Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: TV

  • Theory Thursday: Time Travel and Ms. Marvel’s Quantum Connection

    Theory Thursday: Time Travel and Ms. Marvel’s Quantum Connection

    Part of what has made Ms. Marvel so enjoyable over the past four weeks is the genuine mystery that weaves throughout each episode and keeps viewers on their toes. It all stems from the fact that Kamala Khan does not appear to bring her Inhuman ties to the live-action Marvel Cinematic Universe. So, the source of her powers has left both casual viewers and comic book experts scratching their heads as to where the series is taking the beloved character. Even by the end of Episode 4, fans still aren’t entirely clear as to what’s happening. But we first looked at Kamala’s potential connection to the Quantum Realm and time travel after the series premiere, and more evidence of this theory just keeps rolling in.

    Numerous aspects of Ms. Marvel could lean in this direction. A major theory suggests that the bangle that activated her powers is, in fact, a quantum band, which derives its powers from the Quantum Realm. There were hints of time travel via Kamala’s visions, and it could be important to remember that her comic powers operated based on constant time-traveling on a molecular level.

    What we now know about Kamala’s origins and family history in Ms. Marvel is that her great-grandmother, Aisha, was a “Clandestine” or “Djinn.” While the “Djinn” designation turned out to be more of a red herring based on what we learned in Episode 4, we also know that the Clandestines come from the Noor Dimension, which is separated from the main reality by a veil of energy. Najma and her gang want Kamala to break through that veil, but it has been made clear that if she were to do so, the Noor Dimension would overtake and destroy Kamala’s reality.

    We do not know much about the Noor Dimension other than that supernatural beings, identified in the past as “Djinn”, came from it and that Clandestines and the Red Daggers can sense the Noor energy that Kamala draws from the other dimension. In the MCU, we know about a few realms. Asgard is a great example, and it is even referenced in Episode 4 to help explain the Noor Dimension. Another “realm” we have heard of is the Quantum Realm, which is certainly creeping in as a major player in the future of the MCU.

    As we know from Avengers: Endgame, the Quantum Realm, and quantum energy were the backbones of time travel. What Episode 4 possibly re-emphasizes is Kamala’s connection to time travel. By the end of Episode 4, Kamala seems very much in the 1940s in India after her bangle was attacked and went haywire. While it is not entirely clear yet whether she is actually, physically present there, the ending shots of the episode certainly made it easy to make that conclusion. Obviously, Episode 5 will keep her in that space for the purpose of explaining and resolving Aisha’s mysterious storyline, which is profoundly connected to the exact period Kamala is now in.

    Still worth noting, Ms. Marvel has had quite the number of Ant-Man references. Obviously, Scott Lang and Hank Pym are the characters most associated with the Quantum Realm, and we next expect to see Ant-Man in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. “Quantumania” alone should set the expectations for how important the Quantum Realm will be, but that film will also star the time-travelling villain Kang the Conquerer. Following Loki, the Kang Easter egg in Moon Knight, and Phase 4’s focus on the multiverse, Kang is very much set up to potentially be the next MCU saga’s Big Bad.

    Overall, there’s enough evidence to form the theory that Kamala is utilizing some of the same general concepts that we have already been introduced to in the MCU. If the Noor Dimension is actually the Quantum Realm, that major piece of the universe would be served by being better developed in Ms. Marvel. It also could make Kamala’s story more interesting than if the Noor Dimension was a completely original concept that gets limited to her origin story and not much else. Obviously, there is more nuance to why Kamala or Aisha can utilize the bangle while others, like the Clandestines, cannot. We will likely learn virtually all of this information in the next episode, as all MCU DIsney+ series love spending the majority of their penultimate episodes resolving every mystery or question, and ultimately setting the hero up for the final battle fully embracing their identity.

    The first four episodes of Ms. Marvel are now streaming on Disney+.

  • Nexstar Nearing Deal to Take Over Majority of CW Network Alongside Its $100M+ Losses

    Nexstar Nearing Deal to Take Over Majority of CW Network Alongside Its $100M+ Losses

    It’s not been too long ago since the first news arrived that Warner Bros. Discovery was continuing its dismantling of the original structure, such as selling the CW Network. Now, it seems that Nextar Media Group who owns a slew of local television stations, is eyeing to take over the majority of the program. Accoridng to the Wall Street Journal, they aren’t even going to pay cash for it but rather will cover a significant part of its losses, which supposedly are above $100M currently.

