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New Details on BATMAN V SUPERMAN and the DCEU: Flash’s Role, Timeline, the “Ultimate Edition” and Where is Green Lantern?

Entertainment Weekly has published a lengthy new article from its cover story for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. In this piece, the magazine goes into detail regarding the creation of the DC Extended Universe and how Batman v Superman is making it all possible.

Below is a break down of the article. Exactly what is The Flash doing in Batman v Superman? Which character has been cut from the theatrical edition, but will be seen in the director’s cut? Where do Suicide Squad and Wonder Woman fit into the DCEU timeline? And where on Earth (or in space) is Green Lantern? All that and more are answered below.

[Warning: The Following Contains Mild SPOILERS From Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.]

  • The Batman v Superman budget is a whopping $250 million.
  • In introducing several Justice Leaguers in Batman v Superman, Warner Bros. sought input from the directors of their solo films. These include Patty Jenkins (Wonder Woman), Seth Grahame-Smith (The Flash) and James Wan (Aquaman). On the DCEU’s extensive interconnectivity, producer Charles Roven says, “I’ve made a lot of films, but I’ve never had to be part of trying to craft together where this many films are related. [Filmmakers] have to decide as part of their decision to join the team, are they happy with what’s come before? From the time they join, they’re involved in any major decisions.”
  • With six members set to appear in Justice League Part One, fans have noticed the absence of longtime member Green Lantern. The character is getting a new movie in 2020, Green Lantern Corps. But beyond that, we’ve heard nothing other than some rumors. Well, the character isn’t referenced in Batman v Superman, and Roven says that the Emerald Knight won’t be introduced anytime soon. “Every beat of the movie is not yet worked out. So there’s the possibility that he may or may not be in Justice League 2. For now, we felt that we were introducing enough characters that the best possible place we could put Green Lantern is some introduction in Justice League 2, or barring that, a movie after.” WB’s Greg Silverman adds,“[Green Lantern] is an incredible character. He’s actually multiple incredible characters. There’s real opportunity there. We didn’t do a great job on that first Green Lantern movie. This is a character who deserves to be treated in the same way that Batman and Superman and Wonder Woman are being treated now, which is with great reverence. I guess I can say to the Green Lantern fans: if they can be patient with us, I think they’ll be really happy.”
  • EW’s feature confirms that Suicide Squad, which hits theaters later this year, will take place after the events of Batman v Superman. Meanwhile, the present day portions of 2017’s Wonder Woman will also be set after Dawn of Justice. Wonder Woman will be set predominantly in 1918, but the present day scenes will act as “bookends.”
  • It was recently revealed that an R-rated cut of Batman v Superman, dubbed the “Ultimate Edition,” will hit home video this year. According to EW, this cut will contain more “brutal” action sequences, as well as additional DCEU hints and references. 
  • Speaking of which, Jena Malone’s unnamed character has been removed from the theatrical cut of Batman v Superman. However, she will be present in the Ultimate Edition.
  • In the Batcave, a Robin with Joker graffiti is on display. Regarding this Robin’s backstory, DC’s Geoff Johns says that will be further explored down the road. “We’ll be exploring that. No one says specifically the name of which Robin that is.”
  • Meanwhile, Ben Affleck has reaffirmed that the next Batman solo movie is in the works. Right now, he’s focused on wrapping his next directorial project, Live By Night, and he’ll then decide what his next movie will be. He tells fans to “keep your eyes peeled” for more Batfleck in the future, while revealing that he has seen Suicide Squad, calling it “really, really cool and and fun and awesome.”
  • There has been a lot of chatter about the “Knightmare” sequence, which will see Batman in a post-apocalyptic (?) desert and Superman commanding an army of soldiers. Well, EW has shed more insight on these dream scenes, had by both Batman and Superman. Director Zack Snyder compares them to A Christmas Carol, saying that they can either be actual glimpses of the future or warnings.
  • And this is where The Flash comes in. In one of Batman’s nightmare scenes, he is given a “cryptic” message from the Scarlet Speedster. The scenes will contain many other DC Easter eggs.
For other DC movie details, including Wonder Woman’s characterization, the fight between Batman and Superman, the challenges of creating a shared universe and much more, click HERE. Stay tuned for more news as we have it.

Founder and Editor-in-Chief of WOBAM! Entertainment.