DC and Marvel Comics Announce 22 New Films

 

By: OLIVIA VARNSON

(Gainesville, Ga.) – Warner Brothers Entertainment and DC Comics have released a lineup of 11 movies based on comic book characters scheduled for release in the next five years.

Starting in 2016, fans will enter this new phase of DC Comics movie adaptations with “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” with Henry Cavill reprising his role as Superman and Ben Affleck and Gal Gadot joining the cast as Batman and Wonder Woman.

Also scheduled for release in 2016 is “Suicide Squad,” featuring a team of reformed super villains in the Green Arrow storyline.

In years to come, DC has scheduled “Wonder Woman,” the first major superhero film focused on a female character, with Gadot in the lead role.

Other titles include the ensemble film “Justice League,” “The Flash,” “Aquaman,” “Justice League 2,” “Shazam,” “Cyborg” and “Green Lantern.”

Not to be ignored, Marvel Comics soon after announced their own lineup for phase three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Phase three begins with a sequel to the first ensemble movie, “Avengers: Age of Ultron” in 2015. This sequel will help establish the storylines for the films to come.

Also scheduled for release in 2015 is “Ant-Man,” starring Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas.

The next nine movies in phase three are set to be released through the year 2019. Titles include “Captain America: Civil War,” “Doctor Strange,” “Guardians of the Galaxy 2,” “Thor: Ragnarok,” “Black Panther,” “Avengers: Infinity War Part 1,” “Captain Marvel,” “Inhumans” and “Avengers: Infinity War Part 2.”

While it will be exciting to see now established favorites like Captain America and Iron Man return to the big screen, perhaps what’s even more significant is the introduction of new, diverse characters. Both Marvel and DC Comics have scheduled films that will star women and people of color.

Gadot in “Wonder Woman” and a yet to be determined actress in “Captain Marvel” will provide a much needed representation for female comic book fans. Jason Momoa in “Aquaman” and Chadwick Boseman in “Black Panther” will also provide representation for people of color in the comic book fandom.

For comic book fans all over, this new representation and diversity can help set the standard for all kinds of movies and provide visibility for an entire generation of young fans.