Warner Bros. Pictures At COMIC CON 2017 Debuts New Steven Spielberg’s READY PLAYER ONE And JUSTICE LEAGUE Trailers

Warner Bros. Pictures brought some of its biggest films and brightest stars to this year’s Comic-Con International: San Diego to give fans a taste of their upcoming slate.

Coming off the success the studio is enjoying with WONDER WOMAN, the sequel, WONDER WOMAN 2 was announced during Comic Con.

From EW:

The film quickly surpassed its world-building predecessors Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Suicide Squad at the box office. With approximately $767.7 million worldwide since hitting theaters on June 2, WONDER WOMAN broke records for director Patty Jenkins, marking the highest-grossing live-action film directed by a woman.

Jenkins has also been teasing her ideas for a follow-up story ahead of the formal announcement.

“The story will take place in the U.S., which I think is right,” she previously told EW. “She’s Wonder Woman. She’s got to come to America. It’s time.” The filmmaker added, “I realized that Wonder Woman 2 is its own great movie. I made Wonder Woman. Now I want to make Wonder Woman 2. It’s a beautiful story to tell, an important time to tell it and with people that I love.”

Warner Bros. also discussed other films coming down the pike such as Suicide Squad 2, The Batman, Justice League Dark, Batgirl (from Joss Whedon), Green Lantern Corps, and The Flash: Flashpoint.

On Saturday, July 22, Warner Bros. once again lit up Hall H with a presentation showcasing some of its eagerly awaited upcoming releases, with exclusive footage and revealing conversations, helmed by master of ceremonies Chris Hardwick. The lineup included:

  • Director Steven Spielberg’s “Ready Player One,” based on the hugely popular Ernest Cline novel, with stars Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke and T.J. Miller, author/co-screenwriter Cline, co-screenwriter Zak Penn, and Spielberg on the panel
  • The long-awaited “Blade Runner 2049,” Alcon Entertainment’s sequel to the cult classic takes us 30 more years into the future, with stars Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford, as well as Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Robin Wright, Lennie James and Mackenzie Davis, writers Hampton Fancher and Michael Green, and the film’s director, Denis Villeneuve.
  • And the greatest Super Heroes of the DC universe, united for the first time on the big screen, with stars Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller and Ray Fisher talking all things “Justice League,” as well as an early look at director James Wan’s “Aquaman.”

From filmmaker Steven Spielberg comes the science fiction action adventure “Ready Player One,” based on Ernest Cline’s bestseller of the same name, which has become a worldwide phenomenon. The film is set in 2045, with the world on the brink of chaos and collapse. But the people have found salvation in the OASIS, an expansive virtual reality universe created by the brilliant and eccentric James Halliday. When Halliday dies, he leaves his immense fortune to the first person to find a digital Easter egg he has hidden somewhere in the OASIS, sparking a contest that grips the entire world. When an unlikely young hero named Wade Watts decides to join the contest, he is hurled into a breakneck, reality-bending treasure hunt through a fantastical universe of mystery, discovery and danger. Spielberg directed the film from a screenplay by Zak Penn and Ernest Cline. The film was produced by Spielberg, Donald De Line, Kristie Macosko Krieger and Dan Farah; with Adam Somner, Daniel Lupi, Chris DeFaria and Bruce Berman serving as executive producers. It stars Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn and T.J. Miller, with Simon Pegg and Mark Rylance. Warner Bros. Pictures and Amblin Entertainment present, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, an Amblin Production, a De Line Pictures Production, a Steven Spielberg Film, “Ready Player One.”

Slated for release on March 30, 2018, the film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.

From director Denis Villeneuve comes Alcon Entertainment’s science fiction thriller “Blade Runner 2049,” the much-anticipated sequel to the acclaimed sci-fi film “Blade Runner.” Thirty years after the events of the first film, a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K, unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what’s left of society into chaos. K’s discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard, a former LAPD blade runner who has been missing for 30 years.

