While movie theaters may still be up in the air this year, we are still getting a handful of DC movies in 2021. This is not limited to blockbusters like The Suicide Squad. We are also getting several animated DC features that will adapting iconic storylines. Warner Bros. is also bringing beloved, classic superhero teams to the forefront. So, here are five DC movies coming our way this year.
Batman: Soul of the Dragon
The first DC movie coming our way in 2021 is Batman: Soul of the Dragon. The animated Warner Bros. flick takes the action to the 70s, with the legendary Bruce Timm on board as a producer. Sam Liu is in the director’s chair for the 70s take on Batman. This completely reimagines Bruce Wayne’s legend, giving it some martial arts flare.
Synopsis – “Set in the midst of the swinging 1970s, this Elseworlds adventure finds Bruce Wayne training under a master sensei. It is here that Bruce, along with other elite students, is forged in the fire of the martial arts discipline. The lifelong bonds they form will be put to the test when a deadly menace arises from their past. It will take the combined efforts of Batman, world-renowned martial artists Richard Dragon, Ben Turner, and Lady Shiva and their mentor O-Sensei to battle the monsters of this world and beyond!”
Batman: Soul of the Dragon is out now.
Zack Snyder’s Justice League
While there is much DC action coming our way this year, perhaps nothing is more anticipated than Zack Snyder’s Justice League. This is the fabled “Snyder Cut” that fans have been begging to see ever since the theatrical version was released in 2017. Snyder was given millions of dollars to complete his vision, which will air on HBO Max as a four-movie movie. Among the many changes, Darkseid will be included, Jared Leto’s Joker is getting in on the action and Steppenwolf is getting a major makeover. It is expected to arrive in March.
Synopsis – “Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists newfound ally Diana Prince to face an even greater threat. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to recruit a team to stand against this newly awakened enemy. Despite the formation of an unprecedented league of heroes — Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and the Flash — it may be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.”
Batman: The Long Halloween
The Long Halloween is one of the most beloved stories in the history of Batman, if not all of the DC Comics canon. Now, the tale from Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale is finally getting a movie adaptation. It was announced last year that the story will be the subject of a two-part animated adaptation. The first part will arrive in summer 2021. The second and final installment will arrive in the fall. So this is a two-for-one that hardcore Batman fans will surely want to look out for.
Synopsis – “Taking place during Batman’s early days of crime fighting, this collection tells the story of a mysterious killer who murders his prey only on holidays. Working with District Attorney Harvey Dent and Lieutenant James Gordon, Batman races against the calendar as he tries to discover who Holiday is before he claims his next victim each month. A mystery that has the reader continually guessing the identity of the killer, this story also ties into the events that transform Harvey Dent into Batman’s deadly enemy, Two-Face.”
Justice Society World War II
Perhaps coming as a surprise, Justice Society World War II will be the first DC animated feature to center on the classic superhero group. But this is, perhaps, a strong case of better late than never. While no release date, as of this writing, has been set, it is expected to arrive in spring 2021. And considering the Justice Society is set to be a big part of Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam film, the timing couldn’t be better.
The cast includes Stana Katic as Wonder Woman, Matt Bomer as The Flash, Elysia Rotaru as Black Canary, Chris Diamantopoulos as Steve Trevor, Omid Abtahi as Hawkman, Matthew Mercer as Hourman, Armen Taylor as Jay Garrick, Liam McIntyre as Aquaman, Ashleigh LaThrop as Iris West, Geoffrey Arend as Charles Halstead/Advisor, Keith Ferguson as Dr. Fate and Darin De Paul as Roosevelt. Jeff Wamester (Guardians of the Galaxy) is in the director’s chair.
The Suicide Squad
James Gunn is know best for his work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe on Guardians of the Galaxy but he’s taking a trip to the DCEU for The Suicide Squad. Serving as part sequel, part reboot, the film will pick up in the wake of director David Ayer’s 2016 movie. While much remains mysterious, the bits of footage that have been revealed so far promise a wild ride. The Suicide Squad will release both in theaters and on HBO Max on August 6.
The hugely impressive cast is led by Margot Robbie, reprising her role as Harley Quinn. Idris Elba, Joel Kinnaman, John Cena, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Michael Rooker, Flula Borg, David Dastmalchian, Daniela Melchior, Steve Agee, Mayling Ng, Peter Capaldi, Alice Braga, Pete Davidson, Nathan Fillion, Sean Gunn, Storm Reid, Taika Waititi, Joaquín Cosío and Juan Diego Botto round out the massive ensemble.
So what do you think? Which of these DC movies are you most excited about? Will you be watching all of these? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Twitter!
