Disney+ has been seeing quite a bit of growth that made it a strong competitor. While Netflix still dominates the market, especially in the United States, the offerings based on existing IPs have been a strong marketable focus for the Disney-owned service. Marvel Studios and Star Wars offerings are at the forefront, but there is a stronger shift since their big cinema releases are making their way to the platform.
Overall, Disney+ has grown to a competitive size within a short period of time. It’s uncertain what the future has in store for it, as they try to find new ways to grow, but expansion is still at the forefront of most of these offerings. Netflix also has the advantage of beings years in the market but has been pushing much more to expand its IP collection. We’ll see what the future has in store for this competitive market.
As I said on Twitter, we have entered the Wild West age of Marvel Studios’ projects being spoiled. At this point, no spoiler is too big and multiple projects had big spoilers leaked this week. You can check them out here:
Netflix’s live-action adaptation of the iconic sci-fi anime series, Cowboy Bebop, is dead after one season. Read our review before it becomes a collector’s item.
Michael, not Kenny, G. to score ‘Thor 4’
Michael Giacchino, who has scored at least a half dozen Pixar projects and a handful of Marvel Studios projects, including all the Spidey films, revealed he is now scoring Thor: Love and Thunder. Wait until you guys find out about his next project for Marvel! It’s a howling big deal.
Let There Be More Venom
Sideshow Amy Pascal confirmed this week, to literally nobody’s surprise, that the studio was developing a third Venom film. The two films have inexplicably built a huge fanbase and made a metric shit ton of money, so a third film, featuring Tom Holland, would probably somehow become the biggest money maker of all-time for Sony.
‘Wonder Woman 3’ Headed for a Potential 2024 Debut
WW director Patty Jenkins has been on, off, in and out of a lot of films recently. A new report from one of the trades indicates that she’s still on Wonder Woman 3 and that it’ll start production in 2023, making a 2024 release date a possibility.
Destin Daniel Cretton Signs a Ryan Coogler-esque Deal with Disney
Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton signed a new deal with Disney that will see him develop, among many other things, the Shang-Chi sequel and a Disney+ Shang-Chi spinoff.
Shang-Chi and The Legendof the Ten Rings became a critical and financial success for Marvel Studios during the ongoing pandemic. To no one’s surprise, a rumored sequel was officially given the green light recently, with Destin Daniel Cretton returning to write and direct. Cretton, who is also developing a Disney+ series that spins out of the events of the first film, recently gave an update on the Shang-Chi sequel in an interview with Collider.
As is often the case, it turns out that conversations that took place during the production of the first film ended up being the genesis of a potential sequel; however, as Cretton told Collider, sequels aren’t guaranteed until Marvel Studios’ execs see how the first project is received by fans:
While we were shooting, we were throwing around joke ideas of what a sequel could be. But with Marvel, it really is gauging to see how people react to the movie and also gauging what the experience of making the movie was. We had such a good time on it that it would’ve been a shame not to have a sequel, so I’m very excited to.
And Shang-Chi was incredibly well-received. Audiences lauded the acting, action and fantasy elements and were immediately hungry for more. That demand gives Cretton an opportunity to more fully develop some of those idea thrown around during production on the first film, ideas that, as it turns out, made their way into the first film as potential sequel set-ups:
There are a lot of ideas that we had in the opener, and some of those ideas are planted as questions, by the end of our movie. There are things that we potentially want to explore in the future. Everything changes so much, so it’s hard to say how many of those ideas will actually make it to the finish line, but there are many of them there.
With all that prep work having been done, it would seem that Cretton’s sequel script might be well underway. However, Cretton told Collider that is far from the truth. When asked about the work he’d done on the script, the writer/director had this to say:
I’ve done [zero]. It’s a fun place to be right now. Everything is a possibility. We’re just tossing very loose ideas around and we’ll start to hone in on something, hopefully.
During the interview, Cretton also expressed his excitement to be able to continue working with both Marvel Studios and the cast and crew of the first film. His new deal with the studio should excite fans of the first film as we can look forward to great content for years to come.
It was only a matter of time, but the news has finally dropped that Destin Daniel Cretton, fresh off of his success with Shang-Chi and the Legends of the Ten Rings, will return to write and direct its sequel. Kevin Feige had the following to say as the director has now inked a deal with the studio alongside Hulu’s Onyx Collection.
Destin is an amazing collaborator who brought a unique perspective and skill to Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings. We had a fantastic time working together on the film and he has so many intriguing ideas for stories to bring to life on Disney+, so we’re thrilled to expand our relationship with him and can’t wait to get started.
Kevin Feige
Marvel Studios has proven its reliability in picking talent and with the deal inked, it means that many other projects might be in the characters’ future. Of course, there are no details given on what the sequel might include, but there’s a lot of potential in exploring the setup we got in Ta Lo. Some time ago, we had our own theory that we might potentially explore an Iron Fist connection in the sequel, which could also build upon the legacy we’re teased off. Of course, they might take a unique direction to build upon the Ten Rings that are still active in one of the post-credit sequences. We’ll see what the future has in store for the titular hero.
