Character Embargo Discussion

[TheNextNolan22]

Andrew Kriesberg mentioned at SDCC last year that DC Entertainment told them that there were other plans for Ted Kord and Blue beetle, and that was why they couldn't use the. It could be a similar issue with Deadshot since he may appear in the Suicide Squad movie. There is also the possibility of over exposure of a character or brand that has to be considered as well as to why you don't see Batman or someone like that on the show.

May? He IS.

 

[SlamAdams]

May? He IS.

Although the way it is written definitely means "Deadshot may appear in Suicide Squad," I think he actually means the situation may be the same because Deadshot will be in Suicide Squad.

 

[SKSpawn]

I've never understood this idea that having multiple versions of certain characters can confuse audiences. As I kid, I understood the difference between Adam West's Batman, Michael Keaton's Batman, and the multiple different comic versions of Batman. Literally the only explanation that holds for me in that regard is a desire not to over expose certain characters; like, don't have loads of Batman villains in Justice League because you want to use a variety of villains.

As it stands, it seems more like DC/Warner Bros. desperately trying no to copy what Marvel are doing yet spoiling the experience for the fan base. But I honestly don't understand that, either. Arrow is very successful, so why wouldn't you want Amell in the Justice League movie? They have no qualms about Amell providing the character's voice and aesthetic in Injustice or the Lego series, so why is it such an issue for the movie? It just reeks of DC/WB not wanting to look second-rate by copying Marvel's gameplan, but instead they literally seem to prefer a kind of "Crisis on Multiple Media Fronts", which is actually more confusing than inter-lacing their continuities together.

This is why I don't really like watching Arrow, The Flash, or Gotham (even though I do, if only to complain) because, ultimately they feel pointless. Why bother watching Gotham when it isn't going to be the backstory of Ben Affleck's Batman? Why watch The Flash when it'll be obsolete when his solo movie comes out? It's a great way to increase these characters' exposure, and DC/WB should really capitalise on that success rather than sabotage it.

 

[FeedOnATreeFrog]

This is why I don't really like watching Arrow, The Flash, or Gotham (even though I do, if only to complain) because, ultimately they feel pointless. Why bother watching Gotham when it isn't going to be the backstory of Ben Affleck's Batman? Why watch The Flash when it'll be obsolete when his solo movie comes out? It's a great way to increase these characters' exposure, and DC/WB should really capitalise on that success rather than sabotage it.

Would you not recommend TDK to someone because it's not in the same universe as BvS?

 

[metaphysician]

Honestly, I suspect the embargoes never had anything to do with "audience confusion". They were, and are, a product of internal turf-battles in WB. If one exec can force an embargo, they can deny another exec the ability to do stuff, and weaken their position.

 

[CaptainWagner]

The reason I was willing to support seprate universes to begin with was so that they woudn't wind up wih an AOS stye situation where they can only ever use a handful of D-list and below comic characters because Marvel didn't want to have to tie the movies into the TV shows.

But now, even though the universes are sperate, DC is forcing the same darn problem onto themselves!

 

[SlamAdams]

The reason I was willing to support seprate universes to begin with was so that they woudn't wind up wih an AOS stye situation where they can only ever use a handful of D-list and below comic characters because Marvel didn't want to have to tie the movies into the TV shows.

But now, even though the universes are sperate, DC is forcing the same darn problem onto themselves!

Same here. Although I am not sure what is going on behind the scenes because they have also said that Amanda Waller and Dethstroke (who is technically not yet confirmed I don't think) are NOT off the table IIRC. It seems more complex than simply there will be another version some where.

 

[batdude]

I don't mean to state the obvious, but It's not like you could get Will Smith and the guy who plays Deadshot on Arrow mixed up. DC needs to give its fans more credit.

 

[Mr_336]

The WB, not DC.

The studio's been stuck on Embargo-Land dating back to them figuring out how to redeem the Bat Franchise during their dark age (1998-2005). Its hilarous as it is stupid how the studio won't allow some characters but ok'd Smallville and Superman Returns to happen concurrently in 2006. Some could see as they almost saw the light but when back into the Embargo dark beginning with them (and the Aussie goverment) killing Justice League: Mortal.

 

[Spooderman]

I do think the Bat-Embargo had a silver lining in forcing JLU to use villains from other hero's rogues galleries.

Hugo Strange was great in The Batman, although the concept art for Scarecrow looked really cool and I wonder how they would have done it. The Batman should have had a 6th season, or a Justice League follow up, it's a pretty underrated show.

Unlike the BB and TDK, I have low hopes for the DCCU, so I would like to see this franchise crash so the embargo would stop.

 

[Mr_336]

I do think the Bat-Embargo had a silver lining in forcing JLU to use villains from other hero's rogues galleries.

Hugo Strange was great in The Batman, although the concept art for Scarecrow looked really cool and I wonder how they would have done it. The Batman should have had a 6th season, or a Justice League follow up, it's a pretty underrated show.

Unlike the BB and TDK, I have low hopes for the DCCU, so I would like to see this franchise crash so the embargo would stop.

That would require all WB execs to use their brains.

 

[Loki882]

Yes because butting Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman in the same movie together, and thus guaranteeing them to make oodles of cash, is such a stupid idea. Seriously, the kneejerk WB bashing has reached laughable proportions at this point.

 

[Thegeekfreax]

This is really dumb. First of all, it's treating the audience like they're idiots. If WB/DC REALLY thinks that people would confuse Arrow Deadshot with Will Smith Deadshot for example, then that's a problem with THEM, not the audience. Give your fans a little more credit, by which I mean ANY credit

Second, their whole reasoning behind keeping the TV and Film-universes separate was so that this DIDN'T happen. You could tell different stories with these characters in different universes, while not stepping on each other's toes (as much as I love Marvel overall, that does happen from time to time with them). However, that appears to be EXACTLY what's happening. So if you're STILL going to step on each other's toes, then you might as well connect the films and TV shows. At least then you'd be getting some of the rewards, instead of ONLY the problems.

And third, where does it end? So when the Flash movie comes out, are we going to cancel show? Or are characters like Barry, or Captain Cold, or Captain Boomerang, or Reverse Flash, etc suddenly going to be off-limits? Because that's where this is heading. Are we never going to see Amanda Waller again on Arrow because she's also appearing in the SS movie, or Deathstroke if he appears in the movie, etc? It just makes no sense.

Basically it's dumb, counterproductive, and frankly insulting to the audience.

Awesome post, totally agree people can tell the difference between the film universe and the TV universe, not letting shows use certain characters because of a movie is lame and it hurts the product

 

[Docker2.0]

Very interesting article about WB's direction over DC. It's kind of like we all feared. I honestly don't understand why Bruce Timm or even Geoff Johns(Hey! Just playing devil's advocate here)haven't been given the chance to be DC's Feige. Until WB kind of gives DC a rope, they really won't reach their full potential.

Spoiler

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/superman-batman-dcs-real-battle-792190