The Flash CinemaCon 2023 Trailer Shows the Consequences of Trying to Change the Past
Warner Bros. Pictures has released a brand new trailer for The Flash at CinemaCon 2023 and, alongside featuring Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck’s Batmen and Sasha Calle’s Supergirl, it very much shows the consequences of trying to change the past.
The trailer begins with Keaton talking about losing his parents and how the pain of that even made him who he is. He spent his whole life trying to «right the wrongs of his past, as if fighting crime would bring my parents back.» He then looks at Miller’s Barry Allen and says, «you actually did it.»
What follows is a look at the cost of Allen «succeeding.» He admits he thinks he ‘broke the universe,» and this is seen by the return of General Zod. Alongside emotional scenes between various characters, we get Affleck’s Bruce Wayne saying, «These scars we have, they make us who we are. We weren’t meant to go back and fix them. Don’t let your tragedy define you.»
In perhaps the best moment for fans of Keaton’s Batman, we see him say his famous line from 1989’s Batman, «You want to get nuts?! Let’s get nuts.»
The Flash will race into theaters on June 16, 2023, and you can check out the full trailer below.
Warners Bros. Pictures – “The Flash” Special Advance Screening – April 25 | 4:45 PM – 7:15 PM PST
Official title card for “The Flash”.
Warner Bros. Pictures presents “The Flash,” directed by Andy Muschietti (the “IT” films, “Mama”). Ezra Miller reprises their role as Barry Allen in the DC Super Hero’s first-ever standalone feature film.
Worlds collide in “The Flash” when Barry uses his superpowers to travel back in time in order to change the events of the past. But when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, Barry becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation, and there are no Super Heroes to turn to. That is, unless Barry can coax a very different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian… albeit not the one he’s looking for. Ultimately, to save the world that he is in and return to the future that he knows, Barry’s only hope is to race for his life. But will making the ultimate sacrifice be enough to reset the universe?
“The Flash” is produced by Barbara Muschietti and Michael Disco. The screenplay is by Christina Hodson, with a screen story by John Francis Daley & Jonathan Goldstein and Joby Harold, based on characters from DC. Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Double Dream/a Disco Factory production of an Andy Muschietti film, “The Flash.” It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures and is set to open in theaters in North America on June 16 and internationally beginning 14 June 2023.
The Nun II Gets a Terrifying Teaser Trailer Ahead of Its September 2023 Premiere
The Conjuring universe is about to get a bit bigger and even more terrifying as The Nun II will be released in theaters on September 8, 2023. The new footage shown began with church bells ringing and thunder and lightning striking as the demon nun appears once more.
We then cut to young girls in a convent school that looks like early 20th century Europe. They sneak into a closed chapel they know is off limits and discover some dark passageways that are in ruins. They then start playing a game called Defy the Devil, which has players staring at the image of a goat in a stain-glassed window to get a demon to appear.
The youngest girl is told by the eldest to not look away, and shortly thereafter the nun appears behind her with glowing eyes. She tries to run, but the other girls lock her in and laugh.
The footage segues into the trailer with appears to be set in the 50s or very early 60s.
Even More From The Panel At CinemaCon 2023
Wonka starring Timothy Chalamet is up next. An extended trailer was shown. Our reporter on the ground had this to say about it: “Wow. Wonka was perfect. Started with a nod to Pure Imagination. Felt very much like a proper prequel to the Gene Wilder movie”
Hugh Grant plays an Oompa-Loompa in the film. Timothy Chalamet swam in chocolate for the film.
Up next is The Meg 2: The Trench.
The new trailer includes the return of Jason Statham as well as a T-Rex being eaten by a Meg. There are now also multiple Megs!
The Nun II is up next for footage. It releases in theaters this September. This could be the scariest film out of the ‘Conjuring’ universe yet.
Dune Part II is finally here!
Denis Villeneuve calls Dune 2 an “action-packed, epic, war movie. It is much more dense. We went to all-new locations.” 100% of the movie was shot in IMAX vs. 40% for the first one.
Timothée Chalamet’s Paul rides a sandworm in ‘DUNE 2’.
Part one is an appetizer and part two is the “main course.” It’s all new, new sets, and it’s an epic war movie.
