DC Universe had a rough 2022, but they have a lot of movies to deliver this year. Though the future of most DC films is in jeopardy, DC has some big films in the pipeline, which includes some big-budget films.
DCU’s Current Scenario:
After Walter Hamada left the DC Flims’ head role, James Gunn and Peter Safran took over the role of the new co-CEOs. They want to direct this universe in a different direction. The co-CEOs have already canceled Man of Steel 2 and Wonder Woman 3, which were in development status. They also decided to end the Rock’s Black Adam’s involvement in any future DC project.
Even though these heavy changes, all the upcoming films of 2023 have faced cancellation. As per previous reports, four films are coming in 2023 from DC studios and will be the previous franchise’s continuity.
But Gunn has also confirmed that a few may be part of his new version of DCU.
DC Films | Release Date |
Shazam: Fury of the Gods | March 17, 2023 |
The Flash | June 16, 2023 |
Blue Beetle | August 18, 2023 |
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom | December 25, 2023 |
Joker: Folie à Deux | October 4, 2024 |
1. Shazam: Fury Of The Gods:
Shazam: Fury of the Gods | March 17, 2023 |
Zachery Levi will reprise his role of Shazam again following the first film’s success. The plot of the superhero movie will focus on Billy Batson and the Shazam Family understanding more of their powers.
But they struggled when they faced the Daughters of Atlas – Hespera and Kalypso. The duo has the intention of destroying the whole world. In this film, Rachel Zegler will also feature as a Daughter of Atlas to assist Shazam and his family.
However, Black Adam will not feature in this film after the Rock leaves the DCU. The film will hit the theatres on March 17, 2023.
2. The Flash:
The Flash | June 16, 2023 |
Warner Bros. has a big expectation from this particular as they compare this film to the standard of Nolan’s “The Dark Knight”. Notorious Ezra Miller will return to the role of Barry Allen, aka the Flash as the main protagonist.
The story will focus on “The Flashpoint” storyline from comics when Barry Allen puts the whole DC Universe in danger in his attempt to save his mother. There is also an animated film based on the same storyline with high ratings. This will be a multiverse journey for Barry Allen, and many superheroes are supposed to feature in this film.
In an interview, Miller confirmed that there will be two versions of Flash in film. He will play both of them. The actor also revealed: “Yes, it constitutes, I think, a huge and powerful arc in DC. I think this story precipitates a lot of change for Barry Allen in more ways than one. And I think it carries him from being sort of the person who we met in the Justice League films.
It takes him from that place of a young person, who’s come into his powers, but doesn’t quite know how to manifest them, who’s joined a legion of superheroes but doesn’t quite know his place in the context of it.”
After several delays and legal issues with Ezra Miller, The Flash will hit the theatres on June 16, 2023. This is also the second film of DC.
3. Blue Beetle:
Blue Beetle | August 18, 2023 |
This film will center around Jaime Reyes’s version of Blue Beetle and will be the 14th film of old DC Continuity. Angel Manuel Soto will be directing this film; there was never any film on Blue Beetle. Xolo Mariduena will play the role of the protagonist of the plot.
Jaime Reyes is just a regular high schooler from Texas. But his fate turned upside down when he got in touch with the Scarab. This alien tech granted him unbelievable tech powers, which he decided to use to protect the innocents.
Despite many rumors, Gunn has confirmed the film is coming on the previously scheduled date of August 18, 2023. The film was first planned for the HBO Max release, but it will now release in the theatres. But Blue Beetle’s fate of surviving Gunn’s new DCU is still unknown.
4. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom:
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom | December 25, 2023 |
There are not many details available here. However, the lost kingdom was first teased in the Aquaman 1 film. It will be the journey of Arthur Curry, aka Aquaman’s journey to find the Lost Kingdom.
Aquaman 1 did a massive business at Box Office after reaching the 1 billion milestone. Swedish actor Dolph Lundgren who plays King Versus is optimistic about the upcoming film. The actor previously revealed: “That whole picture is just a class act. I think [Aquaman 2] is better. I think the script is stronger, and it’s more exciting.”
The actor also praised the technology used in the film. Lundgren praised: “The technology has moved forward in four years, so I was pleased to be a part of it. James Wan is just going to blow everybody away again with this tremendous world that he creates.”
Patrick Wilson, who plays the evil half-brother of Arthur Curry, Ocean Master, also gave a few details about the film. The actor revealed the Collider: “storyline is… not going to get into that. But James loves to pick and choose from his mind and comics and how we bring in certain elements. Those little moments that even… I don’t know; pick one in the gladiator sequence. There’s an octopus playing drums.”
This film also faced much delay, and the current release date of the film is December 25, 2023.
5. Joker: Folie à Deux:
Joker: Folie à Deux | October 4, 2024 |
After becoming the 2nd highest-grosser in DC movies, Joaquin Phoenix, starring Joker, is returning for its sequel in 2024. The story will follow Joker’s journey with his love interest Harley Quinn.
The plot of this film will primarily focus on Joker and his partner in crime, Harley Quinn’s romantic relationship in a musical manner. Reports and insights from Hollywood suggest that the film will be a musical drama film with Lady Gaga playing the role of Dr. Harleen Quinzel, aka Harley Quinn.
Joker was an experimental film from Warner Bros. But it ended up becoming one of the best films in 2019. The official title of the Joker film’s sequel is Joker: Folie à Deux. The film will hit the theatres on October 4, 2024. However, Joker and his dark R-rated universe is neither part of DCC nor Matt Reeves’s Batman universe.
The Cancelled and Unannounced DCU Projects
These 4 films are officially confirmed as they will all hit the theatres this year. But Man of Steel 2 and Wonder Woman 3 are not coming as Gunn has decided to cancel those films. Gunn has a new vision of how to move this cinematic universe forward for the next 10 years. Those two films do not fit into his slots. Previously Warner Brothers did cancel Batgirl movie just days before its release on HBO Max. That shocked the fans a lot.
The Upcoming In-Development DC Films
Multiple projects are going on behind the scenes. A Green Lantern tv series, an untitled Superman film from James Gunn, and DC’s first series are all in the pipeline.
Warner Brothers have recently officially confirmed all the upcoming films in development. Some upcoming DC projects have also been done to that list. This is exciting news for comic book fans as well. These films include Superman, Batman 2, Constantine 2, and Black Hawk, which are in development.
Matt Reeves has recently revealed that he will have a meeting with James Gunn over building a new separate universe around Pattison’s Batman and his Gotham. On the other hand, Gunn is also keen to introduce another version of Batman to his new DCU. However, both versions of Batman will carry on their journey in separate universes with different characters.
If Constantine returns after so long, fans will wait to see how it will become part of Gunn’s DCU. Constantine may also introduce the fan-favorite team Justice League Dark to the DCU, a long-awaited project.
James Gunn and Peter Safran have promised to disclose all the upcoming projects this month. Only then fans can only guess where the DCU heading to.
I’m Sayantan, a versatile writer with a passion for technology and entertainment. I have written extensively on the intersection of these two worlds, covering everything from the latest entertainment technology to how technology is shaping the future of entertainment. With over 7 years of experience in the industry, I have a deep understanding of the technology and the entertainment industry.