A new teaser trailer for the Echo series and this one leans super hard into the violence and the mature rating, including telling viewers to to swap over their profiles to TV-MA in order to watch it. It looks great and really reminds me of the Netflix stuff.
Jonathan Majors has officially been fired as Kang following his guilty verdict from his abuse and harassment trial.
Yeaaahhhh, you could see this coming a mile away after all the info Majors himself released trying to disprove the claims. I wonder if they'll simply recast the character or if they'll hard pivot to towards a different direction.
Damn, wow.
Fantastic actor, terrible person. Hate to see that.
I hope they recast since it would be quite the pivot to all this Kang buildup only to go for something else, however I have heard of rumours that Marvel has been planning to shift away from the Kang saga as a central hook.
I mean, he's literally the easiest character to recast, and would fit super easily with his motives.
Maybe he changes his appearance to better work in the shadows?
Maybe it's just some far, faaar away version of Kang in the multiverse, like how in Everything Everywhere, the further you go from your reality, the more different it gets (like the Sausage reality off-the-map)
Jonathan Majors has officially been fired as Kang following his guilty verdict from his abuse and harassment trial.
Yeaaahhhh, you could … moresee this coming a mile away after all the info Majors himself released trying to disprove the claims. I wonder if they'll simply recast the character or if they'll hard pivot to towards a different direction.
Fantastic actor, terrible person. Hate to see that.
I remember when the allegations first popped up, a number of filmmakers who'd worked with him in the past outright said, "Yeah I believe it. This guy is a piece of shit." Undoubtedly talent, but yeah terrible person.
Maybe he changes his appearance to better work in the shadows?
I'd love it if in one of the next few movies they introduce a side character that helps the protagonists, only for it be be revealed that they're a Kang variant. Just have a bunch of Kang variants of completely different actors, maybe seeded in the next few movies, to form a new Council of Kang.
https://deadline.com/2023/12/jonathan-majors-marvel-fired-guilty-verdict-1235671790/
Damn, wow.
Fantastic actor, terrible person. Hate … moreto see that.
I hope they recast since it would be quite the pivot to all this Kang buildup only to go for something else, however I have heard of rumours that Marvel has been planning to shift away from the Kang saga as a central hook.
I mean, he's literally the easiest character to recast, and would fit super easily with his motives.
Maybe he changes his appearance to better work in the shadows?
Maybe it's just some far, faaar away version of Kang in the multiverse, like how in Everything Everywhere, the further you go from your reality, the more different it gets (like the Sausage reality off-the-map)
What If? Season 2 started today! Er, yesterday! And they're gonna be dropping one new episode every day until December 30th!
First up, What If Nebula Joined the Nova Corps. And it's a pretty good one!
It is VERY cyberpunk-noir inspired. Heck, even feels like an homage to Blade Runner at times, with the dark sprawling cityscape and Nebula cruising in her hovercraft.
Very cool scenery and moody shots in this. Some of the fighting/action can feel a little too snappy or quick at times, but it was overall good.
I think the episode just needed more time overall. The last 7 or so minutes go by very quickly, going over all the typical Noir tropes you'd expect, (Honestly kinda feels like it's trying to parody it at times) and it's over before you know it.
I think with more time, some of those moments could have more impact.
Good episode, not perfect tho.
I've heard reviews say that the animation and writing is an overall improvement to the first season, so that's cool.
There's also the Gamora/Tony holdover episode from the first season that'll appear - though I've heard they've set it at like episode 6 or 7, deep into the season, strangely enough.
Was gonna wait 'til the end of the season to talk about it, but after the latest episode with Kahhori I've gotta say this season of What If...? has been great so far, and makes really good use of the shows premise. Outside of the Christmas episode, while I still enjoyed was admittedly there for goofy fun times, has been very creative with the alternate universe stuff. The Kahhori episode in particular is especially unique and the standout for me. Providing a completely different world and characters to engage with, as well as having the gamble of being the only episode with barely english in it.
There are still some of the pacing issues the previous season suffered, but I find it much less prevalent here. The first couple episodes have it the worst, but everything after that I've found to be really smooth and make good use of the episode lengths. Though I still wouldn't mind if Marvel Studios didn't force the 30 minute run times and instead just let the storytellers and animators work their magic.
Very much looking forward to seeing how the season ends.
Some quick spoilerish thoughts on each episode.
What If... Nebula Joined the Nova Corps?
* Really fun one. Really liked the noir detective premise set in a dystopian cyberpunk-esque city. Got lots of Howard the Duck which is always good. However, I did find Nebula overly dry here, though she chills out by the second half of the episode.
What If... Peter Quill Attacked Earth's Mightiest Heroes?
* Loved seeing an all new team of Avengers set in the 80's with the few superheroes that were active during that period. I thought the relationship between Hope and Quill was very clever here considering they've both tragically lost their mothers. Though I've gotta say their plan of attack left a lot to be desired. Also that slow walk at the end was super goofy, and why is Hank bringing Hope to space lmao.
What If... Happy Hogan Saved Christmas?
* A fun Die Hard homage! Super goofy and overall pretty funny episode. There's more Darcy and Hammer who we haven't seen in ages! Weird that Happy's just stuck as a weird purple Hulk though lol. Plot is super straightforward and there really wasn't any major consequences but I ended up having a lot of fun with this one.
What If... Iron Man Crashed into the Grandmaster?
* Really liked this one a lot. They weren't able to finish it for the first season which is a shame, but the wait was worth it. They did a great job with the characterisation of Tony here. Felt like he was ripped straight out of Phase 1. Also gotta give praise to his voice actor Mick Wingert who absolutely nails Tony's voice here. The race was really fun, and it was cool seeing Tony interact with all these weirdos he never got to interact with in the sacred timeline. Also got a goofy ass mid-credits scene here with the Grandmaster doing his own version of "Moisturise me!".
