Superman: Legacy director James Gunn sets the record straight on the latest DC Universe reboot about the upcoming movie.
Over the weekend, Gunn shared a new look at one of his walls from his production office, as DC is still in the pre-production stages for Superman: Legacy.
When asked by Owen J. Gordon if "the terrorist threat in the Middle East storyline" rumor was true, Gunn took the opportunity to clarify that the report is inaccurate and that isn't what they are doing with the Superman: Legacy story.
Venom 3 is officially getting a new release date in the midst of the SAG-AFTRA strike ending, as the Marvel movie is being delayed. Tom Hardy's time as Venom might be coming to an end with Venom 3 currently set to be the trilogy finale. Details are currently unknown, including who the villains might be in Venom 3 and if there will be more connections to Sony's Spider-Man Universe.
Not even 24 hours have passed since the SAG-AFTRA strike came to an end, and Sony Pictures has already announced a new release date for Venom 3. However, instead of heading to theaters for summer, Venom 3 will now officially come out on November 8, 2024. Deadline has also revealed that Venom 3 is expected to resume production as of this week, with no word yet from Sony Pictures.
Why Venom 3 Getting Delayed Is Actually A Good Thing
While it might be frustrating for those who enjoy Sony's Spider-Man Universe to see Venom 3 getting pushed back again, this is actually a major benefit for the movie. One of the things that superhero movies have particularly suffered from over the last few years, especially in 2023, is rushed productions. Whether it be last minute reshoots or not enough time to finish VFX, comic book films have been a hit or miss when it comes to their final end result, and all stages of production are crucial factors to that.
Even though Venom 3 is resuming filming this week, it is unknown how much of the film had actually already been filmed prior to the shutdown. By having extra months to work on post-production throughout 2024, Sony Pictures is increasing its chances of having a better product when Venom 3 hits theaters. Given that this is likely the last installment in the movie franchise, the creative team will need all the extra time to perfect the threequel.
A huge positive takeaway from Venom 3's latest updates is that more information about the mysterious sequel may soon start to emerge. It might be through set photos or videos, but some spoilers are bound to get shared online depending on where they are filming. While the world waits for Venom 3, they can relive the first two movies through Blu-ray/DVD and on streaming.
There are already three DC superheroes who can assemble a DCU superhero team that could replace the Justice League. Despite its large number of characters, the DCEU barely managed to assemble the Justice League once during its 10-year run, and it missed out on developing other teams like the Suicide Squad and Black Adam's Justice Society. With just one Justice League story in the franchise, the Teen Titans had an even smaller chance of ever appearing on screen, let alone establishing themselves as a DCEU superhero team.
Many DC heroes have joined the Teen Titans in DC Comics, but similar to how Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Flash are a constant in almost every iteration of the Justice League, the Teen Titans' staple lineup consists of Dick Grayson a.k.a. Robin, Beast Boy, Donna Troy, Raven, and Kid Flash, though other members like Cyborg, Red Arrow, and Aqualad have always been key members of the team as well. Before any of those Teen Titans are introduced in the DC Universe, however, three members may already be on their way to form the team.
The DCU's 3 Titans Members Explained
The DCEU already introduced two characters who would fit the Teen Titans perfectly. First, Sasha Calle's Supergirl became a highlight of The Flash despite her limited screentime. Calle's Supergirl is a young and largely inexperienced yet immensely powerful hero who's just beginning to explore Earth. The few interactions she had with Barry Allen and Batman also prove she has plenty to offer within a team other than sheer strength. And second, Xolo Maridueña's Blue Beetle is now eager to prove his worth as a superhero. If the DCU turns Ted Kord into a Justice League member, it would make sense for Jaime Reyes to join the Teen Titans.
The third possible member of the DCU's Teen Titans hasn't been introduced yet, but he will soon co-star in one of the DC Universe's most anticipated movies. The Brave and The Bold will feature the DCU's new Batman alongside his son, Damian Wayne. While Dick Grayson is the Robin most commonly associated with the Teen Titans, Damian once gathered and led Starfire, Raven, Beast Boy, and Kid Flash in an unexpected Teen Titans mission that targeted Damian's grandfather, Ra's Al Ghul. A similar Teen Titans roster in the DCU could give Damian Wayne his time in the spotlight and allow Dick Grayson to star in his own stories as Nightwing.
Blue Beetle Makes Titans More Likely Than Justice League (For Now)
Integrating Blue Beetle as the DCU's first hero opens the door for new overarching storylines away from the Justice League. After joining the DCU, Jaime Reyes can find other inexperienced heroes and attempt to follow in the footsteps of more veteran heroes like Guy Gardner and Superman. The Teen Titans would then serve as the audience's point of view as they begin to explore a universe full of already established heroes, and they could leave their mark on the franchise without staying under the Justice League's shadow. Meanwhile, the DCU's temporarily absent Justice League could get more time to assemble and distance itself from the DCEU's version of the team.
Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for DC's Blue Beetle
Blue Beetle potentially helps set up a collection of movies and shows for the new DCU. Confirmed to be the first hero in the new universe envisioned by DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran, Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña) inadvertently bonds with an alien scarab named Khaji Da, granting him alien armor and weaponry to become a brand-new superhero in the DC Universe. With his origins complete after this first movie, the new Blue Beetle certainly has a very open future to look forward to.
With two Blue Beetles having preceded him, Jaime Reyes has inherited an exciting new legacy and mantle after bonding with the sentient scarab Khaji Da (voiced by Becky G). While becoming a superhero wasn't something Jaime asked for, Reyes has become one all the same with support from his family. Likewise, it's been confirmed by Gunn that Blue Beetle's future will indeed take place in the new DCU. As such, here are a handful of movies and shows Blue Beetle has potentially set up after his first movie.
5: Blue Beetle 2
At the time of writing, Blue Beetle 2 has yet to be greenlit. After all, a successful performance at the box office from the first Blue Beetle is likely needed to warrant a sequel in the new DCU. Regardless, both director Angel Manuel Soto and Gunn have voiced their support for sequels with Soto in particular voicing his intentions to create a full Blue Beetle trilogy. It certainly helps that reviews from both critics and audiences have been very positive, a great sign compared to recent DC movie releases.
Regarding the potential plot for Blue Beetle 2, the confirmation in Blue Beetle's post-credits scene that the previous Blue Beetle Ted Kord is alive would likely play a large role in the story. Additionally, Jaime would likely continue adjusting to his new status quo as a superhero while learning to get along with Kahji Da. It also stands to reason that Blue Beetle could start interacting with other heroes once the new DCU is up and running.
