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Tag: TV News

  • ‘Ms. Marvel’ Almost Featured Too Many Iron Man References

    ‘Ms. Marvel’ Almost Featured Too Many Iron Man References

    As the next installment to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, all eyes are on the Disney+ series Ms. Marvel. Iman Vellani stars as Kamala Khan, whose admiration of Captain Marvel leads her to don the Ms. Marvel mantle after she discovers she has mysterious abilities. Khan is primed to be a major heroic force for the future of the MCU, so it will be interesting to watch the growth of a superhero who came of age admiring them herself.

    Vellani herself is a well-known MCU superfan, and apparently, Iron Man is her go-to comfort film. Considering the 2008 film began the MCU, her love of it is fitting for both her and Kamala Khan. The actress explained:

    The first thing I did when I got cast was watch Iron Man again. It’s like my comfort movie. Any big milestone we would hit in the show, whether it was filming the scene where Kamala gets her costume or her powers, I would watch Iron Man. “It was my reminder that this character exists in the same universe as Tony Stark, which was just the coolest thing in the world for me.

    Iman Vellani

    It turns out that that love made its way into Ms. Marvel in the form of references to the late Tony Stark and Iron Man easter eggs. In a world full of Stark fans and those grateful for his sacrifice to defeat Thanos, it makes perfect sense. Apparently, though, there got to be too many references for Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige to agree to. According to the actress, Feige stepped in to limit the number of references to Iron Man eventually:

    I’m a huge, huge Iron Man fan. I know Kamala is more Captain Marvel, but I was very much asking for more Iron Man references in there. Like, ‘I think she needs an Iron Man action figure, more Iron Man.’ There was a point where we got to too much Iron Man, that was the note from Kevin!

    Iman Vellani

    Even though Tony Stark is dead and gone, fans still can’t get enough of him. But Feige had plenty of reasons to limit the easter eggs, including to possibly avoid the possibility that some viewers would accuse Marvel Studios of making a younger hero an Iron Man mini-me, like the “Iron Boy Jr.” nickname for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man.

    Ms. Marvel first premieres on Disney+ on June 8, 2022.

    Source: SFX Magazine via The Direct

  • Seth MacFarlane’s ‘Ted’ Series Rounds Out Cast With Alanna Ubach

    Seth MacFarlane’s ‘Ted’ Series Rounds Out Cast With Alanna Ubach

    Seth MacFarlane is seemingly reviving his popular Ted franchise, as a new series is heading to Peacock. MacFarlane is going to write, direct, and co-showrun all episodes of the series and is working with Modern Family‘s Paul Corrigan and Brad Walsh on the series. They will also executive produce and co-showrun. The series has now finalized its cast with Euphoria’s Allanna Ubach joining the production.

    She will be playing a “kind, selfless, and almost pathologically sweet” character known as Susan Bennett. A character that sees the world through rose-colored glasses will surely collide with the outspoken teddy bear, Ted. Of course, MacFarlane is also returning to voice the titular character. Scott Grimes, George Whigham, and Max Burkholder round out the cast.

    The series will release on Peacock and has been long in development. The first film in the series was released ten years ago in 2012 with only one sequel hitting theaters in 2015. We haven’t heard much about the production in some time, but with the cast finalized, they may start production sooner rather than later. So, everyone whose been hoping for more Ted is in luck as the Peacock series is moving forward in full steam.

    Source: Deadline

  • Live-Action ‘One Piece’s Budget on Par with Marvel Studios’ Films

    Live-Action ‘One Piece’s Budget on Par with Marvel Studios’ Films

    There’s been a lot of discourse on just how big the budget is for Netflix’s attempt at bringing One Piece into live-action. It’s not a cheap undertaking, especially when one considers the leaked set photos teasing towns and even entire boats replicated for the sake of production. Luckily, Richard Bridgland, the production designer on One Piece, has revealed that their project is on par with what Marvel Studios is producing.

    We know he’s working on One Piece, as he’s highlighted as the Production Designer of “Project Panda,” which was the name we first heard just as the production was preparing a while before cameras started rolling. @dogy_logy shared a clip from the presentation on Twitter, which included the statement regarding the budget reveal.