The film stars Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Robin Wright, Mackenzie Davis, Carla Juri, and Lennie James, with Dave Bautista and Jared Leto. The film was produced by Andrew A. Kosove and Broderick Johnson and Bud Yorkin and Cynthia Yorkin. Ridley Scott, who directed the first “Blade Runner,” served as an executive producer, together with Tim Gamble, Frank Giustra, Yale Badick, Val Hill, and Bill Carraro. Villeneuve directed the film from a screenplay by Hampton Fancher and Michael Green, story by Fancher, based on characters from the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick.

Opening on October 6, 2017, in 2D and 3D in select theatres and IMAX, “Blade Runner 2049” is a presentation of Alcon Entertainment and will be distributed domestically by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and internationally by Sony Pictures Entertainment.

www.bladerunnermovie.com

About “Aquaman”

Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure “Aquaman” is helmed by James Wan and stars Jason Momoa in the title role, returning to the character he plays in this fall’s “Justice League.” The film also stars Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe, Temuera Morrison, Dolph Lundgren, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, with Patrick Wilson, and Nicole Kidman.

The film is being produced by Peter Safran, with Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder, Rob Cowan, Jon Berg and Geoff Johns serving as executive producers. An icon for over 75 years, Aquaman is known by fans of DC Comics as the ruler of Atlantis but committed to protecting the entire globe, both land and sea.

Currently set for a 2018 release, the film is based on characters from DC.

About “Justice League”

From Warner Bros. Pictures comes “Justice League,” directed by Zack Snyder and starring Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, and Ray Fisher as the famed lineup of DC Super Heroes. Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to find and recruit a team of metahumans to stand against this newly awakened threat. But despite the formation of this unprecedented league of heroes—Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash—it may already be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.

The “Justice League” screenplay is by Chris Terrio, story by Zack Snyder & Chris Terrio, based on characters from DC, Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The film’s producers are Charles Roven, Deborah Snyder, Jon Berg and Geoff Johns, with executive producers Jim Rowe, Wesley Coller, Curtis Kanemoto, Chris Terrio and Ben Affleck.

The film is set for release in 3D and 2D in select theaters and IMAX on November 17, 2017.

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About “Annabelle: Creation”

From New Line Cinema comes “Annabelle: Creation,” with David F. Sandberg directing. The new film is once again being produced by Peter Safran and James Wan, who previously partnered on “The Conjuring” hit movies. Several years after the tragic death of their little girl, a doll maker and his wife welcome a nun and several girls from a shuttered orphanage into their home. They soon become the target of the doll maker’s possessed creation, Annabelle.

Sandberg directs from a screenplay by Gary Dauberman. The film stars Stephanie Sigman, Talitha Bateman, Lulu Wilson, Philippa Coulthard, Grace Fulton, Lou Lou Safran, Samara Lee, Tayler Buck, with Anthony LaPaglia and Miranda Otto. Serving as executive producers on “Annabelle: Creation” are Richard Brener, Walter Hamada, Dave Neustadter and Hans Ritter. New Line Cinema presents, an Atomic Monster/Safran Company production, “Annabelle: Creation.”

Slated for release August 11, 2017, the film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

www.annabellemovie.com

About “IT”

New Line Cinema’s horror thriller “IT” is based on the hugely popular Stephen King novel of the same name, which has been terrifying readers for decades. When children begin to disappear in the town of Derry, Maine, a group of young kids are faced with their biggest fears when they square off against an evil clown named Pennywise, whose history of murder and violence dates back for centuries. “IT” stars Bill Skarsgård as the story’s central villain, Pennywise, alongside Jaeden Lieberher, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, Wyatt Oleff, Chosen Jacobs, Jack Dylan Grazer, Nicholas Hamilton and Jackson Robert Scott.

Andy Muschietti directed “IT” from a screenplay by Chase Palmer & Cary Fukunaga and Gary Dauberman. Roy Lee, Dan Lin, Seth Grahame-Smith, David Katzenberg and Barbara Muschietti are the producers, with Dave Neustadter, Walter Hamada, Richard Brener, Toby Emmerich, Marty P. Ewing, Doug Davison, Jon Silk and Niija Kuykendall serving as executive producers. New Line Cinema presents a Vertigo Entertainment/Lin Pictures/Katzsmith Production, “IT.”

