Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Movies

  • Chloé Zhao Believes ‘Eternals’ Could Have Been Even Longer to Explore the Full MCU Timeline

    Chloé Zhao Believes ‘Eternals’ Could Have Been Even Longer to Explore the Full MCU Timeline

    Eternals may give Avengers: Endgame some competition for the longest Marvel Cinematic Universe’s runtime. With 2 hours and 30 minutes, we’ll spend quite a bit of time with this new alien race that could go toe-to-toe with the Avengers. Not only will they face off against a new threat in the Deviants, but the film will also explore the mysterious Celestials we’ve briefly seen throughout the first three phases.

    Chloé Zhao did highlight that the length is quite intentional, as she has quite a lot to tell. Not only will the standalone film explore the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame, but we’ll also see the origins of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Plus, she’s got quite the ensemble on her hands with ten brand new characters who have their unique role as part of this unlikely band of heroes. Zhao even highlights that this cut may be on the shorter end.

    It could be longer! You know, it’s ten characters, the Celestials and 7,000 years. There’s a lot going on.

    Chloé Zhao

    It’s no easy task to tell a story that spans millennia within a limited time. We don’t know how much she’ll dive into the history of the MCU, but we’ll certainly see its beginnings. The trailers also teased some parts of history that’ll build upon what we know from our very own. We might witness the events of the past few films through the eyes of the Eternals that recontextualize the events we spent the last decade with.

    Source: Fandango

  • Chloé Zhao Teases Kro’s Motivation in ‘Eternals’

    Chloé Zhao Teases Kro’s Motivation in ‘Eternals’

    Eternals will introduce a new type of antagonist, the Deviants. It wasn’t until the second trailer that we got a closer look at these unique creatures that were genetic offshoots created by the Celestials in the comics. Their designs are quite distinctive from their comic counterparts, who were more humanoid in design. The only bipedal Deviant we meet was their leader, Kro. We briefly see him interact with Angeline Jolie‘s Thena, but that’s the extent of what we know about his motivation.

    Luckily, director Chloé Zhao offered some insight into what drives his actions and perhaps what leads to his confrontation with the Eternals. Perhaps his main motivator is the right to survive and strive in a world that rejects him. The trailers hint that the alien race is on Earth to battle the Deviants and take care of their existence. While Zhao plays coy in her answer, she does give us a clearer picture.

    I think the only thing I can say…he’s very unique. I think in a way I would say he is an accident in evolution, and there is great debate around the right for someone like him to exist.

    Chloé Zhao

    Last month, we learned from Dan Stevens that he is voicing the character, but that was the last we heard on it. The interesting aspect of this character is that he may show up in the story when the Deviants should be gone potentially, as Zhao teases that the Eternals went into hiding after taking care of the offshoot. So, who knows if he might have a larger plan that required a lot of patience.

    Source: Fandango

  • ‘Eternals’ Features Two Post-Credits With Big Surprises

    ‘Eternals’ Features Two Post-Credits With Big Surprises

    Eternals looked like a project that would work independently from the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Yet, in an interview with Fandango, director Chloé Zhao has teased that not only does it explore the origins of the fictional universe but it may also have huge implications for the future. Luckily, she also confirmed that the Marvel Studios tradition lives on with the film having not one but two post-credit sequences. Not just that, she also highlighted that there will be some big surprises for both that might build upon the events of the film.

    Don’t just stay for the first one — also stay for the second one, too. They are equally as important in weight, and both have big surprises for you.

    Chloé Zhao

    Eternals spans around 7,000 years and there are a lot of aspects that could help establish the future. She teased that the film will mainly focus on the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame which will most likely tie into the post-credit sequence. Perhaps there’s a new aspect of this franchise that’ll finally make its appearance once the credits roll.

    Source: Fandango

  • ‘Eternals’ Exploration of the MCU’s Origins Will Build Its Future

    ‘Eternals’ Exploration of the MCU’s Origins Will Build Its Future

    Marvel Studios has just released its first featurette for the upcoming Eternals film. Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao builds off of her work of Nomadland to explore not just the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame, but also the origins of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The trailers only gave us a glimpse of the Celestials, the ones that started it all but there might be a lot more to them, especially with what it may mean for the MCU moving forward.

    In an interview with Fandango, Zhao offered some insight into her approach to the film, such as how she pitched it with a blow-up macro photo of sand while reciting a William Blake poem. She then went on to discuss how the film dives into the origins of the entire fictional universe and how the Celestials play a big part in the mythology they are building and may have larger implications for its future.

