Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Movies

  • Justin Lin Left ‘Fast X’ Due to “Difficult” Vin Diesel

    Justin Lin Left ‘Fast X’ Due to “Difficult” Vin Diesel

    The world of Hollywood was met with a shock recently when director Justin Lin suddenly dropped out of working on the highly anticipated Fast X. At the time of his departure, just days after filming had begun, it was unknown exactly why he would leave production on the tenth film in The Fast and the Furious franchise. It was especially surprising considering Lin had directed multiple entries in the series previously. Now, the reason for his exit has reportedly been revealed.

    Richard Johnson of NY Daily News is claiming that Lin stepped away from Fast X due to the difficult on-set behavior of series lead Vin Diesel. According to a veteran industry producer, who is not working on Fast X, the star has been arriving to film his scenes late without even knowing his lines. He has reportedly also shown up out of shape, and this development will cost Lin “$10 or $20 million” leaving the project. This revelation comes shortly after the filmmaker appeared to be uncomfortable in a video posted by Diesel as a promotion for the film. In the footage, Diesel asks Lin if he thought Fast X was going to be the best Fast & Furious yet, to which the director replied:

    It feels like the beginning of, uh, of an epic ending…. In my heart, yes.

    Justin Lin

    Universal is currently looking for someone to take over for Lin, with names like F. Gary Gray and David Leitch attached. With production already underway, the search is supposedly costing the studio upwards of $1 million every day.

    Source: NY Daily News via ComicBook.com

  • ‘Doctor Strange 2’s Xochitl Gomez on a Potential Young Avengers Spinoff

    ‘Doctor Strange 2’s Xochitl Gomez on a Potential Young Avengers Spinoff

    Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is about to be unleashed into theaters and will introduce the world to Xochitl Gomez‘s America Chavez. The famous member of the Young Avengers has the ability to punch her way through the multiverse, which makes it the perfect jumping-off point for the character. Of course, as many of their latest ventures introduced some younger heroes, it seems almost inevitable that we’ll meet the young team of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

    It seems that Gomez is of the same opinion, as in an interview with ComicBook.com, she also discussed her hopes of having the team form in the future, especially highlighting Kate Bishop and Kid Loki, who was a curious addition as a Vriant in the Disney+ Loki series. She’s certainly on board for this team to form in a future project.

    Of course Kate Bishop and I think Loki because I want to see how that can pan out.

    Xochitl Gomez

    Young Avengers is seemingly the end goal with many story beats hinting at their formation. While it’s unclear if we’ll even see another classic Avengers film anytime soon, it does look like they want to have this next generation of heroes become an integral part of the franchise. For now, we can still only speculate, especially with when they might fast-track this project, but it’s great to see the new cast members excited for its potential.

    Source: ComicBook.com

  • REPORT: Warner Bros. Discovery Cancels ‘The Wonder Twins’ Film

    REPORT: Warner Bros. Discovery Cancels ‘The Wonder Twins’ Film

    Here’s a rather shocking surprise if true, but it looks like Adam Sztykiel‘s upcoming adaptation of The Wonder Twins has been swiftly canceled according to That Hashtag Show. While many expected some major shifts with the Warner Bros. and Discovery merger, it’s surprising to see a project getting canceled just as it’s getting its team together. We just recently learned that they’ve cast KJ Apa and Isabel May in the leading roles.

    The project was eyeing a production start in July, but it seems that the WB and Discovery merger is currently cleaning house. While projects already in some form of active development will still release, it seems that some of the announced projects in the past might not see the light of day. It’s a shame that a project based on such an interesting property, especially for those that grew up with their animated appearances throughout the years, has been canned before it even got started.

    There’s no word from That Hashtag Show why exactly it was potentially canceled, but we’ll see if an official announcement may follow at one point. For now, it seems that the merger may wipe their DC slate clean and refocus their projects moving forward. This move is quite surprising as they just announced a sequel to The Batman recently as well. So, we’ll see what the future of the DC looks like moving forward.

    Source: That Hashtag Show

  • Michael Waldron on Working With the Cast to Write ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    Michael Waldron on Working With the Cast to Write ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    Taking part in today’s press conference for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, writer Michael Waldron shared about the collaborative process of writing Marvel’s upcoming summer blockbuster. When asked about what kept the film centered on storytelling, he focused on staying true to the characters and working with their actors.

