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Movie Review: ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’
Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man and Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror in Marvel Studios’ ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.’ Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2022 Marvel.

Opening in theaters on February 17th is the first film of Marvel’s Phase 5, the long-awaited third movie in the ‘Ant-Man’ franchise entitled ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,’ which is once again directed by Peyton Reed.

What is the Plot of ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania?’

Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), along with Hope’s parents, Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), and Lang’s daughter, Cassie (Kathryn Newton), go on a new adventure exploring the Quantum Realm that pushes their limits and pits them against Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors).

Who is in the Cast of ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania?’

The film stars Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man, Evangeline Lilly as Hope Van Dyne/Wasp, Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror, Kathryn Newton as Cassie Lang, Michelle Pfeiffer as Janet Van Dyne/Wasp, Michael Douglas as Dr. Hank Pym, Bill Murray as Krylar, and Randall Park as Jimmy Woo.
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Initial Thoughts

The result is the most action-packed ‘Ant-Man’ film so far, which feels like a real event movie, and features an incredible performance from Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror, who may end up being the greatest MCU villain of all time!

Direction, Tone and How the Movie Fits into the MCU?

For a longtime, the ‘Ant-Man’ movies have been the forgotten child of the MCU. They’ve delivered strong comedy/heist movies, that with the exception of a Falcon (Anthony Mackie) cameo and the end credit scene from ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp,’ have had very little overall impact on the larger MCU. That all changes with this sequel which is still funny, but much darker in tone and action-packed than previous films in the series.

It’s more of a direct sequel to ‘Avengers: Endgame’ than the last ‘Ant-Man’ movie, and carries significant ramifications for the MCU, laying the groundwork for Phase 5 and beyond. Director Peyton Reed has always done an adequate job helming this series but ups his game with ‘Quantumania,’ and carries the massive action sequences and darker tone of the film well.

Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man in Marvel Studios’ ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.’ Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2022 Marvel.

What Should I watch Before ‘Quantumania?’

While you do not need to see every pervious MCU movie and TV series to enjoy ‘Quantumania,’ it will help your understanding of the plot and characters if you’ve at least seen the previous two ‘Ant-Man’ films, ‘Ant-Man’ and ‘Ant- Man and the Wasp,’ as well as “Avengers: Endgame’ and especially season 1 on Disney+’s ‘Loki.’ Also watching ‘Captain America: Civil War’ couldn’t hurt, as it is referenced, but not absolutely necessary to watch first.

Evangeline Lilly as Hope van Dyne/Wasp in Marvel Studios’ ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.’ Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2022 Marvel.

How Are Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly at Reprising Their Title Roles?

Paul Rudd continues to play Scott Lang with fun and humor, which is challenged by the darker tone of the movie. Rudd navigates those dark tones well and while he brings a lot of the humor to the film, is also quite good in his emotional and action-packed scenes.

Evangeline Lilly, who has played Hope Van Dyne since the first ‘Ant-Man,’ was finally given more to do in ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’ and has about as large a role here. She’s pivotal to the action sequences and the family drama between her parents, Hank and Janet, but other than that is unfortunately not given a lot to do. Other than being of support to Scott and Cassie, Lilly’s best scenes are with Michelle Pfeiffer, exploring the secrets and betrayal that Janet is hiding.

MIchelle Pfieffer as Janet van Dyne in Marvel Studios’ ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.’ Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2022 Marvel.

Related Article: D23 Expo 2022: Lucasfilm, Marvel, and 20th Century Studios Presentation

‘Quantumania’ is Really Janet Van Dyne’s Story

It’s easy to forget that in the pages of Marvel Comics, Janet Van Dyne was a founding member of the Avengers, so it was nice to see the character given such a pivotal role in ‘Quantumania.’ This is really Janet’s story in many ways, and Pfeiffer excels in the role. She is excellent in her dramatic scenes with Lilly and Michael Douglas, as well as a humorous scene with Bill Murray, and her action sequences with Majors.

In fact, Janet’s history in the Quantum Realm and with Kang in particular, is the heart of the movie and Pfeiffer’s performance is a major part of the film’s success. Reprising his role as the original Ant-Man, Hank Pym, Michael Douglass once again gives a strong supporting role, and I liked that Hank is acting as a surrogate Grandfather to Cassie. Some of the actor’s best scenes involve his reaction to discovering his wife’s secrets, but the character is definitely given his most heroic moment in the entire series towards the end of this film.

