Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: TV News

  • Marvel Studios’ Future Animated Projects Will Connect

    Marvel Studios’ Future Animated Projects Will Connect

    Marvel Studios has been continuing to expand more and more. First, they expanded into long-form storytelling through Disney+, and with the release of What If…? they even joined the animation market. There have already been hints at them wanting to explore more projects through the medium. The only other project confirmed so far is the photo-realistic animated series exploring the adventures of Baby Groot in I Am Groot. There’s also the question if they would continue to build upon the Marvel Cinematic Multiverse or explore unique avenues through animation.

    In an interview with Variety, Brad Winderbaum may have offered some insight into their approach. He confirmed that all projects will be under Marvel Studios and produced by Kevin Feige. As such, he proclaims they’ll “be born of the same stuff that makes the rest of our content.” He also goes on to tease the following, as Variety highlights these projects will be connected:

    How will they be connected? Time will tell as the story of the multiverse unfolds.

    So, it’s likely that any future ventures will play into the multiverse concept that got set up by Loki’s final episode. It’s the perfect way to revisit already established characters while still keeping them within canon in some way or another. Their animation’s “unique aesthetic” got developed together with independent animation studios. Flying Bark Prods, Squeeze Animation Studios, and Blue Spirit were involved in the process. They would be open to work alongside Pixar and Disney Animations to expand their repertoire. Still, no matter what animation style they follow, it’ll be interesting how these projects will interconnect as they explore new approaches with each one. Marvel Studios has a bright future ahead, and we can’t wait to see what animated projects might be heading our way in the future.

    Source: Variety

  • Dave Bautista’s Exclusion from ‘WHAT IF…?’ May Be Due To Miscommunication

    Dave Bautista’s Exclusion from ‘WHAT IF…?’ May Be Due To Miscommunication

    Marvel Studios’ first foray into animation with What If…? featured a wide cast of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Around 85% of the cast returned to reprise their iconic roles with some noticeable absentees. There has been some uncertainty why they weren’t invited or what would’ve led to actors like Brie Larson, Chris Evans, and more not reprise the roles they played for so many years. Dave Bautista then took to Twitter to announce that he wasn’t even approached to reprise the role, which added even more confusion. Well, it seems there might’ve been some miscommunication, as the new head of Marvel Studios’ animation department, Brad Winderbaum, just revealed that they’ve reached out to everyone in some form or another.

    I saw that, too. It’s my understanding that everybody was asked in some way, shape or form, either through their agents or directly. I don’t know really what happened behind the scenes there, but certainly, we would have loved for him to be in the show. So there’s probably some miscommunication somewhere.

    It’s unclear if it truly was just a miscommunication that led to his absence, but given how many names returned, it would’ve been odd not to invite him. He’s set to return as Drax the Destroyer in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. So, it’s not like his time with the character has come to an end with the franchise. Bautista is known to be outspoken on Twitter. So, he might openly discuss if it truly was a case of miscommunication, which can happen in such a large industry. Still, if the character returns in a second season, it would be great if they’d let him join the project after all.

    Source: Variety

  • ‘I AM GROOT’ to Explore a Different Animation Style From ‘WHAT IF…?’

    ‘I AM GROOT’ to Explore a Different Animation Style From ‘WHAT IF…?’

    Marvel Studios has just released its first venture into animation. The 3D style of What If…? makes it feel like a comic book come to life. Each episode focuses on a different universe that splintered off from the Sacred Timeline. It won’t be the only venture into animation for the studio, as they already started the first steps to expand. There is one other animated series we do know about, and that is the I Am Groot shorts. We haven’t heard anything on the project since its initial announcement during Disney’s Investors Day. But, we may have finally gotten our first tease of what to expect with the project.

