The formation of DC Studios is leading to many past mistakes, but the DCEU is finally being corrected. DC Studios falls under the creative leadership of co-CEO James Gunn, with Peter Safran handling business decisions. As part of the new studio's creation, a 10-year plan is also said to be the focus of the DCU going forward, with DC Studios mapping out a DC Bible for the entire franchise.Even with Why James Gunn Is Leading The DCU (Despite Suicide Squad 2's Box Office)
The DCU Is Forming A Plan (& Sticking To It)
A major problem for the DCU has been the perceived lack of larger planning for the franchise, but history shows this is only half true. Zack Snyder had planned a five-part arc that would have had numerous spin-offs and solo movies to further build out the DCU. While Warner Bros. elected to chart a new course away from Snyder's Justice League arc after the divisive responses to Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, they ended up amplifying the problem by not having a tangible plan of their own to divert into.
The quality of individual DCU movies themselves notwithstanding, the abandonment of Snyder's plan left the franchise with no clear sense of direction. This is an issue DC Studios is finally correcting. With a 10-year plan and a DC Bible for the entire franchise being put together, DC Studios is giving the DCU a linear path forward. In doing so, the DCU is also finally healing from one of the most damaging consequences of not allowing Snyder to complete his vision.
Important DCU Players Are Returning
In WB's last-minute abandonment of Snyder's DCU plan, many of the franchise's core cast also departed. This, too, is finally being undone. After several years of Superman gridlock, Henry Cavill finally returned for a cameo in Black Adam, with the Man of Steel's future being one of the biggest priorities for the DCU's plan. Ben Affleck also appears to be potentially heading in the direction of a major Batman return with appearances in The Flash and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, a huge reversal of his elongated departure from the DCU.
Additionally, after the departure of former DC Films president Walter Hamada, Ray Fisher could also return as Cyborg. Fisher had refused to work with Hamada due to a dispute during the behind-the-scenes Justice League investigation. The past fracturing of the franchise left a cameo in Peacemaker as the League's only appearance since Zack Snyder's Justice League. Batman and Cyborg weren't present while Superman and Wonder Woman were only in the shadows. In the wake of previous developments and the formation of DC Studios, a possibility seems to be emerging for the Justice League to finally be brought back together.
DC Studios Is Not Combative With Its Own Fan Base
A point of contrast between past and current management of the DCU is the fan-studio relationship that DC Studios seems to be going for. In response to calls for the Ayer Cut of Suicide Squad to be released, Gunn offered a diplomatic reply on Twitter. While it didn't greenlight the Ayer Cut, Gunn didn't shut down the idea either. Gunn also stated a desire to "let you know we hear your different desires for the pathways forward for DC," while stressing current DC Studios' priorities. Gunn's statement is a significant reversal from Warner Bros.' previous responses to the Snyder Cut and other things sought after by DC fans.
Warner Bros.' previous management went to great lengths to outright deny the existence of the Snyder Cut for years. For Gunn to directly address calls for the Ayer Cut as he did paints a picture of DC Studios being more willing to hear out fans on issues. Gunn is not the only DCU player to take this approach. Henry Cavill's return as Superman came after a six year-battle between Dwayne Johnson and WB's old management. While fan desires will always need to be measured in tandem with studio planning, DC Studios already looks to be far more inclusive towards the former.
The DCU Is Under Its Own Studio Now
While the film and television ownership of the DC IP falls under Warner Bros., DC Studios existing as its own vertical strongly suggests that issues with studio interference on DC films will no longer be a problem. The removal of half an hour from Batman v Superman's theatrical cut and the changes made to Suicide Squad and Justice League greatly harmed all three. Each issue was attributable to second-guessing by Warner Bros. executives. Similar to Marvel Studios' relationship with the larger Disney banner, DC Studios is set to operate with a far greater degree of autonomy.
The DCU's original vision under Gunn of a director-driven model is bolstered by the filmmakers are likely to have from Gunn as a filmmaker. Gunn still plans to actively write and direct some DC projects. The lengths Gunn pushed the R-rated content of The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker also shows that DC Studios will not be hesitant to push boundaries, nor will the whole DCU franchise have a singular, homogenized tone. With DC Studios officially its own entity, the DCU is very likely to finally be free of the panicked, reactionary mistakes of WB's past regimes that came close to ending the franchise.
DC's Movies & Shows Will Become Much More Cohesive
Gunn's work on The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker shows efforts to tie the DCU more closely together than the previous WB regime did. ittedly, Gunn's efforts were hamstrung at the time by the absence of Cavill, Affleck, and Fisher. Still, Peacemaker's Justice League cameo and the references to the wider universe show an intent on Gunn's part towards significant world-building. He is sure to build even on these foundations even further with Cavill's return and the renewed possibilities for Affleck and Fisher in the franchise.
Black Adam sets up several DCU movies and does plenty of world-building of its own in addition to setting up The Rock's Superman-Black Adam rivalry, all of which Gunn seems likely to capitalize on. Moreover, Gunn's social media activity has made numerous teases of far lesser-known DC characters like Bat-Mite and Mister Terrific, suggesting a major DCU character expansion. There has been little direct connection between DCU movies since the 2017 version of Justice League, with Matt Reeves's The Batman and Todd Phillips' Joker films notably existing in their own separate universes. Now, however, DC Studios looks to be moving towards greater cohesion between DCU TV shows like Peacemaker and movies in the franchise.
The turbulence of the DCU's beginnings shows both the rash decision-making of WB executives at the time and also a great deal of franchise resilience by the DCU. Still, repairing the damage of that period is where much of the attention of DC Studios doubtlessly lies. The initial signs are positive. The DCEU seems to be recovering greatly thanks to DC Studios' early decisions.
