The DCEU, Warner Bros’ shared superhero cinematic universe, has been a polarizing force in the world of fandom. With iconic characters like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, the DCEU has faced both praise and criticism since its inception with 2013’s Man of Steel. The studio hoped to change the conversation at this year’s Comic Con, but instead, they’ve only added fuel to the fire.
DC’s Struggle to Keep Up with Marvel
While DC movies have historically been the go-to for big-screen superheroics, with films like Superman and The Dark Knight redefining the genre, the last decade has seen a shift in the zeitgeist. Marvel Studios’ light-hearted, action-packed adventures have become the brand of choice for superhero fans, leaving DC Comics scrambling to find its footing.
As audiences have grown to expect colorful, quippy, and fun superhero films, Warner Bros has stubbornly clung to the now-outdated ideas that once drew fans to the movie theater. DC’s recent outings have been consistently dark, bleak, and humorless, positioning themselves as the “serious” alternative to Marvel’s lighter fare. Unfortunately, this approach has backfired spectacularly.
The DCEU’s Rocky Start
Man of Steel divided audiences with its uncharacteristically bleak tone for a Superman movie, its nonsensical story, and its controversial decision to have the title character kill off one of his most iconic villains. Batman v Superman attempted to combine two of DC’s darkest stories — The Death of Superman and The Dark Knight Returns — in hopes of getting audiences invested in these darker, “edgier” versions of characters whose primary audiences have always been children.
Despite being a box office success, Batman v Superman failed to meet industry expectations, was panned by critics, and saw a significant drop in audience attendance in its second and third weekends. Even with the introduction of a new Batman and the cinematic debut of Wonder Woman, the film couldn’t reach the $1 billion international benchmark.
Suicide Squad fared no better. Despite featuring the first live-action Harley Quinn, a new Joker, and promises to correct past mistakes, it still ended up as one of 2016’s worst-reviewed movies. The only recent DC movie that could be called a success is Wonder Woman, which notably deviated from the DCEU’s established tone and narrative.
Can Justice League Save the DCEU?
Hoping for another hit like Wonder Woman, Warner Bros has pulled out all the stops for their Avengers-level franchise team-up: Justice League. The film has undergone multiple reshoots, and Joss Whedon was even brought in to handle the film’s final push when director Zack Snyder had to step away due to a personal tragedy. Comic Con was the studio’s chance to change people’s minds about the upcoming film.
Unfortunately, the four-minute preview of Justice League shown at Comic Con was not the game-changer Warner Bros needed. The footage looked surprisingly cheap, introduced a lackluster villain in Steppenwolf, and leaned heavily on the memory of Batman v Superman by focusing on Superman’s absence and inevitable return.
As a lifelong fan of DC characters and stories, I want this movie to be good. I want Justice League to be the turning point the DCEU desperately needs. I want to see the franchise’s disparate threads come together in a single, triumphant moment. I want to enjoy the movies I pay to see.
However, the sad truth is that Justice League may be just as disappointing as the rest of the DCEU. Warner Bros’ fixation on dark, edgy versions of these beloved characters has missed the point of their enduring popularity and damaged their movies beyond repair. I genuinely hope I’m wrong, but with no reason to expect otherwise, it’s hard to stay optimistic.
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