It is arguably the biggest virtual event of the summer: DC’s own version of Comic-Con dedicated entirely to all things related to DC Comics characters across film, TV, comics, video games and more. The two-day event features virtual panels for much of DC’s upcoming film slate, including Wonder Woman 1984, The Suicide Squad, The Batman, Shazam!, The Flash, Aquaman and Black Adam.
For those who missed the events as they unfolded in real time, here are all the big reveals when it comes to the next wave of DC films.
Wonder Woman 1984 (October 2)
The next film from DC is a sequel to 2017’s Wonder Woman, which has shifted its setting from the early 1900s to 1984. There’s a ton of color and personality, as well as the return of Gal Gadot and Chris Pine as Diana Prince, aka Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor, respectively. They will be joined by a new duo of villains, played by Pedro Pascal and Kristen Wiig.
Check out the brand new trailer that debuted during DC FanDome below and sign up for a Wonder Woman 1984 Fan Alert here. For more on Wonder Woman 1984, see our two reports from the set:
Wonder Woman 1984: Your Biggest Questions Answered
Just How '80s is Wonder Woman 1984?
The Flash (June 3, 2022)
Ezra Miller is back for his first solo film as Barry Allen, aka the Flash. This film is a significant one, as the 2022 title will fully usher in a new era of DC movies by introducing the DC Multiverse. This means that we’ll see characters from other films and eras that will mix with our current roster of characters – all of it inspired by the classic Flashpoint storyline from the comics, which featured Barry Allen traveling back in time to try to save the life of his mother.
Most notably, the film will include multiple Batmans, including Ben Affleck’s more recent incarnation, as well as Michael Keaton’s Batman featured in the Tim Burton-directed films from 1989 and 1992.
Here is concept art revealed during the panel that features the Flash’s new suit, designed by Bruce Wayne himself. And check out our first look at concept art featuring Michael Keaton back as Batman.
The Suicide Squad (2021)
Perhaps one of the most boisterous and badass panels was the one for James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, itself a sequel to 2016’s Suicide Squad. This new film is a bit of a reboot with a new director, new vision and new characters, but it’s also technically a sequel, too, as it brings back characters from the 2016 film, including Viola Davis (Amanda Waller), Margot Robbie (Harley Quinn), Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney) and Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman).
In addition to the returning characters, here is a full list of all the new characters introduced today, as well as who is playing them. The Suicide Squad is due out in 2021.
Idris Elba as Bloodsport
John Cena as Peacemaker
David Dastmalchian as Polka-Dot Man
Daniela Melchior as Ratcatcher 2
Steve Agee as King Shark
Nathan Fillion as TDK
Mayling Ng as Mongal
Flula Borg as Javelin
Sean Gunn as Weasel
Michael Rooker as Savant
Pete Davidson as Blackguard
Peter Capaldi as The Thinker
Alice Braga as Sol Soria
And because James Gunn always brings footage for the films he’s working on, here is a glorious behind-the-scenes featurette about the film, described to be like a gritty 1970s war movie.
Black Adam (December 22, 2021)
Dwayne Johnson hosted the panel for Black Adam himself, answering various fan questions and saying that this film -- in development for over 10 years -- was a major passion project for him. "The hierarchy of power in the DC universe is about to change," he noted. As part of the panel, Johnson revealed a ton of concept art, most notably featuring other characters in the film, namely the antagonists, aka The Justice Society, made up of Hawkman, Cyclone and Dr. Fate, in addition to Atom Smasher, who is a central villain.
Check out some concept art below.
Here is an additional video that introduces all the characters. Right now the only other character that's been cast is Atom Smasher, who will be played by Noah Centineo.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods (November 4, 2022)
The biggest news out of the Shazam! panel is that the sequel to Shazam! -- currently due out on November 4, 2022 -- is going to be called Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Check out what that reveal looked like, courtesy of cast member Faithe E. Herman.
Aquaman 2 (December 16, 2022)
Aquaman director James Wan and star Patrick Wilson stopped by DC FanDome, and while they didn't reveal much about the sequel to 2018's Aquaman, due out in 2022, they did confirm that Wilson will indeed return as King Orm (aka Oceanmaster), the main villain of the first film.
The Batman (October 1, 2021)
Of course the best is always saved for last, and Matt Reeve's The Batman did not disappoint, revealing a bombastic first trailer that feels even darker and grittier than previous Batman films. Taking inspiration from the earlier days of Bruce Wayne's transformation into the Caped Crusader, the trailer carries the tone of something like Seven, as multiple villains (the Riddler, Penguin, Catwoman, among them) revolve around what appear to be a series of murders that involve James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) and feature literal signs calling on the Batman.
Director Matt Reeves was on hand to dish out a lot of new info on the film, namely that is based on Bruce Wayne's second year as the Gotham City vigilante, trying this criminology experiment throughout the city and seeing mixed results. Reeves spoke about how it's not an origin story for Batman, but it is an origin story for the heroes rogues gallery of villains, delivering versions of them all that are unlike any we've seen before. One look at Riddler's (Paul Dano) serial-killer vibe and the fact that Colin Farell is unregonizable as Penguin is a good indication that isn't a Batman story we've seen before.
Inspired by "street-grounded '70s films" like Taxi Driver, Chinatown and more, The Batman is part detective story and part mystery, but also incredibly personal as Wayne battles his own inner demons in his attempt to become the hero Gotham needs.
Watch the first trailer below. The Batman is currently due out on October 1, 2021.
