DC Films The DC Studios News and Discussion Thread

[kguillou]

There is so much pressure on Superman Legacy now that it has me worried. It cant be a safe, generic superhero movie, this thing has to kick ASS. It needs to be special and have some kind of unique hook thats going to make people outside of our geek bubble wanna rush to theaters to see it outside of it being a Superman movie where he fights villain X.

 

[flickchick85]

Why has Christina Hodson seemingly become the defacto screenwriter for DC? Has she had any big successes thus far?

Bumblebee and Birds of Prey were great. Looking outside the box office, it's obvious there's talent there, imo. I'd even argue the screenplay for The Flash was the least of its problems, which is a miracle unto itself given all the various permutations it went through BTS. Her screenplays have real, beating hearts. In the Hollywood blockbuster franchise system, that's something you hold onto.

Also, regarding Gunn & Safran "not attracting big talent" to the other projects, Dial of Destiny was a disappointment, but let's not pretend James Mangold wasn't a big get. These two were just getting started on their universe when the strikes started. It's waaaaay too early to judge what kind of talent they're bringing to the table when deals can't even be made right now.

 

[J.Drangal]

There is so much pressure on Superman Legacy now that it has me worried. It cant be a safe, generic superhero movie, this thing has to kick ASS. It needs to be special and have some kind of unique hook thats going to make people outside of our geek bubble wanna rush to theaters to see it outside of it being a Superman movie where he fights villain X.

Absolutely.

And in my opinion, Gunn's comments about creating a new aesthetic for this movie also go in that direction. He knows and says that too many films are alike in the genre, and so that we kind of forgot that there are other ways of doing this (and fortunately because personally, I pretty much dropped the thing out back in 2016-2017).
It will be good to surprise the audience again, but also to show his fellow directors that there is still/again room for creativity/freedom in CBM.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Another note though, reading back through during this recent spout of news always shows how incredibly reactionary some of us can get lol

There's a prequel to WW that was announced months before this 2-day no-thing and it will undoubtedly setup Diana. Gunn also talked about a WW animated project, so she isn't getting shelved either. But the Gal situation will blow ever in a week like everything else while certain circles of the internet act upset about it. By the time casting rumors for the future WW come around, the anticipation will blot out old Gal sympathy. I see plenty of people glad WW3 isn't happening anyway. If they can live through the nothing-ass Cavill bull**** and come out smelling like roses with perfect casting, they'll be fine here.

He hasn't said anything about a WW animated series besides he'd want to get one made.

People cry about Superman and how he hasn't had a solo movie in 5 years, too many guest stars in Legacy, he isn't depicted good so if they can cry about that, People have more reason to be upset about lack of Diana

 

[flickchick85]

He hasn't said anything about a WW animated series besides he'd want to get one made.

People cry about Superman and how he hasn't had a solo movie in 5 years, too many guest stars in Legacy, he isn't depicted good so if they can cry about that, People have more reason to be upset about lack of Diana

Twelve years. It will be 12 years between solo Supes movies. And the one we got in 2013 was terrible and basically kicked off a new dark age for Supes fans, and it was following an incredibly disappointing movie 7 years before that. If we go even 10 years without a solo Diana movie, I'll cry about that too. But we just saw her in 2 movies this year. Her first solo 6 years ago was an all-time winner. I loved WW84 and that was only 3 years ago. She simply hasn't been absent long enough for me to miss yet. Supes is currently on the upswing thanks to television, and with any luck, Legacy could be his first winning cinematic outing in decades. Yes, I'm still mad about Patty and her WW3, but Diana's not faring that badly in recent times. Aside from her post WW84 movie appearances, she's got her own video game coming likely next year, and if Paradise Lost is indeed based on Historia, her world could be getting one hell of an awesome primer on TV. I'm quite confident her cinematic reboot won't be far behind at all...if Gunn & Safran's universe survives past 2025, that is. But she's hardly being forgotten or cast aside here.

