Do you want a DC Film Universe?

[Katsuro]

So I was thinking, in terms of main universe DC characters, we only have 2 films so far. Batman Begins and Superman Returns. Those are really the current franchises open. These two films dont interconnect, but they also dont really rule eachother out. Neither do the older Superman films, if you want to count those.

While the styles may clash a bit, there's nothing plot-wise to suggest that Routh's Superman and Bale's Batman dont exist in the same world, unlike Marvel where Raimi's Spider-Man films mentioned nothing of the very prominent mutant phenomon that you couldn't go a minute without hearing about in Singer's X-Men films.

I can buy that Batman maybe popped up while Superman was away, and thus wasn't on people's mind so he wasn't mentioned. But there's no way Spider-Man wouldn't have been suspected of being a mutant the minute he popped up. And working at a newspaper, you think the subject would come up if it existed.

So, the question i'm posing is, do you think they should take this opportunity and try to make all DC films (excluding things like V for Vendetta and Watchmen) part of some combined "film universe", or should they keep them independant of eachother. Even if we aren't talking about Batman and Superman combining, what about something like Super Max mentioning both. Or perhaps Teen Titans being connected to both, through Nightwing and Superboy. Or maybe even something as big as keeping Mongul and Cyborg-Superman, Supe's villains, the ones who destroy Coast City in a Green Lantern film.

I personally want a film universe, and a really deep one at that. I'd love to get each of the big characters their own films, then do a World's Finest followed by a Justice League. Teen Titans could be cool, and like I was saying in another thread it could open people's minds up to the idea of Robin in a Batman film. A picture of his old costume, so people see it can be done cool while still maintaining it's classic elements (it can), and just a generally darker persona will show people Robin's not some 8 year old in little yellow booties anymore.

EDIT: Crap, forgot a poll. There's no way to add one in, is there?

 

[TheComicbookKid]

Hell no. So we can have continuity fights about when each movie takes place? Casual acknowledgement like Spidey said "I'm not The Thing" is all we need.

 

[Rezzo]

Lame idea to have a DC film universe

 

[Katsuro]

Hell no. So we can have continuity fights about when each movie takes place? Casual acknowledgement like Spidey said "I'm not The Thing" is all we need.

When did Spidey say that?

And I dont see why there's be "continuity fights". There weren't with the animated DC Universe, which had quite a few shows.

 

[logansoldcigar]

well, in the two schumacher batfilms, they did drop a casual nod, didnt they.

I think thats the advantage that DC have over marvel. All their properties are at the one studio, where as Marvel's A Listers are liscensed out. we could feasibly get an X Men/F4 nod, ala the deleted scenes in F4, but look at Daredevil. Ben Urich couldnt be working for the bugle cos of the rights. I do think marvel will, in the long term, try and bring them all back though.Just depends on the deals they had at the time they licensed them.

 

[Ring Deacon]

Well in Batman Forever there was a line by Bruce when he was talking to Dick about following the circus that went. They must be half way to Metropolis right now. Why don't you at least gas up before you go." I know that was long ago but the nod was there. Also that same year on Lois and Clark (shoot me I loved the show) Clark and Lois talk about Gotham City the same way.

Now lets flash forward to last year. In Superman Returns Superman rescued someone in Gotham City. If you don't believe me watch it again. it is in the part right after he save the plane on the ball field. They are showing TV News reports about his return one of the reporters is from Gotham City and says so. There is your nod there.

So what we need is in TDK have Bruce or someone reading The Daily Planet. It will be a quick nod.

It will be easier to do it now then have to expain it all in a World's Finest or JLA movie.

 

[SupaFresh208]

^^ I like that idea, but a DC Film Universe? Correct me if I'm wrong but before the Blade series then Spiderman it has always been a DC Film Universe. They just chose to bring out Superman & Batman movies. It's a bit late for a comeback from DC. Even back when I read DC Comics they only had a slew of characters that could pull off a movie (my opinion). But then again DC should strike now when the iron is hot because every superhero or 60s-90s cartoon is getting the greenlight for a movie.

