Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: TV Features

  • Trial and Error: Every Failed Attempt at Bringing ‘She-Hulk’ to Life

    Trial and Error: Every Failed Attempt at Bringing ‘She-Hulk’ to Life

    Marvel Studios’ fourth Phase has been full of exciting new characters making their live-action debut, and tomorrow, Tatiana Maslany will join their ranks as the title character in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. The Disney+ series marks a milestone in the 42-year history of Jennifer Walters, but it’s far from the first time a studio has tried to bring the Jade Giantess to life. From the very first time she tore through the page in 1980’s The Savage She-Hulk #1 – Stan Lee‘s last major contribution to the Marvel universe – it was clear Jen had the potential to be every bit as popular as her incredible cousin. Hollywood took note, and the first attempt at putting She-Hulk on camera came within a decade of her conception. Before fans sit down to watch Attorney at Law, it may be worth taking a journey back through time to discover how the series came to be.

    The Death of the Incredible Hulk

    From 1977 to 1982, the Columbia Broadcasting System (or CBS, to be less dramatic) aired a full 80 episodes of The Incredible Hulk. A dramatic interpretation of the Hulk story, the series starred Bill Bixby as Dr. David Banner, a lonely physician on the run after exposure to Gamma radiation curses him with turning into a giant green rage monster whenever agitated. With very limited digital effects to rely on, bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno famously stepped in for Bixby whenever he transformed, and the overwhelming popularity of the duo is arguably responsible for the Hulk’s lasting influence on mainstream culture.

    Following the end of the series, Bixby maintained his interest in playing Banner and pitched an exciting new concept to Columbia – a made-for-television sequel film that paired his character with Nicholas Hammond‘s Spider-Man, who previously headlined his own less-successful show from 1977 to 1979. The idea fell through pretty quickly, despite interest from all parties involved, and Bixby remained determined to make a live-action Marvel crossover happen. Years later, in 1988, this would result in The Incredible Hulk Returns, which paired Banner with Eric Allen Kramer‘s Thor. In concept, the film would act as a backdoor pilot for a Thor show on rival network NBC, although this never happened. Instead, another sequel movie would be made, titled The Trial of the Incredible Hulk, that featured the big muscle-bound meanie teaming with Daredevil, played by Rex Smith. Again, this was intended as a backdoor pilot, and again, it led to nothing but another Hulk film.

    On the third try, according to Starlog Communications’ Comics Scene magazine, the writers intended to introduce a newer Marvel character to help carry the franchise forward. As of 1989, Bixby‘s last telefilm was planned to feature She-Hulk in all her green-skinned glory. Oddly enough, when it was ultimately released as The Death of the Incredible Hulk in 1990, there was no sign of Jennifer Walters to be found anywhere. It’s still unknown exactly why the heroine was booted from the production. Some reports, including another from Comics Scene, claim that Jen was abandoned in favor of a Black Widow team-up. Though Natasha Romanoff does not appear in Death, there is a Russian spy character named Jasmine (portrayed by Elizabeth Gracen) who plays a large role in the plot. There was a brief rumor that She-Hulk would be utilized in a possible fourth film, tentatively titled The Revenge of the Incredible Hulk, but production on that project stalled, and Bixby passed away tragically before it could be made. However, it wouldn’t be long before She-Hulk’s name was once again being batted around for television contention.

    She-Hulk: Metamorphosis (ABC)

    Only a year after she failed to debut in The Death of the Incredible Hulk, ABC reportedly began development on a stand-alone live-action series for She-Hulk. Nothing is really concretely known about the project, aside from the fact it was briefly publicized in 1990 as an upcoming venture from Marvel and New World Pictures. Unsubstantiated internet rumors suggested it may have been intended as a spin-off of CBS’ The Incredible Hulk, with Ferrigno and Bixby returning once more as supporting characters. Producer Jill Sherman Donner, who had worked extensively on the original show as a screenwriter, was attached to make the series happen. Gabrielle Reece, a volleyball player and fashion model, is rumored to have been cast as She-Hulk, while Baywatch actress Mitzi Kapture was supposedly on board as Jennifer Walters.

    If the legend is true, ABC’s She-Hulk made it all the way to filming a pilot in 1991. The premiere episode is said to have revolved around Jen as an assistant district attorney, who is still haunted by the murder of her parents when she was a child. Hellbent on exposing a well-respected businessman as a secret criminal mastermind, presumably the one responsible for her family’s death, Walters is sent on a forced vacation to the Caribbean, where she bumps into Bixby‘s former physician. In this world, Jen and Dr. Banner are supposedly not related, and a romance is hinted at early on. Before anything can flourish between the two, however, a hitman shoots Jen for going after his businessman boss, and Banner makes the hard decision to give Walters some of his blood so she may survive. This results in Walters’ transformation into the Savage She-Hulk, who would not be as intelligent as her comic book counterpart. Instead, Reece‘s She-Hulk was rumored to be a lumbering monster much like Ferrigno.

    Much of this was actually somewhat confirmed in the 2011 book You Wouldn’t Like Me When I’m Angry: A Hulk Companion, by Patrick A. Jankiewicz.* In his coverage of the Hulk’s history, Jankiewicz interviewed She-Hulk‘s Sherman Donner about the aforementioned pilot – which she had apparently titled “Metamorphosis.” The creative relayed much of the same information, and even revealed her version of She-Hulk was going to look radically different than the traditional design. Instead of being entirely green like her predecessor, Jen would have had golden skin with bright red hair and green eyes. Why? Sherman Donner explained:

    I made her golden instead of green because green isn’t pretty. Changing her skin color made her seem more feminine, prettier and different than just making her green.

    Jill Sherman Donner

    It’s not known exactly why the pilot was canned before it aired, but the same sources that spread the plot claim there was concern over the lead actress’s ability to hold her own series. ABC is said to have wanted the more well-known Melissa Gilbert for the part and cancelled the entire production when Kapture couldn’t be replaced. Another potential reasoning behind the show’s end was the lack of interest in more Hulk content after the last telefilm flopped in the ratings. That, combined with Bixby‘s eventual passing, ended up derailing all plans for the jolly giant at the time, and if ABC’s She-Hulk was truly supposed to be connected to Bixby‘s world, it could have simply been an unfortunate casualty of the franchise’s untimely demise. Of course, that is mostly conjecture, but the timing does help the theory make sense.

    *Disclaimer: Information regarding You Wouldn’t Like Me When I’m Angry: A Hulk Companion came from secondhand sources (cited below) and was included for the sake of providing as much information as possible. The author has not read this book personally.