    Well, let’s see… I think a big part of it is that audiences will be discovering the origin of the MCU through the mythology of the Celestials. I think by the end of the film, we will have a new understanding of planet Earth’s relationship with the cosmos, and also with her own inhabitants. But in that sense, it would have a huge effect on the future of the MCU.

    Chloé Zhao

    The origins of the MCU through the eyes of the Celestials may explore how Earth’s creation may tie into the appearance of many superpowered individuals. If it explores the history of the franchise, perhaps we’ll get a window into what makes humanity such a unique host for abilities and powers. In the comics, they also have close ties to Thanos, who’s referenced openly in some of the trailers. Perhaps there’s more to the Deviants than we first expect.

    Source: Fandango

  • First Look at Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka in Warner Bros. Origin Film

    First Look at Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka in Warner Bros. Origin Film

    In May, we learned that Dune‘s Timothée Chalamet has joined Warner Bros. attempt at reviving the Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory franchise. Its focus is to tell the story of how the famous chocolatier became the man we’ve met in the famous novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It’s the third live-action depiction of the character following 1971’s Gene Wilder and 2005’s Johnny Depp. The first look seems to take elements from both incarnations but seems inspired primarily by Wilder‘s depiction.

    The actor certainly looks like the outfit suits him quite well. It’s uncertain how they’ll approach the story of his origin story before he started his iconic factory. Tim Burton‘s version of the character was given a backstory in how his relationship with his dentist father, played by the always amazing Christopher Lee, shaped his love and obsession with sweets. It was a simple story addition that explained his childish behavior and general motivation to create a fantastical chocolate factory. Wilder’s rendition was a bit more vague outside of how he found the Oompa Loompas.

    There’s a good chance that Warner Bros. will want to explore the more adventurous side of his journey. Perhaps we’ll explore what inspired him to also pass on his work. There’s quite a lot of potential in this story due to how little we know of his time before he founded the factory. They could also explore some unique ways to tell the story, such as it being his narration to Charlie after the events of the original story. Passing on his exploits to the new generation.

    Source: Twitter

  • Bill Murray May Have a Role in Marvel Studios’ ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’

    Bill Murray May Have a Role in Marvel Studios’ ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’

    Here’s a rather curious little detail. On the site Mandy, which helps smaller actors find work within the industry, there’s a rather curious listing. Actor John Townsend has a listing for working on a film from 2021 until 2022 as a photo double. Not just that, he would act as a double for Bill Murray. The film’s name isn’t listed, but the production name Dust Bunny gives us a clear indication of which film it is. It was back in April that we learned that this production title belongs to Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

    Mandy has been a source to tease future appearances in the past. In July, a listing hinted at a possible Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness connection with Namor due to a listing of the character Gargantos 2. We still should take it with a bit of a grain of salt until an official announcement arrives, but the inclusion is rather curious. There’s a good chance that it might change once anyone at Marvel realizes that Murray‘s name is included in their credits. What helps matters is that director Peyton Reed is quite the fan of the actor and shared a signature he got. So, it wouldn’t be too surprising that he’d hope for him to join the production.

    Still, Bill Murray is one of those legacy actors that would make for an incredible addition to the franchise. The actor has made a name in the industry with classics like Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, Caddyshack, and so many more. He is currently set to return in the upcoming Ghostbusters: Afterlife film that builds upon the original franchise from 1984. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of role he could have in a comedy-focused franchise like the Ant-Man and the Wasp films.

    Source: Mandy

  • ‘No Time To Die’ Behind Domestic Expectations But Passes $300M Worldwide

    ‘No Time To Die’ Behind Domestic Expectations But Passes $300M Worldwide

    The final numbers are in and sadly, it seems that No Time To Die wasn’t able to pass the $60M mark in its domestic debut. After initial reports believing it could pass the $100M mark, it looks like it fell short as with each day its weekend prediction went down. As of now, it’s trailing behind the last Jason Bourne film that garnered around $59M even with its Friday being ahead of it. Still, it’s quite behind the last prediction of around $84M after its initial Friday cume.

    Yet, it’s not all doom and gloom. The film is still in line with previous entries of the franchise and has shown quite the draw internationally. It’s a strong contender in Europe and is one of the few releases to head to China this year. As of now, it made around $145.5M internationally this weekend. As it was released early in some markets, it currently already passed the $300M benchmark. Still, at a budget of $250M that doesn’t include its marketing budget (ignoring additional costs due to the constant delays) and it’s going to be an uphill battle. Still, the China release could make up for it.

    It’s been a somber weekend in comparison to the last. Venom: Let There Be Carnage faced a harsh drop but also has a lower production budget to balance it out. Shang-Chi managed to pass the $400M mark over the weekend, which makes it one of the best performing films of the year of ar without a China release.

