Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: TV Features

  • The Odd Balance of Comedy and Drama in ‘Masters of the Universe: Revelation’

    The Odd Balance of Comedy and Drama in ‘Masters of the Universe: Revelation’

    The second part of Masters of the Universe: Revelation has finally found its way to Netflix. Kevin Smith‘s series acts as a continuation of the many story threads left behind in the original 1981 series, while also expanding upon the lore of the world of Eternia and the mysteries of the mystical power’s origin. The first part started on a surprising tragedy that pushed our characters to explore their place in a world without He-Man. Even in the second part, we get some strong character moments surrounding key characters of the original. In a colorful world like Eternia, drama is a surprising addition that adds a unique challenge to its goofier origins.

    Masters of the Universe: Revelation Part 2 Review -- Until Next Time!

    The characters in this world have some rather curious naming conventions. Some of them even follow the same rule as Digimon‘s titular monster all ending their name the same way. Throughout the journey, we’ll meet He-Man, Beast Man, Moss-Man, Mer-Man, and many other “Man” named characters. One of our main antagonists, or technically protagonist, is unironically named Evil-Lyn, which she pokes fun at not being her choice.

    It’s great that the show embraces these names that defined these characters in our childhood. It just accepts that this is their name and it makes sense within this universe rather than mocking every single character. Beast-Man especially gets a great character moment highlighted by his name in the final episodes. But I confess to sometimes chuckling when someone screams out the name Clamp-Champ in a dramatic fashion.

    Masters of the Universe: Revelation part 2 release date, cast, synopsis, trailer and more

    Still, it’s not the namings of these characters that make the drama not always land as strongly as it could. Skeletor has unleashed his power across the world early in the first episode of Part 2 and is, at long last, an actual threat to our heroes. Yet, as this is happening, we have characters like Fisto and Clamp-Champ making jokes during some high-stakes moments. So, when a character screams: “It’s time for this mist to meet my fist!” it takes away a bit from the actual tragedy that is unfolding for a bit.

    The music sometimes also takes a more “heroic” direction with some jokes thrown in right before landing on a rather tragic moment. We have burned corpses on the ground mere minutes after a joke was made. Even as the sequence starts focusing more on the drama of how helpless our heroes are and building tension, Skeletor throws out another pun to de-escalate it. It’s not technically an issue and Even with more drama added in, the expansion of the once more kid-friendly cartoon still tries to keep some of the goofier elements alive, but that seems to be at a constant struggle with the more serious additions.

    Mark Hamill se luce como SkeleGod en el primer tráiler de Masters of the Universe: Revelation Part 2 | Código Espagueti

    It doesn’t downplay the storytelling at play here and some of the deeper character moments hit quite hard. Sometimes it just feels like the show could’ve done with one or two jokes less, or at least aged up some of the humor alongside the drama. At the end of the day, it’s subjective if the humor and drama hit the right balance for you. It just didn’t quite hit the mark all the time, but I will say the second season ends on a high note that makes up for some of the goofier moments earlier on in the second part. Here’ shopping that momentum is carried over into the third.

  • How Kingpin is the Perfect Antagonist for ‘Spider-Man: Freshman Year’

    How Kingpin is the Perfect Antagonist for ‘Spider-Man: Freshman Year’

    There are a lot of questions to be asked regarding where Spider-Man will go after the December release of No Way Home. While it’s unknown what the next chapter in Spidey’s cinematic book will be, we do have an answer about where we’ll see him next. According to the recent Disney+ Day event, the future of Spider-Man will be found in his past. Marvel Studios is producing an animated series with the subtitle Freshman Year. It’ll explore the character’s origins in the MCU. The problem is, aside from the likelihood we’ll see yet another iteration of Ben Parker get gunned down in the streets, we know almost nothing about the story’s details. It also opens up the question: who will Spidey face in this prequel series?

    Spider-Man Animated Series Coming From Marvel

    The parameters set by the cartoon’s place in the Marvel timeline prevent it from showing Peter Parker going head-to-head with any of his major rogues. Spider-Man: Homecoming was fairly clear in its assertion that Michael Keaton‘s Vulture is the most intimidating villain Parker has faced by that point in his career. Plus, context clues would indicate the web-head hadn’t done anything extravagant enough to be more than a YouTube star before Tony Stark discovers him in Civil War. This would mean that, for the show to have a genuine bad guy looming over our freshly made hero, they would have to be a threat that both exists outside of the public eye and appears low on Peter’s danger scale. As such, it’s the perfect time to introduce Wilson Fisk as his main threat.

