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Every Live Action Superman Movie and TV Show Ranked

‘Superman’ opens in theaters on July 11th, 2025.

Superman is one of the oldest and most beloved superheroes of all time!

Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, Superman first appeared in Action Comics #1 in 1938 before making his live action debut played by Kirk Alyn in a series of movie serials in 1948 and eventually the 1950 movie ‘Aton Man vs. Superman‘. George Reeves took over the role in 1952 on the television series ‘Adventures of Superman‘ and reprised his role in the movie ‘Superman and the Mole Men‘.

But it was 1978’s ‘Superman‘ starring Christopher Reeve that became the definitive movie based on the character. Reeve would go on to play the character in three sequels, while TV versions of Superman included 1988’s ‘Superboy‘ starring both John Haymes Newton and Gerard Christopher as the young Man of Steel, 1993’s ‘Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman‘ featuring Dean Cain, ‘Smallville‘ starring Tom Welling as a young Clark Kent, and ‘Superman & Lois‘ featuring Tyler Hoechlin.

Back on the big screen, actor Brandon Routh would take over the role for ‘Superman Returns‘, before being recast by Henry Cavill for ‘Man of Steel‘, ‘Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice‘ and ‘Justice League‘. Now, the mantle has been handed off once again to actor David Corenswet in director James Gunn‘s ‘Superman‘, which opens in theaters on July 11th.

In honor of the new ‘Superman’ movie, Moviefone is counting down every live action Superman movie and TV show appearance ever made.

NOTE: For this list we are only including live action movies and TV shows featuring Superman (Or Clark Kent when he was Superboy), and not animated projects or documentaries. We are also not including his faceless cameos in ‘Shazam!‘, season 1 of ‘Peacemaker‘, or ‘Titans‘ final episode, but will include his appearances in ‘Black Adam‘ and ‘The Flash‘. Finally, we are also including theatrically released director’s cuts like ‘Superman II: The Donner Cut‘ and ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League‘.

Let’s begin!

18. ‘Superman IV: The Quest for Peace‘ (1987)

Christopher Reeve in ‘Superman IV: The Quest for Peace’. Photo: Warner Bros.

With global superpowers engaged in an increasingly hostile arms race, Superman (Christopher Reeve) leads a crusade to rid the world of nuclear weapons. But Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman), recently sprung from jail, is declaring war on the Man of Steel and his quest to save the planet. Using a strand of Superman’s hair, Luthor synthesizes a powerful ally known as Nuclear Man (Mark Pillow) and ignites an epic battle spanning Earth and space.
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17. ‘Justice League‘ (2017)

2017’s ‘Justice League.’ Photo: Warner Bros.

Fuelled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s (Henry Cavill) selfless act, Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) and Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) assemble a team of metahumans consisting of Barry Allen (Ezra Miller), Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) and Victor Stone (Ray Fisher) to face the catastrophic threat of Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds) and the Parademons who are on the hunt for three Mother Boxes on Earth.
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16. ‘Black Adam‘ (2022)

Henry Cavill in ‘Black Adam’. Photo: Warner Bros.

Nearly 5,000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the Egyptian gods—and imprisoned just as quickly—Black Adam (Dwayne Johnson) is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world.
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16. ‘Atom Man vs. Superman‘ (1950)

(L to R) Tommy Bond and Kirk Alyn in ‘Atom Man vs. Superman’. Photo: Columbia Pictures.

Superman (Kirk Alyn) battles Lex Luthor (Lyle Talbot), who is using a teleportation device and a new identity as Atom Man in his criminal plans.
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15. ‘Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman‘ (1993 – 1997)

(L to R) Teri Hatcher and Dean Cain in ‘Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman’. Photo: ABC Television.

A much more lavish version of the popular ‘Superman’ television series which had first aired forty years earlier, ‘Lois & Clark’ focused more on the Man of Steel’s early adult years in Metropolis. With the unknowing help of Lois Lane (Teri Hatcher), Clark Kent (Dean Cain) created Superman there in Metropolis after finding work at the world-famous Daily Planet newspaper, where he meets fellow reporter Lois Lane.
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14. ‘Superboy‘ (1988 – 1992)

Gerard Christopher in ‘Superboy’. Photo: Alexander and Ilya Salkind Productions.

‘Superboy’ is a half-hour live-action television series based on Kal-El’s early years as Superboy (John Newton/Gerard Christopher). It depicted Superboy’s adventures during his college years, his meetings with Lex Luthor (Sherman Howard) and his romance with Lana Lang (Stacy Haiduk). The series was brought to the screen by executive producers Ilya and Alexander Salkind, who were the producers of the first three ‘Superman’ movies and the 1984 ‘Supergirl‘ movie.
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13. ‘The Flash‘ (2023)

Nicolas Cage in ‘The Flash’. Photo: Warner Bros.

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 to race for his life. But will making the ultimate sacrifice be enough to reset the universe?
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13. ‘Adventures of Superman‘ (1952 – 1958)

George Reeves in ‘Adventures of Superman’. Photo: Motion Pictures for Television.

Announcer: “The Adventures of Superman. Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound!” Voices: “Look up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superman!” Announcer: “Yes, it’s Superman, strange visitor from another planet who came to Earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. Superman, who can change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel in his bare hands; and who, disguised as Clark Kent (George Reeves), mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a never ending battle for truth, justice, and the American way.”
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12. ‘Superman and the Mole Men‘ (1951)

George Reeves in ‘Superman and the Mole Men’. Photo: Lippert Pictures.

Reporters Clark Kent (George Reeves) and Lois Lane (Phyllis Coates) arrive in the small town of Silsby to witness the drilling of the world’s deepest oil well. The drill, however, has penetrated the underground home of a race of small, furry people who then come to the surface at night to look around. The fact that they glow in the dark scares the townfolk, who form a mob, led by the vicious Luke Benson (Jeff Corey), intent on killing the strange people. Only Superman has a chance to prevent this tragedy.
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11. ‘Superman III‘ (1983)

(L to R) Christopher Reeve and Richard Pryor in ‘Superman III’. Photo: Warner Bros.

Aiming to defeat the Man of Steel, wealthy executive Ross Webster (Robert Vaughn) hires bumbling but brilliant Gus Gorman (Richard Pryor) to develop synthetic kryptonite, which yields some unexpected psychological effects. Between rekindling romance with his high school sweetheart and saving himself, Superman must contend with a powerful supercomputer.
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10. ‘Superman Returns‘ (2006)

Brandon Routh in ‘Superman Returns’. Photo: Warner Bros.

Superman (Brandon Routh) returns to discover his 5-year absence has allowed Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey) to walk free, and that those he was closest to felt abandoned and have moved on. Luthor plots his ultimate revenge that could see millions killed and change the face of the planet forever, as well as ridding himself of the Man of Steel.
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9. ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice‘ (2016)

(L to R) Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill in ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.’ Photo: 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. And 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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8. ‘Superman & Lois‘ (2021 – 2024)

Tyler Hoechlin in ‘Superman & Lois’. Photo: DC Entertainment.

