'Shazam' Won't Be Involved with a 'Justice League' Movie

Warner Bros. had been pursuing Dwayne Johnson for a role in their burgeoning superhero universe for years, and finally he confirmed his role will be as the antihero/villain Black Adam in a Shazam movie. There's still no director attached, nor an actor to play the heroic Captain Marvel, but with a writer on board in Darren Lemke (Jack the Giant Slayer), it seems things have progressed enough that execs are free to talk about their plans. Toby Emmerich, who heads up Warner Bros.' New Line banner handling the film, tells EW that Shazam may be separate from Justice League in more ways than one.

Emmerich: "It feels to me like Shazam will have a tone unto itself. It’s a DC comic, but it’s not a Justice League character, and it’s not a Marvel comic. The tone and the feeling of the movie will be different from the other range of comic book movies."

This comes after some rumors surfaced that Warner Bros. has a "no jokes" policy when it comes to their superhero movies. Basically it sounds like Shazam will be more adventurous and fun than what Man of Steel had to offer, and different than the grim 'n gritty Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice appears to be. 

Emmerich: [Shazam] "will have a sense of fun and a sense of humor. But the stakes have to be real. … Black Adam is a complex character. The villain in superhero movies is often, I think, what makes the movie. And I thought Dwayne’s take on the character, and the way that he saw Black Adam, was really compelling and fun."

It would also be a chance to see Johnson play the bad guy for the first time in a long while. His character Luke Hobbs in Fast Five was the antagonist but was ultimately on the side of the law, and that may be the sweet spot he goes for in portraying Black Adam. Overall it sounds like we won't be seeing Shazam as part of any Justice League movie, and may not be a part of that universe at all. I think the temptation to have Johnson cross over into other movies will prove too great.

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Dwayne Johnson Finally Reveals His 'Shazam' Role

For years Dwayne Johnson has been circling a role in Warner Bros. developing movie based on the DC Comics hero Captain Marvel, aka Shazam. But only recently as the project has actually begun to come together has Johnson been making the rounds teasing his role, stating that he had the power to choose which character he would actually play. Would he choose the heroic Shazam, or the villainous Black Adam as was originally intended? Well Johnson has quit teasing and finally revealed his choice, via Twitter of course, and he'll be sporting all black for this one.

"Kneel at his feet or get crushed by his boot." My honor to become.. #BlackAdam #TheAntiHero #DCComics

The character Black Adam was originally known as Teth-Adam and was the ancient Egyptian predecessor to Captain Marvel. But Adam became corrupted and turned "evil", but maintained the similar ability to transform into a super powerful being by uttering the word "Shazam". Lately he's been depicted as more of an antihero than a true villain, and with Johnson in the role that will probably end up the case on screen, as well.

While there is still no director or a star to take on the Captain Marvel role, the film has a writer in Darren Lemke, who wrote Jack the Giant Slayer. The problem is going to be finding a co-star big enough to believably stand opposite Johnson, both physically and in terms of star power. Shazam is expected to open in 2016. [Variety]

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Dwayne Johnson May Decide to Play Villain Black Adam in 'Shazam' Movie

One of the worst kept secrets around town is that Dwayne Johnson will be taking on some kind of role in a future DC Universe film for Warner Bros. The studio has been trying to get Johnson into the fold for years, as far back as Christopher Nolan's Batman run, and the actor WWE fans still refer to as "The Rock" hasn't exactly been silent about it. Most recently he's been dropping hints that he'll be starring in a Shazam movie but has remained vague on the details, and as I've suggested in the past it could be because he's not actually playing Shazam...he might be the villain.

In an interview with the AP, Johnson revealed that he has yet to choose between the Shazam (also known as Captain Marvel) role or that of his arch-enemy, Black Adam. When the rumors first surfaced years ago that Johnson was up for the film it was to be the bad guy, not the hero.  And with Johnson reportedly saying he's "a fan of antiheroes" and that his favorite DC character is Black Adam, then it sounds like his decision is already made up.

It's a credit to Johnson's star power that Warner Bros. is letting him make the decision, even though the choice he makes should have a drastic effect on the franchise they're trying to build. If he decides to play Shazam they can go with a lesser name for Black Adam, but an A-lister will be needed if he chooses to play the villain. However things shake out, Johnson promises he will give all he has to the role....

Johnson: "I am putting my heart and soul and my bones into this role."

Johnson has also been rumored to play Green Lantern and the alien bounty hunter, Lobo. 