    On a big film, the main unit crew will cost anywhere between 180 thousand to 250K thousand a day. And we’re talking about a big Marvel movie, the production I am working on at the moment. If they get held up a half an hour, you can calculate that cost.

    There have been many discussions on just how much money Netflix is investing in this project, and knowing that it’s following the production budget of a Marvel production, which goes up to the $200M, it’s quite something up. The challenge will be that they keep these budgets going for future entries, especially as future seasons may get even crazier with their budgets, and with Netflix’s current situation, here’s hoping they keep that investment alive for many future seasons.

    Source: Twitter

  • RUMOR: She-Hulk’s Earlier Model Was Supposedly “Bigger”

    RUMOR: She-Hulk’s Earlier Model Was Supposedly “Bigger”

    So, there has been a lot of discussion surrounding She-Hulk‘s VFX in the first trailer released for the Disney+ series. While there are still a few more months to go before it releases, future trailer releases will build more confidence by highlighting how far work has come with the VFX model. Still, VFX artist Sean Ruecroft has taken to Twitter to point out that the model was originally going to be “bigger” at one point in reference to a comment saying she isn’t “buff.”

    The Visual Effects artist has recently worked on Moon Knight as a visualization artist and was also involved with other Marvel productions that include Avengers: Infinity War and Spider-Man: Homecoming in the previs department. So, he may actively have worked with those that are in the team working on the character design. Though it should be noted that the design seemingly was something discussed earlier on.

    While it’s not uncommon that the team’s get involved with their vision of what the character should look like, the Sonic comparison is a rather curious one. Sonic the Hedgehog infamously featured a model that was nowhere close to what we’d see in the final product; it even recently made a reappearance as “Ugly Sonic” in the new Rescue Rangers film. Yet, in this case, it’s more about the character being slimmer rather than an actual bad design.

    Now, the question remains if the issue from the VFX artists is in regard to the character model not working if it’s slimmed down when an Uncanny Valley effect takes over, or if it truly was just them wanting the character to be bigger. If it’s the latter, then the reasoning for her slimmer design is mostly due to the comic inspiration for this storyline. One could argue this is nowhere close to what we’ve seen with Sonic, as this is not a bad model just something directly inspired by Dan Slot‘s run with the character from 2004 to 2005.

    The VFX teams are under a lot of pressure, as the market has suffered severely due to COVID, and many productions, such as some bits of Moon Knight, are still feeling its repercussions. Given that Disney+ is heading to an ad-supported model and the company wants to show off what big project shows they currently have in development, it may have also played a key part in the release of a trailer even with some unfinished VFX. The inclusion of Secret Invasions during the event seems to further hint at them having to tease the future of Disney+, but that is just speculation.

    Source: Twitter, IMDB

  • Hulu Developing an Adaptation of ‘A Calculated Man’

    Hulu Developing an Adaptation of ‘A Calculated Man’

    The news comes courtesy of Deadline with the outlet revealing the streaming service has put the AfterShock comic into early development. A Calculated Man is a crime story from Paul Tobin (Bunny Mask) and artist Alberto Albuquerque (The Amazing Spider-Man). It follows Jack Beans, an accountant that finds himself living in witness protection after betraying his former employers – the Pinafore crime family. Growing tired of his life in witness protection, Jack tries to reclaim his old life in a story that promises murder, mayhem and mathematics.

    Peter Calloway, who is a co-executive producer on the series, will serve as showrunner. He previously worked on Freeform’s Cloak & Dagger based on the Marvel Comics characters as well as FX’s Legion adaptation. Calloway will also write on the project. He also has a relationship with AfterShock Media having previously worked with them on the title Shadow Doctor.

    It’s not often that a story grabs you by the throat and heart at the same time. A Calculated Man did just that. The moment I read Paul and Alberto’s beautifully bonkers book, I was excited to bring it to the screen. Doing it at Hulu — with their commitment to unflinching, unique stories — is a dream come true.

    Peter Calloway

    A Calculated Man’s first issue will debut on June 15th. The project is still in the very early stages of development at Hulu.

    Source: Deadline

  • Neve Campbell Joins Peacock’s ‘Twisted Metal’ series

    Neve Campbell Joins Peacock’s ‘Twisted Metal’ series

    The news comes courtesy of Deadline, with the outlet reporting that Campbell will join the series as Robin in a recurring role. She joins the previously announced Anthony Mackie, Stephanie Beatriz and Thomas Haden Church.

