[VIDEO TITLE: COMIC-CON — JULY 23, 2016 — BATMAN AND STAR WARS DAY!!!]
500k Views.
[INTRO — Jake on camera, convention center exterior in background]
JAKE: What's up, guys! Jake here, and WELCOME to Comic-Con 2016! I am HERE. I am HYPED. And today…today is BATMAN DAY! AND ALSO STAR WARS DAY.
[Camera pans to show Derek and Justin waving]
JUSTIN: Let's gooooo!
DEREK: I'm more excited for Star Wars.
JAKE: (laughing) Derek's gotta Derek… We are about to have the BEST day. The Batman panel is in a few hours, and after that it's the Star Wars panel.
[CUT TO: Inside the convention center — crowds everywhere]
JAKE: Alright, so we just got inside. This place is PACKED. Look at this.
[Camera pans across the massive convention floor—cosplayers, booths, banners for DC, Marvel, games, movies]
JAKE: Oh man, there's so much happening. We're gonna walk around, hit some booths, maybe meet some people before the panel starts.
[CUT TO: Jake meeting comic creators at Artist Alley]
JAKE: Oh shit, look who it is! What's up, man!
[Shakes hands with Matt Gates]
MATT GATES: Hey, JakeTalksComics.
JAKE: Mr. Gates, how are you?
MATT: I told you call me Matt. Man, we did just see each other at the Aquaman screening.
JAKE: (grinning) Yeah, we did, Matt.
MATT: Ready for the big DC stuff this weekend?
JAKE: I'm ready. I'm SO ready. Do you know if tomorrow they're gonna reveal the movies after Justice League?
MATT: (grins, shaking his head) Dude, Daniel won't even tell me and I'm supposedly his best friend.
JAKE: (laughs) Seriously? He's keeping you in the dark too?
MATT: Yeah, man. He's locked down. All I know is it's gonna be big.
JAKE: Damn. Alright, well, I guess we'll find out tomorrow with everyone else.
[They fist-bump, and Jake walks away with Derek and Justin]
[CUT TO: Jake, Derek, and Justin walking through the convention floor]
JAKE: Alright, so let me talk about what we're expecting today. First of all, the Batman Part 3 trailer. That's happening. 100%. Daniel Adler, Christopher Nolan, Jensen Ackles, Brenton Thwaites, Bryan Cranston, and the new cast Colin Farrell, Zoe Kravitz, they're ALL going to be there.
DEREK: Colin Farrell as Penguin is still blowing my mind.
JAKE: And then tomorrow… Tomorrow is the big DC panel. That's where I think they're revealing the 2018 and 2019 slate. Plus, the Justice League panel with the FULL cast together.
JUSTIN: I'm losing my mind just thinking about it.
JAKE: Okay, so here's the thing. Marvel is skipping Comic-Con this year. They're apparently showing something at D23 instead. There are also rumors that Ryan Reynolds might show up probably with some news of Deadpool but that'll likely be at D23 too.
DEREK: I still think it's a bad move. I mean, come on, show what you've got, Marvel!
JAKE: My theory? DC must have some BIG reveals lined up. Like, big big. If Marvel feels like what DC's showing might overshadow them, they're playing it safe.
JUSTIN: Last year was a huge Marvel year with the Phase 3 reveal, so I guess this time it's DC's turn.
JAKE: Exactly.
[CUT TO: Jake, Derek, and Justin doing more convention activities]
[Shots of them checking out booths, looking at collectibles, taking photos with cosplayers]
JAKE: (to camera) Alright, we've got about an hour before the panel starts. We're gonna grab some food and head to Hall H.
[CUT TO: Inside Hall H massive auditorium, thousands of fans seated]
JAKE: (whispering to camera) Okay, we're in. We're in Hall H.
[Camera pans across the packed auditorium fans buzzing with excitement, Batman cosplayers everywhere]
JAKE: The energy in here is unreal.
[CUT TO: Lights dim — crowd starts cheering]
MODERATOR (off-screen): Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the stage… DANIEL ADLER!
