Monthly Archives: March 2020

Life was a lot simpler when there was just one Spider-Man. Okay, so it was a stretch of the imagination to think that a teenager bitten by a radioactive spider might develop superpowers and save the world, but it was manageable. One hero, one world. Simple.

Then, in 2018, Columbia and Sony unleashed Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. It was a huge hitcritics and fans were delighted, an Oscar was awarded, and the movie made more money than any other Sony animation in history. What was the key plot device of this barnstorming blockbuster? A multiverse.

Yes, thats rightthe universe, Im afraid, is old hat. That uni sitting at the front of it implies one, and it just wont do any more. The Spider-Verse was a whole new realm; one in which there were countless Spider-Men and Spider-Women, countless New Yorks, countless bad guys, and countless storylines to be exploitedwhich the writers did to great (and brain-boggling) effect.

As it happens, interactive systems of parallel universes have existed in the world of science fiction for many yearsfrom the big screen and small screen to paperback novelsand they have become a staple for any author looking to play with possibilities and muddle our minds. Thankfully, though, such complex extravagancies need not trouble us here in the real world, for the multiverse is fictional.

Isnt it?

The rather surprising answer to that question is: not necessarily. Over the past decade or so, more and more top-level scientists have not only entertained the notion but have bought into it wholesale. According to some of the best minds in the business, there may very well be a lot more going on than just our own little (very, very big) universe. There may be lots of universes. There may even be an infinite number of them.

What on earth(s) is going on here? Where has such a strange idea come from? Is there any evidence for it? More to the point for Christians: What does it mean for God? Does he still exist? Might there even be Gods?

The first thing to point out is this: The concept of a multiverse can be arrived at by following many different scientific routes. It is, therefore, far too simplistic to write it off as an atheistic version of pie in the skyone that was devised purely to try to get rid of God. Multiverses show up as possibilities when we start to ask questions about physicsand they show up often enough to be worthy of real, considered discussion.

Back in the mid-2000s, the MIT cosmologist Max Tegmark bit the bullet and reviewed all the different multiverse models that had been doing the rounds. He decided that every existing theory could be placed into one of four categories, which he called Levels I to IV. They are, briefly:

Level I: Our own universe carries on forever (or very, very far)way past anything that we can currently, or could ever, observe.

Level II: There are other regions of space that have the same basic laws of physics as ours, but different constants of naturedifferent particle types, different numbers of dimensions, etc.

Level III: There are parallel and inaccessible universes that are constantly being created by quantum mechanical effects. Some of these will be very similar to ours, while some end up being very different.

Level IV: Anything goes. There is an infinite number of universes, all with their own laws of physicssome have no gravity, some no electricity, etc. The only limitations in place are due to the abstract laws of maths and logic.

Most, but not all, practising physicists are on board with the existence of at least a Level I multiverse. It should be pointed out, however, that this could still quite sensibly be called a universe, since there is only one of it. When we hit Levels II or higher, though, controversy reigns. This is because other universes are undetectable to usand will almost certainly remain so, regardless of technological breakthroughs. Multiverses of these types, it would seem, are pretty close to being a matter of scientific gut instinct, or of taste, or of faith.

Having said all this, there is an undeniable attraction to the multiverse for atheists because the existence of many universes can help them deal with an issue that is otherwise quite problematic for their worldview. One such thinker was Stephen Hawking, who nailed his atheistic colours to the mast in the years before his death in 2018. When discussing the dilemma of fine-tuningthe inescapable fact that our universe has rules and constants that are magnificently suited to our human existencehe wrote:

The discovery relatively recently of the extreme fine-tuning of so many of the laws of nature could lead at least some of us back to the old idea that this grand design is the work of some grand designer.

Hawking is right. The mind-blowing precision of the values we measure smacks of divine intervention; even the hard-nosed atheist Fred Hoyle admitted that a common sense interpretation of the facts suggests that a super-intellect has monkeyed with physics.

This often-undesired conclusion can be avoided, however, if a multiplicity of universes exists out there somewhere. Ours is perfect for us, yes, but there was bound to be at least one cosmology like that amongst the ensemble. The mystery, therefore, goes away. Hawking again writes:

The multiverse concept can explain the fine-tuning of physical law without the need for a benevolent creator who made the universe for our benefit.

