Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Movies

  • Breaking: ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Undergoing Reconstructive Surgery

    Breaking: ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Undergoing Reconstructive Surgery

    When Marvel Studios shuffled their release slate for 2022 and beyond, it seemed significant that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was the first film to be postponed. Now, a new trade report gives some clarity as to why the film won’t be making its intended March 2022 release.

    According to Aaron Couch, the film is undergoing a “significant” makeover between now and the end of the year. The film is said to be filming six days a week over the next six weeks in Los Angeles to complete what is being described as both “additional photography” (new stuff) and “reshoots” (new stuff to replace old stuff). Writer Michael Waldron is reportedly writing new material, presumably for the additional photography.

    According to the trade, part of the reshoots are simply a function of working around the availability of actors. The production, which took place in London, was also impacted by COVID-related issues that slowed it down. The film is also on its second creative team with Waldron and director Sam Raimi taking over for Scott Derrickson. Despite all the challenges it has faced, the trade says there is still “pervasive enthusiasm” for the project.

    Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is now slated to hit theaters on May 6th, 2022.

  • DISNEY+ DAY: First Look at ‘Predator’ Prequel Prey

    DISNEY+ DAY: First Look at ‘Predator’ Prequel Prey

    We just found out that the Predator prequel will be titled Prey, and it looks like they didn’t waste any time, as they also offered our first look at the new series, as we explore the time of the Comanche in Dan Trachtenberg‘s next film.

    Source: Twitter

  • Disney + Day: ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ Set to Stream Next Halloween

    Disney + Day: ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ Set to Stream Next Halloween

    Nearly 30 years after the original film introduced the Sanderson sisters to the world, the Hocus Pocus sequel will finally stream on Disney Plus! As part of Disney Plus Day, it was revealed that Hocus Pocus 2, which sees Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy return in their respective roles, will stream on Disney Plus next Fall, just in time for Halloween.

    The new film will once again take place in Salem where three teens played by Whitney Peak, Lilia Buckingham and Belissa Escobedo find themselves at odds with the Sanderson sisters. The sequel, directed by Anne Fletcher, will also see Doug Jones return as Winifred’s zombie ex-love, Billy Butcherson.

  • DISNEY+ DAY: ‘Pinocchio’ Eyeing Fall 2022 Release

    DISNEY+ DAY: ‘Pinocchio’ Eyeing Fall 2022 Release

    The retelling of Pinocchio directed by Robert Zemeckis is heading to Disney+, as they shared the full cast line-up and that it is eyeing a release for Fall 2022. Tom Hanks, Cynthia Erivo, and Luke Evans will bring some of the iconic characters to life with the help of voices provided by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Keegan-Michael Key, and Lorrain Cracco.

    Source: Twitter

  • Marvel’s Earth X Comics Served as an “Uncanny Bible” for ‘Eternals’ Scribes

    Marvel’s Earth X Comics Served as an “Uncanny Bible” for ‘Eternals’ Scribes

    Eternals writers Kaz and Ryan Firpo had a huge task in front of them as they began to crack the story of Eternals. Telling the story of the very origins of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, reinventing some very obscure characters for the film and deciding what themes to include were just some of the big jobs they had to handle and they had to pack it all into a huge, sci-fi epic. Inverse got to talk to the writers and, according to Kaz, despite the film featuring all manner of Cosmic being, including the massive Celestials, the pair looked at the film as an opportunity to get philosophical about humanity itself:

    Eternals is using the lens of science fiction to ask big questions about purpose and responsibility and love. Stories provide us an opportunity to ask big questions. If you come from a movie with a big question you’re still grappling with, that’s a great success. Because we’ve gotten you to think about what it means to be human for just a little bit.

    In prepping to take those big questions to the big screen, the writers first dove in to the comic book history of the characters. While the bulk of their stories were told through creator Jack Kirby’s original run and Neil Gaiman’s modern run, another lesser known run also had a big influence on the film: 1999’s Earth X. Earth X was written by Jim Kreuger who worked with Alex Ross (who originally created the dystopian future seen in the series) to put together a 14-issue run that took a look at a world where most everyone had super powers and, pertinent to Eternals, had a Celestial growing at its core! Kaz described the process of digging into the comic book history of the characters and how Earth X stood out for the way it took on the sort of big, philosophical ideas they wanted to tackle:

    The process began with Marvel handing us a 700-page PDF that had everything, every time the Eternals had appeared, even in Avengers [comics]. We read all of it. Comics are an incredible medium because they’re about different artists having different conversations in the shared universe. Comics inherently are about the multiverse; it’s different takes on these same stories. For us, it became [about] bringing our own story to the lineage. Earth X was an uncanny bible that sat around in the writer’s room because it tackled huge ideas.