    Source: Deadline, Variety

  • ‘Shang-Chi’ Third Film to Cross $400M Globally

    ‘Shang-Chi’ Third Film to Cross $400M Globally

    We’ve been keeping a close eye on box office numbers throughout the year, as the world slowly heals from the pandemic. The first positive developments were back in April when Godzilla vs. Kong managed to beat expectations. As everyone focused on hybrid releases, F9: The Fast Saga took the risk and proved its success. So, while Disney was hesitant with Black Widow, they were all-in with Shang-Chi. The more time passes, the more it looks like the risk paid off.

    The latest Marvel Studios release managed to garner another $9.1M throughout the weekend. While Venom: Let There Be Carnage faced a harsh drop in its second weekend, the MCU film managed to hold somewhat steady. With these numbers, it’s the third film to cross the $400M global box office mark. Officially, it has joined F9 and Godzilla vs. Kong. It’s great to see the film continue to perform well and it still has some time before it releases on Disney+.

    The film currently earned $189.1M internationally and stands at $401.6M globally. We also have to keep in mind that it joined two other films that had the advantage of releasing in China. While there were hints it might find its way there, it seems more and more unlikely as time goes by. We still have no Chinese release date for the next two entries, Eternals and Spider-Man: No Way Home. So, it’s no small accomplishment for Shang-Chi to garner the amount it has at the international box office.

    Source: Twitter, Twitter (BOReport)

  • ‘Black Widow’s Family Dinner Scene Almost Didn’t Happen

    ‘Black Widow’s Family Dinner Scene Almost Didn’t Happen

    Black Widow has recently been released on Disney+ for all subscribers to watch. The film finally gave Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff her own story to explore the past she believed she could leave behind. It introduced us to her extended family with Yelena Belova, Alexei Shostakov, and Melina Vostokoff. It explores this dysfunctional family and how their relationship continued to live on even after they had to flee the United States. It all culminated in one of the most memorable scenes of the entire film, but it seems it almost didn’t make it in.

    Director Cate Shortland sat down with Empire to discuss her work on the film and revealed that the famous dinner scene almost didn’t make it into the film. It seems they had a hard time nailing down the dynamic and considered taking it out. Yet, it was Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige who insisted that they keep it in. As she highlights:

    He doesn’t give you many directives, he’s very free. But that was a scene he really felt needed to be in the film, and Scarlett and I kept fighting him on it, saying, ‘How will this ever work?’ But it became a very alive thing. You’ve got this bunch of people shipwrecked together, who are still desperately trying to cling onto the roles that they had in Ohio, because that’s all they know. That’s all they have. And it’s beautiful for me

    Cate Shortland

    Considering it was one of the most emotionally resonant scenes in the film, it was great that Feige pushed for it to make it in. It’s the strange relationship that exists, as they saw each other as a family unit while living in Ohio. It was quickly ripped apart when their secret was uncovered and Alexei’s obsession with fame left a dent in their relationship. Now, they were trying to make amends before they face the Red Room together, as a family. The film might not have been the same without it.

    Source: Empire

  • Kingsley Ben-Adir Talks Marvel Training to Keep ‘Secret Invasion’s Secrets

    Kingsley Ben-Adir Talks Marvel Training to Keep ‘Secret Invasion’s Secrets

    Marvel Studios has been infamous for trying to keep a tight-lip on all their projects. Still, sometimes things find their way online. There are bigger rumors, such as Black Panther: Wakanda Forever to introduce the world to Namor the Sub-Mariner, or the small tidbit here and there. We’ve wondered if they’d start tightening up security on their projects, and it seems they are very adamant about keeping Secret Invasion as much of a secret as they can.

    We learned back in March that Kingsley Ben-Adir will play a villainous role in the Disney+ series. Of course, people have been using the chance to find out who exactly he is playing. At the 2021 GQ Men of the Year awards, he was interviewed on the series but gave a rather interesting answer. It seems that Marvel Studios is training their actors to keep a tight lip on their projects.

    We’re figuring it out at the moment. They’ve been training us not to talk for like six months. As soon as you asked that, I’ve just got in my head this Marvel robot saying, ‘Don’t talk, don’t say anything, say nothing, lie.’ So I don’t know.

    Kingsley Ben-Adir

    There’s a good chance this is also reactionary by Marvel Studios due to some actors openly talking about spoilers. Alfred Molina famously outright confirmed his return to Spider-Man: No Way Home back in April, which most likely also sparked his appearance in the film’s first trailer. There was also the time Russel Crowe openly talked about playing Zeus in Thor: Love and Thunder without a care in the world. A project with the title Secret Invasion might require an extra amount of secrecy to ensure it releases spoiler-free.

    Source: Twitter via The Direct