Welcome back to Collider’s “This Week in Superhero News”! The place to go to find the latest news of each week regarding the various superhero projects in movies, television, and other mediums. Trying to keep up with all of the superhero news that drop daily can be a daunting task, so we make it easier for you by compiling them in one place. The superhero news of this week includes aGotham City Sirensmovie being in the works, updates onBen Affleck’sThe Batman, what inspiredJosh Boone’sNew Mutantsscript, and theCaptain Marveldirector not being announced until 2017. Get caught up below.
‘Gotham City Sirens’: David Ayer and Margot Robbie Reunite for DC All-Female Team-Up
Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn was without a doubt a major stand-out inDavid Ayer’sSuicide Squad, making the reveal that the character would get a spin-off film not much of a surprise. However, Warner Bros. and DC seem to be taking it a step further with the reveal that aGotham City Sirensmovie is in the works.Gotham City Sirenswill reportedly reunite Robbie with Ayer as both director and producer of the film that will see Quinn teaming up with popular DC villains Catwoman and Poison Ivy. Reports also point out thatGeneva Robertson-Dworet(Tomb Raider) will be penning the script forGotham City Sirens. Interestingly, screenwriterChristina Hodsonwas attached to write the script for the previously announced spin-off, so these could be two separate projects.
There is definitely appeal for an all-female villain team-up since it’s something we haven’t seen yet in the superhero movie genre, but what I’m curious about is how a film like this would fit in the universe DC is still struggling to set up. The choice of Ayer as the director is also interesting given the response toSuicide Squad, particularly the female characters involved. No further details onGotham City Sirensfor the time being, but it’ll be interesting to see how the project moves along.
‘Aquaman’: Patrick Wilson to Play Villainous Ocean Master
You can’t call yourself a king if you don’t have an evil brother trying to steal the throne from you, and apparently that will be the case as well forJason Momoa’s Aquaman now that it has been revealed thatPatrick Wilsonhas beencast as the villainous Ocean Master. According to reports, Wilson joinsJames Wan’sAquamanas Orm, Arthur Curry’s half-brother who in the comics has remained a threat to the throne of Atlantis, specifically for trying to take it for himself. Wilson is no stranger to working with Wan having been part ofThe ConjuringandInsidious, nor is he a stranger to the superhero genre having played a role inZack Snyder’sWatchmen.
‘The Batman’: Ben Affleck Offers Updates
Just recently we learned thatZack Snyder’sJustice League: Part Twowas going to be delayed to make room forBen Affleck’sThe Batman, and while we’ve still yet to hear any official announcements about filming or a release date, Affleck recentlyoffered some encouraging updates. In a recent screening for his filmLive by Nightwhere he spoke aboutThe Batman, Affleck shared that they were “on the right track with that and everything is coming together.” He also pointed out that the script was still being finished up and went on to acknowledge the previous directors and actors who have taken on the character.
Affleck himself has been very vague about the timeline for the project, but in a recent interview outgoing Warner Bros. President of Creative Development and Worldwide ProductionGreg SilvermanincludedThe Batmanin a list of films Warner Bros. has slated for 2018, also adding that the film would begin production next spring. As mentioned, there have been no definitive announcements on the timeline forThe Batman, but these hints that we might be closer to it than expected are definitely encouraging.
‘X-Men: The New Mutants’: Josh Boone Reveals His Inspirations for the Script
It was recently revealed thatJosh Boone’sX-Men: The New Mutantswas expected to begin filming in Montreal this May, and Boone continued the chatter on the project by discussing thecomics that inspired his script. In a recent interview, Boone talked about whichNew Mutantcomics he and co-writerKnate Gwaltneyloved as kids that inspired the script, mentioning the “dark, interesting, and different”Bill SienkiewiczandChris Claremontrun. The upcomingX-Men: The New Mutantsfilm is reportedly a YA story following young mutants Wolfsbane, Magik, Sunspot, Danielle Moonstar, Mirage, and Cannonball.
‘Captain Marvel’: No Director Announcement Until 2017
As fans we are always hungry for every little detail we can get from films we are anticipating. That list of films includes Marvel’sCaptain Marvel, and while we know that Academy Award-winnerBrie Larsonwill bring the title character to life on the big screen, another detail we are very much looking forward to find out is who will be directing Marvel’s first female led superhero film. Unfortunately, that answer won’t be coming as a Christmas present this year with Variety film reporterJustin Krollrevealing that wewon’t find out who’s directing until the new year. Kroll mentions the studio will meet with the directing candidates soon. No surprise from the announcement with the film being a bit far, but this enhances the curiosity as to who will get the job.
