The San Diego Comic Con is almost upon us. And, like every year, I hope that 2016 will bring us a couple of surprises. First, I really want to see that Wonder Woman trailer. Then there’s the Guardians of the Galaxy footage teased by James Gunn. I do hope that Spider-Man will also find his way into the SDCC, though I'd be more interested in a second trailer for Doctor Strange. And there is also the Star Wars universe - who isn't interested in that?
But, besides the trailers and clips, I'd be even more interested in finding out how Marvel/Disney, Warner Bros, and all the other studios plan to expand their shared universe. This list is all about that - the movies I hope to be announced in just a couple of weeks.
Unfortunately, Fox has decided to skip this year's SDCC. According to the powers that be, the peril of new footage being leaked is bigger and bigger with each year. However, since Deadpool was made because of leaked footage, and earned $781 million worldwide, is that actually a reason?
So, without further ado, check it out!
Marvel at Comic Con
Marvel has already made it clear that it sticks to its already announced schedule. Besides the addition of Spider-Man, nothing new has happened. Yes, some movies were pushed back (Inhumans, indefinitely), but only to make way for this newcomer.
However, there are some windows of opportunity. And they concern already existing characters. One of them is Iron Man - who deserves one more sequel. Why? In order to make up for the mess called Iron Man 3 and to introduce the Mandarin.
To go full circle, this should be the third movie of 2019, after the end of the Infinity War. Full circle? Well, it would also be the first movie of Phase IV.
The other character is Black Widow. If until now we weren't so certain about Marvel's intentions, it’s now pretty clear that Feige actually wants Black Widow in her own solo movie. Obviously, since the MCU flicks work better when more heroes are featured, I don't expect that she’ll be all alone. And this could also be a first movie of Phase IV.
What if Black Widow dies then, just to establish a big threat for the MCU?
Inhumans? I am not that interested. Instead, I want to see what happens with the rumored Marvel/Fox deal over the X-Men and Fantastic Four.
Warcraft: Tides of Darkness
Warcraft is in no way The Fellowship of the Ring. But, in the same way, it isn't An Unexpected Journey. I actually liked it. The world is built, the main characters are introduced, and the threads for future movies are laid. It isn't perfect, but it also isn't the disaster the critics say it is.
It is a flop at the US box office. However, the other markets have proven that Warcraft does have a following. So a sequel is now a must. All that Universal and Blizzard need to do is show Duncan Jones the right path.
And Tides of Darkness sounds just about right.
Yeah, I know - it isn't a superhero flick. But still. Warcraft can become a shared universe to rival the biggest out there.
Man of Steel 2
The DCEU is not set at all, given the response to the two movies already released. So I expect to see quite a few changes made in the near future. Even Flash's release date isn't so certain right now - so yeah, I do believe some announcements will be made.
And it should start with a proper Man of Steel sequel, as intended before Batman v Superman was announced. I wouldn't mind it too much if Superman were joined by other heroes - however, it should be his movie.
There are plenty of windows of opportunity for this movie to be made. Warner Bros. has to analyze which of the films on the current roster can be bankable and which not. I guess everybody wants to see the further development of Clark Kent/Superman.
And I guess everybody wants to finally see Brainiac on the big screen. Man of Steel 2 could be that movie. Hell, I don't even believe that Doomsday is completely dead, so this could also be a possibility.
I don't need a Shazam flick, just like I don't need a solo Cyborg one. What the hell are they thinking? Warner Bros. should focus on the heavy hitters at first and then come with the less known properties. After all, unlike Marvel/Disney, it still owns all the first tier DC characters.
The Batman
Batman is, without argument, the best thing about Batman v Superman. He'll appear next in Suicide Squad, in what seem to be flashbacks, and then in the first Justice League flick.
Having seen BvS, I understand why Warner Bros. pushed for a Batman solo flick. Besides Ben Affleck being the best iteration of the character, this is still the studio's most successful character. And even if it’s just been four years since The Dark Knight Rises was released, the next installment should arrive sooner rather than later.
Ben Affleck writes, directs, and stars in the project. He’s already said that the script is almost finished. And he has no movie coming out in 2018. Could that mysterious October 5 flick be The Batman? I hope it is!
Furthermore, the fact that the film will be packed with supervillains (there is a hint of A Serious House on Serious Earth adaptation) makes the project even more interesting. So yeah - I'd be more than happy with such an announcement.
Harley Quinn flick
The Harley Quinn project, which at the moment is just a rumor, is another interesting one. However, when the Suicide Squad movie proves to be a success (at least, I hope it will), what character should have a spin-off? Margot Robbie is Harley. With or without the accent.
So the rumor says that she will get her own film. Furthermore, she won't be alone. She will be accompanied by other supervillainesses. Tell me you're not interested in seeing that. I don't believe you wouldn't want to see a superhero flick with only female characters, all bad to the core.
