DC Diminishing Comic Book Movies

DC Diminishing Comic Book Movies

It seems that DC won't be releasing any superhero films in 2014. Read on to find out what I think...

Editorial Opinion
By Xenix - Sep 30, 2011 03:09 PM EST
Filed Under: Other

So far, there aren't any DC films slated for release in 2014. This is odd, especially since Marvel and Sony will have 3 Marvel films released that year (Amazing Spider Man 2, and 2 Unrevealed films), so it seems DC won't be joining in the competition that year.

Why do I think so? Well, keep reading.



The reason I think there won't be any DC films in 2014 is because they've run out of characters. Now, I know what you're thinking: "What, are you kidding me? DC's got tons of characters they could use!". That's true, but they aren't using any of them in films. Let's take a look, shall we?

The Flash


Let's just take a look at how many times Flash has been 'moving along':

http://comicbookmovie.com/fansites/Poniverse/news/?a=18943

http://comicbookmovie.com/the_flash/news/?a=6098

http://comicbookmovie.com/the_flash/news/?a=2804

http://comicbookmovie.com/the_flash/news/?a=1735

http://comicbookmovie.com/the_flash/news/?a=3323

Look at the dates on these articles. Flash has been in development hell since freaking 2005. I highly doubt DC will suddenly become motivated enough to push for a Flash film now, especially with the critical and financial failure of Green Lantern.

Wonder Woman


Two words: Television Pilot. It's clear from that failed concept that it was going in the absolute wrong direction for the character. If a TV series couldn't get off the ground, I highly doubt WB will have enough confidence to go for a whole movie. Again, the failure of Green Lantern also hurts other DC characters. Not to mention DC hasn't exactly been pushing for a movie recently. They have in the past however.

http://comicbookmovie.com/fansites/GraphicCity/news/?a=39824

Batman Reboot


Of course! Batman! DC's namesake and main moneymaker character! Certainly DC would never turn down the chance to make a Batman film, right?

Wrong. Mainly for the simple reason: it's simply way too soon. With The Dark Knight Rises having come out two years before 2014, a reboot would simply be stupid and too quick. If TDK took four years to get a sequel, there is no way they could reboot in only two. It's simply unwise and very highly unlikely.

Superman Sequel



Oh, but what about the famous Man of Steel himself? The buzz seems generally positive, and although the film doesn't come out for another two years, a sequel to Zack Snyder's film is certainly not out of the question. There's no reason to doubt a sequel, so why not have one of the world's first superheroes headline 2014 for DC?

Simple: Man of Steel comes out in 2013. One year after the film comes out. Schedule wise, the feat is impossible. Making a sequel one year after the original is impossible for a special-effects heavy film like Superman. They would have to film the movie while the first one is still in theaters, wrap it up in only a few months for enough time for the special effects. It's straight-up impossible.

Green Lantern Sequel
The film had massive negative reception and didn't make back it's cost. The studio only made about 100 million from it, with the rest going to the theaters. With a total cost of 200+ million, plus marketing, this film is almost definitely not getting a sequel anytime soon. If Superman Returns made 300+ mil and couldn't get a sequel, GL aint going anywhere fast.

Various Other DC Heroes



How could I have been so stupid! DC has a whole world full of characters to draw from! Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Green Arrow, Black Canary! DC drawing from one of all these characters to make a film is almost certain, right?

...Right?

Sadly, no.

Look through the top of this list. Flash, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern? If they can't get those films to work properly, do you really, honestly think, any of their lower-tier heroes stand even a bit of a chance. Remember that Blue Beetle TV series? The one Geoff Johns made footage for and that there hasn't been a single whisper about since the footage was unveiled?



Yeah. That's what I thought.
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Corpse
Corpse - 9/30/2011, 3:53 PM
LOL! ^ is completely right. DC's parentcompany is Warner Brothers and they hold all the cards. We need a revolution! Viva!
Coloso
Coloso - 9/30/2011, 3:55 PM
DC/WB are one whether you like it or not ;p

They "both" are equally to blame for the mishaps and attempts to launch their many properties. Fact of the matter is they should take a lesson from Marvel and learn a thing or two on how to successfully market a second or third tier character to box office success. And for those of you who still cling to the "I'm glad Nolan's Batman is seperate from Superman and GL" well you got your wish. How's that JL movie coming along?
Berger45
Berger45 - 9/30/2011, 4:10 PM
@Coloso - Warner Bros Entertainment and DC Comics are not exactly "one" but I understand what you mean. And I agree. Let's just hope that they one day will get it right because DC Comics has some great characters that truly deserves to be witnessed on-screen.
Corpse
Corpse - 9/30/2011, 4:21 PM
I highly doubt that WB would ever let DC Comics go but what other major studio would have greater success with them? Columbia Pictures? Universal Pictures?

