Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Movies

  • Anya Taylor-Joy Already Recorded “Bits and Pieces” of Nintendo’s ‘Super Mario Bros.’ Film

    Anya Taylor-Joy Already Recorded “Bits and Pieces” of Nintendo’s ‘Super Mario Bros.’ Film

    It was quite a surprise to many when Nintendo unveiled its all-star cast for the upcoming Super Mario Bros. film adaptation. The animated project would include actors like Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Seth Rogen, and Anya Taylor-Joy in key roles. It’s currently eyeing a release in December 2022 and we haven’t heard much on it since the announcement back in September. Well, it looks like recordings are already underway, as revealed by Taylor-Joy in an interview with ET.

    The actress, who’ll play Princess Peach, shared that they’ve already started the recording process on “little bits and pieces” for now. Not just that, she also shared her favorite part about playing the role, she gets to play games as part of her research. Of course, she doesn’t go into much detail but it’s good to know that the film seems currently on track to hit its release next year.

    Oh, it is so much fun. We started doing little bits and pieces of it already. The greatest part is that I get to say I am doing homework or work or research just by gaming, which is pretty great.

    It’s going to be quite interesting to see how they bring this franchise to the silver screen. Still, it’s great to hear Taylor-Joy is having fun with the role and seems like a perfect fit for the character. Yet, there’s also the mystery on how much dialogue we can expect, as Mario isn’t famous for talking a lot. So, Chris Pratt in the role was quite the surprise.

    He’s no stranger to doing voice work as he also brought The LEGO Movie‘s Emmet to life. If he’ll have a large voice role, we might expect a lot more character development from the Italian plumber as he faces off against Bowser once again, who’ll be voiced by Jack Black. The role of Seth Rogens‘ Donkey Kong is still uncertain, as he’s been known as a foe and friend throughout the gaming franchise.

    Source: ET

  • Denis Villeneuve Envisions ‘Dune’ as a Trilogy

    Denis Villeneuve Envisions ‘Dune’ as a Trilogy

    After Dune was finally released in cinemas, we were clamoring for the sequel to finally get an announcement. Luckily, Warner Bros. didn’t waste any time and officially greenlit Dune: Part Two a few days ago. Yet, it seems that director Denis Villeneuve entered production with a sequel in mind, as the story finds an abrupt end on their journey to meet the Fremen of Arrakis. Yet, it seems that he has even more plans for the franchise’s future.

    In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he opened up on how he’s approaching Frank Herbert‘s book series. While the sequel will finish up the story from the original novel, he plans to include Dune: Messiah as it would cap off the story of Timothée Chalamet‘s Paul Atreides.

    I always envisioned three movies. It’s not that I want to do a franchise, but this is Dune, and Dune is a huge story. In order to honor it, I think you would need at least three movies. That would be the dream. To follow Paul Atreides and his full arc would be nice.

    Denis Villeneuve

    Oddly, he’d point out he doesn’t want to create a franchise, as there’s also an HBO Max spinoff in development that added Diane Ademu-John as showrunner this July. Still, his point is more on how Herbert’s books get “psychedelic” as they go on. He seems open to potentially tackling all of them at some point but his main focus would be to end the original novel and adapt Messiah. Of course, Children of Dune and God Emperor of Dune would make for some crazy cinema, such as seeing a person turn into a human-sandworm hybrid as EW points out.

    Source: Entertainment Weekly

  • ‘A Quiet Place’ Spinoff Loses Director Jeff Nichols

    ‘A Quiet Place’ Spinoff Loses Director Jeff Nichols

    In 2018, John Krasinski‘s A Quiet Place started off a new franchise where we explore a post-apocalypse world where noise-based creatures took over Earth. After the sequel made quite the mark in this year’s box office, a third entry was getting quite the traction. Yet, it looks like Paramount Pictures will have to find a new director as Jeff Nichols will not direct the threequel as previously announced in 2020. They reveal he is eyeing to tackle a new sci-fi project, but will remain with Paramount and has been getting fast-tracked.

    Of course, they are already actively looking for a replacement that’ll tackle the untitled sequel. It won’t continue where the recent release ended but act as a separate spin-off. Paramount is hoping to kick-start a new cinematic universe with this horror franchise. There are even hints that Emily Blunt and Krasinsky might return to reprise their roles as it explores the world in its earliest days of the invasion.

    Platinum Dunes will continue to produce with Michael Bay, Andrew Form, and Brad Fuller acting as producers. The big question also remains how much they can pull from this base concept. Horror franchises aren’t new to this venture and there’s a lot of potentials to build upon the base concept. It would be funny if they gave us a prequel building up to the moment the world changed and they called it “A Loud Place.”

