Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: TV

  • Netflix Shares Viewership Numbers for the First Time

    Netflix Shares Viewership Numbers for the First Time

    Streaming may be about to change forever, as Netflix has suddenly offered insight into how much their shows and films are being viewed. Not just that, they promise this to be a regular occurrence. Other streaming services have been coy on sharing any data, as the market hasn’t required it. Yet, as they continue to grow this is a massive jump for transparency and might also shift the market in a new direction, as streaming becomes more dominant.

    The goal for Netflix is to report how many hours were spent on the top 10 TV shows and movies, which includes original and licensed offerings. The first numbers offered some insight into their latest release Red Notice with Gal Gadot, Ryan Reynolds, and Dwayne Johnson spearheading. In its first week of release, it had garnered around 149M hours of viewing time. Narcos: Mexico was the most-watched English-speaking series with 50M hours. Squid Game did take the top spot, however, for a non-English series with around 43M after being available for some time.

    It’s a great development, but it opens the question of whether others will be willing to share their data as openly. Newer streaming services are facing enough hardship. So, transparency might streamline the market and showcase what investments are proven successful. This move does also feels like a follow-up to 2021’s long-winded discussion regarding simultaneous releases and how effective they truly are. We’ll keep an eye on future developments.

    Source: Financial Times

  • Netflix Shares ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Set Photo as Production Starts

    Netflix Shares ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Set Photo as Production Starts

    It looks like the turbulent developmnet hell surrounding Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender has come to an end. Hot off the heels of casting Daniel Dae Kim as Fire Lord Ozai and Paul Sun-Hyung as Uncle Iroh, the streaming service announced on their Twitter profile that they’ve officially entered production with a cute picture of the cast on the set. Sadly, they aren’t showing anything quite yet but it’s great to know that after its turbulent history, such as the creators existing the showing last year over creative differences, they are finally at a point for the series to kick-off filming.

    Showrunner Albert Kim also shared his excitement on finally entering production on this project on Twitter:

    The cast certailny looks excited and overall casting has been quite promising. It’s uncertain how long they might be in productiona nd when we can expect thes eries to release. Considering it’ll be effects heavy, we might have to wait for some time before we get too see their take on these iconic animated characters. Still, it’s good to finally get a confirmation that the project is moving forward and here’s hoping they’ll tease the cast in their costumes in the near future.

    Source: Twitter

  • Paul Sun-Hyung Lee Cast as Uncle Iroh in Netflix’s ‘Avatar’

    Paul Sun-Hyung Lee Cast as Uncle Iroh in Netflix’s ‘Avatar’

    Avatar is one of the most beloved animated series of all time. It tells the story of Aang, the very last Airbender, as he travels the four nations with his companions and masters all four elemental bending techniques. The show returned to Netflix last year and brought back a wave of nostalgia for many, who soon remembered Netflix was in development on a live-action adaption, piquing the interest of many.

    In the past couple of weeks, the adaption has begun adding to its cast, some known and some new to the scene. An addition that all have been waiting for is the role of Uncle Iroh, the uncle of Prince Zuko, and one of the series most important and loved characters. The Mandalorian and Kims Convenience Star Paul Sun-Hyung Lee has been officially cast in the role of Uncle Iroh. Along with that casting, Ken Leung has joined as Admiral Zhao with Lim Kay Siu cast as Monk Gyatso.

    It’ll be interesting to see how the series adapts the first book and if it changes any backstories to better fit within the shorter episode run. The series has been pretty on the spot with its recent castings, and Lee as Iroh is quite a great addition.

    Lee, Leung, and Siu join Gordon Cormier as Aang, Dallas Liu as Zuko, Ian Ousley as Sokka, Kiawentiio Tarbell as Katara, and Daniel Dae Kim as Fire Lord Ozai. Albert Kim will serve as showrunner on the series following the departure of original series creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante Dimartino.

