DC Films The DC Studios News and Discussion Thread

[AndrewGilkison]

“He has yet to turn in a full script but what we’ve read so far is incredibly encouraging”

Huh?

Apparently Reeves writing style is that he works on every scene until its where he wants it to be, instead of doing multiple drafts, so he's basically giving Gunn and Safran the script in pieces.

 

[TheVileOne]

I think the Authority is meant to be a counterpoint to heroes like Superman and Batman. They have a very specific role within the DCU. I think that is why the development of it is on the back-burner. They don't have a DCU Batman established yet, and Superman hasn't come out yet. I think Gunn wants to have the "traditional" superheroes like Batman, Superman, the Green Lanterns (and maybe Wonder Woman at some point?) and the darker, grittier get their hands filthy anti-heroes as a contrast, and have those two things conflict. But you need to have the foundation set up first.

Then making a Clayface movie makes even less sense. It should be a Batman movie where he has to face Clayface, and Clayface is still a sympathetic character.

 

[emc5466]

Gunn doesn’t want to say who the new writer or director is on Brave and the Bold because it’s him, imo.

 

[TheVileOne]

Apparently Reeves writing style is that he works on every scene until its where he wants it to be, instead of doing multiple drafts, so he's basically giving Gunn and Safran the script in pieces.

That sounds ridiculous and idiotic. He should do it in acts then. A scene can be as short as one page or half a page. What it sounds like is that Reeves doesn't know what to do right now and has no idea where to take the story after the first film.

 

[TheVileOne]

I think the Authority is meant to be a counterpoint to heroes like Superman and Batman. They have a very specific role within the DCU. I think that is why the development of it is on the back-burner. They don't have a DCU Batman established yet, and Superman hasn't come out yet. I think Gunn wants to have the "traditional" superheroes like Batman, Superman, the Green Lanterns (and maybe Wonder Woman at some point?) and the darker, grittier get their hands filthy anti-heroes as a contrast, and have those two things conflict. But you need to have the foundation set up first.

The Authority were basically a satire of the Justice League. They were basically Wild Storm's version of The Seven from The Boys. Having them in your new DC Universe makes no sense. It's a bad idea.

Also, they were created by Warren Ellis.

I get having a counterpoint to heroes like Superman. Like these guys are the scumbags. These guys are more like Homelander while Superman is someone who is genuinely good and what a superhero should aspire to be. But DC already has characters like that they can use, like The Elite. The Elite were DC's answer to The Authority. What's So Funny About Truth, Justice & the American Way was also a response to edgier comic book superhero stories and where Superman fits in with such characters. Superman basically shows them he could be like them but he isn't. He shows how easy it would be for him to be the edgelord but he's not that guy.

 

[AndrewGilkison]

Then making a Clayface movie makes even less sense. It should be a Batman movie where he has to face Clayface, and Clayface is still a sympathetic character.

The Clayface movie is only happening because a creative pitched it to Gunn and then wrote a script for it that Gunn and Safran really liked.

That sounds ridiculous and idiotic. He should do it in acts then. A scene can be as short as one page or half a page. What it sounds like is that Reeves doesn't know what to do right now and has no idea where to take the story after the first film.

Apparently Reeves used this same process on every movie he wrote the script for. Its just his script writing process (I am talking about the actual writing part, not the planning of story or deciding the direction). He's being extra slow with it now because he's apparently going through personal stuff. Hope that clarifies.

 

[emielaen]

An unfinished script usually still has a ton of script in it lol I can see him tinkering with it up until the day they start shooting. The bulk of it is certainly done. He doesn't have to present it and get it green lit or anything. It's already a go.

But I can see Gunn getting a co-story or even writing credit on BatB. Idk about directing though.

 

[TheVileOne]

Based on what though

1. Warren Ellis created them.
2. They are an edgy satire of more mainstream superheroes, basically like The Seven in The Boys
3. They aren't a good way to push and establish your new DC Universe and get across that real aspirational heroes exist.
4. They aren't a good grassroots team to build a franchise around.
5. Aren't they like the villains of the Superman movie?
6. The Elite would be better suited for this role. The Elite were DC Comics' answer to the edgier age of superhero comics and why Superman refuses to be more like them.
7. I have absolutely no interest in a Waller series. She's not a compelling character you can build an entire series around. If you have Waller, you need things like Checkmate, Task Force X, etc.

 

[TheVileOne]

The Clayface movie is only happening because a creative pitched it to Gunn and then wrote a script for it that Gunn and Safran really liked.



Apparently Reeves used this same process on every movie he wrote the script for. Its just his script writing process (I am talking about the actual writing part, not the planning of story or deciding the direction). He's being extra slow with it now because he's apparently going through personal stuff. Hope that clarifies.

I can't imagine writing a script that way and still not getting any rewrites whatsoever. I don't think it's possible. Sometimes principal production issues demand rewrites, and post-production as well.

 

[TheGDBatman]

Then making a Clayface movie makes even less sense. It should be a Batman movie where he has to face Clayface, and Clayface is still a sympathetic character.

Because Flanagan turned in a script that is apparently quite good. My assumption would be that it doesn't require Batman in the story. Clayface: One Bad Day would be the template for this.

That sounds ridiculous and idiotic. He should do it in acts then. A scene can be as short as one page or half a page. What it sounds like is that Reeves doesn't know what to do right now and has no idea where to take the story after the first film.

