Considering how marketable the Marvel Universe is with movies – Guardians of the Galaxy has managed to clean up over $650 million worldwide – Warner Bros. is looking for its own cut of comic book profits, as it has announced no less than 11 new DC Comics-based films to come between 2016 and 2020.
The news was revealed during a Time Warner investors meeting this morning, with CEO Kevin Tsujihara confirming the existence of all 11 films. Along with separate releases featuring top superstars like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (Shazam) and Jason Momoa (Aquaman), two Justice League films, to be directed by Man of Steel helmer Zack Snyder, have also been planned, according to IGN.
Here’s how the whole slate looks between 2016 and 2020:
Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, directed by Zack Snyder (2016)
Suicide Squad, directed by David Ayer (2016)
Wonder Woman (2017)
Justice League Part One, directed by Zack Snyder (2017)
The Flash, which will star Ezra Miller in the lead role (2018)
Aquaman, starring Jason Momoa (2018)
Shazam, featuring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (2019)
Justice League Part Two, directed by Zack Snyder (2019)
Cyborg, starring Ray Fisher (2020)
Green Lantern (2020)
Another interesting wrinkle with this announcement is the reboot of Green Lantern. Warner Bros. previously released a feature-length film in 2011 featuring Ryan Reynolds in the lead role. Unfortunately, it was met with harsh criticism and failed to make back its rumored $300 million budget, leading Warner Bros. to the idea that a reboot more loyal to the comics was in order.
Comics in Hollywood are big business for DC Comics right now. Prior to these announcements, a number of its products have been licensed for TV shows, including CW’s The Flash (which has big audience numbers right alongside popular TV show Arrow), Fox’s Gotham and NBC’s Constantine, which will premiere later this month.
Now the only question is if it can keep up with the success alongside Marvel, who recently announced that Robert Downey Jr. would be joining the cast of the third Captain America film. Not to mention the heavy buzz going into next year’s Avengers: Age of Ultron…
