Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: TV News

  • ‘Moon Knight’ Head Writer On Series’ Violence And Pushing the PG-13 Rating to its Limit

    ‘Moon Knight’ Head Writer On Series’ Violence And Pushing the PG-13 Rating to its Limit

    Now only a week away, anticipation for Marvel Studios’ Moon Knight is at an all-time high. The series is expected to be a fairly unique installment of the MCU for several reasons. Notably, the series will take on mental illness with the titular character’s dissociate identity disorder, and Kevin Feige has suggested Moon Knight will be darker than the MCU at large.

    One particular aspect of the show that has been hinted at by Moon Knight’s creators has had fans on the edge of their seats for quite some time: violence. In some comic book iterations of the character, Moon Knight is abundantly brutal. Moon Knight head writer Jeremy Slater had some interesting things to say about the violence of the series at the red carpet premiere for Disney+’s MCU outing. Speaking to Variety, he stated:

    But I was like: ‘Let’s get as PG-13 as we possibly can, let’s give people some goosebumps, let’s have some violence in there that you may have never seen before in an MCU thing. And Marvel was so supportive of that. They were so cool about it.

    Jeremy Slater

    The fact that Moon Knight may have violence “never seen before in an MCU thing” is certainly an encouraging statement for those hoping the character refuses to pull punches. Still, the MCU has always been “PG-13”, and Slater also noted that the series is “appropriate for all ages“:

    I think it’s definitely appropriate for all ages, that was important to us. We didn’t wanna make something that was inaccessible to a big chunk of the MCU fan base. And we know that people watch these shows with their kids and with their families, and that’s important to people.

    Jeremy Slater

    It is a little confusing that Slater suggests that Moon Knight is appropriate for kids while also apparently bolstering violence that stands out in the MCU. It is not particularly surprising that Moon Knight would not be the first “R-rated” outing in the franchise, especially given the fact that Disney+ has only recently treaded into the water of trying to balance its family-friendly image while including some of its more mature properties on the streaming service.

    Fans can see just how violent Moon Knight is when the first episode premieres on March 30.

    Source: Variety via The Direct

  • ‘Supernatural’ Star Misha Collins Joins ‘Gotham Knights’ as Harvey Dent

    ‘Supernatural’ Star Misha Collins Joins ‘Gotham Knights’ as Harvey Dent

    It looks like one major CW star is staying in the network’s family. Misha Collins, best known for longtime role on Supernatural, is joining the upcoming DC pilot Gotham Knights as famed Batman character Harvey Dent. The series, written by the Batwoman creative team of Chad Fiveash, James Stoteraux and Natalie Abrams, will focus on the events in Gotham City following the tragic murder of Bruce Wayne. His rebellious son, played by Oscar Morgan, forms a team with the children of Batman’s iconic rogues gallery when they’re all framed for killing the Caped Crusader. Despite sharing creatives, the series will not take place in the Batwoman universe, and has no ties to the upcoming video game of the same name.

    Collins took to Twitter to comment on his casting. His joke caption is referring to his well-known role as the angel Castiel, who he portrayed on Supernatural for 12 of 15 seasons. He joins a cast that also includes the aforementioned Morgan, playing an original character named Turner Hayes, as well as Olivia Rose Keegan, Navia Robinson, Fallon Smythe and Tyler DiChiara. The actor is the first major Batman villain announcement for the series, as his character Dent famously becomes Two-Face during the vigilante’s career. It’s unknown if Collins‘ Dent will already be Two-Face when audiences meet him, but whenever it happens, he’ll join a stable of respected actors who’ve inhabited the role, including Billy Dee Williams, Tommy Lee Jones, and Aaron Eckhart.

    Gotham Knights does not currently have a release date.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter, Twitter

  • RUMOR: Netflix’s Live-action ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Budget on Par with ‘The Mandalorian’

    RUMOR: Netflix’s Live-action ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Budget on Par with ‘The Mandalorian’

    Netflix has been all-in with their upcoming live-action adaptation wave. We recently learned that their One Piece series will be the streamer’s biggest production “in scope and budget” as it continues production in South Africa. If a new rumor is to believe, their other major IP adaptation, Avatar: The Last Airbender, has also quite the budget behind it and continues a trend for Netflix’s dedication to their upcoming high profile adaptations.

