DC Films news: new Robin film “Dynamic Duo” announced

[Metallo]

Obviously not Keaton himself but a stuntman or stand in playing his character. It’ll be interesting to see just what is going on here. Whatever it is it means some major changes for the DCEU continuity. This seems to be a flashback (before the “present day” events of the Batgirl film but after Batman Returns?) since Gordon looks younger and with red hair instead of gray hair. But that means history has been altered and Keatons Batman has possibly been moved over to the DCEU or his universe has been merged with the DCEU Post flashpoint.

[crazy_asian_man]

There's been so few DC superhero films that have been great, that I really don't know how high I should raise expectations on this. I am curious but as always guarded when it comes to DC.

[Metallo]

www.darkhorizons.com/warners-rearranges-its-2022-23-dc-films/

Warners Rearranges Its 2022/23 DC Films

By Garth Franklin
Wednesday, March 9th 2022 1:40 pm

Warner Bros. Pictures has pushed back the various films of its DC films slate by several months – tacking what was a stacked 2022 and fairly anemic looking 2023 and spreading the load a bit more evenly.

The result however is several high profile delays of several months for some big titles – “Black Adam” and the “Aquaman” sequel going back three months, while “The Flash” has gone back a full seven months.

On the flip side the “Shazam” sequel has moved up six months to this year. The new release slate is as follows:

July 29th 2022: “DC’s League of Super-pets”
October 21st 2022: “Black Adam”
December 12th 2022: “Shazam! Fury of the Gods”
March 17th 2023: “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom”
June 23rd 2023: “The Flash”

A few other non-DC Warners films have also set new dates. “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” has been delayed nine months to December 15th 2023, whilst “The Meg” sequel has locked in an August 4th 2023 release date.

The delays are thought to be likely due to post-production delays stemming from the pandemic.

Source: Screen Daily

[Metallo]

It matches what we saw in the leaked behind the scenes photos. It’ll be interesting to see if this is totally real or a photoshopped together patchjob.

For the most part I like what I see. The utility belt being black reminds me of the one from Kilmer’s “panther” suit from Batman Forever. I’d prefer a gold or yellow belt as it breaks up all the black but what we’ve got isn’t a deal breaker. The length of the neck is very odd looking to me. Maybe it’s an optical illusion and looks better in other photos but length and overall shape of the cowls from Batman and Batman Returns looked better to me.

[crazy_asian_man]

I agree- the neck is weird, but it's odd how even today, they even had to CGI parts of the Falcon's costume so there wouldn't be 'neck wobble' because apparently they can't figure out a way practically to deal with that particular neck design and have the actor move.

Love the original Burton costume the best. This is ok, though.

[Metallo]

[Metallo]

www.darkhorizons.com/phillips-reveals-joker-sequel-working-title/

Phillips Reveals “Joker” Sequel Working Title

By Garth Franklin
Tuesday, June 7th 2022 9:24 pm

A story a few days back came that former MGM chiefs Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy have been tasked by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav to take over Warner Bros. Pictures and oversee DC Films.

Within the report, there was the line that “Joker” filmmaker Todd Phillips had been approached to advise at DC Films in a creative way following that movie’s success – although it wouldn’t be an official executive position.

Then, Puck News reported earlier this week that Phillips is “getting pretty close on a ‘Joker’ sequel.” Seems that was on the money as today, the filmmaker has offered the first confirmation that a follow-up is in the works.

Phillips has posted a shot of the cover of the film’s script on Instagram. Penned by Phillips and his collaborator Scott Silver, his collaborator on the first film, the film sports the working title “Joker: Folie a Deux”.

In the same post, Phillips added a shot of star Joaquin Phoenix reading the screenplay. The first film reframed the iconic Batman villain into an anti-hero character study about a struggling comedian who becomes a folk hero in Gotham City after he lashes out in acts of shocking violence.

Made for a cost-effective $55 million, it went on to gross $1.03 billion worldwide along with scoring twelve Oscar nominations including wins for Best Actor and Best Original Score.

