Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Warner Bros Discovery

  • Dwyane Johnson Pitched More ‘Black Adam’ to DC Before the Sequel Was Axed

    Dwyane Johnson Pitched More ‘Black Adam’ to DC Before the Sequel Was Axed

    DC Studios has entered into the early stages of setting up its cinematic universe for Warner Bros Discovery. This comes after the struggles the film studio has had in the world of superheroes, with Dwyane Johnson’s Black Adam being one of the last films from the old guard. Although the star actor was ambitious in his attempts to create a new hierarchy of the DC Universe for himself, it doesn’t seem everyone was on board. In a new report from Variety, studio insiders discussed the tumultuous making of Black Adam and the character’s corner of the cinematic universe.

    Following the merger of Warner Bros. Discovery, it has been reported from inside sources that Johnson met directly with new CEO David Zaslav to pitch a multi-year expansion for his character of Black Adam to be a cornerstone of DC films. This pitch has been said to have not been met well by others within Warner Bros. Discovery, and was instead viewed as a move to go around a number of other executives at the studio. In his plan, Johnson apparently laid out a plan of films involving Black Adam and Henry Cavill’s Superman interweaving before culminating in a film where the two heavyweights face-off against each other.

    As seen with Black Adam, Johnson was able to secure a return for Henry Cavill as Superman for the post-credit scene. However, this return for Cavill was short-lived with James Gunn and Peter Safran seeking a new direction for the Man of Steel at DC Studios. And Dwayne Johnson has officially met the same fate with his time with DC following the box office flop of Black Adam and the high budgets Johnson generally demands.

    In terms of the potential of a hypothetical Black Adam vs. Superman film or saga, the odds were not positive of it being a successful business plan. The concept of pitting two heroes against each other as the crux of a cinematic universe feels antiquated in today’s blockbuster landscape. Some could also make the viable argument that it’d be too close to Zack Snyder’s Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.

    It remains to be seen if the newly founded DC Studios will be able to overcome the challenges that have plagued Warner Bros. Discovery for years at this point. However, the odds are in the favor of James Gunn and Peter Safran to outperform the tumultuous foundation pitched by Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam.

    Source: Variety

  • George R.R. Martin Discusses Statuses of Future ‘Game of Thrones’ Spin-Offs

    George R.R. Martin Discusses Statuses of Future ‘Game of Thrones’ Spin-Offs

    When it comes to major stories in the television industry in 2022, one of the most notable was the triumphant return of the Game of Thrones franchise. House of the Dragon was a marquee hit for HBO this Autumn and is still part of the conversation as award season approaches. With the fantasy franchise back in the good graces of the public zeitgeist, questions are being asked about what else is in store for the universe. In his latest blog entry, author George R.R. Martin provided some updates on the status of the world of Game of Thrones on HBO.

    Martin confirmed that work on season two of House of the Dragon is well underway, though no further word has been given on when audiences should expect the hit series to return. In terms of other spin-offs of Game of Thrones, this is what the author had to say.

    Some of those are moving faster than others, as is always the case with development.   None have been greenlit yet, though we are hoping… maybe soon.  A couple have been shelved, but I would not agree that they are dead.   You can take something off the shelf as easily as you can put it on the shelf.  All the changes at HBO Max have impacted us, certainly.

    George R.R. Martin

    It will be interesting to see which of the potential series come to light and which remain in development hell. Of note, fans of the franchise are likely most curious about the status of the Kit Harrington-led series following Jon Snow after the events of the Game of Thrones finale. It would be a series that’d certainly have people talking with it being so tied to the controversial end of the original television series. Though there are still a plethora of other potential projects set within the vast world of Westeros.

    With the success of House of the Dragon, it will be fascinating to follow the amount of output that will come out of the world of Game of Thrones moving forward. And of course, the notion of being under the tumultuous Warner Bros. Discovery company is a major factor in this franchise among others under their umbrella.

    Source: georgerrmartin.com

  • The Rock Teases Potential Superman Showdown with ‘Black Adam’

    The Rock Teases Potential Superman Showdown with ‘Black Adam’

    As Black Adam prepares to be a hopeful kickstart for DC’s cinematic universe, star actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has teased a potential return from DC’s cinematic past. In an interview as part of the press tour for Black Adam, Johnson alluded to Superman returning to the fold and facing off with the character of Black Adam. When discussing the desire to make the film and its world appeal to already-existing fans, this is what the actor had to say about his character in relation to Superman. 

    We will create Black Adam for him to be the most powerful and unstoppable force on this planet. The most powerful and unstoppable force in the universe has been on the sidelines for too long.

    Dwayne Johnson

    With rumors beginning to circulate more and more about Henry Cavill’s return as Superman, this quote does feel like one of the most overt allusions that there’s fire to the smoke. Cavill was last seen as the Man of Steel in 2021’s Zack Snyder’s Justice League, and before that just being the original cut of the film. As it’s long been teased that The Flash coming next year will serve as a soft reboot point for DC Extended Universe, many were curious where Cavill’s portrayal stood in terms of the future. If Superman is indeed being planned to face off with Black Adam as rumored, that should clear up where Henry Cavill stands in terms of the new direction of DC’s film franchise.

    Black Adam is set to release exclusively in theaters on October 21.

    Source: Jake’s Takes

  • Warner Bros. Discovery Leadership May Be Prepping for a Future Sale, Comcast the Likeliest Potential Buyer

    Warner Bros. Discovery Leadership May Be Prepping for a Future Sale, Comcast the Likeliest Potential Buyer

    Warner Bros. Discovery has been quite the chaotic merger for many reasons. The cancelation of almost finished products left a sour taste with many, but taking down exclusive projects from streamers may have been the straw that breaks the camel’s back. In a new report by The Hollywood Reporter, they showcase a lot of uncertainty that’s brewing between talent agencies and investors for the company.

    Their current hunt for a “Kevin Feige” for DC has many concerns as no one really would want that job. Even if you do a decent job, like Walter Hamada did dragging the franchise to its current popular standing after the Zack Snyder fallout, you’re always stuck in comparison. One talent representative highlights the biggest issue anyone would face:

    DC is so fragmented. J.J. [Abrams] had this one, Zack Snyder had that one, Todd Phillips had the other thing. And they’re all such huge egos.

    With that many egos, it’ll be hard to truly bring a united franchise together as WBD hopes to accomplish. Plus, they are still moving forward with Elseworld stories like a Joker sequel and The Batman franchise. Some are suggesting that new CEO David Zaslav, who has been reported in the past to have a harsh leadership style by former Discovery employees, is simply prepping the company for its next sale.

    Most of his endeavors and that of the CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels is to cover Warner Bros.’s massive $50B+ debt; no simple task for anyone. As such building up their biggest brands and covering as much of the debt as possible opens up that very possibility. It seems Comcast’s Brian Roberts is the one that has his eyes on the studio the most to further build up NBCUniversal and combine it with WBD. One executive with inside knowledge gave the following statement in regards to why there’s a good possibility:

    Obviously Peacock sucks. There are some good synergies. I’m sure [Roberts] is licking his chops because the [WBD] stock is so low. And I think that’s Zaslav’s endgame. Get the place sold.

    The head of another company highlighted just how sad this development would be as it would mark the end of another massive studio after Disney purchased Fox some years ago. The issue is simply becoming challenging for these massive studios to stay afloat and handle their debt management. Not everything is doom and gloom, as some are highlighting that some additions have been more talent-friendly unlike under AT&T’s leadership and a seller isn’t something that’s definite as of yet.

    Source: THR