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Upcoming DC Comics Movies: List Of Titles And Release Dates

BY ERIC EISENBERG 38 COMMENTS

   

Marvel Studios has spent nearly a decade building up their cinematic universe with some of the most popular movies being produced in Hollywood, but in the next few years DC Comics and Warner Bros. plan to increase the competition. The release of Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel in 2013 kicked things off, and 2016 will start the launch of a timeline that sees two new movies being released every year up to and including 2020.

But what are the titles that make up this impressive slate? Who are the filmmakers making the movies, and who will be starring? Well, we’ve organized all that information for you below, so read on to have your big questions answered!

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – March 25, 2016

As the follow-up to Man of Steel, Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is expected to set the table for the entire DC Cinematic Universe, and will do so by pitting Batman (Ben Affleck) against Superman (Henry Cavill), as well as Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg), Doomsday, and others. The film will be deeply rooted in the events of the third act in the most recent Superman film, and will find Bruce Wayne seriously paranoid about the newly revealed Kryptonian, and strongly believing that he needs to be taken down before becoming an incredibly dangerous threat unlike anything Earth has ever seen.

In many ways, this is the lynchpin to everything that we will be seeing in the coming years – and everything that you’re going to be reading about from here on out. It should not only serve to establish the tone and general world that exists within the franchise, but there have also been many reports suggesting that it will introduce the latest live-action versions of some of the most iconic heroes in all of popular culture. Get the latest news and information about Batman v Superman: Dawn of JusticeHERE.

Suicide Squad – August 5, 2016

Plenty of comic book movies have centered on heroes, but director David Ayer’sSuicide Squad is all about the villains. Based around the comic book series of the same name, the premise of the titular team is simple: extremely dangerous and incarcerated supervillains are given the opportunity to commute their sentences in exchange for performing in Black Ops missions that could easily get them killed. And from everything we’ve seen from the movie, the stakes definitely look impressively high.

While Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will be doing most of the heavy lifting in the DC Cinematic Universe where heroes are concerned, it’s Suicide Squad that will introduce and reintroduce some incredibly iconic baddies to the big screen, including The Joker (Jared Leto), Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Deadshot (Will Smith), Killer Croc (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), and more. There is a real opportunity for the DCU to do some serious world building with this project – diving into the lead characters’ individual histories and various run-ins with super folk – and hopefully it will take full advantage. Get the latest news and information about Suicide SquadHERE.

Wonder Woman – June 3, 2017

After once being attached to direct Marvel Studios’ Thor: The Dark World, Patty Jenkins is helming Wonder Woman - which will be the DC Cinematic Universe’s period film. Set during the years of World War I, it’s been rumored that the first big screen adventure for Princess Diana of Themyscira will both dive deep into her origins as a demi-god, but also her first experiences in the world of man. What’s unclear at this stage is how the film will ultimately connect with the larger DCU.

This will be the first Wonder Woman-centric project since the failed TV pilot that was made a few years ago with Adrianne Palicki, but obviously has a chance to make a major impact on the comic book movie world (especially because of its lead female character). Obviously Gal Gadot’s first performance as the character in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will give us a much clearer idea of what to expect from the upcoming solo movie – but it’s also worth noting that the film has the distinction of being the last solo movie before the big event title set to come out later in 2017:Justice League Part 1. Get the latest news and information about Wonder WomanHERE.

Justice League Part One – November 17, 2017

Warner Bros. and DC Comics have been working for years to try and make a Justice League movie, and a few years ago even lined up an entire ensemble for a production that was to have director George Miller at the helm. Delays of a wide variety have prevented the project from happening, but the wait will soon be over. Thanks to the growing DC Cinematic Universe, we will soon see one of the greatest superhero teams of all time unite for the first time in live action on the big screen.

In late 2017, audiences will finally get to see the top tier heroes of DC Comics unite as the Justice League to take down an enemy threatening to destroy our world. The film will be the third in the growing cinematic universe to be directed by Zack Snyder, and though there hasn’t been any kind of official confirmation, it’s been suggested/rumored that the seven person line-up will include Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Cyborg, Aquaman and Green Lantern. It’s been rumored that the villain that the team will be facing is the villainous alien ruler Darkseid, but nothing to this point has been said by the studio on that front. Get the latest news and information about Justice League Part One HERE.

The Flash – March 23, 2018

Following his appearance in some of the other DC Comics movies, Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen will be in the spotlight in early 2018, starring in his own solo Flash film. Writer Seth Grahame-Smith – known for his work on films like Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Dark Shadows, and Pride and Prejudice And Zombies - is taking the helm of the project as his directorial debut, though it’s unclear if he will also be developing the script.

One big question mark that surrounds the Flash movie is that it will be semi-competing with the very popular television series about the same character that is currently on the air. By the time the DC Cinematic Universe Flash is running around in your local cinema, fans will have seen nearly four complete seasons of Barry Allen adventures on the small screen. How will the movie manage to feel fresh and original? We’ll just have to wait and find out. Get the latest news and information about The Flash HERE.

Aquaman – July 27, 2018

In 2018, star Jason Momoa and director James Wan will take audiences to the depths of the ocean and see DC Comics’ King of Atlantis at the center of his own solo film. Nothing has been revealed about the plot, though one can predict struggles for the throne and battles between those from sea and those from land. Oh, and plenty of big, epic battle scenes featuring lots and lots of water. It really just wouldn’t be an Aquaman movie without it.

