Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Movies

  • Dolph Lundgren Confirms Return in ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’

    Dolph Lundgren Confirms Return in ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’

    DC FanDome is just around the corner and it may offer some insight into future projects. Among them is the sequel to 2018’s Aquaman movie. After its massive box office success, it was only a matter of time before they’d start work on a sequel. In June, production started as director James Wan shared the first photo from the set. We got a new photo from the production, but this time from Dolph Lundgren. In his latest Instagram post, he confirms he’s returning to play King Nereus.

    It’s great to see Lundgren return in the role and that he gets to keep his red hair from the first. The absence of a beard is quite interesting. They might still be in the middle of adding the fake beard, or they chose to keep it out this time around. The post doesn’t give away anything on what role he might have in the film. Arthur Curry might try to make amends for his brother’s actions as he brings the kingdoms back together.

    Of course, there’s also the question of what the mysterious Lost Kingdom might be. The first set photo teased an icy cave, which might hint that their next threat is hiding in the Antarctic. Jason Momoa shared a new stealth suit back in September, which might be how he enters the new region. It makes you wonder if he’ll get joined in his adventure. Perhaps Lundgren has a larger role this time around and will also infiltrate the lost kingdom.

    Source: Instagram

  • ‘Batgirl’ Directors Confirm Leslie Grace Will Sport One of Her Most Divisive Looks

    ‘Batgirl’ Directors Confirm Leslie Grace Will Sport One of Her Most Divisive Looks

    Batgirl is no exception when it comes to the Bat Family’s constant need to adjust their looks, something pioneered by their patriarch who seems to have an outfit for any occasion. Barbra Gordon has had plenty of looks over the years, but one of her most iconic has to be the Burnside suit, one that she wore throughout the Rebirth line when she moved to the Burnside district of Gotham.

    We don’t know much about the upcoming Batgirl film, other than that it could be an adaption of Batgirl: Year One, but it seems we might know what she’ll look like. In a recent interview with VRTNWS, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah confirmed that Batgirl’s costume took some inspiration from the Burnside suit, confirming the character’s helmet-like cowl. The suit was the subject of much debate after it debuted in 2015.

    Hopefully, we’ll get our first look at Leslie Grace in the Burnside suitl at DC FanDome. This would be the best-case scenario, especially since they’ll most likely be filming outdoors and could avoid the usual leaked set photos that show off a stunt suit and set the fandoms ablaze. Batgirl currently has no set release date but will exclusively release on HBO Max as production kicks off next month in Glasgow.

    SOURCE: VRTNWS

  • Report: The “Real Batman” Set to Appear in HBO Max’s ‘Batgirl’

    Report: The “Real Batman” Set to Appear in HBO Max’s ‘Batgirl’

    DC Fandome is right around the corner and one film fans just can’t wait to get a closer look at it the upcoming Batgirl solo film starring Leslie Grace. The film is set to start filming next month as Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah, and Grace are all set to attend the event, hopefully giving us a look at what’s in store for the film, and maybe even a first look at Batgirls suit.

    Both Arbi and Fallah recently sat down with VRTNWS to talk all things Batgirl, and while they couldn’t give much away, they let one big thing slip. The directors were eager to confirm that Batman himself will indeed be in the film, but said they were not able to disclose which Batman would be appearing in the film, only that it was the “Real Batman”.

    This could be taken in a couple of different ways and it depends on what kind of fan you are. Some consider Michael Keaton to be the epitome of Batman and to have played the most iconic version of the role. But logically speaking, the real Batman within the DCEU would be Ben Affleck’s version of the character, and it wouldn’t be an odd choice considering JK Simmons is currently set to reprise his role as Commissioner Gordon in Batgirl for the first time since Justice League. There’s also the fact that director Fallah recently teased Affleck’s version of Batman via his Instagram stories.

    Batgirl currently has no set release date but will release exclusively on HBO Max. Leslie Grace and JK Simmons are currently the only talent attached to the project with production set to kickoff next month in Glasgow.

