DC Comics Properties Lining Up (Minus the 'Big Three')
Sun, July 19, 2009 
A lot of DC superhero movies are getting under way, but the "Big Three" may be getting left behind. (This photo manip was done by JMC.)A new article in The Hollywood Reporter shows that Warner Bros. and DC Comics may be doing a better job at lining up some movie franchises than many have feared.
The article confirms some rumblings we have heard behind the scenes, and also introduces some brand-new developments.
The good news:
* Warner Bros. hired Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison and Marv Wolfman (three top comic book writers) to serve as "consultants and writers for its superhero line of movies."
* The studio took back the reins on "The Flash" and "Teen Titans" from a pair of producers.
* Johns created a treatment for "The Flash," with the script to be written by Dan Mazeau. Johns will be a producer on the project.
* The studio is taking pitches on Adam Strange and Aquaman, with the latter character slated to be produced by Leonardo DiCaprio.
* Also in the pipeline: "Bizarro Superman"; a "Constantine" sequel; two Green Arrow projects, an origin story and "Super Max"; and "Shazam," with Pete Segal attached to direct.
The bad news:
* Warner Bros. and DC have no idea how to translate "Wonder Woman" to the big screen.
* Superman remains in limbo.
* A sequel to "Dark Knight" is a long way off.
* The Justice League movie franchise is inactive.
The full article can be found here. It's well worth reading.
It's also worth noting that for as much progress as the studio is making on its DC projects, the "Big Three" of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman may be off the silver screen for longer than we all would like.
Reader Comments (11)
I read the full article actually before reading this but you did a good job to sum it up
Hmmmm, I would say the 'big three' are the ones most people would most like to see. I know that is how I feel. I pick and choose what I spend my money on nowadays and may not want to shell out the high $ price of a movie ticket on other characters. I will take a wait and see stance.
It makes me sick that they have let the Superman character go so long without another big screen movie. Brandon Routh was great.
I just hope they remember that a good story and plot are important...many action films seem to forget that.
Thanks Sean. You really stay on top of things and it is much appreciated.
At least they are being honest instead of getting people's hopes up with false starts and "pitches to nowhere."
I'm sending in my own Wonder Woman script to Silver in about a month. Maybe they'll like it, and we'll get that kick ass WW movie.
JMC's manips never fail to amaze me. Incredible work as always, Josh
With Leo producing, I have faith that Aquaman will actually get made.
How many movies does Leo's production company actually have in the pipeline?
Okay ... so Superman Returns is in limbo due to the critical response, and yet they think Constantine deserves a followup? Warner Bros. is ridiculous.
^^Exactly. WB make me sick. They are clueless.
I loved Superman Returns and Brandon Routh as Superman. He was great! The movie also performed solidly. It totally deserved a sequel. WB SUCK. And I will Not watch the next Superman movie IF Brandon Routh is not playing the main character. I mean it.
^^^^^^ Constantine only cost about as third of as much money to make and I guess the first must have made a degree of profit.
Of the stuff on the list the title "Red" interests me the most.
^^^Well you tell me: http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=constantine.htm
And it got mostly bad reviews as well.
A Constantine sequel is completely unnecessary.
It reminds me of the Tomb Raider situation. The first Tomb Raider movie made $131 million domestic and $274 million worldwide, so they made a sequel. The problem was that while quite a few people saw the first one, just about no one was clamoring to see another one.
The sequel made $65 million in domestic box office and $156 million worldwide -- and the franchise was done. (There is talk of a reboot, but who really expects anything to happen with that?)
"* The Justice League movie franchise is inactive."
Why is the request of so many a people, probably yourself included, in the negatives list? Come on! Snark aside, most people don't actually want a Justice League movie. It's damn strange that all of a sudden it's expected, let alone desired. There is no demand for it, which is why it will never happen, now.