Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: TV News

  • Warner Bros. Interested in Developing More ‘Harry Potter’ Spinoffs

    Warner Bros. Interested in Developing More ‘Harry Potter’ Spinoffs

    The Wizarding World is still going strong, with the latest entry in the Fantastic Beasts series set to hit theaters in April. However, it doesn’t seem like The Secrets of Dumbledore will be the final film in the wildly popular franchise that started with the original Harry Potter book and continued through at least eleven movies. In a recent conference hosted by Bloomberg, Warner Bros. CEO Ann Sarnoff commented on the future of Potter at the company:

    We would love to develop more original Harry Potter series, and we regularly talk to J.K. Rowling and her team. It’s got to be right though. Whatever we do has to be true to the canon, and true to the ethos of the Wizarding World, and who Harry is.

    Ann Sarnoff

    The quote is especially interesting considering Sarnoff‘s use of the word “original”. Both of the series currently in existence, Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts, originate from literary works by author J.K. Rowling. The British writer is a controversial figure, but she’s remained very involved with the characters who made her famous.

    Each Fantastic Beasts film has been plotted by the creative, who continues to expand her own universe through live-action projects. It would seem the plan is for this to continue, possibly with Rowling outlining completely new stories without any basis in literature. Fans will have to keep their eyes out for any possible announcements on the horizon. Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is currently eyeing a release in theatres on April 15th.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • Michael Starrbury to Adapt David F. Walker’s ‘The Hated’ for Netflix

    Michael Starrbury to Adapt David F. Walker’s ‘The Hated’ for Netflix

    Netflix’s main strategy has been to purchase various existing IPs to bring them to life. While they’ve seen quite a bit of success through their original adaptations, it never deterred the streamer from finding that property that’ll put them on the map in new ways. Well, it seems their next project will be an adaptation of David F. Walker‘s comic The Hated as a Western series. Michael Starrbury, who worked on When They See Us and Black & White.

    He’ll take on the role of executive producer alongside Prime Universe Films’ Adrian Askariah, David F. Walker, and Sean Owolo. The project is part of Starrbury’s multi-year deal with the streamer, as he’s also bringing out a comedy The Come Up soon. The series will take place during a post-Civil War revisionist history, where we follow the bounty hunter Araminta Free. The U.S. didn’t unite but separated and she’s one of the few people specialized in crossing the border. It’ll be interesting to see this different take on history and how they tackle the project.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Hawkeye’s Latest Episode Confirms [SPOILER] as Maya’s Uncle

    ‘Hawkeye’s Latest Episode Confirms [SPOILER] as Maya’s Uncle

    The fifth episode of Hawkeye has finally arrived and includes quite a few great moments. Florence Pugh‘s return as Yelena Belova is quite the highlight as we get to spend some time with her, but she isn’t the only major return of the episode. While a bit underwhelming, as it was through a surprisingly bad quality video – Val should get Yelena a better burner phone – we finally got the confirmation that all the teases so far were indeed for the reveal of Vincent D’Onofrio‘s Wilson Fisk. He even seems to be wearing an outfit similar to the one he had in Daredevil‘s third season. He also seems to be holding a cane in his hand, which he frequently had in the comics.

    When we first heard his chuckle in the third episode, it seemed that his return was a definite at some point in Hawkeye. The actor sharing the series and his excitement for it also helped add more to his potential return. While we still have to wait a week until he has a speaking role (hopefully), it’s great to finally get a confirmation and it’s quite the tease. Interestingly enough, Hawkeye doesn’t mention Fisk by his name but by the name many comic fans know, the Kingpin. While it was strange we didn’t get a post-credit sequence, I did quite enjoy the visual of him hanging over our two heroes to highlight the danger he represents.

    It’s going to be a lot in the finale and here’s hoping the series can tie it all together, especially with D’Onofrio getting quite a bit more attention after all that build-up. As what Kate got from Yelena was a video, it seems very likely that we’ll start off the next episode watching the video alongside them. We did get quite a few flashbacks in this series. So, perhaps we’ll also get one teasing Fisk’s involvement in the past and it’ll be interesting to see how the watch storyline might connect to the bigger picture.

  • Amazon Studios Adapting Olivie Blake’s ‘The Atlas Six’

    Amazon Studios Adapting Olivie Blake’s ‘The Atlas Six’

    It looks like TikTok has become quite the jumping-off point for some new talent, as there were quite a few bidders for the rights to adapt TikTok sensation The Atlas Six. The book by author Alexene Farol Follmuth, also known as Olivie Blake, alongside the production company that brought The Crown to life, Brightstar. Amazon won the bidding war for the rights and will release it on its streaming platform as a series.

    It’ll adapt the story of six young magicians who are selected to become part of The Alexandrian Society, a secret society of the world. Each decade, only six are chosen to join as trust and eventual betrayal develops between the participants to join the elusive ranks. It was self-published through Kindle Digital Publishing but became viral on the social media platform, which led to a publishing bidding war. Tor is currently working on a revised and edited version to release in March 2022.