4: Booster Gold
While he could have a role in a potential Blue Beetle 2, Booster Gold may be involved in Ted Kord's Blue Beetle disappearance. This is something that could be revealed in the Booster Gold show currently in development for HBO Max. In the original DC Comics, Michael Carter's Booster Gold and Kord's Blue Beetle are best friends. Booster Gold is a time traveler from the future who uses advanced tech to be a superhero in the present. As a result, it's possible Ted went missing as he's somehow lost in the time stream with Booster, unable to return to his own time and daughter Jenny (Bruna Marquezine).
Likewise, Booster Gold has also had previous partnerships with Jaime Reyes in the comics. As such, a potential meeting and team-up to find Ted is a logical possibility while also setting up Booster's own DCU show. Either way, it's a good bet that both the Blue Beetle and Booster Gold franchises will eventually cross over.
3: Superman: Legacy
While Jaime Reyes' Blue Beetle is confirmed to be the DCU's first hero, Superman: Legacy is still considered to be the first movie of the new DCU. Written and directed by James Gunn himself, Superman: Legacy will usher in a new universe where some properties from the previous DCEU will continue while bigger tent pole heroes like Superman and Batman are being recast with rebooted stories, providing a fresher start that the DC franchise overall has desperately needed. Case in point, Superman: Legacy will be released in 2025 with David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane.
However, Gunn has also confirmed that Superman: Legacy will not be an origin story for Superman nor the DCU as a whole with Clark Kent living in a world already familiar with superheroes. To that end, a collection of heroes has been cast with roles in Superman: Legacy. Nathan Fillion is playing Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced will play Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi has been cast as Mister Terrific, and Anthony Carrigan will be playing Metamorpho. As such, it's not a stretch to imagine that Blue Beetle could cameo as well (especially after Superman was referenced in Blue Beetle more than once).
2: Teen Titans
Jamie Reyes' Blue Beetle could also have a future with potential team films in the new DCU. Having been a member of the Teen Titans before 2011's New 52 reboot as seen in the original comics, Reyes could fit right in as a younger hero who's recently graduated from college. He certainly has the perfect personality to be a team player who'd likely have great dynamics with any heroes he'd possibly join forces with. While there isn't a Teen Titans movie or show currently in development, it's likely only a matter of time before there will be.
It's worth noting that Blue Beetle was recently part of the Teen Titans' roster in the 2016 animated DC film Justice League vs. Teen Titans, joining other young heroes such as Raven, Beast Boy, and Damian Wayne's Robin who will soon debut in the DCU with the upcoming movie Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Led by original Titans Starfire and Nightwing, seeing Blue Beetle with a live-action version of this Titans roster would be very exciting in the new DCU. It certainly has a lot of potential when and if Jaime has some more solo adventures.
1: Justice League
Following the New 52 reboot in the comics, Blue Beetle did join the Justice League International at the invitation of Booster Gold. He's also had team-ups in the comics with various Justice Leaguers including Batman and Superman. As such, a future spot on the Justice League could very well be in Jamie Reyes' future as he matures and continues to evolve as a superhero in the new DCU.
The upcoming DCU slate coming from James Gunn and Peter Safran is very exciting for several reasons. However, one such reason is that there will be all kinds of new freedoms like potentially shaking up the Justice League's roster going forward. Following this first Blue Beetle movie, the possibilities for Jaime Reyes' future are huge, including the potential ways his first adventure may have set up upcoming DCU projects as well.
James Gunn's Superman: Legacy has a new actor contender emerge as one of the frontrunners for the iconic DC Comics hero. With a new DC Universe on its way, several beloved characters are set to get recast for Gunn's new franchise, including the Man of Steel himself. Superman: Legacy, which is eying production for 2024, is currently on the search to find its leading hero, as well as several other iconic characters from the lore.
While they haven't locked a star yet, another actor has now joined the list of frontrunners in the Superman: Legacy casting search. According to Variety, Pierson Fodé, whose credits include The Bold and The Beautiful, is reportedly in the running for the DC icon. Per the trade, Fodé has submitted a self-tape that included "showing his very Clark Kent-like childhood on a farm in the small town of Moses Lake, Wash." While Gunn and DC Studios have yet to comment on the story, Variety claims that the filmmaker liked what he saw from Fodé.
Other Reported Clark Kent Frontrunners For Superman: Legacy
While Fodé may be one of DC Studios' top candidates, there are other reported frontrunners for the role of Clark Kent in Superman: Legacy. Almost a month ago, David Corenswet was reported to be one of the top Superman contenders. Corenswet has for a long time been suggested by fans to get cast as the big screen's next Superman, from countless fan trailers to artwork.
Andrew Richardson and Tom Brittney have also reportedly been looked at as they were "in the early mix." Two disclosed actors were supposedly also part of DC Studios' list of potential actors to take on the role of the Man of Steel. While Nicholas Hoult was first rumored to have auditioned for Lex Luthor, another report later came out claiming that he was also another frontrunner for Superman.
It's crucial to remember that since no casting decisions have been made yet, Fodé may not end up being the one who lands the gig for Superman: Legacy. With this being one of the hottest roles in Hollywood, Gunn, and DC Studios will absolutely be seeing countless more actors before they make a final decision. Hopefully, if DC Studios plan to be at San Diego Comic-Con this summer, they will have some Superman: Legacy casting ready to roll out as the world gets ready for the new DC Universe.
As Superman: Legacy is less than a year away from starting production, James Gunn teases new details about the Superman costume. A new era is coming from Warner Bros. Discovery when it comes to adapting DC characters from the pages of comics into the world of live-action. One of the projects in the works is Superman: Legacy, which is part of DC Studios' Chapter 1, "Gods and Monsters," with Gunn set to write and direct the reboot.
With the Man of Steel getting reimagined for the big screen, there are several key aspects of this new Superman that will need to be figured out for the DC Universe. One of those is the iconic costume. Now, Gunn has shared an update on the new suit for Superman: Legacy, specifically one part of it. While they are designing different options for the costume, they have not decided whether Superman will have the infamous trunks.
Undecided. We are doing incredible amounts of concept art now with both and we’ll use whatever version looks best. For me, the most important aspects of the character go beyond trunks! #SupermanDay
The Superman trunks have always been a hot topic as many are divided on whether that element of his suit works today. In 2013's Man of Steel, Henry Cavill's Superman was the first live-action incarnation that skipped the trunks altogether.
