Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: DC Movie News

  • James Mangold in Talks to Write and Direct ‘Swamp Thing’ at DC Studios

    James Mangold in Talks to Write and Direct ‘Swamp Thing’ at DC Studios

    Following the official slate announcement of DC Studios’ Chapter One, James Gunn and Peter Safran are continuing their news with a major revelation. Elite filmmaker James Mangold is in early talks to both write and direct the upcoming Swamp Thing film. This would be a return to the world of superheroes for Mangold following his Academy Award-nominated work on 2017’s Logan. The director is also in the process of working on Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, which is set to release this summer.

    James Mangold provided a brief tease of interest for Swamp Thing via Twitter this morning. James Gunn has retweeted the textless image, which is now followed by the news of this potential partnership.

    When announced yesterday, Swamp Thing was described to be the most tonally different project of DC’s Chapter One. However, Gunn and Safran confirmed that the character would be an integral part of the interconnectedness of the DC Universe. Allusions were made to how a character like Rocket Raccoon successfully fits into Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame for example.

    The notion of James Mangold being hired for Swamp Thing would be a massive coup for the young branch of Warner Bros Discovery. It would go a good way in establishing DC Studios as a true Hollywood player for creatives. And if the film is successful and is allowed to be made in Mangold’s image, it will further the thesis Gunn set for DC having storytelling as its king.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • Andy Muschietti to Remain with DC Studios After ‘The Flash’

    Andy Muschietti to Remain with DC Studios After ‘The Flash’

    With the first batch of DC Studios’ Chapter One slate officially confirmed, fans of the superheroic universe can now anticipate the new direction the studio is taking. However, before James Gunn and Peter Safran take complete control of DC Studios, four films from the old regime remain scheduled to release this year. Arguably the most anticipated of them is The Flash, which serves as the ultimate reset point for the DC Universe between the old guard and the new. 

    The film has been having a tumultuous road to its release thanks to the controversial nature of lead Ezra Miller, which almost led to the cancellation of the project. Despite the troubles behind the scenes, the film remains scheduled, and those in the know have gone as far as to say that The Flash has the potential to be one of the strongest superhero films ever made. This high praise seemingly has come from the hard work of director Andy Muschietti, and it appears he will remain working with the studio despite the turnover of regimes. James Gunn has confirmed this to be the case.

    We’re very close with Andy and Barbara (Muschietti), the director and producer. And he’s one of the guys that he’s going to be doing some more stuff for us. And he’s just done something really spectacular with that movie.

    James Gunn

    It’s an assuring sign for potential fans of The Flash to see the high praise for Muschietti and the film he directed. If the film is as successful as it’s been teased to be, it will be interesting to follow which pieces will be folded into James Gunn’s long-term plan. This includes the controversial Ezra Miller, whose future involvement in the DC Universe remains coy per Gunn and Safran’s quotes from yesterday (as with several other original actors from the DCEU).

    The Flash is to release in theaters on June 16, 2023. You can also read about the newly announced DC Studios projects here.

    Source: Comicbook.com 

  • DC Studios Reboot to Focus Heavily on Younger Actors

    DC Studios Reboot to Focus Heavily on Younger Actors

    With James Gunn in the process of relaunching the DC Universe for the big screen, many have wondered what specific direction the filmmaker will take for this world of superheroes. In an interview with Insider, Dave Bautista confirmed he won’t be playing the role of Batman villain Bane in the new universe because Gunn is looking to start a youth movement. This shouldn’t come as a surprise based on how early Gunn is with developing anything for his cinematic vision. Though the star actor further elaborated on why he won’t be in the role, which establishes a key conceit for Gunn’s master plan.

    I have had conversations with James about that, but I think the direction he’s leaning in, completely rebooting that whole universe, he’s starting from scratch and starting younger and fresher and I think you need to do that. I think for the DC Universe to be revived, you need to start from scratch, and I think you need to start with younger actors. You need to start to plan for the next 15 years, and I just don’t think you can do that with me.

    Dave Bautista

    The notion of using young actors for key roles shouldn’t come as a surprise. It’s a logical decision that seemingly guarantees the ability to have a long-term narrative plan for the DC Universe. Gunn would be borrowing from how the Marvel Cinematic Universe developed and still maintains itself as the strongest film franchise currently running. Having a long-term plan will help DC move past the issues that have plagued Warner Bros for the past decade, and will allow for fruitful culminations in the long term.

    Gunn‘s ability to successfully craft a long-term cinematic universe may ultimately make or break DC’s place in the superhero movie industry. If Gunn nails it, the age of superheroes on the big screen will expand even further into the 21st century.