This project has a particular challenge ahead of it, if not just because its central character has been the butt of jokes for a few decades now – most mocking his somewhat silly water-based powers. That being said, DC Comics has done a great deal to redeem the character since the big relaunch that came with The New 52, and now many fans see him as an underwater badass (complete with a harpoon spear for a hand). The fact that one of the toughest and most terrifying Game of Thronesstars is playing Aquaman doesn’t hurt either. We’ll get our first look at the live-action version of the character in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, but will probably have to wait a little while for further details about the solo movie. Get the latest news and information about Aquaman HERE.

Shazam – April 5, 2019

Shazam is a project developing at a strange pace. While all of the aforementioned titles have both a director and a star to play the hero, currently this one is working with no director, and an actor set to play the antagonist. Dwayne Johnson has signed on to play Black Adam in the project – a role he’s wanted for years – but right now that’s the only concrete thing we know about the movie.

Warner Bros. and DC Comics have been trying to develop a Shazam film for years now, but only in 2019 will it finally happen. Said to be more comedic than other titles in the DC Cinematic Universe, the plot will center on a young boy named Billy Batson who, thanks to the teachings of an old wizard, can transform into an adult superhero after saying the titular word. Get the latest news and information aboutShazam HERE.

Justice League Part Two – June 14, 2019

The DC Cinematic Universe is doing things on the big screen very different than their rivals over at Marvel. Not only are they mostly skipping the long run of solo movies that would build up to the first team-up film, but that first team up film is actually going to be a two-parter (something Marvel Studios won’t be trying until The Avengers: Infinity War). Justice League Part Two has been announced to follow the events of Justice League Part 1, though, obviously, at this stage we don’t know anything about the plot because we have no idea what’s happening in the first half.

Justice League Part Two will technically be the fourth film in the DC Cinematic Universe to be directed by Zack Snyder – the first three, of course, being Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Justice League Part One. We presume that the main lineup will include Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Cyborg and Aquaman, but who knows who lives or dies up to this point in the timeline? Get the latest news and information about Justice League Part Two HERE.

Cyborg – April 3, 2020

If Cyborg is based on the New 52 reboot of its titular character, the story will center on Victor Stone (Ray Fisher), a gifted high school football player who can get the attention of everyone except for his S.T.A.R. Labs scientist father, Silas Stone. Victor is at the laboratory when an accident occurs, and though he is left clinging to life, his father works to save him by giving him robotic pieces and injecting him with nanites – turning him in a half-robot/half-human superhero.

What’s interesting about this solo film, and what separates it from every other modern example we’ve seen, is that Ray Fisher’s Cyborg will have appeared in at least three other in-canon adventures before getting a big screen story of his very own. This means that everything we see in the DC Cinematic Universe up until 2020 could easily morph and change what Cyborg is going to be – which also goes a long way in explaining why no director has been chosen just yet. Get the latest news and information about Cyborg HERE.

Green Lantern Corps – June 19, 2020

Following the unfortunate Green Lantern movie that came out in 2011, Warner Bros. and DC Comics are rebooting the story of the famed intergalactic peace keeping force by making a team movie instead of just focusing on a single Emerald Knight. Not much is known about the project yet, though it’s been suggested that the film could actually feature both Hal Jordan and John Stewart in addition to other famous versions of the character.

What’s interesting and unclear about Green Lantern’s role in the DC Cinematic Universe is exactly when he will be introduced. As mentioned earlier, it’s been assumed that he will be the seventh member of the Justice League, alongside Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Cyborg, and Aquaman, but no actor has been cast as a protector of Sector 2814 yet, and he’s the only hero not confirmed for an appearance in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Get the latest news and information about Green Lantern Corps HERE.

The Batman

Batman is unquestionably one of the most beloved pop culture icons of all time – so we know that it won’t be long until Ben Affleck’s version of the character gets a solo movie of his very own. Unfortunately, what’s unclear is exactly when we will see that happen, as a new Batman solo film wasn’t announced as part of the DC Cinematic Universe slate leading up until 2020.

Right now nothing is official, though it has been reported that the idea is that Ben Affleck will not only star in a Batman movie, but also that he would direct and co-write it with DC Comics head honcho Geoff Johns. The response to both Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad could define the future for this project, and when it will land on Warner Bros’ release schedule.

Sandman

While it's not necessarily going to be part of the DC Cinematic Universe, there is another key DC Comics adaptation in the works over at Warner Bros. Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been hired to take the helm of a big screen adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman, and has been co-writing the script with David Goyer. The film will tell the story of Morpheus – also known as Dream – as he manages to escape the bonds of an occult ritual that has kept him imprisoned for 70 years. He returns to find that the empire he had built is destroyed, and simultaneously works to rebuild all that he has lost, and also seek retribution.

Not being a part of the DCU, it could be a while before this one gets going, as the source material isn’t terribly easy to adapt. Still, if Watchmen could be brought to the big screen after many failed attempts, Sandman may eventually do it as well.

Man Of Steel 2

When Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was first announced, it appeared from the outside that it would also serve as Man of Steel 2. As the project moved through development, however, it very much morphed into something else (a.k.a. the setup for Justice League), and while it will deal with consequences from the 2013 Zack Snyder movie, fans are going to have to wait for a legitimate second Superman solo film.

Of course, what Man of Steel 2 will be about will entirely be defined by where it winds up landing in the timeline. It’s been rumored that notable Superman baddies Darkseid and Brainiac could wind up playing key roles in the Justice League titles, so where would that leave a new Superman movie? Metallo? Cyborg Superman? Bizarro? We’ll have to wait and see.

http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Upcoming-DC-Comics-Movies-List-Titles-Release-Dates-102407.html