Hawking saw fine-tuning and the necessity of a First Cause as being the two strongest arguments for the existence of God. In the 1980s, working with professor James Hartle of UC Santa Barbara, he figured that he had found a way of dealing with both of themby combining the two most successful scientific theories of all time: quantum mechanics and general relativity.

The outcome was a universe that appeared to have no beginning in time, thus removing the need for a First Cause. Whats more, as the Hawking-Hartle model was let loose, it was capable of describing not only a universe that looked very loosely like ours but also billions of other universes. Hawkings reassessment of the rules had not just brought about one potential cosmos but had built a countless number of them vying for his attention. Suddenly, the Spider-Verse doesnt seem quite so crazy.

Hawkings model and its seemingly endless list of possible worlds caused him a major headache because pretty much each time the model was run, it predicted lifeless, empty universes. Why then, was the actual final outcomeoursso rich and life-bearing? To answer this, the scientific genius decided to leave his specialized world of physics and dip his toe into a little philosophy. His solution was most unusual, and it makes the plots of most superhero movies look rather bland by comparison.

Hawking gives an example of his thinking in his book The Grand Design. He concedes, for instance, that his model allows for the existence of a universe just like ours but with a moon made out of cheese. The thing is, though, we have been to the moon, and we have discovered that it is not made of cheese. This discovery, Hawking says, has the most extraordinary effect: It echoes backward through time, explores his evolving multiverse, and removes all universe versions that contain cheese-moonsbefore they become reality.

In other words, every measurement we ever make of anything fixes that value in place. If I measure the length of my driveway and I find that it is 10 yards long, then all universes that might have existed in which it is 9 yards or 11 yards are cut out of the multiverse system before they even get going. If this sounds rather outrageous, thats because it is. Hawking readily admits as much: This leads to a radically different view of the relation between cause and effect. We create history by our observation, rather than history creating us.

What is even more strange about this is that nothing in the actual science of his model demands this odd backward-in-time behaviour. Professor Tom Lancaster of Durham University told me in an interview that it is simply not necessary to argue that these alternative universes are in any way real, let alone posit that our present is changing the past: Hawkings physics does not require retrocausality.

Time-traveling measurements or not, it is clear that the Cambridge cosmologist was convinced he had dismissed God from the table. No longer was there a traditional beginning to the universe, so a First Cause was irrelevant. Fine-tuning was not due to a divine Architect but was brought about by our own observations: We see ourselves, so we must be here by definition. After all, any universe in which we would not have existed has been deleted from the multiverse by our mere presence.

Dont worry if you are finding this unsatisfactory or unconvincing. You are not the only one. In general, cosmologists are not in favor of Hawkings theory. Even Jim Hartle, its co-inventor, is not committed to its actual truth, as he told fellow big-thinker Aron Wall (who holds the office next to Hawkings old one). The unavoidable fact is that the Hawking-Hartle model ultimately predicts the existence of a sparse, boring, lifeless universe, and that it is, therefore, wrong.

But that is not really the point.

Trying to figure out where we came from is difficultand no one knows how to do it. What makes Hawking so special is that he came up with a new idea when it looked like there was nothing at all to be done. He took a scientific step in the right direction and opened up the field for others. He gave his colleagues fresh hope that the laws of physics might, one day, be completely devised and understood. His thoughts on the expansion of the universe, on black holes, and on quantum information include some of the best physics done by anyone.

Where Hawking falls down is his theology. The case for God is not simply the First Cause argument and the appearance of design. Hawking only ever considered a God who was a vague and distant landlord, disinterested in his creation. And he was, of course, right to conclude that such a god is not worth all that much.

Instead, the case for the Christian God is historical, philosophical, psychological, experiential, scientific, and more. The Bible, for example, is a testable document. It describes real people, real events, and real placesand, when we subject it to examination on these points of evidence, it stands firm. This can help us make a decision about whether we can trust it on other more supernatural fronts, such as its central tenet: that Jesus rose from the dead. This assertion forms the capstone of Christianityyet Hawking doesnt give Easter a single mention.

Hawkings colleague professor Don Page, with whom he wrote many papers, thinks this is a key point:

I personally think it might be a theological mistake to look for fine tuning as a sign of the existence of God In other words, I regard the death and resurrection of Jesus as the sign given to us that He is indeed the Son of God and Saviour He claimed to be, rather than needing signs from fine tuning.

