It sounds like James Gunn may be shifting his plans for the DC Universe, which may end up being a good thing for the franchise!
Starting a cinematic universe is one thing, but making it work is another. Universal learned that the hard way with the Dark Universe, while Sony’s Spider-Verse plans completely fell apart. The DCEU, of course, may be a textbook example in how trying to plan a cinematic universe can fall apart fast.
It started out well enough with 2013’s Man of Steel. However, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was a messy affair that raced too fast, getting us to Justice League. The story of that debacle is well-known by now and the reaction by fans showed how trying to keep to Zack Snyder’s vision for the franchise wasn’t going to work.
Despite good entries such as Wonder Woman and Aquaman, the DCEU was filled with bad projects and missteps before The Flash’s horrific production and box office bombing pretty much killed it off.
James Gunn, fresh off his run with Marvel Studios, was hired to steady the ship with an entirely new take. It seems as if Gunn is off to a good start with Superman and prepping more films in what he calls the “Gods and Monsters” phase of the DC Universe. That includes Peacemaker season 2 and the coming Clayface and Supergirl films, along with a Superman sequel.
There are also plans for new takes on Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Flash, along with potential films based on the Authority and Swamp Thing. It may seem Gunn has a good plan for the DC Universe, but it turns out it’s already changed from what he had planned!
James Gunn’s DC Universe has undergone some changes since its launch
Speaking on the 2 Bears, 1 Cave podcast, James Gunn shared that his initial plans for the DC Universe had been laid out to Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav, Warner Bros. Pictures co-heads Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy, and HBO boss Casey Bloys. However, as he began work on the project, Gunn shifted things up a bit, even if he doesn’t go into details on what happened.
“When we first took over, I had written up what the first shows were supposed to be, but where the story eventually went. We had a basic plan, but then I hired a group of writers who I really respected, who came in, and we kind of worked out the whole story. Now, some things have changed since then, for various reasons. But the basic thrust of the big story is the same.”
Gunn doesn’t detail the exact changes, although there have already been shifts with Gunn confirming the cancellation of one film (rumored to be either Sgt. Rock or The Authority) because he didn’t feel the script was right. That is a key element, as Gunn wants to ensure a movie has all its ducks in a row creatively before starting work on it.
“You have to be careful, because there were certain projects that were a part of that plan – because my other rule is, I'm not gonna greenlight anything without having a screenplay that I love. And there were other things that haven't worked yet. You've gotta be able to have the big picture in mind, but then also be willing and be able to shift anytime you need to. So the pinpoints are the same, but some of the specifics have changed."
Gunn is no doubt using his experience with the MCU for his planning. He’s seen how tricky it can be trying to craft such a massive cinematic universe when things can change - from studio problems to actors being unavailable and more. It ties into his desire to avoid the typical post-credits scenes that set up movies that may never happen.
Given how the MCU has faltered in recent years, Gunn’s actions make a lot of sense. He doesn’t want to make the mistake that too many of these franchises do of leaping into things without knowing what comes next, but take the time to build things up with care before going for bigger connections between the movies. It also leaves things open just in case unforeseen complications throw things off (as the 2023 Hollywood strikes did for the MCU) and some breathing room in the planning is smart.
With Superman’s success and more coming, it looks like Gunn’s plans, however altered they may be, are working and hopefully lead to more to come in this new DC Universe.
Superman is now streaming on both HBO Max and digital platforms.