We have witnessed this week an almost complete dismantling by Warner Brothers Discovery senior leadership of the diversity-centric launch of a new generation of DC superheroes. Per press, the black, female and Latino-led projects are being axed, including not only Batgirl, but also Supergirl, Blue Beetle, Zantana, Black Canary and the Black Superman project. This is a huge step backward for all diversity creators and those of us in industry championing these propositions. It is also a tremendous discouragement and bad message to the millions of kids and fans out there hoping to see a major superhero more like them on the screen. For an even more damming respective be sure to read what Bloomberg had to say about Discovery’s track record on diversity.
Those of us in the entertainment business, we know they have to make a lot of money to please stockholders and sometime hard decisions have to be made. But for many of us who are fans of DC and HBO Max content, this feels wrong on many levels.
A few years ago, Discovery CEO David Zaslav expressed grief over the deep racial chasm in the country and promised to use his platform for change, to use the company's "portfolio of channels, respected talent and powerful reach to tell critical stories and elevate the discussion." Read here
But note he has been compensated well over $34M a year in a bad year and now gets $246M a year for 2022 per Variety. Read here more about his enormous 2022 compensation here. And then ask yourself this: if he really cared about diversity and breaking down barriers, why would he not be a true moral and exemplary leader and not just absorb the $15-$20M (for tax writeoff of Batgirl and friends) with a voluntary pay cut to his own salary? And did he consider, before taking this blunt approach, the future increased costs related to the negative publicity and damage control that will now result, as well as lost viewership and loss of trust by outstanding diversity talent to join his team now?
At minimum he could strongly commit to the amazing diversity talent that had been recruited for those projects to include them in an even better DC Universe version. Perhaps even come up with a much more sensitive but effective strategy and comprehensive action plan overall toward diversity DC content.
In doing the exact opposite, despite evidence of child endangerment and violence to females by the main actor in The Flash, to express commitment to this film "as is", and not pay heed to viewer/fan concerns on the values Discovery stands for, this could havé bad repurcussions.
We appeal to those involved in decision-making (and PR) will quickly reenforce this commitment and be authentic to their words, first by ensuring the DC Universe on any form of screen reflects that prior commitment in top diversity crew, writers, producers and cast. They should continue to be cast as lead, not secondary super heroes, heroes known to us all, and told in innovative new ways for the new generation.
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