    WSJ does point out that the deal isn’t final and could fall apart but we would know within the next few weeks. Surprisingly, Warner Bros. Discovery will still remain a shareholder with a 12.5% stake, the same amount that Paramount is going to keep. CBS and WB are still planning on creating content for CW, but Nexstar is eyeing to expand with other producers while the minority owners keep the content-licensing revenue from pre-existing deals such as their very lucrative Netflix dealings.

    It should be noted that Nexstar is already the largest owner, but this would give them almost full control over future ventures. The big focus will be to expand its target audience, as the CW broadcaster generally built its dynamic around teen-focused dramas such as Riverdale, Supernatural, Vampire Diaries, and many more. CW was never truly seen as profitable, but the Netflix deal became one of its biggest sellers that it managed to carry a network even with direct income losses from ad revenue. the broadcaster was famous for renewing series that seemingly had no audience, while their dramas entered the top 10 in the U.S. on Netflix. So, we’ll have to see if the deal comes together in the coming weeks.

    Source: WSJ

  • ‘Godzilla’ Spinoff Series Adds 5 to its Cast

    ‘Godzilla’ Spinoff Series Adds 5 to its Cast

    Apple TV+ and Legendary Television’s untitled Godzilla and the Titans series is adding to its cast. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Anna Sawai, Ren Watabe, Kiersey Clemons, Joe Tippett, and Elisa Lasowski have all joined the cast of the monster series. The series is set in the aftermath of the battle between Godzilla and the Titans in San Francisco and follows a family’s journey to uncover its buried secrets that link them to the organization, Monarch. It is also directly connected to Legendary’s Monterverse.

    Sawai is playing Cate, a teacher and G-Day survivor who travels to Japan to settle family affairs. During her trip, however, she ends up uncovering a secret. Watabe is playing Kentaro, an intelligent, creative, and curious young man eager to learn more about his father. Clemons is playing May, an American expatriate who uses a roguish exterior to protect herself and others. Tippet is set to play Tim, an office worker who dreams of going on a secret agent adventure, while Laswoski plays Duvall, an expert agent with unwavering confidence in herself and what she can do.

    Matt Shakman, who was behind Marvel Studios’ WandaVision, is set to direct the first two episodes of Godzilla and the Titans and also serve as an executive producer on the series. The still-untitled series hails from Chris Black (Outcast) and Matt Fraction (Hawkeye), who co-created the series; Black will also serve as the showrunner on the series.

    Source: THR

  • EXCLUSIVE: Scott Adsit on Bringing Baymax to Live-Action in the MCU

    EXCLUSIVE: Scott Adsit on Bringing Baymax to Live-Action in the MCU

    MCU fans may remember a rumor that Marvel Studios was looking to incorporate characters from Big Hero 6, specifically Hiro and Baymax, into their shared universe in a live-action appearance. As exciting as that rumor was, it was eventually debunked by a trade report, which indicated that Big Hero 6 and the characters associated with it were staying with the creatives at Disney and any new projects involving them would be done at that studio.

    One such new project involving the property is now available on Disney Plus in the form of BAYMAX!, a six-episode collection of shorts with a ton of heart (read our full review here) that takes the character back to his roots as a healthcare companion. Ahead of the premiere of the series, Charles Murphy had the opportunity to talk to actor Scott Adsit, who has voiced Baymax since Big Hero 6 debuted in 2014 and asked him if he’d be willing to get back in studio to bring him to life.

    I’d get in the costume for that. I’d get in the big rubber suit and inflate it and walk around. Absolutely! Because I’m a big Marvel nerd and I think all those movies are fantastic, so to step into one of them would be incredible.

    Scott Adsit

    Unfortunately for Adsit, it doesn’t appear as though he’ll get the chance to fill out that rubber suit anytime soon. But as the voice of Baymax for the better part of a decade, it’s good to know he’s willing to take up the part anytime. Maybe there’s hope for the future!