Page, like many others, is a scientist convinced of the truth of Christianity. While he clearly does not see his science as causing any problems for his faith, he also rejects the idea that cosmology should be the sole source of evidence for its truth. Hawkings mistake, then, was to begin looking in one domain onlyphysicsfor answers. Whenever we do that, our understanding will be incomplete, for we risk missing out on insights offered from other areas of human interest. History can inform psychology; biology can inform art. Andsomewhat crucially in Hawkings casetheology can inform science.

So then: What of beginnings, and what of the multiverse? The universe almost certainly has a beginning; but even if it doesnt, that does not prove Christianity wrong. Wall, for example, says, I think that belief in the creation of the universe does not really depend on there being a first moment of time. God could have made a universe that stretches back infinitely far in time, he says, just as a human author could write a book that never specifies just how far back its fictional universe goes.

And, as far as the multiverse is concerned, the short answer is that we really have no idea whether it exists or not. We will probably never know, since those parallel universes are likely to remain forever beyond our reach. Christians need not be afraid of this conclusion, thoughfor, as Hawkings fellow Oxbridge professor John Lennox reminds us: God could create as many universes as he pleases. The multiverse concept of itself does not and cannot rule God out.

This notion leads to some intriguing questions: Did God make other people in these other universes? Did they fall? Did Jesus die for them, too? Fascinatingly, humans have asked questions like this before. In the Middle Ages, theologians wondered about aliens living on other planets and about their relationship with God. Perhaps modern thinkers should revisit their work.

In Ephesians 3:10, Paul describes how God created our world and its salvation story to demonstrate his manifold wisdom to a supernatural audience. Manifold could equally be translated many-colored or multifaceted. Perhaps, then, God has displayed other colors and faces elsewhere. After all, it may turn out that one universe is simply not enough to exalt him fullythat a suitable display Gods glory demands a few more.

Maybe, even, an infinite number of them.

The ideas expressed in this article are drawn from God, Stephen Hawking and the Multiverse: What Hawking Said and Why It Matters, by David Hutchings and David Wilkinson (SPCK, March 2020).

David Hutchings is a physics teacher at Pocklington School near York, United Kingdom. He is a fellow of the Institute of Physics and a leader in the local church in York. His first book, Let There Be Science:Why God loves science, and science needs God(Lion Hudson), was co-written with Tom McLeish, a fellow of the Royal Society.

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Rewatching 'Spider-Verse': A Theological Response to the Possibility of a M... - ChristianityToday.com

While we have been under the impression that all movie and TV productions were entirely shut down, one of the biggest studios with the most anticipated projects has found some creative ways to keep the ball rolling on a couple of their upcoming films. While Marvels Disney+ TV series have been put on hold, work is being done on the upcoming films, Eternals, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Eternals has wrapped filming, but still has post work to get done, and the VFX artists are able to use this time to continue working while cooped up during this pandemic. Scanline VFX Studios is handling the special effects for the movie, and they confirmed in a tweet that the work is moving forward remotely. So thats great news, as Eternals is such a highly anticipated film. As is the upcoming Doctor Strange sequel, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Doctor Strange 2 is being directed by Sam Raimi (The Evil Dead, Army of Darkness, Spider-Man), and will bring back stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mordo, Benedict Wong as Wong, and Avengers star Elizabeth Olsen, who will join the world of Doctor Strange as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch. Her incorporation into the story will make better sense once we see how the series WandaVision will play out.

The Doctor Strange sequel is also moving forward, with its creators doing pre-production remotely to keep things progressing and getting ready for making the film. Variety reported that the film is still scheduled to begin shooting in June, with the people involved working closely (but still apart) from quarantine. Thank goodness for technology!

As with all things right now, we have to be flexible, as things may change. But if all goes according to plan, we will see WandaVision later this year on Disney+, Eternals in theaters on November 6, 2020, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in theaters on May 7, 2021.

Which Marvel project are you most looking forward to?

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Marvel's ETERNALS Is Getting VFX Done; and DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS Is in Remote Pre-Production - GeekTyrant

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Each new episode of Devs spends its time plunging into the world that created the show. But its not done through the standard Forward rewind that many other series use. If so, these episode preludes set the stage for the future.