She doesn't get the same treatment as Batman and Superman, it's true, but the Trinity has never been balanced on that front, unfortunately. At least she has it better than most of the other main League-rs. Sucks being a Martian Manhunter fan most, honestly.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Twelve years. It will be 12 years between solo Supes movies. And the one we got in 2013 was terrible and basically kicked off a new dark age for Supes fans, and it was following an incredibly disappointing movie 7 years before that. If we go even 10 years without a solo Diana movie, I'll cry about that too. But we just saw her in 2 movies this year. Her first solo 6 years ago was an all-time winner. I loved WW84 and that was only 3 years ago. She simply hasn't been absent long enough for me to miss yet. Supes is currently on the upswing thanks to television, and with any luck, Legacy could be his first winning cinematic outing in decades. Yes, I'm still mad about Patty and her WW3, but Diana's not faring that badly in recent times. Aside from her post WW84 movie appearances, she's got her own video game coming likely next year, and if Paradise Lost is indeed based on Historia, her world could be getting one hell of an awesome primer on TV. I'm quite confident her cinematic reboot won't be far behind at all...if Gunn & Safran's universe survives past 2025, that is. But she's hardly being forgotten or cast aside here.

She doesn't get the same treatment as Batman and Superman, it's true, but the Trinity has never been balanced on that front, unfortunately. At least she has it better than most of the other main League-rs. Sucks being a Martian Manhunter fan most, honestly.

Superman has never been absent to be missed.

We had 10 years of Smallville with Superman Returns along with it - followed by Man of Steel, followed by BvS followed by JL followed by him appearing in Supergirl followed by Superman and Lois.

So 12 years between a solo movie is nothing to be remotely sad about when he's still around as the main character in other mediums.

Right now alone he has Legacy. Superman and Lois. Adventures of Superman. What does WW have? A little cameo in 2 movies since 2020?

WW can be stand to be absent a little when she has more going on for her beyond 2 solo films.

 

[MadVillainy]

Huh.

Sarcasm based on a previous user's statement

 

[Invader Joker]

I honestly think they don't have anyone else...
Granted, Gunn has only been in place for 6 months at head of DC Studios and it takes time to build teams, etc. And it also takes time to "evacuate the residues" of the old regime. But I still can't shake the feeling that there's not much going on behind the curtain. Or at least, not as much as there should be.

There is a writer's strike. Of course there's nothing behind the curtain.

 

[emielaen]

Sarcasm based on a previous user's statement

Haha ok ok I thought so

 

[FunkMiller]

There is a writer's strike. Of course there's nothing behind the curtain.

Which, frankly, can only be a good thing for the future of DC on film, given that A) the people involved should be paid fairly for their contribution and B) because the delay might provide slightly more sensible strategies from WB, instead of the usual headless chicken stuff we've had from them for a decade. For instance, I hope the time off and the inevitable flops of Blue Beetle and Aquaman 2 will convince Gunn that he needs a 100% fresh start.

 

[emielaen]

I honestly think they don't have anyone else...

They have a writers room/brain trust tho

It cant be a safe, generic superhero movie

Gunn has yet to do this, especially w his DC work. Not much suggests we’re now getting something safe and generic. I don’t even expect CC to fall into that lol

He hasn't said anything about a WW animated series besides he'd want to get one made.

People cry about Superman and how he hasn't had a solo movie in 5 years, too many guest stars in Legacy, he isn't depicted good so if they can cry about that, People have more reason to be upset about lack of Diana

He said it was one of the first things he talked about in his new position. I’m just saying, that’s the opposite of these “they’re shelving the character for a decade now” takes lol

I understand being upset about it. That’s perfectly fine. The certain circles comment was in jest. But like flickchick said, it’s been damn near 15 years for Superman. WW deserves her spot in the sun again, but if they wanna reboot without leaving a sour taste in peoples mouths, leaving some time in between while building anticipation w Paradise Lost could pay off well if they’re patient

 

[Invader Joker]

Which, frankly, can only be a good thing for the future of DC on film, given that A) the people involved should be paid fairly for their contribution and B) because the delay might provide slightly more sensible strategies from WB, instead of the usual headless chicken stuff we've had from them for a decade. For instance, I hope the time off and the inevitable flops of Blue Beetle and Aquaman 2 will convince Gunn that he needs a 100% fresh start.

He's too commited to the Waller show. I think the chances of a 100% reboot are dead especially because all the remnants of the previous universe are gonna be relegated to streaming anyway which nullifies the risks.

