Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: TV

  • Cryptic ‘One Piece’ Tweet Teases an Upcoming Announcement

    Cryptic ‘One Piece’ Tweet Teases an Upcoming Announcement

    One Piece may have one last announcement before it wraps up its 25th anniversary. While we haven’t heard much on the various projects that are currently in development outside of a few trailers building up momentum for One Piece Odyssey’s release in January, it does seem like one more announcement is heading our way. The best part: it seems we’ll find out what it’s all about by tomorrow.

    A new cryptic tweet from the official account has included a “Coming Soon on 12 Dec 2022” tagline alongside.an image teasing a new logo that is close to the design of the original combined with a few changes alongside what seems to be Luffy’s straw hat below. It does include a link to “toei-anim.com” which may hint at something related to the anime.

    It seems highly unlikely that this is in anyway related to the live-action series or even the manga. There’s a good chance that this might be some new collaboration for some merchandise or even special art pieces based on the popular manga and anime series. They might also share some news on the next arc for the anime that is likely going to introduce a filler arc to let the manga run a bit longer so it doesn’t catch up too fast. Of course, it’s just speculation at this point but it’ll be interesting to see what is heading our way.

    Source: Twitter

  • David Zaslav Pauses Netflix Dealings Over ‘The Sandman’ Season 2 Renewal

    David Zaslav Pauses Netflix Dealings Over ‘The Sandman’ Season 2 Renewal

    At this point, it seems like a safer question to wonder who Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav hasn’t pissed off in the industry. Not only did he just save money on taxes by scrapping finished films like Batgirl and a Scoob! Holiday Special, but now he seems to have been quite vocal about his displeasure with other streaming deals. Ironic given that he seemingly is moving away from HBO Max to focus on outsourcing what they have to offer.

    The reaction seems to come from the contract as part of Netflix’s renewal of The Sandman for a second season. Zaslav is seemingly unhappy with how the deal is structured in how producers are paid across multiple months. They have quite a few projects with Netflix like Sweet Tooth, Manifest, You, and more. Instead of re-evaluating the contracts for future projects, he just outright has paused for any further deals to be made for finished shows moving forward.

    It’s strange, as it’s not only a business practice at this point but just didn’t agree with the terms already agreed upon. Zaslav is very hands on in the deal-making, for better and for worse going by recent experiences. Warner Bros. is also no stranger to strange payment models, and it does raise the question why this wasn’t reviewed before moving away from its own streaming service to outsourcing their projects moving forward. Here’shoping this doesn’t end up leading to consequences on any of their co-produced projects.

    Source: Deadline

  • Marvel Studios’ ‘Wonder Man’ Potentially Eyeing Late 2023 Release

    Marvel Studios’ ‘Wonder Man’ Potentially Eyeing Late 2023 Release

    Marvel Studios has been quite busy with the various films and TV shows. Among the many projects in the pipeline, their recently announced Wonder Man has become quite an exciting addition, as it not only focuses on one of Marvel comics’s Avengers that almost joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe back in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Nathan Fillion was set to take on the role yet now Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has been cast in the iconic role. We are still waiting for when Marvel Studios gets ready to start development on the project, but a new listing may have hinted at their planned release date.

    Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Hawkeye‘s Andrew Guest is moving on from a consulting producer role to become the head writer and showrunner for Wonder Man. We still don’t know a lot about how they’ll tackle the characters powers and roots as a Hollywood star; here’s hoping for Marvel Studios to also venture out with some creative jabs at itself like they did in She-Hulk, Attorney at Law. Still, it seems a new listing on the WGA has revealed that the series is very likely eyeing a late 2023 release for its first season.

    The listing includes “2023-2024” and with the show already revving up its castings, such as recent reports on Bob Ordenkirk potentially joining, it does seem like a fitting timeline for when the show might release. Of course, we know that Hawkeye, which is listed for “2021-2022” wrapped up before the year ended, but it does fit with the timing that was initially expected. Of course, there’s always a chance that the project could get pushed back with everything on Marvel Studios’ plate but it does give us a window on all-in they are with this project.