    Source: Deadline

  • REPORT: ‘THUNDERBOLTS’ Project Is Going Ahead at Marvel Studios

    REPORT: ‘THUNDERBOLTS’ Project Is Going Ahead at Marvel Studios

    It’s been rumored for a long time, and now it appears it could be true. A new report from The GWW indicates that Marvel Studios is moving forward with a film centered around the Thunderbolts. The team has had a few iterations in the comics, starting as a group of villains disguised as heroes and transitioning into a group of reformed supervillains working for the United States government. It would appear the project is taking a similar route to the latter, with teases having been placed in prior projects such as Black Widow and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. It’s likely this is the team to which Julia Louis-Dreyfus‘s Valentina Allegra de Fontaine has recruited the likes of Wyatt Russell‘s U.S. Agent and Florence Pugh‘s Yelena Belova. It’s likely that the teases will continue, with Belova herself set to appear in this winter’s Hawkeye series on Disney Plus.

    Also of note, the same report from The GWW claims that 2023 will mark the beginning of multiple potential new MCU projects. Titles the site includes in its list are Nova, the Okoye series, and Marvel Studios’ much-anticipated Fantastic Four reboot. The GWW concludes by revealing they have information on yet another secret project they hope to reveal sooner than later. If true, it would mean that the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is only just beginning. A new wave of heroes and super-teams is on the horizon.

    Source: The GWW

  • Bill Murray Confirms Involvement with ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’ Sequel

    Bill Murray Confirms Involvement with ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’ Sequel

    Earlier this month, a listing hinted at the appearance of Bill Murray in the upcoming Ant-Man and the Wasp sequel subtitled Quantumania. The actor is currently set to return in the Ghostbusters: Afterlife film and his addition in a Marvel film would make for quite the pop culture revival for the long-time Hollywood mainstay. Of course, at the time, there was no official word on his involvement and the listing was also swiftly taken down once it was noticed. Yet, it seems that the actor has outright confirmed his role in an interview with the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Translating his statement from the interview shared by writer Patrick Heidmann, he shared the following:

    You know, recently I filmed a Marvel movie. I probably am not allowed to tell you this but who cares. Many people there were surprised that I would decide to join such a project. But, to me it was quite simple: I met the director and I really liked him. He was funny, modest, everything you wish from a director. And with the cheerleader story “Bring It On – Girls United,” he made a film that I really enjoyed. So, I said yes even if these giant comic adaptations don’t interest me as an actor otherwise.

    Bill Murray

    The writer shared the confirmation on his Twitter as well:

    The moment he mentioned the 2000 cheerleader film Bring It On, it was clearly a reference to director Peyton Reed. As such, he confirmed his involvement with the project outside of an official announcement in the interview. He now also joins Alfred Molina and Russel Crow in the club of veteran actor snot caring about their NDAs.

    Source: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung via Twitter

  • ‘Eternals’ Chloé Zhao Debunks Rumors that Marvel Studios Takes Full Control of Action Sequences

    ‘Eternals’ Chloé Zhao Debunks Rumors that Marvel Studios Takes Full Control of Action Sequences

    Many rumors are surrounding Marvel Studios’ approach to filmmaking. Some have believed that they heavily restrict the way their directors work to ensure unity between their various projects. Some comments by director Lucrecia Martel, who was in the running for Black Widow at one point, didn’t help matters. If you throw in the highly debated use of previsualization, it seemed like some aspects of the director’s visions may be hindered. Yet, Eternals director Choé Zhao made one thing clear in an interview with Indie Wire: the action sequences in her upcoming Marvel Studios project are done by her.

    I would probably say that the myth is not quite true and I think I’m not the only filmmaker who would say that. My God, for a year and a half, three times a week for a couple hours a day, I was sitting in front of a big screen making decisions for every detail of how visual effects could look in the real world.

    Chloé Zhao

    She highlighted that all the action sequences in the film are done by her and she had a hand in bringing them to life. The indie director is well-known for her more grounded work and use of nature. So, the bombastic Marvel Cinematic Universe was quite the change of pace for Zhao. Still, she highlighted how a lot of her work was cooperation and creative freedom with the studio.

    From day one, Marvel said, ‘Here are the tools we use. We need your version. We don’t want three different movies we want your movie. They would be there to help me because I’ve never used these tools.

    Chloé Zhao

    James Gunn famously also highlighted the creative freedom he received from the studio. He was even set to create the path for the studio’s cosmic direction until the controversy happened. Zhao‘s exploration of the MCU’s history and cosmic origins might continue the path he set and was given the creative freedom to determine how she approached it. Even given the many discussions surrounding its current RottenTomatoes rating of 72%, it highlights that the vision we’re about to watch is what she’s been working on for so long.

    Source: IndieWire, ScreenRant, Rotten Tomatoes

  • ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ Writers Join Michael B. Jordan’s ‘Val Zod’ Superman Project for HBO Max

    ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ Writers Join Michael B. Jordan’s ‘Val Zod’ Superman Project for HBO Max

    It looks like Michael B. Jordan‘s adaptation of Val Zod, a Superman of another Earth, is moving forward. Deadline has just reported that writers Darnell Metayer and Josh Peters were hired to tackle the HBO Max’s adaptations script. It’s still unclear if Jordan will also take on the role of Val Zod, which still remains uncast. He is only set to act as an executive producer alongside Outlier Society’s Elizabeth Raposo.