 

[emielaen]

I hope the time off and the inevitable flops of Blue Beetle and Aquaman 2 will convince Gunn that he needs a 100% fresh start

They’re definitely starting fresh outside of the maybe 8 actors Gunn will keep bc he cast them or wrote for them. There may already be more new faces in Legacy then those staying for Waller or Peacemaker.

Blue Beetle would be simple enough to incorporate or leave behind. That’s like the least of their worries imo. & Momoa seems like the most play ball actor ever so he may just fall in line.

 

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

Isn't Momoa sweet either way?

Aquaman 2 bombs - The franchise is scrapped and he takes on the recurring role of Lobo.
Aquaman 2 succeeds - He gets to continue playing a ''different'' version of the character in the new DCU.

He really lucked out during this transition.

 

[kguillou]

What do you guys think would have realistically happened if the Flash did well? Like made 700-800m? Do you think that would have directly impacted their plans for Gal?

 

[Primal Slayer]

He said it was one of the first things he talked about in his new position. I’m just saying, that’s the opposite of these “they’re shelving the character for a decade now” takes lol

I understand being upset about it. That’s perfectly fine. The certain circles comment was in jest. But like flickchick said, it’s been damn near 15 years for Superman. WW deserves her spot in the sun again, but if they wanna reboot without leaving a sour taste in peoples mouths, leaving some time in between while building anticipation w Paradise Lost could pay off well if they’re patient

talking the talk is not walking the walking so until he announces a WW animated series, its a mute point.

15 damn years for Superman? Dude has had 6 live action films, countless tv shows and his current one is going into s4 so there is no 15 years imo.

Superman has a show he stars in. WW gets a prequel show that will likely predate her.

We need to get out of this "potentially playing well for her" when there's nothing to show getting us something sooner would be a detriment to her. Especially since it hasn't been 15 years since Superman has been on the big screen. We want to count her cameos...dude was just in Black Adam.

 

[dhandler01]

WB / DC has been one drama or another going back to the 90s.

It's just that fans are more aware of the sausage making now, than they were in the infancy of the internet.

Also, the DC film fanbase is divided, and that's not gonna go away anytime soon.

What the studio has to do, is produce good films which connect with fans, GA , and critics , and then you'll see less of the monthly outrages from fandom.

Gunn is not gonna please everyone, of course, but ultimately , winning and success, will put alot of the jitters and DC fan anxieties at ease.

But that ain't gonna happen this year .

While that is true, that isn't what happened here. This was a bunch of fans latching on to a story that was blatantly not true and backed up by no sources except the actress who had ulterior motives and then when it was proven untrue those same fans think it makes Gunn and DC look bad because they fell for a story that was blatantly untrue! The only one who looks bad here is Gal because she was caught completely making crap up...

This is a mass scale version of the type of freakout Eh Maybe had after he was duped on the BvS fake script. He knew it was BS, the author came out and admitted it, but Eh Maybe needed to save face so he doubled down and then blamed WB for what happened and said it was a black eye on them...no its a black eye on you nimrod. There was never any there there but people around here worked themselves into a tizzy over it. Then, predictably, it is proven to be BS and now those same fans are pretending it is somehow WBs and Gunn's fault they fell for a rumor that never made sense in the first place?

I mean think about it...all of this started not because some insider hinted they heard Gal had chatted with Gunn or they spontaneously started following each other on some platform (which is dubious but still) but because Gal Gadot gave an interview to comicbook.com and gave vague details about a talk she had at some point in the past about WW3 with Gunn and Saffron. Then Gunn didn't confirm (something he usually does ASAP) and there was no hinting at corroboration from any source at any of the trades or clickbait sites. It was all smoke and mirrors hoping to goose her Netflix numbers a bit and maybe get a movement to have her return as Wonder Woman. (cause that worked out well for Cavill) At least when Affleck pulled this move he was still technically supposed to make The Batman. Gal, outside of Flash, has nothing to do with anything DC related anymore and certainly was never in the running to be in the prequel series from anything we have heard.

If there wasn't a strike, this never happens.

 

[kguillou]

While that is true, that isn't what happened here. This was a bunch of fans latching on to a story that was blatantly not true and backed up by no sources except the actress who had ulterior motives and then when it was proven untrue those same fans think it makes Gunn and DC look bad because they fell for a story that was blatantly untrue! The only one who looks bad here is Gal because she was caught completely making crap up...

