All Things DCEU News, Discussion, and Speculation - Part 4

[2kt09]

Long post, but here's my thoughts on all of the movies in the works

Spoiler

Aquaman (James Wan) - I have doubts about Momoa's ability to lead this movie. He and Mera were both unimpressive in Justice League. I really look forward to seeing what Wan does with the deep sea creatures. I hope he is able to bring some of his horror sensibilities to this movie and he isn't neutered by the studio. Seeing Black Manta and Orm onscreen is going to be pretty exciting though. I think this has a great chance of being good. I've liked all of Wan's work so far.

Shazam! (David Sandberg) Annabelle: Creation was fantastic but it isn't exactly a sign that this movie will be good. The concept and source material is there, but we'll wait and see. I think I would've been more hyped if Black Adam was the villain.

Wonder Woman 2 (Patty Jenkins) - The first movie was solid. I rank it about as high as your average MCU movie. It's no Civil War, but it's better than Ant-Man. Kristen Wiig as Cheetah is such an exciting casting decision, I look forward to seeing how she does. Seeing Cheetah in live action will be exciting, I just hope they do a better job with her than they did with Ares. The Cold War setting will be interesting, I like that they're sticking with period pieces for this franchise. It keeps things fresh.

Deathstroke (Gareth Evans) - This just doesn't need to be made at all. Very unnecessary. Deathstroke is cool, but just stick him in a Titans movie or on the Injustice League. That's where he belongs. I'll see it if it's made, and I guess if anyone's to direct a Deathstroke movie (unnecessary as it is), Gareth Evans is the guy.

Gotham City Sirens (David Ayer) - David Ayer had his chance. I don't hate the guy. His ideas were just so dumb. I don't like his take on DC characters. I highly doubt this movie will ever happen though. A Gotham City Sirens movie from someone else would be welcome though.

Harley Quinn and The Joker (Glenn Ficarra and John Requa) - F this. Robbie is great, it's really too bad that's she's so closely associated with arguably the worst depiction of The Joker that we've ever seen. I love Margot Robbie, but is she the only person that can play Harley? I don't think so. If Margot and Leto are a package deal, then scrap them both. It's not worth us having to endure Leto again.

New Gods (Ava DuVernay) - It's strange that she was selected for this right after A Wrinkle In Time flopped, but I really do think that she has what it takes to nail this. She's one of the best directors working right now, and I think it's great that she might be getting another chance at a big budget movie. I sincerely hope this happens, I have a really good feeling about this one. This will be the breath of fresh air that the DCEU needs.

Nightwing (Chris McKay) - I should be more excited for this than I am. Dick Grayson is my favorite character. They should really wait to do this until they get Batman under control though. Titans on DC's streaming service is said to be covering Robin's transition into Nightwing. If Titans is quality, it will be hard to get pumped for this one. It'll feel like a rehash. One live action portrayal of Robin will be enough for me.

Suicide Squad 2 (Gavin O'Connor) - Why? I guess this is an opportunity to right their wrongs, but this just doesn't need to happen. I can't see myself getting excited for this. It'll be cool to see live action depictions of some other DC villains though.

The Batman (Matt Reeves) - I don't care if Reeves stays or leaves. Other people can direct this just as good as he could. I hope he stays on though, just to provide some stability. I hope Gyllenhaal gets cast too. If they go with some villains we haven't seen before, I'll be over the moon.

The Flash (John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein) - It's hard to get too pumped for this one. I highly doubt it will be better than The Flash Season 1. I thought Ezra was HORRIBLE in Justice League. And the novelty of seeing live action versions of Flash and his villains was taken away by the solid (at least the first season) tv series. I feel pretty meh about this one. Especially after the reports that have said this won't be Flashpoint at all, but more a straightforward Flash story.

The Joker (Todd Phillips) - This might be the movie I'm most excited for. I love that this is going to be an out of continuity story. Everything I've heard about this so far sounds amazing. Joaquin Phoenix is genius casting. Get Jonah Hill as Penguin in there too and they're set.

