According to DC Films President Walter Hamada, the company is looking to release up to four theatrical films, as well as two HBO Max-exclusive films per year starting in 2022.
In a recent interview with The New York Times, Hamada explained that starting in 2022, up to four DC movies -- specifically the ones that are the most expensive to make -- could release in theaters each year. Not only that, but DC Films and WarnerMedia are also aiming to put out an additional two movies per year as HBO Max exclusives.
The New York Times theorizes that the films released only on HBO Max will be DC's "riskier" projects, such as the Michael B. Jordan-produced Static Shock film and the long-gestating Batgirl movie. However, keep in mind that this is mainly speculation on the outlet's part, and that Hamada himself did not specify which films would be getting HBO Max releases.
That being said, Hamada did mention that HBO Max is a major part of DC's future and that the streaming platform is being kept in mind as new projects are developed. "With every movie that we're looking at now, we are thinking, 'What's the potential Max spinoff?'" Hamada said. Notably, the upcoming DC films The Batman and The Suicide Squad are already slated to receive spinoff television shows on HBO Max. The streaming platform will be home to original DC programming as well, such as the upcoming Green Lantern and Justice League Dark series. Zack Snyder's director's cut of Justice League is also slated to arrive on HBO Max early next year.
With movie theaters still not operating at full force as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, the DC film Wonder Woman 1984 released on HBO Max on Dec. 25, the same day as its theatrical premiere in the United States. Warner Bros. is planning similar simultaneous theatrical/HBO Max premieres for its entire slate of 2021 films, including DC's The Suicide Squad.
Currently, three DC films are slated to hit theaters in 2022: The Batman, The Flash and Aquaman 2. Meanwhile, Shazam! Fury of the Gods is set for release in 2023. Black Adam is also coming down the pipeline, though lacks a release date after being delayed indefinitely (it was previously announced for December 2021).
However, while DC is evidently gearing up for its return to theaters in 2022, it seems as though HBO Max premieres for certain DC films are here to stay.
Source: The New York Times, via ComicBook.com