After years of facing megalomaniacal supervillains, monsters wreaking havoc on Metropolis, and alien invaders intent on wiping out the human race, The Man of Steel aka Clark Kent (Tyler Hoechlin) and Lois Lane (Elizabeth Tulloch) come face to face with one of their greatest challenges ever: dealing with all the stress, pressures and complexities that come with being working parents in today’s society.
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7. ‘Superman II‘ (1981)

(L to R) Christopher Reeve and Terence Stamp in ‘Superman II’. Photo: Warner Bros.

Three escaped criminals from the planet Krypton, who have the same powers on Earth as Superman, test the Man of Steel’s mettle. Led by General Zod (Terence Stamp), the Kryptonians take control of the White House and partner with Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) to destroy Superman (Christopher Reeve) and rule the world. But Superman, who made himself human in order to get closer to Lois (Margot Kidder), realizes he has a responsibility to save the planet.
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6. ‘Smallville‘ (2001 – 2011)

Tom Welling in ‘Smallville’. Photo: The CW.

The origins of the world’s greatest hero–from Krypton refugee Kal-el’s arrival on Earth through his tumultuous teen years to Clark Kent’s (Tom Welling) final steps toward embracing his destiny as the Man of Steel.
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5. ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League‘ (2021)

Henry Cavill in ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’. Photo: Warner Bros.

Determined to ensure Superman’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 (Ciarán Hinds), DeSaad, and Darkseid (Ray Porter) and their dreadful intentions.
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4. ‘Man of Steel‘ (2013)

Henry Cavill in ‘Man of Steel’. Photo: Warner Bros.

A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this earth. As a young man (Henry Cavill), he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.
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3. ‘Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut‘ (2006)

Christopher Reeve in ‘Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut’. Photo: Warner Bros.

Superman (Christopher Reeve) agrees to sacrifice his powers to start a relationship with Lois Lane (Margot Kidder), unaware that three Kryptonian criminals he inadvertently released are conquering Earth.
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2. ‘Superman‘ (2025)

David Corenswet as Superman in DC Studios’ and Warner Bros. Pictures’ ‘Superman’, a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jessica Miglio. Copyright: © 2025 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC.

Superman (David Corenswet), a journalist in Metropolis, embarks on a journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent.
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1. ‘Superman‘ (1978)

Christopher Reeve in 1978’s ‘Superman’. Photo: Warner Bros.

Mild-mannered Clark Kent (Christopher Reeve) works as a reporter at the Daily Planet alongside his crush, Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). Clark must summon his superhero alter-ego when the nefarious Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) launches a plan to take over the world.
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July 10, 2025
Every Zack Snyder Movie, Ranked

Zack Snyder attends the Netflix’s Tudum: A Global Fan Event 2023 at Fundação Bienal de São Paulo on June 17, 2023 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Photo by Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images for NETFLIX.

Zack Snyder is one of the most polarizing filmmakers working today! You either love or hate Zack Snyder movies, there is really no in-between.

The groundbreaking and visionary director began his career with the remake of ‘Dawn of the Dead,’ but Snyder would really make a name for himself adapting popular comic book characters and graphic novels like ‘300,’ ‘Watchmen,’ ‘Man of Steel,’ ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,’ the ill-fated ‘Justice League,’ and his director’s cut of the latter, ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League.’

The first installment of his new sci-fi franchise, ‘Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire,’ was released in theaters last year on December 15th before premiering on Netflix December 21st. The sequel, ‘Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver‘ will premiere on Netflix April 19th.

In honor of the new film, Moviefone is ranking every movie Zack Snyder has ever directed, including his latest.

Let’s begin!

11. ‘Justice League‘ (2017)

2017’s ‘Justice League.’ Photo: Warner Bros.

Fuelled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s (Henry Cavill) selfless act, Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) and Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) assemble a team of metahumans consisting of Barry Allen (Ezra Miller), Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) and Victor Stone (Ray Fisher) to face the catastrophic threat of Steppenwolf (Ciaran Hinds) and the Parademons who are on the hunt for three Mother Boxes on Earth.
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10. ‘Sucker Punch‘ (2011)

Emily Browning as Babydoll in ‘Sucker Punch.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

A young girl (Emily Browning), institutionalised by her abusive stepfather, retreats to an alternative reality as a coping strategy and envisions a plan to help her escape.
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9. ‘Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole‘ (2010)

2010’s ‘Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

Soren (Jim Sturgess), a young barn owl, is kidnapped by owls of St. Aggie’s, ostensibly an orphanage, where owlets are brainwashed into becoming soldiers. He and his new friends escape to the island of Ga’Hoole, to assist its noble, wise owls who fight the army being created by the wicked rulers of St. Aggie’s. The film is based on the first three books in the series.
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9. ‘Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver‘ (2024)

Sofia Boutella as Kora in ‘Rebel Moon — Part Two: The Scargiver.’ Photo: Clay Enos/Netflix © 2023.

The rebels gear up for battle against the Motherworld as unbreakable bonds are forged, heroes emerge — and legends are made.
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8. ‘Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire‘ (2023)

(L to R) Doona Bae as Nemesis, Ray Fisher as Bloodaxe, Staz Nair as Tarak, Michiel Huisman as Gunnar, Sofia Boutella as Kora, Charlie Hunnam as Kai, E. Duffy as Milius and Djimon Hounsou as Titus in ‘Rebel Moon.’ Photo: Clay Enos/Netflix © 2023.

When a peaceful colony on the edge of a galaxy finds itself threatened by the armies of a tyrannical ruling force, Kora (Sofia Boutella), a mysterious stranger living among the villagers, becomes their best hope for survival.
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7. ‘Army of the Dead‘ (2021)

2021’s ‘Army of the Dead.’ Photo: Netflix.

Following a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas, a group of mercenaries take the ultimate gamble: venturing into the quarantine zone to pull off the greatest heist ever attempted.
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6. ‘Man of Steel‘ (2013)

Henry Cavill as Superman in ‘Man of Steel.’

A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this earth. As a young man (Henry Cavill), he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.
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5. ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice‘ (2016)

(L to R) Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill in ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.’ Photo: 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. And 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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4. ‘Dawn of the Dead‘ (2004)

2004’s ‘Dawn of the Dead.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.

A group of survivors take refuge in a shopping mall after the world is taken over by aggressive, flesh-eating zombies.
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3. ‘300‘ (2006)

Gerard Butler as Leonidas in ‘300.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

Based on Frank Miller‘s graphic novel, “300” is very loosely based the 480 B.C. Battle of Thermopylae, where the King of Sparta (Gerard Butler) led his army against the advancing Persians; the battle is said to have inspired all of Greece to band together against the Persians, and helped usher in the world’s first democracy.
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2. ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League‘ (2021)

2021’s ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League.’ Photo: HBO Max.

