Moviefone Editorial

Tag: DCEU

  • Box Office: ‘Justice League’ Disappoints With Worst DCEU Opening Ever

    By Dave McNary

    LOS ANGELES (Variety.com) – Warner Bros.-DC’s costly “Justice League” has dominated the North American box office but fallen well short of expectations with a $96 million opening weekend at 4,051 locations.

    It’s a decidedly gloomy result for the tentpole, which had been forecast by the studio just prior to the weekend to open in the $110 million range. Instead, “Justice League” is launching with only the eighth largest opening of 2017. It’s not even in the top 50 domestic openings of all time, ranking 53rd behind “Fast and Furious 6.”

    “For every macro budget superhero movie the stakes are incredibly high and with that comes an enormous pressure to exceed all expectations and for DC, this has never been more true,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst with comScore. “In the wake of the much-needed home run that was ‘Wonder Woman,’ the momentum was with the brand and great expectations placed on the very broad shoulders of ‘Justice League’ to keep that train moving.”

    Dergarabedian noted that the movie will gross $285 million worldwide this weekend and that initial reception among audiences is positive. The overall CinemaScore was B+ with males comprising 58% of the audience while females gave the movie an A-, as did moviegoers under 25.

    “With the rightfully heightened expectations for a movie of this magnitude comes a greater scrutiny of both the quality of the movie as determined by critics and of course the profitability of the film, but the ultimate arbiter are moviegoers who seem to have found the concept and the event nature of the film enough to them out to the movie theater even if the overall North American opening weekend number may be less than many expected,” Dergarabedian said.

    “Justice League” had been on track for an opening weekend of $110 million since late October. Stakes are particularly high for Warner Bros., which hasn’t revealed the cost of “Justice League” — estimated to be as much as $300 million. The movie is the fifth installment of its DC Extended Universe, aimed at duplicating the success of Disney-Marvel’s interconnected franchises. And it’s by far the lowest launch, trailing “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” ($166 million); “Suicide Squad” ($133 million); “Man of Steel” ($116 million); and “Wonder Woman” ($103 million).

    The six films that have cracked the $100 million opening mark this year are Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” at $174.8 million, Disney-Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” at $146.5 million, Warner-New Line’s “It” at $123.4 million, Disney-Marvel’s “Thor: Ragnarok” at $122.7 million, Sony-Marvel’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming” at $117 million, and Warner-DC’s “Wonder Woman” at $103.3 million. Universal’s “Fate of the Furious” took in $98.8 million in April for the seventh-best launch of 2017.

    Gal Gadot stars as Wonder Woman along with Ben Affleck as Batman, Henry Cavill as Superman, Jason Momoa as Aquaman, Ezra Miller as the Flash, and Ray Fisher as Cyborg. Amy Adams, Amber Heard, Jeremy Irons, J.K. Simmons, and Willem Dafoe also appear. Zack Snyder began shooting “Justice League” in April of 2016, from a script by Chris Terrio. Joss Whedon — director of Disney-Marvel’s two “Avengers” movies — assumed directing duties following the tragic suicide of Snyder’s daughter in March.

    Reviewers have not been impressed with “Justice League,” which carries a 40% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Its opening comes two weeks after Disney-Marvel’s “Thor: Ragnarok” debuted above forecasts with a $122.7 million opening weekend in what was the fourth-biggest launch of the year.

    Liosngate’s family drama “Wonder” provided positive news for the weekend, opening far above expectations with $27 million at 3,096 sites. “Wonder,” starring Jacob Tremblay as a fifth grader with a facial deformity, received an A+ CinemaScore with an audience that was 68% female and 66% over 25.

    “Thor: Ragnarok” followed in third with $21.8 million at 4,080 venues for a 17-day domestic total of $247.4 million.

  • Ben Affleck on Batman Exit: ‘I Want to Find a Graceful and Cool Way to Segue Out’

    'Justice League' PhotocallThe future of Batfleck is still in question.

    Ben Affleck recently joined the cast of “Justice League” on the red carpet, promoting his second major turn as Bruce Wayne/Batman after “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” There have been contradictory rumors about his involvement in the DCEU moving forward, but nothing solid. All we know is that he was going to co-write, direct, and star in “The Batman” solo film for Warner Bros./DC, and now Matt Reeves is directing with a new script.

    Will Affleck even play Batman in “The Batman”?