    Source: The Wrap

  • Hailee Steinfeld Describes the Emotional Moment She Landed Her ‘Hawkeye’ Role

    Hailee Steinfeld Describes the Emotional Moment She Landed Her ‘Hawkeye’ Role

    With Marvel Studios’ Hawkeye set to premiere next week, people are anxious to see what’s next for Clint Barton. The introduction of his co-archer Kate Bishop is also exciting fans more so than ever, as actress Hailee Steinfeld is already getting rave reviews for her performance as Kate. While Marvel Studios executive producer Trinh Tran has previously said that Steinfeld was the Studios’ “go-to girl” for Kate Bishop, the actress recently opened up to Cosmopolitan about the emotional moment she learned that she landed the role:

    When I found out I got the job, I was actually pulling up to set on Dickinson. My driver got out of the car and went to open my door and I held it shut because it was like, “I need a moment.” I hadn’t gotten a “you got the job” call in a minute. My mom was on the phone and I started crying in the back seat of the car. I was like, “Wow, this is so wild.” I was trying to wrap my head around how different it was going to be from Dickinson and how ready but anxious I was about the whole thing.

    Hailee Steinfeld

    The actress landing the role was arguably emotional for fans as well. Rumors upon rumors floated around regarding whether or not Steinfeld had signed on for the role. Multiple project delays affected her ability to take the job, but eventually, it was clear that Steinfeld would be taking her place in Hawkeye after we got the first photos and videos of her on set. While audiences will be able to judge for themselves when Hawkeye drops on November 24th, it seems likely that Steinfeld’s turn as Kate Bishop is a casting that will be celebrated all-around.

    Source: Forbes, Cosmopolitan

  • EXCLUSIVE: ‘Hawkeye’ Will Test Kate Bishop’s Relationship With Her Mother

    EXCLUSIVE: ‘Hawkeye’ Will Test Kate Bishop’s Relationship With Her Mother

    We’re only a few weeks away from Hawkeye‘s release on Disney+. The series will take a more grounded approach with our titular hero taking on mobsters rather than planet-destroying space tyrants. Clint Barton’s series will also see him take a young protégé under his wing, Hailee Steinfeld‘s Kate Bishop. The series will explore their dynamic and the importance of family. While Barton is struggling to make it home on time for the holidays, Kate is juggling her relationship with her mother.

    In a teaser for the series, we briefly saw the archer trying to explain to her mother that she is important in solving an Avengers-level threat. Vera Farmiga will bring her mother, Eleanor Bishop, to life and has been highlighted in the trailers so far. It’s interesting to note that she died in the comics during a visit to Colorado with her husband Derek raising Kate and her sister Susan. It was a big part of her character development in the comics, which the MCU will add a new spin on it. Hawkeye producer Trinh Tran offered some insight into why they made the change in an exclusive interview with our own Charles Villanueva

    We haven’t had many opportunities to explore a mother-daughter relationship in the MCU. I’m not saying that hasn’t happened, but it’s just there hasn’t been too many of that. And what I find interesting is that there is a lot of, I guess, fresh territory that we can go to for the relationship for the two of them.

    Trihn Tran

    Many Marvel stories indeed focus on the dynamic between fathers and their children, such as Thanos and Gamora, Ego and Star-Lord, and many more. So, it’s a great move to use this opportunity to explore a mother-daughter dynamic, especially as she highlights how Kate’s personality adds that extra layer that’ll test their relationship.

    She thinks she knows what is best for Kate, but Kate is you’ve seen in the comics is sometimes hard-headed, and she speaks her mind and she is not afraid to do so. And there could be opposing opinions in who she is. So, I think that, like I said, is a more personal, more emotional between the two characters that we wanted to explore in this particular direction for the both of them.

    Trihn Tran

    There’s a possibility that this change was also inspired to explore the darker side of her family’s history. Given what we learn about the character in the comics, they might want to also further establish their dynamic before the story hits a more dramatic turn.

  • ‘Cowboy Bebop’ is an Important Stepping Stone for Live-Action Anime

    ‘Cowboy Bebop’ is an Important Stepping Stone for Live-Action Anime

    The first reviews have hit for Cowboy Bebop. Netflix’s latest attempt at a live-action adaptation has arrived and might just be the beginning of their future venture. There’s a noticeable trend among many that the series doesn’t quite live up to the original, which it doesn’t, and in many ways never could. Yet, there’s something rather interesting surrounding the discussion of it. The inspiration of that very discussion is a simple question on the live-action adaptations reasoning to exist, such as how Brian Lloyd of entertainment.ie put it in his review: “Why bother with this when the original anime is on Netflix?”