Determined to ensure Superman’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, Wonder Woman, 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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1. ‘Watchmen‘ (2009)

2009’s ‘Watchmen.’ Photo: Warner Bros.

In a gritty and alternate 1985 the glory days of costumed vigilantes have been brought to a close by a government crackdown, but after one of the masked veterans is brutally murdered, an investigation into the killer is initiated. The reunited heroes set out to prevent their own destruction, but in doing so uncover a sinister plot that puts all of humanity in grave danger.
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April 21, 2024
Every DC Extended Universe Movie Ranked

Jason Momoa as Aquaman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures/ ™ & © DC Comics.

Rest in peace DCEU.

The DC Extended Universe began a decade ago with ‘Man of Steel‘ but will officially come to an end on December 22nd when the final DCEU movie, ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,’is released in theaters.

New DC Studios co-chairman James Gunn recently announced his plans for the future that include ‘Superman: Legacy,’ ‘The Authority,’ ‘The Brave and the Bold,’ ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,’ and ‘Swamp Thing.’

To honor the conclusion of the DCEU and the release of ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,’ Moviefone is ranking every DCEU movie ever made!

However, since ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League‘ (the reedited version of 2017’s ‘Justice League‘) is not considered cannon, we will not include it. We are also only focusing on the DCEU films, so we won’t be including HBO Max‘s ‘Peacemaker‘ either.

Without further ado, let’s begin!

15) ‘Justice League’ (2017)

(L to R) Jason Momoa, Gal Gadot, and Ray Fisher in ‘Justice League.’

Fuelled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s (Henry Cavill) selfless act, Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) and Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) assemble a team of metahumans consisting of Barry Allen (Ezra Miller), Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) and Victor Stone (Ray Fisher) to face the catastrophic threat of Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds) and the Parademons who are on the hunt for three Mother Boxes on Earth.
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14) ‘Suicide Squad’ (2016)

Cara Delevingne in ‘Suicide Squad.’

A secret government agency led by Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) recruits some of the most dangerous incarcerated super-villains (including Will Smith as Deadshot and Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn) to form a defensive task force. Their first mission: save the world from the apocalypse and kill the Joker (Jared Leto).
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13) ‘Wonder Woman 1984′ (2020)

Gal Gadot as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman in ‘Wonder Woman 1984.’

A botched store robbery places Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) in a global battle against a powerful and mysterious ancient force that puts her powers in jeopardy. Also starring Chris Pine as Steve Trevor, Kristen Wiig as Barbara Minerva/Cheetah, and Pedro Pascal as Maxwell Lord.
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12) ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ (2023)

(L to R) Ross Butler as Super Hero Eugene, Adam Brody as Super Hero Freddy, Grace Caroline Currey as Super Hero Mary, Zachary Levi as Shazam, Meagan Good as Super Hero Darla and D. J. Cotrona as Super Hero Pedro in New Line Cinema’s action adventure Shazam! Fury of the Gods,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC.

Billy Batson (Asher Angel and Zachary Levi) and his foster siblings, who transform into superheroes by saying “Shazam!”, are forced to get back into action and fight the Daughters of Atlas (Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu and Rachel Zegler), who they must stop from using a weapon that could destroy the world.
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11) ‘The Flash‘ (2023)

Ezra Miller as Barry Allen / 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. 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 to race for his life. But will making the ultimate sacrifice be enough to reset the universe?
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10) ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom‘ (2023)

Jason Momoa as Aquaman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures/ ™ & © DC Comics.

Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death and wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman (Jason Momoa) down once and for all. To defeat him, Aquaman must turn to his imprisoned brother Orm (Patrick Wilson), the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance in order to save the world from irreversible destruction.
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9) ‘Black Adam’ (2022)

Dwayne Johnson as Black Adam in New Line Cinema’s action adventure ‘Black Adam,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Nearly 5,000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the Egyptian gods—and imprisoned just as quickly—Black Adam (Dwayne Johnson) is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world and battle the Justice Society, including Hawkman (Aldis Hodge) and Dr. Fate (Pierce Brosnan), in the process.
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8) ‘Blue Beetle‘ (2023)

Xolo Mariduena as Jaime Reyes in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure Blue Beetle,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Hopper Stone/SMPSP/™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC.

Recent college grad Jaime Reyes (Xolo Mariduena) returns home full of aspirations for his future, only to find that home is not quite as he left it. As he searches to find his purpose in the world, fate intervenes when Jaime unexpectedly finds himself in possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology: the Scarab.
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7) ‘Shazam!’ (2019)

(L to R) Jack Dylan Grazer and Zachary Levi in 2019’s ‘Shazam!’

Teenager Billy Batson (Asher Angel) is given the ability to become an adult superhero (Zachary Levi) in times of need with a single magic word. Also starring Jack Dylan Grazer as Frederick “Freddy” Freeman, Djimon Hounsou as the Wizard Shazam, and Mark Strong as Dr. Thaddeus Sivana.
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6) ‘Man of Steel’ (2013)

Henry Cavill as Superman in ‘Man of Steel.’

A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this earth. As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.

The movie stars Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Kal-El/Superman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, and Michael Shannon as General Zod.
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5) ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice‘ (2016)

Ben Affleck as Batman in 2016’s ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.’

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.

And 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. Also featuring Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, and Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth.
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4) ‘Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)’ (2020)

(L to R) Rosie Perez, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Margot Robbie, Ella Jay Basco and Jurnee Smollett-Bell in ‘Birds of Prey.’ Credit: Claudette Barius/Warner Bros.

Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) joins forces with a singer (Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Dinah Lance/Black Canary), an assassin (Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Helena Bertinelli/The Huntress) and a police detective (Rosie Perez as Renee Montoya) to help a young girl (Ella Jay Basco as Cassandra Cain) who had a hit placed on her after she stole a rare diamond from a crime lord (Ewan McGregor as Roman Sionis/Black Mask).
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3) ‘Wonder Woman’ (2017)

Gal Gadot in ‘Wonder Woman.’

An Amazon princess (Gal Gadot) comes to the world of Man in the grips of the First World War to confront the forces of evil and bring an end to human conflict. Also starring Chris Pine as Steve Trevor and David Thewlis as Ares.
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2) ‘Aquaman’ (2018)

Jason Momoa in 2018’s ‘Aquaman.’