[Crowd ERUPTS]
JAKE: And there he is…
[Daniel Adler walks onto the stage, waving, grinning]
[Jake's camera shakes as he cheers along with the crowd]
MODERATOR:CHRISTOPHER NOLAN!
[Even louder cheers as Nolan walks out, calm and composed, waving]
MODERATOR:JENSEN ACKLES!
[The crowd goes INSANE as Jensen walks out, grinning, pumping his fist]
DEREK (off-screen): LET'S GOOOOOO!
MODERATOR: Brenton Thwaites
[Cheers as Brenton walks out he hugs Jensen]
MODERATOR:Zoe KRAVITZ!
[Cheers as Zoe walks out, waving gracefully]
MODERATOR:BRYAN CRANSTON!
[Huge applause as Bryan walks out, smiling and waving]
MODERATOR: And… COLIN FARRELL!
[The crowd roars as Colin walks out, grinning and clearly enjoying the energy.]
[CUT TO: All six of them seated on stage, waving to the crowd.]
JAKE: Please, just show us the trailer already.
[Camera focuses back on the stage as the moderator begins speaking.]
[Video fades to Jake's excited face one more time.]
[Panel session shown in cuts.]
[CUT TO: Panel in progress.]
FAN (standing at mic): Are we getting three more Batman movies in the next phase?
[Crowd bursts into laughter — Jake's camera shakes as he laughs too.]
JENSEN (leaning into mic, grinning): If Daniel's in, I'm in.
[Pause]
JENSEN: But I feel like team-ups are coming.
[HUGE REACTION — Jake's camera jolts as he jumps up.]
JAKE: OH SHIT!
DEREK (off-screen): JUSTICE LEAGUE!
JAKE: I don't think that's what he's talking about.
[Daniel shushes Jensen playfully — everyone laughs.]
[CUT TO: End of panel.]
DANIEL: Okay, I think that's it. We're done.
[Crowd boos loudly — Jake's video captures the disappointment.]
JAKE (to camera, grinning): No way they don't show a trailer. No way.
DANIEL (pausing): Oh, wait... yeah, right. We have the trailer.
DANIEL (snapping fingers): Yeah, I forgot.
[More cheers.]
DANIEL: Roll it.
[Lights dim — Jake's camera focuses on the massive screen.]
JAKE (breathless): Here we go. Here we go.
[0:01 – 0:10: Opening scene with body and tape
[Hall H goes silent — you can hear a pin drop.]
JAKE (whispered): Oh my god...
[0:11 – 0:18: Victim's face wrapped in cellophane, "NO MORE LIES" carved into forehead]
[Gasps ripple through the audience.]
DEREK (off-screen): Holy shit…
JAKE (to camera, excited whisper): That's the Riddler.
DEREK: 100%.
[0:19 – 0:30: "Something in the Way" begins playing]
JAKE (confused): Wait... is this a new OST? Is it not Zimmer?
DEREK: Is that fucking "Something in the Way"?
JUSTIN: Nirvana? The fuck?
[0:31 – 0:42: Boots walking through crime scene, "LIES" written everywhere]
[Audience murmurs — everyone thinks it's Batman.]
JAKE (leaning forward): The Bat is back.
DEREK: Yep.
[Camera focuses on the repeated word "LIES" on the walls, desk, and window.]
JAKE: Yeah, I think I know what this is about…
[Audience reactions grow — murmurs, gasps, people leaning forward.]
[0:51 – 1:00: Gordon asks, "Does any of this mean anything to you?" Camera begins to rotate]
JAKE (breathless): Here it comes…
[Music swells.]
[1:01 – 1:10: REVEAL — ROBIN]
[MASSIVE REACTION — Hall H pauses for a moment, then EXPLODES in cheers.]
[Jake's camera shakes violently as he laughs.]
JAKE: It's Robin! That got me!
JUSTIN: Is he already Nightwing?!
