After a series of repeated failures, there’s no doubt to say that the fans have even stopped worrying about James Gunn’s DCU. It must be agreed though that most of the damage faced by the superhero universe currently has its roots in the old regime as we are yet to enter James Gunn’s era. The Gunn era is slated to kick off with the highly-anticipated Superman: Legacy. However, that doesn’t make all fans happy as some people are still upset about Henry Cavill’s exit.
While the exit of Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, and others hurt the fans, there are more severe issues with the universe that need to be solved now. It is interesting how the rival MCU is suffering currently for being unable to fulfill everyone’s expectations in the post-Endgame phase, DCU has still a long way to go. The box-office collection of all the main timeline movies has shown how the studio has failed to bring back the hype among fans.
With James Gunn and Peter Safran on the High Table, fans expect a better outcome. However, many changes need to be implemented to save the dying universe. Here are 12 things that should be given utmost importance by Gunn while setting up the new DCU.
12. Getting Over the Past
When James Gunn took over as the co-CEO of the new DCU, he was quick to announce that not all the existing characters would get rebooted in the new Universe. The point got clearer later when Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck found no place, but recent updates suggested Gal Gadot is involved in a Wonder Woman 3 project. This move can prove disastrous as the audience can get confused between the old and the new characters. It can’t also be denied that the DCEU is a past now. There’s no use in holding it back. A fresh start will be more fruitful for the new DCU. If David Corenswet succeeds Cavill as Superman, then the same fate should be faced by all the characters.
11. Maintain a Uniform Continuity
One of the core attractions of the MCU has been its focus on details and events that help it maintain a uniform continuity. Marvel had paved a clear path since their first movie in 2008 which successfully pays off in the grand Avengers: Endgame. Similarly, DCU also needs a fixed vision and uniform continuity. With the concept of Elseworlds introduced by James Gunn, it will be hoped that they can design a fixed path through their projects instead of creating confusion.
10. Bring Back Snyderverse as Elseworlds
While announcing his new plans regarding the DCU, he also introduced the plan of Elseworlds. It will give the directors a platform who want to take a different take on certain characters like Batman and Joker. This platform is also perfect for bringing back the widely controversial Snyderverse. Zack Snyder fans have dominated social media platforms for a long time repeatedly to get the failed universe as an Elseworld project. If it is implemented by James Gunn, then undoubtedly, it will bring back a large faction of fans who want to see the full Darkseid saga.
09. Focus on More Heroes Than Just The DC Trinity
Lately, it has been also observed how DC Movies prioritizes the Trinity far more than the other superheroes. Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are the pillars of DC Comics but that shouldn’t keep the vast range of other superheroes away from the spotlight. Numerous iconic characters also deserve their solo projects and proper set-ups. With James Gunn’s strong affinity to lesser-known characters as already seen in both his MCU and DC contribution, it will be hoped that everybody gets proper treatment.
08. Bring in More Obscure Villains Yet to be Seen in Live Action
As important as it is to focus on other superheroes, the same also goes for some of the most iconic and obscure villains waiting for their introduction in the DCU. The importance of antagonists in movies is widely known to the cinephiles and it holds a primary contribution in the superhero genre. Starting from Brainiac to a very fascinating Vandal Savage, there are numerous villains in the comics that if used properly can give us some of the best stories of all time.
07. Lex Luthor Deserves a Proper Reboot by James Gunn
No matter how much the Snyder fans rally behind their Universe and how unique it might be, Jesse Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor is better to be forgotten. The iconic Superman foe deserves a proper reboot after reports stated about his appearance in Superman: Legacy. The character should be more reserved and develop healthily with the proper time. Being one of the greatest comic book villains ever, the character’s motivations should be clear to the audience and the approach should be as far to Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice as possible.
06. Reboot Green Lantern
It can’t be denied that no matter how much injustice Lex Luthor has faced, it’s nothing compared to Green Lantern. The project is frequently mentioned by Ryan Reynolds as it has been etched in his mind as an untreatable scar. Green Lantern is one of the key aspects of DC Comics and deserves to be seen on the big screen. Despite the Lanterns series already announced by James Gunn in his wide roadmap, a big-screen intergalactic saga involving Hal Jordan and others will be expected by the fans. It will be interesting to see if the True Detective-Esque Lanterns reboot is successful in paving the way for such a project.
05. Give Dark Nights: Metal the Live-Action Treatment
Dark Nights: Metal is by far one of the most legendary and fan-favorite comic book storylines ever. If this storyline ever gets adapted into live-action, superhero lovers would go mad. The multiversal-level plot involves a Dark Multiverse connected to the original DC Multiverse. Havoc unleashes when this Dark Multiverse releases different evil versions of Batman led by Barbatos to conquer every Earth. This comic book is also known for introducing the iconic ‘Batman who Laughs’. Capitalizing on the current trend of multiversal plots, if this storyline comes to James Gunn’s universe, Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame would look like child’s play in front of it.
04. Connect Arrowverse to DCU
The Arrowverse has done a commendable job over the years in connecting the widely-spanned DC Television shows. Even though people can have differing opinions on it, the Arrowverse is appreciated for its commendable approach in connecting the television series and designing a uniform universe comprising the CW shows. Although it has ended now, if the Arrowverse is merged with James Gunn’s DCU, not only many superheroes will get to shine in the main timeline but it will also expand the universe more productively and garner a huge fan base for the shows.
03. Focus on the Animated DC Projects
DC has a reputation for creating some of the most appreciated storylines in the animated DCAU and DCAMU. James Gunn excited the fans when he announced Creature Commandos which will be connected to the main live-action universe and will be portrayed by the same actors who will voice them. Given, that DC is already well-reputed for its animated works, this sector should be well-focused to present some incredible stories that might seem misfit or too difficult to be implemented for live-action.
02. Do Not Shy Away from R-rated Content Unlike Marvel
One of the major criticisms faced by the MCU is its lack of mature content. But DC is already known for being gritty and if these stories are presented in a fearless R-rated tone by the studio, then it will get them a major upper hand. Moreover, James Gunn is already known for being crazy with his projects. Given his track record, Gunn is more likely to handle this department well. As the MCU is also leaping to R-rating with their Deadpool 3, they are yet to go a long way.
01. More Creative Freedom to the Directors
Lack of creative freedom for the directors not only caused the old DCEU to fall but many studios even Marvel to face consequences. A director’s vision is a major thing in a project and if with limitations, it is difficult to fully portray the intended result. As much as James Gunn loves creative freedom, it is hoped that studio interference should be as little as possible for the movies to breathe. The studio shouldn’t repeat its mistake of trying to be MCU like it did in the Justice League or ‘Josstice League’ as the fans call it and must establish a personality of its own to reach the stage it deserves.
