Summary
Oh, you know how Marvel built up to Thanos being the ultimate villain? Well, James Gunn, the mastermind behind Guardians of the Galaxy, and now co-running DC Studios, says the new DC Universe won’t be following that path. Picture it more like Star Wars, where various storylines exist in the same universe but are independent, like how Rogue One and Solo had their own unique narratives. This new era of DC kicks off with Gunn’s Superman next year and includes projects like Supergirl and Swamp Thing. So, it’s less about one single, overarching plot and more about creating a rich, multifaceted world filled with diverse narratives. Exciting, isn’t it?
Key Points
• James Gunn, known for his directorial work on the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, is now co-running DC Studios alongside producer Peter Safran. They are spearheading a new DC Universe (DCU) with a different approach to Marvel.
• Gunn’s new Max animated series is technically the beginning of the new DCU, and Creature Commandos follows on from The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker.
• Unlike the Marvel Cinematic Universe, DCU will not build up to one big bad like Thanos but will instead be a sprawling universe with many different stories interconnected.
• “Gods and Monsters” is the first phase of DCU and will kick off with Gunn’s new Superman next year. Other movies include Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, Swamp Thing and The Brave and the Bold.
• Gunn aims to connect the DCU in film, television, gaming, and animation, ensuring consistency in characters and story.
Background
• DC Comics, founded in 1934 as National Allied Publications, is one of the largest and oldest American comic book companies. The DC Universe includes iconic heroes such as Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. Despite its long history and popular characters, DC’s cinematic universe has struggled to achieve the same level of success as rival Marvel.
Future Implications
• Gunn’s approach to the DC Universe could reshape the landscape of superhero movies, offering a more diverse and interconnected storytelling approach. If successful, this could reignite interest in DC’s cinematic universe and compete more effectively with Marvel.
• The introduction of a new Superman and the creation of a new Batman for the main DCU could potentially draw in a new generation of fans and reignite interest in these iconic comic book characters.