Slated for release on September 8, 2017, the film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Entertainment Company.

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A new animated adventure in Warner Bros. Pictures’ LEGO® franchise, “The LEGO NINJAGO® Movie” stars Dave Franco, Justin Theroux, Fred Armisen, Abbi Jacobson, Olivia Munn, Kumail Nanjiani, Michael Peña, Zach Woods, and the legendary Jackie Chan. In this big-screen NINJAGO adventure, the battle for NINJAGO City calls to action young Master Builder Lloyd, aka the Green Ninja, along with his friends, who are all secret ninja warriors. Led by Master Wu, as wise-cracking as he is wise, they must defeat evil warlord Garmadon, The Worst Guy Ever, who also happens to be Lloyd’s dad. Pitting mech against mech and father against son, the epic showdown will test this fierce but undisciplined team of modern-day ninjas who must learn to check their egos and pull together to unleash their inner power of Spinjitzu.

The film is directed by Charlie Bean, Paul Fisher and Bob Logan. The screenplay is by Bob Logan & Paul Fisher & William Wheeler & Tom Wheeler and Jared Stern & John Whittington, story by Hilary Winston & Bob Logan & Paul Fisher & William Wheeler & Tom Wheeler and Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman, based on LEGO Construction Toys. It is produced by Dan Lin, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Chris McKay, Maryann Garger, and Roy Lee. The executive producers are Jill Wilfert, Keith Malone, and Seth Grahame-Smith, with John Powers Middleton serving as co-producer.

The film is slated to open on September 22, 2017, in both 3D and 2D. From Warner Bros. Pictures and Warner Animation Group, in association with LEGO System A/S, a Lin Pictures/Lord Miller/Vertigo Entertainment Production, “The LEGO NINJAGO Movie” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

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LEGO, the LEGO logo, NINJAGO, the minifigure and the brick and knob configuration are trademarks of The LEGO Group. ©2017 The LEGO Group. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Shooting Begins On AQUAMAN Starring Jason Momoa And Nicole Kidman

Principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure AQUAMAN, helmed by James Wan (“The Conjuring” films, “Furious 7”). Jason Momoa stars in the title role, returning to the character he plays in this fall’s JUSTICE LEAGUE.

The film also stars Amber Heard (“Justice League,” “Magic Mike XXL”) as Mera; Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe (“Platoon,” “Spider-Man 2”) as Vulko; Temuera Morrison (“Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones,” “Green Lantern”) as Tom Curry; Dolph Lundgren (“The Expendables” films) as Nereus; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (upcoming “Baywatch,” Netflix’s “The Get Down”) as Black Manta; with Patrick Wilson (“The Conjuring” films, “Watchmen”) as Orm/Ocean Master; and Oscar winner Nicole Kidman (“The Hours,” “Lion”) as Atlanna.

The film is being produced by Peter Safran, with Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder, Rob Cowan, Jon Berg and Geoff Johns serving as executive producers.

Wan’s team behind the scenes includes such frequent collaborators as Oscar-nominated director of photography Don Burgess (“The Conjuring 2,” “Forrest Gump”), his five-time editor Kirk M. Morri (“The Conjuring” films, “Furious 7,” the “Insidious” films) and production designer Bill Brzeski (“Furious 7”). They are joined by costume designer Kym Barrett (“The Matrix” trilogy; “The Amazing Spider-Man”), along with Oscar-winning VFX supervisor Charles Gibson (“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 & 2”) and VFX supervisor Kelvin McIlwain (“The Fast and the Furious” franchise).

As is fitting for the king of the sea, the shoot will take place mainly in locations spanning the stunning Gold Coast of Queensland, Australia, with extensive filming to be accomplished at Village Roadshow Studios. The production will utilize the facility’s sprawling backlot and all nine VRS soundstages, including its newest, Stage 9, the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Filming will also take place in Newfoundland, Sicily and Tunisia.

