MarvelBlog News for August 18th, 2024

This week: An X-Men ’97 tiff boils over, Kraven the Hunter tries again, and new Daredevil details emerge.

We’ve got lots of drama in MarvelBlog News.

How Can We Miss You?

Let’s acknowledge the obvious. Season one of X-Men ’97 was very, very good.

The show waited nearly 30 years to pick up right where the old one had left off, and it somehow worked.

Much of the credit goes to writer Beau DeMayo, who created all the stories in season one and reportedly season two as well.

We’ll never know how many season two stories Marvel later changed, as DeMayo’s employment ended during season one.

Technically, the termination happened before season one, as Marvel prepared for the launch of X-Men ’97.

For whatever reason, Marvel felt the need to get out in front of the story on the show, firing DeMayo for cause.

Let’s just say that the scribe hasn’t gone quietly since then.

Throughout season one, DeMayo frequently posted his running commentary on social media.

He also strongly hinted that Marvel had done him wrong, which led to an odd situation.

On the one hand, DeMayo sounded earnest and believable. On the other, his social media behavior was…let’s say, over the top.

So, we can totally understand why the buttoned-up Marvel brass wouldn’t like the idea of DeMayo going rogue on social media.

The two parties appeared to come to an understanding about DeMayo’s departure and sustained recognition on X-Men ’97.

Flame War in 3…2…1…

I…guess something has changed. DeMayo went after Marvel this week, hurling accusations picked up The Hollywood Reporter.

The author claimed that he endured a “troubling” pattern of behavior with Marvel, one he claims impacts him to this day.

As a timeline reminder, DeMayo was only fired five months ago and has likely discovered that he’s currently unemployable in Hollywood.

Generally, there’s a cooling-off period after a talent loses a high-profile job in such a memorable fashion.

So, the bitterness often seeps in as the employment well dries.

The frustrated writer is threatening a tantrum, stating the following:

“I’ll have more to say soon but must take a step back from social media to find a safer space for me to be out, proud, and nerdy. Stay tuned.”

Frankly, this erratic behavior isn’t helping his case any, but Marvel threw a purpose pitch anyway.

In no uncertain terms, the studio stated that it stands behind all its actions involving DeMayo.

“Mr. DeMayo was terminated in March 2024 following an internal investigation,” said a Marvel spokesperson in a statement. “Given the egregious nature of the findings, we severed ties with him immediately, and he has no further affiliation with Marvel.”

I’ve read a lot of media statements in my time. That one is as pointed as they come. It’s Marvel saying they had cause.

More importantly, the studio is reminding DeMayo that his actions were indefensible, whatever they were.

So, the question becomes whether DeMayo pushes back by telling his side of the story publicly.

Based on his past behavior, I think the odds of that are quite good, which means this situation could grow even uglier. But he shouldn’t because…

Beau DeMayo allegedly sent nude photos of himself in sexually suggestive “hero” poses to several young male staffers working on ‘X-MEN 97’, saying they could be used as “inspiration”

He also allegedly groped an assistant multiple times and emotionally/physically abusive to other… pic.twitter.com/u5talTHwfc

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) August 16, 2024

More Kraven than Before

Here is the new trailer for Kraven the Hunter.

So, we can’t say that Sony isn’t trying. For the longest time now, everyone involved with Kraven the Hunter has known the truth.

This film isn’t very good, and no amount of reshoots is going to change that.

However, Sony has dealt with negative buzz on an upcoming Spider-Man-related project before.

No, I’m not talking about Mobius. Or Madame Web. But yes, both apply.

Instead, I’m referencing Venom, which was once a project in turmoil but has since spawned two sequels.

There’s money to be made if Sony can find the right marketing approach, even for a mess like Kraven.

So, here we are. Sony has released a new trailer that emphasizes all the action in the film. Plus, more Johnny Cash is always a good thing.

The new approach is to hide the ridiculous, viral for the wrong reasons elements of Kraven, especially the costume.

Now, Sony is highlighting super-buff Aaron Taylor-Johnson and the character’s love of stabbing things.

Sony’s primary goal here is to persuade fans into forgetting that filming on Kraven the Hunter finished in early 2022.

The sequences will be nearly three years old by the time the film debuts in theaters.

Thus, I strongly suggest that you don’t get your hopes up. That way, you may be pleasantly surprised…but probably not.

Still, after the disaster that was Madame Web, Sony must keep trying. The studio cannot afford two debacles in a year.

For this reason, you should expect a massive marketing campaign, one that hides all the “acting” as much as possible.

Marvel Miscellany

Daredevil: Born Again won’t debut on Disney+ until next March.

I’m reminding you of that because the marketing campaign just kicked into overdrive more than six months early.

You’ll find current Daredevil stories on Entertainment Weekly and Variety right now.

In these articles, actor Charlie Cox makes it perfectly clear that the Daredevil reboot almost fell by the wayside.

Disney ran hot and cold on the idea, keeping Cox and Vince D’Onofrio in the dark about the potential project.

So, both actors sound gleeful that they’ve gotten another chance to expand on the story between Daredevil and Kingpin.

Unexpectedly, other members of the cast from the Netflix series have come onboard as well.

I won’t spoil you with the details, but you can read the two articles if you’re interested.

The point is that this Daredevil story will remind you of why Netflix’s Marvel shows were so great in the first place.

Not coincidentally, actor Mike Colter has raised the possibility of the return of Luke Cage.

The timing makes sense here as Colter’s Paramount+ series, Evil, airs its series finale this week. So, he’s about to be available.

Next step: Jessica Jones II!!!

 

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