Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: TV News

  • CW’s Live-Action ‘Powerpuff Girls’ Series Still in Development

    CW’s Live-Action ‘Powerpuff Girls’ Series Still in Development

    CW has recently been busy cleaning house, as they’ve canceled the most TV series they’ve ever had since 2012. As such, it made many wonders if any of their other rumored productions are still being worked on, especially if Warner Bros. is interested in selling the broadcast network. Well, it turns out that the live-action Powerpuff Girls series is still being worked on.

    According to TVLine, the series is still in some form of “redevelopment” after the first pilot was passed on and even lost one of its main stars, Chloe Bennet in the process. CW’s CEO Mark Pedowitz has publicly stated that they believe in the cast and writers behind the project, but the pilot just didn’t quite come together as initially hoped.

    We’ll likely not hear from the project for some time, as they’ve just missed the cut-off for the 2022/23 scheduling for the CW. But, Powerpuff Girls may enter production on a new pilot by the end of the year. So, once we get a casting for Blossom, who Bennet was originally going to play, we’ll likely know more on the future of the series’ second attempt.

    Source: TVLine

  • Disney UK May Have Accidentally Leaked ‘She-Hulk’s Release Date

    Disney UK May Have Accidentally Leaked ‘She-Hulk’s Release Date

    Marvel Studios has had a rather strict approach when it comes to their Disney+ shows. As the schedule has shifted quite a bit throughout the years due to COVID, it’s been harder to get a feeling for when we may expect a series to actually release. Ms. Marvel came in with a surprising early June release, making us wonder when we might expect She-Hulk. Turns out, the wait might not be that long as the official Disney UK site has accidentally revealed that the series will premiere on August 17th on Disney+.

    There is one aspect to this overview that’s a bit strange and it’s that Moon Knight is noticeably missing. The last Marvel Studios addition to Disney+ mentioned is Eternals but there’s no sign of the recently ended Moon Knight show. So, there may be some errors that have slipped through and the release date for She-Hulk could be changed depending on what the production requires. Yet, an August release would match rumors that we’ve heard back in April.

    She-Hulk will see Tatiana Maslany take on the role of Jennifer Walters, a lawyer specializing in superheroes. Rumors have hinted that the show might include Wong trying to sue another wizard, as well as an episode focused on the return of Damage Control. If these turn out true, it may be the first series to truly have a week-to-week format, but it may follow WandaVision as it ends with a more traditional structure. We’ll have to see if the first trailer gives us any hint on how the series might turn out.

    Source: Disney UK

  • Hulu Cancels ’M.O.D.O.K.’ After One Season

    Hulu Cancels ’M.O.D.O.K.’ After One Season

    In unsurprising news, Hulu has opted not to bring M.O.D.O.K.back for another season.

    The news comes courtesy of Variety, with the outlet revealing that the stop-motion animation series has officially been canceled. The series was meant to be part of a series of Marvel animated shows on the streaming series consisting of M.O.D.O.K., Hit Monkey, Tigra and Dazzler, and Howard the Duck. The plan was for these shows to then crossover in an event series titled The Offenders. However, after Marvel Television ended, with Marvel Studios taking over projects on the small screen, those plans were scrapped.

    The 10-episode series focused on M.O.D.O.K. and his pursuit to try and one day conquer the world. However, after years of setbacks and failures, M.O.D.O.K. managed to run A.I.M. into the ground. He was forced to deal with being ousted from A.I.M., while also trying to fix his crumbling marriage and family life. 

    M.O.D.O.K.’s cast consisted of Patton Oswalt, Melissa Fumero, Aimee Garcia, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ben Schwartz, Beck Bennett, Jon Daly and Sam Richardson.Oswalt and Jordan Blum created the series and also served as executive producers on the series. The series was also produced by Jeph Loeb, Brett Cawley, Robert Maitia, Grant Gish, Joe Quesada, and Karim Zreik.

    While M.O.D.O.K. has been confirmed to be canceled, Hit Monkey has not been confirmed to be canceled. However, it is expected that series will also not be coming back for a second outing. An official announcement should be coming soon.

    Source: Variety.

  • Stephanie Beatriz Joins Anthony Mackie in ‘Twisted Metal’

    Stephanie Beatriz Joins Anthony Mackie in ‘Twisted Metal’

    Peacock has been busy developing a new series based on the popular PlayStation gaming series Twisted Metal. Anthony Mackie is set to spearhead the project from the writing team behind Cobra Kai and Deadpool. We previously reported that the project was looking to cast series regular characters Quiet and Agent Stone.