Timothee Chalamet on Paul Atreides in ‘DUNE: PART TWO’ “We really see Paul become a leader here… a redeemer.”
Denis Villeneuve calls Austin Butler’ Feyd Rautha a “psychotic serial killer” in ‘DUNE: PART2’
Meg 2: The Trench
The trailer for Meg 2: The Trench was shown at CinemaCon 2023 and the sequel, directed by Ben Wheatley, is even more ridiculous than the first movie. The footage starts in prehistoric times with a T-Rex being eaten by a larger megalodon. In the present day, Jason Statham and his team discover a trench that houses prehistoric creatures that have survived extinction. The monsters escape and wreak havoc on modern society. The film’s supporting cast are seen fighting the creatures alongside Statham, who has some insane heroic moments, including riding giant waves and taking on megalodons on a jet ski. The film is campy, with innocent humans being eaten left and right. It has a sci-fi edge, with underwater mech suits being used in the trench scenes. The trailer suggests Meg 2: The Trench is a cross between Jurassic Park and Piranha, with over-the-top action like in Fast and Furious movies. Overall, the film looks like a necessary upgrade from the first movie.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Gets Extended Look at CinemaCon 2023
Alongside a promise that it will «blaze a trail forward» into the new DCU, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom got an extended look at CinemaCon 2023.
The footage begins by showing Jason Momoa’s Aquaman a.k.a. Arthur Curry with a new baby boy. It then cuts to Randall Park’s Dr. Stephen Shin on an arctic expedition before another cut shows off the Black Trident — a weapon whose power is said to come from a great evil.
Speaking of evil, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s Black Manta is seen and says, «I’m going to kill Aquaman and destroy everything he holds dear.»
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will be released in theaters on December 20, 2023.
More From The Panel At CinemaCon 2023
WB announced that a sixth Final Destination film was in the works.
Warner Bros. confirms Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein are directing ‘FINAL DESTINATION 6’. Jon Watts is producing and writing the story treatment.
After that we have Barbie!
Greta Gerwig says she and Noah Baumbach got emotional writing the ‘BARBIE’ script together. He almost wanted to direct it by the end but Greta joked, saying “step aside.”
Ryan Gosling says “I doubted my Kenergy, I didn’t see it” when he got asked to join ‘BARBIE’.
Greta Gerwig says she cried when stepping onto the ‘BARBIE’ set and seeing all of the houses built to size for the first time.
Greta Gerwig says ‘BARBIE’ was inspired by ‘THE WIZARD OF OZ’ and disco music.
Here are some highlights of the new footage shown at CinemaCon from Barbie.
- Margot Robbie’s Barbie wakes up in a heart-shaped bed.
- Ryan Gosling’s Ken busts out choreography
- Barbie is horrified by developing flat feet instead of her perfectly-arched heels
- Barbie visits “weird Barbie” (Kate McKinnon)
- John Cena also appears as a mermaid.
Walt Disney Studios – “The Boogeyman” Special Advance Screening – April 26 | 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM PST
David Dastmalchian as Lester in 20th Century Studios’ THE BOOGEYMAN, exclusively on Hulu. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
20th Century Studios presents “The Boogeyman,” a horror-thriller from the mind of best-selling author Stephen King, which opens June 2, 2023, in theaters nationwide.
High school student Sadie Harper and her younger sister Sawyer are reeling from the recent death of their mother and aren’t getting much support from their father, Will, a therapist who is dealing with his own pain. When a desperate patient unexpectedly shows up at their home seeking help, he leaves behind a terrifying supernatural entity that preys on families and feeds on the suffering of its victims.
“The Boogeyman,” directed by Rob Savage with a screenplay by Scott Beck & Bryan Woods and Mark Heyman and a screen story by Scott Beck & Bryan Woods based upon the short story by Stephen King, stars Sophie Thatcher,Chris Messina, Vivien Lyra Blair, Marin Ireland, Madison Hu, LisaGay Hamilton,and David Dastmalchian. The producers are Shawn Levy, Dan Levine, and Dan Cohen, with John H. Starke, Emily Morris, Scott Beck, Bryan Woods, Ryan Cunningham, Adam Kolbrenner, and Robin Meisinger serving as executive producers.
