Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: TV News

  • Marvel Studios May Have Plans for Jeffrey Wright’s Watcher Beyond ‘WHAT IF…?’

    Marvel Studios May Have Plans for Jeffrey Wright’s Watcher Beyond ‘WHAT IF…?’

    We have previously seen hints that characters in What If…? might appear in future live-action projects in the MCU. With the many alternate universes on show, it makes sense that some of them might cross into other films and TV series we watch. The standout is Jeffrey Wright‘s chilling performance as the Watcher. A formless entity constantly hanging over the many stories of the animated series.

    Yet, the recent episode pulled him into action as he got confronted by Doctor Strange. So, we’ll see how long he will hold to his rule to never interact in the happenings of the multiverse, as his future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe remains open. In an interview with The GOAT Movie Podcast, Head Writer AC Bradley hints that Marvel Studios may have future plans for the character while playing coy on the topic.

    I’m not fully aware or able to discuss what Marvel might be doing with the character of The Watcher in the future.

    AC Bradley

    While she’s not fully aware, her leaving the door open by stating she can’t discuss matters on the Watcher’s future does hint that some discussions might have taken place at some point. The end of Loki broke open the multiverse meaning we’re likely to see a lot more crossover characters from other universes soon. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness seems like it might be the kind of event that includes characters we’re familiar with in new guises. It will be exciting if any of these characters make their live-action debut having seen them previously in the animated series!

    Source: YouTube

  • ‘WHAT IF…?’: Christine’s Death Was a ‘LOKI’ Nexus Point in the Doctor Strange Episode

    ‘WHAT IF…?’: Christine’s Death Was a ‘LOKI’ Nexus Point in the Doctor Strange Episode

    The fourth episode of What If…? explored the dark and tragic story of what would have happened to Doctor Strange if, instead of losing his hands in his car accident, he lost his love, Christine Palmer, instead. The episode was well-received for several reasons including its emotional depth. But the episode was also crucial in introducing more lore around potential multiversal connections and how variations in timelines work.

    The MCU Makes Rachel McAdams' Doctor Strange Snub Even Worse

    Obviously, we first got a taste of this in the Loki series when we got introduced to the so-called Nexus Events that marked the beginning of a new timeline. In the Doctor Strange episode, the Ancient One tells him that Christine’s death was an “absolute point” in time that needed to happen in order for him to start on his journey. Changing it through magic he only gained as a result of this incident leads to a paradox. Well, What If…?‘s head writer, AC Bradley, clarified in an interview that:

    I should have called it a Nexus point instead of an absolute point, but the Loki scripts weren’t even written yet.

    AC Bradley

    Considering the What If…? episode script was apparently written in February 2019, it makes sense that all of the future multiversal languages that the MCU ended up using would not have been universally used in other projects so far out. But the confirmation that Christine’s death was a Nexus Point connects the franchise with Loki and the event that created the multiverse. We’re currently exploring the aftermath of that very moment. It also gives us our first look at a Nexus Point occurring in one of the many timelines and how exactly it works. As Doctor Strange can tell you, it’s not all that easy or safe to find a loophole around one.

    Source: YouTube

  • New ‘WHAT IF…?’ Zombie Funkos Revealed

    New ‘WHAT IF…?’ Zombie Funkos Revealed

    As is per Disney+ tradition, we get brand new Funko Pops as the series continues to expand. The latest episode of What If…? gave us the darkest storyline yet, as Bruce Banner returned to a world invested with zombies. Even the title didn’t waste any time to get to the point of the latest entry. Now that the episode is out there, Funko has unveiled the brand new Funkos that include the zombified Captain America, Sam Wilson, Doctor Strange, Iron Man, and Wanda Maximoff. Zombie Hunter Spider-Man also gets his own Funko.

