(Picture by Clay Enos/©Warner Bros.)
[Updated 12/8/22]
Very like the DC Comics Multiverse itself, Warner Bros. Footage’ plans for DC movie universes and properties are at all times altering. Initiatives are introduced, however then seemingly go into hibernation. The considerations of their company father or mother shift with new possession — at present the entity referred to as Warner Bros. Discovery — and what its CEO might want from the DC characters. The stalwart of the road, Batman, at all times will get its films made whereas Surprise Girl appears poised to affix the Darkish Knight as a dependable franchise (though which may be altering). In the meantime, Superman appears caught in a growth hell past his powers to beat.
Nonetheless, WBD’s makes an attempt to construct a robust and beloved DC Universe carries on. Within the newest change of route, DC Movies reorganized into DC Studios this Fall with The Suicide Squad director James Gunn and producer Peter Safran serving as co-CEOs. Gunn takes change of the studio’s artistic route whereas Safran leads its enterprise affairs. And as Gunn reiterated on December 8 through Twitter, their joint job is to form DC’s output “throughout movie, TV, animation, and gaming” into “a cohesive story.” After all, any fan of DC Comics is aware of that’s the tallest order to ask of its characters and varied realities. Certainly, the seek for cohesion leads the DC Universe to reboot itself each ten to twenty years. Some consider this shall be Gunn’s route as nicely with the so-called DC Prolonged Universe lastly seeing its Closing Night time with 2023’s Aquaman and the Misplaced Kingdom.
Gunn and Safran’s appointment because the bosses at DC Studios is the most recent shockwave within the usually unbelievable story of Warner Bros.’ makes an attempt to deliver the DC Multiverse to the display. So earlier than we check out the most recent adjustments to its movie schedule, let’s return to the start of WB’s bold plans for its prolonged universe…
In 2014, Warner Bros. Footage and DC Leisure introduced a sequence of flicks primarily based on DC Comics characters. The unique schedule included a two-part Justice League challenge and no less than two movies a yr via 2020. Issues didn’t go in accordance with plan, with Justice League compressing its story into one movie and initiatives like Flash experiencing fixed delays. Regardless of initiatives shifting across the slate – and the crucial backlash towards Batman v Superman: Daybreak of Justice and Justice League – the unique 2014 grasp plan has been executed for essentially the most half, with solely 2018 lacking a second DC-derived movie and Cyborg disappearing solely. And at the same time as options like Aquaman and Shazam! went into manufacturing, the studio by no means stopped attempting to get new initiatives off the bottom using the comedian ebook characters and the universe initiated by 2013’s Man of Metal. 2023 will ship on the final remaining challenge from that unique slate and a few surprises within the type of Aquaman and Shazam sequels. On the TV/streaming entrance, some spinoffs from The Batman are headed to HBO Max.
The next represents all the things we all know in regards to the DC movies on the way in which and in growth, in addition to a couple of DC variations that can exist separate from the universe. (Wish to see what the opposite camp has in retailer? Try our breakdown of upcoming Marvel films.)
SEE: Most Anticipated 2022 Motion pictures | Most Anticipated 2023 Motion pictures
There’s a lot that’s unsure about which DC Comics characters are coming to the large display, who’s bringing them there, and in what order — however nothing is unsure about these films. They’re in post-production, and we all know precisely when they are going to be hitting theaters. (At the very least, we all know the newest dates and can replace as they modify.)
Shazam: Fury of the Gods
Launch Date: March 17, 2023
What We Know: Shazam! director David F. Sandberg is again, together with star Zachary Levi and co-stars Asher Angel and Jack Dylan Grazer. Further forged contains Grace Caroline Currey, Ian Chen, Faithe Hermann, Jovan Armand because the Shazam household (or “Shazamily” as Levi put it at varied instances on Twitter and at Comedian-Con Worldwide: San Diego 2022) of their mortal, civilian kinds whereas Currey, Ross Butler, Meagan Good, and D.J. Cotrona play them of their superhero guises (Adam Brody performs Grazer’s superhuman kind). Additionally returning are Marta Milans and Cooper Andrews as Rosa and Victor Vásquez, the household’s foster mother and father, and Djimon Hounsou because the Wizard. Becoming a member of up because the villains this go round are Helen Mirren as Hespera, Lucy Liu as Kalypso, and Rachel Zegler as Anthea — collectively referred to as the Daughters of Atlas. Per the 2022 Comedian-Con teaser (above), the daughters are indignant about Billy’s (Angel) use of the Gods’ powers and can face off towards the complete Shazam Household to retrieve them. The plot is a reasonably completely different from the one teased on the finish of Shazam!, a battle with Mister Thoughts – one of many tiniest however strongest villains within the DC canon — and a second spherical with Dr. Sivana (Mark Robust). In Could of 2021, Robust confirmed he wouldn’t return, saying the movie goes in a “completely different route.” After transient teases at each the 2020 and 2021 DC FanDome occasions, the movie lastly had its massive public unveiling on the 2022 Comedian-con with the teaser and a short Q&A that includes Sandberg, Levi, Angel, Grazer, and Liu. In keeping with Angel, Billy can be beginning to fear about his coming maturity and his place within the foster dwelling. Consequently, he’s attempting his darnedest to maintain the household collectively. In August of 2022, Warner Bros. moved the movie’s launch to March 17, 2023 as part of a wide-reaching schedule change.