Quick, someone get TheVileOne Matt Reeves' email address. THEY HAVE THE ANSWERS MATT'S BEEN LOOKING FOR!!!

 

[TheVileOne]

Because Flanagan turned in a script that is apparently quite good. My assumption would be that it doesn't require Batman in the story. Clayface: One Bad Day would be the template for this.



Quick, someone get TheVileOne Matt Reeves' email address. THEY HAVE THE ANSWERS MATT'S BEEN LOOKING FOR!!!

They should. I'd be open to it.

 

[dhandler01]

1. Warren Ellis created them.
2. They are an edgy satire of more mainstream superheroes, basically like The Seven in The Boys
3. They aren't a good way to push and establish your new DC Universe and get across that real aspirational heroes exist.
4. They aren't a good grassroots team to build a franchise around.
5. Aren't they like the villains of the Superman movie?
6. The Elite would be better suited for this role. The Elite were DC Comics' answer to the edgier age of superhero comics and why Superman refuses to be more like them.
7. I have absolutely no interest in a Waller series. She's not a compelling character you can build an entire series around. If you have Waller, you need things like Checkmate, Task Force X, etc.

So not only do you know how to write better than Matt Reeves but you also know exactly why characters shouldn't be used in a story you don't know better than the people making it?

Riiiight...

 

[TheVileOne]

So not only do you know how to write better than Matt Reeves but you also know exactly why characters shouldn't be used in a story you don't know better than the people making it?

Riiiight...

Why? They never make mistakes and get it wrong? Look at the DCEU. Look at Batman v Superman. Hundreds of millions of dollars spent and wasted.

Also, even though they announced an Authority movie well before they should have, they are now struggling to figure out how to make it. Announcing that slate in early 2023 was a gigantic mistake. I stand by that.

 

[emc5466]

The weird thing is Matt Reeves didn’t write the Apes films. He didn’t write Cloverfield either. He’s not really a screenwriter.

 

[flickchick85]

The weird thing is Matt Reeves didn’t write the Apes films. He didn’t write Cloverfield either. He’s not really a screenwriter.

He wrote Let Me In, co-wrote War for the Planet of the Apes, co-wrote The Batman, co-created and wrote for two television shows and is a credited writer on 4 other films. He is absolutely a screenwriter.

 

[TheVileOne]

It didn't take him this long to write the Planet of the Apes films.

 

[Mysteryman]

He wrote Let Me In, co-wrote War for the Planet of the Apes, co-wrote The Batman, co-created and wrote for two television shows and is a credited writer on 4 other films. He is absolutely a screenwriter.

I really liked, LET ME IN.

 

[flickchick85]

I really liked, LET ME IN.

Same, one of my favorite remakes ever.

 

[Mysteryman]

Same, one of my favorite remakes ever.

I didn’t know that Reeves wrote LET ME IN.
That info upgrades my opinion of, Reeves as a writer.

 

[donuts]

Just a reminder that Matt Reeves has vaguely confirmed the last time he appeared in public that he's been struggling with personal issues, aside from being a slow writer.

It's something people keep forgetting, and that instead should put the "I'm pissed that it's taking so long" talk to rest.

And I applaud the studio for sticking with the man, and not just yanking the movie from him because they want to hit a certain date.

 

[B]

1.) He did the best he could with what he had.
2.) The major problem with that movie was Miller. Double Miller to be exact.
3.) He played the ''good soldier'' for WB during post-production and promotion.
4.) They wanted to keep him sweet for the upcoming ''Welcome to Derry'' show.

He's still an asset. No need to embarrass him. It will definitely segue into ''scheduling conflicts'' territory soon enough.

Nobody forced him to take on the project, he could have easily said no if he wasn't confident he could make a cohesive film & succeed with what he had.

He's not the first, nor will he be the last director to experience studio interference, delays and/or general adversity when making a film. If you're going to take the plaudits when you deal with some or all of those sorts of issues & succeed, then you need to be prepared to take the criticism when you don't.

 

[Babillygunn]

I have absolutely no interest in a Waller series. She's not a compelling character you can build an entire series around. If you have Waller, you need things like Checkmate, Task Force X, etc.

Agreed. Amanda Waller isn’t a very compelling lead character in general. The recent Absolute Power crossover event in the comics proved as much. Not even a prolific writer like Mark Waid could make that story readable. And at the core of it all was Waller, whose motivations have never really been reasonable or interesting.

 

[donuts]

7. I have absolutely no interest in a Waller series. She's not a compelling character you can build an entire series around. If you have Waller, you need things like Checkmate, Task Force X, etc.

Uhm, what makes you think that they aren't planning to have Checkmate in the Waller series?

 

[emc5466]

Bloomberg reports WBD CEO David Zaslav is beginning to lose patience with film chiefs Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy. Both were called into a meeting a few months ago with Zaslav in which he screamed at them for the failure of Joker 2. Zaslav is also reportedly worried about the entire 2025 slate.

De Luca and Abdy’s contracts expire next year and the report heavily suggests they will not be renewed.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-26/warner-bros-movie-studio-spends-big-on-mickey-17-joker-sequel

 

[Milk Tray Guy]

Zaslav is also reportedly worried about the entire 2025 slate.

Oh Lord, that doesn't sound good.