DC Extended Universe - Dc Film Office

The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) is an American media franchise and shared universe that is centered on a series of superhero films, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, based on characters that appear in publications by DC Comics. The shared universe, much like the original DC Universe in comic books, was established by crossing over common plot elements, settings, cast and characters. The films have been in production since 2011 and in that time Warner Bros. has distributed three films with more than ten in various stages of production. The series has grossed over $2.3 billion at the global box office.

The films are written and directed by a variety of individuals and feature large, often ensemble, casts. Several actors, including Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa, Ray Fisher, are set to appear in numerous films. Following the release of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, DC Comics' chief creative officer Geoff Johns and Warner Bros. executive vice president Jon Berg were appointed to co-run the DCEU, with Ben Affleck as an executive producer of the films, all signed on to oversee creative decisions, production and story-arcs in order to create a cohesive overarching plot within the films.

The first film released in the DCEU was Man of Steel (2013), a reboot of the Superman film series, which was followed by Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad (both 2016). The next film to be released will be Wonder Woman, followed by Justice League (both 2017). Other future films in development include Aquaman (2018), Shazam (2019) and Cyborg and Green Lantern Corps (both 2020). It has also been announced that Ben Affleck will star in a standalone Batman film co-written by Johns with Matt Reeves set to direct. Doug Liman is set to direct a film based around Justice League Dark called Dark Universe with Scott Rudin producing and Michael Gilio writing and Margot Robbie will produce and star in a spin-off film of Suicide Squad centered around Harley Quinn, entitled Gotham City Sirens. A Flash standalone film and a Justice League sequel are also in developmen t. There is also a currently unnamed DCEU film in development, and it was reported in August 2016 that Warner Bros. had put a sequel to Man of Steel in active development. A television prequel to Man of Steel, titled Krypton, is currently being produced.

Development

Upon announcement, the universe was commonly called the "DC Cinematic Universe" by fans and the media, in keeping with the naming convention of the already established Marvel Cinematic Universe. In November 2014, Newsarama referred to the universe as the "DC Cinematic Multiverse", while the DC Comics website informally referred to it as the "DC Cinematic Universe" in December 2014. In July 2015, in an announcement for their San Diego Comic-Con International preview issue online, Entertainment Weekly referred to the films as existing in the "DC Extended Universe". However, in the issue, Entertainment Weekly did not use the term, instead called the October 2014 reveal of 10 films over the next five years "a blueprint for an extended universe." At the end of July, the release of the September 2015 issue of Empire confirmed the universe name as the "DC Extended Universe". While the Marvel Cinematic Universe includes television productions, the DC Extended Universe is a shared continuity for films. Several television series featuring DC characters and storylines have their own shared continuity, frequently referred to as the Arrowverse.

The first attempt at a cinematic universe began in 1998 for Superman Lives. The film was supposed to be written by Kevin Smith and directed by Tim Burton. The film was set to feature Nicolas Cage as Superman. The script had Brainiac sending Doomsday to kill Superman, as well as blocking out the sun to make Superman powerless, as Superman is fueled by sunlight. Brainiac teams up with Lex Luthor, but Superman is resurrected by a Kryptonian robot, the Eradicator. Brainiac wishes to possess the Eradicator and its technology. Powerless, the resurrected Superman is sheathed in armor formed from the Eradicator itself until his powers return, courtesy of sunbeams, and defeats Brainiac. Michael Keaton was originally set to reprise his role as Batman from Burton's Batman films, making the attempt at a shared universe. The film was later cancelled.

Akiva Goldsman's draft for the unproduced Batman vs. Superman featured Bruce Wayne coming out of a five-year retirement as Batman and coming into conflict with Superman. Christian Bale, who was being considered for the lead in Darren Aronofsky's Batman: Year One adaptation at the time, was simultaneously approached by Wolfgang Petersen for the Superman role. Petersen confirmed in a 2010 interview the only other actor he approached for the characther was Josh Hartnett. Warner Bros. canceled development to focus on individual Superman and Batman projects after J. J. Abrams submitted another draft for Superman: Flyby. Christopher Nolan would later cast Bale as Batman the following year in Batman Begins.

