Multiverse News 7.30.24 (RDJ as DR. DOOM, Deadpool & Wolverine Box Office, So much Comic-con)

Welcome to Multiverse News, Your source for Information about all your favorite fictional universes.
We were all expecting some exciting news and confirmations coming out of Marvel Studios’ San Diego Comic-Con Hall H presentation, but nothing could have prepared us for the biggest and most shocking reveals; so, let’s break down the tastiest Marvel morsels making waves:
Jumping straight into the big Avengers News
The Russos Bros were officially announced as the directors of both upcoming Avengers films.
MCU veteran Stephen McFeely also was revealed to be writing the screenplays for both.
The untitled fifth Avengers film that was once The Kang Dynasty, is now Avengers: Doomsday and is eyeing May 2026 for its release.
The title and release of Avengers: Secret Wars was confirmed for May 2027.
Robert Downey, Jr. will return to the MCU to play Dr. Doom.
Captain America: Brave New World kicked off the proceedings where we learned:
Harrison Ford’s Thunderbolt Ross is, in fact, our Red Hulk
Tiamut is the source of Adamantium in the MCU
Giancarlo Esposito’s mystery character is Sidewinder, a leader of the Serpent Society
After a Thunderbolts* cast appearance, the focus switched to the Fantastic Four film, which was revealed to include the subtitle: First Steps; with the titular cast taking the stage even as filming just began in London.

Regarding would-be Marvel saviors, Deadpool & Wolverine, this year’s sole theatrical outing for Marvel Studios, was an absolute monster at the box office, hauling in more than $211 million domestically in its opening weekend. That was enough to make it the sixth highest opening of all time in the States, as well as the highest opening for an R-rated film ever; And it was no slouch worldwide either, with an impressive $444.3 million 3-day opening globally.

While the Distinguished Competition did not have nearly as visible a presence at Comic-Con this year, the week was still full of noteworthy updates from DC Studios. First, figurehead James Gunn unveiled a new logo for the studio with a simple, clean design that, much like his version of Superman appears to, harkens back to the Golden Age of comics. Additionally, we got our first look at the DCU’s debut project, Creature Commandos, via a trailer that showcased the show’s animation and each team member in action. Lastly, it’s a double dose of Penguin news, as the third trailer for the upcoming Colin Farrell-led HBO original series hit the internet alongside the news that Matt Reeve’s and Bruce Timm’s Batman: Caped Crusader series at Amazon will feature a female Penguin.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge the reason Comic-Con exists in the first place… The Comics! Thankfully, our resident aficionado is here to give us a snapshot of the latest and greatest happenings from the panels and pages of our favorite fictional universes. Take it away, Hayley:

SAG-AFTRA is striking against major video game companies after nearly two years of unsuccessful negotiations for its Interactive Media Agreement. The strike began on July 26 at 12:01 a.m.

Last week on July 25, Kevin Feige received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Several actors from the Marvel Cinematic Universe were in attendance for the ceremony.

Dune and Mission: Impossible star Rebecca Ferguson has joined the cast of Netflix’s upcoming Peaky Blinders movie and will star alongside Cillian Murphy.

The long-rumored Spawn movie may finally emerge from development hell. With a script titled King Spawn now completed, creator Todd McFarlane and Blumhouse's Jason Blum are set to meet with directors.

At San Diego Comic-Con, Paramount unveiled the title sequence for the upcoming animated series Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Set in the universe of 2023's Mutant Mayhem, it will bridge that film and its sequel. The series streams on Paramount+ starting August 9.

Netflix released the first trailer for Kaos, starring Jeff Goldblum. The six-episode series by Charlie Covell offers a bold, darkly comic, contemporary take on Greek mythology and will stream on August 29.

Prime Video has ordered a prequel to The Boys titled Vought Rising, starring Jensen Ackles and Aya Cash as Soldier Boy and Stormfront, respectively. Paul Grellong, executive producer of The Boys, will also serve as showrunner.

At Comic-Con, a second trailer for the animated film Transformers One was debuted. The voice cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburne, and Scarlett Johansson. The film hits theaters on September 20.

Showrunner Ronald D. Moore has exited the project A Court of Thorns and Roses, which is still in development with Disney. The adaptation was announced in 2021.

AMC has renewed Daryl Dixon for a third season. Season two premieres on AMC and AMC+ on September 29. The first season, AMC+'s top premiere, will stream on Netflix starting August 19.

[donaldmay]

So sick of the “they didn’t pass the torch to other characters” take. They literally passed a shield to Sam. You had Captain Marvel set up to continue. The same with Dr Strange and Black Panther. We just lost Chadwick unfortunately. But there are characters to care about. Like we don’t care about Shang-Chi, Kamala Khan, Monica Rambeau, etc..