    Here’s part of USA Today‘s new report:

    “The new Batman movie being developed by Matt Reeves (‘War for the Planet of the Apes’) is ‘something I’m contemplating,’ says Affleck, who originally was tapped to direct. ‘You don’t do it forever, so I want to find a graceful and cool way to segue out of it.’

    While he ponders his own future as the Dark Knight, the actor does see a timeliness in Justice League’s arrival now. ‘We certainly are in need of heroes in 2017,’ Affleck says. ‘There’s a lot of stuff going on in the world, from natural to man-made disasters, and it’s really scary. Part of the appeal of this genre is wish fulfillment: Wouldn’t it be nice if there was somebody who can save us from all this, save us from ourselves, save us from the consequences of our actions and save us from people who are evil?’”

    Yes, that’s part of the superhero appeal. Someone who can just swoop in and save us from ourselves.

    But his comment about his future as Batman — wanting to find a graceful and cool exit — mirrors at least one of the past rumors. That one came from a Hollywood Reporter source who said, in July, that the studio wants to usher Affleck out “gracefully, addressing the change in some shape or form in one of the upcoming DC films.” That was in contrast to Warner Bros telling THR, also in a July report, “Ben is our Batman. We love him as Batman. We want to keep him in the cowl as long as we can.”

    Shortly after those reports, Affleck laughed off the idea that he was leaving. “Batman is the coolest f**king part in any universe, DC, Marvel,” Affleck said during San Diego Comic-Con. “I’m so thrilled to do it.” However, the next month, his own brother Casey Affleck said he didn’t think Ben would return for “The Batman.” He may have been just making that up, as he joked, but … would he do that?

    For now, we have Affleck as Batman in “Justice League,” which has been getting mostly positive early reactions, and will open wide this Friday, Nov. 17.

    Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook.

  • Early ‘Justice League’ Reactions Are in and They Aren’t Terrible

    Justice League Photocall - LondonThat sound you hear is Warner Bros. execs breathing a sigh of relief.

    Diane Lane raved about “Justice League,” but now non-cast members are weighing in. Reviews are still embargoed, so critics took to social media to share their early reactions. The word “flaws” comes up, but so does “fun,” which — let’s be honest — is not always the word that leaps to mind when it comes to DC films like “Man of Steel,” “Batman v Superman,” and “Suicide Squad.”

    Overall, it sounds like critics found “Justice League” to be a step in the right direction for the franchise, which just had a critical and fan hit in “Wonder Woman” this past summer.

    Here are some reactions:

    You heard, or at least read, the man: The post-credits scene is something to look forward to and analyze for the future of the DCEU. Get hyped!

    “Justice League” opens in theaters next Friday, Nov. 17.

    Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook.

  • Dwayne Johnson Might Join ‘Suicide Squad 2’: Report

    ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY Presents Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson at Stan Lee's Los Angeles Comic-Con on Saturda,, October 28, 2017Warner Bros. may have found a secret weapon for its “Suicide Squad” sequel: Dwayne Johnson.

    The action star has been set to play DC Comics supervillain Black Adam for multiple years now, but we have yet to see him on screen. That may change come “Suicide Squad 2,” The Wrap reports. Sources tell the publication that the plan is for him to appear in the film.

    The sequel’s plot reportedly revolves around the titular squad trying to track down a weapon of mass destruction. This isn’t any old weapon, though; it’s said to be Black Adam, yet another popular DC antihero.

    Johnson previously teased that they had big plans for introducing his character. He told Fandango in May that it would be a “really cool surprise.” So far, that promise seems to be spot-on. “Suicide Squad 2” already has a great cast with the likes of Will Smith and Margot Robbie, among others, so Johnson’s involvement would only add star power. While his role hasn’t been confirmed yet, if he does indeed make his DC debut, it may be a new draw for fans who were disappointed by “Suicide Squad.”

    “Suicide Squad 2” is set to kick off production in October 2018, and then will likely open in theaters in 2019.

    [via: The Wrap]

  • Henry Cavill: ‘Wonder Woman’ Was the First Step in Correcting DCEU’s ‘Mistakes’

    BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-SUICIDE SQUADSuperman has a thoughtful take on the DC Extended Universe.

    Henry Cavill helped launch the DCEU in director Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel,” then “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” Those films were followed by director David Ayer’s “Suicide Squad,” also a commercial but not critical success.

    “Even if Marvel didn’t exist, we’d struggle,” Henry Cavill said in a recent interview with Rake Magazine.