    Follmuth will act as an executive producer alongside Brightstar founders Tanya Seghatchian and John Woodward. It’s quite interesting to see how Amazon Studios is trying to create a niche with fantasy productions to combat the likes of Netflix’s The Witcher adaptation. They just recently released The Wheel of Time to critical acclaim and are in no way slowing down.

    Source: Deadline

  • Disney Adds Wilmer Valderrama as its New Zorro

    Disney Adds Wilmer Valderrama as its New Zorro

    Disney has been building its filmography on classic Intellectual Properties it had garnered over the last few years. Among them, they’ve been eyeing a revival of the iconic Zorro franchise. The original vigilante that inspired Bob Kane to create Batman is quite the icon since 1919. Disney has now set their eyes on reviving the character in a new series and they found the actor to play the character, Wilmer Valderrama.

    The series is in development by Disney TV, which will be a period piece during Pueblo de Los Angeles, which would eventually become the modern-day L.A. It’ll even adapt a contemporary telenovela style, which will certainly make the series stand out. Valderrama shared his excitement for the new project:

    Growing up, Zorro was the one character that made me, as a Latino, feel like I could be a hero. As an adult and a storyteller, I have a responsibility in the stories that I help bring to life. To partner with Gary [Marsh, executive producer] and Disney to bring Zorro back into the family after 60 years and be a part of the legacy for other children to know they too can be the heroes of their own stories is a dream come true

    Wilmer Valderrama

    There have been countless adaptations of the masked vigilante, and he’s no stranger to television adaptations. Disney had a series featuring Guy Williams in the titular role that ran for 78 episodes and for over two years. There were even some specials for The Magical World of Disney in the 1960s. It’ll be interesting to see if this new adaptation of Zorro will also include references to the past.

    Source: Entertainment Weekly

  • Neil Gaiman’s ‘Anansi Boys’ Adds Amarah-Jae St. Aubyin and Grace Saif

    Neil Gaiman’s ‘Anansi Boys’ Adds Amarah-Jae St. Aubyin and Grace Saif

    It looks like the upcoming adaptation of Anansi Boys is picking up the pace, as the six-part series has found its female leads. Amarah-Jae St. Aubyin, who some might know from Steve McQueen‘s Lovers Rock, and the Small Axe anthology will play the role of Rosie Noah. She’ll be joined by 13 Reasons Why‘s Grace Saif, who’ll play the character of Detective Constable Daisy Day. Neil Gaiman, the author of the original novels and producer of the series, shared his thoughts on the casting in The Hollywood Reporter piece on their casting:

    When you are casting something on the scale of Anansi Boys you need female leads who are as accomplished, charming, and brilliant as, well, Malachi Kirby in both his incarnations. Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn and Grace Saif are those women. [They’re] both funny, honest, brilliant actresses, and you will fall in love with both of them.

    Neil Gaiman

    The series is currently filming in Scotland, it’ll follow Malachi Kirby‘s Nancy, who discovers that his father was the trickster god of stories, the titular Anansi. He also uncovers that he has a brother named Spider (also played by Kirby), who is going to make his life quite a bit more troubling. Endor Productions and RED Production Company are involved in the project with Gaiman and Sir Lenny Henry co-writing the series. Douglas Mackinnon is acting as showrunner alongside the original author.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • ‘Gotham Knights’ Series in The Works at The CW

    ‘Gotham Knights’ Series in The Works at The CW

    The CW just doesn’t seem to want to stop at this point and continues to expand its Arrowverse even after the death of the character that gave it its name. With new series like Superman and Lois, Naomi, and Stargirl releasing over the last few years, this multiverse just seems to be growing in every direction at this point. And they aren’t done yet, as there’s a new branch splitting off with another series set in Gotham focusing on the youth that will soon become Gothams newest protectors.

    Some of the team behind Batwoman have banded together on an all-new project titled Gotham Knights, with no correlation to the upcoming video game, nor is it Batwoman spin-off. Natalie Abrams, James Stoteraux, and Chad Fivestash are the names behind the project with Stoteraux and Fivestash set to serve as executive producers on the project. No casting has been made on the project and all that is known is a brief synopsis provided in the initial report.

    in the wake of Bruce Wayne’s murder, his rebellious adopted son forges an unlikely alliance with the children of Batman’s enemies when they are all framed for killing the Caped Crusader. And as the city’s most wanted criminals, this renegade band of misfits must fight to clear their names. But in a Gotham with no Dark Knight to protect it, the city descends into the most dangerous it’s ever been. However, hope comes from the most unexpected of places as this team of mismatched fugitives will become its next generation of saviors known as the Gotham Knights.

    By the sound of that synopsis, the lead looks to be either Dick Grayson or Jason Todd, but the CW is notorious for changing things up drastically. As far as children of Batman’s most famous rogues go, we could be looking at characters like Cassandra Cain, Rose Wilson, or maybe even Helena Wayne. It’s currently unknown just how and where this series will fit into the overall Arrowverse as we await more details.

