Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Movies

  • Crunchyroll Sets November Release for ‘One Piece Film RED’ in the US

    Crunchyroll Sets November Release for ‘One Piece Film RED’ in the US

    The wait has been long but One Piece Film RED finally has a release date in the United States in Canada. Toei Animation and Crunchyroll will roll out the anime globally with a November 4th release planned. They have a premiere in New York planned for October 6th to go alongside New York Comic Con; further highlighting the current rise in popularity the franchise has been showing in the last few months.

    RED is directed by Goro Taniguchi, who has quite a history with the franchise, and was written by Tsutomu Kuroiwa who also worked on the film Gold. The premiere will include a subtitled and dubbed version for those that prefer one version over the other. So far, the 15th entry in the franchise is the highest grossing of the franchise and has already taken in $93M in Japan since it premiered back on August 6th.

    Interestingly enough, France was the only other market to also join in with an early release as it’s also one of the biggest markets for the popular manga franchise. It has managed to outsell Batman‘s total lifetime comic sales within 25 years worldwide and doesn’t have the same popularity in the US as Dragonball or even Naruto. So, with the upcoming live-action series in development for Netflix, it looks like it has the potential to grow even further.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Cap 4’ Director Reveals Production Timeline for the Sequel

    ‘Cap 4’ Director Reveals Production Timeline for the Sequel

    Captain America: New World Order made some big waves at D23 Expo 2022. Director Julius Onah was officially introduced alongside the principal cast which included newcomer Shira Haas as Israeli hero Sabra and Tim Blake Nelson as the film’s primary adversary, The Leader. With the film only having been announced a few months prior, the cast reveals were a pleasant surprise and gave fans an idea of what Anthony Mackie’s Captain America and his supporting characters such as Danny Ramirez’s Joaquin Torres and Carl Lumbly’s Isaiah Bradley would be up against.

    Lost in the shuffle of the big news, however, was an update from Onha as to when production on the film, which is currently set to hit theaters on May 3rd, 2024, would begin. In an interview with Phase Zero, Onah indicated that the film is on track for a Spring 2023 start of production.

    The Spring start may show Marvel Studios trending back towards a more familiar production timeline than what they’ve been on since COVID shut down everything in 2020. In the past, it was the norm for a Marvel Studios film to begin principal photography an average of 13 months before the release of the film. From Onah’s comments, it sounds like that’s just about right for Captain America: New World Order. With 6-8 months to go until the start of production, fans can continue to look forward to casting news and to look for links to the plot of the film in current and upcoming projects.

    Source: Phase Zero

  • The Leader’s Capabilities as a Villain Lead Julius Onah to Direct ‘Captain America: New World Order’

    The Leader’s Capabilities as a Villain Lead Julius Onah to Direct ‘Captain America: New World Order’

    The surprising return of Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns to the MCU has generated a great deal of excitement and speculation about what the character’s presence in Captain America: New World Order might men for Anthony Mackie’s Captain America. It’s been 14 years since Sterns was seen in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk when his character was exposed to some of the Hulk’s gamma irradiated blood and began his transformation into The Leader.

    Now, Captain America: New World Order director Julius Onah gets to tell the next chapter in Sterns’ story and, according to him, it’s one of the reasons he took the job in the first place.

    One of the things that really drew me to this project is The Leader is a man who operates from intellect. And it’s so great to have an adversary who is working with this incredible intellect to really put Sam through the wringer in this story. And again, it’s a paranoid thriller; it’s this grounded adventure where I think everything that happens in this film feels so real and intense because of who this adversary is. What he’s going to have to go through in this film is because he’s got an adversary who is so terrifyingly intelligent.

    Julius Onah

    Onah’s enthusiasm for The Leader and the challenge he’ll pose for Sam Wilson is encouraging. It sounds like Sam will find himself no closer than one step behind Sterns (and any possible accomplices of his) as he’s picked apart. Wilson may have to lean on his newly formed support network of Joaquin Torres and the Bradleys for some help as the “terrifyingly intelligent” Sterns’ plan unfolds. Just what Sterns will have in store for Cap will likely be kept in the dark until promotion for Captain America: New World Order starts ahead of its May 3rd, 2024 theatrical release.

