Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Warner Bros.

  • First ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ Trailer Teases Titans Clashing

    First ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ Trailer Teases Titans Clashing

    It has been a long wait but finally, we got our first full look at the upcoming Godzilla vs. Kong film. We’ve been anxiously awaiting any sign of life for the project, which was hit by the ongoing pandemic. After countless delays, the film will finally release in just a few months with the first official poster hitting the web around three days ago. The concept of these two titans facing each other has been in development since 2015, as the Monsterverse started to grow out of 2014’s successful reboot of the Western Godzilla franchise. It will serve as the culmination of Kong: Skull Island and Godzilla: King of Monsters. Without further ado, here’s the first official trailer for Godzilla vs. Kong.

     

    The trailer perfectly matches the rest of the franchise and I cannot wait to finally see it once it hits theaters and HBO Max in March. It almost makes Godzilla look like a villain that just randomly started attacking Kong and various cities. It is strange to see him dedicated as this, so they might be using this as a tease for a third enemy that is pushing Godzilla to go on a rampage. We even get glimpses of some unique monsters that will join the fray. Whatever is happening to the nuclear lizard may be connected to why they are bringing in Kong. He might be their weapon to stop Godzilla, who has gone insane after his fight with Ghidorah in King of the Monsters.

    It does feel like a culmination for the franchise, as they are referred to as the last remaining monsters. Hopefully, the franchise will continue after this film and continue exploring the titan’s history on this version of Earth. We just recently heard rumblings of a potential spin-off that focuses on Monarch, the secret organization overseeing their activities. I have to say the trailer really sold me on the film and I cannot wait to see these two fight it out once it finally is released in March.

    Source: Twitter

  • RUMOR: ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ Spin-Off ‘Monarch’ In Development at HBO-Max

    RUMOR: ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ Spin-Off ‘Monarch’ In Development at HBO-Max

    After numerous delays, we finally got the first official poster for Godzilla vs. Kong. It has been a long wait after many delays, but we will finally get the simultaneous release on HBO Max and in theaters in March. For a while, there was nothing but radio silence on the project. Every once in a while, the director, Adam Wingard, would tease developments on the project. Now, the big question on everyone’s mind was what the future would hold for the Monsterverse franchise.

    According to FandomWire, HBO Max is planning a Monsterverse spin-off. It will focus on the covert organization Monarch, which got first introduced in 2014’s Godzilla. 2017’s Kong: Skull Island offered a more clear backstory on their purpose within this cinematic universe. They were researching the various monsters that once ruled the planet. They returned in 2019’s Godzilla: King of Monsters, explaining the history of Rodan, Mothra, and King Ghidorah. The concept would make for a great series. It would allow Warner Bros. and Legendary to explore titans that wouldn’t get a film. There is also a chance they might tease future storylines for their films.

    Godzilla vs. Kong will release in theaters on March 26th. It will be available on HBO Max for a limited time. Adam Wingard directed the film that features an all-star staff, which includes Eiza Gonzalez, Millie Bobby Brown, Brian Tyree Henry, Danai Gurira, Kyle Chandler, Alexander Skarsgård. We will finally get the first official trailer for the film this Sunday, so we’ll finally get a good look at the clash of a century. The films have been building up to this moment, so we’ll see who will be the final titan standing.

    SOURCE: FandomWire

  • First Official ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ Poster Teases Upcoming Trailer

    First Official ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ Poster Teases Upcoming Trailer

    Warner Bros. has been quite busy reshuffling their 2021 line-up. Ever since they announced the new strategy to release their films simultaneously in theaters and HBO Max, we’ve been anxiously waiting for any promotional material for the projects. Mortal Kombat most notably was supposed to air in January, but never got a trailer or even poster reveal. It got postponed and suddenly they’ve decided to release Godzilla vs. Kong in March. We had no trailer or any marketing for the film, so it was a curious decision. Luckily, it seems the wait isn’t going to last much longer, as Warner Bros. officially revealed a brand new poster alongside the caption that the first trailer will release Sunday.

