Can the DCU Outshine the Failed DCEU?

By August Tales

Witnessing the success of Disney’s MCU, Warner Bros., holder of DC Comics characters, yearned to ride the franchise wave. They formed the original DCEU, armed with star power and high hopes. Still, the venture was struck down before its time due to a series of ill-conceived decisions.

Initially under Zack Snyder’s leadership, the helm of DCEU was passed to James Gunn when chaos ensued. This Marvel veteran resolved to start afresh. He conceived a new universe christened ‘Gods and Monsters,’ set to launch soon.

Shifting gears into 2022, now three years deep, where do we rest with the DCEU? This report weaves a tale of Gunn and DC Studios’ endeavors and explores the imminent DC Universe’s potential.

In the Ashes of the Old, the New DC Universe Rises

Despite several releases under Gunn’s and Safran’s regime at DC, none officially christened the advent of the official DCU. Titles like Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom or Blue Beetle belong under the retired DCEU banner. Meanwhile, The Batman and Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie à Deux were outsiders.

The only exception being Gunn’s Suicide Squad and follow-up Peacemaker, but they barely skim the surface of what’s yet to come. Infusing life into Gunn’s lore is his inaugural DCU phase, ‘Gods and Monsters.’

Where Are The Gods And Monsters?

Three years spent erecting a universe, but seemingly no world to witness. A troubling perception, surely. Gunn keeps fans on tenterhooks with unresolved casting sailor plots, but the stage remains bare. Bearing witness to the first major DCU project is still more than half a year away.

If Superman, the DCU’s resident debutant slated for a July 2025 release, fails to perform, Gunn’s three-year labor could collapse. The subsequent timeline includes Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow and five unnamed projects.

Several television spin-offs exist but will merely supplement the main narrative arc.

Plucking Characters From The Margins

Gunn’s ambitious campaign came led with surprise announcements, including a surprising Bane/Deathstroke solo movie before fans even meet the DCU’s Batman. It’s a potential problem mirroring Marvel’s infamous misstep—too much content, too soon.

The approach of relying on fringe characters like Peacemaker raises eyebrows. While these aren’t poor characters, they aren’t the main draw. Imagine an MCU launching with Ms. Marvel, Hawkeye, and Ant-Man ahead of Iron-Man, Thor, and Captain America.

With Batman in The Brave and the Bold, fans are yet to learn where star characters like Wonder Woman, The Flash, and Aquaman fit into the picture—a disheartening reality for fans eager to journey with their favorite heroes.

Can The New DC Universe Shine?

Regrettably, Gunn is caught in a time crunch. With pressure mounting to deliver quality content quicker, the odds don’t warm towards his favor. Yet, hope prevails that with Superman’s debut, expectations will begin to align, and DC’s heroes will bask in a new, brighter dawn.

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