In February 2007, it was announced that Warner Bros hired husband and wife duo Michele and Kieran Mulroney to write a script for a Justice League film. The news came around the same that Joss Whedon's long-developed Wonder Woman film had been canceled, as well as The Flash, written and directed by David S. Goyer. Reportedly titled Justice League: Mortal, Michele and Kiernan Mulroney submitted their script to Warner Bros. in June 2007, receiving positive feedback, which prompted the studio to immediately fast track production in the hopes of filming to begin before the 2007â€"2008 Writers Guild of America strike. Warner Bros. was less willing to proceed on development with a sequel to Superman Returns, having been disappointed with the box office return. Brandon Routh was not approached to reprise the role of Superman in Justice League Mortal, nor was Christian Bale. Warner Bros. intended for Justice League: Mortal to be the start of a new film franchise, and to branch out into separate sequels and spin-offs.

On January 1, 2014, it was revealed that Warner Bros. intended to launch another attempt at a cinematic universe a few years earlier, which would have started with the 2011 film Green Lantern. The script for The Flash was being written in 2011 by Green Lantern writers Michael Green and Marc Guggenheim, with the post-credits scene featuring Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) meeting The Flash. The film was then cancelled due to the critical and box office disappointment of Green Lantern.

After the 2011 Green Lantern film underperformed, a reboot of Superman was greenlit, which resulted in 2013's Man of Steel. Plans were made to have the film contain references to other characters in the DC Universe, so if the film was a success, it could launch a shared universe, similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In June 2013, it was announced that director Zack Snyder and screenwriter David S. Goyer would be returning for a Man of Steel sequel, fast tracked by Warner Bros. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was released in March 2016. Goyer had previously signed a three-film deal, which includes Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and a Justice League film featuring Superman.

In October 2014, Warner Bros. announced the titles and release dates for nine films, along with some casting information. Also in the month, DC Comics' chief creative officer Geoff Johns explained DC's difference in approach to Marvel Studios and their cinematic universe, saying, "We look at it as the multiverse. We have our TV universe and our film universe, but they all co-exist. For us, creatively, it’s about allowing everyone to make the best possible product, to tell the best story, to do the best world. Everyone has a vision and you really want to let the visions shine through ... It's just a different approach." In June 2015, Greg Silverman expanded on DC's approach to their cinematic universe, saying, "We have a great strategy for the DC films, which is to take these beloved characters and put them in the hands of master filmmakers and make sure they all coordinate with each other. You'll see the difference when you see Batman v Superman, Suicide Squad, Justice League and all the things that we are working on." Additionally, Silverman explained DC's method of hiring multiple writers for upcoming projects by stating, "Every project is different. On some projects, we have multiple writers working together. In some cases, we put writers together who have never been a team together. And sometimes, there is only one writer whose voice is right."

In May 2016, it was announced that Warner Bros. was undergoing a massive restructuring behind the scenes of the DC Extended Universe. Listening to criticism after Batman v Superman, Warner Bros. established a DC Films unit in May 2016 with Geoff Johns and Warner Bros. executive vice president Jon Berg as its heads. The DC Films production unit will serve to oversee production and form a cohesive creative direction for the DC Extended Universe. As so, Johns and Berg will serve as producers on future films. DC Films will not be fully autonomous with Johns reporting to DC president Diane Nelson and Jon Berg reporting to Warner Bros. president of creative development Greg Silverman. Later in May 2016, it was announced that as part of the restructuring of DC Films, Charles Roven would no longer serve as producer of DC-based films at Warner Bros., a role he had served since 2005's Batman Begins, but would be moved to an administrative executive producer rol e.

Films

Man of Steel (2013)

Clark Kent / Kal-El, who arrived on Earth years ago from Krypton, struggles with why he was sent to Earth. Raised by his adoptive parents Jonathan and Martha Kent, Kent adopts the persona "Superman", and learn if his abilities are meant to maintain peace or conquer the world. The film introduces Superman, Lois Lane, Jor-El, Jonathan and Martha Kent, and General Zod to the DCEU.

