Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: No Way Home

  • ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Nets $610M+ Profit, Highlights Importance of Theatrical Releases

    ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Nets $610M+ Profit, Highlights Importance of Theatrical Releases

    If you’ve ever wondered just how profitable Spider-Man: No Way Home was, it has now been reported by Deadline that the film managed to net a profit of $610M minus all ancillaries. This matches earlier reports from December of 2021, where this was the estimated income just based on the film’s impressive momentum. While it was just shy of $2 billion, it seemingly has reinstated some hope into the theatrical release. Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group president Josh Greenstein shared his thoughts on their belief in the theatrical release:

    Our theatrical model is driving our success and that is our core business. Our biggest movie ever had the longest window.

    Josh Greenstein

    No Way Home also had the longest theatrical window release of 88 days during the pandemic. They are the only studio that has no direct connection to a streaming service but mostly has made a smart move through pay-one TV deals with Netflix (an exclusive for 18 months) followed by Disney. It supposedly brought them up to $3 billion in profit. So, they can dominate streaming without the necessary investment to keep one service running.

    Streaming is additive to our business. It’s not our core business. We participate in the streaming economy strategically with certain films. We’ve licensed some films to streamers during Covid, but our long-term big business model will always be driven by theatrical

    Josh Greenstein

    As Netflix faced its first loss in subscribers with a harsher Q2 on the horizon, Sony’s strategy is pulling off. the only drawback is that films are now dependent on making the most money within a shorter window. Streaming might face a harsh development soon and the dependency on subscriber income will lead to a long-term investment that requires time. One streaming service taking a hit will affect others as well, as the uncertainty of the market remains. For now, it’s going to be quite interesting to see how things develop but the theatrical release will remain an essential aspect of any future strategy.

    Source: Deadline, Deadilne

  • Marvel Backtracks on ‘Daredevil’s MCU Connection with Latest Update

    Marvel Backtracks on ‘Daredevil’s MCU Connection with Latest Update

    Just earlier today, we’ve reported that Marvel’s official website has added a new section called “On Screen Full Report” which details a character’s story from any adaptation. In the case of Matt Murdock’s Daredevil, everyone noticed that not only did it explore the Netflix series’ storyline for Charlie Cox‘s take on the character, but even referenced that his return in Spider-Man: No Way Home took place “sometime later” after the events of Daredevil‘s Season 3. Now, the site has been updated and the MCU connection has been completely removed.

    Orginally, the section had a reference to his time after Mysterio had Peter Parker’s identity outed and setting up his future return. It was swiftly followed by the mention of him, Karen and Foggy reforming their original law firm. Now, while that later bit is still included they’ve completely removed the Spider-Man: No Way Home section altogether. On the left you’ll see the original version while on the right the one missing the entire section on his time in the MCU.

    It’s unclear what exactly has lead to them choosing to delete it once again, but the update and removing the MCU reference is definitely suspicious. It’s unclear why they’d change it right after publishing it, but the fact that the topic is making the rounds and the team behind it would like to avoid anyone making the connection. We’ll likely have to wait until Murdock’s return in a future project to get a better grasp on what story elements remain from the Netflix series, especially now that it has been added to Disney+.

    Source: Marvel

  • Marvel’s Latest Site Update May Further Hint at ‘Daredevil’s MCU Canonicity

    Marvel’s Latest Site Update May Further Hint at ‘Daredevil’s MCU Canonicity

    The quest to discover whether or not Marvel Television’s Daredevil series is canon to the MCU has been a long and winding road. The show went from presumably canon during it’s run to losing it once it was canceled by Netflix, and the subsequent folding of the studio that created it. With little to no confirmation from Marvel Studios or the creatives behind the MCU, the question remained up in the air for years. Evidence was conjured up on both sides of the argument to prove their own theories. Then, late last year, Vincent D’Onofrio and Charlie Cox reprised their respective roles as Wilson Fisk and Matt Murdock in two major MCU projects, opening the doors for speculation wider than ever before.

    After the release of Spider-Man: No Way Home, the Marvel website added Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s alternate universe wall-crawlers to their official character index. They were specified as non-MCU characters, and where the only non-MCU characters on the site to have their own “on screen” pages. All major characters officially under the MCU canon have separate tabs profiling their live-action appearances separately from their comic book history. However, there are no such pages for characters in films or television shows produced by a studio that is not Marvel Studios. Even the cast of Agents of SHIELD are reduced to quick video breakdowns. Yet, a recent addition to the site includes Daredevil, along with the rest of his Defenders co-stars, receiving their own “on screen full reports”.

    Even more curious, Daredevil’s character page includes a full description of the character’s Netflix history, including all three seasons and his time with the Defenders. Yet, what stands out is that it ends with a sequential paragraph describing his role in No Way Home as happening “sometime later”. As for Fisk’s page, it includes a similar history but does not reference the events of his appearance in Hawkeye, despite using an image from the show as the web page’s header. The information is weirdly non-specific and doesn’t technically confirm anything, as it’s not clear who is updating the Marvel website or if it was some sort of mistake. Disney+ doesn’t help matters by simply grouping the former Netflix shows as The Defenders Saga in the streaming service. For now, it’s just an interesting detail that may give fans a hint at where Daredevil lies in the Sacred Timeline’s history.

