Warner Discovery’s 10-year plan to be Marvel has the fans of DC Films worried — there’s no need. DC has enough existing content and future projects to deliver an excellent universe.
Chaos is the word that comes to mind when it comes to DC Films. From scrapped projects to Ezra Miller’s legal troubles, no one knows what the future holds for the DC Extended Universe. Fans who want to see their favorite DC characters in live-action are understandably worried about the state of DC’s movie universe. There’s the rumor that Warner Discovery failed to land Henry Cavill. Ezra Miller may or may not return as The Flash, and there’s the 10-year plan to turn DC into Marvel. Despite the chaos surrounding DC Films, there is a glimmer of hope.
To the dismay of some, the Warner Bros. Discovery exec wants one person to oversee DC Films isn’t a bad idea. There’s been a revolving chair with the vision for DC movies. Zack Snyder was the man with the vision for DC’s Extended Universe. Man of Steel was supposed to set off the DCEU. Batman v Superman was next in line, and those two movies connected to Aquaman and Wonder Woman. That all happened under the watchful eye of Geoff Johns, who was replaced by Walter Hamada as head of the DCEU.
Since the inception of the DCEU, Warner Bros released 10 total films under its shared universe. The problem is, there hasn’t been any focus — change can be good.
4. Clean slate for DC Films
We know about all the canceled projects from David Zaslav. There’s no excusing away the disappointing feeling that followed the cancellation of Batgirl. With the changes at the top, fans can’t help but sit on edge. However, this is an opportunity for DC Films to focus. How many times have we read about a slate of DC Films that weren’t made? Movies like Justice League Dark, Zatanna, Booster Gold, Green Lantern, and Nightwing (to name a few) have yet to leave the developmental stages. Warner Bros. Discovery can rectify the mistake of false promises on films we never got. Who knows, maybe they can give us that Man of Steel sequel. Wishful thinking, especially since Cavill allegedly turned down the new execs, but anything is possible.
Fans may not want to admit it, but there was no direction with the DCEU. We’ve seen more changes than the seasons, with a ton of broken promises. Films we were told could be made but never were. Even now, The Flash‘s fate is up in the air thanks to some issues with its star. Pressing the reset button on some old projects makes sense. And it doesn’t mean the end of the DCEU.
3. DC’s Multiverse
Fans of DC Comics know better than anyone about the Multiverse. If they apply the same tactic to DC Films, it will give fans a slate of DC characters that feel unique to their own universe. That freedom would draw directors in with the understanding they don’t have to concede to the restraints of making their movies fit an overall narrative.
There could be one main universe, let’s say it’s the DCEU. There’s already a foundation set. We have several films set in a non-linear, albeit connected universe. The established heroes are Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Shazam, and a seasoned Batman. Introducing Black Adam takes things to the next level by setting the stage for the Justice Society of America. We saw what The Suicide Squad did for a lower-tier character like Peacemaker — the possibilities are endless. All of those characters exist in the DCEU. However, it doesn’t mean everyone has to exist in the same universe from now on. Take Batman, for example.
The Batman 2 is years away from happening, and a sequel hasn’t even been green-lit. Sure, The Flash can retcon the DCEU and merge Matt Reeves’ Batman into the same universe established by the previous regime but it isn’t likely. Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck are suiting up again as The Dark Knight, which means we have three that exist in DC Films. Affleck’s Batman is part of the DCEU, Keaton is returning for The Flash (and potentially future films), and Robert Pattinson’s Caped Crusader is in a world of his own.
While we wait for Reeves’ Batman sequel, Warner Bros. Discovery can focus on giving us a different Batman film. One that exists in their main universe, even if it means recasting Ben Affleck’s Batman. Who knows, with this new direction we could dive even deeper into the multiverse.
2. DC Black Label Films
As it stands, we do not know what the main universe of DC Films will be. So to some, the idea of a new label makes little sense. However, there’s room for more superhero films that differ from the main universe. The beauty of the Multiverse gives Warner Bros. Discovery a chance to use characters they won’t use in the main universe. And they have a guy in place to run it.
Todd Phillips presented the Joker to Warner Bros execs, hoping to start an alternative to the main universe. DC Black Label was the supposed title for the DC films pitched by Phillips with the Joker being the first of three films under the label. However Warner Bros execs shut down Phillips’ idea. As reported by Comicbook.com, Phillips told the IGN UK podcast that the unnamed execs said they didn’t need an alternate brand to create those types of films.
There’s an opportunity to explore DC Black Label again. Joker was the first R-rated movie to make a billion dollars on a rumored budget of $55 million. Imagine reaping the benefits from movies based on DC characters, but with a twist. Imagine a Batman movie based on Thomas Wayne or a Kingdom Come Superman film. The possibilities are endless. Now they have a chance to revisit the idea.
1. One directive for DC’s main universe
Warner Bros. Discovery’s Chief David Zaslav has a plan, and it’s to give DC Films one visionary. For all anti-Marvel people out there, one thing that can’t be denied is the consistency and structure with the MCU. The movies aren’t perfect in terms of comic book accuracy, but they are genuinely enjoyable. Kevin Feige is the mega-producer behind Disney’s MCU. He’s the singular voice and key ingredient for a successful recipe. There isn’t anything wrong with having heroes exist in one universe even if they don’t always interact with one another. But, who can deny the goosebumps when seeing your favorite Marvel characters share a screen? We’ve seen WB do this before, albeit on a smaller scale, with the Arrowverse.
Greg Berlanti did a fantastic job with merging Green Arrow and The Flash into one universe. Supergirl and Black Lightning existed outside of the main universe on an earth of their own. Meanwhile, we saw Berlanti bring the heroes together in several crossover events. We eventually saw it all come together in Crisis on Infinite Earths. By the end of the epic event, Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Batwoman, and Black Lightning all existed on the same planet, Earth-Prime.
One voice would not alter what makes DC special. Warner Bros. Discovery has a library of characters with a unique feel in terms of tone. DC can still be the alternative to the MCU by taking what they do best is a good idea, but it doesn’t limit DC Films.
Are you looking forward to the future of the DCEU? Let us know in the comments below!