[crazy_asian_man]

Jun 8, 2022 9:11:30 GMT -5 Metallo said:

www.darkhorizons.com/phillips-reveals-joker-sequel-working-title/

Phillips Reveals “Joker” Sequel Working Title

By Garth Franklin
Tuesday, June 7th 2022 9:24 pm

A story a few days back came that former MGM chiefs Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy have been tasked by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav to take over Warner Bros. Pictures and oversee DC Films.

Within the report, there was the line that “Joker” filmmaker Todd Phillips had been approached to advise at DC Films in a creative way following that movie’s success – although it wouldn’t be an official executive position.

Then, Puck News reported earlier this week that Phillips is “getting pretty close on a ‘Joker’ sequel.” Seems that was on the money as today, the filmmaker has offered the first confirmation that a follow-up is in the works.

Phillips has posted a shot of the cover of the film’s script on Instagram. Penned by Phillips and his collaborator Scott Silver, his collaborator on the first film, the film sports the working title “Joker: Folie a Deux”.

In the same post, Phillips added a shot of star Joaquin Phoenix reading the screenplay. The first film reframed the iconic Batman villain into an anti-hero character study about a struggling comedian who becomes a folk hero in Gotham City after he lashes out in acts of shocking violence.

Made for a cost-effective $55 million, it went on to gross $1.03 billion worldwide along with scoring twelve Oscar nominations including wins for Best Actor and Best Original Score.

I'm curious... IF the goal isn't just more nihilism for a Joker sequel. One was well done, but more negativity and hopelessness on film isn't needed I think.

[Metallo]

www.darkhorizons.com/lady-gaga-in-talks-for-joker-2-musical/

Lady Gaga In Talks For “Joker 2” Musical

By Garth Franklin
Monday, June 13th 2022 10:14 pm

Lady Gaga is in early talks to star opposite Joaquin Phoenix in director Todd Phillips’ sequel to 2019’s “Joker” at Warner Bros. Pictures.

According to THR, if a deal goes through then Gaga would play Harley Quinn – one quite different to Margot Robbie’s version – in a movie that is very different to the dark and moody character piece of the first film. It is also unclear whether Phillips and company are using other DC characters in the project.

Phillips has been co-writing the script with Scott Silver for some time and has finally shown it to the studio. Negotiations are underway with Joaquin Phoenix to return to his Oscar-winning role.

Phillips previously produced the “A Star Is Born” remake in 2018 which starred Gaga.

[crazy_asian_man]

I kind of shrug at this. I guess it's good for the movie biz whenever anything is a big hit.... but.... I respected the first film, but never needed to see it again, let alone need to see a sequel.

[Metallo]

[crazy_asian_man]

Love the new Shazam trailer- but it's funny how sad no matter how good the new DC trailers seem, when Marvel comes out after with theirs, you can't help but wish one had as much excitement for WB/DC....

[Metallo]

Jul 23, 2022 23:20:44 GMT -5 crazy_asian_man said:

Love the new Shazam trailer- but it's funny how sad no matter how good the new DC trailers seem, when Marvel comes out after with theirs, you can't help but wish one had as much excitement for WB/DC....

The Shazam 2 trailer was fine but I wasn’t blown away by it. Black Adam is still lacking for me. It’s just not getting me excited.

I'd say Marvel came out swinging and won the fight against DC this weekend. Feige dropped some geek bombs.

[Metallo]

www.darkhorizons.com/ben-affleck-returns-for-aquaman-sequel/

Ben Affleck Returns For “Aquaman” Sequel

By Garth Franklin
Thursday, July 28th 2022 6:12 pm

Actor Jason Mamoa has revealed that his former “Justice League” co-star Ben Affleck will make an appearance in James Wan’s upcoming DC superhero feature “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom”.



Announced on his Instagram page, Momoa posted a picture of himself and Affleck on the set of the sequel along with a video of the pair’s reunion being caught by some of the public doing a WB Studio Tour.

He captions it: “REUNITED bruce and arthur. love u and miss u Ben. WB studio tours just explored the backlot alright. Busted on set all great things coming AQUAMAN 2 all my aloha j”.

