DC Studios Needs to Accelerate the Introduction of Their Major Characters

Essential Insights

DC Studios should prioritize iconic heroes such as Superman and Wonder Woman.
Emphasizing lesser-known figures like Creature Commandos might be a gamble.
The studio encounters challenges in launching its universe with an unproven strategy.

DC Studios aims to restart its franchise following the unsuccessful DC Extended Universe initiated by the prior Warner Bros. leadership. With James Gunn and Peter Safran at the helm, the studio is now directing its efforts toward characters that may not be familiar to mainstream audiences, including Creature Commandos. However, this approach poses risks similar to those of Marvel Studios, which successfully launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with the relatively obscure Iron Man.

When establishing its universe, DC Studios would have benefitted from featuring its more prominent characters. Superman is set to grace theaters next year, but plans regarding Wonder Woman and Batman seem to be further away. These iconic heroes have a proven track record at the box office, and introducing them prior to diving into lesser-known characters like those in Creature Commandos would resonate better with general viewers who are more inclined towards familiar faces.

DC Studios Should Avoid Focusing on Minor Characters

Justice League members including Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman

DC Studios and Marvel Studios operate independently, yet the former appears to be mimicking Marvel’s strategy. Instead of launching its new interconnected universe with heavyweights like Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman, DC Studios is inspired by Marvel’s model. At the onset, Marvel had to rely on its less popular characters because key franchises like Spider-Man, X-Men, and the Fantastic Four were tied up with other studios. DC, on the other hand, has access to all its legendary heroes but chose to kick off its universe with the animated Creature Commandos. Although this move excites comic book enthusiasts, it’s essential for DC Studios to engage with general audiences first. Historical data indicates that both Batman and Superman are reliable box office draws; for instance, The Batman recently amassed over $772 million globally. While Gunn and Safran are keen to craft something remarkable with DC Studios, the studio faces several hurdles as it embarks on a new narrative.

The aftermath of the DC Extended Universe left many fans disappointed. The original Wonder Woman film garnered critical acclaim and grossed over $822.96 million globally, but its sequel faltered. Many believe the DC Extended Universe mishandled its depiction of Superman, which led to the cancellation of a planned sequel to The Man of Steel. Despite these setbacks, the popular trio of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman typically perform better than lesser-known heroes, with titles like Shazam! and Blue Beetle struggling at the box office. Launching a franchise with Creature Commandos could ultimately prove detrimental.

The Effects of DC Studios’ Choices on Its Future

With DC Studios not debuting its first theatrical release until next year’s Superman, the studio is grappling with box office difficulties. The most recent release, Joker: Folie à Deux, has underperformed, generating only $165.31 million worldwide. This comes in stark contrast to the original Joker, which debuted with $96.2 million in its opening weekend and eventually surpassed a billion globally. While some may distinguish past DC films from the forthcoming iterations of DC Studios, the broader audience may find it challenging to perceive any substantial differences. Although DC Studios has the potential to genuinely compete with Marvel Studios, various factors currently hinder its success. The decision to abandon a third Wonder Woman movie frustrated many fans who had anticipated Patty Jenkins’ trilogy. Nevertheless, starting afresh with a new portrayal of Wonder Woman could have corrected past missteps and set a positive tone for the new shared universe. This strategy would allow ample time for the studio to develop a fresh Batman narrative after Matt Reeves completes his trilogy before recasting the iconic role.

As DC Studios is yet to release its inaugural film, there remains a chance that its choices could yield positive outcomes. Audience curiosity could be spurred by James Gunn’s involvement as both writer and director, coupled with the concept of a Superman more akin to the comic book version. For the time being, fans must remain patient to see whether DC Studios’ decision to start its new universe with Creature Commandos proves to be successful.

Superman is set to land in theaters on July 11, 2025.

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