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Tag: DC Comics Movie

Best Batman Movies Ranked

(L to R) Ezra Miller as The Flash, Michael Keaton as Batman and Ezra Miller as The Flash in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘The FLASH,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures/™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC.

Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger in 1939, Batman has remained a beloved character in pop culture for over 80-years. There have been over a dozen live action movies made about the character since his big screen debut in 1943, as well as several animated features and cameo appearances.

Acclaimed actors like Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Christian Bale, Ben Affleck, and Robert Pattinson have all played the role, and acclaimed filmmakers such as Tim Burton, Christopher Nolan, Zack Snyder, and Matt Reeves have made movies about the Caped Crusader.

With Michael Keaton returning as Bruse Wayne and Batman in ‘The Flash,’ which opens in theaters on June 16th, Moviefone is counting down the top 14 cinematic Batman appearances of all time! For this list, we are including any live action or animated film featuring Batman, as long as it was originally released theatrically.

Let’s Begin!!!

14. ‘Batman & Robin‘ (1997)

(L to R) Alicia Silverstone, George Clooney, and Chris O’Donnell in 1997’s ‘Batman & Robin’

Batman (George Clooney) and Robin (Chris O’Donnell) deal with relationship issues while preventing Mr. Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman) from attacking Gotham City.

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13. ‘The Dark Knight Rises‘ (2012)

Tom Hardy as Bane in ‘The Dark Knight Rises.’

Following the death of District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), Batman (Christian Bale) assumes responsibility for Dent’s crimes to protect the late attorney’s reputation and is subsequently hunted by the Gotham City Police Department. Eight years later, Batman encounters the mysterious Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway) and the villainous Bane (Tom Hardy), a new terrorist leader who overwhelms Gotham’s finest. The Dark Knight resurfaces to protect a city that has branded him an enemy.
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12. ‘Batman Forever‘ (1995)

Jim Carrey as the Riddler in ‘Batman Forever.’

Batman (Val Kilmer) must battle a disfigured district attorney (Tommy Lee Jones) and a disgruntled former employee (Jim Carrey) with help from an amorous psychologist (Nicole Kidman) and a young circus acrobat (Chris O’Donnell)).
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11. ‘Batman: Mask of the Phantasm‘ (1993)

Warner Bros.

When a powerful criminal, who is connected to Bruce Wayne’s ex-girlfriend (Dana Delany), blames the Dark Knight for killing a crime lord, Batman (Kevin Conroy) decides to fight against him.
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10. ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ (2016)

Warner Bros.

Fearing the actions of a god-like Super Hero left unchecked, Gotham City’s own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis’s most revered, modern-day savior, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it really needs. With Batman (Ben Affleck) and Superman (Henry Cavill) at war with one another, a new threat quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it’s ever known before.
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9. ‘Batman‘ (1966)

Warner Bros.

The Dynamic Duo (Adam West and Burt Ward) faces four super-villains, Joker (Cesar Romero), Penguin (Burgess Meredith), Riddler (Frank Gorshin), and Catwoman (Lee Meriwether), who plan to hold the world for ransom with the help of a secret invention that instantly dehydrates people.
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8. Batman Begins (2005)

Warner Bros.

Driven by tragedy, billionaire Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) dedicates his life to uncovering and defeating the corruption that plagues his home, Gotham City. Unable to work within the system, he instead creates a new identity, a symbol of fear for the criminal underworld – The Batman.
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7. ‘Batman Returns’ (1992)

Warner Bros.

While Batman (Michael Keaton) deals with a deformed man calling himself the Penguin (Danny DeVito), an employee of a corrupt businessman (Christopher Walken) transforms into the Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer).
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6. ‘The Batman‘ (2022)

Robert Pattinson as Batman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘The Batman,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jonathan Olley/™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

From Warner Bros. Pictures comes Matt Reeves‘ “The Batman,” starring Robert Pattinson in the dual role of Gotham City’s vigilante detective and his alter ego, reclusive billionaire Bruce Wayne.
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5. ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ (2021)

Warner Bros.

Determined to ensure Supermanan’s (Henry Cavill) ultimate sacrifice was not in vain, Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) aligns forces with Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) with plans to recruit a team of metahumans to protect the world from an approaching threat of catastrophic proportions. The task proves more difficult than Bruce imagined, as each of the recruits must face the demons of their own pasts to transcend that which has held them back, allowing them to come together, finally forming an unprecedented league of heroes.

