Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav is still searching for someone to take charge of the DC Extended Universe, though the hunt for an executive to enact his vague 10-year plan isn't proving to be easy. He may want to find his own Kevin Feige, but that's easier said than done, and prolific producer Dan Lin has already turned down what sounds, on paper at least, like a dream job.
Unfortunately, the DCEU has become Hollywood's poison apple, something emphasised in a new report from The Wrap. While others are said to be in the mix for a job that's so far been held by names like Greg Silverman, Geoff Johns and Jon Berg, and Walter Hamada, insiders don't believe the gig is an overly desirable one.
"It is a very narrow group of people who can run and effectively get DC films back on track while handling the creative, business and — let’s be frank — the political minefields that come with that job," one top Hollywood producer said under the condition of anonymity.
It sounds like Zaslav's management style is another issue and he's not winning over any fans, as a result. He reportedly likes 7am meetings, with one Warner Bros. producer telling the trade, "Why would Dan Lin want to take the job? DC is a huge priority for Zaslav, but who wants to come on board and lead a film division that’s already canceled a film that was ready to go. And have a micromanaging CEO?"
It's also said that Warner Bros.' "Kevin Feige" won't enjoy the same level of creative freedom as the Marvel Studios President because, as one producer puts it, "There is no 'other Feige.' Warners will never give autonomy like that to one person." In other words, it will always be Zaslav who has the final say.
Even current DC Films bosses, Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy, are only allowed to greenlight projects with budgets under $35 million. That applies to none of the upcoming movies now the decision has been made to pivot away from HBO Max-exclusive titles.
The whole thing sounds rather like a shambles, and hopes that the DCEU might suddenly reach its full potential once again seem naive. We're not sure who can save the brand at this point, but it's not sounding much like Zaslav is the saviour some hoped he might be when Discovery acquired Warner Bros.
What are your hopes for the DCEU moving forward?