A 1940's DCEU

[Flash525]

The MCU Captain America and Captain Marvel aside, all the MCU films have been set in the present. The exact same applies to all of the DCEU films, and there have been some comparisons between the MCU and DCEU where it's implied that DC/WB need to catch up or match the MCU.

Their current attempt has been lacklustre, that's no secret, be that the directors, the timing, or the DC/WB heads not quite grasping what they're working with. In any case, two of the titular DC characters that are Batman and Superman were established in 1939 and 1938 respectively. The likes of the Flash, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman came shortly after (within a couple of years).

How would people (you guys) feel if a rebooted DCEU took place during the 1940's opposed to present day? We'd have a completely different dynamic between the characters, different technologies (for those characters that used them; like Batman) and a completely different feel; considering how the DCEU would then take place during WW2. How would the likes of Batman and Superman deal with the Nazi threat for example?

I'm just wondering whether something different like this could be a different way forward for the DC characters; simply take them back in time (not by means of a Speedster) and tell their story from a past point of view.

Thoughts?

 

[Jochimus]

I suspect some folks would have issues with it - I can imagine some fans would see setting a Superman movie in the '40s as basically acquiescing to the belief that the character can't work in a 21st-century setting, not to mention the likelihood of WB even spending money on a period-heavy cinematic universe - but personally, I'd be totally down for it. Basically step Superman's powers back to 1938 levels, make Lois even more Torchy Blane than the original comics version and Lex a stocky red-crew-cut-haired industrialist who's secretly financing all manner of illegal operations here and abroad.

Heck, I'd go a few steps further and really work the sci-fi elements into a sort of alternate-reality type of world. Like maybe retrofit a few Silver Age bits here and there, throwing in a Fleischeresque Mechanical Monster which Lex converts into basically a walking Kryptonite-powered iron-lung for Lois's war-hero ex John Corben; or even echo the New 52 idea of Lex having absconded Kal-El's rocket years ago to reverse-engineer it into the basis for a VERY Fritz-Langed Metropolis, complete with things like the Rail Whale of the Y2K-era comics.

 

[danlav05]

The MCU Captain America and Captain Marvel aside, all the MCU films have been set in the present. The exact same applies to all of the DCEU films, and there have been some comparisons between the MCU and DCEU where it's implied that DC/WB need to catch up or match the MCU.

Their current attempt has been lacklustre, that's no secret, be that the directors, the timing, or the DC/WB heads not quite grasping what they're working with. In any case, two of the titular DC characters that are Batman and Superman were established in 1939 and 1938 respectively. The likes of the Flash, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman came shortly after (within a couple of years).

How would people (you guys) feel if a rebooted DCEU took place during the 1940's opposed to present day? We'd have a completely different dynamic between the characters, different technologies (for those characters that used them; like Batman) and a completely different feel; considering how the DCEU would then take place during WW2. How would the likes of Batman and Superman deal with the Nazi threat for example?

I'm just wondering whether something different like this could be a different way forward for the DC characters; simply take them back in time (not by means of a Speedster) and tell their story from a past point of view.

Thoughts?

YES. JUST YES. I've always wanted a 1938 (pre-war) set Superman movie, when he debuted.

Take inspiration from the Fleischer cartoons, serials and Reeves series as well as Jackson's King Kong and Sky Captain. Show Metropolis as a sunny, clean, bright city with streets lines by classic vehicles. have Superman battle an evil scientist (Lex Luthor?) and Mechanical Monsters. You can still have Lois as an intelligent leading lady rather than the dolly bird tied to the railway track. Have the 'future/sci fi' elements still retro-looking, but still use some of today's tech to realise it

It could even probably be done on a lower budget. Could be magic. if you want JL in the modern day have Superman go into space after a few years (like in Returns) then arrive back on Earth years later having barely aged. He can have Lois and Jimmy with him still - see Interstellar.

1939 would work for Batman as well. And if you want to do modern JL like I said bring in Rip Hunter to bring Batman into the future. It would work for the character - alone in a decaying Wayne Manor with Alfred long dead.

I looked at the Fleischer cartoons the other day and some episodes had the enemies as Nazis and even the Japanese, obviously products of their day.

 

[Boy Scout]

I’d be down. Though these days, I think it’s more likely to be set in the 80’s.

 

[Damkac]

Risky idea but I like it.

 

[Vlyse]

I suspect some folks would have issues with it - I can imagine some fans would see setting a Superman movie in the '40s as basically acquiescing to the belief that the character can't work in a 21st-century setting

They will have to get in line behind the WW fans who after 2020, will still be waiting to see a Wonder Woman film set in the 21st century.

 

[Herofan]

How would people (you guys) feel if a rebooted DCEU took place during the 1940's opposed to present day? We'd have a completely different dynamic between the characters, different technologies (for those characters that used them; like Batman) and a completely different feel; considering how the DCEU would then take place during WW2. How would the likes of Batman and Superman deal with the Nazi threat for example?

I'm just wondering whether something different like this could be a different way forward for the DC characters; simply take them back in time (not by means of a Speedster) and tell their story from a past point of view.

Thoughts?

Audiences would resent Superman not fighting in World War II but also feel uncomfortable if a movie did focus on it, especially if he fought the Japanese as he did in the '40s cartoon shorts. It's too big a disconnect.

Superman Returns already felt too retro, too looking back and thinking that was impressive and while the contemporary, modernized take in MoS was controversial I think it gained and pleased a lot more fans. Audiences might enjoy some Superman elements more if they were set in the past but think the product overall was just spectacle, giving up on relevance and relatability while I really don't see what could be gained by retro Batman (Batman could be better being more timeless but even that could feel to a lot of people like giving up).

 

[Frodo]

I wouldn't mind a Superman film with 1930s and 1940s aesthetics ala BTAS ,and reflecting the optimism, fun, and spirit of those 30s and 40s films, but without it being set specifically set in any year like 1938 or 1939.

Dick Tracy also did something similar in terms of look ,but also never bound itself in a specific year. Like BTAS , it could combine modern tech with a 30s and 40s look much like BTAS did and season 2 of The Flash did in Jay Garrick's reality.

Its a fantasy that doesn't need to be bound so heavily to the real world, so you wouldn't have to take deal with WW2, the depression etc. which you might have to if you say "This is 1942" in one of the title cards. If the film is well done , the GA will go with it.

But whether it takes place in the 40s or the 90s, the story's gotta be compelling.

 

[AverageMan]

Good idea in concept.
If it took off, hopefully you could start to introduce the JSA or even more elseworlds stories - Kingdom Come, Red Sun...

 

[Yowza]

I'd rather they just went for it in short-format films that they can grow into further mediums like radio, books, and so forth that can eventually coalescque into 1 overall whole that represents a more ambitious project overall.

A complete DCU re-boot seems pretty novel but no reason to play all the chips at once.

Good idea in concept.
If it took off, hopefully you could start to introduce the JSA or even more elseworlds stories - Kingdom Come, Red Sun...

I think something similar to an Elseworld logo would work well to develop ambitious artistic endeavors concerning certain DC characters that perhaps can be developed through a variety of small projects in different mediums.

 

[danlav05]

The new Joker movie is already separate to the DCEU and it's set in the 80s.

I haven't got what WB has been doing with these movies for years. Affleck's either in or out for The Batman which may or may not happen.

Apparently The Flash and Superman are being dumped for female led movies, which isn't a bad thing for diversity but there's no clear strategy.