Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Movies

  • ‘Jurassic World: Dominion’ Opens Big at the Box Office Despite Being Hit Hard by Critics

    ‘Jurassic World: Dominion’ Opens Big at the Box Office Despite Being Hit Hard by Critics

    The latest Jurassic World film pulled in $18 million in Thursday previews. Dominion is expected to rake in a fair amount of money this weekend with a projected $125 million, however, Top Gun: Maverick’s continued box office dominance could dampen Dominion’s haul. Especially as Dominion has mixed reviews heading into its opening weekend stateside. With a 33% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, that’s well below both Jurassic World (71%) and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (47%).

    The Jurassic World films, which are a continuation of the beloved Jurassic Park franchise, have proven to be box office juggernauts in recent years. The first Jurassic World movie opened to a stunning $208 million back in 2015, eventually going on to earn $1.6 billion globally. The sequel, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, opened three years later to $150 million and ended its theatrical run with $1.3 worldwide. It remains to be seen how Dominion will perform, however, with original Jurassic Park stars Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum and Laura Dern all returning, it’s possible nostalgia could serve as a selling point for the film.

    While the film is only now just releasing stateside, it has been released in a few overseas markets already. The film has made $55 million internationally so far across 15 markets. That’s without the film opening in China; that will finally happen this weekend, where it is thought it’ll open to approximately $15 million. If that number holds, it’ll serve as the biggest Hollywood opening in China this year ahead of The Batman’s $12.1 million opening earlier this year.

    Source: Variety

  • Jake Schreier to Direct Marvel Studios ‘Thunderbolts’, Shoots Next Summer

    Jake Schreier to Direct Marvel Studios ‘Thunderbolts’, Shoots Next Summer

    It has long been rumored that Marvel Studios was looking to make a Thunderbolts movie, and now, it appears the movie has taken one step closer to becoming a reality. Per Deadline, Marvel Studios has hired Jake Schreier to direct the film. He’ll direct from a script by Black Widow writer Eric Pearson. The trade report confirms an earlier report from KC Walsh that Thunderbolts was in development.

    Schreier is mainly known for his music video work, having directed videos for the likes of Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar. Outside of music videos, he has work on television shows such as Kidding and Netflix’s Beef, which will star Steven Yeun and Ali Wong.

    According to the trade report, the studio is eyeing a summer 2023 start of production and starting to line up its roster for the film. In the comics, the Thunderbolts have seen a shifting roster that has seen villains posing as heroes, villains forced to work for the government and, more recently a group of heroes adopting the name. The original team debuted during the mid-90s when Baron Zemo and a group of villains disguised themselves as heroes when many of Earth’s mightiest were “killed” by Onslaught. Zemo would seemingly be very much in play for the MCU team, which could already under construction with Julia Louis-Dreyfuss’ Val as the mastermind. She already has Yelena Belova and John Walker under her thumb and will be looking to add another member to her team in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

    With a Summer 2023 start of filming, it’s likely that Thunderbolts could end up as part of Marvel Studios 2024 slate. The studio has unannounced films scheduled for February 16th, May 3rd, July 26th and November 8th of that year.

  • ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Runtime Rumored to be Among MCU’s Longest

    ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Runtime Rumored to be Among MCU’s Longest

    After Taika Waititi revitalized the Thor franchise back in 2017 with Thor: Ragnarok, hype has slowly been building around its follow-up Thor: Love and Thunder. On top of forming the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first quadrilogy, the film is poised to become one of the most unique MCU films of all time, with Waititi describing the film as a romantic comedy.

    Set to star Chris Hemsworth as Thor, God of Thunder, Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, King of Asgard, and Waititi as Korg, the film also marks Natalie Portman’s long awaited return to the MCU as Jane Foster, who has now become the Mighty Thor. Not only that, but the film also features Christian Bale as the film’s villain, Gorr the God Butcher, and cameos from the Guardians of the Galaxy. With all of that going on, it is easy to think that the film could have a particularly long runtime and rumored runtimes have been making their way around the internet for months. Now, another one has surfaced.

