In this edition of The Week in Spandex, we look at Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Batman, The Dark Knight, Suicide Squad, Justice League, The Flash, Arrow, Supergirl, Batman: The Killing Joke, X-Men: Apocalypse, Wolverine 3, Deadpool, Fantastic Four, Legion, Captain America: Civil War, Thor: Ragnarok, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Captain Marvel, Namor the Sub-Mariner, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Agent Carter, Spider-Man 4, Jupiter’s Legacy, Doc Savage and more…
We’re starting things of in the DC Extended Universe this week, seeing as Warner Bros. gave us our very first glimpse of the R-Rated ‘Ultimate Cut’ of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice with the release of the first trailer for the extended version, along with details of the Blu-ray and DVD special features [check them out here]. The trailer featured plenty of new footage, including a glimpse of Jena Malone’s still-unconfirmed character – be sure to check out Ricky Church’s article on who she could be playing here…
…Following the release of the trailer, cinematographer Larry Fong warned fans who didn’t like the theatrical cut that the extended edition is unlikely to change any opinions. That means Jeremy Irons probably isn’t going to be a fan, given the Alfred actor’s comments this week about the film’s negative reviews: “Deservedly so. I mean it took $800 million, so the kicking didn’t matter but it was sort of overstuffed. It was very muddled. I think the next one will be simpler. The script is certainly a lot smaller, it’s more linear.” Aquaman director James Wan also offered a few words on the critical mauling, stating that: “I think it’s a world that is so difficult to control, and always expectations of fans are out of this world, right? No pun intended. I know how hard it is, from making Conjuring 2, how much anticipation there is just from the first movie. I think you do the best you can, and tell the best story you can…”
…An interview with Ben Affleck from the promotional campaign for Batman v Superman surfaced this week, during which Affleck shared a few thoughts as to how he’d approach the solo Batman movie (which he’s since been confirmed as writing with Geoff Johns): “I think what I would do, what I probably would do, is in some ways what Zack Snyder did with [Batman v Superman], which is to borrow certain things from the great comic books, but create an original story around it because I wouldn’t want the fans to already know the story and be familiar, but I would borrow, steal, great things that have been done before in the comics…”
…Sticking with Batman for a moment and some unused concept art from Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight has surfaced this week, providing us with a look at alternative designs for The Joker and Two-Face; check it out here…
…Man of Steel star Russell Crowe has confirmed what we pretty much knew anyway – that Warner Bros. intending on producing more Superman sequels before opting to add The Dark Knight for Batman v Superman: “Originally — I could be completely wrong — I think there was a number of Superman movies. But I think they made the decision to jump past those and go to the idea of Batman and Superman in the same film…”
…This week has brought us some new marketing material for Suicide Squad, including a couple of magazine covers featuring The Joker and Task Force X [see here], along with five new promotional posters [see here], a batch of images [see here], and promo images for Funko’s range of Suicide Squad Pop! Vinyl figures [see here]. Meanwhile, director David Ayer has spoken briefly about Jared Leto’s Joker, stating that: “You’re looking at one of the best-known villains in western literature. He has to be very respectful and elegantly crafted, because you’re following in the footsteps of giants. He’s very loyal to the canon, but with some modern twist. With Jared, it’s interesting because how do you come at that character? It’s like treading on hallowed ground. It requires a strange combination of both respect and fearlessness. I don’t want to reveal too much about the magic trick…”
…Jesse Eisenberg confirmed this week that he’s set to reprise the role of Lex Luthor for Justice League, while El Mayimbe of Heroic Hollywood offered up a “scoop” (if you can call regurgitating old posts on Reddit a “scoop”) on four titles being considered for the Zack Snyder-directed ensemble just hours before DC Films chief Geoff Johns debunked it, confirming that the first movie is actually just going to be called Justice League…
…A few weeks ago Warner Bros. parted ways with director Seth Grahame-Smith due to creative differences on 2018’s The Flash movie, and now the studio has found his replacement in Rick Famuyiwa, director of the critically acclaimed Dope. According to reports, “the feeling internally was that Famuyiwa provided a vision that would resonate with young viewers and that vision was very compatible with the script that the studio is moving toward the start gate with…”
…Arrow star Willa Holland has expressed her disappointment at the lack of crossover between the DC Extended Universe and the various small screen offerings, stating that: “Marvel does it in their own weird way, the mash between Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and the movies and stuff. So it’s a little upsetting because you know it is possible and it can be done and how good it would be if it was done. “It was annoying at first and then when Stephen [Amell] found out there was going to be a Justice League movie it only seemed, rightly so, he would be playing Green Arrow on it as well as Grant Gustin playing The Flash. “It just seemed like the right normal answer. Once they said no, you can’t really fight against them for it, because they are the people that gave us a job in the first place. You just have to sit there on your hands, like okay, I get it…”
…Sticking with DC TV, and Warner Bros. has released cover art and details for the Blu-ray releases of Supergirl: The Complete First Season and The Flash: The Complete Second Season, while CoSA VFX has released a visual effects reel for the second season of Gotham, which you can watch here. And while you’re at it, be sure to check out Martin Carr’s review of the season two finale ‘Transference’ here…
…In one last piece of DC news, a new batch of images has arrived online for the hotly-anticipated animated movie adaptation of Batman: The Killing Joke, which we have for you here…
…Click below to continue on for X-Men: Apocalypse, Wolverine 3, Deadpool, Fantastic Four, Legion, Captain America: Civil War, Thor: Ragnarok, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Captain Marvel, Namor the Sub-Mariner, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Agent Carter, Spider-Man 4, Jupiter’s Legacy, Doc Savage and more…