JAKE: I don't think so! Look at the suit... I mean, maybe? Looks very transitional.
[People around them shouting, standing, and cheering.]
AUDIENCE MEMBER (off-screen): OH MY GOD!
[1:11 – 1:15: Close-up of envelope — "FOR THE BATMAN"]
[Bass drop — audience gasps.]
JAKE: Ohhhhh shit...
[1:29 – 1:35: Batcave reveal — Bruce Wayne silhouette before monitors]
[THUNDEROUS CHEERS.]
[Jake's video shows pure chaos — people screaming, arms in the air.]
JAKE: And there he is.
[Cheering continues for several seconds — deafening.]
[1:44 – 1:52: Event under attack, "THEY LIED TO YOU" and "AND BLAMED THE BAT" on wall]
JAKE (to camera, excited): I was right! It's the Dent Act plot!
DEREK: You DID call it!
[2:03 – 2:10: Penguin in Iceberg Lounge]
[HUGE REACTION — people losing their minds.]
JAKE: PENGUIN!
JUSTIN: HE LOOKS SO GOOD!
[Catwoman drops into a penthouse.]
[EVEN BIGGER REACTION.]
[Jake's camera barely stays steady.]
JAKE: Okay, okay, I am fully on board now
JUSTIN: SHE LOOKS PERFECT!
[2:11 – 2:18: Bruce touches the Batsuit case, his reflection staring back]
JAKE: Oh my god, that is such a cool shot.
[2:19 – 2:27: Robin thrown backward by something massive in the shadows]
[SHOCKED GASPS — Jake's camera jerks.]
JAKE: WHAT WAS THAT?!
DEREK: WHAT THE HELL JUST HIT HIM?!
JUSTIN: BANE?!
AUDIENCE MEMBER (nearby): KILLER CROC?!
JAKE: I DON'T KNOW, BUT IT WAS HUGE!
[2:28 – 2:33: Batman and Catwoman on rooftop]
[Cheers building.]
[2:34 – 2:40: "The Batman has to come back" — Bat-Signal ignites]
[MASSIVE ERUPTION of cheers — non-stop screaming and applause.]
[Jake jumps up, camera shaking wildly.]
JAKE: HERE WE GO! HERE WE GO!
[Industrial corridor fight — Batman walking toward armed thugs, bullets ricocheting.]
[Jake's camera captures pure pandemonium in Hall H.]
JAKE (screaming over the noise): LOOK AT HIM! LOOK AT HIM GO!
[Batman dismantles the thugs with brutal efficiency.]
[Cheering intensifies with every hit.]
[Music reaches a fever pitch — final thug hit with a resonating BOOM.]
[The loudest reaction yet.]
[3:13 – 3:18: "THE BATMAN PT. III" logo appears]
[Cheering continues.]
[3:19 – 3:22: "NOVEMBER 2016"]
[Screen goes black — lights slowly come back up.]
[Jake turns to camera, breathless, eyes wide.]
JAKE: I think... I think this might outdo The Dark Knight. Holy shit. WOW.
JUSTIN (off-screen): I need to see that again. RIGHT NOW.
[Camera pans across Hall H — everyone still standing, cheering, clapping.]
[Video fades out on Jake's ecstatic face.]
[VIDEO CONTINUES — After the panel ends, Jake walking out of Hall H]
JAKE (to camera, still buzzing with energy): Alright, guys. WOW. Just... wow. That was incredible. I have SO much to talk about. I'll be making a detailed breakdown video about this today I'm sure the trailer's out right now on YouTube, so go watch it if you haven't already. Tell me what you thought of it down below in the comments.
[Camera pans to show the crowd flooding out of Hall H, everyone talking excitedly.]
JAKE: The movie seems to be, like, very different. I think all three of the Batman movies have this distinct feeling and I think that's just great. Like, each one stands on its own, but they all connect. That's how you do a trilogy.
DEREK (off-screen): Dude, I'm telling you, that was Bane.
JUSTIN (off-screen): Nah, it's Croc or someone else.