Now united, Batman (Affleck), Wonder Woman (Gadot), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), Cyborg (Ray Fisher), and The Flash (Ezra Miller) may be too late to save the planet from Steppenwolf (Ciaran Hinds), DeSaad (Peter Guinness), and Darkseid (Ray Porter) and their dreadful intentions.
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4. ‘The Flash‘ (2023)

Michael Keaton as Batman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘The Flash,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

When his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod (Michael Shannon) has returned and there are no Super Heroes to turn to. In order to save the world that he is in and return to the future that he knows, Barry’s only hope is this universe’s Batman (Michael Keaton). But will making the ultimate sacrifice be enough to reset the universe?
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3. The Lego Batman Movie (2017)

Warner Bros.

A cooler-than-ever Bruce Wayne (Will Arnett) must deal with the usual suspects as they plan to rule Gotham City, while discovering that he has accidentally adopted a teenage orphan who wishes to become his sidekick (Michael Cera).
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2. Batman (1989)

Warner Bros.

Batman (Michael Keaton) must face his most ruthless nemesis when a deformed madman calling himself “The Joker” (Jack Nicholson) seizes control of Gotham’s criminal underworld.
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1. The Dark Knight (2008)

Warner Bros.

Batman (Christian Bale) raises the stakes in his war on crime. With the help of Lt. Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the streets. The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as the Joker (Heath Ledger).
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June 16, 2023
Latest Trailer for ‘Black Adam’ Online

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With movie releases in a relatively quiet period following the end of summer, many are looking to Dwayne Johnson and ‘Black Adam’ for the next big shot of moviegoing business.

The Rock is headed back to our screens with his first DC movie, which will see him playing the titular vengeful anti-hero whose approach to justice butts heads with the more straightforward likes of Superman.

And, as with all things Dwayne Johnson, expect something on a big scale, as the new trailer suggests.

Created by Otto Binder and C. C. Beck, the character is one of the archenemies of Shazam (as played in his own movies by Zachary Levi) and the nemesis of the Shazam Family. Black Adam first appeared as a one-time villain for the first issue of Fawcett Comics’ ‘The Marvel Family’ comic book December 1945 (a reminder here that Shazam was once known as Captain Marvel, before Marvel had Carol Danvers out there).

Black Adam was revived as a recurring character after DC Comics first licensed and then acquired the Fawcett characters and began publishing Shazam Family stories under the title ‘Shazam!’ in the 1970s.

While Johnson was at one point going to play the character as a direct villain to Levi’s Shazam, that plan evolved to give him his own movie (not a bad idea when you have someone with the Rock’s audience appeal). And in keeping with how he’s evolved in the comics, the tone shifted more towards him being an antihero rather than a straight up bad guy.

(L-r) Dwayne Johnson as Black Adam and Aldis Hodge as Hawkman in New Line Cinema’s action adventure ‘Black Adam,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved. Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.

Jaume Collet-Serra, who worked with Johnson on ‘Jungle Cruise’, is in the director’s chair here, while the script has seen drafts from Adam Sztykiel, Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani.

In the movie’s story, Johnson’s Teth Adam rose from being a slave, dying, being reborn a god and meting out his particular, powerful brand of justice in the society of Kahndaq 5,000 years ago. It didn’t end so well for him, after he’s betrayed and imprisoned.

But he returns to dispense some no-nonsense justice in the present day, something that will bring him into conflict with more straightforward heroes, including, in the film the Justice Society of America, including Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), Dr. Fate (Pierce Brosnan), Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell) and Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo). And yes, that’s Viola Davis popping up as Amanda Waller.

This latest look at the movie is full of action and shows Johnson going for a grittier, more serious performance than his usual charm-filled work of late.

And yes, the JSA are certainly concerned about Adam’s power and behavior, looking to lock down the near godlike warrior. And they’ve plenty of tools to try to make that happen (including a jet taking off from an underground facility beneath a mansion that ‘X-Men’ fans will find very familiar, but does come from the JSA comics.

After a couple of release date shifts, ‘Black Adam’ is ready to rock into theaters on October 21st.

Dwayne Johnson as Black Adam in New Line Cinema’s action adventure ‘Black Adam,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved. Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.
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September 8, 2022
Susan Sarandon Added to DC’s ‘Blue Beetle’

Susan Sarandon in 2015’s ‘The Meddler.’

There’s a change afoot for an upcoming DC comic book movie. Though Sharon Stone had been in talks to play the villainous Victoria Kord in ‘Blue Beetle’, it appears her deal didn’t work out. That, or she’s a little too afraid of bugs.

Still, the producers have found someone else to take on the role: Susan Sarandon, reports The Wrap.

For the movie, ‘Cobra Kai’s Xolo Maridueña is playing main man Jaime Reyes, and the cast also features George Lopez (as Jaime’s uncle), Adriana Barraza, Elpidia Carrillo, Damián Alcázar, Belissa Escobedo, Bruna Marquezine and ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ stalwart Harvey Guillén.

