DC Announces LONG LIVE THE BAT, A Year Long Global Celebration Of The World’s Greatest Detetctive
2019 is the year of the Bat, folks!
dc comics
SUPERGIRL Feature Film Officially In Development At WB
Deadline‘s Mike Fleming Jr. confirmed on Monday that an adaptation of Supergirl is in the works at Warner Bros. News comes in the way of a new era at the studio with respect to its DC properties in the wake of its struggles after Justice League failed to impress at the box office in 2017.
LOBO: Michael Bay To Direct The Long-Awaited DC Comics Adaptation
Just short of two years since we last heard on anything pertaining to a Lobo adaptation, trades are now reporting that Michael Bay is being sought after by Warner Bros. to direct the film. Bay, best known for his riduculous, explody and destructive approach to blockbusters since the 90s and to date with all things Transformers at Paramount, will meet once more with Warner Bros. pending script rewrites by Jason Fuchs since his attachment in Spring of 2016.
A big-screen adaptation of the long-running DC property has been in the works since around 2009 while the character itself has already made the rounds in comic books and animated properties. Roger Slifer and Keith Giffen launched the character in 1983, telling of a Czarnian alien bounty hunter and often villian who re-emerged as an anti-hero biker in the 1990s. San Andreas helmer Brad Peyton was last tapped to direct and his since moved on with development on two game adaptations, and a San Andreas sequel.
News of Bay further reportedly indicates a step closer to what would hopefully be their answer to Mavel’s Deadpool.
Warner Bros. Enlists Its SUICIDE SQUAD Cast
Director David Ayer‘s pending adaptation of DC Comics property, Suicide Squad, is currently awaiting a production start date beginning next year in April through September in Toronto, Canada according to THR. With that in mind, any and all information on casting has been developing and trickling for the past few months now, particularly with lead actor Will Smith in talks, and actor Jared Leto who’s been busy playing coy with the press on all talk related to his addition to the cast as the Joker.
It was probably obvious to some, but nevertheless, Warner Bros. decided to lay skepticism to rest in an official announcement on Tuesday which you can check out below. The current working title will be Bravo 14, with pre-production set for February; As a noteworthy mention, previous reports may indicate further casting additions, which still remain speculative at the moment. For now, read on!
BURBANK, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–An all-star roster of actors has joined Warner Bros. Pictures’ new action adventure “Suicide Squad,” bringing DC Comics’ super villain team to the big screen under the direction of David Ayer (“Fury”). The announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.
The film will star two-time Oscar nominee Will Smith (“The Pursuit of Happyness,” “Ali,” upcoming “Focus”) as Deadshot; Tom Hardy (“The Dark Knight Rises,” upcoming “Mad Max: Fury Road”) as Rick Flagg; Margot Robbie (“The Wolf of Wall Street,” upcoming “Focus,” the “Tarzan” movie) as Harley Quinn; Oscar winner Jared Leto (“Dallas Buyers Club,” “Alexander”) as the Joker; Jai Courtney (“Divergent,” upcoming “The Water Diviner”) as Boomerang; and Cara Delevingne (“Anna Karenina,” upcoming “Pan”) as Enchantress.
In making the announcement, Silverman said, “The Warner Bros. roots are deep on this one. David Ayer returns to the studio where he wrote ‘Training Day’ and brings his incredible ability to craft multidimensional villains to this iconic DC property with a cast of longtime Warner collaborators Will Smith and Tom Hardy, and other new and returning favorites: Margot, Jared, Jai and Cara. We look forward to seeing this terrific ensemble, under Ayer’s amazing guidance, give new meaning to what it means to be a villain and what it means to be a hero.”
Ayer is also writing the script for “Suicide Squad,” which is being produced by Charles Roven (“The Dark Knight” trilogy, upcoming “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”) and Richard Suckle (“American Hustle”). Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder, Colin Wilson and Geoff Johns are serving as executive producers.
The film is slated for release on August 5, 2016.
WONDER WOMAN Gets Michelle MacLaren To Direct!
