Geoff Johns Weighs In On The Reasons For No Shared DC Cinematic/Television Universe

Geoff Johns Weighs In On The Reasons For No Shared DC Cinematic/Television Universe

DC Comics Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns explains the decision to keep their television projects separate from the movies or even each other, while Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. executive producer Maurissa Tancharoen weighs in with a very different opinion on being part of a shared universe...

By JoshWilding - Sep 17, 2014 10:09 AM EST
Filed Under: Arrow
Source: Variety

A very interesting piece over at Variety looks at all of the new and returning comic book TV shows which are heading our way this Fall, and after addressing how Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. didn't really find its feet until a crossover with Captain America: The Winter Soldier, executive producer Maurissa Tancharoen would go on to talk about how being part of a shared universe is both "a blessing and a curse," adding: "The fact that it is one universe means that when something occurs on our show or a character makes a turn, it ripples through the entire universe, which gives it much more weight. It adds the seal of approval of all those other cinematic franchises."

Of course, we all know that shows like Arrow and The Flash aren't set in the same world as Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, while the fact that Constantine and Gotham are airing on different networks is a good sign that they too won't be connected. Why is this the case? "We want to give freedom to creators… so that they can take their passion [and make] the best show, the best film, the best game without having to tie it into other things," Geoff Johns told the site.  As for why he beleives their shows find such success, he said it all comes down to sticking to the source material, "Yes, it’s got to be adapted and expanded, whether it goes from TV to comics or comics to film, but the DNA of it is always true." Who do you agree with? 
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HAILHYDRA
HAILHYDRA - 9/17/2014, 10:58 AM
I get what he's saying about keeping movies and TV separate but idk why there has to be like 5 different continuities just on TV.
MidNightWind
MidNightWind - 9/17/2014, 10:58 AM
Geoff Johns has a point. Everybody is giving Marvel a hard time because they sometimes ignore what goes on in their shared universe, no one wasn't even talking about the president getting kidnapped, nor was their no mention of trouble in London. You think with everything happening in this universe you think people would be more alert after New York.
HAILHYDRA
HAILHYDRA - 9/17/2014, 10:59 AM
@dudeguyman I don't know how have multiple universes necessarily means more money. Care to elaborate?
GizmoEl
GizmoEl - 9/17/2014, 11:00 AM
If they want the creators to have creative control then why restrict them with what characters they can and cannot mention/introduce?

I think it boils down to the fact that they don't have a plan set. I hope that doesn't mean the shows don't suffer once they do formulate a plan for their DCCU
Brainiac13
Brainiac13 - 9/17/2014, 11:00 AM
I'm happy that it's not connected!
COREY6487
COREY6487 - 9/17/2014, 11:01 AM
whoa... we still need to get a shared dc universe... just cause they announced dates doesnt mean they are making the movies. only takes one fail... we still dont even know if the rock is in this universe...

and do people seriously want arrow instead of green arrow? nah... flash costume also sucks.

keep em separate...
HAILHYDRA
HAILHYDRA - 9/17/2014, 11:01 AM
I'm really beginning to think that DC stands for Different Continuities.
Desrow
Desrow - 9/17/2014, 11:02 AM
"We want to give freedom to creators… so that they can take their passion [and make] the best show, the best film, the best game without having to tie it into other things"

ekrolo2
ekrolo2 - 9/17/2014, 11:03 AM
@HAILHYDRA

Well, the multiverse is what its famous for along with legacy characters so you might not be wrong there.
SKOne
SKOne - 9/17/2014, 11:06 AM
I don't care if they are connected, but I don't like them holding back characters because have projects in development that will never happen (Harley Quinn, Blue Beetle and Vandal Savage for Smallville).
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 9/17/2014, 11:07 AM
The difference is, with SHIELD, Marvel aren't using any major superheroes and casting mediocre/no-name actors in the roles...DC/WB are with their tv projects. Keep em separate...please!
ekrolo2
ekrolo2 - 9/17/2014, 11:07 AM
@DaneMendieta

You do realize these properties are essentially different universes not unlike how Ultimate is a different universe to 616 right?
DaVinci31
DaVinci31 - 9/17/2014, 11:07 AM
"I'm really beginning to think that DC stands for Different Continuities."

Crawler
Crawler - 9/17/2014, 11:08 AM
"We want to give freedom to creators… so that they can take their passion [and make] the best show, the best film, the best game without having to tie it into other things,"

Your move, comics.

I think it's a good idea. We can enjoy the shows without worrying about continuity of other media. Why is that such a bad thing? Wouldn't it be great if you could pick up an issue of Captain America and know what the hell was going on without having to read the last 200 issues?
GarthRanzz
GarthRanzz - 9/17/2014, 11:08 AM
Can someone explain why a shared universe important? Never understood this.
jwmatlock
jwmatlock - 9/17/2014, 11:13 AM
I like them separate, but then just don't withhold characters either from creators if they are indeed separate.
JorL5150
JorL5150 - 9/17/2014, 11:13 AM
I honestly don't care.

The DC TV series is digging deep into the "who's who" and that's really cool.

There 3 marvel universes on film and it seems to be ok.
ALegendaryPanda
ALegendaryPanda - 9/17/2014, 11:13 AM
Whiney fanboys everywhere!!
CherryBomb
CherryBomb - 9/17/2014, 11:13 AM
Perfect. It hasn't worked well for AOS so why would they wanna do it?
nuclearpriest
nuclearpriest - 9/17/2014, 11:14 AM
"As for why he believes their shows find such success..."

Because they air on the CW where a 0.5 rating is considered good enough for renewal. Now that Constantine is playing on one of the big 3, lets see how DC fares.
ekrolo2
ekrolo2 - 9/17/2014, 11:14 AM
@DaneMendieta

Okay then let me use a better example then, lets say MCU is the main Marvel universe of films, the FOX and Sony are separate continuities to it or "universes" which is basically whats going on with the DC stuff. At least that's how I consider it anyway.

While I can understand wanting the superhero stuff being canon to the DCCU, Sandman, Lucifer, Constantine, Preacher and all those other Vertigo properties should be seperate imo.
cipher
cipher - 9/17/2014, 11:14 AM
Dane, mate.. I'm curious- what's that in your avatar?
Pasto
Pasto - 9/17/2014, 11:15 AM
How did Jim Lee "ruin" DC?

By making kick-ass art?
yossarian
yossarian - 9/17/2014, 11:17 AM
I'm still pissed that the Empty Nest and Golden Palace were canceled before really expanding the Golden Girls Shared Universe.

GGSU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DEVLIN712
DEVLIN712 - 9/17/2014, 11:18 AM
Ror said it best. Besides, I'm happy to let the TV franchises play out on their own, Johns is right in my eyes, makes sense for the shows.
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