So DC fans (And comic fans in general) were recently treated to some exciting news. Apparently, this is the layout for the next couple of years of DC films:
May 2016- Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
July 2016- Shazam
Christmas 2016- The Sandman
May 2017- Justice League
July 2017- Wonder Woman
Christmas 2017- Flash/Green Lantern
May 2018- Man of Steel 2
So there you go. Some pretty exciting news, huh?! I know I was taken completely by surprise. So I'm going to give a brief description of my feelings about each film.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice- I don't think there's anything I can say that hasn't been said, speculated, and screamed across the internet already. I think Ben Affleck will do a great job as Batman, I'm interested to see Eisenberg's take on Luthor, and the addition of Wonder Woman should have everyone excited. I hope to see Metallo as a main villain, with Luthor being a background villain for either Justice League or Man of Steel 2 (More on those later). I wouldn't mind seeing some Nightwing and Joker cameos, but that won't make or break the film for me.
SIDE NOTE: I think Sharlto Copley (Elysium, District 9) would be the perfect choice for Joker.
Shazam- This is one that caught me completely off guard. I know there had been rumors but I never thought Warner Brothers would actually get around to making it. But hey, this is great news! If I had to choose one specific story arc for the film to be based on, I would go with Geoff Johns' New 52 run. It's a fantastic take on the character that updates and changes; but maintains a respect for the original concept. This would be a perfect way to introduce the magic side of the DC Universe, which will be expanded upon in my next topic.
The Sandman- We all know that last year Joseph Gordon-Levitt and David Goyer were pairing up to finally bring Morpheus to the big screen. To be honest, I thought this would linger in development hell a lot longer. I didn't know that it would get going this soon. But, like Shazam, I'm happy that it's happening. I would really like it if the DC shows were connected to the films, because then Matt Ryan could make an appearance as John Constantine (Because the film is going to be based on the Preludes & Nocturnes story arc). However, it is highly doubtful that the shows will have anything to do with the films. But, a fan can only hope!
Justice League- Okay, here we go. The big one. The one we've been waiting for. The film that every comic book fan has wanted and never thought would happen. The world's greatest super heroes finally teaming up on the big screen! So, let me start by saying who I have to see in this film. If you're going to make a Justice League film, you HAVE to have: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and the Flash. I also REALLY want to see Aquaman, but those 5 are mandatory. Now, we know Cyborg is going to be in it, and Shazam will probably be a part of the team because of his movie coming out the year before. But here's another character I hope they use: Stephen Amell's Green Arrow. Arrow is a fantastic show, and Amell is perfect as comic's best archer (sorry, Hawkeye). It would be such a waste not to include Arrow in the films. And speaking of wasting talent, please have Grant Gustin play the Flash! From what we've seen, his take on Barry Allen is perfect, and if Flash is anything like Arrow, we're in for one hell of a show! We already know Gotham won't be a part of the films (not too distraught there, though it is a waste of potential), and Constantine most likely will not be a part of the films (which sucks). But Arrow and Flash are both on the CW, so if Warner Brothers could just strike a deal with that one network, the DC Cinematic Universe will get even better, and they'd be showing that they really care about their fans!
Now, when it comes to story, there are two ways you can go with this film: Luthor or Darkseid. Personally, I'd prefer the latter. Luthor is a fantastic villain, but he is a Superman villain. (Yes, I know Darkseid can be a Superman villain, too, but come on...he's a Justice League villain). Save Luthor for Man of Steel 2, where you have a better chance to expand upon his character. Plus, having him as a background character in Justice League allows you to build him up further, so he can be seen as an even bigger threat in Man of Steel 2. Anyway, enough about Justice League. Let's move on.
