It was a tempered Comic-Con in some respects, with Hall H fixtures Marvel Studios, the Star Wars films, and Game of Thrones all notably absent from the events circuit this year. Nevertheless, the ‘Con still managed to offer up a few surprises.
From a surprisingly dark Boy Wonder to unexpected reboots and revivals, here are some of our favourite stories (and other bombshells) from the last few days.
“Fuck Batman”
Well, this one came early and sucked all the air out of the room. The first trailer for DC’s TITANS dropped during the Con, with a very distinct TV-MA label on it. Not for nothing: Robin (played by ) is introduced post-breakup with The Dark Knight with a very distinctive sentiment. “Fuck Batman,” he says. Due to drop on the currently US-only DC Universe, if the streaming network doesn’t make its way outside of North America, then Robin actually speaks for us all.
Welcome Batwoman
We already know that Batwoman and Gotham are coming to the Arrowverse in the crossover between Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, and Legends of Tomorrow later this year. In addition to the sizzle reel released (below), the CW is reportedly so pleased with the event that they are developing a Batwoman series for 2019. We are now officially doing nothing but watching DC shows next year.
There’s a Stargirl waiting in the sky
DC Universe is adding a fourth live action series to the streaming service, with STARGIRL joining the already announced Titans (a.k.a. “Fuck Batman”), Doom Patrol, and Swamp Thing. Geoff Johns will write and executive-produce, alongside Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter. The series will be 13 episodes long.
New Doctor seeks best friends
DOCTOR WHO unveiled the first series trailer, following the teaser released during the FIFA World Cup. Unlike the previous clip, this was the first to actually show footage from the new series. “All of this is new to me,” says actor Jodie Whittaker in the trailer. “New faces, new worlds, new times.” In addition to the Doctor, we see a bit more action from her new “best friends” – Graham (Bradley Walsh), Yasmin (Mandip Gill) and Ryan (Tosin Cole).
Want to know how he got those scars?
For reasons unknown, DC and Warner has officially announced JOKER, an origin film with Joaquin Phoenix starring as the Clown Prince of Crime. Set for release in the US on 4 October 2019, we are continue
Buffy: The Reboot Slayer
15 years after Buffy the Vampire Slayer left the air, 20th Century Fox Television has hired Monica Owusu-Breen (Alias and Lost) to pen an inclusive take on the popular franchise. Said to feature a black actress in the lead role, Joss Whedon will stay on as executive producer.
Short Trekking
Once you go Trek, there’s no going back. CBS has announced that in addition to the return of Star Trek: Discovery, a new series called STAR TREK: SHORT TREKS will debut in the US fall. According to THR, “each of the four-episode series will run between 10-15 minutes and feature deeper storytelling surrounding the characters and themes from Discovery and the expanding Star Trek universe.” Rainn Wilson, for example, will direct and star as Harry Mudd in one episode. Star Trek: Discovery will then return in January 2019. You can check out that trailer below.
Star Wars Clones more stories
Reporting in for another tour of duty, fan favourite STAR WARS: CLONE WARS has been saved from the DVD bargain bin of history. Following a strong online campaign, it’s now officially returning to complete the story. ‘Nuff said.
Aquaman: does whatever an Aqua can
After convincing the world that the films may not actually exist, Warner and DC launched trailers for both Shazam! and AQUAMAN. Neither of them gave us too much hope for the future of the DCEU, but at least the franchise isn’t dead in the water (*ahem*) after the disappointing box office of Justice League. In related news, writer Kelly-Sue DeConnick (Pretty Deadly, Captain Marvel) will take on the comic book version of the character.
Under the Gunn
While not strictly a SDCC story, this has undoubtedly had the biggest coverage of the last few days. Following some older tweets resurfacing, ones joking about about rape and paedophilia, director James Gunn was fired from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Fan and political communities are divided on this one: while Gunn did make the comments that are contrary to Disney’s business ethos, it has been suggested that circumstances surrounding their revival are part of a targeted campaign against the left-wing filmmaker. Gunn was also expected to announce a new “dark project” during his Comic-Con appearance, but that was subsequently cancelled.