Streaming[]
- January 12 — Velma premiered on HBO Max.
- February 17 — Animaniacs (2020) aired its third and final season on Hulu.
- April 14 — A Black Lady Sketch Show 4th and final season is premiered on HBO Max.
- May 19 — A Black Lady Sketch Show is ended on HBO Max with the final episode.
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May 23 — Warner Bros. and Discovery+ have renamed HBO Max as Max, which was launched in the United States.
- Villainous is released on Max in the U.S.
- Clone High Season 2 is premiered on Max.
- Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai premiered on Max.
- June 22 — Skull Island (MonsterVerse) is premiered on Netflix with the first season. It received generally positive reviews from critics.
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July 27
- Harley Quinn aired its fourth season on Max.
- Looney Tunes Cartoons aired its sixth and final season on Max.
- September 8 — Tiny Toons Looniversity premiered on Max.
- November 17 — Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (MonsterVerse) premiered on Apple TV+.
- November 30 — Bookie premiered on Max.
- December 8 — Merry Little Batman premiered on Amazon Prime Video. It is the first time a collaboration between Amazon MGM Studios and DC Studios happens on the aformidament film.
Hugh Grant Plays an Oompa Loompa in the Willy Wonka Prequel
Warner Bros. Pictures revealed at CinemaCon 2023 that Hugh Grant would be playing an Oompa Loompa in the Timothée Chalamet-led prequel film Wonka. Those in attendance got a glimpse of Grant’s orange-hued face on a CGI Oompa Loompa in some footage for Wonka, and Grant’s character says he is a «perfectly respectable size.»
The footage also shows Wonka attempting to make chocolate but having to go up against the aptly named chocolate cartel. It’s also confirmed that the movie will be a musical or sorts but the trailer had no songs in it. This Willy Wonka is said to be full of hope and much different than who he becomes when Gene Wilder played him.
Wonka will be released in theaters on Decemeber 15, 2023.
The Flash Is The Main Event For Warner Bros.
DC is ending the showcase, James Gunn and Peter Safran are there digitally and physically.
You can actually watch The Flash trailer from the event!
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is the next up with some words from Safran about the remaining three DC films from the old regime. They do have plans for these characters going forward.
Aquaman and Orm have to team up to defeat Black Manta in ‘AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM’. Here’s our description of the trailer shown.
Manta has the Black Trident. Seems like a MUCH more formidable foe this time around. Multiple big ocean war scenes. Scale is much bigger. Aquaman (Jason) is basically the same as the first film. Amber Heard is still in the film and was shown in the trailer.
Now we’ve got Blue Beetle!
Blue Beetle director Angel Manuel Soto says they wanted to focus on Jaime’s family’s involvement in ‘BLUE BEETLE’ and give them their own heroic arcs. “Good luck keeping a secret from a Latino mother!”
Xolo Mariduena believes Blue Beetle to be unique due to the fact he doesn’t want to be a hero “I think he’s the only person ever to get superpowers and not want them.”
More from The Flash.
Peter Safran had this to say about the character.
“This is a superhero so powerful that he can change the destiny of other superheroes,”
Director Andrés Muschietti on star Ezra Miller: “I discovered that they are an incredible comedian…they wanted to do all the stunts, and I let them.”
They built an entire Batcave for Michael Keaton’s Batman, something the original films didn’t even do. The Flash is set 30 years after Batman Returns.
That’s it for the panel! The Flash is being shown later today at CinemaCon.
The Color Purple
Director: Blitz BazawuleRelease Date: December 25, 2023
For more on Movie News, make sure to check back to That Hashtag Show.
Netflix Reveals a First Look at Lady Danbury in Bridgerton Prequel Queen Charlotte
(Photo by Netflix)
The buzz for Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is growing. Netflix released a new first-look image promoting the upcoming prequel series, which will focus on Queen Charlotte’s rise to power. Pictured above is Arsema Thomas, who steps into the role of young Lady Agatha Danbury – a character who will find her way into society with the help of Charlotte’s influence.
“With keen knowledge of the once divided social scene and the intricacies of marriage,” Netflix’s official character description reads, “Agatha becomes a guiding light for the new Queen, all while finding her own voice and power.”