How The New Superman Costume Might Differ From Henry Cavill's
Given how many times the Superman costume has been reimagined, both in the comics and other media, there are a lot of directions Gunn's reboot could go in terms of creating the next cinematic design. With Cavill's Superman suit, the DCEU incarnation took a different route as it was a skinsuit and depicted as a formal Kryptonian garment. In most iterations, his uniform is either spandex or whatever fabric Martha Kent would use to make it.
For Superman: Legacy, it wouldn't be shocking if they took some inspiration from Cavill's version, but maybe also from Tyler Hoechlin's Superman. The traditional tights wouldn't work as well today as they did decades ago, especially given how far costume designing has come. A design in the middle between the DCEU look and Superman & Lois' design would be the best of both worlds, where it doesn't look completely like armor but has more structure than a regular spandex suit.
Once an actor has been cast as the new Superman, Gunn will then need to finalize the costume design. Given that they are getting deeper into the casting process, the world may soon have its new Superman. Hopefully, before Superman: Legacy starts filming, they will reveal a proper look of the new finished suit as they tackle the next live-action version of the DC icon.
The Flash may make Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom's villain story even more tragic and inescapable. Jason Momoa's first solo adventure as Arthur Curry surpassed expectations, with the movie going on to gross $1.149 billion at the worldwide box office. That made 2018's Aquaman become not only the highest-grossing DCEU film by a comfortable margin, with second place going to Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice with $872.7 million, but also the biggest win for DC at the box office ever. Based on that, it will be interesting to see if Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom's story proves itself as gripping as the first film's did.
One important aspect of that story will be impacted by the events of Ezra Miller's The Flash movie. In The Flash, Miller's Barry Allen goes back in time to save his mother's life, which leads to a multiverse-wide adventure for the speedster. DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn said that The Flash resets the DCEU, with the new DC Universe taking its place. If that does happen, then Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which releases six months after The Flash, could already be a part of the new DC Universe. That means The Flash will likely lead to Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom's villain story being even more brutal.
The Flash Can Make Black Manta's Origin Story More Tragic
The Flash rebooting the DC Universe leads to Aquaman and Black Manta's connection being stronger than it was in the first movie, with the two characters being "destined nemesis," as the villain, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, will be back to serve as the main antagonist of the upcoming Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. With The Flash rebooting the DCEU into the new DC Universe, Aquaman and Black Manta would be rivals in two separate universes, showing the level of hatred that matchup conveys. The universe reset could also lead to Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom making Black Manta's story more tragic.
Director James Wan revealed that Aquaman 2 made changes to accommodate the DC Universe's shifts since Gunn and Peter Safran arrived. Perhaps one of those changes will lead to Black Manta's origin story becoming even more tragic. The first version of the character's origin included a young Black Manta being kidnapped by pirates and becoming a slave. One day, the child saw Aquaman swim by the pirates' ship and tried to call for help, only for the hero to not notice him, which led to Black Manta holding a lifelong grudge that he would pursue after killing his captors.
The Flash Can Make Black Manta's DC Movies Story Even Closer To The Comics
Aquaman brought to life a version of Black Manta's more recent origin story from DC Comics' New 52 continuity. To follow up on that, The Flash could lead to a change in the timeline to allow Black Manta's origin story to be closer to the comics and differentiate the DCEU and the new DC Universe. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom could reveal that the timeline changed to allow a version of the story of Black Manta being hired by a scientist to take Arthur Curry's blood to prove he was an Atlantean to happen.
Then, it could be shown that the death of Black Manta's father in the first film was due to the villain having accidentally killed Aquaman's father, Tom Curry, when trying to take a sample. This would be a shocking twist, and it would help set Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom apart from the DCEU while bringing back Black Manta and Aquaman's rivalry.
Things are looking promising according to Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom director James Wan when it comes to his latest film being the final movie in the DCEU.
Jason Momoa's second solo Aquaman adventure has been given some added weight as it rounds out the current era of the DCEU storytelling, as Guardians of the Galaxy filmmaker James Gunn takes over to reboot the super-powered universe under DC Studios branding.
In the lead-up to Aquaman 2, the film has been in, what seems to be, a constant state of flux.
Cameos of legacy characters like Micheal Keaton and Ben Affleck's Betmen have been reported to be in the film. However, they were just as fast revealed to have been pulled from the film as well.
Aquaman 2 Is Able To Roll With the Punches
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom director James Wan offered fans a promising update about the final movie in the DCEU.
In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Wan revealed that he has been "mak[ing] adjustments all along the way" on the film as the DC environment changes around it:
"I’ve had to make adjustments all along the way. The DCU has been through lots of different versions, and one of the things that was challenging about this film was keeping track of what’s going on."
He added that "fortunately, the Aquaman universe is pretty far removed from the rest of the world," so he can "just tell [his] story on its own without being affected too much:"
"Fortunately, the 'Aquaman' universe is pretty far removed from the rest of the world. We’re going to many different underwater kingdoms that are not necessarily related to what’s happening with the other movies and characters, so we’re stand-alone in that respect. So I can just tell my story on its own without being affected too much, but at the same time, I have to be mindful of what’s been happening.”
The Aquaman filmmaker also touched on the looming threat of a Directors Guild of America (DGA) strike and if it will impact the release of Aquaman 2 at all:
"I hope to finish it up soon-ish. We have the DGA thing [contract negotiations] coming up next month, and so there’s just some stuff that we have to finish. It’s a big movie. It has a lot of visual effects and moving parts, but we’re moving in that direction, and I cannot wait for people to see it."
He remarked that Lost Kingdom will be "quite different from the first movie," tackling issues like climate change and being "a little bit more serious" than the previous movie:
"I think people are going to be excited to see that this movie is quite different from the first movie in terms of tone. It’s a little bit more serious, and we’re dealing with issues like climate change. We’re not afraid to lean into that in a big way, because the Aquaman comic book, even way back when, has always been environmentally conscious. He’s always been someone who’s fought to keep the ocean clean, and it feels more relevant in the world that we’re living in today. So this movie has something to talk about, but it’s still a fun action-fantasy movie."
Will Aquaman 2 Be a Success for DC?
It is promising to hear that the DCEU's final film has been able to adapt as the circumstances have changed around it.
Aquaman 2 was not originally pitched as the Endgame of this era of DC filmmaking, but that is what it is ultimately going to be.