This is a mass scale version of the type of freakout Eh Maybe had after he was duped on the BvS fake script. He knew it was BS, the author came out and admitted it, but Eh Maybe needed to save face so he doubled down and then blamed WB for what happened and said it was a black eye on them...no its a black eye on you nimrod. There was never any there there but people around here worked themselves into a tizzy over it. Then, predictably, it is proven to be BS and now those same fans are pretending it is somehow WBs and Gunn's fault they fell for a rumor that never made sense in the first place?

I mean think about it...all of this started not because some insider hinted they heard Gal had chatted with Gunn or they spontaneously started following each other on some platform (which is dubious but still) but because Gal Gadot gave an interview to comicbook.com and gave vague details about a talk she had at some point in the past about WW3 with Gunn and Saffron. Then Gunn didn't confirm (something he usually does ASAP) and there was no hinting at corroboration from any source at any of the trades or clickbait sites. It was all smoke and mirrors hoping to goose her Netflix numbers a bit and maybe get a movement to have her return as Wonder Woman. (cause that worked out well for Cavill) At least when Affleck pulled this move he was still technically supposed to make The Batman. Gal, outside of Flash, has nothing to do with anything DC related anymore and certainly was never in the running to be in the prequel series from anything we have heard.

If there wasn't a strike, this never happens.

Gal was definitely making a power move, there's no doubt. But I also dont think Gunn ever gave her a straight answer like he did with Henry as to whether she had a future and i think he probably did gas her head up a little and give her vague, ambiguous promises of "working together" in the future. Typical studio head talk. So Gal latched onto that and used it. And to be fair, if I were her i would want to know "am i in or am i out already?" So she played a hand and gambled.

 

[dhandler01]

Also, regarding Gunn & Safran "not attracting big talent" to the other projects, Dial of Destiny was a disappointment, but let's not pretend James Mangold wasn't a big get. These two were just getting started on their universe when the strikes started. It's waaaaay too early to judge what kind of talent they're bringing to the table when deals can't even be made right now.

Seriously...even if they had stuff lined up announcing now is stupid. Notice no one really seemed to get all hyped up about Donald Glover doing the Lando series because production will be months if not YEARS away. Sure it made headlines...but it was swallowed up by the strike. (it probably doesn't help that Glover's Lando was friggin trash)

Even without a strike I am not sure how much you can put in place in 6 months that will move a needle for the fans. Big splashy announcements only go so far, the nuts and bolts stuff no one cares about are way more important and is the stuff you don't see in a Variety article. Actors can't speak, writers can't speak and well no one wants to hear from Directors right now so what exactly is everyone expecting to hear and see? Gunn, while management, is also in the WGA so he is hamstrung. (and he won't risk crossing the picketline cause the WGA will oust him for life) Even if he has a bevy of stuff ready to go he can't really talk about any of it.

Fans are projecting their anger and frustrations with the strikes onto Gunn and DC because things were just getting rolling when it hit. Bad timing...

 

[Frodo]

While that is true, that isn't what happened here. This was a bunch of fans latching on to a story that was blatantly not true and backed up by no sources except the actress who had ulterior motives and then when it was proven untrue those same fans think it makes Gunn and DC look bad because they fell for a story that was blatantly untrue! The only one who looks bad here is Gal because she was caught completely making crap up...

This is a mass scale version of the type of freakout Eh Maybe had after he was duped on the BvS fake script. He knew it was BS, the author came out and admitted it, but Eh Maybe needed to save face so he doubled down and then blamed WB for what happened and said it was a black eye on them...no its a black eye on you nimrod. There was never any there there but people around here worked themselves into a tizzy over it. Then, predictably, it is proven to be BS and now those same fans are pretending it is somehow WBs and Gunn's fault they fell for a rumor that never made sense in the first place?

I mean think about it...all of this started not because some insider hinted they heard Gal had chatted with Gunn or they spontaneously started following each other on some platform (which is dubious but still) but because Gal Gadot gave an interview to comicbook.com and gave vague details about a talk she had at some point in the past about WW3 with Gunn and Saffron. Then Gunn didn't confirm (something he usually does ASAP) and there was no hinting at corroboration from any source at any of the trades or clickbait sites. It was all smoke and mirrors hoping to goose her Netflix numbers a bit and maybe get a movement to have her return as Wonder Woman. (cause that worked out well for Cavill) At least when Affleck pulled this move he was still technically supposed to make The Batman. Gal, outside of Flash, has nothing to do with anything DC related anymore and certainly was never in the running to be in the prequel series from anything we have heard.

