RUMOR: Brainiac The Big Baddie Of Zack Snyder's JUSTICE LEAGUE?

While on MeetTheMoviePress podcast LatinoReview scooper El Mayimbe revealed that Justice League screenwriter Chris Terrio (Argo, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice) has handed-in an outline/draft to Warner Bros. Adding, that Chris' work on Batman v Superman is actually a production polish, and not a complete page-one rewrite. Blogs and fans assumed that with another writer onboard David S. Goyer's work was getting completely tossed, not the actual case. It wouldn't have made sense to have Terrio rewrite an entire script weeks/months before production was set to begin.

The bigger news concerning Justice League is the film's possible villain. El Mayimbe names the long-waited Brainiac is going to be the big baddie of the DC team-up event flick. You might remember that Brainiac was going to be the villain of Tim Burton's Superman film with Nicholas Cage as the titular hero. That film was never made, but Brainiac has remained a fan-favorite to show-up in the films.

The cast is expected to be Ben Affleck (Batman), Henry Cavill (Superman), Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), Ray Fisher (Cyborg), Jason Momoa (Aquaman) and others yet to be announced. A production start hasn't been mentioned, but it was rumored it was going be next for Zack Snyder. While other DC projects are also in-development such as solo installments for Wonder Woman and Aquaman.

The MeetTheMoviePress panel did make-fun of the suggestion of Benedict Cumberbatch, but the actor had been rumored for roles in Batman v Superman, that would setup Justice League. To be fair to them, Ben has been linked to all sorts of franchises including Star Wars and Doctor Strange. BBC was saying he was in the running for the Martian Manhunter part, along with a possible villain role. Brainiac anyone? Here is what Ben had to say about the Manhunter rumor.

"I'm going to let that rumour run."


SOURCE: LATINOREVIEW

UPDATE: Warner Bros. Confirms Zack Snyder Will Direct JUSTICE LEAGUE, Could It Be Released Against Another Marvel Film In 2017?

TheWallStreetJournal was able to speak with producer Greg Silverman about the future of DC film properties at Warner Bros. Silverman finally has confirmed that Justice League is happening, and will be directed by Zack Snyder (Watchmen, 300, Dawn of The Dead) . Zack previously directed Man of Steel and it's sort-of sequel Batman Vs Superman, the latter is also confirmed to be the precursor to the events of the Justice League movie. They also confirm that the film will begin production after Batman Vs Superman, I assume the studio won't be making any other DC films before then. Silverman also hints to a release date possibly around 2018 at the earliest. A script is still being put together, I believe last we heard David Goyer was still working on it.

Confirming the studio’s plans for a movie based on its iconic super-team for the first time, Warner Bros. president of worldwide production Greg Silverman said the studio has set plans to make a “Justice League” movie.

Like “Man of Steel” and its follow-up, which starts production next month, “Justice League” will be directed by Zack Snyder. Henry Cavill is expected to return as Superman, along with Ben Affleck and Gal Gadot, who play Batman and Wonder Woman, respectively, in 2016’s “Man of Steel” sequel tentatively titled “Batman vs. Superman.”

“It will be a further expansion of this universe,” said Mr. Silverman. “’Superman vs Batman’ will lead into ‘Justice League.’”

A script is still in development and Warner has not set a release date, though the movie is unlikely to come out before 2018.

Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck and Gal Gadot are confirmed as well, it's unknown if supporting actors from Snyder's other two DCU installments will have roles. Ray Fisher was revealed to be playing Cyborg in BVS, which is easy to assume he'll also be apart of the Justice League lineup.

There have been rumors that actors such as Jason Momoa (Aquaman?) and Dwayne Johnson (Green Lantern?) have been in talks to possibly join the lineup as well.

There had been talk from LatinoReview that the studio was considering filming the projects back-to-back, similar to how the Matrix sequels and the Hobbit originally was expected to shoot (both WB productions). Nothing says that Snyder will ramp-up production directly afterwards this upcoming film is completed principle photography. However, it's still early and Warner Bros. could move quickly to set a flag for a release date in 2018.

Batman Vs Superman will eventually get an official title by the time of it's release on May 6th, 2016.


UPDATE: LatinoReview has a small bit of information to add, they are hearing the rumored release date of May 5th, 2017. Oddly enough, another release date set-aside for another unnamed Marvel Studio film. It's possible this could be the date of Doctor Strange, Thor 3 or another in-development project. If true, it sounds like DC is making a play for Marvel's comfy May release dates.

UPDATE #2: THR has confirmed LatinoReviews previous scoop that Batman Vs Superman and Justice League will indeed be shot back-to-back by director Zack Snyder. They are also hearing a possible release in 2017 as well.


SOURCE: WSJ

DCU Finally Gets Some Diversity! Ray Fisher Cast As Cyborg In BATMAN VS SUPERMAN

Variety has confirmed the appearance of another Justice League member for the untitled Batman Vs Superman movie. They report that stage actor Ray Fisher has landed the role of Victor Stone aka Cyborg, one of the newer members of the lineup. He's also a fan favorite, thanks to involvement in the Teen Titan cartoons and recent wave of comic storylines. It's starting to sound like the entire film will only exist to setup events of the future Justice League film. Fisher joins Henry Cavill, Jesse Eisenberg, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne, Callan Mulvey, Tao Okamoto, Holly Hunter and Diane Lane.

It's the first step to see Warner Bros. and the DCU branch-out with some diverse characters, in this new cinematic world they're creating. I've been a championed of the character and I hope this leads to other non-white or non-male heroic characters added to future projects. Cyborg was rumored for a major part in the film and it's now been confirmed. S.T.A.R. Labs, the place of Stone's robotic origins was teased in Man of Steel. Fisher was also one of the many actors that tested for Star Wars: Episode VII. The untitled Man of Steel sequel is aiming a May 6th, 2016 release date.


SOURCE: VARIETY 

John Boyega And Ed Speleers Apart Of Short-List For Lead Jedi Role In STAR WARS: EPISODE VII

It looks like Star Wars: Episode VII casting is heating-up or just being dragged-out, as new names are being mentioned as contenders for a lead jedi role. Variety reports that actors such as John Boyega (Attack The Block), Ed Speleers (Downton Abbey), Matthew James Thomas (Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark) and Ray Fisher, have joined Jesse Plemons (Breaking Bad) as in the mix for a lead part in the film. A character isn't mentioned but it's likely an apprentice of sorts.

Production is expected to begin in May, and nailing-down a cast is needed to happen soon. As the new actors will be given extensive fight, weapons and sword training for the film. Things will have to come together, or they won't have enough time before shooting begins.

Currently, Adam Driver (Girls) is the only new cast member expected to join the cast. Driver is said to be playing the villain of the film, which is in the vein of Darth Vader (possibly a sith?). The assumption that he'll be a new threat to the established Jedi Order, or the Rebel-led government. Boyega is my faovrite of the bunch, as he is also a fan favorite for Black Panther. He's got tons of charm and could easily bring this franchise into the right direction. After the wooden performances of the prequels, John would be a nice upgrade.

SOURCE: VARIETY