I was trying to work with a convention I noticed on TV, a recap. That was kind of a bit more abstract, because its really a long time forecast, series writer / director Alex Garland told IndieWire.

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One episode-by-episode bookmark back and forth in time ends up being a pretty solid metaphor for what the rest of the show is about at this point in time. In episode 5, the board idea is a visual depiction of multiple iterations in the life of Lily (Sonoya Mizuno) and the men closest to her. It is the latest development on screen in an award-winning collaboration that continues behind the scenes on various Garland projects.

The challenge was, its kind of a write-up, and at a certain point you have to have something that a camera can attach to, Garland said. Andrew Whitehurst is the Visual Effects Supervisor and was the Visual Effects Supervisor at Annihilation and Ex Machina. And like me, we share an interest in the same areas of science, and we often talk to one another to try to help each other. to understand .

Like so many other ideas swimming in the giant, growing pool Devs, showing that Lilys and Jamies and Sergeis theorists were easier to understand than in practice.

We really struggled to show that vision because, in a way, the best way to represent it would be really a blur. The possible variations between the states would be very small many times. They would also include someone on the other side of the room or in Brazil. So we fought and we fought, said Garland. We tried to work with sensors that were blurred. Some of them were a bit like Francis Bacon, they were these kind of weird vibrating states. But they lacked clarity, which meant they lacked impact. In the end, we just found something simple. In a way, its like saying, Well only show you five. There are almost infinite numbers, but there are five.

Devs

Raymond Liu / FX

This idea extends to the life of another key figure in Devs. In one of the most shocking sequences of the series so far, audiences watch Forest (Nick Offerman) the day his wife and daughter were involved in a fatal car accident. By connecting his greatest trauma to the ideas explored in his current work, Devs shows a parade of near misses, repeated accidents and possible outcomes in which even a minute change could have saved his life.

Its the second week in a row that a car and street scene has signaled a specific brand of chaos within the Devs world. While the part of Forest in episode 5 happens in the relative peace of mind of a quiet neighborhood. Lilys escape from a dangerous and determined Kenton occurs in the middle of a Bay Area freeway.

I learned a lesson in physical activity at the time. I had never been in a car accident before, so getting a high level of gambling that was needed was a real challenge for me. And that was one of the times when Alex had to work hard, said Mizuno. We shot her at the Cotswolds in England. There was an old fire station with this freeway we were using. They had about a dozen real cars (they went out of car). I remember after Alex saying, The next time youre in a movie and youre on a spaceship and it drops, youll know what to do. And it is true. Before, I didnt know how I should breathe or how terrified I would be.

This idea of examining multiple missed possibilities and opportunities only serves to underscore the importance of interpersonal interactions within the history of Devs. Lilys conflicting feelings towards Jamie (Jin Ha) and lingering questions about what happened to Sergei (Karl Glusman) is a single layer in a program defined by a rich array of different interactions, including Devs members. Lyndon (Cailee Spaeny) and Stewart (Stephen McKinley) Henderson).

I wanted people who were important to each other. This young, prodigious and wonderful talent, with this oldest software engineer who is very talented, but knows that he is not as talented as this guy. You dont feel rival, you feel protective and admirable, and the guy feels reassured and comforted, said Garland. They are not necessarily romantic couples. Many of them are friends. Sometimes it is a father and a daughter, from companions or lovers or examiners. Part of the foundation of the story is that science is strange and that leads to a strange philosophy and we all have to live it. How do we do it? We do this through relationships.

New episodes of Devs premiere via FX on Hulu every Thursday.

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Devs: Alex Garlands Visual Idea That Helps Locate the Shows Multiverse - viralnewsity

The impact of Arrow's "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover was a huge undertaking. Arrow's co-showrunner Marc Guggenheim has credited the consistency in storytelling following the event, creating a post-"Crisis" multiverse, to "good compromise" across the board.

According to Guggenheim, there was a promise made at the very start of the processthat the status quo would be restored in the end."That was the promise I made to all the powers that be when we were pitching this. I said, 'Look, if you give us access to the toys, I promise we will return the toys to the toy chest," Guggenheim informed Fake Nerd Podcast. "For example, it would be a dick move to destroy Titans and not restore Titans, you know? That show still exists! So it was the only way."

