DC FanDome: your round-up of the biggest highlights

The inaugural DC FanDome event was pitched as a fan-pleasing, geekily giddy onslaught of the comic book brand – and it didn't disappoint.

In this tricky era of COVID-19, the comic book behemoth defied the odds to take everything online, presenting exclusive reveals and info-laden panels for free. Missed it on Saturday? Don't worry – because it's a 24-hour event, DC FanDome is still rolling until 6PM UK time this evening.

Don't forget also that it's now a two-part event: on 12th September, DC FanDome: Explore the Multiverse will offer DC fans the experience of a lifetime, with full access to more than 100 hours of on-demand content.

In the meantime, scroll down to check out our blog list of juicy highlights.

1. The Batman first trailer

It's less Robert Pattinson and more Robert Battinson in the first look at the comic book reboot. Director Matt Reeves (War for the Planet of the Apes) refashions DC icon Bruce Wayne as a detective who grows into his own Batman legend, with the excellent cast including Andy Serkis as Alfred, Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman, Paul Dano as The Riddler, Colin Farrell as The Penguin and Jeffrey Wright as Jim Gordon.

Find out more about the Batman trailer.

2. Wonder Woman 1984 latest trailer

Gal Gadot returns as the virtuous Diana Prince in Patty Jenkins' superhero sequel. Following the events of the critically acclaimed Wonder Woman, we now find ourselves firmly in the era of materialistic wealth and excess, as the sinister Maxwell Lord (Pedro Pascal) promises people what their heart desires. This means a return of Chris Pine's Steve Trevor, and a startling transformation for jealous archaeologist Barbara Minerva (Kristen Wiig).

Find out more about the Wonder Woman 1984 trailer.

3. Hans Zimmer debuts Wonder Woman 1984 theme

After Batman vs Superman, composer Hans Zimmer said he'd swear off superhero movies altogether. Since then, he's written both X-Men: Dark Phoenix and Wonder Woman 1984, and Zimmer has now debuted his theme for the latter movie.

In a sharp swerve from the dour-sounding, oppressive Batman vs Superman, this theme is a jubilant and adventurous power anthem that sets the tone for another vibrant Wonder Woman outing. Imagine a cross between Days of Thunder and The Lion King (both scored by Zimmer), and you'll get an idea of what to expect. More, please!

4. The Suicide Squad behind the scenes look

Having been (temporarily) fired from Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, director James Gunn jumped ship to DC. He's set to rework anti-hero collective The Suicide Squad, whose 2016 debut movie was disappointing to say the least. This behind the scenes featurette promises the anarchic blast of fun we should have got the first time around, and all of the major characters have been confirmed.

In addition to Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn, Viola Davis' Amanda Waller, Jai Courtney's Captain Boomerang and Joel Kinnaman's Rick Flag, we've got: Idris Elba as Bloodsport, Peter Capaldi as The Thinker, John Cena as The Peacemaker, Sean Gunn as Weasel and Nathan Fillion as TDK.

And we're not done: Pete Davidson is Blackguard, Alice Braga is Sol Soria, David Dastmalchian is Polka-Dot Man, Daniela Melchior is Ratcatcher 2 and Michael Rooker is Savant. See them in action in the following video.

5. The Flash concept art

IT director Andy Muschietti will deliver the solo movie debut of Barry Allen aka The Flash. Ezra Miller's take on the character made his debut in 2017's Justice League, and was rather obviously fashioned as the comic relief during the movie's reshoots. No matter: this should be a far more confident and entertaining affair, not least because we've got two former Batmen returning.

The Flash is pitching itself as a step forward in the DC Multiverse, whereby characters from different timelines can criss-cross (in the manner of 2018 Sony hit Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse). That means Michael Keaton's Bruce Wayne will step onto the big screen for the first time since 1992's Batman Returns. And we'll also be getting Ben Affleck's Batman, returning from Batman vs Superman and Justice League. Some visually arresting artwork was released online teasing what to expect from a Batman/The Flash crossover. Reportedly, Barry's costume in the below image was fashioned by Keaton's Batman himself – maybe we're about to see the start of a beautiful friendship.

The Flash is due for release in 2022.

6. Shazam 2 title revealed

Back in 2018, superhero movie Shazam! injected something back into the DC Universe that had long been absent: fun. This cross between Superman and Tom Hanks classic Big imagined what would happen if an impressionable young kid could transform himself into a grown-up superhero (at least, grown-up on the outside). Asher Angel and Zachary Levi were superb as Billy Batson and Shazam, respectively, and they're set to return in director David F. Sandberg's 2022 sequel.

The official Shazam 2 title has now been revealed: Fury of the Gods. No doubt this refers to the ancient deities who bestowed the power of Shazam on young Billy. Jack Dylan Grazer is also coming back as the latter's best friend Freddy, although we don't know if it will continue the narrative of evil Dr. Sivana (Mark Strong). At the end of the first film, he was visited by a talking worm called Mr. Mind – in fact, a notorious nemesis from DC comic book lore. It remains to be seen how the puzzle pieces will click into place.

In a further twist, it's rumoured that Sinbad will be appearing in Shazam: Fury of the Gods. This is a reference to the long-running internet meme about Sinbad being confused with the star of the 1996 Shazam movie (unrelated), Shaquille O'Neal.

7. Dwayne Johnson Black Adam teaser

Talking of Shazam, his DC nemesis Black Adam is also being treated to an origin movie. The imposing individual will be brought to life by none other than Dwayne Johnson, and we can already smell what he's cooking. The man formerly known as The Rock will be collaborating with Non-Stop director Jaume Collet-Serra to explore the god-like Black Adam's fearsome abilities. The movie is set to introduce the Justice Society, a collective of characters that anticipated DC's Justice League, and both Black Adam and Shazam are reported to be crossing paths in the film. (Johnson was purported to make an appearance in the first Shazam movie but it was decided against.)

Check out the following teaser in which Johnson gives voice to Black Adam for the first time. Black Adam will be released on 24th December 2021.

8. Aquaman 2 will be "more serious" says director James Wan

Having graduated from horror to action with Fast & Furious 7, filmmaker James Wan then made a splash in the DC Universe with Aquaman. The film was the solo movie debut of Jason Momoa's title character (he had already appeared as part of the ensemble in Justice League), and proved to be an enormous box office hit.

The first movie was famous for such surreal images as a drumming octopus. Sequel Aquaman 2 is set to play to Wan's horror strengths. Appearing at DC FanDome he explained that it's going to be "a little bit more serious, a little more relevant in the world we're living in today".

Patrick Wilson, who is set to return as Aquaman's Atlantean nemesis Prince Orm, expressed a desire to see "new worlds" in the movie. On that note, Wan added: "I can definitely guarantee you new worlds in this next one and I think you’re going to be very excited as an actor".

Aquaman 2 is scheduled for release in December 2022.