DC: How to Fix Warner Bros. Failed DCEU

Let’s face it, the DCEU has had a tough go at it. Marvel has been absolutely dominating the box office. DC has been limping along in a not-so-close second place. For years now, the rival Warner Bros. has been trying to capture that Disney magic that birthed the MCU. While they’ve created what we thought was a shared universe in the DCEU, the product hasn’t really had that same flair for excitement. Their biggest complaint from critics and fans alike? “It’s too dark”.

One of the tent poles in the success of Marvel Studios and their superhero films has been the humor and family-friendly entertainment they’ve provided along the way. After disappointing box office numbers for some of their biggest projects, DC’s movies have pivoted towards the same style films. With the success of Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and positive projections for Shazam, the studio has shifted to a more humor based storytelling. Too bad for viewers, this might be their downfall.

In a world where the Joker (or three) exists, do we really need to see a happy-go-lucky Batman? I get they’re trying to build the journey centered around the Trinity of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. After all, those three are their best assets when it comes to storytelling. However, after a few box office miscues, Warner Bros. has insisted on temporarily pivoting to stand-alone films at the expense of the viewer. #Fail. Audiences want to see their favorite heroes on the big screen together. Luckily for Warner Bros./DC, there’s a way to save their shared universe while still giving these films their individuality and runs through a less likely candidate, The Flash.

Creating a shared universe is as easy as following a simple slate of movies and events:

Flash

As much as Barry Allen might not be the heavyweight champ like Batman or Superman, there’s no greater character to tie an entire universe together than the Flash. Ezra Miller was one of the bright spots in the Justice League movie with on-screen chemistry with each member of the team. Even with rumors of Miller’s departure, a similar role for his recast should be explored. His “buddy cop” vibe with Bruce Wayne, the socially awkward interactions with Diana Price, the back-and-forth one-upping with Clark Kent, had the Flash steal the show. Combine that fact with the relentless optimism of Barry Allen and there’s no better way to usher in a new era of DC films. 

After the comic portrayal of the Flash in Justice League, nothing would be more fun than the inner monologues of Barry Allen throughout the movie after the “I am the Flash..” intro. It can be the perfect balance between comedy and tragedy. Throw the multiverse plot point into the film and you might be able to erase the poor taste left in viewers mouths.

Man of Steel 2

If ever there was a “right man for the job” its Henry Cavill as Superman. Now if only they’d realize it. Sure, those poor box office numbers might have the studio thinking of moving on, but the blame doesn’t sit on Cavill’s shoulders. It’s strictly the fault of poor writing. An actor can only do what they’re scripted to do. 

Fans have been dying for a MoS 2 announcement for years, now it’s time to give the people what they want. No doubt the original DCEU was building towards a Darkseid showdown and MoS 2 can still lay the groundwork for that eventual epic battle. Get Henry Cavill back in as Superman and show the “all American” Clark Kent not the brooding outcast and get your hero star power back up. Man of Steel 2 should be the film that sets up the idea that a whole bigger threat is coming.

Green Lantern Corps

If Warner Bros. and DC want a film that will blow the minds of audiences, it should be GLC. Not only does this film have the ability to be a smaller scale team-up film, but it can also be one of their more visually stunning films so far. However, there’s a catch. So many people want to see their favorite Lanterns on the big screen, but they’d be wise to start with a more recent story in Jessica Cruz.

By exploring Cruz as the protagonist in GLC it will open the door back up for the multiverse again. When Jessica was introduced in the comics, it was in direct conflict with Darkseid’s daughter from another Earth. Fast forward to the Rebirth story arc and she’s struggling internally with her self doubt versus willpower. With Jessica Cruz at the forefront, the DCEU would be able to not only explore what it means to be a Green Lantern, but what it means to be a hero as well. Have the Lanterns take on their biggest threat but bring the wrath of Darkseid planting the seed in Barry’s mind that the chain of events all happened to his time as the Flash setting up: Flashpoint!

Flash 2 (aka Flashpoint)

Can you really do a big screen version of The Flash and not include a Flashpoint story arc at some point? Probably not. DC would be wise to use this sequel to start to bring back the shared universe. Flashpoint dealing with the alternate timeline created by Barry Allen going back in time to change his fate. The story arc allows them to bring in Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Jason Momoa as Aquaman and even introduce us to a new Bruce Wayne via the Thomas Wayne/Batman story arc.

Justice League 2

Finally the introduction of Darkseid. The epic journey from Flash to JL2 takes us through the heart of these heroes and what it means to be one. From the relentless optimist Barry Allen to the ever doubting inner struggle of Jessica Cruz, it all leads to one epic encounter. Having found their inner strength and their true paths along the way, drawing back in with DC’s Trinity finally would give DC the Avengers level hit they’ve deserved. 

DC failed to establish their characters as we’ve known and loved them from the pages of the comics. It wasn’t the fault of the cast and crew, but their vision for a shared universe failed to provide the proper foundation before getting creative. 

Sure, we can’t wait to see The Joker, Birds of Prey, and the latest iteration of The Batman, but those can be your stand-alone films. Pair those with the Wonder Woman sequel, the Aquaman sequel, and Suicide Squad “sequel” and the stand-alone and shared universe can coexist. 

The multiverse is a great way to cast aside their failures as well as create an all-new exciting universe going forward. If they stick to the family-friendly humor approach, they’ll miss out on some of their best story arcs from the comics. It’s time to pivot and admit mistakes and go forward.

I’ll even help write it when they get stuck. Warner Bros. can hit me up anytime.