My favorite comic book property this year had to be Netflix’s Sweet Tooth. Jeff Lemire’s original comic is one of my very favorites and was such an interesting read. The series mostly stays true to it’s source material but isn’t afraid to make creative changes that let it stand apart from the comic. It’s a sweet and wholesome story that sees a young hybrid boy and a grizzled survivor of the plague travel what’s left of the world to find the answers to what came first: the plague or the hybrids?
Anthony Canton III
There’s something to be said for a show that continues to get better over each of its three seasons. Doom Patrol does that in spades. There’s a level of self awareness, humor, and introspection that makes it the best live-action comic book adaptation I’ve seen. The casts performances particularly this season have been extraordinary. Nuanced, tragic, and some even angry. Brendan Fraser in particular has been a standout in bringing such a broken character like Robotman to the screen. We’ve had a lot of good to great entries in comic book tv and film this year, but no property quite understands it’s assignment like Doom Patrol.
Nathan Miller
My favorite comic book project of the year is Eternals. I loved how the film made me feel. Through the performances, direction and soundtrack, I felt the weight of human history, the joy of friendships and found family, the terrifying vastness of space, and the drive of needing to pull together to tackle environmental problems. Intellectually I think the film points toward the future of storytelling, in leaving behind The Hero’s Journey and embodying a more collective journey beyond binary perspectives. It’s a shame more people didn’t initially appreciate the film’s complexity, but hopefully that will change over the next few years, as the Marvel Cinematic Universe enriches its appreciation retrospectively. I’m looking forward to Chloe Zhao’s sequel and the Eternals themselves eventually appearing alongside other established MCU characters.
João Pinto
This wasn’t my first choice, but someone with impeccable taste got to that one first (thank you to my friend, JJ!). But in a sense, this show deserves to take the top spot. WandaVision was a pop culture phenomenon. Due to many production delays that affected several projects, it ended up becoming the first Marvel Studios project to be released after the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic and to say audiences were hungry for content is an obvious understatement. The weeks the show was on were some of the best ever to be a comic book fan. The theories ran wild as the show lent itself to the sort of online discourse that drove everyone insane by the sheer magnitude of some of the hot takes. Covering it was a blast as well. I must say that the Murphy’s Multiverse team covered that show as well as any other site, big or small, did. It showed us how much fun we could have while doing something that hopefully everyone enjoyed, and in a way, it became the stepping stone for the work we’ve been doing covering every show ever since. By the enjoyment I got from covering it to following it as a fan it deserves its spot on my favorite comic book adaptations of 2021 list.
Joseph Aberl
I think my favorite comic book adaptation of the year must be Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. I have no prior knowledge or history with the character. So, I went in pretty open about the adaptation. I was hoping for at least some fun kung-fu actions inspired by classics from the genre. Yet, the film went above and beyond as I ended up with an incredibly heartfelt story that also manages to open up the MCU in a creative way. I cannot wait to see Simu Liu’s future with the character and what a sequel might offer.
Charles Murphy
This will probably come as a shock to absolutely everyone, most of all JJ, but my favorite comic book-based project of 2021 was not a Marvel property. James Gunn’sThe SuicideSquad takes the top spot for me and it’s not a particularly close race. While I certainly loved Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings, The Suicide Squad feels like the most complete story. While the casts of WandaVision, Loki and Black Widow were lights out, the cast of The Suicide Squad was all but perfect. And finally, while Marvel Studios did a great job bringing some less-than-popular characters this past year, Idris Elba’s Bloodsport stands as not only the best reinvention of a little known comic book character in the past year, but also arguably of all time. After a year in which the comic book-based entertainment we all love was painfully absent, we had plenty in 2021 but none of them quite matched the quality of The Suicide Squad.
Hunter Radesi
I’m as surprised as anyone to be writing this, but I think the quirky magic of Loki was my favorite experience with a comic adaptation this year. I was firmly against the idea of this project from the start, and you can probably find old tweets of mine stating the show would be a waste of resources on a character whose story I felt was already over. I couldn’t have been proven more wrong. Michael Waldron and Kate Herron managed to craft a fresh, unique spin on the genre that left me wanting more every week. Absolutely charming performances from every member of the cast, genuinely joyous twists and turns throughout, and constantly beautiful set pieces that begged you to keep your eyes on the screen. I think I finally understand why my friends love Dr. Who so much. Can’t wait for the next season.
Shang-Chi and the Legends of Ten Rings introduced the world to a new corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the mystical pocket dimension of Ta Lo. Once we get past the dangerous forest, we enter a realm filled to the brim with mystical creatures. It’s the home of the loveable Morris that became a mainstay of our core group of unlikely heroes. In the Blu-ray release of the Marvel Studios film.
In one of the newest features, we get a glimpse into how they brought Morris to life through a proxy that Ben Kingsley grew quite fond of throughout the filming process. Yet, the biggest highlight was once we enter Ta Lo and meet these various creatures that live in this realm. Naturally, they are quite a bit different from those we live side-by-side within our daily life.
