Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: DC Movies

  • Leslie Grace Speaks Out on the Cancellation of ‘Batgirl’

    Leslie Grace Speaks Out on the Cancellation of ‘Batgirl’

    During her first major interview after it was announced that Warner Bros. Discovery had decided to cancel the Batgirl movie after the first “disappointing” test screenings, actress Leslie Grace spoke out on how she found out and gave her take on the film.

    The film co-directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah was meant to be released exclusively on HBO Max but then was “promoted” to a theatrical release. Instead of releasing in theaters, the film will never be seen at all as David Zaslav canceled the project and took a $90M tax write-off.

    According to Leslie, she was unaware that the movie, initially slated to be available on HBO Max, had been put on hold until it was reported by the New York Post. “I found out like the rest of you… and then my phone just started blowing up“, explained the actress.

    Leslie and her co-star Brendan Fraser were caught off guard by the news. Fraser recalls his initial reaction was laughing hysterically because he was being pranked. When he became aware of the reality of the situation, Fraser’s thoughts turned towards the loss of a potential icon to a generation of children. “What I find most lamentable,” said Fraser, “is that now a whole generation of little girls are going to have to wait longer to see a Batgirl and say, ‘Hey, she looks like me.’”

    Rumors have swirled that Batgirl was “unreleasable”, though according to Grace, who saw the film in its most complete form it was “incredible.”

    “I got to see the film as far as it got to; the film wasn’t complete by the time that it was tested. There were a bunch of scenes that weren’t even in there. They were at the beginning of the editing process, and they were cut off because of everything going on at the company. But the film that I got to see — the scenes that were there — was incredible. There was definitely potential for a good film, in my opinion. Maybe we’ll get to see clips of it later on.”

    -Leslie Grace
  • James Gunn Shoots Down ‘Superman: Legacy’ Casting Rumors

    James Gunn Shoots Down ‘Superman: Legacy’ Casting Rumors

    The only thing James Gunn loves more than making movies about superheroes is shooting down online rumors about those movies. No Hollywood creative is more active online than Gunn, who can often be found responding to tweets about his projects to limit the spread of misinformation. Now the co-chair of the newly formed DC Studios, Gunn will have his hands in almost every DCU project but none more so than Superman: Legacy which he is currently writing and likely to direct. Though that movie isn’t scheduled to come out until 2025, rumors have already begun about casting for the new Man of Steel, which means Gunn was able to get involved.

    The Twitter account DCU Leaks was the latest account to test Gunn and quickly found out that the director isn’t one to mess around. Two minutes after DCU Leaks stated that Luke Eisner was the front-runner for the role of Superman in the new film, Gunn shot down the rumor, calling it “false” and adding that “casting has not begun.”

    https://twitter.com/DCULeaks/status/1621681508791783426?s=20&t=aPC0b-ughfYUM7mI4UAwig

    With Superman: Legacy not slated to release until July 11, 2025, there’s no reason for casting to have begun for the film. Production is unlikely to start until mid-2024, meaning casting for the project probably won’t heat up until late 2023 or early 2024. That’s not to say Gunn may not have actors in mind, but at this point, it’s clear there’s nothing to the rumors of a “front-runner” for the role.

  • James Gunn Likely to Direct ‘Superman: Legacy’

    James Gunn Likely to Direct ‘Superman: Legacy’

    After a long wait, the DC Cinematic Universe has finally a structured future with James Gunn and Peter Safran spearheading the newly founded DC Studios. One can definitely tell that Gunn’s love for comics is scattered across the entire line-up. There are definitely also a few projects that are definitely passion projects for the director that showcase the way he wants to build the first chapter titled “Gods & Monsters” for the DCU.

    The first “true” DCU entry will be the revival of Superman with Superman: Legacy that’ll take its inspiration from some of the character’s most uplifting and hopeful storylines. Gunn is already busy writing the adaptation and has been quite vocal about his love for the character and what he stands for. Hidden away in The Hollywood Reporter’s latest Heat Vision newsletter, there’s a detail that reveals that as of now, Gunn is not only writing the project but also very likely set to direct the Superman revival.

    There has been some concern that Gunn would dominate a lot of projects with his position as co-CEO and director. He was responsible for writing the Creature Commando animated series and is likely involved with Waller, which seems to be the sequel to Peacemaker. There definitely is a passion to bring these projects to life and it’ll be interesting to see how many projects he’ll directly have his hands on, as Swamp Thing was hinted to be in James Mangold‘s talented hands.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • Disney Set to Make a Splash at Super Bowl LVII

    Disney Set to Make a Splash at Super Bowl LVII

    Disney has several major tentpole films slated for release in 2023 and according to a new report, marketing for them is going into high gear. Deadline reports that Disney will be very active at this year’s Super Bowl, promoting as many as six of their upcoming films.

    Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, which will release just a few days after the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles square off in Super Bowl LVII, will certainly be on display during the big game. It is expected to be joined by spots for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, The Little Mermaid and Pixar’s Elemental with spots for Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny and The Marvels possible as well. In the case of The Marvels, Disney has yet to show off any footage of the new film other than to the audience in attendance at last year’s D23 Expo, meaning this would be the first look at the project for general audiences. In the past, it has often been the practice to release a full trailer online following a 30-second TV spot during the game.