    Source: WGA

  • REPORT: Lack of Communication as DC Changes Leadership “Creating a Riot”

    REPORT: Lack of Communication as DC Changes Leadership “Creating a Riot”

    James Gunn, the co-head of the newly created DC Studios, took to social media in an attempt to smooth the tidal wave of disruption caused by THR’s revelation that Wonder Woman 3 wasn’t moving forward and that Henry Cavill was not likely to return for a sequel to Man of Steel. Of THR’s piece, Gunn explained that “some of it is true, some of it is half-true, some of it is not true, & some of it we haven’t decided yet whether it’s true or not“, adding that he and co-head Peter Safran “still have a lot more questions to ask & answer.” However, it appears that the transition at the top has left things in chaos.

    According to Deadline, the studio’s “lack of communication to talent reps and content creators” has ruffled more than a few feathers. Reading between the lines of the report, many of the people behind the DC projects that have already been in the works at Warner Bros. Discovery are just as in the dark as fans. According to one insider, the lack of communication “is creating a riot” and straining relationships.

    Deadline reports that one of its sources called into question why Gunn and Safran would be interested in scrapping established franchises that have already had some measure of success in order to start over, saying “These franchises which already make a lot of money, why stop them? How can a studio that’s bearing so much debt afford to start from scratch? There are scripts and actors’ schedules to be figured out.” A fantastic question and one asked often in the online discourse that followed THR’s news. However, as Gunn indicated on social media, in searching to tell what he calls a “cohesive story across film, TV, animation and gaming” a rough transition was always expected.

    Just how rough and how extended that period will be is another question entirely.

    Source: Deadline

  • Leaked ‘The Acolyte’ Set Photos Offer First Look at Lee Jung-jae

    Leaked ‘The Acolyte’ Set Photos Offer First Look at Lee Jung-jae

    It looks like The Acolyte is already busy filming and it seems like the first set photos for the Star Wars series has already found its way online. The first batch of set photos have seemingly revealed our first look at Lee Jung-jae on the set, who is seemingly playing a Jedi going by his outfit. There were recent hints that the story is focused on a Sith, which means they could be the Jedi that are in the way or even the reason they turned to the dark side of the Force.

    The Acolyte might become one of Star Wars’s most exciting new series, as its the first project completely detached from the many legacy-oriented projects we’ve had so far. The Mandalorian started off as its own storyline until it started connecting with Star Wars Rebels and even featuring Mark Hamill‘s return as a de-aged Luke Skywalker. So, who knows if there might be ome bigger connections that haven’t been revealed quite yet.

    There is also Skeleton Crew, which may be hinting at the future direction for the studio as it slowly tries to unshackle from what came before. We still might have those shows that start to connect the mythos of this galaxy but Lucasfilm might be trying to explore projects they otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance to do so. Even Andor, which is a prequel to Rogue One, mostly works as its own project but still has some connective tissue to the larger universe we’ve come to love over the years.

    Source: Daily Mail via Twitter

  • ‘The Witcher’ Showrunner Denies Accusations by Former Writer

    ‘The Witcher’ Showrunner Denies Accusations by Former Writer

    Netflix’s The Witcher has been facing a rough patch as of late. While Blood Origins spinoff is just on the horizon, there still has been some questionable reveals from behind-the-scenes. First Moon Knight and former The Witcher writer Beau DeMayo reveals that the series’ writers room would openly mock the source material and Henry Cavill suddenly left the project, whose departure hinted at the project moving further and further away from its source material. Yet, now the showrunner Lauren S. Hissrich has seemingly debunked any of these accusations.

    I think if you watch…any interview I’ve ever done…including those with [Andrzej Sapkowski]…you’ll see that I am quite a fan of the books [and the games]. Do you believe…that when one person states something as fact, that it’s therefore fact? This particular thing is not a fact. I love the books. I’m shit at the games, but that’s me, not them. I’ve never mocked the books…The books are my entire livelihood, I have a great relationship with Mr. Sapkowski, and writers rooms are sacred and safe and — more than anything — supportive spaces. Don’t believe everything you read.

    Lauren S. Hissrich

    She also goes on to state that she respects former writer DeMayo and praises his work on the series, but it likely will only further push the divide. The big question remains if The Witcher can sustain its viewership without its main lead and if the upcoming spinoff doesn’t showcase the franchise potential to Netflix, who knows if the series might wrap up with Liam Hemsworth‘s run as Gerald of Rivia.

  • ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Season 2 Cast Continues to Grow

    ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Season 2 Cast Continues to Grow

    The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has seemingly been pushing them forward. Work has already started on the second season in the United Kingdom, as the franchise sadly is moving away from New Zealand. J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay continue their work on the series exploring the Second Age of Middle-Earth and have seemingly added eight more to its cast for the next season.

    Deadline reports that The Rings of Power has added Oliver Alvin-Wilson, Stuart Bowman, Gavi Singh Chera, Kevin Eldon, William Chubb, Calam Lynch, Selina Lo, and Will Keen to its cast. They join the previously announced actors Sam Hazeldine, Yasen ‘Zates’ Atour, Ben daniels, Nia Towle, Nicholas Woodeson, Amelia Kenworthy, and Sam Hazeldine.

    So far the only confirmed role is Hazeldine is taking over the role of Adar, the leader of the orcs in the second season. They also teased that one of the elfs that carries Celebrimbor’s three rings will be introduced in Season 2. As such, one of the newly announced actors is expected and we should also meet other ring-bearers in the next season. So, the time is right to guess which new addition could be taking on what role moving forward.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘The Midnight Club’ Creators to Adapt Stephen King’s The Dark Tower for Amazon

    ‘The Midnight Club’ Creators to Adapt Stephen King’s The Dark Tower for Amazon

    That deal with Intrepid Pictures has already come to fruition as it seems that Mike Flanagan and Trevor Macy, long-time Netflix producers, have already set their sight on a massive IP for Amazon Studios. According to a new report by Deadline, they are set to adapt Stephen King‘s iconic The Dark Tower book series. They already have set out their adaptation with five seasons that’ll then be followed by two stand-alone feature films. They also got their hands on the series before the Amazon deal, as revealed in an interview with Deadline.

    You’re the first person we’re saying it to, but yes. Predating our deal with Amazon, we acquired the rights to The Dark Tower, which if you know anything about me, you know it has been my Holy Grail of a project for most of my life. We actually have those rights carved out of our Amazon deal, which doesn’t mean that they can’t or won’t get behind it at some point — you don’t know. But that’s something we’ve been developing ourselves and are really passionate about finally getting it up on its feet at some point.

    Mike Falagan

    Intrepid is mostly known for its work on horror projects, but this mammoth series has its many influences throughout its long run. It seems that Flanagan has already written the pilot and outlined The Dark Tower‘s development, which has been a dream project of his for quite some time. They aren’t strangers to King’s novels either after developing Gerald’s Game and the Shining sequel Doctor Sleep in the past, which Flanagan was heavily involved with.

    Source: Deadline

  • REVIEW: ‘Doom Patrol’ Season 4 Episodes 1-2

    REVIEW: ‘Doom Patrol’ Season 4 Episodes 1-2

    The opening two episodes of Doom Patrol, “Doom Patrol” and “Butt Patrol”, show that the series is still the best comic book adaptation on television. Amidst the DC Entertainment turmoil, Doom Patrol is a strangely shining beacon of hope despite being wildly underrated and skewing away from the comfortable tone and subjects adopted by most other projects. Season 4 proves that there is simply something overwhelmingly unique about the HBO Max show.

    After finally ending last season as the “Doom Patrol”, we briefly see the superhero team in some classic action. The time machine introduced in Season 3 could be a key player going forward—it is used to facilitate the hero antics, but it is clear after Episode 1 that it can have a much larger role. Time travel played a large role previously, and Episodes 1 and 2 leave it questionable whether Season 4 will expand or retract it. Considering the team is trying to prevent a future apocalypse, a lingering question about a person they collided with in the time stream, and a General Immortus prophecy tease, there is a strong chance Doom Patrol will be playing with time as much as it ever has.

    HBO

    Just as time never stops, there is a never-ending theme of doom in the series. Aside from, obviously, the title, the group is relentlessly in a state of “doomed.” Not only does this season appear to revolve around the Doom Patrol stopping an apocalypse they themselves caused, but the main characters have also already met their future dead and ghostly selves and have started to dig their own graves in the aftermath. The show is a lively spectator sport where the viewer is constantly rooting for the loser. But as much as we might think we want a win in Doom Patrol, does that feel natural?

