Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: WandaVision

  • James Gunn Declares ‘WandaVision’ As The “First MCU” Show

    James Gunn Declares ‘WandaVision’ As The “First MCU” Show

    There has been a lot of discussion surrounding the canonicity of Agents of SHIELD, Agent Carter, or even the Netflix series. Loki added the concept of the Sacred Timeline into the Marvel Cinematic Universe that may have put Marvel TV’s shows in a strange limbo. No one openly wants to confirm or deny their connection to the overarching stories developed by Marvel Studios. Early seasons of SHIELD had some strong connections to overarching events in the films but started to distance themselves as the story continued to unfold. The first film acknowledgment of a series was James D’Arcy‘s return as Edwin Jarvis in Avengers: Endgame. Well, James Gunn took to Twitter discussing MCU actors that appeared in DCEU projects and vice-versa. In it, he also made a clear statement regarding the former Marvel TV series.

    https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/1410677884390236160

    He also went on to clarify that there wasn’t as much communication between Marvel TV and Marvel Studios as we thought. There were implications they got some of the older assets to recreate iconic locations such as the Triskellion. Well, Gunn states that there wasn’t any coordination between the two companies.

    https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/1410764308712022018

    We do know there was some communication regarding events, as Agents of SHIELD did tie its release around Captain America: The Winter Soldier‘s twist. The big difference is that the mentioned WandaVision series was not only produced in its entirety by Marvel Studios, but it is also part of their complete roadmap. While story elements connected to the films, they didn’t build upon any from the series like how Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will continue Wanda’s story from her Disney+ series. There was still no reference to the newly formed spy organization at the tail-end of SHIELD‘s final season. Of course, it doesn’t mean the story could never be part of the MCU. There is still the likelihood of Marvel TV’s old series acting as part of the multiverse that is independent of the rest. Of course, Kevin Feige and his team could surprise us and add more elements from the shows in the near future that pay tribute to the Marvel TV projects but add their own spin.

    Source: Twitter (MCU), Twitter (Coordination)

  • ‘WandaVision’s New Post-Credit Secret Cameo May Not Be a Cameo After All

    ‘WandaVision’s New Post-Credit Secret Cameo May Not Be a Cameo After All

    Over the weekend, avid viewers uncovered an interesting secret. Marvel Studios has secretly edited the WandaVision finale. At first, it seemed to mainly adapt to the surrounding of Wanda’s cabin. Of course, theories started that it might be to fit the environment we’ll get introduced to in her net appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. They even edited the credits to include a mention of Michael Giacchino‘s Doctor Strange score. So, of course, the moment Reddit users noticed a strange shadow moving in the background. Instantly, theories started to point it potentially being Strange or even his Astral projection. Well, it turns out, a TikTok user by the name of @curtskelton figured out what the mysterious being was and it’s not what you think. The video was shared by Reddit user u/Cinephobe.

     

    I discovered what that “thing” was in the new after credits scene in WandaVision
    byu/Cinephobe inmarvelstudios

     

    Well, it looks like Doctor Strange still hasn’t made an appearance in WandaVision after all. As the Tiktok user points out, it was simply an editing error that did not get removed in previous frames. It makes sense as the figure was moving awkwardly in the background and it does line up quite a bit with the lighting correction. There is always a chance they could add to it, but now that it’s making the rounds, they might even just take it out with the next edit. It’s still interesting that they adapted the post-credit sequence to begin with, which is a curious decision this long after release.

    They have taken out errors in the past, such as they famously did with The Mandalorian. An extra was accidentally still in a background who got edited out at a later date to correct the error. Sadly, they won’t edit in some of the missing sequences that got cut due to time constraints as revealed by Matt Shakman. We can still dream of Ralph Bohner and Monica Rambeau facing an evil devil rabbit.

