The DCEU is falling apart.

 
The 2017 San Diego Comic Con hadn't even went 24 hours before major news, that could shake the foundation of the DC Extended Universe has dropped like a nuclear bomb. Reports from the convention are indicating that Warner Brothers may be planning a contingency should the need to replace Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman be necessary. The studio is prepping for the scenario, meaning they want him gone or they can't stop him from leaving. If you recall, the solo Batman flick has had a rocky road toward development. Nothing surprising considering every DCEU film has had some kind of drama occur behind the scenes.

Affleck at one time was signed on to direct The Batman but withdrew from the position without explanation. Understandable, as Affleck also co-wrote and will star in the film. Warner Brothers then snagged Matt Reeves, director of the hit War for the Planet of the Apes, to helm The Batman using Affleck's script. Except, Matt Reeves recently announced he will be scrapping Affleck's script and starting from scratch. Even Joe Manganiello, who was cast as Deathstroke in The Batman, is now uncertain of his involvement. Nobody seems to know what's going on, which is pretty standard at Warner Brothers and the DCEU.

Whatever explanation they come up with to explain Affleck's on-screen exit is apparently to occur during the upcoming Justice League movie, meaning that the Matt Reeves directed The Batman  may not happen. Of course, recasting is an option, but the entire DCEU is built around Bruce Wayne/Batman. I have previously brainedoutloud about the at-the-time-rumors that Affleck wanted out of the role and his possible replacements, and now there is more fuel for that fire. In fact the fire is out of control. I've already used the sinking ship analogy, and thought I'd change it up a bit.

Zack Snyder left the Justice League because of a family tragedy and was replaced with Joss Whedon, director of The Avengers. Whedon is "extensively" reshooting the film. This process started shortly after Wonder Woman proved to be a hit both critically and commercially, and my theory is that Warner Brothers wanted to shoe horn more scenes with Wonder Woman into the final print. I also think that these reshoots may now be connected to Affleck's departure.

Warner Brothers also announced that HBO will be developing a Watchman television series. Zack Snyder was at one time attached but dropped out and was replaced by Damon Lindelof, co-creator of Lost. Which may be the best thing that could happen for the series, because as you may be aware I think Zack Snyder is a terrible, uninspiring, hack of a director.

This is what Fox tried to pass off as Dr. Doom the last time.

Speaking of terrible things, 20th Century Fox is developing a Doctor Doom film. A thinly veiled attempt to keep the movie rights from reverting back to Marvel. Fox is desperate to launch that franchise and recently proposed a kid-friendly movie that focused on Reed and Sue Richards children, that went nowhere. No word on whether or not the Fantastic Four would appear in the Doctor Doom film, but who else would be in it. Either way, with Fox's track record with the franchise, it will be bad...really bad. I have no faith whatsoever that Fox could ever produce an even remotely decent Fantastic Four movie. No chance in hell.



If Marvel Studios announces anything not covered at the D23 Expo that I deem noteworthy I may brainoutloud about it later. A separate post related to GI Joe news and products revealed at the 2017 SDCC will also come at a later date. Until then enjoy the second trailer for the upcoming Defenders series, Netflix revealed during their panel.