DC Films The DC Studios News and Discussion Thread

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

Now we just need another article confirming Gal is actually staying as Wonder Woman. It's tradition at this point.

 

[The Batman]

Honestly, at this point, I only care about Reeves getting to finish his Batman saga and Superman getting at least one good film in the 21st Century.

Not only is the hype behind the Superhero film genre seemingly declining, but, IMO, DC isn't all that good at shared universes, and that includes the comics. Even the Timmverse had some problems.

All that to say, if a potential sale to Universal happens and affect or ends the DCU, I really don't mind as long as Superman Legacy completes filming and is actually a good film.

 

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

Honestly, at this point, I only care about Reeves getting to finish his Batman saga.

The Batman Saga
and
Batman: Caped Crusader

They are literally the only projects that are truly on my radar at the moment. Nothing else feels all that exciting (or sure footed).

 

[dhandler01]

View attachment 69668

Universal is a stupid bet. They're not gonna do this lol

Thar Universal runor has been around for a bit and it's always makes me laugh. Comcast isn't buying WBD and Variety pumping that is even more proof of it. There is just too much debt and a lot of conflicts. It works be a mess.

 

[OrbOfConfusion]

Joker 2 is also something I'd still like to see. Really, all the Elseworlds and non-shared universe stuff still excites me.

 

[Milk Tray Guy]

Joker 2 and The Batman 2 (and hopefully, TB3) are my big ones. If the other stuff goes on hiatus for a while then so be it. If Keaton had stayed I'd feel differently.

 

[SwordOfMorning]

There are some DCU projects I'm excited for but tbh at this point it shocks me when DC movies actually get made. I'm just assuming Legacy and whatever starts filming before it comes out are all that will happen.

 

[Vlyse]

I’m sad WW couldn’t get a trilogy and we probably won’t see her next movie until earliest 2028, probably 2030+ with state of things and the world.

The financial and critical bombs, the behind the scenes the drama, the corporate upheavals - it’s too much at this point. Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman can and should continue as separate franchises but let the DC universe at-large rest for at least 5 years.

 

[OrbOfConfusion]

Honestly, and this might be a cold take, but DC on film arguably could work better with more disconnected properties. Don't get me wrong. There are plenty of DCEU films that I do enjoy and the thrill of seeing characters together akin to what we got in the MCU is something I'll never regret, as I did enjoy BvS, ZSJL, The Suicide Squad, and so on. But mismanagement from Warners has fumbled the ball so many times. It's not exclusive to the DCEU. Look back to the fallout with Superman II. But with Superman, Batman, the Nolan trilogy, Joker, and even Watchmen to an extent- those all tell stories within their own world. Yeah, you've got the occasional Catwoman, but we don't talk about that movie. It's the same with TV shows like Gotham or the DC Universe/Max shows like Titans, Doom Patrol, Stargirl, and Swamp Thing. Regardless of your views, they focused on building their own worlds without needing connective tissue in a way that, say, the Marvel Netflix shows did tell their own stories within the larger context of the MCU.

Point is, we've seen that these properties can thrive when a creator just tells the story they want to tell without being shackled to a greater cinematic universe. I get that people want the team-ups. People like seeing characters they've grown up reading or watching on TV come together on the big screen. And I get that James Gunn wants all things DC under one silo, but that will still be a challenge and it might be better to just do more separate, unconnected projects. The most memorable DC films, I feel, aren't the ones that are part of a greater film universe the way that a lot of MCU films are. Not to say there aren't fantastic Marvel films outside of the MCU. There most definitely are. But I think DC could thrive if the studio just lets a director do their thing and not think about connecting it to something else or set up some other character. We just saw it sort of work with Blue Beetle. Yeah, that film was caught in the middle of regime shifts, but for the most part it told its own story that you could watch without really thinking about when Blue Beetle's going to face off with Cyborg or something.

 

[Invader Joker]

Honestly, and this might be a cold take, but DC on film arguably could work better with more disconnected properties. Don't get me wrong. There are plenty of DCEU films that I do enjoy and the thrill of seeing characters together akin to what we got in the MCU is something I'll never regret, as I did enjoy BvS, ZSJL, The Suicide Squad, and so on. But mismanagement from Warners has fumbled the ball so many times. It's not exclusive to the DCEU. Look back to the fallout with Superman II. But with Superman, Batman, the Nolan trilogy, Joker, and even Watchmen to an extent- those all tell stories within their own world. Yeah, you've got the occasional Catwoman, but we don't talk about that movie. It's the same with TV shows like Gotham or the DC Universe/Max shows like Titans, Doom Patrol, Stargirl, and Swamp Thing. Regardless of your views, they focused on building their own worlds without needing connective tissue in a way that, say, the Marvel Netflix shows did tell their own stories within the larger context of the MCU.

