DC Studios' Boss James Gunn Clarifies Recent DCU Confusion; Says Elseworlds Titles Need To Be "Exceptional"

DC Studios' Boss James Gunn Clarifies Recent DCU Confusion; Says Elseworlds Titles Need To Be "Exceptional"

DC Studios' James Gunn has attempted to clear up some of the confusion surrounding the DCU, sharing his take on what went wrong with the DCEU and why any future Elseworlds titles need to be "exceptional."

By JoshWilding - Dec 15, 2023 07:12 AM EST
Filed Under: DC Studios

Back in January, Warner Bros. Discovery officially launched DC Studios and James Gunn and Peter Safran were enlisted to unveil a slate of upcoming movies and TV shows which will all be part of the new DCU. 

There were plenty of projects to get excited about but the downside to the announcement was that it cut 2023's DCEU offerings off at the knees. Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Flash, and Blue Beetle all bombed, with at least part of the reason being fans were aware the movies no longer mattered to what's on the horizon. 

Throw in the fact we're getting a mix of new and returning actors (the vast majority of whom worked with Gunn on The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker), and there's a fair bit of confusion surrounding the DCU reboot. 

The filmmaker and studio boss recently answered some fan questions on Threads, including from someone who quite rudely pointed out that, despite talk of the DCU being cohesive, there are a lot of projects out or on the way which don't tie into that. However, what they failed to grasp is that the DCU hasn't started yet!

"Not sure where the anger is from, but you misunderstand," Gunn said. "DC projects being spread across different platforms, so that more people have access to the stories, is not the same as not having any cohesion in the DCU timeline, which we very much do (starts with Creature Commandos)."

"Merry Little Batman on Amazon is a fun animated kids' movie that was already being made when we came aboard, but Elseworld animated projects like this will keep happening. I’m not sure how that’s confusing." Later poking fun at the prospect of someone mixing up that animated movie with Matt Reeves' plans for The Batman franchise, Gunn added, "I also am picturing The Batman 3 being an adaptation of Merry Little Batman."

Later, the Superman: Legacy helmer shared his thoughts on where the DCEU went wrong and how the DCU will differ. 

"One of the problems with DCEU content in the past was there was no real consistency within the universe itself. This never meant - [and] I never said, as this is how we always envisioned it - all animated [and] video game content would be in the DCU."

"I did ([and] still) say MOST TV [and] film will be in the DCU with the occasional Elseworld tale (like Matt's The Batman), but it will have to be exceptional. Never mentioned streaming services but I like more people able to watch DC stories."

When the DCU was announced, it did sound like everything was going to fall under the same umbrella and take place in one world. So, Gunn's comments were either misunderstood or Warner Bros. Discovery has concluded that it's not an overly realistic approach to DC storytelling. 

Either way, it's not just the DC Universe that Gunn is developing as he also confirmed there are "some non-DC Vertigo and other titles we are working on."

Stay tuned for updates.

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Forthas
Forthas - 12/15/2023, 8:06 AM
What he is saying makes no sense. Matt Reeves Batman IS a DC property. So it is no different from the old DCEU where you had a completely different Superman on TV than in film. That included a different Lois Lane, Lex Luthors etc. The Batman has a TV spinoff coming. So what is the difference?
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 12/15/2023, 8:09 AM
I feel like this is more of a case of somewhat changing his tune rather then something he had said before because I feel like he had definitely said all video game & animated content would be in the DCU which seemed like a big risk since not everyone plays or watches that stuff but whatever…

I just want good content and if I get that then I’m happy!!.

Saintsinnister
Saintsinnister - 12/15/2023, 8:10 AM
The plan always works until it doesn’t. I do like the sound of the new course WB is taking. The next few years will be interesting
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 12/15/2023, 8:39 AM
@Saintsinnister - Interesting is the perfect word because I almost think they've set them up for some failure due to over announcing and fatigue in general on this genre. I truly hope Superman is great because it will set the entire tone for the new DCU.
bobevanz
bobevanz - 12/15/2023, 8:16 AM
Glad to see doc still has me blocked lmao. As for Gunn,what if I told you EVERY movie needs to be exceptional.. this is the current state of marvel and DC. Get a clue Hollywood
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 12/15/2023, 8:23 AM
@bobevanz - DrRichReeds?
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 12/15/2023, 8:39 AM
@bobevanz - DC's policy in recent years: If the film is good then it can't be set in the main universe.