Once home to the most advanced civilization on Earth, Atlantis is now an underwater kingdom ruled by the power-hungry King Orm (Patrick Wilson). With a vast army at his disposal, Orm plans to conquer the remaining oceanic people and then the surface world. Standing in his way is Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa), Orm’s half-human, half-Atlantean brother and true heir to the throne.
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1) ‘The Suicide Squad’ (2021)

(L to R) Margot Robbie, Daniela Melchior, Idris Elba, Sylvester Stallone, and David Dastmalchian in ‘The Suicide Squad’

Welcome to Belle Reve, the prison where the worst Super-Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out, even join the super-secret Task Force X. Today’s assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport (Idris Elba), Peacemaker (John Cena), Ratcatcher 2 (Daniela Melchior), King Shark (Sylvester Stallone), and everyone’s favorite psycho, Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie).

Now arm them heavily and drop them on the enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese. Trekking through a jungle teeming with militant adversaries and guerrilla forces at every turn, the Squad is on a search-and-destroy mission with only Colonel Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman) on the ground to make them behave, and Amanda Waller’s (Viola Davis) government techies in their ears, tracking their every movement.
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December 24, 2023
Movie Review: ‘The Flash’
Ezra Miller as Barry Allen / 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. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Opening in theaters on June 16th is the highly awaited new DC Studios movie ‘The Flash,’ which was directed by Andy Muschietti (‘It’) and written by Christina Hodson (‘Birds of Prey’).

What is the plot of ‘The Flash?’

In ‘The Flash,’ Barry Allen/The Flash (Ezra Miller) travels back in time to prevent his mother’s death, which traps him in an alternate reality without metahumans. Barry enlists the help of his younger self (also Miller), an older Batman (Michael Keaton) and the Kryptonian castaway Supergirl (Sasha Calle) in order to save this world from the restored General Zod (Michael Shannon) and return to his universe.
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Who is in the cast of ‘The Flash’?

‘The Flash’ stars Ezra Miller (‘Justice League’) as Barry Allen/The Flash, Michael Keaton (‘Batman Returns’) as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Ben Affleck (‘Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice’) as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Sasha Calle (‘The Young and the Restless’) as Supergirl, Michael Shannon (‘Man of Steel’) as General Zod, Antje Traue (‘Man of Steel’) as Faora-UI, Kiersey Clemons (‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’) as Iris West, Ron Livingston (‘Office Space’) as Henry Allen, and Maribel Verdu (‘Raymond & Ray’) as Nora Allen.

Initial Thoughts

Believe the hype! ‘The Flash’ is one of the best comic book adapted films ever made. Director Andy Muschietti reinvents the DC universe by brilliantly adapting the ‘Flashpoint‘ storyline from the comics, and fusing it with Michael Keaton’s ‘Batman’ and other nods to DC’s cinematic past. The movie is an exciting, action-packed, and humorous celebration of the DC Comics characters, with a brilliant dual performance from Ezra Miller, and of course, Keaton’s triumphant return.

‘The Flash’ director Andy Muschietti at a Canada-Fan Screening event. Photos by Sam Santos.

Story and Direction

For those not familiar, ‘Flashpoint’ was a 2011 DC Comics storyline that involved the Flash going back in time to save his mother’s life. When he returns, his world is not the same, he no longer has his powers, Thomas Wayne is Batman instead of Bruce, a weakened Superman is secretly being kept prisoner by the government, and Atlantis and Themyscira are at war. ‘The Flash’ follows a similar storyline with Barry losing his powers and needing to regain them, but instead of Thomas Wayne being Batman, its Michael Keaton from Tim Burton’s ‘Batman.’ It’s also a weakened Supergirl they break-out of captivity instead of Superman, and Earth is in danger from an attack by General Zod and the Kryptonians not a war between Atlantis and the Amazons.

None of these changes affect the power of the story, and the lesson Barry learns about excepting your past and living in the present. But they do allow general audiences to understand the story a little easier, as they are likely more familiar with Michael Keaton’s Batman than the sudden appearance of Thomas Wayne. In the comics, the ‘Flashpoint’ storyline was used to usher in a new continuity, and in that sense, ‘The Flash’ comes at the perfect time for DC Studios, as the film officially marks the end of the DCEU and the beginning of the new DCU. The movie honors the DCEU, as well as other cinematic DC projects from the past, while setting up an exciting future for these characters.

Director Andy Muschietti clearly loves these characters and retells the ‘Flashpoint’ story well, streamlining it into a tight, fast-paced, and dramatic movie. He also injects the film with a good amount of humor, but it never feels cheesy or forced and aligns with the characters. The filmmaker also handles the time-traveling aspects of the movie very well and in a coherent way, something Marvel struggled to do in ‘Avengers: Endgame.’ Muschietti does a great job with the effects, especially Barry’s powers and the Speed Force. Super-speed has never looked like this before, and Muschietti and his VFX team take a completely new approach to it, which is much different than the slow-motion effects Zack Snyder used.

(L to R) Ezra Miller as Barry Allen/The Flash, Sasha Calle as Kara Zor-El/Supergirl and Ezra Miller as Barry Allen/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

Ezra Miller’s Dual Performance

A lot has been written about Ezra Miller over the last few years concerning their brushes with the law and whether this movie should be released at all given their illegal activities. I’m not going to get into any of that, and just judge them on their performance in this film, which was nothing short of extraordinary. Miller plays two roles, the Barry Allen we all know and have seen mature through appearances in ‘Batman v. Superman’ and ‘Justice League.’ But Miller also plays a younger Barry Allen, who has not yet become the Flash and lives in this new alternate reality. Most of Miller’s scenes are with themself, and you truly believe they are two different people.

Our Barry is a bit older and wiser, and not as impulsive as when we first met them, but the new Barry is young and immature, and it’s fun watching the two of them interact. As both characters, Miller has great chemistry with Keaton and Sasha Calle, as well as a few strong scenes with Kiersey Clemons’ Iris West. In some ways, Miller plays a third role in the movie as well, but to say too much would be a spoiler, so I’ll just say that they are equally impressive and believable in that role too. Whether Miller will ever return to play Barry Allen again is yet to be seen, but if they do not return, it certainly won’t be because their performance in this film was lacking.

(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.

Michael Keaton’s Return

I was just a kid when ‘Batman’ was released, so for me … Michael Keaton will always be Batman, and his return in this movie is a very welcomed one. While I really liked Ben Affleck’s Batman, and the actor does a great job in this movie in his limited role, the film really kicks into high gear when Keaton is on screen. He reprises his particular version of Bruce Wayne and Batman effortlessly, and while he has some funny moments, brings a lot of emotion and heart to the role. Keaton is also great in the action scenes, including an early fight scene between him and Miller. Muschietti perfectly matches Wayne Maynor, the Batmobile, the Batwing, and the costumes to the look and aesthetic Tim Burton originally created.

Sasha Calle as Kara Zor-El/Supergirl 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.