    She-Hulk: The Movie

    Once it became clear She-Hulk wasn’t going to appear on television anytime soon, New World Pictures decided to shift gears and begin development on a film adaptation instead. Much like the previous live-action attempt, most of the details surrounding the ill-fated production are a little fuzzy. Different sources have claimed a variety of details, most of which will at least be mentioned here, but there are only a few solid truths that are known to be 100% accurate. Firstly, most everyone can agree that B-movie director Larry Cohen was hired to helm the project sometime in the early-to-mid-1990’s. Some outlets have said that Cohen also wrote the script, while others say screenwriter Carl Gottlieb was commissioned in his place. Either way, the project never made it to filming, and nothing much is known about the hypothetical plot.

    What is known for certain, and what is perhaps the most famous aspect of this doomed idea, is that actress Brigitte Nielsen was cast in the title role. Now-infamous publicity photos made their way online some time ago, originating from an article in an issue of Wizard Magazine, showing Nielsen as both Jennifer Walters and the mighty She-Hulk. At that point in the 90’s, the former Red Sonja star had made a name for herself as an action franchise lead. It’s been claimed in the past that the studio wasn’t confident She-Hulk would actually make it off the ground and hoped a photoshoot with someone of Nielsen‘s caliber would interest investors and get the project moving. Alas, the financial failures of the era’s other low-budget Marvel flicks (i.e. Captain America, The Punisher, and Howard the Duck) proved to be too damning and killed the film before lift-off.

    She-Hulk: Attorney at Law

    Oddly enough, Larry Cohen‘s failed blockbuster would be the last major attempt at bringing She-Hulk to life until Marvel Studios announced it would make a Disney+ series – previously mentioned as being titled She-Hulk: Attorney at Law – in 2020. This was likely, in large part, due to Universal’s acquisition of the Hulk’s film distribution rights in the late 1990s, and their subsequent determination to focus on getting a Hulk movie correct for over a decade. With all eyes on Bruce Banner, it doesn’t seem Universal had much interest in Jen Walters.

    Even when Marvel Studios were able to get its hands on the Hulk, it was for crossover films only, preventing the studio from developing a full-blown solo franchise for the character that could have resulted in She-Hulk making her MCU debut years earlier. Luckily, after a lengthy and mysterious behind-the-scenes battle, it would seem Marvel Studios was at least able to come away with the ability to produce a streaming series, and now fans all over the world will finally get to see Jen Walters hulk-out in live-action. With any luck, there won’t be a problem bringing her to the big screen going forward.

    Note: If you liked this article, check out “Fish Out of Water: Every Failed Attempt at Bringing ‘Namor’ to Life”

    Source(s): CBR, Comics Scene (No. 9, Pg. 90), Comics Scene (No. 15, Pg. 70), Digital Spy, Legends Revealed, What Culture, Wizard Magazine (No. 14, Pg. 28)

  • Five Cases We’d Love She-Hulk to Litigate in the MCU

    Five Cases We’d Love She-Hulk to Litigate in the MCU

    She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is set to be the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first foray into legal comedy. And in typical procedural fashion, there will most likely be a new court case every episode or two. With that being said, here are 5 potential court cases that Jennifer Walters, a.k.a. She-Hulk, could litigate in her Disney+ series or any of her future appearances in the MCU. Dun-Dun!

    Case #1: Rhodes v. Hammer

    This is something that’s been done in the comics, but it could be a lot of fun in the MCU. Especially because, while they constantly like to hint at its existence, they’ve never really explored in-universe superhero merchandising to its fullest potential. In the comics, Kingpin owns the merchandising rights to Spider-Man. While Kingpin and Spider-Man wouldn’t be the right characters to do this with here, there is a different hero that’s been on the Avengers, whose enemy could realistically take over their merchandising rights. Honestly, it could actually be really fun to have Justin Hammer purchase the merchandising rights for War Machine.

    There could be a Stark Industries fire-sale where Justin Hammer manages to scrounge together some money to secure the rights to sell merchandise based on the War Machine. Hammer can go all out on running the property into the ground, all the while making a huge profit. Rhodes can reach out to She-Hulk for help going up against Hammer in court, suing to get the War Machine merchandising rights back. However, Hammer can retort, claiming that it was he who created the War Machine to begin with. Most of the design choices of the War Machine suit were his, as Rhodes and Stark were using a plain old Iron Man suit. Therefore, they would not be selling War Machine merchandise without Hammer in the first place. It could be a lot of fun.

    Case #2: The Innocent Bystander

    Remember in Doctor Strange when, after discovering that the Hong Kong Sanctum had fallen, Strange uses the Time Stone to reverse time? Well, it could be funny to see a civilian who was brought back to life after being killed in the Hong Kong Sanctum attack try to collect his own life insurance, since he technically died. Now, this guy can be well-meaning and have good intentions. Maybe he is down on his luck and needs some money. So, he goes to She-Hulk with a brilliant idea: he is going to sue his insurance company, making the case that even though he is alive now, he did die, so they should give him his life insurance money. It’s something that could even be further examined with those that disappeared as part of the snap, only to come back and find their lives had forever changed.

    Case #3: Crimes of the Widows

    A black widow needs to prove that she was under mind-control when she committed a murder. Mind-control has been a fixture of the MCU since Phase 1, with characters such as Bucky Barnes and Hawkeye being forced to carry out horrible acts while under another’s command. This could be a great opportunity to examine whether or not someone should be held responsible for crimes they’ve committed while under mind-control; something the MCU has never fully acknowledged. While this could also work with Bucky, it would probably be best suited for a black widow, since there’s not really a lot of record of what they’ve done, making it easier for different crimes and assassinations to be pinned on them.

    One black widow could be forced to stand trial for a murder they committed while under mind-control, and She-Hulk would have to come up with a way to prove this to the jury, as well as convince them that she should not be held responsible. Bucky could be brought in to testify as a character witness, explaining how mind-control works. She-Hulk could even mind-control an unconvinced member of the jury; a fun way to persuade them that mind-control is real.

    Case #4: What Makes a God?

    After an Asgardian breaks a local law, She-Hulk could defend them on the basis that you cannot sue a “god.” This would be a great opportunity to explore the nature of “godhood” in the MCU, especially after Thor: Love and Thunder failed to really examine what makes an Asgardian – or any other “deity” in the MCU for that matter – a “god.” Maybe the Asgardians can be a little more sympathetic in this situation. Perhaps the Roxxon Energy Corporation wants to force the Asgardians off of New Asgard so they can dig for oil. She-Hulk can defend the Asgardians and their land, claiming that wherever they are currently is technically sacred ground because they are all “gods” of a religion that did use to exist. There is plenty of room for them to play around with this concept.