    Marvel Studios found a creative way to balance the designs for Zombies that can work within a PG-13 setting. Yet, the series still includes some pretty brutal fatalities, as we see heads explore, zombies get cut in half, and so much more. We don’t see anyone getting eaten, with one planned exception by the Wasp, which might be the one aspect they couldn’t get past Disney+.

    In Europe and specific countries, Disney+ includes the STAR branding that adds some adult-themed projects to the service. So, while it is strange to see the Avengers fight zombies on the family-focused streaming service, some markets are also enjoying shows like The Walking Dead. Who knows if the popularity of this episode opens up for the service to explore darker avenues moving forward. Deadpool 3 will be our first R-rated Marvel Cinematic Universe project that might not find its way on the service. It’ll be interesting how it continues to grow as they explore new concepts.

    Source: Twitter

  • EXCLUSIVE: How ‘WHAT IF…?’s Composer Balances Dozens of MCU Themes

    EXCLUSIVE: How ‘WHAT IF…?’s Composer Balances Dozens of MCU Themes

    The MCU may not have the most consistent of iconic musical themes but when they’re iconic, they’re pretty damn iconic. A theme like the Avengers theme has penetrated the zeitgeist in the same way the Superman Donner theme has.

    Being an anthology show about the MCU, What If…? unifies all the themes together to create a tapestry of familiar yet unique sounds. At the center of this is composer Laura Karpman, who shared with us how she balances all the different sounds and melodies of the MCU.

    The great thing about all the themes is they have these wonderful handles you can just grab onto. You see Captain America, you hear Captain America’s theme, and then you move on. If you think about Endgame, that’s the way they’re handled. When somebody appears, you hear their signature, and then move on.

    This season’s Black Panther x Guardians of the Galaxy mashup is the prime example of just how a unified What If…? score could be. It meshes the best of both worlds; Ludwig Gorranson‘s hi-fi tribal soundtrack and Tyler Bates’ cosmic orchestral work. Karpman had this to say about that episode’s particular sound.

    For Episode 2, we took elements of Ludwig Goransson’s wonderful score for Black Panther. So you have a Roland TR-808 sound or an African flute and then you can layer that with the orchestral sounds of Guardians of the Galaxy. And it works in addition to the heist theme that I composed. The references to themes of the MCU are spices in a stew that is quite different.

  • ‘NEW WARRIORS’ Showrunner Debuts Look at Squirrel Girl, Talks Cancellation

    ‘NEW WARRIORS’ Showrunner Debuts Look at Squirrel Girl, Talks Cancellation

    UPDATE: Biegel has since deleted his tweets.

    In April 2017, Freeform ordered New Warriors straight to series. Unfortunately, despite assembling a promising young cast and filming a pilot that received rave ratings, the series never moved forward at Freeform. Since then, fans have curiously awaited an answer as to why the show was not retooled or even moved to a different service. It would seem showrunner Kevin Biegel (Enlisted, Cougar Town) is ready to unveil details regarding the stalled project, including exactly what caused its sudden cancellation.

    Before Marvel Studios overtook Marvel Television, Marvel Comics’ teen heroes had overtaken the small screen thanks to Hulu (The Runaways) and Freeform (Cloak & Dagger). Which is why New Warriors seemed to be a great addition to the line-up when it was first announced. Unfortunately, as things would go, the series would not move forward despite having been ordered to series, and the rumored stellar pilot would go forever unseen. Thanks to Biegel, however, we at least have a chance to see what could have been.

    There’s a show we wrote a few years ago

    It was very very proudly gay

    A SINGULAR power that be killed the show.

    Because it was too gay.

    A rich, straight, Brentwood turd.

    He got fired for being vile at his company.

    We, on the other hand, live. #newwarriors

    In a late-night thread on Twitter on Wednesday, Biegel briefly hinted at why the show did not move forward, careful not to unveil any specific names. While Ike Perlmutter would seem to be the likely culprit, there’s also the possibility of Biegel’s comments being in reference to Jeph Loeb, who ran Marvel Television until Kevin Feige disbanded the division.

