DC Entertainment is frequently seen at San Diego Comic-Con each year, but this year was particularly monumental for the company. New looks at two upcoming theatrical films were arguably THE highlight of the whole convention. There were also hints at other movies beyond 2016. Its television panel was also engaging, announcing new characters and unveiling new directions for its preexisting characters. And, as always, the next lineup of animated DC movies was announced, and among the 2016 slate is an adaptation of one of DC’s most iconic graphic novels.
Below, we take a look at arguably the five greatest moments from DC’s presence at San Diego Comic-Con 2015.
#5 – Batman: The Killing Joke Animated Movie is in the Works
DC’s next animated feature, Justice League: Gods and Monsters, premiered at Comic-Con this past weekend. Following the screening, the company announced which animated movies would debut in 2016. Inarguably, the biggest name on the list is Bruce Timm’s next project, an adaptation of Alan Moore’s acclaimed graphic novel Batman: The Killing Joke. Executive produced by Timm, this adaptation will include an original 15 minute prologue that sets up the story.
Details on The Killing Joke‘s cast are currently unknown. However, when Mark Hamill retired from voicing The Joker in 2011’s Batman: Arkham City, he said he would want to return for a Killing Joke movie. Now that such a film is happening, could he get his chance? Meanwhile, DC’s other two animated features for 2016 are Batman: Bad Blood and Justice League vs. Titans, which will introduce Batwoman and the Teen Titans, respectively, into this line of movies.
#4 – The Green Lantern Corps is Coming to the Big Screen
Fans were expecting Warner Bros. to officially announce who is playing the next Green Lantern at its Comic-Con panel, with Chris Pine
rumored to be in negotiations to play Hal Jordan. While that never happened, we did get another
Green Lantern movie tidbit. At the start of the DC portion of the panel, the studio screened a sizzle reel with concept art and logos for its entire slate. One of these logos
revealed the name of the
Green Lantern reboot:
Green Lantern Corps.
This title substantiates recent
rumors that the next
Green Lantern film would feature an ensemble cast, rather than focus on one single Lantern. Allegedly, the reboot would star Hal Jordan AND John Stewart, and possibly Guy Gardner as well. Making the movie an ensemble piece is a wise way to take advantage of the massive Corps. Hopefully, we hear more official updates on this soon.
#3 – The CW-DC Universe Expands: Hawkman, Speedsters and a Green Arrow
There were plenty of exciting announcements from DC’s television panel, particularly from The CW’s three shows:
Arrow,
The Flash and
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow. The former will finally see Oliver Queen embracing the persona of
Green Arrow, complete with a new, more comic book-y costume. Season four of the show will also feature Anarky and Mister Terrific, among other new characters from the DC Universe.
Meanwhile,
The Flash will be introducing plenty of fan-favorite characters for its second season. Zoom will serve as the big bad this year, while speedsters Jay Garrick and Wally West will be featured. Additionally, Barry Allen will get a new love interest in the form of Patty Spivot. Finally, with Hawkgirl a member of the main
Legends of Tomorrow cast, it shouldn’t be surprising to hear that
Hawkman will also appear on that show. The CW’s take on the DC Universe is expanding, and there are no signs of slowing down yet.
#2 – The Suicide Squad Assembles in First Footage
In a “surprise” event, writer-director David Ayer brought the cast of 2016’s
Suicide Squad to WB’s Hall H panel, along with a three-minute sizzle reel that
rocked the audience. This footage leaked online in terrible quality, and despite the studio’s efforts to contain the leak, it eventually caved in and released it officially. While the circumstances that led to the release were unfortunate, the trailer does give us a great first look at the first comic book movie that stars supervillains.
The reel shows Amanda Waller bringing together these criminals to “act against their self interest,” and it particularly focuses on Harley Quinn, Deadshot and, of course, The Joker. The latter looks downright terrifying, and Jared Leto’s performance promises a controversial yet effective take on the Clown Prince of Crime.
You can watch (or rewatch) the
Suicide Squad trailer
here.
#1 – Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Brings the House Down
And of course, we have the main attraction. If there had to be a winner of San Diego Comic-Con 2015, it is undoubtedly
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The studio brought director Zack Snyder and its ensemble cast to Hall H, where they premiered a three-and-a-half-minute trailer for the film. The footage was immediately
released online afterwards The sizzle reel shows a LOT from the movie, including Wonder Woman, Lex Luthor, and teases of the highly anticipated brawl between Superman and Batman.
The trailer also confirms a lot of rumors surrounding Dawn of Justice: we will see Bruce Wayne’s parents die *again* in a flashback scene, General Zod’s body will be used for…something, and The Joker did, in fact, kill a Robin. The Robin suit is seen in the Batcave with a message from Joker. Additionally, the trailer does a great job selling Ben Affleck’s performance as Batman, and it features jaw-dropping visual effects and thought-provoking philosophical plot points.
If this footage is any indication, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will be a truly special entry into the comic book movie genre. And its Comic-Con panel did a phenomenal job showcasing that, making it DC Entertainment’s biggest moment from the convention this year.
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What was your favorite DC Entertainment moment from San Diego Comic-Con 2015?
Founder and Editor-in-Chief of WOBAM! Entertainment.
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