As the formerly AT&T-owned Warner Bros. turns into Warner Bros. Discovery, the future of DC Films is undergoing yet another facelift, reevaluation, and reorg. As David Zaslav takes over, he’s already making many changes. At least one film has been canned altogether; former MGM chief Michael De Luca, along with Pamela Abdyhas been tasked to take over Warner Bros. and oversee DC Films, and J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot DC projects sound like they will all undergo severe scrutiny (keep an eye out there).

Continue reading ‘Joker’ Director Todd Phillips Reportedly Getting “Close” On A Sequel at The Playlist.

Hollywood exec news generally isn’t interesting, but hold on, this is an exception. If you pay attention to film news centering on executives— and we totally forgive and understand if you don’t —you’ll know that following Amazon‘s acquisition of MGM, the company announced that motion picture group chairman Michael De Luca and president Pam Abdy were leaving. This isn’t a huge surprise, mergers often create consolidation, people lose jobs, and sometimes, execs don’t share the vision of their new overlords.

Continue reading Execs Mike De Luca & Pam Abdy In Talks To Join Warner Bros. Pictures & Could Get Access To DC Entertainment Projects at The Playlist.

After months of waiting, following the major announcement back in May 2021, Warner Bros. has officially merged with Discovery, creating the aptly titled new company Warner Bros. Discovery. And as you might expect, whenever there is a big corporate merger, the new CEO is ready to shake things up, which appears to have major ramifications for the folks at DC Entertainment. In this episode of The Playlist Podcast, we discuss how the Warner Bros.

Continue reading DC Entertainment Shakeup: Unpacking The WB/Discovery Merger Fallout & How Superman Is The Key [The Playlist Podcast] at The Playlist.

Well, it’s getting to be that time of year again: the bi-yearly-ish shake-up of DC Entertainment at Warner Bros. which has happened several times over the years ever since the franchise spun out early following the disappointing release of “Batman Vs. Superman.” Yes, it looks like it’s happening again. Following the $43 billion deal that recently closed when Discovery bought Warner Bros., the newly minted Warner Bros.

Continue reading Warner Bros. Discovery Exploring A DC Entertainment Overhaul With A Kevin Feige-Like Czar, Superman Prioritization & Many More Ideas at The Playlist.

Big news in the world of DC Films superhero universe and Warner Bros, but not exactly unexpected news given how many times leadership has changed over at DC Films. Warner Bros. has decided not to move forward and canned two superhero films they had been developing: Ava DuVernay’s version of “New Gods” and James Wan’s Aquaman spin-off film, meant to be a horror version of The Trench, aka the sea creature monsters featured in his first underseas superhero adventure film.

Continue reading DC Films: Ava DuVernay’s ‘New Gods’ & James Wan’s Aquaman ‘Trench’ Movies Are Indefinitely Shelved By Warner Bros. at The Playlist.

Once upon a time, a huge plan for the DC Extended Universe was planed… and then it never happened. As HBO Max is about to debut “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” on March 18, glimpses of what could have been — had Zack Snyder been allowed to unveil his master plan and make the sequels he wanted — have been revealed. A string of storyboards for the unmade “Justice League” sequels arrived on social media (via Comic Book Resources) giving fans some clues what Zack Snyder had planned for “Justice League 2” and “Justice League 3.” Adding to the legitimacy of the storyboards, Twitter has removed the images due to copyright issues which would mean they were indeed the property of WarnerMedia and Warner Bros.

Continue reading Zack Snyder’s Ambitious Plans For ‘Justice League 2 & 3’ Included The Legion of Doom & Deaths of Multiple Heroes at The Playlist.

2021 is shaping up to be a big year for Joel Kinnaman. The actor is not only appearing in multiple films, including the highly-anticipated “The Suicide Squad,” but on TV, he’s also set to star in the upcoming second season of “For All Mankind,” which is Apple TV+’s sci-fi, alt-history series that puts the Cold War on the Moon. And in a recent episode of Lights Camera Barstool, the actor spoke about both, including revealing just how he thinks “The Suicide Squad” is a film you should definitely see in theaters and not just on HBO Max.

Continue reading Joel Kinnaman Calls ‘The Suicide Squad’ Comedically “Gory & Sexually Depraved” & Hopes You’ll See It Theatrically at The Playlist.

Ray Fisher is back with even more comments in the ongoing battle between him and WarnerMedia. No, it’s not really between him and Joss Whedon, Geoff Johns, or Jon Berg anymore. It’s clear that Fisher’s target is now WarnerMedia and the studio’s allegiance to DC Films boss, Walter Hamada. And in a very lengthy tweet response to the news that he is out of “The Flash” film, he explains why he’s now targeting the executives behind “Justice League” and all of the DC superhero films.

Continue reading Ray Fisher Confirms Removal From ‘The Flash’ In New Complaint & WarnerMedia CEO Responds at The Playlist.