Wan directs from a script written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, with Momoa himself co-wrote the story treatment. Affleck joins a cast that includes Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Dolph Lundgren, Temuera Morrison and Pilou Asbæk.

“Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is set to release in theaters on March 17th 2023.

Source: Instagram

[Metallo]

variety.com/2022/film/news/batgirl-movie-why-not-releasing-warner-bros-1235332062/amp/

Why Warner Bros. Killed ‘Batgirl’: Inside the Decision Not to Release the DC Movie

By Adam B. Vary, Brent Lang

The death of “Batgirl” on Tuesday sent immediate shockwaves through Hollywood. The film — with a $75 million budget that grew to $90 million due to COVID-related overages — had finished shooting months ago and was in test screenings as directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (“Bad Boys for Life,” “Ms. Marvel”) worked through the post-production process. Star Leslie Grace (“In the Heights”) had given multiple interviews expressing her enthusiasm for landing the title role and working with co-stars Michael Keaton (as Batman), J.K. Simmons (as her character’s father, Commissioner Gordon) and Brendan Fraser (as the villain, Firefly).

In other words, the movie was nearly finished, and already building awareness among fans. Why would Warner Bros. Discovery throw all that away?

According to sources with knowledge of the situation, the most likely reason: taxes.

Several sources note that “Batgirl” was made under a different regime at Warner Bros., headed by Jason Kilar and Ann Sarnoff, that was singularly focused on building its streaming service, HBO Max. That effort included Kilar’s infamous decision to release the studio’s entire 2021 theatrical slate simultaneously on the streamer, which helped build the subscriber base but also jeopardized the studio’s reputation with top-tier talent (though many agents and stars privately came to appreciate the move when the company paid generous bonuses as a make-nice).

Even before David Zaslav took the reins of the newly formed Warner Bros. Discovery as CEO this spring, the exec went on a well-publicized listening tour designed to repair the company’s relationship with the creative community. As part of that effort, Zaslav has made no secret of reversing Kilar’s strategy and committing to releasing first-run feature films in theaters before putting them on HBO Max.

“Batgirl” found itself on the bad end of that decision, apparently neither big enough to feel worthy of a major theatrical release nor small enough to make economic sense in an increasingly cutthroat streaming landscape. Spending the money to expand the scope of “Batgirl” for theaters — plus the $30 million to $50 million needed to market it domestically and the tens of millions more needed for a global rollout — could have nearly doubled spending on the film, and insiders say that was a non-starter at a company newly focused on belt-tightening and the bottom line. (Spokespeople for Warner Bros. and Warner Bros. Discovery declined to comment for this story.)

Releasing the movie on HBO Max would seem to be the most obvious solution. Instead, the company has shelved “Batgirl” — along with the “Scoob!” sequel — and several sources say it will almost certainly take a tax write-down on both films, seen internally as the most financially sound way to recoup the costs (at least, on an accountant’s ledger). It could justify that by chalking it up to a post-merger change of strategy.

Doing so, however, would mean that Warner Bros. cannot monetize either movie — no HBO Max debut, no sale to another studio.

What the decision will cost the studio in creative capital, meanwhile, remains to be seen.

[crazy_asian_man]

Aug 2, 2022 20:29:37 GMT -5 Metallo said:

variety.com/2022/film/news/batgirl-movie-why-not-releasing-warner-bros-1235332062/amp/

Why Warner Bros. Killed ‘Batgirl’: Inside the Decision Not to Release the DC Movie

By Adam B. Vary, Brent Lang

The death of “Batgirl” on Tuesday sent immediate shockwaves through Hollywood. The film — with a $75 million budget that grew to $90 million due to COVID-related overages — had finished shooting months ago and was in test screenings as directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (“Bad Boys for Life,” “Ms. Marvel”) worked through the post-production process. Star Leslie Grace (“In the Heights”) had given multiple interviews expressing her enthusiasm for landing the title role and working with co-stars Michael Keaton (as Batman), J.K. Simmons (as her character’s father, Commissioner Gordon) and Brendan Fraser (as the villain, Firefly).

