DC STUDIOS: 5 Exciting Possibilities For James Gunn's "Biggest Story Ever Told" In New DCU

DC STUDIOS: 5 Exciting Possibilities For James Gunn's "Biggest Story Ever Told" In New DCU

DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has teased his and Peter Safran's big plans for the new DCU, but which storylines could he be referring to or taking inspiration from? We have some exciting suggestions...

Feature Opinion
By JoshWilding - Nov 07, 2022 12:11 PM EST
Filed Under: DC Studios

Addressing the DCU's future under DC Studios, co-CEO James Gunn said he and Peter Safran's "initial focus is on the story going forward, hammering out the new DCU, [and] telling the Biggest Story Ever Told across multiple films, television shows, [and] animated projects."

It sounds a lot like we're getting DC's version of the MCU, something we know Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav made a priority for the studio early on. 

As for what the "Biggest Story Ever Told" might be, it's a mystery to us right now. However, the fact it will be told across all those different formats suggests there are huge ideas on the table for the DCU, and we have some ideas about which comic book storylines could be the inspiration behind what looks set to be a legitimate rival to The Infinity Saga. 

To find out what we think could be on the way, simply click on the "Next" button down below! 
 

5. Forever Evil

Crime-Syndicate-New-52-0001-copy

Zack Snyder was all about pitting the DC Universe's heroes against each other, hence why we got an entire story arc revolving around Superman's descent into villainy! 

How better to move on from that than by pitting these characters against Multiversal counterparts who are truly evil? Not only would that shine a spotlight on what makes the likes of Superman and Wonder Woman so great, but it allows them to shine as heroes against sinister doppelgangers who have no redeeming qualities. 

In Forever Evil, that's exactly what happened when Earth was conquered by a villainous Justice League known as the Crime Syndicate. 

This story arc could be expanded and reimagined in a myriad of ways, testing the loyalties of some (we're sure Black Adam would be open to a team-up with Ultraman, for example) and delivering the sort of battles comic book fans dream of. 
 

4. Blackest Night

blackest-night

The upcoming Green Lantern TV series revolving around Guy Gardner and Alan Scott has fallen apart, with the plan being to now focus primarily on John Stewart.

We hope that serves as a way of establishing the Green Lantern Corps as an important part of the new DCU, because they could be pivotal in setting up a massive storyline that, while dark, would lean into DC Comics' uniquely fun horror side. We know Gunn has a love for that genre, while Safran made a name for himself overseeing The Conjuring Universe.

An all-out war between the DC Universe's living and dead heroes and villains, this is an event that could take us to some truly bonkers places. For example, just imagine zombified versions of some of our favourite characters from across the entire Multiverse going to war with Batman and company. 

This was an epic tale and one that, while unexpected, could be what the DCU needs to stand out. 
 

3. Flashpoint

FLSPv2-Cv1-R1-marquee-57ef19df8d0256-03779299

The Flash won't be the Flashpoint story we once expected, though it is set to take Barry Allen to an alternate timeline where Michael Keaton's Batman is the world's Caped Crusader and Supergirl stands in place of Superman. 

While it's too late for Gunn and Safran to make any major changes to the Scarlet Speedster's first solo outing, we have to believe they had some input on recent reshoots and will use The Flash to introduce moviegoers to the DC Multiverse. Along the way, the stage can be set for a true Flashpoint event blockbuster. 

After spending the news few years redeeming the DCU in the eyes of fans, wrapping up with a massive, fan-pleasing event movie that serves as a line-wide reboot would be the ideal next step.

With that, Warner Bros. can truly start afresh, a move likely to be accepted if it comes in the wake of a well-told event like this. Oh, and it makes perfect sense for Reverse-Flash to be the DCU's new big bad, right?
 

2. Crisis On Infinite Earths

crisis12featured-copy

We've seen The CW's take on Crisis on Infinite Earths, but only the big screen can really do this storyline justice. In the comics, the Anti-Monitor tries to destroy the DC Multiverse, but only succeeds in merging it into a single universe.