    Variety had a chance to sit down with Brad Winderbaum, who got promoted to Marvel Studios’ Head for Streaming, Television, and Animation. He was the producer behind the What If series and will help the company continue to expand. In the article, Variety also offers our first insight into what type of animation style we can expect from the I Am Groot spin-off. It seems it won’t take the cartoon-inspired style, but rather explore “photo-real” animation. This approach would imply that the series will build upon the design we saw in Guardian of the Galaxy Vol. 2, as it’ll follow the baby version of Groot.

     

    Kinostart für „Guardians Of The Galaxy 3” steht fest

     

    So, it might be an animated project purely on the basis it won’t include any actors in it. There was the tease that we’ll meet some new and unusual characters, which might not be human. It also gives us our first confirmation that Marvel Studios will explore different animation styles rather than stick to the one introduced with What If…?, which is a great direction to take. Animation offers a lot of potentials to explore different takes to add a unique personality to the story. It would be a shame not to bank on that while diversifying the Marvel Cinematic Multiverse.

    Source: Variety, Twitter

  • Iman Vellani Talks ‘MS. MARVEL’s Relevance and What it Means to Play Her

    Iman Vellani Talks ‘MS. MARVEL’s Relevance and What it Means to Play Her

    Ms. Marvel will introduce the world to newcomer Iman Vellani as the titular hero. She’ll embody the character of Kamala Khan and her struggles as a Muslim-American teenager in a world filled with superheroes. We’ve gotten glimpses of the show that was originally set to release this year, but Marvel Studios has been oddly quiet on its development. Hawkeye is eyeing a November release, but there is no word if Ms. Marvel would fill the tight slot between it and the recently started What If…? series.

    A recent leak gave us our first clear look at her rather faithful costume, but with one noticeable difference. She was wielding a purple power construct on her hand rather than showing off her classic Embiggen abilities. It’s unclear how much they will deviate from the source material, but Vellani spoke about tackling the role in an interview with Variety:

    The fact that the show is being made & they’re including this character in the MCU is [what’s important]. I don’t really have to go out of my way & talk about being a Muslim and being Pakistani — it all comes out in the show. People seeing a person like me involved in a project as big as this is, I think, inspiring enough.

    The MCU is expanding in many ways. Falcon and the Winter Soldier also tackled important perspectives that normally don’t get the limelight in media. Ms. Marvel has the potential to explore that same depth with how Kamala Khan adjusts to gaining abilities beyond her control and also being a Muslim-American. It’ll be interesting to see how they build upon her story and what the strange constructs have to do with her overall journey.

    Source: Variety

  • Chloe Bennet Exits CW’s Live-Action ‘POWERPUFF GIRLS’ Series

    Chloe Bennet Exits CW’s Live-Action ‘POWERPUFF GIRLS’ Series

    It’s not looking good for CW’s attempt at a live-action adaptation of the Powerpuff Girls. After shooting a pilot, it failed to get a greenlight. Mark Pedowitz, the CEO of CW, even discussed that the first attempt didn’t work out and they decided to give it another shot. Well, it’s looking grim as Chloe Bennet has officially exited the project. She was set to star as Blossom alongside Dove Cameron‘s Bubbles, and Yana Perrault‘s Buttercup.

    The series was first announced almost a year ago, which would explore the child superheroes in their late 20s, as they try to run away from their heroic duty. It seems she exited the project due to scheduling conflicts as they tried to extend her contract. It’s uncertain if the other two will potentially leave the project, but Variety claims they are still attached. CW is actively looking to replace her as they try to reshoot a new pilot.

    It’s already been questionable if a live-action adaptation of Powerpuff Girls was a great move, especially when the script seemingly leaked online. The series was going to introduce the world to Mojo Jojo’s son Joseph “Jojo” Mondel Jr., who was going to be played by Nicholas Podany.  It’s unclear how many other elements from Craig McCracken’s original series would get added, but we did get a look at set photos teasing their original costumes from the Cartoon Network series. They even released a promotional image of their new costumes, but it looks like they’re going to have to update that once the new pilot enters production.

