It was one other tumultuous week on the DC Universe – however the tumult seems to be coming to an finish. A new path is being solid, and folks appear to know the place the trail is going.
Taking to Twitter Wednesday evening, new DC Studios co-chair James Gunn launched a terse however earth shaking sequence of announcements, together with the tip of Henry Cavill’s run as Superman.
Peter & I’ve a DC slate able to go, which we couldn’t be extra over-the-moon about; we’ll be capable of share some thrilling details about our first tasks firstly of the new yr. Among these on the slate is Superman. In the preliminary phases, our story will be specializing in an earlier a part of Superman’s life, so the character will not be performed by Henry Cavill. But we simply had a nice assembly with Henry and we’re massive followers and we talked about a variety of thrilling prospects to work collectively sooner or later.
In subsequent tweets Gunn revealed that Ben Affleck has met with them about directing a movie, and guaranteed followers that this Young Superman story would not be an origin story.
Cavill confirmed his departure in his personal simultaneous Instagram submit:
“I have just had a meeting with James Gunn and Peter Safran and it’s sad news, everyone,” he wrote. “I will, after all, not be returning as Superman. After being told by the studio to announce my return back in October, prior to their hire, this news isn’t the easiest, but that’s life. The changing of the guard is something that happens. I respect that. James and Peter have a universe to build. I wish them and all involved with the new universe the best of luck, and the happiest of fortunes.”
Earlier within the week, Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins posted her personal gracious tackle the information she wouldn’t be returning for Wonder Woman 3:
— Patty Jenkins (@PattyJenks) December 14, 2022
When there began being backlash about WW3 not taking place, the enticing clickbait false story that it was me that killed it or walked away began to unfold. This is merely not true. I by no means walked away. I used to be open to contemplating something requested of me. It was my understanding there was nothing I may do to maneuver something ahead right now. DC is clearly buried in adjustments they’re having to make, so I perceive these choices are troublesome proper now.
I do not need what has been a lovely journey with WW to land on unfavorable observe. I’ve beloved and been so honored to be the one that bought to make these final two Wonder Woman movies. She is an unimaginable character. Living in and round her values makes one a higher individual every single day. I want her and her legacy a tremendous future forward, with or with out me.
The ever out there Gunn tweeted in reply “I can attest that all of Peter and my interactions with you were only pleasant and professional.”
Reading between the strains right here, it wouldn’t be stunning to see the complete Snyder-era forged for the JLA being retired, though the destiny of Gal Gadot hasn’t been straight addressed and there are nonetheless motion pictures starring Zachary Levi, Jason Momoa and Ezra Miller within the can and set to be launched in 2023.
Warners has lengthy needed Gunn to deal with a Superman movie. In 2018, after Gunn departed Marvel Studios for DC when he was quickly fired from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, then-Warners studio boss Toby Emmerich pushed for Gunn to tackle Superman. Gunn opted to write down and direct The Suicide Squad as a substitute. That movie additionally paved the way in which for Peacemaker, the HBO Max spinoff starring John Cena, and gave Gunn a style of worldbuilding within the DC universe.
Still, Superman has lengthy been a favourite of Gunn, who has been enthusiastic about this new movie since his early days at DC 4 years in the past. Over the weekend, Gunn marked the anniversary of the 1978 movie by Richard Donner, sharing the poster and reminiscing about seeing it in theaters in Missouri as a little one. Wrote the filmmaker and exec: “I loved it and it rivaled Star Wars for me. And the score blew my mind.”
Still, because the information broke, Snyder-istas started to ship a nice wail into the Internet, with the commonest chorus being that they don’t need a Superman movie that’s similar to Peacemaker – the HBO Max sequence that Gunn wrote and directed that spun out of The Suicide Squad movie which he additionally wrote and directed.
Peacemaker was certainly a singular and wonderful piece of labor, nevertheless it was very totally different from, say, Guardians of the Galaxy, so I personally believe that Gunn can write a totally different character for Superman.
I think that there is additionally garment rending happening within the Dwayne Johnson camp. Johnson and Cavill share an agent – Johnson’s ex-wife Dany Garcia – and Johnson’s lengthy dream of his personal share of the DC universe appears to have been washed away by the new regime as effectively. You’ve bought to really feel for him – Johnson first announced he needed to play Black Adam all the way in which again in 2008, and it actually was a ardour challenge for him.
At any price, Gunn and Safran are cleansing up the colourful litter left by a decade of WB waffling and retrenching, and the studio’s very long time coverage of permitting numerous highly effective fiefdoms to compete on the lot. The new group truly appears to be doing what the lengthy awaited, lengthy dreamed of Messiah/DCU Feige was prophesied to do: making a long run plan that unfolds logically and with intent involving DC’s hottest and beloved characters. Now, will all of it be clean crusing with the debt-ridden studio and its “Let’s take a writedown!” head, David Zaslav? Probably not, however let’s benefit from the honeymoon.
As for Cavill…, he was a nice Superman. He had the superhuman look edged with empathy for human beings, good chemistry with Amy Adam’s Lois Lane, and Snyder made him appear like one thing greater than mortal. The Snyder/Tsujihara period could have been messy, however there have been good moments in there, enjoyable motion pictures.
And don’t cry for Cavill – regardless of additionally giving up his Witcher franchise, I’m positive he’ll be signed as much as some large new challenge very quickly. He’s a star.
But a new period dawns. Can’t wait to listen to extra about it!
Discussion about this post