More DC Projects Seem To Be On The Chopping Block At Warner Bros. Discovery
Since the merger of Warner and Discovery and the appointment of David Zaslav as the new CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, there have been abrupt changes in the different labels that make up the conglomerate, including DC. And after the controversial decision to cancel Batgirl after having been filmed in its entirety, the continuity of projects started under the previous management is in doubt.
Zaslav recently gave several statements about DC's future, among which he said he is looking to reset the universe and follow a 10-year plan like Kevin Feige has been doing for some time now with Marvel. This, along with the decision to spend less money on productions and focus more on the traditional theatrical release than streaming calls into question the condition of the DC projects.
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Below is the current status of each DC project:
Batgirl
The Batgirl movie starring Leslie Grace and directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah had already wrapped filming in March and was in post-production when it was canceled. It was to be the first appearance of Michael Keaton's Batman within the DC Universe as part of his reintroduction in the upcoming The Flash and was to premiere on HBO Max later this year.
It was originally going to be part of several low-budget productions destined to premiere on HBO Max. But the merger of Warner and Discovery and the assumption of the new CEO changed the strategy and they decided to cancel it to reduce costs.
The Wonder Twins
The Wonder Twins was also going to be a similar project to Batgirl, being low budget and destined for HBO Max. It was to star KJ Apa and Isabel May. However, it was cancelled when it was in the pre-production process in May 2022.
Blue Beetle
Another of the films within the low-budget productions destined for HBO Max commissioned by WarnerMedia was Blue Beetle. Starring Xolo Maridueña and directed by Angel Manuel Soto, it was originally planned as an HBO Max release but was later postponed for a theatrical release in 2023. For now, filming continues although there were no official statements regarding its future.
Black Canary
Black Canary is a spinoff of Birds of Prey, starring Jurnee Smollett and written by Misha Green. Although no official news was given so far and no director has been announced yet, its status on IMDB is still active. We will have to wait for any official clarification.
The Flash
Arguably the most anticipated DC live-action movie today is The Flash. Starring Michael Keaton, Ben Affleck, and Ezra Miller it would be a pivotal event within the DC Universe. However, its release is currently in doubt and not because of Warner Discovery's new financial strategies, but because of the controversies surrounding its leading actor, Ezra Miller.
More information will probably be known in the coming days.
DC's Legends Of Tomorrow & Batwoman
Along with the recent merger also came the decision along with Paramount Global's decision to sell CW, the home of the many series that made up the Arrowverse. As a result, both Legends of Tomorrow and Batwoman were abruptly cancelled with their respective series in a forever cliffhanger.
The Flash Series
The Flash series, on the other hand, will not be cancelled but it is ending with a short 13-episode season expected to air sometime in early 2023.
Justice League Dark Universe (J.J. Abrams)
Since the creation of HBO Max J.J. Abrams planned to be one of the most relevant players within the scene and as far as we know he was looking to produce a Justice League Dark series centered around a group of supernatural heroes. This would be one of many projects within an area of DC dedicated to exploring its darker, horror side and would include series such as John Constantine, Madame Xanadu, and Zatanna.
However, the fate of these series is in doubt with the merger. There are no recent updates, so it is unknown if they will continue in production.
The Superman Reboots
Several Superman reboot projects were known to be in pre-production under Warner Media's previous management. JJ Abrams would be in charge of producing a future film, with writer Ta-Nehisi Coates attached to the script. Another similar project involving a Superman reboot is Val Zod, a limited series for HBO Max, arguably produced and starred by Michael B. Jordan.
However, since the merger there has been no new news about these potential projects, or if the Henry Cavill Superman line will be reprised.
Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom
The current merger strategy is to aim for a traditional theatrical release, so Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is expected in 2023, starring Jason Momoa, Jason Patrick, Yahya Abdul Mahteen II, and Amber Heard. However, the latter's role was diminished due to the effects of the trial with Johnny Deep.
Also, it was recently announced the addition of Ben Affleck returning in his role as Batman (which was not going to happen), so it raises the question of the future of this version of Batman on the big screen.
The Green Lantern Series
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the series is active and destined for HBO Max. It will be directed by Seth Grahame-Smith and star Finn Wittrock as Guy Gardner and Jeremy Irvine as Alan Scott.
Superman And Lois
The Superman and Lois series will continue in a third season, completely detached from the Arrowverse.
Gotham Knights
Strangely, and despite the cancellations of the other series ordered by CW given its sale, Gotham Knights is still on, with a first season to premiere, although it is not yet known on which platform it will be.
Batman Universe (Matt Reeves)
The future of Matt Reeves' The Batman universe appears to be positive. The Penguin series set in this environment will be in production soon. On the other hand, and although there have been no recent official updates, The Batman 2 is being written by Matt Reeves and is in pre-production. It may not be done soon but it is a sequel project that was assured of both critical and box office success and coincides with Warner Bros. Discovery’s plans for a traditional theatrical release.
Joker 2
Joker 2, whose title for now is Joker: Folie à Deux, was officially announced recently during this merger, so its future is assured. The 2019 film starring Joaquin Phoenix and directed by Todd Phillips will have its sequel in 2024 and will co-star Lady Gaga.
Peacemaker (James Gunn)
Peacemaker's fate is assured as James Gunn confirmed. The second season will begin filming sometime in 2023 after the director wraps Guardians of the Galaxy 3.
Black Adam & Shazam! Fury Of The Gods
It's quite obvious but DC's next two big screen projects are safe. Black Adam will be released on October 21, 2022, and Shazam! Fury of the Gods will premiere on December 21, 2022.
Given that this is a critical time in the DC Universe due to the merger, several statuses of these projects may be changed in the not-too-distant future.
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