RELATED:Arrow Co-Creator Reveals Why Colin Salmon Never Returned As Walter Steele

He explained, "Narratively speaking... it would be cleaner if we just ended up with a single universe, but that would have meant that a variety of the different universes that I wanted to visit in the space of the crossover, we wouldn't be allowed to use." He then compared the crossover to the comic book source material, "So I thought this was a good compromise, particularly since -- as we know from the original comic book -- even though the original Crisis comic ended with a single universe, we know that didn't last very long."

He then summarized that ultimately it was a matter of getting to the heart of the story and compromising further by having some of the crossover's characters remain oblivious to the established multiverse. "So there's still some story to tell there. We'll have combined various Earths... so that there's a consequence for the Arrowverse, while at the same time restoring the various universes that we 'borrowed.'"

All five episodes of "Crisis on Infinite Earths" are set to be included with the Blu-ray releases of Arrow: The Eighth and Final Season and Arrow: The Complete Series as a special limited edition bonus disc. The Blu-rays are slated for release on April 28.

KEEP READING:Arrow: No Guest Stars Turned Down the Finale, Says Guggenheim

Website Wants to Pay You to Social Distance While Binge Watching Disney+

Steve Russell is a freelance writer and copywriter currently residing in South East London. With an affinity for all things geeky and pop culture related, Steve often likens himself to a nerdy nomada writing ronin, if you will.When he isn't writing, reading, catching up with the latest series and movies or playing a video game, he's generally down the gym training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.You can follow Steve on Twitter and Instagram @stevetendo or find more examples of his work at http://www.writestevewrite.com.

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Arrowverse's Post-Crisis Multiverse Was the Result of a 'Good Compromise' - CBR - Comic Book Resources

WARNING: The following contains spoilers for He-Man and the Masters of the Multiverse #4, by Tim Seeley, Tom Derenick, Matt Yackey and Saida Temofonte, on sale now.

He-Man and the Masters of the Multiverse has flipped the script on the fantasy franchise with Keldor, the warrior who becomes Skeletor on most worlds, proving to be quite the hero the cinematic He-Man who was portrayed by Dolph Lundgren in the '80s. However, they're some of the only He-Men left in the Multiverse, since, the Anti-He-Man has been killing them and collecting alternate reality Power Swords so he could access the Prime Source and reshape reality.

InHe-Man and the Masters of the Multiverse #4, the Anti-He-Man continues his conquest to the first Eternia, where he can harness this power, Keldor and the movie He-Man discover that the key to everything is the first and most powerful Sword of Power, and they also learn that it could be Eternia's deadliest weapon in Anti-He-Man's hands.

RELATED: Masters of the Multiverse Just Killed Off a Fan-Favorite He-Man

This sword has been split into two halves, a dark and light one, with both hidden on the planet. However, Anti-He-Man wakes up after being nursed by the innocent civilians who found him after he fell through a portal, only to kill them and take the dark half for himself. The first He-Man arrives, and he realizes he has to work with his two new counterparts to head to a volcanic breach where the other half was hidden. He explains that He-Ro and the first Eternians used science to defeat the Dark Gods and hid the weapon away after the fact.

Unfortunately, by the time they getto the lava-filled region, Anti-He-Man has already unlocked the sword and combined both halves. A brawl ensues, but the villain escapes and the heroes have to chase him to the Prime Castle Grayskull, where the villain wants to tap into the castle's mystical core. This is a huge step up from the other swords that merely grant Adam the power to turn into He-Man on any world, where he can still be killed.

RELATED: He-Man & the Masters of the Universe Animated Series Coming to Netflix

Effectively, this sword makes its Anti-He-Mana god, and it's why the first Skeletor tries to attain it too. He feigns being an ally and when he betrays Keldor and Lundgren He-Man, the Anti-He-Man absorbs the Prime Source into his sword to take back to Castle Hellskull in the Anti-Eternia realm. Keldor, though, makes a last-ditch attempt to stop him but the Anti-He-Man makes quick work of everyone. He seems to have split the Source into two, with each part going in a sword.

As this castle's watchdog, Teela, notes, the Anti He-Man now has the energy of all Dark Gods at his control and only one thing can follow: doom. The cosmic key or other Power Swords won't be able to contend with what's to come because the Anti He-Man really has become the most lethalvillain the Multiverse has ever seen.

