News III

DC Studios at Comic-Con: Wonder Woman Cast Revealed, Bryce Dallas Howard to Direct, and a Sneak Peek at Batman Begins

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 was buzzing with excitement as DC Studios held one of the most anticipated panels of the year. Let's dive into the highlights.

Alexandra Daddario Steps into Diana's Boots

After months of speculation and leaks that had fans theorizing all over the internet, Daniel Adler officially confirmed that Alexandra Daddario will be taking on the iconic role of Wonder Woman. While the internet may have spoiled the surprise a bit, it didn't dampen the mood as fans in Hall H embraced the announcement with thunderous applause. Daddario is a new face in Hollywood, so we'll have to wait and see if the young actress can do the character justice.

Charlize Theron as the Mysterious Antagonist

As if the Wonder Woman reveal wasn't enough, Adler went on to confirm that Charlize Theron will also be starring in the film, playing the main antagonist. While Adler remained tight-lipped about who Theron would be portraying, speculation is already running rampant that she may be taking on the role of Cheetah, Diana's iconic foe from the comics. Whether it's Cheetah or someone else entirely, one thing is for sure: Theron is certain to bring her years of experience to the role, perhaps even helping out the young Daddario.

Bryce Dallas Howard Announced as Director

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the panel was the announcement of the director: Bryce Dallas Howard! This reveal was surprising, as there were rumors that Patty Jenkins of Monster fame was set to direct the movie. But it seems the actress and daughter of director Ron Howard will be the one to helm the project.

Setting the Record Straight: No World War Setting

Addressing the recent rumors circulating on the internet, Adler confirmed that Wonder Woman will be set in modern times, effectively putting to rest the speculation that the film would take place during the World Wars, akin to Marvel's Captain America: The First Avenger.

Batman Begins Sneak Peek

The panel closed with a bang as Adler treated the audience to an exclusive clip from the upcoming Batman movie. The excitement reached a fever pitch, with "Best Batman ever?" already circulating all around the internet.

Adler teased that a full trailer would drop in December, giving everyone something to look forward to as the year comes to an end.

The Future of DC Studios: Bold and Unpredictable

If one thing is certain after this Comic-Con panel, it's that DC Studios under Adler is anything but predictable. From daring casting choices like Alexandra Daddario to entrusting Bryce Dallas Howard to direct, it's clear that DC is dedicated to delivering something fresh and impactful.

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(Author's Note: I created a YouTube channel in this world, which I will use in future chapters like this. It will be similar to the superhero movie breakdown discussion channels that already exist.)

[NerdTalk Episode 45 - Wonder Woman Casting & Batman Clip Reaction]

Brian Matthews:

"Welcome back, nerds, to another episode of NerdTalk! We are fresh from Comic-Con and have some juicy DCU news to dissect—the big one being the recent casting announcements for the upcoming Wonder Woman movie! And yes, we were there in Hall H and got to see the sneak-peek footage from the new Batman movie."

Derek Parker:

"Yeah, yeah, let's get into it. So, Alexandra Daddario is our Wonder Woman, huh? I mean, first thoughts—she definitely has the face for it, no doubt. But the height? She's what, 5'9"? Wonder Woman is usually like six feet tall, imposing, you know?"

Ethan Carter:

"Oh, come on, D-Man, does height really matter that much? They can work magic with camera angles and heels. I think she totally looks the part."

Brian Matthews:

"Her towering height is important. Daddario has the look, yes, but I understand where Derek's coming from. It's about presence. Still, it'll be interesting to see how they approach her characterization. I'm optimistic, though."

Derek Parker:

"Yeah, and then there's the director—Bryce Dallas Howard. That was a shocker. I mean, let's be real—she's talented, but she hasn't done anything in the action genre like this before. She did some artsy movies..."

Brian Matthews:

"Really, man? Artsy movies? I thought you were a huge movie buff..."

Derek Parker:

"Yeah, of good movies. Now, can she carry a whole Wonder Woman movie? This is a big task. We've never had a Wonder Woman movie, and if this flops, it's over."

Ethan Carter:

"I think she can pull it off! Remember, her dad is Ron Howard. If anyone grew up knowing movies, it's Bryce. Plus, I'm all for fresh voices stepping in."

Brian Matthews:

"True, true. And maybe this signals a different type of superhero movie. They might focus on the character's heart and emotional arcs rather than making it just an action blockbuster. But let's not forget Charlize Theron is in the mix too! Who is she playing? I keep hearing Cheetah, but no confirmation yet."

Derek Parker:

"Cheetah makes the most sense, and Theron could definitely do justice to the character. But what if they surprise us with someone else from Diana's rogues' gallery? Maybe Circe or someone we're not expecting? A magic-wielding antagonist would be a dope contrast to Diana's strength."

Brian Matthews:

"You know what else would be cool? Doctor Poison."

Derek Parker:

"Okay, but moving on from Wonder Woman—let's talk about the clip from Batman! They showed a quick teaser at the panel, and man, that was pretty intense—very Year One inspired."

