WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar Suggests Blockbusters Will Return Exclusively To Theaters In 2022 Before Landing On HBO Max

As Godzilla Vs. Kong ended up having a better than expected international and domestic debut at the box office, it sounds like WarnerMedia won’t be carrying over the day-and-date model into 2022 at the same level.

WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar spoke with Vox on their podcast Recode Media, revealing that 2022 is expected to see blockbusters return to more traditional release windows with a theatrical run and landing on HBO Max later on.

KILAR: “I think it’s very fair to say that a big, you know, let’s say a big DC movie … it’s very fair to say that that would go exclusively to theaters first and then go to somewhere like an HBO Max after it’s in theaters.”

Their 2022 lineup includes The Batman on March 4, Fantastic Beasts 3 on July 15, Black Adam on July 29, The Flash on November 4, and Aquaman 2 on December 16.

However, only specifically mentioning the bigger movies might mean that movies like Judas & The Black Messiah won’t get the same theatrical exclusivity as the the massive blockbusters that would still need a large box office return to turn a profit.

This comes after AT&T CEO John Stankey had been quoted last year suggesting the day-and-day model would be something they’d considering continuing beyond the pandemic as the standard release window, something that had been controversial at the time.

We still don’t know if a film like Legendary’s Dune will even land on HBO Max later this year, as a deal has yet to be made official and director Denis Villeneuve has argued that it could seriously damage the sci-fi films’ franchise chances. It’s worth noting that Dune is only part one of a two-part story as they’ve split the first Dune book into two planned films, the 2021 release will end on a cliffhanger. Denis hasn’t even shot the second film and could screw-up Legendary’s plans for future installments (there are six original novels from author Frank Herbert).

SOURCE: VOX

Warner Bros. Reportedly Still Pursuing ‘Green Lantern Corps.’ & ‘Supergirl’ Movies

It’s been a while since we’ve had any real concrete updates on multiple DC Comics films in development at Warner Bros. and it was revealed yesterday that the studio’s plans still include Green Lantern Corps. and Supergirl movies, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Other projects on the slate due out in 2022-23 include Warners’ and New Line’s Black Adam (July 29, 2022) and Shazam! Fury of the Gods (June 2, 2023), as well as Warners’ Blue Beetle, Batgirl, Supergirl, Green Lantern Corps and Static Shock.

We really shouldn’t be too shocked that a new Supergirl movie is still being considered. The solo project has had screenwriter Oren Uziel working on a script and the studio has cast actress Sasha Calle as the character for their upcoming Flash movie that will introduce DC’s multiverse. All they’re missing is a director and a release date at this point.

However, there hasn’t been much movement on a Green Lantern Corps. film since the announcement of a live-action Green Lantern series heading to HBO Max. Geoff Johns, David Goyer, and Justin Rhodes had been previously tasked to write. A series could do heavy lifting to introduce a heap of Lanterns before a feature film and we’ve seen with Peacemaker and Gotham PD that the studio is open to linking the films to the HBO Max shows. It’s been established that the Green Lantern series will feature Guy Gardner, Jessica Cruz, Simon Baz, Alan Scott, Sinestro, and Kilowog.

Other films in the works include a Zatanna movie written by Promising Young Woman’s Emerald Fennell and a Superman reboot from writer Ta-Nehisi Coates, both will be produced by J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot.

SOURCE: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

‘The Flash’: ‘Band of Brothers’ Actor Ron Livingston Replaces Billy Crudup As Barry’s Father Henry Allen

There had been talk that Warner Bros. wasn’t able to secure Billy Crudup to reprise the role of Henry Allen, Barry’s father, in the upcoming solo film shooting in the United Kingdom.

Yesterday, it was revealed by Variety that the studio has landed on character actor Ron Livingston to replace Billy Crudup as Henry. Ron is likely best known for the Mike Judge comedy film Office Space and his supporting role in HBO’s beloved WWII series Band of Brothers.

Henry has been wrongfully convicted of killing his wife and Barry’s mother leading to Flash using his powers to go back in time to prevent her murder leading to the Flashpoint story. Barry changing the timeline and saving his mother leads to a disastrous future, think the Butterfly Effect. However, it sounds like the feature film version of Flashpoint is going to be different than the other versions of it.

Despite reports of Michael Keaton returning to play Bruce Wayne aka Batman in the film, in a new interview with Deadline the actor suggested that COVID-19 in the UK and scheduling issues may end up preventing him from reprising the superhero role. It was exciting to see concept art from DC FanDome last summer that revealed bother Keaton and Ben Affleck incarnations of Batman were planned to appear in the film.