    According to Avatar News, the upcoming series will have a budget of $15M+ per episode. As the first season is set to run with around eight episodes, that would put it at around $120M+ total budget. They can’t share an exact number, but it would definitely put it on par with shows like The Mandalorian, which had around $100M for its eight-episode season. Though it eyeing beyond $120M, it’ll likely be closer to the budgets that Marvel Studios gives its Disney+ productions.

    We still don’t know the exact budget for One Piece, but it’s also been speculated to be on a similar level. It was certainly higher than the one planned for Cowboy Bebop, which sadly ended up getting canceled. Netflix seems quite dedicated to these series and is planning high-budgets going in to build up a future season investment. Avatar: The Last Airbender is an extremely popular series and it makes sense they’d see the potential building upon the already existing fanbase. We’ll see if we get some teases from the ongoing production that hints at how they are tackling the adaptation moving forward.

    Source: Avatar News, Business Insider

  • ‘The Flash’, ‘Superman and Lois’, ‘Riverdale’ and More Get Renewal by CW

    ‘The Flash’, ‘Superman and Lois’, ‘Riverdale’ and More Get Renewal by CW

    The CW has always been known for renewing its scripted programs early. While we didn’t get the usual January confirmation, as the current climate things have changed a bit and it seemed like it may not be the one to lead the charge. Luckily, it looks like that tradition continues as the broadcast has renewed not one but seven of its scripted series. Deadline has revealed that they’ve given a new season order to their two DC series The Flash, as well as Superman and Lois. The ever-chaotic Riverdale is also set to make a return alongside All American, Nancy Drew, Kung Fu, and Walker.

    While the early renewals are a good sign, there have generally been discussions for the CW’s future. Nexstar, an affiliate group, is potentially eyeing the broadcast network and a new majority owner would change the renewal process as well as how streaming rights help boost its revenue stream. There are also quite a few series still on the bubble missing a renewal, such as the newly released Naomi, Legends of Tomorrow, Charmed, Batwoman, and more.

    The Flash is entering its ninth season and is now the longest-running series beating out Arrow which ended on its eighth. There’s no word if this might be the final season, or they might want to go for a nice round 10 seasons to end its run. Superman and Lois will return for its third season. Riverdale will join with its seventh season, but also uncertain if it’ll continue afterward. The biggest surprise with Nancy Drew, which was on the bubble even with a spinoff on the horizon.

    Source: Deadline

  • RUMOR: Emilia Clarke’s ‘Secret Invasion’ Character Revealed

    RUMOR: Emilia Clarke’s ‘Secret Invasion’ Character Revealed

    Though plenty of set photos and videos were captured during its production, much of Secret Invasion has stayed a secret. Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn and Cobie Smulders are all reprising their respective MCU roles in the Disney Plus streaming series, but little is known about who the rest of the cast will be playing in the paranoia-thriller.

    Olivia Colman, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Christopher McDonald and Killian Scott have all been cast in undisclosed roles, but no member of the cast has drawn more interest and generated more speculation than Emilia Clarke. Fan theories have had her as everyone from Jessica Drew to Abigail Brand, but now a rumor from a source who has proven reliable in the past points in a different direction. If you’re hoping to avoid spoilers, turn away now…

    Why You Should Be Excited About the Upcoming Secret Invasion Series on Disney+

    According to Reddit and Twitter scooper My Time to Shine Hello, Clarke is portraying a character who played a major role in the Secret Invasion comic book event upon which the streaming series will be based.

    In the comics, Veranke was the Skrull Empress and the mastermind of the Skrull invasion of Earth. Veranke famously simmed Jessica Drew, aka Spider-Woman, and used her to sow discord among the Avengers in the period leading up to the invasion.

    Set footage from the UK showed Clarke’s character had some familiarity with Maria Hill, but also showed her seemingly working with Ben-Adir’s unknown Skrull villain, so while her identity as Veranke is important, it’s only half the story. The identity of the human character she has chosen to sim will prove to be just as important to the plot of Secret Invasion, which seems set to stream in 2023.