What If... Captain Carter Fought the Hydra Stomper??
* This one's real good as well. It didn't feel like a near complete rehash like the previous Captain Carter episode. They did a good job separating this universe from the MCU and presenting the consequences and effects of this universe. Seeing things like The Wasp being on the Avengers in 2012, and there being no Hulk, as well as the eradication of Hydra soon after WW2. I wouldn't mind seeing her get a spin off miniseries or something.
What If... Kahhori Reshaped the World?
* Personally my favourite episode of the season thus far. Very different from every other episode of the series, following completely new events never before seen in the MCU, featuring an entirely original character, with only a handful of english dialogue. I'm interested to see if she'll pop up in anything else in the future. Maybe another episode in the third season, if they decide to push her as much as Captain Carter.
I didn't even know a Season 3 was in the cards, let alone it's already under production (and looking like they've already finalized some content already!)
Marvel Studios has already released a teaser for an episode in the third and potentially final season of What If...?
Looks like it'll be about Bucky meeting the Red Guardian in the 80's(?), with Bill Foster pursuing them.
Season 2 of What If...? is over and I thought it was a lot of fun! They make really good use of the shows premise, going to wildly different stories and universes. Some of the pacing issues from the first season still remain, though to a much lesser degree. I think my only real issues are that most of the episodes are fairly lighthearted. I wish there was an episode akin to the Doctor Strange episode from the first season.
My season 2 episode ranking:
1. What If... Kahhori Reshaped the World?
2. What If... Iron Man Crashed into the Grandmaster?
3. What If... Captain Carter Fought the Hydra Stomper?
4. What If... Peter Quill Attacked Earth's Mightiest Heroes?
5. What If... Hela Found the Ten Rings?
6. What If... the Avengers Assembled in 1602?
7. What If... Nebula Joined the Nova Corps?
8. What If... Strange Supreme Intervened?
9. What If... Happy Hogan Saved Christmas?
Quick spoilerish thoughts on the remaining episodes.
What If... Hela Found the Ten Rings?
* Really liked this one. It was a cool to see Hera get more backstory, and seeing her and the Mandarin becoming a power couple at the end was wild lol. However I feel like Hera talks way too much lmao and like I mentioned, the pacing was way too fast. It felt like the episode needed at least another 5 to 10 minutes.
What If... the Avengers Assembled in 1602?
* I really loved the character designs in this, especially Captain Carter's outfit. That should really be her main outfit from now on, it looks so sick and fits well with her being English. I do think it was weird that out of every possible hero, Scarlet Witch chose her to help save her universe. Though with how the episode ends it does make a bit more sense as to why she was chosen.
What If... Strange Supreme Intervened?
* Straight up fanfiction with the people behind the show mashing all their action figures together lmao. Fun episode and I like how it ends, but the power scaling here was over the top ridiculous. Kahhori's powers gets super confusing here. So she has super speed, super strength, telekinesis, teleportation, and minor reality bending, AND she can pick up Mjolnir. I wish they didn't make her so overpowered, especially with her easily taking out Infinity Killmonger so easily. If she ever gets introduced into the mainline MCU or the comics, I hope she gets nerfed. It's way too much. Same goes for Peggy, who's been super overpowered this past season. She's way more powerful than Steve Rogers and borders on Superman levels of strength.
Overall, for the most part I find season 2 to be an improvement over season 1 in terms of writing and pacing (for the most part), and while I do wish that they went as dark as the previous season, I had a lot of fun with what ended up releasing.
Marvel Studios is going ham with these Echo trailers.
If anyone had any doubts about the Netflix stuff being canon then this trailer should definitely qualm them since this straight up uses scenes from the original series, including the infamous car door scene.
All five episodes of Echo are out and I binged watched it immediately. I really like it! It feels like a step towards the right direction in terms of violence, maturity, and grittiness in the MCU. There's a couple stumbles along the way, but for the most part I really enjoyed it. Acting is great for the most part, with massive praise to Alaqua Cox, who manages to do so much while saying so little, and of course Vincent D'Onofrio who continues to be incredible as the Kingpin. I also really enjoyed Maya's family, especially her grandparents.
The fight scenes are great (for the most part), lots of practical effects, and the relationship between Maya and Fisk is easily the best part of the show. In terms of violence, it's definitely a step up and has me hopeful for the Born Again series and whatever other shows end up under the Spotlight banner, but it definitely doesn't go as hard as the Netflix shows. It's more Netflix-lite than anything, though there are still some fairly gruesome/disturbing moments in the series. The sound design in the series is excellent as well, especially in the more intense moments with Maya, as things start to deafen and her heartbeat becomes the main focus.
There are a few problems, some being bigger than most. Pacing issues which have plagued pretty much every MCU TV project continue on here, especially in the final episode which really needed an extra 10-15 minutes. The supernatural/mythical and seriousness of the series often feel like they're clashing in tones. Not to say that the supernatural stuff isn't good, I like it and find it interesting, but it does feel jarring when it cuts from a really dramatic grounded moment to something magical. The fights scenes, while actually pretty damn good, are honestly quite bad in the finale. I have no idea what happened during production at the end there, but it looked really goofy and not at all like the standard that was set in the first episode.
Honestly a bulk of my issues with the series are from the finale, which I find myself really mixed on. There's some really great stuff involving Maya and Fisk, but some of the ancestral and family stuff I found to be really rough. Not to mention the incredibly anti-climactic fight. It has the worst pacing of the series while being the shortest episode at 25 minutes long (32 with credits). Also they don't really commit to one of the plot points introduced early on, which I feel takes some of the wind out of the shows sails.