    Godzilla: King of Monsters had some of my favorite poster designs and it looks like the franchise is continuing that trend. We don’t need to see all of Godzilla to recognize the image presented before us. I love the way Kong’s red and Godzilla’s blue are clashing here. It’s these kinds of visual flourishes that really make these posters stand out. Warner Bros. also made the right decision to avoid the cliché of having both just stare at each other like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice or Captain America: Civil War did with its poster design. There is some great attention to detail and the Monstersverse at play here. I am really excited for the trailer, as we finally get to see these two titans clash. The last time they faced off was back in 1962. We are around two months away until the film finally releases, so there will be plenty more posters heading our way in the near future.

    Source: The Wrap, Twitter

  • Cat Vasko Writing a Female-Led ‘Plastic Man’ Film

    Cat Vasko Writing a Female-Led ‘Plastic Man’ Film

    It looks like Warner Bros. has a brand new film in development. The Hollywood Reporter’s Heat Vision segment revealed that a Plastic Man film is the latest to join their DC film slate. There is a twist, however. It looks like Patrick ‘Eel’ O’Brian will not be the character to greet us on screen, as it will now be a female-led project. No further details are available for now, so it is uncertain how they will adapt the character and which direction they’ll go. He has become quite popular to break the fourth wall so we could see something in the vein of Deadpool.

    The film has quite a production history. The Mayor‘s Amanda Idoko originally was hired to pen the script two years ago, which was slated as an action-adventure comedy. Now, Queen of the Air‘s Cat Vasko is taking over the project. According to THR, she will be taking it in a new direction. They also cannot confirm if the film will get a title change to Plastic-Woman as a result. My personal favorite idea was from our own Lizzie, who suggested Plastic Ma’am. The film is in the early stages of development, so it will still take some time before it sees the light of day.

    Plastic Man has quite a cult status. The original version of the story features a small-time crook who gets doused with chemical liquids during a botched heist. It results in him gaining the ability to stretch his body and even shape-shift. He eventually even became a police officer as he changed his ways after the incident. He even was part of the Justice League at one point. The character has quite the history going as far back as 1941.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • HBO Max: Warner Bros. 2021 Film Release Schedule

    HBO Max: Warner Bros. 2021 Film Release Schedule

    Warner Bros. may have started a brand new development within the cinematic market. They just announced that they will release their entire 2021 slate simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max. Now, the official trailer does mention that the films and release schedules are subject to change. It has been quite confusing with all the delays in 2020, so let’s look at a quick rundown of all films slated to release next year. The new HBO Max release schedule will technically start as of December 25th with Wonder Woman 1984. So, as of now, Mortal Kombat will kickstart the year but we still have no trailer for the film, so there is a good chance it will get delayed. Here is an overview of all Warner Bros. 2021 films:

     

    January 15th, 2021: Mortal Kombat

    March 5th, 2021: Tom & Jerry

    March 12th, 2021: The Many Saints of Newark

    May 21st, 2021: Godzilla vs. Kong

    June 4th, 2021: The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It

    June 18th, 2021: In the Heights

    July 16th, 2021: Space Jam: A New Legacy

    August 6th, 2021: The Suicide Squad

    October 1st, 2021: Dune

    November 5th, 2021: Elvis

    November 19th, King Richard

    December 22nd, 2021: The Matrix 4

    December 22nd, 2021: Sherlock Holmes 3

    No Release Date: Judas and the Black Messiah

    No Release Date: Those Who Wish Me Dead

    No Release Date: Malignant

    No Release Date: CryMacho

     

    It is quite an extensive list of films that we can expect to get released in the coming year. We will see if any of these dates will change throughout the year, especially if some of the films that are still in production might face delays due to the pandemic. HBO Max’s subscriber numbers are sure to rise with every major release, so it’ll be interesting to see if it will be able to compete with Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ through this strategy. We will see if other film giants will also follow in this digital revolution.

    Source: The Numbers

  • CONFIRMED: ‘Fantastic Beasts 3’ Eyeing Mads Mikkelsen to Replace Johnny Depp

    CONFIRMED: ‘Fantastic Beasts 3’ Eyeing Mads Mikkelsen to Replace Johnny Depp

    UPDATE: It looks like it is official. Entertainment Weekly has broken the news that Mads Mikkelsen will indeed take over the role of Grindelwald. It is currently uncertain how exactly they’ll introduce the new character and if he will continue the same design.

