Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Movies

  • Simu Liu Talks Potential ‘Shang-Chi’ Sequel

    Simu Liu Talks Potential ‘Shang-Chi’ Sequel

    We’re still waiting for the official confirmation that Shang-Chi‘s sequel is on the horizon. Outside of quite a few rumors, Marvel Studios has been surprisingly shy about announcing one even as the first entry was quite the critical darling. It also was the first sign of strong legs for the studio that it hasn’t quite enjoyed since the pandemic recovered.

    Still, the film’s star Simu Liu has shared his thoughts on what it means to tackle a sequel in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially after introducing the world to this unique corner of the universe. He also highlights that he hopes they can “still afford Michelle Yeoh” after her major Oscar win for Everything Everywhere all at Once.

    Going into a sequel feels exciting. It doesn’t necessarily feel like there’s a pressure to perform or a pressure to exceed. It feels like we’ve established a world and there’s just something really nostalgic and exciting about returning to that world that we’ve spent so much time ideating on and thinking about. And then, we’re getting to revisit some things, but also show the viewer new things. We’ll deliver all of the amazing action that we were celebrated for on the first movie, but then also hopefully explore new sides of Shaun’s character and the characters around him. That is, of course, if we can still afford Michelle Yeoh. She’s on top of the world and just the queen of everything.

    Simu Liu

    It’s strange to think how much time has passed since the film was released in theaters. There was something special about this kung fu-inspired project, and here’s hoping we get quite a few more. There’s also the rumor of a potential 10 Rings Disney+ spinoff they might be working on. So, we’ll see if we get more out of the Shang-Chi corner of the MCU.

    Source: Collider

  • ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Director Reveals How They Got [SPOILER] to Cameo

    ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Director Reveals How They Got [SPOILER] to Cameo

    The following article contains a major spoiler for Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. So, only continue at your own risk if you haven’t watched the film.

    Dungeons & Dragons is a very self-contained story with an already stacked cast including Hugh Grant, Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, and more. Yet, there’s a fun little cameo in the middle of the film that further explores Rodriguez‘ character of Holga Kilgore. We learn that she gave up everything for her love but not being able to let go would push them further apart.

    The funniest part, the cameo of her tiny lover was nonother than Bradley Cooper. It’s a very out-of-nowhere cameo that is perfect and it’s funny how Cooper keeps playing small characters in big-budget releases. Especially as we’ll see him return as Rocket in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in just a few more weeks.

    So, the question on everyone’s mind might be how they managed to get this A-list character to join the production. Well, it turns out that director John Francis Daley. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Daley reveals he sent him an unfinished film to convince him to join.

    Well, I co-starred with Bradley [Cooper] on the show KitchenConfidential when I was 19 years old, and we appreciated each other’s careers from afar after that experience. And so when this opportunity came up, we knew we wanted someone to inhabit the role that brought with it this sense of gravitas and just full-on acting chops. So I don’t remember who it was that pitched Bradley, but the second I heard the name, I thought, “Oh, let’s go for it.” So we sent him a copy of the unfinished film and he loved it. So he was ready to jump on board, and it was such an awesome day.

    John Francis Daley

    It was a great little surprise to see him in this tiny role. not only was it one of the funniest jokes in the film seeing Olga’s preference for men but having Cooper‘s sincerity in the role gave us one of the most heartfelt moments in the film.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • Matt Shakman’s ‘Fantastic Four’ Adds ‘Avatar 2’ Writer

    Matt Shakman’s ‘Fantastic Four’ Adds ‘Avatar 2’ Writer

    Josh Friedman of Avatar: The Way of Water and Snowpiercer fame has found his next project, and it’s quite the big one. It seems he is joining the upcoming Fantastic Four film that’ll be the first arrival of Marvel’s first family in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He’ll join director Matt Shakman in what may be one of their most ambitious projects yet.

    It’s a big get for the studio given he was part of one of the biggest releases in 2022. Previously, Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer were attached to write. Friedman joining may be a hint that they are moving further away from the pure comedic direction the project may have had given their involvement with various comedies. Friedman is more serious in tone with his tone and, bigger yet, a huge sci-fi veteran.

    He was involved with Steven Spielberg‘s War of the Worlds, created the Terminator spinoff series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and more. Given the announcement dropped now, he has likely been involved with the project for a few months now. We also recently found out that Thunderbolts also added a new writer in Beef‘s Lee Sung Jin. Some may not remember but this is very much a pre-pandemic Marvel movie. Outside of a handful of writers, they had a variety of people work on the scripts before releasing a film. So, perhaps something for the “quality over quantity ” crowd.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ Rolls the Dice to Take Down ‘John Wick 4’

    ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ Rolls the Dice to Take Down ‘John Wick 4’

    This weekend will see an interesting battle between fantasy and gun-fu, as Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is rolling out in theaters worldwide. After pulling in a good $5.6M in previews at the domestic box office, the film is trying its luck on potentially dethroning last weekend’s big hit, John Wick Chapter 4. As of now, the film is eyeing an opening between $30M to potentially $40M but tomorrow’s numbers will give us a clearer picture.