[Suddenly, people in the crowd start cheering.]
JAKE (confused, turning camera): What's going on?
[Camera pans to another exit where Daniel Adler is walking out with his security team and staff.]
[The crowd erupts, people cheering, waving, trying to get photos.]
JAKE (laughing, camera shaking slightly): There he is!
[Daniel waves to the crowd, smiling, then disappears into another room.]
JAKE (turning camera back to himself): Ok Star Wars is next.
[END OF BATMAN SECTION]
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r/DCU
Posted by u/BatmanForever88
The Batman Pt. 3 – Teaser Trailer
[VIDEO LINK]
Top Comments:
u/Masondixon43:
Okay, I guess I understand why they made another Batman movie. Holy shit, this looks good. Like, really good.
u/Orlandowrght34:
So Riddler is going to reveal the truth about what happened at the end of The Dark Knight? Not really excited about that. I wanted the Joker back.
u/Lamefish_iron3 replying to u/Orlandowrght34:
Joker's story is done. Let it go.
u/Wombatop_uio1:
So Robin is Nightwing now? That sucks. I mean, we barely saw him as Robin in The Dark Knight.
u/BoyWonderman23 replying to u/Wombatop_uio1:
He's clearly still Robin. Look at the costume, it's transitional, sure, but he still has the cape and the Robin colors.
u/Wombatop_uio1 replying to u/BoyWonderman23:
The costume looks way more Nightwing than Robin.
u/BoyWonderman23 replying to u/Wombatop_uio1:
He still has a cape, and there are red accents. That's Robin. He's just older now.
u/CoOder_ope3t replying to u/Wombatop_uio1:
It's literally a transitional suit. He's in between identities. That's the point. He's not fully Robin anymore, but he's not Nightwing yet either.
u/Oralveum34:
Alright, let me break down this trailer and my theory on what this movie is going to be about.
This movie will finally focus on Batman's detective aspects. The Riddler is forcing Batman to think to solve puzzles to be the World's Greatest Detective.
Killer Croc is in this movie. I'm sure of it. That large figure that attacks Dick in the sewer? That's Croc. You can see how massive it is. Riddler is using Penguin, Catwoman, and Croc as pawns in his game.
The "NO MORE LIES" theme ties directly to Harvey Dent. Riddler is exposing the lie that Gordon and Batman told at the end of The Dark Knight that Harvey Dent died a hero. He's going to reveal that Dent was Two-Face, that Batman took the fall, and that Gotham's "peace" was built on a lie. That's going to tear the city apart.
Bruce is retired, but Gotham needs him again. Bruce has moved on he's philanthropic, rebuilding Gotham as Bruce Wayne. But Riddler is forcing him back into the cowl. This is going to be about whether Bruce can ever truly escape being Batman.
This is going to be the perfect conclusion to the trilogy. Another Oscar for DC loading…
u/Gold_Digger replying to u/Oralveum34:
This. This is the comment. Someone give this man gold.
u/PenguinLover2001 replying to u/Oralveum34:
Holy shit this actually makes so much sense
u/Ghyemanitsme34:
Why not continue the "Dark Knight" theme? It would have been cool if it was called The Dark Knight Returns or something.
u/Trainnductor:
HYPE HYPE HYPE. Fuck, I am SO pumped. This has to be the perfect trilogy of movies ever.
u/Ionbersek34:
Is Zimmer not doing the OST? I did hear some parts of the old themes, but there's definitely new stuff in there.
u/FilmoreNerd replying to u/Ionbersek34:
Michael Giacchino is doing the score. Zimmer's themes are still present. That "Something in the Way" cover? Chef's kiss.
u/Nirvanasupergid:
I did NOT expect to hear Nirvana. But holy shit, it works.
u/AldredGreenLantern:
I like how Bruce has almost escaped from being Batman, and now he's being dragged back. Poor Alfred. That man just wants Bruce to be happy.