Overall, I really enjoyed the series for what it could be for the more mature and grounded parts of the MCU going forward, and would love to see more of Maya in the future. However, there are some really jarring issues, particularly in the shows climax that I honestly think do take it down a notch. Also keep an eye out for the mid-credits scene in the final episode which sets the stage for the upcoming Born Again series.
Yeah I also watched Echo and I cant say Im impressed in any way. Don't really have the energy to go into detail but I think there are far too many bizarre moments where characters act like morons just so Echo can shine, or to create superficial tension that makes absolutely no sense. They don't go far enough with any storyline, the show is too short to focus on this much so as per usual with marvel, everything is undercooked, damn near raw.
Sure there's some okay action, and it's nice that its a little bloodier than usual, but that doesn't save this mess whatsoever for me. I also think it was a little absurd how this was marketed largerly as a new york show, and we spent 4 out of 5 eps in oklahoma. Furthermore, the way these episodes were written made me absolutely despise Maya. She comes off an absolutely terrible person, even as a child.
The series getting a production reboot really does seem to have been the right move. Not to mention word of Deborah Ann Woll and Elden Henson returning as Karen and Foggy.
The series getting a production reboot really does seem to have been the right move. Not to mention word of Deborah Ann Woll and Elden Henson returning as Karen and Foggy.
There's been set pics recently of the area they're shooting at.
A sign saying 'Nelson, Murdock and Page's has been found. OOOH BABY THEY'RE MAKING THE RIGHT MOVE
Wilson Bethel will be returning as Bullseye in Daredevil: Born Again! He'll supposedly appear in three episodes.
The series getting a pro… moreduction reboot really does seem to have been the right move. Not to mention word of Deborah Ann Woll and Elden Henson returning as Karen and Foggy.
The series getting a production reboot really does seem to have been the right move. Not to mention word of Deborah Ann Woll and Elden Henson returning as Karen and Foggy.
(Spoiler)
Nice to know his entire cast will be returning! Including the members of X-Force that got wiped out from the last movie lol.
Wade with hair is horrifying. Thank God it's just a wig.
I wonder what the TVA need Deadpool for. I assume it has something to do with him fucking up his own timeline and they're making him do something in exchange for not pruning him and his family, but it seems like something went wrong if he's also killing some of them.
Also got our first F bomb in an MCU trailer!
Maybe Loki will pop up somewhere as well, that'd be cool.
Official Cast for The Fantastic Four have been revealed -- Releasing in July 2025 (swapped release dates with Thunderbolts)
There is also an official logo -- VERY retro 60's vibe to it...
I guess there might be some timey-wimey shenanigans by the end of the film if this is gonna be a period piece.
THIS is the type of style risk that's got me excited for this MCU adaptation!
Saw someone point out that the magazine Ben (Thing) is reading, is an actual magazine with LBJ on the cover published in 1963, so I think the 60's setting is all but confirmed.
THIS is the type of style risk that's got me excited for this MCU adaptation!
And with WandaVision we know that Matt Shakman will at the very least nail the aesthetics!
Official Cast for The Fantastic Four have been revealed -- Releasing in July 2025 (swapped release dates with Thunderbolts)
There is … morealso an official logo -- VERY retro 60's vibe to it...
I guess there might be some timey-wimey shenanigans by the end of the film if this is gonna be a period piece.
THIS is the type of style risk that's got me excited for this MCU adaptation!
Finally a trailer for X-Men '97 and it's releasing in just a month!
Visually it looks great, they did a good job of making it look 2D. Seems like they're trying to imitate the original series with the lower framerate as well, which I'll have to get used to. Looking forward to it!
Yeah, it's surprising how well this looks 2D, especially with the lower frame-rate, since isn't this actually using their 3D tech from What If but heavily stylized and cel-shaded to look 2D?
Interesting that they're using Marvel Animation now. Is that a new branch of Marvel Studios for all their animated content now, or is that just for this show as some 90's homage...
I guess I should check out the original series and see if it can hook me for next month.
Finally a trailer for X-Men '97 and it's releasing in just a month!
Visually it looks great, they did a good job of making it look 2D… more. Seems like they're trying to imitate the original series with the lower framerate as well, which I'll have to get used to. Looking forward to it!
Looks like it's their new banner for animated stuff. I imagine Marvel Zombies, Eyes of Wakanda, the following seasons of What If?, and whatever else they have in store will be placed under it.
Yeah, it's surprising how well this looks 2D, especially with the lower frame-rate, since isn't this actually using their 3D tech from What … moreIf but heavily stylized and cel-shaded to look 2D?
Interesting that they're using Marvel Animation now. Is that a new branch of Marvel Studios for all their animated content now, or is that just for this show as some 90's homage...
I guess I should check out the original series and see if it can hook me for next month.
The first two episodes of X-Men '97 have been released and I really enjoyed them, even as someone who hasn't seen a single episode of the original series. Visually, they're absolutely fantastic looking, like a natural evolution of the original shows art style and the animations super solid too especially when it came to the action sequences. Though I will admit there are a couple dialogue heavy scenes that make the characters look like muppets. The switch to 3D animation is near seamless. I'm very happy they decided to go for a mix of both 2D and 3D. Also nice to hear them getting some leeway with the language as you'll hear a damn, hell, or pissed along the way.
The first episode is very much a re-introduction to the characters and sets up the rest of the series by the end of the episode, but overall it's solid with some great action and fun character interactions. Episode two however is fucking phenomenal. Easily some of the best storytelling in Marvel Studios animation. Incredibly powerful and emotional, with Magneto stealing every scene he's in, and the show being very blatant and not holding back on its messaging which I'm sure some smooth brained individuals with room temperature IQ's will try to say is out of character for the fucking X-Men.
Overall a strong opening to the series and I'm very much looking forward to the rest of the season.