    It all naturally leads to a consideration of how Season 4 could fall short, and the answer is stagnation. The three preceding seasons all felt like they were building to a larger moment where the group of misfits become the titular Doom Patrol. They did, but we certainly do not spend much time in that mode. Instead, the group generally falls back into its dysfunctional family routine. This is the irreplaceable heart of the show, but one wonders if this season will show more movement—with the conclusion of Season 3, the forming of the Doom Patrol, and the slow buildup to an expected “superhero team show”, settling back into old territory might not be enough.

    That being said, Doom Patrol is generally the antithesis of commonality or familiarity. The current story is certainly intriguing—and ties in previous hits from last season—but only time will tell if the show can for a fourth time bring fans to a place wildly outside of any comfort zone. Still, some of the foundations laid are stronger than others.

    HBO

    Jane’s story is perhaps the trickiest one to predict here. Historically, her inner workings have been an extraordinarily strong subplot throughout all seasons, but it seemed to come to a strong peak last season. Episode 2 suggests that this aspect could be winding down, but the lingering solo subplot of Jane unraveling the depths of hers and Kay’s psyches—regardless of its quality—is starting to feel tired.

    In any event, the cast remains yards above their peers. Diane Guerrero seems impossible to beat, pulling off multiple characters effortlessly. April Bowlby and Michelle Gomez are once again humble pillars of the show, both on their own and as a duo. While Rita in particular has become the closest character there is to a lead, her and Madame Rouge’s dynamic feels both grounded in traditional storytelling technique and entirely refreshing. Jovian Wade’s Victor is in quite an interesting place as a character—Cyborg without any of the cyborg. So far, it seems like Season 4 is in no hurry to “correct” that aspect and Wade shows promise of a very strong and nuanced performance over the season. The Brendan Fraser-voiced Cliff has some of the most emotional scenes of the first two episodes, and he and fellow faceless Larry (voiced by Matt Bomer) always find their way to being some of the most emotive characters in the series.

    In sum, the first two episodes of Doom Patrol’s Season 4 capitalize on all of the series’ wonderful elements that have propelled it in the past. So far, there is a seemingly extra-cohesive plot, which may help glue the season together better than some of those in the past that felt slipperier than perhaps ideal. Of course, the first episodes raise many questions about the plot, but the biggest question may be how far the series is willing to stretch its core concept of a misfit bunch of powered-up rejects toward what its title can represent.

  • Gugu Mbatha-Raw Says Ravonna is a “Powerful Presence” in Season 2 of ‘Loki’

    Gugu Mbatha-Raw Says Ravonna is a “Powerful Presence” in Season 2 of ‘Loki’

    In the Season 1 finale of Loki, Gugu Mbatha-Raw‘s Ravonna Renslayer made the decision to leave the TVA after learning of her nature as a Variant who had been taken from her timeline by He Who Remains. When Season 2 of the streaming series hits Disney Plus next Summer, that thread won’t be left hanging loose, according to Mbatha-Raw.

    While talking with Entertainment Tonight, Mbatha-Raw said that her character, who left in search of free will and the power to truly “be in charge” of the Time Variance Authority, teased the return of her character in Season 2. “In Loki, Ravonna is a powerful presence,” hinted the actress, saying “selfishly, Renslayer makes it out of the TVA, which I’m really excited about.“

    In the comics, Ravonna has deep ties to Jonathan Majors‘ Kang, for whom the stage has been set to become the overarching villain of Marvel Studios’ ongoing Multiverse Saga. While it’s unclear if Mbatha-Raw’s character will play a role outside of Loki, it’s very likely she’ll come across one Variant or another of Kang at some point. Perhaps that’ll happen in Season 2 which, according to Mbatha-Raw, is shaping up to be another wild ride.

    It’s been amazing to shoot the second season of Loki. [Fans] are gonna be in for a real treat because the show is bolder and more surreal. And in many ways, goes to some bigger, bolder places than season 1, which is really exciting.

    Gugu Mbatha-Raw

    Unfortunately, fans are still in for a bit of wait to get that treat as Season 2 of Loki isn’t set to hit Disney Plus until next Summer.

    Source: ET