In June 2008, Warner Bros. took pitches from comic book writers, screenwriters and directors on how to successfully restart the Superman film series. During story discussions for The Dark Knight Rises in 2010, David S. Goyer told Christopher Nolan his idea regarding how to present Superman in a modern context. Impressed with Goyer's concept, Nolan pitched the idea to the studio, who hired Nolan to produce and Goyer to write based on the financial and critical success of The Dark Knight. Zack Snyder was hired in October 2010 to direct the film. Henry Cavill was cast as Superman in January 2011. Principal photography began on August 1, 2011. The film had its world premiere in the United States on June 10, 2013, and was released on June 14, 2013.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

Gotham City-based vigilante Batman travels to Metropolis to preemptively combat Superman, fearing what would happen if the latter is kept unchecked, while another threat endangers humankind. The film introduces Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman, Cyborg, Alfred Pennyworth, Lex Luthor, Doomsday, and Steppenwolf to the DCEU.

In June 2013, it was announced that Zack Snyder and David S. Goyer would both be returning for a Man of Steel sequel, which was being fast tracked by Warner Bros. Christopher Nolan is involved in an advisory role as executive producer. In July 2013, Warner Bros. announced that Superman and Batman will meet for the first time in a cinematic format in the film which will be the follow-up to Man of Steel and a reboot of the Batman film series, set for release in 2015. Goyer and Snyder will co-write the story, with Goyer writing the script. Cavill, Adams, Lane, and Fishburne will reprise their roles. According to Snyder and Goyer, the film will take inspiration from the comic The Dark Knight Returns. However, later, Snyder clarified that the film would not be a strict adaptation of the story and instead be original. Goyer stated that Superman and Batman would face off. On August 22, 2013, it was announced that Ben Affleck was cast as Bruce Wayne / Batman. O n December 4, 2013, it was reported that Gal Gadot was cast as Diana Prince / Wonder Woman, marking the first appearance of Wonder Woman in a live-action theatrical film. Later in the month, Argo screenwriter Chris Terrio was hired to rewrite Goyer's script. It was announced that Jesse Eisenberg and Jeremy Irons were joining the cast as Lex Luthor and Alfred Pennyworth, respectively. Ray Fisher, Ezra Miller, and Jason Momoa were cast as Victor Stone / Cyborg, Barry Allen / The Flash, and Arthur Curry / Aquaman respectively; appearing briefly in roles which will be expanded upon in future DC Extended Universe films. Filming commenced on October 19, 2013, at East Los Angeles College. The rest of the production was filmed in Toronto, Ontario, and Chicago, Illinois. Filming took place too in Detroit and other areas in Michigan. Additional filming took place in the Yorkville, Illinois and New Mexico area in late 2014.

In January 2014, it was announced that the film had been delayed from its original July 17, 2015 release date to May 6, 2016, to give the filmmakers "time to realize fully their vision, given the complex visual nature of the story". It got moved again to March 25, 2016. In May 2014, the film's title was revealed to be Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Suicide Squad (2016)

A secret government agency recruits imprisoned supervillains to execute dangerous black ops missions in exchange for clemency and rescue the world from a powerful threat. The film introduces Deadshot, Joker, Harley Quinn, Amanda Waller, and the Suicide Squad to the DCEU.

In February 2009, prior to the development of the DCEU, Warner Bros. Pictures was developing a Suicide Squad film, with Dan Lin producing and Justin Marks writing the script.

In September 2014, David Ayer signed on to direct and write the screenplay for the DCEU film. Charles Roven co-produced the film. In November 2014, it was confirmed that Margot Robbie would appear as Harley Quinn, and in the following month, the rest of the cast was announced â€" Will Smith as Deadshot, Jared Leto as the Joker, Tom Hardy as Rick Flag, Jai Courtney as Captain Boomerang and Cara Delevingne as Enchantress. It was announced on December 16, 2014 that Viola Davis was cast as Amanda Waller. Tom Hardy had to drop out as Rick Flag because of scheduling issues with his film The Revenant. In January 2015, Jake Gyllenhaal was being eyed to replace Hardy as Rick Flag, but declined. Joel Kinnaman was chosen later on to replace Hardy. On February 13, 2015, "multiple individuals with knowledge of the project" told The Wrap that Kinnaman was cast in the role, though Warner Bros. did not comment on this. It was also reported that Jay Hernandez was in talks for a role , in which he was later confirmed to play El Diablo. In March and April 2015, it was reported that Scott Eastwood was cast in an unspecified role and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Killer Croc and Raymond Olubowale in an unknown role. On May 3, 2015, Ayer tweeted out the first cast picture confirming the characters predominately featured in the film: Rick Flag, Deadshot, Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang, El Diablo, Killer Croc, Katana, Slipknot and Enchantress.