Brian Matthews:

"Oh, absolutely. We got like a one-minute clip of Bruce and Ra's talking, then some quick action—it was like six seconds, right?"

Ethan Carter:

"Yeah, like five or six seconds."

Brian Matthews:

"It was just Batman doing what he does best: beating up bad guys."

Ethan Carter:

"Jensen is great, man. I had my reservations, but wow, that guy was a good choice."

Derek Parker:

"Yeah, Adler really picked a good one. And speaking of Adler, he also revealed he's writing Superman with Scott Snyder. Now that is interesting."

Brian Matthews:

"I respect his approach to Superman. He's talked about a part of the fandom wanting a darker Superman, but he apparently disagrees."

Ethan Carter:

"I agree with Adler. It's exactly what a Superman movie has to be—a bright, positive story."

Derek Parker:

"And now we wait for December to come around. I'm just ready for that Batman trailer."

Brian Matthews:

"Well, that's enough of DC. We also have some Marvel news coming up..."

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[YouTube Video: Batman Begins Sneak Peek Comic-Con 2012]

The scene begins with a grainy, handheld camera shot. The audience buzzes in the background, and the frame briefly wobbles as the camera steadies on the screen.

The clip opens with a sweeping view of an isolated frozen lake, surrounded by towering, snow-capped peaks. Bruce Wayne (played by Jensen Ackles) stands at its center, visibly exhausted yet determined. Opposite him is Ra's al Ghul (played by Liam Neeson), both men gripping wooden training swords.

Ra's circles Bruce deliberately, his eyes calm and assessing.

Ra's al Ghul: "If you wish to defeat fear, you must first embrace it."

Bruce, breathing heavily, adjusts his stance, his gaze locked onto Ra's.

Bruce Wayne: "I'm not afraid."

Ra's smirks slightly. "A lie. Everyone is afraid of something."

In a sudden burst, Ra's strikes. The sequence erupts into a fast-paced training duel—Bruce's movements are sharp but labored, blocking and attacking in turn. Snowflakes swirl around them as their swords clash, the camera capturing each moment without cuts.

Ra's voice resonates over the sparring, taunting Bruce, telling him that Gotham will consume him.

A quick cut shows Bruce getting knocked to the ground, snow spraying as he lands. He looks up, eyes blazing with determination, and slowly rises to his feet, ready for more.

Audience cheers briefly as Bruce rises. A voice from the crowd yells, "Woo-hoo! Go Dean!"

Cut to: Gotham Harbor – Night

Bruce, now in full Batman gear, emerges from the shadows of a shipping container. The camera pans swiftly to reveal a group of Falcone's thugs gathered nearby, all armed and visibly uneasy.

The audience starts whispering excitedly; voices can be heard saying, "Here we go!" and "Suit's on!"

A rapid montage unfolds: punches fly, evasions are executed with precision, and thugs are taken down one by one. Each strike is calculated and powerful.

Thug: "Where is he?! I can't see—"

A blur of movement, and Batman appears silently behind the thug.

Batman: "Here."

A loud cheer erupts from the audience, with shouts of "Yeah!!" and enthusiastic clapping.

[END CLIP]

The audience explodes into even louder applause and cheers as the clip concludes. The camera shakes slightly as the crowd leaps to their feet, excitement palpable throughout the room. Shouts of "Woo!" and "Batman!" echo as the footage ends.

[Comments Section]

"Damn, Jensen Ackles looks amazing as Bruce Wayne."

"Liam Neeson is killing it as Ra's. This movie is going to be legendary!"

"The crowd reaction at the end is my mood right now! 'Here.' Absolute chills."

"I can't wait for the full trailer in December! This looks so freaking good."

"The crowd went wild, and so did I. That 'Here' line—Jensen nailed it. I can already tell he's gonna be an iconic Batman."

"Man, Ra's telling Bruce 'Gotham will consume him' gave me chills. The chemistry between Neeson and Ackles is spot-on. Absolutely hyped for this one."

"This is everything I wanted and more! The fight choreography looks great, just like Batman should be."

"I'm sold! Seeing Jensen as Batman has completely convinced me. I need this movie right now!!"

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[Daniel's Twitter Post]

A photo shows Daniel and Kevin Feige standing side by side, both smiling warmly. Kevin is wearing his classic Marvel Studios cap, while Daniel is in a casual blazer, pointing playfully at Kevin. They appear genuinely friendly.

Caption: "Friendly competition. 😉 #DCU #MCU"

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[r/StarWars]

Title: Rare George Lucas Sighting

Photo: George Lucas is sitting in a booth at a quiet restaurant, talking animatedly to a younger man with sandy hair who is listening intently. George is in his usual casual attire—a flannel shirt and jeans—while the other man is dressed a bit more formally, perhaps just coming from a meeting.

Caption: "Who is George Lucas talking to here? Spotted at some restaurant in LA."

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