Sasha Calle had been previously announced as playing the film version of Supergirl, which could lead to her starring in her own solo film as the studio has been developing a Supergirl movie for a couple of years.

SOURCE: VARIETY

‘The Flash’: Michael Keaton Says He’s Unsure About Appearance As Batman

We’ve all been excited after there was a report about Batman actor Michael Keaton reprising the DC Comics role in The Flash movie directed by Andy Muschietti. It was even more interesting when a piece of concept art from the film confirmed they planned on having both Keaton and Ben Affleck’s Batman in the event project that would introduce DC’s own Multiverse.

The only catch is that according to Michael Keaton, he hasn’t agreed to be in the film. Keaton did a lengthy interview with Deadline and the subject of The Flash was brought up. He was quick to point out that he hasn’t even read the script they sent along with the potential that his current project, upcoming projects, and the COVID-19 situation in the United Kingdom could prevent him to even doing it.

KEATON: “…to tell you the truth, somewhere on my iPad is an iteration of the whole Flash thing that I haven’t had time yet…I called them and said, I have to be honest with you. I can’t look at anything right now. I’m so deep into this thing I’m doing. Also, I’m prepping a thing I’m producing and getting ready to do down the road in the fall that I’ll be in, and I feel responsible to that. So, yeah, there is that. I’m not being cute or coy. If I talked about it, I’ll be just bullshitting you. I don’t really know. I have to look at the last draft. To be honest with you, you know what worries me more than anything about all this stuff?”

“It’s Covid. I’m more concerned. I keep my eye more on the Covid situation in the UK than anything. That will determine everything, and so that’s why I’m living outside the city here on 17 acres, staying away from everybody, because the Covid thing has got me really concerned. So, that’s my first thing about all projects. I look at it and go, is this thing going to kill me, literally? And you know, if it doesn’t, then we talk.”

Despite the possibility they might be losing Keaton, there will be the introduction of the DCEU’s Supergirl as played by actress Sasha Calle. We’ll keep our fingers crossed we’ll end up getting multiple Batman in The Flash, but it’s not looking like that is going to happen but I wouldn’t be shocked if there are more surprises yet to be announced.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

‘The Flash’: Barry’s Mother Will Be Played By ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ Actress Maribel Verdu

The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that Warner Bros. has cast Spanish actress Maribel Verdu (Pan’s Labyrinth) has taken the role of Barry Allen’s mother. The DC Comics movie is a feature version of the Flashpoint storyline, where Barry goes back in time using his powers and saves the life of his mother only for the consequences of changing the timeline leading to extremely bleak alternative future. A superhero version of The Butterfly Effect.

It director Andy Muschietti is directing from a script penned by Christina Hodson (Batgirl, Birds of Prey) with a cast that includes Ezra Miller as Barry Allen aka The Flash, Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne aka Batman, Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne aka Batman, Kiersey Clemons as Iris West, and Sasha Calle as Supergirl.

Watchmen actor Billy Crudup plays Barry’s father.

Filming will be taking place in Watford, England and has a release date of November 4th, 2022.

SOURCE: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

‘The Flash’: Kiersey Clemons Reportedly Reprising Iris West Role For DC Comics Film

There is breaking casting news concerning Andy Muschietti’s Flash movie as The Hollywood Reporter has word that actress Kiersey Clemons (Dope) is returning to the role of love interest Iris West for the solo film.

The actress will reprise her role as Iris West, the romantic interest of Barry Allen, aka The Flash. Clemons portrayed the intrepid reporter West in Justice League, but her role was cut by director Zack Snyder back in 2017 before he turned the film over to Joss Whedon.

Clemons previous played the role briefly in Justice League and there had been a question if she’d end up continuing the part in future films. She’ll join Ezra Miller, Michael Keaton, Ben Affleck, and Sasha Calle, the latter landing the new take on the big screen vesion of Supergirl.

Filming is taking place at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in Watford, England.

The Flash is said to be released on November 4th, 2022.

SOURCE: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

‘The Flash’ Movie Taps Sasha Calle To Play Supergirl

The Flash movie is getting more superhero help as Deadline reports that actress Sash Calle has been cast in the role of Supergirl. The newcomer was selected over 400 potential candidates but impressed the studio and director Andy Muschietti.

A new Supergirl solo film had been in development stages at Warner Bros. before her addition to the Flash project, we have to assume that Sasha will likely lead that project if things finally come together on it. Screenwriter Oren Uziel (Mortal Kombat, 22 Jump Street, The Cloverfield Paradox) had been previously hired to write a script for Supergirl before development on the solo project froze.

