Shazam (2016)

What the **** is with this latest media report that has Shazam now opening in 2019, instead of 2016? 🤨

http://entertainthis.usatoday.com/2014/10/15/ezra-miller-cast-in-upcoming-the-flash-movie/

Dwayne Johnson said Yes, so get going!

Seriously - the latest news report out of DC/Warners reads like more of the same hot air; announcements of movies to be made that never happen. I mean, who casts someone for a Flash movie (Ezra Miller) that doesn't actually come out for another four years?

I remember a few years ago when Justice League was announced to be coming out for 2015, and the Flash for 2016. DC fanboys & girls may not like to remember all the broken promises, but I keep track of them all.

I don't think JL for 2015 and Flash for 2016 were ever official announcements. They were more like unofficial plans put down the toilet after Green Lantern flopped. But this whole slate of films announced officially sounds like they're a lot more serious now and just going for it.

I'm sure they'll be some casualties along the way and certain not all of these films will make it. But at least they've made a proper long term plan. Lets just hope they stick it out this time.

As for casting people whose solo movies are not coming out for 4-5 years, you have to remember a lot of these guys are going to show up in character in BvS 18 months from now. JL at the latest 3 years from now.

But yeah Shazam in 2019 is a ridiculous wait. But I'm glad they're giving us a solo Wonder Woman movie before JL. That's kind of more important tbh.

Hot air? Not this time, Imo. Ever since Kevin took over as CEO, he is all in for the DCU properties. I've been saying this for a while and John Camper noted the very same thing a few days ago. It shows on the small screen and it seems the big screen as well. Just look at the director for Suicide Squad. Kevin mentioned he wanted the TOP talent working on these properties and David Ayer is talented. Plus they are looking for 4 A list stars.

It was also announced that WB will be spending 2 Billion a year to market these movies, so they are all in.

Originally posted by DARTH POWER
I don't think JL for 2015 and Flash for 2016 were ever official announcements. They were more like unofficial plans put down the toilet after Green Lantern flopped. But this whole slate of films announced officially sounds like they're a lot more serious now and just going for it.

I'm sure they'll be some casualties along the way and certain not all of these films will make it. But at least they've made a proper long term plan. Lets just hope they stick it out this time.

As for casting people whose solo movies are not coming out for 4-5 years, you have to remember a lot of these guys are going to show up in character in BvS 18 months from now. JL at the latest 3 years from now.

But yeah Shazam in 2019 is a ridiculous wait. But I'm glad they're giving us a solo Wonder Woman movie before JL. That's kind of more important tbh.

Supposedly the reason for the wait, is because SHAZAM will be included in the Justice League movies.

Originally posted by Golgo13

It was also announced that WB will be spending 2 Billion a year to market these movies, so they are all in.

$2Bill a year?! Wtf man? That's A Billion per film! That can't be right as each film would have to make like $2bill just to make it's money back. LOL

Originally posted by DARTH POWER
$2Bill a year?! Wtf man? That's A Billion per film! That can't be right as each film would have to make like $2bill just to make it's money back. LOL

Yup. Remember it's going to be 3 films a year. They just didn't announce batman and superman solo films.

Btw, I got that number from John Campea. I posted the YouTube video on page 174 in the other thread.

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2014/10/warner-bros-seeks-to-cut-costs-by-200-million-annually/

There is also that link. Wb is going to cut spending to help fund their TV and movie projects.

Originally posted by Golgo13
Btw, I got that number from John Campea. I posted the YouTube video on page 174 in the other thread.

Well, goodness knows the media has never reported something that was factually untrue, right? 🙄

It's an old saying - 'Of course it's true. Know why? Because I saw it on TV.'

Come on - marketing costs for a tentpole film range from 50-100% of the film's production budget. How do you get to $2 billion a year in marketing for 2-3 films, unless they all have budgets in excess of $600 million?

Originally posted by roughrider
Well, goodness knows the media has never reported something that was factually untrue, right? 🙄

It's an old saying - 'Of course it's true. Know why? Because I saw it on TV.'

Come on - marketing costs for a tentpole film range from 50-100% of the film's production budget. How do you get to $2 billion a year in marketing for 2-3 films, unless they all have budgets in excess of $600 million?

Uh, he got the info from the share holder MEETING WB had. Everything they got was from WB's mouth. Or Kevin's mouth.

