My Thoughts on the New DC Universe

[@DanMurrellMovies]

I've received several comments now regarding the pronouns I used to refer to writer Grant Morrison. As someone who doesn't follow the comics world closely, I was not aware that Grant Morrison is referred to using they/them pronouns and will take note of that for future reference. One note I did find as I researched the topic after this was brought up: I was told by several people that Morrison personally prefers the "they/them" pronouns; in an interview with UK's The Times conducted in September of last year, Morrison said "I said that if I had been doing now what I was doing back in the 1990s I would be viewed as non-binary or gender queer. Suddenly it was taken up by the fan press and I was awarded the label ‘they/them’. I never asked for it. I come from a generation where that just doesn’t matter, even being labelled at all is anathema to me. I can’t live in a box. I’m going to let down anyone who sticks a label on me. It will drop off quite naturally." So while it doesn't seem that the they/them pronouns are specifically stated to be Morrison's personal preference, I acknowledge that it is generally the label used given their stated gender identity and because Morrison doesn't reject those pronouns, I will move forward accordingly. Thanks for your understanding.

[@originalindigodingo]

Just fyi, you haven't actually pinned this comment yet. I only found it after scrolling pretty deep in the comments

[@DanMurrellMovies]

@@originalindigodingo Thank you, I pinned it earlier but the browser glitched out and I didn't realize that it didn't pin. It's pinned now!

[@countpicula]

Wow, total lose of respect over this nonsense

[@cristhianzerimar]

@@countpicula Or just move on with your life. You weren't physically hurt by it, were you?

[@LikeGod_ButBetterLooking]

@@countpicula why? What is bad about respecting people and being kind?

[@sivakumarsa]

The fence sitting might be like DC rebirth. They rebooted the comics in new 52 then brought back elements people wanted in DC rebirth.

[@TheEliFamily]

Let’s also remember fence sitting for them as a business is good because they have options. The fans don’t like it because the “want” to know

[@matthewho4584]

Yup. This. Completely this.

[@brianng8350]

Between the new 52 and Rbirth, I’m totally lost on the continuity. There were some good comics, but even they did not have the big picture from what I heard. Hopefully, this is better since everything has to go through these 2 guys.

[@blunteastwood]

It's more like New 52. They said it was a reboot, implying a hard one, but then kept elements. Rebirth was never billed as any kind of reboot.

[@patrickmike2524]

Can you make a Superman like that. Yes, it’s called Captain America. That character completely worked

[@TheUnprofessionalReviewer]

Agree but also disagree with that comparison. Yes they both are more optimistic characters that can be called Boy Scouts. Yes they both in a lot of ways represent the best of America for Cap and best of Humanity for Sups. The main difference is how Steve Rogers is literally an old man in modern times. His sense of optimism is old fashioned because he is old fashioned. Superman is the complete opposite. He is new to humanity. He is very naive and its through that naïveté that gives him that old fashioned sense of optimism. Think of the last line between Vision and Ultron in Age of Ultron. I feel like that is a more direct comparison although Vision and Superman are also very different but that’s a whole other conversation lol So yes this is just a long winded way of saying it is very possible to make a Superman film with these sensibilities but the task is so very different at the core of what makes Superman stand out. Both a challenge in different ways!

[@thecounselingcouch68]

Doesn't work the same way. Captain America is a man in the wrong era. Superman will be a man in current times. Donner's Superman does not work in our current times.

[@botanicus2921]

@@thecounselingcouch68 read what's so funny about Truth Justice and the American way

[@thecounselingcouch68]

@@botanicus2921 Read it and own it.

[@YTKR5]

These are the same things imo - an optimistic young man instilled with old fashioned values arriving in the cosmopolitan world as a fish out of water, I don’t see any difference at its core

[@Bfrd25]

Curious to see how Gunn balances overseeing everything while still directing/writing some movies. It feels like for this to work it needs to be his only responsibility. But maybe that's why Safran is there too.

[@Fl0k5ser]

Gunn has confirmed that he is overseeing the creative side of the DC story, Safran is more on the business (budget stuff something like that) and marketing for DC

[@scottsummers4234]

Very ambitious plan. Let's see if they can achieve it.