(L to R) Kathryn Newton as Cassandra “Cassie” Lang and Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man in Marvel Studios’ ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.’ Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2022 Marvel.

Why Was Cassie Lang Recast?

With the five-year time jump that occurs between ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame,’ it only makes sense that an older version of Scott’s daughter Cassandra Lang would be needed for the third installment. Enter actress Kathryn Newton (‘Freaky’), who takes over the role from Abby Ryder Fortson in the previous two movies. Newton brings a mature Cassie to the MCU, one who witnessed her father’s battle with Yellowjacket (Corey Stoll) as a small child and then lived through her father’s five-year absence and has been changed by the experiences.

I will not reveal whether Cassie becomes her comic book alter ego Stature in this movie, but I will say the character does get in on the action and has some great sequences fighting alongside the rest of the ‘Ant-Man’ family. The character is clearly being set up for a larger role in the future of the MCU, possibly ‘Young Avengers,’ and I look forward to seeing Newton reprise her role in the future.

Jonathan Majors as Kang The Conqueror in Marvel Studios’ ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.’ Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2022 Marvel.

How Was Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror?

But, while the story might belong to Janet, the movie belongs to Jonathan Majors and his absolutely tremendous performance as Kang the Conqueror. The film wisely briefly introduces the character in the opening sequence, but then keeps him off screen until a dramatic moment in the middle of the film.

Majors first portrayed a version of Kang, his variant “He Who Remains,” in the season one finale of ‘Loki,’ and while the two characters are connected, this is an entirely different performance. Majors gives a smart and terrifying performance, and lays the groundwork for what could become the best villain the MCU has seen since Thanos (Josh Brolin).

M.O.D.O.K. and the Movie’s Other Antagonists

Bill Murray appears in the film as Krylar, an alley of Kang’s, and is funny in his scenes but is just too, well, Bill Murray! The actor portrays the character with his own comedic persona, and at times it doesn’t feel like it connects with the tone of the rest of the movie, and can take you out of the moment.

Marvel comic book fans will be happy to know that the popular villain M.O.D.O.K. makes his live-action debut in ‘Quantumania,’ but the character has changed a lot from the comics. I won’t give away too much, but the character is now closer connected to the ‘Ant-Man’ movie franchise, and the changes made sense for the series. However, some hardcore fans may think this is another Marvel “bait and switch” like Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley) being revealed as the fake Mandarin in ‘Iron Man 3.’

But I do have to say that I thought the effects for M.O.D.O.K. overall didn’t work. The character is basically a giant robotic head, with tiny arms and legs and a really big face. In live-action, I didn’t think the realistic giant face worked, and might have been better if the character was completely CGI. But overall, the special effects in the film mostly work, especially the rich and imaginative world of the Quantum Realm that Reed and his team has created.

(L to R) Michael Douglas/Hank Pym, Michelle Pfeiffer as Janet Van Dyne, and Evangeline Lilly as Hope Van Dyne/Wasp in Marvel Studios’ ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.’ Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2022 Marvel.

Are There Any End-Credit Scenes?

Yes, there are, two in fact, a mid-credit scene, followed by an end-credit scene. While I won’t give either away, I think it is safe to say they are both Kang-centric. The first basically reinforces the threat that the character represents for the future of the MCU, and the second gives us a hint at where we might see him next, while also revealing a few of the film’s surprising cameos.

Final Verdict

In the end, after a rather bumpy Phase 4, the MCU’s Phase 5 gets off to a fantastic start with ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.’ Peyton Reed sets a darker tone for the franchise, with great action sequences and strong performances from the entire cast especially Rudd, Pfeiffer and Newton. But its Jonathan Majors unbelievable debut as the real Kang the Conqueror that makes this movie a must-see for Marvel fans and a welcomed addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe moving forward.

‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ receives 8.5 out of 10 stars.

‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.’ © 2022 Marvel.

Other Movies Similar to ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania:’
- ‘Ant-Man‘ (2015)
- ‘Captain America: Civil War‘ (2016)
- ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp‘ (2018)
- ‘Avengers: Endgame‘ (2019)
Buy Tickets: ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ Movie Showtimes

Buy ‘Ant-Man’ Movies On Amazon

Witten by Jeff Loveness and directed by Peyton Reed, the sci-fi, action, adventure, comedy, mystery, thriller ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ is scheduled for release from Marvel Studios and Walt Disney Pictures on February 17th 2023.
February 14, 2023
Michael B. Jordan Says ‘Creed IV’ is “For Sure”

Director Michael B. Jordan on the set of his film ‘Creed III,’ a Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film. Photo credit: Eli Ade. © 2022 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

With ‘Creed III’ arriving next month, star (and, on this occasion, director) Michael B. Jordan is being asked about the future of the boxing movies that feature him as Adonis “Donnie” Creed, the son of the late Apollo (Carl Weathers in the ‘Rocky’ movies).

