Marvel Studios – A Walk With The Mouse

Bob Iger Fixes Another Major Chapek Era Problem

Posted on January 23, 2023January 23, 2023 by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

For nearly three years, Disney fans had almost nothing positive to say about now-fired CEO Bob Chapek. Guests were not happy with Chapek prioritizing profits over everything else. During that time, nearly everything seemed to go downhill at Disney theme parks, including food quality, merchandise quality, cleanliness of the Parks, and functionality of attractions. At the same time, prices for everything from hotels to food and Park tickets continued to climb and reach all-time highs.

Disney Parks were not the only part of The Walt Disney Company that suffered under Chapek’s tenure. Chapek was also unable to secure the release of major films in the world’s second-largest market — China. One of Disney’s biggest moneymakers is the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with the films bringing in more than $26 billion in 2022 alone. However, Disney lost out on billions more because those films did not release in China.

The last Marvel movie released in China was Avengers: Endgame, which came out in 2019 — admittedly while Bob Iger was CEO. During Chapek’s tenure, a number of other Marvel films were released, but missed the Chinese market — Black Widow, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Eternals, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness, Thor: Love & Thunder, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Now, it appears that Bob Iger has been able to make another massive move — re-securing Marvel Studios releases in China. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Beijing has lifted its ban on Marvel films and will be showing Black Panther: Wakanda Forever — which premiered worldwide in early November — and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

Black Panther 2, which released across the rest of the world in November, will unfurl in China on Feb. 7, followed by Ant-Man 3 on Feb. 17, day-and-date with North America.

Marvel shared the surprise news Tuesday over its official Chinese social media accounts. The two titles will be the very first movies of Marvel’s Phase 4 to screen in China, as the last approved theatrical releases from the studio were Spider-Man: Far From Home and Avengers: Endgame, way back in early/mid-2019. They also will test how the drought of MCU movies over the preceding years has affected fan sentiment around the franchise.

Unfortunately, we do not know how long the ban will be lifted or why Chinese censors banned the films in the first place. Chinese officials have never confirmed what issues they had with the films, which has led to widespread speculation. A couple of the films had brief LGBTQ+ moments, and one — Eternals — was directed by a Chinese woman who was openly critical of the Chinese government.

Marvel films are not the only Disney movies that have been banned recently in Chinese theaters. Lightyear was also unable to air in the country, presumably because of the LGBTQ+ couple featured in the film. Things between Disney and China began to move in a positive direction when China agreed to air the highly-anticipated film, Avatar: The Way of Water, in mid-December.

Marvel May Recast ‘Ant-Man 3’ Actor as Allegations of Sexual Misconduct, Aggressive Behavior come forth

Posted on October 18, 2022October 18, 2022 by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

One star of the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe movie Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) is facing continued and renewed allegations of sexual misconduct and aggressive behavior that may see them removed and recast in the MCU.

Actor Bill Murray is currently set to make his MCU debut in next year’s Ant-Man sequel, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania from director Peyton Reed. While Murray’s role is undisclosed, anticipation is high for this celebrated actor and comedian to join the likes of Paul Rudd (Scott Lang/Ant-Man), Evangeline Lilly (Hope van Dyne/Wasp), Michael Douglas (Hank Pym), and Michelle Pfeiffer (Janet van Dyne) in the Marvel film. This time around the cast will also be joined by Kathryn Newton as Cassie Lang; the actress replaces Emma Fuhrmann who played Scott’s daughter in Avengers: Endgame (2019).

But, despite excitement brewing for the return of the Langs, Pyms, and van Dynes, as well as the official debut of Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror, Murray finds himself in tricky waters. It was recently revealed that the actor settled with a younger female crew member and is now facing a wave of worrying allegations.

Deadline reports on the allegations that were originally shared in an expose from Puck. The news outlet wrote:

A new report from Puck this week alleges that Bill Murray has paid a $100,000 settlement to a “much younger” female crew member on the film Being Mortal, the production of which Deadline first reported in April was being suspended due to a complaint made against Murray for inappropriate behavior.
The report alleges that Murray, 72, kissed and straddled the woman on set. She was allegedly “horrified” and “interpreted his actions as entirely sexual,” and filed a complaint against the actor.