    It’s a fair question, especially with many adaptations, especially of anime, seemingly not living up to the highs of the original. Netflix kind of pushed this very question when it announced that the original 1999 anime was going to release ahead of their live-action adaptation. If they’re going to provide the classic, why invest all that money into a separate adaptation that will very likely never live up to the original due to the relevance it holds to this day. Hell, they’re going even further with a live-action adaptation planned for other beloved classic anime like One Piece, Pokémon, and even Mobile Suit Gundam.

    Cowboy Bebop review: Netflix's adaptation has heart, style, and some rough edges - The Verge

    The series is far from where we were with projects like Death Note or the best-forgotten Dragonball Evolution. In a way, there’s a long path ahead of any of these adaptations due to fan expectations. It took years before Marvel Studios got to the point that they create believable adaptations of their comics that don’t fall into the valley of ridiculous. I mean, could you imagine ten years ago that we’ll have a film featuring a wizard traveling through the multiverse potentially facing a Lovecraftian tentacle monster as a May-opening blockbuster? We’re at a point where no one proclaims anymore: “Why not just read the comics?” but rather: “How and when will they adapt this story?” The curiosity has spread to those that don’t even read comics and created a new generation of potential readers.

    Cowboy Bebop took risks while also trying to play it safe. It’s kind of almost every adaptation does, but there’s a spark there of people that loved the original. It doesn’t always translate so easily but it does inspire. Even if this series isn’t perfect, it’s something that’ll introduce people that otherwise would have no interest in it. Yes, the original anime is available but not everyone is willing to watch everything that is out there. Countless people still downplay the relevance of storytelling through animation outside of the classic Pixar or Disney films. Anime has become more mainstream, but there’s a strong focus on specific franchises rather than the genre as a whole. Just like people didn’t take comics seriously due to it just being for “kids” for quite some time.

    Cowboy Bebop review: "A stellar remix that hits all the right notes" | GamesRadar+

    To give an example, One Piece is a deep series of characters going through extreme hardships at times, but its cartoony exterior may keep many from wanting to check it out. The same might go for those that may be a little anxious about the more methodical pace of the original Cowboy Bebop. It’s a bounty-of-the-week series that is more philosophical and far beyond classic understandings of genre. While streamlining this story may feel far removed from the original and make you question its existence, its easier-to-digest nature is a gateway for those unwilling to check out something they may have trivialized as a “cartoon from Japan.” A flawed adaptation that comes from the right place and made by fans of the original will play an integral part as the first stepping stone where quality meets intention.

    Source: Entertainment.ie

  • Latest HBO’s ‘The Last Of Us’ Set Photos Offers a Closer Look at Jackson City

    Latest HBO’s ‘The Last Of Us’ Set Photos Offers a Closer Look at Jackson City

    We’ve gotten a glimpse of HBO’s production of their live-action adaptation of The Last Of Us. Early in October, we got a look at a post-apocalyptic city that showcases their attention to detail in bringing the games to life. Now, new photos have found their way online teasing a very familiar landmark in the Naughty Dog franchise, Jackson City. The Wyoming safe haven played an important role in both games. In the first, we visit Tommy, Joel’s brother, in this town during the cross-country tour. The self-sustaining town would play a vital role in the opening act of the sequel. So, its inclusion makes sense and it’s great to see this many practical sets bringing it to life. The pictures are provided by Russell and Russell Design Studios, who turned the Canadian city of Canmore into Jackson.

    The weather also hints at this story taking place during the winter, especially around the holiday season with some other photos teasing a giant Christmas tree.

    We’re seeing a great level of practical work bringing this series to life throughout these set photos. It’s a great touch, as it adds to the harsh reality that our duo is about to face on their cross-country storyline. Of course, the fact they built Jackson opens up the possibility that we’ll see a similar storyline from the first game and the introduction of Tommy. His original voice actor, Jeffrey Pierce, did join the project but as an original character, as Agents of SHIELD’s Gabriel Luna takes on the role in the live-action series opposite of Pedro Pascal‘s Joel.