    Twisted Metal hails from Michael Jonathan Smith (Cobra Kai), who serves as the showrunner for the Peacock original. It is based on an original take by Deadpool writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. The series focuses on a motor-mouthed outsider (Mackie) who is offered a chance at a better life if he can successfully deliver a mysterious package across a post-apocalyptic wasteland. With the help of a trigger-happy car thief (Beatriz), he’ll face savage marauders driving vehicles of destruction and other dangers of the open road, including a deranged clown who drives an all too familiar ice cream truck.

    The Passage director Kitao Sakurai will helm multiple episodes of Twisted Metal.

    The series, which is being developed for Peacock, is based on the highly popular video game franchise of the same name. Twisted Metal is being produced by Sony Pictures Television, PlayStation Productions, and Universal Television. Also producing the title are Sakurai, Reese, Wernick, Will Arnett, and Marc Forman via their Electric Avenue production company, Jason Spire of Inspire Entertainment, Peter Principato of Artists First, Asad Qizilbash, and Carter Swan from PlayStation Productions, Hermen Hulst, Head of PlayStation Studios. Smith and Mackie also serve as executive producers.

    Along with having recently returned for Scream 5, Campbell is coming off of Netflix’s adaptation of the Lincoln Lawyer. And while it has yet to be confirmed, the actress is expected to return for Scream 6.

    Source: Deadline

  • Kumail Nanjiani Spills the Beans on His Mysterious ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ Character

    Kumail Nanjiani Spills the Beans on His Mysterious ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ Character

    We’re only a week away from Deborah Chow‘s Obi-Wan Kenobi series releasing its first two episodes on Disney+. Of course, all eyes are on the return of Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen, but it’ll also see the addition of Eternals‘ Kumail Nanjiani to the Star Wars universe. In a surprising move, the actor has simply given away his mysterious’ character’s role in the Entertainment Weekly’s Star Wars podcast.

    His name is Haja, and he’s this guy who works on the streets of Daiyu, which is this new Star Wars location that we haven’t seen before that’s absolutely gorgeous. And he’s the guy who’s worked really hard to stay out of the bigger conflicts at play. He just kind of wants to be his own guy. Survival for him is all that matters.

    Kumail Nanjiani

    It definitely sounds like a character that’ll get drawn into something he doesn’t want to be involved with once he runs into Obi-Wan, but kind of gets dragged along.

    He’s this sort of con-man guy who cons people for money. That’s what’s important to him. And then he has a run-in with Obi-Wan and suddenly he sort of gets stuck in the bigger conflicts at play, which is the thing that he really tries to avoid. So he is this street-level con-man guy who then gets embroiled in stuff that’s way too big for him. And he has to make a choice.

    Kumail Nanjiani

    He did not give away how many episodes we can expect him, but it does sound like he’s going to get into a lot more trouble than he bargained for the moment he meets the former Jedi Master. Nanjiani playing a con man is also a fun direction for the actor, as his style of comedy may add to the guy trying to talk his way out of whatever troubles he’s about to get bombarded with.

    Source: EW via Bleeding Cool

  • ‘Big Hero 6’ Spinoff Series ‘Baymax!’ Eyeing June Release on Disney+

    ‘Big Hero 6’ Spinoff Series ‘Baymax!’ Eyeing June Release on Disney+

    It’s been a while since we first heard that we’ll be making our return to San Fransokyo with the Big Hero 6 spinoff series Baymax!, which is the second for the franchise so far. Unlike its 2D counterpart, which aired on Disney XD, this will be a Disney+ original in a similar animation style as the original film. Big Hero 6 The Series ran for three seasons and started in 2014, which was the perfect carry-over for those wanting to spend more time with the team. Now, Baymax! will explore the kind robot on his adventures helping out locals of San Fransokyo and will be made available on June 29th.

    The series was teased back in Disney’s Investors Day 2020, where it was announced that the series would explore Baymax’s original protocol as a nurse robot. So, those expecting more rocket-powered action might be in for a disappointment, but the series will offer something special for those who adored the loveable robot’s antics in the original. Creator Don Hall talked about how “each episode, we meet a new character: a patient that Baymax is going to help.”

