DC has released the trailer for Justice League Dark: Apokolips War, the upcoming animated film pitting many DC characters against the forces of Darkseid. The previous Justice League Dark film released in 2017 and received positive reviews. It is part of the larger DC Animated Universe that began in 2013's Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox and continues to this day.
DC has been releasing original animated films since 2007, with Superman: Doomsday. Originally, most of the movies were in their own separate continuities. These typically adapted a comic book storyline, such as All-Star Superman and Batman: Under the Red Hood. DC established an animated universe at the end of Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox and fully began telling stories in it with Justice League: War. Many movies since then have taken place in the continuity, with a number of exceptions, such as Batman: The Killing Joke and more recently, Superman: Red Son. At the end of Reign of the Supermen, a battle against Darkseid was teased, along with Lex Luthor helping the League. It looks like this grand battle is about to commence.
DC has premiered the Justice League Dark: Apokolips War trailer (via IGN), promising the "largest Super Hero cast in the history of DC Universe Movies." The company isn't kidding; the trailer features the Justice League Dark team, the core League, the Bat-family members, and more. Check out the trailer below:
There is plenty to absorb from this trailer. Although the film has the Justice League Dark title, the story features many different characters from the DC Universe. Interestingly, it looks like Darkseid has created an army of Doomsday Parademons. The heroes certainly have their work cut out for them. The description highlights Constantine, Superman, and Raven as the "triumvirate determined to assemble the forces necessary to lead humanity's final attack." Fans of the films are probably not going to want to miss this.
Past Apokolips War, the only confirmed DC animated movie is Superman: Man of Tomorrow. It remains to be seen what the future holds. Apokolips War appears to be billed as the grandest film yet, gathering characters from throughout the universe's run. This doesn't necessarily mean it's the end, but it's interesting to consider. In the comics, The New 52 eventually gave way to the Rebirth initiative, which was highly praised. Perhaps the animated universe will do something similar. Whether or not the universe continues telling stories past Apokolips War, reboots, or the films become standalone again, remains to be seen.
Justice League Dark: Apokolips War will be released this spring.
Source: IGN