Catwoman? Poison Ivy? So many hotties up to no good! Yeah, it could turn out to be a sort of Suicide Squad. But I don't really think so, since the sequel for this year's flick will star Will Smith.
This will also mark a first for all of the comic book movie producing studios. It would be the first time a flick focuses on a team of female characters. So DC and Warner Bros. have one more reason to announce this flick.
Justice League Dark
Enchantress shouldn't die this year in Suicide Squad, because she is the character who can connect the Justice League Dark to the DCEU. For a long time, Justice League Dark was teased by Guillermo del Toro, with the script already written. However, the director decided to step down to pursue Pacific Rim 2 - big surprise, he won't direct that, either.
But the script exists, anyway. And this is Warner Bros' chance to expand the DCEU into the supernatural realm. Constantine, Deadman, Zatanna, Raven, and all the others deserve to be in this shared universe. What happens when someone like Trigon threatens the world? Justice League, with all its might, will need the help of these heroes.
Of course, officially, the movie is indefinitely put on hold, but maybe it shouldn't be. If Guillermo del Toro is known for something, it’s the amazing universes he builds. It can't be said that he's such a great director - however, all of his characters and monsters are memorable.
So, yes - I'd want Justice League Dark to be announced as soon as possible.
Teen Titans
Like I said, I'm not interested in a Cyborg solo flick. What I want instead is a Teen Titans movie, in which Cyborg plays a secondary role to Robin. I don't want to see young versions of every existing superhero, such as Aqualad or Kid Flash. However, Cyborg, Raven, Beast Boy, and Starfire should be present. It would be an interesting mix of superpowers, don't you think?
And Deathstroke should definitely be the villain.
This would be a chance for Warner Bros. to do justice to Robin. Furthermore, it would open a myriad of other opportunities for the studio. As said, Trigon would be one. Then there is also the opportunity to explore Sapphire's history and further expand the DCEU into the far reaches of the universe.
Warner Bros. has said that Cyborg will be made, especially if the audiences responded well to the character's first appearance in Justice League. I'm not saying that the character should suck. I'm saying he'd be served better in a Teen Titans flick.
Suicide Squad 2 - Rated R
David Ayer already expressed his interest in directing a second Suicide Squad flick. Furthermore, he also said that an R-rating would be better suited for a flick about supervillains. And he’s right - after all, the Joker from this year will only hurt someone really, really, but not that really bad.
Will Smith is also on board for a sequel. And I do believe that Ayer and Smith make a good team - after all, they are making another movie together after Suicide Squad, a movie called Bright.
Of course, Warner Bros. doesn't want to repeat the Sony mistake of announcing sequels before being certain of the success of a project. However, Suicide Squad is the most talked about movie of 2016 on social media, and the response to the trailers has been phenomenal. Furthermore, the early reviews praise it, without calling it the best superhero flick, though.
And such an announcement would increase the buzz for the first movie. Don't you think so?
Booster Gold
As said, Warner Bros. should focus on the tier one superheroes. That's why I'm not interested in a Booster Gold flick. But since when did that matter? Booster Gold will happen. And maybe it will be okay. However, as a traveling hero of the future, maybe he should have been kept for later. For much later, that is, when the DCEU isn't so shaky.
Basically, the script is already written, and Greg Berlanti has already expressed his interest in directing the flick. All the studio needs is a date. And if there will be just one movie announced at this year's SDCC, I would bet that Booster Gold will be it.
Which is a shame. But, hey! Didn't the audiences complain that the DCEU is too dark? Booster Gold will bring them the light. Even if that means postponing other movies, such as Batman or Man of Steel 2.
Special Mention
Lobo - this character has been rumored to appear in the DCEU ever since the idea of a DCEU was launched. As far as I am concerned, the anti-hero can be paired with any other superhero (except, maybe, Batman). It would still be an interesting flick. As dark as the DCEU is now, Lobo would bring the comedy. And I guess I’m not the only one who believes that Lobo should be made, rather than Booster Gold.
What are the chances for such a movie to happen? Practically nonexistent. Besides the Rock teasing it (and then signing to play Black Adam), and besides Danny Trejo teasing the character, nobody says anything about it.
So, if there is just one movie announced at the SDCC, and this is it, it would be the biggest surprise ever.
What do you think?
Lastly, Sinister Six
The last time I heard anything about Sony's plan for an extended Spider-Man universe, Sinister Six was still happening. But, pretty much like Inhumans, it was indefinitely delayed. Make what you will out of that.
However, Marvel and Sony are now friends. So I guess the project may still happen. And since the Sony movie division boss said that they are indeed aiming for a Spider-Man universe, Sinister Six is definitely a possibility.
Maybe it’s time for Marvel to risk it all (again, that is) and make a movie about supervillains. What better way to establish Spider-Man as a powerhouse in the MCU? Just have him face a team of terrifying supervillains.
What other movie do you want announced this year at the San Diego Comic Con?