    Source: Marvel

  • ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Breaks Digital Sales Record as it Passes $800M Domestically

    ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Breaks Digital Sales Record as it Passes $800M Domestically

    Spider-Man: No Way Home continues to be quite the powerhouse at the box office, and now it looks like even in digital sales. While the film is the only one of three to pass the $800M landmark, the film has also broken an industry record in digital sales within its first week. No Way Home has been made available on 88 platforms and has seemingly made more than 2.1M in its first week alone in the US. So, it’s not only still proving it has legs at the box office after releasing back in December, but people have been anxiously awaiting to watch this film at home.

    In regards to the box office success, the film has now joined Avengers: Endgame ($858.3M) and Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($936.6M). It’s crazy to think that Sony almost called off their dealings with Marvel Studios before this film was released. The film was already on its way to passing $1.9M worldwide and it’s unclear if they’ll keep the film in theaters so that it can scratch the $2 billion mark as closely as possible. The numbers are quite impressive if you take into account that the pandemic is still an issue and affecting other releases in specific markets. Yet, it seems that Marvel Studios and Sony’s latest isn’t being held back.

    They already have more in the pipeline. So, this film’s success may have definitely solidified their partnership moving forward. It’s unclear if the appearance and tease for Doctor Strange in the film may also boost the numbers for their next major tentpole release in May. Morbius is also on the horizon as Sony tries to build a separate franchise but is still struggling. Just recently, the director spoiled most of the film’s major plot points ahead of its release and it’ll be interesting to see if that negatively affects its box office.

    Source: Deadline, The Numbers

  • ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Concept Art Reveals Alternative Goblin Glider

    ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Concept Art Reveals Alternative Goblin Glider

    As Spider-Man: No Way Home is about to hit digital and it seems like more and more artwork is finding its way online. We just recently got a first look at an alternative design for the Lizard, and it seems that the Green Goblin also almost featured a very different glider. While Norman Osborne ditches his mask in the film, it seems that one version of the script may have seen him stitch it back together and plant it firmly on the glider, as revealed in some artwork by Josh Nizzi.

    What makes this version of the Glider stand out is that it’s actually put together by different elements from past Spidey films. It would not only include Stark tech but even be built based on some of Mysterio’s drones. The mask was an addition to pay tribute to the original design, but sadly it seems that Willem Dafoe didn’t get a chance to ride this great variation of the glider in the final film.

    Sadly, we don’t know what lead to them scrapping this idea, but it seems likely that having to explain how he got his hands on this tech might’ve just complicated an already stuffed-to-the-brim film. It would’ve brought the Damage Control unit back who vanish after their introduction earlier in the film, but it would only detract from the emotional build-up between the three Spider-Men in the film. So, sometimes cuts have to be made to ensure the flow of the film remains.

    Source: Instagram

  • ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ to Release Digitally a Week Early

    ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ to Release Digitally a Week Early

    Here’s a nice surprise, but it looks like Spider-Man: No Way Home is getting released digitally a week early. So, the wait won’t be as long with the film now releasing on March 15th. The news was just shared by Fandango’s Erik Davis and comes hot off the heels of a digital HD version of the film leaking online. It seems that the early release was also accidentally leaked earlier by the Apple store as noticed by The Direct.

    Of course, one can’t complain that we’re getting access to one of the biggest films since the pandemic started from the comfort of our home. It’ll be interesting to see how well it sells, as the nostalgia-filled romp through Spidey’s cinematic history will definitely be on everyone’s must-have list. The physical release sadly didn’t get an earlier release, but that could change as time goes on.

    No Way Home somehow managed to balance a heartfelt and empowering story with many moments of nostalgic bliss. The return of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield probably managed to push the film even more, as many wanted to confirm if the countless leaks were true or not. We’ll see what the special features may reveal that almost made its way into the film.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Almost Featured a Comic-Accurate Lizard

    ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Almost Featured a Comic-Accurate Lizard

    There’s something rather fun about looking back at a film and how it may have changed throughout production. Spider-Man: No Way Home is no exception, as concept art finding its way online offering a glimpse at how they brought the designs from previous Spider-Man films to a new era. Yet, it seems that one of the members may have looked quite a bit different.

    The Amazing Spider-Man‘s Lizard makes his return after Rhys Ifans played the character back in 2012. He had the same design in the threequel, but it seems that they’ve considered giving him a more comic-accurate design at some point. Ian Joyner shared some artwork offering a glimpse at a very different Lizard wearing his purple pants, lab coat, and a stronger reptilian face.

