Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: dc studios

  • Ben Affleck Rumored to Be in the Mix to Helm DC Studios ‘The Brave and The Bold’

    Ben Affleck Rumored to Be in the Mix to Helm DC Studios ‘The Brave and The Bold’

    Once upon a time, Ben Affleck was set to direct a solo Batman project set in DC’s Snyderverse. That project never materialized, the Snyderverse is no more and DC films are entering a new era under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran. Affleck is set to appear as Bruce Wayne/Batman in The Flash before hanging up the cowl, presumably for good, though Gunn has expressed an eagerness to work with Affleck as a director on projects set within the new DCU. A new rumor has surfaced that indicates while Affleck may be willing to step aside as Batman, he may have a hand in shaping the new vision for the character.

    According to a rumor from Above the Line, Affleck may be Gunn and Safran’s choice to helm The Brave and The Bold, a Batman and Robin story that will introduce Bruce’s son, Damian, to the DCU. The Brave and The Bold was one of the projects revealed by Gunn to be a part of Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, the first wave of projects in the new DCU.

    Interestingly enough, though Gunn has actively called out false reports and rumors frequently over the years, he has not addressed Affleck’s involvement with the film despite otherwise addressing parts of the Above the Line report. This shouldn’t be taken as confirmation of the report, though it does at least allow for the conversation to continue on.

    Source: Above the Line

  • DC’s ‘The Flash’ First Screening to Take Place at CinemaCon

    DC’s ‘The Flash’ First Screening to Take Place at CinemaCon

    We’ve known for a while that DC Studios and Warner Bros. Discovery have put a lot of hope into the new multiverse-based film The Flash. It’ll see the return of Michael Keaton in the role of Batman and offer a unique take on the original Flashpoint comic storyline. It seems that Warner Bros. believes they have a gem at their hands as they will give the first debut screening at the upcoming CinemaCon in Las Vegas.

    What makes this worth its own announcement is the fact that it’ll premiere on April 25th, quite some time ahead of its actual premiere in theaters. That commonly is a sign that they believe in the film similar to what we saw last year with Top Gun: Maverick; though it might not have the same box office performance as that film. Still, Warner Bros. is putting a lot of hope into this film even with the controversies surrounding its main star, Ezra Miller.

    So far, they managed to keep the actor out of any new headlines that could hinder the film’s release and they also have two additional stars they are putting a lot of focus on. The early advertising has a strong focus on Keaton’s return as Batman and it’s almost a bit too much given that it’s supposed to be a film about the Flash. There’s also the premiere appearance of Sasha Calle as Supergirl, but her own future is in doubt given James Gunn and Peter Safran‘s new vision. Here’s hoping positive buzz can overshadow any real confusion moving forward.

    Source: Deadline

  • Jason Momoa Rumored to Be Abandoning Aquaman Amid Reports of Shoddy Sequel

    Jason Momoa Rumored to Be Abandoning Aquaman Amid Reports of Shoddy Sequel

    While James Gunn and Peter Safran‘s new DC Universe comes together, it may be doing so with a new Aquaman eventually. As reports by a pair of trusted insiders indicated that Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom is shaping up as a stinker, a new rumor suggests that film will be the last go around as Arthur Curry for star Jason Momoa.

    According to both Viewer Anona and Big Screen Leaks, James Wan‘s sequel to the financially lucrative Aquaman is testing incredibly poorly ahead of its December 2023 release. Though the first film wasn’t a critical darling, it did rake in over $1B at the box office. As the old DC slate begins to give way to DC Studios’ plans, Warner Bros. would certainly like to near that mark again but it may be rough especially as a follow-up rumor indicates that Aquaman star Jason Momoa is bailing on the franchise.

    The news isn’t all bad for DC fans, however, as it seems Momoa has another DC role in mind…one that might be right up his alley. The new role shouldn’t come as a surprise to those who have been paying attention, but according to the rumor mill from Hot Mic podcast host Jeff Sneider, Momoa will make the jump the DCU to fill the role of interstellar, heavy metal mercenary Lobo, “the most badass bounty hunter in the galaxy.”

    Given that Gunn has only revealed the first half of Chapter 1 of the DCU, it’s possible that a Lobo project fits into the second half of the Gods and Monsters entry. Even if Momoa is already on board, it makes sense, as Sneider points out, to wait for Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom to complete its theatrical run before revealing Momoa’s bold new role.

  • ‘Constantine’ Sequel Still Moving Ahead at Warner Bros.

    ‘Constantine’ Sequel Still Moving Ahead at Warner Bros.

    DC Studios officially unveiled its official slate earlier this month and noticeably absent was the previously announced Constantine sequel with Keanu Reeves. The film’s absence led many to believe the film was no longer in development, however, that does not look to be the case.

    According to Entertainment Weekly, Warner Bros. has confirmed that despite rumors suggesting otherwise, the sequel has not been scrapped. The news comes after reports stated that because the film wasn’t listed as part of DC Studios’ Chapter One slate, it was no longer in development. Many were quick to believe this to be the case as the sequel was ordered before James Gunn and Peter Safran, the heads of the newly formed DC Studios, took over DC’s future for Warner Bros. Discovery. It’s unclear how the film will fit in with DC Studios’ current plans, although DC will also offer the Elseworlds banners for films that fall outside the DCU continuity.

    Reeves, who starred in the first film, will return to reprise the titular role with director Francis Lawrence returning to direct the sequel. As of now, the film does not yet have a release date.

    Source: EW.

  • 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 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 

  • 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 ‘Booster Gold’

    The Skinny on The DCU’s ‘Booster Gold’

    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 Booster Gold.

    Described by Safran as “a loser from the future who uses his basic future technology to come back to today to pretend to be a superhero“, Michael Jon Carter will make his DCU debut in the HBO Max streaming series Booster Gold. The series was described as an “outright comedy” by Variety and Gunn described the story of the time-displaced 25th Century hero as “imposter syndrome as a superhero.”

    “How do you deal with that?”, asked Gunn, who added that the series will focus on how Carter “tries to use this future technology to be loved by the people of today and what is really at the base of that.” Gunn also mentioned that DC Studios is already in talks with an actor for the role and given his stated desire to continue to work with the cast of Guardians of the Galaxy films, it wouldn’t be surprising if Chris Pratt were that actor.

    Sources: DC, Collider, Variety