Without further delay, word from The Hollywood Reporter announced that Michelle MacLaren has officially signed on to direct the forthcoming Wonder Woman feature film, based on the original comic book superheroine created in 1941. MacLaren‘s attachment comes just a month after it was stated that a female director was being sought after for the film, for which actress Gal Gadot was formally brought on to star in the title role almost a year ago. The film would mark the first of a trilogy to fit somewhere in between the latter four years of the current WB/DCU schedule with Wonder Woman set to release on June 23, 2017.
It’s high time though, what with all the progress made by Marvel in its line-up and the online banter and criticisms regarding how slow Warner Bros. has been to bring its DC Cinematic Universe to full fruition. The popular Amazonian demigod has endured through the ages on paper, through television with actress Lynda Carter famously portraying the role in 1975, as well as a number of animated appearances prior to the failure of television networks, the CW and NBC to get their own shows off the ground. So it was a bit of a breath of fresh air to see Warner Bros. finally take the property seriously with their announcement late last year after stating how difficult it would be before then…
Oh how times change!
MacLaren‘s is in great straits with notable television credits like AMC’s Breaking Bad and its forthcoming spin-off series, Better Call Saul to name a few. Her name came as one of a few to make the internet rounds along with Green Street and Punisher: War Zone helmer Lexi Alexander who shared her own reluctance this month to direct the film, largely citing pressure due to carrying the weight and responsibility of gender equality between male and female-led superhero movies. It’s a noteworthy subject in my own opinion, although it does feel a little self-defeating.
At any rate, its probably a relief Alexander didn’t take the job lest she crack midway through filming or something like that; Hopefully her cult success will grant her something special to work with and bring something to movie lovers. As for MacLaren, well, it appears we finally have someone willing to take the job head on, which is all we can ask for at this point, other than they not screw this up.
Charles Roven and Zack and Deborah Snyder producing the film with MacLaren developing the script with a team of currently-unnamed writers. Wonder Woman will arrive just over a year after Gadot debuts her character in Zack Snyder’s March 25, 2016 release of Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice. CLICK HERE to check out the current WB/DCU calendar!
H/T: ComingSoon.net
Jai Courtney Sets His Sights On SUICIDE SQUAD
Following news of Fury helmer David Ayer‘s attachment to the forthcoming production of Warner Bros. DC feature, Suicide Squad, flurries of casting announcements have come forward with recent reports of actress Margot Robbie and Jared Leto in talks for the roles of Harley Quinn and Joker, with earlier news of Tom Hardy as Rick Flag, and possible additions of actors Will Smith as Captain Boomerang and Jesse Eisenberg‘s reprisal as Lex Luthor following his role in Batman V. Superman: Dawn Of Justice.
Talks for these roles are still in play with most of them in their final stages in some capacity. Meanwhile, another actor may have also entered the fray in the form of actor Jai Courtney for the role of Batman villain Deadshot. The character originally made his way in the Batman comic storyline in 1950 prior to playing a pivotal role in the Sucide Squad comics almost a decade later. Originally created by writer/artist duo Robert Kanigher and artist Ross Andru in 1959, and later reinvented in 1987 by writer John Ostrander, the new film may center on a story of supervillains sought by the government to redeem themselves with a mission so dangerous that it could kill them.
Produced by Charles Roven, further casting and crewing news is expected soon as the film inches closer to its August 5, 2016, five months after Eisenberg’s upcoming theatrical appearance in Zack Snyder’s Batman V. Superman: Dawn Of Justice. In the meantime, Courtney can be next seen in Russell Crowe’s directorial debut, The Water Diviner later this year in Australia, as well as next Spring’s release of The Divergent Series: Insurgent, and next Summer’s trilogy reboot kickoff, Terminator: Genisys.
Stay tuned for more info.
H/T: Variety
Deathstroke Strikes In Episode 1 Of NIGHTWING: THE SERIES
The series co-produced by Jeremy Le and is written by N.R. Miller. Shepherd is joined by Lenna Karacostas, Lance Brazil, Bob Dysinger, Scott Kinworthy, Noel Schefflin, Stephen Manley, and Michael Tylo to round out the cast.