    Source: Insider

  • The Rock Comments on Black Adam’s Future on the Big Screen

    The Rock Comments on Black Adam’s Future on the Big Screen

    On Tuesday, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson confirmed Black Adam’s future within the DC Universe. The actor revealed he connected with James Gunn, the new co-head of DC Studios, about Black Adam’s future on the big screen. And as expected, there are currently no plans to bring back Black Adam just yet — at least, not in the “first chapter of storytelling” for the new DC Studios.

    “James and I connected, and Black Adam will not be in their first chapter of storytelling. However, DC and Steve Bucks have agreed to continue exploring the most valuable ways Black Adam can be utilized in future DC multiverse chapters,” he tweeted. “James and I have known each other for years and have always rooted for each other to succeed. It’s no different now, and I will always root for DC (and Marvel) to win and WIN BIG.”

    News that Black Adam will not be included in DC Studios’ “first chapter of storytelling” comes after the film massively underperformed at the box office. It was doubtful that Johnson would return as the anti-hero, especially as the studio is said to be seeking to start from scratch. As of now, it’s unclear what DC Studios is planning, outside of a new Superman movie featuring a new, younger actor. More details are expected to become available at some point next month.

    Source: Twitter.

  • James Gunn to Pen New ‘Superman’ Movie, Won’t Star Cavill

    James Gunn to Pen New ‘Superman’ Movie, Won’t Star Cavill

    Last week, reports suggested that Warner Bros. Discovery was no longer looking to make Man of Steel 2 with Henry Cavill returning as the Man of Steel. The news came just weeks after the actor excitedly announced his return as Superman on the big screen. Unfortunately, those reports appear to be true. James Gunn, who is now in charge of DC Studios alongside Peter Safran, recently tweeted out that Superman was a priority for DC Studios, but never fully addressed Cavill’s future as the character as plans were still being worked out. Now, it appears the decision has been made to cast a new actor in the role.

    The news was announced on Wednesday evening. The latest Superman film will focus on a younger Clark Kent, which led to the decision not to bring back Cavill. Both Gunn and Safran sat down with the actor recently to discuss their decision with him. While he won’t return as Superman anytime soon, they seemingly offered him a potential chance to return to the DC Universe on screen as a different character down the line.

    Source: THR.

  • ‘Superman:’ Henry Cavill Likely Out as the Man of Steel

    ‘Superman:’ Henry Cavill Likely Out as the Man of Steel

    DC Studios is looking to revamp the DC universe. Following the news that Wonder Woman 3 is not moving forward, it was revealed that Henry Cavill‘s return as Superman is already over. After making a cameo in Black Adam, the actor took to social media to proudly announce his return to DC as the Man of Steel. According to The Hollywood Reporter, however, that no longer appears to be the case.

    New DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran are said to be in the final stages of drafting the future of DC Studios, and Cavill’s Superman doesn’t appear to be a part of those plans. Plans for a sequel to Man of Steel 2 are reportedly shut down, as is the return of Cavill as Superman. It’s said that the move comes as the new heads seek to close the curtain of the Snyderverse, including saying goodbye to the heroes previously cast by Zack Snyder — Cavill being one of them.

    If that proves to be the case, it’s likely Jason Momoa will be out as Aquaman, too, although rumors suggest Momoa might have a different future at DC. Gunn and Safran are expected to make a presentation to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO, David Zaslav, which should help to make the plans for DC and DC Studios a bit clearer in the coming months.

    Source: THR.

  • ‘Black Adam:’ Trades Say It’ll Cost Warner Bros., Johnson Argues It’ll Profit

    ‘Black Adam:’ Trades Say It’ll Cost Warner Bros., Johnson Argues It’ll Profit

    Even the prowess of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is not enough to stop Black Adam from sliding into the abyss of failing movies. Far from the hype of announcing the film in 2019, the movie never seemed to find its footing at the box office when it hit theaters in October. Recent reports from the trades have suggested Black Adam will lose $100 million for Warner Bros. Discovery, a report Johnson himself has since refuted.

    On Monday, Variety revealed that Black Adam was looking to lose $10 million from Warner Bros. Discovery. The report came after the film, which has only earned $387 million worldwide, hit streaming at the end of November. Per Variety, the Warner Bros. DC Universe film took $195 million to produce with an $80 global advertising budget. Unfortunately, the film has only generated $387 million worldwide, well below the projected break-even point of $600 million. Experts believe Black Adam will stall at around $400 million, severely impacted by the shifting home entertainment landscape. Industry experts say these ancillary revenue streams are growing more profitable when paired with a shorter theatrical release. For example, films hit platforms in 33 days versus the standard 75, reducing the money needed to revive campaigns. At any rate, “Black Adam” could be on the losing end for the foreseeable future.

    Johnson, however, took to Twitter on Wednesday to say the film will see a profit between $52 million and $72 million, according to financiers he spoke with. He then compared Black Adam‘s box office with what Captain America: The First Avenger did back in 2011.