u/OldManLogan:
I'm sure Jason Todd will be in this. And holy shit, Colin Farrell looks SO good. Didn't get a proper look at Zoe, but I like what I see.
u/holy_bad_man replying to u/OldManLogan:
Zoe Kravitz can step on me
u/OldManLogan replying to u/holy_bad_man:
Bro??
u/holy_bad_man replying to u/OldManLogan:
I said what I said
u/HansVerende:
I'm not sure about Colin's Penguin. He looks great, but I need to see more before I'm sold.
u/Gerdanende:
Zoe Kravitz seems like a good choice. Can't wait to see her in action.
u/TrilliumBlkes:
This is going to be the darkest one yet. I can feel it. The tone, the music, the stakes — everything is elevated. Nolan and Adler are going out with a bang.
u/Allmightvru:
looks mid tbh, marvel would never
u/Dmuidelife99 replying to u/Allmightvru:
rent free lmao
u/Allmightvru: replying to u/Dmuidelife9:
im just saying
u/Batman4eva replying to u/Allmightvru: :
The fuck are you even doing in this sub then
u/BlakeBlioney:
Still disappointed it doesn't have Joker. Heath's performance was iconic, and I wanted to see more of that dynamic.
u/BorisBrigette:
That shot of the Bat-Signal lighting up? Chills. Absolute chills.
u/CheireValentines:
November can't come fast enough. I need this movie NOW.
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I sat in the suite watching the Star Wars: The Force Awakens panel.
Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and the new cast Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver were all on stage. Thousands of fans cheered for the return of Star Wars. J.J. Abrams stood at the center, grinning, soaking it all in.
To my disappointment, the movie looked like it was going to be the same as I remembered from before. Although, I thought, there might be some changes… small things since Lucas was somewhat involved, even though he seemed to have been pushed aside.
It was going to be released in December. I was planning to watch it to see if there were any differences. I kind of hoped maybe the next one would have changes big ones.
I sighed. Who was I kidding? It was either going to be the same, or it was going to be an even bigger disaster.
I felt bad for the actors, though. The Star Wars fanbase wasn't going to be kind to them, especially if things played out the way I remembered. It was also making me think twice about any plans to get involved in Star Wars myself. I wouldn't be making that play for a long time, I thought.
John and Matt were with me. John had arrived just after the Batman panel ended. They were both very excited for more Star Wars big-time prequel haters, both of them. I was pretty sure that by the time the sequel trilogy was done, they would become big fans of the prequels.
Matt leaned forward. "Dude, we are living in the golden age of nerd culture. Marvel and DC movies, Star Wars sequels this is it."
John suddenly groaned. "Fuck, there isn't a new trailer."
Matt blinked. "What? Really?"
"Yeah," I said. "I think it'll come later."
They showed off some behind-the-scenes stuff, hyped up Kylo Ren a lot, and made it seem as if Mark was in the movie a lot which I knew wasn't true. That was just false advertising.
I stood up. "You guys want to get something to eat?"
They both said yes. All three of us walked out.
As we walked through the suite, Matt suddenly stopped and pointed. "Yo, is that Trey Parker and Matt Stone?"
I turned and saw them standing and talking with a small group of people.
"Oh, shit," Matt said, already walking toward them. "We gotta say hello."
John and I followed.
Trey and Matt noticed us approaching, and their faces lit up in recognition. A small crowd formed as I met them for the first time.
"Daniel Adler," I said, reaching out to shake their hands. "Big fan."
They both grinned. "We're big fans as well," Trey said.
They greeted Matt and John next, shaking hands all around.
"We've been following your work for a while," Matt Stone said. "Everything you've done with DC it's incredible."
Trey nodded enthusiastically. "I've been reading Invincible since last year, too. I love it."
I grinned. "Thanks, man. That means a lot coming from you guys."
"I'm looking forward to the new season," I said.
Trey's grin turned wicked. "That could be the last season you enjoy."
I narrowed my eyes as Matt started laughing behind me, and John joined in.
I realized what he meant. "I'm in the next season, aren't I?"