    Source: Reddit

  • Marvel Studios ‘WandaVision’ Now Playing an Alternate Post Credit Scene

    Marvel Studios ‘WandaVision’ Now Playing an Alternate Post Credit Scene

    Is Wanda Maximoff messing with our broadcasts again? Could Agatha Harkness be behind it all? Could Loki’s misadventures across the Sacred Timeline have something to do with it? Maybe it could have been Mephisto All Along? Well, do not adjust your Disney+ accounts and your 1950’s television sets because what you are seeing is indeed real. Marvel Studios and Disney+ have updated the WandaVision post-credit scene from the “Series Finale” episode. While the series ended on March 5th, it seems that WandaVision still had one more surprise up their sleeves to keep fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe speculating on what’s to come.

    An eagle-eyed Reddit user by the name of u/ANotCoolGuy seemed to have notice something particularly different regarding the post-credit scene of the 9th episode in the series. Take a look at his original video here.

    WandaVision detail I noticed
    byu/ANotCoolGuy inmarvelstudios

    Upon spotting this detail, we went back to Disney+ to check out the scene for ourselves and we can confirm that it has indeed been updated. But that’s not the only thing that’s been updated. We did a side-by-side analysis of the post-credit scene from when it was first released in March 2021 and the post-credit scene that was uploaded recently and here’s what we found:

     

    1. The Strange Silhoutte

    When you watch the post-credit scene once again, you’ll notice a strange silhouette that descends from above on the top left corner of the screen. Now that silhouette could still be anyone or anything in particular. However, a very good guess would be that the silhouette could be Doctor Strange visiting Wanda Maximoff, either via astral projection or in-person. It could be a very good guess given that Wanda Maximoff’s next appearance is set in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, due out in 2022. When compared to the original post-credit scene in March, the original didn’t have this particular silhouette. But that’s not the only thing we noticed.

     

    2. The Setting has also been updated

    March 2021
    June 2021

    Take a look at this side-by-side comparison of the scenery in the same post-credit scene only 3 months apart. We can observe that the updated scene on the right has far more trees and has a bit of a different color palette compared to the original scene on the left. Now why exactly the scene’s setting and color palette have been altered months after its release is still unknown. One potential reason the scene could have been updated is that perhaps it could be used later on, potentially as a scene in the upcoming Doctor Strange sequel, similar to how the Ant-Man (2015) post-credit scene was used in Captain America: Civil War (2016).

     

    3. The Credits have been updated as well

    When comparing the credits of the 9th episode in March to the ones that are in the new updated episode, you’ll notice there is one key credit that was included this time around. Michael Giacchino, the composer of the original Doctor Strange theme for the film in 2016 was credited for the use of his theme in the post-credit scene of WandaVision. Not only does this confirm that the theme we hear in the post-credit is in fact a far more sinister version of the Doctor Strange theme, but it is also could help evidence the point that this scene does take place during the events of the second Doctor Strange film. How exactly it will play out remains to be seen when Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hits theaters on March 25, 2022.

  • Theory Tuesday: Exploring the Endgoal of Sophia Di Martino’s Loki Variant

    Theory Tuesday: Exploring the Endgoal of Sophia Di Martino’s Loki Variant

    The second episode of Loki (quite literally) dropped a bombshell on us. We got the reveal of Sophie Di Martino as the mysterious Loki Variant, the explosion of the multiple reset charges throughout the Sacred Timeline, and the possible introduction of the multiverse in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as we know it. The Disney+ series isn’t pulling any stops when it comes to its fast-paced action and thrilling storytelling. Now, many curious details deserve a closer inspection, but one thing has me wondering. Why exactly did the Variant create the multiverse, and what was her plan with the reset charges? It seems C-20, her prisoner throughout the episode, served a specific purpose, and it’s time to take a closer look.

     

    The End of the Universe

     

    Let’s start with something simple that may already have gotten alluded to by Mobius halfway through the second episode. When Loki asked what happens when the Time Keepers complete their duty to the timeline, Mobius teases what seems to be the end of the TVA’s job. They signal it as “peace” and “order” once they enter their timeline’s epilogue. But what if it didn’t end like that but just ends infinite chaos? The Sacred Timeline could be leading to an apocalyptic end, and that’s what the Loki Variant aims to avoid? The TVA’s blind trust in the Time Keepers could be a potential undoing that the newly introduced Variant wants to avoid.

