With both The Batman and The Flash taking their productions back to page one rewrites and Aquaman being moved to a release date of December 21, 2018, it’s being reported that Warner Brothers wants to fast track another DCEU film to open the same year. There are several scripts that are being written for DCEU films going forward, but which one would have the ability to start filming this year?
While there was a lot of buzz surrounding the Black Adam film starring Dwayne Johnson and the Green Lantern Corps movie being written by David Goyer and Justin Rhodes, both films would be so effects heavy that the shortened filming and release schedule would not work in their favor. So let’s get a little more realistic and manage our expectations. Here are a few possibilities for viable projects that could be filmed in a short period of time and be released next year.
Nightwing
When it was announced that there would be a Nightwing movie, many people were slightly confused but not totally against the idea. The big screen adventures of the former Robin could be a film worth seeing and, if done right, could lead to bigger and better things for Dick Greyson, including a possible Titans film in his future. If the movie is relatively small and takes place in a city like Bludhaven, than you can make a gritty, noir detective story that doesn’t need huge special effects or CGI. Have Dick Greyson already in the role of Nightwing, taking on a single bad guy in the film (if you don’t use Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke for The Batman stand alone, he would work well in a Nightwing movie). Also, this is another opportunity to have a Ben Affleck/ Batman cameo. A smaller budget film like this could definitely be shot in three months and edited in time for a summer 2018 release.
Gotham City Sirens
David Ayer is already attached to direct. Margot Robbie is already attached to star. Both are executive producing the film with a script currently being written by Geneva Robertson-Dworet (Sherlock Holmes 3/ Tomb Raider). Many of the pieces are in place for this film to start moving relatively quickly. This is another film that doesn’t require a huge special effects budget or a lot of big set pieces. It can be made relatively quickly on location, especially since it takes place in Gotham City. Other than casting the remaining leads (which probably won’t be much of a problem) there really isn’t much standing in the way of this film going forward.
Justice League Dark
Back in August Doug Liman (Edge of Tomorrow/ The Bourne Identity) was selected to bring DC’s darkest characters to the big screen. This might be the biggest stretch with the special effects and condensed shooting time, but there is a possibility that this project could be exactly what Warner Brothers is looking for. The script by Guillermo Del Toro (Crimson Peak/ Pan’s Labyrinth) is already in place. Both of these accomplished directors are professionals and are used to both budget and scheduling pressures. Also, many of the effects for Justice League Dark could be done practically within a shorter period of time. This is also the type of film that doesn’t require a lot of huge set pieces or location shoots. Make it small, intimate supernatural thriller that showcases characters like John Constantine, Zatanna, Etrigan and more and audiences will definitely come see it.
What do you think? Is there another DCEU property you would like to see released next year? Let me know in the comments below.
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