Simu Liu highlights that they had quite a bit of creative liberty in bringing these mythological beings to life. So, there were no restrictions set on what they can include here, especially with the appearance of Dweller in Darkness, who has had quite a variety of different designs and takes throughout the years. If we get to revisit this location and other locations teased in the film, we might see many more mythological creatures make their appearance in the MCU.
Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings is now available on Digital and Blu-ray.
We are only a few days away from the release of Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings on Blu-ray. In addition to the Disney+ making-of special Assembled on the film, we also get some additional hints at how they brought the various locations to life. In a special focus on the sets of the film, we get a closer look at one of the newest additions to the MCU. As our protagonist learns about his mother’s past, he uncovers the mystical village of Ta-Lo hidden away in a pocket dimension. In one of the special features, we learn that the entire set was built on location.
Production designer Sue Chan shared a look at the set that unveils how they brought the entire town to life in the Prospect Reservoir in Sydney. Awkwafina jokingly says “they’re putting in full plumbing,” but they highlight that most of the town is built based on actual Chinese architecture, such as including a stone foundation. The temple where Shang-chi takes on his father was even built with all the details bringing the fictional village to life.
The reasoning for this investment is not only to add a feeling of realism to the film but also to support actors in bringing their performances to life. Ben Kingsley highlights the details of them even making sure the floor matches the overall design to immerse their actors in this world. It adds an additional layer to their performance as they interact with the sets and it showcases a love for detail by the team wanting to integrate Chinese culture into the film. With a sequel on the horizon, it makes you wonder what else they might tackle.
Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings is now available on Digital and Blu-ray.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was one of 2021’s highlights, as the film combined the elements that made Marvel Studios the powerhouse that it is today. While telling a personal story about family, we also get a closer look at a new part of the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe. Ta Lo offered a peek into a new dimension where our protagonist embraced his heritage and future. Even better, he got a new look that was passed on to him and his sister by their mother. The design has become quite iconic but it may have looked quite a bit different at one point.
Marvel Studios director of visual development shared a first look at alternative designs for Simu Liu’s costume. The first includes a nice visual of the Great Protector in the background. This design is closer to what we got in the film, but had some urban elements included, such as a hoodie. The dragon skin element is still included which would become a mainstay in his final design.
The other design is quite a departure, which almost seems like it was plucked out of a Tron film. The design was inspired by a potential spy direction for the series given the characters’ history with MI-6. Park highlights that he had no idea what the story was going to be about, which is why he just tested out concepts. It also integrates the classic Bruce Lee jumpsuit into the overall design.
It highlights how many different angles there are with these characters. The team even enters production on the designs and brings these elements to life long before any story elements or scripts are finalized. We’ve learned that they support writers by bringing these concepts visually to life as they are developing scripts, which means there might be many others out there we haven’t seen yet.
Jessica Henwick’s star has been on the rise over the last couple of years. Beginning with her turn as Nymeria Sand in Game of Thrones, Henwick began stealing the show more and more frequently. Such was the case in Marvel’s Netflix series Iron Fist, where Henwick’s performance captivated audiences and lead to fans clamoring for a spinoff. Henwick’s next big thing is a role in next month’s The Matrix Resurrections and, as it turns out, it came at the expense of another Marvel role.
In an interview with EW, Henwick revealed that she was up for a role in Marvel Studios Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings at the same time she was auditioning for WB the role of Bug in the fourth Matrix film. According to Henwick, both studios knew about the other roles and forced Henwick to make a choice, which Henwick cleverly referred to as a “red-pill/blue-pill moment” as she was not guaranteed either role at that time.
Henwick didn’t share what role she was up for in Shang-Chi, but given her age, it would seem the roles played by Meng’er Zhang and Fala Chen would be appropriate and, likely in that order. It’s interesting that Marvel Studios was open to working with Henwick once again given that she ended the second season of Iron Fist in a position of prominence. One could argue that this would be furhter evidence that Marvel Studios does not consider the events of Iron Fist, and by association any of the Defenders projects, to be canonical in the Sacred Timeline. While Marvel Studios has worked with Gemma Chan on multiple projects, her minor role in Captain Marvel saw her face painted blue and gave her relatively few lines making it easier for her to move into Eternals in a main role. It’s hard to make the same argument for Henwick and Blade star Mahershala Ali, who had major supporting roles in their respective Netflix series.
The Matrix Resurrections will debut in theaters and on HBO Max on December 22nd.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the breakaway cinematic hit of 2021 that is Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is getting a sequel but it’s happening. In a report about a Thunderbolts project headed to the MCU by GWW, the site is also reporting that the Shang-Chi sequel is set to begin production in 2023.
Marvel Studios is keen on expanding the world of Shang-Chi, especially with the rumored Ten Rings spin-off in the works. I personally haven’t seen it yet due to closed theaters but I’ve heard the first film certainly leaves open some very interesting doors for a sequel so the possibilities seem endless.
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