An animated short set between Into and Across the Spider-Verse is set to release today WOOOOOOOOOOOO!
https://twitter.com/SpiderVerse/sta… moretus/1772609451301691804
Can't wait for another accurate portrayal of a panic attack in an animated property!
Man, I can't believe Beyond the Spider-Verse released only a year after Across and it was so good! Especially when that person did the thing at the place
A new poster for the Fantastic Four movie has been released!
Pretty much confirms that the suits Reed and Sue are wearing will be the suits in the movie, and the retro-futuristic city in the back pretty much confirming the alternate universe approach.
Also just a neat detail with the lines on Johnny's suit mimicking his original design from Jack Kirby's run.
Episode 5 of X-Men '97 released and it is incredible. An absolute triumph in storytelling and animation, that had me teetering off the edge of my seat. If the series continues with this level of quality, the series could become one of the greatest things Marvel Studios has ever released. So much love and care is put into this world and its characters and it really shows. It's so fun, dramatic, and heartbreaking! This is the most I've cared about X-Men since First Class.
Now I'm just left wondering what the hell did Beau de Mayo do to make Marvel so mad.
A new trailer for Deadpool & Wolverine is out and it looks GREAT!
Lots of swearing, blood, sleeveless Wolverine, it's got it all. Also looks like the villain of the movie will be Cassandra Nova who is a very very weird villain from the comics and also
Spoiler for comicbook bullshit
the alien parasitic twin sister of Charles Xavier who he fought a telekinetic battle with in the womb.
The first season of X-Men '97 is over, and I don't think there's a better word to describe it than astonishing. In my humble opinion, X-Men '97 is not only the best onscreen adaptation of the X-Men to date but also one of the greatest superhero adaptations of all time. Every aspect of the show radiate love and dedication, from the characters and dialogue to the visuals and animation.
The series stands out by fully embracing the crazy and, more often than not dark themes that have defined the X-Men since Chris Claremont's era. There's a rawness to the show that feels refreshing, as it doesn't shy away from depicting intense violence, exploring moral ambiguity, and tackling significant societal and political issues of our modern day world. These elements are handled with a level of maturity that really elevates the narrative, making the stakes feel real and ever-present.
It's incredibly evident that the '97 crew were given free rein to whatever they wanted with minimal constraint, and it's reflected in pretty much every episode of the season. I can't believe I'm saying this, but X-Men '97 really pushes the boundaries of what a superhero story can be. The show is damn near perfect and sets the bar for what the MCU's X-Men should achieve. I cannot wait the for the next season.
The first trailer for Venom: The Last Stand is out! It'll be the last solo Venom movie, so hopefully they go out with a bang, but considering the... overall quality of the SSU I'm not holding my breath.
Ngl it does look like fun.
Rhys Ifans, who played the Lizard in ASM and NWH is at 1:58 as the guitar dude. I'm going to assume it's just him playing some rando character for fun rather than being a Curt Connors variant lol. Also the bartender from the No Way Home end credits scene is in this movie at 1:27 but with long hair. So I guess he's a variant? But Venom also left seems to have dropped another sample of him in the same bar, but in this universe???
Something to do with Spider-Man I think. He should put together a team. Do some good. It'd be intriguing.
The whole Sony No-Spidey Verse has been one big fustercluck so far, but at the very least the Venom movies have been mildly to stupidly entertaining throughout.
Can't wait for the movie to end on like some kid who they vaguely name "Peter", which Venom (after a fake out death) looks on from a distance, directly contradicting the NWH stinger about being aware and extremely interested in MCU Peter... Because Sony just loves to lure you in with the promise of Marvel cake, only to trash it immediately after with all these movies lately.
Like... "We... Are... Ven-WEAREVENOM!!"
I get that "haha making fun of a trope is funny" meta-""humour"" but... they're making fun of their own joke?! They already had a whole cool "We are Venom" thing in the first film famously in trailers even... but now it's just not cool to do that all serious-like?!! H U H?
Anyway I love how this film has such a dramatic title like "The Last Dance"... lmao. Yet the movie and Venom antics look as ridiculous as EVER!
Also, the tagline? "Till Death Do They Part"??
VenomxEddie Gay confirmed?? Happy Pride Month!! 🏳️🌈
Also this is both extremely cool and metal and also really silly omg!! XD
The first trailer for Venom: The Last Stand is out! It'll be the last solo Venom movie, so hopefully they go out with a bang, but considerin… moreg the... overall quality of the SSU I'm not holding my breath.
Ngl it does look like fun.
Rhys Ifans, who played the Lizard in ASM and NWH is at 1:58 as the guitar dude. I'm going to assume it's just him playing some rando character for fun rather than being a Curt Connors variant lol. Also the bartender from the No Way Home end credits scene is in this movie at 1:27 but with long hair. So I guess he's a variant? But Venom also left seems to have dropped another sample of him in the same bar, but in this universe???
Something to do with Spider-Man I think. He should put together a team. Do some good. It'd be intriguing.
The whole Sony No-Spidey Verse has been one big fustercluck so far, but at the very least the Venom movies have been mildly to stupidly ente… morertaining throughout.
Can't wait for the movie to end on like some kid who they vaguely name "Peter", which Venom (after a fake out death) looks on from a distance, directly contradicting the NWH stinger about being aware and extremely interested in MCU Peter... Because Sony just loves to lure you in with the promise of Marvel cake, only to trash it immediately after with all these movies lately.
Like... "We... Are... Ven-WEAREVENOM!!"
I get that "haha making fun of a trope is funny" meta-""humour"" but... they're making fun of their own joke?! They already had a whole cool "We are Venom" thing in the first film famously in trailers even... but now it's just not cool to do that all serious-like?!! H U H?