    Source: Variety

  • EXCLUSIVE: Tara Strong Wants Coral to Kill Everyone and Take Over in ‘Crossing Swords’

    EXCLUSIVE: Tara Strong Wants Coral to Kill Everyone and Take Over in ‘Crossing Swords’

    Voice actress Tara Strong has played plenty of powerful and dangerous characters in the past, but never one as violent and vulgar as Coral on Crossing Swords. As one of the protagonist siblings, Coral often takes the backseat but is always given some sort of plot-line throughout the seasons, being a pirate and all. Sadly, the character has never truly been given her time in the limelight, as it isn’t her story. Strong, however, has a few ideas on where she would love to see her character move on in the future.

    We recently had the chance to talk with the voice actress about her character and the upcoming second season of Crossing Swords. We were curious just where Strong would like to see her character go and how she would love to see her character progress, and didn’t hold back with her answer.

    I think she should just kill everyone and be queen. Hello! She should be running the show, she’s the smartest.

    Tara Strong

    Following up on this question, as we highlighted how incompetent the current royalty is in the fictional peg world of Crossing Swords, she gave the following response:

    Yeah, they’re ridiculous, Right! she needs to take over. She just needs some dragons and needs to go all Khaleesi on everyone, you know?

    Tara Strong

    Her direction for Coral is definitely a creative one, but wouldn’t seem too out of character for her. Of course, it seems unlikely that the creative team would kill off all their characters, but they might take a creative root with her character taking over in a future season. It would certainly add an interesting new dynamic to the show and mix things up for our colorful cast of characters.

  • EXCLUSIVE: Yvette Nichole Brown on Bringing Her Character to Life in ‘Crossing Swords’ Season 2

    EXCLUSIVE: Yvette Nichole Brown on Bringing Her Character to Life in ‘Crossing Swords’ Season 2

    Crossing Swords has a ton of characters, who are all so different and unique in their very own ways. As such, the kingdom is full of oddballs, and we’re not just talking about the Royal family. one of these citizens is played by Yvette-Nichole Brown, who many are familiar with for her work on series like Community, Drake & Josh, or even her cameo in Avengers: Endgame. She also isn’t a stranger to voice roles either, and Crossing Swords might have the actress in her most vulgar performance yet. We had a chance to talk with Yvette Nichole Brown on the upcoming second season and got to ask her in what kind of headspace she is to bring such an outlandish character to life.

    I mentally decided that she speaks like a Baptist preacher. So, she’s always, you know, just about to take you to the mountain top every time she speaks. The problem is: there’s no substance to what she’s saying. So, she’s giving it to ya, and she’s giving you the fire, but she’s talking about monkeys and craziness and pubic hairs, all kinds of stuff that you would never hear in a church or anywhere. So, I like the dichotomy of that, that she’s speaking with purpose about things that don’t matter. So, that’s how I found her.

    Yvette Nichole Brown

    As a follow-up, we asked how Brown would like to see her character progress in the series, and gave the perfect answer for someone like Sgt. Meghan.

    You know, I kinda love that she pops in when you least expect. […] I kinda feel like shes coming off of vacation. She just pops in, right? She’s always either about to go on vacation or coming back from vacation. So, she misses most of the shenanigans and she comes in right before crap is about to hit the fan and she tries “a little bit” to make it better. So, I think she’s in it about enough.

    Yvette Nichole Brown

    Brown‘s presence in the show, while it may not be a huge role, is definitely a memorable one. She does perfectly summarizes how her character plays into the story and she’s always a blast once she enters the screen. Here’s hoping that in a possible third season we’ll get a lot more from Sgt. Meghan.

  • ‘WandaVision’s Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany Nabs Golden Globe Nominations

    ‘WandaVision’s Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany Nabs Golden Globe Nominations

    It looks like the Golden Globe nominations are in. It’s been a busy year for Marvel Studios, which has been garnering more critical acclaim with the release of its Disney+ series, WandaVision. It started off with the series garnering quite a few nominations at the Emmys before winning the first for the production company. The song “Agatha All Along” even got a nomination at the Grammys and the series got nominations for the Critic Choice Awards shortly after. Well, it seems that the series can now add the Golden Globes to the list.

    The official nominations have dropped and Paul Bettany has been nominated for the category of Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television. He is joined by his co-star Elizabeth Olsen, who is nominated in the Best Performance by an Actress category. They are the only nominations for Marvel Studios at the upcoming event, but an additional nomination arrived for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings for Best Visual Effects.

    Succession, Ted Lasso, and The Morning Show garnered the most nominations for the TV category. Squid Game has also garnered quite a bit of acclaim at this year’s Golden Globes and it’s great to see such a diverse type of show getting some critical acclaim for their work. We’ll see if WandaVision manages to also bring a Golden Globe home.

    Source: CNN, Twitter