     

    The Birth of the Multiverse

     

    Now, some details remain classified regarding the creation of time or the TVA. All we know is that there was a Multiversal War where various timelines battled for dominance before they were all condensed into the Sacred Timeline. Perhaps the idea that a multiverse exists is impossible to the TVA since they always pruned any potential branch that could’ve turned into an alternative timeline. Yet, is it possible that the multiverse continued to exist, and they never knew? Think about it. Why would the Ancient One ask Strange who he was in the “vast Multiverse” if the TVA constantly went out of their way to ensure it never existed in the first place. Is her understanding of a multiverse different, as we know the Dark and Mirror Dimension exist? There might be many more secrets existing beyond the red limit, and our new Loki is trying to restore it once more.

     

    Something Far Worse

     

    Perhaps, in the darkest corners of the universe, there is a being who is lying in wait for their opportunity to strike and take control of the universe. One of these beings could potentially be Shuma-Gorath, a character that has been rumored multiple times in the past to be coming to the MCU for the Doctor Strange sequel. We know that in the past, there was a multiversal war, but we don’t know which being fought for control of the multiverse. Could Shuma-Gorath be one of those beings? Is Sophia Di Martino‘s character perhaps an agent of chaos sent out by this mysterious being? He preserved her existence to ensure his goals are achieved. Perhaps C-20’s crazy ramblings are a result of coming face-to-face with the Eldrich-inspired being.

  • ‘Loki’s Day One Viewers Surpassed ‘Falcon and Winter Soldier’ And ‘WandaVision’

    ‘Loki’s Day One Viewers Surpassed ‘Falcon and Winter Soldier’ And ‘WandaVision’

    It looks like Loki was already a major success for Disney+, especially if you consider that the series moved away from its usual Friday release schedule. The analytics company SambaTV reported that the premiere drew in around 890K households, which would make it Disney+’s biggest US premier for a Marvel Studios series. To offer a comparison, Falcon and the Winter Soldier premiered with 759K and WandaVision‘s 655K. It also beat out the release of Cruella, but it was locked behind the Premier Access service.

    The interesting thing about this trend is that it’s a sign of how Marvel Studios’ ongoing release strategy is actually paying off. Each entry in their Marvel Cinematic Universe projects builds up excitement for the next, especially as the various projects start to draw more and more attention. It’ll be interesting to see how its numbers develop over the weekend, as they recorded Falcon and the Winter Soldier racing 1.7M followed directly by WandaVision’s 1.6Mm over the course of three days. At this rate, Loki might even hit the 2M mark if positive buzz carries the show’s momentum.

    Now, we have to point out that these numbers may only showcase a small margin of its actual viewership. As such, they can only utilize their own data to compare and contrast its development. Disney+, like many streaming services, does not release its actual viewership numbers and it’s difficult to say how it truly performed. For now, we are dependent on external analysts to offer any insight into how well a streaming series or film is performing, but going by the hype build around Loki, Disney, and Marvel Studios had nothing to worry about.

    Source: Deadline, Twitter

  • ‘WandaVision’s Jac Schaeffer Inks a 3-Year Deal With Marvel Studios and 20th Television

    ‘WandaVision’s Jac Schaeffer Inks a 3-Year Deal With Marvel Studios and 20th Television

    It looks like WandaVision was a success, as Marvel Studios and 20th Television have signed a three-year deal with its head writer Jac Schaeffer. She will be developing projects for both companies with Marvel Studios’ entries being Disney Plus exclusive. Anything developed for 20th’s TV department will be made available for all platforms. She has quite the history with Marvel Studios, as she was also co-writer for Captain Marvel and was responsible for the script of the upcoming Black Widow film. It seems Marvel Studios is quite satisfied with her work and wants to continue their partnership. Interesting enough, there is no word if she might also be returning to film as part of the deal. Expanding her work to other platforms also gives her the freedom to explore new ventures outside of the ever-expanding comic book franchise.