‘Charm City Kings’ director Angel Manuel Soto is overseeing the new movie, with Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, who penned a recent version of ‘Scarface’ for Universal, writing the script.

Originally created by artist Charles Nicholas Wojtkoski and writer Will Eisner for Fox Comics’ ‘Mystery Men Comics’ in 1939, Blue Beetle was introduced as Dan Garret, a vigilante who fought crime using powers gained from chemical compound Vitamin 2-X, though that origin was later retconned to an archeologist with a suit and abilities derived from the alien Khaji Da scarab living weapon. He was succeeded by tech whizz Ted Kord, first appearing in Charlton Comics (which bought Fox and was itself later taken over by DC).

DC Comics’ Blue Beetle. Photo courtesy of DC Comics.

The Jaime Reyes version, a creation of Keith Giffen, John Rogers and Cully Hamner for 2006’s ‘Infinite Crisis’ Issue #5, spawned a titular title two months later in May of that year. In his story, Reyes discovered the Blue Beetle scarab on the way home from school with two of his best friends Paco and Brenda, half-buried in a disused lot.

Reyes took the scarab home, curious as to what it might be. That night, the scarab came alive, and grafted itself to the base of Jaime’s spine, and provided him with a suit of extraterrestrial armor, which can be modified to enhance his speed and strength, as well as to create weapons, wings, and shields.

Sarandon’s role is a new one, created for the movie, but that Kord surname already suggests a connection to second Blue Beetle Ted Kord – speculation has it that she’ll play his wife, though there is nothing official at this time.

This is perhaps unexpected casting – Sarandon doesn’t have any superhero movies on her resume (though she’s enjoyed an eclectic career), while Stone had at least played the antagonist in ‘Catwoman’. Still, casting someone like Sarandon assures a solid performance.

Last seen in indie movie ‘Ride the Eagle’, Sarandon has a few projects in the works, including delayed country music TV drama ‘Monarch’.

As for ‘Blue Beetle’, the movie will fly into theaters on August 18, 2023.
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April 14, 2022
Sharon Stone Joins DC’s ‘Blue Beetle’

Sharon Stone in 2006’s ‘Basic Instinct 2.’

With the cameras scheduled to roll soon in Atlanta on DC’s latest superhero adaptation ‘Blue Beetle’, Sharon Stone has joined the cast, according to The Wrap.

While Stone is on board to play a villain named Victoria Kord, ‘Mayans M.C.’ actor Raoul Max Trujillo is also now aboard as Carapax the Indestructible Man, a veteran villain of the ‘Beetle’ comics (find out more about him here) who will also no doubt cause problems for the titular hero.

For the movie, ‘Cobra Kai’s Xolo Maridueña is playing main man Jaime Reyes, and the cast also features George Lopez (as Jaime’s uncle), Adriana Barraza, Elpidia Carrillo, Damián Alcázar, Belissa Escobedo, Bruna Marquezine and ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ stalwart Harvey Guillén.

‘Charm City Kings’ director Angel Manuel Soto is overseeing the new movie, with Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer writing the script.

For those who may not be familiar with the character (who, after all, doesn’t have the same name recognition factor as, say, Batman), here’s a quick catch-up…

Originally created by artist Charles Nicholas Wojtkoski and writer Will Eisner for Fox Comics’ ‘Mystery Men Comics’ in 1939, Blue Beetle was introduced as Dan Garret, a vigilante who fought crime using powers gained from chemical compound Vitamin 2-X, though that origin was later retconned to an archeologist with a suit and abilities derived from the alien Khaji Da scarab living weapon. He was succeeded by tech whizz Ted Kord, first appearing in Charlton Comics (which bought Fox and was itself later taken over by DC).

DC Comics’ Blue Beetle. Photo courtesy of DC Comics.

The Jaime Reyes version, a creation of Keith Giffen, John Rogers and Cully Hamner for 2006’s ‘Infinite Crisis’ Issue 5, spawned a titular title two months later in May of that year. In his story, Reyes discovered the Blue Beetle scarab on the way home from school with two of his best friends Paco and Brenda, half-buried in a disused lot. Reyes took the scarab home, curious as to what it might be.

That night, the scarab came alive, and grafted itself to the base of Jaime’s spine, and provided him with a suit of extraterrestrial armor, which can be modified to enhance his speed and strength, as well as to create weapons, wings, and shields.