  • Arlyn Reviews ‘BAYMAX!’

    Arlyn Reviews ‘BAYMAX!’

    I always am so excited when Disney releases a new project because they never fail to entertain me. Their latest project, BAYMAX! has done just that. In 2014 (when I was 6), Disney released Big Hero 6, a movie about a robot named Baymax and a group of heroes saving their city, San Fransokyo. Baymax started out as a personal healthcare companion and was designed to help people in need; however, he ended up being a superhero. BAYMAX! returns the character to his intended purpose and the result is one of the year’s best feel-good projects.

    This show isn’t only hilarious it’s also very heartwarming which is one of the many aspects I like about it. Baymax is loveable here not only because he helps random people but also because he is very funny. As runs around San Fransokyo helping everyone, he heals not only their injuries but also helps them face their fears. And when Baymax finds himself in need of a helping hand, the show reminds us just how important good deeds can be.

    Almost everything Disney produces seeks to teach a life lesson to the audience. This show is no different in that regard. At the forefront is the fact that if you are kind to others, others will be just as kind to you. Baymax helps all these people without them asking, and then they all help Baymax.

    The series really shows who Baymax really is and it also shows us all who we could be if only we all had someone there for us like Baymax. It’s definitely the kind of show that needs to be out in the world and remind us all how important it is to be kind.

  • How ‘Ms. Marvel’ Latest Episode Sets Up ‘She-Hulk’s Supermax Prison

    How ‘Ms. Marvel’ Latest Episode Sets Up ‘She-Hulk’s Supermax Prison

    The fourth episode of Ms. Marvel just dropped and brought with it quite a lot of Kamala’s heritage and family history; not to mention some quality action sequences and Marvel Cinematic Universe world-building. But apart from the gradual exploration of what the series has dubbed the Noor Dimension, Ms. Marvel also debuted a connection to a future MCU project. In fact, it looks like a potentially major element of She-Hulk: Attorney At Law has had the foundation laid for it.

    While the Department of Damage Control’s presence has faded since the first two Ms. Marvel episodes, their role in the story has carried on in a more subtle way. At the end of Episode 3, the DODC took the Clandestines into custody after the wedding fight. In Episode 4, we see the follow-up to that, as the Clandestine escape being brought into the DODC Supermax Prison. While we do not see any main area of the prison, we do see a shot of the outside of it. As it turns out, the DODC Supermax was the prison complex seen in the She-Hulk trailer.

    Marvel Studios’ ‘Ms. Marvel’
    Marvel Studios’ ‘She-Hulk’

    By showing up in multiple projects, the Supermax has essentially been established as being a significant element in the MCU. While we got a taste of the Raft in Captain America: Civil War, that high-security prison has not been used since. The fact that the Supermax is run by the DODC is important for a few reasons. First, it means that, unlike the Raft, there is nothing secretive about it—it appears to be on land and is extremely visible and accessible.

    Second, it means that the DODC is likely here to stay as an ongoing source of law enforcement and a thorn in the sides of superpowered people. This confirms the message in the second episode of Ms. Marvel that Damage Control is on a mission to target and incarcerate enhanced people. To what extent is unclear—surely some supers are allowed to operate, but we may find out more in She-Hulk.

    Jennifer Walters, aka She-Hulk, is an attorney who specializes in superhuman law. We know from the She-Hulk trailer that she will deal with people like Emil Blonsky, otherwise known as Abomination. While we do not know for sure where Blonksy is being held, the DODC Supermax is now the top candidate. Practicing superhuman law requires either representing or suing superhumans. A great place to find clients or targets, then, would be a building where a bunch of superhumans is being held prisoner for alleged crimes.

    So what do we know about the DODC Supermax Prison so far? Not a lot, aside from the fact that it is operated by the DODC. We can assume some relatively high-profile people, like Abomination, are there. If it is a sort of catch-all prison like it seems to be, a wide variety of supervillains should pass through. Despite being a Supermax prison, it clearly has terrible security. The Clandestine essentially walked out of that place. Plus, it is almost a given that prison breaks will pop up at least every now and again.

    The first four episodes of Ms. Marvel are now streaming on Disney+.

