No Shared Universe for DC Films

[The Batman]

Eh, I'm quite sure a half decent writer could do it easily.

You really need to get through your head that you just lack the talent and vision to actually figure it out yourself.

My god, this.

Fanboys LOVE bashing Hollywood execs, but both groups have the same mentality: Watch something get sucessful, copy it, and act like its the only way to do that particular thing.

 

[jmc]

Because 9 times out of 10 they only try to make it one particular way.

 

[Airwings]

Not the only way, but the best way, is to introduce each superhero in it's own world. It would be too much at once if we first are to believe that an island from the ancient greek civilization is hidden in the ocean and that the olympian gods actually axist, then we are to believe that Atlantis is a real place and the people there are now rulers of the seas, then we are to believe that there are intelligent life on thousands of planets and an intergalactic corps are fighting for peace...
It's like trying to make a movie with Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter at the same time, and try to convince the audience that it's all real, but the only things that separate the characters of each storyline are different time periods or alternate dimensions.

 

[Jordacar]

DC/WB needs its answer to Kevin Feige, someone with a vision for a shared cinematic universe and the elbow grease to make it happen. WB wants Nolan to be that guy, but its clear he only really cares about Batman.

 

[CConn]

DC/WB needs its answer to Kevin Feige, someone with a vision for a shared cinematic universe and the elbow grease to make it happen. WB wants Nolan to be that guy, but its clear he only really cares about Batman.

How is that true, when Nolan is producing MOS, and was very involved in its early planning and selection of crew?

 

[MadVillainy]

I agree about your Fiege point Jordacar. Theyll need that guy IF they want a shared universe

 

[CConn]

I think Leo DiCaprio needs to grab the bull by the balls and make his Aquaman movie already,

 

[ЯɘvlveR]

How is that true, when Nolan is producing MOS, and was very involved in its early planning and selection of crew?

while he can be that guy, it's pretty clear that he doesn't want to be wb's feige because he doesn't want a shared universe.

 

[jmc]

WB will never have their own Fiege because the set up is completely different. I'll go so far to say that WB could care less about a shared universe and will be only interested in getting to a JL film. Anyone who thinks WB gives a damn about some grand superhero universe are kidding themselves, they're not in the business for superheroes alone and so the desire will never be there to ensure the shared universe concept works. The only way it happens is if they let DC comics have their own production company, which they won't. Nolan is right, keep the characters separate, frankly how WB operates means it's probably the better option anyway.

 

[The Guard]

I'm sure there are elements of WB who would love to have a shared DC Universe. It just may not be feasible given their structure/other commitments.

 

[Thundercrack85]

WB will never have their own Fiege because the set up is completely different. I'll go so far to say that WB could care less about a shared universe and will be only interested in getting to a JL film. Anyone who thinks WB gives a damn about some grand superhero universe are kidding themselves, they're not in the business for superheroes alone and so the desire will never be there to ensure the shared universe concept works. The only way it happens is if they let DC comics have their own production company, which they won't. Nolan is right, keep the characters separate, frankly how WB operates means it's probably the better option anyway.

That's bad business then. The way WB has operated has done them very little good outside of Batman. It would be one thing if the formula had been particularly successful, but the only franchise they have going is Batman.

 

[Boom]

I don't know. A shared superhero universe could be the replacement for Harry Potter that WB is trying to find.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

That's bad business then. The way WB has operated has done them very little good outside of Batman. It would be one thing if the formula had been particularly successful, but the only franchise they have going is Batman.

Um, the WB's mission is to make money. Not have bragging rights against Marvel. Expensive failures of Flash or WW and a 1 billion dollar Batman isn't equal.

I'm sure they'd love to have all the plates spinning but one Batman franchise that pours money into their pocket isn't anything to cry over.

 

[CConn]

while he can be that guy, it's pretty clear that he doesn't want to be wb's feige because he doesn't want a shared universe.

Oh, I get you. He can be WB's godfather of superhero films like Feige, but he still won't want a shared universe.

 

[Boom]

I'd rather keep the solo films separate from one another. There's no need to throw in little winks and nods to Superman's existence in a Batman movie. When I see a Batman movie, I'm there to see a Batman story. When I see a Flash movie (God willing), I'm there for a Flash story. I've enjoyed the Marvel universe for the most part, but I admit that the SHIELD/Avengers subplots sometimes got in the way of the main characters' solo efforts.

But by the same token, there's nothing to suggest that these characters don't co-exist, so you could have these individual franchises and still have them come together in a Justice League movie. The connection just doesn't have to be as "in-your-face" as Marvel's strategy.

 

[Thundercrack85]

Um, the WB's mission is to make money. Not have bragging rights against Marvel. Expensive failures of Flash or WW and a 1 billion dollar Batman isn't equal.

I'm sure they'd love to have all the plates spinning but one Batman franchise that pours money into their pocket isn't anything to cry over.