Matt Stone grinned. "We have something in mind."
Trey leaned in. "Oh, we have a lot in mind."
I chuckled. "Well, I'm gonna be honest I'm looking forward to it."
Trey's eyes sparkled with mischief. "It's going to be fun. We've been wanting to do a DCU–MCU episode for a while now. And you, of course, have to be in it."
I smirked. "Well, don't go easy on me."
We all shared a laugh.
We talked a bit more mostly about South Park, the convention, and what they were working on. The conversation was easy, fun. These guys were legends, and they were just… cool.
Then we shook hands and went our separate ways.
As we walked off, Matt and John immediately started making fun of me.
"Oh, man, you're gonna get destroyed," Matt said, grinning.
John nodded. "I can already see it …South Park Adler is gonna be the biggest douchebag ever."
"I am really looking forward to it. I hope they make me crazy."
"Oh, oh maybe they'll use all those wild rumors about you, the whole secret-harem, deal-with-the-devil thing," Matt added.
"You can be the devil's new boyfriend," John added.
"The devil is dating Saddam… or is it Chris?" I said.
They both cracked up, speculating wildly about what South Park's version of me would be like.
I was really looking forward to it now.
========
"Daniel Adler," I said, introducing myself to Aisha Tyler, who was going to moderate the panel.
Everyone was here, and the panel was scheduled to start in half an hour. The event coordinators and staff were running around, making sure things went smoothly which I hoped they would. Nothing could go wrong today.
"So we're doing the new-movies thing first?" she asked.
"Yeah," I said. Then I added, "Sorry about the last-minute change."
She waved it off. "It's fine."
We talked more about the structure of the panel, going over the beats, the timing, the cues. Then I moved on to see Henry, Jenson, and the others, who were ready to begin.
"Is something wrong with my eyes, or has Alan gotten bigger?" I asked as I walked up.
Alan grinned. "No, I haven't."
The others agreed with me.
Alexandra smirked. "I'm not complaining."
Everyone laughed.
The cast had formed great chemistry especially Grant and Damson, the two less experienced actors bonding over it which was perfect, since I needed their chemistry to work on screen. Sterling had done some early screen tests, and I had to say, he made a great Manhunter. He also fit well into the group dynamics.
I had really lucked out with this cast.
We talked for a bit, joking around. Soon, it was time for the panel.
I chatted with Brad Bird as I waited for my cue from Aisha Tyler. From backstage, I heard her voice boom through the hall:
"Are you ready for this? Because I am SO ready for this! Today, we're about to blow your minds with what DC has coming. And to kick things off, please welcome to the stage—the man who needs no introduction DANIEL ADLER!"
"Let's do this," I said, as Brad tapped me on the back.
I walked onto the stage to thunderous cheers and applause.
"ADLER! ADLER!" people chanted.
I grinned, raising my hands. "Thank you! Thank you! Wow, okay, sit down, sit down. You're making me blush."
Laughter and more cheers.
I paused, soaking it in for a moment, then continued. "So here we are. The DCU is three years old. Three years. And in that time, we've released six movies. Six hits. No misses."
Big applause.
"And none of that would have been possible without you—the fans. Without the incredible cast. Without DC Studios, the crew, the writers, the directors—everyone who believed in this vision."
Someone in the crowd shouted, "YOU TOO!"
I laughed. "Okay, me too."
Big cheers.
"Well, you know me I won't stretch this on for too long," I said, grinning. "Before we bring out the Justice League…"
More cheers.
"I'm going to tell you what we have planned for 2018 and 2019."
Even more cheers.
I grinned wider.
The screen behind me lit up, showing a timeline:
MAY 2018
JULY 2018
NOVEMBER 2018
MARCH 2019
MAY 2019
JULY 2019
NOVEMBER 2019
People gasped and cheered, seeing that there were seven movies.
"Yes," I said, nodding. "We are going to be very busy for the next three years."
People laughed and applauded.
"Alright, let's see what we have for May 2018."