What makes more sense is that they released the Harry Potter and Lego spin offs. I'm pretty sure WB meant ALL of those, INCLUDING the super hero movies.

So it's not just for DC related films. That is a clarification.

They released news of 3 Lego movies and 3 Fantastic Beasts movies. So I'm assuming they meant all of those.

Originally posted by Golgo13
They released news of 3 Lego movies and 3 Fantastic Beasts movies. So I'm assuming they meant all of those.

That's still an average of no more than 4 films a year. Which means marketing costs of $500mill per film! So they won't make their money back on the majority of these projects.

Perhaps their plan is to invest in the franchise names over the next few years without making a profit.. As long as they realize that but have a plan which they follow through on.

Last thing I want is for them to spend $300-500 mill just marketing something unknown like Suicide Squad, which then ends up grossing $300-400mill in total, and as a result they pull the plug on all other Dc projects. Just seems they haven't learned from their mistakes of overspending on risky projects like Green Lantern which when it doesn't pay off sends Wb running for cover for the next 5 years.

Originally posted by DARTH POWER
That's still an average of no more than 4 films a year. Which means marketing costs of $500mill per film! So they won't make their money back on the majority of these projects.

Perhaps their plan is to invest in the franchise names over the next few years without making a profit.. As long as they realize that but have a plan which they follow through on.

Last thing I want is for them to spend $300-500 mill just marketing something unknown like Suicide Squad, which then ends up grossing $300-400mill in total, and as a result they pull the plug on all other Dc projects. Just seems they haven't learned from their mistakes of overspending on risky projects like Green Lantern which when it doesn't pay off sends Wb running for cover for the next 5 years.

Not sure, but WB has a history of playing it smart in terms of box office and spending. They have good marketing as well, so they are either going to do it or Campea got confused or misread something.

It's the next film DC & Warners makes that has neither Superman nor Batman in it, that will determine how willing they are to make this expanded universe work. If they fail again like with Green Lantern, they will have to stick it out somehow.

Originally posted by roughrider
It's the next film DC & Warners makes that has neither Superman nor Batman in it, that will determine how willing they are to make this expanded universe work. If they fail again like with Green Lantern, they will have to stick it out somehow.

👆

I've always said it's not Batman V Superman that's going to make or break their Shared Universe plans. We all know that will make money.

So all eyes on Suicide Squad. And the Wonder Woman solo movie. Although by then it will be too late to cancel the JL movie (nor would they want to if B v S makes big money).

So we have to assume that after this announcement, we will at the very least be getting the announced films for 2016 and 2017 up to and including JL part 1.

That is the great thing about this announcement, that we know we will at least get those first 4. They won't have time to panic after a flop and pull the plug for the next couple of movies because they will already be deep in production for the next few. And that's what WB needs for it's DC movies. A plan to just get on with, and not stopping for a few years.

After those few years, there's bound to be some franchises that work better than others, but they won't know until they try! That's how Marvel attained their success. Iron Man was a huge hit. But Incredible Hulk underperformed. But they carried on with their other projects, and didn't just pull the plug on everything that wasn't Iron Man.

I think a WW movie will make money no matter what. Like Thor numbers. Maybe even better.

Originally posted by Golgo13
I think a WW movie will make money no matter what. Like Thor numbers. Maybe even better.

Weren't you always arguing Wonder Woman was too much of a risk because female lead movies don't dominate at the box office?

Originally posted by DARTH POWER
Weren't you always arguing Wonder Woman was too much of a risk because female lead movies don't dominate at the box office?

They generally don't, but WW is something you have to do just right in order for it to succeed, IMO. And since Kevin isn't messing around (as he stated he wants top talent for these projects), I'm betting WW will be treated with respect in that regard.

Anything is a risk, TBH, but now more than ever, the audience is open to female leads and it's growing.

Originally posted by Golgo13
They generally don't, but WW is something you have to do just right in order for it to succeed, IMO. And since Kevin isn't messing around (as he stated he wants top talent for these projects), I'm betting WW will be treated with respect in that regard.

Anything is a risk, TBH, but now more than ever, the audience is open to female leads and it's growing.

A WW movie is hardly a risk, as she's the most iconic female character of ALL TIME. Even if the movie is mediocre, it's pretty much guaranteed Thor numbers.

And since when have audiences had a problem with female led movies? Maybe in the 1940s.