From the Snyder Cut to Dwayne Johnson, 4 things you missed at superhero-filled DC FanDome
Warner Bros. went deep into expanding their DC Comics superhero movie universe on Saturday, rolling out first looks and big news at the virtual DC FanDome.
With Comic-Con and other fan conventions shut down due to COVID-19, the studio veered digital for a festival of comic-book characters, from film and TV to comic books and video games. Director Patty Jenkins and star Gal Gadot premiered a new trailer for “Wonder Woman 1984” (in theaters Oct. 2), James Gunn introduced the world to his cast for “The Suicide Squad” (Aug. 6, 2021), and fans got a first look at Robert Pattinson as the latest cinematic Caped Crusader in “The Batman” (Oct. 1, 2021).
But that’s not all, because Dwayne Johnson stopped by to sneak a peek at his first superhero (or is it villain?) vehicle and Zack Snyder dropped the first trailer for his anticipated Snyder Cut of “Justice League.”
‘Wonder Woman 1984’:New trailer – and an old-school heroine – featured at DC FanDome
‘The Suicide Squad’:James Gunn debuts first look at supervillain extravaganza
Here are four things you missed at DC FanDome:
Ezra Miller’s Flash movie will connect all of DC’s movie multiverse
Miller, who debuted as speedster Barry Allen in “Justice League,” joined director Andy Muschietti (“It”) to tease his upcoming Flash movie, a time-travel story based on the “Flashpoint” comic miniseries that’s “immensely important” in melding decades of DC films, Miller said. “A cinematic multiverse is born out of this movie.”
Much of the narrative hinges on the death of Barry’s mother, how his father was framed and incarcerated, and Barry wanting to set things right. “Batman lost his parents, Superman lost his planet, Harley Quinn lost her egg sandwich,” said screenwriter Christina Hodson. “But Barry, because he has this ability to go back and manipulate time, he’s the only one who can actually go and change his own personal story.”
The panel showed off concept art drawings of Barry’s new Flash suit built by friend Bruce Wayne. The Bruce he knows, played by Ben Affleck, will appear – as revealed by Muschietti to Vanity Fair. But there may be another Bruce Wayne, as old-school “Batman” actor Michael Keaton is in talks to join as well.
Zack Snyder unveils his four-hour ‘Justice League’ director’s cut
The fan-created #ReleaseTheSnyderCut movement called for it and Snyder showed off the first trailer for the four-hour Snyder Cut of “Justice League,” which will stream on HBO Max next year as a four-part miniseries. “To all the fans who asked for this cut, you obviously have superpowers. You made this possible,” said Gadot.
Snyder stepped away from the 2017 superhero movie after the death of his daughter. “Justice League” was finished by “Avengers” director Joss Whedon, and an online movement sprung up to have Snyder’s vision realized.
The trailer showed some differences from the theatrical cut, including a look at cosmic villain Darkseid. Snyder promised “tons more Flash” and a new focus on Cyborg, who’s played by Ray Fisher and is “the heart of the movie. Cyborg is the thing that in the end holds the team together.”
Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam might break Superman’s face
After more than 10 years in development, Johnson showed new concept art and explained to fans the title character he’ll play in the upcoming “Black Adam.” A ruthless antihero with his own sense of justice, Black Adam is from the fictional ancient Middle Eastern land of Kahndaq, “a melting pot of cultures, wealth, power and magic,” and after being imprisoned for 5,000 years, he’s finally free.
“Superheroes have to exhibit a little bit of restraint when it comes to taking care of the bad guys, if you will,” Johnson said. “This idea that you can take all of Black Adam’s powers and he does not practice restraint, that makes for a really powerful combination, one explosive (and) very dangerous. And very likable, to me at least.”
Johnson also loves that Black Adam’s origins are of a slave. “He’s felt the burdens and pressures of a larger entity holding him down until he can’t take it anymore. When you come form that place, it’s just a very different energy and it informs how he operates and delivers justice.”
The ‘Shazam!’ sequel gets a heavenly title: ‘Fury of the Gods’
Zachary Levi, Asher Angel and other members of the cast anchored a panel for the upcoming sequel to last year’s family-friendly superhero flick. They couldn’t give away much but did reveal the official title. “Shazam! Fury of the Gods.”
One thing that’s not as clear: If the comedian Sinbad, who starred in a “Shazaam” April Fools College Humor video, is in the new movie or not. He crashed the panel for a comedy bit selling himself for a supporting role: “I got range, man. I can play anything: good guy, bad guy, I could play Shazam’s trainer,” Sinbad said. “I’ll even do nude scenes: little booty, not a lot.”
