Aquaman and Shazam! producer Peter Safran believes Justice League team-up films are unnecessary as Warner Bros. reshifts their focus on standalone films.
While Marvel Studios has had great success with their Avengers team-up films, the DCEU looks to be headed in another direction. Warner Bros. producing more standalone films seems to be their plan going forward and it’s hard to see why they wouldn’t. Aquaman was a game changer for the DCEU with its massive box office success. Wonder Woman and The Dark Knight Trilogy are other examples of DC standalone films doing very well both crticially and financially. Justice League only earned a dissapointing $657 million worldwide and it seems Warner Bros. is staying away from Justice League team-up films in the near future. Aquaman and Shazam! producer Peter Safran shared with The Hollywood Reporter why he sees more potential in exploring standalone DC franchises and not films like Justice League:
“I think that when you’re making really strong standalone movies, there’s really no need to bring them together. You want to give these characters room to breathe and live, and tell their stories. Wonder Woman has shown what a great standalone property that is. And in Aquaman, we feel the same way. We think that there’s a great sequel and beyond to tell. We introduce seven kingdoms of Atlantis, right? James Wan knows the architecture, the armory, the military, the look, the feel, the general vibe of each of these kingdoms, and I’m sure that there will be an opportunity to explore them in some way later on.”
Do you like this play by Warner Bros. and DC Films? When do you think we will get another Justice League film? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!
Here is the synopsis for Aquaman:
From Warner Bros. Pictures and director James Wan comes an acition-packed adventure that spans the vast, visually breathtaking underwater world of the seven seas, “Aquaman,” starring Jason Momoa in the title role. The film reveals the origin story of half-human, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry and takes him on the journey of his lifetime—one that will not only force him to face who he really is, but to discover if he is worthy of who he was born to be… a king.
Directed by James Wan, Aquaman stars Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry, Amber Heard as Mera, Willem Dafoe as Vulko, Patrick Wilson as Orm / Ocean Master, Dolph Lundgren as Nereus, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta, Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, Ludi Lin as Captain Murk, and Temuera Morrison as Tom Curry.
Aquaman is available on digital now and will be released on Blu-ray, 4K UHD, and DVD March 26th.
Shazam! will be released in theaters on April 5, 2019, and will be followed by Birds of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) on February 7, 2020, and Wonder Woman 1984 on June 5, 2020. A standalone Joker film set outside of the DC Films universe starring Joaquin Phoenix as the Clown Prince of Crime is also set to hit theaters October 4, 2019.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Suicide Squad Characters That Can Appear In The James Gunn Sequel
James Gunn is directing The Suicide Squad for Warner Bros. but that comes at a cost.
When the first Suicide Squad was about to hit theaters DC fans were completely ecstatic. The trailers looked great and the feel of the movie was much different than the darkness that preceded it in Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. This movie was expected to be one of DC’s biggest hits and it turned out to be one of the biggest let-downs of all time.
Suicide Squad was bad and its reviews reflected that. It was one of the only movies I’ve ever been upset at and it made me want to leave the theater. A sequel was announced because the film did well at the box office, going through a number of drafts until James Gunn was brought on to write it. With James Gunn now officially set to direct The Suicide Squad, it looks like the film will be a bit of a soft reboot.
Last night was a bit of a DC maelstrom of news. We got the release dates and official titles of Matt Reeves’ The Batman and James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad. Both movies will be hitting theaters in Summer 2021. Throughout all of the chaos a small tidbit surfaced about The Suicide Squad: the James Gunn-directed film will be some sort of relaunch with new characters and actors. Here are the characters I think James Gunn should introduce in his Suicide Squad movie.
Amanda Waller
Warner Bros. and DC may want to reboot Suicide Squad, but it would be seriously dumb for them to recast Amanda Waller. Viola Davis was one of the saving graces of the first film and bringing her back is the smart thing to do. Amanda Waller is the one that puts the group together and she shouldn’t be changed due to a new director.
Black Manta
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II made his debut as Black Manta in Aquaman and he didn’t get much screen time. The Suicide Squad is the best place for Black Manta to receive some character development and for audiences to see him grow as a villain. Black Manta is a main squad member in the New 52 and I think James Gunn could do the character justice.
Deadshot
Another bright spot from the first film: Will Smith as Floyd Lawton, a.k.a. Deadshot. Will Smith is one of the most famous actors of all time and throughout every review of Suicide Squad his character shines. His charisma and screen presence dominated the film. Not bringing Smith back would be sabotaging the sequel as fans will expect the actor to return following his great performance.
Deathstroke
Joe Manganiello made his debut as Deathstroke in the post-credits scene of Justice League. His character wasn’t as eager for a team-up as Lex Luthor, but we could see the assassin enroll in the Suicide Squad. It could be great for Manganiello as his Deathstroke film has been put on the back-burner.
Killer Frost
This character is unlikely to show up in The Suicide Squad as she’s being heavily utilized in The Flash series on The CW. But, if James Gunn does get his hands on Killer Frost, I guarantee the character will not be a complete shitshow like in the series. Hopefully the director can make Killer Frost as villainous as possible.
Poison Ivy
Poison Ivy will definitely return to the big screen. Pamela Isley made her big screen debut in Batman & Robin with Uma Thurman playing the character and while that film is so campily terrible, fans are looking forward to a modern take on the iconic DC Comics villain. Poison Ivy is rumored to be part of a Gotham City Sirens film and a rumored Birds of Prey versus The Gotham City Siren project. Ivy could definitely make her DC Extended Universe debut in The Suicide Squad and then return for more movies.
King Shark
King Shark was supposed to be in the first Suicide Squad, but ultimately didn’t make the cut. The concept art of the character shows the cold-blooded amphibious mutant in a Hawaiian shirt looking like a totally monstrous shark. If James Gunn does decide to utilize this character it would be fun to see what he does on screen.
Bronze Tiger
Bronze Tiger was heavily featured in the first half of Arrow season 7. He was a major help to Oliver Queen during his tenure in prison. But Arrow hasn’t done a very accurate version of Bronze Tiger and The Suicide Squad could be the first place we get to see Ben Turner really let loose.
Bane
Bane is an interesting choice to join The Suicide Squad. He is a member in the comics and even the first film had some concept art featuring his mask. Fans are clamoring for Guardians of the Galaxy star Dave Bautista to join the film as the iconic Batman villain, having the actor reunite with James Gunn.
Cheetah
Kristen Wiig will make her debut as infamous Wonder Woman villain Cheetah in 2020’s Wonder Woman 1984. Maybe after the film, Cheetah gets locked up by A.R.G.U.S. and joins the Squad in present day. It would be great to see Wiig’s character be explored more in future films.