Anyway I love how this film has such a dramatic title like "The Last Dance"... lmao. Yet the … [view original content]
The teaser trailer for Agatha All Along, the spin off to WandaVision is finally out!
Not gonna lie it seems like fun and feels appropriately spooky. It looks different from the usual MCU stuff. Probably helps that it looks fairly low stakes, with the plot focusing on Agatha simply wanting to regain her powers. Aubrey Plaza is always a nice get and it'll be great to see more Kathryn Hahn. Interesting that Debra Jo Rupp's character from WandaVision becomes a witch in this.
Can't say I was wondering at the end of WandaVision, "So, how does Agatha's story continue from here?" On the other hand, I also wasn't thinking 101 Dalmatians needed a prequel to explain where Cruella came from, so we'll see.
The teaser trailer for Agatha All Along, the spin off to WandaVision is finally out!
Not gonna lie it seems like fun and feels approp… moreriately spooky. It looks different from the usual MCU stuff. Probably helps that it looks fairly low stakes, with the plot focusing on Agatha simply wanting to regain her powers. Aubrey Plaza is always a nice get and it'll be great to see more Kathryn Hahn. Interesting that Debra Jo Rupp's character from WandaVision becomes a witch in this.
Marvel Studios has found Beau DeMayo's successor for X-Men '97 in the form of Matthew Chauncey, one of the head writers for What If...?. Season's 2's script had been revised before then, so he'll be officially taking over for season 3.
Alright look I enjoy What If...? for what it is, I think it's a fun show, but the writing for '97 is leagues above anything from the two seasons we've had so far. Unless Chauncey pitched something that the studio absolutely loved, I really can't help but see this as a massive downgrade. Not to mention the optics of replacing a gay black man with a straight white dude to head a show about a group of marginalised people. I'm not saying they should have kept DeMayo on considering what he's supposedly done, but come on Marvel, there are other writers in the world give them a chance.
Comments
A new teaser trailer for the Echo series and this one leans super hard into the violence and the mature rating, including telling viewers to to swap over their profiles to TV-MA in order to watch it. It looks great and really reminds me of the Netflix stuff.
Jonathan Majors has officially been fired as Kang following his guilty verdict from his abuse and harassment trial.
Yeaaahhhh, you could see this coming a mile away after all the info Majors himself released trying to disprove the claims. I wonder if they'll simply recast the character or if they'll hard pivot to towards a different direction.
https://deadline.com/2023/12/jonathan-majors-marvel-fired-guilty-verdict-1235671790/
Damn, wow.
Fantastic actor, terrible person. Hate to see that.
I hope they recast since it would be quite the pivot to all this Kang buildup only to go for something else, however I have heard of rumours that Marvel has been planning to shift away from the Kang saga as a central hook.
I mean, he's literally the easiest character to recast, and would fit super easily with his motives.
Maybe he changes his appearance to better work in the shadows?
Maybe it's just some far, faaar away version of Kang in the multiverse, like how in Everything Everywhere, the further you go from your reality, the more different it gets (like the Sausage reality off-the-map)
I remember when the allegations first popped up, a number of filmmakers who'd worked with him in the past outright said, "Yeah I believe it. This guy is a piece of shit." Undoubtedly talent, but yeah terrible person.
I'd love it if in one of the next few movies they introduce a side character that helps the protagonists, only for it be be revealed that they're a Kang variant. Just have a bunch of Kang variants of completely different actors, maybe seeded in the next few movies, to form a new Council of Kang.
How can a Green Lantern also be a Red Devil?
What If? Season 2 started today! Er, yesterday! And they're gonna be dropping one new episode every day until December 30th!
First up, What If Nebula Joined the Nova Corps. And it's a pretty good one!
It is VERY cyberpunk-noir inspired. Heck, even feels like an homage to Blade Runner at times, with the dark sprawling cityscape and Nebula cruising in her hovercraft.
Very cool scenery and moody shots in this. Some of the fighting/action can feel a little too snappy or quick at times, but it was overall good.
I think the episode just needed more time overall. The last 7 or so minutes go by very quickly, going over all the typical Noir tropes you'd expect, (Honestly kinda feels like it's trying to parody it at times) and it's over before you know it.
I think with more time, some of those moments could have more impact.
Good episode, not perfect tho.
I've heard reviews say that the animation and writing is an overall improvement to the first season, so that's cool.
There's also the Gamora/Tony holdover episode from the first season that'll appear - though I've heard they've set it at like episode 6 or 7, deep into the season, strangely enough.
Let's see what we get tomorrow!
Was gonna wait 'til the end of the season to talk about it, but after the latest episode with Kahhori I've gotta say this season of What If...? has been great so far, and makes really good use of the shows premise. Outside of the Christmas episode, while I still enjoyed was admittedly there for goofy fun times, has been very creative with the alternate universe stuff. The Kahhori episode in particular is especially unique and the standout for me. Providing a completely different world and characters to engage with, as well as having the gamble of being the only episode with barely english in it.
There are still some of the pacing issues the previous season suffered, but I find it much less prevalent here. The first couple episodes have it the worst, but everything after that I've found to be really smooth and make good use of the episode lengths. Though I still wouldn't mind if Marvel Studios didn't force the 30 minute run times and instead just let the storytellers and animators work their magic.
Very much looking forward to seeing how the season ends.
Some quick spoilerish thoughts on each episode.
What If... Nebula Joined the Nova Corps?
* Really fun one. Really liked the noir detective premise set in a dystopian cyberpunk-esque city. Got lots of Howard the Duck which is always good. However, I did find Nebula overly dry here, though she chills out by the second half of the episode.
What If... Peter Quill Attacked Earth's Mightiest Heroes?