Batgirl - I think this can work. Get a female director in there and let her run wild. It could be a gamechanger. It's just tricky to develop this when we don't even have a Batman movie. It will be a nice way to see some Batman villains without having to use them in the mainline Batman series.

Black Adam - Horrible idea. This needs to be consolidated into a Shazam sequel. No one wants this to happen except for The Rock and greedy execs...

Blue Beetle and Booster Gold
Cyborg - I get that this could be good for diversity, but the story just isn't there. Cyborg has never worked as a solo character. I'm just not seeing it. I'm all for more diversity on film, I support that movement 100%, but I can't really get hyped for this unless it's basically a Titans movie. Grid is Cyborg's main villain, and I don't really have any interest in seeing that character. Ray Fisher was fine in the role, I just don't see people clamoring for this one. John Stewart and Static are two black heroes that are far better suited for solo films than Cyborg.

Green Lantern Corps - This could be huge if done right. The Last Jedi just about killed the Star Wars franchise, so maybe this can be the next big science fantasy series. So much potential there with Geoff Johns' saga. A good visual director is a must. This was pitched as Lethal Weapon in space, and I really like that idea. This is one of my most anticipated DC movies for sure.

Justice League 2 - They need to just wait a good while for this. The timing just isn't right. If New Gods is a success, then maybe after that. Just focus on solo characters for now.

Justice League Dark - This could turn the tide for DC. It would be a unique movie that could set them apart. DC needs to tap into their mystical side. If this is done right, this can set up a few franchises for DC. Swamp Thing and Constantine are the main reasons I want this to happen. It would be so cool to see their friendship onscreen.

Lobo - I really hope this one happens. It would feel really fresh and change the game a bit. It could be DC's Deadpool. Get Terry Crews in there and let him loose.

Man of Steel 2 - This one is so weird. Who knows if this will ever happen. I kind of doubt it. We need to see Brainiac already. Supergirl too. I love Superman, I'm just not the biggest fan of DCEU Superman. I'd rather see something more optimistic and more colorful. Matt Vaughn could nail it. I hope this happens, I just don't see it being a big success. Maybe Superman in Shazam will get Superman back in the general audience's good graces again, and the time will be right for another Superman movie.

Deadshot - Just like Black Adam, it's only in the works because it's Will Smith. A solo Deadshot movie is laughable.

James Wan is all I really need to know. The new folks in charge are geared toward the benefit of him and Sandberg.

I'm with some others in feeling a WW2 has every chance as any to not do as well. They've already taken care of the hero being taught a valuable lesson rather than doing a straight origin story.

Gareth Evans is all I need to know. It would make more sense to prioritize something as low risk yet obviously high reward as this Deathstroke movie
rather than wait on Matt Reeves to set the stage.
The same goes for a Nightwing movie.
Whedon was quite obviously the only reason there was a Batgirl movie.

New Gods is the riskiest venture, especially with DuVarney.

Skwad 2 is definitely happening before any other Harley-related spinoff let alone a Deadshot solo. The first one was too much of a success especially amidst the various messes made. This is already their weird & out-there series.

Hollywood has made its point with The Rock. Now go make that Black Adam movie to redeem his mythical fantasy career.

I forget that Daley & Goldstein also worked on Cloudy 2, so they could script a decent flick. No word yet on directing ability.

JLDark, MoS sequel, GLCorps all feel like they're in the same and similar race as the Harley spinoffs to even get made.

Rayborg deserves better.

 

[chamber-music]

Let me know if I'm missing any:

In Production
Aquaman (James Wan)
Shazam! (David Sandberg)

In Pre-Production
Wonder Woman 2 (Patty Jenkins)

In Development (Directors Attached)
Deathstroke (Gareth Evans)
Gotham City Sirens (David Ayer)
Harley Quinn and The Joker (Glenn Ficarra and John Requa)
New Gods (Ava DuVernay)
Nightwing (Chris McKay)
Suicide Squad 2 (Gavin O'Connor)
The Batman (Matt Reeves)
The Flash (John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein)
The Joker (Todd Phillips)

In Development (No Directors Attached)
Batgirl
Black Adam
Blue Beetle and Booster Gold
Cyborg
Green Lantern Corps
Justice League 2
Justice League Dark
Lobo
Man of Steel 2
Deadshot

I doubt most of these movies are going to be made anytime soon.

