Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: X-Men

  • ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel Writer Signs on to Pen Marvel Studios ‘X-Men’

    ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel Writer Signs on to Pen Marvel Studios ‘X-Men’

    X-Men ’97 breathed new life into Marvel Studios. Now it’s time to see how they play in live-action. Rumblings have been growing for some time that Kevin Feige and company were closing in on a writer for their upcoming film and now they have found their scribe.

    According to Deadline, Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes writer Michael Lesslie has begun negotiating with the studio to write the new adaptation.

    Lesslie was recently named as one of the writers on Marvel’s shortlist along with Rafe Judkins. Now Lesslie, the writer behind the 2016 Assassin’s Creed film, is on the case. Even though this represents continued momentum behind Disney’s work with the X-Men, there’s no release date for the film and there’s no current expectation of it being in theaters before 2027.

    Updating…

    Source: Deadline

  • Two More Names Emerge as Potential Scribes for Marvel Studios’ ‘X-Men’

    Two More Names Emerge as Potential Scribes for Marvel Studios’ ‘X-Men’

    Recent rumors have pointed to Marvel Studios bumping their X-Men reboot to the front of the line with an eye on rolling it out as part of the Multiverse Saga. With each passing day, it looks as though there may just be some merit to that as more rumblings surface about the studio’s search for a creative team for the project. It’s not always easy to separate facts from bullshit but it does seem clear that the studio is indeed narrowing down the pool of potential writers for the film. Now, a new report provides a pair of surprising names that might be in the mix as well as a potential timeline.

    According to Jeff “The In” Sneider, Rafe Judkins and Michael Lesslie are among the names on Marvel Studios’ shortlist to write the screenplay for their X-Men reboot. Sneider also believes that the studio could settle on a scribe for the project by the end of the month.

    Judkins, who wrote 5 episodes of the ABC melodrama Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Tom Holland-led Uncharted, has most recently served as the showrunner for Amazon’s Wheel of Time adaptation. Lesslie recently wrote the screenplay for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and, in 2016, the screenplay for Assassin’s Creed.

    Sneider has made no claims about the studio favoring one or the other of the two and it’s important to remember that there’s no indication of how many other writers are on the shortlist. Ryan Coogler, whose name was recently floated as a potential director for the X-Men project, would likely also prefer to write the screenplay for the project were he to in fact be hired to helm it. With a project as big as X-Men, you can be sure the trades are doing everything they can to find out as much as possible about it so if Sneider’s report has merit to it and the studio is closing in on a writer, a trade breaking the news would be expected.

  • Marvel Rumored to Have Set Their Sights on a Familiar Face to Direct ‘X-Men’

    Marvel Rumored to Have Set Their Sights on a Familiar Face to Direct ‘X-Men’

    As X-Men ’97 continues to remind fans just how great Marvel’s uncanny mutant heroes and villains can be, rumored details about the studio’s upcoming live-action reboot continue to pop up. With the studio reportedly having narrowed down the list of candidates to write the film, a new rumor about a potential director for the film has emerged and while there’s been no word about Marvel Studios having talks with directors, this particular name coming up does bring some intriguing possibilities to mind.

    According to the internet’s busiest leaker, My Time To Shine Hello, Marvel Studios is looking to MCU veteran director Ryan Coogler to helm their new X-Men movie.

    Despite there having been no previous buzz about Marvel being ready to move forward in their search for a director for the project, the rumor about Coogler does track on multiple levels. If the previous rumor about the studio being close to selecting a writer for the film was accurate, it’s possible that Coogler could serve as both the writer and director for the film. He has filled dual roles on both of his previous MCU entries, Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, as well as on five other films including his upcoming vampire film that will star his friend and frequent collaborator, Michael B. Jordan. Additionally, Coogler has a well-developed relationship with Disney which includes a five-year overall deal to create projects for Disney Plus. The first of those projects, the animated series Eyes of Wakanda, is expected to debut on the streaming service later this year.

    Coogler already has some experience with mutants, having brought Namor into live-action in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Additionally, Coogler has shown a gift for creating and building out expansive worlds within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, something that may well be part of Marvel Studios’ plan for their iteration of the X-Men. One oft-rumored direction for the reboot involves it being inspired by Jonathan Hickman’s recent run on X-Men comics which involved a massive retcon of the history of the mutant island known as Krakoa. Should Marvel Studios indeed head in that direction with their X-Men franchise, it would certainly play to one of Coogler’s strengths. For now, it’s nothing but a rumor but it is certainly a solid match.

