Tag Archives: MCU

20Jun/23

Secret Invasion: A MARVELous Maze of Deception

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Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury in Marvel Studios’ SECRET INVASION, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Des Willie. © 2023 MARVEL.

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Emilia Clarke, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Olivia Colman, Ben Mendelsohn, and Don Cheadle

Where to Watch: Disney+

Release Date: Streaming June 21st

Season(s): 1

Synopsis: Secret Invasion is set in the present-day MCU; Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) learns of a clandestine invasion of Earth by a faction of shapeshifting Skrulls. Fury joins his allies, including Everett Ross (Martin Freeman), Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders), and the Skrull Talos, who have made a life for himself on Earth. Together they race against time to thwart an imminent Skrull invasion and save humanity. 

Marvel’s Secret Invasion has been one of the most anticipated series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and it’s finally here! With Samuel L. Jackson in the lead, after watching the first two episodes, I can say that this show is a thrilling addition to the MCU. So far, it lives up to all its hype.

In Secret Invasion, we follow Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), the former head of S.H.I.E.L.D., his longtime ally Talos (Ben Mendelsohn), and a group of superheroes as they combat the Skrulls, a race of shapeshifters who have infiltrated Earth. The show is set post-Avengers: Endgame and focuses on the aftermath of The Blip, which brought back the half of humanity that disappeared after Thanos’ infamous snap. The show does an excellent job of addressing the implications of The Blip on society, Nick Fury’s absence, and the MCU as a whole.

Kingsley Ben-Adir as Rebel Skrull leader Gravik in Marvel Studios’ Secret Invasion, exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2022 MARVEL.

One of the biggest strengths of Secret Invasion is the powerhouse cast led by Samuel L. Jackson. Jackson delivers a captivating performance as Fury, perfectly capturing his gruff demeanor and sharp wit, but there is something different about Fury this time around. We see a softer side to him as he reconnects with old friends and makes new allies while addressing a familiar foe who poses a considerable threat to himself and humankind. It’s no surprise that Jackson’s presence brings depth and gravitas to the series, and audiences will be glad to see him take center stage in this action-packed adventure.

The supporting cast of Secret Invasion is equally impressive. Ben Mendelsohn returns as Talos, the Skrull who previously appeared in Captain Marvel. Mendelsohn brings humor and heart to the character; his dynamic with Jackson is a show highlight. Additionally, the show features a strong lineup of female characters, including Emilia Clarke (new addition to the MCU as G’iah) and Olivia Colman as MI6 agent Sonya Falsworth. Sonya is one of my favorite characters in the series because of her ruthlessness. Her confident presence is intimidating because she knows her way around pretty much any situation. Female characters play significant roles in this series as they help drive the story forward while handling their own personal missions.

Kingsley Ben-Adir plays Gravik, leader of the rebel Skrulls, and boy is he a formidable opponent. His mercilessness is shown early on as he is willing to destroy anyone or anything to achieve his goal. His expressionless demeanor makes him even more feared because you can’t actually tell what he’s thinking or, better yet, if he has anything to lose. I look forward to seeing how his character will impact the story. 

Olivia Colman as Special Agent Sonya Falsworth in Marvel Studios’ Secret Invasion, exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2022 MARVEL.

The plot of Secret Invasion is complex and multi-layered, but it’s executed with precision and finesse. The show keenly explores themes of identity and trust…fitting for a story about shapeshifters. Plenty of plot twists and turns will keep audiences guessing. The series draws from various Marvel Comics storylines, but manages to create its own identity and direction. While the show does have connections to the larger MCU, it can be enjoyed as a standalone story and, yes, it does make mention of why the superheroes we all love and know are not heavily involved early.

The Secret Invasion action scenes are top-notch and provide plenty of excitement. Director Ali Selim uses inventive camera work and editing techniques to showcase high-quality fight sequences and weapon usage. The show balances spectacle and character-driven drama, which is a winning formula for any superhero tale. Seeing a series with this level of scale on the small screen is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Kingsley Ben-Adir as Rebel Skrull leader Gravik in Marvel Studios’ SECRET INVASION, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Gareth Gatrell. © 2023 MARVEL.