    Schaeffer has worked on various projects with her writing debut being 2009’s Timer. She went on to write a screenplay for Olaf’s Frozen Adventure before working on Black Widow and WandaVision. She also directed her debut film, which she might want to revisit with a future project. There is currently no word on what project she might be tackling next, as there will naturally be rumors about a second season for Disney+’s first Marvel show.

    They could also spin it off into a completely new show, such as potentially exploring White Vision’s journey after the events of the film, which we even pitched an idea that you can check out by clicking here. No matter what direction they are taking, we are seeing that Marvel Studios’ investment into long-form storytelling has paid off. We’ve seen them explore more ventures, such as Ryan Coogler developing a Wakanda-based Disney+ series. Here’s hoping we see what series she might be be tackling in the near future.

    Source: Variety

  • Update: Mads Mikkelsen Will Not Return in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    Update: Mads Mikkelsen Will Not Return in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    Update: the author of the original IndieWire article has since said the Doctor Strange information was erroneous.

    With an entire multiverse to be explored in the upcoming Doctor Strange sequel, you can expect quite a sizeable cast. A new report claims that a previous Marvel Cinematic Universe villain is making a grand comeback in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. According to IndieWire, Mads Mikkelsen will reprise his role as the mystic zealot Kaecilius. He was one of the main antagonists in Stephen Strange’s debut in the MCU back in 2016. His ultimate goal was to obtain power at any cost, even granting Dormammu the Earth to access the Dark Dimension. By the end of the film, Kaecilius and his two remaining followers were overtaken by Dormammu and become the beings known as Mindless Ones.

    With his fate being left open in the air, it would be interesting to see how exactly Kaecilius could return. It’s natural to assume that he will certainly be different from what his character originally was in the first film. As the film tackles the Multiverse, it is possible that we could see the Sorcerer Supreme travel once more to the Dark Dimension. His last bargain did piss off a deity beyond their comprehension and could end badly. He could also be a version of Kaecillius that didn’t get obsessed with power. Either way, more Mads Mikkelsen in the MCU is a definite bonus to what is already a pretty sizeable film. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is slated to release on March 25th, 2022.

    Source: IndieWire

  • Marvel Studios’ Disney+ Approach Causes Industry Concern

    Marvel Studios’ Disney+ Approach Causes Industry Concern

    It looks like Marvel Studios’ current new direction with Disney+ is causing a stir again, as a report by Variety has revealed that many industry experts are wary of their new strategy. Usually, shows are produced by a showrunner, who pretty much organizes the production, directors, writers, and maps out the overall story. In Marvel’s case, these shows have a head writer but don’t actually include anyone with the title of showrunner. It has been openly communicated by Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige but has somehow managed to fall under the radar until now. As Falcon and the Winter Soldier‘s Kari Skogland put it, they are using “the features model.” That means that they are adapting their production methodology from filmmaking in their new long-form format rather than fully embracing classic television conventions. She had the following to say on the process:

    It’s a nuance, but it’s one that I think is being embraced more and more because the job honestly in these big, epic miniseries or shows is too big,” says Skogland, who’s also an executive producer. “I was in the writers’ room so that I could really absorb what was being said and be part of the process by floating ideas. As we were going through production, we would workshop scenes and then ask for rewrites on things. So [Malcolm Spellman] was still very much a part of the whole process, but it’s a slightly different mechanical way it comes down. Honestly, it’s very effective and efficient, because it’s just too much work for any one person.

    Marvel Studios is well-known in the industry for its unorthodox approach, which allowed them to establish 23 interconnected films. Of course, switching up the cinematic landscape and adding a new level of restrictions comes at a price, as peers will doubt its validity in making television. It brought back a discussion regarding the creative autonomy that showrunners usually hold and if this will lead to the studio losing talent. David Goodman, the president of Writers Guild of America West, has shown his concern for the model but highlights how unique Marvel Studios is as a case in the industry.

