Welcome to the DC Films News and Rumors Weekly Update! This week we have the first look at the Shazam! costume, Wonder Woman 2 casting rumors, an example of a rumor mutating into fake news, and some updates, or rather non-updates, on a handful of films currently in development. Here is your weekly update of the announcements and rumors that have released from February 23-March 1.
First up is the biggest item of the week which was a rumor that fueled speculation that was then picked up and reported as news. Just a classic example of internet journalism. So here’s what happened: On February 28, John Campea, an internet personality with a YouTube show known as Open Mic, said he knew something about the DCEU that was “100% true” and when it is revealed in the coming weeks will cause people to “lose their banana minds, and not in a good way.” Notice he doesn’t make any mention of which film this alludes to or any actual specifics.
In reporting on the rumor, Batman-News speculated “The only bad news I can think of is that Matt Reeves is walking away from The Batman.” And then the internet lost it’s collective mind and everywhere it was being reported that Matt Reeves quit the movie. Give me one second while I let out a sigh while shaking my head in disappointment. Eventually, news outlets such as The Wrap reported that the rumor was absolutely not true (an update to the Batman-News article also mentions it is false). And if you still believe it, then allow Matt Reeves to sum it up in a recent tweet, “Uh….It ain’t so!”
On to other news. A picture of Zachary Levi has leaked online and to say it stays true to the original is an understatement. While there has been some criticism that it looks hokey (to be fair we only see it from behind) it actually really illustrates how faithful the movie is going to be to the comics, spandex and all.
While there’s a rumor floating around that Superman will cameo in Shazam!, Zachary Levi posted a fun picture of a toy Batman to his Instagram hints that the Dark Knight himself might be making a cameo. Actually, he’s not lying as the movie is filming on the set of a toy store called “Treasure Time Toys” that also features plush versions of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Harley Quinn. In a tweet by PotbellyGamers, it is revealed a “huge action sequence takes place in this built toy shop.” Surely they won’t destroy valuable merchandise. Also, does anyone else find it odd that terrorists and murderers get plush dolls in the DCEU?
On to some casting rumors, namely that of Wonder Woman’s villain for her sequel. Word is Cheetah will be the main antagonist and already it’s been reported that Kristen Wiig is in talks for the role. This also comes after The Hashtag Show revealed earlier this week that Emma Stone was in the running but has since passed on the role. While Kristen Wiig seems like an odd choice with her comedic background, she might be an inspired choice. Surely other famous DC villains in the past were portrayed by unlikely actors. *Cough* Heath Ledger *Cough*
Speaking of Wonder Woman, her success did not go unnoticed by the folks over at Warner Bros. but that doesn’t mean they’re going to use it as a template going forward. Producer Charles Roven, in an interview ComicBook.com, said of the film: “I’m not actually sure that this film makes that big a difference to the other movies, we want to keep the consistency of tone for this film. And, of course, Wonder Woman was in “Justice League,” and she might be in other DC movies as well.” Roven went on to talk about how each film takes a unique approach to the material:
Warner Brothers has been – even before “Wonder Woman” came out – developing standalone characters, like they did with the Joker and Scorsese: they’ve got a project, and they’ve got a number of projects with a Batman standalone, and things like that, and each one of them has different directors. So it doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s going to be a commonality of creative synchronicity in what each one of those directors are doing.
Since Joss Whedon left Batgirl, there’s been some worry that other films featuring the Bat-Family may be impacted. The good news is that Chris McKay, set to direct Nightwing, has no desire to leave the film, saying on Twitter, “I’m pretty sure WB are going to have to fire me if they want me to leave Nightwing…..” Let’s all breathe a sigh of relief.
But all is not good in the world of Batman. The Wrap revealed that there are currently no plans to replace Whedon on Batgirl and that the movie, along with Nightwing, aren’t planned to be released until after the Batman solo movie comes out. So we’ve definitely got a long wait before we see Dick and Babs on the big screen.
Before moving on from Batman news, Joaquin Phoenix was asked recently about the rumor that he’s in talks to portray The Joker in an origin movie. His response was… vague. Phoenix said “What movie about a Joker?… I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Obviously, he could be playing cool until an announcement is officially made one way or another. Actors lie about their roles all the time either denying they’re involved or what character they’re playing in a film. So don’t get too worried if you’re rooting for him to take the role.
A bit more film production update news as John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, who are in talks to direct Flashpoint, don’t actually have a deal in place with Warner Bros. The duo hasn’t even started work on a script either as, according to The Hollywood Reporter, “we have to sign the deal. Hopefully, it will work out.” So looks like we’ll put excitement for the film on the back burner until an official deal has been reached.
With no official Flashpoint script in the works, the rumors that The Hashtag Show are reporting should be taken with your weekly dosage of salt. The site reports that the film is hoping to get underway during the second half of this year with a $100+ million budget. Ezra Miller will reprise the role along with Billy Crudup as Henry Allen, Kiersey Clemons as Iris West, and Ray Fisher showing up as Cyborg. Captain Cold and Heatwave will also show up as well as Caitlin Snow, while Dr. Light will be the main villain. Assuming most of the film takes place in the Flashpoint universe, there should be different twists on all the characters, twists that will hopefully make the film seem less like a direct copy of the television show.
Finally for a bit of good news. Revenge of the Fans has revealed a rumor that the first Aquaman trailer is set to debut at Wonder Con at the end of March. So far there has been positive buzz surrounding the film so DC and Warner Bros. would be wise to jump-start the marketing effort for the film to hopefully have another Wonder Woman-sized hit on their hands. The film is due for release in December.
So are you bummed by the stalled films in the DCEU or are Aquaman and Shazam! news enough to keep you excited? Let us know in the comments below!