    The Kingpin has made a profession out of appearing moral. There is arguably no character who has mastered the art of discreet villainy like Fisk, who simultaneously runs New York with an iron fist and an entrepreneurial spirit. Fans are, obviously, no strangers to the character, who reached peak popularity in the last decade with a recurring role on Netflix’s acclaimed Daredevil series. It feels like a return to the screen, big or small, is imminent, with live-action MCU shows like Hawkeye and Echo bringing the criminal underworld back to the forefront of Marvel’s storytelling. If the Kingpin of Crime were to be slipped into either, or both, of these projects, placing him and his infamous gangster land into a story that is set nearly a decade earlier would be a wonderful way to retroactively tie that part of the MCU together.

    Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Soundtrack - Kingpin Theme - YouTube

    It would be far less than a stretch if whoever takes out Ben is portrayed as being in the employ of Fisk, whose on-the-low activity happened to cross paths with a newly-powered Peter and his altruistic uncle. From there, a misguided, vengeful, and inexperienced Spider-Man may want to hunt down whoever was responsible for the death of his father figure, much like the first act of 2012’s The Amazing Spider-Man. However, in this story, Parker’s search would lead him directly into the path of “Mr. Big” and his Enforcers, a group of men with wildly individual and specific skill sets like having quick feet and being large (yes, those Enforcers).

    There are enough goons, like the Enforcers who worked for Tombstone in The Spectacular Spider-Man cartoon, that could provide an appropriately difficult combat challenge for an untrained Spidey. They might also be small enough not to garner any headlines for the wallcrawler. Skirmishes with Spider-Man may be chalked up to one of the aforementioned YouTube videos. That way, they could be the prominent threat of Freshman Year before it is inevitably revealed who they work for. This plot point would line up with the original Amazing Spider-Man comics, while still leaving room for creative interpretation.

    Montana (Character) - Comic Vine

    It should be acknowledged that a member of the Enforcers did appear in Homecoming, played by Logan Marshall-Green as a member of Adrian Toomes’ team and the first person to wield the Shocker gauntlets. However, this version of Jackson Brice has almost nothing in common with his comic namesake Montana. Freshman Year could easily separate those names into two characters. Brice could also be left out of the Enforcers altogether, with another rotating member of their squad taking his place.

    Using Kingpin and the Enforcers as antagonists allows for a story that features plenty of Spidey action without ever dipping into “Avengers-level” notoriety. Peter would be able to dig into the mystery of his new opponents and come to terms with a full emotional arc, learning about great power and great responsibility, as well as plant seeds for a connection with the MCU’s underworld without ever actually taking down Kingpin or his empire. The end of the show would fit perfectly into the MCU if it saw the wall-crawler taking down the Enforcers, embracing his newfound heroism, and placing himself on Wilson Fisk’s list of threats for a possible future showdown. All without contradicting anything we’ve seen from the film trilogy so far.

  • ‘Hawkeye’ Episodes 1 and 2 Primer

    ‘Hawkeye’ Episodes 1 and 2 Primer

    Fans should be excited to see these first two episodes of Hawkeye because we haven’t seen Clint since Avengers: Endgame. The show is placed two years after the end of Endgame. Infinity War and Endgame were very hard on Clint. First, he lost his family due to the Snap. Then, he lost his mind and started killing criminals while taking on the identity of Ronin. Finally, in Endgame he lost his best friend. It would be nice for him to have a relaxing holiday with his family, but we all know that’s not going to happen.

    The series will introduce Kate Bishop, a member of the Young Avengers in the comics and Clint’s partner in the Matt Fraction and David Aja Hawkeye run. Kate, played by Hailee Steinfeld, has the potential to be a big part of the future of the MCU. The show will also introduce The Tracksuit Mafia, who you may know as the “Bros” in the comics (they just go around saying “Bro” all of the time, Bro). It is also introducing Echo to MCU, played by Alaqua Cox. Echo is a great character and, in the comics, is the adopted daughter of a character who is rumored to show up, but we’ll save that for later.