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Dwayne Johnson's Teasing of 'Shazam' Role Sounds Very Familiar

For years Warner Bros. has been looking for the right DC Comics project for Dwayne Johnson to be a part of. So we've heard he was attached to play Lobo at one point for director Brad Peyton, but that never happened. He's been rumored as the guy to replace Ryan Reynolds as Green Lantern, too, however the longest-running story has him in a movie based on Shazam aka Captain Marvel. That latter one seems to be winning out, especially in light of recent comments made by Johnson basically confirming a role in a DC movie. In fact, here are those specific comments where he references a certain Man of Steel...

"The first quality we were looking for was that he had to be extremely complex and have a lot going on. What that does for me as an actor and the studio is it gives us space that we can explore; his complexities. The other quality was that he had to – the character we were looking for had to be well-known but never brought to life. Then what that does again as an actor, it gives me a little bit of space, and we talked about personality. It just gives me a chance to put an imprint into his personality, with the set of tools that I could bring to the table and put a very unique twist on his personality, but still pay homage to who he is. The third thing – and most important – is he had to be a badass mother[frick]er, OK, and on a Superman level of power, where [he] could throw down. In those three qualities, I’m happy we’ve found that character." 

Right, and the assumption then was that he was talking about Shazam. So compare that with what Johnson has now told Total Film and has the Internet all in a tizzy...

"I will say this. There's a character out there that we're going to announce very soon that I'm going to play, and I'll just say this: the power of Superman and it's not Green Lantern..."

He goes on to coyly add,

"Just say the word."

Would that word happen to be SHAZAM!!!? Really though, his comments aren't much different from what he said months ago. Why the big deal now? Perhaps it's the proximity to Comic-Con that has stirred everyone up, expecting Warner Bros. to trot Johnson out on stage to make the big announcement. That could very well happen. I guess we'll find out soon enough.  It's worth noting that back when the Shazam rumors first surfaced it was for him to play the villain, Black Adam. Perhaps things have changed.

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'Justice League', 'Wonder Woman', GL/The Flash Crossover in 2017; Shazam, 'Man of Steel 2' In the Works

The big news going around Hollywood today wasn't the latest tidbit of info about Star Wars: Episode VII or some new Marvel film, it was the launch of legendary news hound Nikki Finke's website, and let's just say things kicked off with a bang. After an extended screed about her time away after Deadline ran her out on a rocket sled, the site kicked off proper with what could be huge news regarding Warner Bros.' plans for the DC universe.

We already know to expect Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice on May 16th 2016, but Finke reveals there will also be the forever-developing Shazam film in July of that same year, along with Joseph Gordon-Levitt's Sandman during Christmas. Dwayne Johnson has long been rumored for Shazam, possibly as the villain Black Adam, and one has to wonder if this is what he was talking to the studio about some months back.

The reason given for the delay in Batman v Superman is for the reason we all suspected: to give more time to develop cameos in the build for a Justice League movie, which Finke says will arrive in May 2017, followed by a Wonder Woman solo in July. But what will really have fans pumped is a crossover film starring pals The Flash and Green Lantern, arriving during the holiday season. Not that it will come as a surprise but Warner Bros. is putting Ryan Reynolds' Green Lantern out to pasture and bringing in a new actor. All of this will culminate with a proper Man of Steelsequel in 2018. The oft-rumored Suicide Squad and Metal Men projects were bumped off the schedule but presumably could return at a later time.

If true this is a schedule that would have DC's heroes on screen more often than Marvel's, but Finke makes sure to note all of this is still being sorted out with hard announcements coming at Comic-Con. There's an awful lot of ambition here and if Warner Bros. gets their act together and can implement most of this, we could finally see Marvel face some real competition.

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It's Official: Zack Snyder to Direct 'Justice League' After 'Batman vs. Superman'

The open secret around the comic book movie circle has been that Warner Bros. is planning a Justice League movie directed by Zack Snyder, and if they were trying to keep that secret they more than gave it away with Batman vs. Superman's casting. The rumors really kicked into overdrive last summer, but the studio has never officially said anything concrete about it until now, and along with it come some new details.

Warner Bros. has made it official to The Wall Street Journal that Justice League is indeed happening, and that Snyder is the guy who will be at the helm. Not really a surprise there since it has been his singular vision driving these films, and it will be interesting to see where that goes in the future. As the Batman vs. Superman casting has pretty much given away, the 2016 film will bridge right into Justice League....

“It will be a further expansion of this universe,” said Greg Silverman, president of worldwide production for WB. “’Superman vs Batman’ will lead into ‘Justice League.’”

