Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Movies

  • ‘Shrek 5’ in the Pipeline at DreamWorks with Original Cast

    ‘Shrek 5’ in the Pipeline at DreamWorks with Original Cast

    Following the impressive–and perhaps unexpected–response to DreamWorks Animation’s Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, the production company is heading back to the well again. In an interview with Variety, Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri revealed that talks have already begun to bring back the original voice cast of Shrek for a fifth film.

    “We anticipate the cast coming back,” said Meledandri. “Talks are starting now, and every indication that we’ve gotten is there’s tremendous enthusiasm on behalf of the actors to return.” While it wasn’t immediately clear just how many of the original cast members were approached, Variety indicated that Mike Myers, Eddie Muphy and Cameron Diaz were among those in talks.

    As DreamWorks began the process of rebooting the Shrek franchise, Meledandri realized that the original voice cast needed to be a part of whatever plans were hatched. “It’s not that dissimilar to the process that we went through with ‘Mario,’ where you look at what the core elements are that audiences have loved, and you do your very best to honor those core elements,” he said, referring to The Super Mario Bros. Movie which releases on April 5th. “And then you’re hard at work to build story elements and new characters that take you to brand new places. The original cast is a huge part of that.”

    Meledandri’s comments come on the heels not only of the success of the Puss in Boots threequel but also interest from Murphy in reprising the role of Donkey. “If [DreamWorks] ever came with another ‘Shrek,’ I’d do it in two seconds,” said Murphy. “I love Donkey. They did ‘Puss in Boots’ movies. I was like, ‘They should have done a Donkey movie.’ Donkey is funnier than Puss in Boots. I mean, I love Puss in Boots, but he ain’t funny as the Donkey.” Melendari told Variety that he was “excited” by Murphy’s comments, adding he believed a Donkey spinoff would “without question” be successful.

    Source: Variety

  • Latest ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Trailer Includes an MCU Reference

    Latest ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Trailer Includes an MCU Reference

    Sony’s upcoming animated film, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, is one of the most anticipated superhero films of the year. The sequel to the wildly successful 2018 Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse will introduce Miles Morales to a team of Spiders who seek to protect the existence of the Multiverse. And, as the new trailer for the project reveals, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is part of the Multiverse!

    Among those aforementioned Spiders out to protect the Multiverse is the prickly Miguel O’Hara, voiced by Oscar Isaac. As the trailer explains, the network of Spiders was brought together by O’Hara and he does NOT want Miles sniffing around telling him, “you can never be part of this“; however, Miles isn’t the only Spider who isn’t welcome. After bluntly telling Miles to take a hike, O’Hara says “Don’t even get me started on Doctor Strange and the little nerd back on Earth-199999!” in a clear reference to the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home.

    As shocking as this reference to the events of a movie set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe might be to some, it’s important to remember that Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios collaborate on the MCU-set Spider-Man films and that this isn’t the first time one of Sony’s projects shared some connective tissue with the MCU. Spider-Man: Now Way Home‘s post-credit scene revealed that Tom Hardy‘s Eddie Brock was one of the characters to jump to the MCU during the film and while he jumped back, he left a piece of his symbiote behind.

    After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, Brooklyn’s full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. However, when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles finds himself pitted against the other Spiders. He must soon redefine what it means to be a hero so he can save the people he loves most.

    Synopsis for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

    There’s no telling what other plans Sony has in store for the Multiverse introduced in their animated Spider-Verse films. The upcoming live-action film, Madame Web, could certainly play with some of the Multiversal themes introduced in these projects and the studio would certainly like to see Spidey star Tom Holland share the screen with Hardy’s Venom at some point. We’ll only have to wait just a bit longer to see if there are any other MCU Easter eggs or references to Sony’s live-action films as Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse hits theaters on June 2nd.

  • ‘Blue Beetle’ Gets First Trailer, Official Synopsis

    ‘Blue Beetle’ Gets First Trailer, Official Synopsis

    Despite the turnover at the top of the studio, DC’s Blue Beetle will release on August 18th. Audiences got their first look at the film in an exciting trailer and now a new synopsis provides a better idea of what to expect from the film by director Angel Manuel Soto.