Aquaman, Shazam, Suicide Squad 2 and Wonder Woman 2 are obviously coming out within the next couple years.

Green Lantern Corps/The Flash/The Batman I think have a high probability of being made but could face delays/development issues/directors quitting.

Everything else seems subject to change.

The DCEU isn't really mapped out in phases and interconnected in the way the MCU is so the movies are less dependent on each other. It means WB can just kill a particular DC movie in development if they lose interest.

 

[Boom]

Joaquin Watch continues.

https://www.fandango.com/movie-news...playing-the-joker-could-be-interesting-753114

 

[Chip Chipperson]

do it, please.

I need a joker to look forward to, even if its a completely different universe. which I guess is better at this point in time

 

[Jekecy]

If it does go through, I can only hope Joaquin gets back into the groove, physically. He's looking quite old and pudgy these days. Could be looking at a Nicholson 2.0 where the actor is damn near perfect for the part, but simultaneously 10 years later than expected.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

bet the guy goes all in and loses like 60 pounds for this

would like to see that skinny almost gaunt look.

 

[Greens]

Joaquin Watch continues.

https://www.fandango.com/movie-news...playing-the-joker-could-be-interesting-753114

Based on their description of his behavior there is no doubt that he's up for the role, if there ever was.

 

[Rorschach2012]

The Joker is probably my most anticipated DC movie.

 

[Rorschach2012]

edit

 

[Jekecy]

For live-action I'm not confident the classic Bizarro would play off well to audiences. Definitely straddles the line of being corny.

At the same time though, I don't know if a mirror-Supes would be all that interesting either. MCU has done that quite a few times and it's hardly ever worked.

 

[Boom]

I think Batman v Superman would have been a perfect time to use Bizarro. Use him in the place of Doomsday.

 

[Mandon Knight]

Beyond whats already 'nailed to the mast' WB seriously need to be confirming some of these announcements of what is in production discussion to actual traction PDQ.

 

[The Joker]

I need a joker to look forward to, even if its a completely different universe. which I guess is better at this point in time

Anything removed from Letoker's version is a good thing.

 

[Boom]

Anything removed from Letoker's version is a good thing.

Ugh. Had such high hopes.

 

[Mandon Knight]

I wish WB would be honest with 'us', and admit they are replacing actors for the role. I quite like Leto as Joker, I don't mind him at all in the role, but the studio need to respect him as an actor, if he's not the chosen man for the role, give him time to sort things out and re-cast, all this dragging on and it being a 'younger' actor required for a 80's set origin story, is BS. Phoenix looks older than Leto FCS.

 

[Boom]

It feels like we've been saying this every year for the last four years, but hopefully Comic Con will offer some insight as to what the game plan is here - especially when it comes to the supposed "Elseworlds" banner. Until they actually produce a film under said banner, it's hard to take it seriously as anything more than an idea.

And as others have mentioned, the idea of using an "Elseworlds" banner to make one-off films is one thing. But when you start cross-pollinating characters between that banner and the DCEU banner? That's when things could get really tricky really quick. Suppose Joaquin Phoenix does play the Joker in the stand-alone film. Suppose he knocks it out of the park. Where does that leave Jared Leto? What audience is going to line up to see more of Jared Leto's Joker in the DCEU films if they preferred Phoenix's portrayal? That's the inherent risk of multiple versions of the same character existing on film concurrently. You're basically competing against yourself.

 

[Deck Rickard]

I think Batman v Superman would have been a perfect time to use Bizarro. Use him in the place of Doomsday.

