In a recent cover story from Empire magazine, new details have emerged about the growing scope of Warner Bros.’ ambitious plans for the DC Cinematic Universe. The report offers a rare look behind the scenes at how the studio is managing multiple productions simultaneously, and it confirms that filming is set to begin soon on both Wonder Woman and Justice League.
As Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice nears the final stages of post-production — including special effects, editing, sound mixing, and scoring — producers Deborah Snyder and Charles Roven are already overseeing a massive production schedule spanning multiple upcoming DC projects.
One of the most exciting confirmations in the article is that Patty Jenkins is now in London prepping for Wonder Woman, with cameras expected to start rolling this autumn. This marks the first solo big-screen outing for the iconic Amazon warrior, portrayed by Gal Gadot, who will make her debut in Batman v Superman before taking center stage. The Wonder Woman film is scheduled for release on June 23, 2017, and will likely be the first female-led superhero film of the modern blockbuster era from either DC or Marvel.
Meanwhile, production on David Ayer’s Suicide Squad is already well underway in Toronto, with filming set to wrap in September. The film, which stars Margot Robbie, Will Smith, and Jared Leto, aims to bring a darker, more street-level tone to the DCEU and is scheduled to hit theaters in August 2016.
Perhaps even more notably, Empire confirms that soft prep has begun for Justice League, with full production set to kick off in the spring. The film is being overseen by Zack Snyder, who returns after directing both Man of Steel and Batman v Superman. Justice League: Part One is currently scheduled for release on November 12, 2017, marking a major milestone for DC as it brings its iconic team of heroes together on screen for the first time.
The studio is also actively developing Aquaman, with James Wan attached to direct. That project is still in the scripting phase but represents another step in DC’s plan to flesh out its extended universe with solo films for its key characters.
After years of talk, it seems like DC is finally putting its cinematic universe into motion in a big way. With multiple films in development, production timelines locked in, and a shared narrative beginning to take shape, the next few years could be game-changing for DC fans.
What are your thoughts on DC’s upcoming slate? Are you excited to see how Wonder Woman and Justice League turn out? Let us know in the comments below!