    According to Showcase Cinemas, Thor: Love and Thunder will clock in with a reported runtime of 2 hours and 30 minutes. If this is true, it makes the film one of the top three longest MCU movies. At 150 minutes, it would beat out the run time of Avengers: Infinity War by 1 minute, but be shorter than Eternals and Avengers: Endgame.

    While a film’s runtime tends to spark curiosity as to the contents of the film, it’s worth noting that a two-and-a-half-hour-long superhero flick is no longer seen as particularly long. However, this runtime does place Thor: Love and Thunder as the longest Thor film, surpassing Thor: Ragnarok by a full 20 minutes.

    Fans can feel the love – and the thunder – when Thor: Love and Thunder is released in theaters on July 8.

  • Natalie Portman Hints at Jane Foster’s Battle with Cancer in ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’

    Natalie Portman Hints at Jane Foster’s Battle with Cancer in ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’

    When Natalie Portman came to Hall H at 2019’s SDCC, it was revealed that the actress would be wielding Mjolnir in her return to the MCU. Thor: Love and Thunder will adapt Jason Aaron’s acclaimed comic run that saw Jane Foster battle frost giants as the Mighty Thor while battling cancer.

    While it’s been pretty clear for a while that the MCU version of Jane will also be fighting cancer, Portman has all but confirmed it in an interview with Disney’s D23 magazine. The actress explained that it was the potential to deal with the duality of The Mighty Thor that brought her back to the MCU:

    What Thor doesn’t know is that Jane is secretly struggling with a terrible hardship-something she’s able to conceal so long as she’s wielding Mjölnir. Portman was intrigued by the prospect of playing someone who is as weak as she is strong, depending on her circumstance.

    D23 Magazine

    A trip to New Asgard in Thor: Love and Thunder (one that was captured in some leaked set photos) looks to be the impetus for Jane’s transformation into the Mighty Thor in the MCU. How her battle with cancer will work its way into the plot of the film remains to be seen, as does whether or not her character will win that battle and continue on in the MCU.

  • Christian Bale’s ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Performance Described as “Terrifying” and “Fascinatng”

    Christian Bale’s ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Performance Described as “Terrifying” and “Fascinatng”

    The most recent trailer for Thor: Love and Thunder provided the first look at the film’s villain, Gorr the God Butcher, brought to life by two-time Oscar winner Christian Bale. Much has been made about the drastic changes to the character’s appearance, but Bale certainly gave off some chilling vibes in his short time in the trailer. According to co-stars Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson, it sounds like the trailer is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes.

    In an interview with Disney’s D23 magazine, Hemsworth discussed the stark contrast between Bale’s performance and the vibe typically associated with a Taika Waititi production:

    The rest of us would be in our world of improvisation, comedy, and fun – then he’d walk on set, and we’d all look at each other and say ‘Oh, my God! This is really intense. This is really scary.

    Chris Hemsworth

    Thompson backed up Hemsworth’s take, adding that the actor was able to balance the terrifying intensity with the vibrant world in which the film takes place.

    (Bale) toed this really great line, because he needs to be terrifying, but he also needs to work in the context of our colorful, snappy, irreverent world.

    Tessa Thompson

    Perhaps the high praise for Bale’s performance from Hemsworth and Thompson will keep the critics at bay until audiences get a chance to see just how it all comes together. Hemsworth says the film is intended to “surprise, impress and disorientate” fans, assuring that Waititi “masterfully” accomplished that.

    Thor: Love and Thunder debuts in theaters on July 8th.

    Source: D23 Magazine via The Direct

  • ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ 4K/Blu-ray Release Date, Extras Revealed

    ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ 4K/Blu-ray Release Date, Extras Revealed

    Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is headed to Disney Plus on June 22nd and now collectors of physical media know when they can add the 4K UHD or Blu-ray disc to their collection. Screen Rant exclusively revealed that the discs will be in stores on July 26th.