    Recent college grad Jaime Reyes returns home full of aspirations for his future, only to find that home is not quite as he left it. As he searches to find his purpose in the world, fate intervenes when Jaime unexpectedly finds himself in possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology: the Scarab. When the Scarab suddenly chooses Jaime to be its symbiotic host, he is bestowed with an incredible suit of armor capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the Super Hero Blue Beetle.

    Blue Beetle stars Cobra Kai‘s Xolo Maridueña as Jamie Reyes/Blue Bettle with Raoul Max Trujillo starring as the film’s villain, Carapax. Adriana Barraza, Damían Alcázar, Elpidia Carrillo, Belissa Escobedo and George Lopez are all featured as members of Jaime’s family.

  • A Live-Action Reimagining of ‘Moana’ Starring Dwayne Johnson is in the Works at Disney

    A Live-Action Reimagining of ‘Moana’ Starring Dwayne Johnson is in the Works at Disney

    As it continues to reimagine its vast catalog of animated classics into live-action spectacles, Disney has teamed with Dwayne Johnson to add Moana to the list. As announced by Johnson via Twitter, Disney is teaming with Seven Bucks Productions and Flynn Picture Co. to bring the 2016 hit to life. News of the product was also given to Disney Shareholders today by Bob Iger during a webcast. Johnson also announced that he would reprise the role of Maui.

    According to a statement from Disney, “Like its animated predecessor, the film will celebrate the islands, communities and traditions of Pacific Islanders as seen through the eyes of a young woman eager to pave her own path. Moana’s journey of self-discovery and reflection on the lives of her ancestors won hearts worldwide, as did her newfound friendship with an exiled demigod named Maui.”

    I’m deeply humbled and overcome with gratitude to bring the beautiful story of Moana to the live-action big screen. This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength. I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reunite with Maui, inspired by the mana and spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me. I want to thank my partners at Disney for their strong commitment to this special endeavor, because there is no better world for us to honor the story of our people, our passion and our purpose than through the realm of music and dance, which is at the core of who we are as Polynesian people.

    Dwayne Johnson on the Moana reimagining

    Auli’i Cravalho, who served as the voice of Moana in the 2016 animated film will serve as an executive producer on the film along with Scott Sheldon, Jared Bush, who wrote the screenplay for the original film, and Dana Ledoux Miller. “She has had such a profound impact on how we think of Disney princesses,” Cravalho said of the titular character. “Moana’s strength and perseverance are inspiring—to audiences around the world, to me and to everyone who helped bring her to life. I’m looking forward to sharing her story in a whole new way.“

    At this time, no timetable has been laid out for the film as it searches for a director.

  • ‘Deadpool 3’ Adds ‘The Marvels’, ‘She-Hulk’ Scribe to WritingTeam

    ‘Deadpool 3’ Adds ‘The Marvels’, ‘She-Hulk’ Scribe to WritingTeam

    Current writer of Marvel Comics’ The Amazing Spider-Man, Zeb Wells‘ history with Marvel Comics dates back to 2002’s Spider-Man’s Tangled Web. Wells turned his trademark style with Marvel Comics into a gig at Marvel Entertainment, where he wrote the unreleased pilot for New Warriors, and then into a spot in the writer’s room for She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Now it seems Wells’ success has led him to a spot on one of Marvel Studios’ most anticipated upcoming theatrical releases.

    According to Deadline, Wells has joined Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese as a contributor to the script of 2024’s untitled Deadpool threequel. While Marvel Studios has yet to comment on Wells‘ contribution to the script, it’s possible he was chosen due to his work on Marvel Comics’ A + X and Savage Wolverine. Wells has quickly become one of Marvel Studios’ most hired guns, having not only served as a writer on She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, but also as an executive producer as well as co-writing 2023’s theatrical release, The Marvels, as well as being the head writer for the upcoming animated series Marvel Zombies.

