The Paramount-Warner Bros. merger has ushered in a shake-up across the studios, with projects being reassessed, some reportedly facing cancellation, and others moving forward after lengthy periods in development. Among the projects affected by this changing landscape is Stephen Colbert’s proposed The Lord of the Rings film. Meanwhile, other long-gestating projects are beginning to gain traction.
According to Deadline, the long-discussed DC film pairing Bane and Deathstroke has appeared on the studio’s development slate under the title Savage Hunters, marking a new update for the project.
The What We Know So Far
Bane and Deathstroke Project
The film featuring supervillains Bane and Deathstroke was first announced in fall 2024. The Hollywood Reporter broke the news in an exclusive report, revealing that Matthew Orton was developing the screenplay. Orton previously wrote the screenplay for Marvel Studios’ Captain America: Brave New World.
DC’s Early Development Pipeline
Several films associated with James Gunn and Peter Safran’s first DC Universe phase, including The Brave and the Bold, Wonder Woman, Swamp Thing, Teen Titans, and Savage Hunters, remain in early development at Warner Bros. following the studio’s merger with Paramount and its parent company, Skydance.
The Bottom Line
Skydance appears to be establishing its priorities for Warner Bros. during the merger and transition. The current direction seems focused on advancing Gunn and Safran’s plans for the DC Universe, beginning with the projects outlined in the first phase, Gods and Monsters. This phase is intended to establish the foundation for a shared DC universe that brings together DC’s trinity: Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman together on the big screen.
Skydance’s approach to Warner Bros.’ DC films appears focused on getting these projects to market and assessing the viability of a Gunn-led cinematic universe.
So far, Gunn’s DCEU performance has been mixed. Man of Tomorrow delivered a decent performance, while Supergirl was a box-office disaster. Meanwhile, Clayface appears to be off to a promising start at the box office, with positive reactions from critics and audiences. James Gunn has yet to deliver a knockout blockbuster success that would firmly establish his vision for the DCEU.
The first phase may serve as a testing ground for Skydance, giving the company a chance to see whether Gunn’s universe can connect with moviegoers, draw audiences into theaters, and generate substantial profits. For now, we will have to wait and see whether these projects can deliver.