Following the departure of Terence Winter, HBO Max has announced that Joe Barton is taking over showrunning duties on “Gotham PD,” a spin-off show based on Matt Reeves‘ upcoming new “The Batman” film scheduled for March 2022. Barton is known as the creator of the BBC Two television crime series “Giri/Haji” about the Yakuza underworld in Japan and how it crosses over into London’s streets.

Continue reading ‘Gotham PD’: Joe Barton Named New Showrunner Of HBO Max/’Batman’ Spin-Off at The Playlist.

Ray Fisher’s one-person war against Warner Bros. and the studio’s treatment of the “Justice League” drama doesn’t take holidays. As people around the world finish up their Christmas celebrations and prepare for a brand-new year, the “Justice League” actor is fighting the good fight, and has now called out the head of all DC Films at Warner Bros, Walter Hamada, and vowed to never work on a film with him attached. 

READ MORE: ‘Batgirl’ & ‘Static Shock’ Films May Move To HBO Max; No Sequel’s For Zack Snyder’s Justice League

While targeting Hamada doesn’t have the same social media impact as his comments against Joss Whedon (who Fisher claims perpetrated abuse while directing the “Justice League” reshoots), when the Cyborg actor aims at the head of a studio, you better believe this is the type of tweet that is going to have major effects on his career.

Continue reading Ray Fisher Slams DC Films Chief As “Most Dangerous Kind Of Enabler” & Vows To Never Work With Him Again at The Playlist.

A new interview with DC Films chief Walter Hamada has revealed much about the future of the DC Extended Universe. The biggest revelation revealed early in the New York Times piece: DC will begin releasing four films a year every year starting in 2022.

READ MORE: ‘Batman’ Moves To 2022, WB. Delays All Their DC Superhero Films

Those films, for that first year in 2022 will be, “The Flash,” director Matt Reeves‘ “The Batman,” “Aquaman 2,” and not official, but very likely, “Black Adam.” Several of these films were announced as moving to 2022 earlier this year and the “Black Adam” movie, originally scheduled for December 2021, was left undated, meaning it’s very likely the third DC Film that will be released that year.

Continue reading DC Will Release 4 Films A Year Starting 2022; Multiverse Will Be Used To Explain Multiple Versions Of Characters at The Playlist.

Once upon a time, Ben Affleck was The Batman. Technically, he still is and will be for two more outings at The Batman; one, in “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” mini-series coming to HBO Max in the spring, and then another appearance in “The Flash” which is meant to be his farewell appearance for the character. In that once upon a time scenario, when Affleck was fully committed to Batman, he would direct “The Batman,” a film that Matt Reeves would eventually make and then disassociate from the current DC Extended Universe.

Continue reading Joe Manganiello Says Ben Affleck’s ‘Batman’ Movie Was Going For A Dark ‘Game’-Like, David Fincher Vibe at The Playlist.

Look up in the sky! It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s potentially Henry Cavill suiting up again as the Man of Steel. While in 2019, a few short months before he decided not to cameo in “Shazam!” that Cavill was done as Warner Bros. Superman, things are apparently changing. Just a few short days after appearing on Zack Snyder’s “Man Of Steel” Vero livestream, where the filmmaker revealed his long-awaited cut of “Justice League” would finally surface on HBO Max in 2021, Deadline report that Cavill is in talks with Warner Bros.

Continue reading Henry Cavill Reportedly In Talks To Reprise Role As Superman, But Not In A ‘Man Of Steel’ Sequel at The Playlist.

In the mood for some mayhem? Margot Robbie and Warner Bros. may have you covered with “Birds of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn),” also known as “BOP: Harley Quinn.” WB and DC Films have had a rough couple of years. For every win, critical and financial (“Wonder Woman“) they had another loss (“Justice League“) that added to the negative narrated that started out of the gate with “Batman V.

Continue reading ‘Birds Of Prey’ Trailer: Margot Robbie Leads The Fantabulous Emancipation Of Harley Quinn at The Playlist.

A funny thing happened on the way to everyone trying to own a piece of the “Birds Of Prey” reshoot narrative yesterday. A disliked blogger, rather Fox News-like in their approach tried to say Warner Bros.’ “Birds Of Prey” was facing major reshoots (though didn’t frame them negatively). The Internet, disliking this blogger, and disliking that narrative, shouted in opposition, nothing to see here, this is false, everything is absolutely totally fine.

Continue reading ‘John Wick’ Filmmaker Chad Stahelski To Oversee New Action Scenes For ‘Birds Of Prey’ Reshoots at The Playlist.

As the DC Extended Universe continues to make up ground on Marvel Studios in terms of box office maximization and cultural foothold, new casting announcements and rumors are providing clarity on what the universe’s future will look like.

READ MORE: The DC Films Universe: All The Movies Coming Soon & In Development

According to Forbes, the new iteration of “The Suicide Squad” – directed by “Guardians of the Galaxy’s” James Gunn – may be adding Oscar winner Benicio del Toro to a cast that has already nailed down the returns of Margot Robbie, Viola Davis, and Jai Courtney.