    John Wick 4 is heading towards a stronghold in its sophomore weekend with around $36M expected. Though given its popularity it might even go higher as well. The only issue for Dungeons & Dragons lies in the fact that it has quite a steep $150M production window. So, it will have to bank on good word-of-mouth to keep it going as the summer box office is just around the corner with quite a line-up.

    March generally has been a strong month with some break-out releases on small to medium budgets like Creed 3, Scream 6, and John Wick 4. While Shazam Fury of the Gods floundered and didn’t even have a big opening like Ant-Man 3, it’s great to see some strong showings after the pandemic years making many wonder what the future holds for theatrical experiences.

    If the Chris Pine project manages to pull in some strong word-of-mouth and heads to the $40M opening, it might have a chance to balance its softer opening throughout the coming weeks. But, interestingly, it’s not too different from Shazam: Fury of the Gods which had a smaller budget of $100M but opened to $30M. Perhaps it’s not quite superhero fatigue but blockbuster fatigue in the off-season.

    Source: Variety

  • ‘Beef’s Lee Sung Jin Joins Marvel Studios ‘Thunderbolts’ as Writer

    ‘Beef’s Lee Sung Jin Joins Marvel Studios ‘Thunderbolts’ as Writer

    Here’s an interesting surprise, while the upcoming adaptation of the iconic villain team Thunderbolts is preparing to film later in June, the announcement has just dropped that Lee Sung Jin, the creator, and showrunner of Netflix’s upcoming Beef series, has joined the production as a writer.

    He is taking over writing duties from Black Widow‘s Eric Pearson, who was initially attached to the project. This would mark his first writing credit on a feature film, however after working on various shows like Tuca & Bertie, Dave, and Silicon Valley. It does reunite the writer with Steven Yeun, who has joined Thunderbolts in an unknown role and was one of the main leads in Beef.

    I’m rewriting it. It’s the whole squad again. Jake asked me if I would come on board. I probably should have taken a break, but there’s a lot of themes and exciting things about the movie that I couldn’t help but sign on.

    Lee Sung Jin

    He goes on to highlight how different it is working on a project for Marvel Studios with director Jake Schreier‘s spearheading the project.

    It’s truly an honor to be part of a Marvel thing, but it is very different. One, it’s not my project, it’s Jake’s. It’s such a large scope and scale that the type of writing is very different. At the same time, the process feels the same, I’m still talking to Jake every day. … I think once you find the squad of people you love and trust and are so talented, you do everything you can to keep working with them.

    Lee Sung Jin

    While there have been more additional rewrites happening for Marvel Studios’ films, this is actually closer to how they functioned in Phase 3. Most of their films went through a variety of writers before they started filming and we’re seeing that extra layer of attention to ensure the script is as tight as it can be.

    Thunderbolts will be their first attempt at a new ensemble team since Eternals, which didn’t quite hit it with audiences as they may have hoped. Still, the team will include some fan favorites and characters we haven’t seen in some time. The only question remains how long Jin has already been involved with writing and if they’ll have the script finalized before filming starts later this year.

    Source: Variety

  • Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman’ Sequel to Feature Clayface

    Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman’ Sequel to Feature Clayface

    While we still have little to no information on what to expect in a The Batman sequel, a rather curious little detail may have unveiled one of the main antagonists in Matt Reeves‘ expanding Elseworld DC universe. In an article by Deadline on a pitch by Mike Flanagan for an original film based around the Batman rogue Clayface, they unveil that he will also be featured in The Batman Part 2.

    There is no word though if Flanagan‘s take might actually occur within the other universe, or might be part of the greater James Gunn and Peter Safran DC Universe. Reeves has his own plans that are seemingly moving forward even as Warner Bros. Discovery aims to establish a single universe. The Penguin spinoff is currently filming and we also know of one more project focused on Arkham Asylum that seemingly is still in early development.

    Clayface as a villain in the more down-to-earth take on the Dark Knight opens up many new avenues. While the popular choice was Mr. Freeze given how Gotham ended up flooded at the end of the first film, who knows if they’ll truly take the actor background that many connect with the character of Clayface, the man once known as Basil Karlo.

    They might take another more grounded take or slowly expand Batman’s world into the supernatural after the first was a classic noir. The only one who knows is Matt Reeves and we’ll have to wait a bit longer until we get our first look or hint at what the sequel has to offer. Once castings start, then we’ll likely truly know more.

