DC Films executives confirm that Zack Snyder’s “Justice League” is autonomous, not part of the plan to come.
DC Films is proving to be essential to the growth of WarnerMedia’s streaming service, HBO Max, thanks to the Christmas premiere of “Wonder Woman 1984” and the expected March release of Zack Snyder’s “Justice League” director version . In news that shouldn’t surprise anyone, these two comic book films are just the beginning of DC Films’ big push for streaming. A profile of DC Films president Walter Hamada, published by The New York Times, confirms the studio’s plan to split its list between theater projects and HBO Max projects.
According to Hamada, DC’s most expensive films will be projected for theaters as they have always been (think of Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman” films, James Wan’s “Aquaman” sequel, Dwayne Johnson’s “Black Adam” film, long Flash movie in development). The goal is to start launching four of these pillars of support in theaters each year, starting in 2022. Smaller, riskier comic book films will go straight to HBO Max. Although it has not been confirmed, The Times suggests that projects like Batgirl and Static Shock films are examples of films that DC Films will send directly to HBO Max. The goal is for DC Films to release two HBO Max comic films a year.
HBO Max will also be home to spinoff series that branch out from theatrical comic films. As Hamada told The Times, “With each movie we’re seeing now, we think, ‘What is Max’s spinoff potential?'” Warner Bros. and HBO Max have already defined a spinoff streaming series for “The Batman” (showrunner Terrence Winter recently left the project) and “The Suicide Squad”, the latest of which is being developed by James Gunn and should be the headline for Peacemaker’s John Cena in the lead role.
DC Films is also plunging headlong into the multiverse to maintain its DC Extended Universe timeline (Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman, Jason Momoa’s Aquaman, Ezra Miller Flash, etc.) while developing more autonomous projects (think “Joker” “and Robert Pattinson’s” Batman “). To sum up: Robert Pattinson’s Caped Crusader does not exist in the DC Extended Universe, but he does exist in the DC Films multiverse.
As reported by The Times: “To make all the story lines work, DC Films will present the cinema audience with a comic book concept known as a multiverse: parallel worlds where different versions of the same character exist simultaneously. Next, for example, Warner Bros. there will be two different movie sagas involving Batman – played by two different actors – running at the same time ”.
“In short, this means that some characters (Wonder Woman as portrayed by Mrs. Gadot, for example) will continue their adventures on Earth 1, while new incarnations (Mr. Pattinson as ‘Batman’) will populate Earth 2,” The times continue. “’The Flash’, a film to be released in theaters in 2022, will link the two universes and feature two Batmans, with Affleck returning as one and Michael Keaton returning as the other. Mr. Keaton played Batman in 1989 and 1992. ”
The revelation that Warner Bros. “There will be two different movie sagas involving Batman – played by two different actors – running at the same time” will certainly arouse the interest of fans. Pattinson is behind one of the franchises, while there are rumors that the film “The Flash” will define the future of the Dark Knight in the extended DC Universe. Affleck played Bruce Wayne / Batman in two DCEU entries before leaving the role, but his “Flash” appearance has many assuming that he will be handing the baton over to a new Batman DCEU.
“I don’t think anybody else tried that,” said Hamada of expanding the multiverse. “But the public is sophisticated enough to understand. If we make good films, they go along. “
As for the director’s version of Snyder’s “Justice League”, DC Films studio executives told The Times that the HBO Max event is “a dead end for storytelling – a street that leads nowhere” . In other words, Snyder’s cut is not part of the DC Films project that was discussed here.
Visit The New York Times website to read more about Hamada’s profile.
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