DC Universe in 2023: Everything Coming Before James Gunn Hits The Reset Button
Phil Roberts 
Here’s every DC movie coming in 2023 – before James Gunn’s DC Studios hits the reset button and changes the face of the DC Universe forever!
The DC Universe as we know it will be getting a major overhaul in 2024. With James Gunn and Peter Safran at the helm, the newly formed DC Studios has promised to hit the reset button and alter the DC landscape forever. Most of DC’s biggest heroes are being recast, with their esteemed actors being shown the exit door. And on top of that, some major projects are being canceled. But these are necessary losses to ensure the future of the new coherent DC Universe.
But before James Gunn whisks us up, up and away with his new Superman movie and reboots the Universe, there is still a ton of awesome DC content coming to a theatre near you in 2023. And some of DC’s biggest hitters are coming out to play! So before we say goodbye to the last vestiges of the Snyder-Verse, join us as we look ahead to a wonderful year of DC movies.
SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS (March 17, 2023)
The long-gestating sequel to DC’s Shazam! has had a rough journey to the screen. Initially planned to release Christmas 2022, Shazam! Fury of the Gods is finally hitting our screens in March and the expectations are high. Director David F. Sandberg returns to the directorial hot seat while Zachary Levi is back to star as Shazam. And Asher Angel once again will play Billy Batson. Thankfully, most of the original cast are returning to reprise their roles from the last outing, led by Djimon Hounsou who returns as Shazam – the last surviving member of the Council of Wizards
As of press time, little is known about the plot of the movie. Though if the latest trailer is anything to go by, it will revolve around the Shazam! family growing into their powers. However, the clan will be tested to its limits when The Daughters of Atlas – Hespera (Helen Mirren) and Kalypso (Lucy Liu) emerge from the shadows to exact the Fury of the Gods!
Multiple cameos have been reportedly filmed, cut, reshot, and rejected for this outing. Last we heard, Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman was the only guest appearance left intact. But now that Wonder Woman 3 has been shelved, it seems unlikely that Diana Prince will appear in any capacity. Nor will Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam for that matter. Johnson apparently rejected the chance to be involved. But that hasn’t diminished the hype for what is sure to be a fun sequel.
THE FLASH (June 23, 2023)
Potentially DC’s biggest gamble to date. The Flash movie has had a torrid time on its way to the screen. The movie has seen more than its fair share of delays which were compounded by the neverending search for a committed director. But now, despite Ezra Miller’s well-publicized personal problems, Andy Muschietti’s DC bonanza is finally hitting cinema screens in June.
Ezra Miller returns to star as Barry Allen, and they will play multiple versions of the character after dipping into the multiverse to save his mother and alter the course of history. Based loosely on the classic “Flashpoint” storyline, the movie is expected to serve as a soft reset for DC Universe. The opening of the multiverse, however, has opened the door for Michael Keaton’s heralded return as Batman. As well as representing Ben Affleck’s final outing as the Snyder-Verse Dark Knight. And if that isn’t enough, The Flash represents Sasha Calle‘s debut as Supergirl and features the long-awaited return of Michael Shannon’s General Zod.
Much in the same way as Shazam! Fury of the Gods, a plethora of cameos have been filmed for The Flash. However, given the regime change inside DC, it is universally expected that the majority of them will end up on the cutting room floor. Henry Cavill’s Superman and Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman are the standouts. But now, given that both are set to be ousted by James Gunn, it seems very unlikely that their cameos will ever see the light of day! That being said, The Flash has a lot going for it and should make a killing at the global box office.
BLUE BEETLE (August 18, 2023)
The one movie in DC’s 2023 release slate that has a chance of being absorbed into James Gunn’s new universe. Blue Beetle arrives on our screens in August and introduces the world to the first major Latino superhero in Jaime Reyes. The movie has no connections whatsoever to the DC heroes of the past regime, so Blue Beetle has every chance of being a part of the new DC Universe after the reset button does its work.