  • Wild New Rumor Has The Rock Joining the MCU as a Major X-Men Villain

    Wild New Rumor Has The Rock Joining the MCU as a Major X-Men Villain

    Dwayne Johnson‘s first efforts as a superhero certainly didn’t work out as the star hoped. Black Adam was a critical and commercial miss and with an all-new DC Studios emerging as the film was in theaters, there was no future for the character or for Johnson. Now amidst his return to professional wrestling as a full-blown WWE heel, a new rumor has him joining the MCU as one of the X-Men’s deadliest villains.

    According to one of the online community’s most active leakers, My Time To Shine Hello, Marvel Studios is interested in casting Dwayne Johnson as En Sabah Nur, better known as Apocalypse.

    The character–played by Oscar Isaac–was the antagonist of Fox’s 2016 debacle X-Men: Apocalypse and has been one of the X-Men’s most formidable foes over the years in the comics. Writer Jonathan Hickman recently made some significant changes to the character’s history which not only made him more interesting but also provided a path forward in the MCU without retreading too much ground covered in the horrific Fox film.

    Given he’s one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, there’s a pretty good chance that Marvel Studios would like to work with Johnson at some point, casting the star as Apocalypse seems like a terrible idea at best. Outside of the sheer horror that could come from The Rock revisiting ancient Egypt and reminding audiences of The Scorpion King, there’s also the matter of Johnson’s staunch refusal to play villains. Perhaps his heel turn in the WWE represents some movement on this front but that remains to be seen.

    Who is Apocalypse?

    Marvel Comics’ Apocalypse, also known as En Sabah Nur, stands as one of the most formidable and iconic villains in the X-Men universe. With his ancient origins and insatiable thirst for power, Apocalypse is a force to be reckoned with.

    Born thousands of years ago in ancient Egypt, Apocalypse is an immortal mutant with godlike powers and an indomitable will. Possessing advanced technology and genetic manipulation abilities, he is revered as the world’s first mutant, wielding immense strength and intelligence.

    Apocalypse’s primary goal is the survival of the fittest, believing in the principle of mutant superiority through strength. Throughout history, he has sought to cull weaker mutants and shape the world in his image, often unleashing chaos and destruction in his wake. From assembling his Four Horsemen to manipulating global events, Apocalypse stops at nothing to achieve his vision of mutant domination.

    Encounters with the X-Men

    The X-Men, led by stalwart heroes like Cyclops and Wolverine, have repeatedly clashed with Apocalypse in epic battles of will and power. His encounters with the X-Men often result in cataclysmic showdowns, testing the limits of their strength and resolve. Apocalypse sees the X-Men as both worthy adversaries and obstacles to his grand design, making their conflicts legendary in the annals of Marvel Comics.

    Apocalypse’s legacy extends beyond mere villainy, influencing the course of mutantkind and leaving a lasting mark on the Marvel Universe. His actions have shaped the destinies of countless mutants, leaving behind a trail of destruction and despair. Despite facing defeat on numerous occasions, Apocalypse’s influence looms large, a reminder of the ever-present threat posed by those who seek absolute power.

    In the realm of Marvel Comics, Apocalypse stands as a testament to the enduring allure of villainy and the eternal struggle between good and evil. With his ancient origins, godlike powers, and relentless pursuit of dominance, he remains a dark and ominous figure, casting a long shadow over the world of the X-Men.

  • First Details Emerge about Marvel Studios’ ‘X-Men’ Roster

    First Details Emerge about Marvel Studios’ ‘X-Men’ Roster

    Marvel Studios began the search for a writer for their X-Men reboot in late 2023 and according to a recent report, the studio is closing in on finding the scribe who will bring the team of mutant heroes into the MCU. As fans wait to find out just who that might be, a new round of rumors might give some insight into who will make up the new team.

    According to insider Daniel RPK, Marvel Studios’ team will be female-focused and though it will introduce some characters who have not yet appeared in live-action, the plan is to include “main characters we all know.”

    While RPK’s report doesn’t come with any specifics about who those characters might be, connecting the dots to some previously shared reports and sprinkling in a little guess work might provide some idea of characters who should at least be in the mix.