  • Glen/Glenda to Return in ‘Chucky’ Season 2

    Glen/Glenda to Return in ‘Chucky’ Season 2

    It looks like an icon will make their return in the second season of Chucky, as SyFy has announced that Lachlan Watson will take on the role of Glen/Glenda in the season. They are the genderfluid child of Chucky and Tiffany that made their debut in Seed of Chucky. While they were briefly referenced in the first season, this will mark their first return since 2004, when Billy Boyd voiced the Chucky offspring. Check out the special message from Watson on taking on the role:

    It’s unclear how they’ll make their return to the franchise, especially given where we last saw the character. They join an already stacked cast that already saw the return of Brad Dourif and Jennifer Tilly. The first season continued where Curse and Cult of Chucky left off, which set up a new direction for the murdering kid’s toy.

    The series was pitched as a new take on the mythos and characters, especially after a remake was put in place that tried to reinvigorate the franchise on the silver screen, but just couldn’t bring the same kind of magic as the original. So, the series offered what everyone was hoping for and continued the franchise with the creative minds that made it an iconic part of everyone’s horror collection.

    Source: Twitter

  • REVIEW: ‘Ms. Marvel’ Episode 4—”Seeing Red”

    REVIEW: ‘Ms. Marvel’ Episode 4—”Seeing Red”

    While Ms. Marvel still has to stick the landing in its final two episodes—something that Marvel Cinematic Universe shows tend to struggle with—its Episode 4 was yet another triumph for Kamala Khan’s series. In fact, it manages to follow the MCU series template for four episodes, but yet surpasses all expectations set by previous Disney+ installments. Ultimately, the conclusion, so far, on Ms. Marvel is that from inception to execution it is the highest quality MCU series to date. And it is not particularly close.

    While the mystery of Kamala’s origin continues in Episode 4, it is still developing in more interesting ways in each episode. Quickly, we learn that there is much more depth and nuance to the “Djinn” classification we were introduced to in the previous episode, and we get a hint that the Noor connection may have stronger connections to the more traditional super-aspects of the MCU. What that connection actually is remains the driving energy of the series, and Ms. Marvel expertly stretches the reveal out much like Kamala can stretch out her own hard light energy.

    But one of the most delightfully perplexing aspects of Ms. Marvel is uncovering why exactly this is so well played out. While many substantive aspects of Ms. Marvel are certainly unique from other MCU entries, the actual structure of the series is not. For example, virtually every MCU series has a major cliff-hanging plot twist-type ending to its fourth episode. In WandavIsion’s  Episode 4, Wanda’s sentience in the Hex is formally revealed. In Loki, the titular character wakes up to different variants of himself at the end of time. In Moon Knight, Marc Spector is killed and is awakened in what appears to be a mental asylum. Here, in Ms. Marvel, Kamala seems to have been somewhat transported to the past, as she finds herself engulfed in the scene of the last train to Karachi the night her great-grandmother Aisha disappeared.

    So while this sort of ending was not a true surprise—and the structure of the penultimate episode can likely similarly be guessed to an extent—Ms. Marvel executes it on an absurdly impressive level. The final shots are breathtaking and rely mostly on a realistic reimagining of the past rather than supernatural, magical, or fantastical elements. While the knowledge of Partition and Kamala’s family history has been known to this extent since the second episode, Episode 4 fully opened the door for what Kamala’s very human origin means to the character, and frankly, the world at large. Even Kamala is completely at a loss for words at the tragedy, suffering, and pain she sees around her. 

    Much of the beauty of the series’ focus on Kamala’s mysterious origin is the fact that, as emphasized and written in stone in this episode, Kamala’s origin is as much intertwined with traditional reality as it is with whatever inter-dimensional tie-in is. All superheroes carry the weight and strengths of their non-super past, but Ms. Marvel is unique in truly expressing that Kamala’s foundation is in her family and its history. The bangle is certainly the most important force in her superpowers, but it is every bit as important to Kamala’s character as is her relationship with her mother, her mother’s relationship with her mother, and whatever happened to Aisha during Partition. 

