MarvelBlog News for September 27th, 2021

The Venom sequel kicked into high gear with its marketing campaign. We’ll talk about that, WandaVision, Shang-Chi, and Chloe Bennett.

You’ll also learn what a Hit-Monkey is in the latest MarvelBlog News update.

Venom Clips and Art

Venom: Let There Be Carnage suffered more than a year of confusion about its release date.

Just when the film sereemed sure to fall back to 2022, Sony Pictures did the opposite and moved up the release date.

As such, this Marvel title has experienced a short promotional window. So, Sony has gone into overdrive with the marketing.

To wit, here’s a new 30-second clip:

and another:

Obviously, the symbiote and his human still aren’t working in tandem. It’s like a buddy cop movie, only with more headbutts.

Alas, conflict lurks around the corner when Eddie Brock meets a serial killer:

Somehow, that’s not even the only real danger here. Look who’s locked up…

I’d like to introduce you to Shriek, played by one of the greatest living actresses, Naomie Harris. She is NOT going to get along with Eddie Brock.

Sony also released this breathtaking IMAX poster for the film:

What happens when #Venom and #Carnage collide? Experience Carnage to the max on October 1 when @VenomMovie hits IMAX theatres. Until then, feast your eyes on the exclusive IMAX artwork. Don’t wait. Get your tickets now: https://t.co/4IhSyfJZ9K pic.twitter.com/gCTVESOXEP

— IMAX (@IMAX) September 21, 2021

While television spots have started airing everywhere, Sony has primarily targeted social media and YouTube with its advertising thus far.

So, this looks like the cheapest marketing campaign in recent memory. If it works, other studios will rip off Sony’s playbook.

By the way, HypeBeast has indicated that Venom 2 features “an epic post-credits scene.” So make of that what you will.

The Big Lawsuit

Let’s acknowledge that this story could be much ado about nothing.

However, the family of Steve Ditko has just filed two notices of copyright termination that could devastate Disney.

According to the Copyright Act of 1976, creators and their heirs can restore the rights to something like, say, Spider-Man or Doctor Strange.

That’s what has happened. Ditko’s brother understands Disney is making billions off these properties.

By regaining rights, Ditko’s family would have the opportunity to sell the license again on the open market.

Spoiler: It would cost a lot more.

Not coincidentally, Marvel has sued to attain complete control of many Avengers, including Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, Iron Man, and Thor.

If this sounds familiar, You’re remembering the same Superman argument from a few years ago.

The families of Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster tried the same thing against DC Comics.

The families lost that lawsuit, which is notable because the same attorneys are now handling the Ditko family’s claims.

As such, this ploy seems doomed to fail; however, we’ll keep an eye on it due to the potential ripple effects across the MCU and especially Sony’s Spider-Man franchise.

Chloe Reveals a Secret

We have more standalone stories than usual this week. My favorite one isn’t exactly breaking news, but it WILL break your heart.

International pop sensation Chloe Bennet (seriously!) won our eternal admiration for her performance as Daisy Johnson aka Quake in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

For this reason, rumors persisted that she would make a return appearance as the character.

Many rumors had centered on Secret Wars, as that Disney+ series will take place in outer space, which is also the home of S.W.O.R.D.

The conclusion of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. had indicated that Quake works for S.W.O.R.D. now.

This satisfying conclusion for the character has had an unfortunate side effect for Bennet. She keeps getting messages from fans who want to know about the show.

This past week, a frustrated Bennet came out and stated that she had no involvement with the Secret Wars project.

She further claimed that she knows very little about the series. Now, she may be lying, as She-Hulk recently did that.

However, Bennet sounds so frustrated by the whole thing that I tend to believe her. She just wants to be left alone!

Here’s her complete quote on the topic:

“I am in no way attached or involved — even at all or a little bit — in the Secret Invasion Marvel [series].