    While Disney does have a multitude of streaming projects rolling out on Disney Plus this year, including Season 3 of The Mandalorian on March 1st, the report makes no mention of their plans for marketing those other than to add that Disney is not expected to showcase the upcoming Marvel Studios streamer Secret Invasion during the game.

    Other studios will be in on the fun as well, with spots for The Flash, Fast X, Scream VI, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts all set to debut.

    Super Bowl LVII will be played on February 12th and will be broadcast on Fox beginning at 6:30 PM ET.

    Source: Deadline

  • The Skinny on The DCU’s ‘Swamp Thing’

    The Skinny on The DCU’s ‘Swamp Thing’

    James Gunn and Peter Safran have revealed the first half of the first chapter of the new DCU. In total, 10 projects are expected to be rolled out by the end of 2027, with 5 films and 5 streaming series adding to the interconnected Gods and Monsters story of the DCU. With so much to take in, it can be a bit overwhelming. To make it easier, here’s the skinny on Swamp Thing.

    Gunn and Safran have expressed their commitment to making sure that the DCU is full of diverse projects and Swamp Thing, which is being developed as a theatrical release, fits the bill. “Each set of filmmakers bring their own aesthetic to these films, and the fun is seeing how these tonally different works mash-up in the future,” said Safran of the DC Studios slate of projects, adding that Swamp Thing will be “tonally different” but “interconnected” to the rest of the slate.

    Set to be a horror film, Safran says that Swamp Thing will “investigate the dark origins” of the titular character and is among a handful of surprising projects in development, according to Gunn.

    Sources: DC, Variety

  • The Skinny on The DCU’s ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow‘

    The Skinny on The DCU’s ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow‘

    James Gunn and Peter Safran have revealed the first half of the first chapter of the new DCU. In total, 10 projects are expected to be rolled out by the end of 2027, with 5 films and 5 streaming series adding to the interconnected Gods and Monsters story of the DCU. With so much to take in, it can be a bit overwhelming. To make it easier, here’s the skinny on Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.

    Tom King‘s 2021 comic will be adapted to a film of the same name in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. One of the most prolific and successful comic book authors of the last decade, King played an integral part in helping Gunn and Safran develop their Gods and Monsters slate. “Tom has been one of the architects of this entire situation,” said Gunn of King. “He’s been one of the guys in the room with us, along with four or five other writers. I love his take on these characters. He just turns them slightly to be something very unique.“

    Don’t expect the film to be a one-to-one adaptation of the book, however. Gunn describes the character as “much more hardcore” than the one from King’s comic book.

    In our story, we have Superman who was sent to Earth and raised by incredibly loving parents. Kara was on Krypton. She was on a piece of Krypton that drifted away from the planet and she lived there for the first fourteen years of her life in a horrible situation where she watched everyone around her die. So, she’s a much harsher and more fucked up Supergirl than you’ve been used to thus far.

    James Gunn

    It sounds like the DCU will feature a Kara Zor-El who has a wildly different outlook on things than her good guy cousin, Kal-El. The contrast could make for some interesting twists when the film hits theaters.

  • The Skinny on The DCU’s ‘The Brave and The Bold’

    The Skinny on The DCU’s ‘The Brave and The Bold’

    James Gunn and Peter Safran have revealed the first half of the first chapter of the new DCU. In total, 10 projects are expected to be rolled out by the end of 2027, with 5 films and 5 streaming series adding to the interconnected Gods and Monsters story of the DCU. With so much to take in, it can be a bit overwhelming. To make it easier, here’s the skinny on The Brave and The Bold.

    While Robert Pattinson will continue to serve as Batman in the DC Elseworlds The Batman: Part II and its related projects, the DCU will have a Batman of its own and fans will meet him–and his son, Damian–in a theatrical release titled The Brave and The Bold. The film will be based on Grant Morrison’s Batman and Son arc from his epic run on Batman that began in 2006 which Gunn called one of his “favorite Batman runs.” Gunn called Morrison “exceptionally influential” on the DCU slate which could hint at some other possible arcs that could be explored in other projects.

    The Brave and The Bold is “a story of Damian Wayne, who’s Batman’s actual son that he didn’t know existed for the first eight to ten years of his life. He was raised as a little murderer and assassin,” explained Gunn, who also called Damian his “favorite Robin.” The film will mark the first time a Robin has appeared in a live-action film since 1997’s Batman and Robin and it sounds like Damian may not be the only one to appear. “This is going to feature other members of the extended Bat-Family.” said Safran, adding “just because we feel like they’ve been left out of the Batman stories in the theater for far too long.“

    The focus of the film, however, will be the relationship between Bruce and Damian. “It’s a very strange sort of father-son story about the two of them,” said Gunn of The Brave and The Bold, who added that fans should expect Damian to be “a little son of a bitch.” It sounds like Gunn’s got Damian pegged. No release date or creative team was announced for the project.