Supergirl and General Zod

Sasha Calle breathes fresh air into the role of Supergirl, which is a much different and darker depiction than we’ve seen before. The actress is strong and believable in the part, and also plays the role in a mysterious way as to never really know her true intentions and keep the audience guessing. Calle has a few fun scenes opposite Miller and Keaton, but most of her work is in the action sequences and that’s where she really excels in the role. It’s also fun to see Michael Shannon return as General Zod, and he’s just as menacing now as he was in ‘Man of Steel,’ but other than the big fight sequence, he doesn’t have a whole lot to do. The Kryptonians are a real threat to our heroes, and that certainly adds to the drama and suspense.

(L to R) Ezra Miller as The Flash and Sasha Calle as Kara Zor-El/Supergirl 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.

Related Article: ‘The Flash’ Director Confirms Major Cameo

The Multiverse, DC Easter Eggs and Cameos

DC fans have seen the multiverse approached on both the Arrowverse’s ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’ crossover event, and more recently on ‘Titans,’ but visually, Muschietti depicts it in a way that is much more cinematic than we’ve seen on TV. The multiverse also makes sense in this movie and you can actually follow along with what’s happening, which wasn’t always the case with Marvel’s ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ Because of the multiverse angle, Muschietti was able to sprinkle in a lot of cameos, most of which I won’t discuss here. I’ll just say that archival DC footage was used well, and those cameos are nice nods to what has come before.

There are a few cameos that I will mention since it is already public knowledge they are in the film. As previously mentioned, Ben Affleck returns as Batman, and as seen in the recent trailer, Jeremy Irons is also back as Alfred. Affleck recently let it slip on a podcast that a certain cast member from ‘Justice League’ would be returning for the film as well. I won’t say who incase you don’t know yet, but it is awesome seeing them interact with Affleck and Miller as members of the Justice League early in the film.

The other cameo I will mention, and only because director Andy Muschietti spoiled it a few weeks ago, is that an actor long rumored to play Superman finally gets the opportunity with a cameo in ‘The Flash’ as an alternate universe version of the Man of Steel. Beyond it being something fans have literally wanted to see for decades, the actor in question is magnificent in his brief role, and fans familiar with the canceled Superman project, will truly get a laugh from watching the scene.

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.

The New DCU

There is actually one other major cameo that I will absolutely not spoil, but I will just say that it is a true shocker of an ending, and something people will be talking about all summer long. It also sets the stage for the new DCU, and completely changes the status quo. Whether that actor or actress will continue to play that specific DC character moving forward, is still anybody’s guess. While the film has a very satisfying conclusion, much like the ‘Flashpoint’ comic, it definitely cleans the slate and sets the stage perfectly for James Gunn’s new DCU, whether that was Muschietti original intent or not.

Are There Any End-Credit Scenes in ‘The Flash’?

Yes. There is a mid-credit scene, which takes a look at an earlier scene in the movie from a different point of view, and is mostly played for laughs. But there is also an end-credit scene and I will just say that it helps to explain how the upcoming ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ takes place in the new DCU.

(L to R) Ezra Miller as Barry Allen / The Flash, Ezra Miller as Barry Allen / The Flash and Sasha Calle as Kara Zor-El / Supergirl 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. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Final Thoughts

The really pulled it off! ‘The Flash’ is the most entertaining and satisfying DC movie in decades. Andy Muschietti masterfully adapts the source material and fills it with as many Easter eggs, callbacks and cameos as any fan could desire. While still delivering a coherent, fun, action-packed and emotional movie, that features a mesmerizing dual performance from Miller, and the return of the one and only Michael Keaton as Batman. This is one movie DC Comics fans will not want to miss!

‘The Flash’ receives 10 out of 10 stars.

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. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Other Movies Similar to ‘The Flash:’
- ‘Batman‘ (1966)
- ‘Superman‘ (1978)
- ‘Superman II‘ (1981)
- ‘Supergirl‘ (1984)
- ‘Batman‘ (1989)
- ‘Batman Returns‘ (1992)
- ‘Batman & Robin‘ (1997)
- ‘Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox‘ (2013)
- ‘Man of Steel‘ (2013)
- ‘The Death of “Superman Lives”: What Happened?‘ (2015)
- ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice‘ (2016)
- ‘Suicide Squad‘ (2016)
- ‘Justice League‘ (2017)
- ‘Teen Titans Go! To the Movies‘ (2018)
- ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League‘ (2021)
- ‘Peacemaker‘ (2022)
Buy Tickets: ‘The Flash’ Movie Showtimes

Buy DC Movies On Amazon

Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Double Dream/a Disco Factory production of an Andy Muschietti film, ‘The Flash.’ It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures and is set to open in theaters in North America on June 16, 2023 and internationally beginning 14 June 2023.
June 6, 2023
Ben Affleck Says He Won’t Direct DC Movies
Ben Affleck as Phil Knight in ‘Air.’ Photo: Courtesy of Amazon Studios. © Amazon Content Services LLC.

Ben Affleck’s latest gig as director, ‘Air’, is headed to theaters on April 5th.
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Now, talking to The Hollywood Reporter, he’s revealed one place he definitely won’t be calling the shots: DC Studios.

Ben Affleck as Batman in 2016’s ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.’

Related Article: James Gunn Confirms He’ll Direct ‘Superman Legacy’ in Emotional New Message

What did Ben Affleck say about directing at DC Studios?

Asked whether he’d be up for directing a DC movie, Affleck had this to say,

“I would not direct something for the [James] Gunn DC. Absolutely not. I have nothing against James Gunn. Nice guy, sure he’s going to do a great job. I just wouldn’t want to go in and direct in the way they’re doing that. I’m not interested in that.”

This is likely news –– at least in public –– to James Gunn, who took to Twitter in December replying to a fan question about Affleck by saying this:

“Met with Ben yesterday precisely because he wants to direct & we want him to direct; we just have to find the right project.”

You can read more about what Gunn said here:

Met with Ben yesterday precisely because he wants to direct & we want him to direct; we just have to find the right project. https://t.co/Haz1APdlVN

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) December 15, 2022

Affleck also did not hold back from talking about how unhappy he was while making the theatrical version of ‘Justice League’.

Here’s what he said,

“That was the worst experience I’ve ever seen in a business which is full of some shitty experiences. It broke my heart. There was an idea of someone [Joss Whedon] coming in, like, “I’ll rescue you and we’ll do 60 days of shooting and I’ll write a whole thing around what you have. I’ve got the secret.” And it wasn’t the secret. That was hard. And I started to drink too much. I was back at the hotel in London, it was either that or jump out the window. And I just thought, ‘This isn’t the life I want. My kids aren’t here. I’m miserable.’ You want to go to work and find something interesting to hang onto, rather than just wearing a rubber suit, and most of it you’re just standing against the computer screen going, ‘If this nuclear waste gets loose, we’ll …’ That’s fine. I don’t condescend to that or put it down, but I got to a point where I found it creatively not satisfying. Also just, you’re sweaty and exhausted. And I thought, “I don’t want to participate in this in any way. And I don’t want to squander any more of my life, of which I have a limited amount.”

