Warner Bros. Moves ‘Batman v Superman’ Up to March 2016, Announces 11 Untitled Film Dates!
Another move comes from Warner Bros. today as far as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice goes. According to The Wrap, the upcoming team-up film has switched release dates once again, this time being moved up to March 25th, 2016.
Originally set for a June 2015 release, WB pushed the movie back nearly a year to May 6th, 2016 in order for the filmmakers to “fully realize their vision” for the movie. The problem with May 6th was that Marvel Studios had already claimed the same date and announced Captain America 3 will be opening that day. After Marvel head-honcho Kevin Feige stated multiple times they had no intention on moving, it became apparent that Dawn of Justice would eventually be the one to move.
Some speculated that Bats vs Supes would’ve been pushed back to June or July 2016, while others claimed April would probably be equally as effective. March 25th is a solid release date for a tentpole franchise, very similar to that of The Hunger Games in 2012, which earned $691M worldwide. This also clears up space for both Dawn of Justice and Captain America 3 to earn their full potential at the box office, as opposed to releasing on the same day and taking hits by going head-to-head.
In addition to Batman v Superman being moved up, Warner Bros. took another bold move today and announced 11 untitled film release dates all the way through 2020, 9 of which will be based off DC Comics. The dates are listed below:
Untitled DC Film – 08/05/16
Untitled DC Film – 06/23/17
Untitled DC Film – 11/17/17
Untitled DC Film – 03/28/18
Untitled DC Film – 07/27/18
Untitled WB Event Film – 11/16/18
Untitled DC Film – 04/05/19
Untitled DC Film – 06/14/19
Untitled DC Film – 04/03/20
Untitled DC Film – 06/19/20
Untitled WB Event Film – 11/20/20
The schedule may look not-so-similar to the apparent “leaked” schedule of DC movies we saw a couple months back, but if anything the official announcement seems 10x more promising. Expect Justice League to hit theaters on June 23rd, 2017, with standalone films for each character not long after. If I had to put money down (and file this away for future reference), I would have to guess July 27th, 2018 and June 19th, 2020 are Batman solo outings, as Dark Knight flicks have always benefitted from Summer releases.
The Wrap also made point of noting the two “WB Event Films” in November 2018 and 2020 could very well be the sequels to J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter spin-off “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” which will hit in November 2016.
What do you think? Is Warner Bros. and DC finally finding their footing in the cinematic universe world? Which hero are you most excited to see on the big screen from DC?
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice hits theaters on March 25th, 2016, directed by Zack Snyder and starring Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Jesse Eisenberg, Gal Gadot, Jeremy Irons, Amy Adams and Laurence Fishburne.
– Josh Sazin, 8/6/14
Reel Freak 
I was pretty skeptical of Affleck as Batman (along with seemingly the entire world) partially because I’ve seen Gigli and thus have a hard time trusting Affleck and also because we’re still so close to the Bale/Nolan series. And that series ended so well with The Dark Knight Rises (which I love almost more than the Dark Knight. When The Amazing Spiderman rebooted that franchise they at least were rebooting after a bad final Toby Maguire Spider-Man 3 movie (although this will be a new Batman three years after TDKR while the Amazing Spider-Man came five years after Spider-Man 3). All this is to say I am finally ready to embrace Affleck as Batman especially if he gives a stoic performance like in Argo and The Town. The released stills don’t hurt either. They look great and the Affleck version appears as distinct from the Bale version as can be expected (after all, they are the same character). So to answer your question, Batman is the DC character I am looking forward to seeing on screen the most.
Maybe we will see Batman & Superman v Fantastic Beasts?
I have to say I was not nearly as skeptical about Affleck as Batman when it was first announced. I was all for it, especially after the more recent performances he’s given. The reason I don’t look too far into the past for Affleck (as you mentioned, Gigli) is because that’s pretty irrelevant at this point in the game after he’s grown and developed so much as an actor and director. Batman is my favorite superhero and Nolan’s trilogy was a launchpad for me into the character’s stories. I think once 2016 rolls around, it will have been four years since TDKR and enough time for the world to see another Batman (especially one without continuity of Nolan’s version). I cannot wait to see the solo Batman outing which will probably arrive in 2019 (Batman’s 80th anniversary year), and I can only cross my fingers that Affleck will direct the solo movies as well. His style of directing is phenomenal and almost mirrors that of what Batman stands for; the detective drama of ‘Gone Girl’, the crime thriller of ‘The Town’ and the pure suspense of ‘Argo’ is what would do the caped crusader some serious big screen justice.
PS: It’s also comforting knowing that, even though the next Batman movie is probably in 2019, we’ll see him in BvS, as well as Justice League. What a great time to be alive.
You’re right, I didn’t take into account how long would actually pass between the two Batman franchises. I think for Batman there doesn’t need to be a huge gap given the breadth of stories the character can generate (unlike say the Green Lantern who people are not as familar with and whose powers might make the movies seem repetitive. No offense to any Green Lantern fans out there). I think Affleck will be a great Batman given his recent performances, like you said (I was only mostly kidding about Gigli). Plus he doesn’t have to be “better” than Bale, not that he couldn’t be, but they can both be great in different ways. I hope the new movies don’t try to replicate the Nolan formula and go with the style you’re suggesting. I liked the Bale/Nolan approach but there are so many ways to interpret the comics which aren’t consistent either with their portrayal of the Batman. I’ll definitely stay posted to your site for more news about the DC universe.
I appreciate the read and feedback, man. I also hope for a really consistent and identifiable version of Batman. I hope they differentiate themselves from the Nolan trilogy, but at the same time I want a detective Batman, one that not only hops in and kicks some ass, but who also follows clues and tracks down criminals using his abilities. I think Affleck knows that’s the correct way Batman should be portrayed, and for that I have full faith in him.
The detective version would be a great change from the majority of current comic movies. My favorite graphic novels show that side of Batman, the planning/brooding/calculating side. Very different from Thor, The Incredible Hulk, and others (the comparison might not be fair).
Well, to be fair, in ‘The Avengers’ Iron Man does say “I have a plan; attack.” haha, so I think your point is valid.