NEXT: One of He-Man's Most Sinister Foes Is Redeemed in Masters of the Multiverse

Goku Is DEFINITELY Stronger Than Superman - Here's Why

I'm a former Chemical Engineer. It was boring so I decided to write about things I love. On the geek side of things, I write about comics, cartoons, video games, television, movies and basically, all things nerdy. I also write about music in terms of punk, indie, hardcore and emo because well, they rock! If you're bored by now, then you also don't want to hear that I write for ESPN on the PR side of things. And yes, I've written sports for them too! Not bad for someone from the Caribbean, eh? To top all this off, I've scribed short films and documentaries, conceptualizing stories and scripts from a human interest and social justice perspective. Business-wise, I make big cheddar (not really) as a copywriter and digital strategist working with some of the top brands in the Latin America region. In closing, let me remind you that the geek shall inherit the Earth. Oh, FYI, I'd love to write the Gargoyles movie for Disney. YOLO.

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Masters of the Multiverse Reveals Grayskull's Deadliest Sword of Power - CBR - Comic Book Resources

Thefuture of the DC Extended Universe looks bright with highly anticipated filmslike TheFlash in the works. EzraMiller resonated with fans as the Scarlett Speedster in Justice League, andnow fans can look forward to seeing more of him in the solo The Flash movie.With that in mind, movie buffs are wondering who else will join TheFlash cast. Some fans arespeculating that Wally West, aka Kid Flash, will appear alongside Barry Allen.Heres what some online sources have to say about the matter.

It is rumored that The Flash movie plot will revolve around Flashpoint, the DC Comics narrative in which Barry Allen ends up in an alternate timeline after traveling back in time to save his mother. Based on a hint from the star of The Flash, there could be something to the Flashpoint story. Miller told CBR, Its not just the DC Multiverse. Its the Speedster Multiverse.

If a Flashpoint based movie plot comes to fruition, it could mean having a multiverse of speedsters in the mix. And The Flash fanatics seem to think that Wally West is a prime candidate to make an appearance. In fact, one recent Twitter poll suggests that Kid Flash could be even more popular with comic book fans than The Flash himself.

A source told We Got This Covered that Kid Flash will appear alongside The Flash in the film, but the studio has not confirmed the report. Even though The Flash cast and plot are still somewhat of a mystery, some fans seem to think they have things figured out.

Many point to Keiynan Lonsdale, who plays the character in The CWs The Flash and other Arrowverse series, as the ideal actor for the rumored Kid Flash film role.

Im really hoping [though] that when they finally do The Flash movie with Ezra that they have Keiynan Lonsdale in as Wally West/Kid Flash, said one Twitter user.

As an alternative suggestion, there appears to be an online movement of supporters who would like to see Riverdales K.J. Apa suit up as Wally West.

One Twitter follower tagged Apa and wrote, K.J. Apa, man, youre the perfect actor for Wally West.

Another fan seconded the suggestion in a Q&A session with Apa, saying, Hey man, have you ever thought about a superhero role? I think youd make an awesome Wally West [Kid] Flash in The Flash movie.

Most of The Flash cast other than Miller is unconfirmed, the plot is still under wraps, and the release date is over two years away. But one thing is certain, DC Comics fans and movie buffs alike are pumped to see that their dreams of The Flash film seem to be finally coming true.

The Flash is scheduled to hit theaters in the summer of 2022. Until then, fans can catch The Flash series on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on The CW, with previous seasons streaming on Netflix.

Read more: The Flash Movie Cast: Why Fans Expect Cyborg to Appear

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'The Flash' Cast: Why Fans Think Wally West Could Appear in the Movie - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Despite the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic and numerous restrictions across the U.S. intended to keep people indoors and away from each other, Burning Man organizers have announced that Black Rock City 2020, the 50,000-plus strong temporary city built in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, will rise after all. This years festival, themed The Multiverse, will be held from August 30 through September 7.

While that period might seem far off, planning and erecting the monumentally scaled art pieces that will adorn the mesa takes time. In the interim, the festivals organizers, as they noted in the Burning Man Journal, have had to close their physical offices and cancel a number of pre-events. The Theme Camp Symposium, for example, where congregants can share their ideas for bettering this years event, has been moved to a Zoom meeting on March 28.