Despite that, he still squeezed back into the “rubber suit” for ‘The Flash’, where he reprises the role of Batman. And he feels like he finally got a handle on the role.

Affleck said this of coming back to the role,

“I did finally figure out how to play that character, and I nailed it in ‘The Flash’. For the five minutes I’m there, it’s really great. A lot of it’s just tone. You’ve got to figure out, what’s your version of the person? Who is the guy that fits what you can do? I tried to fit myself into a Batman.’

‘Air’, in which he also plays as Nike co-founder and former CEO Phil Knight, will be in theaters on April 5th before it then heads to Prime Video.

(L to R) Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro and Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser in ‘Air.’ Photo: Ana Carballosa. © Amazon Content Services LLC.

Other Movies Similar to ‘Air:’
- ‘Good Will Hunting‘ (1998)
- ‘Gone Baby Gone‘ (2007)
- ‘The Town‘ (2010)
- ‘Argo‘ (2012)
Buy Tickets: ‘Air’ Movie Showtimes

Buy Ben Affleck Movies on Amazon

‘Air’ is produced by David Ellison, Jesse Sisgold, Jon Weinbach, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Madison Ainley, Jeff Robinov, Peter Guber, and Jason Michael Berman. It is set to release exclusive in theaters on April 5, 2023.
March 16, 2023
Warner Bros. Discovery Weighing Options for its ‘Flash’ Movie

Ezra Miller as the Flash in 2017’s ‘Justice League.’

It’s tough to imagine what anyone at Warner Bros. Discovery/DC Films is thinking right now. Probably some mixture of confusion and uncertainty given recent events, which included the unceremonious consigning of ‘Batgirl’ to tax write-off jail.

We can fairly assume then, that the executives (both those before and those after the big Discovery merger that has brought so much of a shake-up to DC Films) were likely hoping that ‘The Flash’, which sees Ezra Miller reprising their role as the Scarlet Speedster Barry Allen, would be a cornerstone in proving that everything is – pun entirely intended – running smoothly.

Alas, that is definitely not the case. Despite a safe pair of hands at the helm (‘It’ director Andy Muschietti) and some grand plans for multiverse action and fan-pleasing appearances (including dual Batmen in Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck), ‘The Flash’ is in real danger of running off the road entirely.

A lot of that has to do with Miller’s near-constant appearance in the news for all the wrong reasons, including the most recent incident, where they were charged with felony burglary in Vermont and the authorities seeking to locate a mother and three children who have allegedly been residing at the actor’s farm.

In the wake of ‘Batgirl’s shelving, consideration is now being given to how to handle ‘The Flash’, and according to a new story in The Hollywood Reporter, scrapping the project is not entirely off the table, though is being seen as the unlikely nuclear route.

Instead, various options are apparently being considered, specifically around Miller’s involvement going forward. They were involved in filming additional footage (fairly standard for superhero tentpoles) this summer, which points to Warner Bros. Discovery and DC looking to keep the movie on track.

Ezra Miller is scheduled to appear in ‘The Flash’ on June 23, 2023.

There is talk that Miller could seek professional help for their issues once they return home, and then give a tell-all interview which would then lead to them being the focus of the ‘Flash’ press tour to help adjust the narrative.

Option two focuses on the actor being unwilling to play that PR game, then being largely absent from the press interviews and the studio looking to distance itself from them, with the character re-cast in future movies.

And, as mentioned, the extremely improbable (but still not impossible) option of cancelling the movie’s release entirely.

WBD and DC have a lot of money sunk into the movie already (more than double that of something at ‘Batgirl’s level), so that probably doesn’t make sense.

More likely is the studio as a whole moving away from Miller and handing over their roles in two big franchises – the DC Extended Universe and (assuming those movies go forward) the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Wizarding World – to other actors.

Fans have been suggesting that Grant Gustin, who has played Barry Allen on CW show ‘The Flash’ since 2014, could be brought in to replace Miller thanks to the handy multiverse concept. But we highly doubt that the studio would give into such pressure.

UPDATE: Miller has apologized for their behavior and announced that they are seeking treatment for mental health issues.

“Having recently gone through a time of intense crisis, I now understand that I am suffering complex mental health issues and have begun ongoing treatment,” Miller says in a statement. “I want to apologize to everyone that I have alarmed and upset with my past behavior. I am committed to doing the necessary work to get back to a healthy, safe and productive stage in my life.”

It remains to be seen whether this first step will lead to them still being part of the press tour or, indeed, the DCEU going forward.

‘The Flash’ is currently still scheduled for release on June 23rd next year, so let’s see if that sticks.

Ezra Miller at the Los Angeles premiere of 2017’s ‘Justice League.’
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August 11, 2022
‘DC League of Super-Pets’ Director Jared Stern Talks New Movie

(L to R) Dwayne Johnson as Krypto and Kevin Hart as Ace in Warner Bros. Pictures’ animated action adventure ‘DC League of Super-Pets,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Opening in theaters on July 29th is the new animated movie ‘DC League of Super-Pets,’ which was written and directed by Jared Stern (‘The Lego Batman Movie’).

The movie stars Dwayne Johnson as Krypto, Superman’s (John Krasinski) dog. When a group of animals receive super powers, Lex Luthor’s (Marc Maron) guinea pig Lulu (Kate McKinnon) captures the Justice League and attacks Metropolis.

Now, Krypto must learn to work with his new friends, including a dog named Ace (Kevin Hart), a turtle called Merton McSnurtle (Natasha Lyonne), and Chip the squirrel (Diego Luna) in order to defeat Lulu and save Superman, Batman (Keanu Reeves) and the rest of the JLA.

The voice cast also includes Vanessa Bayer as PB, Olivia Wilde as Lois Lane, Jameela Jamil as Wonder Woman, Jermaine Clement as Aquaman, John Early as The Flash, Daveed Diggs as Cyborg, Dascha Polanco as Green Lantern, and Keith David as Krypto’s father.

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with writer and director Jared Stern about his work on ‘DC’s League of Super-Pets,’ creating new origins and designs for the characters, the DC animal characters they did not use, working with Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart, casting Keanu Reeves and Marc Maron, and why every dog is a superhero.

(L to R) Kevin Hart as Ace and Dwayne Johnson as Krypto in Warner Bros. Pictures’ animated action adventure ‘DC League of Super-Pets,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about creating new origin stories for Krypto and Ace the Bat-Hound in ‘DC League of Super-Pets?’

Jared Stern: We’re fans of the comics. We never wanted to do something that felt wrong. But we also wanted to do something that felt original and fresh for our universe. Krypto has a few different origin stories over the course of comics’ canon. There’s one that’s really cool where he was set up as almost a test subject to make sure that baby Superman’s escape pod worked. Then in a convoluted way, he ends up getting to Earth after Superboy has already grown a bit, which was too confusing, but it’s a very cool story.

