On January 30, James Gunn and Peter Safran, the new architects of the DC Universe in movie and tv, introduced the first ten initiatives for the brand-new DC Studios. There had been loads of hypothesis main as much as this announcement, given DC’s deep catalog of characters and their constant failure to, um, make great things with them.
Some of the bulletins are unsurprising; some are thrilling; some are baffling. So I’m right here to interrupt down “Gods and Monsters,” a.okay.a. “the first part of Chapter 1 of the DCU” into three classes: the Good, the Bad, and the Bizarre. (Actually, “the first part of Chapter 1 of the DCU” goes into “bizarre.” This is ten motion pictures and TV reveals! How lengthy are these chapters??)
Two issues to notice earlier than we get began:
1. This doesn’t have an effect on initiatives exterior of the core DCU, reminiscent of this 12 months’s Shazam!, Flash, and Aquaman motion pictures; the sequels to The Batman and Joker; or the Ta-Nehisi Coates-penned/J.J. Abrams-produced Superman film that’s nonetheless in improvement.
2. I’d, uh, take all of this with a grain of salt, contemplating that is the third main overhaul of DC’s technique since 2014, and loads of these characters have had initiatives introduced and canceled already, some a number of instances.
The Good
Superman: Legacy:
Slated for July 11, 2025, this movie will kick off the DCU, however it’s going to not be an origin story. Honestly, I’m simply glad they’re making one other try at Superman, given how badly they’ve flubbed him in the previous and how little Hollywood appears to love or perceive the character. And I like that Safran referred to as Superman “kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old-fashioned.” I’m undecided Gunn’s cynical strategy to screenwriting will seize Clark Kent’s earnestness, however I’m selecting to be cautiously optimistic right here.
The Authority:
I’m not tremendous aware of the Authority, however their edgy, “not your grandma’s superheroes” vibe ought to translate very effectively to what we often find yourself getting out of WB. It’s a sensible alternative to select heroes that match their most popular tone to start with, reasonably than their traditional strategy of destroying my beloved heroes earlier than my eyes. Also, Apollo and Midnighter are a few of the most groundbreaking queer characters in comics, and it will be nice to see them headline a film. Come on, WB! You can lastly beat Marvel to the punch on one thing!
The Brave and the Bold:
A Batman and Robin film! Robin is lastly returning to the large display screen! And it’s Damian Wayne, Batman’s spoiled, murderous little nugget of a son! I really like Damian to items and can not wait to see this nightmare child terrorizing Gotham with a sword. *blows him a kiss*
Waller:
Sorry, Peacemaker followers, however Season 2 has been placed on maintain whereas Gunn writes Superman: Legacy. In the meantime, we’re getting this spinoff, with Viola Davis reprising her position from varied Suicide Squad-related initiatives as the cruel shadow authorities agent Amanda Waller. I don’t love the DCEU’s tackle Waller — I want the old style comics model of her as ruthless however not actively evil — however Davis is in fact a powerhouse so this could nonetheless be a enjoyable watch.
Booster Gold:
This is the film I’d be most excited for if I had any religion it will truly get made. Time-traveling showboater Booster Gold is one in every of my all-time favourite characters, and his grandstanding narcissism is ideal for Gunn’s model of humor. My solely hesitation is that WB has been promising us some type of Booster Gold mission since 2011, and none have materialized. Still, miracles can occur! We are lastly getting a Blue Beetle film, in any case.
The Bad
Supergirl: The Woman of Tomorrow:
The latest miniseries this shall be based mostly on is an train in bleakness, ignoring sixty years of canon in favor of a Supergirl who’s a depressing, indignant drunk. Gunn excitedly described this tackle Supergirl as “hardcore,” “harsh,” and “fucked up.” You know, the character created particularly to enchantment to little women. Who most likely received’t be capable of see this film, because it’ll have too excessive of a ranking, however who cares? Some grown males will lastly discover Supergirl worthwhile!
Supergirl is my absolute favourite superhero, and but I discover myself praying that this film by no means will get made and ruins the public notion of her for many years. DC actually canceled a Supergirl film lower than a 12 months in the past, so there’s hope!
Paradise Lost:
This prequel TV present shall be set on Themyscira earlier than Wonder Woman is born. Safran describes it as “Game of Thrones-ish,” and Gunn says it’s going to expose the “ugly truths” behind the island. You know, simply in case I wanted extra of a motive to not need to see two dudes’ tackle a utopian feminist fantasy. I imply, there’s lacking the level, and then there’s no matter that is.
The Bizarre
Swamp Thing:
He’s a man! He’s a swamp! He’s each! Honestly, Swamp Thing is an excellent attention-grabbing character and a horror tackle him makes whole sense, however this movie has to go in the weird part as a result of…he’s Swamp Thing. Fun reality! DC canceled the 2019 Swamp Thing present lower than two months after it premiered, so lord solely is aware of how far this film will get.
Lanterns:
The Green Lantern franchise is difficult — so tough that WB canceled a deliberate present simply final 12 months! First of all, there are ten, rely ‘em, ten Earth-based Lanterns to choose from when picking a protagonist, and Lantern fans have historically been extremely not normal about their faves. Second, do you tell a regular superhero movie, or a space opera? The 2011 film starring Ryan Reynolds tried to have it both ways, and failed miserably. Gunn and Safran have decided to eschew both approaches, and instead are going for something closer to…True Detective? Uh, okay. Pairing up Hal Jordan and John Stewart as buddy cops is a smart move that will likely quiet most of the arguments over Which Green Lantern Deserves A Movie, but this premise seems to imply that Hal Jordan has a brain, and I’ve been laughing about that since I first learn the announcement.
Creature Commandos:
And for the final in bonkers, we have now this staff, that includes Universal movie-style monsters — a Frankenstein! a vampire! a werewolf! a gorgon! — becoming a member of the navy and happening secret missions. It’s the form of gleefully foolish idea comics do greatest, and translating it to animation is impressed. Way to assume exterior the field on this one, Gunn and Safran.
Which of those are you most enthusiastic about? Or will DC quietly cancel 80% of them, then wipe the slate clear once more three years from now with one other grand plan? Let us know your ideas on social media!
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