  • ‘The Addams Family’ Veteran Christina Ricci Joins Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’ Series

    ‘The Addams Family’ Veteran Christina Ricci Joins Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’ Series

    The Addams Family is about to get a make-over with a new Netflix series that aims to reinvent the cooky family as part of a new murder mystery series focused on Wednesday Addams. Not only that, but it seems that the series has added Christina Ricci, who famously played the character in Barry Sonenfeld’s 1990 version of The Addams Family, has joined the series. Her role remains tightly under wraps, but she won’t be an older version of the character but rather a new one. She’ll join Jenna Ortega, who is taking on the titular role of the newest addition to Nevermore Academy. Catherine Zeta-Jones has already been cast as Morticia Addams and Luis Guzán is taking on the role of Gomez.

    The addition of a series veteran is a great touch, especially with how Ricci defined our modern understanding of the character. Her wanting to also join the project is a sign that it’s acting like a passing of the torch between the generations of actors that brought the character to life. When the series was first announced, there was actually a fan petition for her to take on the role before Ortega was cast. The actress has been busy, she joined Showtime’s Yellowjackets and also appeared in The Matrix: Resurrections.

    Source: Deadline

  • Ethan Hawke Says ‘Moon Knight’ “Could Be the Origin Story of a Larger Thing”

    Ethan Hawke Says ‘Moon Knight’ “Could Be the Origin Story of a Larger Thing”

    Despite the fact that the next Marvel Studios project, Moon Knight, arrives soon, fans are already wondering if or when they will see the titular character in future Marvel Cinematic Universe stories. Star Oscar Isaac has already confirmed that the Disney+ series is in fact a limited series, suggesting that a second season isn’t likely.

    Even if Moon Knight ends its run after six episodes, that probably has little bearing on whether the vigilante will be a part of more stories in the MCU down the line. The character already has plenty of momentum to join the Avengers or be a part of a potential future Midnight Sons team. Now, actor Ethan Hawke, who plays Moon Knight villain Arthur Harrow, has indicated that the character of Moon Knight may very likely be a part of something “larger” in the future:

    The good news is that it’s possibly both. It lives and breathes on its own merits, it functions as a limited series – and if people are engaged and excited by it then it could be the origin story of a larger thing.

    Ethan Hawke

    Hawke’s phrasing is certainy interesting as he not only suggests that Moon Knight’s future in the MCU could hinge on audience engagement, but also clearly believes that the character’s future could lie in something larger. This could be somewhat disocuraging news for anyone hoping to see Moon Knight extend the character’s solo adventures, but fantastic news for all those excited to see Marc Spector team-up with other characters in exciting new ways in the MCU’s future.

    Moon Knight’s first episode will premeire on Disney+ on March 30.

    Source: The Direct

  • Oscar Isaac Says Marvel Originally Wasn’t Sure His Take on ‘Moon Knight’ Would Work

    Oscar Isaac Says Marvel Originally Wasn’t Sure His Take on ‘Moon Knight’ Would Work

    Ahead of Marvel Studios’ Moon Knight Disney+ series, star Oscar Isaac has been open about how the titular role was one of the biggest challenges of his career. The actor has also shared that he had a large amount of input and influence when it came to developing the character of Moon Knight for the series. He recently told RadioTimes.com:

    [W]hat was amazing about Kevin [Feige] and everyone at Marvel is that there was a lot of faith and a lot of trust in my opinions about it, and my feelings about it…So like talking to [director] Mohamed [Diab] about where we wanted the story to go, getting Ethan [Hawke] to be part of it. And already, it started to become a very personal story.

    Oscar Isaac

    After wrapping up the series, Isaac is glad he got involved with the project and is happy with the result. But the actor says it was a major risk, and it took him quite some time to agree to Moon Knight. He went on to say “it was all reservations”:

    It was months of smashing my head against a stone wall like, ‘Is this the right thing to do?’ I thought, ‘I shouldn’t do it. Maybe maybe…I had just kinda got out of the whole, you know, big machinery of Star Wars. And I was like, ‘I just really want to do character studies. And I don’t know’…That’s the risk, sometimes you have an idea of what you want to do. And then something comes to you. And I just kept thinking about it.