Stone’s character is a new one, created for the movie, but that Kord surname already suggests a connection to second Blue Beetle Ted Kord – speculation has it that she’ll play his wife. Perhaps she’s looking for vengeance after something happened to him, and she’s none too happy about anyone else using the suit?

The actress, who has been working consistently, will next be seen in the second season of ‘The Flight Attendant’, opposite Kaley Cuoco.

And ‘Blue Beetle’, which represents a healthy step forward for Latino lead representation in superhero movies, has also scored an upgrade from a direct-to-HBO Max title to theatrical release, flying into theaters on August 18th, 2023.
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April 1, 2022
‘The Batman’ Deleted Joker Scene

Robert Pattinson as Batman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘The Batman,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jonathan Olley/™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

‘The Batman’ is a long film. At 176 minutes, it’s one of the longest superhero movies out there. Yet even with that generous running time, co-writer/director Matt Reeves couldn’t quite find room for every scene he wanted to include.

But because we live in an age where deleted scenes can make their way to audience eyes without having to wait for a home entertainment release, the scene is now available for us all to enjoy.

Though given the chilling turn and appearance of actor Barry Keoghan, “experience” might be a better phrase to use.

The scene in question finds Robert Pattinson’s Caped Crusader heading to Arkham Asylum for some help in cracking what the Riddler’s (Paul Dano) diabolical, clue-featuring killing spree is all about. Yes, even a costumed detective needs a little help sometimes.

And the scene draws comparisons to infamous meeting of minds between Jodie Foster’s Clarice Starling and Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter in ‘The Silence of the Lambs’.

Keoghan’s character, Reeves’ version of the iconic Batman baddie The Joker (albeit at an early stage in his criminal career the same way Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne is still finding his footing as a vigilante/detective) takes after the director’s vision for The Penguin (Colin Farrell).

Which is to say it uses some disturbing, heavy prosthetics to bring to life a man who suffers from a serious condition. “He has a congenital disease where he can’t stop smiling and it’s horrific, Reeves explains. “His face is half-covered through most of the film.” He’s shot in such a way as to be out of focus for the scene, but what we see of him is certainly a departure from the likes of Heath Ledger, Joaquin Phoenix, or Jack Nicholson’s cinematic take on the villain.

Yet this Joker still goes in for some good, old fashioned psychological needling of our hero, comparing the Riddler’s viewpoint to Batman’s. He gets under Bruce Wayne’s skin, but also sounds like he has a point.

The exchange also layers in some of the brief history between this Batman and Joker, with a reference to their “anniversary” when the former had the latter locked up in the asylum.

When push came to shove in the final edit, however, the director decided the scene could go.

“It wasn’t necessary,” Reeves told Variety. “It was one of those scenes where, given how complex the narrative was, by taking it out, it kept the story moving in a way it needed to.”

Though it did go in the final cut, the director fully intended for it to see the light of day once enough people had had a chance to see the movie.

“It’s a really creepy, cool scene,” he says. “That was the scene that was meant to introduce this guy and just to tease the audience to go like, ‘Oh my god, he’s here too? And he’s not yet the Joker — what’s this going to be?’ And then it seems so delicious in the story, since we’d already set him up, to have the end of the story, the completion of the Riddler arc, be that he was in a cell next to this guy.”

That final scene does indeed show up with the Riddler talking to the Joker in Arkham, though Reeves has long pointed out that this doesn’t mean fans should assume either character will show up in any sequel. But at least we got to see “Unnamed Arkham Inmate” properly should he never return.

“The Batman” is still in theaters, but hits HBO Max on April 19th.
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March 25, 2022
Warner Bros. Shifts its Entire DC Movie Schedule

Dwayne Johnson on the set of New Line Cinema’s action adventure ‘Black Adam,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Frank Masi. Copyright: © 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

It’s all change for Warner Bros. and DC today, as some of the companies’ highest-profile movies are upping sticks and moving around the release date calendar – mostly to further in the future.

If you were anticipating the release of movies such as ‘DC League of Super-Pets’, ‘Black Adam’, ‘The Flash’ and ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’, you’re going to have to be a little more patient, as their studio has decided to make some alterations to its plans.

Warners partly puts the shifts down to covid delays affecting production and post-production on some of these giant movies, though there is also the sneaking suspicion that this is a way to get a few out of the way of Marvel or, in the case of the ‘Aquaman’ sequel, ‘Avatar 2’, especially given James Cameron’s history with the box office and the watery elements of his long-awaited sci-fi sequel, which is due in theaters on December 16th. (‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ was originally slated for that date).

Word of the changes – to ‘Super-Pets’ and ‘Black Adam’ at least – came first from Dwayne Johnson, who hit Instagram to deliver a typically positive message about his two next releases shifting back. Mostly, he seemed pumped about ‘Black Adam’s chances to play through Halloween and other holidays without (he didn’t say it, it’s implied), ‘The Flash’ to run up against.