[@NicBrandon]

As a lifelong DC fan who was super excited to see the original DCEU plan from 2015 and was extremely sad to see it all fall apart after 2017, I'm beyond excited for this. In the interviews Gunn and Safran gave outside of the announcement video, they seem to be understanding everything that went wrong with the previous universe: extreme studio interference holding back creative vision; a willingness to give the IP out to anyone, resulting in a "cinematic universe" where none of the films feel connected and often contradict each other (WW84 doesn't really work with the rest of the universe, BoP never addresses where Batman is, TSS never addresses the events of BoP, BA introduces a JSA that has just been... sitting everything out in the past?); and an extreme lack of consistency (from the original plan to the Hamada era, in which Superman couldn't be used and a new, non shared universe Batman needed to be introduced, to the post-Flash reboot, to the abandonment of that reboot and a cancellation of all of the reboot films, to the Rock's terrible plan and strong-manning attempts, etc. etc.). These guys get the problems, and have solutions to all of them: there will now be tonal variety and a respect for creative visions (Gunn made a point that this isn't the "Gunnverse); continuity will be respected and everything will coexist, with Elseworlds stuff being clearly labeled; and there will be consistency in executing a decade-long plan. The projects themselves also sound great. I previously was iffy on the idea of having another Batman franchise compete with Matt Reeves', but man I'm down for it now. I'm happy to be getting an older-ish Batman again with the bat-family already established (Zack Snyder had the right idea with coming in with an older version of the character; if you start from the beginning, you have to make like 20 movies before you finally can use all of the supporting characters), and honestly I'm super down with seeing the two franchises coexist; on the one hand we have a gritty, younger take on the character, while on the other we have the older, family-man take on the character in a wider universe. Best of both worlds. While I was extremely sad to see Cavill go (though, for all intents and purposes, he lost the job back in 2018 when his contract renegotiations fell through), I'm excited for the new Superman film. It doesn't work with Cavill's iteration of the character, and people need to accept that. Superman is not Henry Cavill; even though he was my personal favorite iteration of that character, there's room for more. Besides, I love Cavill and think he's a good actor, but let's not pretend like he was giving phenomenal performances (not a jab at him, just saying it's possible to do better). The Supergirl film sounds great, as does the Authority, and I'm beyond excited for the Lanterns series. The big thing I love is the variety: we get big names (Batman, Superman, Green Lantern) and borderline unknown names (the Authority, Creature Commandos), as well as in-between characters (Booster Gold, Swamp Thing). Tonally varied stories with a wide array of characters, telling stories that haven't been done to death? Sounds great to me. I loved the original DCEU before it fell apart, and I absolutely adore the three Snyder films. However, I''m not one of those fanatical Snyderbots and I fully believe that this soft restart is the best way to go about things. I'm also glad that the Flash film serves as the story reboot that connects the two phases of the universe, rather than just starting cold and letting the last 10 years of storytelling go to waste. This is the best way forward, and I believe that, so long as the films and shows are, you know, actually good, we're about to enter a golden age of DC. The only thing I'm unsure of is the stance on video games and animation; while I like the idea of having them tie into the DCU, I don't think that they all should have to tie in. Some is fine, but I'd still like some standalone, "Elseworlds" games and animated content. My personal ranking of the projects by anticipation: 1. Lanterns 2. The Brave and the Bold 3. Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow 4. Booster Gold 5. Superman: Legacy 6. Paradise Lost 7. The Authority 8. Waller 9. Swamp Thing 10. Creature Commandos

[@anthonycorcino6700]

What are you writing a novel God damm man.

[@zacharymccoy7091]

I'm all for more Green Lantern content. You can make so many movies and shows out of just that part of the universe, it's insane.

[@mudiametokunboh2370]

Facts exactly Gunn is cooking he’s not just handing out ips he’s talking his time

[@jaredrose3307]

There's a good chance the fence sitting with characters like the flash and Aquaman are because they still have movies coming out. They can be more straightforward with Henry Cavill because he doesn't have a movie coming. They probably don't want to say we're going to have a brand new flash and a brand new Aquaman before those movies come out, because they don't want people saying what's the point of seeing those movies if they don't count. And yes, there are lots of those people out there. It just comes down to them wanting to give their upcoming movies the best chance at the box office, and then once those movies have come and gone they'll come out and say those guys are now gone just like Cavill.

[@FakeFriendsForever]

Jason Momoa confirmed he’s not going to be away from Aquaman

[@DanV900]

@@FakeFriendsForever That’s not what he said.