    Source: Variety

  • Marvel Studios’ Brad Winderbaum Promoted to Head of Streaming, Television and Animation

    Marvel Studios’ Brad Winderbaum Promoted to Head of Streaming, Television and Animation

    There have been many rumblings surrounding Marvel Studios’ future expansions. We’ve heard the first inklings that they’ll explore new avenues with more animated series heading our way. Ever since WandaVision was released, we’ve seen the company exploring more possibilities to tell its stories in new and interesting ways. Well, it seems the company is all in with their streaming future, as Brad Winderbaum was officially nominated to the position of Head of Streaming, Television, and Animation at Marvel Studios.

    The announcement comes at a perfect time as the first animated series by Marvel Studios, the multiverse exploring What If. Winderbaum has been with the company for quite some time, as he was in the trailer back in 2007 when Kevin Feige, Jon Favreau, and Robert Downey Jr. worked on the Iron Man script. Little would they know at the time just how far the franchise would grow. He started as the assistant to Lois D’Esposito and has quite a history with the company.

    Their media ventures were once quite splintered with the entire TV department working directly under Marvel, while Kevin Feige worked for Bob Iger directly. In 2019, he took over the department and replaced Jeph Loeb. While the brand has made animated series dating all the way back to the 1960s, it’s the first time Marvel Studios is taking this venture. They are also exploring an animated expansion of their core franchise, as What If is part of their ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe. So, we can expect a lot more series in the companies’ future.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • ‘AHSOKA’ Seeking to Cast Live-Action Sabine Wren

    ‘AHSOKA’ Seeking to Cast Live-Action Sabine Wren

    It was with little surprise that Lucasfilm announced to be developing a live-action Ahsoka series, following her live-action introduction in the second season of The Mandalorian. Ever since that announcement on December 10, 2020, that fans have eagerly awaited the confirmation that Mandalorian warrior Sabine Wren would be appearing alongside Rosario Dawnson‘s Ahsoka Tano, as her search for their long-lost friend Ezra Bridger continues.

     

    Sabine Wren | StarWars.com

     

    This news has now seemingly been confirmed in a trade interview by Brad Winderbaum, head of streaming, television, and animation over at Marvel Studios, where, when referring that animation characters have often made the jump to live-action, it reads:

    Dawson is leading a live-action Ahsoka spinoff for Disney+, with sources saying Lucasfilm is looking for an actress to star opposite Dawson as Mandalorian warrior Sabine Wren.

    With Mena Massoud reportedly being the front runner to play live-action Ezra Bridger, and Lars Mikkelsen linked to the Admiral Thrawn role, all that’s missing is from Ahsoka‘s main cast is someone for the Sabine part. And we now have confirmation that Lucasfilm is indeed looking for someone to play the former Ghost crew member.

    If rumors are true, they’ll also be joined by The Clone Wars character Barriss Offee. It seems worlds are colliding in the upcoming Ahsoka series, which will unite many open story points from Star Wars many animated series. It always opens up the potential to also expand into additional spin-offs that continue to expand upon the galaxy’s lore and visit the many unexplored corners along the way.

    Source: THR

  • REPORT: ‘Andor’ Adds ‘The End of the F***ing World’s Alex Lawther

    REPORT: ‘Andor’ Adds ‘The End of the F***ing World’s Alex Lawther

    Lucasfilm’s Andor series has been quietly moving its production along, and now we finally have a solid update. Alex Lawther has reportedly joined the cast of the Disney Plus series in a supporting role, though the identity of his character and the extent of his role in the story remains unknown. The report comes from The Direct, who adds that Lucasfilm has yet to confirm the news. The British up-and-comer is best known for his leading role in Netflix’s The End of the F***ing World, as well as a one-episode appearance on the smash-hit sci-fi anthology Black Mirror. Lawther could be playing anything from a fellow Rebel spy to an Imperial officer.