You can find his message below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca5K0w6Fhfi/

So, then, what are the changes afoot? Let’s break it down…

‘DC League of Super-Pets’, the animated animal adventure that sees Superman’s pooch pal Krypto (Johnson) uniting with a group of unexpectedly super-powered shelter animals to save the Justice League, is moving from May 20 to July 29. The film also features the voices of Kevin Hart, Keanu Reeves, John Krasinski, Kate McKinnon and more, and recently put a new, Batman-centric trailer online.
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‘Black Adam, meanwhile, stars Johnson as the usually villainous character from the ‘Shazam!’ world. From the looks of everything about the movie so far, though, it appears it’ll channel the anti-hero version that has more recently been in DC Comics.

The movie also features Pierce Brosnan, Noah Centineo, Aldis Hodge, Quintessa Swindell, Sarah Shahi and Marwan Kenzari, and will now hit theaters on October 21.
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‘The Flash’, starring Ezra Miller as the speedy hero pushing his powers to the limit in order to save his parents from death and jail, is dashing from its original November 4 slot to June 23, 2023. The movie will also see Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman for the first time since 1992’s ‘Batman Returns.’
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‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’, the Jason Momoa-starring sequel directed once more by James Wan, dives from a December 16 slot to March 17, 2023.
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That displaces ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ prequel ‘Wonka’, starring Timothée Chalamet as the candy expert. The movie shifts to December 15, 2023.
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One movie actually shifting forward rather than back is superhero sequel ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’. Zachary Levi returns as the titular hero, with Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu as the villains. That is stepping into the December 16 slot this year vacated by the Aquaman sequel.
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And finally, one WB movies lands its release date, as ‘Meg 2: The Trench’, directed by Ben Wheatley, is now swimming in on August 4 next year.
That movie sees Jason Statham back as diver and captain Jonas Taylor, who must once more confront a giant shark looking to destroy property and eat unwitting swimmers.
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Proof positive, then, that in this day and age it’s better to write your movie reminders in pencil rather than pen.

(L to R) Dwayne Johnson as Krypto and John Krasinski as Superman in Warner Bros.’ ‘DC League of Super-Pets.’

March 9, 2022
Keanu Reeves is Batman in the New Trailer for ‘DC League of Super-Pets’

(L to R) Kevin Hart as Ace the Bat-Hound and Dwayne Johnson as Krypto in Warner Bros.’ ‘DC League of Super-Pets.’

Can there be too much Batman? It’s a theory that Warner Bros. seems committed to testing, though given what it means for new animated outing ‘DC League of Super-Pets’, we’re not complaining. Because what it means is… Keanu Reeves is now Batman.

While the latest live-action example of the Caped Crusader has only just hit theaters thanks to ‘The Batman’ (which opened with a successful $134 million at the domestic box office), we’re already facing the prospect of two veteran Cowl-wearers coming back later this year in ‘The Flash’, which features both Ben Affleck’s DCEU Bruce Wayne and Michael Keaton, from 1989’s ‘Batman’ and 1992’s ‘Batman Returns’ suiting up thanks to Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen and his multiverse-traversing powers. (Keaton is also playing Batman in ‘Batgirl’).

Yet ‘Super-Pets’ promises something different all together, a Bats who is more in line with, say, Will Arnett’s LEGO Batman. The new animated movie’s spoofy take on the character finds him moodily reflecting on how he’s all alone before rattling off a laundry list of supporting characters, including loyal butler Alfred, Commissioner Gordon, his tech team and even “whoever Morgan Freeman played” (which would be gadget developer Lucius Fox in Christopher Nolan’s Bat-trilogy, in case you forgot).

It’s Batman’s tragic past that helps him bond with Ace (voiced by Kevin Hart), as they share their stories and find common ground.

Still, Batman isn’t the focus of the movie – nor are any of the human (or alien) members of the Justice League. See, ‘Super-Pets’ focuses on Krypto (Dwayne Johnson) Superman’s (John Krasinski) faithful, powerful canine best pal.
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When the League members are kidnapped by a scheming Lex Luthor (Marc Maron), it’s up to Krypto and a rag-tag group of animals granted special abilities in a strange accident to save the day. Ace the future Bat-Hound is turned seemingly indestructible, while the gang also includes Melton the speedy turtle (Natasha Lyonne), PB the pig (Vanessa Bayer) who can inflate herself, and Chip the squirrel (Diego Luna), blessed with the power to shoot electricity from his hands.