    Case #5: Hammer v. Stern

    Justin Hammer sues to get out of jail, making the case that he was manipulated by Hydra member Senator Stern. There should be more Justin Hammer in the MCU, so why not throw him into She-Hulk: Attorney at Law? And this one’s interesting because Hammer was working with Senator Stern, played by Garry Shandling in Iron Man 2. They were on the same side and the Senator seemed to be propping Hammer up. And it turns out that the Senator was working for Hydra. Now, it’s unclear if everyone working for Stern was part of Hydra, how many people knew about this, or if Hammer even knew about this at the time. However, Hammer can use this as an opportunity to get the charges on him dropped in the process, putting what remains as one of the MCU’s biggest unanswered questions to rest.

    Justin Hammer can say that Stern, being a member of Hydra, tricked him into unwillingly participating in Hydra activity, by convincing him that stopping Tony Stark was the right thing to do for the country. Hammer can claim that he didn’t know Stern was a secret evil Hydra Nazi, but ultimately, he was using this as the grounds for why he should be released from jail. Hammer is able to BS his way through the legal system, but She-Hulk can advise that part of the condition of his release be that there needs to be an Avenger looking after him. She appoints Rhodey as his custodian, which could perfectly set up Justin Hammer’s return and play out in Armor Wars.

    She-Hulk: Attorney at Law premieres on Disney+ August 18, 2022.

  • Murphy’s Team-Up Volume 26: Our SDCC Favorites

    Murphy’s Team-Up Volume 26: Our SDCC Favorites

    Anthony Canton III

    As far as Comic Con’s announcements go, the easiest thing to say would be Avengers: Secret Wars. The truth is Kevin Feige’s plan on display for us to see is the kicker. This universe is expanding and we’ve all been wondering how it will continue to do so. As a fan, it was gratifying to see all of the projects lined up. There’s definitely fun in trying to figure out where the MCU is going on its own but to see it laid out is awesome.

    It gives us all something to look forward to. If you want your street heroes and miss Daredevil…you got him back. Did you want to see how Sam Wilson’s journey will continue? We now have a title and a date. From team-ups to solo projects what we got was a reminder that the talk about the MCU was silly. Going forward, the expectation will be to see how tv gets better structurally. Otherwise, the road to what’s coming is here and we can actually enjoy the now of the MCU again. See you soon Kang.

    Torbjorn Frazier

    After having the pleasure to attend this year’s San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) festivities, it remains an arduous task to find just one top revelation from the weekend. While part of me wants to think outside of the box (I want to give special mention to Star Trek’s Hall H panel and them laying out a strong framework for their future on Paramount Plus), I can’t help but acknowledge that Marvel Studios were the runaway winners of the weekend.

    With that in mind, I will focus on the triad of major revelations that were exclusive to the audience at Hall H. Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, Secret Invasion, and Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3 all showcased first-look trailers for their respective projects. And the three Marvel Studios projects all left extremely strong first impressions that should all have fans excited for the start of 2023. Quantumania’s trailer highlighted how this film will certainly be the highest stakes of the Ant-Man franchise through the introduction of a Jonathan Majors Kang the Conqueror variant, but still keeping the comedic tone from the original core ensemble and the addition of Bill Murray. Meanwhile, Secret Invasion seemingly will provide the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with its first paranoia thriller since Captain America: The Winter Soldier (and I’d argue the series will lean much more into the genre than the film if the trailer is any indication). And to top it off, Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3’s trailer was the largest revelation from the panel. James Gunn very much has established this film will mark the conclusion of his run on the Guardians;   franchise, and he is pulling all the stops to make this ending as epic as possible in terms of both plot and cinematic scope. There are many distinct talking points coming away from it, but the largest certainly is the highly emotional arc in store for Rocket Raccoon and his origins at the hands of the High Evolutionary.

    If there’s ultimately a singular major revelation from SDCC, it’s that fans could be in store for a highly exciting beginning to MCU’s Phase Five in 2023.

    Dalbin Osorio

    My favorite reveal, hands down, was the announcement of the next Avengers films: Secret Wars and Kang Dynasty. My guy AC called out the fickle fans who sit online all day consistently complaining about Marvel and the “no direction” post-Endgame, but anyone paying a modicum of attention to Loki could tell a) who the big bad of this saga was and b) what they were building towards. You don’t populate the world with heroes and then just leave them as such, and Kevin Feige pulling the curtain back on the conclusion of the now-aptly named Multiverse Saga confirmed what we knew. The big bad is Kang, and we are headed towards the only story that can both top Endgame and simultaneously reset the universe to a point where it makes sense that mutants other than Kamala Khan exist and that the Avengers do have to pay for their machinations of time. You see, just because He Who Remains’ TVA was ok with them messing with time doesn’t mean that all the other Kang variants and their TVAs (should they have them) will be. Kang’s line to Ant-Man (you’re an Avenger? Have I killed you before) is the first salvo in the war to come ahead. A secret war, if you will, and seeing that confirmed was pretty damn exciting.

    MTF III

    daredevil disney plus

    My favorite reveal from Marvel’s SDCC panel was the official announcement of Daredevil: Born Again. Although Charlie Cox’s return to the role in the MCU was no secret (shoutout to #SavedDaredevil), the extent of Daredevil’s role in future Marvel projects was still held close to the vest. And even after confirmation of appearances in Echo and She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, the official announcement of his Disney Plus series was universally well-received. But no one could have predicted that the series would get 18(!) episodes to tell its story.

    I recently advocated for longer seasons of the Marvel Disney Plus series, because the six-episode season structure wasn’t adequately serving them, so tripling that output assuages all of those concerns. Daredevil: Born Again is 5 episodes longer than what fans were used to getting from Netflix, which should provide its narrative with more than enough time to breathe so that the show can service multiple character subplots, conclude several arcs, and overall, do the necessary world-building to truly establish the MCU’s Street Level.

    Will we see any of the former Defenders pop up? Will we get a split season of 9 and 9 with a break in between? Will the “canon” questions be definitively answered? So many questions were raised by the announcement of Daredevil: Born Again, and I can’t wait to discover all the answers.

    Hunter Radesi

    Not sure if this is a surprise to anybody, but my favorite reveals from San Diego Comic-Con were probably Spider-Man: Freshman Year and Daredevil: Born Again. These are two of my all-time favorite characters, and to see both of their names pop up in Hall H, headlining projects, was a dream come true. I’ve been craving a solid new animated Spider-Man project for years, and it looks like Jeff Trammell is getting ready to deliver. Learning Freshman Year is going to be a full-blown variant series, as opposed to a mini-MCU prequel, was so exciting. I haven’t been satisfied with a Spidey show since The Spectacular Spider-Man, but this one looks to have everything I could want from a web-head adaptation. Diverse supporting characters, classic bad guys, a unique animation style, and a passionate creative team working behind the scenes. As for Born Again, that one doesn’t take much explaining. Who wouldn’t be pumped about another season, a full 18 episodes, of Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio doing their thing? My eyes will be on Disney+ for the next couple years.

