Fifteen years down the line after leading the charge as the DC Films President, Walter Hamada has now resigned from his post after much speculation on the matter for quite some time, and it all comes to follow with the release of the highly anticipated Black Adam movie set to release on October 21, 2022. Although many would consider the future of this superhero universe endangered, the DCEU and its complementary parallel alternate universes still continue to expand.

Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) took the world by storm with his statements regarding not only his own character but also a dominant force such as Superman, who has ruled over the hearts of comics and movie fans alike. It’s the one character who has held fans’ hope, much like how he represents himself, in terms of the fate of DC’s movies. Yet his name has been kept out of the bubbling discussions of the films’ chronology, intriguing the news around the well-covered secrets the officials may be sweeping under the rug.

In spite of the ostensible failing parade, DC is still rising on the horizon with several projects already underway or at least announced. The TV side of the universe is also going strong with Titans Season 4 and Doom Patrol releasing towards the end of this year. Regardless of what some constant and driven antagonistic remarks may be making out, the game is far from over for these notable superheroes. The most interesting bit of witnessing the new phase of these movies is that it isn’t solely focussed on building the constricting vision of the classic Justice League, but is also willing to expand the pantheon itself, introducing and fleshing out more characters who should’ve already seen the light of the day by now.

Here are some upcoming titles that will change the game, and also help these superheroes stay in the game. (It should also be taken into count that DCEU is a separate force from some other releases that might as well come under the same comics but are deemed to be part of a separate universe altogether.)

Upcoming DC Movies That Will Change the Way You Look at the Universe

Black Adam

Releasing tomorrow, Dwayne Johnson’s titular character is passionately compelled to broaden the looks of the universe. Introducing the Justice Society for the first time on the big screen will be DC’s first team-up ever since the Justice League and Suicide Squad. It will branch out to new characters like Atom Smasher, Hawkman, Doctor Fate, Cyclone, and more. A rumored cameo of Henry Cavill’s Superman, something that Johnson has been endlessly negotiating for, may also bring the focus back to a forgotten unsung hero of the universe who was responsible for reeling in countless fans right at the beginning.

With all the discussion doing the rounds, this may as well put into motion the obliterated Man of Steel sequel the fans have been desperately awaiting to rise. Moreover, The Rock has been pushing the agenda of the ultimate showdown between his character and Cavill on his back far too long for it not to be confirmed. Once Cavill’s comeback is official and sound, the chances of a Black Adam Vs Superman movie may also rise significantly. Johnson has changed the narrative by reviving fans’ hopes of seeing the OG superhero once again and exposing the ‘old regime’s’ dismissal of the character who has the held the roots of this universe upright for this long, despite his absence.

Shazam! Fury of the Gods

Zachary Levi’s Shazam doesn’t nearly get the credit it deserves. While some fans may not credit it as a perfect movie in itself, there’s no denying the fact that his character reignited the faith in delivering a positive and upbeat DC character, unlike most of his contemporary companions. It stuck the landing as a classic superhero movie with visual fares, without having to crudely allude to cheap tricks.

The first movie not only functioned as a satire of the super trope itself, but it did so without downplaying any other counterparts. It sticks to its own characters and generates all the fun through the shared dynamics between them, especially since the protagonist is essentially a young boy, distantly unique from other grown-up or atleast young adult heroes in the list. Part of its success as a superhero comedy originated from the relationship shared between Levi’s childish persona and Jack Dylan Grazer’s Freddy. (The first movie is available on Netflix.)

Also Read: Titans Season 4 Trailer Breakdown: Young Heroes Face a Supernatural Cult in Metropolis

With the sequel releasing in March 2023, the electrifying reunion of Levi, Asher Angel, Grazer, Rachel Zegler, Ross Butler, Adam Brody and the hilarious voltaic fusion of the team is set to take on Greek Gods, again (hopefully) making for a feel-good heroic twist.

