This past week, Captain America 4 got a new name, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse revealed some new secrets, and Apple wondered What If…?
We’ll discuss a curious mix of stories in the latest MarvelBlog News.
We’re Stuck with the Old World Order
Source: Marvel Studios
When Marvel announced the fourth Captain America movie, it came with a catchy subtitle: New World Order.
Well, I guess someone at Marvel googled and discovered that Kevin Nash has had that name on lockdown since Bash at the Beach ’96.
A pro wrestling group famously used that moniker for years, and it includes a few other somewhat distasteful connotations as well.
Photo: Disney+
For this reason, Marvel finally and correctly changed the name of this project to Captain America: Brave New World.
First, that title is catchier. Second, it definitively establishes the story Marvel wants to tell here.
We live in an era that has moved beyond the idea of the Super Soldier, the Steve Rogers type.
Photo: Marvel Studios
Now, the MCU will relish in its achievement of making the former Falcon, Sam Wilson, into a viable new Captain America.
Along the way, Wilson will encounter the former Super Soldier he encountered in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier to prove this point.
Also, Wilson will run afoul of General Thunderbolt Ross, as so many superheroes have.
Source: Marvel Studios
Anthony Mackie, the actor portraying Wilson, gleefully posted this moment when he worked with screen legend Harrison Ford.
The elder actor will portray Thunderbolt Ross in this film, replacing the late William Hurt.
Marvel had previously announced that the character will also appear in Thunderbolts, as he should.
Source: Parade
Nobody knows yet whether Thunderbolts will adopt the idea that the group is named after the general, but we did receive second confirmation on the shoot.
I mentioned last week that Marvel had delayed the film due to the Writers Guild of America strike.
Ford himself has stated this. So, Marvel may need to push the release date, which is currently July 26th, 2024.
Let’s Talk about Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Image: Marvel
As we all expected, the latest Spider-Man sequel once again dominated the box office this past weekend.
Other than Avatar, I don’t think another franchise currently rivals Spider-Man in terms of box office appeal.
Yes, I’m splitting the Spider-Man franchise into its own thing since it exists on the fringes of the MCU.
Image: Marvel
This past week, Across the Spider-Verse earned another $55 million domestically and $47 million internationally.
This performance brings its global box office take to $390 million, which surpasses Into the Spider-Verse’s entire run.
This feels like a good time to mention that the production cost for Across the Spider-Verse was $100 million. Cha-ching.
Image: Marvel
While the glowing performance stands on its own, we discussed it in detail last week.
Now, we can talk about a few other aspects of the production. For example, we just learned about the post-credits scene we didn’t get.
Technically, there were two companion scenes that failed to make the final cut.
Image: Marvel
In one, The Spot struggles to down a beer at a bar because, well, you know.
Later, The Spot returns as a more formidable character and isn’t as kind to strangers.
Why did the creative team cut these scenes? I suspect that you can guess, presuming you’ve seen the movie. If not, I won’t spoil it.
Image: Marvel
The writing duo of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller has denied that the third Spider-Verse film be the longest to date.
They’re denying this BECAUSE THE MOVIE ISN’T FINISHED YET!!!
How could anyone know that nine months ahead of time???
Image: Marvel
On the flip side of this discussion, Hailee Steinfeld reportedly stated that she has yet to record lines for the sequel.
That’s an unusual approach this late in the game for an animated film, but in Lord & Miller we trust!
The Next Big Thing…Maybe…But Probably Not
Image: Apple
Okay, here’s a weird topic to discuss on this blog. Apple just unveiled the Vision Pro, a headset that will include augmented reality functionality.
Bob Iger, the CEO of The Walt Disney Company, appeared at this event and explained Marvel’s role in this…sort of.
There’s a video presentation you can watch here:
Disney wouldn’t confirm any specific details about its participation with this tech other than to say that Disney+ will play on it.
However, the What If…? inclusion here suggests that a line of Marvel-related products are coming.
Specifically, Disney has designed…something based on the What If…? Marvel series.
Source: Marvel
I’d presume the plan calls for an augmented reality kind of Choose Your Own Adventure involving What If…? stories.
Apple has priced the Vision Pro at NFL quarterback levels. So, the product won’t sell well at first, and it won’t even come out until early 2024.
Infinity Ultron. Photo: Marvel Studios
Still, should this concept succeed, Marvel fans could suddenly enjoy a plethora of new digital experiences.
That’s a HUGE if, though, and I don’t mean of the What If…? variety.
Marvel Miscellany
Source: Marvel
One of the people on the set for Agatha: Coven of Chaos has confirmed that the production has wrapped.
That’s got to be a relief for all involved. After all, we’ve watched several Marvel titles suffer delays due to the Writers Guild of America strike.
The Agatha standalone series on Disney+ should avoid this fate, and Captain America: Brave New World possibly could as well.
Image: Marvel
Everything else that’s trying to film right now…well, go with God, my children!
Speaking of Disney+, Disney has apparently told Marvel producers that they can create TV-MA content for the service.
That’s probably good news for Daredevil: Born Again and his more violent antihero friend, Frank Castle.
Source: Marvel Studios
Finally, in well-timed news, Spider-Man actor Tom Holland has announced that he will take a one-year break from acting.
Since the Screen Actors Guild may go on strike at the end of this month as well, Hollywood is facing an extended shutdown anyway.
Source: Marvel Studios
Holland indicates that the Apple TV+ series, The Crowded Room, proved so grueling that he needs a vacation.
As a reminder, reports last week suggested that Spider-Man 4 faces a delay due to the writer strike.
I suspect Holland will suddenly feel refreshed right around the time Sony can film AND his bank account receives a new bag of money.
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Featured image: Marvel
