A LOT of movement in the Batman corner of the DC Films universe, a new look at Kong Skull Island, Will Smith's new movie Bright and more in this weeks Geekly News Round-Up!
Matt Reeves Does Direct The Batman
After weeks of back and forth and rumors of the talks between WB and reeves having broken down last week, the studio finally made an official announcement: Matt Reeves, director of Cloverfield, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Let Me In and War of the Planet of the Apes, has signed on to direct the solo Batman movie.
Here is what the director said in an official statement:
“I have loved the Batman story since I was a child. He is such an iconic and compelling character, and one that resonates with me deeply. I am incredibly honored and excited to be working with Warner Bros. to bring an epic and emotional new take on the Caped Crusader to the big screen"
Click baity websites around the globe followed that news up with stories about Affleck being out simply because he wasn't explicitly mentioned in the statement, but Affleck refuted those only hours later when he tweeted a picture of himself in the Batcave with the caption "welcome to the batcave Matt Reeves".
So we can all breathe easy now and look forward a really interesting solo Batman film!
Witht he script being done and a director signed on, the movie could very well still start shooting this year (this spring even), for a 2018 release date.
I would love that, of course, but those guys should take all the time they need to make a great film that follows in Nolan's footsteps.
David Ayer Teases Gotham City Sirens Villain
— David Ayer (@DavidAyerMovies) February 27, 2017
David Ayer, director of the Academy Award winning movie Suicide Squad, committed a few months ago to following up the film that introduced Harley Quinn with a Gotham City Sirens movie. The Sirens are, of course, Harley, Catwoman and Poison Ivy. Margot Robbie will return as Harley, while the parts of Selina and Ivy haven't been cast yet. There are no real infos about the story yet... until today when Ayer tweeted out a picture of DC Comics villain and Batman bad guy Black Mask Roman Sionis!
Ayer didn't write anything to that image, but I feel we can take that as confirmation that Roman will be part of the movie, which is starting to go before cameras this year (hopefully to release in 2018).
I feel Sionis is a GREAT villain that actually gives Joker a run for his money in terms of violence and creepy factor.
The image Ayer tweeted was from the Under The Red Hood story line, which saw the return of Jason Todd, but I doubt this is what he wants to tease with this. Either way, I can't wait for more Harley, the Sirens and Black Mask FINALLY on film!
Mel Gibson Talks Suicide Squad 2
Mel Gibson recently confirmed rumors that WB and DC Comics had approached him to direct the follow up of David Ayers academy award winning movie Suicide Squad. During the Oscars he was asked about it again by Entertainment Tonight. Check out that clip above.
"I don't know. I just met some guys about story points. It's not a done deal or anything. But it's just fun to shoot the bull when it comes to stories. And if we can elevate any kind of concept it's good. We'll see."
In my opinion he is a good but weird choice, especially as he only recently hated on the comic book genre as a whole. He also doesn't seem too enthused about the prospect of directing the film in the interview, so I'll still file this one under "not happening", even if the film could turn out really interesting if it worked out with Gibson at the helm.
Final Kong Skull Island Trailer
Kong Skull Island will stomp into our theatres very soon! Check out the latest, awe inspiring trailer above!
Kong: Skull Island reimagines the origin of the mythic Kong in a compelling, original adventure from director Jordan Vogt-Roberts. In the film, a diverse team of explorers is brought together to venture deep into an uncharted island in the Pacific—as beautiful as it is treacherous—unaware that they’re crossing into the domain of the mythic Kong.
First Trailer Of Bright
David Ayer, director of the Academy Award winning film Suicide Squad, released the first trailer for his newest film, called Bright. Check it out above!
It features Deadshot Will Smith in what looks to be like a mix between gritty cop/crime drama and fantasy movie with orcs and elves. The movie is going to come exclusively to Netflix in December.
Set in an alternate present-day where humans, orcs, elves, and fairies have been co-existing since the beginning of time. Bright is genre-bending action movie that follows two cops from very different backgrounds. Ward (Will Smith) and Jakoby (Joel Edgerton), embark on a routine patrol night and encounter a darkness that will ultimately alter the future and their world as they know it.
Lego Batman Director Does Nightwing Movie
The Hollywood Reporter announced last week that Lego Batman director Chris McKay is going to helm a live action DCEU film about Nightwing, the grown up first Robin Dick Grayson!
McKay even talked about his attraction to Nightwing as a character on the Shanlian On Batman podcast and had this to say:
"Bruce Wayne, in my mind, came from privilege and I think that’s why he’s more dour and angry,. He’s self-made as far as his becoming all of these cool things we like him for. … Dick Grayson didn’t come from that. Dick Grayson came from a circus family. Essentially people who aren’t rich and they are self-made. They’re entertainers. They’re gymnasts. They’re people who live hand-to-mouth and that’s something that informs him and his attitude … he’s a fascinating guy to me, because he had all the same things happen to him. He’s got some of the same negatives as Bruce Wayne and then from a society standpoint — obviously he was adopted into Bruce Wayne’s life … but he didn’t start that way. He’s this guy who has all these negatives and then even more negatives and yet he remains … Those are things why I like Dick Grayson, why I like the idea of Nightwing as a movie."
I am incredibly excited about the possibility of a Nightwing movie, since Dick Grayson is easily one of the coolest characters in comics who hasn't got his due on screen yet! Couple that with Chris McKay, who directed the awesome Lego Batman film, and call me excited. Let's hope they introduce Dick first in the solo Batman movie or JL.