Of course, the assurance that Burning Man 2020 will move forward was offered cautiously, with a warning that while the novel coronavirus could level off before the summer, it was entirely possible that things wouldnt return to normal by then. Still, the call has been put out for Multiverse Civic Design Plaza proposals; organizers are looking for ways to utilize the four main sites around the base camp and create imagined space-station landing sites and teleportation lift-off platforms for Black Rock City citizens who travel through the Multiverse.

The 2020 Black Rock City Honoraria Grants are moving ahead as well. Seventy projects will receive funds from the Burning Man Project, as well as promotion, heavy equipment, tickets, and other non-monetary support.

This year, the artworks will reflect our love of PLAY (Play with Your Food, Chilopod, Loop, M- Theory Mechanica, The Mbius Harp, Small Hadron Collider); our sense of PLACE (from planes to trains to the Cosmos); and our love of the WEIRD (Though the Minds Eye, Mebuyan, The Autumn Spire, The Anomaly).

The Multiversetheme inspired a fun range of creative interpretations. Among the most original, the Ukrainian artwork Merman will be an 80-long human figure, swimming and emerging from the playa surface, startling us into realizing that other realities may be coexisting and layered upon our own. Schrdingers Rat turns the classic thought experiment on its head, Unbound deconstructs a library, and the Multi-Verse pokes fun by having Burners compose multiple verses of songs and poems (ha, get it?).

Empyrean will be the official temple of Burning Man 2020, which begins August 30. (Renzo Verbeck and Sylvia Adrienne Lisse)

As previously reported, this years 200-foot-diameter Empyrean temple will take center stage at the festivities. The star-shaped structure will stretch to 70 feet tall and house an electric flame at its tip, guiding burners across the playa.

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Burning Man will proceed as normal, with some digital side content - The Architect's Newspaper

While its not the most popular entry in the MCU,Thor: The Dark World at least stands out as one of the more bizarre films in the series. Much of the attention on the movie has emphasized script problems, and even Chris Hemsworth is in two minds about whether Dark World was any good. However, ScreenRant have now noticed that the Alan Taylor-directed film included a sneaky reference to the X-Men, years before Disney acquired the rights to the characters.

According to the outlet, the moment comes in a scene where Stellan Skarsgrds physicist Erik Selvig tries to explain the Convergence to inmates at the asylum hes been committed to after the events of Thor. Selvigs dense diagram turns out to be a treasure trove of Marvel references, including to the Fault, a rip in space and time created at the end of a war between the Shi-ar and the Kree. The Fault opened the door to the Lovecraftian Cancerverse, something that would have devastating long-term consequences for the Marvel multiverse.

In terms of an X-Men reference, the Shi-ar are led by Gabriel Summers, aka Vulcan, an Omega-level mutant who ends up clashing with Black Bolt of the Inhumans. The younger brother of Havok and Cyclops, Vulcan was briefly a member of Charles Xaviers team before a devastating encounter with the living island Krakoa pushed him down a path to revenge and conquest of the Shi-ar Empire. The Fault was specifically caused by the Inhuman T-Bomb, and presented enough of a danger to the multiverse to later require Adam Warlock and the Guardians of the Galaxy to try and stabilize its spread.

Although only a brief moment inThor: The Dark World, its not unreasonable to wonder whether the Fault will factor into future MCU stories, includingDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3. Indeed, the multiverse and the cosmic side of Marvel look set to dominate the new phase of the MCU, making the likely throwaway reference to the Fault in Thor: The Dark World somewhat prescient.

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Thor: The Dark World Had A Hidden X-Men Easter Egg We All Missed - We Got This Covered

How will Kevin Feige incorporate the X-Men into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)? Which comic book plot trajectory will he emulate to retain a degree of authenticity (in terms of the source material), yet a departure from Foxs former iterations (comprised of a few hits and some misguided let us not forget The Last Stand misses)?

Ever since the Fox/Disney merger, questions surrounding mutantkind in the MCU have seized center stage, yet a certain finesse is required to achieve the level of greatness MCU fans expect. The mutant plotline must be both surprising yet inevitable canonical yet original. So, whats the plan?

Based on a few insider reports and associated narrative plausibilities, the MCU may choose to start the mutant journey at a different origin point, highlighting members of the X-Men who received minimal or subpar attention under Fox.

