel Studios Sets 4 2024 Release Dates

    If you’re still waiting for superhero fatigue to kick in, Marvel Studios has other ideas and is here to tell you it doesn’t think it’s real. Today, the studio planted flags for four unannounced 2024 films.

    According to Borys Kit, the studio is tentatively planning to release films on the following dates:

    February 16, 2024

    May 3, 2024

    July 26, 2024

    November 8, 2024

    Marvel Studios One-Above-All Kevin Feige has long said the number of film projects in any given year would always be dependent on the number of viable scripts; in this case, it seems like the studio is feeling good about what it has on deck. With 2023 currently set to feature five films (Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and three as yet unannounced films) and nearly a dozen unannounced streaming projects in the hopper, it’s apparent that the studio is feeling good about its plans for Phase 4 and beyond.

    As to what films these dates could be for, that remains to be seen. Following the success of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Marvel Studios has two more films slated to hit theaters this year: The Eternals and Spider-Man: No Way Home.

  • ‘SHANG-CHI’s China Release Uncertain as Comments by Simu Liu Resurface

    ‘SHANG-CHI’s China Release Uncertain as Comments by Simu Liu Resurface

    It’s been no secret that some upcoming Marvel Studios’ films were facing challenges with a potential Chinese release. The market is a welcome boost to international numbers, as it gave many films a second life. Currently, China is quite stingy with non-local releases, as F9 and Free Guys are the only films that really managed to enter the market. Shang-Chi and the Legends of the Ten Rings, as well as Eternals were already very uncertain, but it seems some comments from a 2017 interview with Simu Liu may have sealed Shang-Chi‘s fate.

    In the interview with CBC, the actor opened up about stories from his parents where he called China a “third world” country. Even highlighting that “people were dying of starvation.” These kinds of statements are most likely going to make the rounds putting it on China’s radar. As such, it looks like the film won’t find its way into the market due to the necessity of approval.

    Eternals is also facing a similar challenge due to Chloé Zhao‘s own history with openly discussing the Middle Kingdom. Her Oscar win was praised by China before comments surfaced and it took a very different direction. It doesn’t seem like Marvel Studios is putting all their bets on any releases, but there have been hints they are still hoping that the films find their way to the country.

    It’s uncertain if these restrictions will remain for some time, but Black Widow is still facing troubles without an Eastern release. On top of it all, the Disney+ release is also facing the challenges of being a digital release, as piracy is an issue in the country. Until there’s an official statement by

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘SHANG-CHI’ Producer Teases More Ta Lo in the MCU’s Future

    ‘SHANG-CHI’ Producer Teases More Ta Lo in the MCU’s Future

    It seems we might have just scratched the surface with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings‘ new location called Ta Lo. In the film, it’s the sanctuary of the Great Protector and many other mystical creatures of Chinese mythology. While we did get a brief history lesson on the purpose of the village, there was no real exploration beyond this specific location.

    Luckily, it seems we’ve only scratched the surface as Marvel Studios producer Jonathan Schwartz hinted that we might learn more about this mysterious location in the franchise’s future, as they tried to get a clear confirmation where this mysterious dimension takes place within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

    I think more will be revealed about Ta Lo in the future. But I wouldn’t want to put a label on it just yet.

    Jonathan Schwartz

    He plays coy on if this is an additional dimension. The challenge is that the existence of the Multiverse parallel to other dimensions, as The Direct points out, creates the question of how the rules apply. It’s uncertain if this is some kind of pocket dimension connected. The fact we get to explore more of it is an exciting prospect, especially when they teased the existence of mysterious cities that once existed within this realm.

    Perhaps there’s a bigger connection to other mythology from Marvel Comics that will be built upon as the world continues to grow. With rumors pointing at the inclusion of Atlantis in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, we might see a very different MCU once it fully expands throughout Phase 4.

    Source: The Direct

  • ‘ETERNALS’ Confirmed for Exclusive Theatrical Release

    ‘ETERNALS’ Confirmed for Exclusive Theatrical Release

    The Eternals is taking a cue from Shang-Chi.

    As COVID-19 numbers continue to spike, movie studios have opted to use a hybrid release method. Such has been the case with films like Black Widow and The Suicide Squad, two of the bigger blockbusters released this year. Which is why it was surprising Marvel Studios decided to change things up for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Unlike Black Widow, Marvel made Shang-Chi an exclusive theatrical release.

    With Shang-Chi hitting theaters, all eyes were on the film’s box office performance to determine how Disney would proceed with The Eternals. So, it’s not surprising that since Shang-Chi has beaten expectations, Marvel Studios and Disney will move ahead with its planned exclusive 45-day theatrical release for The Eternals. Matthew Belloni, formerly of The Hollywood Reporter, was able to confirm the news on Twitter.

    The news comes as reports recently stated Disney had three weeks to decide on how to proceed with the movie’s release. It was suggested a hybrid release was being considered for The Eternals. To decide to forgo a hybrid release, the studio seems to have considered Shang-Chi’s box office performance.

    Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has already crossed $100 million at the domestic box office. The film surpassed expectations and pulled in $94.4 million over the Labor Day weekend, earning a new record in the process.