    The actor also shared an analysis from Deadline, where the outlet reports the film should break even. The analysis, unsurprisingly, seems to match Johnson’s tweet word-for-word, with Deadline even citing The First Avenger‘s box office, stating Black Adam could still prove to be a franchise starter.

    The movie industry is still struggling to reclaim its glory despite the growing pivot to normalcy as the pandemic shifts. Relying on outsized attendance isn’t enough anymore. Admittedly, Johnson has been open about creating a sequel to Black Adam, but the question remains: will audiences share his same passion? And is the film’s box office performance enough for the new folks in charge of DC to want to revisit this story?

    Source: Variety and Deadline.

  • James Gunn & Peter Safran are Mapping Out 8-10 Years of DC Stories

    James Gunn & Peter Safran are Mapping Out 8-10 Years of DC Stories

    James Gunn and Peter Safran officially took over DC Studios at the beginning of the month, and while they’ve been in charge for less than two weeks, the duo seem to have big plans for DC Studios. On Thursday, the duo joined David Zaslav on a Zoom call to formally introduce Gunn and Safran to their Warner Bros. Discovery cohorts in a virtual town hall.

    Safran noted that, like with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the hope is for DC Studios to tell an overarching story. “This was such a unique opportunity to tell one great overarching story. One beautiful big story across film, television gaming, live-action, and animation.”

    Safran is perhaps best known for producing the Aquaman films and the Shazam! movies. He’ll now work with Gunn in order to craft an overarching story that’ll span across theater, television, and animation. For Gunn, he was thrilled to help build the newly founded DC Studios in order to make DC great. “The opportunity to make DC as great as it can be and as it should be — that is the reason why I’m doing this job because I know that Peter and I can do that.”

    Gunn also noted that, he’s been working with some of the best “thinkers” in the industry recently along with Safran, although no names were noted. He also revealed that they’re mapping out a massive story to be told over eight to ten years. “We spent the past couple days with a group of some of the best thinkers in the industry, the best writers in the industry starting to map out that eight to 10 year plan of what it’s going to look like in theater, in TV, in animation, across the board for these characters.”

    Up next for DC on the big screen is Shazam! Fury of the Gods which hits theaters on March 17th, 2023.

    Source: THR.

  • Henry Cavill Confirms His Return as Superman

    Henry Cavill Confirms His Return as Superman

    Henry Cavill is officially back. On Monday morning, the actor took to social media to confirm his return as Superman. He posted a video for his fans along with the caption, “A very small taste of what’s to come, my friends. The dawn of hope renewed. Thank you for your patience, it will be rewarded. #Superman.”

    In the video, which can be seen below, Cavill says he wanted to make his return official. “I wanted to make it official — I am back as Superman,” he says to the camera. The actor thanked his fans saying, “Thank you for your support and for your patience.”

    While a new Superman film hasn’t officially been announced by Warner Bros. Discovery, it is thought the studio wants at least one more Superman film with Cavill in the role. (Reports even suggested the studio had potential directors in mind for the project.) It would mark the actor’s second solo outing as the character after 2013’s Man of Steel. Since then, he’s appeared in films such as Batman v Superman and the poorly-received Justice League. Ahead of his return as Superman for Black Adam, Cavill had discussed his hopes of donning the cape once again, but it seemed as though the studio had other plans.

    With Walter Hamada officially gone, though, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson having fought for his return, it seems Cavill’s future as Superman is brighter than ever.

  • ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ Cinematographer Provides Update on Production Start

    ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ Cinematographer Provides Update on Production Start

    It was quite the surprise when a sequel to 2019’s Joker was suddenly announced by Warner Bros. Discovery, especially considering the current reshuffling of the studio’s DC universe. Nonetheless, when it was announced that the film would see the return of Joaquin Phoenix as the titular character, and act as a musical with Lady Gaga taking on the role of Harley Quinn, anticipation certainly grew. Now, in the latest episode of The Hollywood Reporter’s Behind the Screen podcast, cinematographer Lawrence Sher provided an update for when production will start on Joker: Folie à Deux.

    According to Sher, the Joker sequel – which is once again being directed by Todd Phillips, from a screenplay he penned with Scott Silver – will begin filming “in five- or six-weeks’ time.” Additionally, the film will “largely be shot in sound stages in Los Angeles, as well as on location in New York, where the project is set.”

    Joker: Folie à Deux is shaping up to be one of DC’s most curious sequels. Phoenix and Gaga will be joined by Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Zazie Beetz, Jacob Lofland, and Harry Lawtey. And while not confirmed, it’s rumored that the sequel will be told from Harley Quinn’s point of view. The film is also expected to be set in Arkham Asylum and take cues from the Mad Love comics storyline.

    Joker: Folie à Deux is set to hit theaters on October 4, 2024.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter