Despite the success of projects like Peacemaker and Creature Commandos, the new DCU is still largely a blank slate. Co-headed by James Gunn and Peter Safran, the newly-minted DC Studios has spent the last few years working towards introducing (and reintroducing) some of the superhero genre’s biggest names, setting the stage for a DC revival after the tumultuous run of the ill-fated DC Extended Universe that dominated headlines throughout the 2010s and early 2020s. Given its predecessor’s wildly inconsistent quality, fans are bound to be anxious about the DCU’s next incarnation of characters as iconic as Batman and the newly announced Wonder Woman, but thankfully, recent news suggests Gunn and the creative side of DC Studios are kicking off their new continuity on the right foot after all.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Gunn provided an update on the current state of DC Studios ahead of Superman‘s upcoming release this July, ultimately disclosing enough new information on what’s going on behind the scenes to keep even the most jaded superhero fan encouraged. The sit-down is educational for several reasons, not in the least because it provides insight into Gunn’s creative development and explores how he approached the Man of Steel’s next big-screen outing, but mostly because the conversation details DC Studios’ refreshing approach to its film releases. Specifically, Gunn admits that the studio recently shelved a movie because the script simply wasn’t where they wanted it to be, illustrating how the DCU is making a welcome contrast to its main competitor in the industry, the MCU.
The DCU’s Canceled Films Bode Well for the Future of DC Studios’ Franchise Strategy
While it may sound like common sense to cancel a film when said film doesn’t have a sound script behind it, Gunn also comes out and says what many fans have undoubtedly suspected over the last several years—Hollywood is not adhering to responsible filmmaking practices. Not even close. Instead, Gunn places the decline in the film industry at the feet of those who seemingly prioritize their end product rather than the creative process, lamenting the fact that many “people are making movies without a finished screenplay.” This oversight is what gave rise to Gunn’s rule that only films with finished screenplays can be green-lit within the DCU, which ultimately led to the cancellation of the as-yet unnamed project and reiterates Gunn’s dedication to scripts that tell compelling stories.
On the one hand, it’s easy to be disappointed by the news of DC’s latest cancellation. Despite its flaws, the film’s story probably would have resonated with some comic-connected audiences, and it would have been ideal for the DCU to hit the cinematic scene with as many hits as possible. That said, the decision-making process behind the film’s cancellation proves that DC Studios’ priorities are in the proper place, and that the DCU is focusing on quality over quantity in a refreshing departure from the age of streaming’s oversaturated film landscape. If recent history has taught audiences anything, it’s that having the cinematic world at your fingertips isn’t the same as enjoying memorable movies, so Gunn’s remarks offer hope that the DCU will be different. Or, at the very least, mark a memorable improvement to the quality of superhero projects released throughout the early 2020s.
James Gunn’s Cancellation Policy Marks a Major Improvement to the MCU
One of the reasons this shift in superhero film releases is so welcome is because the past few years have been so difficult, specifically as a result of the MCU’s frenzied attempts to flood the world with content back at the beginning of the 2020s. As Gunn’s interview and a recent Wall Street Journal article both acknowledge, Marvel’s questionable strategy stemmed from a desire to satisfy its parent company, Disney, and provide the newly-launched Disney+ streaming service with content. In reality, however, the move diluted the MCU’s creative resources, stretched its focus, and resulted in a string of misses that have made the latest MCU phases feel disorganized and confusing. Projects like Secret Invasion, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Thor: Love and Thunder, and others have all felt rushed rather than creative, highlighting the pitfalls of a short-sighted release strategy.
What makes Gunn’s DCU different is that, according to him, DC Studios isn’t buckling under the pressure to adhere to a set number of projects per year or being weaponized to boost corporate interests. Instead, the minds behind the next stage of DC filmmaking get to set their own standards for superhero storytelling, which should ensure that DC’s greatest heroes at least receive the proper time to prepare for their next cinematic debuts. Of course, such creative control doesn’t guarantee that every upcoming DC film is going to be a hit, but with the proper time and resources to develop characters like Supergirl and the Green Lantern Corps, at least there are fewer forces working against the successful releases of future DCU projects.
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DC Studios’ Approach to Storytelling Offers a Ray of Hope for a Struggling Genre
While prominent voices behind the MCU, such as Marvel Studios co-president Louis D’Esposito, have admitted that the franchise will alter its strategy after a series of underwhelming box office performances, the DCU nevertheless feels like a better step in the right direction. Unlike the MCU, which is in dire need of a course correction leading up to the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday, the DCU is already proving that it has what it takes to deliver the next generation of formative superhero stories. By learning from the MCU’s mistake of stretching itself too thin on an overwhelming number of projects, Gunn’s comments confirm that DC Studios is taking its time to release films that resonate with viewers, teasing a hopeful future for a set of heroes who have struggled to impress audiences in recent Hollywood history.
With Sony’s Spider-Man-Universe shutting down last year due to a similar attempt to spawn a large-scale franchise rather than focusing on self-contained films of high quality, DC Studios’ approach to its characters couldn’t have come at a better time. While Thunderbolts*‘ mature handling of its misfit heroes delivered a surprisingly relatable team-up film, recent superhero installments have largely felt flat and predictable. For every Deadpool & Wolverine we’ve received, we’ve also gotten an Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania or Captain America: Brave New World, undermining the momentum behind what was once a novel and inspiring film genre. With Gunn’s recent remarks and the promising shape of the DCU, however, it’s looking more likely than ever that superhero stories are about to experience a return to their rightful form, ironically making Gunn the real man of the genre’s hopeful tomorrow.
