All Upcoming DC Universe Movies, Sequels, and Crossovers (2019 – 2022)
Angelo Delos Trinos
After a rough start, the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) found its groove by gradually moving away from Zack Snyder’s dark and gritty vision for some of pop culture’s most popular heroes and villains.
With a solidified roadmap, a unified vision, and some much-needed course correction, DC and Warner Brothers are set to release a slew of unique standalone superhero movies. Here’s an in-depth list of what audiences can look forward to from the DCEU, starting with Joker:
Joker (October 4, 2019)
Production: Todd Phillips, director of The Hangover series, gives DC its first supervillain origin movie. Though it leans heavily on iconic comic arcs such as The Killing Joke, this Joker solo-movie (currently) has nothing to do with the DCEU.
Summary: In 1981, the failed and unhinged stand-up comedian Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) suffers a string of mishaps and injustices that break him, setting him on a path of darkness that transforms him into Gotham City’s most frightening legend.
Expectations: While its nihilistic view of society seems one-sided and juvenile, Joker has the potential to prove initial doubts unfounded and carry the legacy of the likes of Logan or The Dark Knight trilogy as a subversive superhero-themed drama and character study.
Birds of Prey (February 7, 2020)
Production:Birds of Prey is the second DCEU movie (after Wonder Woman) to be helmed by a female filmmaker and the first to be directed by an Asian woman. Cathy Yan makes her blockbuster debut with what is expected to be the DCEU’s first R-rated entry.
Summary: After leaving the Joker, Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) teams up with detective Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez) and vigilantes Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell) and Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) to protect a young Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco) after she crosses path with the brutal crime lord Roman Sionis (Ewan McGregor), better known as Black Mask.
Expectations: This Suicide Squad spin-off could shake things up with its darkly humorous and female-centric take on superhero blockbusters. Hopefully, this movie —pitched by Robbie herself because “Harley needs friends”— exceeds audiences’ expectations.
Wonder Woman 1984 (June 5, 2020)
Production: Director Patty Jenkins and the main cast of the biggest superhero movie of 2017 are set to return for the follow-up to Wonder Woman. The producers are adamant that 1984 is not a sequel but the next iteration of Diana Prince’s (Gal Gadot) story.
Summary: During the height of the Cold War, Diana Prince finds herself locked in conflict with the Soviet Union and a new foe: Cheetah (Kristen Wiig), an archaeologist who becomes the host of the ancient Urzkartaga cheetah goddess after she stumbles on their ritual.
Expectations: Details are currently scarce, with many suspecting the title to be a placeholder. Theories about Steve Trevor’s (Chris Pine) return and Cheetah’s inclusion exist, though they have yet to be confirmed or denied. But if Wonder Woman’s origin is anything to go by, audiences are in for another great ride when she returns.
Summary: Reeves described his
take on the iconic character to be “noir-driven” and influenced by the works of
Alfred Hitchcock. This original story will take place in the established DCEU
setting while its own original, stand-alone story.
Expectations: With little to go on outside of Reeves’ track record, it’s too early to call how good or bad The Batman may be. The Caped Crusader’s supporters can only hope for the best.
The Suicide Squad (August 6, 2021)
Production:Guardians of the Galaxy mastermind James Gunn replaces David Ayer as writer and director for the sequel to the DCEU’s villain-centric film, Suicide Squad. Though set in the DCEU and a follow-up to the 2016 film, The Suicide Squad is expected to be a relaunch of the franchise.
Expectations:Suicide Squad was frustrating because its promising cast, concept, and director were wasted on bad writing, execution, and studio interference. This relaunch has the potential to fulfill the unfulfilled promises of its predecessor.
Summary: There are currently no details regarding The Flash, though the use of time travel has been suspected. The fact that Back to the Future creator Robert Zemeckis was offered the chance to direct plus the knowledge that the movie was at one point titled Flashpoint—referencing the DC comics reboot where Flash traveled through time—gives credence to this possibility.
Expectations: While an understandable air of concern and doubt hangs over the troubled project, it’s better to take a wait-and-see approach with this movie.
Untitled Aquaman Sequel (December 16, 2022)
Production: Director James Wan said that he’s just waiting for a great script before committing to the project. Aquaman himself, Jason Momoa, confirmed that he wrote a treatment for the first act, which was received enthusiastically by producers Toby Emmerich and Peter Safran.