    I had the great benefit of kind of inheriting a bulk of these characters. And so I think that was what certainly centered me creatively. You know: Stephen, Wanda, Wong. Obviously America is a new character that Xochitl was originating. But in a lot of ways, I was just a steward of these characters on the page and so there was a lot of opportunity to collaborate with these tremendous actors who know them better than I could. And as the script evolved, which it very much was all the time, you’re really refining it and it’s leaning on the people who have been doing it even longer than we have in this individual chapter. It’s a real team effort putting this story together.

    Michael Waldron

    Michael Waldron‘s answer provides some perspective into how much creative input performers have had for this film that has had a fast-paced process for the writer and the production team. This is a concept that especially works when you have world-class talented performers such as Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen in principal roles collaborating with the likes of Waldron and director Sam Raimi. As well, his response gives a window into how the creative teams working in tandem with Marvel Studios have been able to sustain the cinematic juggernaut they’ve been for the past decade.

    Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness releases in theaters on Friday, May 6.

  • ‘Doctor Strange 2’ Writer on How the Sequel Expands Upon MCU’s Magic

    ‘Doctor Strange 2’ Writer on How the Sequel Expands Upon MCU’s Magic

    Magic is about to expand in the MCU, as Doctor Strange finds himself lost within the vastness of the multiverse. The Marvel universe has been quite a bit different since 2016, as we’ve been introduced to many more powerful magic users, sci-fi concepts, and so much more. Naturally, the arrival of the upcoming release of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness makes many wonders just how it might further explore the concept, and luckily writer Michael Waldron offered some insight during the film’s press conference.

    The first movie was very much about Stephen Strange entering this world of magic, learning about it […] and beginning to master it. And then, we had Stephen in several other movies and the Avengers films, and then Spider-Man: No Way Home. This is our first time in a movie that is really his and this is our chance to focus on that magic and check in on what is it look like 5 years on.

    Michael Waldron

    He goes on to highlight that it’s definitely an expansion, which leads to quite a lot of laughter early on while trying to answer the question, and focuses on how every character involved is at a ta certain point that helps push it forward.

    This guy who was the greatest surgeon, now he’s been a sorcerer for a while. He’s been through a lot, how good of a sorcerer is he? We’re seeing him kind of at the height of his powers and I think that’s really exciting. At the same time, you’re encountering Wong, who has become Sorcerer Supreme. He’s at the height of his powers. Then you have Wanda, who is actualized in a whole new way from the end of WandaVision and you could say she’s at the height of her powers.

    Michael Waldron

    The potential of exploring these characters at the height of their power certainly opens up a lot of potential in how the film has to tackle these powerful magic users going at it. In a way, the multiverse seems like the perfect way to not only catch them off-guard but also push them into exploring concepts way beyond their understanding even with their current standings.

  • Sam Raimi Teases How His Earlier Horror Films Influenced ‘Doctor Strange 2’

    Sam Raimi Teases How His Earlier Horror Films Influenced ‘Doctor Strange 2’

    While we’re excited to head into the multiverse, there’s a lot of potential with Marvel Studios’ first true venture into horror. The genre is a long-time favorite for many moviegoers and the film has promised that it’ll give us the kind of scares we’ve always hoped to see in a Marvel film. When Sam Raimi took over from Scott Derrickson, we knew that the film is still in good hands to keep that genre alive.

    The director may be quite famous for setting the benchmark for modern superhero films with 2002’s Spider-Man, he made a name in the industry with his work on the Evil Dead series. He even followed up his caped adventures with Drag Me to Hell, as a way to venture to During the press conference, Sam Raimi talked about how those films influenced his venture into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

    When Kevin announced that this movie would be the first entry into Marvel putting their toe into the world of horror, I was thrilled that he called me to come in and talk about the possibility of directing this picture. I was able to take those horror films I made in my youth, and what I had learned from them, building suspense sequences, tituling the audience, going to give them a scare now? No, NOW I am going to give it to them. That stuff I was able to apply in the spooky sequences in this film.