  • SDCC: Every Marvel Studios Project That Wasn’t Discussed

    SDCC: Every Marvel Studios Project That Wasn’t Discussed

    Kevin Feige once said that Marvel Studios would not appear at San Diego Comic-Con unless they could overdeliver, and this year’s event proved he wasn’t kidding. Through two major panels, one for animation and the other for live-action, the entertainment giant landed punch after punch of exciting news. Those in attendance were treated to countless announcements at a rapid fire pace, and information drops were used to both expand on known projects and reveal entirely new ones. If any fans felt left in the dark after 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, they should have a pretty good idea as to what the future holds now.

    That being said, there were still quite a few titles missing from the Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline shown at the end of the company’s Hall H presentation. Despite all the thrilling surprises, it’s hard not to wonder what might be going on with the shows and movies Feige didn’t talk about over the weekend. As such, it feels right to round up every single MCU project that’s definitely in development but somehow still on the downlow. Let’s dig in:

    This was the biggest question mark coming out of Marvel’s Hall H. Armor Wars, an upcoming Disney+ series based on the comic arc of the same name was officially announced during a Disney Investor Day presentation in 2020. It’s probably the longest-standing MCU project yet to score a release window, despite a promising premise and a genuine leading man in Don Cheadle‘s War Machine. Actor, writer, and comedian Yassir Lester was brought on to serve as the series head writer almost a full year ago, and that was more or less the last time fans heard of any progress behind-the-scenes. The fact that Armor Wars wasn’t even mentioned during this year’s Comic-Con initially caused a bit of panic that the series might have been quietly canceled, until Lester took to social media and confirmed it’s still planned to release.

    As history has shown, Marvel Studios is not above shifting its calendar to accommodate new things. It’s very likely that Armor Wars is simply still in its early development stages, and will be slipped into the release schedule when the company and the creatives feel everything is ready to go. It’s also possible the show’s story fits better later in the MCU timeline, and Feige just revealed its existence earlier than he ended up needing to. Until more is known, fans will just have to settle for seeing Cheadle‘s James Rhodes in Secret Invasion instead.

    It really felt like this one was coming, and it’s still kind of shocking that it never did. Deadpool 3 has been in various stages of production since 2018, with its creative process being understandably delayed by Disney’s acquisition of former parent company 20th Century Fox. Since then, it’s been confirmed by the likes of Feige and star Ryan Reynolds that another film is indeed on the way. If that wasn’t enough, they’ve also revealed that this threequel will finally transition its R-rated antihero into the MCU proper.

    The lead-up to this year’s convention saw Disney put both previous Deadpool films on their previously-kid-friendly streaming service, and the convention grounds themselves had the Merc with a Mouth handing out free chimichangas to promote the big additions. Nothing has ever felt like more of a sign that Marvel might announce the new entry during their Hall H panel. Alas, no Deadpool 3 was found on the timeline. At least fans can rest easy knowing Reynolds, along with franchise writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, are currently hard at work preparing Wade Wilson for his next cinematic adventure.

    Marvel’s Hall H presentation was surprisingly Avengers-heavy for a franchise with so many new toys to play with. As stated before, the MCU can now legally include mutants, and more specifically, the X-Men, in their theatrical projects. Patrick Stewart became the first mutant in the MCU earlier this year when he reprised his iconic role as Professor Charles Xavier for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Iman Vellani took the reigns as part of a huge twist ending when Kamala Khan turned out to be a mutant in Ms. Marvel‘s finale episode. Now seemed like the perfect time for Marvel to announce exactly when to expect the X-Men’s return to cinemas, in a film Feige continues referring to as The Mutants, but no such confirmation ever came. Not even a peep about a potential creative team.

    It’s worth noting the X-Men did have a presence at the convention, however, in the form of the animated X-Men ’97 series coming to Disney+ in fall 2023. It’s very possible Marvel held back on revealing The Mutants so that show would have time to shine, and besides, there were still about eight empty slots on that Phase 6 slide. It wouldn’t be shocking if Marvel’s Merry Mutants found themselves occupying one in the very near future.

    It’s actually pretty strange that this one didn’t make the cut. It’s an incredibly open secret that Marvel Studios is developing an untitled Disney+ Halloween special centered on Werewolf by Night, but the transparency behind the project isn’t what makes its lack of attention at San Diego Comic-Con so weird. Not only does this one-hour special have a director in longtime composer Michael Giacchino, a runtime, and a full-blown cast in Gael García Bernal and Laura Donnelly, it’s actually already completed filming and is supposedly set to release in October of this year. It seems like, by this point, it should at least have an official title. Yet, the elongated Marvel One-Shot, or whatever it may be, was not even included in the MCU’s Phase 4 when Feige discussed the future timeline with fans, despite coming out before the Phase ends with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

    It’s starting to look like Marvel Studios doesn’t consider holiday-themed specials as part of their actual Phase plan. Much like the still-untitled Halloween special, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is all filmed and rearing to go for this December season. Set photos, promotional merchandise, and a lot of updates from director James Gunn have kept fans satiated for the past year, but an official release date would be a nicer present for under the tree.

    It wasn’t that long ago fans learned Simon Williams would be coming to the MCU. It was just last month The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton and Community writer Andrew Guest would create a Wonder Man series for Disney+. The article mentioned that cameras could begin rolling on the show as soon as 2023, so many fans felt that an official announcement from Marvel might come out of Hall H. Sadly, Feige‘s presentation ended without any sort of Phase placement or casting reveal for Wonder Man. Perhaps supporters of the longtime Avenger will have better luck at D23.

    Nova is maybe the most elusive MCU project in the company’s history. The character has been rumored to appear in a number of projects since it seems, the beginning of the company’s history. It was once confirmed that Richard Rider, the last of the Nova Corps, was intended to appear in 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War, but was cut for the sake of trimming story fat. All hope seemed lost until news dropped in March that a Disney+ series focusing on the character was in development from Moon Knight scribe Sabir Pirzada. Of course, this led many to believe Marvel would finally make the project official at Comic-Con, putting an end to the cult-like social media campaign to bring Nova to live-action. Maybe Marvel likes all the begging because that obviously didn’t happen.

    Black Panther Spin-Offs

    Early last year, it was reported by Deadline that Marvel Studios had put two Black Panther spin-off series into development at Disney+. One was said to revolve around Danai Gurira‘s Okoye, while the other would be Wakanda-centric and produced by director Ryan Coogler. Not much has been heard about either show since then, even if many expected at least one to be announced alongside Wakanda Forever‘s portion of the night’s program. Much like the mutant situation before it, this could be due to the fact Marvel wanted its highly-anticipated sequel to get every bit of the attention.

