Having been a beloved comic book property for decades before becoming a darling among animation lovers beginning in 2003, one could say that the Teen Titans have been overdue for a live action adaptation for quite some time. Well, actually, they were set to headline their own movie with a theatrical release projected for 2010, but that endeavor was one of many unfortunately killed by the writers' strike.
The past day-and-a-half has certainly been one crazy ride, now hasn't it? First, we found out that not only is the Joker getting a solo origin movie that doesn't take place within the DC Extended Universe, but then we also learned that despite Jared Leto not appearing in that particular film, he's still expected to reprise his role as the Ace of Knaves in Suicide Squad 2 and Gotham City Sirens.
Since the first movie serials hit theaters all the way back in 1943, there have been no shortage of cinematic takes on the Caped Crusader. Whether it be Lewis Wilson's floppy-eared crimefighter seen in that episodic series, Adam West's "Bright Knight," Michael Keaton's game-changer that came along in 1989 or Christian Bale's realistic portrayal offered up by The Dark Knight Trilogy, there's been a version of Batman that's resonated with pretty much everybody.
Even though each and every entry into the Child's Play film franchise has its supporters, odds are that some of you reading this were quite relieved when director Don Mancini returned the series to its roots with Curse of Chucky. Likewise, all signs point toward him continuing that trend with the much talked about Cult of Chucky.
Yesterday evening, the geek community was shocked to learn that not only are Warner Bros. planning on developing a solo movie based around The Joker, but also that they'll explore his origin in a "gritty and grounded hard-boiled crime story set in early-’80s Gotham City" to be directed and scripted by The Hangover‘s Todd Phillips, with legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese producing. Now, it'd take all day to discuss everything wrong with this situation, but let's go over at least a few items right now, shall we?
In stark contrast to what Marvel Studios did with The Avengers, Warner Bros. have taken a different approach by not yet exploring the origins of several major players to be included in Justice League. As you know, the only Avengers not to be granted their own films before that particular team-up were Hawkeye and Black Widow, but on the DC side of things, only Superman and Wonder Woman have been given such treatment to this point.
As you're probably aware of by now, the internet broke yesterday evening when word came down that Warner Bros. are developing a movie exploring the origin of the Joker, and that a younger actor who is not Jared Leto will be cast in the title role. Furthermore, it's part of what Deadline referred to as "the first film under a new banner that has yet to be named in which WB can expand the canon of DC properties and create unique storylines with different actors playing the iconic characters.”
It's certainly shaping up to be a week to remember if you're a fan of The Punisher, now isn't it? Aside from yesterday's reveal of Jon Bernthal in full costume taken from the upcoming Netflix series, more details are slowly creeping their way online when it comes to what lies ahead for Frank Castle in the comic book medium.
Would you happen to be looking for something else to do this fall other than visiting the usual cider mills and paying money for people in cheap costumes to leap out at you at the nearest haunted house attraction? Well, if you fancy yourself a huge fan of the Friday the 13th film franchise, a unique opportunity has presented itself - but you're probably going to have to act quickly.
If anything, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's highly anticipated reunion that has come in the form of the event series Dark Nights: Metal has handily knocked the comic book community on its collective bum. Not only does it mark their return to the character of Batman, but they now have the entire wealth of the DC Universe at their disposal - and they've certainly wasted no time in telling the biggest story possible.