    The third installment in the Deadpool franchise is currently untitled but will see Ryan Reynolds’s Merc with a Mouth debut in the MCU alongside Hugh Jackman‘s Wolverine. With production expected to kick off soon, the cast has filled up quickly with Emma Corrin signing on as the film’s villain, Matthew Macfadyen set to serve as a third wheel to Deadpool and Wolverine, Karan Soni and Leslie Uggams returning as Dopinder and Blind Al, respectively, and Owen Wilson rumored to pop up as TVA agent Mobius. The film is currently slated to hit theaters on November 8th, 2024.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Dethrones ‘John Wick 4’ with a Decent Opening Weekend

    ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Dethrones ‘John Wick 4’ with a Decent Opening Weekend

    the final numbers are in and the Dungeons & Dragons film has barely missed out on the $40M mile but still pulled in an okay $38.5M. While it is higher than its initial predictions, which were set relatively low but not surprising given how sci-fi and fantasy struggle at the box office at times, it’s still going to face an uphill battle to make up for its high $150M budget. Internationally, the film has made around $71.5M with a softer $33M global cume.

    The reviews and PostTrak score are hinting that the film might have a chance at some strong legs but with tough competition on the horizon, it’s anyone’s game at this point. Including a premiere at SXSW, the marketing spend on this film is quite high and it’ll definitely need those legs to keep going but The Super Mario Bros. Movie is already on the horizon next weekend. As both share a similar audience, this year might become quite the bloodbath at the box office.

    John Wick Chapter 4 faced a surprising 62% drop to $28.2M after its record opening. Some thought it would drop lower with its strong word-of-mouth. “Blockbuster” releases have faced much higher drops since the pandemic started as people are much more selective in their viewing choices but this won’t stop John Wick’s latest adventure to become the highest-grossing of the franchise.

    Source: The Wrap

  • Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn Spotted at Iconic ‘Joker’ Location in Latest BTS Pics

    Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn Spotted at Iconic ‘Joker’ Location in Latest BTS Pics

    Joaquin Phoenix‘s romp down the Shakespeare Avenue Stairs located in the Highbridge neighborhood of the Bronx in 2019’s Joker turned the location into a destination. Now referred to as “The Joker Stairs”, the 132 stairs have become a must-see landmark in the city for fans of the film. Director Todd Phillips remained fairly fond of them, too, as a new batch of set photos from the sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, indicates that the film will return to the iconic location.

    As production has been ongoing in and around New York City, set photos have been fairly easy to come by, including a first look at star Lady Gaga in full Harley Quinn regalia. While she’s not decked out in one of Harley’s familiar outfits here, Lady Gaga‘s Harley is out for a stroll on the same stairs Arthur Fleck danced down in Joker.

    https://twitter.com/lislopees1/status/1642483840479363074?s=20

    Harley’s trek on the stairs certainly looks a little less joyful than Fleck’s gleeful descent. That’s all part of whatever director Todd Phillips, who can be seen chatting it up with Lady Gaga, has in store for the character in this particular part of the sequel.

    Joker: Folie à Deux will be released on October 4th, 2024 under DC Studios’ new Elseworlds banner, meaning the story told within the film will not be part of the continuity of the new DC Universe being established by DC Studios co-chairs James Gunn and Peter Safran. Set in the aftermath of the events of Joker, the sequel will see Brendan Gleeson and Catherine Keener join Lady Gaga as newcomers to the cast alongside returnees Phoenix and Zazie Beetz.

  • Fandango Reveals When ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ Tickets Will Be Available

    Fandango Reveals When ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ Tickets Will Be Available

    Advance ticket sales are one of the most interesting modern-day phenomena in the entertainment business. With so many theaters and so many screens in each theater dedicated to major releases, it’s increasingly rare for showings of those major releases to sell out. Given that opening weekend now essentially begins early Thursday afternoon in most places, there are dozens of opportunities to catch a tentpole release on opening weekend and, for those not living in major metropolitan areas, most of them can be done in relatively empty theaters. However, fans LOVE buying their tickets online as soon as possible and now Marvel Studios, via Fandango, has made it clear when tickets will be available for advance purchase for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

    Fans looking to book their trip to see James Gunn‘s final installment in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise can purchase tickets online beginning Monday, April 3rd. The announcement of the date came via a teaser for the film which included some brief snippets of new footage.

    In Marvel Studios “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” our beloved band of misfits are looking a bit different these days. Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.

    Official synopsis courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Publicity

    Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 hits theaters on May 5th!