    Sam Raim

    It certainly sounds promising, especially with the iconic camera shots that made him stand out as a director. The first clips and even the trailers included some references to his talent with the camera, which will make the film potentially stand out among Marvel’s already impressive filmography. As he’s openly stated he is excited to potentially direct another project, here’s hoping he can further expand the horror projects for Marvel Studios.

  • Leaked ‘Black Adam’ Funko Pops offer First Glimpse at Sabbac

    Leaked ‘Black Adam’ Funko Pops offer First Glimpse at Sabbac

    The hierarchy of power within the collectible universe is about to change forever as a new leak has brought us our very first look at the Funko Pops for the upcoming DC film Black Adam. The leak in question in the back of a box reveals the entire wave of figures with two Black Adams, an Atom Smasher, Cyclone, Doctor Fate, Hawkman, and even our very first glimpse at the film’s main antagonist Sabbac, who was rumored to be played by Marwan Kenzari back in October of 2021.

    It looks as if Sabbac will not take a full-on demon form in the film as his comic counterpart does. He looks vaguely similar to the Ishmael Gregor version of the character, a red humanoid that sprouts horns and a pentagram on his chest. It’s hard to make out exactly what he looks like here but looks to be sporting some sort of horns and is wearing a type of robe.

    Fans should also take notice that the Hawkman that we see on the box is not the same Hawkman that is listed amongst the other figures on the box. This most likely means that the larger Hawkman on the box is exclusive to a certain retailer and the other exclusives in this wave are not listed on the box, meaning there could indeed be more to come.

    Also the figures confirm that Doctor Fate does in fact not have eye holes, possibly hinting that when Nabu takes over Kent Nelsons body he is in control and does not require sight.

    There is currently no release date for these figures but it looks as if some are already making their way to retailers. The figures were most likely prepped to release soon due to the film originally set to hit theaters on July 27th, 2022 before it was hit with a delay, setting it back to October 21st, 2022.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Doctor Strange 2’ Still Currently Eyeing a $200M Opening Weekend at the Domestic Box Office

    ‘Doctor Strange 2’ Still Currently Eyeing a $200M Opening Weekend at the Domestic Box Office

    During CinemaCon, Disney unveiled that their upcoming Marvel release has already made $42M in presales, and has already outpaced The Batman at this point. The more sales data makes its way to vendors, the easier it becomes to get a better grasp of where exactly the film’s box office performance might lead. The Batman opened with $134M and it looks like the current predictions still has it making up to $200M at the domestic box office. That would mean it has the potential to end its run at $535M, which Box Office Pro teased back in early April.

    Fandango’s Erik Davis took to his Twitter account to share that film is currently tracking between $150M to a $200M opening weekend at the domestic box office. Box Office Pro has adjusted its forecast, which would see it between $190M and $215M within 3-days. So, it has seen a slight uptick since the initial prediction. Of course, there’s always a chance that the film could even outperform those numbers once word-of-mouth makes its rounds. As Davis points out, this could become one of the biggest Box office increases between film entries for the MCU if it beats expectations.

    Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has been topping Fandango’s Most Anticipated List alongside Marvel Studios’ July release, Thor: Love and Thunder. The teased return of Patrick Stewart may also draw in a crowd alongside the many believed cameos that people are hoping to see, especially as the film ventures out into the Marvel multiverse. The latest promo has been a bit spoiler-heavy but it seems that it’s a marketing ploy to get that last nudge for those that haven’t seen it and are in disbelief over reports they are hearing. We will finally know how well it truly performed by Sunday of next week.

    Source: Twitter, Box Office Pro

  • REPORT: ‘Doctor Strange 2’ Soundtrack Includes Spoiler-Filled Track Names

    REPORT: ‘Doctor Strange 2’ Soundtrack Includes Spoiler-Filled Track Names

    If you want to avoid spoilers of any kind for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, then only continue reading at your own risk.

    Nowadays, it seems like an upcoming film release has become a treacherous search for a way to avoid spoilers. Marvel Studios has even been releasing promo videos that give away quite a bit that caught many off-guard. Now, we also have to avoid sou tracks for films, as they include teases for story beats and hints at major events throughout the film’s run. Film Music Reporter has now released the full soundtrack for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and it contains some curious details on what we can expect from the film. Though, keep in mind that the track order has not been confirmed yet.