Summary: There is currently no information about the sequel, but small details exist. Safran said that Aquaman’s next adventure would explore the Seven Kingdoms of Atlantis, while Momoa announced that a story was locked. The movie’s star also confirmed that his beard will be back when shooting begins. A horror-tinged spin-off titled The Trench—focusing on the Lovecraftian monsters Aquaman and Mera (Amber Heard) fought—was also announced.
Expectations:Aquaman was a surprise hit that blew everyone’s doubts and expectations out of the water, so it won’t be a surprise if the oft-mocked fishman returns to dominate the box office once again in 2022.
Untitled Shazam! Sequel (TBA)
Production: Director David F. Sandberg, writer Henry Gayden, and producer Peter Safran are expected to return alongside New Line Cinema to develop the sequel to Billy Batson’s (Asher Angel/Zachary Levi) superpowered adventures.
Summary: There are currently no details about the sequel, though it won’t be a surprise if Mr. Mind is the primary antagonist. The main characters are expected to return as well, though there’s no official confirmation yet.
Expectations: Shazam! was a blast from the past that reminded audiences of superheroes’ innate childlike innocence, and it would be a mistake for the sequel to ignore its interpretation of growing pains through super powers.
Other Projects
While DC and Warner Brothers have seven movies confirmed to be released from now until 2022, the two also have a slew of other projects that are in different stages of production. Here’s a quick look at what else DC and Warner Brothers have in the works.
Batgirl – Previously set to be written and directed by Joss Whedon, DC replaced him with screenwriter Christina Hodson after being impressed by her work on Birds of Prey. The studio is on the hunt for a new director.
Cyborg –Ray Fisher is set to reprise his role and a possible story has been locked, but it’s believed that Cyborg’s solo feature has been delayed.
Deadshot – A solo-movie focused on the Deadshot seen in Suicide Squad is currently in development. Will Smith is expected to reprise his role.
Deathstroke – A solo-movie focused on the assassin Deathstroke has been in development since 2017, with The Raid director Gareth Evans attached. Evans’ pitch—an unforgiving story in the vein of Korean film noir—was met with praise, and Joe Manganiello is set to reprise his role. In October 2018, Evans revealed that he has yet to be contractually committed to the project.
Gotham City Sirens – Harley Quinn will have another team-up movie, only now she’ll join Catwoman and Poison Ivy. David Ayer reportedly chose this project over a Suicide Squad follow-up. The project was placed on hold due to DC’s prioritization of Birds of Prey, but Ayer continues to work on it.
Green Lantern Corps – Billed as “Lethal Weapon in space,” a movie focused on the entire Green Lantern Corps has been in the works since 2014 but is believed to have been delayed.
Lobo – Since 2009, DC has been trying to make a movie for the space-faring bounty hunter and it’s finally becoming reality. In 2018, Warner Brothers offered the movie to long-time Transformers director Michael Bay, though he requested that the script be rewritten so that the budget could be lowered.
Nightwing – A solo feature for Batman’s grown-up sidekick, Dick Grayson aka Nightwing, has been in the works since 2017. Pre-production has been going smoothly if covertly, with director Chris McKay announcing that a final draft was almost complete in February 2018.
Supergirl – A movie featuring the iconic heroine has been in the works since 2018. A director has yet to sign on, though Warner Brothers’ eyes are reportedly set on Reed Morano, who directed the first three episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale.
Untitled Harley Quinn and Joker Film – Tentatively titled Harley Quinn vs The Joker, this movie will focus on the titular characters’ “deranged” relationship that was introduced in Suicide Squad. Production is said to begin after Birds of Prey, with the Bad Santa writers Glenn Ficarra and John Requa taking directing, writing, and producing roles. It’s still unsure if Jared Leto will return as the Joker.
Untitled Justice League Sequel – Following Justice League’s disappointing performance and reception, its sequel has been momentarily shelved as DC and Warner Brothers shift focus to standalone features. Patty Jenkins has expressed in directing the sequel in light of Zack Snyder’s exit from the DCEU. Ben Affleck is contractually expected to reprise his role as Batman, even if he won’t star in Reeves’ Batman movie.
Untitled Man of Steel Sequel – Even after rumors of Cavil’s departure from the DCEU, Warner Brothers is supposedly still determined to make a second Superman movie under the DCEU banner. Henry Cavil is reportedly set to reprise his role, though no further details have been shared.
[td_smart_list_end]
Which upcoming DCEU movies are you looking forward to? Leave a comment below and let us know!