  • Director Peter Sohn on the Technical Challenges of Creating the Main Characters of ‘Elemental’

    Director Peter Sohn on the Technical Challenges of Creating the Main Characters of ‘Elemental’

    Disney and Pixar groundbreaking work in animation will once again be on display in Elemental. Beginning with 1995’s Toy Story, the animators at Pixar have been innovators and problem solvers as they continue to create visually stunning films. Their 27th film, Elemental, is no different as the creators laid out a huge challenge for the animators: bring fire and water to life to create the film’s two main characters, Ember and Wade. The animators were asked to keep in mind that while they were working with something recognizable, they were also creating something that had never been seen before: “Ember is fire, she is not on fire. Wade is water. He’s not something that’s wet.”

    Director Peter Sohn envisioned the characters and dreamt up the world they’d inhabit. At the global press junket for the upcoming film, Sohn explained some of the challenges the artists faced while trying to create characters who looked, behaved and reacted to situations in ways that are consistent with how fire and water would.

    The main challenge of fire honestly was, could we get something balanced that could be appealing and still exploit the element? That was the main challenge. We had tried fire that was really realistic, I know you guys saw a part of the presentation. That was just a tip of the
    iceberg of the reference, meaning we tried real, like realistic eyes. We tried, you know, we tried all sorts of things and they looked terrifying. I wish you could see more of it. We could make a good horror movie from that footage, honestly. But then there were 2D versions of Ember that were much more flatter.

    Peter Sohn
    ELEMENTAL, Disney and Pixar’s all-new, original feature film releasing June 16, 2023, features the voices of Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie as Ember and Wade, respectively. In a city where fire-, water-, land-, and air-residents live together, this fiery young woman and go-with-the-flow guy are about to discover something elemental: how much they actually have in common. “Elemental” is directed by Peter Sohn and produced by Denise Ream. © 2022 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

    As you might imagine, a task of this magnitude, even for some of the world’s greatest animators, wasn’t done in a day. As Sohn explained, it took time for the artists to find the right “balance” for the character of Ember.

    And every time we saw the movements, you didn’t feel like it could touch anything or burn anything or it didn’t feel hot, you know, like where it was emanating, you know, the heat. But some of our artists found this balance between the two that I’m very proud of what they had
    accomplished to get to that, absolutely. That was a really hard challenge and I thought they found a great balance.

    Peter Sohn

    As tough as Ember was, it turns out Wade was even tougher. “He was just so unmanageable and he looked so weird all the time,” explained Sohn. “I just kept pushing the water, and I went over the line just ’cause I couldn’t see, but the way he moved played into that. He so easily could turn into Jell-O just by slowing some of the ripples down a little bit, or how fast he could turn into a ‘Soul’ character if the ripples didn’t appear. There were just so many avenues that he could shift into very quickly and that would surprise all of us.”

    Ultimately, as production designer Don Shank–whose work with Pixar dates back to 2004’s Incredibles–explained, the animators’ “design ideas inspired new technology, which inspired new design” creating one of Pixar’s most beautiful films to date. You can check out the fantastic work done by the artists at Pixar when Elemental hits theaters June 16th.

  • Disney Finds its Lilo for the Live-Action ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Adaptation

    Disney Finds its Lilo for the Live-Action ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Adaptation

    So far, we only knew that Zach Galifianakis has joined the upcoming live-action adaptation of Lilo & Stitch, but it seems they have finally found one of their leads. Newcomer Maia Kealoha has been cast in the role that’ll bring the 2002 version to a new generation with director Dean Fleischer Camp of Marcel the Shell With Shoes On fame. The script is based on work by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright.

    The news was first reported by Knight Edge Media and is now confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter. The story seemingly is set to stay quite true to the original adaptation, which saw the story of an alien experiment make his way to Earth and ending up as the adoptive dog of a local Hawaiian girl named Lilo. Their bond is what defines the heart of the story in addition to the beauty of Hawaii adding that additional charm.

    It’ll be interesting to see who might give Stitch his iconic voice. Chris Sanders played the character in the original film and given he’ll very likely be a fully CG character, he could potentially return to the role. Though, they might also find an A-list celebrity to bring the character to life. Perhaps Chris Pratt wants to nab one more voice-acting gig after The Super Mario Bros. Movie and the upcoming Garfield movie.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter, Knight Edge Media