Ben Affleck Says ‘Justice League’ Will Be The DCEU’s Rebirth

After Zak Snyder kicked off the DCEU with Man of Steel — which I think is an absolute masterpiece — Warner Bros. hit some major bumps in the road with Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad, the latter of which was an ultimate misfire. It came as no surprise when it became public knowledge back in June of last year that WB was going to lighten up the tone in Justice League in response to the negative critical reception of BvS.

While promoting his new film Live by Night, Ben Affleck was asked about the experience of filming the upcoming Justice League and said the film is essentially a rebirth of cinematic universe telling HeyUGuys:

“It was great, and there’s a lot of changes and a lot of new stuff. There was a whole feeling of kind of ‘rebirth’ and there’s an exciting group of actors. You know, Ezra Miller and Jason Momoa and guys like that, so much fun, and Gal Gadot who’s great and Henry Cavill. It was a lot of fun.”

A total rebirth within the cinematic universe seems like going a bit too far and signals to me the committee in charge of executive decisions isn’t confident with their creative direction. After cutting corners and rushing to catch up to Marvel with BvS — rather than building out their universe to earn an experience like The Avengers —, my worry is that WB will now try to essentially mirror Marvels formula with their own films. I greatly appreciated that WB went for a more mature audience with BvS as opposed to the glossy popcorn flicks made for everyone by Marvel. Don’t get me wrong, I love Marvel movies. But what works for Marvel, works for Marvel and isn’t exactly going to work for DC.

Does DC need to lighten things up a bit? Absolutely. But it doesn’t need to dramatically alter the tone of their cinematic universe. Take, for instance, the video game masterpiece The Last of Us by Naughty Dog. The Last of Us was an incredibly heavy, dark, and emotional experience. While at the same time it possessed both hope and humor. That’s exactly what the DCEU needs and it already has the characters in place to achieve that. Superman can be the hope while The Flash can bring the humor. The DCEU can be as dark as it wants to be, WB just has to balance it out properly and rather than base their creative direction off of the response to their films, remain steadfast as they push through the growing pains of establishing a cinematic universe.

SOURCE: HEYUGUYS

‘Kong: Skull Island’ Japanese Trailer Reveals New Monsters

Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures have released a Japanese trailer for Kong: Skull Island which includes new footage revealing new shots of the skullcrawlers and some freaky giant spiders.

Kong: Skull Island hits theaters March 10, 2017

The film stars Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Mitchell, Corey Hawkins, Toby Kebbell, Tom Wilkinson, Terry Notary, John Goodman and John C. Reilly. Written by Max Borenstein, Derek Connolly, John Gatins, Dan Gilroy. Directed by Jordan-Vogt Roberts.

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ “Kong: Skull Island” reimagines the origin of the mythic Kong in a compelling, original adventure from director Jordan Vogt-Roberts. In the film, a diverse team of explorers is brought together to venture deep into an uncharted island in the Pacific—as beautiful as it is treacherous—unaware that they’re crossing into the domain of the mythic Kong.

SOURCE: WB (via Fresh Movie Trailers)

WB Taps David S. Goyer and Justin Rhodes to Write ‘Green Lantern Corps’

After announcing Green Lanter Corps for their DC slate a few years ago, the film is finally going to come to fruition over at Warner Bros. where it is said the studio is aggressively moving forward on the project. Deadline reports David S. Goyer and Justin Rhodes have been tapped to pen the script. The film will feature both Hal Jordan and John Stewart in what is said to be Lethal Weapon in space.

While that sounds like a perfect influence to bring the two Green Lanterns together, it’s hard to get excited when the entire DCEU is such a mess these days. Goyer knows his way around superheroes but his work is usually hit or miss with hits like Batman Begins and Man of Steel and duds like Jumper. Goyer’s credits also include The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises but in reality he actually had nothing to do with the writing of those films.

As of now, the film does not have a director, however. George Miller has been rumored to be in talks to direct in the past. When Green Lantern Corps was originally announced it was set for release in 2020. That has yet to change but at this point, nothing about the DCEU is certain.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

‘Wonder Woman’ Villain Confirmed to be Ares

Until now, the main villain for the upcoming film Wonder Woman has been a mystery. A batch of scans from an article about the film by the French publication Studio Ciné Live has hit the web thanks to the website Les Toiles Héroïques.

Studio Ciné Live visited the set of Wonder Woman last April and now seems to confirm that Ares as the main villain in the film.

