Earlier today Warner Bros. CEO Kevin Tsujihara announced a release schedule for the studio’s blockbuster titles, confirmed some internet speculation, and shared some interesting casting news.
The studio has confirmed 12 titles and dates, with an additional three expected sometime around 2020. Joining “Batman vs. Superman” in 2016 will be a Suicide Squad film, as well as the first installation of David Yates’s adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” A Ninjago LEGO movie is planned for that year as well.
Tsujihara formally announced a Zack Snyder Justice League film for 2017, as well as its planned sequel for 2019. The DC theme continues with a Wonder Woman film, and LEGO Batman.
2018 brings us a Flash movie, an Aquaman movie, part two for Beasts, and a sequel to the wildly successful LEGO movie.
What’s in store for 2019? The aforementioned Justice League sequel and a Shazam flick.
In summary, a quick reference:
2016:
- Batman vs. Superman
- Suicide Squad
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
- The LEGO Ninjago Movie
2017:
- Wonder Woman
- Justice League
- The LEGO Batman Movie
2018:
- The Flash
- Aquaman
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, pt 2
- The LEGO Movie 2
2019:
- Shazam
- Justice League 2
Informal announcements for post 2019 include a Cyborg feature, another attempt at a Green Lantern tale, and part three of the Beasts trilogy.
The kid in me is honestly kind of excited about this announcement, but the adult in me just turns into Comic Book Guy and wants to drown my trepidations in a wheelbarrow full of cheeseburgers. A lot of Harry Potter purists were not thrilled with Yates’s direction in the cinematic universe, but I, for the most part, enjoyed his take on Rowlings’s legacy. I have absolute faith that he can make Fantastic Beasts into a thrilling theatrical experience. I cringe at how wrong a Wonder Woman movie could go, but revel in how important it will be if it’s done well.
If I believed in guilty pleasures, Suicide Squad would be high on my list. As it stands, I’m really curious about this one. DC has taken to this weird, dark and gritty cinematic world which would actually fit with the Suicide Squad more than any of the announced titles, so that one might just be on point (and also please continue Pam Grier as Amanda Waller please and thank you).
As far as casting goes, Ezra Miller will play the Flash. Miller was the titular Kevin we need to talk about, and with a history of indie and off beat roles his action blockbuster debut makes me pretty eager. He’s also the first out actor to play a superhero. Which particular Flash he will portray seems as yet unclear. Jason Momoa is officially Aquaman, so that movie will be fine. Juuuuuuust fine. And does that make Duane Johnson the villain in Shazam as Black Adam? Or will he be in the Justice League movies?
As long as the studio keeps its wits around the LEGO movies, those are surefire blockbusters that will please fans, critics, and shareholders when those ticket sales start pouring in.
Ye tho’ I emphasized my worry over these titles, for the most part I feel like being cynical about things being screwed up is a waste of energy. Maybe things won’t be made to my liking, but I’m not the only moviegoer out there and these films could open up doors for new comic readers, which is something that always gives me puppy dog eyes. But one certainly has to wonder why these announcements were made at a Wednesday morning meeting, instead of a mega-con like NYCC, which was held days ago. That is a curious pondering indeed.