It’s been quite a day for DC Comics fans. Warner Bros. CEO Kevin Tsujihara dropped huge plans today regarding the ambitious release timetable of their upcoming superheroes film slate that goes ten deep and all the way to 2020. It definitely shows unrepresented confidence in the dark DC continuity introduced in Man of Steel.
Looking at the massive ten picture line-up here, it only adds that much more pressure to the necessary blockbuster success of 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, as that will be the main springboard for expanding DC’s big screen universe for the following four years and nine (or more) films to come.
First off, let’s start with just the facts. Here is the what we can look forward to from WB’s line-up:
- Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – March 25, 2016
- Suicide Squad – August 5, 2016
- Wonder Woman – June 23, 2017
- Justice League, Part One – November 17, 2017
- The Flash – March 23, 2018
- Aquaman – July 27, 2018
- Shazam – April 5, 2019
- Justice League, Part Two – June 14, 2019
- Cyborg – April 3, 2020
- Green Lantern – June 19, 2020
News tidbits include Zack Snyder will be directing Justice League as well as the Justice League sequel, Jason Momoa has finally been confirmed as Aquaman, Wonder Woman will be getting a long awaited solo big screen movie, and Ezra Miller has been cast as DC’s cinematic Flash.
As previously announced, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is set for March 25th, 2016. In additional to Wonder Woman’s solo adventure in 2017, post-Justice League standalone films are set for Aquaman (Momoa) and Flash (Miller). Post-Justice League II films are coming in 2020 for Cyborg (Ray Fisher) and the rebooted Green Lantern. Shazam featuring Dwayne Johnson as Black Adam isn’t due until 2019. We can also expect solo films for both Superman and Batman, which when you think about it will give Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck very little resting time.
The recent Suicide Squad film rumors helmed by Fury‘s David Ayer proved true as they will hit the big screen in 2016. It’s interesting that in addition to recasting the Flash for the big screen (sorry Grant Gustin), which definitively sets the TV and cinematic universes apart, the Suicide Squad will also be rebooted from the small screen since Amanda Waller’s team is currently featured on Arrow. While we’re on the CW, also note there is no mention of Green Arrow in any of WB’s plans. Though it’s not to say a recast Oliver Queen could show up in either of the Justice League line-ups.
The always controversial Green Lantern situation is still a situation. All traces of The disappointing 2009 film starring Ryan Reynolds will be erased in this new continuity and the Emerald Gladiator gets a new film a decade later. GL will likely first appear in Justice League, but which GL it will be remains to be seen. WIll they stick with Hal Jordan or go with Jon Stewart? Or try Guy Gardner?
Ray Fisher’s Cyborg wil have his own film, by that point having three big screen appearances. Fisher will appear in Batman v Superman, but whether he will be Cyborg or pre-S.T.A.R. labs accident Victor Stone hasn’t been revealed. My bet is on the latter.
So we have a lot to look forward to, and we still have to wait over a year and a half until the next DC movie. It’s mind blowing when you look at the necessary timetables DC and Marvel have set for themselves to mark their territory.
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