A complete guide to release dates, casting scoop and the latest news on the future of DC.
What Warner Bros.' onscreen universe of DC superheroes lacks in cohesion -- the studio scrapped a strictly shared cinematic universe after its attempts to build one around the Justice League proved less than, well, super -- it makes up for in unexpectedness.
While the successes of Wonder Woman, Aquaman and Shazam! guaranteed continued installments in those franchises, DC is still branching off into one-off films and spinoffs -- from the Oscar-winning Joker to The Batman starring Robert Pattinson to Peacemaker on HBO Max -- making the future of DC's onscreen heroes is essentially limitless.
With a laundry long list of titles that are reportedly in development, below, ET has compiled a guide to what you can expect from the future of DC.
Black Adam (October 21, 2022)
Dwayne Johnson, who served as an executive producer on Shazam!, fronts the origin story about Shazam's longtime adversary. "Black Adam is blessed by magic with the powers equal to Superman, but the difference is he doesn't toe the mark or walk the line," Johnson wrote on Instagram. "He's a rebellious, one of a kind superhero, who'll always do what's right for the people -- but he does it his way. Truth and justice -- the Black Adam way."
Black Adam will explore his origins as a slave in Kahndaq more than 5,000 years ago, and in modern day, see him take on the Justice Society of America, comprising Aldis Hodge's Hawkman, Noah Centineo's Atom Smasher, Quintessa Swindell's Cyclone and Pierce Brosnan's Dr. Fate.
Directed by: Jaume Collet-Serra
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Aldis Hodge, Noah Centineo, Quintessa Swindell and Pierce Brosnan
Read more about Black Adam.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods (December 21, 2022)
Considering the first film was a huge success, that shouldn't come as too big a surprise. Specifics beyond that are vague: Screenwriter Henry Gayden is the aforementioned sequel writer, while director David F. Sandberg will return alongside the original cast.
Dame Helen Mirren joins the franchise as the villainous Hespera, the daughter of the god Atlas. "I am privileged to join the team of incredible artists who join together to create the wonder world of Shazam!" she told ET. "And it was my step son's favorite as a kid. We have family photos of him dressed as Shazam from 42 years ago!"
Directed by: David F. Sandberg
Starring: Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Faithe Herman, Meagan Good, Adam Brody, Rachel Zegler and Helen Mirren
Read more about Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
Batgirl (TBD, 2022)
Batman isn't the only Caped Crusader getting another go of it onscreen: In the Heights breakout Leslie Grace has been cast as Barbara Gordon, aka Batgirl, in the DCEU's first HBO Max original movie.
In the comics, Barbara is the daughter of Commissioner Gordon, and J.K. Simmons, who made his debut as the Gotham City commissioner in Justice League, is reportedly set to co-star. While there's no word on if any of the other Birds of Prey will join Barbara onscreen, Batgirl was penned by that movies' writer, Christina Hodson.
Directed by: Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah
Starring: Leslie Grace
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (March 17, 2023)
The only thing we know about an Aquaman follow-up is that it is happening. Screenwriter David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, who co-wrote the first, will reportedly pen the script and -- presumably -- Jason Momoa and Amber Heard will also return as Arthur Curry and Mera, respectively.
Beyond that, there's no confirmation as to what story the sequel will tackle. (Though we know from the post-credits scene that Yahya Abdul-Mateen II's Black Manta is still alive and looking for revenge.) "The second one is a little bit more serious, a little bit more relevant to the world we’re living in today," director James Wan has said.
Directed by: James Wan
Starring: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul Mateen II and Pilou Asbæek
Read more about Aquaman 2.
The Flash (June 23, 2023)
A standalone outing for Ezra Miller's speedster has been in development for years but is finally making its way to the big screen with Andy Muschietti (IT and IT Chapter Two) directing from a script by Christina Hodson (Birds of Prey). "It's a time travel story," Muscietti teases of the Flashpoint-inspired film.
The film will see Miller's Barry Allen racing through the multiverse, rubbing elbows with not only Ben Affleck's Batfleck but Michael Keaton's Bruce Wayne, too. (Keaton played the part in 1989's Tim Burton-directed Batman.) After an appearance in Zack Snyder's Justice League, Kiersey Clemons is back as Iris West, while Sasha Calle will play Supergirl and Ron Livingston and Maribel Verdú will play Barry's parents.
"[It's] the combination of giant spectacle action and fun with this incredibly personal intimate story of a boy who's just trying to save his mum," Hodson says.
Directed by: Andy Muschietti
Starring: Ezra Miller, Kiersey Clemons, Sasha Calle, Ron Livingston, Maribel Verdú, Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Rudy Mancuso, Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck
Read more about The Flash.
Blue Beetle (August 18, 2023)
Blue Beetle is Jaime Reyes, a Mexican-American teen living in El Paso who discovers a suit of extraterrestrial armor. Cobra Kai star Xolo Maridueña will play the titular hero in his big screen debut, which comes courtesy of writer Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer (Miss Bala) and director Angel Manuel Soto (Charm City Kings).
"It is an honor to direct Blue Beetle, the first Latino superhero film for DC," Soto told TheWrap. "I want to sincerely thank everyone at Warner Bros. and DC for trusting me to bring Jaime Reyes to life. I can’t wait to make history together."
Directed by: Angel Manuel Soto
Starring: Xolo Maridueña, Bruna Marquezine, Belissa Escobedo, George Lopez, Adriana Barraza, Elpidia Carrillo, Damián Alcázar, Raoul Trujillo, Susan Sarandon and Harvey Guillén
The Penguin (TBA)
Following the box office success of The Batman and the rave reviews for Colin Farrell, the actor is not done playing Oswald Cobblepot just yet. After a stunning turn as the iconic villain in The Batman, the actor will reprise the role in a limited series for HBO Max.
According to HBO Max, “the DC drama expands upon the world filmmaker Matt Reeves has created for Warner Bros. Pictures’ global blockbuster The Batman and centers on the character played by Farrell in the film.” The series, based on characters created for DC by Bob Kane with Bill Finger, will be executive produced by Farrell, The Batman director Matt Reeves, Dylan Clark, and Lauren LeFranc, who will write and serve as showrunner.
Previously described by Clark as being “almost like a Scarface story,” Farrell revealed the series will pick up where the film left off. “It’ll pick up a short time after the last frame of the film,” the actor said. “So, we’ll get to go on a little kind of left turn off to the world of Oz and how he’s beginning to kind of dream of filling a potential power vacuum that may exist.”
Written by: Lauren LeFranc
Starring: Colin Farrell
Read more about The Penguin.
Static Shock (TBA)
Warner Bros. tapped a Black Panther star to help usher in a "new universe centered around Black superheroes," with Michael B. Jordan onboard to produce a film centered on the comic book character Static. "Our community deserves that," said Jordan in a statement. Randy McKinnon (Safety) will write the script.
Static is Virgil Hawkins, a high school student who gains electromagnetic powers. The character has been part of the Teen Titans lineup and previously fronted his own animated series in 2000.
Zatanna (TBA)
The DC cinematic universe is in desperate need of a promising young magician, and who better to bring her to the big screen than Promising Young Woman scribe Emerald Fennel, who signed on to script the project. (No word yet if she will direct.)
"It's so exciting… We're still in the early days," Fennell told Variety. "You want to get the first bit right, which is the script, before you think of anything else. It's a very specific thing -- the world of superhero movies is incredibly exciting, but it's also a new different challenge. The main thing for me is making sure that it’s really, really good. I'm such a genre fan. I'm a fan of witchcraft, magic, and comic books, and this is scary and intense.”
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