In Development
The Batman
Releasing: TBA
Runtime: TBA
Directed by: Matt Reeves
Writers: Matt Reeves
Starring: Ben Affleck
Possible characters introduced: Deathstroke, The Penguin
Rumours: Joe Manganiello is rumoured to play Deathstroke; Josh Gad is rumoured to play The Penguin.
This project has been the source of much consternation among fans eager to see a solo Batman film starring Ben Affleck. Initially, Affleck was slated to write, direct, produce and star in the movie, with Joe Manganiello also on board as Deathstroke. Over time, the film has been repeatedly delayed, and Affleck has dropped out of the role of director.
Eventually, Matt Reeves signed on to take the helm and it was announced that the script would be re-written. At that point, the continued involvement of both Manganiello and Affleck in onscreen capacities was called into question. While Affleck confirmed repeatedly at Comic-Con this year that he remains committed to the role, rumours still swirl around the likelihood of him walking away. Likewise, doubt remains regarding the role of Deathstroke.
Batgirl
Releasing: TBA
Runtime: TBA
Directed by: Joss Whedon
Writers: Joss Whedon
Starring: TBA
Possible characters introduced: Barbara Gordon
Rumours: The Joker may appear.
Batgirl was created by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff and first appeared in Batman #139 in 1961. This first incarnation was Betty Kane, but she was replaced in 1967 with Barbara Gordon. The Barbara Gordon version of Batgirl was introduced by Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino in Detective Comics #359 in 1967, and sees the daughter of Commissioner James Gordon take on the vigilante mantle.
When this film was announced, it was stated that writer-director Joss Whedon would be using the New 52 re-launch of Batgirl (written by Gail Simone) as a “starting point.” This means that the Batgirl of the DCEU should be a highly experienced superhero, experiencing some level of post-traumatic stress disorder.
In the source material in question, the story picks up with Barbara Gordon three years after the events of the story The Killing Joke – in which she’s shot and paralyzed by The Joker. In the interim period, she became Oracle – acting as a source of information for her crime-fighting colleagues – but underwent ground-breaking surgery to achieve the ability to walk again. The New 52 Batgirl has undergone intensive physical therapy and rehabilitation to return to vigilantism on the streets of Gotham.
Justice League Sequel
Releasing: TBA
Runtime: TBA
Directed by: TBA
Writers: TBA
Starring: TBA
Possible characters introduced: Darkseid
Rumours: Zack Snyder may not direct.
The second Justice League film, following the 2017 movie.
Flashpoint
Releasing: TBA
Runtime: TBA
Directed by: TBA
Writers: Joby Harold
Starring: Ezra Miller
Possible characters introduced: TBA
Rumours: The storyline may give us Flashpoint Batman – Thomas Wayne, played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan (from Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice).
This will be the solo movie for The Flash, who was created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino and first appeared as the character Jay Garrick in Flash Comics #1 in 1940. The character was then rebooted as Barry Allen by Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino, and this incarnation first appeared in Showcase #4 in 1956. The Flash has since been rebooted a further six times in the comic books.
In the New 52 series, Barry Allen’s father is incarcerated for the murder of his mother – and this is a plot choice borne out by the trailer for Justice League. Warner Bros. confirmed during the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con that the film previously planned as The Flash would now be Flashpoint – directly adapting the comic book storyline of the same name. This would see Barry travel back in time to prevent the murder of his mother – unwittingly launching an alternate timeline in the process.
In this alternate timeline, Thomas Wayne was never murdered, and instead it’s he that becomes Batman – albeit a much darker Dark Knight than Bruce ever was. This has given rise to speculation that we could see Jeffrey Dean Morgan in the Batsuit.
Justice League Dark
Releasing: TBA
Runtime: TBA
Directed by: TBA
Writers: TBA
Starring: TBA
Possible characters introduced: John Constantine, Deadman, Zatanna, Swamp Thing, Ertigan The Demon
Rumours: Speculation continues that this could fill one of the currently untitled DC Films release slots in 2018 or 2019.
Justice League Dark was created by Peter Milligan and first appeared in Justice League Dark #1 in 2011. It’s designed to be a team-up for the more supernaturally-gifted DC characters. Filmmakers that have been associated with this project include Guillermo del Toro and Doug Liman, though the director’s chair is currently empty.