    If Marvel still wants to have its product be at the standard that people are coming to expect from it, they’re going to need good writers, and they’re going to have to invest those writers with responsibility. I stand in awe of what they’ve done at Marvel. Others have tried, and they haven’t succeeded

    Yet, there are some legitimate concerns about the approach. Kevin Feige and the companies’ future vision for the Marvel Cinematic Universe acts as the main showrunner connecting it. It is an environment that won’t interest every type of creative out there, which could lead to some strife, which we’ve seen back in the day with Edgar Wright. Though, it isn’t uncommon for industry experts to fear strong changes to the status quo. Its implementation may serve the MCU’s expansion and won’t become an ongoing standard, which also makes Marvel Studios a perfect jumping-on point for talent. It is the same environment that gave Malcolm Spellman the chance to expand into film with Captain America 4.

    Source: Variety

  • Theorizing MARVEL STUDIOS’ Interconnected Storylines

    Theorizing MARVEL STUDIOS’ Interconnected Storylines

    It’s been a little over three months since Marvel Studios properly kicked off its Phase 4. Both WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier are now behind us, two shows that gave us but a glimpse of what is in store in the coming years in terms of the interconnectivity between the different IPs that make up the MCU. This is something Kevin Feige himself made extremely clear this past December, during the Disney Investor Day 2020:

    The Cinematic Universe weaves storylines of heroes and villains across twenty-three feature films to date, and with Disney+ we’re able to extend this way of storytelling to a new format, creating series that are connected to our theatrical releases making the MCU more immersive than ever.

    As for WandaVision, it managed to bring together characters from properties that seemed somewhat foreign to its titular characters (bringing them in from Thor, Captain Marvel, and Ant-Man). The Falcon and The Winter Soldier did almost the exact opposite. It grabbed most of its main characters from the same feature (Captain America: Civil War) and continued their arcs in a way that seems to hint at them diverging into several other (new) IPs. The common ground between both approaches seems quite simple: when the story asks for it, characters will come and go from whatever property that needs them to. With this in mind, and with the number of projects Marvel Studios has already announced, it’s hard to not try and envision some of the paths the stories these characters might take us on.

    The existing connective tissue between properties is stronger with some than with others, even though Marvel Studios will always end up surprising us one way or another. But most of the more realistic theorizing (if there even is such a thing), taking into account the information that has already come out regarding casts, plots, and so on, seems to hint at a clear/not clear separation between what are the military-powered, skill-driven heroes and the more mystic and cosmic side of the MCU. So being, we’ll now focus on the first of these two groups.

    The Falcon and the Winter Soldier seems to be at the heart of the stories we might end up exploring on this side of the spectrum. With Karli Morgenthau being one of the few main characters to have (apparently) died, all the others are now ready to move on, each doing their own thing. With Sam Wilson as Captain America, he seems like a given to star in the upcoming fourth installment of the Captain America series. As for Bucky Barnes, with a Nomad series apparently in development, Barnes seems like a perfect fit. As for James “War Machine” Rhodes, he might now become the direct link to Iron Man’s legacy Riri Williams comes into contact with in Ironheart, before both move into Armor Wars, where they could be met by Sharon Carter in her newfound MCU role. Black Widow will introduce us to Yelena Belova who can seamlessly move on to Hawkeye (even if just to attend a memorial service), where Echo will be show up before staring in her own show.

    Shifting our attention to the other side of the diagram, we find several connections between shows that have already been confirmed. Monica Rambeau will be back in the franchise where she was first introduced, where she will be met by Kamala Khan who will have already been introduced in the Ms. Marvel series. Both might be met in The Marvels by Talos, who will also have a role to play in the upcoming Secret Invasion alongside Nick Fury. As to Wanda Maximoff, now the Scarlet Witch, she is certain to continue her story in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness which may become the epicenter of every upcoming property dealing with the Multiverse. Loki and Spider-Man: Far From Home seem like projects that are likely to have strong connections to the second Doctor Strange feature for obvious plot reasons, at the same time as they connect through other storylines to yet another set of properties. With the information coming out of Loki that Gugu Mbatha-Raw will be playing Judge Renslayer (meaning that almost certainly that makes her Ravonna Renslayer) it becomes highly likely that Kang will make an appearance, ahead of his already highlighted presence in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, played by the brilliant Jonathan Majors.