Wonder Woman- This is another one that fans have been clamoring for for years. I knew this was going to happen eventually, but I didn't expect it to be this soon. That seems to be a running theme in this article, doesn't it? Anyway, it's finally happening! It's about time, because like every other comic book fan, I think Wonder Woman is long overdue for a film. If I had to pick a story for this film, I think it should be based on the 2009 Wonder Woman animated movie. But instead of having her discovering the outside world, you could change it to where she returns to Themyscira to discover a new threat has risen. There are so many ways you could go with this film, you could do a prequel that takes place before Batman/Superman and shows her origin, but the important thing is, it's happening!
Flash/Green Lantern- This is one that REALLY took me by surprise. I was not expecting them to get a Flash or a Green Lantern film out this fast, much less a team-up film! Personally, I love this idea! If they're using Grant Gustin's Flash, the show will be a couple seasons in by now, so you don't have to waste time with origins or character set up, that's already been dealt with on the show. And Green Lantern has already been introduced in Justice League, but you could expand upon his character in this film. I hope they use Hal Jordan, both in this film and Justice League, because he's the most classic Lantern. He deserves to be in this universe and treated with some respect, rather than being passed over for John Stewart or Kyle Rayner. Anyway, when it comes to the story, you can't really use any Green Lantern villains. The reason you can't is because if any Green Lantern villains are used, then the Corps, and then the Guardians, have to be involved. Make no mistake, I want to see the Corps and the Guardians, but save those for a solo film. The only Green Lantern villain you could use in a team-up movie would be Hector Hammond. Or, you could use all of the Rogues working together, and Flash must enlist the help of Green Lantern to stop them. Whatever they do, I'm really excited for this movie!
Man of Steel 2- Okay, I know the comic book community is completely divided over the first film, personally, I loved it. I am completely psyched for a new solo Superman film. Like I said before, I'd like to see Luthor used as a villain in this film. Maybe you could have him team up with Brainiac take out Superman. I'd love to see the Death of Superman story arc, but I think it's a little too early in the universe to do that. So I think Brainiac and Luthor should be the villain of this film, with Doomsday being saved for either Justice League 2 or Man of Steel 3.
SIDE NOTE: If I had to choose an actor for Brainiac, I would choose either Benedict Cumberbatch or Jackie Earle Haley. I wouldn't want the character to be played as too robotic, I'd like to see him be played with some menace.
Now, before I go, it looks like Warner Brothers are planning on releasing 3 DC films a year (2016: Batman/Superman, Shazam, and Sandman. 2017: Justice League, Wonder Woman, and Flash/Green Lantern). So, we only know (and I use the word 'know' very loosely here) about one film for 2018, which is Man of Steel 2. So, here are the other 2 DC films I'd like to see in 2018.
July 2018: The Batman- A solo Bat-film starring Ben Affleck. I would love to see other members of the Bat-family in here, especially Nightwing. If they do do a solo Batman film, it will most likely be directed by Affleck. So I think the perfect storyline for this to be based on is Hush. It's a suspenseful mystery, which plays to Affleck's strengths as a director. Plus, you can have appearances by a lot of other Bat-villains, who can be used in future films.
SIDE NOTE: I've already mentioned that Sharlto Copley would be the perfect Joker. I also think that Chris Pine (Star Trek Into Darkness, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit) would make a great Nightwing. In addition to that, I think Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad, Godzilla) would be the perfect commissioner Gordon, Patrick Wilson (Insidious, Watchmen) would make a great Scarecrow, and Javier Bardem (Skyfall, No Country For Old Men) would make a fantastic Two-Face.
Christmas 2018: Aquaman- This is one film that I think is LONG overdue. I personally think Aquaman is a fantastic character, and he certainly deserves his own film. If I were to choose a storyline for this to be based on, I would have to go with the first volume of the New 52 series, the Trench. It's a smaller scale story, which allows you to spend more time building Aquaman's character. Then you could do Black Manta or Ocean Master in the sequel. Hell, the 'Throne of Atlantis' story arc could be used for a Justice League film!
So there you have it. My thoughts on the rumored DC Cinematic Universe. I for one am completely psyched about this universe and cannot wait to see what it has in store for us! Thanks for reading!