Talking with IGN about ‘Creed III’, Jordan didn’t expand much on his ideas, but did say that he intends to stick with the ‘Creed’ franchise. Answering questions about a potential fourth movie, he said it was “for sure”.

And, as with every popular movie from a studio these days, it appears there will be spin-offs of some fashion. “I just want to expand the ‘Creed’-verse within reason, but definitely expect other things around ‘Creed’ for sure.”

It’s just the latest step for the ever-expanding spin-off from the ‘Rocky’ movies, though the ‘Creed’ films are moving away from Sylvester Stallone’s veteran boxer.

Through 2015’s ‘Creed’ (directed by Ryan Coogler) and 2018’s ‘Creed II’ (with Steven Caple Jr. in the director’s chair), Donnie has battled his demons, fought powerful opponents in the ring and tried to forge a family life with Bianca (Tessa Thompson) and their daughter, who has inherited her mother’s hearing difficulties.

(L to R) Michael B. Jordan stars as Adonis Creed and Jonathan Majors as Damian Anderson in ‘CREED III,’ a Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film. Photo credit: Eli Ade. © 2022 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

‘Creed III’ moves the story forward a few years but also back several, as the story sees Donnie reconnecting with old friend and prodigy Damian Anderson (Jonathan Majors), who went to prison, and resents that Adonis did not (as he was involved in the incident).

Out of Jail and quietly burning with vengeance, Anderson threatens Donnie – and Adonis decides to face him in the place he knows best – the ring. And without Rocky in his life for this round, this time, the fight is truly personal.

And it’s even more personal for the man in front of the camera – who steps behind it for the first time. Michael B. Jordan, who has played Adonis since the first film, is also here the director.

“I think for me it was the perfect time,” says Jordan.. “I finally got to this place in my career where I wanted to tell a story and not just be in front of the camera, not just execute somebody else’s vision. And having a character that I’ve played twice before, it’s been seven, eight years living with this guy. So to be able to tell a story of where I believe Adonis is at, and also at 35 years old, I had a lot to say as a young man, as a young Black man, just my life experiences and how I could actually share that, share a piece of myself with the world––through these characters and through this story. You just gotta jump in the deep end and go for it, you know?”

‘Creed III’ will be in theaters on March 3rd.

Michael B. Jordan in ‘Creed III.’
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February 2, 2023
Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell Talk ‘Devotion’

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Opening in theaters on November 23rd is the new biographical war drama ‘Devotion,’ which was directed by J.D. Dillard (‘Sweetheart’).

Based on the true story of U.S. Navy fighter pilot Jesse Brown (Jonathan Majors), the film follows his friend friendship with Tom Hunder (Glen Powell) and their role in the Korean War.

In addition to Majors and Powell, the movie also stars Christina Jackson, Joe Jonas, Thomas Sadoski, and Serinda Swan.

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell about their work on ‘Devotion,’ why as a producer Powell wanted to make the film, and the responsibility Majors felt playing Jesse Brown and bringing his story to the big screen.

(L to R) Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell star in Sony Pictures’ ‘Devotion.’

You can read or full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Majors, Powell, Joe Jonas, Thomas Sadoski, and director J.D. Dillard.

Moviefone: To begin with, Glen, as a producer, what moved you about Jesse Brown’s true story and why did you think it was important to bring it to the big screen?

Glen Powell: Adam Makos wrote just an incredible book that not a lot of people had read. At the time, it was a not a very well-known book. Then I just saw a beautiful and complicated relationship between two guys that came from different places that were trying to understand each other. What I loved about it was it wasn’t simplified.

There’s been stories of white and Black on different sides, achieving different things, and they simplify these things. It’s always so disheartening to see how Hollywood can try to, I don’t know, I would say profit off of the simplification of what I consider a very nuance and important subject to get right. Because the truth can move and the truth can change.

(L to R) Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell in Sony Pictures’ ‘Devotion.’