    Arlyn’s Assumptions

    Black Widow Post-Credits Scene Explained: 5 Hints About the Future of the MCU

    If you remember, Yelena Belova from Black Widow is also going to enter into the mix. She was told that Hawkeye killed Natasha and she is coming after him. Even though she was given some bad info and that she and Clint will get off to a rough start, I think they’ll eventually become friends once Clint explains to her what Nat really did. If you did not know Jacque Duquesne, Clint’s mentor in the comics, is also in the show. Maybe he will still have some loose ends with Clint that could explain those fancy sword skills Clint showed off in Endgame. And rumor has it that Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin, is lurking in the shadows as the big boss behind the organized crime in New York, like the Tracksuits. As I hinted above, Fisk has a big role in Echo’s life and obviously would hint at other characters showing up soon as well. There’s really a lot going on here and a lot to sort out. Let’s get started!

  • ‘Binary-Two Step’ is Cowboy Bebop at it’s Best

    ‘Binary-Two Step’ is Cowboy Bebop at it’s Best

    The 23rd episode of Cowboy Bebop, “Brain Scratch,” is one of the anime’s best episodes. The episode follows SCRATCH, the migrate to electronics movement, as they seek to spread their word to their fellow beings. The mysterious Dr. Londes leads the group, who uses the video game Brain Dream to analyze his follower’s brain waves and copy their consciousness into a digital form. What Londes’ followers don’t realize, however, is that they no longer exist once their consciousness has been uploaded.

    It’s a strong episode that delves into our inability to accept an end – to accept death. This is why the idea of the live-action adaption attempting to cover it was reason to worry. Surprisingly, though, “Binary-Two Step,” its take on “Brain Scratch,” proves to be one of its strongest efforts.

    With the ship grounded due to repairs, Jet asks Spike to make use of the downtime by seeking Dr. Londes out. This leads Spike to go in search of the doctor, while Jet takes care of searching for parts. This leaves Faye to watch the mechanic in his absence. Spike doesn’t appear to know what’s he’s initially walking into after going in search of the doctor. His ignorance will be his downfall, though, as he soon finds himself in a heap of trouble after walking into the A.I.-controlled building.

    While Edward, aka Radical Ed, was a part of the team by this point in the anime, Ed was not around yet in the live-action take. We hear references to the fan-favorite hacker, however, Ed is not physically present to help the team tackle Dr. Londes and his cult. She does manage to still send help, though, after sending out a ping. A man comes in to help Jet as he tries to figure out a way to break Spike free of this take on the brain wave.

    What works so well in this take is that it is a realistic approach to a strong episode. Dr. Londes does not have a physical form in the series, nor do we see a visualization of what he could look like. What we do see is a computer system that sorts through all of its subject’s consciousness. 

    As Spike undergoes the brain wave process, we get a deep look inside of his head. Under the machine, he’s forced to face the same nightmare repeatedly – losing Julia all over again. In his nightmare, Spike watches Julia die at the hands of Vicious repeatedly. Worse, though, is that she tries to make him let her go. It’s a hellscape he’s forced to endure until Jet and Faye are finally able to destroy the Londes program. While all fake, it’s clear Spike’s time in the brain wave has left an impact on him. As the episode closes, we soon learn he’s not ready to say goodbye to Julia. The episode is a deep dive into its characters, while still paying homage to its source material.

    It’s an episode that truly unites the trio of bounty hunters for the first time. It feels like a true episode of Cowboy Bebop, capturing the tone and feel of its predecessor, while still presenting its own spin on the overall story.

  • ‘Cowboy Bebop’ Proves John Cho is an Action Star

    ‘Cowboy Bebop’ Proves John Cho is an Action Star

    John Cho is an actor with many credits to his name. Some are comedy based (Harold & Kumar), while others are smaller roles in popular franchises, ala Star Trek. However, in recent years, the actor has shown he’s capable of more than Hollywood has allowed him to prove thus far.

    In 2016, fans created the #StarringJohnCho hashtag as a means to voice their frustrations with Hollywood, while also throwing their support behind the actor. Two years later, in 2018, Cho finally got to become a leading man thanks to Searching. It was a low-budget film about a father trying to find his daughter, yet it went on to earn $75.5 million at the box office. The highly-buzzed about feature earned Cho a nomination for Best Male Lead from the Independent Spirit Awards in 2019, as well as plenty of Oscar buzz among critics. Yet, despite all of this, it still feels as though Cho has not been given his due in Hollywood.