    Storm

    Outside of Cyclops, no X-Man was done dirtier than Storm was by Fox. Ororo has long been one of the team’s most beloved and best curated characters and deserves a proper live-action treatment.

    Kitty Pryde

    If your only exposure to Kitty comes from the Fox live-action films, you truly have no idea how great of a character she is. In the comics, Kitty has grown into one of the X- men’s greatest leaders. A no-brainer no matter what the focus is.

    Rogue

    Another victim of Fox’s Wolverine obsession, Rogue’s prominence in X-Men ’97 only makes it more likely she ends up on the team. As was the case when X-Men: The Animated Series ran in the ’90s, Rogue is one of the most popular characters and her portrayal is nearly perfect. It’s an easy move for the studio that should provide big results.

    Jubilee

    Like Pryde, Jubilee is a character that I once heard Kevin Feige thought highly of. Like Rogue, Jubilee is a prominent part of X-Men ’97. Like everyone else on this list, she was all but ignored by Fox.

    Dazzler

    As shared by Erik Davis, Dazzler is a favorite of Feige’s. Is there a need for two characters with light-based powers on the team? I don’t know but Feige likes them both and there are plenty of X-Men movies to make over the next 10-20 years.

    Of course, were not even scratching the surface here. Marvel Studios may still wish to include Jean Grey, Betsy Braddock, Emma Frost, Polaris or even Mystique. Then there’s the matter of what other “main characters” they chose to include. While one can only hope they finally do Cyclops justice, we’ll believe when we see it.

  • Marvel Studios ‘X-Men’ Reboot Gets an Extremely Encouraging Update

    Marvel Studios ‘X-Men’ Reboot Gets an Extremely Encouraging Update

    X-Men ’97 is the best thing going for Marvel Studios at the moment. After some dismal projects and a few that lacked consistency, Marvel Animation’s revival series has been a weekly reminder of just how great Marvel’s mutant heroes can be. Now, on the heels of the success of X-Men ’97, word that the studio is making some serious headway with their live-action reboot has emerged.

    According to Jeff “The In” Sneider, Marvel Studios search for a writer for The Mutants/X-Men film is winding down. Sneider reported that the studio is “pretty close” to nailing down the scribe for the project and that they could finalize a deal in the “next few weeks.”

    Marvel Studios began the search for a writer for the project late in 2023 as rumors popped up that the studio was looking to expedite the arrival of the uncanny group of heroes. Should a writer be in place by soon, it is possible the film could be ready for theaters by summer 2026.

  • New Rumor May Shed Some Light on Marvel Studios X-Plans

    New Rumor May Shed Some Light on Marvel Studios X-Plans

    As Marvel Studios continues to move toward the finish line of their ongoing Multiverse Saga, they already have one eye on the future of the MCU. One major piece of that future will be the X-Men, who have already begun to be sprinkled into the Multiverse. While Marvel Studios have laid out no clear plans, they did begin taking meetings with creatives last fall to hear pitches on how to fully incorporate mutants into the MCU. Now, a new rumor may indicate that part of the plan will revolve around one of the X-Men’s most devious villains.

    According to insider Daniel RPK, Marvel Studios plans to put Mr. Sinister front and center as the big bad of the studio’s X-Men reboot.

    Created by iconic X-Men writer Chris Claremont in 1987, Mr. Sinister has become one of most fabulous and deadly villains Charles Xavier and his team have ever faced. He played a large role in X-Men: The Animated Series and recently hatched his greatest plan to date in the comics which led to the end of the mutant’s Krakoan Age. Should Marvel Studios indeed choose to put Sinister in the middle of their plans for the X-Men and keep some semblance of who the character is in the comics, his long and incredibly complex personal history could truly be used to set the table for any number of stories to be told. Over the last 25 years and change, Sinister has had a hand in just about every major X-story and has deep ties to Apocalypse, the Summers family, the Weapon X program and both Charles and Magneto. Fox had planned to incorporate him into their X-Men franchise but never did, providing Marvel Studios with a fairly easy choice in a central villain that both helps set their X-films apart and allows for some very interesting stories to be told.

  • Marvel Studios Sets 2024 Streaming Slate

    Marvel Studios Sets 2024 Streaming Slate

    Through a press release via Disney UK, Marvel Studios 2024 streaming slate has been revealed.