How It Suits within the DC Multiverse: Whereas a confrontation between Black Adam (Dwayne Johnson) and Shazam appeared inevitable, it’s at present unclear if Gunn’s adjustments to the DC Universe will accomodate their title bout.
The Flash
(Picture by DC)
Launch Date: June 16, 2023
What We Know: A Flash movie starring Ezra Miller as Justice League‘s Barry Allen has been probably the most troublesome initiatives to get off the bottom. After shedding a number of administrators – amongst them, Seth Grahame-Smith and Rick Famuyiwa – and present process a title change from The Flash to Flashpoint and again once more, the character of the movie lastly got here into focus and was shot from April 2021 to the next October. Plotwise, Allen will crash via a number of dimensions to vary his mom’s destiny in an adaptation of DC Comics’s bold 2011 Flashpoint occasion comedian ebook sequence, and meet varied variations of a few of DC’s greatest heroes alongside the way in which. It helmer Andy Muschietti emerged because the director. On the first DC FanDome, he revealed a primary take a look at idea artwork for Allen’s new go well with, which options embedded mild and was made by Bruce Wayne. And another person signed on, too, on the time. Ben Affleck returns in a small, cameo-style position because the model of Batman we’ve seen in Justice League, whereas Michael Keaton returns, too, because the Batman we met in 1989’s Batman; Muschietti informed Vainness Honest that Keaton’s position is “substantial.” Rudy Mancuso may even seem in an as-yet undisclosed position. In March of 2021, Kiersey Clemons, who signed on to play Iris West again when Famuyiwa was going to direct, recommitted to challenge. Moreover, phrase broke quickly after indicating Maribel Verdú will play Barry’s mom Nora, however as a consequence of scheduling conflicts, Billy Crudup is not going to reprise his Justice League position as Barry’s father Henry. Ron Livingston will play the half as a substitute. Michael Shannon and Antje Traue may even reportedly seem as their Man of Metal characters. Keaton’s look within the movie was teased throughout a sizzle reel for the movie at DC FanDome 2021, which additionally featured a terrific take a look at Barry’s new go well with and a primary glimpse at Sasha Calle’s Supergirl. In March of 2022, Warner Bros. pushed it from a November 2022 launch to June 2023 citing post-production points, however Miller’s alleged habits within the Spring of 2022 and varied authorized troubles have left some questioning if the movie shall be launch in any respect. The actor dedicated to hunt remedy for his or her issues whereas Warner Bros. nonetheless intends to launch the movie subsequent summer time. Certainly, in early December, it moved the discharge up per week to June 16, 2023.
How It Suits within the DC Multiverse: With the story specializing in the Flashpoint storyline – by which Barry’s try to save lots of his mom wrecks the universe – the movie will function Ben Affleck because the Batman, in addition to Michael Keaton, and might embrace different acquainted faces. A promo package deal from the primary DC FanDome additionally recommended Allen might encounter DC heroes from TV and streaming, with a number of clips of Watchmen enjoying because the panel mentioned the Flashpoint prospects. And contemplating how the unique Flashpoint comedian ebook radically altered the DC Comics universe, the movie could also be a story hook from which Gunn can cling his eventual realignment of the DC Universe going ahead.
Blue Beetle
(Picture by DC)
Launch Date: August 18, 2023
What We Know: In February of 2021, phrase broke revealing Attraction Metropolis Kings director Angel Manuel Soto will helm a movie primarily based on the Jaime Reyes model of Blue Beetle. The character is a Mexican-American teenager residing in Texas who discovers a scarab that seems to be an alien battle go well with. It provides him unbelievable powers, however makes his life a lot extra sophisticated. In August of that yr, Cobra Kai’s Xolo Maridueña entered talks to play the lead position. The movie was meant to affix Batgirl as one among two DC productions for HBO Max, but it surely was ultimately promoted to a theatrical function. Maridueña, Soto, and screenwriter Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer made an look on the October 2021 DC FanDome. All expressed enthusiasm for the challenge, with Dunnet-Alcocer saying the prospect to showcase a Mexican-American superhero is a key a part of the enchantment. “That closeness of household is a part of what units him aside,” he stated. An accompanying manufacturing portray additionally recommended the Blue Beetle costume shall be surprisingly trustworthy to its comedian ebook counterpart, an impression backed up when images emerged from the set. Different members of the forged in embrace Bruna Marquezine, Belissa Escobedo, George Lopez, Adriana Barraza, Elpidia Carrillo, Damián Alcázar, Raoul Trujillo, Harvey Guillén, and Susan Sarandon because the villainous Victoria Kord. Manufacturing started in late Could 2022.
