MANILA, Philippines — Marvel Studios is in a bit of a limbo after many of its 2023 projects had an underwhelming reception, casting an even darker shadow of uncertainty over its future.
The writers and actors strikes pushed many of the studios’ planned project out of the 2024 calendar, leaving “Deadpool 3” the only feature film appearing, and Jonathan Majors getting booted from the franchise has Marvel scrambling for a new big badd ie.
A silver lining is that “Deadpool 3” is among the most-anticipated films of 2024 especially as the titular character played by Ryan Reynolds will be accompanied by the iconic mutant Wolverine, with Hugh Jackman returning after supposedly “retiring” the character in 2017’s “Logan.”
Also said to be appearing is Elektra Natchios, with Jennifer Garner reprising the character nearly two decades. Set to appear as well are “X-Men” characters Sabretooth and Toad.
Several official teaser photos have been released for “Deadpool 3,” as well as leaked ones, and Reynolds has added to bunch by sharing a beh ind-the-scenes photo of himself in the Deadpool costume in a yearend gratitude post.
Jackman also shared a behind-the-scenes image of himself getting Wolverine’s iconic sideburns. “Chops. #Wolverine,” Jackman even wrote.
Meanwhile, in another Marvel project, Academy Award nominee Steven Yeun has reportedly departed the cast of “Thunderbolts” due to scheduling issue s.
Yeun was rumore d to be involved in “Thunderbolts” early last year though Marvel never confirmed his participation, instead only announcing that the likes of Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour and Wyatt Russell would be reprising their franchise characters.
“Thunderbolts” were among the projects affected by the strikes, pushing its release date to July 2025 and has yet to even begin filming.
The film will be directed by Jake Schreier and co-written by Lee Sung Jin, both of which collaborated with Yeun on the Netflix limited series “Beef.”
On the 2024 line-up for Marvel Studios other than “Deadpool 3” for now are the television shows “Echo,” “Agatha: Darkhold Diaries,” “Eyes of Wakanda,” “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” and “Marvel Zombies.”
RELATED: Marvel delays more films including ‘Deadpool 3’ following end of actors strike
BRISBANE – Defending champion Karolina Pliskova used her big serve to full advantage to end Naomi Osaka’s return to tennis in the second round of the Brisbane International on Wednesday.
Pliskova, who won the tournament the last time it was held in 2020, bounced back from losing the first set to grind down the Japanese star 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka had not played a tournament since September 2022, citing mental health concerns.
She had a baby daughter in July before deciding to make a comeback.
After an impressive first-round win over Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch, Osaka started strongly against the 39th-ranked Pliskova, breaking the Czech’s opening service game.
Pliskova, a two-time Grand Slam finalist, levelled but Osaka broke again to take a 4-2 lead then held on to bank the opening set.
The momentum began to shift in the second set as the tall Pliskova began to find the mark with her serve.
She won the second set tiebreak then got an early break in the third, holding on with ease to take the match in 2hr 13min.
“I thought I played quite well — there are a lot of things to improve but it’s a good start,” said Pliskova, adding that after a first-round bye and having not played since September, she needed time to find her feet.
“You can practise as much as you want but in matches it’s always a little bit different,” she said.
“It’s been a long break but I’ve been doing this sport for many, many years.
“I’ve been training for a couple of months and I think I’m in pretty good shape.”