    Enter Cowboy Bebop. Although flawed in its storytelling, Netflix’s live-action take on the beloved anime does something right. Casting a character like Spike Spiegel isn’t easy. The person portraying the character has to have a certain charisma to them. They have to be charming, yet appear deadly. Cho manages to capture Spiegel’s wit and personality perfectly. More importantly, though, his performance seems almost effortless.

    He feels threatening during the flashbacks to his time in the syndicate. He feels vulnerable as he recalls his time with Julia. More importantly, however, Cho showcases the humanity of a character who so often hides behind his sarcasm. He’s able to slip into the character so easily, you forget you’re watching a performance because of how well he encompasses the character.

    Cho moves between the roles as Fearless and Spike with no hesitation. As Fearless, a member of the Red Dragon Crime Syndicate, he has no qualms about killing anyone. He’s rash, callous and deadly. Whereas, as Spike, there’s a moral center to the character. Cho’s actions soften as we move to present-day Spike, yet he’s just as imposing in action scenes for both.

    In an industry where white men named Chris seem to get all of the roles, it’s about time Hollywood sees Cho as more than a supporting character. His turn as Spike Spiegel shows he is ready for a franchise of his own.

  • ‘Cowboy Bebop’ Finally Introduces Radical Edward

    ‘Cowboy Bebop’ Finally Introduces Radical Edward

    Please note, the below article includes spoilers for Cowboy Bebop.

    When it comes to adapting popular titles, changes are always expected. This is because it’s important storytellers are allowed to craft something unique for fans. Merely adapting a title scene-for-scene makes it difficult for the creatives involved to leave their mark. When it comes to adapting popular animes, though, Hollywood hasn’t exactly had the best track record. Cowboy Bebop, unfortunately, falls into the latter group.

    Ever since it was revealed Netflix would be adapting Cowboy Bebop in live-action, fans have been eagerly awaiting news regarding the casting of a certain fan-favorite. While cast members for Jet Black (Mustafa Shakir), Spike Spiegel (John Cho) and Faye Valentine (Daniella Pineda) were announced, there was radio silence regarding Edward’s involvement. It was a strange move, especially given how popular of a character Radical Edward is and how important she becomes to the rag-tag group of heroes. However, with the Netflix series telling its own take on the beloved anime, fans were hopeful Edward would appear in some capacity.

    And she does… just not in the capacity fans were probably hoping.

    The first season of Cowboy Bebop consists of 10-episodes. While it takes pointers from the anime, often incorporating bits from some of its more popular episodes, none of the episodes truly follow the anime exactly. On one hand, it’s a smart move because it allows for creative freedom. On the other hand, though, too much creative freedom when adapting a popular title could result in a tale that barely resembles its source.

    Throughout the first season, Edward is missing. She’s mentioned for a brief moment in the sixth episode. It happens when Jet and Spike discuss the hacker Radical Edward, but that’s it. Until the final episode, that is. In the final minutes of “Supernova Symphony,” Edward finally makes her grand entrance alongside Ein, who the group abandoned in an earlier episode.

    Her entrance is not explained, nor is it explained how she came upon Ein. However, it’s clear she knows Spike as Edward calls him by his first name. He’s passed out on the ground after getting drunk at a nearby bar. Earlier in the episode, we saw the group go their separate ways as Spike’s past finally becomes known to Jet. It’s a surprising ending, as in the anime, the group doesn’t split until the final episodes. Spike, in true Spike fashion, seems to be seeking an escape through alcohol. Unfortunately for him, though, Edward is not one to give up.

    When he initially tries to ignore her, Edward explains she’s come to him because she has a bounty for him. As the cameras pan out, we see Edward trying to wake a drunken Spike from his slumber much to his dismay.

    For a character as popular as Edward, and one Netflix seems to acknowledge is popular among fans, it makes little sense as to why she gets all of 4 minutes of screen-time in Season 1. Furthermore, her entrance just as the team falls apart after enduring some of their toughest missions makes little sense. Edward may be a bit loud and a bit strange at times, but she’s as core to the group as Ein. More importantly, she helps the team on more than one occasion. Her near erasure from Season 1 makes little sense.