    Not long after Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings became a massive success, it was announced that director Cretton and star Simu Liu would return for another go-around. It wasn’t likely that Marvel would make a big fuss about the future project with so much else to cover, but it did seem logical that a title reveal or release date could come with the outlining of Phases 4-6. While this didn’t pan out, fans can still be excited to see Cretton come back for Disney+’s Wonder Man, which as previously mentioned, also wasn’t discussed at Comic-Con.

  • Murphy’s Team-Up Volume 25: Our SDCC Wishlists

    Murphy’s Team-Up Volume 25: Our SDCC Wishlists

    Hunter Radesi

    Maybe the least discussed aspect of Marvel Studios’ future is it’s upcoming line of animated series. I hope that Kevin Feige and company treat these projects with an equal amount of respect as their signature live-action material, and we get loads of new information on What If…? Season 2, Marvel Zombies, and especially Spider-Man: Freshman Year. Until further notice, Freshman Year is the only officially announced Spider-Man project on the horizon for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I would love to have my hype levels increased with some casting announcements, or even a trailer that includes a villain reveal. As I’m constantly saying on Twitter…I just want pictures of Spider-Man!

    Otherwise, I just hope Marvel’s Hall H panel gives us plenty to be excited about going forward. Title reveals for Captain America 4 and the Halloween Special, logo reveals for Daredevil and Nova, and more official word on projects that have huge creative potential. I love how different Phase 4 has been, and I can’t wait to see how Phase 5 might carry that torch. Oh, and please, second season announcements for Hawkeye, Moon Knight, and Ms. Marvel.

    MTF III

    4. I want to see who will win the Con between Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones. Two fantasy IP juggernauts square off in the late summer/early fall, and both want to leave an impression on fans. Much has been said about Amazon’s big money bet on Rings of Power, but for HBO, after the 4th Quarter goal line fumble that was the GoT Finale, Time Warner Discovery may have even more riding on House of the Dragon scorching old narratives and soaring into a more hopeful future.

    3. DC Films Timeline – With no Flash to wow people, but with that film so essential to the future slate of their DC connected universe, it will be intriguing to see whether there are any nods to connectedness between their upcoming projects. Black Adam and Shazam! have natural connective tissue, but there isn’t a lot of clarity on Batgirl, or whether those Black Canary rumors are true. And maybe we’ll get some Blue Beetle footage.

    2. MCU Animation – In the Star Wars side, we’ve seen seamless integration between the live-action and animated prongs of the franchise under Dave Filoni. But What If only offered the smallest promise of seeing something similar with Marvel. However, between What If…? Season 2, Spider-Man: Freshman Year and X-Men ’97, animation could be used as a way of filling narrative in the massive multiverse undertaking Marvel is engaged in right now as they march to Secret Wars. I’d love some more details.

    1. Marvel Phase 4 and Beyond – We’re all looking for a road map, and who can forget the massive calendar reveal for Phase 3. Marvel could really wow us by giving us the remainder of the Phase 4 slate, and how it will culminate. Marvel has a lot of balls in the air and places the stories could be going. Offering us some clarity for the next 3-5 years like they did back in 2014 would settle a lot of stomachs within the fanbase, as they strap in for the ups, downs, loopty-loops that Feige and Co have planned for us.

    Anthony Canton III

    When it comes to SDCC I’m thinking of two projects, one coming soon and one a bit off in the distance. First, Wakanda Forever is on my mind. The tribute to Chadwick, what that means to everyone who came out for the first film and supporters world wide. It’s going to be emotional. You want to protect this film and hope it’s treated with the utmost care. There’s a curiosity with everything around it so hoping to learn a bit more.

    Secondly, there’s a project next year. Quantumania comes to the forefront. Sure it’ll be great to see Scott, Hope, and the gang all back. The real intrigue is Jonathan Majors. His “He Who Remains” performance is the most electrifying singular appearance we’ve seen in the MCU. Now we see Kang in all his glory and hopefully get some more answers to the multiverse. Hopefully there’ll be some footage with a “See You Soon.”

    João Pinto

    I’ll basically set this up in three different levels, each with decreasing odds of actually happening:

    1) Some footage with our first look at Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Besides introducing audiences to the MCU’s take on Atlantis, Namor, Namora, Attuma, and Riri Williams, this would always be a special project following Chadwick Boseman’s passing. Ryan Coogler and the team behind the movie have worked extremely hard to give us a majestic sequel to Black Panther and seeing it finally come to fruition is extremely high on my wishlist.

    2) New information regarding Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four. After years of expectations, and theories regarding who might get to portray Marvel’s First Family on the big screen, finally getting an official announcement would feel like the once impossible movie is one step closer to becoming a reality. Getting a director confirmation would also do wonders in terms of shedding some light on what might be Kevin Feige’s approach to the project.

    3) With all the talk that the MCU’s Phase 4 lacks direction, getting an announcement of a project spinning out of several Phase 4 entries would do wonders in terms of making audiences relax regarding the MCU’s near future. Be it a project focusing on the Young Avengers (bringing together characters from Hawkeye, Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Secret Invasion, Multiverse of Madness, and Quantumania), or on the Thunderbolts (Black Widow, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Falcon and the Winter Soldier), by getting news of what we might call Phase 4’s Phase 2 would bring us closer to understanding what secret wars might be in store in the MCU’s upcoming future.

    Jared Kirschenbaum

    Fans like myself were relieved to see the film rights to Marvel’s most beloved characters return to Marvel Studios after Fox somewhat butchered the X-Men and Fantastic Four. With the deal having only been completed 4 months before, it’s understandable that at SDCC in July of 2019, Feige could only bring mere mention to the plans the studio had for the F4 and mutants. However, it has now been 3 years since Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox. And aside from the appearance (and prompt disposal) of Earth-838’s Professor X and Mr. Fantastic, and a directorless Fantastic Four film in the works, the only indication fans have had after 3 years that these characters are on the horizon is the word ‘mutation’ being dropped at the end of Ms. Marvel.

    Yes, fans know that the pantheon of characters once forbidden to be touched by Marvel Studios will soon be making their way into the MCU. But after 3 grueling years, knowing just doesn’t cut it anymore. I want to see it. That is why my SDCC 2022 wish list simply consists of a rundown on how Marvel Studios plans to integrate the properties once belonging to 21st Century Fox into the MCU. Now, will this happen? No, there is no chance in hell that this will happen. Will Marvel Studios instead probably date their upcoming Disney+ series’, show some footage from an upcoming film or two, maybe even announce a certain Halloween special? Yeah, that sounds very reasonable. But the ‘what ifs’ of how Marvel Studios will choose to explain the fact that Mutants have been completely absent from the MCU thus far, or whether or not they will explore the Fantastic Four’s origin in their upcoming film have been cluttering my brain for far too long. So, if Feige takes the Hall-H stage and announces Marvel’s plans for the Mutants and Fantastic Four, which include the new director of the Fantastic Four movie and maybe a little more information on it, as well as a core X-Men movie, a proper Magneto origin project, a Storm movie, a New Mutants series, an X-Factor series, a Hellfire Club series, an Excalibur series, a Starjammers series, I will finally be at peace. Anyway this will certainly not happen, but you can bet that I am looking forward to that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer they will probably release. And who knows, maybe they’ll confirm Namor is a mutant.

