Joaquin Phoenix’s ‘Joker’ Sequel Is The Only DC Movie Greenlit Since Warner Bros. Discovery Merger

Warner Bros. Discovery's new DC strategy is still in the works.

Joker Joaquin Phoenix Warner Bros

With Warner Bros. Discovery’s plans for the DC Universe still unclear, it has been confirmed the only new DC movie greenlit by the company so far has been Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker: Folie à Deux.

Following the merger between Warner Bros. and Discovery, new CEO David Zaslav has promised a new approach to the company’s DC properties. This new strategy has seen Leslie Grace’s Batgirl cancelled, while the company seeks new leadership for DC Films.

Consequently, the only DC movie to be given a green light since the merger has been the sequel to 2019’s Joker, which takes place in its own continuity.

Joker: Folie à Deux Leads The Way Ahead For DC

A report from Variety has confirmed that Joker: Folie à Deux is the only DC film to have been greenlit by Warner Bros. Discovery so far.

It’s not surprising that the studio has been quick to give director Todd Phillips the go-ahead on a Joker sequel, given the sensational reaction to the first movie and reports David Zaslav was considering asking Phillips to take on a larger role within DC Films. Folie à Deux is due for release in October 2024.

Other DC films are still in production/post-production at Warner Bros. Discovery, having been greenlit prior to the merger. These include Jason Momoa’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Ezra Miller’s The Flash and Xolo Maridueña’s Blue Beetle.

A sequel to The Batman from director Matt Reeves, starring Robert Pattinson, is also currently in development. While the film has not officially been greenlit as of yet, it is highly unlikely this project will be turned down at this stage. Though, like the Joker franchise, The Batman also takes place in its own continuity rather than the DC Extended Universe.

The lack of a green light for any new DC projects suggests Warner Bros. Discovery is still working on a new strategy for their comic book properties. The studio is reportedly looking for someone to serve as an equivalent to Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige in order to guide the creation of a new DC cinematic universe.

The next DC project heading to the big screen is Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam. Here’s the synopsis:

Nearly 5,000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the ancient gods—and imprisoned just as quickly—Black Adam (Johnson) is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world.

Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra from a script written by by Adam Sztykiel and Rory Haines & Sohrab Noshirvani, the DCEU film stars Dwayne Johnson, Aldis Hodge, Noah Centineo, Sarah Shahi, Marwan Kenzari, Quintessa Swindell, Bodhi Sabongui, and Pierce Brosnan.

Black Adam opens in theaters on October 21, 2022, while Joker: Folie à Deux opens on October 4, 2024. Be sure to continue following Heroic Hollywood for all the latest news regarding the future of DC, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more original video content.

Source: Variety