    Source: Deadline

  • Sony to Release ‘Spider-Verse’ Short, “The Spider Within” This June

    Sony to Release ‘Spider-Verse’ Short, “The Spider Within” This June

    Sony Pictures Animation and Sony Pictures Imageworks plan to release a new original short called The Spider Within. The new animation will debut exclusively at the Animation Film Festival just a little more than a week after the June 2nd release of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. The short, which is set in Sony’s animated Spider-Verse, shows a day in the lif of Miles Morales as he struggles to balance teenagehood, friends, and student life as Spider-Man.

    The Spider Within is part of more significant efforts, including a mentoring program that provides high-potential candidates from underrepresented groups access to leadership opportunities. LENS (Leading and Empowering New Storytellers) supports the journey of candidates as they work together with program creators and producers Michelle Raimo Kouyate (Puss In Boots, Silver Linings Playbook) and David Schulenburg (Spider-Ham: Caught in a Ham) to produce a short animation.

    Kouyate and Sculenberg expressed their gratitude for the new pathways created, saying:

    We are very grateful to be part of a studio that is doing meaningful work to give voice to varied groups and to the studio leadership…who gave rise to this program and supported us every step along the way.

    Joint statement from Michelle Raimo Kouyate and David Schulenburg

    Launched last year, LENS is entering its second cycle, allowing this year’s participants to create a short film that aligns with “K-Pop: Demon Hunters,” an animated musical action adventure.

    Source: Variety

  • Deadpool Besties Dopinder and Blind Al Set for MCU Debut in ‘Deadpool 3’

    Deadpool Besties Dopinder and Blind Al Set for MCU Debut in ‘Deadpool 3’

    As the untitled Deadpool sequel gets closer to the start of production and the cast of the film begins to round out, a pair of familiar faces have joined the film. Karan Soni and Leslie Uggams, who portrayed Dopinder and Blind Al, respectively, have joined the project according to Deadline.

    The third time is a charm for both Soni and Uggams, both of whom debuted in 2016’s Deadpool and returned for the sequel in 2018. The duo joins stars Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman as actors to make the jump from the Fox franchise to the MCU. They’ll star alongside newcomers Emma Corrin, who is reported to be the villain, and Matthew Macfadyen, who is reported to be a “third wheel” to Reynolds’s Deadpool and Jackman’s Wolverine. Shawn Levy, who worked with Reynolds on Free Guy and The Adam Project and with Jackman on Real Steel, will helm the threequel for Marvel Studios.

    Source: Deadline

  • Ike Perlmutter Out at Disney as Marvel Entertainment is Dissolved

    Ike Perlmutter Out at Disney as Marvel Entertainment is Dissolved

    As part of a series of moves intended to save over $5B at Disney, the company folded Marvel Entertainment into the larger studio and laid off its chairman, Ike Perlmutter. Perlmutter took control of Marvel Entertainment in the 1990s and grew the brand by selling off live-action rights to characters such as Spider-Man to other movie studios. Since selling Marvel Entertainment to Disney in 2009, Perlmutter’s control over its output continued to wain until, in 2015, he and Kevin Feige entered into Marvel’s own “civil war.” Disney’s then-and-now-again-headman Bob Iger, sided with Feige and the rest, as they say, is history.

    Well, you’d have to ask Ike about that. But let’s put it this way: He was not happy about it. And I think that unhappiness exists today.

    Bob Iger on Ike Perlmutter following Marvel Studios “civil war”

    Iger’s recent return to Disney almost certainly was the beginning of the end for Perlmutter who recently attempted a “shadow coup” by manipulating the board of the company. Once that failed, it put him squarely in Iger‘s sites again and was likely the last straw for the man who has found himself at odds with Marvel Studios’ decisions for the better part of a decade.

    Marvel Entertainment’s President, Dan Buckley, will remain employed at Disney and continue to work with Feige.

    Source: New York Times

  • ‘Thunderbolt’s Steven Yeun Opens Up on Joining the MCU

    ‘Thunderbolt’s Steven Yeun Opens Up on Joining the MCU

    Steven Yeun is quite busy promoting his upcoming Netflix series, Beef. Starring opposite Ali Wong, the film explores a feud between two strangers that continues to escalate. Yet, that isn’t all the former The Walking Dead actor has on the horizon, as he’s also taking the leap to become part of the superhero genre once again.

    After lending his voice to Invincible, the actor has seemingly decided to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He’ll be part of the Thunderbolts but his exact role remains a mystery. There are rumors pointing to him potentially playing the MCU’s Sentry but nothing official has been confirmed.

    In an interview with Total Film, the actor got a chance to share what it’s like joining a franchise like the MCU.

    I feel good. I feel excited. I feel like a new challenge. I feel blessed to be able to play in a place that reaches so many people. I got to touch that on Walking Dead. It feels exciting to get another chance to connect with people in another way.

    Steven Yeun

    It’s great to see his enthusiasm for the project and definitely highlights how he can reach an audience similar to his time on The Walking Dead. In a way, it’s a great showcase of what an actor can do when given the chance to star in something that is more mainstream while still working on smaller projects like the upcoming Beef.

    Source: Total Film