The film was reported to start shooting in Toronto from mid-April to September 2015, On December 1, 2014, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that the Pinewood Toronto Studios had been booked to start the pre-production in February, and then filming would take place from mid-April to September in and around Toronto. Filming commenced on April 13, 2015 and concluded August 23, 2015. Suicide Squad was released on August 5, 2016.

Upcoming films

Wonder Woman (2017)

Diana of Themyscira, an Amazon warrior who also is the demigoddess daughter of the god Zeus, uses her talents and abilities in order to help humanity during World War I. The film introduces Steve Trevor, Queen Hippolyta, and General Antiope to the DCEU.

On December 4, 2013, Gal Gadot was cast as Wonder Woman and also signed a three-picture deal with the studio which includes Justice League and a solo Wonder Woman film. In November 2014, Michelle MacLaren was confirmed to direct the film from a screenplay by Jason Fuchs, and is scheduled for release on June 2, 2017. On December 21, 2014, MacLaren said that Warner Bros. had not yet given the official green light to the production and the release date is in question, despite revealing a date in October 2014. Production is scheduled to begin in late 2015 in London and Italy. MacLaren later left the project due to creative differences. As of April 13, 2015, pre-production on the film had begun. On April 15, 2015, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Patty Jenkins will direct the film. In July 2015, Chris Pine was cast as Steve Trevor. Production was confirmed to be underway on November 14, 2015 when actor Saïd Taghmaoui posted photos of himself and Chris Pine on set on his Facebook, but the photos were requested to be removed by the studio.

Justice League (2017)

Motivated by Superman's selfless sacrifice, Batman and Wonder Woman assemble a team of metahumans to face a new catastrophic threat.

In June 2013, Goyer was hired to write the sequel of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, as well as a new Justice League, with the Beall draft being scrapped. In April 2014, it was announced that Zack Snyder would also be directing Goyer's Justice League script. In October 2014, Warner Bros. announced the film would be released on November 17, 2017 with Snyder directing. By January 2016, Amber Heard was in talks for the role of Mera in the film. The film will be shot mostly in the United Kingdom.

Snyder later discussed that Doomsday, and his mythological origins will be more greatly detailed within the Justice League films after his debut appearance in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. In March 2016, it was announced J. K. Simmons would play Commissioner Gordon in the series. That same month, Heard confirmed with Entertainment Tonight that she will indeed be portraying Mera. According to writer Chris Terrio, the film will not be as dark as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and will instead feature a lighter tone. Filming for the movie started on April 11. In April 2016, Willem Dafoe was cast as Nuidis Vulko, an advisor to Aquaman. That same month, Eisenberg confirmed that he would reprise his role as Lex Luthor. In June 2016, Johns revealed the title for the film would be Justice League.

Aquaman (2018)

It was announced on August 12, 2014 that Warner Bros. had hired screenwriters Will Beall and Kurt Johnstad to pen two separate scripts for an upcoming Aquaman film. The film is being developed on dual tracks, meaning that two scripts will be written, one by Beall and one by Johnstad, but only the best version will move forward. In October 2014, Warner Bros. announced Aquaman for release on July 27, 2018, with Jason Momoa starring, after first appearing in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. James Wan was hired as director, as well as to oversee the screenplay by Kurt Johnstad. Amber Heard will portray Mera. In July 2016, it was announced that Will Beall will return once again to write the script, based on a story treatment by James Wan and Geoff Johns. The film went into pre-production in Queensland, Australia in November 2016 and will begin shooting in 2017. On December 2, 2016, Warner Bros. announced a new release date of October 5, 2018. In December of 2016 , Patrick Wilson was cast as Orm Marius / Ocean Master, the half-brother of Aquaman and the film's main villain. In January of 2017, it was revealed that Black Manta would appear as the film's secondary villain, with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II cast in the role. On March 16, it was announced that the movie will be delayed from the October release date, to December 21, 2018.