The series also benefits from high quality production with impressive visual effects and set pieces that boast a more than healthy budget. There’s no poor CGI here! The attention to detail with costumes and makeup is also commendable as the Skrulls seamlessly blend in with human characters.

Ultimately, Secret Invasion (outside of its slow start in the first episode) is a thrilling and satisfying addition to the MCU that lives up to all its hype so far, if not exceeding it. Samuel L. Jackson delivers a standout performance as Nick Fury, while the supporting cast is equally impressive. The plot is well-executed and explores themes of identity and trust that will resonate with audiences. Marvel fans and newcomers alike will find plenty to enjoy in this bold and ambitious series. Secret Invasion firmly cements Marvel’s dominance on both the big and small screen and sets the stage for what’s to come in the MCU. But don’t take my word for it, see for yourself on Disney+ starting June 21st.

22May/23

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3; Just in Time For Mental Health Awareness Month

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Starring: Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Bradley Cooper voices Rocket Racoon, Will Poulter as Adam Warlock, Pom Klementieff as Mantis, Dave Bautista as Drax, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Chukwudi Iwuji as The High Evolutionary, and Vin Diesel as Groot. 

Synopsis

The Guardians must band together to save the life of one of their own. With the clock ticking, they must journey to various planets and face various powerful foes, all while each character deals with internal obstacles seen in the previous installments.

Is It Worth Watching?

I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t have “the feels” while watching Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 (GGV3) because, boy, did it have some very emotional moments. Kudos to filmmaker James Gunn for unpacking so much in this film. Although our beloved characters are experiencing a lot personally, the collage of storylines is not overwhelming and, more importantly, won’t leave audiences confused. Let’s go through the good things about this film.  

The story focuses on the intelligent and quippy Rocket Raccoon and its origin. We finally gain insight into why Rocket is not only rude at times, but also guarded. Rocket has had some trauma in his life (which has been set up since his introduction). We find out how badly he was manipulated and abused by his creator, The High Evolutionary. Not only will we see Rocket’s past in this film, but we’ll also come to realize just how smart this character is. 

For the psychology majors and mental health professionals, I am sure the characters are of interest as the trauma and grief of Rocket and Peter Quill are explored in depth. We see Peter is still struggling to get over the death of Gamora and coping with the rejection of the alternate version of Gamora (the newest member of the Ravagers). Quill spends most of his time trying to convince the alternate version of Gamora that they once were lovers all while the team goes on an adventure to save Rocket. 

Starring: Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Dave Bautista as Drax, Bradley Cooper voices Rocket Racoon, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Vin Diesel as Groot, Karen Gillan as Nebula, and Pom Klementieff as Mantis.

More character depth is explored with Nebula, as she is no longer the completely guarded and defensive soldier she was once built to be. Although she’s been souped-up with stronger battle gear and more damaging weapons thanks to Rocket, she is now more apt to try understanding the predicament at hand before unleashing her fury. 

Drax and Mantis continue to bring their fun banter and chemistry displayed in the highly praised Disney Plus Christmas special. While still hilarious, they also show some growth as characters. These are actually my two favorite characters (outside of Groot) because of their funny dialogue. At times, I did think that Drax was leaning too much into comedy and displaying less of the menacing, stoic persona we see in the comics, but this version works for him in the cinematic MCU.

The High Evolutionary is one of the top villains in the MCU because of his power and his no-nonsense attitude toward his work. This character is so powerful that he created worlds and populations of people; he is basically a god with a lust for perfection. He created Adam Warlock who, despite exhibiting some characteristics of a man-child, looks to be one of the most powerful beings in the MCU. Although I was not expecting the overpowered version of Adam Warlock seen in the comics, I was expecting more from this character. Adam is not in many scenes, but when he is on screen, his presence is felt with all his power and desire to please his creator. But I still felt the character didn’t have the same gravitas he does in the comics and needed to be, in my opinion, more insightful and less of an immature henchman. I would like to see if the MCU will bring Adam to his peak level as seen in the comics. It’d be nice to see if he could be effective against the Celestials.