    SOURCE: VRTNWS

  • RUMOR: ‘The Mandalorian’, ‘Secret Invasion’ and Many More Productions to Shut Down for 90 Days Due to IATSE Strike

    RUMOR: ‘The Mandalorian’, ‘Secret Invasion’ and Many More Productions to Shut Down for 90 Days Due to IATSE Strike

    Just yesterday, reports were going around about a potential IATSE Union strike to ensure reasonable expenses and breaks for crew members. It was hinted that they were going to go on strike Monday, but a new rumor might point to it taking place as of tomorrow. According to Star Wars Time, it seems that the production of The Mandalorian‘s third season will shut down alongside other Lucasfilm productions. It seems that the plans for the company are to close up shop for around 90 days with 60,000 film and TV workers affected. They do highlight that there is a slim chance they might avoid a potential shutdown, but the chances seem quite slim.

    There are also rumblings surrounding Marvel projects eyeing a similar development. So, we can assume the same will happen with other projects like the currently filming The Last Of Us, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, or the recently started Secret Invasion. There’s also the uncertainty of how it may affect post-productions due to VFX departments and editors. The latter may fall into IATSE Local 700 of The Motion Picture Editors Guild. Star Wars Time highlights that their source at the time was unsure. So, the projects like Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, Hawkeye, Ms. Marvel, and other productions could also face delays. There’s also the question of projects that require reshoots within that 90-day window.

    It’s an important step for the industry, as it faced many new challenges with the pandemic. We’ve seen discussion for fair compensation on many levels of Hollywood’s talent, such as Scarlet Johansson‘s ongoing feud with Disney over Black Widow. These actions ripple out to others and draw the attention of the industry to see how they may influence the future. We’ll surely keep a close eye on how it develops, but once the strikes happen we can expect quite a few delays of future releases moving forward.

    Source: Star Wars Time, Variety, Editor’s Guild

  • Lynda Carter Teases ‘Wonder Woman 3’ and Potential Return

    Lynda Carter Teases ‘Wonder Woman 3’ and Potential Return

    Wonder Woman 1984 was one of those films that got hit the hardest by the ongoing pandemic, shifting multiple release dates before becoming the first simultaneous release for HBO Max. It gave us a new look at the popular heroine while also paying tribute to the franchise’s past, as the film teased the legendary Amazon warrior, Asteria. We’d see Diana don her armor to face Cheetah in the finale before Lynda Carter would cameo as the famous warrior. She doesn’t appear until the end of the film as a great nod to fans of the original Wonder Woman series.

    Her inclusion also opened up the possibility of her story continuing in the fast-tracked third entry of the franchise. In a recent interview, Lynda Carter teased director Patty Jenkin’s vision for the next installment and potentially her involvement.

    Its called love is human and divine, and I think that is what we see in each other, bringing it full circle back here to your question. That is what you see, and what I see in Gal’s performance, in Pattys vision. Patty, Patty Jenkins for her Wonder Woman 1, Wonder Woman 2, and what her vision will be for Wonder Woman 3, which will be full of surprises and things that I can never reveal. Things I dont know actually, ’cause she never tells!

    Lynda Carter

    Could we see the return of Carters Asteria? Perhaps the sequel will see her fighting alongside Gadot’s Diana Prince. Fans are eager to see what director Patty Jenkins has in store for Diana’s next solo outing. After being away from Themyscira, it may be time for her to return and face her destiny. Either way, we’re sure she’ll bring her A-game for what could be her final film in the Wonder Woman franchise.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ Sequel’s Title May Have Leaked

    ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ Sequel’s Title May Have Leaked

    It looks like the upcoming sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse‘s subtitle may have accidentally leaked online. The sequel to the 2018 animated hit has been quite the mystery outside of the casting of Issa Rae as Spider-Woman and Jake Johnson‘s return as Peter B. Parker. It seems that one of the film’s CFX supervisors, Simon Corbaux, may have accidentally leaked the title. In his work with Sony Pictures Imageworks, he’s listed on working the first Into the Spider-Verse film, Spider-Man: Far From Home, and his latest addition: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

    The subtitle certainly works for the franchise, as they won’t drop Spider-Man or Spider-Verse. So, as the franchise continues to grow Miles Morales might have gone into, across, through, without, and what else they could think of regarding the Spider-Verse. Of course, the wording also hints at the story exploring multiple dimensions featuring the popular wall-crawler. The first ended on quite the cliffhanger that might get extended with this film. Here’s hoping they’ll also embrace the various incarnations like the famous Japanese Spider-Man.