‘Fury’ Helmer David Ayer Up To Direct SUICIDE SQUAD
In the wake of shows like Fox’s Gotham and the CW’s Arrow and The Flash, DC Comics properties seem to be lighting up the news this month with reports of Supergirl and Titans taking over CBS and TNT respectively. Films are still in play though, so it will be interesting to see where the networks and respective showrunners take television while Hollywood dabbles with comic book story arcs on the big screen.
Hence, of course another property is now in play for a big screen adaptation in the form of Suicide Squad, originally created by writer/artist duo Robert Kanigher and artist Ross Andru in 1959. Friday’s report from Variety indicates the new film will build on its 1987 reinvention from writer John Ostrander, which centers on a story of supervillains given a second chance to remake themselves as heroes in service of the government. The catch? The missions themselves were so dangerous as they would be considered suicidal.
The director of choice is David Ayer, best known for his work on films like the urban cop drama End Of Watch, as well as the Schwarzenegger thriller, Sabotage and the upcoming World War II tank drama, Fury, which opens in theaters next month. Dan Lin will produce the film from a script by The Jungle Book (2015) and Top Gun 2 scribe Justin Marks.
Official word is yet to be revealed on whether Ayer will board the pic and who will be cast. DC Comics currently has a slate of films that stretch between now and 2020 with titles ranging from Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice, Justice League, Wonder Woman, Shazam and Sandman, as well as the possibility of a new Batman reboot, and many more.
H/T: Variety
Batman Co-Creator Bob Kane To Get A Posthumous Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame
It’s an era of superhero movies and a better time than any to honor their creators. As such, the name of late comic book author and co-creator Bob Kane comes to mind when one ponders just who will get a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. That recent decision came with a new announcement from Maureen Schultz, Chairwoman of the Walk of Fame selection committee for 2014-2015, according to a new report from Comicbook.com
Together with undercredited writer Bill Finger and inker Jerry Robinson, Kane helped manifest one of the most celebrated superheroes in comic book and entertainment history, all right from of their platform at Detective Comics starting in 1939. At least nine actors have brought the iconic crimefighter to life through live action film and television, animation and video games, in addition to countless others paying their own tribute to the role in numerous independently made online projects in recent years. And in light of a new Warner exhibit along with actor Ben Affleck’s current gig as the Dark Knight himself in Batman V. Superman: Dawn Of Justice, Justice League, and a currently-rumored standalone Batman movie in 2016, 2017 and 2019, respectively, it would only make sense to honor Kane‘s memory in such a way at this point.
Kane was 83 when he passed away back in 1998, so this is long deserved and a great way to solidify his legacy.
SDCC '14: BATMAN V SUPERMAN Tops The New List Of New WB/DC Films To Be Announced
Here are the goods:
That Yet-To-Be-Titled 'Batman vs. Superman' Movie Finally Gets A Title And Fresh New Logo!
Principal photography will take place on location at Michigan Motion Picture Studios and on location in and around Detroit, Michigan; Illinois; Africa; and the South Pacific.
Watch The New Trailer For GOTHAM
Based upon characters published by DC Entertainment and produced by Warner Bros. Television, GOTHAM is an origin story of the great DC Comics Super-Villains and vigilantes, revealing an entirely new chapter that has never been told. Starring Ben McKenzie (“Southland,” “The O.C.”), Donal Logue (“Sons of Anarchy,” “Terriers,” “Vikings,” “Copper”) and Jada Pinkett Smith (“The Matrix” films, “HawthoRNe”), GOTHAM follows one cop’s rise through a dangerously corrupt city teetering on the edge of evil and chronicles the birth of one of the most popular super heroes of our time. Executive producer Bruno Heller (“The Mentalist”) wrote the pilot, which was directed and executive-produced by Emmy Award nominee Danny Cannon (the “CSI” franchise, “Nikita”). John Stephens will serve as an executive producer on the series.
You must be logged in to post a comment.