A translation from the article reads:

Behind these scientific formulas, there is a deadly gas that could well annihilate humanity. Now, it turns out that this is precisely the goal of Ares, the god of war. He is jealous of humanity, which is a creation of his father, the deceased Zeus (he was killed by Ares when he rebelled against his son, despite the help of the Amazons)…

Wonder Woman hit theaters June 9, 2017.

The film stars Gal Gadot in the titular role as Wonder Woman, Chris Pine as Steve Trevor, Robin Wright as General Antiope and Connie Nielson as Queen Hippolyta. Written by Alan Heinberg and Geoff Johns. Directed by Patty Jenkins.

 “’Wonder Woman’ hits movie theaters around the world next summer when Gal Gadot returns as the title character in the epic action adventure from director Patty Jenkins. Before she was Wonder Woman, she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, when an American pilot crashes on their shores and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers…and her true destiny.

SOURCE:  Les Toiles Héroïques

Ben Affleck Reassures Fans He Will Direct Solo Batman Feature

Whether or not Ben Affleck’s solo Batman feature will come to fruition has seemed rather uncertain lately. Just last month Ben Affleck told Variety he was excited about the script for solo Batman feature which they were finishing up and that things were coming together over at Warner Bros. But then in an interview with The Guardian for his prohibition era film Live by Night, Affleck offered a rather alarming update for the solo Batman feature that shook the very foundation of Warner Bros. current version of the DCEU when he said the Batman film wasn’t “a set thing” and that they no longer had a script for the project.

But last night on Jimmy Kimmel Live, while commenting on the latest image released from the upcoming Justice League, Affleck reassured fans the film is still happening and he will indeed be directing —  nearly blowing a gasket as he told Jimmy:

“I’m gonna direct the next Batman, we’re workin’ on it. It’s one of those things that’s really frustrating because like with Live by Night, it took me a year and a half to write it and get it ready and I worked really hard, it’s just nobody gave a shit. No one was like ‘Where’s Live by Night?!’ But with Batman I keep getting the like, ‘Where’s the fucking Batman?!’ and I’m like ‘Bro I’m workin’, give me a second!”

Check out the full clip below.

SOURCE: JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE

Ben Affleck Says Solo Batman Film is Not a Set Thing

Just last month Ben Affleck told Variety he was excited about the script for solo Batman feature which they were finishing up and that things were coming together over at Warner Bros. but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. In an interview with The Guardian for his prohibition era film Live by Night, Affleck offered a rather alarming update for the solo Batman feature that shakes the very foundation of Warner Bros. current version of the DCEU:

“It’s not a set thing and there’s no script. If it doesn’t come together in a way I think is really great I’m not going to do it.”

With Affleck on the fritz and Zak Snyder exiting the DCEU after Justice League to take a break direct his passion project The Last Photograph before Justice League: Part Two, it sounds like the entire DCEU first established with Man of Steel is at risk of completely falling apart. It seems Warner Bros. has not learned their lesson after the overstuffed Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and the atrocious mess that was Suicide Squad were critically panned last year.

While Wonder Woman looks very promising, I can’t help but be nervous for the film given that the committee calling the shots at WB (who obviously have no idea what they are doing) has ultimate control of what ends up being released. Clearly, the committee is difficult to work with as multiple directors have exited The Flash project in development which is currently in limbo without a director. Last year, David Ayer had his film completely ripped away from him to have Suicide Squad sent over to a trailer house to put together what ultimately became the theatrical release of the film. Some of the Internets top movie pundits have called out Warner Bros. after the recent announcement of the Gotham City Sirens film starring Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn as being reactionary and without a long term plan for the DCEU and it’s impossible to disagree.

At this point, I think this entire version of the DCEU should be canceled. If Batman was actually a decent detective and hadn’t killed people I might feel differently. I mean he didn’t even know Superman’s Moms name but Lex Luthor did? That movie got so much wrong it’s not even funny and I’d be willing to bet that by this time next year Kevin Tsujihara, Chairman of Warner Bros. Entertainment, will be on his way out if Justice League is received negatively.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

‘Wonder Woman’ Heeds The Call to Action in a New Photo

Every origin story for a heroic character features a call to action and Wonder Woman is no different. In a new photo thanks to EW, we get a look at Gal Gadot early on in the film when Diana is compelled to help mankind in their time of need. Diana defies her mother, Queen Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen) and breaks into the heavily guarded armory the island of Themyscira and steals the Amazon’s mythical sword “the Sword of Athena” which has been dubbed “god killer” in this darker, more violent take on the DC universe.

Wonder Woman hit theaters June 9, 2017.

