The tectonic plates of change over at WB really do seem to be moving. As we reported earlier, the studio seems to be in the process of some rather large internal shifts in their philosophy. The past 18 months for the studio have been a disappointment, and with the release of BATMAN v SUPERMAN, that disappointment seems to be amplified. While I’d be no means call the current box office haul for BvS a failure, it’s definitely a disappointment.

Ever since the lukewarm response to the film, fans have been calling for some massive change from the studio. Some are calling for a standalone Batman film to be fast-tracked, while others are calling for the firing of director Zack Snyder from the upcoming JUSTICE LEAGUE movie. While neither of those things seem to be happening, there has been an interesting recent development.

According to THR, WB has pushed up the release date of the standalone Wonder Woman flick. Instead of coming out on June 23, 2017, it will hit theaters a few weeks early, on June 2, 2017. It’s unclear why they felt the need to push up this film a few short weeks, but either way, we’re sure few fans will complain about this development, as Wonder Woman was one of the many things fans enjoyed in BATMAN v SUPERMAN. In all honesty, that move probably has less to do with this shift in philosophy, and more to do with the film production going well, as the JUSTICE LEAGUE film’s release remains unchanged on November 17, 2017.

However, in addition to this date shift from WONDER WOMAN, WB has announced two released dates for two currently untitled DC films: October 5, 2018, and November 1, 2019. 

With the amazing response Ben Affleck has gotten with his portrayal of Batman in BATMAN v SUPERMAN, it wouldn’t be unrealistic to assume that one of these dates is for a standalone, Affleck-directed Batman flick. Back in June of last year, we reported that WB was internally shooting for a November 2018 release date for THE BATMAN, so perhaps that’s what the October 2018 film will be. There’s also a possibility that the date is for SUICIDE SQUAD 2, which was reported to potentially begin production in 2017.

As far as what that November 2019 film can be…we can only guess, but with Wonder Woman garnering so much positive buzz after Gal Gadot’s performance, it wouldn’t be unrealistic to think they’re looking to give her a sequel. That part’s all speculation, but you never know. 

Here’s how these dates fit into the already-established DC Extended Universe Schedule:

• SUICIDE SQUAD – August 5, 2016
• WONDER WOMAN – June 2, 2017
• JUSTICE LEAGUE PART ONE – November 17, 2017
• THE FLASH – March 16, 2018
• AQUAMAN – July 27, 2018
• UNTITLED DC FILM – October 5, 2018 (THE BATMAN? SUICIDE SQUAD 2?)
• SHAZAM – April 5, 2019
• JUSTICE LEAGUE PART TWO – June 14, 2019
• UNTITLED DC FILM – November 1, 2019
• CYBORG – April 3, 2020
• GREEN LANTERN CORPS – June 19, 2020

This all seems to match up with the recent report that WB is looking to take less risks, and will base their film schedule around known properties. They likely threw in those new dates at the expense of an original property.

In addition to these two DC films, WB also pushed back Andy Serkis’ JUNGLE BOOK ORIGINS film a year, from October 6, 2017 to October 19, 2018. In its place, they have an untitled “event” film. This is not a DC film, but it will likely be another film based on an established property. We’ll have to wait and see.

What do you think of these changes from WB? Does this give you confidence that they’re going forward with the DCEU with such vigor, or does their reactionary response have you worried? Let us know your thoughts down below!

WONDER WOMAN hits theaters on June 2, 2017!

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SOURCE: THR