    The design looks great but probably wouldn’t have fit with the character talking throughout the film. Plus, you do lose that charm of his original design as they changed quite a bit with Elektro. So, it would be a shame if both Andrew Garfield‘s villains got a complete redesign while Tobey Maguire‘s remained mostly the same. Hopefully, we do get to see a horror-themed film with Spidey as he takes down Lizard. He is about to enter college and meet a new Dr. Curt Conners and knowing what happens to him, it seems like Parker would be the one to accidentally push him to still end up the way he would throughout the multiverse.

    Source: Instagram

  • Charlie Cox Shares His Thoughts on The MCU Canonicity of the Netflix’s ‘Daredevil’ Series

    Charlie Cox Shares His Thoughts on The MCU Canonicity of the Netflix’s ‘Daredevil’ Series

    There have been many debates on whether the Netflix Marvel series like Daredevil, Iron Fist, and more are part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The recent arrival of Vincent D’Onofrio and Charlie Cox seemed to hint at it, but it looks like the Daredevil actor has his own opinion on how Marvel Studios should tackle it. While he doesn’t think they should completely skip on the events of the story, their stories should be reimagined moving forward. His full quote from a panel at the Middle East Film and Comic Con in Abu Dhabi on the matter is:

    In keeping with a lot of things in the MCU … It’s a good moment to have a few years [pass] … it’s reimagined. It’s slightly different … It’s ‘born again’.

    Charlie Cox

    The iconic quote is definitely something he enjoys using, as he also used it in reference to the series’ joining Disney+. The inclusion of D’Onofrio‘s Wilson Fisk with the ability to take an arrow to the chest and act as if he was only briefly poked by a needle. He seems quite a bit more powerful than before and Hawkeye seems to know who he is but tries to avoid mentioning his name. He was quite the public figure in Daredevil, which made no one realize who he is a bit odd. Yet, the way the story works, it could still keep bits and pieces from the original Netflix series. We’ll see if their future return calls back to the Netflix series moving forward.

    Source: YouTube via Twitter

  • ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Concept Art Offers Best Look Yet at the Film’s Final Suit

    ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Concept Art Offers Best Look Yet at the Film’s Final Suit

    Ryan Meinerding, who is the Creative Director and Head of Visual Development at Marvel Studios, took to his Instagram account to share a full look at the final costume worn by Tom Holland‘s Peter Parker in the final moments of the film. After leaving the Stark-designed costumes behind, his new costume was homemade but still took in some inspirations from not only his original costume but also the ones that Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield wore.

    The design still looks fantastic, especially how it embraces the original red-and-blue that made the character iconic. While personally, the blue material stuck out a bit during the sequence, you can clearly see the inspiration and why they went in that direction. It is a shame that the films are moving away from the unique Spidey symbol they had throughout the initial trilogy, but it makes sense that he wants to rebrand after leaving everything behind.

    AS the costume is handmade by Peter Parker, we shouldn’t expect as many neat gimmicks in future entries. He’ll likely have to build whatever he needs to take on specific villains, but we’re still waiting for any clear news of what the future has in store for the character. Kevin Feige did hint that we’ll get a fourth entry in the franchise, but it’s still a question of time for when that might be.

    Source: Instagram

  • Andrew Garfield Has “No Plans” for More Spider-Man

    Andrew Garfield Has “No Plans” for More Spider-Man

    The road to Andrew Garfield’s return as Spider-Man: No Way Home was filled with denials and dissembling as the actor tried to keep a lid on things even as more and more evidence emerged that he would suit up again. While all is certainly forgiven by fans following the film, Garfield’s performance has led to a non insignificant push on social media to see a more extended return to the character.

    Garfield has recently made it clear that he’s open to returning as the older, angrier Spider-Man down the road and his performance in No Way Home was powerful enough to leave fans asking a lot of questions that could be explored under the right circumstances, as Garfield explained previously:

    I mean, yes, definitely open to something if it felt right. Peter and Spider-Man, those characters are all about service, to the greater good and the many. He’s a working-class boy from Queens that knows struggle and loss and is deeply empathetic. I would try to borrow Peter Parker’s ethical framework in that, if there was an opportunity to step back in and tell more of that story, I would have to feel very sure and certain in myself.

    Being open to returning and actually returning are, of course, very different things and not entirely dependent on Garfield’s wishes. To that end, fans may be a bit bummed to find out that, at the moment, it doesn’t seem like another appearance by Garfield as Spidey is imminent. At last night’s SAG Awards, Garfield was asked by a Variety reporter if he would be doing Spider-Man again and a very self-aware Garfield delivered the news that he has “no plans” to return to the role.

    As fans, it’s become entirely impossible to believe anything any actor associated with a Marvel project has to say. Garfield could be telling the truth and not actually know what’s next. Garfield could have already filmed something for a future appearance. Garfield could be lying, which he knows is the default belief of fandom now. Whatever the case, there’s certainly room for more stories to be told about Garfield’s Amazing Spider-Man that would definitely deviate from the path Tom Holland’s MCU Spidey has set, so fingers crossed it’s another lie and we’ll see him swinging back into action in the not-too-distant future.

    Source: Variety