Marvelous Disney: Wakanda Forever, Loki Episodes 3 & 4, and Black Widow Reviews

Wakanda Forever Production Begins

• 🚀 Production has officially started on Wakanda Forever, the Black Panther sequel, at Trilith Studios in Georgia.
• 💔 Kevin Feige acknowledged the emotional impact of Chadwick Boseman's absence but expressed excitement to bring Wakanda back to fans in a way that would make him proud.
• 🎬 Casting is underway for child actors (ages 6-13) for a scene scheduled to be shot on July 21st and 22nd, with a casting call specifically requesting photos of children not smiling, suggesting a non-happy scene.

Black Widow Global Fan Event and Reviews

• 🌟 The global fan event for Black Widow took place in multiple cities, with cast and crew present.
• 👍 Critics have been largely positive, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting an 86% freshness rating, calling it a thrilling spy movie that is "spectacularly cast" and "feels more grounded."
• ⏳ The film has a running time of 2 hours and 13 minutes and is confirmed to have a mid-credit scene featuring a character previously seen in Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
• 🗓️ The release date for Black Widow has been rescheduled multiple times, with the current release set for July 9th, taking advantage of audiences returning to theaters.

Shang-Chi Trailer and MCU Connections

• 💥 A new trailer for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings revealed a fight scene between the Abomination and Wong.
• 🤝 Kevin Feige highlighted the fun of the MCU in bringing back characters like the Abomination after over a decade, noting the fan recognition of such moments.
• 🎬 The inclusion of the Abomination confirms the Emil Blonsky character from the Ed Norton Hulk movie is considered canon within the MCU.

WandaVision Storyline Evolution and Doctor Strange Cameo

• 🔮 Kevin Feige confirmed that Wanda's story will continue to evolve over future MCU releases, starting with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
• ❓ The mid-credit scene in WandaVision's eighth episode, featuring recolored trees and a vague figure, has sparked speculation about whether it was altered after the fact.
• 🚫 The original plan for WandaVision included a cameo from Doctor Strange, but the showrunner felt it would detract from Wanda's agency and felt tacked on, questioning Strange's absence throughout the series.

Loki Episodes 3 & 4: Exposition and New Mysteries

• 🚂 Episode 3 provided significant exposition, with Loki and Sylvie on a planet with a moon crashing down, visually enhancing the dialogue.
• ❓ The identity of Sylvie (the female Loki) remains a mystery, with speculation about her being the Enchantress from the comics.
• 🏛️ Episodes 3 and 4 effectively filled in backstory, with episode 4 focusing heavily on the story, including a return to Asgard before its destruction.
• 🎭 The episode explored Sylvie's past and her manipulation of memories, leaving questions about her true motives and whether she is trying to manipulate Loki's perception of his own past.

Loki Mid-Credit Scene and Timekeepers

• 🎬 The first mid-credit scene for Loki revealed Richard E. Grant as Classic Loki, wearing a costume directly from the comics.
• 🤖 The reveal that the Timekeepers were robots, with one being beheaded, has opened up new mysteries about who is truly in charge at the TVA.
• ❓ The scattered time bombs from episode 2 and the potential impact of Loki's current arc on WandaVision's ending are points of discussion.
• 💥 The episode concluded with shocking moments, including the apparent nullification of Mobius and Loki, leaving viewers with a sense of disbelief and anticipation.

MCU Release Schedule and Theatrical vs. Streaming

• 🗓️ The MCU is set for a packed release schedule: Black Widow (July), Shang-Chi (September), Eternals (November), Spider-Man: No Way Home (December), and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (March).
• 📺 Disney+ will also feature content like She-Hulk and The Book of Boba Fett, with strategic programming to avoid competing with theatrical releases.
• 😷 The discussion touches on the ongoing impact of COVID-19 variants and the return to mask-wearing, influencing release strategies and audience behavior.

Lou Ferrigno and Hulk's CG vs. Practical Effects

• 🗣️ Lou Ferrigno expressed his view that modern superhero movies rely too heavily on CG, contrasting it with his physical portrayal of the Hulk.
• 💥 The podcast hosts argue that CG allows for a more accurate and impressive depiction of characters like the Hulk, who are not humanly possible in size and appearance.
• 👍 While acknowledging Ferrigno's contributions, they assert that CG versions offer a superior visual representation compared to practical effects or actors in costume.

Universal Studios Hollywood and Hulk Licensing

• 🎬 A story about a 1970s makeup show at Universal Studios Hollywood, which featured a Hulk performer, is discussed.
• 📜 A handwritten agreement from 1977 regarding the use of the Hulk in theme parks is cited as a reason for the significant delay in building Disney's Avengers Campus, superseding later licensing agreements.

Marvel's Vampire and Spider-Man Universe Connections

• 🧛‍♂️ The acknowledgment of vampires in the MCU via Mobius's mention of Cree Titans and vampires is noted, with the upcoming Blade reboot.
• 🕸️ The potential for conflict between Marvel's Blade and Sony's Morbius is explored, given their respective rights to vampire characters and the separation of Spider-Man related characters between the MCU and Sony's universe.
• 🤔 The lack of direct acknowledgment of Sony's Venom within the MCU is highlighted as a point of contention for potential crossovers.