    Oscar Isaac

    Interestingly enough, Isaac explained that his own take on the main character of Steven Grant differed significantly from Marvel’s original script. Not only that, but Isaac believes that Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige felt like he was taking a risk on Isaac’s interpretation of the character:

    It wasn’t necessarily written that way at all. And so I thought, ‘OK, well, let me see what Kevin says about this.’ And so I had a meeting with Kevin, I said, ‘This is how I’d want to do it.’ And he said, ‘Yeah, OK, go for it. And it’s funny, because afterwards he told me they didn’t know what the hell I was doing. And they weren’t sure it was going to work at all. But you know, in the end I’m glad we did that, because everyone says it kind of makes the show.

    Oscar Isaac

    It is certainly interesting that Isaac noted that, for many, his portrayal of Steven Grant–which differs drastically from the comics–“makes the show.” Moon Knight’s and Isaac’s Grant seems to be a sort of awkward, British character, while the Grant from the comics is more of a classic millionaire playboy-type. The risk-taking on both Isaac’s and Marvel Studios’ sides definitely shows that the parties had faith in one another and thought working together would create something special. 

    Moon Knight’s first episode premieres on March 30 on Disney+.

    Source: RadioTimes.com

  • ‘One Piece’ Twitter Teasing a Potential First Look at Netflix’s Live-Action Series for Next Week

    ‘One Piece’ Twitter Teasing a Potential First Look at Netflix’s Live-Action Series for Next Week

    The live-action adaptation of One Piece has started production some time ago after a long wait, but we’ve only gotten our real first look at the production through some leaked set photos. While we did get a first look at the Marines, the main cast has been hidden quite well so far. Many have been hoping to see what the cast would look like in their costumes, especially with how they’d tackle bringing their designs to live-action. Perhaps the latest tease by the official One Piece Twitter account may hint at some reveal heading our way.

    It first started off with a cryptic tweet stating “confidential” and the date of March 28th. While it didn’t say anything else on it, most speculated it might connect to the recent reveal from chapter 1043, as Luffy seemingly awakened his fruit to a new form. Speculation went wild on what exactly it might be, such as a potential figurine on Luffy’s new design or maybe something connected to it, as the date would match with the usual reveal.

    That all changed when a second tweet dropped. Not only did it confirm we are probably getting daily updates, as it is advertised as the second of six tweets, but also what it’s about. If you look closely, we have a picture of a real straw hat alongside what seems to be a part of some kind. Eagle-eyed fans were quick to point out that the location shot is definitely from South Africa, where the series is currently filming.

    While we may only get brief glimpses as the rest of these tweets release, it seems like we might get our first look at the series or maybe even the cast in their costumes by March 28th. The timing seems fitting, as 2022 marks the 25th anniversary of the series, and it would make sense to build up the production with a first look at the cast. It may also be the first “selling point” for many doubting the project and how faithful it might be to the original series. It’s unclear what exactly they might reveal, and it could also just be the first look at Iñaki Godoy‘s Luffy. Whatever it may end up being, it’s going to be fun to speculate as the week goes on.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Reservation Dogs’ Director Sydney Freeland Confirms Involvement in Marvel Studios ‘Echo’

    ‘Reservation Dogs’ Director Sydney Freeland Confirms Involvement in Marvel Studios ‘Echo’

    In December, we connected the dots and speculated that Reservation Dogs director Sydney Freeland might be attached to direct Marvel Studios streaming series Echo. It seems now that there’s no doubt that Freeland is attached to the show as she has spread the word of a casting search via her Instagram account.

    The post, which calls for background actors with a focus on Native American, First Nations and Indigenous Peoples, confirms that the streaming series is prepped and ready to begin production next month in and around Peachtree City, Georgia. With that start of production just a month away and no news on who will direct the series, Freeland remains THE top candidate, especially now that she’s confirmed her involvement. Marvel Studios has used multiple directors for some projects, so it’s not clear if Freeland will be the project’s only director.

    Echo will flesh out the story of Maya Lopez, who first appeared in the MCU in 2021’s Hawkeye. The series has been looking to fill nearly a half-dozen lead role with Native American talent, such as Graham Greene, who recently joined the project, and it’s expected to see Lopez spend some time in a small town while tangling with some mid-level thugs. The series has yet to be given a release date, but a mid-2023 debut seems likely.