MF: Finally, Jonathan, can you talk about your approach to playing Jesse Brown and if you felt a certain responsibility to his family and his legacy while playing this role?

Jonathan Majors: Getting something right, very much to my brother’s point before, there’s one door in, and you hit it. If you get something truthful, there’s multiple doors in and everyone can get into the room. From soup to nuts, when it was brought to me, when we had our conversation, it felt to me that we were going to get it right via the truth.

That was something I really took on, that was in the culture of making the film from the very beginning, from its conception. So playing Jesse, I knew that was something that I wanted to execute. It’s something that I had to use all my faculties and enlist help in order to get information about who this man was. We had a beautiful Zoom set up by the producers and our director with the family early on.

I’ll be brief, I remember them telling all these stories about Jesse and we’re laughing, and we’re crying. I remember one of the producers saying, “Well, the film’s only so long and we can’t get all that in.” I interrupted and I said, “No, we can. I’m promising you that I will do my damnedest to get everything you just said into this film.”

Because what they were expressing in their stories wasn’t the actions or plot, but was a feeling and was a certain spirit of this man. That was my touchstone. That Zoom with maybe 10 to 15 members of his immediate family, that’s the touchstone.

That’s what I’m going to try to do in addition to all the research and the flight training. So, because of that, it’s not just me and my aspirations to tell a great story that I’m trying to live up to. I have the responsibility of those 10 to 15 individuals with various last names, but all from the lineage of Jesse Brown in my psyche, and in my mind that I’m trying to just get that approval from.

So, there’s two ways to look at it. Some people can look at that as pressure. I looked at it as support. So, I have all these people helping me push this plane into the sky along with my brother Glen and everyone else.

(L to R) Joe Jonas, Jonathan Majors, Glen Powell, Thomas Sadoski, and the cast of Sony Pictures’ ‘Devotion.’
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November 23, 2022
Jonathan Majors to Play Dennis Rodman

(L) Jonathan Majors as Nat Love in ‘The Hard They Fall.’ Photo courtesy of Netflix @ 2021. (R) Legendary NBA player Dennis Rodman. Photo courtesy of the NBA’s YouTube channel.

Jonathan Majors has enjoyed quite the successful last couple of years in his career. He’s established one of the most complicated, watchable characters for the MCU in ‘Loki’, made an impact in Western ‘The Harder They Fall’ and is flying back to cinema screens for new Korean War drama ‘Devotion’. Oh, and in 2023, he’ll not only have his big-screen MCU debut in ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,’ but will also prove a formidable opponent to Michael B. Jordan in ‘Creed III’.

You can understand, then, that he’s a man in demand. And now he’s considering taking on a plum role as Dennis Rodman in based-on-truth basketball movie ’48 Hours in Vegas’.

Jordan VanDina wrote a spec script based on the crazy story of how basketball star Rodman went on a madcap adventure with his skittish assistant General Manager in the middle of the 1998 NBA Finals. According to Deadline, “the film will detail a budding friendship that neither one of them ever thought was possible but will end up solving both of their problems.”

Though the story was covered comprehensively in Michael Jordan-Chicago Bulls documentary ‘The Last Dance’, VanDina wrote his script before the movie came out, and sounds like it could be a fun romp.

Lionsgate won the rights to the script, which also boasts the producing power of Phil Lord, Chris Miller and their business partner Aditya Sood via their Lord Miller company.

No director is aboard yet, but with Majors close to a deal, we figure this one will be hitting the production court next year.
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Elsewhere in the Lionsgate empire, moves are being made to conjure up a third movie in the ‘Now You See Me’ franchise. Ruben Fleischer, who directed ‘Venom’ and ‘Uncharted,’ is now locked in to oversee the new pic.

2013’s ‘Now You See Me’, directed by Louis Leterrier, introduced us to the Four Horsemen (in that film, Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco and Isla Fisher), a group of magicians who pull off elaborate heists while being hunted by the authorities.

In 2016, Jon M. Chu directed the sequel, ‘Now You See Me’ (which really should have been called ‘Now You Don’t, but nobody asked us), and saw the return of the three men, joined this time by Lizzy Caplan for more illusions and further run-ins with the law.

Little is known about the plot for the third (beyond that it’ll include magic tricks and probably elaborate schemes) but given that Fleischer also worked with Eisenberg and Harrelson on the two ‘Zombieland’ movies, we’d expect them to be back.