The latest incarnation of Flash’s script was penned by Christina Hodson and will open the DCEU to their own Multiverse via Barry’s speed-force powers, taking cues from the Flashpoint story. There are already two Batman actors expected to appear with Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck teased in official concept art released over the summer.

The Flash will be shooting at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in Watford, England with a release date set by Warner Bros. for November 4th, 2022.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

‘Guardians of The Galaxy 3’: James Gunn Reveals He Is Reuniting With Cinematographer Henry Braham After He Shoots ‘The Flash’

Last week, director James Gunn has revealed on Twitter that he is planning on reuniting with cinematographer Henry Braham for Guardians of The Galaxy 3 after he finishes work on The Flash. Adding that he is working with Michael Bonvillian (Cloverfield, Zombieland) for his HBO Max series Peacemaker, a spinoff of The Suicide Squad.

Henry previously worked with Gunn on The Suicide Squad and Guardians of The Galaxy Vol.2.

While when production begins in Atlanta is a little uncertain but it’s aiming for a release in 2023. Also, James is expected to complete filming on Peacemaker this June in Vancouver and suggests filming on Guardians 3 could begin later this year.

Taika Waititi’s Thor: Love & Thunder will see a Guardians reunion before the third movie as a bulk of the cast is currently in Sydney, Australia for that shoot.

SOURCE: JAMES GUNN

‘The Flash’: Ray Fisher’s Cyborg Cameo Reportedly Written Out – Role Won’t Be Recast

It’s starting to look like Ray Fisher and his character Cyborg won’t be appearing in The Flash after all.

The Wrap is supporting a tweet from Forbes writer Mark Hughes that Cyborg’s cameo in the film has been removed and they will not be recasting the part. This news would debunk unreliable online rumors that the studio and director was recasting the Cyborg role specifically for The Flash.

Justice League actor Ray Fisher, who was offered a cameo role last June to appear as Cyborg in The Flash solo movie, has been written out of the screenplay and will not be recast, according to insiders with knowledge of the situation.

However, we aren’t terribly shocked by this news as the Justice League actor seemed to telegraph this update on his character. Ray Fisher made the following statement on Twitter last month signaling he wouldn’t be working with DC Films or Walter Hamada in the future, possibly getting ahead of the reports of his cameo being nixed by the studio. Essentially announcing his exit from the franchise.

DC Films had previously announced a solo Cyborg movie that never materialized as neither a screenwriter or director were ever announced as developing it. The character is also being used in the live-action realm with the series Doom Patrol, played by Jovian Wade.

Andy Muschietti (IT, Mama) is directing from a script penned by Christina Hodson (Batgirl, Birds of Prey) with a cast said to include Ezra Miller, Ben Affleck, and Michael Keaton using a different version of The Flashpoint storyline that will usher-in DC Comics’ own Multiverse.

Filming on The Flash is expected to begin this April at Warner Bros. Leavesden Studios in Watford, England. The facility is currently being used for Fantastic Beasts 3 as it’s been the homestead production stages for the Harry Potter franchise and was used for previous DC Comics movies such as The Batman, Justice League, and Wonder Woman.

It’s release date has been set for November 4th, 2022.

SOURCE: THE WRAP

Walter Hamada To Continue His Role As President of DC Films Into 2023

Variety is reporting that DC Films President Walter Hamada has re-upped with extension that will last through 2023. This means Hamada will be around long enough to execute a heap of projects for both the big screen and WarnerMedia’s domestic streaming service HBO Max that he’s been developing for the last couple of years.

There are plenty of upcoming feature film projects on the horizon including films expected to begin shooting this year such as The Flash, Black Adam, Shazam!: Fury of The Gods, and Aquaman 2. James Gunn is also set to begin shooting his Peacemaker series starring John Cena this month in Vancouver, a mature spinoff series of The Suicide Squad exclusively or HBO Max.

Other things in the fire are Wonder Woman 3, Batgirl, Static Shock, The Trench, Plastic Man, a Green Lantern series at HBO Max, and development on a Supergirl movie before things stalled.

Hamada joined DC Films back in 2018 coming from New Line Cinema.

James Gunn‘s The Suicide Squad is expected to be the next big DC release on August 6th, 2021 as Matt ReevesThe Batman had been bumped from October 1st, 2021 to March 4th, 2022 giving the production a bit of breathing room as they attempting to complete filming during the pandemic as there is increased strain in the United Kingdom.

SOURCE: VARIETY