Continue reading Benicio Del Toro Rumored For ‘Suicide Squad,’ ‘Supergirl’ May Begin Production Next Year at The Playlist.

Aquaman is going back to rule the seven kingdoms. Tonight Warner Bros.’ announced, in a totally unsurprising move they are finally moving forward with a sequel to 2018’s billion-dollar-grossing “Aquaman.” The studio has tapped David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, who co-wrote the first movie, to begin penning a new installment.

READ MORE: The DC Films Universe: All The Movies Coming Soon & In Development

About the only surprise here is how long it took WB to announce a sequel and writer.

Continue reading ‘Aquaman’ Sequel Moves Forward With Original Screenwriter at The Playlist.

The ongoing saga of Warner Bros. DC Films Universe and its growing-up-in-public growing pains has been fascinating and painful to watch. You know the story by now: a gigantic globally-known intellectual property suffering many more loses than wins. Ben Affleck as Batman is out, Henry Cavill as Superman is basically gone too and there’s plenty of rumors suggesting the DCEU will continue to slowly soft reboot itself—as to not appear jarring to the audience—recast most of “Suicide Squad,” Cyborg, the Flash et al.

Continue reading ‘Aquaman’ Final Trailer: An Aquarium Mashed Up With MMA Fighting & Can It Save The DCEU? at The Playlist.

It might be happening. After months of speculation, it looks like we know where James Gunn will land next. And boy, oh boy, this is not what Marvel Studios was hoping for.

According to The Wrap, Gunn is in talks to write, and potentially direct, the upcoming “Suicide Squad 2.” Yes, this bears repeating. James Gunn, the man who put “Guardians of the Galaxy” on the map and created a billion-dollar franchise, is slated to tackle Warner Bros/DC’s gang of misfits to replicate a bit of success…and get a little revenge.

Continue reading James Gunn In Talks To Write/Direct ‘Suicide Squad 2’ at The Playlist.

We said it from minute one: the reason why director Todd Phillips was releasing early, first-look photos of Joaquin Phoenix as the clown prince of crime in his upcoming “The Joker” movie is because set photos were about to spread everywhere. And he’s right. Currently shooting in New York, in the Bronx and Queens, paparazzi are on this film like white on rice, and more revealing pictures of Phoenix in full Joker regalia are ubiquitous on social media (see below).

Continue reading ‘The Joker’: Todd Phillips Posts Another First Look As Set Photos Spread Like Wildfire at The Playlist.

Principal photography on Warner Bros.’ all-girl gang team-up movie “Birds Of Prey” is expected to start in January and thus casting is starting to ramp up. While no actresses have been confirmed yet to appear yet alongside Margot Robbie as the “Suicide Squad’ star Harley Quinn, various trades tonight, THR, The Wrap and Deadline, are all reporting that many names are coming into the mix.

Continue reading ‘Birds Of Prey’: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Gugu Mbatha-Raw & More In The Mix at The Playlist.

Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. It’s an explosive rumor from Warner Bros. ailing DC Comics Cinematic Universe. But, look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! A plane! A contradictory (kinds of?) statement from Warner Bros.! As you’ve likely read, reports broke that Henry Cavill, who plays Superman in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), was leaving the cape behind after three appearances as the man of steel (“Man of Steel,” “Batman V.

Continue reading WB Says “No Decisions Have Been Made” Regarding Henry Cavill’s Future As Superman at The Playlist.

Where there’s smoke there’s fire? For several weeks no, rumors have been persisting in geek circles that Henry Cavill may be leaving his role as Superman in Warner Bros.’ DC Comics Universe over contract disputes. And it appears these rumors are true. THR reports that Cavill is out and talks broke down over a cameo in the upcoming DCEU film “Shazam!”

READ MORE: 55 Must-See Films: The 2018 Fall Movie Preview

No side, Cavill’s people or Warner Bros.

Continue reading Superman No More: Henry Cavill Is Leaving DC’s Man Of Steel Role at The Playlist.

It would have made the kind of smash announcement that Comic-Con and studios love, but the cats out of the bag over at Warner Bros: as recently suggested, the new Joker origin movie directed by Todd Phillips (“The Hangover” franchise) and starring Joaquin Phoenix has been greenlit and will start shooting this fall.

There’s already a Joker in the DC Universe played by Jared Leto you say, what the hell is going on?

Continue reading The ‘Joker’ Movie With Joaquin Phoenix Is Greenlight, Fall Shoot Confirmed at The Playlist.

Man, things have gotten real ugly over in the land of the DCEU and Batgirl is caught in the crosshairs. It’s worse than any self-lacerating post-mortems made in the aftermath of horrifying election results, this is a lot of finger pointing and fans on the same team ripping each other apart like starving rats. “Justice League” has arrived and it’s been met with mixed results at best. In fact, the DCEU superhero team-up movie has already lost its second week in release.

Continue reading Forget The Rumors: Joss Whedon Is Still Directing ‘Batgirl’ at The Playlist.