In the film, a “sacred scarab” bestows its power onto teenager Jaime Reyes and transforms him into the Blue Beetle. The scarab morphs into a super suit allowing Reyes to fight crime and travel through space. The character was first introduced in 2016 and has subsequently gained a cult following after a successful stint on Young Justice. The film was originally planned to release on HBO Max, but thankfully, the studio heads decided to reward it with a theatrical release instead. Lucky for us!
Directed by Angel Manuel Soto, the movie stars Xolo Maridueña as Jaime Reyes, Bruna Marquezine as Penny, Belissa Escobedo as sister Milagros, George Lopez as Jaime’s uncle, and Susan Sarandon as the main antagonist Victoria Kord.
AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM (December 25, 2023)
Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom now has the unenviable task of bookending the DC Universe in its current form. The final adventure for Zack Snyder’s heroes hits our screens in December and promises to go out with a bang. Arriving five years after the previous outing, James Wan’s sequel once again stars Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry/Aquaman. And even though her public image is pretty much in tatters, Amber Heard maintains her role as Mera. Rounding out the returning cast is Temuera Morrison as Tom Curry, Patrick Wilson as Ocean Master, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta, Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus, Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, and Randall Park as Stephen Shin.
The majority of the plot of the sequel is still a closely guarded secret. However, we do know that the story pitch was developed by Jason Momoa himself and is regarded as a “buddy comedy.” One that will find Arthur Curry and his estranged brother – the fallen tyrant King Orm embarking on an adventure to the Lost Kingdom.
Like so many of the movies mentioned above, a wealth of cameos have been filmed for Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom. However, due to James Gunn’s shakeup, the majority will end up on the cutting room floor. Michael Keaton initially filmed a cameo as Batman but was subsequently replaced by Ben Affleck’s Dark knight. But now that his Batman is set to follow Cavill’s Superman through the exit door, we should expect his cameo to be removed also. However, the final movie in the current DC slate promises to be the slam-bang finish we are all hoping for. And that alone is worth the price of admission.
THE FUTURE OF DC
With the release of Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom, the current crop of DC movies will come to an end. And James Gunn will assume control. His first act as co-CEO of DC Studios is to greenlight, write and potentially direct a new Superman movie. One that will boast a younger iteration of the Man of Steel. But thankfully, Gunn has confirmed that the movie will not be another origin story. Instead, the film will focus on Superman a few years into his legacy. At a time when he already has ties to the other icons of the DC Universe. So DC Studios should hit the ground running…faster than a speeding bullet!
Looking ahead, we can expect to see Jason Momoa depart as Aquaman and find a new role as Lobo. We should expect to see Gal Gadot retire from her role as Wonder Woman. And witness the rise of a new Batman. All the while, the reborn Man of Steel will arise to become the torchbearer of the DC Universe.
THE AGE OF HEROES
After 2023, the landscape of the DC Universe will change. And it won’t feature Henry Cavill’s Superman or Ben Affleck’s Batman. Hell, it may not feature Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam. Instead, we can all look forward to ushering in a new age of heroes. One led by a new Man of Steel, a new Dark Knight, and a new King of Atlantis…
It’s a brave and bold step…and a gamble that needs to pay off!
But until then, we can all look forward to an action-packed year of DC movies alongside the very best the franchise has to offer. It may be the end of the road for some, but the characters are bigger than any actor, studio, or CEO. The Dark Knight will live on. The Man of Steel will fly again, and Speed Force will have a champion. Let’s just hope James Gunn is up to the challenge. Good luck Mr. Gunn, the world is watching!
What are your feelings on James Gunn hitting the reset button? Sound off below.
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Phil Roberts is the Owner, Daily Content Manager, and Editor-In-Chief of The Future of the Force. He is passionate about Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Follow him on Twitter where he uses the force and babbles frequently!
I’ll wait and see what Gunn and Safran come up with.
But at the moment, I think their actions regarding Henry Cavill and Gal Gadot suck big time.
And they and we deserved better.