And James Wan seems to be staying positive as he has had to think on his feet in the post-production process for this film. But that does not ultimately mean the movie is going to be a success.
It is not as though these changes have been minor. Recent reports indicated that "[DC has] completely changed the plot" of the film during the post-production process, which does not sound all too positive.
Plus, add in the fact that the movie has been described as "potentially one of the worst DCEU movies" by test screening audiences, and, despite what Wan has said, he supposedly "had a rough time" making the movie.
It has been hard for fans to get excited about DC films since James Gunn was announced to take over the franchise, and Aquaman 2 looks like it may not fare any better.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom comes to theaters on December 20.
Although the Venom franchise needs a strong character to break its villain trend in Venom 3, Knull needs to be saved for the MCU. As seen in Marvel Comics' King in Black storyline, the most powerful Venom villain of all time came to Earth to destroy Eddie Brock and claim the entire planet as his own. However, a film adaption is far more suited for the MCU than Sony's current reality that their live-action Lethal Protector calls home.
Thus far, Tom Hardy's Eddie Brock and his symbiote have fought Riot (Riz Ahmed) in the first Venom and their arch-rival Carnage (Woody Harrelson) in the aptly titled sequel Venom: Let There Be Carnage. Likewise, a third symbiote villain was teased at the end of Let There Carnage with Toxin, the offspring of Carnage that bonded to Detective Mulligan (Stephen Graham). However, a far more compelling villain would be Knull, the symbiotes' creator also known as the King in Black...but not for Venom 3. Only the MCU can make the Symbiote God as fearsome and terrifying as he needs to be.
Knull The Symbiote God Explained
Existing in the ancient primordial void, Knull is an eldritch god of the cosmos who created the symbiotes, becoming the "King in Black" as ordained by the Celestials of the Marvel Universe. While Knull resisted their authority, his own symbiote subjects eventually turned against him, trapping him on the symbiote homeworld of Klyntar. Things then progressed in the comics as most Marvel fans know with Spider-Man bringing the Venom symbiote to Earth after the first Secret Wars, something that was circumvented in Sony's Venom franchise with the symbiote landing on Earth and going straight for Eddie Brock.
However, Cetus Kasady's Carnage became a devoted servant to Knull in the comics. As such, Carnage was responsible for freeing the Symbiote God who immediately headed for Earth with an army of symbiote dragons. This led to the King in Black crossover event in 2021 where Venom and all of Marvel's heroes came together to prevent the world from being bonded to corrupted symbiotes as Knull sought to cover the entire world with his hivemind of darkness.
Why Knull and Marvel's King in Black Won’t Work For Venom 3
It would certainly be nice if Venom 3 ends up breaking the franchise's current trend by not having another symbiote villain who's simply a different color with slightly different motivations than the last differently-colored symbiote villain. However, using Knull would be a major disservice to Sony's universe, the MCU, and Knull himself. There's just not enough groundwork in the existing Venom franchise to make it as meaningful, and the reality itself is far too isolated.
Apart from Venom, Jared Leto's Morbius is the only confirmed anti-hero who exists in this reality created by Sony, though the MCU's Vulture somehow came to this reality thanks to the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home. Additionally, Kraven the Hunter may exist in the same reality and some version of Spider-Man that's yet to be seen. As such, there's not really anyone established for Venom to ally with against Knull (who's far too powerful to be taken on one-on-one). Any version of King in Black that Sony would try to adapt for Venom 3 would be massively limited.
How & Why Knull Should Be Used In The MCU Instead
Keeping that in mind, Knull and King in Black make a lot more sense if the character and storyline are saved down the line for the MCU. Knull is a major villain with power levels on par with the likes of Thanos, Arishem the Judge, and/or Galactus. Case in point, Knull decapitated the Celestial whose severed head became Knowhere (the current base of the MCU Guardians of the Galaxy). When villains like Knull show up, it's all hands on deck. That means a film adaptation would need as many heroes as possible beyond Venom himself, which is obviously something only the MCU can adequately provide.
One of the best things about the King in Black storyline is the trust the Avengers put in Venom as they work to create defenses against the Symbiote God, ignoring Brock's darker past in the name of saving the world. Venom 3 should instead be more focused on expanding the Lethal Protector's connections to Spider-Man and perhaps start building bridges to the MCU at large. With any luck, a version of King in Black and the threat of Knull can be developed later on down the line in the MCU.
DC Studios' upcoming superhero movie The Flash has received high praise from Stephen King.
The accomplished novelist shared his thoughts about the movie on Twitter, saying, "I got an advance screening of The Flash today. As a rule, I don't care a lot for superhero movies, but this one is special. It's heartfelt, funny, and eye-popping. I loved it."
I got an advance screening of THE FLASH today. As a rule I don't care a lot for superhero movies, but this one is special. It's heartfelt, funny, and eye-popping. I loved it.
King's glowing review comes after Tom Cruise praised The Flash in March, having seen an advance copy of The Flash sent to him by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav. After watching the film, which was hand-delivered to his Beverly Hills home, Cruise cold-called director Andy Muschietti to congratulate him. The actor reportedly described The Flash as "everything you want in a movie," adding that it's the "kind of movie we need now."
With The Flash's release just around the corner, DC is generating positive press by inviting a roster of big names to attend advance movie screenings. In addition to King, actor Jaden Smith took to social media to share his thoughts about The Flash, describing the movie as life-changing. These reactions already show contrast to DC's most recent release, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, which didn't perform well.
Ezra Miller's Performance as Barry Allen
Producer Barbara Muschietti recently expressed admiration for Ezra Miller's portrayal of Barry Allen in The Flash, emphasizing their dedication, discipline, and the extraordinary effort they put into the role. The film's director (and Barbara's brother) Andy Muschietti reiterated the sentiment about Miler, commending the actor for performing their own stunts.
Warner Bros. is setting the stage for its grandest release of the year with The Flash, as the film endeavors to redefine the previous DCEU and usher in a fresh era for the DC Universe. The story follows Barry Allen, who travels back in time via the Speed Force to save his mother's life. However, changing the past has significant consequences, and Barry finds himself stuck in a world without metahumans. When General Zod threatens humanity, Barry enlists the help of a stranded Kryptonian and an older Batman to defeat him.
The Flash sees Ezra Miller portray two versions of Barry Allen, while Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton star as different versions of The Dark Knight. Sasha Calle appears as Supergirl, and Michael Shannon returns as General Zod, a character he portrayed in Man of Steel in 2013.
