MarvelBlog News for January 10th, 2022
This week, a vampire’s history repeats itself. Also, an alarming report surfaces just as hope arises about a supposedly dead franchise.
The sick and undead drive the conversation in the latest MarvelBlog News.
Morbius Delayed, Time Is a Flat Circle
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Morbius, the upcoming film from Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, has changed dates again.
The Jared Leto movie’s new release date is April 1st, which just feels right. This whole thing seems like an elaborate April Fool joke, doesn’t it?
Photo: Sony Pictures
While I realize that date sounds fake, I assure you that Sony has scheduled Morbius for April 1st, at least for the time being.
What’s the cause for the delay? Sources indicate that it’s a combination of events, not all bad.
Photo: Sony Pictures
Obviously, the surge in Omicron cases qualifies as the most significant contributor.
The United States recorded a record number of new cases on one day last week, and several states did the same.
This latest outbreak has impacted the box office, at least somewhat. We can only speculate about the exact amount, though.
Arclight Cinema. Photo: Rebecca Kaplan
After all, Spider-Man: No Way Home has remained above the fray. As a result, it’s among the ten most lucrative domestic releases ever.
However, everything else that came out around the holiday has either struggled or failed completely.
The sequels to Sing, The Matrix, Ghostbusters, and The Kingsman have achieved low box office totals.
Photo: Warner Bros.
Sing 2 currently qualifies as the “winner” of the group. Its current box office recently surpassed $100 million, leaving it far short of Sing’s $270 million.
We’re all in trouble when the winner is lucky to do half of its expected box office.
On the Bright Side…
Even so, some Sony sources have indicated that this isn’t the only cause for the delay.
Spider-Man has done so well that Sony can easily push Morbius into the next fiscal quarter.
Source: Marvel Studios
By doing so, the Spider-Man Universe films would anchor three straight quarters.
Morbius is all but certain to perform the worst of the three, but it’s still found money for Sony that quarter.
When Venom: Let There Be Carnage succeeded beyond Sony’s best expectations, it started an unlikely but joyous series of events.
Photo: Sony Pictures
Soon afterward, No Way Home did the impossible by performing as if we hadn’t suffered through a pandemic.
The latest Spider-Man movie somehow claimed the title of most lucrative Sony release ever. During a pandemic outbreak.
As I type this, No Way Home recently entered the top all-time in global box office, something nobody expected.
Source: Marvel Studios
History may remember this film as singlehandedly saving the theatrical movie-going experience.
I can assure you that Sony’s financial department never expected this and had braced for the worst.
Photo: Sony Pictures
So, pushing Morbius back a quarter will help the company smooth out its balance sheet. Another film in the first quarter of 2022 is overkill.
Disney faced the same situation when Black Panther overperformed a few years ago.
Photo: Jeff Vespa / WireImage
As such, I honestly don’t view this latest delay as a negative. The first six release date changes, on the other hand…
Speaking of Delays…
I also could have called this one The Black Panther Crisis, although that feels a bit melodramatic. That’s definitely how some in the media are describing it, though.
As previously mentioned, actress Letitia Wright returned home to England to recuperate from injuries she suffered on the set of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Letitia Wright attends the “Mangrove” opening film and European Premiere during the 64th BFI London Film Festival at BFI Stephen Street on October 07, 2020 in London, England. Photo: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
Filming was supposed to begin anew this month. In fact, the new scenes should be filming right about…now.
As I type this on the weekend before principal photography restarts, there’s no sign of Letitia Wright.
Here’s the always credible Atlanta Filming to confirm:
People keep asking the same question. Normally, I would not do this, but I will this time. Letisha was scheduled to return over the weekend. As far as I know she did not come in. BP2 isnt supposed to restart until next week but I don't know if that is delayed because of Omicron.
— Atlanta Filming (@AtlantaFilming) January 6, 2022
Obviously, this situation is fluid, making me hesitant to draw any widespread conclusions.
For all we know, she’s in town but kept in seclusion. I don’t often blur other international headlines, but they feel relevant here.
Brooklyn New York Nets superstar Kyrie Irving recently returned to the team. However, he’s unvaccinated and unable to play home games due to New York’s health codes.
BROOKLYN, NY – DECEMBER 9: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball during practice on December 9, 2020 at HSS Training Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Conversely, Novak Djokovic faced an unlikely standoff in Australia as he was detained over his unvaccinated status.
One athlete isn’t traveling internationally, while the other is. Wright is also trying to re-enter the United States as an unvaccinated traveler.
Then again, she might not be trying at all. We really don’t know what’s happening behind the scenes.
Photo: QuirkyByte
We do know that a petition to fire the actress was trending on social media the other day. So, this is a hot button issue.
However, we may be reading too much into this matter as well. After all, Marvel might have delayed filming due to the latest outbreak.
To wit, Picard’s production just had to shut down after more than 50 (!) workers caught COVID-19.
Photo: Paramount+
I lean toward the production delay, although the palace intrigue about Wright’s status remains.
Marvel Miscellany
I’ve got three more topics for you this week. One stems from – I kid you not – this incredibly blurry photograph:
I CANT BREATHE PLEASE PLEASE BE TRUE pic.twitter.com/VFXMQbB5WH
— 💌 (@haIobearers) January 1, 2022
That’s the cast of The Marvels. This even worse picture hints at two casting surprises:
I CANT BREATHE PLEASE PLEASE BE TRUE pic.twitter.com/VFXMQbB5WH
— 💌 (@haIobearers) January 1, 2022
Those images are of Tessa Thompson and Lashana Lynch, aka Valkyrie and the deceased Maria Rambeau.
Sure, this information could prove incorrect, but I doubt anyone would introduce Zapruder’s video like that as a swerve.
In Loki news, the production crew indicated that the fifth episode required the most changes after filming ended.
Classic Loki. Photo: Marvel Studios
Finally, we’ve got a rumor we all should have seen coming. Recent events in the MCU indicate that characters from Netflix’s Marvel shows are now in play.
So, why shouldn’t we expect to see characters from ABC’s beloved television series as well?
Yes, fans are calling for the return of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., only as a part of the MCU. Someone egging them on is the star of the series, Ming-Na Wen.
Ming-Na Wen, Agent May. Photo: ABC
Is a series revival in the offing? All the actress would say during an interview was, “Who knows?” She sounds every bit as hopeful as the rest of us, though!