    Hopefully, when Season 2 happens, Edward receives a larger role, because a Cowboy Bebop show without Edward just feels wrong.

    Cowboy Bebop is now streaming on Netflix.

  • How ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Could Set Up a ‘Daredevil’ Soft-Reboot

    How ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Could Set Up a ‘Daredevil’ Soft-Reboot

    It’s looking more and more plausible that Daredevil is becoming a reality in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Charlie Cox will make his return in Spider-Man: No Way Home and there are already strong hints that a new project is in its earliest stages of development. With the next trailer for Sony’s multiversal adventure nearing, it seems like the perfect time to explore what an adaptation by Marvel Studios could do to make it build upon what came before while also adding its twist to the character. In a way, they could do that literally by taking inspiration from the comic line Shadowlands that could be perfectly set up through the events of No Way Home.

    Marvel's Daredevil | Netflix – offizielle Webseite

    We’ve already been introduced to the Hand in the Netflix series. While its canonicity remains a mystery, it might not be too difficult to introduce the organization as one pulling many strings throughout New York City. Yet, as they are likely to soft reboot some aspects of the original three seasons, they could make that very apparent by taking inspiration from the series’ first season. In 2015, one of the main plotlines revolves around Wilson Fisk buying up real estate throughout Hell’s Kitchen. He planned to destroy and rebuild it. How about in this reintroduction, he did exactly that.

    Hell’s Kitchen is being torn down and Matt Murdock can hardly recognize it anymore. He starts an investigation to find out what is going out, as the rework of his home has raised criminal activity. In his investigation, he uncovers that this is more than just Fisk. The Hand, an old foe, has been one of the main investors in this new development, as they’ve taken over quite a few of the buildings. The NYC landscape is changing with so-called Shadowland temples being erected. Daredevil feels somewhat hopeless as non of his actions are stopping it.

    Shadowland revealed! | The Other Murdock Papers

    In a way, the series becomes an allegory on taking the familiar from Netflix but adding a new paint job to make it feel fresh. We have a familiar foe with the Hand, but their objectives are a bit more specific. We once again dive deep into Murdock’s psyché throughout these events, as he slowly realizes that he might be more closely involved than he might expect at first. They start to toy with him, as they either cause more damage or even push him beyond his limits.

    This adaptation would also fit nicely in the current theme of MCU projects reshaping the MCU as we know it. Shang-Chi introduced us to a new dimension, WandaVision turned an unknowing town into a pocket dimension and Eternals added a new landmark to Earth. So, it’s safe to assume Spider-Man: No Way Home might also unleash some lasting changes upon an unsuspecting NYC. It’ll probably sustain enough damage from the battle aiding Kingpin and the Hand’s efforts. Hell’s Kitchen was already falling apart and might not quite recover from this one like they did the Incident so long ago.

    SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME | Sony Pictures Austria

    So, the aftermath of Spider-Man‘s third film, which also serves as our reintroduction to the character of Daredevil, sets up his story that reshapes a world we’ve come to love back in 2015. Yes, things will likely change but by embracing the first season’s core elements we’re putting the character on a similar yet different path. Some elements might repeat and could be twisted in new directions, but it would finally bring Daredevil back into the fold.

  • ‘Cowboy Bebop’ is an Important Stepping Stone for Live-Action Anime

    ‘Cowboy Bebop’ is an Important Stepping Stone for Live-Action Anime

    The first reviews have hit for Cowboy Bebop. Netflix’s latest attempt at a live-action adaptation has arrived and might just be the beginning of their future venture. There’s a noticeable trend among many that the series doesn’t quite live up to the original, which it doesn’t, and in many ways never could. Yet, there’s something rather interesting surrounding the discussion of it. The inspiration of that very discussion is a simple question on the live-action adaptations reasoning to exist, such as how Brian Lloyd of entertainment.ie put it in his review: “Why bother with this when the original anime is on Netflix?”