How It Suits Into The DC Multiverse: Now that it is going to be a theatrical launch, we’re going to imagine the movie takes place on the identical Earth Barry establishes in The Flash. If that’s the case, it provides Jaime an opportunity to affix no matter Justice League we would see sooner or later. Additionally, Sarandon’s character recommend fan favourite character Ted Kord — an earlier Blue Beetle — might make some type of look.
Aquaman and the Misplaced Kingdom
(Picture by @ Warner Bros.)
Launch Date: December 25, 2023
What We Know: James Wan returns to direct the sequel. In keeping with stories following the primary movie’s gorgeous field workplace debut in December of 2018, the studio wished Wan to develop the challenge whereas he determined whether or not or to not direct. David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, a co-writer on the primary movie, quickly emerged to jot down the follow-up, and Warner Bros. set it for a 2022 launch on the finish of February final yr. Presumably, any sequel storyline will function the return of Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) and his thirst for revenge. We’re additionally going to presume a marriage between Arthur (Jason Momoa) and Mera (Amber Heard) will happen — though her position is alleged to be considerably diminished. Wan finally directed the movie, saying throughout the first DC FanDome that it’ll have a extra severe tone in contrast with the unique, and that new worlds shall be explored. On the similar panel, he was joined by Patrick Wilson, and the pair confirmed that Ocean Grasp will return for the sequel. In early June 2021, the director revealed the movie’s title. A behind-the-scenes video showcased throughout October 2021’s DC FanDome unveiled a brand new take a look at Black Manta’s up to date costume and a black model of Arthur’s armor. In March of 2022, the movie moved its launch a few months from December 2021 to March 2022. Submit-production delays as a result of COVID-19 pandemic have been cited not just for Misplaced Kingdom‘s new launch date, however a complete slew of adjustments to Warner Bros’ calendar. Within the final week of July 2022, a seemingly real mistake on the Warner Bros. studio lot revealed Ben Affleck will seem as Bruce Wayne/Batman. In August of 2022, the movie shifted launch dates by eight months, reportedly due to those self same post-production difficulties.
How It Suits within the DC Multiverse: Aquaman’s seas presumably now exist in a universe all their very own. That stated, it’s at all times potential for one of many characters to hunt his assist in a stinger scene. Or, if it truly is the top of the DC Prolonged Universe, the stinger might supply some be aware of conclusion.
Joker: Folie à Deux
(Picture by Niko Tavernise/© 2019 Warner Bros. Leisure Inc.)
Launch Date: October 4, 2024
What We Know: Because of the success of the primary Joker, a follow-up was inevitable, however particulars remained scarce via 2020. In Could of 2021, phrase broke indicating the challenge continues to be in growth with a shocking new tie to the bigger DC Multiverse. Star Joaquin Phoenix and director Todd Philipps will presumably return, though the star was stated to nonetheless be in negotiations as of June 2022. That very same month, Phillips posted a photograph of the script’s cowl web page (credited to Phillips and Joker co-writer Scott Silver) on social media, suggesting the movie shall be referred to as Joker: Folie à deux. The time period is a reference to 2 or extra folks sharing related psychological issues, main many to marvel if the sequel will function a Phillips tackle Harley Quinn. In subsequent days, Girl Gaga‘s identify emerged as Joker’s potential associate in crime with the movie additionally positioned as a musical — a New York, New York distinction to the primary movie’s Taxi Driver. In August of 2022, the movie’s launch date — October 4, 2024 — was introduced. In subsequent months, Catherine Keener, Jacob Lofland, and Harry Lawtey joined the forged.
How It Suits Into the DC Multiverse: In keeping with the Could 2021 report, the movie will tie into The Batman and its spinoff HBO Max sequence, Gotham PD. Though that sequence was ultimately shelved in favor of exhibits targeted on the Penguin and Arkham Asylum, it’s nonetheless potential the Joker movies will become The Batman prequels. On the similar time, interconnectivity between the 2 movie sequence could also be discouraged as Joker and The Batman stay exterior of Gunn and Safran’s DC Universe plan.
With the pendulum ever swinging between a cohesive movie universe and one thing extra wild, the event roster is quite various. However just like the shelved initiatives on the finish of this checklist, it stays to be seen what number of of them will materialize within the mid-2020s.