    Ryan also indicated that while the Kirby and Gaiman runs each lent part of their stories to the DNA of the film, it was the philosophy of Ross’s Earth X idea that caught their attention. The use of Earth X as a “bible” for the film goes to show how valuable any corner of Marvel Comics vast library can be as creators begin the process of adapting these stories and characters for the MCU. The stories begun in Earth X have continued to grow through the subsequent series Universe X, Paradise X and Marvels X; maybe those series will become the bibles for Eternals sequels or for other projects down the road.

    Source: Inverse

  • UPDATE: DISNEY+ DAY: ‘Predator’ Prequel Headed to Hulu for Summer 2022 Under New Title

    UPDATE: DISNEY+ DAY: ‘Predator’ Prequel Headed to Hulu for Summer 2022 Under New Title

    It looks like Disney+ Day is to celebrate everything Disney, as Deadline has just announced the upcoming Predator prequel will be titled Prey. Dan Trachtenberg has been directing the project under the title “Skulls” for some time. Prey, which will debut on Hulu, will explore the Comanche Nation around 300 years ago through the perspective of a skilled female warrior named Naru, who will end up face-to-face with one of the most evolved alien predators next summer.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Eternals’ Couldn’t Film in Hawaii As ‘Inhumans’ “Burned That Bridge”

    ‘Eternals’ Couldn’t Film in Hawaii As ‘Inhumans’ “Burned That Bridge”

    It looks like Marvel TV’s adaptation of Inhumans may have left a bad aftertaste with not only Marvel Studios but also Hawaii. Eternals writers Kaz and Ryan Firbo discussed their initial pitching phase of Eternals and how they tried to approach different aspects of the project. They also went through various filming locations, but it turns out that there was one they weren’t allowed to include Hawaii. The reasoning as Marvel Studios put it was that the Inhumans series “totally burned that bridge” according to Kaz Firbo. He goes on to state that:

    In the Marvel Universe there’s a lot of synergy, but also individuals telling great stories. There isn’t this algorithm that makes Marvel movies great. They hire people who love what they do and let them do what they love. For us, Inhumans was part of that conversation only insofar as — this is a true story — they said, “You can’t go to Hawaii.” Nobody gets to go to Hawaii because Inhumans totally burned that bridge. Beyond that, there wasn’t someone saying like, “We can’t do this, can’t do that.” The door really was open for us.

    Kaz Firbo

    Ryan Firbo added that they also initially envisioned Eternals as a TV Show, but it was mentioned they “kind of tried that” but it was disconnected. So, the actions of the TV studio have left some long-lasting scars. It sadly seems that it might also take quite some time before the studio may enter Hawaii to start a production there that makes use of its beautiful landscape. It makes you wonder if we’ll ever get some insight from Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige how the series may have influenced other decisions.

    Source: Inverse

  • Updated: What to Expect From Marvel Studios’ Disney Plus Day Special Look and How To Watch It

    Updated: What to Expect From Marvel Studios’ Disney Plus Day Special Look and How To Watch It

    We’ve believed for a long time that Marvel Studios news hits hard enough that the studio doesn’t need a convention. Last year’s Investor Day made that point clear, and it seems like the first Disney Plus Day is going to remind us all that Marvel Studios has plenty to share on its own terms.

    Yesterday we learned that the inaugural Disney Plus Day, planned for November 12th, would feature special D+ exclusive programming that will include an “exciting look towards the future” of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That look was described recently as one that would include the past, present and future of Marvel Studios on the streaming service full of first looks and new announcement. With that in mind, here are a few guesses as to what we can expect from Kevin Feige and company.

    A ‘Ms. Marvel‘ Trailer

    Last year’s Investor Day Fact Sheet had Ms. Marvel set for a 2021 release on the streaming service. Unfortunately, though, things change (especially during an ongoing health crisis) and we are now going to have to wait until the second half of 2022 for the series to introduce Kamala Khan to the MCU. We don’t have an exact date for Ms. Marvel yet, but it seems like it will be ready to go to kick off the new year. So a full trailer with a release date reveal would be in line.

    A ‘Moon Knight‘ Sizzle Reel

    Moon Knight has been a tough nut to crack. Any “leaks” have been trickles, with only one leaked photo of a costume hitting the web; at this point, we still don’t know who any of the series leads other than Oscar Isaac will be playing and there’s no plot information to be found. A sizzle reel showing off the costume, the physicality and Ethan Hawke’s villain, who many think might be Dracula, would give fans a lot to talk about.

    A First Look at ‘She-Hulk‘

    Unlike Moon Knight, info on Marvel’s legal comedy She-Hulk made its way into the world during production. We’ve seen a few glimpses at characters, learned who Jameela Jamil is playing and heard some other awesome rumors about the series that make it sound like it’ll be a blast (Skaar! Daredevil! Seriously?). With that in mind, it would be great for Marvel Studios to give us a first look at it whether it be a trailer or a sizzle reel to give fans a sense of just what’s in store tonally, especially from star Tatiana Maslany. 