India Amarteifio plays the younger version of Charlotte in the upcoming limited series. The previously released look at her character is below.
(Photo by Netflix)
Wonka
Warner Bros. has released a sneak peek of the upcoming film Wonka, a prequel to Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, starring Timothée Chalamet as a young Willy Wonka. The footage shows a poor Wonka living with a young girl who acts as a surrogate sister. He dreams of opening a shop to sell his original chocolate recipes, but the town’s chocolate distribution is controlled by a group of greedy businessmen known as the “chocolate cartel.” Determined to pursue his dreams, Wonka gets creative and distributes his magical candy to the town’s people, gaining popularity. When the cartel comes to stop him, he gives them a piece of his chocolate, sending them floating in the air, and Keegan-Michael Key’s comical policeman character tries to stop him. The footage ends with the introduction of Hugh Grant as a short oompa loompa in a glass jar. The film is directed by Paul King and appears to have a whimsical tone, showcasing Chalamet’s rebellious and magical interpretation of Wonka.
Home media[]
- April 25
- September 19
- The Magic Snowflake (2013) WB 100 Edition (Warner Bros. (originally released by Lionsgate); Blu-ray/DVD)
- Benji: Off the Leash! (2004) WB 100 Edition (Warner Bros. (originally released by Joe Camp Film); 4K/Blu-ray/DVD)
- Scooby-Doo! Abracadabra-Doo (Warner Bros.; Blu-ray/DVD)
- September 26
- October 17
- Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen — Part Two (Warner Bros./Rooster Teeth; Blu-ray/DVD)
- Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match (Warner Bros.; Digital/DVD)
- November 7
- TMNT 2007 (4K/Blu-ray)
- Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League – Gotham City Breakout WB 100 Edition (Warner Bros.; Blu-ray/DVD)
- Scooby-Doo! Adventures: The Mystery Map (Warner Bros.; Blu-ray/DVD)
- November 21
Blue Beetle
DC Films Co-CEO Peter Safran and director Angel Manuel Soto presented an extended version of the Blue Beetle trailer at CinemaCon. The majority of the trailer is the same as the one that has already been released, but there are added scenes where Jaime Reyes tests out the abilities of the scarab armor, such as using force fields and oversized power fists to defeat a group of thugs.
In addition to the added action scenes, the extended trailer also gives us a glimpse of the Reyes family’s involvement in the story. Director Angel Manuel Soto mentioned that the family’s active participation in the action is what sets this superhero film apart from others in the genre. The family members each have their own arcs, some of which are more comical than others. In the final shot of the extended trailer, we see Jaime’s grandmother heading into battle with an advanced chain gun.
The new footage also provides a look at more areas of Palmera City, which has an 80s retro neon style with a strong Latino influence.
Dune Part Two Is an ‘Action-Packed Epic War Movie,’ First Footage Revealed at CinemaCon 2023
Dune Part Two director Denis Villeneuve stopped by CinemaCon 2023 to share the first footage the upcoming film he called an «action-packed epic war movie.»
The footage shows Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides and Zendaya’s Chani sitting together on dunes before cutting to Florence Pugh’s Princess Irulan. Austin Butler’s Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, who is described as an Olympic sword master who is a psychotic crossed with Mick Jagger, also gets a first look and he is quite angry. The footage ends with Paul in a sandstorm and then standing before the masses.
Dune Part Two will be released in theaters on November 3, 2023, and will pick up right where the first film ended as Paul and his mother joining the Fremen tribe and attempt to earn their trust.
Zendaya also said that there is much more Chani in the sequel as, «she’s not just in dreams this time.»
Oh, and of course there is an image of Paul riding a sandworm, which Villeneuve said was all practical.
Events[]
- January 1 — The Jazz Singer, the first talking film, entered the public domain in the United States.
- March 4 — Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too! (Hanna-Barbera/DC Comics/Warner Bros. Animation) is posted and leaked in Internet Archive website.
- April 4 — Warner Bros. celebrated its 100th anniversary.
- May 23 — «Max» was launched.
- June 9 — Warner Animation Group was renamed into Warner Bros. Pictures Animation.
- July 6 — TCM Movies is closed in the UK.