The film stars Gal Gadot in the titular role as Wonder Woman, Chris Pine as Steve Trevor, Robin Wright as General Antiope and Connie Nielson as Queen Hippolyta with a script penned by Alan Heinberg and Geoff Johns, directed by Patty Jenkins.

 “’Wonder Woman’ hits movie theaters around the world next summer when Gal Gadot returns as the title character in the epic action adventure from director Patty Jenkins. Before she was Wonder Woman, she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, when an American pilot crashes on their shores and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers…and her true destiny.

SOURCE: EW

New Look at Batman, Wonder Woman, and The Flash in ‘Justice League’

Zak Snyder has already begun teasing images from Justice League via social media but now we have a look at Batman, Wonder Woman, and The Flash assembling and ready for action in a new photo released by Entertainment Weekly.

The photo doesn’t do much for me as I think Snyder is overly dependent on the use of green screen. Overall I think it makes the DC universe lack authenticity and feel artificial especially compared to Nolan’s interpretation of the Batman franchise.

“I’m super happy with the chemistry of my league of justice doers,” says Snyder who is currently locked up in the editing bay, readying the film for release next November before he exits the DCEU for a much-deserved break to helm his passion project The Last Photograph.

Justice League hits theaters November 17, 2017.

The film stars Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa, JK Simmons, Diane Lane, Amy Adams, Amber Heard, Jesse Eisenberg, Willem Dafoe, Jeremy Irons, and Ciaran Hinds. Written by Chris Terrio. Directed by Zak Snyder.

Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to find and recruit a team of metahumans to stand against this newly awakened threat. But despite the formation of this unprecedented league of heroes—Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash—it may already be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.

SOURCE: EW

New Look at Gal Gadot in ‘Wonder Woman’

Last March, Gal Gadot stole the show with her incredible performance as Wonder Woman in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. Next Summer, Gadot will be back as the amazonian warrior in her standalone feature debut in Wonder Woman. Warner Bros. has revealed a new image of Gadot alongside co-star Chris Pine who plays Steve Trevor in the film.

The image was released with an interview with the film’s director Patty Jenkins where she talked about harnessing male superhero tropes for women:

“We’ve spent years treating male heroes in certain ways. I just applied those same tropes to her, and all these incredible radical moments suddenly appear to an audience.”

Gadot also emphasized the importance of balancing those male tropes to empower feminism itself:

“We knew it was tricky. We wanted to find the balance between portraying her as confident and strong and feminine and warm. I didn’t want her to be a ball buster. I didn’t want her to be bossy. You can be powerful and also loving.”

As a white male, I find it incredibly refreshing to see women being empowered in film whether it be a superhero movie or epic science fantasies such as The Force Awakens and Rogue One. Female heroines in blockbuster movies are long overdue. Women deserve to be featured in the spotlight in these kinds of films whether it be solo or alongside male co-stars. These vehicles offer an entry point to women who would have otherwise been disinterested in action blockbusters because they either felt excluded or weren’t able to relate to the characters. We have a long way to go but I long for the day when we aren’t talking about these kinds of things anymore and boys and girls grow up playing with their action figures together.

Wonder Woman hit theaters June 9, 2017.

The film stars Gal Gadot in the titular role as Wonder Woman, Chris Pine as Steve Trevor, Robin Wright as General Antiope and Connie Nielson as Queen Hippolyta with a script penned by Alan Heinberg and Geoff Johns, directed by Patty Jenkins.

 “’Wonder Woman’ hits movie theaters around the world next summer when Gal Gadot returns as the title character in the epic action adventure from director Patty Jenkins. Before she was Wonder Woman, she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, when an American pilot crashes on their shores and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers…and her true destiny.

SOURCE: TIME

‘Blade Runner 2049’ Announcement Trailer

Cue up that Vangelis. The long-awaited sequel to Blade runner from Denis Villeneuve is finally here. The announcement trailer doesn’t offer much in terms of the plot other than Officer K (Ryan Gosling) is looking for Deckard (Harrison Ford) but it does contain some stunning cinematography from Roger Deakins(Sicario).

Blade Runner 2049 hits theaters October 6, 2017.

Thirty years after the events of the first film, a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K (Ryan Gosling), unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what’s left of society into chaos. K’s discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a former LAPD blade runner who has been missing for 30 years.

The film stars Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Robin Wright, Mackenzie Davis, Carla Juri, Lennie James, with Dave Bautista and Jared Leto. Written by Hampton Fancher and Michael Green. Based on the novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” by Phillip K. Dick. Directed by Denis Villeneuve.

SOURCE: WARNER BROS.