    Source: Phase Zero

  • The Leader Won’t Be Sam Wilson’s Only Adversary in ‘Captain America: New World Order’

    The Leader Won’t Be Sam Wilson’s Only Adversary in ‘Captain America: New World Order’

    As Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson has grown into larger roles over the course of his time in the MCU, there’s been a concerted effort on the part of Marvel Studios to evolve his fighting style. While he relied heavily on his sidearms during Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War, his array of flying fighting moves and the utility of his wings has grown over time. As The Falcon and The Winter Soldier VFX supervisor, Eric Leven, told Murphy’s Multiverse, a great deal of thought was put into his action sequences in that series, including how to incorporate the shield and how to reduce the amount of shooting he would do as Captain America.

    Moving into his first feature film, Captain America: New World Order, Wilson’s action sequences have been handed off to Julius Onah, who is stepping into the MCU for the first tie. In an interview with Phase Zero, Onah discussed how they planned to handle Cap’s action without retreading old ground.

    There’s a lot we’re going to bring to the table. Again, this is a new set of challenges and a new set of adversaries. I love classic, paranoid thrillers and that’s a big part of the inspiration for this film. We want to find action that is grounded and tactile and give him new things to do that you haven’t seen in those other films. I don’t want to spoil too much, but let’s just say we are planning some really, really exciting things.

    Julius Onah

    Onah’s mention of new adversaries is of note to those with a keen ear. While Tim Blake Nelson was announced as part of the cast at D23 Expo and his Samuel Sterns poses a formidable and cerebral threat, he’s certainly not the kind of character who typically engages in fisticuffs. Suddenly, who Cap might find himself squaring off against in the film becomes a very interesting question.

    In the comics, Sterns was part of a group of radical and genius super-minds called the Intelligencia. However, like Sterns, most of them are more cerebral and less hands-on, though they could certainly devise a devious plan that could result in Captain America, Joaquin Torres, and new hero Sabra up against some major muscle.

    We’ll wait to find out more as Captain America: New World Order won’t hit theaters until May 3, 2024.

    Source: Phase Zero

  • Director Julius Onah on New Challenges Facing Sam Wilson in ‘Captain America: New World Order’

    Director Julius Onah on New Challenges Facing Sam Wilson in ‘Captain America: New World Order’

    Captain America: New World Order was among the biggest MCU noisemakers at D23 Expo 2022. Director Julius Onah was officially introduced alongside star Anthony Mackie, whose journey in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier ended with him taking on the mantle of Captain America. Mackie was joined on stage by fellow The Falcon and The Winter Soldier cast members Danny Ramirez, who is returning as Joaquin Torres, and Carl Lumbly, who stole the show as Isaiah Bradley, newcomer Shira Haas, who will play Sabra, and D23’s biggest surprise, Tim Blake Nelson, who is returning as Samuel Sterns, aka The Leader, after a 14-year hiatus.

    While the direction of the film is still unknown, the return of Samuel Sterns certainly threatens to throw a major curveball at Sam Wilson just as he begins to spread his wings as Captain America. In an interview with Phase Zero, Onah talked about how Sam’s new title will also come with a change in responsibilities.

    He is in a new position. Stepping up to be the leader as Captain America is going to be a new set of challenges for him. And in this story, a big part of his journey is how do you define that leadership? That’s the thing that he hasn’t had to deal with just yet. As the Falcon, he was always there supporting the rest of the team, but now he’s the man leading the team and I think that’s going to be a really exciting journey to go on with him.

    Julius Onah

    The Falcon and The Winter Soldier saw Sam come to terms with what picking up the shield and becoming Captain America would mean after initially struggling with the legacy of not only his friend, Steve Rogers but the hidden history of the Super Soldier program. Interestingly enough, Sterns represents another branch of that same legacy with his connections to Bruce Banner and Emil Blonsky, both of whom were dosed with Super Soldier Serum. Whether or not that connection is drawn on remains to be seen, but Sterns’ superior intellect is sure to provide its own set of challenges either way. How Sam will choose to handle them as the Star-Spangled Man with a Plan that everyone looks to will ultimately begin to define his time as Captain America.

    Captain America: New World Order will hit theaters May 3rd, 2024.

