It looks like theDC Universe’s co-CEOs are taking the right approach with the new franchise after being candid about three DCU project setbacks, and I love to see it. The DCU will soon get underway in earnestwithSupermanin July, though it technically follows the first canon installment of the shared cinematic universe,Creature Commandos. As excitement mounts for the first live-action movie, prospective fans have been keeping their ears to the ground for updates regarding what comes next and how the franchise is shaping up over a year after theDCEU ended withAquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
In this regard, there has been a litany of positive developments. The DCU has proved that it will lean into fan demand by casting Jason Momoa as Lobo, one of the most in-demandcasting decisions in superhero moviehistory. The DCU has also proved that it is happy to take all the time needed when developing its projects, as evidenced by the fact thatSupermanwrapped principal photography a year before its release date, giving plenty of room for post-production. Then there is the attitude of the two figureheads, who recently imbued me with even more optimism.
James Gunn & Peter Safran Have Addressed Setbacks For 3 DC Universe Projects
The Co-CEOs Were Honest About Certain Stumbling Blocks
DC Studios recently held a press eventwhere co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran divulged details about the current state of the franchise. Some of the biggest reveals include confirmation that a Teen Titans movie is underway, Robert Pattinson will not be the DCU’s Batman, and that a second trailer forSupermanis en route. Short of adorning the press event with nothing but positives, however, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Gunn and Safran were happily candid about setbacks regarding threeupcoming DCU projects. RegardingBooster Gold,Waller,The Authority, andSwamp Thing, the Co-CEOs revealed:
James Gunn: “We have Booster Gold is going pretty strong. Waller has had a couple of setbacks, frankly, and Authority has had some issues, but everything else has gone pretty well.”
Peter Safran: “And then something like Swamp Thing, our writer director went off to make another little movie, complete Unknown, and we hope that he’ll come back to Swamp Thing when he’s ready, because again, that was one of those ones that we love him as a filmmaker, so we’re happy to wait for him. Swamp Thing is not integral to the larger story that we’re telling.”
The DC Studios co-CEOs were additionally honest about not yet receiving a script for Matt Reeves’The Batman - Part II, much to the chagrin of franchise fans.
Sure, this admission came amid a flurry of confirmations that arguably bigger projects likeBatman: The Brave and the Boldwere going strong, butit’s heartwarming to see the studio heads being honest. I can’t wait to see how the lesser-known characters comprising the Authority are adapted to the big screen with James Gunn at the helm, a movie-maker with a track record for skyrocketing the star power of obscure comic book characters, so I’m obviously concerned about what these setbacks mean. Nevertheless, I’m optimistic that their honesty heralds great things for the franchise.
Addressing DCU Setbacks Can Actually Help Build The Franchise Further
James Gunn And Peter Safran Are Building Trust
As we are often reminded, movie studios are not infallible. While there may often be a drive to shower a rocky production with positivity in public in an attempt to counterbalance the truth, we all suffer the consequences when that positivity is shown to be unfounded. Worse than that, however, isthe loss of trust that results from a fandom feeling lied to about the state of a movie and its quality, with theories and rumors thriving in a space mired by misinformation and whitewashing. From the jump, it looks like Gunn and Safran are getting ahead of this eventuality.
Being frank about setbacks flips the negative connotation on its head, allowing fans to feel better informed and, therefore, more forgiving.
Being honest to prospective audiences makes the cinematic franchise feel a lot more like a collaborative effort, where the filmmakers genuinely care about the audience’s interpretation of a situation.Building trust from the very foundation of the franchise heralds great things for the future of the DCU, as it is more likely to generate a sense of loyalty and camaraderie with the bosses who are publicly fans of the IP as well. Being frank about setbacks flips the negative connotation on its head, allowing fans to feel better informed and, therefore, more forgiving.
We Can All Manage Our Expectations
I would obviously prefer to hear thatWallerandThe Authorityare going as strong as the other projects in the DCU’s upcoming lineup. While I’m as excited as the next Batman fan to learn thatThe Brave and the Boldis coming alongnicely, I might be more excited about lesser-known characters and the possibility of them becoming the new foremost DC characters as a result of one stellar movie. To that point, however,I would much rather the studio take its time when developing the project to ensure it’s the best it can be.
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Knowing that these projects are going to take a little longer to be released is somewhat relieving. Instead of agonizing over when, if at all, a project will hit the big screen (I’m looking at you,Blade), it allows us all to manage expectations appropriately. Ultimately, I have to hand it to James Gunn and Peter Safran for their candor and for exhibiting respect towards the upcomingDCUfandom months before it has even properly launched.