In other words, the movie was nearly finished, and already building awareness among fans. Why would Warner Bros. Discovery throw all that away?

According to sources with knowledge of the situation, the most likely reason: taxes.

Several sources note that “Batgirl” was made under a different regime at Warner Bros., headed by Jason Kilar and Ann Sarnoff, that was singularly focused on building its streaming service, HBO Max. That effort included Kilar’s infamous decision to release the studio’s entire 2021 theatrical slate simultaneously on the streamer, which helped build the subscriber base but also jeopardized the studio’s reputation with top-tier talent (though many agents and stars privately came to appreciate the move when the company paid generous bonuses as a make-nice).

Even before David Zaslav took the reins of the newly formed Warner Bros. Discovery as CEO this spring, the exec went on a well-publicized listening tour designed to repair the company’s relationship with the creative community. As part of that effort, Zaslav has made no secret of reversing Kilar’s strategy and committing to releasing first-run feature films in theaters before putting them on HBO Max.

“Batgirl” found itself on the bad end of that decision, apparently neither big enough to feel worthy of a major theatrical release nor small enough to make economic sense in an increasingly cutthroat streaming landscape. Spending the money to expand the scope of “Batgirl” for theaters — plus the $30 million to $50 million needed to market it domestically and the tens of millions more needed for a global rollout — could have nearly doubled spending on the film, and insiders say that was a non-starter at a company newly focused on belt-tightening and the bottom line. (Spokespeople for Warner Bros. and Warner Bros. Discovery declined to comment for this story.)

Releasing the movie on HBO Max would seem to be the most obvious solution. Instead, the company has shelved “Batgirl” — along with the “Scoob!” sequel — and several sources say it will almost certainly take a tax write-down on both films, seen internally as the most financially sound way to recoup the costs (at least, on an accountant’s ledger). It could justify that by chalking it up to a post-merger change of strategy.

Doing so, however, would mean that Warner Bros. cannot monetize either movie — no HBO Max debut, no sale to another studio.

What the decision will cost the studio in creative capital, meanwhile, remains to be seen.

Geez. Not even a release of 'straight to blu ray/dvd' Ough. With the troubles with the wasted $$$ on the Snyder JL, Amber Heard p.r., Ezra Miller p.r., and meh 'Super-pets' box office... it seems like the DCEU can't get much of a break. Oy.

[Metallo]

www.darkhorizons.com/warners-abruptly-scraps-batgirl-release/

Warners Abruptly Scraps “Batgirl” Release

By Garth Franklin
Tuesday, August 2nd 2022 8:47 pm

In a move that has sent shockwaves in the industry, Warner Bros. Pictures has abruptly scrapped any planned release of its “Batgirl” movie which cost $90 million to produce.

First reported in The New York Post and subsequently confirmed by the trades and The Wrap, the film will will not premiere on any platform at the studio – neither theatrically nor on HBO Max.

The same goes for “Scoob!: Holiday Haunt,” a follow-up to the 2020 animated Scooby-Doo film “Scoob!”. Footage from that film was shown in a sizzle reel for HBO Max back in December and Warners is taking a relatively smaller $40 million bath on that one. Producer/writer Tony Cervone has already responded to the news, saying on Twitter: “The movie is practically finished and turned out beautifully. I am beyond heartbroken.”

The “Batgirl” scrapping is the real surprise as the project wrapped filming months ago with directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah well into the final stages of post-production with the project in the middle of test screenings. The original NY Post report says those test screenings were not going well and claims “the studio decided to cut its losses and run”. Deadline disputed the claim, saying one screening was held and the result “wasn’t that bad”.

“Batgirl” stars Leslie Grace as Batgirl/Barbara Gordon along with J.K. Simmons as Commissioner Jim Gordon, Brendan Fraser as the villain Firefly and Michael Keaton as Batman/Bruce Wayne.

Initial reports suggested the decision was driven entirely by a desire for the studio’s slate of DC features to be at a blockbuster scale and “Batgirl” was budgeted as a direct-to-HBO Max release. However a quick follow-up report in Variety has several sources suggesting a more basic reason to the outlet – a tax write-off.