    While we still wait for a sign of life if Henry Cavill‘s time as Superman has a future within the DCEU, it’s great to see DC and Warner Bros. continued efforts to expand their slate by exploring the many different aspects of the multiverse. Val Zod explores the story of a different Kryptonian who lands on Earth, but this time Earth-2. He eventually went on to face off against Superman, who was brainwashed at the time.

    Metayer and Peters are hot off the heels of their work on the new Transformers film, Rise of the Beasts. So, it’s a great get for Warner Bros. and the HBO Max project. As such, they’ve worked with Steven Caple Jr. who directed Creed II, one of Michael B. Jordan‘s many leading roles. There’s a good chance that their work together might’ve landed them this current gig.

    Source: Deadline

  • Derek Cianfrance to Direct Ryan Gosling’s ‘Wolfman’

    Derek Cianfrance to Direct Ryan Gosling’s ‘Wolfman’

    Universal is trying once again to revive their popular horror icon franchises and has managed to get Ryan Gosling to star in a new rendition of Wolfman. It looks like they finally found their director in Place Beyond the Pines and Blue Valentine‘s Derek Cianfrance. As the previous titles suggest, he has quite the history with the actor, and together they’ll bring the werewolf story back to life. Originally, Leigh Whannel was set to tackle the project but had to leave due to scheduling conflicts. Cianfrance will also write the script with Gosling, Ken Kao, and Jason Blum will also act as producers.

    There’s no word exactly how they plan to reinvent the classic character. Last we got a Universal version of the werewolf storyline, it was Benicio del Toro‘s period piece. Hints are pointing to an updated interpretation that would place Gosling’s version into the modern-day. At one point they tried to create a connected universe titled the Dark Universe, but Tom Cruise‘s The Mummy tanked that idea before it even got started.

    It’s uncertain if they might still want to chase this endeavor, but a revival of the classic franchise definitely set them in the right direction. Wolfman would be a very out-there direction for Cianfrance, whose background mainly lies in adult dramas, as Deadline points out. So, it’ll be interesting to see the director tackle this new type of film in his career.

    Source: Deadline

  • Next ‘The Expendables’ Film Adds ‘The Raid’s Iko Uwais as a Villain

    Next ‘The Expendables’ Film Adds ‘The Raid’s Iko Uwais as a Villain

    It looks like the net entry of The Expendables franchise has found its main antagonist, as Deadline reports that The Raid‘s Iko Uwais joined the film. The film’s staff will see the return of Jason Statham, Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, and Randy Couture. They’ll also be joined by Andy Garcia, Jacob Scipio, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, and Megan Fox. So, it’s quite the all-star cast of unlikely action heroes for Uwais to take on. Scott Waugh is directing the film based on a script by Spenser Cohen, Max Adams, and John Joseph Connolly.

    The film will continue where the last entry ended, as a group of veteran mercenaries takes on an unlikely challenge. Uwais‘ role is still kept a secret, but supposedly he’ll play a former military officer, who is now an active arms dealer with the private army. He’s a great addition to the franchise, who became famous for his role in 2011 and 2014’s entries of The Raid films. He recently also joined Paramount’s Snake Eyes and is currently set to appear in Fists Full of Vengeance.

    The Expendables franchise started back in 2010, as David Callaham and Sylvester Stallone, who also took the director’s chair, wanted to revive the 90s action. As such, it also started to include many iconic actors from that era such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chuck Norris, Terry Crews, Jet Li, Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, and many more. There were also plans for a spinoff titled The ExpendaBelles featuring an all-star female cast.

    Source: Deadline

  • Brendan Fraser Joins ‘Batgirl’ as Firefly

    Brendan Fraser Joins ‘Batgirl’ as Firefly

    The resurgence of Brendan Fraser continues with DC as it is being reported that he has joined the upcoming HBO Max film Batgirl as the main antagonist. Sources at Deadline believe Fraser will be playing popular Batman rogue, Firefly, a retired and disgruntled firefighter turned mad arsonist. Casting for the role listed an actor in the 50-60s age range to play a “disgruntled former firefighter.”

    With Firefly set to be the main villain of the Batgirl solo film, it seems likely that the project will be taking inspiration from Scott Beatty and Chuck Dixon’s Batgirl: Year One mini-series. The story saw Barbara Gordon rejected from both the Gotham City police department and the FBI, deciding to take her love of superheroes, especially Black Canary. The most interesting bit is that the story features Firefly as the big bad, alongside Killer Moth. While there has yet to be any word of Killer Moth in the film, the pieces seem to be fitting together well.

    With the debut of Jurnee Smollet as Black Canary, it seems possible they could include Barbara’s love of Canary in the film and eventually lead her to join the Birds of Prey within the DCEU, and maybe even lead to an appearance of the team in the film.

    Batgirl currently has no set release date but will release sometime in 2022. The current cast includes Leslie Grace, Jacob Scipio, and JK Simmons who will be reprising the role of Commissioner Gordon and Barbra Gordon’s father in the upcoming film.

    SOURCE: Deadline