Point is, we've seen that these properties can thrive when a creator just tells the story they want to tell without being shackled to a greater cinematic universe. I get that people want the team-ups. People like seeing characters they've grown up reading or watching on TV come together on the big screen. And I get that James Gunn wants all things DC under one silo, but that will still be a challenge and it might be better to just do more separate, unconnected projects. The most memorable DC films, I feel, aren't the ones that are part of a greater film universe the way that a lot of MCU films are. Not to say there aren't fantastic Marvel films outside of the MCU. There most definitely are. But I think DC could thrive if the studio just lets a director do their thing and not think about connecting it to something else or set up some other character. We just saw it sort of work with Blue Beetle. Yeah, that film was caught in the middle of regime shifts, but for the most part it told its own story that you could watch without really thinking about when Blue Beetle's going to face off with Cyborg or something.

We'll know that when someone actually does a good job building a DC cinematic universe. The DCEU was the worst way to go about it, it's not really fair to judge potential on the concept based on that

 

[SwordOfMorning]

I am entirely convinced that no sprawling shared universe will ever work again. I think it was a pure flash in the pan thing with the MCU.

 

[WatchProtect]

I don’t see a reason shared universes can’t work. Marvel did it for years, Star Wars does it. I know some people are vehemently against it but the fact is we’re looking at Batman and MAYBE Superman films taking turns with Reboots if it doesn’t work this time, no Terrifics, no Lanterns, no Swamp Thing, No Flash and probably no Wonder Woman.

You don’t have to love every decision getting made but if you enjoy DC comics characters this is probably the best Chance you’re going to get in seeing them on screen, at least for the next 10-15 years. I’m 23 now so hopefully either way I’ll be here to enjoy it.

 

[emielaen]

So its clearly a reboot. The only meh news about this is Momoa as Lobo. I can't say I like that. He certainly doesn't need a solo film either.

 

[OrbOfConfusion]

We'll know that when someone actually does a good job building a DC cinematic universe. The DCEU was the worst way to go about it, it's not really fair to judge potential on the concept based on that

As long as Warners is at the head, that probably won't happen. It just feels that they're more likely to meddle. The DCEU went through how many folks at the head of Warner Bros? First Kevin Tsujihara, then the era of Walter Hamada and Toby Emmerich, then the brief era with Jason Kilar and Ann Sarnoff, and now here we are with Zaslav, with Gunn and Safran under him. The MCU at least benefitted from, for the most part, consistent leadership, whereas each new head at Warner Bros or figurehead looking at the DC side of things had a different idea than the creatives. That's not to absolve the creatives themselves. I'll admit to liking the early direction of the DCEU, even if others did not, but that plan continued to change with each new figurehead to the point that we almost had a Batgirl film...with Michael Keaton as Batman...but also JK Simmons as Commissioner Gordon...and and would come out before The Flash, which was supposed to explain how that even happened.

 

[Milk Tray Guy]

I think I've learned more about behind-the-scenes drama and what a total s**t-show film production can be by following WB/DC than I have from following any other brand!

 

[Filmfreak]

Don't get me started. While the larger conversation among our kind was 'This means Disney gets the X-Men and FF,' there's a plethora of Fox content that has either gone underutilized or, like you said, lost into oblivion. At least in the case of FX and FXX networks, or even (Fox) Searchlight, Disney seems to have left those largely alone without any sort of rebranding. But it's inevitable that when a company that owns a comic book IP is brought up for sale, that is going to dominate the conversation.

I mean if you think about it even the F4 and the X-Men will remain into the sidelines for years until we actually get to see them, but at least you know that they'll focus on them eventually (even if I don't expect much quality-wise). But yeah it's kind of like buying a whole restaurant to merge into a bigger one but only keeping two tables. Fans focused so much on the thing they kept and ignored how the vast majority of IPs and original movies pretty much got screwed.

 

[Frodo]

I personally have never been a fan of the idea of rebooting for the sake of creating a more, interconnected, and unified DC universe.

I've just never been one of those fans that have demanded a shared DC film universe.

But the studio has made its decision.

My hope is that these first establishing projects , at least , are pretty much stand alone story wise, even if they're ultimately part of a larger, interconnected, plan or narrative.

The focus first and foremost ,has to be the individual characters in their solo films and tv shows , not what other characters may be inhabiting the universe, off screen.

The audience has to care about these individual journeys first , before they care , that this version Superman, is in the same universe as The Authority or The Creature Commandos.

Once they care, then the idea that this Superman is in the same world as Swamp Thing and GL Corps , will make the audience interested, in what else is coming down the pike.

 

[emielaen]

Gunn has only ever said that the individual stories are more important than the interconnectedness for him. Nothing really suggests otherwise as of now. I don't think you'll have to watch CC to get or enjoy Legacy, for instance. The slate as is doesn't even really point to some major interconnectedness just yet.

 

[Frodo]

Gunn has only ever said that the individual stories are more important than the interconnectedness for him. Nothing really suggests otherwise as of now. I don't think you'll have to watch CC to get or enjoy Legacy, for instance. The slate as is doesn't even really point to some major interconnectedness just yet.

I haven't seen the actual film yet, so I can't judge the level of interconnectedness between this or other projects.

I can appreciate what he may have said , but at this point, I haven't seen a film or project, from his new DC to demonstrate his point, and ultimately, it's his final films I'm gonna form my opinion on, not what statements he may make before I see them.

