#22 – Aquaman, Birds of Prey, Reign of the Supermen, Survivors’ Club, Swamp Thing, and Watchmen

James Wan’s Aquaman is inching closer, so we break down news on that, Birds of Prey, Swamp Thing, and more on today’s podcast.

Director James Wan announces that Aquaman is completed on Instagram

“After two years of consuming and devouring my every waking hour, this little indie movie is finally done. It was a monster undertaking. I can’t THANK enough the amazing post team of VFX/editorial/sound for working tirelessly around the clock — crazy long days, 7 days a week, for many many many weeks without a day off — towards making this a unique and beautiful film. Everyone poured their heart and soul into it, and I can’t wait to share this 21st December! In the meantime, I’m gonna go take a really long nap now.”

New Aquaman character posters – (on Twitter)

Wan also talks with DC Comics about Atlantis

“That was part of what I really enjoyed about this character. Not only do I get to revamp this underdog character, but I also get the opportunity to design the different worlds visually and create the different kingdoms. I’m a big fan of world creation.”
“I haven’t really shown you the monsters in this, but it definitely plays heavily into the film. They’re a big part of this world that Arthur gets to explore.”
Talked about the different kingdoms, was heavily inspired by Geoff Johns’ New 52 run.

Screenwriter Christina Hodson talks about Birds of Prey and Batgirl films with LA Times

Calls Margot Robbie an “amazing producer” who is dedicated, works hard and gives smart notes
Is excited that Cathy Yan is directing
On Harley Quinn – ‘I just fell in love with Harley. She makes me laugh, but she also makes me cry…. She’s got such emotional depth that is completely contrasted by this light, superficial, fun exterior. Even in the comics when she is at her best, she’s doing something bad — and when she’s at her worst she’s doing something good. And that makes her so interesting and so much more real, because that’s what people are like in real life. Very few people are just purely heroic or purely villainous, and she is this wonderful balance of everything.”
Can’t say anything about Batgirl, but is excited to be working on it

Zachary Levi shares that Shazam! Is getting ready for “additional photography” on Instagram

Fathom Events to play a The Death of Superman/Reign of the Supermen double feature in select theaters – (ComicBook.com)

Will be Sunday January 13 and Monday January 14, prior to digital release on January 15, 2019
Listed as 2 hour and 45 minute runtime (will they be merged into one film?)
Same as 1 ticket price

The CW has put Vertigo Comics’ Survivors’ Club into development for a potential television series – (Deadline)

Based on the 9-issue series from 2015/2016 created by Lauren Beukes, Dale Halverson and Ryan Kelly
Will be written by Jared Frieder (MTV’s Sweet/Vicious)
Series description – “In a world where horror franchise monsters are real, twins Jason and Jennifer barely survived a demonic childhood possession that claimed their mother’s life and fractured their bond. Ten years later, when a new evil force awakens, the siblings join forces with other teen survivors to combat the literal and metaphorical monsters that haunt them.”
Other series in development at The CW – Batwoman, Project 13

Grant Morrison is developing a television series for Universal based on The Invisibles – (The Hollywood Reporter)

Alec Holland and Swamp Thing have been cast for DC Universe’s Swamp Thing – (The Hollywood Reporter)

Will be different actors for Alec Holland and Swamp Thing
Andy Bean (Power) will play “Alec Holland, a biologist who transforms into the Swamp Thing after discovering a strange illness may be connected to his work with the swamp.”
Derek Mears (actor/stuntman – Jason in Friday the 13th reboot, Dwarfstar in The Flash) will play “the creature that emerges after Holland’s accident. He must deal with what he has become to defend his town.”
Will Bean just appear before Swamp Thing emerges?
Deadline – Will Patton (Remember the Titans, Halloween) cast as “As its most prominent businessman, Avery Sunderland (Patton) serves as the de facto patriarch of his Louisiana hometown, always giving back to the community. His benevolent veneer, however, masks a ruthless determination to harness the power of the swamp for profit.”
Deadline – Henderson Wade (Riverdale) cast as Matt Cable, a series regular. Cable is “ a Louisiana lawman who finds himself in dire straits when supernatural evil threatens the town he’s sworn to protect.”

James Wolk (Tell Me a Story) cast in a recurring role in HBO’s Watchmen

Role is undisclosed, but Deadline reports he plays a junior senator from Oklahoma

Jeremy Irons will be playing an older Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias in Watchmen, according to Slash Film

Bob Frazer (The 100) cast as villain Roger Hayden/Psycho-Pirate for “Elseworlds” – (Entertainment Weekly)

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