     

    Source: EW

     

    The Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts has just ramped up its production for the third installment. Shortly after, Warner Bros. asked Johnny Depp to step down from the role of Grindelwald due to the controversies surrounding his divorce. Now, it looks like director David Yates has already set his eyes on Depp‘s replacement. According to Andy Signore, they are currently in talks with Hannibal‘s Mads Mikkelsen to take over the iconic role. They are still aiming for the summer 2022 release date, as Eddie Redmayne and Jude Law are already filming. The Danish actor is currently working on Doug Liman‘s Chaos Walking, so it is unsure if there will be some scheduling conflicts.


    Of course, there is still the question of how or if they will explain the change in the actor. Luckily, the first film in the franchise introduced the character of Percival Graves. He was played by Colin Farrel before he turned into Johnny Depp‘s Grindelwald. We might see him use the same spell to stay undercover throughout the story, or he reveals that he was again hiding his identity.
    Mikkelsen is a fantastic actor, who was a stand-out in Hannibal, The Hunt, and Polar. His casting would be a great addition to the cast, and he is no stranger to the role of a villain. He could bring something unique to Grindelwald to make the role his own. The Danish actor has been appearing in various pop culture franchises, such as MCU’s Doctor Strange and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. So, he is no stranger to franchises, as Fantastic Beasts is going to have multiple entries past the upcoming third one. Here’s hoping they can avoid any scheduling conflicts so he can join the project.

    Source: Variety, Deadline, Digital Spy

  • ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ Spin-Off ‘Furiosa’ Casts Anya Taylor-Joy in Titular Role

    ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ Spin-Off ‘Furiosa’ Casts Anya Taylor-Joy in Titular Role

    Mad Max: Fury Road was a personal favorite when it was released in 2015. The film revived an iconic franchise with a completely new cast, as Tom Hardy took over the role of Max. It also introduced the world to an amazing character known as Imperator Furiosa, who was played by Charlize Theron. We were all hoping for a continuation of the film, but director George Miller has been busy with his upcoming project Three Thousand Years of Longing. Still, it didn’t mean that the Mad Max world is not going to see a new entry, as the spin-off focusing on a younger Furiosa has now gathered a star-studded cast.

    According to The Hollywood Reporter, Anya Taylor-Joy will take over the staring role that Theron made so iconic. The cast also includes Chris Hemsworth and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Here is the kicker, the film has not received the green light. Their plan seems to use this casting as a showcase that the project is worth investing in. Fury Road wasn’t a massive financial hit, so the studio might be uncertain if it is worth the investment. Miller will return as director, co-write and produce the film alongside Doug Mitchell. 

    The film is to be in “advanced development” which doesn’t mean we will see the film anytime soon. Right now, they seem to focus on getting the confirmation so, they can enter pre-production officially. This development matches Fury Road‘s development hell, as the pre-production of that project started back in 1997. The cast is fantastic, so hopefully, we will see Furiosa pick up the pace in the coming months, as we cannot wait to re-explore the apocalyptic wasteland.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline

  • ‘TENET’ Box Office Sees Slight Drop as Warner Bros. Delays Its October Releases

    ‘TENET’ Box Office Sees Slight Drop as Warner Bros. Delays Its October Releases

    Tenet was supposed to rejuvenate cinemas. Production studios were hoping that this blockbuster could bring people back. Yet, its opening weekend was at the lower end of expectations. On labor day weekend, Christopher Nolan‘s film only drew in $20 million. Warner Bros. got nervous about how it would be reported. Not all cinemas were open, so they worried it would’ve been portrayed as a major flop. No one was expecting the film to surge like it was pre-pandemic but it was understandable. At one point, the studio didn’t want to release the numbers, which led to rival companies to call out the lack of transparency. These difficult times are leaving their mark.

    Now, everyone was anxiously waiting for the second-weekend results. Tenet has no major tentpole rivals so it could hold steady, or even increase as more cinemas across the country open. This weekend saw the opening of 100 more cinemas. As such, Tenet managed to remain somewhat steady and only drop by 29%. It’s a good hold for the current situation with $6.7 million. Internationally, the film did reach the $200 million mark. China is currently the top-grossing country. If you’re wondering if this is somewhat of a success, keep in mind that Warner Bros. just postponed Wonder Woman 1984 to December. Their other October release Candyman was delayed into 2021 without a specific release date.