The allegations of misconduct from Bill Murray are not surprising considering the historic complaints the well-known actor has had levied against him. This specific case on the set of Searchlight Pictures’s Aziz Ansari-helmed Being Mortal first came to press attention after production on the film was shut down for investigative purposes in April 2022. Murray later sat down with CNBC and shared his side of the story — that is, he claimed that he acted in jest and that action was taken the “wrong way”. Murray, in part, said:

“The company, the movie studio, wanted to do the right thing, so they wanted to check it all out, investigate it, and so they stopped the production. But as of now, we’re talking and we’re trying to make peace with each other.”

And while production remains suspended on Being Mortal, more allegations have been made against the Hollywood star. Actress Geena Davis shared in her memoir, “Dying of Politeness” (2022), that Murray insisted on using a massager on her the first time they met for the movie Quick Change (1990), and later, the spaghetti strap incident during their dual interview on the Arsenio Hall Show.

Deadline shared more accusations:

[Saturday Night Live] alum Rob Schneider claimed Murray “absolutely hated” the cast members when he came back to guest host. “He wasn’t very nice to us,” Schneider said on SiriusXM’s The Jim Norton & Sam Roberts Show. “He hated us on Saturday Night Live when he hosted. Absolutely hated us. I mean, seething.”

One of the most shocking allegations of serious misuse of power and status comes from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Family Guy actor, Seth Green, who claims Murray ignited over a small altercation in the SNL waiting room in which Green, aged nine at the time, was apparently using Murray’s armrest. Green said:

“He picked me up by my ankles,” said Green of Murray, “held me upside down…dangled me over a trash can and he was like, ‘The trash goes in the trash can.’ And I was screaming, and I swung my arms, flailed wildly, full contact with his balls. He dropped me in the trash can [and] the trash can falls over. I was horrified. I ran away, hid under the table in my dressing room and just cried.”

Known for movies like Ghostbusters (1984), Groundhog Day (1993), Charlie’s Angels (2000), and Lost in Translation (2003), Murray has had a decorated career and this slew of allegations could prove enough to topple the empire. Murray’s upcoming role in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania may be called into question by Marvel Studios, or its owner, The Walt Disney Company.

With Reed’s Ant-Man threequel still four months away, and Murray’s role relatively unknown — only San Diego Comic-Con and D23 Expo audiences have seen the trailer, after all — it may prompt Disney to reshoot Murray’s scenes and recast his role. Of course, nothing has been confirmed from any of the involved studios, but judging by historic events similar to this, it would not be a surprise if Murray’s MCU career was over before it had even begun.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania opens on February 17, 2023 as part of Marvel Phase Five.

How is Marvel Handling the Loss of Chadwick Boseman?

Posted on July 29, 2022July 29, 2022 by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

The hole left in the MCU by Chadwick Boseman can ot be understated. When Black Panther hit theaters in February of 2018, it immediately became one of the most impactful and important comic book movies of all time. It opened new doors for comic book movies through its representation, not as side characters or replacements for other characters, but as original heros. The film’s prominence, originality, and impact are in part why the tragic death of Chadwick Boseman, who played T’Challa (aka the Black Panther) almost 2 years ago was such a great loss for the MCU, Marvel fans, and the world.

With a Black Panther sequel, Wakanda Forever, on the horizon many fans wondered how the loss of the titular character would be handled. Despite Marvel saying they had no intentions of recasting the character, fans began to wonder how the film would handle his absence. Would Boseman just quietly be replaced? Would T’Challa have an off camera death? Would they pull a Star Wars and combine CGI with unused footage to keep Boseman in the role posthumously? What would become of the beloved hero?

The film’s official synopsis answers that question but raises another:

“In Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba), fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. Introducing Tenoch Huerta as Namor, king of a hidden undersea nation, the film also stars Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena and Alex Livanalli.”

So T’Challa will be dead at the start of the film, placing his most likely off screen death sometime between Avengers: Endgame and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. But the question now is, what comes next? Many theories have been floated about who will take up the mantle and wear the Vibranium.