    These stories alone are certain to keep Marvel gaining momentum for years to come, but what seems to be the endgame here? Establishing new properties where characters from all over manage to meet for the first time, bringing together story threads from all sides of the MCU, certainly seems like a possibility. Projects that haven’t been announced as that might somewhat spoil the plots leading up to them. It should be no coincidence that a number of upcoming projects will seamlessly allow for the introduction of Young Avengers members, much like WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier managed to do with Tommy and Billy Maximoff, and Eli Bradley, respectively. Kate Bishop is already confirmed to be debuting in Hawkeye, and the rest of the team will probably soon follow, with Teddy perhaps being introduced in Secret Invasion, America Chavez in Doctor Strange 2, and Cassie Lang returning, as Stature, in Quantumania. Therefore, a Young Avengers series/movie should definitively be in the works bringing together their individual storylines. Another team being put together, even though a much different one, should be the focus of the Thunderbolts. With Baron Zemo and Abomination brought back, Taskmaster (the mantle) surviving Black Widow, and with Ghost still alive after Ant-Man and the Wasp, there is no reason for it not to be in the cards. Another feature that could serve as a continuation to John Walker’s story, maybe even bringing Yelena into the mix, and perhaps managing to dig up an Osborn to lead them, is The Dark Avengers. Marvel Studios knows that they can’t top the Avengers team they built up until Avengers: Endgame, so this focus on alternate teams, some of dubious character, would certainly be welcomed as a great change of pace. 

    There are a few projects that have already been announced that played no part in this theory. For all I know they might end up becoming the most crucial chapters of the MCU going forward. The Fantastic Four, due to their relevance, or the Eternals, due to their scope, certainly have that ability. But for now, this is it. Maybe in a couple of months, the script will be flipped and a new article will be in the works.

  • Kevin Feige Opens Up About Doctor Strange’s Original Role in ‘WandaVision’

    Kevin Feige Opens Up About Doctor Strange’s Original Role in ‘WandaVision’

    It looks like WandaVision still had a couple of secrets that haven’t seen the light of day yet. The latest issue of Rolling Stone had an in-depth analysis of the Disney+ limited series. In it, Kevin Feige revealed that Doctor Strange was originally meant to appear in WandaVision but was ultimately written out. This change caused rewrites for both the limited series and the upcoming sequel, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

    He even revealed that he would’ve had a bigger role in the story. Interestingly enough, the “commercials” that appeared during the various sitcom episodes were originally intended to pose as messages to Wanda Maximoff from the Sorceror Supreme. These messages were Stephen Strange’s attempts at piercing through her sitcom pocket reality in WestView. They even mentioned that Marvel Studios had finalized a deal with Benedict Cumberbatch to appear in the final episode of the show before being ultimately written out. Feige went on to explain why the Sorceror Supreme was ultimately cut out:

    Some people might say, ‘Oh, it would’ve been so cool to see Doctor Strange. But It would have taken away from Wanda. We didn’t want the end of the show to be commoditized to go to the next movie – here’s the white guy, ‘Let me show you how power works.

    This scenario is similar to how Falcon and Winter Soldier briefly considered including Spider-Man in the finale but decided he didn’t fit into the series’ story. While we never had the opportunity to explore this premise in the show, it will be interesting to see if Marvel Studios plans to include this concept regarding Strange trying to intercept Wanda in the upcoming Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness sequel or part of the rewrites for the sequel will not include Strange being aware of Wanda’s abilities at all. Feige went on to describe the overall process of writing, plotting, and rewrites at Marvel Studios as:

    [A] wonderful combination of very dedicated coordination, and chaos. Chaos magic.

    Still, it doesn’t take away the fact that WandaVision was an excellent opener to Phase 4 of the MCU and fans certainly cannot wait to see what the future has in store for Wanda Maximoff, Doctor Strange, The Vision, and the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

    Source: Rolling Stones via Movieweb