DC Cinematic Universe 2015 Update

DC Cinematic Universe 2015 "Vigilant" Update

"Clowns to the left of me, the Joker's to the right, here I am, stuck in the middle with you!" (Batman vs Superman and Suicide Squad fan art).

FILMS:

Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice

The official Batman vs Superman movie poster released just a few weeks ago

           It was only a matter of time before DC's two big guns duked it out on the silver screen, and fanboys across the nation wouldn't have it any other way. In this sequel to 2013's Man of Steel, the United States government will be sending the son of Krypton, (Henry Cavhill), to deal with a certain bat problem in Gotham City, (Ben Affleck). As Oliver Queen once said in Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, "Batman is mysterious, but it's a noisy kind of mysterious." Mr. Queen could not be more accurate, as Batsy has ticked off the government something fierce as a side effect of his crusade on street crime.

            This version of the dark knight may be aging a bit, but he sure has some serious tricks up his sleeve for the big, blue boy scout. Armed with all sorts of high-tech weaponry, satellites, drones and the most incredible bat mobile I have laid eyes on, the man of steel is in for more than he bargained for. Drawing much inspiration from the most infamous bout these two titans have ever had in graphic novel history, The Dark Knight Returns, the film will also include a new armored batsuit made specifically for fighting Superman, (as seen below), Carrie Kelly as the new Robin and a Bat-voice so on-point, even Kevin Conroy would have to tip his hat, (if he wears hats, not too sure about that).

"Tell me.... do you bleed? ........ YOU WILL." - The Batman vs. Superman official teaser

              Other new DCU cinematic additions will include Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Jason Momoa as Aquaman, Ezra Miller as The Flash, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, Jeremy Irons as Alfred, Ray Fisher as Cyborg, Christina Wren as Carol Ferris (Star Sapphire) and David Bianchi as Jason Todd, (Red Hood). Returning cast members include Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Laurence Fishburne as Perry White and Diane Lane as Martha Kent. Set to release in 2016, I know I am not the only one who is dying to find out if Superman will bleed. If you have not seen the newly released trailer, here it is below for your viewing pleasure:

Suicide Squad:

A first look at the full roster for Amanda Waller's, (Viola Davis), Task Force X, known to most as the Suicide Squad. (From left to right): Adam Beach as Slipknot, Jai Courtney as Captain Boomerang, Karen Fukuhara as Katana, Cara Delevingne as Enchantress, Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flagg, Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Will Smith as Deadshot, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Killer Croc and Jay Hernandez as El Diablo

         This one's sure to be a real doozy DC fans. When I first heard of the Suicide Squad movie starting the casting process, I was immediately ecstatic as I am a long-time reader of the book and love the concept and characters. However, as soon as I found out the Joker was going to be a part of it, my smile quickly became a frown. The Joker is my favorite comic book villain, but he was never a member of the Suicide Squad. I thought that Hollywood was just taking creative liberties to utilize a character that is infamous worldwide just to generate buzz. THEN, I actually found out what the plot to the film was going to be, and was so happy that I was wrong in my assumption.

A first look at Jared Leto's portrayal of The Joker for Suicide Squad

           This is my take on the plot based on quite a bit of online research. Amanda Waller, the director of A.R.G.U.S., (the covert government agency that deals with meta-humans in the DCU), has put together a team of uniquely skilled convicts, (including Harley Quinn, Headshot, Killer Croc, Enchantress, Slipknot, Rick Flagg, El Diablo, Katana and Captain Boomerang), to execute deadly missions in lieu of incarceration. The specific mission in this film is extraordinary. Waller needs her Suicide Squad to HUNT DOWN THE JOKER. Therefore, the Joker is not a member of the team, he is the main antagonist of the movie. O.k., that makes sense, and it's an awesome way to use the Joker and incorporate him into the DC Cinematic Universe as early as possible. Why are they hunting him though?? One word: BATMAN !!! 

             See, Waller is sicking her team on the Joker because he is one of the only people who has encountered the dark knight face-to-face. Batman will be more of an urban legend in this brand new DC Cinematic Universe, as opposed to the infamous hero that he has been known to be in previous Bat-Films. DC will be portraying him as more of a scary "boogeyman" that operates in the shadows, scaring the absolute crap out of anyone who even thinks about breaking the law. The government is sick of Batman's vigilante shenanighans and Waller wants him brought in and incarcerated for his crimes. However, as Batman is also the key to crucial intelligence on the other "supers," (i.e., Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash, etc.), Waller  wants the bat bad. Since he is almost impossible to find, the government's best bet is to capture the Joker first, and see what he spills, if anything. What a cool concept!

A first look at Margot Robbie's portrayal of Harley Quinn for Suicide Squad

Network Television:

The DC TV Universe has no shortage of amazing characters stacking their roster.

ARROW:

Stephen Amell as The Arrow

     


               As the emerald archer of Starling City wraps up season 3 of this incredible series, we are just two episodes away from finding out if Oliver and his team will escape captivity in Nanda Parbat before the Arrow is forced to fill the shoes of Ra's Al Ghul as the new leader of the League of Assassins. This series has been an edge-of-your-seat thriller since season one, and it has no signs of slowing down any time soon. I know I am not the only one dying to find out the plot and main antagonist of season 4, (more Komodo please!!).