Ultimately , I'm saying what my preference and hope is for these first projects.

At this point , I won't know what SL, or the other projects, will be like until I see them actually see them.

But , if they do end up going for , what I hope they do , I'll be thrilled .

 

[Mani-Man]

You can tell there came out something new, mostly weird speculation...because the usual rather whiny "Im not excited anymore for this that hasnt started or i have seen a second of it" and "Oh this will all be doomed....doomed i say" etc.
The usual stuff on repeat.

Like, the stuff is away 2 years, how about we wait and let it be built?
In 2 years we can still come back and cry doom and death.
But doing it 2 years before anything is even shot, is feeling kind of overly dramatic to me.

I let them cook the stew before i say its bad or so.

 

[Frodo]

You can tell there came out something new, mostly weird speculation...because the usual rather whiny "Im not excited anymore for this that hasnt started or i have seen a second of it" and "Oh this will all be doomed....doomed i say" etc.
The usual stuff on repeat.

Like, the stuff is away 2 years, how about we wait and let it be built?
In 2 years we can still come back and cry doom and death.
But doing it 2 years before anything is even shot, is feeling kind of overly dramatic to me.

I let them cook the stew before i say its bad or so.

That's why I'm not gonna doom, or praise, a film or tv series I haven't seen yet.

I'm certainly not gonna review a show or film I haven't seen yet, even if I may have reservations , or excitement, about this or that.

Reservations, or confidents aren't substitutes for actually seeing the final product and evaluating that.

I can say how I feel about Gunn's past work, which I've mostly liked.
That work is in the can.

But that doesn't mean I'll automatically like or dislike, this or that project , from the new DCU.
I've got to see it first.

That's why I'm not the type of fan to say " This is gonna be awesome!" or to say " This is gonna be terrible".


Siting here in 2023, I don't know how I'm gonna respond to the new DCU products in two or three years.

I may be the biggest defender, I may think they're alright, I may not like them, I may like some more than others etc.

I don't know.
I can't see into the future.

That's why, as tedious as it is, we'll just have to wait and see what the final result is .

 

[The Batman]

I understand complaining about people acting like a movie will suck before it actually comes out. I don't get complaining about people saying "I'm not excited for this" or "This might not end up actually happening".

And in my experience, the people who complain about posters being "doom and gloom" end up complaining about that whether something's been released or not.

For the better part of 20 years, and with few exceptions, WB/DC have consistently mucked up their wider superhero division. Numerous examples of films either sucking or straight up getting cancelled in the middle of development, with "Batgirl" being a recent and notorious example. We're in the middle of a particularly unsuccessful year for the film division, and WB may be sold again within 2 years, possibly resulting in yet another regime change.

Do I think some people live to complain about DC no matter what they do? Sure. But if I'm being honest, DC/WB lost the benefit of the doubt a long time ago. When WB/DC actually stops doing the "usual stuff on repeat", so will disgruntled fans.

 

[SwordOfMorning]

You can tell there came out something new, mostly weird speculation...because the usual rather whiny "Im not excited anymore for this that hasnt started or i have seen a second of it" and "Oh this will all be doomed....doomed i say" etc.
The usual stuff on repeat.

Like, the stuff is away 2 years, how about we wait and let it be built?
In 2 years we can still come back and cry doom and death.
But doing it 2 years before anything is even shot, is feeling kind of overly dramatic to me.

I let them cook the stew before i say its bad or so.

Studios that aren’t marvel attempting to launch shared universes and immediately face planting is such a common story in the industry that if you’re going to be discussing the launch of a new one it only makes sense to acknowledge, cynicism is a valid takeaway from this.

Look, I love Gunn. Gunn is much, much more talented than anyone else who has been in charge of a shared universe (a low bar, mind you, I’m not saying he’s a flawless God King who will bring salvation to DC) but these things don’t work. They’re unwieldy and messy on a fundamental level.

 

[Frodo]

I understand complaining about people acting like a movie will suck before it actually comes out. I don't get complaining about people saying "I'm not excited for this" or "This might not end up actually happening".

And in my experience, the people who complain about posters being "doom and gloom" end up complaining about that whether something's been released or not.

For the better part of 20 years, and with few exceptions, WB/DC have consistently mucked up their wider superhero division. Numerous examples of films either sucking or straight up getting cancelled in the middle of development, with "Batgirl" being a recent and notorious example. We're in the middle of a particularly unsuccessful year for the film division, and WB may be sold again within 2 years, possibly resulting in yet another regime change.

Do I think some people live to complain about DC no matter what they do? Sure. But if I'm being honest, DC/WB lost the benefit of the doubt a long time ago. When WB/DC actually stops doing the "usual stuff on repeat", so will disgruntled fans.

Yeah.
I separate someone expressing their lack of excitement for something from someone saying " the film will suck ".

Ultimately, excitement level is gonna be subjective anyway, and as a fan , I can't criticize another fan about not being as hyped about something, just because I am .

 

[SwordOfMorning]

For the record: I am cautiously excited for the DCU and also don't think anything will happen outside of the initial run of movies and shows that start filming before Legacy comes out.