Matt Reeves’ The Batman Sequel and its Spin-offs

After the well-acclaimed success of Reeves’ The Batman starring Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz, Paul Dano and more, WB has in fact green lit his ideas of a trilogy. In a suprising and much-needed take, Reeves’ film let loose the image of vengeance adopted by the previous Batman renditions with their focus on the characters’ tragic origins. The 2022 release in the darkest yet freshest revival of the prominent character picks on his escapades against Riddler and Penguin rather than the Joker.

With all that said, the director is also planning on a saga of spin-offs initiated by this positive outcome, focussing on the gritty and diabolical villains of the story. With a solo Penguin venture and and Arkham Asylum project already in the works, he also his eyes set on establishing characters like Scarecrow, Clayface and more. Although this isn’t a DCEU project, it will still work constructively for the DC verse itself by expanding the groundwork and diving into the antagonistic psyche. The Batman is streaming on Prime Video.

Joker 2: Folie à Deux 

Merely announced as the “next installment” to the 2019 film (available on Prime Video) which won Joaquin Phoenix an Academy Award for his portrayal of the unflinching and terrorizing ‘Clown Prince of Chaos’, the upcoming starring him and Lady Gaga in the lead is another project that is bound to fare well. However, it is neither a counterpart of the DCEU nor Reeves’ catalog. It’s a standalone attempt at establishing the formidable yet existential visage of one of the most feared villains of all time. The sequel will further attest why Phoenix is the best at what he does while the Joker will set out on a new crusade of criminal disorder.

Blue Beetle

Not much has been outed about the supposed August 2023 release. While many titles have been slashed mid production, this one is still on Warner Bros’ calendar. Jaime Reyes’s will come upon alien technology with Xolo Mariduena helming the role. Pushing for diversity, the movie will feature a protagonist sharing a background of Mexican-American roots, as in the comics. It will be the first standalone movie of its own kind originating from DC Films.

James Gunn’s New Secret Project

Though announced yet, Gunn is already pitching a new project for his DC comeback. He previously directed The Suicide Squad sequel of 2021 starring Idris Elba, Margot Robbie, John Cena, Viola Davis, Joel Kinnaman and more, a far approved and acclaimed second installment to the first movie. The possibilities of him experimenting with this Squad for the next release are indeed endless. He could be working out a script for the threequel of his last project or picking up a solo character from therein to develop a spin-off. The HBO Max TV series Peacemark was in fact created by Gunn too, s o maybe a movie for the character is also a part of his to do list.

His involvement in an unanmed Amanda Waller (played by Viola Davis, also set to appear in Black Adam) project has been teased a lot, making it another probable and fitting guess. However, there’s no guarantee, he could also be coming up with a surprise announcement that may not have been talked about until now. All we can do for now is wait patiently and hope for the best.

Final Thoughts

The Batgirl movie along with a Supergirl cinematic interpretation were scraped off earlier this year despite the former’s production having begun, Hamada had other plans to bring about a Black Superman into the lot as well. However, with his exit, DC is not on the lookout for a new leader to direct its vision in a better and more coherent manner like Marvel’s Kevin Feige. Though presenting itself as an indomitable challenge, the same must be overcome as soon as possible because it’s been far too long since other characters have been pushed back and not tapped into.

Yes, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman may be the signature insignia for this universe, but that’s not the end. DC movies haven’t fared well because of the lack of new arcs, while TV series like the ones mentioned above and John Cena’s Peacemaker have continued to reach out to the audience and gain their favor for a reason. Additionally, The Flash and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will also be released next year. Some other projects like the Green Lantern reboot and the Birds of Prey spin-off with the Black Canary at its focus are also bound to surface in the coming future.

What do you think awaits in the future of this universe? Do you think DC will be able to hold its own despite the many setback it has had to face in the recent times? Who is your personal favorite hero in the comics? Has their representation already been brought on to the big screen? If yes, then are you fan of their live-action portrayal? Whose origins do you wish for to be adapted next? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Also Read: Black Adam Review: A Powerful and Near-Perfect DC Movie