10 Movies Stuck In Development

dceu-films-stuck-in-development

The DCEU is based on some of the most popular characters in comics, but it, unfortunately, can’t get away from negative headlines.

The DCEU’s original slate, announced in 2014, and spearheaded by Zack Snyder, was extremely promising, with a clear plan connecting all the films together, leading to a big event. Of the 9 films announced, only 5 have been made, with The Flash set to finally release next year. In recent years, DC has not had a clear plan regarding their films which has underwhelmed many fans. Hopefully, all that can change.

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10 Booster Gold

Booster Gold smiling while using his powers in DC Comics.

A film based on Booster Gold has been stuck in development for nearly a decade. Longtime showrunner of the Arrowverse, Greg Berlanti, was announced to direct the film with the project being described as a buddy cop movie with Booster Gold alongside Blue Beetle in 2015, according to TrackingBoard.

Thorand X-Men: First Class co-writer Zack Stentz was announced as the film’s screenwriter, and the script was completed by 2018. Berlanti and Stentz reaffirmed the film was happening in 2019, but no updates have been given since.

9 Zatanna

Initially developed as a teen comedy in the mid-2000s from writer Hadley Davis (per Sci-Fi Wire), Zatanna was then retooled and set to appear instead in Guillermo Del Toro’s Justice League Dark film, but unfortunately, the project was shelved.

Related: Batgirl And 9 Other Ambitious DC Movies That Got Canceled

The film was reworked from the ground up and announced as a stand-alone DCEU film written by writer-filmmaker Emerald Fennel with Dua Lipa rumored to be in talks for the lead role, via CBR. The film was being developed for HBO Max, but following Batgirl’s cancellation and Warner Bros’ plan to no longer produce DC films for HBO Max, fans are worried for Zatanna’s fate.

8 Cyborg

Initially announced in Warner Bros’ original DCEU slate with a release date of April 3, 2020, plans for Cyborg derailed following Ray Fisher’s dispute with WB regarding the treatment of the cast during Justice League’s ill-fated reshoots.

Following a poor investigation that unfortunately went nowhere, Fisher revealed he no longer wanted to play the role as long as Walter Hamade was involved at DC. To respect Fisher, WB announced the role would not be recast. Fisher, however, has since stated he’d be open to returning to the role, according to Geekosity.

7 Black Canary

jurnee smollett as black canary in birds of prey

Last summer, a Black Canary film starring Jurnee Smollett was announced, following her appearance in Birds of Prey. The film was announced to be written by Misha Green, who had worked with Smollett when she was the showrunner of Lovecraft Country.

Related: DCEU: The 10 Best Characters To Only Appear In One Movie

Regarding the project, Smollett spoke to ComicBook in June, mentioning, “I feel like we’ve only touched the surface with Black Canary. And she’s one of the dopest martial artists in the DC Universe. That is something that is a real challenge in my head that I’m just excited at the possibility of being able to explore deeper and further and wider and greater.”

6 Green Lantern

what if ryan reynolds' green lantern had been in the dceu

Following the massively panned 2011 film, a reboot for Green Lantern is very needed. The 2011 film was initially developed alongside Man of Steel as the first film of the DCEU, but all signs of it taking place in a larger universe have since been scrapped. Zack Snyder, however, at one point was to include Ryan Reynolds in his cut of Justice League but sadly, it never happened, according to THR.

Christopher McQuarrie had pitched a Green Lantern film with rumors persisting that Tom Cruise was circling the role of Hal Jordan, via Screen Rant. McQuarrie later stated he didn’t pursue the project due to a lack of interest from WB. There have since been few updates regarding the project except that Geoff Johns had sent a finished script in 2019, per Variety.

5 Deathstroke

A Deathstroke film was announced in 2017 with the director of The Raid films, Gareth Evans, set to helm the project based on an original story created by lead actor Joe Manganiello. In an interview with JusticeCon, Manganiello revealed the film would have featured the League of Shadows and set up Slade Wilson’s vendetta against Batman, which would have been explored in Ben Affleck’s Batman project.

Sadly, Warner Bros. has continued to delay the project as they don’t view it as a priority. Manganiello has since stated that he wants to play the role again and that perhaps the project could be retooled as a series on HBO Max like Peacemaker.

4 Gotham City Sirens

Gotham City Sirens featuring Poison Ivy, Catwoman, and Harley Quinn

Following the financial success of Suicide Squad, various spin-off projects were announced; a Joker film, Harley Quinn, Deashot, Harley Quinn vs the Joker, Gotham City Sirens, Birds of Prey, and a sequel to Suicide Squad. Of all these announced projects, only the latter two actually saw the light of day.

Margot Robbie prioritized Birds of Prey as she felt “Focusing on theGotham City Sirens, there were only three of us, and we were all well known, whereas with Birds of Prey you can pick any grouping for that” (via Nerdist). David Ayer has been onboard the project since its announcement and revealed in 2020 that it was still happening, though there haven’t been any further updates. .

3 Blackhawk

Perhaps the most promising film of all, The Blackhawks are a team of pilots fighting in World War II. While they’re not as well known as other DC properties, the film has been in development since the 80s. A lifelong passion project of Steven Spielberg, he was originally set to direct the project in the 80s with Dan Aykroyd set to play the lead role of Blackhawk, according to QualityComics.

Related: 10 Most Rewatchable Steven Spielberg Movies

Spielberg said, regarding the project to EW, said, “It was wonderful working with the team at Warner Bros to bring ‘Ready Player One’ to the screen. They bring a blend of passion and professionalism to everything they do and have a tremendous history in this genre. I am excited to reunite with them on ‘Blackhawk.’” The film is still happening, with SlashFilm announcing in March that the film will have a budget of $200 million. Spielberg directing a DC film is very exciting.

2 Nightwing

Nightwing and Justice League in the DCEU

Rumors of Nightwing appearing in the DCEU have persisted since before the release Batman v Superman. After the release of The LEGO Batman Movie, director Chris McKay was revealed to be directing a Nightwing film. There were also longstanding rumors that Dylan O’Brien was attached to the role, which the actor later denied.

The film has been in limbo for a few years now as Warner Bros. have continuously shuffled their DC releases. McKay reiterated his intent to make the film during press for The Tomorror War last summer, saying, “I hope it’s still a reality. I hope that we still get to make that movie. As far as I’m concerned, it’s not lost yet” (via CinemaBlend).

1 Man of Steel 2

Henry Cavill as Superman in Man of Steel

The fact that a Superman film hasn’t come out in almost 10 years is difficult for fans of the DCEU. Despite being the company’s most beloved character, they have unfortunately had no idea what to do with him in the franchise. While there hasn’t been any news surrounding a sequel, Henry Cavill recently signed a new deal with Warner Bros. to appear as Superman once again, according to Deadline.

It’s unclear whether it would be in his own film or in another, but fans have theorized he will make an appearance in Black Adam. It would make sense, considering The Rock and Cavill are repped by the same management team.

Next: 10 Directors Who Should Take Over The Superman Franchise, According To Reddit

Author: Deann Hawkins