If there wasn't a strike, this never happens.

I think you and I are discussing two different things.

You're explanation is about what caused this particular freak out.
Which I don't disagree with.

What my post was meant to address more broadly ( which I could have made more clearer granted) was more the state of fandom in general ,with regards to fans reactions to alot of the behind the scenes politics and dynamics that happened all the time in Hollywood .

My first point was that, basically, that alot of this back and forth stuff with WB and their DC properties has happened for a a couple decades now, even going back to BF.

It's just that alot more fans are aware of it, and get more invested in it than back in the day.

My second point is , that DC fandom in general, is divided ,and alot of fans have jitters, and anxiety to begin with , given the state of DC films ,which means they're more likely to be triggered by things like rumors, statements, alleged plot ideas ,etc.

I wasn't diagnosing this specific instance of fan freak out they way you did.
So I'm not debating your analysis.

Truthfully , while I do find these constant fan freakouts more tiresome than I did in the past, I pretty much know it comes with the territory when we're talking about fandom.

I know that in a weeks time, or more, fans are gonna forget all about the past couple weeks, and move onto something else.

And once Gunn is able to show his work, so to speak , and new films come out, which are hopefully, good, no one's gonna remember or care that much about a bunch a fans screaming on the internet about Gadot and WB insiders statements.

 

[dhandler01]

Gal was definitely making a power move, there's no doubt. But I also dont think Gunn ever gave her a straight answer like he did with Henry as to whether she had a future and i think he probably did gas her head up a little and give her vague, ambiguous promises of "working together" in the future. Typical studio head talk. So Gal latched onto that and used it. And to be fair, if I were her i would want to know "am i in or am i out already?" So she played a hand and gambled.

I am sure he was 100% honest with her, and probably does want to work with her on projects. WW3 was never that project though especially after they planned to do a prequel series. There is a place for her still, just not as Diana. At this point she should be looking to expand her horizons...look at the power Margot Robbie has! Gal could be a smaller version of that.

She took advantage of a dead news cycle and good for her. She knew she was full of it but she also knew by the time the story was debunked she would have a few days trending and that is important. Truth is since WW84 she hasn't exactly been killing it PR wise. Death on the Nile flopped, her latest Diana cameos were in 2 massive bombs for DC and well, no one cares about Netflix films really. She needed some solid headlines and goodwill because her next project won't be out until at least next year when she is in another adaptation of Snow White. (lord only knows when Cleopatra will happen if ever) She took a shot and it worked. More people know about her Netflix film now than did before so A+ for the viral marketing.

 

[Black Narcissus]

You might be onto something with Jennifer Kent, if only because the genre sensibilities of horror directors sometimes translate well to bigger budget films (not always though). As for the rest...

Lynne Ramsay said in an interview the only comic characters she's interested in are the really dark ones like the Joker and Batman so the chances that she'd be interested on Wonder Woman are pretty much zero.

Marielle Heller and Sarah Polley have done nothing but reaaally small, low-budget intimate dramas or comedies. Either of those would be pretty much an exact representation of the CODA director scene from Barry.

And Julia has genuinely zero chance of ever being interested on doing a Wonder Woman movie, let alone one in a cinematic universe. She'd probably be offended if offered lol

Sorry, but I don't believe for a second that you are familiar with any of the directors I've listed. Much less ever seen their work. Not one bit. Nice google research tho. I see right through it all, bald man.

 

[Invader Joker]

Sorry, but I don't believe for a second that you are familiar with any of the directors I've listed. Much less ever seen their work. Not one bit. Nice google research tho. I see right through it all, bald man.

Doesn't change any of the points I mentioned.

 

[Predator jp]

the general audiences don't know anything about all of this so it really doesn't matter. until the first trailer hits, the movie does not exist for the general audiences.

 

[Frodo]

the general audiences don't know anything about all of this so it really doesn't matter. until the first trailer hits, the movie does not exist for the general audiences.

Basically, and fans themselves aren't even gonna be talking about all this weeks drama by the time the first trailer comes.

This weeks particular ,drama was a brief tempus , in a small teapot. .