    Source: Phase Zero

  • Giancarlo Esposito Reveals ‘Professor X’ Fan Casting Led Him to Approach Marvel About a Movie Role

    Giancarlo Esposito Reveals ‘Professor X’ Fan Casting Led Him to Approach Marvel About a Movie Role

    With so many iconic Marvel properties seemingly on the horizon for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, fan casting and speculation seems to be at an all-time high. Actor Giancarlo Esposito is one of the beloved talents that fans want to see cast in huge roles. There are, of course, rumors swirling now that Esposito is already in talks with Marvel Studios to play Charles Xavier, or Professor X, in the future of the MCU. But the actor recently explained how fan casting has affected his relationship with Marvel Studios.

    During a panel at Rose City Comic Con, Esposito was asked by an audience member about the Marvel rumors. The actor comedically described how fans create all of the rumors themselves:

    I love how all this happens…[t]he fans come to me when I’m in line, a lot of comic cons, and it started with Dr. Doom maybe over a year ago. And then fans came and said [that I should do Freeze]…then it was Magneto. And these are fans suggesting to me what might be appropriate for me to do.

    Giancarlo Esposito

    Still, the actor detailed how the Professor X fan casting may have changed his outlook on the situation. Specifically, he suggests that the overwhelming fan support over time, and specifically for Professor X, got him to contact Marvel Studios directly. He detailed:

    And then, right, so the last year…people are coming and saying it’s [Professor] X. And they asked me, would you like to do that? I said I’d love to be in the Marvel Universe. And so all that got translated when the fan casting started to blow up that they’d like to see me play Professor X. It got so huge, I finally had to have my people call Marvel and explain that, you know, that this is a fan want and we would love to work with you. And [Marvel Studios isn’t] quite ready to get into that conversation. But when they are, I am here.

    Giancarlo Esposito

    Interestingly, Esposito notes that Marvel isn’t ready to have that casting conversation with him. Of course, all types of casting news for Marvel should be taken with a grain of salt due to its notorious secret. In any event, Esposito has made it clear he is ready to be a part of the MCU.

    Source: Rose City Comic Con

  • Giancarlo Esposito Reveals He Did Not Turn Down ‘Loki’ Role: “I Wasn’t the One Who Was Chosen”

    Giancarlo Esposito Reveals He Did Not Turn Down ‘Loki’ Role: “I Wasn’t the One Who Was Chosen”

    Last month, a report circulated that beloved actor Giancarlo Esposito—known for his roles in Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, The Mandalorian, and more—turned down a role in Marvel Studios’ Loki series. It was speculated that perhaps Esposito sought a film role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe rather than on television. After all, rumors spread last month that the actor was in talks with Marvel Studios to play the iconic character Professor X in the MCU. However, Esposito himself revealed that he did not turn down a role in Loki. In fact, he says he did not get the part. 

    Speaking to a crowd at Rose City Comic-Con on Sunday, Esposito answered a fan question about his rumored relationship with Marvel Studios. Not only did Esposito say he did not believe he was the one chosen for the unknown Loki part at issue, but he revealed he likely would have liked to have played that role. Esposito stated:

    The truth of the story Is this. about four years ago I met with Louis D’Esposito who [is] in the television unit of Marvel. And they had come to me to play possibly play Loki on the television side. And so I did not do [that part], and there were reasons for it. I think I wasn’t the one who was chosen [would] be the honest truth. But I would have maybe liked to do it.

    Giancarlo Esposito

    Interestingly, Esposito stated that not getting the Loki part is actually what led him to be interested in a film role within the MCU. He continued:

    And then I thought when I wasn’t selected for that, that it would be great if I could be in a Marvel movie, not just a television show because I like films a lot. I love television, obviously I had a great run in the television world, doing last year was four shows at one time and the year before five shows. 

    Giancarlo Esposito

    Only time will tell if Esposito joins the MCU. But one thing is certain: fans all over the world would celebrate the announcement.