    A Cast Update on ‘Secret Invasion’

    secret invasion production start

    Secret Invasion is set to begin filming shortly and while the trades have reported on castings outside of Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Mendelsohn, the project remains pretty…secretive. It would be great to get some more info on the project, including learning the roles of stars Emilia Clarke, Olivia Colman and Kingsley Ben-Adir (who I know is playing a Skrull).

    An Official Announcement for Echo and Werewolf By Night

    Among the more perplexing things about the slew of announcements made at 2020’s Disney Investor Day was the absence of a couple of projects from the Fact Sheet that, as it turns out, will go into production and probably stream BEFORE a few that were on there. Echo and Werewolf By Night are now both known to be happening, but Marvel Studios has remained quiet about them despite openly looking for cast members for at least one of them (Echo has been casting for some time). The D+ Day special would be a good time to update fans on them as they go into production early next year and are likely to be included in the 2022 slate.

    An Update on ‘Loki’ Season 2

    A recent production publication indicated that Loki Season 2 would start work in Atlanta in early 2022. While we have no idea if this is accurate, we might well find out tomorrow!

    A Tease of Future D+ Projects

    Marvel Studios has about a dozen or so streaming series in development. We know some are animated and some are live-action but we don’t know what any of them are. A little tease can go a long way here in hyping up fans for the future of the streaming service (what better way to get fans to buy a 3-year sub than to tease the awesome stuff they can see over the next 3 years!). The Untitled Wakanda project, Ghost Rider, Secret Warriors, Illuminati, Nomad and more could be among these teases. In fact, we still know very little about Ironheart and Armor Wars, which were announced almost one year ago and are expected to go into production next year.

    When and Where to Watch Marvel Studios Presentation

    According to Disney, fans are getting pre-recorded features rather than a livestream, so all of the features will be available on Disney Plus throughout the day. While Disney Plus Day officially kicks off at 9:00 AM ET, the Marvel Studios presentation won’t stream until 11:45 AM ET. The good news is that it’ll be available for fans all day, so if you’re not around at 11:45, you’ll be able to watch it at your convenience on your phone, tablet, laptop, desktop or TV. Of course, we’ll be covering all the major news from the event right here, so be sure to check back in with us tomorrow!

  • Disney+ Day Starts Early in Europe with New Design Updates

    Disney+ Day Starts Early in Europe with New Design Updates

    It looks like Disney+ Day has started early for Europe, as some have reported that it’s gone online earlier than expected. So, some of the Disney+ Day releases like Olaf Presents, Home Sweet Home Alone, Under the Helmet, Dopesick (only available through Disney+ Star), and many more have found their way online early. Not just that, it also includes a few welcomed additions to the visual design of the app. They’ve highlighted the new additions at the top of the site.

    The streaming service has continuously built various collections of popular shows or media that were connected. When Black Widow was released, they had all the films she was featured in available in a nice bundle, but you had to click on it to access it. It seems they’ve decided to add a new section that highlights the entries, such as the various Frozen properties.

    Last, but not least, they’ve also offered a new “Coming Soon” section that was dearly missing for those wanting to keep up with what new series are heading our way. It’s a staple for other streaming services like Netflix and HBO Max. So, it was strange that it took this long to add the feature. Yet, also have to highlight that it’s hidden away quite a bit down.

    The MCU special won’t go online until later, but it’s great that they are celebrating Disney+ Day not just with special content, but also giving the streaming service a much-needed visual upgrade. There are still some things missing if you compare and it visually isn’t the most stunning offerings in the market, but it’s great to see they are slowly expanding the

    Source: Disney+

  • REPORT: ‘Blue Beetle’ Eyeing Early 2022 Production Start

    REPORT: ‘Blue Beetle’ Eyeing Early 2022 Production Start

    The DC Expanded Universe continues to expand as it plots more and more films like Batgirl, Zatanna, and even Blue Beetle. The latter will follow Jaime Reyes, the third, most recent, and most popular character to wield the mantle of Blue Beetle. Jaime is set to be played by the Cobra Kai‘s Xolo Maridueña, perfect casting for what’s surely shaping up to be many peoples most anticipated comic book films.

    Not much is known about the project, as it’s yet to add any other talent to its cast. It seems like that could be changing very soon as it seems production on the film could begin in the first quarter of 2022. A new Production Weekly listing has the film set to begin filming in Georgia sometime early next year. Usually these types of dates from production weekly are taken with a grain of salt, but director Angel Manuel Soto has added some fuel to the fire by retweeting the news on his Twitter account.

    There’s always a chance this production start date may change, but it seems Soto is anticipating an early 2022 start date if he also openly retweets it. The film will release as an HBO Max Original film but currently has no release date. The film is one of many upcoming DCEU films set to debut on the streaming platform in an interesting move to expand its shared DC universe from WB.

    Jaime Reyes is the first Blue Beetle to actually don the scarab and wears the exoskeleton armor created by the Reach. It’ll be interesting to see how the film honors the past Beetles as it seems Ted Kord is poised to play a larger role in the film based on the concept art we saw at DC Fandome.

    Source: Twitter