As much as we'd like to see Darkseid, the Anti-Monitor feels like a big bad Gunn and Safran can make into their own Thanos-level threat. Again, this story would help open the door to a much-needed fresh start, and we know it's something the previous regime had planned. 

That means the groundwork is already there - primarily thanks to The Flash - for DC Studios to take what was once a relatively small idea and make it absolutely epic

While it is a familiar tale, we have all the faith in the world in Gunn being able to put a new spin on it. 
 

1. Something Completely New

Starro-is-liberated-copy

While it's safe to assume Gunn and Safran have turned to the comic books for inspiration, that doesn't mean we're getting an adaptation of any one well-known storyline. 

The director will have likely learned from Marvel Studios how what's on the page can serve as just a basis for what plays out on screen, while his take on the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise was wholly original. With that in mind, don't be surprised if this endgame involves something the DC Studios heads have come up with from scratch. 

In The Suicide Squad, Gunn took Starro - the first villain the Justice League ever faced - and pitted him against Task Force X!

The point is, he's someone who thinks outside the box, and that means we should more than likely expect the unexpected when it comes to what looks to be a bright future for the DCU. 
 

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HeavyMetal4Life
HeavyMetal4Life - 11/7/2022, 12:07 PM
I'd rather it not be Flashpoint or Crisis (Arrowverse already did Crisis and yeah, that's small screen, but there is no need to redo that when there are a bunch of other stories. Plus, that Crisis had years of building up to).

Blackest Night could be neat to see, but something new as well would be sweet too.
AmazingFILMporg
AmazingFILMporg - 11/7/2022, 12:18 PM
Gunn already has brightburn built up for Forever EVIL🤔
AmazingFILMporg
AmazingFILMporg - 11/7/2022, 12:20 PM
Crisis needs build up and marvel is already doing the multiverse saga. I hope for a few years we get smaller scale stories building up to an event
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 11/7/2022, 12:25 PM
Blackest Knight probably is the one I wanna see the most. Perfect for the first big cross-over in my opinion
DannRamm113
DannRamm113 - 11/7/2022, 12:29 PM
1930s/40s style golden and silver era style movies leading to New Frontier.

That is my dream project.
BillyBatson1000
BillyBatson1000 - 11/7/2022, 12:40 PM
@DannRamm113 - I'd love to see that.
slickrickdesigns
slickrickdesigns - 11/7/2022, 12:32 PM
Y’all don’t think you might be over hyping this ?? Maybe you might want to wait to see how they plan on fixing the booboo that is the DCU?
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 11/7/2022, 2:34 PM
@slickrickdesigns - Sometimes it's time to just bite the bullet and buy a new car.

You don't have to fix it anymore if you scrap it and get a brand new one!
slickrickdesigns
slickrickdesigns - 11/7/2022, 3:01 PM
@ObserverIO - but what’s the point in buying a new car if it still has some schitty old parts in it?
Im excited to see what they plan on doing but I just don’t think fans should get their hopes up for anything until we can see an actual clear direction towards something better than what we’ve been getting from DCWBDiscovery+HBOMax
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 11/7/2022, 3:21 PM
@slickrickdesigns - True, true. My optimism is tempered with caution.
DudeGuy
DudeGuy - 11/7/2022, 12:39 PM
I understand why Blackest Night is such a fan favorite. But for me Sinestro Corps War is the top tier GL story. It really doesn’t get any better for me as far as GL goes. I would even argue it’s one of the best events DC has ever done. As much as I love Blackest Night, I feel Sinestro Corps War has been unjustly sitting in Blackest Nights shadow. Don’t get me wrong though, I’m there day one for a Blackest Night movie, but damn would I love seeing DC’s heroes all trying to take on Superboy Prime in live action.
Doomsday8888
Doomsday8888 - 11/7/2022, 12:43 PM
Sick list.