So that one was just a little confusing but it’s so much more emotional in our movie, hopefully, and gives you the connection right away that these two are best friends forever. So, when something gets in the way of that for Krypto, it’s going to be a huge deal. So, that’s why we went with the origin story that we did there.

Then for Ace, there’s multiple origin stories for him too, but I liked the notion of telling a story about a shelter pet, a dog who’s been there for a long time. Puppies get adopted more quickly than adult dogs and just the notion of the veteran, the guy that takes care of the other pets at the shelter. They’re idiots, but they’re his idiots, like ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.’ So, that just seemed to work for our Ace, to give him a bit of a grizzled backstory, befitting someone who could become a Bat-Dog.

MF: For the animal characters, you used a combination of classic DC animal heroes, as well as some new ones. Can you talk about that choice, and did you consider any other DC animal characters like Captain Carrot, Gleek, or Detective Chimp that didn’t make it into the final cut?

JS: I mean, there’s so many to choose from. It’s pretty great. You just named a few, I could name a bunch of others that I love. I’ll just think of one that no one would ever think was in the movie. Let’s see who I love. Let’s say Bat-Cow. But there’s just so many. I love Detective Chimp. There’s the original Legion of Super-Pets, which people love. So, Beppo, that’s a good one to go with. Let’s go with that, Beppo (a monkey), Comet (a horse) and Streaky (a cat).

They’re awesome, but they’re all in the Superman family. We really wanted to do a thing that could perhaps be an origin story for all of the Justice League’s pets, so that was the driving force behind. We knew that they were going to be shelter animals and that they were going to end up hopefully being Justice League pets, so that was what shaped the choices that we made.

Then from there, we picked some of our favorites and molded new origin stories for them as well. So, Chip obviously is a little bit different than what you might have seen in the comics, but still awesome. We also have Merton McSnurtle, who’s a deep cut from “Funny Stuff,” but has appeared in various ways over the years.

Then we created some new characters, like you said. Lulu is our own creation, the villain played by Kate McKinnon, a hairless guinea pig. We wanted a villain that was really actually pretty badass and capable but made sense in a movie where the pets are the ones saving the day. So, that’s where Lulu came from.

Then we have PB the pig. I love Wonder Woman’s pet Jumpa from the comics, but I couldn’t quite fathom there being a kangaroo in a local Metropolis animal shelter. So, that’s why we created PB the pig. But there’s a couple of nods to DC canon and Wonder Woman having a pig. There’s an early issue where she flies on a pig. Then there’s a famous ‘Justice League’ animated series episode where she gets turned into a pig by Circe.

(L to R) Natasha Lyone as Merton, Dwayne Johnson as Krypto, Diego Luna as Chip, Kevin Hart as Ace and Vanessa Bayer as PB in Warner Bros. Pictures’ animated action adventure ‘DC League of Super-Pets,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

MF: Can you talk about Dwayne Johnson’s involvement in this project, both as a producer and as the voice of Krypto, and what came first, casting Johnson or deciding to bring in his good friend Kevin Hart as the voice of Ace?

JS: It’s a good question. Dwayne’s involvement, I was thinking about from the very beginning. Sometimes you go to the studio and say, “With so-and-so, think this actor.” I swear to you when I pitched this movie I said, “Krypto the super dog. Think Dwayne Johnson.” Amazingly, we made it into reality. He said, yes, and he’s wonderful.

I think that is definitely when we started thinking about Kevin, because those two guys are so good together. But we didn’t want to just put them together just because it’s fun, because they have a good time, and that people love them together. That’s all true. But it only would’ve worked if we felt like Kevin was right as Ace the Bat-Hound.

We tested his voice out and listened to it. We noticed that he’s playing in a deeper register and he’s doing something very different. He’s still very funny in this. He’s still Kevin Hart, but he’s doing something really soulful and emotional. It’s a little bit of a lower voice for him, and I think it’s really fantastic. So, we didn’t want to just do it to do it. We did it because we felt like it would make for a really great story in our movie.

MF: As a DC fan, I thought you perfectly cast Keanu Reeves and Marc Maron as Batman and Lex Luthor, respectively. Can you talk about both of those casting choices?

JS: I’ll start with Maron, who I love. My co-director Sam Levine is an obsessive fan of the WTF Podcast. Sam is an animator and really smart about pairing voices. He just was like, “This is the voice.” He was absolutely right. He’s just such a great Lex Luther because he’s a guy who has everything and yet still can complain and be aggrieved. That’s our Lex. He’s a billionaire, but he’s just so frustrated that he can’t win.

Then for Keanu, our Batman is haunted. He’s a guy who’s seen a lot in his life. He’s still a badass Batman, but he’s a bit messed up. Most importantly, he’s the guy who just needs a pet. Keanu’s voice and what he did with it was really wonderful. I feel like he had a good time doing Batman and I’d love to make more Batman movies with Keanu Reeves any day.

Marc Maron as Lex Luthor in Warner Bros. Pictures’ animated action adventure ‘DC League of Super-Pets,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

MF: For the look of the Justice League, you went with a 1940’s inspired costume for Superman, Aquaman has his hook, and you chose Jessica Cruz from all the different Green Lanterns available. Can you talk about your design choices for the different Justice League members?

JS: I mean, it was a combination of a lot of stuff. We wanted to have a diverse lineup that looked like the whole world, so that could mean an Aquaman who’s from the South Pacific. That could mean a character like Aquaman who has a disability, a prosthetic limb. That could mean Jessica Cruz, and just trying to have a better gender balance between the characters. So, we just wanted it to look like the whole world without forcing it, without being preachy, just so that everyone could see themselves in the Justice League and the heroes.

Then in terms of the design, our character designers did a wonderful job. Even with the shapes of their body types, we wanted that to feel like the whole world. We just picked and chose from everywhere, all the stuff that we loved from the comics and then things that just felt right that were invented from our character designers.

So, there’s a little Christopher Reeve in our Superman, but there’s also a little bit of Max Fleischer in him as you noted. Our Cyborg is in some ways is a nod to the first Cyborg designs in the comics, but then he’s got his own little modern flare too. They all have a uniting gold element in them, which we felt connected to the golden age of DC and in our Metropolis.

MF: Finally, if you take the DC elements out of this movie, it’s really a film about a man that loves his dog, and vice versa. How did your own love for animals help inform you while developing and making this movie?

JS: Our producer Patty Hicks rescues and adopts German Shepherds. Everyone who worked on this, we’re all animal lovers and I think it comes through in the film. It’s a story about how much we love our pets and how much our pets love us. Every dog is a superhero because they love us unconditionally.