DC has a number of titles which could be turned into successful film franchises. If you can only turn one into a successful film franchise, you are doing something very wrong.

Also, who goes into a film expecting it to be a failure? It's not that hard to make a successful film. It just requires an iota of competence.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

DC has a number of titles which could be turned into successful film franchises. If you can only turn one into a successful film franchise, you are doing something very wrong.

Also, who goes into a film expecting it to be a failure? It's not that hard to make a successful film. It just requires an iota of competence.

WB has a number of successful titles that could be film franchises outside of DC. When they want to, they can pull the trigger on DC and try another, but they don't have to.

This whole clamor for a shared universe is about competing with Marvel. Batman made a billion without it. So can any other DC mainstays.

 

[Boom]

Admittedly I haven't kept up with the Justice League for several years, but don't the superheroes come together on their own accord and organize themselves? There is no secret government agency like SHIELD pulling the strings and organizing the team?

SHIELD was really the connective tissue that tied the Marvel films together. For those wanting a shared DC universe, what would be the connective tissue?

 

[Thundercrack85]

It depends. But generally, yes.

Though ironically, I'm actually not a big fan of the idea of having a permanent superhero team. I just want a few crossovers. The powerful individual heroes forming a permanent team has always felt out of character to me. Extremely out of character for some heroes. Much rather have them work together to face a threat, and then go their separate ways.

The heroes have been interacting for more than half a century. Really, the agent is usually a large, common threat.

 

[jmc]

That's bad business then. The way WB has operated has done them very little good outside of Batman. It would be one thing if the formula had been particularly successful, but the only franchise they have going is Batman.

How is it bad business? WB is all about business, that's why they're never going to do some grand shared universe because it doesn't make financial sense to do so. What do you need Flash or Wonder Woman for if you've got Batman and Superman filling your 'superhero quota'? Dude, if any thing it's smart business. Does it suck from a DC perspective? **** yeah. Can you blame them for not wanting to go do Marvel's path? **** no.

 

[jmc]

Admittedly I haven't kept up with the Justice League for several years, but don't the superheroes come together on their own accord and organize themselves? There is no secret government agent like SHIELD pulling the strings and organizing the team?

SHIELD was really the connective tissue that tied the Marvel films together. For those wanting a shared DC universe, what would be the connective tissue?

It's not that big of an issue as Avengers showed.

 

[DoomsdayApex]

Preferably, I think solo films are the better route for WB. Flash and Wonder Woman adaptations would be far more beneficiary at this endeavor. They won't be too expensive to produce and they'll be solid cash cow replacements for Harry Potter and Nolan's Dark Knight.

Snyder's Man of Steel could prove to be a good stream of revenue as well. So, in the end, it works out perfectly for WB if they actually manage to hire outstanding talent in the writing and directing department.

 

[Thundercrack85]

How is it bad business? WB is all about business, that's why they're never going to do some grand shared universe because it doesn't make financial sense to do so. What do you need Flash or Wonder Woman for if you've got Batman and Superman filling your 'superhero quota'? Dude, if any thing it's smart business. Does it suck from a DC perspective? **** yeah. Can you blame them for not wanting to go do Marvel's path? **** no.

I'm not even talking about a shared universe per se (though that'd be nice). But the fact is, if you own properties like Wonder Woman, Aqua Man, Flash, or Justice League, etc, and you don't do anything with them period, you're wasting what could be huge film franchises. And that could be solo, or shared universe.

We're going to compare DC to Marvel, when Marvel is turning most of their titles into major franchises, and all DC has is Batman (and possibly Superman in the near future).

If you don't think a shared universe is a good investment, look at the Avengers. No, look at the Avenger's box office in a week from now.

 

[ЯɘvlveR]

WB will never have their own Fiege because the set up is completely different. I'll go so far to say that WB could care less about a shared universe and will be only interested in getting to a JL film. Anyone who thinks WB gives a damn about some grand superhero universe are kidding themselves, they're not in the business for superheroes alone and so the desire will never be there to ensure the shared universe concept works. The only way it happens is if they let DC comics have their own production company, which they won't. Nolan is right, keep the characters separate, frankly how WB operates means it's probably the better option anyway.

WB is in the business of making money and as of right now, superhero movies are big business (nolan aside) in spite of WB'S efforts.

 

[metaphysician]

The reason why they would want a shared universe, is because the shared universe provides bootstrapping for new franchises. Presumably WB does want some more series that make money, and using a shared universe to bootstrap them would help, if done right. You wouldn't need to sell a Flash or WW movie entirely on its own standing, but could market it as "the next chapter in the saga of the DCU" or whatnot. Use call forwards to build hype, and try and achieve some transfer between the movie fans of a successful franchise, and the new franchise.

All of these would be good things for DC, because it means they'd build more moneymaking franchises over time. I just don't know if WB is actually willing to put the effort into doing so.