The Batman 2
(Picture by Jonathan Olley/©Warner Bros.)
Launch Date: TBA
What We Know: In April of 2022, The Batman director Matt Reeves confirmed he and star Robert Pattinson will return for “the following chapter.” No different particulars can be found, however hypothesis contains introductions of a Robin, the cabal of Gotham elite referred to as the Courtroom of Owls and the villain Hush, who’s teased (after a vogue) in The Batman. We’re additionally going to presume the rebuilding of Gotham Metropolis shall be a plot level, as nicely Bruce’s (Pattinson) makes an attempt to create a public persona.
How It Suits within the DC Multiverse: Not like different DC movie initiatives, we all know this one is disconnected from the mainline DCEU. It’s, in truth, its personal actuality with spinoff tv exhibits. A potential tie to the Joker sequence can be rumored (see above), however contemplating Reeves confirmed Barry Keoghan‘s mysterious Arkham inmate is supposed to be Joker earlier than he adopts his clownish affectations, we doubt The Batman movie sequence will tie to something however concepts it introduces.
Inexperienced Lantern Corps
Launch Date: TBD
What We Know: Introduced again with Cyborg within the 2014 masterplan, Inexperienced Lantern Corps continues to slowly transfer ahead. In June of 2018, former DC Leisure president and chief artistic officer Geoff Johns took over writing and producing the challenge via his manufacturing firm, Mad Ghost Productions. In keeping with the corporate web site, the movie will function each the Silver Age Inexperienced Lantern, Hal Jordan (performed by Ryan Reynolds within the 2011 movie), and John Stewart, the Inexperienced Lantern voiced by Phil LaMarr in varied Justice League animated sequence. An earlier idea developed by Man of Metal’s David S. Goyer and Justin Rhodes was stated to be a type of “Deadly Weapon in area” – an outline which can nonetheless maintain true for Johns’ idea as he labored with Deadly Weapon director Richard Donner for quite a lot of years. With Johns taking part in a Inexperienced Lantern tv sequence for HBO Max, although, the challenge would appear to be postponed once more — although it was stated to be a precedence for Warner Bros. Footage going into the Discovery merger talks. Following the creation of Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Studios, it’s unclear if the movie continues to be occurring.
How It Suits within the DC Multiverse: Teased in a Justice League flashback, the shortage of an Earthbound Inexperienced Lantern is a part of the rationale Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds) selected the planet for conquest. However the movie would presumably see the Corps correcting that mistake by revealing the courageous people concerned in that group. Little question the followers of Jordan and Stewart – to say nothing of characters like Man Gardner, Simon Baz, Jessica Cruz, and G’Nort, who might doubtlessly seem within the movie – shall be excited to see them in an ensemble. Moreover, the movie would offer an ideal platform with which to introduce DC’s space-faring characters to a bigger viewers.
Supergirl
Launch Date: TBD
What We Know: The Cloverfield Paradox’s Oren Uziel is reportedly writing a script primarily based on the Lady of Metal. Like The Flash function movie, it can presumably ignore the tv sequence on The CW and inform its personal model of Kara Zor-El’s first few days as a superhero on Earth. With Man of Metal star Henry Cavill’s DC future doubtful, it’s unlikely that Superman will present up and assist greet the cinematic Kara. The producers of the 1984 Supergirl movie additionally tried to get then-Superman Christopher Reeve to look within the movie, however his presence was restricted to a poster on a dorm room wall. In February 2021, The Younger and the Stressed’s Sasha Calle was forged as Kara for an look in The Flash function. Presumably, she’s going to lead Supergirl as nicely, but it surely at present unclear. Certainly, it’s also unclear if the movie is going on in any respect in mild of the DC Studios restructuring.
How It Suits within the DC Multiverse: If Calle continues as Kara, The Flash will decide if she’s the Supergirl of Barry’s Earth – our de facto DCEU – or one of many Mutliversal realities he visits within the movie.
Cyborg
(Picture by © Warner Bros. Footage)
Launch Date: TBD
What We Know: Ray Fisher has been set to star as Vic Stone in a 2020 Cyborg movie since 2014, however no director or screenwriter have been ever introduced. Many doubted the movie would materialize regardless of nonetheless being on the calendar for a few years following Fisher’s Batman v Superman: Daybreak of Justice cameo. In September of 2018, Fisher recommended followers of the character might must turn out to be extra vocal to make the movie a actuality. In the summertime of 2020, he launched a marketing campaign to show Joss Whedon’s allegedly abusive habits on the set of the Justice League reshoots. Because the scenario expanded to former DC Movies chiefs Geoff Johns and Jon Berg, Fisher vowed by no means to work with former DC Movies boss Walter Hamada – whom he alleged was pressuring him to take again his accusations about Johns. Subsequently, Cyborg’s deliberate position in The Flash was written out and, presumably, any likelihood of a solo movie outing went with it.
