James Gunn and Peter Safran are part of DC Studios for the long run, and there’s some much needed excitement about the long term plans for DC Films.
Not bringing back Henry Cavill as Superman soured the DC Extended Universe a lot of fans, but James Gunn’s long-term plans for the DC Universe could change all that. Given his history, we can expect epic storylines to never-before-seen characters as the visionary director takes the DC Studios to new heights.
For the first time in a long time, it appears that Warner Bros. Discovery has long-term plans for its DC Universe. Gunn and Peter Safran have reportedly made some polarizing decisions since they took over, but one thing is certain, they are committed to DC Comics. Gunn has taken to Twitter to interact with fans, ask for ideas, and debunk rumors. He also told fans that he and Safran plan to tell a cohesive story spanning across all DC media, which should span 8-10 years.
Comic book fans know the benefit of long-term storytelling in a single universe. Movie fans do as well, thanks to the MCU, Star Wars, and Star Trek, for example. However, Gunn doesn’t have to force his heroes into a small box. The great thing about DC is that every character has a universe of their own. Batman has Gotham which differs from Superman’s Metropolis, while Flash has Central City, and Green Arrow has Star City — to name a few. So, fans don’t need to worry about any director being forced to adhere to a specific tone or connected universe.
Gunn wants to make DC like Star Wars with films and shows that feel unique enough for new fans, yet familiar to hardcore fans of DC Comics. There are already a slew of films set to hit theaters from the previous regime, so who Gunn chooses to begin his DCU with matters more than anything.
Superman should kick-off the DCU
There is no doubt that Superman should kick off Peter Safran and James Gunn’s DC. We won’t know who will play the character or the story they will tell. However, we know Gunn wants to focus on the early days of Clark Kent as a hero, but not an origin story. He’d also probably want to establish where this character is in terms of the overall universe.
One way Gunn can accomplish this is to adapt Superman: For Tomorrow. This comic book series, written by Brian Azzarello and illustrated by Jim Lee, explores Superman’s early years as a hero, focusing on his struggles with his identity and purpose.
The story starts with a huge disaster happening in the city of Metropolis, where one million people suddenly vanish without a trace. Superman is unable to find them, and the whole event makes him question his place in the world and what he is supposed to do as a hero. One benefit to this story is the major connection to a larger universe. Superman: For Tomorrow is the exploration of Superman’s relationship with other heroes, such as Batman, and how they view him. You don’t have to show Batman at all, but a mention of an established relationship would work well enough.
Superman: For Tomorrow also delves into the theme of sacrifice, and how Superman struggles with the weight of his responsibilities as a hero. He also faces personal and professional loss and has to come to terms with it. This story is not only about the heroics and action but more about the human side of Superman, his fears, his doubts, his struggles, and how he overcomes them. This story is a great exploration of the character and provides a lot of material to work with in terms of character development, themes, and a fresh take on Superman.
A grounded Green Arrow film should follow Superman
Now that Arrow is over, it’s time for a live-action Green Arrow film. The Emerald Archer, Green Arrow has a rich history and a dedicated fanbase thanks to both his comics storylines and The CW’s Arrow.
A Green Arrow film can further expand Gunn’s universe as it would take place in Star City. Like Gotham and Metropolis, Star City can feel like a universe all of its own, considering how Green Arrow dives into politics, in a way that differs from Batman. While we don’t need a Superman or Batman origin story, we should get one from Green Arrow, and one of the best stories to adapt is Green Arrow: Year One.
The comic book series was written by Andy Diggle and illustrated by Jock, and it tells the origin story of Oliver Queen’s journey to becoming the politically savvy bow-wielder. Whoever Gunn and Safran choose as a director should go low budget for the potential film for two reasons. One, it would be a nice contrast to Superman which will likely be a blockbuster. Secondly, the story should focus more on the character.
Year One is set in a gritty and realistic environment, which would make for a visually striking film. Most of the setting takes place on a deserted island, where Oliver must fend off drug runners while learning to survive and master the art of archery. What makes the story great is the relevant and timely themes such as social justice, political corruption, and the cost of being a hero. All of those elements add depth and complexity to the story, making it more than just a traditional superhero film.
To help connect and expand the universe, the film could reintroduce Dinah Lance, who would later become Black Canary. Her inclusion in the story would provide an opportunity to bring back Jurnee Smollett (Birds of Prey), bridging together Gunn’s DCU and the old DCEU. Yes, it can happen thanks to The Flash.
Green Lantern should expand the DCU’s universe as its third film
Following the grounded Green Arrow movie, Gunn should make another high-budget blockbuster. With the recent confirmation that the Green Lantern series is still in development for HBO Max and James Gunn, the co-head of DC Studios, debunking rumors that the show has been scrapped, it’s clear that the time for a Green Lantern film is now.
A Green Lantern film would also provide a fresh perspective on the DC Universe, as it would introduce a new character and explore different aspects of the universe such as space. Gunn probably won’t direct a ton of films in the DCU, but he should be the man who helps bring Green Lantern to the big screen.