    CONTINUE READING: Fala Chen Talks Tony Leung and Being the Heart of ‘SHANG-CHI’

  • Chloé Zhao Reveals How Denis Villeneuve’s Films Influenced ‘ETERNALS’

    Chloé Zhao Reveals How Denis Villeneuve’s Films Influenced ‘ETERNALS’

    Chloé Zhao and Denis Villeneuve participated in an interview for Harper’s BAZAAR to discuss the power of the cinematic experience and their worries with the changes in the industry. They both made no secret of the fact that they appreciated each other’s work, gaining a lot of inspiration from each other.

    Villeneuve is well known for his love of the cinematic experience and as he has repeatedly stated that the big screen is part of its language. In this interview, the Canadian director did not hide his support for IMAX, which according to him increases the feeling of intimacy with the characters. Chloé Zhao, whose previous film Nomadland was also screened in IMAX, also shares in that belief. She goes on to say that while pitching Eternals, she used stills from his films. She also mentioned that she has always appreciated creators who have a strong hand in world-building:

    Oh, my gosh. Okay, well, I would like to apply for a job on your set to be your assistant. You know, when I went to pitch Eternals, I had stills from your films as references. I’m naturally drawn to filmmakers who have a very strong hand in world building. When I watch your films, even though they’re of different genres, from Sicario to Arrival to Prisoners and then Blade Runner 2049, you managed to build such visceral worlds I can feel and almost touch.

    Chloé Zhao
    Marvel Studios’ Eternals

    If you look at the filmography of both directors, you will conclude that they both come from similar filmmaking backgrounds. Both have roots in non-fiction cinema, where they focus on reflective and intimate experiences with their characters. In both of them, one can notice the influence of direct cinema, which has been later successfully incorporated into mainstream cinema.

    Although the premiere of Eternals is still ahead of us, promotional materials tease some visual inspirations taken from Denis‘ works. Among others, the Eternals’ ship with its brutalist and austere shape, embedded in the natural landscape, brings to mind the monumental Heptapod ship in a similar aesthetic from Villeneuve‘s Arrival.

    Source: Harper’s Bazaar

  • Bobby Lee Was Almost Cast in ‘SHANG-CHI’

    Bobby Lee Was Almost Cast in ‘SHANG-CHI’

    Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is tearing up box offices everywhere. For the many talented people involved, the film is a vehicle that’ll propel their names to the forefront of the mainstream. Comedian Bobby Lee was almost one of those people, as he revealed the missed opportunity in jest in his latest podcast. According to the Slept King:

    I auditioned for it. Ronny Chieng beat me out and he always beats me out. I refuse to watch it, especially when they said, “Your audition was great! They loved it!” But thanks for the opportunity [laughs].

    Now, the Slept King really didn’t miss out on a sizeable role as Ronny Chieng‘s role as the fight club announcer and middleman was only for a few scenes. That being said, it would have been nice to see the MadTV comedian in that brief appearance.

    This isn’t the first time Bobby Lee has orbited around a comic book film, having previously auditioned for Randall Park‘s role in the first Aquaman film. His next big appearance is in the upcoming Borderlands film so maybe after that, he can finally snag a cool comic book role.

    Source: Tiger Belly

  • All We Know About ‘THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS’ So Far

    All We Know About ‘THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS’ So Far

    The Matrix Resurrections is the upcoming fourth feature film in the Matrix movie series and after a long wait, the first trailer finally dropped. The franchise has gone beyond its initial trilogy. It has given us an animated anthology film in The Animatrix, comics, and video games to tie us over to this day. 1999’s The Matrix is still, to this day, one of the most influential movies ever made. It still holds up thematically and in terms of pure movie-making prowess, but after both sequels didn’t manage to resonate as much with audiences there never seemed to be much certainty surrounding an eventual return to the world created by the Wachowskis.

    In 2017, almost fifteen years after The Matrix Revolutions premiered, it got reported that a relaunch was in development at Warner Bros. At the time neither of the Wachowskis, who directed the trilogy, was attached to the project. It wasn’t until the summer of 2019, following the official announcement that the studio had greenlit a sequel, that Lana Wachowski was confirmed to be returning as writer and director. This time she was returning without her sister Lilly Wachowski by her side. It also got reported that Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss would be reprising their iconic roles as Neo and Trinity.

    In the following months, the cast grew significantly, with the additions of Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Aquaman, Watchmen), Jessica Henwick (Iron Fist, Game of Thrones, Love and Monsters), Jonathan Groff (Mindhunter), Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother), Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Christina Ricci (The Addams Family, Monster). As for other returning actors, Jada Pinkett Smith and Lambert Wilson signed on to the project meaning Niobe and The Merovingian will also return.

    Principal photography began in February 2020 in San Francisco, before moving to Chicago and Berlin, Germany. While filming in California, it shared the city as a stage with both Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Venom: Let There be Carnage, before moving to the studios in Germany, where Uncharted was also filming. Production wrapped in November 2020, around the same time the project’s final release date was settled with the studio eyeing a December 2021 release date. It took another nine months for the title to be confirmed as The Matrix Resurrections in August 2021, after some leaks already hinted at it for some time.

    The first footage was privately shown at Cinemacon before the trailer announcement on September 7 giving us a few glimpses of the full trailer that finally dropped. You can check it out right here:

    https://twitter.com/TheMatrixMovie/status/1435951131071500296?

    Source: Variety, SFGATE, Deadline, The Verge