    It definitely sounds like it’s going to be a fun series, but it’s unknown if it’s closer to the Scrat Tales shorts or an actual series format. It seems likely it’ll explore shorter episode runtimes to just focus on the antics and won’t have an overarching plot of some kind. We can only theorize for now, but the animation looks adorable going by the first trailer, which featured some familiar and new characters that he’ll help throughout his journey.

    Source: ComicBook.com

  • ‘Agatha: House of Harkness’ Adds 3 Writers, Eyes 2023 Release

    ‘Agatha: House of Harkness’ Adds 3 Writers, Eyes 2023 Release

    The writer’s room is filling up for Marvel Studios WandaVision spinoff, Agatha: House of Harkness. Announced at the first ever Disney Plus Day in November 2021, the Kathryn Hahn-lead streamer is being created by Jac Schaeffer, who developed Hahn’s Harkness for WandaVision. With an eye on getting production underway this Fall, Schaeffer has been assembling her writer’s room and it looks as though she’s put together quite a collection of talent, all of whom she worked with before on WandaVision. According to their Writer’s Guild of America West bios, Peter Cameron, Laura Donney and Cameron Squires will all contribute to Agatha: House of Harkness.

    Cameron co-wrote Episodes 5 and 6 of WandaVision, respectively titled “On a Very Special Episode” and “All-New Halloween Spooktacular”, which took the cast through the 80s and 90s and saw Evan Peters‘ Ralph Bohner appear as “Pietro.” Cameron also worked on Marvel Studios’ most recent streaming series, Moon Knight.

    Agatha Harkness 'WandaVision' Spin-Off in The Works at Disney+ - The DisInsider

    Donney is credited with writing Episode 8 of WandaVision, “Previously On”, which was one of the strongest episodes of the series. “Previously On” provided some backstory for Agatha and effectively detailed Wanda’s true origins via flashbacks. It’s likely that Donney’s work on Episode 8 may well have provided some of the meat for what would eventually become Agatha: House of Harkness.

    Like Donney, Squires has a writing credit for one episode of WandaVision: Episode 7, “Breaking the Fourth Wall.” That episode, which riffed heavily on Modern Family and, to a lesser extent, The Office, revealed that Hahn’s nosy neighbor lady Agnes, was actually the powerful witch Agatha Harkness and, most importantly, responsible for killing Sparky!

    Each of the writer’s bios also clearly indicate that the first season of Agatha: House of Harkness is classified as a “comedy” (WandaVision was classified as a drama) and is expected to stream in “2023-2024.” A late-2023 release date lines up incredibly well with the known tentative start of production on the Disney Plus series, but it will likely be sometime in the second half of next year before a firm release date for the series is pinned down.

    Source: WGA

  • ‘WandaVision’s Matt Shakman to Direct Apple TV+’s ‘Godzilla’ Spinoff Series

    ‘WandaVision’s Matt Shakman to Direct Apple TV+’s ‘Godzilla’ Spinoff Series

    After first hearing about the project, many were surprised that Apple TV+ got the rights to develop a Monsterverse series that’ll act as a spinoff of the franchise set up with Godzilla set up back in 2014. While it went silent after the initial announcement, Legendary Pictures has revealed that the WandaVision director will direct the first two episodes.

    Looks like his time with Marvel Studios has made him a must-get for studios in Hollywood. Not only is he working on this new Apple TV+ series, but he’s also on board to direct the next Star Trek film featuring the return of Chris Pine’s era as Captain Kirk through the Kelvin Timeline. As he hasn’t started production yet, he may be busy with these two episodes before he starts work on the feature film.

    The director brought a charming tribute to classic TV sitcoms with WandaVision and is now heading to space, as well as a Titan-infested world coping with the devastation in their wake. So, he’s definitely upping his game in the industry and exploring new avenues.

    It’ll be interesting to see what he brings to the table with the series, especial as it’s unclear if it’ll also feature any of the Titans from the Monsterverse series. There were hints that it’ll act as a direct spinoff from 2014’s Godzilla, as a family explores their mysterious connection to the secret organization Monarch. So, here’s hoping we get some monster action throughout.

    Source: Twitter