How It Suits within the DC Multiverse: Frankly, we’ll be shocked if Cyborg, in any kind, ever resurfaces on the large display.
Blackhawk
Launch Date: TBD
What We Know: Whereas it’s unclear if Blackhawk shall be a part of the DC movie universe, it’s a favourite comedian ebook of director Steven Spielberg. He even tried to get a Blackhawk film off the bottom within the Eighties. The present model of the challenge will see him direct a movie primarily based on the golden-age High quality Comics idea later purchased by DC in 1957 with The Misplaced World: Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp adapting the idea. The principle character is the chief of the Blackhawks squadron, a famed air outfit of seven ace pilots throughout World Battle II. When DC integrated them right into a post-war context, they turned mercenaries, battled James Bond-style supervillains, and even flirted with changing into superheroes themselves! Contemplating the director’s fascination with the Second World Battle and aviation of the interval, the unique Golden Age model looks like the very best match, offered the movie ever will get off the bottom.
How It Suits In The DC Multiverse: Whereas present narrative conceits permit the movie to happen previously of Barry’s Earth, the Multiverse means the challenge may very well be as carefully or loosely tied to different movies as Spielberg desires. That’s presuming, after all, he’s nonetheless inquisitive about making it or working inside the DC Studios framework.
Untitled Jared Leto Joker Mission
(Picture by © Warner Bros.)
Launch Date: TBD
What We Know: In keeping with stories, Jared Leto will star and function government producer in his personal solo Joker movie – a deal which occurs to be fairly just like Margot Robbie’s involvement in Birds of Prey. Particulars are scarce, aside from it is going to be a separate challenge from each the “Joker and Harley” idea and the standalone Joker. It would additionally spearhead a batch of movies primarily based on the characters featured in Suicide Squad, which implies rumors of that Deadshot film is likely to be greater than idle discuss. Then once more, it has been a very long time for the reason that actor has made any point out of returning to the position. It will appear Leto’s time within the DC Multiverse is already over.
How It Suits within the DC Multiverse: The Leto Joker was not solely featured in Suicide Squad, however can be the assassin of Batman’s second Robin, as implied in Batman v Superman: Daybreak of Justice. As of Birds of Prey, his relationship with Harley is kaput, setting the 2 characters off in separate movies sequence. If the “Joker and Harley” challenge continues to be occurring, then it could function a capstone to the characters’ storylines throughout The Suicide Squad, Birds of Prey, and Leto’s Joker. However it could additionally function a substitute for that movie as Robbie’s Harley initiatives might preclude “Joker and Harley.” After all, Joker’s success – and Leto’s feedback about being “alienated and upset” when it was introduced – might imply the top of this model of the character. His look in Zack Snyder’s Justice League and the very nature of the Multiverse supply some glimmers of hope, nonetheless. On the similar time, we’re near transferring this into the “shelved” checklist.
Nightwing
Launch Date: TBD
What We Know: As of February 2018, The LEGO Batman Film’s Chris McKay was nonetheless creating a challenge centered on the primary Robin, Dick Grayson. A closing draft from screenwriter Invoice Dubuque was due on the time, however there was no motion since. Reportedly, the movie has been postponed in anticipation of The Batman, which can finally introduce its personal model of Dick Grayson. In June of 2021, McKay informed CinemaBlend, “I hope it’s nonetheless a actuality. I hope that we nonetheless get to make that film. So far as I’m involved, it’s not misplaced but.”
How It Suits within the DC Multiverse: As established in Justice League, the Robin costume within the Batcave just isn’t Dick Grayson’s uniform, suggesting plans for Nightwing go all the way in which again to the 2014 masterplan. A solo movie would presumably see the character residing in Bludhaven (Grayson’s adopted metropolis within the comics) and coming to grips with changing into his personal hero. McKay additionally plans to direct a function movie model of Johnny Quest, so it’s arduous to inform if Nightwing will occur anytime quickly. Final time McKay was requested about it, he stated followers should wait, however they need to additionally “maintain hope alive.” At this level, although, it appears unlikely.
Man of Metal Sequel
(Picture by Clay Enos/Warner Bros.)
Launch Date: TBD
What We Know: In September of 2017, X-Males: First Class director Matthew Vaughn met with the studio with reference to a direct Man of Metal sequel. A few years on, the return of Superman to the large display appeared like a distant risk. Then got here Henry Cavill‘s cameo in October 2022’s Black Adam, phrase of one other cameo in 2023’s The Flash, and an Instagram put up the Monday following Black Adam‘s launch by which Cavill claimed to be again as Superman. Subsequent reporting revealed nothing longterm has been signed between the actor and Warner, making hopes of a Man of Metal 2 slightly dimmer. Moreover, it’s unclear if Gunn and Safran need Cavill to proceed on as Superman.