 

[Katsuro]

^^ I like that idea, but a DC Film Universe? Correct me if I'm wrong but before the Blade series then Spiderman it has always been a DC Film Universe. They just chose to bring out Superman & Batman movies. It's a bit late for a comeback from DC. Even back when I read DC Comics they only had a slew of characters that could pull off a movie (my opinion). But then again DC should strike now when the iron is hot because every superhero or 60s-90s cartoon is getting the greenlight for a movie.

There are plenty of DC characters that could get a successful movie. They have characters a lot more popular than most of the one's Marvel's been giving movies to. Flash and Wonder Woman are leagues above Ghost Rider and The Punisher in terms of popular recognition. And Green Lantern may not be popular, but a good GL film franchise could be the next Star Wars.

 

[Steelsheen]

well, it would be cool to have a DC Universe version of the movies, but it could become very unwieldy and would hamper the creative efforts for particular franchises. its challenging enough as it is just keeping things organized in DC Comics, how much more for different creative teams in multi million dollar movies. but i understand where you're coming from and that is why movies like The Justice League and Teen Titans are getting made, there's nothing cooler than seeing your favorite superheroes banding together fighting the good fight. but for now a nod here and there ("Gotham" in SR, "This is why Superman works alone" in Batman) are good enough to acknowlege the existence of other Caped Crusaders outside of that particular franchise.

 

[chamber-music]

I don't know if there should be a DC universe. Wouldn't it limit the creativity of the directors and screenwriters.

 

[SupaFresh208]

There are plenty of DC characters that could get a successful movie. They have characters a lot more popular than most of the one's Marvel's been giving movies to. Flash and Wonder Woman are leagues above Ghost Rider and The Punisher in terms of popular recognition. And Green Lantern may not be popular, but a good GL film franchise could be the next Star Wars.

Yes I know that I didnt mean to come off like that, all I'm saying is before the MARVEL explosion its been DC (Batman & Superman). And yes Flash, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern would be excellent movies each in their own right. However, to say their both above Ghost Rider & Punisher (I understand this one) in terms of popular recognition is also opinion. Another main reason they are more "popular" is the Justice League or Super Friends. Like me for example I learned of the Flash & Wonder Woman threw the Super Friends. Ghost Rider & Punisher were solo and never in a group but if they were on a team with Spiderman, X-MEN, HULK for example they would have more popular recognition (so to speak).

In short, I'd love to see more DC Comics characters on the big screen because there's a lot of potential there. And they need to get into production now before Hollywood becomes sick of Comic Films

 

[Dr. Fate]

I think a DC film universe may be too technically difficult to execute, even with today's technology, and holding all that continuity would be Hell, and I don't trust Hollywood enough with something like that.

 

[Kebab gud]

Yes and no ...

they should have two..
One where Superman is chilling and one with Batman..
The "Nolanverse" is the PERFECT! starting off point for alot of Movies..
Like Green Arrow.. its almost shocking that they have yet to make a Green Arrow spinnoff from Batman Begins..

 

[Ring Deacon]

Try to remember as well that the DC Universe is owed by the WB. Also not that it matters much but the DC universe came first long before any marvel characters were even thought of. Other then Captain America and Namor Marvel didn't have much, and for that matter they were not even Marvel yet.

Marvel movies have the disadvantage of being owned by different studios making it hard for a team up movie. But they also have an advantage with that too, because they can do movies with lesser known characters and make them work as a stand alone movie.

Face it, Punisher and Blade don't need to even mention for a minute that they live in the same world as Spiderman. While Punicher and Blade were known to many comic fans not too many main stream people heard of them till they had movies and even then they were not know as comic book heroes, just movies.

Now with Spiderman it is harder to make him stand alone but they have done well so far. but I still know people me included that would have loved to see Spidey swing passed 4 Freedom Plazza.

But with DC the general public knows who the JLA is. So for the most part you would just need to have the big players to give a nod to each other in there movies. (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Arrow, Green Lantern and Shazam)

Don't get me wrong there are DC heroes that could stand alone quite well.
1. Lobo
2. Martian Manhunter (even though he needs to be in JLA)
3. Sandman
4. Death
5. New Gods (once agin would kick ass in JLA but still)
6. Plasticman
7. Swamp Thing
8. Deadman
9. The Question
10. Animal Man
These could all stand along easily, and the general public would like them, and never need to know they are Superheroes.