    In the grand scheme of things, cinemas won’t see a resurgence anytime soon. Warner Bros. and Sony have a strange obsession with only releasing in cinemas. It’s a noble gesture but we have no idea when “normalcy” will return, or even if. Numbers have been increasing once again in countries that saw a strong decrease. My own hometown has been hit hard lately with renewed restrictions. There is a good chance cinemas will have to temporarily close again. Tenet‘s performance is a reminder of rushing out a film in these times. It just continues to confirm that a potential digital or hybrid-model will become the new standard.

    Source: Variety, IndieWire

  • UPDATE: Ed Boon Denies ‘Mortal Kombat 11’ Bruce Campbell Addition

    UPDATE: Ed Boon Denies ‘Mortal Kombat 11’ Bruce Campbell Addition

    Update: Looks like series creator Ed Boon took to Twitter yesterday to deny the confirmation of Bruce Campbell joining Mortal Kombat 11. In a tweet, he stated that many of the leaks are wrong with the video in question attached. There has been much discussion around the addition of Ash Williams to the game. At one point, it was heavily rumored until some pointed to RoboCop being added instead due to rights issues. Hopefully, one day we will see the icon join the franchise.

     

    It has been getting crazy with how easy information gets online about upcoming releases or DLC. Mortal Kombat 11 is the next on the chopping block. This time data miner thethiny got their hands on the games’ files that revealed a total of 19 DLC characters. Unlike the Marvel’s Avengers data leaks, these don’t name the various characters. As such, it is likely possible that this includes the first Kombat Pack and the Aftermath DLC. Still, that means 10 more are currently planned. It was already teased that fan-favorite Mileena would be included but the rest were uncertain.

    That’s not where this story ends. the voice actor behind Raiden, Richard Epcar recently held an Instagram live video to answer questions. During this video, he may have accidentally leaked another fan-favorite addition to the game’s roster. He openly states that Bruce Campbell will appear in the game in the next Kombat pack. The only thing that isn’t confirmed is if he will return as his Evil Dead character, Ash Williams.

    Ash makes a lot of sense as an additional character. We’ve seen some amazing additions of third-party characters in MK11. As Epcar points out, Peter Weller returned to voice his iconic character RoboCop for the game. They even were allowed to recreate Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s Terminator with his face. Sadly, he did not voice the character as well. Either way, Campbell is a fantastic addition to the game. There may be a chance that Epcar was only informed that they plan on adding him but he seemed pretty sure it was already a done deal. We will see if they announce him as part of the next Kombat Pack in the coming weeks.

    Source: GameRant (DLC), GameRant (Bruce Campbell), YouTube

  • AT&T Won’t Sell Warner Bros. Games After All

    AT&T Won’t Sell Warner Bros. Games After All

    There was some uproar in the industry, as the parent company, AT&T was trying to sell their Warner Bros. Video-Game division. They’ve been looking into the possibility since the beginning of the year. Microsoft, Take-Two Interactive, EA, and even Activision were all potential buyers. The unit was valued at $4 billion after major releases like Mortal Kombat 11, the Lego, and the mobile game Harry Potter: Wizards Unite. Luckily, after much debate throughout the year, they have decided it wouldn’t be viable to sell.

    There are some contributing factors that Bloomberg attributes to this change in attitude. Naturally, the ongoing pandemic saw a massive spike in video-game sales making the market very lucrative. In addition, the licensing needed to sell the unit may have complicated matters that would turn the short-term profit into a legal nightmare. Also, the rumored Harry Potter game is considered a lucrative investment that could see an exponential growth of the division.

    This is a huge sigh of relief. This news follows the reveal of new DC-based games Gotham Knights and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. As mentioned, licensing of these games if WB Games got sold would’ve been quite chaotic. It also could’ve ended up axing various projects no matter how far in development they are, as acquisition procedures come at a high cost. It was a wise decision by AT&T not to sell, as the market is showing continuous growth especially in these trying times. Just maybe, this also sparks a new interest in developing more projects at WB Games.

     

    Source: The Information, Bloomberg