UPDATE: The Hollywood Reporter confirms Warner Bros. Television producers cut the original 13-episode order for Swamp Thing to 10 following “creative differences with its home at Warners-backed streaming platform DC Universe.” The decision comes as DC Universe parent company WarnerMedia plots out its larger direct-to-consumer streaming platform. The original story follows.
Wilmington Star News reports production on DC Universe’s Swamp Thing is shutting down production early, cutting the show’s first season short.
According to the outlet’s sources within the industry, Warner Bros. shut down production on the first season of Swamp Thing as it evaluates the future of the DC Universe streaming service on which the series is scheduled to premiere. Swamp Thing began production in Wilmington in November 2018 and was originally scheduled to continue filming the 13-episode season through May. On Tuesday night, Local crew members were informed that the series would wrap production on episode 10 before halting all together as writers and producers pen a new ending to the season.
Series star Virginia Madsen reportedly confirmed the production shut down in a since-deleted Instagram post that included the following message:
“I’m beyond sad. What a terrible decision. We have been cut to the core by those who have never set foot into the Swamp. And despite the rule I am going to use the hashtag. #swampthing.”
It is currently unclear when that new Swamp Thing ending will be filmed in Wilmington. The outlet notes several more days of reshoots for previously filmed episodes are expected.
Here is the official synopsis for Swamp Thing:
When CDC researcher Abby Arcane returns to her childhood home of Houma, Louisiana, in order to investigate a deadly swamp-borne virus, she develops a surprising bond with scientist Alec Holland — only to have him tragically taken from her. But as powerful forces descend on Houma, intent on exploiting the swamp’s mysterious properties for their own purposes, Abby will discover that the swamp holds mystical secrets, both horrifying and wondrous — and the potential love of her life may not be dead after all.
Swamp Thing stars Crystal Reed as Abby Arcane, Maria Sten as Liz, Henderson Wade as Matt Cable, Jeryl Prescott as Madame Xanadu, Virginia Madsen as Maria Sunderland, Will Patton as Avery Sunderland, Jennifer Beals as an original character created for the series, Andy Bean as Alec Holland, Kevin Durand as Jason Woodrue, Ian Ziering as Blue Devil, and Derek Mears as the titular creature.
Aquaman director James Wan will serve as an executive producer on the series alongside Mark Verheiden, Gary Dauberman, Michael Clear, and Len Wiseman. The first episode will be written by Verheiden and Dauberman while Wiseman will direct.
Swamp Thing will premiere on May 31, 2019, exclusively on DC Universe.
Source: Wilmington Star News
Top Actors To Replace Ben Affleck In Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman’
Ben Affleck is officially out as Batman and it’s a pretty sad day.
Words cannot describe how sad I am to see Ben Affleck announce that he’s no longer Batman. His Batman is why I do what I do. In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, I fell in love with his comic book-accurate interpretation of the Caped Crusader. It was a breath of fresh air and it felt like we finally had the one true Batman.
Three years have quickly sped by and we’re officially going to receive a new Batman for his next movie. Last night, Ben Affleck announced that he will not return as the Dark Knight in Matt Reeves’ The Batman and now everyone’s attention has moved towards wanting to know who the next Bruce Wayne will be. Matt Reeves is said to want an actor that’s around 20 years younger than Affleck while Warner Bros. wants someone older. My guess is that Reeves wants a fresh start while the studio wants an older actor for crossover potential.
In this list, I will discuss the actors I think can replace Ben Affleck as Batman using the parameters that Matt Reeves and Warner Bros. want. Hit Next to see our picks to play the Batman.
Michael Fassbender
Michael Fassbender is an X-Men alum and no stranger to comic book franchises. The actor has shown multiple levels of range and could definitely handle the Batman/Bruce Wayne personality. If they go with the older range for the next Dark Knight, then Fassbender is probably one of the best choices to take over the role.
Ben Barnes
Ben Barnes is out of a job after The Punisher season 2 and he’s one of the best actors in that series. The second season tied up Barnes’ arc on The Punisher and the actor has already told us that that he’d love to play the Caped Crusader. Barnes definitely has the pretty boy look going on for him and I wonder what his take on Bruce Wayne could be.
Ryan Gosling
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: Ryan Gosling needs to star in a superhero movie. I’ve always thought Gosling would make a great Batman. Every role that he’s done has shown us his capability and he could crush it as Bruce Wayne.
Jon Hamm
Jon Hamm is my top choice for an older Batman. If Warner Bros. wants to cast an older actor for crossover potential, Jon Hamm is the studio’s best bet. He has a similar look to Ben Affleck, and c’mon, the guy’s look just screams Bruce Wayne.
Armie Hammer
Armie Hammer is 32 years old and was cast as the Caped Crusader in George Miller’s Justice League: Mortal. That film will never see the light of day, but that doesn’t mean that Hammer doesn’t deserve a second shot at being the Batman. He’s charming, broody and will probably give his all for this role. Armie Hammer is a great option because he’s young enough for Matt Reeves and Warner Bros. could work in a way for him to crossover with the rest of the DC Extended Universe.
Richard Madden
Game of Thrones alum Richard Madden is my top choice to replace Ben Affleck as Batman. The actor is young, has the look and definitely has the acting chops to play the duality of Batman and Bruce Wayne. Madden just won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television series for the BBC drama Bodyguard, so Warner Bros. may want to quickly snatch him up.