* Loved seeing an all new team of Avengers set in the 80's with the few superheroes that were active during that period. I thought the relationship between Hope and Quill was very clever here considering they've both tragically lost their mothers. Though I've gotta say their plan of attack left a lot to be desired. Also that slow walk at the end was super goofy, and why is Hank bringing Hope to space lmao.
What If... Happy Hogan Saved Christmas?
* A fun Die Hard homage! Super goofy and overall pretty funny episode. There's more Darcy and Hammer who we haven't seen in ages! Weird that Happy's just stuck as a weird purple Hulk though lol. Plot is super straightforward and there really wasn't any major consequences but I ended up having a lot of fun with this one.
What If... Iron Man Crashed into the Grandmaster?
* Really liked this one a lot. They weren't able to finish it for the first season which is a shame, but the wait was worth it. They did a great job with the characterisation of Tony here. Felt like he was ripped straight out of Phase 1. Also gotta give praise to his voice actor Mick Wingert who absolutely nails Tony's voice here. The race was really fun, and it was cool seeing Tony interact with all these weirdos he never got to interact with in the sacred timeline. Also got a goofy ass mid-credits scene here with the Grandmaster doing his own version of "Moisturise me!".
What If... Captain Carter Fought the Hydra Stomper??
* This one's real good as well. It didn't feel like a near complete rehash like the previous Captain Carter episode. They did a good job separating this universe from the MCU and presenting the consequences and effects of this universe. Seeing things like The Wasp being on the Avengers in 2012, and there being no Hulk, as well as the eradication of Hydra soon after WW2. I wouldn't mind seeing her get a spin off miniseries or something.
What If... Kahhori Reshaped the World?
* Personally my favourite episode of the season thus far. Very different from every other episode of the series, following completely new events never before seen in the MCU, featuring an entirely original character, with only a handful of english dialogue. I'm interested to see if she'll pop up in anything else in the future. Maybe another episode in the third season, if they decide to push her as much as Captain Carter.
Marvel Studios has already released a teaser for an episode in the third and potentially final season of What If...?
Looks like it'll be about Bucky meeting the Red Guardian in the 80's(?), with Bill Foster pursuing them.
Wow that's... neat!
I didn't even know a Season 3 was in the cards, let alone it's already under production (and looking like they've already finalized some content already!)
Season 2 of What If...? is over and I thought it was a lot of fun! They make really good use of the shows premise, going to wildly different stories and universes. Some of the pacing issues from the first season still remain, though to a much lesser degree. I think my only real issues are that most of the episodes are fairly lighthearted. I wish there was an episode akin to the Doctor Strange episode from the first season.
My season 2 episode ranking:
1. What If... Kahhori Reshaped the World?
2. What If... Iron Man Crashed into the Grandmaster?
3. What If... Captain Carter Fought the Hydra Stomper?
4. What If... Peter Quill Attacked Earth's Mightiest Heroes?
5. What If... Hela Found the Ten Rings?
6. What If... the Avengers Assembled in 1602?
7. What If... Nebula Joined the Nova Corps?
8. What If... Strange Supreme Intervened?
9. What If... Happy Hogan Saved Christmas?
Quick spoilerish thoughts on the remaining episodes.
What If... Hela Found the Ten Rings?
* Really liked this one. It was a cool to see Hera get more backstory, and seeing her and the Mandarin becoming a power couple at the end was wild lol. However I feel like Hera talks way too much lmao and like I mentioned, the pacing was way too fast. It felt like the episode needed at least another 5 to 10 minutes.
What If... the Avengers Assembled in 1602?
* I really loved the character designs in this, especially Captain Carter's outfit. That should really be her main outfit from now on, it looks so sick and fits well with her being English. I do think it was weird that out of every possible hero, Scarlet Witch chose her to help save her universe. Though with how the episode ends it does make a bit more sense as to why she was chosen.
What If... Strange Supreme Intervened?
* Straight up fanfiction with the people behind the show mashing all their action figures together lmao. Fun episode and I like how it ends, but the power scaling here was over the top ridiculous. Kahhori's powers gets super confusing here. So she has super speed, super strength, telekinesis, teleportation, and minor reality bending, AND she can pick up Mjolnir. I wish they didn't make her so overpowered, especially with her easily taking out Infinity Killmonger so easily. If she ever gets introduced into the mainline MCU or the comics, I hope she gets nerfed. It's way too much. Same goes for Peggy, who's been super overpowered this past season. She's way more powerful than Steve Rogers and borders on Superman levels of strength.
Overall, for the most part I find season 2 to be an improvement over season 1 in terms of writing and pacing (for the most part), and while I do wish that they went as dark as the previous season, I had a lot of fun with what ended up releasing.
Marvel Studios is going ham with these Echo trailers.
If anyone had any doubts about the Netflix stuff being canon then this trailer should definitely qualm them since this straight up uses scenes from the original series, including the infamous car door scene.
All five episodes of Echo are out and I binged watched it immediately. I really like it! It feels like a step towards the right direction in terms of violence, maturity, and grittiness in the MCU. There's a couple stumbles along the way, but for the most part I really enjoyed it. Acting is great for the most part, with massive praise to Alaqua Cox, who manages to do so much while saying so little, and of course Vincent D'Onofrio who continues to be incredible as the Kingpin. I also really enjoyed Maya's family, especially her grandparents.
The fight scenes are great (for the most part), lots of practical effects, and the relationship between Maya and Fisk is easily the best part of the show. In terms of violence, it's definitely a step up and has me hopeful for the Born Again series and whatever other shows end up under the Spotlight banner, but it definitely doesn't go as hard as the Netflix shows. It's more Netflix-lite than anything, though there are still some fairly gruesome/disturbing moments in the series. The sound design in the series is excellent as well, especially in the more intense moments with Maya, as things start to deafen and her heartbeat becomes the main focus.