The MCU could choose to bring forth a story that would do away with, or dismiss Professor Xaviers School for Gifted Youngers to the fringes. Lets explore the possibilities, explaining how such a narrative would theoretically unfold.

Rumor has it that Doctor Strange may recruit Professor X to begin assembling his team of highly intelligent heroes (The Illuminati) prepped to handle threats the Avengers cannot confront in Multiverse of Madness. If this is true, Professor X may be presented as a younger man, who has yet to open his school. Instead, he comes to defend earth and other galaxies alongside the Sorcerer Supreme (before following his academic-oriented inclinations).

Or, Professor X could come across Strange with the school already in existence; the school can be mentioned and referenced, but appear as part of a Disney+ show, as opposed to seizing a focal point in the film landscape. However, this is not the only way to remove (or draw attention away from) Professor Xaviers School for Gifted Youngsters.

One insider leak posits that Storm may be the first mutant to join the MCU in Black Panther 2, which could lead to the comic book romance between Storm and TChalla.

Storm could also be the headmaster of the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning. Using Storm as an origin point would allow the writers to jump over the narrative focusing on Xavier and Magnetos origin stories and rivalry, in favor of different, yet also quite popular arc.

Storm could be the headmaster and Professor Xaviers story could be a part of the past, which can be explored via prequels or multiverse movie scenes.And, considering viewers are already familiar with the Xavier/Magneto story, the writers can, to an extent, rely on that familiarity when sculpting the screenplay.

This plan would remove the original school, in favor of a later establishment, bringing Storm to the forefront as a primary leader in the MCUs X-Men, and using Professor X as a supporting character who appears sometimes or when necessary in Disney+ installments always as a sweet but short-lived surprise.

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How the MCU's Take on the X-Men Could Do Away With Professor Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Rumors and inside leaks concerning the X-Men and/or The Brotherhood of Mutants introduction into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) have been running rampant since the Fox/Disney merger placed mutantkind in Kevin Feiges hands.

How will Feige introduce the legendary characters? How will he stay close enough to the source material to ensure a depiction that will please comic enthusiasts, yet stray far enough from Foxs illustration to guarantee a needed degree of originality and exciting expectation violations?

Based on recent reports, a few possibilities seem most likely to occur in the MCU certain mutants will presumably come onto the scene first, laying the groundwork for the narrative development of mutantkind in the landscape. So, lets break down the most likely possibilities, and how such introductions would shape the MCU.

Recent insider reports suggest tracing back to Marvel and DC insider Mikey Sutton that Professor X may appear in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, as part of Stranges plan to assemble a team ready to combat earthly and intergalactic threats the Avengers are not suited to confront. If this is true, fans may receive a Professor X untethered to the School for Gifted Youngsters.

Maybe, Professor X will be a younger man, still coming into his own. Or, could Marvel Studios introduce him as an older man, who has already passed the school responsibilities onto a wise and capable protege?

According to recent reports, Marvel Studios is eyeing none other than Janelle Mone for Storm in Black Panther 2. If Storm is the first mutant to join the landscape, Marvel Studios may choose to introduce the mutants at a later point in the comic book plot history when Storm is the headmaster of Xaviers School for Gifted Youngsters. Or, when she is the woman in charge of the rebuilt establishment in the same location named after Jean Grey (thanks to Wolverine).

If Storm comes first, such an X-Men opening would give the MCU a unique origin point for mutantkind when compared to Fox. This would create opportunities for fascinating prequels and some time travel via multiverse magic. If Storm leads the X-Men, Professor Xavier could join at a later point in time, but an earlier point in MCU chronology, showing how Storm came into the role.

Rumor has it that Rogue may join the MCU via Captain Marvel 2 as an adversary, introducing the Brotherhood Of Mutants before the X-Men come into the landscape.

If Rogue comes up against Captain Marvel, the MCU can begin the X-Men depiction with a morally gray character, whose journey takes her from misunderstood and villainous mutant to a heroic member of the X-Men. In short, the MCU has several options, but all will likely guarantee a vast departure from Fox.

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Which X-Men Character Will the MCU Introduce First: Who Will Helm the Mutant Narrative Alongside the Avengers? - Showbiz Cheat Sheet