How It Suits within the DC Multiverse: Clark (Cavill) has to reestablish himself on the Each day Planet in some unspecified time in the future, proper? In the meantime, Superman might face any variety of DCU villains from Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) to Black Adam.
Lobo
Launch Date: TBD
What We Know: The Fundamental Man, a Czarnian with varied superpowers and therapeutic elements, has at all times been of curiosity to Warner Bros. in its varied company incarnations. Makes an attempt to make a Lobo film date again to 2009 with Man Ritchie and Brad Peyton circling the director’s chair. As of February 2020, screenwriter Jason Fuchs (Surprise Girl) was finishing a brand new draft. Michael Bay was linked to the challenge, however it’s unclear if he ever actually signed on. In one of many stranger turns, The Hollywood Reporter claimed in December 2022 that Jason Momoa is inquisitive about switching from Aquaman to the Fundamental Man for a Lobo function.
How It Suits within the DC Multiverse: Lobo, like Inexperienced Lantern Corps, might introduce the cosmic components of the DC Universe. The character’s irreverence and stark design additionally set him aside from the remainder the DC characters audiences are accustomed to. And contemplating the instances his comedian ebook counterpart and Superman have butted heads, he might turn out to be a worthy opponent for the Man of Metal in a subsequent movie. Moreover, he’s the type of character Gunn likes to work with, so it’s potential his inventory is rising once more.
Static Shock
Launch Date: TBD
What We Know: First revealed on the 2021 DC FanDome occasion, a movie primarily based on Milestone’s Static – and, after all, the Static Shock animated sequence – is in growth at Warner Bros Footage. Michael B. Jordan will be part of Reggie Hudlin as an government producer on the challenge with Randy McKinnon writing the script. Primarily based on the character created by Milestone Media founders Dwayne McDuffie, Denys Cowan, Michael Davis, and Derek T. Dingle, the movie will heart on Virgil Hawkins, a young person with electromagnetic powers who finds his means into a bigger world whereas nonetheless holding his native streets secure. Initially set in Milestone’s Dakotaverse, it’s unclear if Virgil will begin his adventures there or as a DC hero. Because it occurs, Static solely transferred to the DC Universe in 2008 whereas his cartoon counterpart made cameo appearances in DC animated exhibits a lot earlier.
How It Suits within the DC Multiverse: Supplied the movie continues to be on the slate, anticipate Static to ascertain his personal cred earlier than different heroes search him out.
Superman
(Picture by © First Run Options /Courtesy Everett Assortment)
Launch Date: TBD
What We Know: Just some days after the Blue Beetle information broke, phrase surfaced that J.J. Abrams’ manufacturing firm, Unhealthy Robotic, would produce a completely new Superman movie with novelist and Captain America comedian ebook author Ta-Nehisi Coates (above within the documentary Moynihan) on scripting duties. Reportedly, the challenge will function a Black actor within the lead – though it’s unclear if it is going to be Clark Kent or one of many varied Black Superman characters DC Comics has launched through the years. In Could of 2021, a shortlist of administrators together with Regina King, Shaka King, and J.D. Dillard emerged, however with Regina King finally signing on to adapt Picture Comics’ Bitter Root, it appears the shortlist is simply right down to the latter two. In the meantime, some stories point out Coates handed in his script someday within the Spring of 2022, however it’s unclear if the challenge is a prioroity within the ever-changing targets of Warner Bros. Footage and its new company house owners.
Additionally, Michael B. Jordan is creating a HBO Max sequence centered on Val-Zod, the Superman of Earth-2 with writers Darnell Metayer and Josh Peters. However just like the Coates/Abrams movie, it’s unclear if this may finally materialize. The truth is, Gunn’s said plan for cohesion might imply the top of each of those initiatives.
How It Suits Into The DC Multiverse: The infinite DC worlds will presumably permit for each this Superman and Cavill’s Man of Metal to co-exist. It additionally permits the 2 characters to satisfy, offered Gunn even desires to make use of the Multiverse as a narrative engine.
Hourman
Launch Date: TBD
What We Know: In March of 2021, Chernin Leisure signed on to provide a movie that includes the Nineteen Forties comedian character or one among his subsequent iterations. Generally, Hourman obtains heightened power and endurance through a tablet referred to as Miraclo. Sadly, its results solely final an hour and he can solely use it as soon as a day. Eventually report, Gavin James and Neil Widener have been set to jot down the script. Within the yr since phrase of the challenge first broke, no updates have emerged and it’s potential the movie was misplaced within the Warner Bros. Discovery merger. However contemplating Gunn’s love of lesser-known DC characters, Hourman might get a sudden dose of Miraclo.