This film had one of the best melee fighting scenes in Marvel history; there were double-team moves that were nothing short of exciting to watch. One of the best badassery moments came from Gamora when she went ape sh*t on some giant aliens. 

The CGI work was proficient, and the wacky worlds that the Guardians visit are both colorful and filled with cool visuals. The most unique of them all was the alternate earth that The High Evolutionary made. It consisted of anthropomorphic animals that mimicked behaviors exhibited on planet Earth. 

Chukwudi Iwuji as The High Evolutionary

Conclusion

This emotional and fulfilling final film of the franchise, Guardians Vol.3, is a good out for James Gunn and the actors that play the colorful rag-tag bunch. With an open story arch for all of the characters, it will be interesting to see where their journey takes them and if any of the characters will be involved in the upcoming Secret Wars or the next installment of The Avengers. Given the amount of trauma and emotional obstacles that some of the characters had to overcome, the film release date was quite appropriate as we’re now smack in the middle of Mental Health Awareness Month. Although the first Guardians of the Galaxy is the best of the franchise (in my opinion), this film comes in second as the next best installment. With its Rotten Tomatoes score of 92% and 92% audience score, this film is no doubt worth watching. Check out Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in theaters today. 

Warning: this film does contain some language not suitable for children.

18Aug/22

She-Hulk: Attorney At Law…Light-Hearted Comedy Exploring Serious Issues

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Tatiana Maslany as Jennifer “Jen” Walters/She-Hulk in Marvel Studios’ She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.

Synopsis: An attorney specializing in superhuman-oriented legal cases. She leads the complicated life of a single 30-something who also happens to be a green 6-foot-7-inch superpowered hulk.

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is on my list of must-watch Disney+ series right now. Not only does it capture the essence of the character from the comics, but it also explores life issues that most viewers may find relatable. Self-imagery and identity are big in this series. So much so that it reminds me of how Black women are often seen as spectacles and not respected for their talents or contributions. This is something Jennifer Walters, aka She-Hulk (played by Tatiana Maslany), deals with regularly. She wants to live a normal life and be respected by her peers; instead, most people want to see her She-Hulk form due to their admiration for her look and strength…sound familiar? One of the most recent examples is Serena Williams (who recently announced her retirement as one of the greatest tennis players of all time) who’s been body shamed for her physique. She silenced her haters in a 2018 “Harper’s Bazaar U.K.” interview by saying, “People would say I was born a guy, all because of my arms, or because I’m strong. I was different from Venus (Wiliams): she was thin and tall and beautiful, and I am strong and muscular – and beautiful, but, you know, it was just totally different.” We can go further to the 19th century, where Saartjie (Sarah) Baartman, also known as the Hottentot Venus, was enslaved and put on display throughout Europe for her prominent female features. During that time, she was subjected to tons of harassment and objectification. The men ogled and touched her sexually, while women envied her physique. Just like She-Hulk, she was seen as a monster, subjected to endless harassment, and constantly objectified.

Did Marvel stick with the improved CGI? Yes! After the criticism they received from the released trailer, Marvel made some improvements. There are a few moments where the CGI is not as polished, but it doesn’t detract from what is happening in the series. I guess Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios, has heard enough from social media and wants to redeem himself with a good show, which is indeed what he has done. The soundtrack for the series is something to be noticed with hits by rap phenom Megan Thee Stallion, keeping in line with the series’ upbeat tone. No room for dramatic or scary tunes here!

(L-R): Mark Ruffalo as Smart Hulk / Bruce Banner in Marvel Studios’ She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.

