Sci-Fi Storm

Warner Bros is very busy the next several years, announcing today it’s release slate. And it features both dipping back in the well that works as well as trying to out-superhero Marvel.

Warner Bros.’ Chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara spoke at the Time Warner shareholder’s meeting and laid out a lot of their studio plans for 2016-2020.

First up is the expected Harry Potter spinoff, Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, which is currently being set at three separate films, set to release in 2016, 2018, and 2020.

Next, after the HUGE success of The LEGO Movie, the already-announced sequel has been set for 2018, but it will be preceded by two others: Ninjago (2016), based on the Cartoon Network series, and The LEGO Movie: Batman (2017), a spin-off that follows the rather stuck-up (and not to mention, blocky) take on the character from the first movie.

And then there is the world of DC Comics…we’re already waiting for Batman vs. Superman (2016) and Justice League (2017), but Wonder Woman will indeed get her own standalone movie before Justice League (starring Gal Gadot, who will be introduced in BvS), 2018 will see The Flash (starring Ezra Miller, and apparently not connected at all to the just-started TV series) and Aquaman (with Stargate Atlantis and Game of Thrones Jason Momoa finally confirmed).

2019 will give us Shazam and a second Justice League movie, and in 2020 Warner Bros will try and get Green Lantern off to Oa again with a reboot after the disappointing Ryan Reynolds effort.

Shuffled in are two other titles, Suicide Squad in 2016 and Cyborg in 2020. And apparently this isn’t even ALL of the planned DC movies. Yikes!

Syfy today announced it has acquired the new original series Dark Matter, which will be produced by Prodigy Pictures (Lost Girl, XIII) and created by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie (Stargate franchise).

The 13 one-hour episodes will be based on the graphic novel [asin=B00A7H2CHK]Dark Matter[/asin] by Mallozzi and Mullie, published by Dark Horse Comics, and will air on Syfy in 2015.

Executive producers are Jay Firestone, Joseph Mallozzi, Paul Mullie and Vanessa Piazza. The series will be distributed internationally by Endemol Worldwide Distribution.

In Dark Matter, the crew of a derelict spaceship is awakened from stasis with no memories of who they are or how they got on board. Facing threats at every turn, they have to work together to survive a voyage charged with vengeance, betrayal and hidden secrets.

In making the announcement, Chris Regina, Senior Vice President, Programming, Syfy, said: “Dark Matter is a refreshing and entertaining space opera that blends an intriguing premise with fast-paced suspense. It will be a terrific addition to our prime time schedule next year.”

Said Jay Firestone, Prodigy Pictures: “We’re thrilled to be working with Joe and Paul, who have created a series that revolves around compelling characters that will keep its viewers guessing what’s coming up next.”

Said Cathy Payne, Chief Executive, Endemol Worldwide Distribution: “We are excited to be involved with Dark Matter and look forward to launching this internationally in 2015, concurrently with Syfy.”

Dark Matter joins Syfy’s international co-productions Z Nation and Olympus (which premieres in 2015) along with popular acquired series such as Lost Girl, Spartacus and Bitten.

About Prodigy Pictures
Founded in 2006 by Jay Firestone and later joined by executive producer Vanessa Piazza, Prodigy Pictures leads the way in the production of quality television, film, and cross-platform media. Prodigy is responsible for the critically-acclaimed television series Lost Girl, which has electrified viewers around the world and amassed a cult-like following. Lost Girl just wrapped production on its final season. Prodigy’s other credits include indie horror The Dark Stranger and the original television miniseries XIII as well as XIII: The Series.