There are a few problems, some being bigger than most. Pacing issues which have plagued pretty much every MCU TV project continue on here, especially in the final episode which really needed an extra 10-15 minutes. The supernatural/mythical and seriousness of the series often feel like they're clashing in tones. Not to say that the supernatural stuff isn't good, I like it and find it interesting, but it does feel jarring when it cuts from a really dramatic grounded moment to something magical. The fights scenes, while actually pretty damn good, are honestly quite bad in the finale. I have no idea what happened during production at the end there, but it looked really goofy and not at all like the standard that was set in the first episode.
Honestly a bulk of my issues with the series are from the finale, which I find myself really mixed on. There's some really great stuff involving Maya and Fisk, but some of the ancestral and family stuff I found to be really rough. Not to mention the incredibly anti-climactic fight. It has the worst pacing of the series while being the shortest episode at 25 minutes long (32 with credits). Also they don't really commit to one of the plot points introduced early on, which I feel takes some of the wind out of the shows sails.
Overall, I really enjoyed the series for what it could be for the more mature and grounded parts of the MCU going forward, and would love to see more of Maya in the future. However, there are some really jarring issues, particularly in the shows climax that I honestly think do take it down a notch. Also keep an eye out for the mid-credits scene in the final episode which sets the stage for the upcoming Born Again series.
Yeah I also watched Echo and I cant say Im impressed in any way. Don't really have the energy to go into detail but I think there are far too many bizarre moments where characters act like morons just so Echo can shine, or to create superficial tension that makes absolutely no sense. They don't go far enough with any storyline, the show is too short to focus on this much so as per usual with marvel, everything is undercooked, damn near raw.
Sure there's some okay action, and it's nice that its a little bloodier than usual, but that doesn't save this mess whatsoever for me. I also think it was a little absurd how this was marketed largerly as a new york show, and we spent 4 out of 5 eps in oklahoma. Furthermore, the way these episodes were written made me absolutely despise Maya. She comes off an absolutely terrible person, even as a child.
Yep, very disappointing for me sadly.
Wilson Bethel will be returning as Bullseye in Daredevil: Born Again! He'll supposedly appear in three episodes.
The series getting a production reboot really does seem to have been the right move. Not to mention word of Deborah Ann Woll and Elden Henson returning as Karen and Foggy.
There's been set pics recently of the area they're shooting at.
A sign saying 'Nelson, Murdock and Page's has been found. OOOH BABY THEY'RE MAKING THE RIGHT MOVE
Oh shit, just saw some pics of the whole gang together! The avocados at law at back!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Nice to know his entire cast will be returning! Including the members of X-Force that got wiped out from the last movie lol.
Wade with hair is horrifying. Thank God it's just a wig.
I wonder what the TVA need Deadpool for. I assume it has something to do with him fucking up his own timeline and they're making him do something in exchange for not pruning him and his family, but it seems like something went wrong if he's also killing some of them.
Also got our first F bomb in an MCU trailer!
Maybe Loki will pop up somewhere as well, that'd be cool.
Official Cast for The Fantastic Four have been revealed -- Releasing in July 2025 (swapped release dates with Thunderbolts)
There is also an official logo -- VERY retro 60's vibe to it...
I guess there might be some timey-wimey shenanigans by the end of the film if this is gonna be a period piece.
THIS is the type of style risk that's got me excited for this MCU adaptation!
Saw someone point out that the magazine Ben (Thing) is reading, is an actual magazine with LBJ on the cover published in 1963, so I think the 60's setting is all but confirmed.
And with WandaVision we know that Matt Shakman will at the very least nail the aesthetics!
Finally a trailer for X-Men '97 and it's releasing in just a month!
Visually it looks great, they did a good job of making it look 2D. Seems like they're trying to imitate the original series with the lower framerate as well, which I'll have to get used to. Looking forward to it!
Yeah, it's surprising how well this looks 2D, especially with the lower frame-rate, since isn't this actually using their 3D tech from What If but heavily stylized and cel-shaded to look 2D?
Interesting that they're using Marvel Animation now. Is that a new branch of Marvel Studios for all their animated content now, or is that just for this show as some 90's homage...
I guess I should check out the original series and see if it can hook me for next month.
Looks like it's their new banner for animated stuff. I imagine Marvel Zombies, Eyes of Wakanda, the following seasons of What If?, and whatever else they have in store will be placed under it.
I watched Madame Web.
A new clip of X-Men '97 has been released, with the team fighting a group of Sentinels!
Alright so the show is actually a mix of 2D and 3D animation, with the latter being used for more action oriented scenes. It's pretty damn seamless!
The first two episodes of X-Men '97 have been released and I really enjoyed them, even as someone who hasn't seen a single episode of the original series. Visually, they're absolutely fantastic looking, like a natural evolution of the original shows art style and the animations super solid too especially when it came to the action sequences. Though I will admit there are a couple dialogue heavy scenes that make the characters look like muppets. The switch to 3D animation is near seamless. I'm very happy they decided to go for a mix of both 2D and 3D. Also nice to hear them getting some leeway with the language as you'll hear a damn, hell, or pissed along the way.
The first episode is very much a re-introduction to the characters and sets up the rest of the series by the end of the episode, but overall it's solid with some great action and fun character interactions. Episode two however is fucking phenomenal. Easily some of the best storytelling in Marvel Studios animation. Incredibly powerful and emotional, with Magneto stealing every scene he's in, and the show being very blatant and not holding back on its messaging which I'm sure some smooth brained individuals with room temperature IQ's will try to say is out of character for the fucking X-Men.
Overall a strong opening to the series and I'm very much looking forward to the rest of the season.
An animated short set between Into and Across the Spider-Verse is set to release today WOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Can't wait for another accurate portrayal of a panic attack in an animated property!
It is HERE! BEHOLD!