    In the midst of the incredibly rich storyline, even the action sequences of Episode 4 stand out. In particular, the extended chase scene could without a doubt be plopped into a feature film as is and no one would question it. While often in MCU series, even Ms. Marvel, action is rushed and sparing, this scene proved that that is a choice and not a necessity for these shows. 

    So, to go back to the earlier question of why Ms. Marvel seems to be ahead of the curve, there are numerous unique things that the show brings to the table. But it would not be fair to say that the series radically upended the Disney+ MCU model. Not everyone will personally prefer the series over all others, and no one has to. But at the end of the day, in all truthfulness, Ms. Marvel has been written and executed with such quality that it truly stands out. On no level is that an attack on other MCU shows, either—Ms. Marvel is simply that good.

  • ‘Ms. Marvel’ Episode 4 Primer

    ‘Ms. Marvel’ Episode 4 Primer

    In episode 3 of Ms. Marvel, “Destined”, Kamala finds out more about her heritage and how the power inside of her works. After rescuing her from Damage Control at the end of the second episode, Kamran’s mom, Najma, fills Kamala about the true nature of her great-grandma, Aisha, who is a Djinn from the Noor Dimension. Najma and Aisha believed that a pair of bangles, one of which Kamala now wears, could return them and their exiled family back home. Najma and her family, the Clandestine, seem harmless and and to only want Kamala’s help in using the bangle to open a portal to the Noor Dimension.

    While Kamala learns the truth about her heritage and asks Bruno to help her send the Clandestine home, her brother’s wedding takes center stage. Unfortunately, it turns out that Najma isn’t so trustworthy after all and quickly decides to make Kamala try to send them home, despite a warning from Bruno that it might be very dangerous. After being warned by Kamran that the Clandestine are on their way and that everyone at the wedding is in danger, Kamala pulls the fire alarm, essentially ruining the wedding. She does this to save everyone from getting hurt but it only hurts her relationship with her family. Kamala survives a fight with the Clandestine, which is interrupted when Damage Control shows us and takes them into custody. When she returns home, she is too afraid to tell her family that she is Night Light. At the very end of the episode, her Nani calls Kamala and says that she needs to come to Karachi right away. Nani insists this because she saw the same vision of a train that Kamala saw during her fight with Najma.

    Why her Nani sees the same vision as her is pretty self-explanatory. She probably has the same powers as Kamala and the bangle is connected to them both. Kamala’s mom probably also has this power but she is hiding it from Kamala, just the same way she hid the bangle at first. If her mom does have the same power then we can assume that she has the same visions as well.

    Arlyn’s Assumptions

    In this next episode, I know that Kamala goes to Karachi. In order to get there, Kamala must tell her mom about everything that has happened, including her powers and the visions she is seeing. Either that, or she’s going to be sneaking out for one heck of a trip! It’s also going to be interesting to hear another side of Aisha’s story, this time from someone who seems like a little less of a villain than Najma. Will their stories match up? Almost definitely not, so I’m thinking this episode will reveal the truth about Aisha, the Clandestine and Kamala’s heritage.

    The next episode of Ms. Marvel will stream on Disney+ tomorrow!

  • Prime Video’s ‘Fallout’ Adaptation Adds Kyle MacLachlan to Cast

    Prime Video’s ‘Fallout’ Adaptation Adds Kyle MacLachlan to Cast

    Amazon Prime has released some very impressive comic book adaptions over the past few years with shows like The Boys and Invincible becoming the talk of the town. Next up, Prime seeks to venture into adapting a new medium, video games. Fallout, the post-apocalyptic set video game franchise is set to be adapted into a live-action series at the streamer, and has already begun adding some big names.

    The upcoming series has added three more to its expanding cast with Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan joining the cast alongside Xelia Mendes-Jones and Aaron Moten. The three join the previously announced Walton Goggins and Ella Purnell, who will play the series leads.

    It’s unknown if the story will follow any of the games or take on an entirely original story in the series but it may not be a bad thing to tell an original story in such a rich world. The project could instead exist in canon alongside the games.

    Filming on the series is currently set to begin at some point later this year with Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet serving as co-showrunners on the series. Todd Howard is involved with the project as well, serving as an executive producer via Bethesda Game Studios with James Altman serving alongside him via Bethesda Softworks.

    SOURCE: Variety