An icon for over 75 years, Aquaman is known by fans of DC Comics as the ruler of Atlantis but committed to protecting the entire globe, both land and sea.

Currently set for a 2018 release, the film is based on characters from DC.

Toy Fair 2017: Kotobukiya

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Toy Fair is an annual trade show where hundreds of toy companies get together to showcase their latest innovations for buyers and press. The following is a photo recap from the Kotobukiya booth. To see the rest of our coverage, click HERE.

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While the Kotobukiya booth was not that big, they featured this killer Star-Lord / Baby Groot statue from GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2, which was hands-down my favorite reveal of Toy Fair. It is part of their popular 1/6th scale ArtFX line just like the Deadpool also on display. While the 9” scale Gallery Edition PVC statue from Diamond Select Toys (that you can see HERE) featured a great action pose, this statue perfectly captures the essence of Guardians with one simple addition; a Sony walkman. This piece is a ton of fun and Baby Groot getting in on the action just adds to that. This is one that will absolutely go into my collection as soon as it is released.

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In addition to this must have item, other highlights from Kotobukiya include an impressive 1/6th scale Jason Voorhees coming this June, and Green Lantern joining the rest of the Justice League 1/6th scale Art FX statues. Check them out below…

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Toy Fair 2017: DC Collectibles

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Toy Fair is an annual trade show where hundreds of toy companies get together to showcase their latest innovations for buyers and press. The following is a photo recap from the DC Collectibles booth. To see the rest of our coverage, click HERE.

It is no surprise that the majority of items featured in the DC Collectibles booth were related to characters appearing in JUSTICE LEAGUE, WONDER WOMAN, and SUICIDE SQUAD. One of the most impressive items was a beautifully sculpted statue depicting Harley Quinn and Batman fighting atop a runaway roller coaster. This piece is notable not only for the extreme detail but also for something it doesn’t include: Mr. J. Sure the Joker’s face appears on the coaster cart but it is quite refreshing to see a statue depicting a showdown just between Bats and Harley, and her pet hyenas Bud and Lou.

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Wonder Woman was also prominently featured, including statues from comics, and her standalone film, as well as from JUSTICE LEAGUE. While I am not a big fan of how Chris Pine’s Steve Trevor looks in statue form, I think Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman is best represented in that two-piece statue.

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The Batman and Superman statues from JUSTICE LEAGUE are both highly detailed but I do not think either is as dynamic as the set DC Collectibles released for BATMAN v. SUPERMAN. However, if I did not already own the previous statues, I would definitely pick these up since Batman’s new look is fantastic and Superman’s pose is fairly iconic. Unfortunately the same cannot be said about The Flash, as his awkward stance ruins what could have been a great piece.

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On the figure front, the clear standout was a special edition set of Superman Vs. Doomsday, complete with a ton of accessories to recreate the iconic fight. The tattered cape flag and “Krakadoom” onomatopoeia word bubble really put it over the top.

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Other highlights include a pretty spot on SUPERGIRL (TV show) statue, a few more bombshells, a menacingly creepy Killing Joke statue, and a working Bat signal that will surely be at the top of my Christmas list next year.

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The Flash, Batman And Wonder Woman Featured In New Photo From JUSTICE LEAGUE

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Warner Bros. Pictures has released a first look photo from director Zack Snyder’s JUSTICE LEAGUE.

Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy.

Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to find and recruit a team of metahumans to stand against this newly awakened threat. But despite the formation of this unprecedented league of heroes—Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash—it may already be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.

Warner Bros. Pictures will release director Patty Jenkins movie, WONDER WOMAN, on June 2. That film stars Gadot, Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Connie Nielsen, David Thewlis, and
Danny Huston.

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JUSTICE LEAGUE’s story is by Zack Snyder & Chris Terrio, Screenplay by Chris Terrio based on characters from DC Entertainment, Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

Starring Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Raymond Fisher, Willem Dafoe, Jesse Eisenberg, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, Connie Nielsen, and J.K. Simmons, JUSTICE LEAGUE opens in 3D and 2D in select theaters and IMAX on November 17

http://www.justiceleaguethemovie.com/

Warner Bros. Pictures Wows At Comic-Con With First Trailer For Zack Snyder’s JUSTICE LEAGUE

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Here’s a first look at the teaser for director ‬Zack Snyder’s highly anticipated JUSTICE LEAGUE.

