While fans continue to either lament or argue over the fate of Zack Snyder‘s version of the DC Universe—WarnerMedia recently reiterated that the Snyderverse ends with “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” and won’t continue past that — Warner Bros. and DC Films continue to show they are moving on to new chapters with new characters. Tonight casting arrives for two upcoming DC Films. First up, the casting of Dr. Fate in “Black Adam” has been revealed.
‘Black Adam’: Quintessa Swindell Officially Announced As DC Comics Heroine Cyclone
Pierce Brosnan and former James Bond actor will play the part of Dr. Fate (via The Hollywood Reporter), a character known to be an analog to Marvel‘s “Doctor Strange” (and to be fair, DC’s version came first, but is lesser known at this point). Fate will be a member of the Justice Society Of America, which already includes Aldis Hodge as Hawkman, Noah Centineo as Atom Smasher, and Quintessa Swindell as Cyclone. In the comics, Fate is Kent Nelson, the son of an archeologist who was taught sorcery skills and given the magical Helmet of Fate. The Justice Society Of America, in the comics, was generally set in the 1940s. Fate is a character that first arrived in that decade. Still, it’s unclear if “Black Adam” will be a period piece or not, and given its connections to the “Shazam!” franchise set in the present-day, that seems unlikely.
“Black Adam” will be directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, stars Dwayne Johnson as the titular anti-hero, and also co-stars Sarah Shahi and Marwan Kenzari. The film was originally set for December 2021 but is currently undated. It is expected to arrive sometime in 2022.
‘The Flash’ Loses Billy Crudup Due To Scheduling Conflict, Maribel Verdu Added As Barry Allen’s Mom
Meanwhile, another element of the Snyderverse is being dismantled, but only because of scheduling. Billy Crudup, originally cast by Snyder in “Justice League” as Barry Allen’s father recently had to drop out of the upcoming “Flash” film due to scheduling issues. Variety reports that Henry Allen’s role has now been recast with Ron Livingstone (“Loudermilk“) in the part.
Sasha Calle Cast as Supergirl In Upcoming ‘Flash’ Film
“The Flash” is currently set for a November 4, 2022 release date and will be directed by Andy Muschietti. The movie stars Ezra Miller as the Flash, Kiersey Clemons as the love interest Iris West. It will also feature key members of the DC Universe in a time-traveling and multiverse-altering storylines, such as Sasha Calle as Supergirl, Micheal Keaton as the Batman from the Tim Burton films, and Ben Affleck in his final appearance as Batman in the DCEU.
Variety also reveals some other minor casting details of the film: Ian Loh is joining as young Barry Allen, plus “Derry Girls” star Saoirse-Monica Jackson and internet personality Rudy Mancuso in undisclosed roles.
“The Flash” is supposed to be culled from the comics’ Flashpoint storyline, which sees Barry Allen, aka the Flash, traveling in time to reverse events. This version in the DC Films is expected to reboot and reset the DC Universe, now that the Snyderverse is mostly moot and Affleck no longer wants to play Batman beyond this cameo.