(FYI we were supposed to get Beyond 2 days from now!! Damnit, executives overestimating their time-management!) 😩
Man, I can't believe Beyond the Spider-Verse released only a year after Across and it was so good! Especially when that person did the thing at the place
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A new poster for the Fantastic Four movie has been released!
Pretty much confirms that the suits Reed and Sue are wearing will be the suits in the movie, and the retro-futuristic city in the back pretty much confirming the alternate universe approach.
Also just a neat detail with the lines on Johnny's suit mimicking his original design from Jack Kirby's run.
Spoiler tagged for being a big ass image.
Episode 5 of X-Men '97 released and it is incredible. An absolute triumph in storytelling and animation, that had me teetering off the edge of my seat. If the series continues with this level of quality, the series could become one of the greatest things Marvel Studios has ever released. So much love and care is put into this world and its characters and it really shows. It's so fun, dramatic, and heartbreaking! This is the most I've cared about X-Men since First Class.
Now I'm just left wondering what the hell did Beau de Mayo do to make Marvel so mad.
A new trailer for Deadpool & Wolverine is out and it looks GREAT!
Lots of swearing, blood, sleeveless Wolverine, it's got it all. Also looks like the villain of the movie will be Cassandra Nova who is a very very weird villain from the comics and also
Spoiler for comicbook bullshit
the alien parasitic twin sister of Charles Xavier who he fought a telekinetic battle with in the womb.
The first season of X-Men '97 is over, and I don't think there's a better word to describe it than astonishing. In my humble opinion, X-Men '97 is not only the best onscreen adaptation of the X-Men to date but also one of the greatest superhero adaptations of all time. Every aspect of the show radiate love and dedication, from the characters and dialogue to the visuals and animation.
The series stands out by fully embracing the crazy and, more often than not dark themes that have defined the X-Men since Chris Claremont's era. There's a rawness to the show that feels refreshing, as it doesn't shy away from depicting intense violence, exploring moral ambiguity, and tackling significant societal and political issues of our modern day world. These elements are handled with a level of maturity that really elevates the narrative, making the stakes feel real and ever-present.
It's incredibly evident that the '97 crew were given free rein to whatever they wanted with minimal constraint, and it's reflected in pretty much every episode of the season. I can't believe I'm saying this, but X-Men '97 really pushes the boundaries of what a superhero story can be. The show is damn near perfect and sets the bar for what the MCU's X-Men should achieve. I cannot wait the for the next season.
The Deadpool and Wolverine popcorn bucket has been unveiled.
I've never bought a special edition popcorn bucket before, but this just might be my first one. It's SO silly, I must have it...
The first trailer for Venom: The Last Stand is out! It'll be the last solo Venom movie, so hopefully they go out with a bang, but considering the... overall quality of the SSU I'm not holding my breath.
Ngl it does look like fun.
Rhys Ifans, who played the Lizard in ASM and NWH is at 1:58 as the guitar dude. I'm going to assume it's just him playing some rando character for fun rather than being a Curt Connors variant lol. Also the bartender from the No Way Home end credits scene is in this movie at 1:27 but with long hair. So I guess he's a variant? But Venom also left seems to have dropped another sample of him in the same bar, but in this universe???
Something to do with Spider-Man I think. He should put together a team. Do some good. It'd be intriguing.
The whole Sony No-Spidey Verse has been one big fustercluck so far, but at the very least the Venom movies have been mildly to stupidly entertaining throughout.
Can't wait for the movie to end on like some kid who they vaguely name "Peter", which Venom (after a fake out death) looks on from a distance, directly contradicting the NWH stinger about being aware and extremely interested in MCU Peter... Because Sony just loves to lure you in with the promise of Marvel cake, only to trash it immediately after with all these movies lately.
Like... "We... Are... Ven-WEAREVENOM!!"
I get that "haha making fun of a trope is funny" meta-""humour"" but... they're making fun of their own joke?! They already had a whole cool "We are Venom" thing in the first film famously in trailers even... but now it's just not cool to do that all serious-like?!! H U H?
Anyway I love how this film has such a dramatic title like "The Last Dance"... lmao. Yet the movie and Venom antics look as ridiculous as EVER!
Also, the tagline? "Till Death Do They Part"??
VenomxEddie Gay confirmed?? Happy Pride Month!! 🏳️🌈
Also this is both extremely cool and metal and also really silly omg!! XD
Lmao Venom 2 pretty much confirms that. It couldn't be more explicit unless they showed full penetration.
The teaser trailer for Agatha All Along, the spin off to WandaVision is finally out!
Not gonna lie it seems like fun and feels appropriately spooky. It looks different from the usual MCU stuff. Probably helps that it looks fairly low stakes, with the plot focusing on Agatha simply wanting to regain her powers. Aubrey Plaza is always a nice get and it'll be great to see more Kathryn Hahn. Interesting that Debra Jo Rupp's character from WandaVision becomes a witch in this.
Can't say I was wondering at the end of WandaVision, "So, how does Agatha's story continue from here?" On the other hand, I also wasn't thinking 101 Dalmatians needed a prequel to explain where Cruella came from, so we'll see.
Marvel Studios has found Beau DeMayo's successor for X-Men '97 in the form of Matthew Chauncey, one of the head writers for What If...?. Season's 2's script had been revised before then, so he'll be officially taking over for season 3.
Alright look I enjoy What If...? for what it is, I think it's a fun show, but the writing for '97 is leagues above anything from the two seasons we've had so far. Unless Chauncey pitched something that the studio absolutely loved, I really can't help but see this as a massive downgrade. Not to mention the optics of replacing a gay black man with a straight white dude to head a show about a group of marginalised people. I'm not saying they should have kept DeMayo on considering what he's supposedly done, but come on Marvel, there are other writers in the world give them a chance.