The lights dimmed.
A video played.
MUSIC: A slow, emotional cover of "Starman" by David Bowie begins to play.
The video opens with sweeping shots of space stars, galaxies, nebulae.
Then, Superman appears, flying upward through Earth's atmosphere, breaking through the clouds, rising higher and higher until he's surrounded by the vastness of space.
He stops, hovering, looking down at the Earth below.
Then, the title appears:
MAN OF TOMORROW
The video ends.
The lights come back on, and the applause is deafening. I let it wash over me for a moment, grinning.
"Man of Tomorrow," I say into the mic. "Superman will be learning more about his Kryptonian origins about his remaining family."
That gets a big cheer as they realize who I'm referring to.
"But with that discovery comes danger. A threat that follows him to Earth. A threat that Superman will have to face not just as a hero, but as the last son of a dead world trying to protect his new home."
More cheers.
I paused, letting the energy build. "May 2018. Man of Tomorrow."
The crowd roared.
I continued. "Alright—July 2018."
The lights dimmed, and on screen the title WONDER WOMAN 2 appeared to massive applause.
I grinned. "I won't say much about this movie. Not yet."
Groans from the audience.
I chuckled. "Now, for the next one…" I paused dramatically. "You know what? Let's skip the next one."
That got a reaction confused murmurs, some laughter, some boos.
"Okay—March 2019."
The screen lit up: AQUAMAN 2.
Cheers erupted. People clapped and whooped.
"And you know what?" I said, grinning wider. "I'm gonna skip the next one as well."
More confusion. More laughter. The audience was catching on.
"Alright—July 2019."
The screen revealed: THE FLASH 2.
Reactions were mixed—some big cheers, some polite applause. Flash still had his doubters.
"And finally, November 2019."
The screen showed: GREEN LANTERN 2.
Big applause. People were hyped.
I stepped back, crossing my arms. "Well, that's that."
Someone in the crowd shouted, "YOU MISSED TWO!"
I grinned, feigning innocence. "I did, didn't I?"
Then the November 2018 movie was revealed as the lights dimmed.
A scene played on screen.
Three people were having dinner a woman and two men. The woman was Viola Davis. She cut into her steak with a knife and fork.
"It took a while," she said calmly, "but I finally have them. The worst of the worst."
One of the men leaned forward. "Where?"
She didn't look up from her plate. "Let's just say I put them in a hole… and threw away the hole."
Cheers erupted as people realized what this was.
The other man shifted uncomfortably. "I heard some of these people have abilities."
She nodded, finally looking up. "Oh yeah. I've seen things. Maybe these new heroes were some kind of beacon for them to creep back out from the shadows."
The first man asked, "What do you want, Waller?"
She set down her knife and fork, meeting his gaze. "I want to assemble a task force of the most dangerous people on the planet."
Cheers intensified.
The man hesitated. "They're bad guys."
"Yes," she said matter-of-factly. She paused, then added, "And I think we can do some good." She smiled faintly. "If anything goes wrong, we simply blame them; we have built-in deniability."
The other man leaned in. "How do you plan to control them?"
The scene faded to black as Viola Davis's voice came over:
"Because getting people to act against their own self-interest is what I do for a living."
The title appeared on screen:
SUICIDE SQUAD
Major cheers and applause erupted. People were on their feet.
I grinned, stepping forward. "I don't think any of you were expecting that."
More cheers.
"Suicide Squad will open a brand-new world in the DCU. A lot of stories to be told." I paused for effect. "And some of these characters will appear in The Batman Pt. 3."
That got everyone intrigued. Murmurs spread through the crowd.
"Okay," I said, raising my hands. "One more movie remaining. I'll leave that one alone for now."
Aisha stepped forward with a grin. "I think we should get the others out here."
I nodded. "I think that's best."
I turned back to the crowd. "We looked for a director to make this movie the best it could possibly be. And we found him." I paused. "Well, he was very insistent on doing it."
I gestured toward the wings. "Please welcome Brad Bird!"