Shazam (2019)

Shazam is being executive produced by Toby Emmerich, and screenwriter Darren Lemke of Jack the Giant Slayer and Turbo has been hired to write the script. Dwayne Johnson confirmed the project and his attachment on August 20, 2014, officially announcing his casting as Black Adam on September 3, 2014. Emmerich told Entertainment Weekly in an interview that the film will have a tone unto itself separate from the concurrent Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice film that was much darker in tone; with a sense of fun and humor, but with real stakes and an anti-hero version of Black Adam. In October 2014, Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema scheduled the Shazam! film for April 5, 2019. In December of 2016 Johnson and Henry Cavill both posted a photograph of them together via their respective Twitter accounts, meanwhile teasing some connection between the two characters. In January of 2017, it was announced that the DCEU would also have a Black Adam feat ure film, with Johnson reprising the titular role. In the same report it was announced that Earth to Echo scribe Henry Gayden will be the screenwriter for Shazam. In February 2017, it was announced that David F. Sandberg is in talks to direct the film.

Cyborg (2020)

The film was announced in October 2014, and is scheduled to be released on April 3, 2020 with Ray Fisher starring, after first appearing in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Green Lantern Corps (2020)

This film was announced in October 2014, and is scheduled to be released on July 24, 2020. The title of the film was announced at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 11, 2015 as Green Lantern Corps. In January 2017, it was announced that Goyer and Justin Rhodes would co-write the screenplay, based on the story draft by Goyer and Geoff Johns. Goyer will also be involved as a producer, with Johns and Berg executive producing the film.

Other projects

Aside from the announced film slate, Warner Bros. has revealed that there are other films based on characters from DC Comics in various stages of development.

The Batman

In July 2015, it was revealed that Ben Affleck was in talks to direct, star and co-write with Geoff Johns a screenplay for a stand-alone Batman film. In January 2016, Affleck hinted that he was inspired by his Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice director Zack Snyder to possibly take on helming the film. In March 2016, Johns claimed that the appearance of Robin's suit covered in graffiti from Dawn of Justice would be explored later and the identity of the deceased character was intentionally unspecified. Following the release of Dawn of Justice, William Morris Endeavor's co-CEO Patrick Whitesell confirmed that Affleck had written a screenplay for a standalone Batman film that he hoped would be optioned by Warner Bros. as well to direct. Warner Bros. CEO Kevin Tsujihara confirmed in April 2016 that the studio was moving ahead with Affleck's stand-alone Batman film, which the actor would star in and direct. In May 2016, Jeremy Irons confirmed that he was "tied into The Batman", while Affleck stated that his solo Batman film would borrow from the comics, but mainly be an "original story". Affleck was officially confirmed as the film's director at Comic-Con 2016. In August 2016, Jared Leto expressed his hope that his version of the Joker would pop up in Affleck's Batman solo film. In August 2016, Deathstroke was teased via Twitter by Affleck through test footage. DCEU co-runner and producer Johns has since confirmed that the character will be played by Joe Manganiello. In early October 2016, Affleck stated the intended title for the film would be The Batman, adding "At least that's what we're going with now. I might change it." He later clarified his statements, saying "I mentioned the other day... it's been around for a long time, but the movie... there is no Batman movie happening yet, we're still trying to figure it out, you know, get the script and budget and all that stuff. And someo ne said, 'what are you calling it?' and I had said, like, back when we were promoting another movie, I was like 'we don't have a name for it, we're just going with 'The Batman' or 'Batman movie', and I said that, and everyone was like 'Affleck announces the name of his Batman movie.'" Manganiello revealed to Entertainment Tonight in an interview that filming will start in spring 2017 while Irons has stated it may be filmed in summer 2017. In December 2016, Affleck confirmed that the film is on track to begin shooting in spring 2017. Later that month, Warner Bros. executive Greg Silverman stated that the film will be released in 2018. In January of 2017, an interview with The Guardian, Affleck stated that the film does not have a set script, and that he will only direct it if he feels like it will be a great movie. The film will reportedly be shot in Los Angeles, which will double for Gotham City. Later on that same month, Affleck announced that he was stepping d own as director in order to focus on the role. He will continue to serve as writer, producer, and star of the film. In February after Affleck´s departure from the director's chair, it was announced that writer and collaborator Chris Terrio was hired to write the screenplay, from the co-written script by Ben Affleck and DCEU co-runner and producer Geoff Johns. Manganiello stated that in preparation for his role as Deathstroke, he has read all of the comic books featuring the character, started katana sword training, and began lessons with martial arts teachers. In February of 2017, Warner Bros. announced the title as The Batman and that Matt Reeves would direct and co-produce the film.