The script, initially undertaken by Will Beall (Gangster Squad) before David Goyer took over, is still unfinished. There also seems to be some question on the release date. The WSJ report says 2018 is the target, but THR is saying 2017. Latino Review narrows it down to May 5th 2017, and since they were apparently correct in predicting Snyder would direct it back-to-back with Batman vs. Superman it may be a good idea to trust in their sources.

Whether it turns out to be '17 or '18, that should leave time for another film to be squeezed in. Around the time of last year's Comic-Con word spread that a Flash movie was on the way. Dwayne Johnson has been boasting about a DC project he's got coming up, which is presumed to be a Lobo film.

Also of note in WSJ's story is this about other DC Comics movies in development...

Warner Bros. has several other movies in development unconnected to the Justice League that are based on DC superheroes and fantasy and crime titles from its Vertigo line of genre comics, said Mr. Silverman and Toby Emmerich, president of Warner’s New Line Cinema label. They include “Shazam,” “Metal Men,” “100 Bullets,” and “Fables.”

Fables has been in development for years, and was once going to be a TV series until Once Upon a Time stole its thunder. Shazam has also been a rumored project, which at one time had none other than Dwayne Johnson pegged for the role of villain, Black Adam.  We'll see where any of these films go, but I'd be surprised if Shazam is truly "unconnected" from the Justice League.

Thoughts? Are you hyped for a Justice League movie directed by Snyder?

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DVD Review: 'Justice League: War'

So here we go, since I watch a ton of cartoons and am a known OG comic reader I thought I’d hold the Punch Drunk Critics readers down and watch this Justice League War. Now see it was kind of hard for me to watch this without any bias since I pretty much think the New 52 and the new Origin of Justice League in which this movie is based is full of wacktacularness. That being said I’ve liked most of the DC movies a lot even Flashpoint Paradox so I thought I could be surprised, but sadly I am surprised in the worst way.  Justice League War is so full of wack that I was shocked by the amount as it grew when watching it and then continuing to think about it.

Justice League War is about the first time the major superheroes in the DC universe come together and forms the Justice League.  The story starts us off in Gotham with Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) giving chase to a shadowy figure that just kidnapped a woman of the street. The public and GL included think it’s The Batman since at this point in time Batman is just an urban legend.  GL is proven wrong when Batman comes out and saves the woman; Batman kicks the baddie, plus sons GL in the process. What we get from here in the first half is a buddy-cop relationship like K and J from Men in Black. Please note Hal Jordan is a complete and utter idiot in this version along with being overly arrogant. Batman is basically just Batman here. Their investigation in Gotham leads them to having to meet Superman for the first time in a not so peaceful way. 

What we get next is some vignettes of the other characters like Victor Stone playing football while his dad is off studying a device at S.T.A.R. Labs delivered by the Flash; Wonder Woman’s first trip to Washington with Steve Trevor; and the bonus of annoyingly bad Billy Batson being a fan of Stone.  Now here’s the thing: the production on this animated home release is pretty good. The animation is very solid along with pacing and staging of all the scenes. The real problem here is the story and the characterization of the main characters and the antagonist. Bear with even though I’m pretty public with my dislike of the whole post New 52 versions of DC Comics’ characters.

Here’s the thing it’s very hard to like any of the heroes in this story. Wonder Woman’s characterization is pretty sad, she’s mostly like let me smash this and stab that with my sword while screaming. She doesn’t seem heroic, honorable, a messenger of peace or a princess at all. Superman is just a meat-head jock type of guy. He doesn’t seem that inspiring or really threatening other than he can lift stuff and fly. Then we have poor Billy Batson and alter ego that is SHAZAM. He’s like every bad kid in a movie but in the end they never have you like the kid he’s just a little asshole who becomes that little asshole in a grownup body. There are no real arcs for many of these characters.

That being said there are a few good things in this. Barry Allen Flash is pretty likeable; he is just a very true classic interpretation of the character that you can root for in this story.  Another thing that was good is Victor Stone's arc to becoming Cyborg. We get the whole dynamic with his father and motivations for being in the situation he is in and how he becomes a hero. All of this was in comic version of the story but for me it is handling way better than it was in the original version.  One more thing that I didn’t like is how Darkseid us used and also how violently sensationalistic they are with showing all these battles. I don’t really think it helps anything in telling the story at all but you might just think I’m a fanboy prude.

Now the one thing that really stands out on this release is all the special features. The documentary on the career of Jim Lee (the modern comics GOAT in penciling) was really well done at covering his career and his impact on comics. For serious comic readers a lot of nice tidbits of history of Wildstorm is all through this. The Deconstructing Justice League feature with the director and Jim Lee discussing the comic version and the movie along with what was changed was quite enlightening and interesting. It might not be that fun to watch for those that don’t really care about the making of a cartoon or comic but if you are though man this is the real movie.  Now the last one that is the storyboard comparison to final animation is just pure creative nerd stuff. I loved it but I kind of draw for a living so it’s right up my alley.