    As has been expected for some time, 2024 will only see 3 Marvel Studios projects hit the streaming service: Echo, Agatha: Darkhold Diaries and X-Men ’97.

    Echo will kick off the year for the studio with all 5 episodes debuting simultaneously on Hulu and Disney + on January 10th. While no release date was given for Kathryn Hahn‘s Agatha: Darkhold Diaries, it’s expected to begin streaming in September. Live Darkhold Diaries, X-Men ’97, a revival of the beloved X-Men: The Animated Series, doesn’t have a firm release date but has long been rumored to be debuting “early in 2024.”

    Source: Disney + UK

  • Following His Uncanny Cameo in ‘The Marvels’, Kelsey Grammer Reveals the Future of Beast

    Following His Uncanny Cameo in ‘The Marvels’, Kelsey Grammer Reveals the Future of Beast

    As is too often the case, the post-credit scene for Marvel Studios’ latest MCU installment, The Marvels, has generated more hype than the events of the film. The tag, which revealed what happened to Monica Rambeau following her universe-saving actions in the film’s climax, took place in another universe where Monica’s mother, Maria, was the costumed hero Binary and where Charles Xavier had put together a team of X-Men. One member of that team, Dr. Henry McCoy, was voiced by Kelsey Grammer, who first played the role in 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand and the scene seemed to hold some promise that it might not be the last time Grammer would reprise the role, though as we’ve learned from Marvel Studios litany of unfulfilled stingers, nothing is certain.

    While Grammer’s return to the role in The Marvels was surprising to fans, it’s something the actor had hoped might happen. And, in an interview with The Wrap, Grammer has expressed his desire to return as Beast again…and perhaps teased that his return is imminent. “It is my hope that you will,” replied Grammer when asked if audiences might see him as the furry, blue genius. However, as is refreshingly becoming more and more common with actors working with the studio, Grammer went a bit further, adding, “I can say with a certain amount of confidence that you will. I would love to.”

    The actor, who also recently returned to his career-making role as Frasier Crane, shared that he was “very pleased” by the reaction to his return as Beast. “I’ve always wanted to play him again, said Grammer. “I see him as an extraordinary character, a real character of gravitas and importance in our culture. I’m delighted Beast is back and hope he’s back in a real way.”

    This certainly seems like a case where Grammer is well-aware of what’s in store for the character but is not quite willing to completely cross the line. Obviously, Monica Rambeau will be expected to reunite with at least Carol if not Kamala and find her way back to the 616 universe. Given the level of genius possessed by Hank McCoy–and his status as a member of the Illuminati during Marvel Comics Secret Wars–he seems as good of a character as any to start to figure out the just how damaging the ongoing Incursions are to the Multiverse.

    Source: The Wrap

  • Mutant Movement! Marvel Studios Looking to Begin Development on Their ‘X-Men’ Reboot

    Mutant Movement! Marvel Studios Looking to Begin Development on Their ‘X-Men’ Reboot

    With the Writers Guild of America strike coming to an end, Marvel Studios wasted no time in getting the big wheel of development up and running again. According to Deadline, Kevin Feige and crew are set to begin meeting with writers this Fall in search of pitches for their reboot of the X-Men!

    According to the report, facing a major backlog of projects–both theatrical and streaming–Marvel Studios is set to take their time in finding the scribe for the project with a decision not expected until sometime in 2024. In days of old, that would mean the project might look to start filming in 2026 but with so much uncertainty around productions as the SAG strike continues and studio space at a premium, there’s been no certainty when the film might go into production much less make its way into theaters.

    It is widely rumored that Deadpool 3 and Avengers: Secret Wars will close permanently close the doors to the Fox X-Men franchise, allowing the MCU mutants to be the only game in town. A 2021 report from The Illuminerdi indicated that, in an attempt to set its reboot apart from those Fox films, Marvel Studios was looking to develop the project as The Mutants. Though the idea was roundly dismissed online, documents showing that title did circulate and it is a title that was tossed around by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby for the X-Men comic back in the early 1960s.

    While Hugh Jackman is set to suit up as Wolverine for an MCU adventure, the shared cinematic universe has already seen its first mutant in Kamala Khan and a Marvel Studios-produced revival of the popular X-Men: The Animated Series is set to debut in 2024. All signs point to a BIG future for mutants within the MCU!

    Source: Deadline