    “There was a style they were going for, an attempt to be different and look at things from a slightly different perspective, which hasn’t necessarily worked. Yes, it has made money but it has not been a critical success; it hasn’t given everyone that sensation which superheroes should give the viewer.”

    But before anyone shoots him down as a DC hater, his comments were about the DCEU before director Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman.” Since “Wonder Woman” just came out to commercial and critical success over the summer, it makes sense that Cavill would promote it as a fresh start for the future of the DCEU, which continues in just a few weeks with “Justice League.”

    As he continued to Rake:

    “I think it is a wonderful time for the female hero. It is the perfect setting in social politics right now, we need it, we want that perspective, and ‘Wonder Woman’ has struck at the ideal time and has become a phenomenal success, which is fantastic. Any success within the superhero universe, especially within the DC Universe, is wonderful, because I want to keep telling the Superman story; selfishly, that works for me. […]

    I feel like now the right mistakes have been made and they haven’t been pandered [to], and we can start telling the stories in the way they need to be told. It is even better to come back from a mistake or stylistic error into the correct vein because it will make it seem that much stronger. ‘Wonder Woman’ was the first step in the right direction.”

    Read more of the interview from this excerpt; apparently you have to get the hard copy of the magazine to read it, and this fan did:


    Cavill’s comments started a mini earthquake in the superhero fandom, which is always touchy about Marvel vs. DC even without a DC star commenting on their team’s past “stylistic errors”:

    “Justice League” opens in theaters Friday, Nov. 17.

    Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook.

  • Zachary Levi Cast as DC’s ‘Shazam,’ aka the Other Captain Marvel

    Screening Of Disney's 'Tangled Before Ever After' - Arrivals“Chuck” star Zachary Levi has said the magic word and will star as “Shazam” in the DC Extended Universe movie.

    According to The Hollywood Reporter, David F. Sandberg is directing “Shazam” for New Line, with the story following young Billy Batson, who can who can transform into an adult superhero by saying the magic word “Shazam!” Billy Batson has also gone by the name Captain Marvel, which probably won’t happen in this movie since the Marvel Cinematic Universe has its own Captain Marvel in Brie Larson, and she has her own film coming out in 2019, too.

    So just Shazam will be fine.

    Fans are feeling just fine about the casting news:

    Levi is probably still best known from NBC’s “Chuck,” but he also voiced Flynn Rider in Disney’s “Tangled,” had a role in “Heroes Reborn,” and he’ll return as Fandral in Marvel’s “Thor: Ragnarok.”

    John Cena had reportedly met with the director for the role of Shazam, along with Derek Theler, Zane Holtz, Billy Magnussen, and Jake McDorman. (Sorry, guys. Next time.) Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was previously cast in “Shazam” as villain Black Adam, but now instead he’ll star in is own solo film. THR added that “Shazam” is being developed concurrently with The Rock’s film focusing on Black Adam.

    “Shazam” — which may actually keep an exclamation point in its title, like “Shazam!” — is reportedly the next DCEU movie to go into production. That would put it ahead of the “Suicide Squad” sequel, plus the Batgirl movie, Flashpoint,”and all the rest (including a Deathstroke movie, which is still in the early stages).

    THR says New Line is eyeing a February 2018 filming start in Toronto. According to CBR, “Shazam!” currently has a release date of April 2019. If you’re keeping track, “Captain Marvel” opens March 8th, 2019, two months ahead of “Avengers 4.” And “Wonder Woman 2” is set to open December 2019. It’s going to be a busy year for superheroes.

    Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook.

  • Latest ‘Justice League’ Trailer Has an Inspiring Message of Unity

    The latest “Justice League” trailer is as uplifting as it is action-packed.

    Warner Bros. Pictures released the new preview on Sunday, and it has a surprisingly moving message. The trailer shows its DCEU superheroes learning to work together in the face of evil, including issues that are all too real.

    “Violence, acts of war, and terrorism are all on the rise,” we hear in the trailer.

    The line refers specifically to the time since the death of Superman (Henry Cavill) in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” but the threats mirror the ones we see in real life, as well. Therefore, it’s nice to see the characters come together, however reluctantly they are in the beginning.

    “Divided, we are not enough,” Batman (Ben Affleck) says as we watch them join forces to save the world.

    Watch Batman, Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), The Flash (Ezra Miller), and Cyborg (Ray Fisher) take on evil below.

    “Justice League” hits theaters on Nov. 17.

  • ‘Justice League’ Character Posters Star Wonder Woman and More Ahead of New Trailer

    The whole of “Justice League” might be greater than the sum of its parts, but even so, its stars got a chance to shine independently in the film’s new character posters.

