DCEU Updates on Young Batman Movie, Joker Filming, and 'Back to the Future' Flash

The DC/Warner Bros. world is all shook up at the moment. Behind-the-scenes, several studio execs have departed, with some reshuffling of the brass.

The Hollywood Reporter has a lengthy new report out, updating on the current state of the many projects in development. Walter Hamada is now the president of DC Entertainment-based film production at Warner Bros, and he's the one who "walked into a sh*tshow" and is now "trying to clean it up." That's the colorful description from one of THR's insiders.

So a lot is in flux, but we know "Aquaman" is opening this December, "Wonder Woman 1984" now filming for release next year, and "Shazam!" also in the books for 2019.

THR shared some tidbits on the other films we'd heard conflicting reports about:

• BATFLECK IS OVER? "The Batman" writer-director Matt Reeves reportedly turned in the first act of a new screenplay over Memorial Day weekend. "It's said to focus on a young caped crusader, and while the studio would not comment, it's unlikely that Ben Affleck, who has played Batman in three features, will again don the cowl."

Deadline had a similar "rebooting" comment about a new Batman the other day. It's looking increasingly like Ben Affleck is really out. But, if so, who will be in?

• JOAQUIN'S JOKER STEPS UP: There are currently two "Joker" movies in the works -- one in the DCEU with Jared Leto reprising his role from "Suicide Squad," and another separate from the DCEU with Joaquin Phoenix and director Todd Phillips. THR's new report says the Phillips/Phoenix movie is expected to start filming this fall with a budget of $55 million. That's pretty small for a superhero movie, but it's fitting for a film under the new DC umbrella they say could be called "DC Dark" or "DC Black."

• THE FLASH AIN'T SO SERIOUS: Ezra Miller's "The Flash" standalone movie is still happening, with production set to begin in early 2019. Thankfully they have decided to embrace the humor of the character instead of "the somber themes it had been expected to tackle." THR added that the movie is looking to "Back to the Future" as a touchstone, with "Spider-Man: Homecoming" team John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein on board.

• THE OTHER WONDER WOMEN: THR also said "Birds of Prey" is still moving forward with Cathy Yan as director, and Christina Hodson is currently writing a script for the Batgirl movie that no longer has Joss Whedon involved.

Read more from THR's latest update on the many changes in the DCEU world.

Don't forget that we also have the standalone streaming service DC Universe; James Wan's "Swamp Thing" is scheduled to premiere on the SVOD platform in 2019, following "Titans," "Young Justice: Outsiders," "Harley Quinn," and "Metropolis."

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