    In recent years, Loeb has been accused of inappropriate conduct, including racist behavior, as cited by Daredevil actor, Peter Shinkoda. The Nobu actor revealed Loeb’s racist remarks during a #SaveDaredevil appearance last year stating, “He said, ‘Nobody cares about Chinese people and Asian people.” Loeb, of course, was let go after Marvel Television dissolved with Kevin Feige overtaking the television arm.

    Biegel also shared a look at Milana Vayntrub as Doreen Green, aka Squirrel Girl, with Tippy-Toe atop her shoulder.

    While it’s doubtful the pilot will ever see the light of day, we at least have a sneak peek at what could have been. It’s just unfortunate we’ll never get to see his take on New Warriors ever truly realized.

  • ‘SECRET INVASION’ Began Filming Last Week

    ‘SECRET INVASION’ Began Filming Last Week

    The Skrull Invasion is on its way. Film London is reporting that the Samuel L. Jackson-led alien espionage series, Secret Invasion, has already started filming in London, with a start date that can be traced back to the first of September.

    The news comes just a few weeks after Kevin Feige himself confirmed the then-upcoming production start during the Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings red carpet premiere. Jackson also took to social media to reveal his return to the Nick Fury makeup chair not too long ago, so the man is pretty busy.

    Source: Film London

  • ‘The Flash’ Set Photos Offer First Look at Despero

    ‘The Flash’ Set Photos Offer First Look at Despero

    Season 8 of The Flash is set to kickoff with a multi episode crossover over titled “Armageddon.” The crossover will see many popular and familiar faces from across the Arrowverse return for a team-up alongside Barry Allen. The five part crossover event will see the return of Brandon Routh as the ATOM, Javicia Leslie as Batwoman, Cress Williams as Black Lightning, and Kat McNamara as Mia Queen. The characters will return to help Flash face Despero, a galactic warlord who has made his way to earth.

    New set photos from the set of Flash have given us our very first look at Despero, played by Tony Curran. While it isn’t exactly a full look at the villain, some tracking cut outs give us a look at his shoulders and up, sporting a classic pink look with elf like ears and a large fin. The only thing that seems to be missing is the third eye that allows him to use his Psionic abilities.

    https://twitter.com/pagmyst/status/1432554527115251714?s=21

    Despero is quite the foe. For those unfamiliar with the character he first appeared all the way back in 1960’s Justice League of America #1, and was created by Mike Sekowsky and Gardner Fox. Despero hails from the planet of Kalanor, which he rules with an iron fist as a tyrant. Despero made travels the galaxy looking for foes worthy of a fight, and may explain why so many past characters will return in this years crossover event to help defeat Despero and send him back to Kalanor.

    SOURCE: Twitter

  • EXCLUSIVE: How The Strange Supreme Fight Scene Was Developed

    EXCLUSIVE: How The Strange Supreme Fight Scene Was Developed

    This week’s episode of What If…? wowed audiences for a slew of reasons, not the least of which was the amazing fight Doctor Strange had with his evil self, Strange Supreme. With the fate of existence at stake, the fight delivered the same kind of thrills found in some of the biggest Marvel films like Avengers: Infinity War.

    We sat down and spoke with What If…? editors, Joel and Graham Fisher, on how exactly this amazing fight scene was brought to life in the production offices of Marvel Studios. Turns out the fight scene was the brainchild of showrunner Bryan Andrews and storyboard artist Aram Sarkisian.

    As far as the action sequences go, it’s all Bryan Andrews [director] and his right hand, Aram Sarkisian, who is now the Head of Story for the series. Bryan actually storyboarded that Infinity War sequence that you’re referencing. When the two of them are in a room, it’s amazing to watch. It’s a nonstop rapid fire of ideas.