THE FLASH:

Grant Gustin as The Flash

         

             I just cannot say enough about this series. I have always considered The Flash to be one of the greatest overall superhero stories ever told. With the aid of modern CGI technology and special effects, I can confidently say that The Flash on CW is without a doubt the best overall superhero television series ever to air on network tv. The season one plot involving the particle accelerator disaster and Tom Cavanagh as the Reverse Flash has been extremely exciting and suspenseful. Most importantly, The Flash coincides with the years and years of source material with the utmost grace and fortitude, making for fun television for the extreme fans and newcomers alike. With the formation of the Rouges starting to come together, and appearances from classic Flash villains such as Gorilla Grodd, Pied Piper, Trickster, Clock King and Blackout, season 2 is going to be an absolute barnburner! I'm getting hot "FLASHES" just thinking about it!




GOTHAM:

Ben Mckenzie as Jim Gordon and Donal Logue as Harvey Bullock

       


             This series may take a lot of creative liberties in regards to the Bat-mythos, but it sure was a lot of fun to watch nonetheless. As season one came to a close this past week with a vicious gang war in the streets of Gotham, all the major players in the fight for control of Gotham are now in place for season 2, with Gordon and Bullock smack dab in the middle of it all. Though the timeline does not match up at all for a lot of the villains the show introduced in its first season, (i.e., The Joker, The Riddler, Black Mask, Victor Zsaz, etc.), you have to respect the fact that the creators are doing something that has never been done before, in that they are successfully telling a Batman story.... without the use of Batman!! As excited as I am for season 2, I do hope they press the fast forward button in regards to the timeline, as I feel it would be easier to introduce big name characters. Three cheers for Gotham though, great show, lots of fun and Robin Lord Taylor's portrayal of the Penguin stole the show.




CONSTANTINE:

Matt Ryan as John Constantine

         


               Our old chum John Constantine may not have received the ratings he and the rest of the cast deserved for this horror masterpiece, but that was no fault of his. Matt Ryan provided the most stellar performance as Constantine ever done in tv or film, (Keanu Reeves sucked as Constantine in the 2005 title film). The only problem with this series is its air time: Friday nights at 10pm eastern time. Come on!! Why did this awesome show get such a terrible time slot?? Fear not though, my fellow Hellblazer fans, if NBC drops this show, (which would be a stupid move), Netflix is more than prepared to pick it up, change the name to Hellblazer, and air it as a no-holds-barred horror fest as there are very little restraints from the FCC on Netflix. In regards to the show itself, I was so impressed with the way the storylines coincided almost perfectly with the stories written by Jamie Delano in the early Hellblazer volumes.



I ZOMBIE:

Rose McIver as Liv Moore

     

            I never read this Vertigo title, but I have to say that so far, this show is pretty damn cool. Rose McIver is the cutest, most lovable zombie in her role as Liv Moore, a medical resident who utilizes the perks of being a zombie to assist the police in solving murder cases. She may eat brains, which is gross, but she kicks ass too, and did I mention how cute she is?? Anyway, check this out, they've only aired a couple episodes so far it it is wildly entertaining.



**NEW DC / VERTIGO TV SERIES SET TO AIR IN THE UPCOMING YEAR:




SUPERGIRL:

Melissa Benoist as Supergirl

         


             Melissa Benoist is the spitting image of Kara El, aka Superman's cousin, aka Supergirl, for the CW's new series set to air next Fall, Supergirl. She is a beautiful girl next door type, she wears the cape well, and I am intrigued at the very least, though I have never been able to get into the Supergirl comic.. Well, except for when she became a red lantern a few years back and kicked the crap out of Lobo, that was cool, but I digress.



LEGENDS OF TOMORROW:

Brandon Routh as The Atom

     


                This is the new Arrow/Flash spinoff still being casted for the CW involving supporting characters from both shows, including but not limited to, Ray Palmer (The Atom), Black Canary, Firestorm, Hawkgirl, Captain Cold, Heatwave and others still to be announced. I am really not sure why the hell Captain Cold and Heatwave are a part of this, since they are staple villains of The Flash and members of the super villain group The Rouges. However, what I can say is that this series appears to be influenced by the most current, (2012-2014), DC New 52 Justice League of America book. Either way, this series looks quite promising, and is set to start production this Summer.




PREACHER:

Dominic Cooper as Reverend Jesse Custer

           As the most vile, gruesome, politically incorrect horror story that I have ever had the privilege to read, the fact that this epic story of heaven and hell was even considered for television completely shocked me. With this Vertigo title's lengthy run however, writers for the show will certainly not have a shortage of material. From what I know from the graphic novel written by Garth Ennis, (who is also the main writer on the show), we will be joining reverend Jesse Custer, (Dominic Cooper), a preacher in a small Texas town, as he embarks on a spiritual mission to combat the supernatural evil that has decimated his parish and town. As Custer travels deeper through the dichotomy of heaven and hell, he realizes that he has strange new supernatural powers, and also that things are not status quo within heaven's pearly white gates. It seems that God has actually abandoned the human race, and Custer is not going to stop until he confronts God and finds out why he, she or it has apparently "cut and run." Ennis and his writing team will definitely have to tone it down in regards to language, sex and violence if this is going to air on network tv, but it should still be an instant masterpiece. I'll be surely be waiting with great anticipation for Preacher to come out.