    Andor was announced way back in 2018, but several bumps in the road of production have delayed the series to a 2022 release. The show will consist of twelve episodes and will follow the early adventures of Rebel spy Cassian Andor. Introduced in 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Andor is portrayed by actor Diego Luna. The series will also star a mixture of old and new faces, such as Genevieve O’Reilly, Forest Whitaker, Stellan Skarsgard, Adria Arjona, and Fiona Shaw. Alan Tudyk was originally announced to be reprising his role as the sassy droid K2-SO, but has since been left out of the project.

    The first three episodes of Andor will be directed by Toby Haynes, replacing former director Tony Gilroy after the latter was forced out of the role by the unexpected global pandemic. Rogue One also famously experienced behind-the-scenes issues, but that movie turned out alright. So there is most likely still hope for Andor.

    Source: The Direct

  • Marvel and DC Faces Controversy as Creators Speak Out on Lack of Compensation

    Marvel and DC Faces Controversy as Creators Speak Out on Lack of Compensation

    Marvel and DC films have been quite a success for the companies involved. Yet, the harsh reality unveils that it hasn’t been too kind for the creators of the characters, we’re seeing on the silver screen. In a very revealing piece by The Guardian, we get insight into how comic creators are facing the harsh restrictions set by frugal companies and their refusal to compensate their creators.

    We get quite a few examples of how contractual wordings are quite the slippery slope. Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons created the iconic Watchmen series that became the basis for a popular HBO series. They had a contractual share on merchandise profits, but they simply retitled it “promotional items” and refused to pay out the comic creators.

     

    Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons – Tommy Girard

     

    An anonymous Marvel creator had the following to say after his character’s appearance in the popular film franchise:

    I’ve been offered a [special character contract] that was really, really terrible, but it was that or nothing. And then instead of honouring it, they send a thank you note and are like, ‘Here’s some money we don’t owe you!’ and it’s five grand. And you’re like, ‘The movie made a billion dollars.

    It’s just a small glimpse into how contractual obligations are misconstrued. Harley Quinn’s Jimmy Palmiotti also recommended to lawyer up when you work with a comic book company. They also get a ticket to the premiere alongside the check, but there is no obligation to do so. The reason this practice is the norm is due to how comic creators work for the companies. Marvel seems to be quite infamous for its tight contracts and frugal approach. It’s not too surprising given the rumors surrounding their CEO Isaac Perlmutter.

    Still, it’s terrible to read how these creators of our childhood classics are being treated to this day and, hopefully, this is the necessary wake-up call to make due. If you’re interested in reading the full article on the controversy, you can check it out here.

    Source: The Guardian

  • REPORT: ‘The Batman’ HBO Max Spin-Off’s New Working Title Hints at Arkham Asylum Storyline

    REPORT: ‘The Batman’ HBO Max Spin-Off’s New Working Title Hints at Arkham Asylum Storyline

    The Batman hasn’t even hit theaters yet, and it’s already expanding with a spin-off series in the works. The series is set to air exclusively on HBO Max and follow the Gotham City police department during the Caped Crusaders’ first year on the job. Little is known about the project, as it’s still looking to cast its leads to explore the corruption within Gotham City and its supposed protectors, the GCPD. Yet, it seems it may take a unique direction going by its new working title.

    The Illuminerdi is reporting that the series has the working title “Arkham.” The famous Asylum from DC is sure to get many fan’s attention, and could hint at a large chunk of the story taking place within the walls of the hospital. It seems entirely possible that the series could take place from the perspective of an officer stationed within the Asylum, turning a blind eye to what is really going on. Arkham is notorious for its corruption and houses the absolute worst of the worst that Gotham City can offer.

    The series was previously working under “Gotham Central,” which is a nod to the popular comic by Greg Rucka, but this change could indicate the series will go down a different path. The upcoming spin-off has yet to be officially titled and hasn’t made any movement on casting just yet. Following Terrence Winter’s exit, Joe Barton stepped in to fill the shoes with Showrunner on the series, with Matt Reeves and Dylan Clark serving as producers on the project.

    Source: Illuminerdi