Yes but you see Superman needed to DIE DIE DIE because that’s the only way he could inspire people or something. And for that, you need a Teenage Mutant Ninja Cave Troll err... Doomsday.

 

[Tg11]

I personally wouldn't mind Joaquin in the role of The Joker because if anything he has proven that he can be one of the best actors of our generation especially if he is in a role that he actually wants to play

 

[Jekecy]

It feels like we've been saying this every year for the last four years, but hopefully Comic Con will offer some insight as to what the game plan is here - especially when it comes to the supposed "Elseworlds" banner. Until they actually produce a film under said banner, it's hard to take it seriously as anything more than an idea.

I have to wonder just how many Comic Con announcements it's going to take before fan enthusiasm is completely deflated by the lack of deliverance. What's sad is how eager we all are for the brand to succeed, but such consistent failures has to have a breaking point.

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

Anything removed from Letoker's version is a good thing.

Agreed! “Bling-bling” Joker has to be the worst idea ever! The character couldn’t care less about that sort of thing. They turned a criminal genius into a common cheap lowlife thug....

 

[Iceman]

Just get Joaquin. Give him what he wants.

 

[Deck Rickard]

I have to wonder just how many Comic Con announcements it's going to take before fan enthusiasm is completely deflated by the lack of deliverance. What's sad is how eager we all are for the brand to succeed, but such consistent failures has to have a breaking point.

I can't wait for this year's big introduction of the Flash directors, who will jump ship in 3-4 months over "creative differences."

 

[Spider-Aziz]

I think Batman v Superman would have been a perfect time to use Bizarro. Use him in the place of Doomsday.

You mean trying to make a Superman clone he can trust having power over instead of intentionally creating some abominable crap mindless zombie/clone hybrid after nearly enslaving the Man of Steel to attack and be killed by the other obsessed idiot?

Totally agree.

 

[misslane38]

You mean trying to make a Superman clone he can trust having power over instead of intentionally creating some abominable crap mindless zombie/clone hybrid after nearly enslaving the Man of Steel to attack and be killed by the other obsessed idiot?

Totally agree.

What versions of Bizarro are you familiar with? Because nearly every single one of them, especially the Luthor clones, have been known to be uncontrollable and rebellious.

The resurrected Superman is revealed to be a clone created by Lex from a blood sample retrieved after the Doomsday battle. Lex is keeping the real Superman's body preserved in a tube, unaware that Superman is still barely alive. He periodically tortures the clone Superman in a special lead-lined red-sunlight room with kryptonite gauntlets. A robot from the Fortress of Solitude recovers Superman's body after detecting he was still alive and begins restoring Superman to health. Meanwhile, the clone's attitude darkens when he hears that Toyman killed a child. In retaliation, Superman drops him from a distance so that he falls to his death in front of the police station. The city is stunned and the clone threatens the populace into abiding by the law, convinced that the terror is preventative. This convinces Lois and Martha that this is not the real Superman.

Lex berates the clone for his behavior, orders him to find Superman's corpse, and threatens to kill him if he goes out of line. The clone deduces that a lead-shielded kryptonite pellet is in his brain, and removes it utilizing his heat vision and a mirror at a hair salon. Lois discovers the truth after tranquilizing Lex and searching his files with Jimmy. They discover that Lex is cloning an army of Supermen. Lex awakens armed with a gun, but the original clone saves Lois and Jimmy. He also destroys the cloning facility including the yet-to-be-awakened clones. Lex hides in the special room, hoping to kill the clone with the Kryptonite gauntlets, but the clone locks him inside and tosses the entire room to the street. This latest presumed murder triggers military action which fails.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman:_Doomsday

Some of them aren't connected to Luthor at all and live on other worlds. I really don't see what makes Bizarro a better choice, honestly.

 

[Spider-Aziz]

What versions of Bizarro are you familiar with? Because nearly every single one of them, especially the Luthor clones, have been known to be uncontrollable and rebellious.

An attempt, I didn't call it a successful one.