And they wonder why they fail.
mastakilla39
mastakilla39 - 12/15/2023, 9:52 AM
@bobevanz - its more about the timeline though. you can be unique but if it doesn't connect or go anywhere people get overwhelmed or just don't care. people now expect a connective story in blockbusters.

Hell just look at people bitching about loki S2 or Eternal's giant celestials not affecting or leading up to anything big despite huge stakes. DC literally just ignored everything and let the directors do their own thing. thats why Aquaman 2, WW84, Shazam 2, and The Flash don't even care what happens in other films as long as they get to do their own thing. Wonder Woman went from being a killing warrior in Snyder's films to a pacifist in WW84 who rarely throws a punch....2 different takes on 1 character/actor.
Repian
Repian - 12/15/2023, 8:21 AM
Jonah Hex to be Elseword.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 12/15/2023, 8:24 AM
@Repian - The animated series', Bruce Timm's, did a very nice job of briefly incorporating the character. Just NEVER reference the Josh Brolin version.
Repian
Repian - 12/15/2023, 8:47 AM
@lazlodaytona - If Constantine doesn't have a sequel, Reeves is my Jonah Hex.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 12/15/2023, 9:17 AM
@Repian - I agree, but it seems like that sequel to the atrocity that was the first Constantine film is more-than-likely-happening.
It's sad when a CW actor was TONS better than the epic, and so kind Keanu in the role. Wasn't his fault, but geez that film was garbage.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 12/15/2023, 10:11 AM
@Repian - i dig it!!

Maybe a show?

lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 12/15/2023, 8:21 AM
@Forthas
Dude, you are awesome but it's not that difficult to get. Obviously, JOKER 2 and The Batman 2 were greenlit before this new DCU got started. (However, I do believe The Brave and the Behold will highly eclipse The Batman franchise eventually). So, they WILL have movies outside of the DCU content. Kingdom Come is one I'd LOVE to see.
Not everyone has to be like Marvel; their plan worked out awesome at first but has lately gotten tiring. (I also would like a semi-continuance of V for Vendetta).
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 12/15/2023, 8:50 AM
@lazlodaytona - The Batman 2 is fully DC Studios. Joker 2 is the final WB DC film.

However it is possible that Zaslav has ordered DC Studios to do it regardless, so despite the fact that having two Batman franchises competing with each other is completely suicidal, strategically, when it all goes to poop (which it undoubtedly will) we can't necessarily blame Gunn.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 12/15/2023, 9:22 AM
@ObserverIO - dude, they can do an elseworld's and easily not put it in DCU canon. I forget they're also doing Constantine 2 which will be outside the DCU. And WB's greenlit JOKER 2 because they want more of that billion-dollar-worldwide-made-cash. They're all DC studios, just not DCU canon.
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 12/15/2023, 9:56 AM
@lazlodaytona - They can do all of that fairly easily. Whether or not it works in practice is another matter entirely.
Kurne
Kurne - 12/15/2023, 8:23 AM
Still feel like this "DCU" should be named something more distinct.

As bad as "DCEU" was, I could get on board with saying it unlike the initial "DCCU" everyone defaulted to because of the MCU. There's gotta be something else.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 12/15/2023, 8:27 AM
@Kurne - 100% agree. When it first came out that was the new name, I'm like, "could you be more obvious copying the MCU?!" :D
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 12/15/2023, 9:59 AM
@Kurne - Cinematic Universe was always the default for... well for a cinematic universe. Sometimes people would say movie universe too.
Universe is a default thing too. Why not dimension, reality or realm?

The DCMR - The DC Movie Realm!

Huh..?

Yeah...?

...mmmmnope.
WhateverItTakes
WhateverItTakes - 12/15/2023, 8:45 AM
Wish this simp would shut the [frick] up
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