I honestly don’t even know really what that is. I am only coming on here to say this because it’s gotten to the point where every day, I’m getting hundreds of messages about this …

I’m now getting approached in person.”

Here’s a video of her comments:

https://twitter.com/dailybennet/status/1440862840814858243?s=21

The Latest on Wakanda Forever

Okay, parts of this are spoilerish. If you don’t want to know anything, please skip to the next section!

Okay, you’re here. So, I presume you don’t mind some (potentially inaccurate) spoilers.

Here’s what we know about Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Angela Bassett just commented on the current production schedule hiccups.

You may recall that Letitia Wright suffered a somewhat serious injury, which has delayed the filming of her scenes.

Bassett indicated that Wright is “fine and ready to go,” meaning that the production shouldn’t suffer much of a setback.

Given the July 8^th, 2022, release date, prolonged delays might push Marvel off that date. The special effects on projects like this take many months.

Other sources have confirmed something hinted at in Avengers: Endgame. Atlantis plays a factor in Wakanda Forever.

In fact, some have suggested that Namor plays the antagonist in the film, which would mirror his comic book history.

Throughout the decades, Namor has vacillated between hero and villain, depending on the story.

As always, his loyalties lie only with the people of Atlantis…and Sue Storm.

A feud between Namor and the currently leaderless people of Wakanda seems like a clever way to address the void left by Chadwick Boseman’s death.

Someone could step up and save the day against Namor, thereby establishing that character as the new Black Panther.

Disney hasn’t confirmed the actor playing Namor. Still, leaks suggest that it’s someone from the most recent Purge movie, an actor named Tenoch Huerta.

If true, Huerta is in the same position as Jonathan Majors. He’s about to become a mega-star.

Marvel Miscellany

Okay, here’s the other stuff from this news cycle. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will premiere on Disney+ on November 12^th.

That date may sound familiar to you, as it’s Disney+ Day.

Disney will apparently celebrate the anniversary of the debut of Disney+ each year on this date. To wit…

Marvel will have a "special celebrating the Marvel Cinematic Universe on Disney+ with an exciting look towards the future" on November 12!https://t.co/7d15wJ2szv pic.twitter.com/cvVjn7dXjV

— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) September 21, 2021

Shang-Chi is the icing on the cake. So, if you haven’t seen it yet, you’re only a few weeks away from getting it for free with Disney+!

Speaking of Disney+, the streaming service just enjoyed a fair amount of success at the Emmys.

Specifically, WandaVision won three awards, albeit minor technical ones.

Variety also confirmed what we’d previously discussed here. Ms. Marvel won’t arrive until 2022. Most analysts had figured this out, but here it is:

https://twitter.com/adambvary/status/1440844586016927744?s=19

Another industry story will impact you a lot, even though you’ll never realize it. Marvel just promoted Victoria Alonso to President of Production.

Alonso has worked tirelessly for years as the EVP. So, she has earned this new title, which makes her one of the most significant people in Hollywood.

One title she won’t have a hand in creating is Marvel’s Hit-Monkey. Do you know this character? Well, you will…

Oh yes, it’s another Hulu project. Hopefully, it’s more M.O.D.O.K. than Helstrom.

Finally, I’ve got two rumors for you. The mostly reliable Daniel RPK suggests that a Madame Web movie is in the offing:

Sony will use Madame Web movie to keep exploring the Spider-Verse

— RPK (@RPK_NEWS1) September 23, 2021

Meanwhile, Main Middle Man suggests that the West Coast Avengers are coming to the MCU:

There will be an initial formation of the West Coast Avengers. Vision and other familiar faces are expected to make an appearance. From everything I have heard, it will be a very intense and immersive series, along the lines of the MCU, and will feature Zeke Stane.

— Main Middle Man (@mainmiddleman) September 20, 2021

That’s great news for fans of Vision…and possibly Wonder-Man, Tigra, and Mockingbird! Okay, those are all my speculation, but Moon Knight is likely to join.

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