“Batgirl” was greenlit and made under the previous regime at Warners before the newly formed Warner Bros. Discovery and its CEO David Zaslav took over this Spring. Zaslav has made it clear he intends to commit to releasing first-run feature films in theaters before putting them on HBO Max.

Thus “Batgirl” was in a bind. Expanding the scope of the film with additional filming along with releasing the movie theatrically backed by a large marketing campaign could’ve nearly doubled its costs at a studio newly focused on belt-tightening.

An HBO Max debut would seem obvious, but by shelving it and the “Scoob!” sequel, the company will almost certainly take a tax write-down on both films, according to the trade’s sources. Financially it will allow them to recoup the costs, but by doing so Warner Bros. cannot monetize either movie so no streaming release and no selling it off to another studio or streamer.

Deadline adds that as the company has changed hands and changed strategy from the previous regime, the opportunity for such a ‘purchase accounting maneuver’ expires in mid-August and so they don’t expect other films to get killed like this because the window to do so will be closed shortly.

Warner Bros Discovery has also released a statement: “The decision to not release Batgirl reflects our leadership’s strategic shift as it relates to the DC universe and HBO Max. Leslie Grace is an incredibly talented actor and this decision is not a reflection of her performance. We are incredibly grateful to the filmmakers of Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt and their respective casts and we hope to collaborate with everyone again in the near future.”

[Metallo]

Statement from the Batgirl directors:

[crazy_asian_man]

It might be leaked one day. Anything like a 'Release the Snyder Cut' campaign now would lack credibility and I think WB is still bruised by the $$$ used on that, thinking it was giant fan demand.

I would like to see it, if nothing else, for those cameos by Keaton and JK Simmons.

[Metallo]

Aug 3, 2022 16:38:44 GMT -5 crazy_asian_man said:

It might be leaked one day. Anything like a 'Release the Snyder Cut' campaign now would lack credibility and I think WB is still bruised by the $$$ used on that, thinking it was giant fan demand.

I would like to see it, if nothing else, for those cameos by Keaton and JK Simmons.

I wasn’t for the movie because I felt the timing was all wrong and would only be confusing for a lot of reasons. I was also curious because of Keaton, Simmons, exactly how this would all work and tie together, and what it meant for the DCEU going forward.

It stinks we won’t get to see a new Keaton Batman adventure but I’d also bet on this being leaked somehow someday. It’s just too easy to do now.

[Metallo]

www.darkhorizons.com/potential-shazam-aquaman-sequel-delays/

Potential “Shazam,” “Aquaman” Sequel Delays?

By Garth Franklin
Wednesday, August 3rd 2022 2:57 pm

A feature THR article going into HBO Max’s “Batgirl” film being shelved at Warner Bros. Discovery has offered some new information about what happened and how some other upcoming DC films could be affected.

First up, the report shoots down talk of disastrous test screenings. According to their sources, only a very early version of the film with temp VFX and score was screened and it was only once.

Said screening landed a score in the low 60s, a score comparable to early test screenings for the first “IT” movie and an early test for the upcoming “Shazam! Fury of the Gods”.

The film’s cancellation also reportedly diminishes the role of Michael Keaton in the DC Universe going forward. The actor’s return to the Bruce Wayne role was being positioned as an elder statesman who could pop up in multiple films and is said to have been at the center of a splashy action sequence in “Batgirl”.

The report indicates Keaton also filmed a scene for the upcoming “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom”, which test audiences found confusing. Last week it was revealed Ben Affleck was filming a scene for the film as Bruce Wayne, suggesting Keaton has been replaced with Affleck’s version of the character.

Such a move seemingly leaves only Keaton’s key role in the Ezra Miller-led “The Flash” to have survived. That film is currently slated for June 2023, but talk is swirling that Warners is considering moving the release dates for both “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” (currently December 21st) and “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” (currently March 17th 2023).

There’s also still no answer of any kind on the fate of the “Blue Beetle” film starring Xolo Mariduena (“Cobra Kai”) in the lead role. That project was developed for HBO Max before being upgraded to a theatrical release in December.