If one could compare this show to anything, think Ally McBeal with superpowers. A modern legal comedy about a woman in her 30s trying to find a work-life balance while trying to manage her personal life. Tatiana Maslany is a perfect fit for this role because her humor and charm embody She-Hulk/Jennifer Walters from the comics. I love that She-Hulk can break the fourth wall and provide commentary about different parts of the series, just like the “Sensational She Hulk” comic series that ran from 1989-1994. That’s around the time I was exposed to She-Hulk when I purchased “Sensational She-Hulk” #31. The fourth wall break also reminds me of Deadpool, which some may argue is a warm-up to the third Deadpool movie. 

The series’ co-stars are all unique and provide interesting dynamics, from her bestie (and paralegal) Nikki Ramos (played by Ginger Gonzaga) to her self-absorbed former employee Dennis “Buck” Bukowski (played by Drew Matthews). All these characters fit well within the She-Hulk universe, making the series colorful and fun. Honestly, if you’re a fan of the violence and grit of Daredevil or The Punisher, this one may not be for you as it focuses more on the courtroom and daily life of Jennifer Walters. Even though it lacks the action of some other Marvel shows, it makes up for it in superb character development and humor. 

(L-R): Mark Ruffalo as Smart Hulk / Bruce Banner and Tatiana Maslany as Jennifer “Jen” Walters/She-Hulk in Marvel Studios’ SHE-HULK: ATTORNEY AT LAW, exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.

There are some fun cameos that are important to each episode’s plot and help to lay the foundation for the following episodes. The cameos include Wong from Dr. Strange, Abomination from the Hulk movies, Megan the Stallion, and Smart Hulk, who serves as a mentor to She-Hulk. It has been rumored that Matt Murdock, aka Daredevil, is also scheduled to make an appearance. I only had access to the first four episodes, so I cannot confirm it. Jameela Jamil portrays superhuman media influencer Titania whose jealously of She-Hulk leads to an obsessive pursuit of dominance over the heroine. Titania isn’t featured much in the first few episodes, but I’m sure she will serve as a formable adversary for She-Hulk with her super strength. Multi-hyphenate actress and singer Renée Elise Goldsberry plays Mallory, a confident lawyer who is not intimidated by the She-Hulk. I’m interested to see what more Goldsberry brings to this character.

Something I want to point out in the series is that Jennifer Walters can more easily transform than Bruce Banner. Don’t worry; Walters explains how she can accomplish this, which is understandable. What I would like to see is what She-Hulk’s maximum strength looks like. With Hulk more tamed and far from his World Breaker Hulk persona, it would be fun to see a more powerful and less reserved hulk.

Each episode features a hilarious post-credit scene you don’t want to miss. One in particular just had me stuck with my mouth open. I think after its debut, She-Hulk will be green-lit for a season two and will definitely have an audience full of fans of shows from the late 90s. I know I’ll be tuned in for all future episodes. Check out She-Hulk on Disney+ streaming on August 18, with new episodes releasing every Thursday.

10Aug/22

“I Am Groot” Is Another Win for Disney Plus

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I Am Groot, exclusively on Disney+. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.

Synopsis: There’s no guarding the galaxy from this mischievous toddler! Get ready as Baby Groot takes center stage in his very own collection of shorts, exploring his glory days growing up—and getting into trouble—among the stars.

I have seen the two Guardians of the Galaxy (GOTG)films at least three times each, but I have watched the clips of Baby Groots dancing on YouTube countless times. He’s adorable, curious, and just all-out entertaining with only saying three words to express himself, “I am Groot.” The Disney Plus series with the same name will be a big win for Disney because it was for me. It has the same concept as the GOTG films, where Groot explores the environment around him and hilariously gets himself into these situations. 

The series consists of five shorts that total 20mins, including the credits. With Vin Diesel reprising the voice of Groot and Bradley Cooper voicing Racoon Rocket.  My favorite short in the series is the one where he dances off with his shapeshifting liquid creature because I like seeing Groot dance. His fierce expressions and impressive moves will have you re-watching it and I won’t be surprised if clips from the series will be trending on social media.

Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel) in Marvel Studios’ I AM GROOT exclusively on Disney+. © 2022 MARVEL.

There is no shortage of the CGI budget for the series as everything looks real, from the environment that Groot interacts with down to the textures and detail of Groot’s body. We all know fans will spare no insults or Twitter bashing if the CGI is not quality because we just witnessed the backlash the She-Hulk trailer received, and before that, it was Ugly Sonic.  

If you remember the GOTG II’s opening sequence where Groot is dancing to “Mr. Blue Sky,” which is my favorite part of the film. Where not only is he dancing but chasing a small furry creature as the rest of the Guardians are fighting an eight-legged giant beast, then that is basically what you will get for the series. 

There is not much dialog throughout the series besides Groot saying his infamous phrase. Except for Rocket the Raccoon, who makes an appearance during one of the episodes. But this is a Groot feature that doesn’t rely on the dialogue and mostly focuses on Groot’s reactions and facial expressions. Like the famous cartoon Pink Panther, if some of you old enough to remember? Every episode, Groot will make a mess; the question is, how big of a mess is it? Enough that it drives the other characters crazy, but since he is charming, all is forgiven. 

There are some easter eggs within the series. One is the Alf comic book that Groot uses to make a painting and some of the places where the episodes take place to feature the background of GOTG movies intending to let the audiences know that while the others are fighting or Groot is in his little world staying out of the big frays and more into trouble. 

If you have enjoyed Groot from the GOTG franchise, you will definitely love these series of shorts and can enjoy them with anyone at any age. I am sure Disney + will get a lot of views for “ I Am Groot,” and I will be looking forward to seeing of more shorts after this. Before the release of the GOTG III, tune into Disney + August 10th and watch Groot get into mischief.

07Jul/22

Thor: Love and Thunder, The Funniest There Is

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Photo courtsey of Disney

In theaters: Thursday, July 7th, 2022

Run time: 119 mins

Rated: PG-13

SYNOPSIS: Thor embarks on a journey unlike anything he’s ever faced — a quest for inner peace. However, his retirement gets interrupted by Gorr the God Butcher, a galactic killer seeking the extinction of the gods.

Historically, it’s been proven difficult to produce a successful third film in a movie franchise, just look at the reviews for Blade: Trinity; but with Thor: Love and Thunder, Director Taika Waititi has provided MCU fans with the funniest Thor movie to date. This should not be a surprise, the award-winning director breathed new life into the Thor series with Thor: Ragnarok and has received much acclaim for his dark comedy What We Do in the Shadows. The humor and drama are balanced, continuing the tone of the previous films. 

Thor, The Funniest There Is

As I mentioned before, this film is the funniest of the Thor movies, especially when it comes to Thor himself. The exploration of his relationship with Jane and his former favorite weapon, Mjolnir, was the funniest part of the film in my opinion…well, besides the screaming goats. His introduction with the Guardians of the Galaxy had me laughing because of the damage he’d done while attempting to help take out a group of villains. The Guardian’s appearance was brief, but I enjoyed seeing the old gang since it’s been a while! Thor’s not only dealing with his feelings towards Jane and Mjolnir, but his current weapon, Stormbreaker, senses Thor’s intrigue with his ex-weapon, so much so that when Thor tries to call for Mjolnir, Stormbreaker appears like a lover catching him in the act. 

There is a fun little montage explaining what happened with the relationship between the two. The references to rom-com movies was a cute addition. Watching Thor deal with his emotional issues while trying to battle the God Butcher, made for a great addition to the film. Chris Hemsworth’s performance as Thor was organic as usual. I definitely feel this role was made for him. His ability to switch seamlessly from comedy to drama was shown greatly in this film as we witness Thor “go through it”. This film provided more growth for this character, something the audience and I, myself, can relate to as we get older and experience life. 