@Gaston, I have to disagree with you. I don't know why they have success with their animation but maybe it's because the budget allows them to direct it and make it as they want, and that they get more room do whatever they want as it is an animation and not a 200 million dollar project.

DC has some characters that simply carries with some some hell of a crowd like Bats, Supes and WW. I mean, if they can figure out Flash then I do not see anyway they can't figure out the rest.

Green Lantern's fault was the script, the effects were not decent enough. The script/plot should've been kept in the same style as the original comic. Some tweaks are completely acceptable, just look at Thor, Cap, IM, Bats, Supes, but they should've kept it within the concrete universe we all love so much. Green Lantern is without the biggest disappointment of a superheromovie, of all time. It saddens me. I just do not get why they can't get a visionary for this. I just can't get it.
Corpse
Corpse - 9/30/2011, 4:25 PM
I always believed that fans of the material should write the material. Writers that respect it's heritage, it's legacy, and revolutionary ideas. I firmly believe that if JJ Abrams got his hands on directing GL 2, and getting A COUPLE OF DECENT WRITERS, even co-writing the story himself, could fix the problems of the first. Make Hal "fix" his suit, customize it by getting his hands to glow brighter than the rest of his body, make the Sinestro go bad part to be halfway through the sequel so you get some time to explain it.

Green Lantern needs to be saved. Green Lantern is my favorite hero, followed by Flash. Hal deserved better, and Barry should've been out ages ago.
Berger45
Berger45 - 9/30/2011, 4:32 PM
@Corpse - I understand how you feel completely. It is a shame. However I feel people are too occupied by the thought of having a Justice League instead of simply establishing the characters for what they are. Iron-Man 2 severely lacked in everything, Captain America only felt as a runner up to the Avengers. Thor was the most "real" of the three last Marvel movies.

A thing that really suprised me is that WB choose to go for Green Lantern instead of Wonder Woman. I mean, everywhere in the world people know Superman, Batman, Captain America and Wonder Woman. Why not introduce the biggest of the biggest superheroes of all time then going on to the tier 2 characters like Green Lantern and Flash. I honestly would have them rather establish each of these characters(with the exception of Superman and Batman) with at least 2 movies before moving on to some connected cinematic-universe.
alucard365
alucard365 - 9/30/2011, 5:47 PM
if it isn't Batmam or Superman you can forget about it.
gamecreatorjj
gamecreatorjj - 9/30/2011, 8:13 PM
3 years away, glad to see people look that far in the future, and can i add dc has had a somewhat constant pace with their films, never have they churned out any films like now as in :2011-2012-2103

lets look at some history kids!

ill begin with the new era of CBMS (2000+)

2004 CATWOMAN
2005-BATMAN BEGINS
2006-SUPERMAN V
2008-DARK KNIGHT
2009-WATCHMEN
2010-JONAH HEX
2011-GREEN LANTERN

now excluding the non major release ones we have

2005-Batman Begins
2006-Superman Returns
2008-The Dark Knight
2011-Green Lantern

so after Man of Steel we will probably see some small stuff, then around 2015 2016 we will see another heavy hitter
incrediblesuperbatspider
incrediblesuperbatspider - 9/30/2011, 9:42 PM
Watchmen was decent hit
Corpse
Corpse - 10/1/2011, 2:44 AM
@Dromeo Agreed.

My only problem is that with Superman they become pioneers in comicbookmovie making. And with Batman in 1989 they reestablished their position. However, it would take 22 years before they introduced a new character from their Justice League team. 22 years!!! Why the hell didn't they introduce Wonder Woman in the 90's and then they could've brought out the second line!
Corpse
Corpse - 10/1/2011, 3:23 AM
Corpse
Corpse - 10/1/2011, 3:23 AM
I completely agree with Stern.
marvel72
marvel72 - 10/1/2011, 3:51 AM
if the green lantern was a massive hit like it should of been,but it wasn't good enough.we would of seen more characters take flight.i think maybe warner/dc should look at the new dc reboot & consider the same for its comic book movies.