    There’s a lot of potential in this sequel, as there have been quite a few versions of the famous webhead throughout his tenure in comics. Back in February, we heard that The Dot might become the film’s main antagonist. His powers would make sense and he could even become the source for why our favorite cast of Spider-People gets cast out into the multiverse. Here’s hoping with the 2022 release, the wait won’t be too long.

    Source: LinkedIn

  • Pandemic Will Play a Role in ‘Halloween Ends’

    Pandemic Will Play a Role in ‘Halloween Ends’

    Here’s a rather curious reveal. The classic Halloween horror franchise has made a grand return. In 2018, director David Gordon Green revisited the franchise and offered a direct sequel to the original 1978 film, as Jamie Lee Curtis and Nick Castle return in their respective roles. Their success led to two sequels, Halloween Kills and Halloween Ends. The former is releasing in a few days with the sequel ending the new trilogy next year. As we await the next entry, Green offered a tease for the final entry in the new trilogy.

    In an interview with Uproxx, he discusses how the upcoming third entry will take place during the time it releases. As such, it will also deal with real-world problems that affect people during that time. The pandemic hit people across the world and it seems that the poor Strode family will not just face a global virus alongside a man on a killing spree. Green goes on to highlight his approach with the threequel.

    So if you think about it, I mean, where we’re leaving these characters on Halloween 2018, the world is a different place. So not only do they have their immediate world affected by that trauma, having time to process that trauma – and that’s a specific and immediate traumatic event in the community of Haddonfield. But then they also had a worldwide pandemic and peculiar politics and another million things that turned their world upside down.

    David Gordon Green

    It’s an interesting idea to consider these real-world events in the upcoming story. Naturally, it’s not new for slasher films to integrate elements from whatever is happening during those times and it makes sense to explore it, especially as they are also filming under those restrictions. We can’t wait to see how Halloween Kills also sets up the sequel and builds upon it.

    Source: Uproxx

  • Chloé Zhao’s ‘Eternals’ Closer to Jack Kirby’s Run Than That of Neil Gaiman

    Chloé Zhao’s ‘Eternals’ Closer to Jack Kirby’s Run Than That of Neil Gaiman

    Chloé Zhao will introduce the world to one of Marvel’s most unknown corners. We’re looking at the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s origins and how the Celestials created a universe full of potential. In the earliest days of humanity, we’ll meet the ten Eternals that came to Earth. They’ll share their wisdom and protect everyone from the Deviants. Some iconic comic runs explore the story of this alien race. Somehow, we still know very little about Zhao‘s take on the characters outside of some teases, but luckily producer Nate Moore offered some insight into what they were inspired by.

    Eternals, as you guys probably know, is created by Jack Kirby, 1976. The most popular run, again, I’m telling you guys the things you know, was probably the Neil Gaiman run, right? And I think that’s the expectation of this movie. We’ll probably borrow out from that. But the truth is we actually are more inspired by the Kirby stuff, so we’re kind of going back to the old stuff, both mythologically and how the movie lays out.

    Nate Moore

    Moore also discussed how much they explored from Gaiman‘s run, as they feared it would seem similar to projects like Harry Potter, The Matrix, and more. So, they wanted to avoid a typical amnesia story and fully explore millennia of human history through their eyes.

    So the Gaiman run, which is probably how I came to know the Eternals, frankly, outside of Sersi being in the Avengers for a little bit, it was very much about people who didn’t realize they were special and then, of course, coming and saying, ‘Hey, guess what? You guys are immortals and your memories have been erased.’ That’s pretty cool but that’s also the plot of Harry Potter, and I’m Number Four and a lot of movies like that, The Matrix, right? Whereas we thought it would be more interesting to spend the time with the characters who knew exactly who they were, and to track those characters through in our movie, what will be 7,000 years of human history

    Nate Moore

    It’s great that they’re embracing how Kirby built the mythology of this franchise. Kirby explored the larger-than-life concept surrounding what the Celestials brought to the universe and how the Eternals carry on their message. The various trailers highlight that very direction, but there were rumors that they’d get amnesia at some point in time. Luckily, it seems we don’t have to worry that in the middle of the film our protagonists repeat what we witnessed earlier.