    1. Multiverse of Madness (2:37)
    2. On the Run (2:17)
    3. Strange Awakens (0:43)
    4. The Apple Orchard (3:18)
    5. Are You Happy (1:08)
    6. Gargantos (2:50)
    7. Journey with Wong (1:44)
    8. Home? (4:08)
    9. Strange Statue (1:43)
    10. The Decision Is Made (1:14)
    11. A Cup of Tea (3:58)
    12. Discovering America (0:47)
    13. Grab My Hand (1:14)
    14. Battle Time (3:11)
    15. Not a Monster (2:38)
    16. Forbidden Ground (2:29)
    17. Tribunal (2:13)
    18. They’re Not Coming Back (1:00)
    19. Stranger Things Will Happen (2:56)
    20. Buying Time (3:39)
    21. Book of Vishanti (2:45)
    22. Looking for Strange (1:38)
    23. Strange Talk (3:32)
    24. Lethal Symphonies (1:48)
    25. Getting Through (5:34)
    26. Only Way (2:51)
    27. Trust Your Power (2:54)
    28. They’ll Be Loved (3:59)
    29. Farewell (2:29)
    30. An Interesting Question (3:13)
    31. Main Titles (2:36)
    32. An Unexpected Visitor (0:32)

    Danny Elfman is working on the soundtrack, which is going to be quite promising given his history with the genre. He’s already helped work on MCU projects in the past and so he’ll be right back at home with this project. The biggest question though lies in the title “An Unexpected Visitor.” If that is indeed the final song on the track, it seems like we’ll meet someone from the multiverse that may set the path moving forward. Perhaps that unexpected visitor is the same that visited Dane Whitman in Eternals.

    Source: Film Music Reporter

  • Sam Raimi Opens Up on the Challenges of Working on ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    Sam Raimi Opens Up on the Challenges of Working on ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    Modern blockbuster development has become quite a challenge, as it now includes way more moving parts as budgets grow. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness adds to that very challenge with a multiversal storyline and Sam Raimi jumping in after Scott Derrickson left the project over creative differences while remaining as a producer. In an interview with Rolling Stone, he highlights the challenges and unique situation he found himself in when he started working on the project.

    When we started, we had a deadline to start shooting with a script that I didn’t really have anything to do with. And [screenwriter] Michael Waldron, [producer] Richie Palmer, the team at Marvel, and myself pretty much had to jump in and start over. I was very rushed and panicked — a lot of trepidation. But we kept working through it. And for us, the Covid delays were a blessing because it bought us more time to work on the script. We eventually got to the point where we had started shooting, even though we were still working on the script, and it went really well. Now I feel much more relieved. That part of the process is behind us.

    Sam Raimi

    Raimi goes on to highlight that there was one element that he would consider the “hardest part” of working on Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. It’s something that has become quite common for modern blockbusters and that is the ongoing writing process.

    I think the hardest part was the time deadlines, not having the story or the script [ready] … being halfway into it and not knowing what the ending was. Michael’s trying to stay a couple days ahead of us with the next page coming out of his computer printer, and it’s hard because you want to make sure that everything is supporting the whole — that the themes are running through the picture. But when you don’t quite know everything about the picture, it’s hard to do that job as effectively as possible.

    Sam Raimi

    We’ve heard in the past that the third act is the one aspect of films that gets changed the most, especially in the case of Marvel films due to all the moving parts involved. Of course, it adds a unique challenge, as he teased in the same interview, and Raimi has highlighted that he still had quite the creative freedom when it came to bringing this story to life. Yes, he did adhere to the stories that came before but it’s nothing new for a director to jump into a sequel of an existing franchise. It just happens to be a much larger one. He also highlighted just how challenging it was given it may be the most “complex movie” he’s ever worked on.

    It’s probably the most complex movie I’ve ever had anything to do with. Not just dealing with one character, or even five characters, but multiversal versions of those characters — and each one has a storyline.

    Sam Raimi

    With multiverse in the title, it’s no wonder that it was going to add an additional layer of challenge for anyone taking on the project. Sam Raimi is a veteran not only to film but also Marvel, which makes him a perfect choice to bring this project together. Add in his camera work to make their first horror-based storyline pop just that bit more making it even more exciting. The director also has said with all these challenges, he’s down to work on another project in the future.

    Source: Rolling Stone