-the flash
-lobo
-captain marvel
-wonder woman
-powergirl
-sandman
-preacher
-animal man
-swamp thing
-green lantern 2(maybe might need rebooting)
thunderforce
thunderforce - 10/1/2011, 7:04 AM
Maybe WB should sell DC to Disney .
golden123
golden123 - 10/1/2011, 10:00 AM
The failure of Green Lantern won't stop WB from making more Superhero movies based on DC comics. Afterall, they are aware of the success of Marvel's movies. They'll keep trying to push superhero movies. Not only is their a Flash movie in development (hell), there is an Aquaman movie, a Hawkman movie, a Green Arrow movie, and a Justice League movie all to have been confirmed as in development at one point or another. Not to mention, their lesser known characters like Lobo, Sandman, and Sgt. Rock who have also been confirmed as being in development. If Watchmen, Jonah Hex, and Catwoman could get movies, those three can, too. Not all CBM's have to be big budget blockbusters with high profile superheroes.
Wolverine19742
Wolverine19742 - 10/1/2011, 10:31 AM
The problem with DC/WB is that they were or are to slow on the up-take. As where Marvel started to set the ball in motion for the Avengers with The Incredible Hulk and Iron-man; DC/WB has made no effort to do so with a Justice League Movie. Even if they were to use Supermen, Batman, & The Green Lantern they are still missing major parts to tie them all together.
golden123
golden123 - 10/1/2011, 10:59 AM
Why is everyone under the impression that DC needs to have a connected universe to have a Justice League film?
Supes17
Supes17 - 10/1/2011, 11:59 AM
Maybe Disney should buy DC as well! Then merge the two companies into one, this preventing nuclear war between fans and creating world peace.
*Marvel and DC characters holding hands, singing and skipping* :p

WB has DC by the balls, so I blame WB more
Supes17
Supes17 - 10/1/2011, 12:04 PM
DC doesn't need a connected universe. Nolan made a smart move. Imagine if Green Lantern was tied to Batman Begins and The Dark Knight o_O
I wouldn't want to watch a movie knowing that it is connected to a shitty franchise.

Marvel made an EXTREMELY risky move when they decided to make a cinematic universe.
They almost lost me at IM2, but I'm happy to say that Marvel has been successful.

What DC.. ehm.... What WARNER BROTHERS needs to do is get their shit together and pick their filmakers more cautiously. They don't need to make a cinematic universe.
Supes17
Supes17 - 10/1/2011, 12:05 PM
by cinematic universe I meant intertwined films
Angelus
Angelus - 10/1/2011, 2:07 PM
I agree with Intruder on this one.

I completely agree with Corpse. And Berger 45 got some points. I also think Xenix might be onto something I really hope isn't true but the problem with WB is that you never know, and there is no reason to be too optimistic with them.

I just hope that WB/DC get as dedicated writers; true fans, and directors that Marvel has.
gamecreatorjj
gamecreatorjj - 10/1/2011, 2:41 PM
im pretty sure we will see flash by 2014, and so what if DC doesnt release a film for a year, if anything it helps out, right now the superhero movie genre is oversaturated, too many coming out, we got 5 this year, 4 next year, and 3 the year after that, and in 2014 we have no idea how many. people are getting tired of them, things need to slow down before, all interest is lost in the genre
ROMACK
ROMACK - 10/1/2011, 3:26 PM
Well they might want to try something like Suicide Squad, or Lobo. Something that at first glance doesn't look like a CBM. Just like Blade. Blade was so far away from being a major character it's not even funny. It is not necessarily "Which character" so much as "How you present that character. Look at Green Lantern. It was not that the character is not interesting, it was just a bad movie. I think they could do a "Deadshot" movie done in a similar light to Blade and have some success.
Corpse
Corpse - 10/2/2011, 4:21 AM
Thanks Angelus! And welcome back!
Curmudgeon
Curmudgeon - 10/2/2011, 1:00 PM
Three years ago, we didn't know:
- WHEN the new Batman was coming out
- IF there was going to be a new Superman movie
- or THAT they were even going to make a Green Lantern movie anytime soon.

That's 3 movies that weren't on the schedule as of three years ago.

Who knows what we'll know three years from now.
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