Nakia, a royal member of the River Tribe, a former Wakanda War Dog, and love interest of T’Challa is a popular choice. Okoye is the leader of the Dora Milaje and an Avenger following the events of Avengers: Infinity War making her an obvious successor. M’Baku is the leader of the Mountain Tribe, a close friend, and fellow soldier of T’Challa’s, which would make his succession impactful and meaningful. Then, of course, there is Shuri. The Princess of Wakanda and one of (if not the) smartest people in the Marvel Cinematic Universe who would carry out the position well.

Disney+ Just Censored ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’

Posted on April 2, 2022April 2, 2022 by Mathew Corn Disney+

Via InsideTheMagic.net

When The Falcon and the Winter Soldier premiered on Disney+ last year, it was notably grittier than its predecessor, WandaVision, which served as the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first foray into television.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier — which saw the MCU returns Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) and Sam Wilson/Falcon (Anthony Mackie) take on Karli Morgenthau (Erin Kellyman) and the Flag Smashers in a post-Avengers: Endgame (2019) world.

The limited-run show also saw Mackie’s Sam Wilson officially take up the mantle of Captain America from Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), following the brief, but disastrous, tenure of John Walker/U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell).

Now, the powers-that-be at Disney+ have made some changes to The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, scrubbing certain violent scenes and replacing them with more family-friendly versions.

Reddit user u/MooninMoulin first noticed the change, writing:

Hi everyone! Was just re-watching Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and something caught my attention. Episode 3, around 37:45, Bucky throws a metal bar at a woman. Back when it aired, the bar went through her shoulder, pinning it to the container; now it just bounces off.

Has this scene also been changed on your side? Does anyone know if there’s a way to switch back to the original scenes? I’m now thinking it’s probable more scenes from this show or others were altered. I hope this is not a case of non-negotiable retroactive censorship on Disney’s part.

Another user, u/Arkham4321 noticed that another scene has also been recently censored:

Just went to that episode and checked. They also edited the scene where Zemo kills the guy who made the serum. https://imgur.com/a/RyG7Ltc

sam wilson with captain america's shield falcon and winter soldier episode 5

Currently, no other edited scenes have been noted, but fans on Reddit are frustrated and confused by the changes.

This seems like odd timing to censor a Marvel series, with Marvel Studios’ most violent series to date, Moon Knight, due to release tomorrow, March 30, 2022.

Furthermore, Disney+ just added forced parental controls to all accounts due to the collective debut of Netflix’s darker Marvel series — Daredevil, Luke Cage, The Punisher, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and The Defenders.

Neither Disney nor Marvel Studios has issued a statement regarding the alterations to The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

Marvel ‘Moon Knight’ Star Dead at 37 After Skiing Accident

Posted on January 21, 2022January 21, 2022 by Mathew Corn Disney+

37-year-old Gaspard Ulliel, who was slated to play Midnight Man in the new Marvel series Moon Knight has died after a skiing accident. Ulliel is a well-known French actor who has appeared in a number of films, including A Very Long Engagement, Sybil, To The Ends of the World, and Eva. Marvel’s Moon Knight was considered the actor’s big break into the American television scene.

Ulliel’s parents reported the actor’s death on Wednesday, January 19, one day after his accident. According to the BBC, which reported on the tragedy, the actor collided with another person.

Per BBC:

His family told news agency AFP he died on Wednesday following a skiing accident in the Alps.

Ulliel, one of France’s best-known actors, has appeared in It’s Only the End of the World and Saint Laurent, the biopic of the French fashion designer.

The actor was skiing in the Savoie region on Tuesday when he collided with another person.

He suffered severe brain trauma and was airlifted to a hospital in Grenoble, where he died the next day.

The other skier was not hospitalized and an investigation is now under way.

The actor’s death comes just one day after Marvel released the trailer for Moon Knight. Moon Knight is not the first Marvel show to gain a lot of attention in recent years. During the pandemic, Marvel released a number of shows on Disney+ that were loved by millions — including WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Loki.

Here is more information on Moon Knight — which is scheduled to premiere on March 30.

Moon Knight follows Steven Grant, a mild-mannered gift-shop employee, who becomes plagued with blackouts and memories of another life. Steven discovers he has dissociative identity disorder and shares a body with mercenary Marc Spector. As Steven/Marc’s enemies converge upon them, they must navigate their complex identities while thrust into a deadly mystery among the powerful gods of Egypt.

Below you can watch the full Moon Knight trailer that was released by Marvel.