 

[Steelsheen]

Try to remember as well that the DC Universe is owed by the WB. Also not that it matters much but the DC universe came first long before any marvel characters were even thought of. Other then Captain America and Namor Marvel didn't have much, and for that matter they were not even Marvel yet.

Marvel movies have the disadvantage of being owned by different studios making it hard for a team up movie. But they also have an advantage with that too, because they can do movies with lesser known characters and make them work as a stand alone movie.

well, Marvel Films confirmed that they will have The Hulk and Iron Man in the Avengers roster, so getting a superhero team up movie isnt that difficult for them. if anything, the seriousness of Marvel with The Avengers may be whats spurring WB to keep up and at least consider investing in the developments for JLA and Teen Titans movies.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

When did Spidey say that?

And I dont see why there's be "continuity fights". There weren't with the animated DC Universe, which had quite a few shows.

1. In Spidey 1, at the ring match with the wrestler when they lower the cage.

2. True, but those are serialized formats. In a 2 hour movie, I don't want Spidey worried about X-Men problems.

3. Spidey swinging pass the Baxter Building would have been cool.

 

[Katsuro]

Yes and no ...

they should have two..
One where Superman is chilling and one with Batman..
The "Nolanverse" is the PERFECT! starting off point for alot of Movies..
Like Green Arrow.. its almost shocking that they have yet to make a Green Arrow spinnoff from Batman Begins..

See, I dont like that idea. You don't want Superman and Batman to cross over? The interaction between those two characters is too good to miss. Superman and Batman need to team up.

 

[Arkady Rossovich]

I dont think such a thing could be done,each franchise is in their own small Universe.I doubt there will be a crossover,perhaps in the proposed JLA film..but no where else.

 

[Ring Deacon]

well, Marvel Films confirmed that they will have The Hulk and Iron Man in the Avengers roster, so getting a superhero team up movie isnt that difficult for them. if anything, the seriousness of Marvel with The Avengers may be whats spurring WB to keep up and at least consider investing in the developments for JLA and Teen Titans movies.

But remember that Hulk, Iron Man, Antman and the Avengers are owned by the same studio. And Spiderman, X-men, Blade, Punisher, Fantasic 4 and Ghost Rider are all owned by different ones. That is the point i am trying to make. marvel will have a harder time doing crossover movies the DC. A Marvel movie that would be cool but that can never be made is Secert Wars.

 

[StorminNorman]

I would like it, it would make films like Justice League and Teen Titans actually...you know...make sense.

 

[Steelsheen]

But remember that Hulk, Iron Man, Antman and the Avengers are owned by the same studio. And Spiderman, X-men, Blade, Punisher, Fantasic 4 and Ghost Rider are all owned by different ones. That is the point i am trying to make. marvel will have a harder time doing crossover movies the DC. A Marvel movie that would be cool but that can never be made is Secert Wars.

oh you mean the rights. yeah good point. but they should be turned back over to Marvel soon shouldnt they? does another studio hold any rights for a character thats part of the Avengers roster, like Captain America or Thor? because that could be a problem.

 

[SupaFresh208]

There are no rights for Captain America or Thor as of yet because their just in negotiation phase. The only problem I see that would ensue would be if they ever did a Spiderman featuring DareDevil or Fantastic Four movie.

 

[AmazinUncleBen]

1. In Spidey 1, at the ring match with the wrestler when they lower the cage.

He said "Unlock the thing" talking about the lock the girl was locking in front of him.

 

[The Guard]

I used to think Spider-Man said "I'm not The Thing", too. He says "Unlock the thing", which is a much lamer line.

The only reason one hero's film needs to mention another is a potential crossover or use of the location in future films involving the character.

So in regard to potential BATMAN AND SUPERMAN or JUSTICE LEAGUE movies, or maybe TITANS, then yes, I want to see an acknowledgement of all the heroes living in the same universe.

 

[hippie_hunter]

So I was thinking, in terms of main universe DC characters, we only have 2 films so far. Batman Begins and Superman Returns. Those are really the current franchises open. These two films dont interconnect, but they also dont really rule eachother out. Neither do the older Superman films, if you want to count those.

Technically four films. Superman Returns has Superman the Movie and Superman II in its continuity.