This surprise preview premiered at Comic-Con in Hall H.

Warner Bros. Pictures previously announced that they would highlight its upcoming slate of features, including “Wonder Woman,” “Suicide Squad,” “The LEGO® Batman Movie,” “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword,” “Kong: Skull Island” and “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.”

Starring Batman (Ben Affleck), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Superman (Henry Cavill), Cyborg (Ray Fisher), Aquaman (Jason Momoa) and the Flash (Ezra Miller), JUSTICE LEAGUE hits cinemas November 2017.

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Ben Affleck To Direct And Star In Stand-Alone Batman Film

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Warner Bros. Pictures showcased an impressive lineup of talents and highly anticipated films at this year’s CinemaCon, which generated tremendous excitement for the Studio’s wide-ranging slate. Chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara opened the program and announced that Ben Affleck—who will again play the role of Batman in the upcoming Justice League movie—will direct, as well as star in, a new stand-alone Batman feature.

The Studio’s presentation was highlighted by trailers and film clips—including some never-before-seen footage—and appearances by some of the major stars and filmmakers involved in each of the movies. It also served to illustrate Tsujihara’s statement about the diversity of the slate: built on the foundation of the key franchises of DC Super Heroes, animated LEGO® features, and “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” but also encompassing a broad scope of dramas, action adventures, horror thrillers and comedies.

There were also speeches from Sue Kroll, in her new post as Warner Bros. Pictures President of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, who was recently named President of Worldwide Distribution.

Remarking on the Warner Bros. event, Kroll said, “CinemaCon is always one of the high points of our year: when we get to introduce our upcoming slate to our partners in the exhibition community who are responsible for bringing our films to audiences worldwide. It was wonderful to have this opportunity to showcase the broad range of films Warner Bros. has on the horizon, as well as some of the extraordinary artists behind them.”

Kwan Vandenberg added, “We appreciated the enthusiastic participation of actors and filmmakers from every title, who added tremendous star power to the presentation. CinemaCon gives us a chance to reinforce our commitment to the big-screen experience on a global level.”

Kicking off the film presentation with a bang, Ben Affleck and Amy Adams introduced a thrilling reel spotlighting the Studio’s ambitious slate of DC films. The roster includes the new Justice League film, as well as stand-alone features for Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg. Director Zack Snyder closed the reel with a greeting from the Justice League film set, surrounded by his stars.

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The DC preview also included a glimpse of the summer’s hotly anticipated action adventure “Suicide Squad” and, immediately following, writer/director David Ayer took the stage and introduced the main ensemble cast, led by Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie and Joel Kinnaman. The extended version of the “Suicide Squad” trailer was met with loud applause and the buzz surrounding the film was palpable.

Host Mario Lopez then took the attendees through the rest of the summer line-up, including advance footage from the wide range of titles.

The stars and filmmakers who excited the crowd about their upcoming films included: Russell Crowe for the action comedy “The Nice Guys”; Emilia Clarke for the drama “Me Before You” (from New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn Mayer); James Wan, Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson for the supernatural thriller “The Conjuring 2” (from New Line Cinema); Teresa Palmer and David F. Sandberg for the horror thriller “Lights Out” (from New Line Cinema); Kevin Hart and Rawson Marshall Thurber for the action comedy “Central Intelligence” (from New Line Cinema and Universal Pictures), which included a taped greeting from Dwayne Johnson; Alexander Skarsgård, Margot Robbie, Samuel L. Jackson and Christoph Waltz for the adventure “The Legend of Tarzan” (from Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow Pictures); and Todd Phillips and Bradley Cooper for the comedic drama “War Dogs,” which is based on real events.