Again, it’s hoped tomorrow’s Warner Bros. Discovery earnings call will offer some insight as to where things will go from here.

[crazy_asian_man]

Geez.... if Keaton gets bumped from Aquaman, and with Batgirl getting shelved--- I can only imagine Keaton getting a bit annoyed, considering how hard it must have been to convince him to come out to film these.

Will there be a day when the DCEU doesn't seem TOTALLY chaotic behind the scenes?

Yeesh...

But- hopefully it's mixed news if they greenlight the more economical route of releasing a Superman 2 international cut on blu ray.... that will forgive a lot in my eyes...

[Metallo]

www.darkhorizons.com/supergirl-killed-off-peacemaker-lives/

“Supergirl” Killed Off, “Peacemaker” Lives?

By Garth Franklin
Thursday, August 4th 2022 8:17 am

A new feature piece in Rolling Stone documenting the reasons for shelving of the $90 million “Batgirl” film at Warner Bros. Discovery indicates that another DC project in early development has also been scrapped.

Specifically, they say the proposed “Supergirl” film, starring Sasha Calle (“The Young and the Restless”) reprising the role she first plays in the upcoming “The Flash” film, is “not likely to move forward”.

Calle has already completed her work in “The Flash,” but the solo “Supergirl” film has seemingly been stuck in development since it was first announced back in 2018 when writer Oren Uziel was brought onboard to pen the script.

The piece also touches upon the “Batman” test screening talk, saying according to their sources, star Leslie Grace’s performance was embraced, but the overall feedback to the production was harsh and likened to a bad TV episode.

Grace herself responded with class and professionalism today to all of the news of this week, posting on Instagram:

“I am proud of the love, hard work and intention all of our incredible cast and tireless crew put into this film over seven months in Scotland. I feel blessed to have worked among absolute greats and forged relationships for a lifetime in the process! To every Batgirl fan – THANK YOU for the love and belief, allowing me to take on the cape and become, as Babs said best, ‘my own damn hero!'”

Between this and HBO Max’s recent pulling of multiple original movies from its service, there’s been concern for some of the streamer’s most successful originals.

Case in point – James Gunn’s “Peacemaker” series with the filmmaker asked on Twitter by a concerned fan if the second season of the show is ‘safe’ to which he replied: “Yes, guys, calm down”.

Warner Bros. Discovery is issuing a financial report late this afternoon U.S. time, one that is rumored to include layoffs and detail its plans going forward. At that time, we should know more.

[crazy_asian_man]

Well.... there's definitely a lot of cost-cutting happening...

But-
On the other end- what is there to look forwards to at DCEU?

Black Adam might do ok- but I'd be suprised if it outdoes a Marvel film-
Same with Shazam 2....

Aquaman 2 might do better because I figure nobody went to the first one for Amber Heard specifically but for seeing a new visual experience, which delivered on that, for the most part-

On the other hand...

I'm not even that impressed with how the new Batman movie turned out. Bits were cool, but it was too long and I felt it even went a bit too far away from the books.

Joker 2 I'm meh about. I liked the first one, but only needed to see it once.

Thus far, only the tv shows have some excitement- even then, it's a little low for me.

[Metallo]

www.darkhorizons.com/phoenix-gaga-officially-set-for-joker-sequel/

Phoenix, Gaga Officially Set For “Joker” Sequel

By Garth Franklin
Thursday, August 4th 2022 9:17 am

It’s official, Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga are confirmed to be starring as Joker and Harley Quinn in “Joker: Folie a Deux”, which has been set for an October 4th 2024 release.

Gaga confirmed her involvement with an announcement trailer for the project released via her social media accounts. The Todd Phillips-directed film serves as a sequel to his 2019 Oscar-winning sensation.

Rumors have swirled that much of the follow-up takes place inside Arkham Asylum and involves musical elements. Shooting on the project will begin in December.

The first film became the first R-rated movie ever to gross $1 billion worldwide along with snagging twelve Oscar nominations. Phoenix won his first Oscar for his performance.