Warner Bros.' DC Extended Universe franchise will continue to be shaped by Walter Hamada for the foreseeable future. The film executive and producer has signed a multi-year extension to remain on board as President of DC Films through 2023.
Hamada’s tenure as President of DC Films began in 2018 after previously serving as executive vice president of production at Warner Bros.' New Line Cinema. Until then, the DC Films division and the DC Extended Universe franchise had been run by the subsidiary’s founders, Jon Berg and Geoff Johns. However, the disappointing critical andfinancial debut ofJustice Leagueprompted Warner Bros. to move Berg and Johns to producer roles while appointing Hamada to oversee the production of DCEU films and other DC-based features.
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Varietynotes that as President of DC Films, Hamada will continue to report to Warner Bros. Picture Group Chairman Toby Emmerich. Per the outlet, the extension indicates Emmerich trusts the direction DC Films is heading towards under the leadership of Hamada, who recently outlined a bold plan to potentially produceHBO Max spin-off films and television showsfor every DC film. “Walter is not only passionate about story and the DC canon, but he’s also a thoughtful and incredibly talented executive who is fully committed to investing the time and care necessary for moviemaking on this scale,” said Emmerich in a statement. “With Walter overseeing our DC movies for theatrical exhibition and on HBO Max, we are excited for him and his team to bring more of these stories to life, working with new and established talent to broaden the reach and diversity of the DC cinematic universe.”
Over the course of Hamada’s time as President of DC Films, the DCEU franchise has gone from releasing critical and box office disappointments such asBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justiceto debutingbillion-dollar hits withAquamanand well-received features likeShazam!. In a statement, WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group chair and CEO Ann Sarnoff expressed her excitement about the future of DC Films under Hamada’s continued leadership. “[Hamada’s] an incredibly talented, well-respected executive, known by his colleagues and our filmmakers as a great collaborator. I’m excited about where he’s taking DC Films and look forward to working with him and the rest of the team to build out the DC Multiverse,” she said.
The DC Films division was recently put in the spotlight after Ray Fisher accused executives at the studio of inappropriate and racist behavior during reshoots onJustice League. While an investigation into Fisher’s allegations concluded with “remedial action” being taken, the actor declared that he disapproves ofHamada remaining on board as DC Films chief.
TheJustice Leaguereshoots were overseen byAvengersdirector Joss Whedon, who was brought on board to retool the DC film after Zack Snyder exited the project following a personal family tragedy. However, Snyder was later given the chance tocomplete his original version of the filmand will release the “Snyder Cut” on HBO Max later this year.
Zack Snyder’s Justice Leagueis scheduled to be released on HBO Max in 2021.
Source:Variety
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