The Flash will hit theaters worldwide on June 16, 2023.
The Shazam 2 HBO Max release date is almost here. With Shazam! Fury of the Gods having finally ended its theatrical run and is approaching its release on HBO Max. When can fans watch and stream Shazam 2 on the Warner Bros. Discovery-owned streamer? Here’s what you need to know.
When Is the Shazam 2 Release Date for HBO Max?
The Shazam 2 HBO Max release date is May 23, 2023.
Technically, the David F. Sandberg-directed movie will be part of the Max available content as the rebranded version of HBO Max will debut on the same day. The film hit theaters on March 17, 2022, but didn’t perform as well as expected, ending up the lowest-grossing DC Universe live-action entree. Considering the poor box-office results, there is a lot of uncertainty about Shazam’s future in the James Gunn-led version of the DC Universe. Still, leading actor Zachary Levi seems open to reprising the character on future occasions, provided there will be any.
When it launches on HBO Max, Shazam! Fury of the Gods will “continue the story of teenage Billy Batson (Asher Angel) who, upon reciting the magic word “SHAZAM!,” is transformed into his adult Super Hero alter ego, Shazam.” In this sequel, Shazam isn’t alone, as he is joined by his fellow super-powered friends who are “still learning how to juggle teenage life with having adult Super Hero alter-egos.” This time around, there’s an even bigger enemy, with “the Daughters of Atlas, a vengeful trio of ancient gods, arriving on Earth in search of the magic stolen from them long ago.”
Sandberg (Annabelle: Creation) directed the film from a screenplay penned by Henry Gayden, with Peter Safran serving as producer.
In addition to Levi returning as the titular hero, Shazam! Fury of the Gods saw the return of Asher Angel as Billy Batson. The cast included Jack Dylan Grazer and Adam Brody as Freddy, Faithe Herman and Meagan Good as Darla, Ian Chen and Ross Bulter as Eugene, Grace Fulton as Mary, Jovan Arman and D.J. Cotrona as Pedro, Marta Milans, Cooper Andrews, and Djimon Hounsou.
The latest Blue Beetle movie news and updates suggest promising things for the upcoming DC Universe film, even after a studio shakeup. The old DCEU is being reset in The Flash, but this doesn't seem to have impacted the upcoming Blue Beetle film. While Blue Beetle is not the most recognizable hero on DC’s roster, he’s still been featured in a variety of animated shows and comics. The first Blue Beetle was created for DC Comics by Charles Nicholas Wojtkoski, although the character was later owned by Charlton Comics.
This original iteration of the character first appeared in 1939, but the second Blue Beetle, Ted Kord, found his way to the DC Universe after Crisis on Infinite Earths in the 1980s. DC introduced a new Blue Beetle in the New 52 in the twenty-first century as a teenager, Jaime Reyes, who ended up joining the Teen Titans. Warner Bros. began work on a modern Blue Beetle movie in 2018, with casting running from 2021 into 2022. Several updates about the film’s progress have been released along the way, including several production and casting announcements, and an official trailer released on April 3, 2023. Here’s everything we know about the upcoming Blue Beetle movie so far.
The Latest Blue Beetle Movie News
Still the most widely-discussed Blue Beetle movie news, outside its status in the DCU's future, is the casting of Susan Sarandon. It was announced in early 2022 that Sarandon would be playing the villain of the Blue Beetle movie, Victoria Kord, the sister of the first Blue Beetle (Ted Kord). A new trailer released for Blue Beetle on April 3, 2023, details the origin story for Xolo Maridueña as Jaime Reyes, a.k.a. Blue Beetle, and explores his relationship to his family which will be hugely important to the plot of the movie. There has been no word on whether the character will return for James Gunn's new DCU following the release of Blue Beetle.
Blue Beetle Movie Release Date
The Blue Beetle movie release date is set for August 18, 2023. This was one of the few movies that DC Studios kept on the slate after James Gunn and Peter Safran took over in late 2022. Blue Beetle is set to premiere following the already-released Shazam: Fury of the Gods, and The Flash on June 16, but Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom will close DC's year with its December 20 release date. However, while Gunn and Safran's plans for DCU's Chapter One: Gods and Monsters have been met well, there are still no guarantees regarding the futures of the last remaining DCEU properties.
Blue Beetle Movie Cast
Among the Blue Beetle movie cast are several of Jaime’s family members and a potential love interest for the hero. Notably, Xolo Maridueña, known for his roles in Cobra Kai (2018-2022) and Parenthood (2012-2015), will play the main hero, Jaime Reyes. Additionally, Belissa Escobedo will portray Jaime’s sister, Milagros Reyes, and Bruna Marquezine will play Jaime’s love interest, Penny. George Lopez will add a familiar name to the cast, playing Jaime's uncle, Rudy. The two signal an important moment in comic book movie history as the first DC live-action movie honoring Latino culture.
They will be joined by Elpidia Carrillo, Damián Alcázar, and Adriana Barraza as Jaime's mother, father, and grandmother, respectively. As far as villains, Raoul Max Trujillo will play Carapax the Indestructible Man. Susan Sarandon plays the villainous character Victoria Kord, replacing the previously cast Sharon Stone. Victoria is a new character created for the film but was just introduced in the comics as Ted Kord's sister. Javier "Harvey" Guillén of What We Do In the Shadows' fame will also appear in Blue Beetle as a character named Dr. Sanchez.
Blue Beetle Movie Story Details
Blue Beetle will introduce the third generation of the character. The first hero was Dan Garrett, who received his powers from an Egyptian scarab. The second chronicled Ted Kord, who existed in the Arrowverse and used science and technology to carry on the hero’s mantle. The third and final Blue Beetle is Jaime Reyes, a teenager from El Paso who discovers the original blue Scarab and receives alien armor when the artifact grafts to his spine. A new trailer for Blue Beetle does uncover more details about the upcoming DC project.
Blue Beetle is set to explore Jaime’s heroic origin story and his conflicts with antagonist Victoria Kord and Blue Beetle villain, Carapax the Indestructible Man. The film's recent trailer confirms that Jaime is not a teenager, but a college graduate, and he returns home to find things have changed for the worse. He is tasked with protecting a box containing the Blue Beetle scarab, as someone nefarious seemingly wants to get their hands on it, but disobeys the advice not to open the box. Jaime becomes bonded with the Blue Beetle armor before the eyes of his family, and his adventure as DC's newest live-action hero begins.
