DC FanDome had its virtual global event on Saturday and I have to say it lived up to all the hype. This was a well-orchestrated and organized event that showcased that DC finally has its act together and they are ready to play with the big dogs at Marvel.
So why did DC FanDome pull off its virtual event much better than July's Comic-Con@Home? The big reason is that DC FanDome gave fans exclusives to be excited about. I saw fans online who were complaining all week when Warner Bros. dropped the news that Ben Affleck was coming back as Batman or that Matt Reeves unveiled the official logo for THE BATMAN, that we wouldn't hear any news of significance at DC FanDome. What Saturday proved was that they had more to offer and that DC may actually be on track to rival itself with the well-oiled machine of Marvel. Comic-Con@Home didn't offer us any sneak peeks or trailers to speak of. A lot of what was presented were pre-recorded panels that were generated to build hype but they landed with a thud. Even if any of the DC FanDome panels were pre-recorded, the news that each panel dropped made it feel like a fresh and live event to be a part of.
No question the biggest reveal of the event was the trailer for THE BATMAN which, given that only 25% of the movie is completed according to director Matt Reeves, presented enough footage to indicate that Christopher Nolan may not be the only person to get the Caped Crusader right. It was nice to see on social media, after the trailer dropped, that the Robert Pattinson naysayers who believed he couldn't live up to being Batman started to change their tune. The trailer was the very definition of why DC FanDome succeeded. Give fans something they didn't expect to see and let the hysteria and hype spread.
Zack Snyder's JUSTICE LEAGUE was also a highlight of the event. We learned that his four-hour vision will be split into four one hour episodes which might serve his vision better than being digested in one sitting. Was the trailer epic? Not in my opinion but, I respected the fan delight from those who saw it and continue to make the Snyder's Cut the second coming. Someone asked me what would this hype be like if it was for a good film but I honestly think what we're going to get is going to be much different from the cut we got in theaters and now I'm on board, albeit, reluctantly.
Not one to miss a moment for publicity, Dwayne Johnson helped present new tidbits about BLACK ADAM, a sequel of sorts to 2019's SHAZAM! Perhaps the biggest news about BLACK ADAM was that his foes the Justice Society would be introduced. Noah Centineo’s Atom will also get his moment and get to go on a “journey of what it means to be a superhero."
THE SUICIDE SQUAD didn't present a trailer but its roll call footage was enough to build hype as we finally got to see who will be playing who in the highly anticipated sequel from director James Gunn. The director said during the panel that THE SUICIDE SQUAD was "by far the most fun I've ever had making a movie," which may have surprised some fans who expected his Marvel efforts to take that spot. Gunn also praised the extensive special effects, many of which were shown in a video reel that mixed behind-the-scenes footage. Cast members joined him for a laugh-filled trivia game, and Gunn answered fan-submitted questions. He was most excited to write for Harley Quinn, he said, mentioning that the character has a "chaotic trickster god" element.
WONDER WOMAN 1984 showcased a new trailer that showed off Kristen Wiig's wild-haired look and animal-print costume as villain Cheetah. Perhaps the biggest reveal from this panel came from director Patty Jenkins herself who said that WONDER WOMAN 1984 would be released theatrically no matter what on October 2, 2020. Hopefully, we'll get to see the film on the big screen as planned.
At the end of the day, DC FanDome proved it could be a yearly event. I can only imagine what it would be like if the event was held live, with fans and in person. What really stood out to me was that there something about this event that felt very similar to how strategic Marvel has been in the past. What DC FanDome proved was that DC has a new plan to take over the big screen and what's coming may very well be their moment.
What was YOUR favorite moment from DC FanDome?