Things don’t exactly go smoothly at first – in true Johnson and Hart buddy comedy fashion, there is much bickering back and forth about Krypto’s unwavering loyalty to Superman, while earlier trailers have also focused on Ace getting into scrapes (and surviving because of his newfound abilities). And, because this is a kids’ movie about animals, there are the requisite pee jokes.

Other voices in the movie include Kate McKinnon, Ben Schwartz, Thomas Middleditch, Dascha Polanco, Jameela Jamil and David Pressman.

Jared Stern and Sam Levine are the directors here, working from a script by Stern and John Whittington that promises to be a family friendly superhero tale in the way that ‘The Batman’ never really could be.

It’ll be fun to see how Reeves’ Caped Crusader fits into the pantheon and how he gets judged against the approximately 73 actors who have played the role in the past.

‘DC League of Super-Pets’ will fly/hop/leap tall buildings to get into theaters on May 20.

(L to R) Dwayne Johnson as Krypto and John Krasinski as Superman in Warner Bros.’ ‘DC League of Super-Pets.’
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March 7, 2022
Movie Review: ‘The Batman’

Robert Pattinson as Batman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘The Batman,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jonathan Olley/™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Opening in theaters on March 4th is the highly-anticipated new DC Comics based movie ‘The Batman,’ from director Matt Reeves (War for the Planet of the Apes). This time around, Robert Pattinson (‘Twilight,’ ‘The Lighthouse’) puts on the cowl to protect Gotham City from the Riddler (Paul Dano), the Penguin (Colin Farrell), and mobster Carmine Falcone (John Turturro), with the help of GCPD lieutenant James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright), his butler Alfred (Andy Serkis), and of course, Catwoman (Zoe Kravitz).

The result is a dark and brutal version of the character that perfectly captures many important elements of the mythos that have been missing from previous cinematic outings, but also fails to inject any of the humor and fun usually associated with popcorn superhero movies.

The film begins on Halloween, as Gotham Mayor Don Mitchell Jr. (Rupert Penry-Jones) is brutally murdered by a serial killer known as the Riddler (Dano). Billionaire Bruce Wayne (Pattinson) has been moonlighting as the vigilante Batman for two years, and works closely with lieutenant James Gordon (Wright), much to the dismay of the rest of the GCPD.

Caption: (L to R) Jeffrey Wright as Lt. James Gordon and Robert Pattinson as Batman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘The Batman,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jonathan Olley/™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Gordon invites Batman to the crime scene as Riddler has left a note addressed directly to him. As the Riddler continues to target and kill Gotham’s wealthy and powerful, Batman and Gordon investigate, which eventually leads them to gangster Carmine Falcone (Turturro) who owns an exclusive club run by the Penguin (Farrell), where Selina Kyle (Kravitz) works.

Through their investigation, Gordon and Batman soon realize that Falcone helped the police takedown his rival Sal Maroni, so he could take over Gotham’s criminal underworld, and Riddler is now targeting anyone involved. In order to stop him, they must find the police informant who helped Falcone. Soon realizing that their agendas align, Batman and Kyle, also known as Catwoman, begin to work together to bring Falcone down and stop the Riddler once and for all.

‘The Batman’ may be the most brutal and violent cinematic appearance in the character’s over 80-year history, which is the correct tone for this source material. However, director Matt Reeves’ approach also loses a lot of the fun of Batman that was certainly captured in the 1966 TV series, the Tim Burton movies, and to a lesser degree the Christopher Nolan films. I’m not saying I want ‘Batman & Robin’ level silliness, but I think the character can still be fun, even if the tone is dark and violent.

(L to R) Robert Pattinson as Batman and Jeffrey Wright as Lt. James Gordon in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘The Batman,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jonathan Olley/™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

‘The Batman’ is like ‘The Dark Knight’ on steroids, with elements of ‘Se7en,’ ‘Zodiac,’ ‘Chinatown’ and even ‘The Godfather’ thrown in for good measure. Much of the basic tone and aesthetic of the movie is taken from ‘Dark Knight’ and then just made bigger with more violence, a bit of a darker tone, and the noir aspect.

What Reeves does capture correctly is that Batman is the world’s greatest detective, an element not really included in any previous on-screen incarnation. The film is narrated by Batman, giving it a noir detective feel, not unlike ‘The Third Man’ or an episode of ‘Magnum, P.I.’ The relationship between Gordon and Batman is also perfectly displayed, as the two work together to stop the Riddler.