    Sources: DC, Collider, Variety

  • New DC Studios co-CEO Says ‘Batgirl’ “Would Have Hurt DC”

    New DC Studios co-CEO Says ‘Batgirl’ “Would Have Hurt DC”

    DC Studios has finally unveiled its plans for the future of the actual DC Cinematic Universe. James Gunn is spearheading various projects alongside his co-CEO Peter Safran. They’re at a crossroads of having to roll out the previous projects that set the bar while also introducing a new era of heroics into the DC Cinematic venture.

    The biggest sacrifice made before they even joined the newly formed DC Studios was Batgirl, an HBO Max original with a promising cast and group of creatives. Many were baffled by the decision to cut a finished film and Safran seems to agree that what he saw from the film was “not releasable.”

    Batgirl’s a character that inevitably we will include in our story. On the Batgirl front, it’s not about late in the process of the film getting canceled. I saw the movie, and there are a lot of incredibly talented people in front of and behind the camera on that film. But that film was not releasable, and it happens sometimes. That film was not releasable. I actually think that [president and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery David] Zaslav and the team made a very bold and courageous decision to cancel it because it would have hurt DC. It would have hurt those people involved

    Peter Safran

    It’s a bit disheartening as a lot of people put a lot of work into this project, but the vagueness of what is and isn’t releasable. Some might argue the same for projects like Black Adam or The Flash surrounded by all its controversy. Yes, it is under new management but the statement is vague enough to open interpretation. Also implying it’ll “hurt DC” seems to add to the confusion given just how messy the past releases have been for the franchise.

    Source: Variety

  • The Skinny on The DCU’s ‘The Authority

    The Skinny on The DCU’s ‘The Authority

    James Gunn and Peter Safran have revealed the first half of the first chapter of the new DCU. In total, 10 projects are expected to be rolled out by the end of 2027, with 5 films and 5 streaming series adding to the interconnected Gods and Monsters story of the DCU. With so much to take in, it can be a bit overwhelming. To make it easier, here’s the skinny on The Authority.

    The second film in the first half of the Gods and Monsters slate is The Authority, which Gunn calls a “very different kind of superhero story” and a “passion project.” The film is probably the most unlikely on the list given the history of the team of heroes it involves. The Authority was created as part of Jim Lee’s WildStorm universe which was eventually purchased by DC comics and, during the New 52 publishing initiative, integrated into the mainstream continuity. Fans may not be quite familiar with the team, which Safran compared to Jack Nicholson’s Colonel Jessup in A Few Good Men saying, “they know that you want them on the wall, or at least they believe that.” Gunn gave a little more detail of what to expect from this win-at-all-costs group.

    They are basically good-intentioned, but they think that the world is completely broken and the only way to fix it is to take things into their own hands, whether that means killing people, destroying heads of state, changing governments—basically, whatever they want to do to make the world better. We’ll see how that journey goes for them. There are morally gray characters (in our DCU), of which these are.

    James Gunn

    The film is currently being written, though Gunn did not reveal who was penning the project though he indicated he’s helped outline the story.

    I only have seven days in the week, all of which are used in the service of DC storytelling. I’m working all the time. I can only do what I can do. So we’re going to have to make a decision at some point. Whether or not, you know, is it better for me to, you know, I can write more. I already wrote all of that. I’ve written a lot of that. I’ve worked a lot on the outline for The Authority myself.

    James Gunn

    No release date has been slated for The Authority, though if DC Studios plans to put a second movie out in 2025, this project could potentially make that date.

    Sources: DC, Collider, Variety

  • The Skinny on The DCU’s ‘Superman: Legacy’

    The Skinny on The DCU’s ‘Superman: Legacy’

    James Gunn and Peter Safran have revealed the first half of the first chapter of the new DCU. In total, 10 projects are expected to be rolled out by the end of 2027, with 5 films and 5 streaming series adding to the interconnected Gods and Monsters story of the DCU. With so much to take in, it can be a bit overwhelming. To make it easier, here’s the skinny on Superman: Legacy.

    Written and potentially directed by Gunn, Superman: Legacy will be the first theatrical release of DC Studios Gods and Monsters chapter and is expected to be in theaters on July 11, 2025. According to Safran, the film, which will be rated PG-13, “is really the launch of the DCU.” Given the audience’s familiarity with the character, Superman: Legacy won’t be an origin story. Safran explained that the new fill will focus “on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing.” The co-chair added, “Superman represents truth, justice and the American way. He is kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old fashioned.”

    While Gunn didn’t give away the details of the script he’s working on, he reaffirmed Safran’s comments about the character saying “Superman is for everyone. That’s a four-quadrant film that should speak to everyone in the world.” And while Gunn’s Superman sounds like he’ll fit the bill of the Big Blue Boy Scout, don’t expect the villain to be outright evil but maybe a little more complex.

    With our stories, we want to take it away from good guy vs. bad guy. There are really good—almost saintly—people and Superman is among them. There are really terrible villains like Gorilla Grodd or the Joker. And then there’s everybody in between them, so there are all these shades of gray which allow us to tell complex stories.

    James Gunn

    With Gunn still working on a script and deciding whether or not he will direct it, Superman: Legacy likely won’t go into production until the mid-2024.