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(from IGN)

The status of 11 DC properties in development. In alphabetical order.


Batman 3

Release Date: Unknown, possibly 2012

Development Status: Fans everywhere have been waiting for news on Christopher Nolan's third Batman film from about the first microsecond after The Dark Knight hit theaters. Sadly, the news has been less than forthcoming, and even more than a year later very little is known about the project.

It's not even clear whether Nolan himself will return to direct. The most recent word suggests that, while Nolan has developed story ideas, he's still reluctant to actually return to the franchise. On the other hand, Gary Oldman remains convinced that filming will begin within the next couple years.

It's expected that most of the main cast will return, including Christian Bale as Batman, Gary Oldman as Commissioner Gordon, and Michael Caine as Alfred. No villains have been confirmed for the third movie, though plenty of casting rumors have swirled about. They range from the intriguing (Johnny Depp or David Tennant as Riddler) to the absurd (Cher as Catwoman). Michael Caine recently dispelled the Depp as Riddler rumor, and until the film begins true pre-production, don't imagine any announcements will be made.

For the moment, WB are giving Nolan time to finish work on his next film, Inception, and hoping he'll return for a third Batman movie. But given that The Dark Knight was one of the most financially successful movies of all time, its safe to assume they'll eventually move forward with or without Nolan.


Deadman

Release Date: Possibly 2011

Development Status: Deadman may not be DC's biggest A-List character, but this ghostly hero seems to be on the road to Hollywood stardom while most of the Justice League continue to drag their heels. It was announced several years ago that Hellboy director Guillermo Del Toro would produce a live-action Deadman movie. Nothing much came from that announcement until recently.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Del Toro had selected Danish filmmaker Nikolaj Arcel to direct Deadman, although sources close to the project have told that those reports were inaccurate. But if a director is attached (a screenwriter has already been hired) then it would appear this dead hero still has some life in him. Assuming the project doesn't stall like so many comic book movies before it, 2011 seems a reasonable expectation for a release date.


The Flash

Release Date: Unknown

Development Status: Naturally, there has been talk of a Flash movie for years, but little ever came of it. First Ryan Reynolds was rumored to be donning the red tights before moved onto the sunnier pastures of Deadpool and Green Lantern. Then The OC's Adam Brody was slated to take on the role in an ensemble JLA movie.

Little concrete news has surfaced in recent years until this summer. When The Hollywood Reporter gave an update on the DC-Warners film slate, Flash was among the franchises mentioned. It seems that popular Flash writer Geoff Johns was brought in to consult on a number of DC films, and has actually written a script treatment for Flash.

Although it wasn't listed among the current DC properties in development when DC Entertainment was announced earlier this month, it would seem likely that The Flash is very high on Warners' priority list. Of their major, A-List franchises, it's likely that Flash will be next out of the gate after Green Lantern hits in 2011.


Green Arrow/Super Max

Release Date: Unknown

Development Status: Whereas most heroes make their Hollywood debut with a traditional origin tale, Warners apparently wants to try something different with Green Arrow. As was first learnt back in 2007, the Emerald Archer is slated to star in a prison drama called Super Max. In a hero's worst nightmare: he'll be locked inside a prison with many of the villains he helped put away.

David Goyer has been slated to direct Super Max and also collaborated with Street Fighter: Legend of Chun-Li writer Justin Marx on the script. Goyer has given sporadic status updates on the film, confirming it's still being worked on but not much else. With no real news on Super Max in the past year, many wondered if the film hadn't quietly been canned. The Hollywood Reporter later confirmed the movie is still in development, but it was not among the active projects listed by the studio in their recent announcement of the formation of DC Entertainment. Interestingly, it sounds as if Warners is also planning a separate Green Arrow origin movie. Whether the origin movie will take precedence over Super Max remains to be seen.


Green Lantern

Release Date: Second quarter of 2011

Development Status: Hal Jordan could do much worse than have the director of Casino Royale helming his first live-action movie. Director Martin Campbell and star Ryan Reynolds have kept their take pretty close to the vest, but a recent GL casting call announcement alludes that a Secret Origin storyline could be in the works. Fans can expect to see Sinestro and Hal team-up to investigate what lead Abin Sur to crash on Earth, hopefully setting the stage for a franchise that captures the current scope of the Green Lantern Universe.

Campbell's never ventured into epic sci-fi territory before, which is what the GLU becomes, so the verdict is still out on how he will handle the balance between story and special effects. But he did deliver one of the best origin stories ever with Royale. Maybe he can do the same for Jordan.


Justice League of America

Release Date: Unknown

Development Status: When it comes to showcasing entire superhero teams in film, the predominant question is whether to establish the heroes individually or begin with an ensemble film and move into individual franchise films from there. For several years, it looked as if Warners would take the latter path when it came to the Justice League.

The JLA movie was slated to star younger actors like Adam Brody as Flash and Common as Green Lantern (the John Stewart version). Mad Max director George Miller was slated to direct, and the film was even rumored to be a motion-capture CG project similar to Beowulf.

Unfortunately, the Writer's Guild strike in 2008 and various logistical problems prevented JLA from moving into full production. Buzz surrounding it eventually died down in the wake of The Dark Knight. Miller confirmed this past spring that JLA is still under way, but is now several years away from filming. This, coupled with announcements about a solo Green Lantern film, suggests that Warners will now wait to establish their individual heroes before attempting a team movie.


(Contd.)