Looking past the summer, Warner Bros. unveiled some of the films on the drawing board from the Warner Animation Group, or WAG for short. Three of the brilliant minds in the WAG think tank—Christopher Miller, Phil Lord and Nicholas Stoller—came to the stage to introduce a special reel featuring a few of the titles in the pipeline, anchored by three new films in the LEGO®movie franchise: “The LEGO® Batman Movie,” “The LEGO® Movie 2” and “Ninjago.” Stoller, who co-directed the next WAG film on the slate, “Storks,” was joined by fellow director Doug Sweetland and voice talents Andy Samberg and Katie Crown to present new footage from the heartwarming and hilarious family adventure.

The animation portion wrapped with never-before-seen footage from “The LEGO® Batman Movie,” which gives the breakout star of the hit “The LEGO® Movie” a film of his own. Drawing laughter and enthusiastic applause, the clip was presented by producers Lord and Miller, joined by the voice of LEGO® Batman himself, Will Arnett, who made a surprise appearance to the delight of everyone there.

Warner Bros. closed the presentation with a look at the most magical film of the year, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” written by Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling, which will bring moviegoers to a new place and time in the wizarding world. Four of the film’s stars, Eddie Redmayne, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler and Colin Farrell, came to the stage to introduce the new teaser trailer and a look behind the scenes of the film, which has already captivated fans.

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BATMAN v SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE Teaser Trailer

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“That’s how it starts. The fever, the rage… the feeling of powerlessness.”

After the kerfuffle of the trailer being leaked online prior to it’s IMAX debut on Monday, Warner Bros. Pictures has given the first BATMAN v SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE teaser an early release.

Fans will still get a first look at the trailer in the enhanced IMAX format along with a special message from director Zack Snyder on Monday, April 20.

Warner Bros. Pictures’ BATMAN v SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE, the highly anticipated action adventure from director Zack Snyder, stars Henry Cavill in the role of Clark Kent/Superman, and Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman.

The film also stars Gal Gadot as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, with Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane returning from MAN OF STEEL, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, Jeremy Irons as Alfred, and Holly Hunter.

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Set to open worldwide on March 25, 2016, BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE is based on Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster, Batman characters created by Bob Kane, and Wonder Woman created by William Moulton Marston, appearing in comic books published by DC Entertainment.

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JUSTICE LEAGUE Movie To Be Helmed By Zack Snyder

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The Wall Street Journal is reporting that a JUSTICE LEAGUE movie has received the green light.

“Confirming the studio’s plans for a movie based on its iconic super-team for the first time, Warner Bros. president of worldwide production Greg Silverman said the studio has set plans to make a JUSTICE LEAGUE movie.”

“Like MAN OF STEEL and its follow-up, which starts production next month, JUSTICE LEAGUE will be directed by Zack Snyder. Henry Cavill is expected to return as Superman, along with Ben Affleck and Gal Gadot, who play Batman and Wonder Woman, respectively, in 2016’s MAN OF STEEL sequel tentatively titled BATMAN vs. SUPERMAN.”

The report also states,

“It will be a further expansion of this universe,” said Mr. Silverman. “’Superman vs Batman’ will lead into ‘Justice League.’”

A script is still in development and Warner has not set a release date, though the movie is unlikely to come out before 2018. Mr. Silverman would not comment on what other heroes might join Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman in the movie. However the studio has recently been casting the role of Cyborg, a half-robotic hero who is expected to have a cameo in “Batman vs. Superman” and then appear in “Justice League.” Other DC heroes who have been in Justice League comic books include Aquaman, Flash and Green Lantern.

The Justice League (of America) really began in 1940 in All Star Comics #3 as the Justice Society of America (JSA) which united the early heroes of National Periodicals Publications: Green Lantern, the Flash, Hawkman, Dr.Fate, Hour-Man, the Spectre, Sandman, and the Atom.

Superman and Batman were charter members with Wonder Woman and Black Canary along with other superheroes joining the team in later issues. That series ended its run in 1951 with All Star Comics #57.