    Dalbin Osorio

    Blade. When Mahershala Ali came out in 2019 and put on the Daywalker hat like the first pick in the NFL draft, it signaled that things were about to get real trippy and comic-booky for the MCU. 3 years later we don’t know much other than the director and some casting… Oh, and he stopped Jon Snow from picking up the ebony blade! That short intro was incredibly exciting, as was the casting of Delroy Lindo and Aaron Pierre (as perhaps Jamal Afari?), and with rumors that we could see Blade go toe to toe with Dracula, this is at the top of my wish list.

    Then, I need to see Kang. Maybe a mash-up of different Kangs in different projects teasing the secret war ahead. Mahershala v Majors down the line in a Blade versus Kang fight? All in.

    And, lastly, I’d kill for the Fantastic Four cast and director to be announced. There’s a lot of speculation on who will play who and where, but I loved Krasinski’s take on a weary and still arrogant Reed Richards and wouldn’t mind him being Mr. Fantastic. Him being directed by Spielberg, maybe? Home run.

    Torbjorn Frazier

    While more of an esoteric than any specific desire for San Diego Comic Con, I’d most want to learn as much context for the upcoming slate of Marvel Studios projects. When looking back at Marvel Studios’ showing at the 2019 event, the most interesting takeaways weren’t really the announcement of the projects themselves (there weren’t really any surprises on that front for those who knew where to look). Instead, curiosity was most piqued at what those projects would be bringing to the table. It was at the 2019 Hall H panel that the concept of the multiverse was quietly established as a major future narrative direction through Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Loki. It was also where audiences learned that the Ten Rings would be coming back into the fold of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Shang-Chi and that Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster would become the Mighty Thor in Love and Thunder. Being able to receive this level of context and major story elements for projects like potentially Secret Invasion, Echo, or Captain America 4 (amongst others) would go a long way in creating sustainable intrigue well past this year’s Hall H showcase.

  • Murphy’s Team-Up Volume 24: Teaming-Up with Ms. Marvel

    Murphy’s Team-Up Volume 24: Teaming-Up with Ms. Marvel

    Anthony Canton III on Layla El-Faouly

    I can imagine a world where Ms. Marvel has a longer Season 2 in episodes and a more expansive story. There feels like more to explore in Karachi. As Kamala continues to learn more about her family legacy she could run into another hero while she’s there. Enter the Scarlet Scarab.

    One of the more curious decisions in the Moon Knight finale was not seeing where Layla El-Faouly is going next. We get the line when the young girl is asking Layla if she’s an Egyptian superhero and she says yes. How about Kamala and Layla run a quick mission spanning two episodes?

    Layla could be in town searching for something or someone and happen to run into Kamala. Culturally it would be an excellent moment to continue telling these stories of representation. You can also simultaneously continue Ms. Marvel’s story and have a streamline into what could be next for Layla and Moon Knight. I also imagine the two would have fun conversations about growing up and what type of hero they want to be.

    Dalbin Osorio on Ironheart

    Dominique Thorne and Iman Vellani are both magic, and I cannot wait to see Ironheart and Ms. Marvel interact.  Seeing these two legacy heroes, with potential connections to Kang. trying to navigate the world they’ve grown up in with these heroes they’ve looked up to (assuming Ironheart respects Tony and doesn’t despise him) will be something special. Being the heroes that follow the past and future of the MCU is weighty enough, but when we factor in that they will arguably be the most powerful heroes in their generation, the possibilities are endless. What’s even cooler is that these are two girls of color that will give more girls of color more heroes to look up to, and the MCU deserves more representation.

    Mary Maerz on Captain America

    I would love to see Kamala Khan and Sam Wilson meet and work together. Kamala would without a doubt have some sweet and humorous fangirl reactions to meeting Captain America. In the comics, Kamala often had a very wholesome relationship with Tony Stark/Iron Man while she was an Avenger. We no longer have Tony or Iron Man, but Sam Wilson as Cap seems like he could take on that mentor role phenomenally. A lot of Kamala’s struggles with who she looked up to involved comic events like Civil War II, which so far do not look like they will play much if any role in the near future. So, with no current sides being drawn between the above-the-line Avengers, there is no reason Sam could not, to some extent, take Kamala under his literal wing. Sam is a phenomenal character whose future I am also very excited for, and I think their relationship could easily bring out some of the best and most inspiring aspects of each of them.

    MTF III on America Chavez

    No matter what you think of MCU Phase 4 as a whole, there’s no denying that Iman Vellani and Xochitl Gomez have been delightful, both in and out of character. But while Ms. Marvel was able to firmly ensconce Kamala in a Jersey City that feels vibrant and culturally rich, where we last left America Chavez at the end of Multiverse of Madness wasn’t nearly as character-enriching. And while it’s certainly possible that our star-punching firecracker can establish found family among grown adult sorcerers in Kamer Taj, placing America alongside characters her age in a diverse city filled with people she can potentially converse with in Spanish will be far more beneficial for her in the long run. And the commonalities and contrasts between South Asian and Latinx cultures can lend more depth and meaning to their interactions, both for the characters themselves, and for the viewers. 

    On the superpower side, we were able to see Kamala level up considerably across a handful of episodes of her show. Those of us who are fans of America in the comics know what she is capable of, so seeing her level up alongside a fellow potential Young Avenger while they trade quips would only serve to endear us to America more as she actualizes, and to Kamala more as she gets to nerd out with tandem attacks and training in the way that only a hardcore comics/superhero fan can. Just imagine the wacky fun she could cook up, which America would be more than inclined to try. And imagine the universes they could jump into and trouble they could find, all between 3:00 and curfew. Sign me up for #AmeriKhan — there’s a portmanteau, so you know it works.

    Torbjorn Frazier on Loki

    Kamala Khan and Loki Laufeyson are the odd couple partnership the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) deserves. Maybe besides Steve Rogers, there isn’t a character in the MCU that personifies pure good morality as a superhero more than Ms. Marvel. And pairing her with the literal God of Mischief would provide each other the perfect foil for one another and could become an instant fan-favorite partnership. The themes of family are critical to both characters in extremely different ways, and gaining understanding about each other’s experience would provide interesting perspective and growth for both Kamala and Loki. In addition, Bisha K. Ali has experience writing for both of these characters on their respective Disney+ shows which could help ensure a strong tonal fit for a hypothetical team-up. While it would take a relatively major shuffling of the deck in the MCU to allow Ms. Marvel and Loki to team-up, it’d certainly be a worthwhile viewing experience (and potentially set the stage for a Kid Loki to fit into a Young Avengers line-up down the road).

