DC Movie Slate Revealed?

 

Before reading, I suggest reading this article which was written by Nikki Finke a couple of days ago. The link is: http://nikkifinke.com/comic-con/. Before reading, I suggest taking everything with a pinch of salt as none of this has been confirmed by the studio, although it could've potentially spoiled the biggest announcement of comic-con history!

This picture is so cool by the way I had to use it!


Nikki Finke may just have revealed the biggest movie news of the entire year by possibly revealing what DC comics and Warner Brothers have up their sleeves for the next couple of years. When I saw this news a few thoughts came to mind. The first was something along the lines of this could be total crap. The second was OMFG this is amazing if this is true! The slate, which sees 7 DC films released within 2 and a bit years goes like this:


Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - May 2016

Shazam - July 2016

Sandman - Christmas 2016

The Justice League - May 2017

Wonder Woman - July 2017

Flash/Green Lantern team up - Christmas 2017

Man of Steel 2 - May 2018


Firstly, this could be total crap. If it isn't then there are both positives and negatives I think people can take from it. Optimists would say something like "Yes! DC and Warner Brothers have a plan and they're going for it!". More cautious people would say "Don't blow your load too quickly, and how on earth are they going to release 3 films a year?".

Some may also say that with this proposed slate of films that the superhero movie genre is becoming too saturated. However because superhero movies are one of my personal favourite genres I have absolutely no complaints. I mean, if this slate is true, I have 3 DC films (including Batman v Superman), 2 Marvel films (Cap 3 being a definite), X: Men Apocalypse and the Sinister Six to see in 2016. That doesn't bother me in the slightest, it sounds awesome!

As for the planned films, for me the chronology of their releases seems pretty good however I would be surprised if they all come out that close together. 3 huge movies coming out in one year would take an incredible amount of resources for the studio and it also does put pressure on the finished products to be good as they'll need to get people in those seats in order to cash in on a decent profit. Yet if this slate is true, we know Warner Bros have a plan, which they've formulated for the last year and is hence the reason why Batman v Superman was delayed...

What also is interesting to me is that DC are taking a different approach to Marvel in how they handle their characters. For example, it is almost a certainty that we will see characters like Flash and Green Lantern in Batman v Superman, or failing that the Justice League, before their stand alone movie. That means that we'll be familiar with who they are as a character before delving deeper into them when their stand alone movie comes out. I like this approach and I'm curious to see how it pans out and whether or not these somewhat unknown super heroes can get their time to shine in the public eye. The only character to date which we don't know if he'll appear in this slate is the Martian Manhunter, as Jason Momoa was confirmed as Aquaman recently and all 7 other core members of the JLA are set to appear in the slate.

After the epicness of Superman and Batman kicking each other's ass we get to see Shazam on the big screen. Shazam is also known as Captain Marvel, and is basically a small boy who turns into a super hero when he shouts "Shazam!" and is struck by lightning. There have been rumours for months that "The Roc"k could be playing Shazam or his nemesis Black Adam. Nothing has been confirmed as of yet however.

Sandman is going to be written by David Goyer and will involve Joseph Gordon Levitt, who I personally hope is directing and starring in it. Sandman is a character which lives in a separate universe from the Justice League (like the Watchmen or Jonah Hex) but I don't know who he is so I'm immediately excited to see the film! Hopefully it can be the superhero movie that is refreshing and puts a different spin on the genre.

2017 sees the Justice League film released which Zach Synder will direct. The film will see possibly 9 DC heroes within it fighting against an unknown foe, those 9 heroes being Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Cyborg, Shazam, Aquaman and Martian Manhunter. This line up may be different but that is how I interpret it at the moment. You may think that's a lot, but the Avengers: Age of Ultron is set to have 9 heroes with the 6 from the first film being joined by Quicksilver, Scarlett Witch and possibly The Vision. If that film works, then I don't think we need to worry about an overload of characters!

The Justice League is followed by Wonder Woman, the Flash/Green Lantern team up and Man of Steel 2. Man of Steel will get an actual sequel which doesn't have Batman in it! Well he could make an appearance, but you know what I essentially mean! Again, I think these movies will bring more depth to characters we are already familiar with. Also Ryan Reynolds won't be cast as Green Lantern apparently, which is good as he can finally get the Deadpool movie made that we've been teased with for so long...

So my final thoughts on this proposed slate include various questions. Who will play the superheroes? Who will the villains be? Will we see a standalone Batman movie with Ben Affleck playing the caped crusader? If you have any thoughts on anything I've said or those questions please leave a comment!

Thanks for reading,
Matt