The look of Batman’s iconic costume, his utility belt, the Batmobile, the Batcave, and even Wayne Manor have been stripped down to more realistic versions, but again, it’s a little too similar to Nolan’s approach. And I am sick of seeing Batman on screen in black rubber outfits! Just once, I would like to see Batman in live action wearing his classic grey and blue outfit with the yellow bat symbol. That being said, I loved the new Batmobile, as I was never that excited about Nolan’s Tumbler or the tank used in Zack Snyder’s films. This Batmobile is more of a muscle car and looks like something Dom Toretto might drive in a ‘Fast & Furious’ movie.

Robert Pattinson as Batman with the Batmobile in a scene in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘The Batman,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures/ ™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

I also have a bit of an issue as to how they depicted the Riddler. He’s relegated to be a demented serial killer, which doesn’t really match the source material. He was always more of a common criminal in the comics. In fact, the character in some ways is closer to what we expect from the Joker, a madman who just wants to see the world burn. Again, it would have been nice to see Paul Dano have a little more fun with the character.

It’s also worth mentioning that Barry Keoghan (‘Eternals’) has a cameo at the end of the movie. Many fans are going to read a lot into his appearance and instantly think he is playing an iconic Batman character. I think the filmmakers definitely want you to think that, and it may even be proved correct in future installments. But I say slow your roll fans, because if you really look at the scene, there is nothing truly concrete to confirm who the actor is or is not playing.

Robert Pattinson gives a very strong performance as Batman, and surprisingly, Batman is in much more of the film than Bruce Wayne is. In fact, in many ways, Bruce Wayne is not that important of a character in this movie. I really liked that approach, however, playing Bruce Wayne is the weakest part of Pattinson’s performance. You really leave the theater feeling that you know who Batman is, but Wayne is much more of a mystery, which perhaps was intended by the filmmakers. I hate to keep saying this, but I just wish Pattinson injected a little more fun into his role.

(L-R) Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle and Robert Pattinson as Batman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘The Batman,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jonathan Olley/™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

But it’s the supporting cast that really makes the movie pop, thanks to great performances from Wright, Kravitz, and Farrell. Jeffrey Wright was perfectly cast as James Gordon and brings a gravitas to his performance. The character’s trust in Batman never waivers and the two make a dynamic detective duo. Farrell is absolutely unrecognizable as Penguin and actually does bring some humor to his menacing role. Unfortunately, the actor is not in a lot of the movie, but his performance is so good that I really look forward to seeing more from him in future movies and possibly an HBO Max spinoff series.

For her part, Zoe Kravitz steals every scene she is in and is absolutely captivating when she appears. She has great chemistry with Pattinson, and in many ways is really the heart of the film.

In the end, Matt Reeves has taken a big swing with ‘The Batman’ and while he didn’t exactly hit it out of the park, he did deliver something new, even if it copied some of ‘The Dark Knight’s DNA. The director has assembled some amazing sequences, including a car chase that rivals the classic movie ‘Bullitt,’ as well as a very strong cast. And adding the detective noir element was a stroke of genius! However, the lack of at least a little humor, not fleshing out the Bruce Wayne or Riddler characters, and the over-the-top violence, stops the movie short from surpassing, in my opinion, ‘The Dark Knight’ or 1989’s ‘Batman’ for the title of greatest Batman movie ever made!

(L to R) Robert Pattinson and director Matt Reeves on the set in Warner Bros. Pictures’ ‘The Batman.’ Photo Credit: Jonathan Olley/™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

‘The Batman’ receives 4 out of 5 stars.
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March 3, 2022
50 Cent Producing DC Comics’ ‘Xerø’

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson on ‘Live with Kelly and Ryan.’ Courtesy of YouTube.

Rapper Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson has quietly been building himself a successful Hollywood career. He’s had various acting roles but has found his real niche as a producer. And now he’s looking to join the DC movie universe, as his G-Unit Film & Television is producing an adaptation of Christopher Priest’s DC comic ‘Xerø’.

The story of the comic, created by Priest and artist ChrisCross, follows Trane Walker, a Black government assassin who weaponizes invisibility by disguising himself as a white man to blend anonymously into the exotic Casino Royale haunts of the international elite. Spanning the gulf between that and the disenfranchised city streets of East St. Louis, Illinois, Walker is a man living in two worlds but taking ownership of neither. ‘Xerø’ chronicles his moral awakening and the life-and-death perils it presents.

“There’s no one better than Christopher Priest to bring G-Unit Film & Television into the world of comic book superheroes,” says Jackson in a statement carried by Deadline. “Watch as we build Xerø into a franchise alongside Christopher and Color Farm Media. I can’t wait for the world to meet Trane Walker in an all-new way.”