    Source: Instagram, Instagram (Tree)

  • First Look at ‘The Art of WandaVision’ Artbook

    First Look at ‘The Art of WandaVision’ Artbook

    There’s a tradition with Marvel Studios films that an art book commonly follows at one point. It offers a look behind-the-curtains and how they bring some of our favorite characters to life. It was uncertain if the same is the case for the Disney+ series, but luckily it seems we got the answer we were looking for. Marvel Studios’ Director of Visual Development and Concept Artist Andy Park has shared the first look at an Art of WandaVision book with its cover highlighting Wanda’s transformation into the Scarlet Witch and her family from the Disney+ series.

    Park‘s artwork has always been impressive and showcases his love for detail. Scarlet Witch’s MCU design feels like the perfect blend of her comic outfit with a blend of practicality. There are always interesting secrets hidden in the many chapters of these Art of books, as they sometimes also hint at concepts that didn’t make it past the concept phase. There was artwork prepared for Doctor Strange wearing the Iron Man armor in Avengers: Infinity War and even some alternative designs for Spider-Man’s many suits throughout the MCU. It’ll be interesting to see what secrets this book includes.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Hawkeye’ Will Include “Giant Reminders” of Natasha Romanoff

    ‘Hawkeye’ Will Include “Giant Reminders” of Natasha Romanoff

    One of the most heartfelt scenes in Avengers: Endgame was the exchange between Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton, as they both try to make the sacrifice for the sake of half the universe. Natasha is the one who takes the leap of faith and leaves behind her closest friend to carry the weight of the Soul Stone in his hand. Her legacy lives on through Yelena Belova, who we were introduced to in the solo Black Widow film and is set to return in Hawkeye. She is confirmed to appear in the upcoming series and it seems like Clint Barton hasn’t quite gotten over the events either.

    In an interview with the Evening Standard, actor Jeremy Renner talked about how Black Widow will play into the story beyond just the appearance of Belova. It seems that we’ll also use this series to explore Barton’s grief from losing her, especially as he did it all for the sake of his family that he once again has to leave behind to look after Kate Bishop and her shenanigans.

    There are giant reminders of Natasha in this series. Reminders of things that tie into losing somebody and reminders of all that beautiful things that come with a lot of pain as well.

    Jeremy Renner

    It makes sense that this death would still hang over his head, as he was the one that had to let go when they were hanging from a cliff on Vormir. Belova’s appearance in the series will definitely bring back the dark reality of that moment and once again bring him face-to-face with the consequences.

    Source: Standard

  • ‘Hawkeye’ Director Plays Coy on Yelena Belova’s Role in the Disney+ Series

    ‘Hawkeye’ Director Plays Coy on Yelena Belova’s Role in the Disney+ Series

    The post-credit sequence of Black Widow set up the return of Florence Pugh‘s Yelena Belova. We meet her at Natasha Romanoff’s grave where she gets a new mission from the mysterious Val. The reality of the events that took place in Avengers: Endgame was twisted, as she is given the task to take out Clint Barton. Of course, we already knew he was getting his own Disney+ series and her return in the series was already confirmed ahead of time. There was also a report in July that she might even appear in multiple episodes. So, Total Film tried to get a bit more out of Hawkeye director Rhys Thomas, who played coy on her exact role.

    I can’t speak to that. But yes, we know their past, and obviously what happened in Endgame. We know in these first two episodes that Clint’s dealing with the fallout of that. But in terms of how they meet, I can’t – I’ll just pretend I don’t know. Imagine it’s a happy meeting, where they talk over coffee and work things out.

    Rhys Thomas

    Total Film was open about the fact if we’ll see these two at each other’s throats, but the director wouldn’t give anything away. Thomas did tease that “it all connects in some way” and that “the story is its own little world.” So, we can expect callbacks and connective tissue to the rest, but given its smaller scale, we might have a much more intimate story on our hands.

    Source: Total Film