Blue Beetle's Place In The New DCU
While James Gunn didn't have a hand in Blue Beetle's production, he has expressed excited about the upcoming film. He announced that Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom would all still release in 2023, but offered no confirmation that any of these heroes would be featured in future DCU movies. It's possible that Blue Beetle could live in the new DCU's Elseworlds side-franchise, along with Matt Reeves' Batman films and Todd Phillips' Joker franchise. This would unfortunately keep Blue Beetle from interacting with Gunn's new DC heroes, but would still keep the exciting new hero in the franchise.
A new Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom poster just surfaced online, and it may spoil the identity of the upcoming DC Universe epic's main villain.
The poster first appeared on the r/DCEUleaks subreddit. Produced for the CinemaCon industry event, it features a cool-toned Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom logo against a frozen water backdrop. This has led at least one Reddit user to speculate that the poster's icy motif is a clue that the sequel's central antagonist will be Atlan, otherwise known as the Dead King. In Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom's DC Comics' source material, the Dead King can create and manipulate ice and snow. He is also responsible for sinking Atlantis and clashes with Aquaman after he attacks the undersea kingdom once again centuries later. Atlan is confirmed to appear in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (portrayed by Vincent Regan), however, DC Studios is yet to confirm the nature or size of his role in the film. As such, talk of Atlan serving as Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom's main villain should be taken with a grain of salt for now.
Fans have been trying to puzzle out key details about Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom ever since the production was announced in 2019. Little is known about the movie's plot and characters at this stage, other than that several Aquaman cast members will return for the sequel. This includes Jason Momoa (Arthur Curry/Aquaman), Amber Heard (Mera), Willem Dafoe (Nuidis Vulko), Patrick Wilson (Orm Marius), Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (David Kane/Black Manta), Temuera Morrison (Tom Curry) and Nicole Kidman (Atlanna). Aquaman the Lost Kingdom is also rumored to feature cameos by major players from the wider DCU, such as Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman.
Jason Momoa Talks Up Aquaman 2
Not all the buzz surrounding Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has been positive, though. Notably, established scooper Jeff Sneider recently claimed that test screenings for the follow-up film "have not been good." Sneider added that "something that almost never happened in test screenings happened with this movie." He also posited that online rumblings linking Momoa to the lead role in DC Studios' rumored Lobo project are connected to Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom's poor performance with test audiences.
If Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is indeed in trouble, Momoa isn't letting on. The star raved enthusiastically about the sequel in a recent interview, emphasizing its humor in particular. "I hope people are excited to see the new one," he said. "It's fun. I really enjoy doing comedy. There’s some really funny stuff with Patrick Wilson. I really adore him. We had a great time working together. It's like we’re brothers. There's a lot of cool stuff happening in this one."
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom glides into cinemas on Dec. 20, 2023.
Chapter 1 of the new DCU could already pose a problem that the MCU managed to avoid in its early days. James Gunn revealed the new slate of DCU projects on January 31, 2023, proving that he and Peter Safran plan to completely revitalize DC Studios' shared superhero universe after years of criticism surrounding previous projects in the DCEU. The new DCU will see many things change under Gunn and Safran's watch. Actors in leading roles will be replaced, and there will be major tonal shifts in the storytelling and comics that are adapted to the screen. While there is excitement about the new direction for the DCU, it also poses some significant problems.
In his announcement, Gunn revealed ten new projects in development at DC Studios, with a new era set to kick off in 2025 after the DC Universe is reset in 2023's The Flash. Superman: Legacy and The Brave and the Bold will provide new takes on Superman and Batman for the DCU, while other projects including The Authority, Creature Commandos, and Booster Gold will experiment with very different tones and genres to what DC audiences might be used to. While the DCU and the MCU have often been seen to be in competition, Gunn's work in both franchises enables him to learn valuable lessons when developing the new DCU.
The DCU Is Way More Diverse Than The MCU Was
Marvel Studios' 2008 release of Iron Man kick-started the profitable Marvel Cinematic Universe, but in the years since, Marvel Studios has been met with some scrutiny for following its tried-and-tested formula with its projects. Until quite recently, projects in the MCU all shared a similar, comedic tone, and didn't really divert from what was known to be successful. It's only been with projects such as the comedic Thor: Ragnarok, the old horror-inspired Werewolf by Night, and the more character-driven Black Panther that the MCU has branched out into different genres. Gunn's new slate for the DCU's Chapter 1 seems to have avoided this problem already.
The DCU's Chapter 1, titled "Gods and Monsters," includes a much more diverse slate of projects from the get-go, with Gunn seemingly unfazed by the challenges that lie in developing several projects with wildly different tones. Projects such as Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow and Swamp Thing are set to take on much darker tones than the likes of Booster Gold, which is billed as an "outright comedy." Paradise Lost is taking inspiration from HBO's Game of Thrones, and Lanterns will see Hal Jordan and John Stewart in a True Detective-style mystery. This extreme level of diversity in the DCU could be a brilliant plan, but might also be incredibly risky.
Why The DCU's Tonal Variety Could Pose A Problem
The fact that no two projects in the new DCU seem to share the same genre could pose a serious problem for the DCU going forward. It took Marvel Studios a number of years to develop a formula that was solid enough for them to feel able to branch out into new genres. While this recent experimentation has been driven by the new stories it has been telling, the MCU has still come under scrutiny in recent years as some believe that the MCU's Phase 4 projects have lacked interconnectivity.
The DCU is running the risk of being met with the same criticism by including so many apparently disconnected projects. This is particularly true as Gunn did not provide a clear endgame for even the first era of the new DCU. This means that viewers won't know where the stories are eventually leading, which has been a major criticism of recent MCU projects, even though this is part of the fun of experiencing an intricate shared universe such as the MCU or the DCU. The wildly different tones of the DCU's upcoming projects might mean that viewers won't have a clear idea of the overall story for potentially years to come.
The DCU's Genre-Hopping Could Be Its Secret Weapon
While the genre-hopping nature of the DCU's Chapter 1 could be a risk, there are also some huge positives, especially considering the darker tone of previous DC projects, and the poor reception that most of those projects received. Mixing up genres and tones of upcoming projects, and branching out into new stories that haven't yet been told in live-action, could be the perfect choice moving forward, not least because that's what Marvel Studios is experimenting with in the MCU. That's not to say that the two franchises are competing, but the DCU will need to stay fresh in order to become successful in an ocean of MCU content.