    Source: ComicBook

  • ‘Eternals’ Pre-Sales Hinting at Potential $110M Opening Weekend

    ‘Eternals’ Pre-Sales Hinting at Potential $110M Opening Weekend

    It looks like the numbers are finally coming in, as currently, Marvel Studios’ next project Eternals is beating US pre-sales records. As of now, according to Insider Charlie Jatinder, the film managed to garner the best sales numbers within 24 hours since 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. As such, it’s early predictions would hint at a potential opening weekend between $90 to $110 million. As such, it beat out other Marvel Studios films Black Widow and Shang-Chi.

    Keep in mind, pre-sales don’t always determine its overall box office but rather offer our first look into its potential. No Time To Die was outselling Venom: Let There Be Carnage‘s pre-sales but the latter ended up taking the top spot for best domestic opening with around $90M while the latest James Bond film was below expectation. Of course, the target audience plays a key role in how their weekend’s playoff with Eternals eyeing the usual Marvel viewership to build upon. So, it likely will have similar momentum to

    It’s always interesting to get some insight into how the box office develops. We are in a post-COVID era technically, as developments have calmed down and cinemas are continuing to recover. Eternals is a cinema-only release, which has proven to draw in more audiences. Shang-Chi beat expectations and kept the top spot for four weeks without much competition. As we close in on November, we’ll get a clearer picture of how the film will potentially perform.

    Source: Twitter, CNBC

  • No Time to Die: How Existing Characters Can Give New Life to the World of James Bond

    No Time to Die: How Existing Characters Can Give New Life to the World of James Bond

    In an interview with Fandango, James Bond producer and head decision maker, Barbara Broccoli, stated that the studio doesn’t have any future plans to create spinoff projects for other characters in the franchise, saying, “We have not done [a spinoff] in the past and I don’t think we have any plans to do it in the future.” While nobody can argue with the success of the Bond franchise, the unfortunate “that’s the way we’ve always done it” mindset (the TTWWADI mindset known as “the most dangerous phrase in business”) leans far too heavily into the past at the expense of the future.

    There’s been a lot of conversation lately about genderbending and/or racebending the character of James Bond in the future. The idea was met with a definitive response by outgoing Bond actor Daniel Craig who explained why he was not in favor of either of those ideas:

    The answer to that is very simple. There should simply be better parts for women and actors of colour. Why should a woman play James Bond when there should be a part just as good as James Bond, but for a woman?

    And the reality is that those characters already exist within the orbit of James Bond, a character who, since 1953, has traveled the globe in adventures at which he has always found himself rightfully at the center. But those adventures have always been made more interesting by his supporting cast and, in the Craig films, that cast has become increasingly more diverse. No Time to Die introduced Lashana Lynch’s Nomi, a new 00, to a cast that already boasted Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter, Naomie Harris as Moneypenny and Ben Wishaw as Q. Each of those actors not only represents an underrepresented segment of society, but also potentially fascinating characters that could expand the world of James Bond from within. Craig said “there should simply be better parts” and there already are…it’s just that Broccoli is refusing to move forward with them.

    There are plenty of films, film franchises and parts of films that serve as homages to the Bond franchise; unfortunately, none of them have been developed by the Broccolis. Wright’s Felix Leiter is a CIA agent who was introduced alongside Bond in the 1953 novel, Casino Royale. Leiter has bailed Bond out and been responsible for bringing him back into the world of espionage but the character, especially with a talent like Wright behind him, has to potential to spinoff into his own world and his own adventures worthy of a Bond-esque treatment. If Leiter can hang with Bond in a Bond film, he can be the man of action in his own.

    Wright’s Leiter is just one example of how Broccoli and the creatives behind the Bond franchise don’t have to work too hard to give new life to the franchise. Bond films, on average have come out every 2 years or so with the exception of a 6-year gap between License to Kill and Goldeneye. Since Craig has been in the suit, however, that average trended closer to 3 even before the pandemic delayed No Time to Die. At a time when there are more shared cinematic universes than ever before, why not fill that time between Bond films with films about characters like Leiter, Moneypenny or Q? Why not develop those characters to a place where we’re having discussions 30 years from now about who might be the next actor in a line of great actors to have played them? For now, the only answer we have is because that’s they way it’s always been…and that’s no answer at all.