When National (now referred to as DC, Detective Comics) began the silver age of comics with their re-introduction of the Flash in Showcase #4, they eventually decided to bring back the JSA concept under a new name, the Justice League of America (JLA) in Brave and Bold comics #28 in 1960 with founding members the Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, and Wonder Woman. After getting their own title, Superman and Batman became full time members.

Over the years this has proven to be one of DC’s most popular books as the team roster has expanded to include nearly all of the company’s heroes. The JLA first came to TV in 1967 as a segment of Filmation’s ” The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure” on CBS Saturday mornings. A few years later a paired-down JLA, “The Super Friends”, produced by Hanna/Barbara began a long run on ABC.

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In live action, members of the team were featured in a two-part NBC prime special as “Legends of the Superheroes”, and in 1990 an unsold JLA live action pilot was produced, but not aired, in 1997. The group returned to animation in 2001 in the “Justice League” series running for five seasons on cable’s Cartoon Network.

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Snyder’s BATMAN vs. SUPERMAN will also star Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor and Jeremy Irons as Alfred, and reunites MAN OF STEEL stars Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane.

Newcomers include Oscar-winning actress Holly Hunter, Callan Mulvey of “300: Rise of an Empire,” and Tao Okamoto of “The Wolverine.” All three actors will play characters newly created for the film.

BATMAN vs. SUPERMAN is written by Chris Terrio, from a screenplay by David S. Goyer. Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder are producing, with Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Wesley Coller, David S. Goyer and Geoff Johns serving as executive producers.

BATMAN vs. SUPERMAN is set to open worldwide on May 6, 2016, and is based on Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster, Batman characters created by Bob Kane, and Wonder Woman created by William Moulton Marston, appearing in comic books published by DC Entertainment.

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Director Zack Snyder Unites Superman and Batman in One Explosive New MAN OF STEEL 2

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“I want you to remember my hand at your throat. I want you to remember the one man who beat you.”

Ready for this?

On the heels of the worldwide success of “Man of Steel,” director Zack Snyder is bringing together the two greatest Super Heroes of all time – Batman and Superman – for the first time on the big screen. The announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, and Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

The current hit, “Man of Steel,” has taken in more than $630 million at the worldwide box office to date, and climbing. Along with its star, Henry Cavill, the upcoming film brings back Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane. The new Batman has yet to be cast.

Snyder is co-writing the story with David S. Goyer, who will then pen the screenplay. Production is expected to begin in 2014, with an anticipated release date in Summer 2015.

Silverman stated, “Zack Snyder is an incredibly talented filmmaker, but beyond that, he’s a fan first and he utterly gets this genre. We could not think of anyone better suited to the task of bringing these iconic Super Heroes to the screen in his own way.” Kroll added, “We are thrilled to be back in business with Zack and his team on this next movie. The success of ‘Man of Steel’ is a wonderful testament to the love and support that both fans and new audiences, worldwide, have for these characters. We are very excited to see what Zack has in store for all of us.”

Diane Nelson, President, DC Entertainment, noted, “Superman and Batman together on the big screen is a dream come true for DC fans everywhere. All of us at DC Entertainment could not be more excited for Zack’s continuing vision for the DC Universe.”

Zack Snyder, who made a surprise appearance at Comic-Con today, breaking the news to audiences there, later said, “I’m so excited to begin working again with Henry Cavill in the world we created, and I can’t wait to expand the DC Universe in this next chapter. Let’s face it, it’s beyond mythological to have Superman and our new Batman facing off, since they are the greatest Super Heroes in the world.”

The new film brings back Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder as producers. This time, Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas are serving as executive producers, along with Benjamin Melniker and Michael E. Uslan.

Thomas offered, “Whilst our ‘Dark Knight’ trilogy is complete, we have every confidence that Zack’s fresh interpretation will take the character in a new and exciting direction. His vision for Superman opened the door to a whole new universe and we can’t wait to see what Zack does with these characters.”

The film is based on Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster, and Batman characters created by Bob Kane, published by DC Entertainment.

In addition to the Superman and Batman team-up movie, other Super Hero films reportedly on the horizon are The Flash in 2016 and Justice League in 2017!

Photo: WAMG / Melissa Howland