After listening to James Gunn’s plans for the DC Universe, I can solely thank the superhero gods. This comedian e book universe has lingered someplace between “that’s awesome!” and “what the hell?” for ages. Projects had been greenlit and then abruptly canceled; entire movies had been shot and scrapped on the final second. Following Zack Snyder’s departure from the franchise, many inventive minds tried to steer the ship in varied instructions to no avail. Occasionally, a movie like Joker or The Batman would shock us all, adopted by one thing just like the terrible Wonder Woman 1984.
Luckily, new Warner Bros. hotshot David Zaslav stepped in and handed the reins to James Gunn. While my emotions about Gunn’s physique of labor are blended, I feel he’s the fitting man for the job. The man’s a visionary however understands the right way to join with basic audiences. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 stays one of many nice Marvel Cinematic Universe entries, whereas the current The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker TV collection had been distinctive and enjoyable of their respective manner.
Let’s break down why this imaginative and prescient for DCU Chapter 1 – Gods and Monsters is such a good transfer.
Superman: Legacy
It’s loopy to assume it’s been practically six years since we noticed Superman on the massive display screen, that tacky Black Adam cameo however. Our boy in blue has sat far too lengthy on the sidelines, regardless of Henry Cavill publicly stating his want to return to the position.
While I might’ve beloved to have seen Cavill reprise his tackle Superman, I get the necessity to go youthful. Plus, whereas I typically think about Man of Steel the de facto Superman epic, I’m all for a new tackle the character that’s extra consistent with the traditional Superman of outdated.
Why ought to we get excited? Read how Peter Safran described the character: “It’s not an origins story, it focuses on Superman’s balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. He’s the embodiment of truth, justice, and the American way, he’s kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old fashioned.”
Bryan Singer and Zack Snyder tried presenting a Superman who match extra inside our cynical fashionable-day society. Each supplied a distinctive interpretation, however even I’ll admit Superman Returns and Man of Steel lacked the hero’s adventurous spirit. So it’ll be attention-grabbing to see if Gunn can create an outdated-common hero relatable to modern audiences.
Now, is Gunn the fitting man to direct the mission? I’m undecided. Many (together with me) concern that he’ll apply the identical goofy Guardians of the Galaxy aesthetic to each DCU property. So let’s hope he can distinguish between Superman and Polka-Dot Man.
On prime of that, J.J. Abrams and Ta-Nehisi Coates’ untitled Black Superman mission remains to be in improvement, so we’ll get a lot of Superman quickly.
Batman
I’m glad we’re getting extra of Matt Reeves’ The Batman, as his unique movie arrange what could possibly be an engrossing franchise. Will folks develop uninterested in the Caped Crusader? Possibly. Bats will seem in varied kinds over the following a number of years by way of The Flash (with Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck), The Batman II (together with a Penguin TV collection), and Gunn’s deliberate The Brave and the Bold. The Dark Knight has a wealthy historical past for filmmakers to attract from, together with Grant Morrison’s well-known comedian e book run (which Gunn cited as a main affect). Still, there’s solely a lot you are able to do with a single character earlier than inevitably pairing him with Scooby-Doo.
The Brave and the Bold will toss Robin/Damian Wayne into the combination and introduce the Bat-family, which may be sufficient to entice audiences. We have but to see a Bat mission mix the weather of each huge display screen Batman — Christopher Nolan’s grounded realism, Snyder’s over-the-prime motion, Tim Burton’s gothic model, Reeves’ movie noir method, and Joel Schumacher’s campy tone — into a satisfying entire. Maybe The Brave and the Bold can lastly ship the right Dark Knight.
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
Here is one other mission I’m enthusiastic about, primarily as a result of Gunn describes it as a huge, science-fiction epic movie. Supergirl is “much more jaded,” which could possibly be enjoyable, particularly if she goes toe-to-toe together with her extra well-known cousin. Gunn plans to take cues from Tom King’s Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, which implies I’ve some comedian e book studying to do over the following a number of years. No phrase on whether or not Sasha Calle will proceed the position of Supergirl after the upcoming The Flash.
More Musings on the DCU’s Future
- I’m trying ahead to Waller. Despite not loving both Suicide Squad film, I loved Viola Davis as Amanda Waller, who’s complicated sufficient to hold her personal present. I think about this collection will give Gunn an excuse to play with much more eccentric villains.
- Gunn talked about how some animated initiatives would bleed into the stay-motion movies and seemingly function the identical solid. This is a nice transfer and proof that he’s constructing one thing particular and bold right here.
- Gunn’s ringing endorsement of The Flash (he calls it “one of the greatest superhero films ever made”) mirrors early reactions to the image. It have to be an impressive movie if Gunn makes use of it to launch the following slate of DC adventures. I’m dying to see it! Of course, there are additionally the Shazam! and Aquaman sequels, which can additionally result in new content material. Who actually is aware of at this level? At any price, I like that Gunn just isn’t throwing out the Snyderverse fully. In truth, Ezra Miller’s Flash could return in later movies together with Jason Momoa’s Aquaman. Apparently, the Wonder Woman prequel TV collection, Paradise Lost, leaves the door open for Gal Gadot to reprise her position. Does that imply Ben Affleck will return in some unspecified time in the future? How about Cavill, who Gunn believes was “dicked around” with by WB? So many questions.
- I actually dig the chapters idea. Plus, the subtitle “Gods and Monsters” simply sounds cool.
- The Lanterns TV collection sounds intriguing as hell. Hal Jordan and John Stewart roaming in regards to the galaxy like cops from True Detective investigating a terrifying thriller? Count me in, particularly because the collection will tie into the bigger narrative. Could we see the return of Darkseid (albeit in a completely different kind)?
- As an apart, I like how every mission has a distinct tone and model. Swamp Thing is a horror movie, Lanterns is a cop present like True Detective, and Superman is an journey. Not each hero needs to be brilliant and optimistic or darkish and brooding. There’s room for variance and what suits every property one of the best.
- Gunn was enthusiastic about The Authority, which he referred to as a “passion project.” This movie will seemingly permit Gunn to uncork his quirky model with out upsetting followers or altering the tone/model of a beforehand established hero. It’s bizarre to assume that an obscure superhero staff may find yourself as well-liked because the Guardians of the Galaxy within the subsequent ten years.
Final Thoughts
Finally, a very powerful tidbit from Gunn and Safran’s announcement was how they emphasised the necessity to produce high quality over amount. They plan to launch two movies and two TV reveals per yr however promise they gained’t put a mission into manufacturing with out a completed script:
“People have turn out to be beholden to [release] dates, to getting motion pictures made it doesn’t matter what. I’m a author at my coronary heart, and we’re not going to be making motion pictures earlier than the screenplay is completed.“
If DC needs to take over Marvel, that is the way in which to do it. Plus, it’s the right time to strike. The MCU has waned lately attributable to Kevin Feige’s insistence on producing so many motion pictures and TV reveals per yr. It’s overkill that has led to stale initiatives and far too many duds. If Gunn holds true to his promise, the DCU may slide in and take over the comedian e book film style the MCU has monopolized for over a decade. Maybe then, Marvel will get its act collectively and return to producing high quality content material for its followers to rally round. “A lot of people are thinking this is Marvel 2.0. It’s not,” Gunn mentioned. Good.
Discussion about this post