(L to R) Dwayne Johnson as Krypto and John Krasinski as Superman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ animated action adventure ‘DC League of Super-Pets,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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July 28, 2022
Warner Bros. Concerned about Ezra Miller’s Erratic Behavior

Ezra Miller at the Los Angeles premiere of 2017’s ‘Justice League.’

Will Smith isn’t the only actor facing consequences for their recent behavior. According to a new report from Rolling Stone, ‘Fantastic Beasts’ and ‘The Flash’ actor Ezra Miller was the subject of an emergency meeting at Warner Bros.

The meeting was convened in response to an incident that occurred in Hawaii on March 28th when Miller became agitated after patrons at a bar began singing karaoke. The actor shouted obscenities and grabbed the microphone from a 23-year-old woman as she was singing and allegedly lunged at a 32-year-old man playing darts. The 29-year-old movie star was arrested and charged on both counts and was released on $500 bail.

The incident took place at Margarita Village in Hilo, Hawaii, the day before ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore’ held its world premiere in London (Miller wasn’t scheduled to attend as Warner Bros. was looking to save their promotional time for ‘The Flash’).

But that wasn’t the end of the incident – a local couple filed a temporary restraining order against Miller on March 29th. The couple claimed that after Miller’s arrest, Miller burst into their bedroom and threatened them, with Miller saying to the man, “I will burry [sic] you and your slut wife,” according to the report. The petition also alleges that Miller stole the woman’s passport and the man’s wallet, which included a social security card, driver’s license, and bank cards.

And then there was the release in April 2020 of footage of the actor apparently choking a woman at an Iceland bar, which circulated on social media. No arrests were made at the time and neither Miller nor the studio has commented on the event. More recently, Miller appeared in a since-deleted Instagram video telling members of a North Carolina chapter of the Ku Klux Klan to kill themselves.

Ezra Miller as the Flash in 2017’s ‘Justice League.’

According to sources that Rolling Stone spoke with, Miller also claimed to be “losing it” on the set of ‘The Flash’. Though there were no violent outbursts, it was enough to add to the drama on an already troubled movie, which saw its release date moved back from late 2022 to June 23rd next year.

It’s even more of an issue for Warners, which had seen positive responses to test footage from the Andy Muschietti superhero adventure, in which Miller’s Barry Allen puts the multiverse at risk in order to save his parents.

The studio is now seriously considering hitting pause on continuing work with the actor – which could be a big problem for the future of the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ franchise (where Miller plays Credence Barebone) and other appearances in the DC Movie universe. But avoiding potential future problems

At this point, the studio must be wishing there was an alternate universe version of Miller they could just bring in…
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April 6, 2022
Happy Birthday, Danny Elfman! 11 Scores That Defined His Career

Disney

If luminaries like Bernard Herrmann, Ennio Morricone, John Barry and John Williams embody an older, perhaps “classic” generation of film music, Danny Elfman, along with Stewart Copeland, Mark Mothersbaugh and others heralded the arrival of composers who began their career as pop and rock artists before transitioning into the work for which they have become best known – film scores. Elfman, born on May 29, was a member of the band Oingo Boingo for over 20 years, but began composing film music in the late 1970s before making his breakthrough with the score to his brother’s film “Forbidden Zone,” and three years later, the first of dozens of partnerships with Tim Burton on “Pee-wee’s Big Adventures.” In honor of Elfman’s birthday, we’re taking a look back at just a handful of the film and television projects that not only earned him acclaim, but cemented his status as one of the most beloved and recognizable composers in modern music.

Warner Bros.

“Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” (1985) – Searching for the sound of Paul Reubens’ whimsical road trip to recover a stolen bicycle, Elfman borrows from Nino Rota’s scores for “8 ½” and “The Clowns,” creating an indelible calling card that would establish him as one of Hollywood’s most idiosyncratic and instantly-recognizable composers.

Warner Bros.

“Beetlejuice” (1988) – Elfman’s next outing with Burton would not only become equally famous but helped establish the sound that defined much of his work for the next few years — gothic, mischievous music driven by propulsive, low-end brass and embellished by soaring choral arrangements.

Warner Bros.

“Batman” (1989) – Effectively setting a musical template for superhero movies that would help reintroduce them to audiences, Elfman won his first and only Grammy cribbing the main theme from Burton’s film from a few notes of Gottfried Huppertz’ “Die Nibelungen” for what remains one of the most identifiable superhero themes outside John Williams’ for “Superman.”

20th Century Fox

“The Simpsons” (1989) – Elfman made a detour into television with this, possibly one of the most famous themes in the medium’s history. Though Alf Clausen skillfully expanded it for the series, Elfman’s music dug in like an earworm, establishing the tone of the show for decades to come.

20th Century Fox

“Edward Scissorhands” (1990) – Burton and Elfman had become a bygone conclusion by 1990, when they teamed up for this Christmas-themed gothic romance that indulged the filmmaker’s outsider impulses for what became yet another signature work for both artists.

Walt Disney Studios

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993) – Elfman worked triple duty as composer, songwriter and singer in this future Hot Topic favorite, providing the singing voice of its misguided hero Jack Skellington and proving his instincts as a performer in his own right were still as sharp as ever.

Miramax

“Good Will Hunting” (1997) – Elfman won his second Oscar nomination with this delicate, guitar-driven score for Gus Van Sant’s film about a troubled prodigy and his relationship with a scruffy therapist. Merging his sound with singer-songwriter Eliot Smith’s, Elfman broke new ground in his filmography and showcased his evolving versatility.

Sony Pictures

“Spider-Man” (2002) – Elfman again helped define a new era of superhero movie music with this distinctive and memorable score for Sam Raimi’s film. Raimi shares in common with Burton a unique, idiosyncratic personality as a filmmaker, which undoubtedly made him and Elfman great collaborators.

Sony Pictures

“Big Fish” (2003) – Burton’s then-most-mature film to date challenged Elfman to create something that combined the magic of the filmmaker’s earlier work with more somber and grounded tones, and he pulled it off, earning Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy nominations for his work.

Focus Features

“Milk” (2008) – Another Van Sant collaboration, another nomination: Elfman once again complemented the filmmaker’s thoughtful, sensitive work with a score that communicated the drive and humanity of their real-life protagonist, nabbing Oscar and Grammy nods in the process.

Warner Bros.

“Justice League” (2017) – After more than 25 years as a composer, Elfman is so prolific that it’s hard to top himself, or to do something he hadn’t before. For Zack Snyder’s team-up film, Elfman beautifully combines music from his own repertoire (the ‘89s “Batman”) with work from other contemporary superhero films and an homage to Williams’ iconic ’78 “Superman” music for an irresistible mix tape of heroic themes.

May 29, 2019
8 Comic Books to Read Now That You’ve Seen ‘Shazam!’

Warner Bros.

DC Comics

DC Comics

DC Comics

DC Comics

DC Comics

DC Comics

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DC Comics

April 6, 2019