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July 19
- Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Production Workers Launch Unionization Effort:
- Dozens of production workers at Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network have gone public with their attempt to unionize with The Animation Guild.
- Sixty-six staffers at Warner Bros. Animation and 22 at Cartoon Network filed a petition for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board on Wednesday and simultaneously requested voluntary recognition from management at the Warner Bros. Discovery subsidiaries. Collectively, the group includes workers in roles like production manager, digital production assistant, IT technician, production coordinator, production assistant, design production coordinator, assistant production manager, and senior assistant production manager.
- The effort was announced on a joint Zoom call around noon on Wednesday with production workers at the Warner Bros. Discovery brands and TAG members. The staffers involved work on an array of shows, including Warner Bros. Animation’s Batman: The Caped Crusader, Harley Quinn and Teen Titans Go! and Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake, We Baby Bears and Craig of the Creek.
- «Although many might not think it, production is a specialized skill; we might not be artists or writers, but what we bring to the table goes beyond traditional creativity and gets content on the air», Warner Bros. Animation production manager Hannah Ferenc said in a statement about the organization effort. «Having lived through the existing state of the animation industry for the past seven years, I want to make sure that not only our current workers, but all those who choose to join us in the future, can feel secure in following their passion by earning livable wages and being treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.»
- The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network for comment.
- According to TAG organizer Ben Speight, one important impetus for the organizing effort was the merger of development and production for the two brands, announced in October 2022. Staff members were seeking «consent over that process and a collective voice to ensure that their jobs and standards are protected». The desire for higher pay, portable benefits, and overtime pay for production managers (who Speight alleged do not receive overtime pay) also motivated the group.
- Another factor was the growing number of established animation workplaces that have unionized production workers. The Animation Guild has been aggressively organizing this group since early 2022. In the time since, the union has established bargaining units on shows like Rick and Morty, Solar Opposites, The Simpsons, Family Guy, and American Dad! and at studios like Titmouse New York and L.A. and ShadowMachine. An attempt to do the same at Walt Disney Animation Studios is currently in progress.
- In a statement about the Warner Bros. and Cartoon Network effort, Cartoon Network production coordinator Em Hagen said, «Growing up, my parents’ union was the reason my brother and I had good healthcare, financial aid for our college educations, and general security when the job market was so harsh. I believe a union like that at Cartoon Network and Warner Brothers will help all of us continue to work jobs we love and feel assured that our futures are bright.»
- Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Production Workers Launch Unionization Effort:
- December 20 — Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav met with Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish on Tuesday in New York City to discuss a possible merger, Axios has learned from multiple sources. It is understood that the talks may result a deal, as the two companies’ spokespeople are yet to comment about the merger, but WBD CEO David Zaslav said he is not yet ready for a deal. However, both companies will eventually call off the merger deal if the bosses are not ready for such agreement.
The Nun 2
Warner Bros. gave CinemaCon attendees a first look at The Nun 2, the next installment in the Conjuring Universe. The footage began with an extended scene of young Catholic students playing a game in an old church attic in France in 1956, where they unwittingly invite the demon Nun Valak to appear. In the full trailer, unexplainable killings in France are attributed to the demon, and Sister Irene is asked to help by the Vatican. The trailer teases that the Nun was once an angel and that the events in France will shed light on her motivations. The sequel appears to be a significant improvement over the first film, with a formidable gothic atmosphere and less reliance on jump scares. Taissa Farmiga’s role seems more complex, with her character using her previous experiences to uncover the Nun’s lore. Storm Reid’s new character was also briefly shown in the footage.
The Color Purple
At CinemaCon, exclusive footage of the latest version of the classic Broadway musical, The Color Purple, produced by Oprah Winfrey and directed by Blitz Bazawule, was shown for the first time. The film also had Steven Spielberg and Quincy Jones as producers. Oprah stated that the film has received very high scores in all of its test screenings and emphasized that the movie should be seen on the big screen. Bazawule’s vision for the story is to present it in a joyful manner that will appeal to families and communities. Oprah added that their mission is to get people into theaters to experience this adaptation.
