Now four more superhero movies are in jeopardy

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Now four more superhero movies are in jeopardy

News broke this week that the completed DC film Batgirl will end up in the studio’s poison closet. He shouldn’t come to the cinema or stream because Warner wants to save money. But Batgirl isn’t the only DC film made or planned that’s now in jeopardy. At least four other film projects have an uncertain future. One of them is already in the box.

The Batgirl problem in a nutshell: Why are the DC movies in jeopardy?

Originally produced for the HBO Max streaming service, Batgirl has a smaller budget (and less show value) than DC blockbusters like The Batman, The Suicide Squad or Wonder Woman 1984. Due to changes in the company structure and personnel, the Group Warner Bros. Discovery in the meantime, however two new guidelines developed:

  • First: DC movies are coming to theaters, not HBO Max!
  • Second: save!

    • As a result, Batgirl decided not to release the film at all. So it can be written off from the tax as a consequence of the company merger of Warner and Discovery. Yes, you read that right: A whole film is not released because of the tax return. You can read more about the background in the article on the current DC chaos surrounding Batgirl.

    The Four Other DC Movies That Could Share Batgirl’s Fate

    DC Movie #1: Blue Beetle

    ©Netflix

    Xolo Maridueña in Cobra Kai

    Batgirl has been part of a wave of new DC movie announcements. At the top of the list of wobbly candidates Blue Beetle. Filming for the first DC film to feature a Latino hero wrapped in July. Cobra Kai star Xolo Maridueña stars.

    What speaks for Blue Beetle:

  • Blue Beetle was announced as an HBO Max movie, but was subsequently given a theatrical release date of August 2023.
  • The number of tax write-offs for finished feature films is also limited (we hope).

    • What speaks against Blue Beetle:

  • Theatrical releases are expensive and could push up the estimated $120 million budget. This contradicts Warner’s savings plan.
  • Director Angel Manuel Soto has liked numerous posts on Twitter with concerns about the future of Blue Beetle, but has not given the all-clear himself.

    • DC Movie #2: Black Canary

    ©Warner

    Black Canary in Birds of Prey

    Black Canary was to be the first solo film by Birds of Prey heroine Jurnee Smollett. Lovecraft country showrunner Misha Green was hired to write the script. So far there has not been any filming.

    What speaks for Black Canary:

  • Little, but the film is in an early phase of development and can be geared towards a theatrical release.

    • What speaks against Black Canary:

  • The Batgirl movie was rumored to pave the way for Black Canary’s solo adventure. (via CBR)
  • The film can still be canceled without any problems.

    • DC Movie #3: Static Shock

    ©DC Comics

    static shock

    The superhero film about a teenager with electromagnetic powers is being produced by Michael B. Jordan (Black Panther) and Reginald Hudlin (Django Unchained), but things have been quiet on the project since it hired a screenwriter in March 2021 in Randy McKinnon (via THR).

    What speaks for static shock:

  • High-profile producers you won’t want to alienate and a connection to influential African-American comics brand Milestone Comics, which was revived in 2020.
  • Static Shock wasn’t announced as a dedicated HBO Max movie (although a streaming star was considered by the old Warner leadership).

    • What speaks against static shock:

  • Again, the film is in an early stage of development, so it can easily be “forgotten” in the Warner production mills.

    • DC Movie #4: Supergirl

    ©DC Comics

    super girl

    Sasha Calle will be introduced as Supergirl in upcoming blockbuster The Flash and was slated to get her own solo film. According to the Batgirl news, this is another shaky candidate.

    Pros of Supergirl:

  • The TV series of the same name ended in 2021, so Calle could go her own way without constant comparisons.

    • What speaks against Supergirl:

  • According to inside sources at Rolling Stone, the Supergirl movie is likely to be scrapped.

    • Of course, these aren’t the only film projects in DC’s development stack. Over the past five years, numerous other Warner superhero films have been announced for a theatrical release or have been rumored to be public, including a Zatanna film by Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman) or Wonder Woman 3 by Patty Jenkins. Some things can still change with these projects, whether due to company mergers, creative differences or scheduling problems. As soon as that is the case, you will of course find out here.

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