“Xerø depicts a slow-moving car wreck at the intersection of race and class,” Priest says. “The commonality of struggle represented by the life experiences of Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, G-Unit Film & Television, and Color Farm assure a broad depth of first-hand appreciation for that delicate balance. It’s exciting to be working together to create this new world.”

No writer or director is attached yet, though Jackson and co. are looking at this first live-action outing as the launching point for a series of movies and potentially more.

Jackson’s producing output includes the series ‘Power’, in which he also acted. He’s since shepherded a number of spin-offs and has a variety of other shows on the way.

Walton Goggins on HBO’s ‘Vice Principals.’

And while we’re talking adaptations, there is forward movement on Prime Video’s TV series based on video game franchise ‘Fallout’.

Walton Goggins, best known for TV’s ‘Justified’ and ‘The Righteous Gemstones,’ and movies including ‘Lincoln’ and ‘Ant Man & The Wasp’, is aboard to star in the show.

‘Fallout’ posits a world where the future envisioned by Americans in the late 1940s explodes upon itself through a nuclear war in 2077. Goggins’ character has yet to be revealed, though he’s reportedly playing a “ghoul”, a mutated human who experienced prolonged radiation exposure amid the Great War.

This series comes courtesy of ‘Westworld’s Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, and their Kilter Films company. Nolan will direct the first episode, while ‘Captain Marvel’ writer Geneva Robertson-Dworet and ‘Silicon Valley’ veteran Graham Wagner are the showrunners.

‘Fallout’ has been an incredibly successful game series, while its mobile spin-off, ‘Fallout Shelter’, has been downloaded more than 170 million times. Which means there’s clearly an audience for this, even though adapting video games has proved notoriously tough.

This isn’t even the only series Nolan and Joy are working on – they also have an adaptation of William Gibson novel ‘The Peripheral’ in the works, along with another season of ‘Westworld’ due this year.

(L to R) Evan Rachel Wood and James Marsden in HBO’s ‘Westworld.’

February 20, 2022
Warner Bros. Making ‘Wonder Twins’ Movie

Wonder Twins Photo Courtesy of DC Comics.

After years of pop culture references and a few appearances on other characters’ shows, DC Comics’ Wonder Twins are getting their own movie.

The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Adam Sztykiel, one of the writers on ‘Black Adam’, will script and direct the movie for HBO Max.

Alien siblings Zan and Jayna, unlike many of their comics stablemates, made their debut on TV in Hanna Barbera animated series ‘The All-New Super Friends Hour’ in 1977. Created by Norman Maurer, they went on to appear on other series before making their debut in comic books based on the show and became part of the wider DC Universe.

They’re best known for their catchphrase, “Wonder Twins power, activate!” and touching hands, leading Jayne to transform into any animal and Zan into any form of water. Which might not seem like the greatest combo when you are extraterrestrial crime fighters, but they made it work. And let’s not forget – steam can give you a nasty burn.

Oh, and did we mention they have a monkey pal called Gleek? Yes, they have a monkey pal. Called Gleek! Whether he makes the transition to the new movie is anyone’s guess, but we’re guessing Wonder Twins fans will want to see that happen.

It did not stop, however, many other shows and comedians having a great deal of fun at their expense, and they’ve rarely been given major attention, popping up on the likes of cartoon series ‘Teen Titans Go!’ and live-action show ‘The Flash’.

Now, though, Sztykiel is the person who will look to bring them up to date even further and make them work on their own. But as is usual for a film like this, the plot is being kept locked behind a shield of secrecy.

Dwayne Johnson on the set of New Line Cinema’s action adventure ‘Black Adam,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. © 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved. Photo Credit: Frank Masi.

Sztykiel, who started as an actor but has switched to writing, has scripted movies including ‘Due Date’, ‘Rampage’ and 2020’s animated adventure ‘Scoob’. ‘Black Adam’, starring Dwayne Johnson as the titular antihero, will be in theaters on July 29th. He created the TV series ‘Undateable’, which ran for three seasons.

This latest movie will be produced by Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey of Temple Hill, which was behind the ‘Twilight’ and ‘The Maze Runner’ franchises, among several others.

HBO Max is fast becoming an alternate outlet for DC movies – the ‘Batgirl’ movie starring ‘In the Heights’ Leslie Grace is headed directly there, while ‘Blue Beetle’, featuring ‘Cobra Kai’s Xolo Maridueña is switching from the service to a theatrical release, but will end up there after that.

Also on the theatrical side, Warner Bros. and DC have the likes of ‘The Batman’ (March 4), ‘The Flash’ (November 4), ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ (December 16) and, on the even more family-friendly side of things, ‘DC League of Super-Pets, due in theaters on May 20.
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February 15, 2022