We all know comic book movies are big business these days, with Marvel Studios leading the charge in bringing a shared comic book movie univ...
We all know comic book movies are big business these days, with Marvel Studios leading the charge in bringing a shared comic book movie universe to the big screen in the most successful way possible. Other studios are scrambling to repeat this success, such as Sony, who, after crashing and burning with a Spider-Man cinematic universe, are trying again with a five picture deal with Valiant Comics. It's not just comic books, with rumours of Ghostbusters and even 21 Jump Street getting in on the shared universe action. But the studio closest to replicating Marvel's success are Warner Bros., who are finally moving forward with a DC Comics cinematic universe, which began with some subtle hints in Man of Steel, but will come to a head with next year's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. But it seems Warner Bros. are facing some problems with making the DCCU a reality.
First up, lets talk about the problems that are readily apparent. Man of Steel announced their approach loud and proud, with a much darker tone than Marvel's efforts, and an aesthetic lifted directly from Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight saga. Darker storytelling works with Batman. Hell, the character demands it, but a more colourful character and out of this world character like Superman needs a softer touch. Sure, he can go dark, and has at points in his long history on the printed page (he has, SPOILERS, killed Zod before, but in the comics it was followed by a pilgrimage for forgiveness, not a comedy scene where he destroys a drone and a minor character calls him hot), but it never went to the extent of Man of Steel, which washed out the picture to Black Hawk Down levels, leaving the whole experience feeling drab and depressing (if you haven't already, you should really check out this video that injects colour back into it, and really makes it feel like a Superman movie). On top of that, apparently the DCCU is instituting a 'no jokes' policy which keeps it's output grim and gritty, and really makes you question upcoming instalments such as Shazam and The Flash, two of the more happy go lucky characters in DC's stable. And, of course, there have been some walk outs, with Tom Hardy leaving Suicide Squad, and director Michelle MacLaren parting ways with Wonder Woman. But these are complaints we have banged on about at length before. A new report from The Hollywood Reporter sheds light on the goings on behind the scenes of the DCCU, and suggests things aren't exactly running smoothly.
While the MCU has Kevin Fiege at the helm, steering all the movies in the same direction and keeping them feeling cohesive, Warner Bros. are happy with a 'film maker driven' approach, with no one person really in charge. Man of Steel and Batman v Superman director Zack Snyder, along with his wife Debbie, is a key player, as are some key Warner Bros. and DC executives, but there isn't anybody steering the ship, with each film being overseen by their individual director. Case in point is David Ayer being given complete creative control over Suicide Squad, which could make it feel like a totally different animal to Batman v Superman, which precedes it, and Wonder Woman, which follows it. Some could argue that Marvel Studio's effort have gotten a bit samey thanks to the 'Marvel formula', but it works to build the universe and keeps the tone running through all of them coherent. If Wraner Bros. were planning a series of one shots, to use the comic book term, this wouldn't be a problem, but they are planning on building a fully connected universe, with characters dropping in and out of each others movies, so a certain level of cohesion is needed to get, and keep, butts on seats with each installment.
Another red flag thrown up is the revelation that five writers were hired for Wonder Woman, each competing to get the job. Each writer was given a treatment and wrote a first act. The final writer was chosen from what was submitted. I don't know about you, but that doesn't sound like a studio that's confident in their movie. Different writers bring different ideas to the table, and this big a group feels like fielding ideas and seeing which one speaks to you at the time, almost like there is no big picture in mind. A similar approach was taken with Aquaman, and what this says to me is there is no real plan in mind for these movies. It's like they've got a list of characters that have to be used and they'll make it up as they go.
That's my feeling on it anyway. What's your thoughts on the whole situation? As always, sound off below.