Moreover, John Stewart should be the Green Lantern on the big-screen. For one, as a black man his story would add a new dimension to the universe and would also be a great way to showcase a different perspective and cultural background, which is something that is still needed in the superhero genre. He’d also solidify Hal Jordan’s existence as a veteran of the Lantern Corps.
One of the best stories to adapt would be Green Lantern: Mosaic (1992-1993) written by Gerard Jones and illustrated by Cully Hamner. This story arc provides a detailed origin story for John Stewart as he becomes a Green Lantern, and it explores his personal journey, his relationship with other characters in the Green Lantern Corps, such as Guy Gardner and Hal Jordan, and his struggles as he becomes a hero.
Comic book fans know that Mosaic is a world created by John Stewart which serves as a sanctuary for various alien refugees and it’s a representation of the various cultures and backgrounds that John is trying to protect.
In the story John Stewart is chosen to be the Green Lantern of sector 2814 after the previous Green Lantern, Hal Jordan, is promoted to the rank of Honor Guard. John, a former marine and architect, struggles to adapt to his new role as a Green Lantern and has to deal with the challenges of being a hero in a new and unfamiliar environment.
A Superman sequel is a must
One of the most annoying things about being a DCEU fan was the Man of Steel sequel we never got. Superman was a glorified cameo character for every film thereafter. Gunn doesn’t need to make that same mistake. Two years after we get our first look at Superman, we need to get another film. In this scenario we already have a film inspired by Superman: For Tomorrow. The next film should continue to show a different side of Superman. One story that does that is What’s So Funny About Truth, Justice & the American Way? written by Joe Kelly and illustrated by Doug Mahnke.
Mostly known as Superman vs the Elite, the story explores the theme of Superman’s values and how they are challenged by a new team of heroes who are willing to use brutal methods to fight crime. The story also explores the theme of the cost of being a hero and the consequences of fighting crime. This is another great opportunity to explore Superman’s values and how they are challenged by a new team of heroes.
The animated film Superman vs The Elite (2012), provides a great blueprint for how this story arc could be adapted into a live-action film. We’d get to see Superman dropping gems like, “Dreams save us. Dreams lift us up and transform us. And on my soul I swear until my dream of a world where dignity, honor, and justice becomes the reality we all share, I’ll never stop fighting. Ever!”
Before we see Superman with the Justice League, we need to see him dominate on his own in two character-driven stories in Gunn’s first chapter of his DCU — this is it. Introducing Lobo or Brainiac is another option.
Martian Manhunter sets up Justice League
The final film before an eventual Justice League team-up in Chapter One of Safran and Gunn’s DCU should be Martian Manhunter. The hero from Mars could set up the looming big bad, the Anti-Monitor, which would then lead to the first Justice League film of this new DCU. However, the film shouldn’t focus on setting up another film. It should continue the theme of character-driven stories.
One of the best character-driven stories about Martian Manhunter is the American Alien storyline, written by Max Landis and illustrated by Nick Dragotta. This story arc, which was first published in 2016, is a character-driven story that explores the identity, emotions, and internal struggles of J’onn J’onzz, the Martian Manhunter.
In American Alien, we see J’onn J’onzz struggling to find his place in the world and dealing with the emotional trauma of being the last survivor of his race. The story arc also looks at his attempts to fit in with human society and his internal conflicts as he tries to come to terms with his alien identity. It also explores his relationships with other heroes and his struggles to connect with them emotionally.
This storyline is a great character-driven story that would work well in a live-action adaptation because it provides a great opportunity to explore the character of Martian Manhunter, his identity struggles, and his emotional journey. It also deals with universal themes of belonging, identity, and loss that would be relatable to audiences, making it perfect for a live-action adaptation.
The actor playing this role would be forced to showcase their range and ability to convey a deep and complex character. Harry Lennix is the current Martian Manhunter, and he would be great at conveying all of J’onn’s emotions. So would Sterling K. Brown, Lance Reddick, and David Oyelowo — to name a few.
A Justice League film should cap-off Chapter One
There’s no doubt that a Justice League film should be the endgame of Peter Safran and James Gunn’s first chapter in the DCU. We should see the DC team come together to take on an intergalactic threat.
Martian Manhunter would be forced to gather other Justice League members Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, The Flash, and Green Lantern to take on a threat like the New Gods. One of the best stories to make that possible is Death of the New Gods.
There are a few elements that would help make this a great film. It presents a unique and compelling storyline that delves into the mythology of the New Gods and their role in the DC Universe. It features an ensemble cast of characters from both the New Gods and the Justice League, which would make for an interesting and dynamic film.
The storyline is set in a dark and mysterious world, with a complex and intriguing plot that keeps the audience engaged throughout the story. The story itself explores themes of power, sacrifice, and the struggle for survival, which gives depth and complexity to the story. It also features a lot of character development, particularly for the New Gods and Martian Manhunter. This would allow the film to explore the motivations and backstories of these characters and give them a deeper sense of humanity.
Death of the New Gods offers a great opportunity to look at the mythology of the New Gods and the Justice League, and if it were adapted in the new DC Universe, it would make for both an interesting and exciting film for the audiences. And the perfect end of the DCU’s first chapter.
Which DCU movies would you like to see in the first chapter of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe? Let us know in the comments below!