[@soradev3254]

@@DanV900 sort of, they are doing a third movie and apparently they are tying in the 2nd and 3rd with the reboot or smth

[@mudiametokunboh2370]

Plans mean everything and story thank goodness with James gunn

[@shanetaylor761]

I think something really important gunn can do is feed the fans enough classics(batman, superman, green lanterns) but also really delve into Lessor known characters. Maybe not unknown but we are so over due for a swamp thing movie it's crazy. I hope they first introduce Constantine in it like the comics. Now i just want to see people like etrigan, the spector, Solomon grundy, zatana, or plastic man(not goofy though full strength).

[@donkeydarko77]

Why did you leave out Wonder Woman?

[@everythingharsh]

Etrigan movie plz 80's medeival plz

[@SumDumGy]

Seems to me he has held on to completely the wrong writing staff to deliver the classics to audiences.

[@mudiametokunboh2370]

@@everythingharshwould be dopee

[@richardlyons3849]

Lanterns is actually on HBO television as well, which means probably in their primetime 9:00pm Sunday slot. Feel like that should give a little more confidence instead of it being something thats streaming only.

[@TimothyMReynolds]

Love the set dressing for this episode 💚

[@langleymneely]

That Supergirl story is amazing and effectively a cosmic version of True Grit with Kara in the Rooster Cogburn role. This is great news!

[@rickcleveland310]

If Captain America can work in the modern era, so can Superman.

[@Maulbert]

I disagree, not that Superman can work, but that Captain America's success proves it. While Cap and Supes are symbolically similar, Cap doesn't have Superman's OP power set, which makes it easier to write for him. You can believably write Cap losing a fight to a decently powerful enemy, you can't with Superman. Superman only loses to gods.

[@LikeGod_ButBetterLooking]

@Keith Hamman exactly Cap can want to change the world and have his ideas be a success for those around him. If Supes wants to change the world it changes for everyone. That massively changes the stories you can tell.

[@MrBrock314]

@@Maulbert And magic. Superman loses to magic. But they're referring to the tone. You can play a boy scout and it works.

[@awwa2]

Most excited about Booster Gold. Has the potential to be really unique in the superhero genre if executed properly.

[@AlvinWazHere]

Its DC, its gonna flop

[@jacksauce]

Completely agree with you. He’s one of my favorite DC heroes and I was unbelievably happy when Gunn announced his series

[@mudiametokunboh2370]

@@AlvinWazHerenah it’s gonna be great

[@electricfire621]

14:50 yes you can still have a hopeful and optimistic Superman even in modern day. A great example of this is All-Star Superman, Superman: Birthright, and Superman vs The Elite which are great comics which I highly recommend.

[@donkeydarko77]

Wonder Woman was hopeful & optimistic in her first film, and it made over $820 million. It DOES work.

[@ed3kzz]

All Star Superman is criminally underrated. Could make a spectacular final entry in a trilogy.

[@ravissary79]

My concern is that these creators don't have a good track record depicting smart, effective yet idealistic classically good characters.

[@chloeclarke9495]

The thing that I’m iffy about is having the animation actors play the characters in live action. Someone could be the perfect voice of the character but not the best choice in live action. For example, I loved Nathan Fillion as Hal Jordan in the DCAU but I don’t know if I’d pick him for the show.

[@devverma144]

Obviously, if they follow through with this plan, they will only cast voice actors that can potentially be part of live action.

[@Midv1322]

I think they will be looking for live action version of these characters and then that actor also has to to voice work for animation and games.

[@hiimchrisj]

I think the idea is that they're going to cast for live action first and target actors specifically that are more open to also taking on voice roles. That being said, Creature Commandos is the only animated show announced so far and most of those characters are monsters so you can still just hire creature performers for any live action appearance and just have the same voice actors dub over the lines.

[@devverma144]

@@hiimchrisj true. Like how Brenden Frazier only did the voice over for Doom Patrol.

[@owensanfordstuff]

And actors reprising their roles for videos games? That's a huge commitment to undertake and it's something I don't see happening. Going back to the actors voicing their characters in animation, it really didn't sound right in what if? It didn't feel like they were acting, just reading lines

[@louisberry4403]

Loving this and hope Gunn delivers something special with these.