    It’s a fair question, especially with many adaptations, especially of anime, seemingly not living up to the highs of the original. Netflix kind of pushed this very question when it announced that the original 1999 anime was going to release ahead of their live-action adaptation. If they’re going to provide the classic, why invest all that money into a separate adaptation that will very likely never live up to the original due to the relevance it holds to this day. Hell, they’re going even further with a live-action adaptation planned for other beloved classic anime like One Piece, Pokémon, and even Mobile Suit Gundam.

    Cowboy Bebop review: Netflix's adaptation has heart, style, and some rough edges - The Verge

    The series is far from where we were with projects like Death Note or the best-forgotten Dragonball Evolution. In a way, there’s a long path ahead of any of these adaptations due to fan expectations. It took years before Marvel Studios got to the point that they create believable adaptations of their comics that don’t fall into the valley of ridiculous. I mean, could you imagine ten years ago that we’ll have a film featuring a wizard traveling through the multiverse potentially facing a Lovecraftian tentacle monster as a May-opening blockbuster? We’re at a point where no one proclaims anymore: “Why not just read the comics?” but rather: “How and when will they adapt this story?” The curiosity has spread to those that don’t even read comics and created a new generation of potential readers.

    Cowboy Bebop took risks while also trying to play it safe. It’s kind of almost every adaptation does, but there’s a spark there of people that loved the original. It doesn’t always translate so easily but it does inspire. Even if this series isn’t perfect, it’s something that’ll introduce people that otherwise would have no interest in it. Yes, the original anime is available but not everyone is willing to watch everything that is out there. Countless people still downplay the relevance of storytelling through animation outside of the classic Pixar or Disney films. Anime has become more mainstream, but there’s a strong focus on specific franchises rather than the genre as a whole. Just like people didn’t take comics seriously due to it just being for “kids” for quite some time.

    Cowboy Bebop review: "A stellar remix that hits all the right notes" | GamesRadar+

    To give an example, One Piece is a deep series of characters going through extreme hardships at times, but its cartoony exterior may keep many from wanting to check it out. The same might go for those that may be a little anxious about the more methodical pace of the original Cowboy Bebop. It’s a bounty-of-the-week series that is more philosophical and far beyond classic understandings of genre. While streamlining this story may feel far removed from the original and make you question its existence, its easier-to-digest nature is a gateway for those unwilling to check out something they may have trivialized as a “cartoon from Japan.” A flawed adaptation that comes from the right place and made by fans of the original will play an integral part as the first stepping stone where quality meets intention.

    Source: Entertainment.ie

  • Josh Gad Fought for Some of His Lines in ‘Olaf Presents’

    Josh Gad Fought for Some of His Lines in ‘Olaf Presents’

    The upcoming Disney+ series Olaf Presents features the Frozen franchise’s beloved snowman sidekick retelling classic Disney films. Actor Josh Gad famously voices Olaf in the films and will be reprising his role for the series.

    While actors and voice actors alike often truly embrace their characters, Gad seems to have gone above and beyond while bringing Olaf to life in Olaf Presents. At a press conference for the series, the actor talked about his recording experience:

    “What I love to do is just play and run free, which I’m sure is what [directors] like the least. But they really, you know, gave me the opportunity to just go crazy and [Director Hyrum Osmond] from day one would just let the mic roll and allow me [to do that]. And at first I was recording it all from home–I was my own sound engineer throughout. And it was just one of those things where it was like 45 minutes for a one minute short of just me being an idiot.”

    Josh Gad

    Even though he was given plenty of leeway in how he went about voicing Olaf for the series, he apparently also had to fight for some of his performances. Gad explained:

    “There were definitely a lot of moments where [Producer Jennifer Newfield] and Hyrum said ‘No, Josh. No, no, no.’ My favorite moments [were] early on figuring out what the boundaries were…I was like, oh, no, I’m going to Bob Iger with this. I’m going to the shareholders with this.”

    Josh Gad

    Olaf and Gad seem to be one of those rare castings where they not only seem inseparable, but the actor has the ability to influence the character in major ways outside of the writing process. Director Hyrum Osmond recognized that many of the choices as to what elements to bring into each episode “came down to we had Josh kind of just say it all.”

    Olaf Presents is now streaming on Disney+. 

