Upcoming Releases
Justice League
Releasing: November 17th, 2017
Runtime: TBA
Directed by: Zack Snyder (with post-production work directed by Joss Whedon)
Writers: Chris Terrio, Zack Snyder (with additional scenes written by Joss Whedon)
Starring: Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Henry Cavill, Connie Nielsen, Amy Adams, Billy Crudup, Amber Heard, Diane Lane, Willem Dafoe, Jeremy Irons, J.K. Simmons, Ciaran Hinds, Robin Wright
Possible characters introduced: Henry Allen, Mera, Nuidis Vulko, Commissioner Gordon, Steppenwolf, Dr. Silas Stone
Rumours: Steppenwolf arrives as a first-wave threat ahead of a Darkseid invasion of Earth; Superman returns; We may see our first sight of Green Lantern.
The ‘Big Bad’ so far revealed is Steppenwolf – to be played by Ciaran Hinds. Steppenwolf was created by Jack Kirby and first appeared in New Gods #7 in 1972. He’s the military leader for the planet Apokolips, and is the Uncle of the fearsome Apokolips leader, Darkseid. Steppenwolf is an immortal super-being, who wields an electro-axe.
In the New 52 reboot of the source material, Steppenwolf leads Darkseid’s Parademons in an invasion of Earth and the Justice League must unite to stop him. This ties in very closely with the dream sequences seen in Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice, and the preview footage so far seen from this Justice League project. In the comic books, Steppenwolf is ultimately killed by Bizarro – an alternate version of Superman – after he recruited Bizarro into being a soldier of Apokolips. This also ties in with Bruce Wayne’s previous dream sequence.
Nuidis Vulko, meanwhile, is associated with the character of Aquaman and was created by Bob Haney and Howard Purcell in The Brave And The Bold #73 in 1967. He’s depicted as being a friend and ally to Aquaman, with a degree of moral flexibility that sometimes places him in conflict with the choices and actions of Aquaman.
The question of whether Green Lantern will feature in this film remains unanswered – and may well stay that way until Justice League is released. We know that the character will arrive at some point in the franchise, since the Green Lantern Corps movie is confirmed for 2020, but the casting is still under wraps.
While Zack Snyder directed the film for the entirety of its main shoot, Joss Whedon took over for post-production and reshoots, due to a Snyder family bereavement.
Aquaman
Releasing: December 21st, 2018
Runtime: TBA
Directed by: James Wan
Writers: Will Beall, James Wan, Zack Snyder
Starring: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman, Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson, Temuera Morrison, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Possible characters introduced: Queen Atlanna, Ocean Master, Thomas Curry, Black Manta,
Rumours: The story of how Aquaman came to the throne of Atlantis.
Aquaman was created by Mort Weisinger and Paul Norris, and first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in 1941.
Arthur Curry is the child of human Thomas Curry and Atlantean Queen, Atlanna. When he learns that he’s the heir to this underwater throne, he must step up to seize his destiny and be the hero that the Kingdom needs.
At San Diego Comic-Con this year, Jason Momoa presented early footage from the film, which reportedly included underwater ships seen by fishermen. When questioned, Momoa stated that those were Ocean Master’s ships, and that Aquaman would be “fighting” his brother. In his original origin story, Ocean Master is Orm Curry – Arthur’s entirely human half-brother. He’s resentful of Arthur’s powers and privilege, and becomes a high-tech pirate in order to overthrow Aquaman’s throne.
However, the DC Extended Universe appears to be lending greatest weight to the New 52 storylines of the source material – meaning the film universe is relying heavily on the re-launched versions of DC characters. If this is indeed the case, then Ocean Master is entirely Atlantean – being the child of Atlanna and a member of the Atlantean Guard – and is the heir to the throne of Atlantis. Nuidis Vulko – advisor to Atlantean monarchy – accuses Ocean Master of killing his mother to take the throne, however. When Arthur Curry begins searching for Atlantis and his heritage, Vulko informs him of his suspicions, and tells him that he’s the rightful heir. Aquaman must then fight his tyrannical half-brother.