    Twisted Metal has now found its Quiet in Brooklyn Nine-Nine actress Stephanie Beatriz. The character is described as a car thief who acts purely on instinct. She comes from a community that forced her into silence. But when she becomes clouded by her need for revenge, Quiet forms an unlikely, antagonistic bond with Mackie’s John Doe. Quiet appears to be an original character for the live-action series. While Beatriz may be most known for her role as Rosa Diaz in the comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine, her recent credits also include Disney’s animated hit Encanto and Warner Bros.’ In the Heights.

    Will Arnett and Marc Forman are also involved as executive producers for Twisted Metal via Electric Avenue production company, and the series is described as a half-hour comedy. The Sony Pictures Television-produced series is based on an original take on the property by Deadpool’s Rhett Reese and Zombieland’s Paul Wernick. Michael Jonathan Smith, who on Netflix’s Cobra Kai, serves as showrunner, writer, and executive producer. PlayStation Productions and Universal Television are also attached to the co-production. Kitao Sakurai, whose credits includeThe Eric Andre Show and Bad Trip will executive produce and direct multiple episodes of the series.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • New ‘Ms. Marvel’ Promo Art Pays Tribute to Comics

    New ‘Ms. Marvel’ Promo Art Pays Tribute to Comics

    Marvel Studios has been busy shifting gear to focus on their next Disney+ series, Ms. Marvel. The story of Kamala Khan will see Marvel introduce their first Pakistani-American superhero to live action. Iman Vellani takes on the heroic role and in a new bit of promo art they pay tribute to a classic comic cover.

    It’s always great when they pay tribute to the comics. Here’s hoping that we also get some new posters that include references to the comic covers, as they perfectly showcase the teenage heroes attitude.

    The first poster for Ms. Marvel included a cover reference to her sitting on a street lamp. While the second had a more unique design, there’s still a chance we could get more paying tribute, perhaps with the character posters.

    Source: Twitter

  • The Reasoning Behind ‘Batwoman’ and ‘Legends of Tomorrow’ Getting Canceled

    The Reasoning Behind ‘Batwoman’ and ‘Legends of Tomorrow’ Getting Canceled

    In recent years, it has been normal for the CW to renew nearly all of its titles despite their often-low ratings. This year, however, following the successful merger between Warner Bros. and Discovery, the network is being forced to reevaluate all ofits titles.

    The Hollywood Reporter did a deep dive into what is being called “the Red Wedding at WBTC/CW.” After canceling ten shows – so far – the network’s volume of original titles has dipped to what is considered its lowest level since 2012. While the CW has never been profitable, the network was ultimately launched as a means to supply low-scripted shows from both Warner Bros. and CBS Studios to cash in from “lucrative international rights.” The network would then strike a huge deal in 2011 that saw Warner Bros and CBS Studios add revenue from a $1 billion deal with Netflix to stream its titles.

    So, how did all of this factor into the cancellation of Batwoman and The Legends of Tomorrow? Well, after the Netflix deal was not renewed, the plan was to switch to streaming CW titles on HBO Max and Paramount+. This impacted foreign rights deals, making it so the lower-rated shows were no longer “profitable” enough to keep on the air. While Mark Pedowitz, the CEO of the CW, wanted to renew both Batwoman and The Legends of Tomorrow, Warners was unwilling to pay the leases on the studio space for these shows, resulting in them expiring on May 1st.

    Both shows struggled in their final seasons, pulling in under 600,000 same-day views and only nabbing a 0.1 in the all-important 18-49 demographic. While both were loved by fans around the world, it ultimately came down to money. Neither title was pulling enough in regarding profits to keep them alive for the network.

    With the network expected to go up for sale, the CW will look drastically different in the next year or two. For now, fans at least have the DC shows on HBO Max that they can enjoy.

    Source: THR.

  • Animated Revival of ‘Married..with Children’ Being Shopped to Networks

    Animated Revival of ‘Married..with Children’ Being Shopped to Networks

    In the era of vintage television programming from the 1990s being revitalized, it appears the next franchise to receive this treatment will be the classic sitcom Married…with Children. However, a notable twist on the format will be that this new series will be animated. All four original leads of the show in Ed O’Neill, Katey Segal, David Faustino, and Christina Applegate are slated to return to lend their voices. The new series is being written by Alex Carter, an executive producer for Family Guy. Industry insiders are reporting there is strong interest from networks and streaming platforms for the rights to this developing project. Three leading contenders for the show are rumored to be Fox, Hulu, and Peacock. Fox would arguably be the most logical option as the network where the original series aired and being home to some of the most prominent adult-oriented animated shows.

