A couple of things I'd like to make notice of. One, Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida opens July 8! Its exciting news. I went to Universal two years ago for the first time and had a blast. I was also impressed with the Harry Potter simulator ride over at Islands of Adventure. Not only was it thrilling, but it was so technologically advanced. If that is how high the bar has been set, I'm only pondering whether or not the Escape from Gringotts can surpass it.
The other thing I'd like to discuss is how DC Comics is trying to compete with Marvel with their own "Cinematic universe" of sorts. With the successes of The Dark Knight movies and Man of Steel, they are currently preparing to film Batman v. Superman, Dawn of Justice, which is aiming for a May 6, 2016 release. But there's more than that.
DC Comics is planning a Justice League movie for 2017. Again, not a surprise. Rumors have been circulating for years about this movie, but its languished in development for a long time. But, in addition to that, they have Shazam and Sandman also rumored for 2016 and Wonder Woman and Flash/Green Lantern in rumors for 2017. Didn't we already see Green Lantern flop at the box office a few years back? Finally, its planned that Man of Steel 2 will arrive in 2018.
For one, this is production overkill. With these and three different Marvel properties (Avengers movies for Disney, Spider-Man and Sinister Six for Sony and X-Men/Fantastic Four for Fox), we possibly are looking at 7 or 8 superhero movies a year. And that doesn't include the upcoming sequels/spin-offs for Star Wars, Avatar and animation. The public can't handle too much, everyone. Plus, budgets will likely be huge in addition to possible cast replacements due to busy schedules. Christopher Nolan and Zack Snyder can't direct so much at once.
That isn't to say I don't like the idea. Man of Steel was great and Green Lantern was decent (I haven't seen The Dark Knight Rises yet but hope to soon). I am eagerly anticipating the Batman/Superman team-up (Ben Affleck as Batman, that's awesome!) in 2016. But, eventually, the market is going to over-saturate and some won't be as successful as others. With Marvel's Cinematic Universe so successful, do we really need another one?
We also have to remember this news is strictly rumors, and Warner Bros. won't confirm or deny these rumors until Comic Con next month. So, there's a chance that some of these supposed movies may make it into the light, but others won't. Or none of them will due to so much in so little time.