    Source: Rose City Comic Con

  • D23: Anthony Mackie is Open to Chris Evans Appearing in ‘Captain America: New World Order’ 

    D23: Anthony Mackie is Open to Chris Evans Appearing in ‘Captain America: New World Order’ 

    Captain America: New World Order is shaping up to be quite the adventure. The film will be the fourth main installment in the Captain America franchise and former Falcon actor Anthony Mackie’s first official solo outing as the titular hero. During a panel at this year’s D23 convention, it was revealed that fellow The Falcon and the Winter Soldier co-star Carl Lumbly and Danny Ramirez would return to their respective roles for the movie follow-up, alongside The Incredible Hulk’s Tim Blake Nelson as villain The Leader. Not among the many returning cast members announced, however, were fan-favorite Sebastian Stan or 2021 newcomer Wyatt Russell. Instead, this duo was revealed to be appearing in 2024’s Thunderbolts project, something Mackie jokingly took issue with at the event’s red carpet.

    Speaking with Variety, the Marvel A-Lister was asked if Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers, the previous Captain America, would make any sort of surprise appearance in New World Order. Mackie’s reply was that he wouldn’t mind, as a form of revenge for being left out of Thunderbolts himself:

    I hope so, man. You know, Chris is my boy. We all love and enjoy Chris. I’m highly upset that they put Sebastian in a movie with Wyatt and left me out. It’s a whole lot going on. If Sebastian gets Wyatt, I should get Chris.

    Anthony Mackie

    It’ll be a while before fans find out if this wish comes true, but it might not be worth anyone holding their breath. Chris Evans appears to be done with the Marvel Cinematic Universe at the moment, and Mackie deserves his time to shine in New World Order. Either way, a cameo is never out of the cards, and anything can happen when the film hits theaters on May 3rd, 2024.

    Source: Variety

  • D23: Teyonah Parris On Monica Rambeau’s Origin in ‘The Marvels’

    D23: Teyonah Parris On Monica Rambeau’s Origin in ‘The Marvels’

    Marvel Cinematic Universe fans learned a whole lot about the future of the franchise at this year’s D23 convention, and that included a bunch of new information about Nia DaCosta‘s The Marvels. A sequel to 2019’s Captain Marvel, the story will reportedly revolve around Brie Larson‘s Carol Danvers, Iman Vellani‘s Kamala Khan, and Teyonah Parris‘ Monica Rambeau as the characters begin swapping places every time they use their powers. Parris, who debuted in her role to much acclaim in 2021’s WandaVision, was on hand at D23 to discuss Monica’s development in The Marvels and explain how fans might see her next.

    Speaking with Deadline, the actress revealed The Marvels will find her heroine learning to deal with newfound abilities:

    With Monica, we see her at the end of ‘WandaVision’ gain powers. And so, in ‘The Marvels’, we pick up learning how Monica’s been learning about her powers, working with them – or if she has at all. Like, what she’s not been doing. So, that’s where we pick up with Monica in ‘The Marvels’.

    Teyonah Parris

    Nudged further about the specifics of Monica’s superheroic adjustment, Parris played coy and danced around the question. However, she did drop a little nugget about the character’s overall arc in the MCU, stating that the combination of WandaVision and The Marvels acted as a sort of drawn-out origin for Rambeau:

    She is adjusting… Between ‘WandaVision’ and ‘The Marvels’, we really get to fully realize Monica’s origin story here in the MCU. So, it’s been really fun.

    Teyonah Parris

    The Marvels flies into theaters on July 28th, 2023.

    Source: Deadline

  • Marvel Studios Unlikely to Have Already Cast its ‘Fantastic Four’

    Marvel Studios Unlikely to Have Already Cast its ‘Fantastic Four’

    Even as we neared D23, there were a lot of rumors hitting the web about a potential Fantastic Four casting announcement. Even though the film won’t release until 2024, it was the talk of the town everywhere you could see. Not only did we get countless fan castings but a lot of people claimed they’d heard that the line-up would be the big reveal during D23.

    The event has passed and we have nothing outside of the confirmation of Matt Shakman‘s involvement with the project. According to Deadline’s Justin Kroll, there’s a good reason we didn’t get one. Shakman has seemingly only boarded the project recently and as he’ll shapes how it’ll develop, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige won’t start the casting process without his input.

    It makes sense and it’s important that the casting process also heavily involves the director, as chemistry is important on set for everyone involved. Plus, they still have until 2024 for the film to release and the film will likely be a big draw for many names in the industry. They may have reached out for some to potentially audition but they won’t move forward without Shakman‘s insight.

    Source: Twitter