“There are three things in this world I absolutely love… Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson and magic,” says Fleischer. “To have the chance to work with these two talented actors, as well as rest of the incredible cast of the ‘Now You See Me’ movies is a dream come true. I am a lifelong fan of heist movies – I love getting drawn in by the twists and the mystery where nothing is what it seems. And that’s even more true when the thieves are magicians – the opportunities are endless. Eric was able to unlock a fresh and exciting way into a new movie and fun new characters, so I’m excited to dig in even further.”

“Eric” is Eric Warren Singer, who wrote the original drafts of the movie, but Seth Grahame-Smith is now working on a new re-write.

(L to R) Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Woody Harrelson, and Dave Franco in 2013’s ‘Now You See Me.’

Finally – and stepping outside of Lionsgate – there is news of ‘The Northman’ director Robert Eggers’ next movie.

He’s been developing his own take on classic vampire tale ‘Nosferatu’ for Focus Features and has now locked down his leading duo.

Bill Skarsgård, probably still best known for playing Pennywise in the ‘It’ movies, is back in a horror mood for the new film, alongside Lily-Rose Depp.

Per Deadline’s report, in the new reimagining, ‘Nosferatu’ is a gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman (Depp) in 19th century Germany and the ancient Transylvanian vampire (Skarsgard) who stalks her, bringing untold horror with him.

This is one that Eggers has been trying to make for a while – its development pre-dates ‘The Northman’ and at one point he had Skarsgård, Anya Taylor-Joy and Harry Styles attached to star.

With Eggers writing and directing as usual, the movie should be shooting next year if the schedules line up. Time for Eggers to finally do some vamping…

(L to R) Alexander Skarsgard, Nicole Kidman, director Robert Eggers, Willem Dafoe, and Anya Taylor-Joy at the Los Angeles premiere of ‘The Northman.’

October 4, 2022
Destin Daniel Cretton to Direct ‘Avengers: The Kang Dynasty’

Marvel Studios’ ‘Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.’

Marvel appears to be wasting no time putting the creative pieces in place now that it has announced plans for the next two “Phases” of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Following the Disney-owned Studio’s big San Diego Comic-Con presentation this past weekend, news arrives that ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ director Destin Daniel Cretton will take the reins for ‘Avengers: The Kang Dynasty’, currently due in theaters on May 2nd, 2025.

Little is known about ‘The Kang Dynasty’ yet beyond that title, release date and now, director. But the title clearly points to a clash with Multiverse-spanning villain Kang (Jonathan Majors), a variant of whom was introduced in last year’s MCU series ‘Loki’.

Kang – or versions of him, at least – is scheduled to pop back up again in ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’, due in theaters on February 17th next year. He’ll be a threat throughout much of the future movies, since Phases 4 (which is already underway, and ends with November 11’th’s ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), 5 and 6 together represent ‘The Multiverse Saga’.
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Together with ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ (planned for theaters on November 7th, 2025), the movie will wrap Phase 6 and cap off the next saga. There is no indication yet as to who will direct ‘Secret Wars’.

Marvel Studios’ ‘Avengers: Secret Wars.’

As for who might be representing the heroic side of the story once ‘The Kang Dynasty’ rolls around is still up in the air at this point and depends on which of the remaining classic characters (such as Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange and Anthony Mackie‘s Captain America) are utilized alongside the younger likes of Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani) and, likely America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) introduced in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’.
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We’d be shocked if Shang-Chi himself, Simu Liu wasn’t back, and given their long working relationship, we firmly expect to see Brie Larson as Captain Marvel (she popped up in a post-credits scene for ‘Shang-Chi’).

While some had speculated that Marvel might look to bring ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame’ directors Joe and Anthony Russo back for the next ‘Avengers’ movies, Marvel boss Kevin Feige has gone on record as saying they’re not involved – and the sibling filmmakers are busy with their own projects anyway, such as expanding upon Netflix movie ‘The Gray Man’.

Cretton though, sounds like a solid pair of hands for an ‘Avengers’ outing – he proved he could handle quieter character beats, drama and comedy, plus worked well with the effects teams to deliver some spectacle.

Before he made a splash with ‘Shang-Chi’, Cretton was better known for his indie fare, including ‘Short Term 12’, ‘The Glass Castle’ and ‘Just Mercy’. He’s currently developing or working on a few other projects, including series ‘American Born Chinese’ for Disney+ and a ‘Wonder Man’ show under his Marvel deal.

Marvel Studio’s ‘The Multiverse Saga.’

July 26, 2022