Korg, voiced by Taika Waititi, was hilarious with his offbeat and unusual comments. His narration throughout was certainly in sync with the film and, well let’s face it, every MCU fan loves the storytelling of Korg and Luis from Ant-Man. I don’t know about you, but I love to hear his off-the-wall stories. I’m hoping Korg and Luis eventually get some screen time together where they exchange some of their stories. 

Taika Waititi at Thor: Love and Thunder premiere. Photo courtesy of Disney

Mighty Thor

Having Jane Foster as the Mighty Thor in this film is a good fit. We get to see what happened to her relationship with Thor and what Jane has been up to this whole time. Her character is struggling to tell Thor some secrets that could affect them forever while also dealing with the effects of weilding Mjolnir. I also enjoyed watching Natalie Portman take on enemies and struggle to be a hero at this point in her life. Portman will win you over with her charm and on-screen chemistry with Hemsworth.

Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie

Hail King Valkyrie!

Valkyrie is actually one of my favorite female MCU characters. Her desire to kick ass, her excitement during battle, and her sometimes brash attitude make for the best person to have your back on the battlefield. In this film, we see her boredom with her role as the leader of the New Asgard. The tourism, food advertisements, media, and inclusivity in world politics, none of it impresses her. But when there’s a new threat in the form of Gorr and Jane Foster (aka Almighty Thor) makes an appearance, she suddenly feels right at home. Tessa, herself, noted the change in the state of her character during the press conference, stating “She’s really missing being on the battlefield and missing her sisters.  And so, it’s been great fun to get to have that again, with Natalie in particular as Mighty Thor.”

Everything from her mannerisms to her face shows excitement, as she has a new force to battle alongside her sister. I enjoyed Tessa’s performance because it holds true to the nature of the female warrior. Although brief, the film does address her bisexuality, which has come up in conversations amongst fans. Can I say that I’d really like to see Valkyrie get her own project because she is that damn fun to watch?! 

Tessa Thompson at Thor premiere

“ When we first met Valkyrie, she was [dealing with alot and doing so] by drinking a lot. And Taika and I talked a lot about upending what a female superhero looks like. You have this moment where she comes out, and you think it’s gonna be sort of that badass thing and then she immediately falls over.

With this one, we also talked about the idea of someone that has a job that they really love, but they’re also kind of disgruntled. She, you know, was a professional soldier for thousands of years and now finds herself kind of stuck in bureaucracy.” -Tessa Thompson

Gorr the God Butcher

When I first heard Gorr would be the villain in the next Thor movie, I thought, “This film is going to get dark real quick” because I had read the comics and seen the damage he’s done to Thor. Christian Bale is a good actor and there are not too many, if any, roles in which I can say he was terrible. The introduction of the film provided a very dark but compelling setup for the character as we witness him slay a god with the necrosword. The strife, suffering, and death of his daughter sent him on a warpath to take out the gods. I have heard some say he is the best villain in the MCU, but I would have to disagree and that is not for lack of performance or writing. Thanos and Killmonger were so convincing, it’d be hard to top those characters (for me, at least). 

Videography 

Major kudos to the videography and post-production team on this project. The scenes where Thor and the crew fought on the necro planet and the transitions from full color to black and white were on point. The necrosword fed off whoever wielded it and you can see Gorr transform throughout the film into this hideously scary version of himself. The special effects added to the fight scenes, especially the third and final ones, were great. 

I can also say aside from the costume and art departments, the soundtrack is another aspect of the film I enjoyed because I’m a Guns’n’Roses fan. Growing up in the 90s, I didn’t think most Black people listened to Guns’n’Roses. Lol. But this brought back memories and was a great fit for the film. Now I’m curious to see if “Sweet Child of Mine” is getting more plays on streaming services.