Dark Universe

In January 2013, Guillermo del Toro confirmed that he was working on a film with the working title Dark Universe, based on the DC Comics superhero team Justice League Dark. Del Toro was then searching for a screenwriter for the film. He revealed Dr. Alec Holland / Swamp Thing, John Constantine / Hellblazer, Jim Corrigan / The Spectre, Boston Brand / Deadman, Zatanna Zatara, and her father Giovanni Zatara would be characters in the story, which would center around Constantine recruiting several of these characters. The film would not be an origin story, with each character already established and elements of their backstory coming into play throughout the film. In May 2013, del Toro revealed that his script features Constantine, Swamp Thing, Nimue Inwudu / Madame Xanadu, Deadman, and Zatanna as the team, with others "in the mix." He also revealed that he was still waiting for the go-ahead from Warner Bros. Del Toro revealed in an interview that he hopes the DC Extended Unive rse will become as cohesive as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and he added that if there was any correlation to that universe and this film, he would honor it. In November 2014, del Toro confirmed that the script was complete and that he had handed it in to Warner Bros. to be reviewed. In December 2014, del Toro revealed that the film would be a part of the DC Extended Universe. In June 2015, del Toro left the project. Though many of the characters of the Justice League Dark team began under DC's Vertigo imprint and Vertigo characters have been moved to Warner's New Line Cinema division (such as The Sandman), the Justice League Dark characters remain under Warner Bros. and the studio hopes to include them in future DC Extended Universe titles despite del Toro's exit. Test footage for Swamp Thing was released online in July 2016. In August 2016, it was reported that Doug Liman had been hired to direct Dark Universe.

The Flash

In October 2014, Warner Bros. announced The Flash, and was originally to be released on March 16, 2018. Ezra Miller is set to play the title role, after first appearing in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. A story treatment for the film was written by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. The studio was courting the duo to also direct, but signed Seth Grahame-Smith as screenwriter and director, who later on in April 2016 dropped out due of creative differences. The studio retained his script. Greg Berlanti who is involved with The CW's television series of the same name, was previously attached to write and direct, but it is unknown whether Berlanti will still be involved with the feature in any kind of capacity. It was revealed by producer Charles Roven that the film and Aquaman will take place after the events of Justice League and thus will not be an origin story. In June 2016, Rick Famuyiwa signed on to replace Grahame-Smith as the director for the fi lm. In July 2016, Kiersey Clemons was announced as being cast in the role of Iris West. In August 2016, it was revealed that Ray Fisher will return as Cyborg. In September 2016, Billy Crudup was announced as being cast in the role of Barry Allen's father Henry Allen. By October of that same year, Famuyiwa also left the project due to creative differences. On January 25, 2017, Variety reported that Joby Harold will do a page-one rewrite of the script for the film. The project is currently on hold with the departure of Famuyiwa.

Gotham City Sirens

In May 2016, it was reported that a Harley Quinn-focused spin-off film, which will feature other DC Comics female characters, was in development. Margot Robbie will reprise her role as Quinn and serve as a producer as well. As of September 2016, Robbie's newly created studio LuckyChap Entertainment will help develop the upcoming film. In November 2016, it was reported that Christina Hodson will serve as the screenwriter for the film. In December 2016, it was announced that David Ayer will direct the spin-off film, entitled Gotham City Sirens, from a screenplay by Geneva Robertson-Dworet. It is unknown what other characters will appear in the film, though it is likely to feature the female villains Poison Ivy and Catwoman if it takes inspiration from the comics run. No casting has been announced other than Robbie as Harley Quinn.

Untitled Black Adam film

In January 2017, it was announced that Dwayne Johnson would feature in his own film, as the anti-hero/villain Black Adam.

Untitled Deadshot film

In December 2016, it was announced that Warner Bros. is developing a Deadshot solo film as a spin-off of Suicide Squad.

Untitled Justice League sequel

The film was announced in October 2014, and was originally scheduled to be released on June 14, 2019. Zack Snyder will direct the film. On December 9, 2016, it was reported that the Justice League sequel was being pushed back to an unspecified date to make room for The Batman.