James Gunn and Peter Safran are hitting the ground running with their new plan for the DCU, and although it will be a while until viewers actually see these plans come to fruition, the upcoming DC projects in 2023 will inform the storyline going forward. Even though the DCU's Chapter 1 is pulling from many different genres, Elseworlds projects will continue to be developed outside the main continuity, which will also experiment with genre and form even further. Only time will tell whether this direction for the DCU will actually work to its benefit, starting with the release of Superman: Legacy in 2025.
Before hitting theaters next week, the Shazam! Fury of the Gods early reactions offer insight into what's to be expected. The DCEU is about to have its biggest year as Warner Bros. Discovery has not one, but four films set to release in 2023. The first is Shazam! Fury of the Gods, which was initially slated for December 2022. After the successful first installment in 2019, the Shazam Family are finally returning to the big-screen for their latest adventure. Shazam! Fury of the Gods is already being positioned to outdo the first film both in scale and execution.
— Daniel Baptista - The Movie Podcast (@dbapz) March 7, 2023
#ShazamFuryOfTheGods // #ShazamMovie is a super-powered sequel that packs a punch. A super solid, super fun & super smart blend of hilarity, heart & heroics. Ramps up the action & irreverence to a delightful degree. Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu & Rachel Zegler are MVPs. ❤️ the dragon! pic.twitter.com/C4eP4ukAk1
#ShazamFuryOfTheGods is what I wanted the movie to be. The film does a good job of balancing this large cast and it’s just a fun superhero movie with a lot of heart. I’d love to see these characters and actors carry on in the #DCU and I think it can fit it. Go see it for yourself pic.twitter.com/MkhTz3GqjO
What Shazam 2's Early Reactions Mean For Its DC Universe Future
Over the last few months, especially after the initial slate of DC Studios projects, Shazam's future in the DC Universe has been a bit of a mystery. Even though The Flash will serve as a reset for the DC Universe, not everything is necessarily getting excluded. Gunn has made it clear that various actors could still come back after the reset. With Shazam! Fury of the Gods, the fate of its place in the DC Universe may take a positive turn based on its reception.
Early reactions for Shazam! Fury of the Gods has been positive overall, though that's ahead of general reviews. If it's a commercial success, that will likely give DC Studios more reason to consider continuing the Shazam franchise as part of the DC Universe. At the very least, they may greenlight Shazam 3 to allow Levi and the cast a chance to finish the trilogy. But that doesn't necessarily rule out the idea of them continuing to appear in the DC Universe after a potential sequel.
Time will tell where DC Studios goes with the Shazam characters, but it all depends on the movie's reception. If it were to struggle financially and critically with mainstream audiences, that would likely prevent Shazam 3 from happening. For now, those looking to see Shazam! Fury of the Gods for themselves can catch it in theaters.
DC Studios will reveal the first projects in James Gunn and Peter Safran's new rebooted DCU next month.
Gunn and Safran have only been leading DC Studios for under two months, and yet, movement is already being seen with their new universe. Henry Cavill's Superman and Dwayne Johnson's Black Adam are both out of the picture, with all signs pointing toward a reboot being in the pipeline for the DCU.
Naturally, fans are excited to see DC course-correct after a controversial last decade of live-action storytelling. Gunn and Safran have been hard at work piecing together a decade-long plan for the DCU, and many are wondering when this will be unveiled to the world before it finally gets underway in 2024.
The DC Studios duo reportedly presented their big plan to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav just last week, and it doesn't seem like it will be long before fans get their first glimpse into the future of the superhero world.
James Gunn Confirms Plans for DCU Reboot Announcement
After being asked by a fan on Twitter how many projects in his new DCU reboot slate will be revealed in January 2023, DC Studios CEO James Gunn confirmed there will be "a few" included in the announcement.
The superhero filmmaker has previously stated that he and his DC Studios-leading partner Peter Safran have a slate "ready to go," promising that the first announcements will come at the start of 2023:
"Peter & I have a DC slate ready to go, which we couldn’t be more over-the-moon about; we’ll be able to share some exciting information about our first projects at the beginning of the new year."
The only project confirmed for the rebooted slate up until now has been a Superman movie that will be written by Gunn and focus on a younger Clark Kent working as a cub reporter in Metropolis as he crosses paths with key characters such as Lois Lane.
Henry Cavill will not be returning for the flick as a younger actor will take on the leading role, with reports indicating the rest of DC's Justice League may also be recast under Gunn and Safran's leadership.
DCU Reboot Projects James Gunn Could Reveal Next Month
James Gunn's confirmation that the first projects in his DCU slate will be revealed next month seems to indicate his presentation to Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) CEO David Zaslav was successful and he has been giving the green light to push forward his plan for the next era of superhero storytelling.
Although the filmmaker's wording that he will reveal "a few" projects next month implies this will not be an expansive slate announcement, but rather just those that will be pushing ahead in the imminent future. These could be planned to release as soon as 2024, by which point all the movies from the old regime will be out.
As Gunn and Safran have only been leading DC Studios for just under two months, any casting for these projects seems unlikely. But fans may get a better understanding of whether this constitutes a hard or soft reboot of the franchise, as some actors are currently expected to keep their roles while others are recast.
This new era of the DCU has already been confirmed to expand over movies, series, animation, and video games, although the first projects revealed will likely come from the theatrical side. Gunn could detail those other areas later in 2023 at San Diego Comic-Con in his first Kevin Feige-esque presentation.
Gunn has not yet confirmed what form this announcement will take - as to whether the news will come from a live presentation, tweets from CEO himself, or an article from a trade publication that often breaks major news. Although that ought to be revealed ahead of time as WBD looks to build hype for its new DC slate.
The reveal will probably include more details on Gunn's Superman reboot including a title and release date, although any casting news is rather unlikely. Meanwhile, Gunn has already been teasing characters like Green Lantern, Mr. Terrific, Jonah Hex, and Deadman, any of which could have projects in the pipeline.
“Marvel movies have more characters; this also gives them a competitive edge. These characters have emerged winners in more categories. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has it all when it comes to cultivating one's curiosity. But DC tries to dig its way out by fitting as many heroes as possible.”
Why is Marvel so successful?
Image result for why marvel is better than dc
The Marvel Cinematic Universe, perhaps the most successful franchise of all time, strikes the right balance by
(1) selecting for experienced inexperience,
(2) leveraging a stable core,
(3) continually challenging the formula, and
(4) cultivating customers' curiosity.