I hope you enjoy Thor: Love and Thunder as much as I did. The one thing I will say is that as much as I loved the film, I still don’t think it is better than Thor: Ragnarok. Good thing is that both films are great for the franchise and could only help Thor stay on track to get signed on for more films, if that is in the plans…fingers crossed! 

Just an FYI, there are two post-credit scenes that you want to stick around for.

06Aug/21

Jeffrey Wright Talks What If…?, MCU Future, The Watcher, and Chadwick Boseman

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Jeffrey Wright
Jeffrey Wright voices the Watcher

Synopsis: “What If…?” flips the script on the MCU, reimagining famous events from the films in unexpected ways. Marvel Studios’ first animated series focuses on different heroes from the MCU, featuring a voice cast that includes a host of stars who reprise their roles—directed by Bryan Andrews with AC Bradley as head writer, “What If…?” launches exclusively on Disney+ on August 11th, 2021.

Growing up, I was a fan of the What If…? comics when they were released back in the 90s. What If…the Punisher Killed Daredevil was the first comic of that series I bought with my own money. Other times, I begged my parents for a few bucks in order to get my What If…? fix. So you can imagine the excitement I felt when I was invited to the Marvel What If…? press conference. The presser (short for press conference) featured Director Bryan Andrews, Showrunner A.C.Bradley, Executive Producer Brad WinderBaum, and Jeffrey Wright (the voice of The Watcher). They discussed the anthology’s tie-in with the MCU, The Watcher, and Chadwick Boseman. 

Jeffrey Wright

What If..? in the MCU

When asked about the future of the What If..? series in the MCU, nothing was confirmed, but AC Bradley said that there’s a reason the show airs after Loki. If you haven’t seen Loki, it is focused on time travel and variants considered to be timeline outlaws. “The series is just as important as any story in the MCU. It’s woven into that same tapestry”, added Winderbaum. MCU fans, like myself, are already speculating if some of the characters or stories in the series will show up in the MCU. For example, the Marvel zombies, Shuma-Gorath, Star-Lord, T’Challa, etc. It’s also been mentioned that there is a season two of What If…? in development, and Captain Carter is a character whom the writers look to revisit.

“The Watcher deals with the temptation to involve himself in these alternate universes but at the same time living vicariously through these characters/stories and taking it all in.” – Jeffrey Wright on The Watcher

Jeffrey Wright discussed his excitement to be on the project and talked about how The Watcher is a surveyor of the alternate timeline. He said he made the development of The Watcher as personal as possible. “The Watcher is described as the most dramatic being in all the known [Marvel] universe. He’s a fairly dramatic guy, fairly powerful guy that overseas the multiverses,” Wright explained. “The Watcher is a Rod Sterling character…in some ways narrating, in some ways, not the biggest Marvel fan there is,” Wright added. Wright stated he wants the audience to feel like they’re watching the stories unfold just as if The Watcher is in real-time. Will The Watcher be in the MCU? Bradley and Wright left the answer open but did mention there is a chance. 

Jeffrey Wright
Chadwick Boseman voices T’Challa

Chadwick Boseman Remembered

Bryan Andrews talked about how Chadwick Boseman was one of the first to sign onto the project and was happy to portray this more humorous version of T’Challa. Bradley added when developing the episode featuring T’Challa, they were inspired by a Marvel poster where the Black Panther and Star-Lord were positioned side-by-side. They realized the two characters were close in age, and this information sparked the idea of T’challa being abducted instead of Star-Lord. Winderbaum, Andrews, and Bradley talked about the pressure they felt to perfect episode 2 because it was the last performance by Boseman. Bradley said they wanted to honor not only T’Challa but Boseman as well. 

Wright talked about the first time he met Boseman. It was in a bathroom at Comic-Con. He said Boseman was introducing Black Panther and he himself was at the event advertising West World. Wright talked about how great of an actor and overall person Chadwick was. He also mentioned he was supposed to star in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom with Boseman but his schedule wouldn’t allow it. 