So here it is, I don’t just  think Justice League War is not only the worst of these Warner bros animation DC comics home releases to date it’s the worst animated story they’ve done since modern DC superhero cartoon era started with Batman: The Animated Series in 1992. Even though it looks nice everything else is so mishandled that it's quite confusing. It has you questioning who else is getting involved in their creative process from picking the material to adapt to just constructing the story. Like let’s be honest here, Warner Bros. Animation has been dropping pure hit after hit since 1992 and now this. I hope this is just a minor blip on the timeline and not a foreshadowing of things to come from this continuing partnership. 

Oh and Aquaman got played out he didn't get a shot in the movie. 

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Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson Teases Major DC Comics Project

While his Fast & Furious pal Vin Diesel has already teased his way into Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy (and potentially other Marvel projects), things haven't worked out quite as well for Dwayne Johnson and Warner Bros. A few years ago he was rumored to play the villain Black Adam in a Power of Shazam movie, which would have been awesome. And recently he was linked to Brad Peyton's shelved Lobo film. But is it possible one or both of these projects is back on? Certainly The Rock has something cookin' with the studio, according to his latest tweet...

We just had a big meeting w/ Warner Bros CEO re: @DCComics 2014 we will partner up and create the cool bad assery. #RockTalk @ActionTilson
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) December 31, 2013

He could be talking about a comic book project but...nah, not likely. Does this mean he's landed a role in Man of Steel 2? Maybe in the part Jason Momoa has been mentioned for? Is the Lobo project suddenly revived? Johnson and Peyton are definitely familiar with one another after Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, so why waste what has already been proven to work? Or maybe it's something altogether new that we haven't heard anything about? Anybody considered him for Green Lantern, maybe? He'd make a Hell of a John Stewart. In fact, Johnson seems to agree that would be a sweet move....

Funny U say that.. RT: @krystal_burt: @ron2smoove I could see Rock playing in DC movies. Gravedigger or John Stewart (JL's Green Lantern)
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) May 17, 2012

Let the speculation begin. 

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Uh oh. Are Ryan Reynolds' days as 'Green Lantern' over?

As Warner Brothers and DC begin the process of building towards a Justice League film, they've got a little clean up duty to do first. The Batman side of things is in a place of total flux, with Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale departing after The Dark Knight Rises. Man of Steel is an unknown commodity at this point, with an unproven star in Henry Cavill. And then there's Green Lantern, which was supposed to be their lynchpin, with red hot Ryan Reynolds as the face of the movement. Then Green Lantern turned out to be one big costly disaster, and now Warner Brothers is stuck on what to do with him next.

In a new story by Variety discussing Warner Brothers' plans to utilize the wide DC stable of heroes, they note that the studio is considering whether or not to even bring Reynolds back for a sequel, or just to reboot the character entirely. Michael Goldenberg was hired two years ago to pen the follow-up, but he's recently been tapped to take on the Wonder Woman script. You can hardly blame the studio for having cold feet. Nobody had a worse 2011 than Reynolds did, and since fans aren't invested in Green Lantern right now, there probably won't be any complaints if they start over from scratch.

In much brighter news, the story also confirms a number of projects that have been talked about in the past. Along with the previously confirmed Lobo, Wonder Woman, and Flash movies, you can also count on seeing Suicide Squad, Aquaman, Green Arrow, and Shazam. We've written about practically all of these films in the past, so it's good to know those rumors have proven to be true.

Last I heard about a Flash movie, Greg Berlanti(Life As We Know It) was circling the director's chair, with a script by Marc Guggenheim and Michael Green. Shazam was announced three years ago, with DC Comics superstar Geoff Johns co-writing. The most violent of all of these would be Suicide Squad, which pits a team of villains working under the employ of the government and given approval to use whatever force necessary to stop dangerous threats. Talk of that film emerged in 2009, and at the time had Justin Marks(Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li) on board to write. 2015 was going to be the year for Aquaman, and I guess there's still an outside shot it could happen if Warner Brothers gets on the ball.

There's a good chance none of those players are still involved with those films, so don't hold any of it as gospel. Whatever path the studio decides to go in, it's clear Christopher Nolan is going to be a factor. They've been leaning on him more and more, wrapping up Batman and now producing Man of Steel. Even though he doesn't have a deal in place with Warner Brothers right now, they're willing to put all their hopes of beating Marvels squarely on his shoulders.

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