‘Wonder Woman 2,’ ‘Suicide Squad 2’ & More DC Films Confirmed At Comic Con

It’s been an interesting 48 hours for Warner Bros. and DC Films. On Friday, it was reported that Ben Affleck was leaving the Batman role, or more precisely would be phasing himself out of the role (by Kim Masters of THR who is rarely wrong, FYI). It seemed like a PR disaster; just 24 hours before the Warner Bros. Comic Con panel, it appeared as though there would be no more Affleck as Batman in the DCEU.

But 24 hours makes the difference, I guess. Today, Affleck showed up at Comic-Con, essentially said he would be in Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” and pretty much shrugged off the report, while not denying it outright.

More importantly, six titles not currently scheduled for release were confirmed: “Wonder Woman 2” which looks like it will be directed by Patty Jenkins again (but not confirmed at Comic Con), “Suicide Squad 2” (Jaume Collet-Serra rumors not confirmed), “The Batman” (that you already know is essentially coming), “Batgirl” (to be directed by Joss Whedon), “Green Lantern Corps,” “The Flash: Flashpoint,” and “Justice League Dark.” But none of these parentheticals were mentioned, just titles and logos.

Also teased, but already set with release dates was “Aquaman” (new footage was shown, but not delivered online) and “Shazam” (just recently announced with a start date). But essentially, you’ve known about all these films in one way or another so in many regards, any “confirmations” of all these titles are extremely underwhelming. Fans expecting details, release dates, casting announcements or more were probably left disappointed. Not even the two mystery release dates slotted by Warner were revealed (though at this point, “Shazam” and “Wonder Woman 2” feel like good bets).

Missing from the “official” announcements and previously mentioned as DC Films titles were “Gotham City Sirens” (to be directed by “Suicide Squad” helmer David Ayer), “Cyborg” (though you probably guessed that film was never happening), “Nightwing,” “Man Of Steel 2” and “Black Adam” with Dwayne Johnson.  No word was mentioned of the films or what has become of them. Perhaps they’re still in development (rumors of a Joker Vs. Harley Quinn film never panned out either).

All and all? Meh. Many of us were expecting more than titles and logos without greater context. But that’s the way the cookie crumbles I guess. Fans in San Diego seemed pleased enough as they received the new “Justice League” trailer with the first appearance of the villain Steppenwolf (Ciaran Hinds). However, considering all the false starts that DC Films have faced so far, perhaps not putting the horse before the cart with release dates and details is not the worst idea in the world.