    Charles Murphy on Shang-Chi

    Kamala Khan and Shang-Chi don’t have an awful lot in common. One was trained to be an assassin and grew up in a household shattered by the murder of his mother. The other grew up in a household full of love while fangirling over Carol Danvers and other superheroes. But both of them now possess ancient alien artifacts of enormous power that have pushed them into a world they weren’t quite ready for. Ms. Marvel seemed to set the table a little for this team-up when the Ten Rings logo was seen on the cave floor where the bangle was found, but right now it’s not entirely clear where that will go. Whatever the case, seeing these get these two heroes together on screen seems to be nothing more than a matter of time.

  • ‘WandaVision’ to ‘Ms. Marvel’: How Marvel Studios Pulled Off the Mutant Long-Con

    ‘WandaVision’ to ‘Ms. Marvel’: How Marvel Studios Pulled Off the Mutant Long-Con

    Here we are, in the middle of Year 2 of Marvel Studios’ Phase 4 rollout. Ms. Marvel has found her way into live-action with Iman Vellani taking on the role of the popular Muslim-American superhero. Earl yon, there were many concerns regarding the changes to her abilities and new direction for the character Plus, it made many wonders if the Inhumans part of her backstory would even get explored as the series seemingly hyperfocused on her connection to the wider MCU. Well, the final episode revealed that they are taking quite a different direction.

    Finally, ever since Disney acquired 20th Century Fox, the X-Men and Mutants have long been awaited in the franchise. While we’re seeing an “it wasn’t that bad” nostalgia making the rounds, there have been many theories on when exactly we’ll see the revelation of the mutants existing in the MCU. Little did we know, it would involve a character that was famously a NuHuman in the comics.

    What makes it stand out is that Marvel Studios played quite the long con with this revelation. Everyone had two very specific projects in mind that would lead to their arrival. The first was the assumption that WandaVision, especially with its House of M influences, would do a twist that unleashes the mutant gene throughout the world. Yet, nothing came of it. The series was surrounded by quite a few fan theories that didn’t turn out to be true, such as the arrival of Mephisto.

    So, everyone’s next best bet was the release of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Not only was Patrick Stewart‘s return as Professor X teased but also the concept of the multiverse taking centerstage. In a surprisingly personal storyline for Wanda and Strange, we do get our first official mutant in the MCU, but it is part of another dimension without any real hint on how he might tie into the world. The only thing is that his arrival is tied together with a familiar sound bit, the iconic X-Men ’97 theme song.

    While some would simply point out this being introduced for the sake of nostalgia, it actually turns out to play a key role in Marvel Studios’ strategy. They took the long route around and instead of just rushing them out, they keep their focus on what they had mapped out long before the purchase was even finalized. Yet, they also set the ideas that would slowly connect the pieces as necessary were actually set in the projects that people were annoyed didn’t flat out confirm it.

    WandaVision already introduced the concept of an inherent gene that is unlocked through an external source, in Wanda’s case the Mind Stone. It stands out that there is an implication that she’s used her hex powers long before they were truly unlocked and it simply sped up something that was already in her genetics. So, we technically already got the hint that she’s very likely a mutant even if it’s not directly spelled out.

    So, we have the base concept hinted at and all we really need is a true indicator. Luckily, Doctor Strange introduced us to the MCU’s leitmotif for the mutants. Instead of inventing a new one that some might not truly connect with the concept, they used elements from one that was quite popular back in the day. It’s not purely for nostalgic reasons, but it also is easy for many viewers to make the connections. So, Professor X’s arrival with that leitmotif sets up the first use of the wording “mutation” within the MCU in Ms. Marvel.

    No matter how you feel about Phase 4, Marvel Studios has slowly left the small details that would eventually build up to the grand confirmation. Mutants are coming and it’s not a coincidence that many different elements played a role throughout Phase 4. The only question now remains on what exactly may be the next step for their arrival. While we still don’t have an announcement for an X-Men film, the rumors surrounding Namor’s arrival in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is possibly another step in their introduction, as he was known as “the first mutant” in the comics due to debuting in 1939. So, perhaps the puzzle pieces were always there.

  • Murphy’s Team-Up Volume 23: Ms. Marvel’s a Mutant!

    Murphy’s Team-Up Volume 23: Ms. Marvel’s a Mutant!

    Torbjorn Frazier

    For starters, this was the biggest surprise to have happened in the Disney+ era of Marvel Studios. Both in terms of what this means for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and in the viewing experience. Kamala Khan being revealed as the audience’s first mutant in the MCU opens the door for endless possibilities of speculation and theorizing on how some of the most-anticipated characters will enter future projects. For the character herself, Kamala Khan makes all the sense in the world to be a mutant (as she very likely would’ve been in the comics if the X-Men film rights weren’t elsewhere in 2013). And having the first mutant story be distinctly about a government that fears and discriminates against super-powered individuals highlights that Kevin Feige and co. are good hands to shepherd the X-Men back to the big screen. With both Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and now Ms. Marvel this year giving early glimpses into the concept of mutants (and with X-Men ‘97 slated for 2023), the radar for Marvel Studios potentially announcing a mutant-related project at San Diego Comic Con or D23 has certainly increased.

    Anthony Canton III

    Ms. Marvel’s finale followed through on its series mission by giving us Kamala Khan and her world. That world was on display as good as any Disney+ series has had to this point. With that being said, the reveal of Kamala being a mutant laced with the X-Men: The Animated Series theme was an all time moment for the new MCU.

    This reveal is symbolism that Iman Vellani is a major player and rightfully so. Kamala has the keys to the MCU and you can slot her anywhere and she has an impact. In terms of representation in actuality and in this universe these are the new stories that the fandom claims to want. Now we have them and more. While we have more questions to answer with Carol Danvers, this was Ms. Marvel’s moment. Standing ovation.

    Dalbin Osorio

    Ms. Marvel is no worse than the third best Disney+ show. It would take a lot to supplant the WandaVision/Loki duplex, and Ms. Marvel came close, but an underwhelming villain choice stops it from that top tier. HOWEVER… this isn’t about the show as it is about the fact that, baby, there be mutants in the MCU! That’s right: Ms. Marvel is the MCU’s first mutant (that we know of, but more on that in a sec), and what a glorious reveal it was. You have to hand it to Kevin Feige: he said that everything will be revealed and Marvel didn’t really deviate from the Phase 4 plan even when people criticized it for its “aimless” trajectory. I think this change really grounds her firmly in the MCU’s history (hello Eternals and X-Men ’97 theme music), present (this post-Endgame world that’s rapidly becoming populated by enhanced individuals), and future (Kang is coming). Making her a mutant also makes her powers easy to explain because a mutation is much easier to explain than a Terrigen Bomb going off somewhere on Earth-616 and us never hearing about it. It, also, sets the stage for there being other mutants out there who are populating the world now, and clearly Damage Control won’t be the only ones after them. All in all, a great choice.