    All the best fight scenes are dynamic; they tell a story through means of punching and kicking. In Doctor Strange’s case, it’s all about using the visuals of conjuration and sorcery as a storytelling device. This episode of What If…? has the two Stranges doing all kinds of things in all sorts of ways.

    Aram, as he was originally boarding it, was keeping the battle on the ground to a certain extent. And Bryan was like, “We gotta get elevation [gestures vertically]. This dance has to keep changing and can’t be all in the ground.” So they took Strange up and then took him down. All these different ways to make this fight scene flow in an organic way. And then there’s the capes fighting each other [laughs].

    With great action comes great stakes and the stakes for this episode are immense. Not only is the universe in peril in the fight but Strange’s humanity is at stake as well. The Fishers shared the production’s insistence on keeping everything about the story.

    It’s just an amazing collaboration between the director and the storyboard artists that drew it. But also the collaboration within the animation department is amazing because we got to a point where we went, “This is great but we’re gonna get battle fatigued if we keep doing action. We need to ground it within the story. What are the stakes?” So Strange needs to get into his head. We had that whole shadow moment that got storyboarded. He has to have that last temptation. Will he give in and bring back his love?

  • ‘DOOM PATROL’ Spinoff ‘DEAD BOY DETECTIVES’ In The Works at HBO Max

    ‘DOOM PATROL’ Spinoff ‘DEAD BOY DETECTIVES’ In The Works at HBO Max

    The third season of Doom Patrol is quickly approaching, as the season premiere rears its face on September 23rd, exclusively on HBO Max. The Titans spinoff has made quite the name for itself, with its off-beat and distinct comic book sensibilities. This popularity seems to have paid off as a spin-off of the spin-off is now in the works at HBO Max, and will follow the adventures of Charles Rowland and Edwin Paine in the Dead Boy Detectives.

    HBO Max has ordered a pilot for what could be a potential new property for the franchise. The project is being written by Steve Yockey, who will serve as an executive producer on the project alongside Jeremy Carver. This will mark yet another DC property to fall under Greg Berlanti’s umbrella with Berlanti Productions, who is also set to produce the pilot.

    Though the pilot is currently set to begin filming in November, no names are currently attached to the project. Sebastian Croft and Ty Tennant are will play Charles Rowland and Edwin Paine in the upcoming season of Doom Patrol, but neither actor is currently believed to be attached to the project.

    This wouldn’t be the first time an actor was recast for a spin-off, with actor Bruno Bichir was replaced by Timothy Dalton as Niles Caulder when the show scored its spin-off. The series will follow the characters, created by Neil Gaiman, as they remain in the world of the living to solve paranormal crimes, instead of moving on into the afterlife.

    SOURCE: Variety

  • Cartoon Network Greenlights ‘BATMAN’ Damian Wayne Holiday Special

    Cartoon Network Greenlights ‘BATMAN’ Damian Wayne Holiday Special

    Animation has always been a strong suit for DC and Warner Brothers, with so many classics under their belt, film and TV alike, such as Batman the Animated Series, Justice League, and Justice League The New Frontier. However, one thing that has yet to be explored in these animated projects is a one-off holiday special, unless you can consider Batman: The Long Halloween a holiday special.

    Cartoon Network has given the green light to a new DC Holiday special titled Merry Little Batman, a film that’ll follow a six-year-old Damian Wayne who has found himself all alone in Wayne Manor. The film will take a bit of a Home Alone-style approach with Damian suiting up as “Little Batman” in order to defend his Home and Gotham City from the supervillains who’ve run rampant around the big city intent on destroying Christmas.

    Knowing Damian Wayne and the way he was raised, he seems like quite the force to be reckoned with in a Kevin Mccallister-type role. The animated feature has to announce any casting or set a release date. Warner Bros. Animation will serve as a producer on the project alongside Mike Roth, who will direct and as well as executive produce on the project. The feature screenplay was written by Morgan Smith.

    SOURCE: Variety