  • Updated: What to Expect From Marvel Studios’ Disney Plus Day Special Look and How To Watch It

    Updated: What to Expect From Marvel Studios’ Disney Plus Day Special Look and How To Watch It

    We’ve believed for a long time that Marvel Studios news hits hard enough that the studio doesn’t need a convention. Last year’s Investor Day made that point clear, and it seems like the first Disney Plus Day is going to remind us all that Marvel Studios has plenty to share on its own terms.

    Yesterday we learned that the inaugural Disney Plus Day, planned for November 12th, would feature special D+ exclusive programming that will include an “exciting look towards the future” of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That look was described recently as one that would include the past, present and future of Marvel Studios on the streaming service full of first looks and new announcement. With that in mind, here are a few guesses as to what we can expect from Kevin Feige and company.

    A ‘Ms. Marvel‘ Trailer

    Last year’s Investor Day Fact Sheet had Ms. Marvel set for a 2021 release on the streaming service. Unfortunately, though, things change (especially during an ongoing health crisis) and we are now going to have to wait until the second half of 2022 for the series to introduce Kamala Khan to the MCU. We don’t have an exact date for Ms. Marvel yet, but it seems like it will be ready to go to kick off the new year. So a full trailer with a release date reveal would be in line.

    A ‘Moon Knight‘ Sizzle Reel

    Moon Knight has been a tough nut to crack. Any “leaks” have been trickles, with only one leaked photo of a costume hitting the web; at this point, we still don’t know who any of the series leads other than Oscar Isaac will be playing and there’s no plot information to be found. A sizzle reel showing off the costume, the physicality and Ethan Hawke’s villain, who many think might be Dracula, would give fans a lot to talk about.

    A First Look at ‘She-Hulk‘

    Unlike Moon Knight, info on Marvel’s legal comedy She-Hulk made its way into the world during production. We’ve seen a few glimpses at characters, learned who Jameela Jamil is playing and heard some other awesome rumors about the series that make it sound like it’ll be a blast (Skaar! Daredevil! Seriously?). With that in mind, it would be great for Marvel Studios to give us a first look at it whether it be a trailer or a sizzle reel to give fans a sense of just what’s in store tonally, especially from star Tatiana Maslany. 

    A Cast Update on ‘Secret Invasion’

    secret invasion production start

    Secret Invasion is set to begin filming shortly and while the trades have reported on castings outside of Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Mendelsohn, the project remains pretty…secretive. It would be great to get some more info on the project, including learning the roles of stars Emilia Clarke, Olivia Colman and Kingsley Ben-Adir (who I know is playing a Skrull).

    An Official Announcement for Echo and Werewolf By Night

    Among the more perplexing things about the slew of announcements made at 2020’s Disney Investor Day was the absence of a couple of projects from the Fact Sheet that, as it turns out, will go into production and probably stream BEFORE a few that were on there. Echo and Werewolf By Night are now both known to be happening, but Marvel Studios has remained quiet about them despite openly looking for cast members for at least one of them (Echo has been casting for some time). The D+ Day special would be a good time to update fans on them as they go into production early next year and are likely to be included in the 2022 slate.

    An Update on ‘Loki’ Season 2

    A recent production publication indicated that Loki Season 2 would start work in Atlanta in early 2022. While we have no idea if this is accurate, we might well find out tomorrow!

    A Tease of Future D+ Projects

    Marvel Studios has about a dozen or so streaming series in development. We know some are animated and some are live-action but we don’t know what any of them are. A little tease can go a long way here in hyping up fans for the future of the streaming service (what better way to get fans to buy a 3-year sub than to tease the awesome stuff they can see over the next 3 years!). The Untitled Wakanda project, Ghost Rider, Secret Warriors, Illuminati, Nomad and more could be among these teases. In fact, we still know very little about Ironheart and Armor Wars, which were announced almost one year ago and are expected to go into production next year.

    When and Where to Watch Marvel Studios Presentation

    According to Disney, fans are getting pre-recorded features rather than a livestream, so all of the features will be available on Disney Plus throughout the day. While Disney Plus Day officially kicks off at 9:00 AM ET, the Marvel Studios presentation won’t stream until 11:45 AM ET. The good news is that it’ll be available for fans all day, so if you’re not around at 11:45, you’ll be able to watch it at your convenience on your phone, tablet, laptop, desktop or TV. Of course, we’ll be covering all the major news from the event right here, so be sure to check back in with us tomorrow!