This week, we take a stab at guessing what that asterisk means in Thunderbolts.
Also, we’ll talk about some casting updates across the MCU, including possible confirmation of that ridiculous Dazzler rumor.
Something Something Tortured Poets
Image: ComicBookMovie
I know little about Taylor Swift, and most of it involves stories about her being a delightful babysitter.
You can google stories about Jeff Jarrett’s daughters to find out what I mean.
Image: Marvel Comics
As a musician, to me, she’s that woman Kanye West accosted during an acceptance speech, and that’s about it.
However, as a football fan, I couldn’t help but notice Swift on my television every five minutes during Kansas City games last year.
Dazzler #2 by Tom Defalco, John Romita Jr., Alfredo Alcala, and Jim Novak. Photo: Marvel Comics
Swift’s romance with Tight End Travis Kelce fueled the internet for several months, culminating in a record-setting Super Bowl.
That thing was the most-watched program since the Moon Landing!
Image: Vulture
This past week, Swift sustained her momentum by releasing a new album, and, as usual, she was full of surprises.
For starters, The Tortured Poets Department is a double-length album. Ms. Swift is decidedly prolific.
Source: Marvel
Also, in one of the lyrics, the musician may have confirmed that she’s about to become an actress as well.
Specifically, Swift hints that she is, in fact, playing Dazzler in the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine.
Source: @VancityReynolds
I realize all this sounds absurd, but here’s the lyric so that you can decide for yourself.
In a song entitled Clara Bow – don’t ask me why – Swift ends with a very precise word. It’s “dazzling.”
Source: @VancityReynolds
In and of itself, that would be something of a reach. However, the line before it name-drops the artist herself.
That lyric is, “You look like Taylor Swift in this light. We’re loving it. You’ve got edge. She never did. The future’s bright. Dazzling.”
Source: Marve/ Fox
Is it a stretch to interpret that as her playing Dazzler? For a lot of people, I’d say yes.
With Swift, who loves to tease her audience, I don’t think so. I think she just told us what we already suspected.
About that Asterisk…
Image: Marvel
There’s an Instagram account you probably don’t know, but it’s significant to many Hollywood insiders.
This account tracks all the productions occurring in the greater Atlanta area.
Source: Marvel Studios
That’s something people have valued since they filmed the pilot for The Walking Dead.
The zombie show triggered a renaissance in Atlanta filmmaking, one that Marvel accelerated.
Image: Marvel Studios
Trilith Studios, formerly known as Pinewood Atlanta Studios, sits close to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Marvel loooves that location because superstars can fly into town and be on the shot and filming before anyone notices.
Source: Marvel Studios
They’ve been using this studio lot for about a decade now, and some of your favorite programs have filmed here.
You can read the list on its Wikipedia site. As you can see, Marvel has used this place a lot.
Source: Marvel Studios
Since Atlanta’s film community is relatively insular, secrets get shared among the trustworthy.
The problem is that sometimes, the allegedly trustworthy slip up and say too much.
Source: Marvel Studios
Often, the explanation stems from confusion regarding what’s a secret at Marvel and what isn’t.
As a general rule, people who want to keep working in Atlanta should presume that everything’s a secret.
Photo: Marvel
Alas, somebody forgot that and made an Instagram post that they instantly regretted.
This post apparently gave away the big secret involving that asterisk at the end of Thunderbolts*.
Photo: The Guardian
I say this because the now-deleted post called the production, Thunderbolts Part One.
The internet has since been scrubbed clean of anything acknowledging this fact…but it happened.
Photo: Marvel Studios
Of course, Marvel may have orchestrated all this nonsense to hype the mystery of the asterisk.
I’m an Occam’s Razor person, though. I suspect somebody just screwed up, and now the cat is already out of the bag.
Source: Parade
We won’t find out either way for a year, though.
Marvel Miscellany
Image: Marvel
This was a thankfully slower news week after several straight big ones. So, this gives me an opportunity to catch up.
I’ve got several production updates of note, most notably the proof that Vision Quest is still happening.
Source: Marvel Studios
In fact, Marvel lists a start date for production as the fourth quarter of 2024, which is only half a year from now.
Also, the listing indicated that Elizabeth Olsen is part of the cast.
Source: Marvel Studios
Now, these production listings aren’t always reliable about casting info for Marvel sequels.
Still, Olsen’s presence in this story makes sense, not the least because it’s a direct sequel to WandaVision.
Photo: Marvel Studios
She’s the Wanda to Paul Bettany’s Vision. The story kinda falls apart without her.
Speaking of casting confusion, Armor Wars shows as finally filming in early 2025.
Source: Marvel Studios
However, Walton Goggins, who is currently taking several victory laps over his work in Fallout, is no longer listed in the cast.
Again, that could be wrong, but I’d be really bummed if Goggins proved too busy for this project.
Image: ‘This Is Us’ NBC/Marvel Comics
As an aside, Dominique Thorne is no longer listed, either, and I’m hard-pressed to say how they could tell the story without Ironheart.
For this reason, I’m inclined to say it’s just a call sheet mistake, but who knows?
Photo: Marvel Studios
Two other eye-grabbings titles are also aiming for 2025 filming.
They are the Shang-Chi sequel and the MCU’s version of X-Men.
Source: Marvel Studios
Remarkably, the Mutant movie isn’t the biggest story on the production schedule.
That honor belongs to the Avengers film (!) which will apparently start filming in less than a year.
Marvel Miscellany Part II
Source: Marvel Studios
Finally, Sony appears to have gotten its way about Spider-Man 4. It’ll apparently film later this year, quality script be damned.
Who’s directing Spider-Man 4? That’s the next domino to fall here.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8aYOdHHrgc
Sam Raimi apparently remains a contender, but Sony may go with someone younger (and cheaper).
A couple of rumored candidates have worked on screenplays for previous Tom Holland Spider-Man films.
Source: Marvel Studios
Since Sony has spit the bit with all non-Venom/Spider-Man films, I hope that this isn’t a rush job.
Let’s just say that I have concerns, though. Anyway, have a great week, everyone!
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