    Joseph Aberl

    Did not see coming that Ms. Marvel would end up being the one to set up the mutants in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel Studios perfectly baited us with WandaVision and a cameo in Multiverse of Madness to make many think we’d not get any hints until after Fantastic Four. Yet, here they are using a familiar theme to slowly build up their arrival and also use it as a way to connect Kamala Khan to a bigger universe; without the sacrifice of her personal journey. Can’t wait to see where it goes.

    Charles Murphy


    Let’s lay it right on the line. Bigotry and racism are among the deadliest social ills plaguing the world today. It’s totally irrational, patently insane to condemn an entire race—to despise an entire nation—to vilify an entire religion. Sooner or later, we must learn to judge each other on our own merits. Sooner or later, if a man is ever to be worthy of his destiny, we must fill our hearts with tolerance.

    Stan Lee, Stan’s Soapbox, December 1968

    Someone had to be the first mutant and I couldn’t be happier that it is Kamala. As Torbjorn pointed out, it’s incredibly likely that had Marvel already owned the live-action rights to the X-Men, she’d have been one in the comics. Kamala fits what Stan Lee and Jack Kirby imagined the original mutants to be when they developed them in the early 1960s as a metaphor for the hate and social injustice America was facing at the time. I’ve said for years that Kamala Khan is one of the most important characters Marvel Comics has ever created and now, as the MCU’s first mutant, she’s one of the most important characters in the future of the franchise.

  • ‘RESIDENT EVIL’: Lance Reddick Teases His Take on Albert Wesker

    ‘RESIDENT EVIL’: Lance Reddick Teases His Take on Albert Wesker

    Fans of the Resident Evil franchise know that Albert Wesker is one of the big bads of the video games. While he did appear in the films, the films were never well-received by fans of the franchise. So, Netflix’s live action take on the games is a chance to right the wrongs, and one way is to put the focus on Wesker this time around.

    For actor Lance Reddick, while he’s never really played the games, he did binge-watch the movies a few years ago before being cast. Admittedly not a huge fan of horror, Reddick was drawn to Resident Evil because of how “exciting” and “challenging” it was to bring Wesker to life. “What’s so fascinating to me about this show, in addition to how exciting and challenging the role is for something that is so action driven, it has so many nuanced, and three-dimensional characters,” the actor explained. “You care just as much about the drama of the journey of the characters as you do about the action or the scares or the monsters.”

    When it comes to Resident Evil, one of its biggest appeals is that it is for old fans and new fans alike. If you love the video games, there is plenty to take in – from the characters, to the production design and even some of the stories being told. It pulls heavily from its source material. However, it also takes the time to create something new that’ll help to entertain those not all that familiar with the games. While fans of the games have an idea of what to expect in terms of the t-virus and bioorganic weapons, for fans unfamiliar with the franchise, Reddick assures that he believes it is a good show for everyone – fan or not.

    “I wanted to do the show because I wanted to tell the story seems like a good endorsement,” says Reddick. “I like to tell the kinds of stories that I would want to watch. I read the first seven episodes, and I was like, “I want to watch that show, and because I want to watch it, I want to be in it.”’

    And for those that are fans of the games? Well, Reddick asks them to give the show a chance because there’s plenty in store for them. “The games are basically backstory for this and the thing that fans will understand, if they stick with it, once they get to the end of the season, is that the Wesker in the show …wait, I can’t tell you that.”

    Resident Evil debuts on Netflix on Thursday, July 14th. Be sure to check out our review here!

  • ‘Ms. Marvel’ Post-Credit Scene Explained

    ‘Ms. Marvel’ Post-Credit Scene Explained

    Kamala Khan’s bangle has been front and center over the course of all six episodes of Ms. Marvel, but even after the series wrapped, the bangle’s story seemingly just got a lot more interesting. The shocking post-credit scene sees Kamala’s bangle take on a life of its own, apparently energizing on its own before mysteriously sucking Kamala away and leaving Carol Danvers in her place. While it all seems pretty confusing, turning to the comics can provide some understanding.

    As seen in the opening moment of Episode 3, “Destined”, the bangle worn by Kamala was originally taken from the arm of a blue being and is one of a pair of bands. Following Episode 3, it seemed pretty clear that the bangles were probably either the Quantum Bands or Nega-Bands from the pages of Marvel Comics. The events of the post-credit scene all but confirm that speculation as they showcase one of the capabilities associated with the Nega-Bands: the ability for the wearers to trade places with one another.

    In the comics the Nega-Bands were created by the Kree as replicas of the Quantum Bands and while they share similar powers, they aren’t exactly the same. Most importantly, the Quantum Bands draw their power from the Quantum Zone while the Nega-Bands draw their power from the Negative Zone. It seems incredibly likely that the MCU’s version of the bands are an amalgamation of the two. Able to create energy constructs like the Quantum Bands, they are also now capable of allowing people to swap places with one another, like the Nega-Bands, as seen in the post-credit scene.

    The swap seems to have been ripped straight from the pages of Marvel Comics where Kree hero Mar-Vell used the Nega-Bands to swap places with super-normie Rick Jones. Of interest to the process was that the swap always left one or the other of Mar-Vell or Jones trapped in the Negative Zone. Applying that comic book lesson to the events of the Ms. Marvel post-credit scene, it would appear that Carol makes the jump from either the already-established Quantum Realm or the soon-to-be-established-in-The-Marvels-Negative Zone. Whichever of those two places Marvel Studios chooses to call it, the implications are clear: when Carol jumped into Kamala’s room, Kamala jumped to wherever it was Carol was.

    It’s unclear if Carol was wearing what might have been the other band on her wrist (in the comics they haven’t always looked the same and have been reshaped over time), but it is clear that the bands will play a large role in the plot of next summer’s Captain Marvel sequel, The Marvels. Also of interest is how Kamala’s mutant genetics allow her access to the powers of the band. In the comics, the latent X-gene was implanted into early man’s DNA by Celestials, allowing for the possibility of super-powered evolution should they ever be activated. Given the alien nature of the bands, it’s possible they were created by the Celestials, or other Cosmic beings, and simply ended up on the arm of the deceased Kree seen in Episode 3.

    Whatever the nature and origin of the bands, they’ve changed Kamala Khan’s life forever and, much like the ten rings did to Shang-Chi, pushed her into a larger universe. It’s reasonable to assume that some of the first act of The Marvels will explain much more about the bands while resolving the issue of Kamala being trapped in another dimension. Fans will have to wait just over a year to find out more as The Marvels is currently set to hit theaters on July 28th, 2023.