It’s something fan boys and girls dream about. Not just our favorite costume clad heroes portrayed on the big screen, but multiple films forming a cohesive continuum featuring said heroes. Ten years ago, heck even five years ago, I would have attributed this to wishful thinking. Thanks to some bold initiatives by Marvel, it’s soon to be a reality. After securing the funds, Marvel did what we have all drooled over for years, they made their own movies and took the initiative to try and weave them together.
The connections so far are minor and occur after the credits of the movies. So that the general movie going audience will likely not have made the connection yet, but that will all change when Samuel L. Jackson appears as Nick Fury back to back in Thor and Cap films. Since Fury will have appeared during the movie "Iron Man 2," his reappearance in both Thor and Captain America will cement in the audience's minds that these movies exist in the same world--much like Jay and Silent Bob are the indicators that one is watching a movie taking place in Kevin Smith’s Viewaskewniverse.
Now I will admit that I make mine Marvel and have since I first started collecting comics. But I do enjoy DC characters as well, and I see no reason for them not trying the same thing as Marvel. If DC makes no attempt to bring things together in GL they will end up being five films and at least four years behind, given that the next DC films should not likely be expected sooner than summer 2012. If Avengers actually happens, make that six movies. I have been worried that DC was going to wait to see if the Avengers worked before trying to do the same. However, the news about Superman gives me some hope. Goyer or not, movement on a Superman movie is good news. If there is commitment to a new Supes flick, maybe there is a chance for a cameo or mention of him in GL. DC/WB seriously needs to make a move towards uniting their movie continuum. Even if there is an attempt to unite the DC movies in GL, using Superman or even Batman for that matter, neither character can be used as the lynchpin that Nick Fury is to the Avengers. They lack the versatility and utility that Nick Fury has to appear in multiple films. Not being familiar with DC comics beyond heavy hitters like Flash, Green Lantern, Batman, Supes, and the like, I have been unable to identify a character that can serve the same role as Fury with Marvel.
DC fans speak up. Who can bridge all of the DC movies together as well as Nick Fury will Marvel’s?