Brad walked onto the stage to huge applause.
I grinned. "This man is pulling double duty Justice League and Man of Tomorrow."
Brad laughed, shaking his head. "Yeah, don't remind me."
Everyone laughed with him.
I then began bringing out the rest of the cast.
"First up—HENRY CAVILL!"
The crowd exploded as Henry walked onto the stage, waving with that perfect Superman smile. He took his seat.
"JENSON ACKLES!"
Even louder cheers. Jenson walked out, grinning, pumping his fist. The Batman chants started immediately. He waved and sat down beside Henry.
"ALEXANDRA DADDARIO!"
Massive applause. Alexandra walked out, waving gracefully, beaming at the crowd. She took her seat.
"GRANT GUSTIN!"
Big cheers Flash fans were loud and proud. Grant jogged onto the stage with energy, waving enthusiastically before sitting down.
"ALAN RITCHSON!"
The crowd roared. Alan walked out, towering over everyone, flexing slightly as he waved.
"DAMSON IDRIS!"
Cheers erupted. Damson walked out confidently, waving to the crowd, clearly soaking in the moment. He joined the others on stage.
I paused, letting the energy settle slightly.
"There are two more," I said.
The crowd buzzed with anticipation.
"You still haven't seen the final member of the League," I said. "It took us some time to cast the Manhunter, and I think we found the perfect man to play him."
I gestured toward the wings. "STERLING K. BROWN!"
The crowd erupted as Sterling walked onto the stage, waving, grinning wide. He joined the cast, shaking hands with everyone.
"We have one more," I said, pausing for effect. "A movie is only as good as its villain. And the bad guy who will bring the League together will be the brother to the Manhunter himself."
Gasps and reactions rippled through the audience.
"Playing Malefic, I present to you—LANCE REDDICK!"
The crowd roared. Lance walked out, commanding the stage with his presence, waving to thunderous applause. He joined the cast, completing the lineup.
The panel began in earnest after that, and it was the best one I'd been on. Everyone just gelled together answering questions from Aisha, engaging with the fans, riffing off each other.
I could tell the audience saw it too. This was a good sign. The first Justice League movie had a medium-level plot; it would be the cast and the character dynamics that elevated it to a great movie.
"The new suit is great, by the way," Alexandra said, snapping me out of my thoughts. She was answering a question from a fan.
She continued, "I wanted a more accurate suit, and Daniel made it happen."
That got a lot of cheers.
Aisha leaned forward with a smile. "I think it's time for us to wrap this up."
The audience disagreed loudly, shouting that we still had one more movie to reveal.
I looked over at Henry and Jenson, giving them the cue.
Henry leaned into his mic. "Yes, Daniel. Why make us all wait?"
Jenson nodded. "Yeah, I mean, so far I'm not in any of those movies."
Grant chimed in with a grin. "You've had three already."
Laughter erupted.
Jenson smirked. "I'm the motherfucking Batman."
Big cheers.
Henry, playing into it, said dryly, "Language."
Jenson gestured at him. "You've got Boy Scout over here."
More cheers and laughter.
I leaned into my mic, grinning. "Maybe you two can do a movie together."
That got a big gasp and surprise from the audience.
The lights dimmed.
The May 2019 movie was revealed.
On screen, Batman's symbol appeared. Then, in the center of it, Superman's symbol slowly materialized.
The cheers were immediate.
The two symbols merged, overlapping perfectly.
And then the title appeared:
WORLD'S FINEST
The hall shook with the noise—standing ovation, screaming, applause that didn't stop.
The lights came back on.
Henry and Jenson had both stood up and were now facing each other, squaring off dramatically.
I stepped between them, grinning. "Hey, hey! You guys aren't fighting. You're teaming up!"
More laughter.
"This is not Civil War," I said pointedly.
More cheers and laughter.
"You're Super Friends."
Henry and Jenson shrugged at each other, then pulled each other into a hug.
Massive cheers erupted.
I nodded, satisfied. "That's more like it."