How It Suits Into The DC Multiverse: Once more, we assume this shall be set in Barry’s world. However with variations of the character starting from a Nineteen Forties thriller man to a time touring android from the 853rd Century, the probabilities for Hourman are infinite.
Black Canary
(Picture by Claudette Barius/©Warner Bros.)
Launch Date: TBD
What We Know: In June of 2021, information broke indicating a Black Canary movie will be part of the HBO Max roster of DC function movies. Jurnee Smollet is reportedly set to reprise her position from Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) with Misha Inexperienced writing. Birds of Prey producer Sue Kroll may even produce Black Canary. In June of 2022, Smollet informed Comicbook.com she was excited to discover the character in a deeper means, suggesting the challenge continues to be alive in some kind. In August of 2022, TVLine confirmed that the movie is certainly nonetheless in growth. However as with each different DC challenge in growth, it’s unclear if it nonetheless aligns with Gunn and Safran’s plans.
How It Suits Into The DC Multiverse: Presumably, the movie will proceed Canary’s story from Birds of Prey – minus the opposite two members of the workforce, after all – however it’s at all times potential Inexperienced will use the Multiverse to provide her model of the character a contemporary begin.
Constantine 2
(Picture by Warner Bros. courtesy Everett Assortment)
Launch Date: TBD
What We Know: In a completely gorgeous flip of occasions, Keanu Reeves is planning to play John Constantine as soon as once more. As revealed in September 2022, the actor will reunite with director Francis Lawrence — who helmed the primary Constantine again in 2005 — with Akiva Goldsman penning the script. Lawrence claimed he’ll shoot for an R-rating. The movie will probably be the one DC challenge from the various J.J. Abrams’ Unhealthy Robotic started creating a number of years in the past for each movie and tv. Nicely, offered it nonetheless aligns with Gunn and Safran’s plans for the DC Universe.
How It Suits Into The DC Multiverse: The movie will presumably happen in the identical universe as Constantine with, maybe, a magic spell gone mistaken transporting John to the shared DC Universe. Though, once more, it stays to be seen how the challenge will finally shake out with Gunn and Safran’s artistic route for DC Studios as a complete.
New Gods
(Picture by Picture By: Priscilla Grant/Everett Assortment)
Launch Date: Shelved
What We Know: A Wrinkle In Time’s Ava DuVernay was set to direct a movie model Jack Kirby’s New Gods for Warner Bros., writing the script alongside Mr. Miracle author Tom King. The movie allegedly would have centered on escape artist Scott Free – aka Mr. Miracle – and his spouse Barda. Each are refugees from the plant Apokolips; a depressing world underneath the grip of the tyrant god Darkseid. Scott was given to Darkseid as a child by his personal father to take care of a peace between Apokolips and the close by world of New Genesis. Regardless of the detente, Darksied plots to manage the universe and the battle of the New Gods rages on. DuVernay thrilled followers in early 2020 when she stated she “might in truth be taking some notes” from the Twitter dream casting threads, which included names like Diego Luna for Mr. Miracle.
Sadly, Warner Bros. and DC introduced on April 1, 2021 that two of their movies in growth — one among them being New Gods — “is not going to be transferring ahead… Their initiatives will stay of their skillful palms in the event that they have been to maneuver ahead sooner or later.”
The Trench
Launch Date: Shelved
What We Know: As a part of an effort to maintain Aquaman’s nook of the DC movie universe alive, Warner Bros. employed screenwriters Noah Gardner and Aidan Fitzgerald to jot down a script centered on The Trench in February of 2019. As referenced within the movie’s early moments, The Trench are the descendants of an Atlantean tribe who devolved into fish monsters after breaking away from the remainder of the kingdoms. They are often seen attacking Arthur and Mera’s boat shortly earlier than they make their strategy to the key sea. Wan publicly mentioned his adoration for the creatures and it appears the challenge would have develop shortly into an offshoot of Aquaman a la the Annabelle spin-offs from Wan’s The Conjuring sequence. The movie was reportedly set to happen after the primary Aquaman movie and lean into some horror components, which after all is smart, contemplating Wan’s résumé.
As with Ava DuVernay’s New Gods, nonetheless, growth of The Trench was additionally halted indefinitely by Warner Bros. and DC, regardless that a script for the movie had been accomplished by Gardner and Fitzgerald. The announcement did maintain the door open simply sufficient to permit for future developments, however as of now, The Trench is not part of the studio’s fast plans. In October of 2021, Wan revealed the challenge was really a Black Manta solo movie with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II within the starring position.