Are Marvel heroes better than DC?
More of Marvel's characters have won in more categories, but DC's victors far outshine their competition. No one from the Marvel Universe or the DC Universe compares to Superman, whereas Iron Man and Hawkeye just barely edge out their rivals. Still, we'd say that Marvel has stronger characters for now
Warner Brothers has given a very promising update on Man of Steel 2. The first Man of Steel film premiered in 2013, and is considered to be the first film in the DC Extended Universe. Man of Steel grossed $668 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Superman film in history, and the second hightest-grossing film reboot ever after 2012's The Amazing Spider-Man. The film received mixed reviews, with critics divided on everything from Henry Cavill's performance as Superman, to the special effects.
Though Man of Steel wasn't critically acclaimed, it was profitable enough - and beloved by enough fans - to encourage Warner Bros. to pursue other films in the DCEU. It was originally intended for Man of Steel to have a trilogy of Superman-focused films, similar to the Dark Knight trilogy, however, the Marvel Cinematic Universe's success with character crossover films like The Avengers inspired DC to follow suit. Man of Steel was quickly followed up by Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in 2016, which saw Cavill reprising his role against Ben Affleck's iteration of Batman, along with Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman. Though Cavill's Superman has appeared in a few other DCEU films, any ideas for a sequel to Man of Steel were seemingly shelved for the time, though may be getting back on track.
In a report from The Hollywood Reporter, sources claim that Warner Bros. is looking towards a Cavill Superman film, which would essentially be Man of Steel 2. The project is being produced by major DCEU producer Charles Roven, and the film is currently searching for writers. Director James Gunn is also in talks with Warner Bros. to do a mystery film where "DC is definitely in play," according to an insider source.
How Black Adam Can Help Man of Steel 2
Dwayne Johnson, the star of DC's next upcoming film Black Adam, has also vocalized his desire to see Cavill return to the DCEU. Johnson has been very eager for a Black Adam versus Superman film, and has teased that Cavill's Superman will be making a cameo appearance in Black Adam. Whether Cavill's rumored appearance in the film will spark a crossover of its own, or simply become a launching point for Man of Steel 2, is currently unknown.
Though there is excitement among some DCEU fans over a potential Black Adam versus Superman fight, many are worried that it may just be a repeat of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, a film which was very poorly received by critics and fans alike. However, a simple cameo in Black Adam could be the jumping-off point that Cavill needs to slowly re-introduce his Superman into the DCEU, to make audiences eager for a Man of Steel sequel. With Warner Bros. potentially on board with the project, and Gunn potentially in talks to direct, Superman fans can rest assured knowing that Man of Steel 2 is slowly in the works.
While interest in bringing the character to the big screen started building in the late 2000s, it's taken a while for Black Adam to release in theaters. Starring Dwayne Johnson as the titular antihero, the movie is the next entry in Warner Bros.' DC Extended Universe. And the action-packed film promises to change the hierarchy of power in the DC Universe.
Now mere months away from release, the movie will be pivotal in the DCEU's future. There are numerous rumors about the film, namely how it will connect to the Shazam movies it spins off from and how the Man of Steel might tussle with Black Adam. Here's what fans and casual moviegoers should know before the original World's Mightiest Mortal crashes onto the big screen.
Black Adam's Plot and Characters
The story of Black Adam has the protagonist getting revived in the modern world. In the past, he got granted powers by the gods, but these quickly proved to be more curses than blessings. Now, he reawakens in the present, ready to unleash fire and fury upon anyone who stands in his path. Along the way, he'll encounter the Justice Society, a group of heroes with very different ideas of honor and morality. Opposing them all is the terrorist organization Intergang, with their leader Sabbac eventually taking on a demonic form of power.
The Justice Society consists of the likes of the magical Dr. Fate (Pierce Brosnan), the winged warrior Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), the size-changing Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo) and the air-based Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell). Sarah Shahi portrays Professor Adrianna Tomaz, the DCEU equivalent of Black Adam's wife Isis from the comics. Many of these characters are currently spotlighted in the Black Adam: The Justice Society Files comic books. Viola Davis will also be reprising her role as Amanda Waller in the movie, potentially setting up further appearances for the movie's characters. Hawkgirl was originally going to show up, but there are apparently plans for her elsewhere, leading to her removal from Black Adam.
The Black Adam Trailer
The first trailer for Black Adam released on June 8, 2022, after years of speculation on how the movie will turn out. After all, it officially got announced back in 2014, being developed by New Line Cinema all the way back in the early 2000s. This trailer had Black Adam recounting his torrid life as he became acquainted with the Justice Society, as well as causing random destruction to pretty much anything or anyone that crossed his path. However, the trailer still kept several mysteries, with the villainous Sabbac, for instance, still only seen in toy form.
At San Diego Comic-Con, more footage from the movie was shown, with a new trailer giving some more glimpses at Black Adam's reaction to the Justice Society and his own feelings concerning his powers. From the looks of things, Black Adam absolutely dominates the JSA when he first encounters them, highlighting from the get-go how powerful he is.
The second trailer for Black Adam was recently released, giving glimpses of several heretofore unseen parts of the movie. These include Viola Davis as Amanda Waller, with her connection to the Justice Society showing that her influence goes beyond the Suicide Squad. With a sleek yet private mansion, the former team is shown to be very resourceful themselves, though they might not put up much of a fight against Black Adam. Powerful and demonic villain Sabbac is also briefly seen at one point, with his presence promising to give Black Adam a foe worthy of his fists. Reception toward the trailer saw it as much more eventful than the first, bolstering the building hype of the movie as it nears closer to release.
Black Adam's Production News and Release Date
Following the release of the first Shazam! movie in 2019, New Line Cinema pushed forward on finally making the Black Adam movie. This film was originally going to be part of Shazam!, but the plots were split into two movies after 2017 to develop the title characters separately. Production and filming thundered into high gear in 2020, though the COVID-19 pandemic briefly slowed things down. That meant the initially planned release date of October 21, 2021, was no longer feasible.
Now, Black Adam's set for an October 21, 2022 release date, with the near-Halloween release ironically mirroring fellow anti-hero movie Venom. Like other Warner Bros. movies this year, it will premiere on HBO Max 45 days later, allowing subscribers to watch the film there for a limited time. From there, the future of Black Adam as a character is unknown, though many want him to face off against both Superman and Billy Batson/Shazam.