So many great DC stories, to be able to witness em on the big screen would be a dream come true...aaawww man...

Most of em require a...errrrr, proper build-up tho.
mountainman
mountainman - 11/7/2022, 1:08 PM
It would make sense to not do an alternate Earths storyline with Marvel doing the Multiverse Saga. Can we just get good movies and shows featuring the classic versions of the heroes before trying to go too big? I hope his comment means that they are going to have a long term plan vs trying to go too big too fast.
Twenty23Three
Twenty23Three - 11/7/2022, 1:14 PM
It’s going to be a version of Crisis. They are already doing flashpoint and blackest night might happen someday but it’ll be much smaller like civil war.
kider2
kider2 - 11/7/2022, 1:42 PM
Wrong it won't be any of those! I spoke with James and they are currently working on adapting this absolute banger:


Jimmy Olsen casting incoming!
JobinJ
JobinJ - 11/7/2022, 2:08 PM
Kingdom Come
Will44482
Will44482 - 11/7/2022, 2:15 PM
It just occurred to me that we are more than ten movies into the dceu and Green Lantern hasn’t been introduced and there’s no plans to do so immediately. It’s kinda ridiculous I always thought of him as the biggest DC character after the trinity
BringFFtoMCU
BringFFtoMCU - 11/7/2022, 2:30 PM
How about Superhorse or Aqualad?

DC is an absolute joke of a s#itshow.
BringFFtoMCU
BringFFtoMCU - 11/7/2022, 2:31 PM
But WW84 was a priority
TheShape9859
TheShape9859 - 11/7/2022, 2:31 PM
The news few years??
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 11/7/2022, 2:44 PM
How about Dark Knight Returns?

And Death of Superman!

In one movie! Throw in Jack Kirby's New Gods, Injustice, set up Crisis and Flashpoint and introduce all of the heroes at once ALLINONEMOVIE!!!!!!!! Aaaaaahhhhhhhh, I just came.

Oh shit I just bukkaked all over the attempted shared universe. Just how in the eff am I supposed to clean this mess up, now?
marvel72
marvel72 - 11/7/2022, 3:28 PM
Crisis On Infinite Earths and Blackest Night, yes please. Forever Evil would be good as would Sinestro Corp War but my dream movie would be......

KINGDOM COME

JonC
JonC - 11/7/2022, 4:07 PM
Secret Wars, the DC/Marvel crossover edition.
CaptainFlapjaks
CaptainFlapjaks - 11/7/2022, 9:44 PM
@JonC - I personally think its marvel/dc crossover event but I could also see them trying to establish Doomsday Clock/The Button. That may have been the biggest comic story arc told in the past decade. While big, Crisis on Infinite Earths just seems like the big rushed move that put them in the outhouse to begin with. Then again, maybe that is why they asked for Henry and Ben back. That way they can have that established team already. But a marvel and dc crossover event would be perfect. Have Kang open up the portal to a world to fight The Avengers and at first you think its gonna be squadron supreme but instead you just see Superman fly through along with the rest of the JL.
knomad
knomad - 11/7/2022, 5:00 PM
Any attempt to do "the biggest story ever" anytime soon is a Bad idea. The reason the Infinity Saga worked is that each element of said saga had time to percolate/marinate/whatever. The individual heroes And the teams had a couple of movies to establish them (except for Capt. Marvel). IMO even the Infinity Saga was a bit rushed; but then they had to work around contracts and such.

These things need time for people to get to care about the characters and their world before slamming them all together and bringing things to a conclusion. Justice League was an example of how something like that can fail badly. Other than Superman, none of the characters had had any real screentime besides BvS, which totally sucked. But DC got one mediocre Superman movie done, came up with a Batman that no one knew and other characters that were also unfamiliar. Wonder Woman and Aquaman were the exceptions; and their solo movies have been the only bright spots in the DCEU. If they're going to do it, they have to do it right, which means Commitment.
Repian
Repian - 11/7/2022, 5:05 PM
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