    Married…with Children ran from 1987 to 1997 and tells the story of the Bundy family and their common familial blights in Chicago. The classic sitcom has been considered one of the most influential to the genre while airing and is one of the longest running comedy franchises with 11 seasons. As well, it very much helped establish Fox as a mainstay broadcast network while it was still establishing its brand identity. Numerous attempts at reviving the show have been made before, but none have had legs to them due to the busy schedules of the principal leads. Though with the animated format to this new series, it opens the door much more to the likes of O’Neill and Applegate to be available to participate. It will be interesting to follow who picks up this potential series and more on the narrative direction that will be taken for the sequel show.


    Source: Deadline

  • CW Cancels ‘Legacies’ After Four Seasons

    CW Cancels ‘Legacies’ After Four Seasons

    In what has been a day filled with mass amounts of cancellations from the CW, Legacies has officially become the latest casualty. After four seasons beginning in 2018, the Julie Plec-created series has officially been pulled by the network. The show continued the overarching narrative of the Vampire Diaries franchise while introducing audiences to a new generation of supernatural beings at Salvatore Boarding School for the Young & Gifted. With the cancellation of this series, it quietly marks the end of the Vampire Diaries saga as of now, with both the original series and additional spin-off The Originals having come to an end in recent years.

    Even with the end of the series, creator Julie Plec remains fully ensconced in the world of young vampires. She continues to be working on the Vampire Academy series, created by Marguerite MacIntyre and herself, for the Peacock streaming service. As well, she has recently reunited with Vampire Diaries co-creator Kevin Williamson earlier this year to begin development on an additional series for Peacock based around the Death Day film franchise.

    The CW has very much upended its original programming lineup with the cancellations of 4400, Charmed, Dynasty, In the Dark, and Roswell, New Mexico earlier today. As well, the network has officially eliminated a large portion of their shows built around the DC Universe with Naomi being canceled today in conjunction with Batwoman and Legends of Tomorrow recently. It certainly begs the question of what the CW has planned moving forward in terms of original programming.


    Source: Variety

  • New ‘Moon Knight’ Concept Art Reveals Ammit’s Alternative Designs

    New ‘Moon Knight’ Concept Art Reveals Ammit’s Alternative Designs

    Not too long ago, we got a good look at some alternative designs for Khonshu, Moon Knight’s rather selfish Egyptian deity. The series gave us a good look at a few Egyptian gods, but the big stand out was the build-up to Ammit’s arrival. The crocodile goddess made her debut in the final episode and didn’t hesitate to suck in some souls of those deserving for crimes they haven’t even done yet. As it turns out, the Moon Knight villain may have almost looked entirely different.

    Artist Jerad Marantz took to their personal ArtStation to release some early Ammit designs. As he highlights, this was very early in development before they probably finalized the character’s overall look. What is presented is much closer to her design from the Egyptian mythology, as Ammit is commonly portrayed more like a monstrous giant alligator with humanoid features, which is quite a departure from where the Disney+ series went.

    MOON KNIGHT: Early Ammit Designs
    MOON KNIGHT: Early Ammit Designs
    MOON KNIGHT: Early Ammit Designs

    There’s also a more humanoid alternative that also includes some elements that made it into the final design.

    It’s always great to get a glimpse at what could’Ve been. Sadly, the post-credit sequence has pretty much ended any potential return of Harrow and Ammit, but given Egyptian mythology anything is possible. It would be great to get the monstrous version of Ammit out for vengeance on what was done to her, seeing her fall to become the very thing she was trying to stop. For now, we’re still wondering what the future has in store for Moon Knight before we can even expect a return of Ammit.

    Source: ArtStation

  • ‘Alan Wake’ TV Series in Development by AMC

    ‘Alan Wake’ TV Series in Development by AMC

    Alan Wake has celebrated its 12th anniversary and while we still didn’t get any hints at the sequel that was revealed during the last Game Awards, we did get the announcement that AMC is currently developing a new series based on the action-adventure game. While Alan Wake 2‘s taking a stronger horror direction, it’s unclear if the new series will stick to the format of the original.

    Remedy Entertainment’s Creative Director Sam Lake shared his excitement on the announcement.

    AMC, the wonderful, wonderful home for absolutely brilliant TV shows has bought the rights for Alan Wake. We have been collaborating on making a TV show happen. Nothing more to share at the moment, but we will certainly let you know when there is something to announce.

    Sam Lake

    It seems there have been discussions on adapting the gaming franchise back in 2018 with Legion‘s Peter Calloway attached as its showrunner. Lake had an executive producer role at the time. It joins countless other video game adaptations that have been finding a new home with streaming services and broadcast networks, such as Fallout, Mass Effect, God of War, and Twisted Metal.

    Interestingly enough, there’s no mention if Calloway is once again attached to the series but going by the announcement, it seems unlikely at the moment. They’ve teased more updates in the future, but it seems we’ll have to wait a little longer as they get the project going, as it is seemingly in early pre-production.

    Source: Deadline