Surprise Twins
Launch Date: Shelved
What We Know: To be directed by Black Adam screenwriter Adam Sztykiel and meant to star KJ Apa and Isabel Could, the Surprise Twins HBO Max function was to heart on characters created by Norman Maurer for the The All-New Tremendous Mates Hour animated sequence. Zan (Apa) and Jayna (Could) are two youngsters from the planet Exxor who can activate their shape-shifting powers by touching one another’s palms. Zan can turn out to be any type of water whereas Jayna can turn out to be any animal. Presumably taking its cues from the 2019 Surprise Twins comedian ebook by Mark Russell and Stephen Byrn, it might’ve seen the pair adjusting to life on Earth whereas additionally discovering their place within the superhero group.
Sadly, the movie was scrapped in Could of 2022, simply shortly after Apa and Could have been introduced to star. In keeping with stories, the movie was budgeted at $75 million — a value too wealthy when in comparison with incoming Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav vow to chop $3 billion from the company’s working funds. Moreover, the studio additionally felt the Surprise Twins have been too area of interest an concept for a theatrical launch, ending all growth on the challenge.
Batgirl
(Picture by © Warner Bros.)
Launch Date: Shelved
What We Know: Initially supposed as Joss Whedon’s writing and directing debut within the DC Prolonged Universe, the challenge was finally written by Birds of Prey scribe Christina Hodson. Presumably, the movie will set up Barbara Gordon because the Batgirl of Gotham. Her relationship to the Birds of Prey will probably be established in a subsequent sequel to both movie, if in any respect. However contemplating Hodson’s involvement in each movies, she in all probability has a plan for Babs. In Could of 2021, the challenge turned lively with Ms. Marvel administrators Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah signing on to helm the movie, which is now set to be one of many first DC-related direct-to-HBO Max options. That July, the casting course of seemingly narrowed in on Isabella Merced, Zoey Deutch, Leslie Grace, and Haley Lu Richardson. Grace gained the position later than month with J.Okay. Simmons coming into negotiations to return as Commissioner Jim Gordan, a job he first took on in Justice League. Throughout DC FanDome in October 2021, Grace described the character as a “girly woman, however she’s succesful and powerful and decided.” Co-director El Arbi added that the movie will function “reasonable fights.” A bit of manufacturing artwork glimpsed throughout the presentation additionally suggests Batgirl will make the most of a dressing up just like her New 52 look within the comics. In subsequent months, Michael Keaton signed on as Batman, Brendan Fraser agreed to play Firefly — the first antagonist — and Ivory Aquino joined the forged as Alysia Yeoh, Barbara’s greatest pal. Different actors within the forged embrace Rebecca Entrance, Corey Johnson, and Ethan Kai. Grace unveiled the primary correct take a look at the Batgirl costume in January of 2022, a model closely impressed by the “Batgirl of Burnside” costume designed by Cameron Stewart and Babs Tarr. As of early July 2022, there was a risk the movie may be part of Blue Beetle as a theatrical launch, however on August 2 got here the gorgeous information that the movie — regardless of nearing completion — shall be shelved solely and can by no means see launch in theaters or on the Warner streaming service.
The Different Batman
Launch Date: Presumably Shelved
What We Know: In a New York Occasions profile of Walter Hamada, the previous DC Movies chief made a curious reference to the Multiverse making two Batman function movie sagas potential. One to proceed the story of The Batman whereas the opposite … nicely, it was anybody’s guess on the time. For the reason that profile was revealed, WarnerMedia turned Warner Bros. Discovery, DC Movies turned DC Studios, and Hamada exited the corporate solely. Even when the challenge was one thing he severely thought-about, we extremely doubt Gunn and Safran need multiple actor enjoying the half at any given time. However will they ever persuade Robert Pattinson to affix a Justice League movie?
Surprise Girl 3
Launch Date: Reportedly Shelved
What We Know: Scorching on the heels of Surprise Girl 1984’s field workplace success – nicely, no less than in 2020 metrics – Warner Bros. introduced a 3rd movie was being quick tracked. Each director Patty Jenkins and star Gal Gadot have been set to return. Jenkins additionally stated the movie will lastly deliver Diana’s solo adventures to the current day. Growth continued whereas Jenkins went off to prep Rogue Squadron, a Star Wars movie that might ultimately occur, however is at present postponed indefinitely. In April of 2022, Gadot informed Forbes the script continues to be within the means of growth however “all wheels are working and turning.” In early December, the actor tweeted one other hopeful message in regards to the challenge as Jenkins and co-writer Geoff Johns submitted a treatement to the studio. However, in accordance with The Hollywood Reporter, Gunn, Safran, and Warner Bros. Footage co-chairs Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy subsequently informed Jenkins that the challenge not suits the DC technique. It’s at present unclear if director or star shall be concerned in any subsequent Surprise Girl initiatives.
Thumbnail picture: Clay Enos/©Warner Bros.
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