    Teasing a trailer set to be released on Sunday, Warner Bros. unveiled five new posters on Wednesday. They each feature one of the movie’s superheroes, including Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Batman (Ben Affleck), Cyborg (Ray Fisher), The Flash (Ezra Miller), and Aquaman (Jason Momoa). Unfortunately, a poster centering on Superman (Henry Cavill) wasn’t among the group. Still, the posters that were revealed carried the message “all in” and highlighted the forthcoming trailer in accompanying tweets.

    As you likely know by now, the upcoming superhero flick stars numerous DCEU superheroes who team up to take on a global threat. We’ll see them have to learn to work together after Diana Prince (Wonder Woman) and Bruce Wayne (Batman) convince them to join forces. Their adventure will be the first of at least two “Justice League” movies.

    We’re ready to go “all in” when the film hits theaters on Nov. 17.

  • Jared Leto Admits He’s ‘a Little Confused’ About DC’s Plans for the Joker

    If someone out there has a master plan balancing Warner Bros. and DC’s various Joker ideas, it’s not Jared Leto. The “Suicide Squad” star recently talked to ODE about the new projects, basically admitting he’s as confused as anyone.

    There’s a new Joker origin story in the works, with Leonardo DiCaprio reportedly the one they want to cast, that would not be part of the current DC Extended Universe. Then there’s a special spinoff film following Joker and Harley Quinn that would be part of the DCEU, bringing back Jared Leto and Margot Robbie.

    The ODE reporter asked Leto for a status update.

    Reporter Melissa Nathoo: “I’m a bit confused with what’s going on with the DC universe at the moment. Because there’s a new Joker film being made but you’re not going to be part of that. But you’re going to be part of the Joker and Harley Quinn spinoff people are talking about?”

    Jared Leto: “I think so. I’m a little confused too, but yeah, there are a couple of things happening in the DC world. I love the Joker, he’s a great character, a really fun character to play. But it’s a big universe and when you play the Joker, there’s no ownership there. You have the honor of, like, holding the baton for a little while and then passing it off. But there are other films in development and I’m excited to see what comes from them.”

    The recently announced Joker origin film is meant to be part of a banner separate from the DCEU “in which WB can expand the canon of DC properties and create unique storylines with different actors playing the iconic characters.”

    But Leto is still expected to be part of “Suicide Squad 2,” which is part of the DCEU and now officially has “The Accountant” director Gavin O’Connor attached to write and direct.

    Stay tuned for more updates on filming and premiere dates … depending on which projects actually move forward.[via: Variety]

    Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook.

  • ‘The Batman’ Director Clarifies Standalone Comments: ‘Of COURSE’ Movie is Part of DCEU

    After his comments about the upcoming standalone Batman flick sent DC fans into a frenzy, Matt Reeves, director of “The Batman,” is clarifying those remarks, insisting that the flick is indeed part of the comic powerhouse’s extended film universe.

    In a series of Twitter posts on Thursday, Reeves tried to set the record straight about the statement he made in a recent interview with Los Angeles radio station KCRW, in which he said, “When [Warner Bros.] approached me [to direct ‘The Batman’], what they said was, ‘Look, it’s a standalone, it’s not part of the extended universe.’”

    Reeves noted in his Twitter spree that the very presence of the Batman character made the flick a DCEU property. Instead, the director said, the comment about the flick not being in the extended universe meant that there wouldn’t be any characters from other DC superhero properties in the movie, nor would “The Batman” be part of an elaborate set-up for future DC flicks.

    “Just to be clear: Of COURSE Batman will be part of the D.C. Universe. Batman will be BATMAN,” Reeves wrote on Twitter. “In my comments from a while back about not being part of the DCEU, I was talking about The Batman being a story specifically about Batman…not about the others in the Universe. That it wouldn’t be filled with cameos servicing other stories — that it would be a BATMAN story.”

    That definitely makes sense, and certainly fits with DC’s trajectory for its other heroes, who’ve gotten their own standalone features that weren’t filled with Justice League member cameos. (Think “Man of Steel” and this year’s “Wonder Woman.”) Sure, events from “The Batman” may serve as a jumping off point for more movies, but it sounds like it will be its own thing — an individual slice in the whole DCEU pie.

    “The Batman,” starring Ben Affleck as the Caped Crusader, doesn’t have a release date yet. Production is scheduled to begin sometime next year.

    [via: Matt Reeves]