Can there be a DC shared universe in the future?

[Tg11]

The DCEU can set itself apart by doing what the comics have largely done, and breaking down into a collection of smaller universes that each focus on a different DC "family" - like the Bat-family of Batman, Nightwing, Batgirl and other Bat-adjacent characters, or Shazam and the Marvel family, or the expansive world of Aquaman and the Seven Kingdoms. There's still potential for future crossovers, of course, but by dividing the DCEU up, the smaller sub-universes can be allowed to thrive and in a worst-case scenario be quarantined from one another, so that a individual movie can fail without affecting the larger universe.

Warner Bros. has a significant advantage over Marvel Studios/Walt Disney/Paramount at the start of the MCU, in the sense that the DCEU already has the full slate of DC Comics characters collected under one roof. By focusing on individual families - Supergirl and Superman, the Suicide Squad, Harley Quinn and the Birds of Prey - there's huge potential to build up strong brands with their own individual worlds and aesthetics. There's more than one way to build a shared universe.

So all in all, yes DC can have a shared movie universe but of course it can be built towards slowly.

 

[Tg11]

I would love to get all your thoughts on this subject

 

[Flash525]

You make a strong case, and raise some good points, however there are always going to be those fans out there who'll crave that shared universe, and will want to see the likes of Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman (etc) sharing the screen.

I wouldn't say it's a problem moving forward with what you suggest, but the more these films go on, the harder it ultimately is when it comes to bringing said characters together. If the likes of Batman is facing a foe that's just too tough, you'd have to ask the question of where is Superman, or where is Diana? Likewise if there's a threat to the world that the Suicide Squad are sent into deal with, lets say to retrieve an artefact, you could ask the question of where was Barry?

Self contained stories can work, don't get me wrong, but they'd have to be very well thought out. A film focused in Gotham would need to be self contained, and done in such a way that nobody else would need to assist Bruce (at least not outside of his Bat-family). In the same breath, a film where Clark or Kara are under duress needs to be where someone like Bruce or Diana simply can't get involved for one reason or other.

The way I see it, there's two ways of pushing forward as far as the DCEU is concerned;

1. Establish self contained stories within the family setting as you've suggested, but then have a separate universe, potentially with the same cast, portraying the same characters, but with a totally different timeline. Heck, if needs be, cast a whole bunch of new characters and just promote a Justice League trilogy, separate from the self contained timeline. Injustice?
   
2. Establish a bunch of films where the Justice League has already been established, and that it's purpose is to deal with threats that no single hero can deal with alone, and only when the fate of the world literally hangs in the balance. We don't need each and every hero showing up in every other film unless there's a global threat. If Barry has trouble with Eobard, that's a personal vendetta, same with Bruce and Joker, or Clark and Lex (etc). Unless the fate of the entire world is at stake, does anyone else really have any business getting involved in the problems of another hero?

 

[Tg11]

I will take your option #2

 

[Boy Scout]

I think it’d be fun to address those concerns head on. Instead of ignoring opportunities for interconnectivity, why not show League members reaching out to each other every now and again and offering their help?

ROBIN: Bruce. Superman on Line 1.

BATMAN: Put him through.

SUPERMAN: I heard about Joker’s bomb threat. I’m dealing with a situation in Guadalajara right now, but I can be over in a bit to do a full sweep of the city if you need me.

BATMAN: Thanks, but we’re handling it. The computer’s just finished pinpointing his location and I’m about ready to forward all relevant information to Gordon and the bomb squad. If we need anything further, we’ll call you. Batman out.

Simple and easy.

 

[Tg11]

I think it’d be fun to address those concerns head on. Instead of ignoring opportunities for interconnectivity, why not show League members reaching out to each other every now and again and offering their help?

ROBIN: Bruce. Superman on Line 1.

BATMAN: Put him through.

SUPERMAN: I heard about Joker’s bomb threat. I’m dealing with a situation in Guadalajara right now, but I can be over in a bit to do a full sweep of the city if you need me.

BATMAN: Thanks, but we’re handling it. The computer’s just finished pinpointing his location and I’m about ready to forward all relevant information to Gordon and the bomb squad. If we need anything further, we’ll call you. Batman out.

Simple and easy.

I guess I can live with that

 

[Mandon Knight]

Yes, they can be and I don't think WB have 'jettisoned' the idea completely, they have I think finally acknowledged their faults directionally (if not taken personal responsibility whilst throwing ZS under the bus) and are presenting singular character films with a thematic joint 'bond' loosely tied by referencing only and eventually we will head back to JL2 at some point circa 2026.

 

[Tg11]

Yes, they can be and I don't think WB have 'jettisoned' the idea completely, they have I think finally acknowledged their faults directionally (if not taken personal responsibility whilst throwing ZS under the bus) and are presenting singular character films with a thematic joint 'bond' loosely tied by referencing only and eventually we will head back to JL2 at some point circa 2026.

Then if that is the case then I guess I can live with that. You can loosely reference other heroes but of course keep the focus on your universe still and then slowly build towards the concept of a shared universe the right way...I guess your way makes sense

 

[unholyrevenger]

Only if they have a Feige

 

[Tg11]

Yeah imagine but we have Hamada

 

[Flash525]

@Boy Scout that’s a solid idea, and one that would make complete sense. Not even Superman can save everyone, and even if he did intervene in Gotham somewhere, he could potentially make things worse.

I suppose the only exception would be from the Atlantis point of view. Had Arthur failed and the Atlantians rose, presumably the Justice League (along with a global military force) would have been called in to help fight.

Short of a Green Lantern arc which is more on the cosmic scale, all the stories we’ve had so far (minus Zod) have been quite self contained. There’s been no reason for an one hero to crossover with another, even if I do have to wonder just what Diana, the Amazonians, and the Atlantians were doing when Zod was attempting to terraform the planet.

 

[Tg11]

Exactly so many ways they could have handled Justice League as a film