TheDC Universeis set to repeat a big early mistake of the DCEU, but this time, it could pay off for the franchise. Since witnessing theending of theSupermanmovie, the attention of audiences has turned to the future of the DCU.Superman’s DC Easter eggswere a factor in this, with the franchise now in full swing.
In terms ofupcoming DC movies, many are wondering where the Man of Steel is set to appear next. TheDCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monstershas plenty of opportunities for this, yet it seems DC Studios chief James Gunn has already solidified the franchise’s next Superman appearance.
Gunn has confirmed that he is currently writing another DCU movie, which he also intends to direct. When quizzed about this recently,Gunn gave an interesting answer that raised some similarities between the DCU and the DCEU. Specifically, the former seems to be emulating the latter’s early mistakes, though this time in a way that could be a springboard for success.
The DCU’s Next Superman Movie Is Similar To The DCEU’s Batman v Superman
Superman’s Next Movie Is Not A Direct Sequel
The similarity between the DCU and the DCEU is that the former’s nextSupermanmovie will not be solely about Superman. Gunn recently appeared on theHappy Sad Confusedpodcast and somewhat clarified this. When asked about his caginess over whether or not the script he is currently writing is a directSupermansequel, Gunn simply made a few noises to indicate it both is and is not.
Gunn goes on to say that it is"totally fair to say" that the script heavily involves Superman, and that “Superman is very important” to the upcoming movie. Interestingly, this brings the second installment in theDCEU’s movie timelineto mind:Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
AfterMan of Steelintroduced Henry Cavill as the DCEU’s Superman, his next appearance came inBatman v Superman.This movie was just as focused on Bruce Wayne as it was Clark Kent, all while setting up other members of the franchise’s eventualJustice Leaguemovie. In some ways, Gunn’s next DCU movie shares attributes withBatman v Superman.
Based on Gunn’s comments, the story will seemingly be split between Superman and either one other character, or several other DCU heroes…
The main one is that the film, whatever it may be, is not strictly a Superman movie. The film will include the character, but David Corenswet’s Superman does not seem to be the sole focus. This is exactly likeBatman v Superman, which included Cavill’s Superman, despite focusing on many other characters, too.
Based on Gunn’s comments, the story of the mysterious upcoming DCU movie will seemingly be split between Superman and either one other character, or several other DCU heroes. Despite Gunn’s insistence that it is notBatman v Supermanor World’s Finest, the idea of Superman being one of many characters in focus could replicate an early DCEU mistake.
Batman v Superman Was The Start Of The DCEU’s Downfall
As The Film Was Too Unfocused
The mistake in question was howBatman v Supermanbegan the DCEU’s downfall. It did this by focusing far too much on setting up future stories, thus underserving several DCEU characters in the process. Superman and Batman were just two of these characters, with others being The Flash, Aquaman, Cyborg, and Wonder Woman.
None of these characters got individual focus in the DCEU before coming together in 2017’sJustice League, making each hero feel underwritten.Zack Snyder’s Justice Leaguefixed some of these issues, but even if that version of the film had been released in 2017, it likely would have felt too soon given the lack of character work for its central heroes.
Beyond that,Batman v Supermanresulted in Zack Snyder leaving DC, causing a creative split in the franchise. From then on, the DCEU did not know if it wanted to be a continuation of Snyder’s universe, a series of mostly standalone stories with differing tones, or a completely rebooted superhero franchise.
The DCEU became fractured, withBatman v Supermannow being considered the beginning of the endfor the franchise. For these reasons, it can be retroactively said that the DCEU made a big mistake in rushing intoBatman v SupermanandJustice Leaguewithout first fleshing out the former’s two titular characters and their allies from the latter.
I Have Faith That The DCU Will Repeat The DCEU’s Early Format Without The Same Mistakes
The Signs Are Better For The DCU
With all that being said, I think the DCU can take the DCEU’s flawed format and implement it in a much better way. The first reason as to why I think this is that the concept ofBatman v Supermanworks on paper. Having a compelling movie about two distinct DC heroes to flesh out a wider universe makes sense.
It was simply the rushed execution ofBatman v Superman, the hasty introduction of Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg, and the subsequent scramble toJustice Leaguethat rendered the 2016 film’s concept a mistake. If the DCU can do a similar movie, one in which Superman appears yet is not the sole main character, in a better way, the franchise could really benefit from it.
When Gunn was asked aboutSuperman 2onThreads, he replied,“Define Superman 2,“further indicating that other characters will play prominent roles in his next DCU film.
After all, havingCorenswet’s Superman appear in another DC moviein which other characters are also a focus goes a long way to making the DCU feel like an interconnected universe. Also, Gunn has made it clear that future set-up comes secondary to the script at hand in any DCU project, meaning he will not fill the upcoming movie with rushed teases for a team-up movie.
If Gunn’s next DCU movie does include characters like Batman or Wonder Woman, there is also no worry about repeating the DCEU by rushing intoJustice Leaguewithout these characters being fleshed out first. Projects likeThe Brave and the Boldand the DCU’sWonder Womanmovie will avoid this, both of which will happen before a big team-up project.
Overall, I am convinced the DCU will avoid the DCEU’s early mistakes as the former has a much clearer creative vision and direction. The DCEU did under Zack Snyder, butBatman v Supermanfractured that. With this in mind, I have faith that theDC Universecan repeat the DCEU’s early format, only without the mistakes that undid the latter franchise.