The first-ever look at the latest version of The Color Purple was shown at CinemaCon, featuring an energetic and vibrant retelling with a tagline of “Not your mama’s Color Purple.” The main ensemble, including Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Danielle Brooks, H.E.R., Ciara, Jon Batiste, Halle Bailey, and Fantasia in her big screen debut, all get a chance to shine in the trailer. The film appears to have an impressive cinematic color palette and imaginative visual scale, making it a likely main film event for the 2023 holiday season. Fans need not worry about the adaptation lacking style or flair, as the vast array of colors pop off the screen and the musical numbers have a strong beat. Based on this trailer, The Color Purple looks to be a strong contender in the upcoming awards season.
Lionsgate – “Joy Ride” Special Advance Screening – April 27 | 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM PST
Official poster for “Joy Ride”
The event is hosted by:
- Adam Fogelson, Vice Chairman, Motion Picture Group
- David Spitz, President, Worldwide Theatrical Distribution
Following its raucous and critically acclaimed debut at this year’s SXSW, Lionsgate brings “Joy Ride” to CinemaCon.
From the producers of Neighbors and the co-screenwriter of “Crazy Rich Asians”, “Joy Ride” stars Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Oscar nominee Stephanie Hsu, and Sabrina Wu as four friends who embark on a once-in-a-lifetime wild and debaucherous international adventure. Directed by Adele Lim the film is set for release only in theaters on July 7, 2023. The screenplay is by Cherry Chevapravatdumrong & Teresa Hsiao, with a story by Cherry Chevapravatdumrong & Teresa Hsiao & Adele Lim. The film is produced by Point Grey’s Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, and Josh Fagen, alongside Cherry Chevapravatdumrong, Teresa Hsiao, and Adele Lim.
Stephen Amell To Return as Oliver Queen in The Flash’s Final Season
(Photo by The CW)
Speaking of DC news, Stephen Amell will play The Green Arrow one more time, reprising the role of Oliver Queen in The Flash season 9, the show’s final season.
The Arrowverse alum will appear in episode 909 of the season and will reunite with Arrow stars David Ramsey, Keiynan Lonsdale, and Sendhil Ramamurthy who will also appear in the episode, according to Variety.
“As soon as our final season was announced, we knew we wanted Stephen to come back and reprise his iconic role as Oliver Queen,” executive producer Eric Wallace told Variety. “After all, it was Oliver who originally launched Barry Allen on his heroic path. That’s why everyone on Team Flash felt so strongly that it was important to create a full-circle moment with Oliver’s return in the final season of The Flash.”
Fans should expect an “epic-yet-emotional episode,” Wallace teased.
“It’s all to say ‘thank you’ to everyone for watching and supporting our show throughout nine wonderful years. We absolutely cannot wait for everyone to see Grant and Stephen saving the world together again. And yes, there will be thrills, chills and tears,” he said.
Since Arrow, Amell has been busy with Starz series Heels, which tells the story of two brothers in a wrestling dynasty and costars Alexander Ludwig (Vikings). Season 1 was Certified Fresh at 96%, and season 2 wrapped filming last July, Amell said in the “Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum” podcast’s January 3 episode.
The Flash season 9 will premiere on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the sequel to the first Aquaman film, was previewed at CinemaCon 2023 and promises to be even more epic and fantastical. Arthur Curry, the king of Atlantis, is struggling with how to balance being a good ruler and maintaining his reputation as a hero. He seeks advice from his father, Tom, who suggests that the answers may lie in an unexpected place, hinting at his upcoming adventure with his half-brother Orm. Meanwhile, Black Manta, aided by Dr. Stephen Shin, is plotting revenge against Aquaman and plans to unleash an ancient evil upon Atlantis using a mythical black trident.
Aquaman has no choice but to team up with his imprisoned half-brother Orm, who possesses knowledge of Atlantean legends that could be crucial in stopping Black Manta. The two initially have a strained relationship but put their differences aside for the greater good. The duo faces various obstacles, including Black Manta’s advanced army and monstrous creatures similar to those of The Trench, and even travel to a desert-like locale where Aquaman dons a new black suit.
Mera and former queen Atlanna also join in the action wearing slightly updated versions of their signature costumes. The preview ends with Orm fully supporting Arthur and a shot of Aquaman summoning massive armies of sea creatures, including whales and sharks, for a potentially epic finale.