Untitled Lobo film

On September 2, 2009, Warner Bros. announced that Guy Ritchie would direct a live-action feature film of Lobo. Variety described the premise: "Lobo is a seven-foot tall, blue-skinned, indestructible, and heavily-muscled anti-hero who drives a pimped out motorcycle, and lands on Earth in search of four fugitives who are bent on wreaking havoc. Lobo teams with a small town teenage girl to stop the creatures." Ritchie was scheduled to begin production of Lobo in early 2010. In January 2010, it was reported that Ritchie had left the project in order to pursue working on a sequel to his hit film Sherlock Holmes instead. In 2012, Deadline.com reported that Brad Peyton would write and direct the film. In July 2012, Dwayne Johnson announced via Twitter that he was in talks with Joel Silver and Brad Peyton to portray Lobo. As of February 18, 2013, Johnson had left the project. Johnson has since signed on to play the DC Comics villain Black Adam in the upcoming film Shazam. In March 2016, Jason Fuchs was reported to be signed on as screenwriter for a film featuring Lobo. Fuchs later appeared to confirm the appearance of Lobo in the film as inspired by the original comics rather than the New 52 version.

Untitled Man of Steel sequel

In October 2014, a Man of Steel sequel was reported to be in development. In June 2016, Russell Crowe confirmed that a Superman trilogy was originally planned before it was scrapped due the announcement of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. In August 2016, The Wrap reported that the studio announced that the sequel is now in development as a top priority for the studio and getting the character right for audiences is of tantamount [sic] importance. In September 2016, Cavill's manager Dany Garcia (who will be producer of Shazam) announced that Henry Cavill would be taking a more active role as a producer for the film, through his company Promethean Productions. While promoting Arrival, Amy Adams confirmed work has begun on the screenplay. In March 2017, it was announced that Matthew Vaughn was being eyed by the studio to direct.

Untitled Nightwing film

By February 2017, Warner Bros. was developing a film centered on Nightwing, with Chris McKay attached as director, and Bill Dubuque as screenwriter.

Untitled Suicide Squad sequel

In March 2016, it was reported that a Suicide Squad sequel is in development. Ayer has expressed interest in making it R-rated. In December 2016, it was reported that development of the sequel was ongoing. In February 2017, it was reported that the studio had a shortlist of potential directors for the project, including Mel Gibson, Jonathan Levine, Ruben Fleischer and Daniel Espinosa. In March of that same year, Adam Cozad was hired as screenwriter for the film.

Recurring cast and characters

• This table only includes characters that have appeared in multiple DCEU films, and have been credited in at least one film's main billing.
• A dark grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's presence in the film has not yet been announced.
• A ^C indicates an uncredited cameo appearance.
• An ^A indicates an appearance through archival footage or stills.

Additionally, Samantha Jo was the first person to portray two main characters within the universe, playing Car-Vex, one of General Zod's kryptonian soldiers in the Man of Steel (2013) and playing Amazonian warrior Euboea in Wonder Woman (2017).

Music

Film soundtracks

Music videos

Reception

Box office performance

Critical and public response

Academy Awards

• Suicide Squad â€" Win: 1

Tie-in material

Books

Comic books

Video games

Additional scenes

Five days after the release of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Warner Bros. released a scene that was first reported as a deleted scene from the film. Titled "Communion", the scene depicts the moment in which Lex Luthor is arrested for his crimes. Director Zack Snyder stated that it was originally intended as a post-credits sequence, but due to the fact that the public associates post-credits scenes to the films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he decided to devise an alternate way, and released it on the web. The scene, included in the Ultimate Edition cut of the film, also serves as a lead-in for the upcoming Justice League film, introducing its main antagonist to the DC Extended Universe, and Snyder stated it is expected that the release of these scenes after the release of upcoming films will become a standard practice to expand the narrative and cohesion between films, as well to function as lead-ins and teasers for future installments of the DCEU. < /p>

Similarly, in 2015 Snyder stated that he intended to include a post-credits scene in Man of Steel that referenced Batman and kryptonite, to help expand the shared universe started by the film and to establish the interconnection between the films of the DCEU, but the scene was never filmed, although further exploring the idea after the release of Man of Steel led to the conceptualization of Dawn of Justice.

It has also been confirmed that Suicide Squad resorts to this practice as well, as it includes a mid-credits scene, which gives insight into the events that will be depicted in Justice League. In the scene, Ben Affleck's Batman, as Bruce Wayne, is seen meeting with Amanda Waller to discuss the Justice League, and she reveals that she knows his secret identity.