    The home release will come complete with a slew of bonus features, including 3 featurettes:

    • Method to the Madness – Join various crew members and Marvel employees in interviews as they discuss their love of Sam Raimi and all the details of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness that make it quintessentially Raimi.
    • Introducing America Chavez – In this short and fun profile piece, we’ll learn about America’s humble beginnings in the comics. We’ll meet Xochitl Gomez and discuss the complications her character’s unique power presents for the future of the MCU.
    • Constructing the Multiverse – Writing a feature film for Marvel is no easy task. In this playful yet informative featurette, we’ll dive into the challenges that writer Michael Waldron faced in creating the twisting and turning story of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

    Additionally, fans will have access to three deleted scenes, two of which feature Bruce Campbell, a Sam Raimi staple who appeared briefly in Multiverse of Madness:

    • A Great Team – A journalist questions Doctor Strange’s integrity.
    • Pizza Poppa – Bruce is relieved when Doctor Strange’s spell ends.
    • It’s Not Permanent – Bruce tries to accuse Doctor Strange of being an imposter.

    And, as always, the discs will feature audio commentary (here with writer Michael Waldron, director Sam Raimi and producer Richie Palmer) and a gag reel.

    Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is currently nearing the end of its theatrical run as the highest-grossing domestic film of 2022.

    Source: Screen Rant

  • Ghostbusters Day: ‘Afterlife’ Sequel Title, New Comic and Animated Movie Announced

    Ghostbusters Day: ‘Afterlife’ Sequel Title, New Comic and Animated Movie Announced

    As part of Ghostbusters Day, Ghostbusters: Afterlife director Jason Reitman announced the “code name” for the sequel to his 2021 film. The sequel, which will seemingly pick up right where Afterlife left off, is in development under the working title “Firehouse.”

    Reitman’s return to the franchise his late father, Ivan Reitman, began in the 80s comes as no surprise. Recently, Sony chairman Tom Rothman indicated the company’s interest in continuing to develop the franchise following the moderate success of Afterlife, which made just around $200M at the box office, with about two-thirds of that coming from U.S. audiences. While no plot details were released, the post-credit scene for Afterlife saw original Ghostbuster Winston Zeddemore return to the firehouse that served as headquarters for the original team. “Firehouse” looks sure to capitalize on that nostalgia and continue the story of the Spengler legacy.

    In addition to “Firehouse”, an in-universe limited comic series from Dark Horse Comics and an animated movie were also announced. Jennifer Kluska, who recently directed the fourth installment of the animated Hotel Transylvania franchise, will co-helm the animated film with Chris Prynoski (Motorcity).

  • Swamp Thing

    Swamp Thing

    Premiere: TBD

    Set to be written and directed by James Mangold, Swamp Thing has been described by James Gunn and Peter Safran as “tonally different” than the other projects in Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters but still “interconnected” with the rest of the slate. Not expected to release before 2027, Swamp Thing will “investigate the dark origins” of the Green Man created by Len Wein in 1972.

    Cast

    • Unknown actor as Alec Holland/Swamp Thing
  • The Authority

    The Authority

    Premiere: TBD

    Slated as the second theatrical release in Chapter 1, The Authority is described by James Gunn as a project about group of “morally grey characters” who are “basically good intentioned” but think that “the world is completely broken and the only way to fix it is to take things into their own hands, whether that means killing people, destroying heads of state, changing governments—basically, whatever they want to do to make the world better.” The script, which was outlined by Gunn, was being developed by an unknown writer before the WGA strike.

    The team roster has changed considerably and the DCU iteration of the team has not been revealed but it is very likely that Apollo and Midnighter are among those chosen for the adaptation.

    Cast

    • María Gabriela De Faría  as Angela Spica/The Engineer
  • The Brave and the Bold

    The Brave and the Bold

    Premiere: TBD

    Based on Grant Morrison‘s 2006 epic run on Batman, The Brave and the Bold will introduce the DCU’s main continuity Batman alongside his son, Damian, who James Gunn called his favorite Robin. While at it’s center it will be “a very strange sort of father-son story,” according to Gunn, who noted that Damian is “a little son-of-a-bitch,” the film will also introduce other members of the Bat-Family because, according to Peter Safran, “we feel like they’ve been left out of the Batman stories in the theater for far too long.” Rumors had The Flash and It director Andy Muschietti helming The Brave and the Bold for DC Studios and in June 2023, a trade report confirmed that to be the case.

    Cast

    • Unknown actor as Bruce Wayne/Batman
    • Unknown actor as Damian Wayne/Robin