My First Reactions 

I will say the episodes are exciting, engaging, and well-executed. Episode 2 was the best of the three episodes I got to see. Not only because it featured Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa, but because of how the story and characters were developed. Showrunner AC Bradley talked about how even though T’Challa was not the king of Wakanda in this timeline, he still influenced the environment around him, and the writers were intentional about it. Like the other episodes, the alternate versions of Marvel characters in this episode were shocking. Marvel’s What If…? gets two thumbs up and an “I am Groot!” from me! This series will go over well with fans of the comics and MCU in general. Be sure to catch the series premiere on August 11th on Disney+. 

06Mar/20

Why MCU Fans Should Watch Altered Carbon Season 2

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Being a fan of Altered Carbon season one, I had to see what the next season of adventures had to offer. To add to the excitement, Anthony Mackie is the lead character and the one-man wrecking crew known as Takeshi Kovacs. In case you are new to Altered Carbon, it is a place 300 years into the future where society is transformed by new technology: consciousness called “stacks” can be digitized; human bodies called “sleeves” are interchangeable; and death is no longer permanent.

Black Panther 2.0

Simmon Missick as Trepp

Like Black Panther, the black women in the series kick the most butt! Especially QuellCrist Falconer played by Renee Elise Goldsberry. She goes into complete berzerker mode through the whole series destroying everything that gets in her way. During the series, I could see this version of QuellCrist was not only souped-up with the ability to erase “stacks”, she is also able to overpower almost any opponent, even the enhanced Kovacs…but does she??

Another badass is played by Simone Missick, she’s a bounty hunter named Trepp with the ability to track down her reward and take out multiple enemies. After watching her in this series and on Netflix’s Marvel shows, I am beginning to think that Simone Missick is truly a badass in real life and could really mess someone up. 

Technology and Socioeconomic Status

The “Sleeves” provide a sense of immortality, but this season people are actually threatened with mortality. As we watch QuellCrist hunt down her targets during the series, we also see her destroy the stack that withholds the consciousness of the person doing the killing with no possibility of resurrection. This puts fear in the hearts of the wealthy who feel untouchable and immortal.

Like season one, the more money you have, the better of a body in which you can house your consciousness. One would assume that the ability to change bodies would decrease discrimination, but it doesn’t and those who lack finances suffer most. Interesting how much more diverse this version of the future looks, and how women seem to be the most powerful in combat and in government.

Anthony Mackie Assemble!

ALTERED CARBON

 At the end of Avengers: Endgame, *SPOILER ALERT* we saw the Avengers make their exit from MCU action. Tony Stark died and Cap finally aged, passing on his mantle to Sam Makie’s Falcon. There has been some talk about how he will take on the role moving forward, beginning with the Falcon and Winter Soldier series. They should have the Falcon character souped-up like Kovac’s character. He is equipped with a new body that includes enhanced healing, superhuman strength, bio tracking, personalized weapons augment, and much more. Did I mention he can summon his guns with his hands like Thor summons his hammer? His abilities are like Captain America, Iron Man, and other Avengers combined. If only he could have these upgrades in the MCU, I’d be a happy guy. 

 The Kovacs character has his virtual assistant from season one, Poe, which is akin to Iron Man’s assistant J.A.R.V.I.S. Poe provides Kovacs with information and data from the web. The best part of this character is its struggle with glitches and how it’s faced with the decision to reboot, risking the possibility of losing all of its memories. There’s so much humility in this machine, I’ve genuinely grown to appreciate the virtual sidekick. 

 I love the season two cast with Mackie and Missick, but I don’t think it’s worthy of binge-watching status. If you are a Marvel fan or a Blade Runner fan, you will enjoy season two of Altered Carbon, otherwise you may find yourself less invested. 

 Altered Carbon Season Two stars Anthony Mackie, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Lela Loren, Simone Missick, Chris Conner, Dina Shihabi, and Torben Liebrecht. Will Yun Lee and James Saito guest star.

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