[@Vadahann]

It's a good first step and what DC needed: a vision and a plan. There's some bold choices who fit very closely to what Gunn already created in his previous works, it's risky but it also comes with it's own identity. And there's that statement about bringing back stories and directors on the foreground, distancing it furthermore from the formulaic MCU. We still need to see how that will actually materialize but I'm intrigued.

[@thisguydan]

I’d like to see Guillermo del Toro direct Swamp Thing. Exactly the kind of character/film he loves to make, even winning an Oscar for The Shape of Water. Having Gunn and del Toro on the roster would give DC two of the best directors for the crazier and darker characters of DC that Gunn will favor…I can already picture del Toro’s Solomon Grundy.

[@jermhoosierfan]

del Toro had a whole concept for a Justice League Dark all mapped out from what I read and heard, but WB said No to him. He would be perfect for that area.

[@daywren7511]

Leave Guillermo Del Toro alone best for him not to be wrapped up in all this bullshit

[@Trekkie46]

The Authority. My hope is that they'll be a stand-in for the dystopian dark "modern" side of superhero media, i.e. The Boys, Invincible, Man Of Steel, Zak's concept of a Batman that kills, etc. If I'm right (again, hoping), The Authority is the dark example that The Justice League uses as a return to form for what superheroes SHOULD stand for. As they announced, Truth, Justice and The American Way. I really want that zeal and good feeling to the core brought back.

[@kyleparry7559]

This is hands down the most rational, measured, and reasonable take I’ve seen on a KZbin channel thus far.

[@Maximo_ari]

I didn’t know if a Supergirl movie was gonna work. But I just finished reading Woman of Tomorrow (it’s free on Hoopla), and my god thats gonna be a crazy good adaption! Everyone needs to read that comic!

[@boxtupos7718]

Tom King is amazing His Mr. Miracle and then the War of Jokes and Riddles (A story where he made Kiteman relevant) are amazing; Prolly the best writer in DC right now.

[@Maximo_ari]

@@boxtupos7718 I’ve been reading Human Target monthly and I love it! Just started his Mr. Miracle last night. Any chance you read Gotham City Year One? Been debating if I should pick it up.

[@SumDumGy]

You may think the comic is a great story. You have no basis on which to declare the adaptation will be good.

[@SumDumGy]

@@boxtupos7718 If Tom King is so amazing why do so many comic book readers despise the man’s work? I’ve never heard a positive thing about him until reading your comment.

[@boxtupos7718]

@@Maximo_ari I say he's the best, mostly because of his "Hits", he is a great writer but he is very hit or miss; Prolly just need a good editor to reel him in. I also was pretty specific on his Batman run, War of Jokes and Riddles, because other than that most of the stories were meh. He is hit or miss, but his HITS usually become one of my favorite run on a series.

[@AnferneeMyers]

I think the most interesting thing that the press releases have done are teasing how good of a team Safran and Gunn seem to be, together.

[@oddcreatureX]

Gunn’s only going to be able to be directly involved to a significant degree with some of these projects, it will be interesting to see how they all do.

[@mnoir7257]

I am worried about the ones he is more involved in honestly. His style is very particular. Based on everything I have seen him write he is a terrible choice for Superman.

[@Bfrd25]

@@mnoir7257 I think writing could be fine, it's just who directs it moreso

[@brianng8350]

@@mnoir7257 He is more a Brightburn guy. He can write touching family/human emotional connections between characters that is very grounded. But he has a humor that you would not call wholesome… , which is what Superman needs… haha…. I was trying to defend him, but ended up agreeing with you… 😂

[@peternystrom921]

All Will be canceled after a few years.

[@DisasterArtist1997]

he is totally directing The Authority

[@verlisifiancesatire6344]

I'm really just excited for Swamp Thing.

[@filmezki]

Gunn brought C list characters in Guardians of the Galaxy that 99 percent of people had never heard about and made them icons. I am sure his team will be able to pull this exact same thing with all these "lesser known" stories for their slate.

[@jefnyssen1937]

My list of anticipation -Superman: Legacy (Very important this one is BIG for the future of dc) -Lanterns -Swamp Thing (Love that they do different genres -Brave and the Bold (Would be nr 1 if Battinson didn't existed) -The Authority -Supergirl (The way Gunn described it sounds really cool) -Paradise Island -Booster Gold -Waller -Creature Commando In the end, I'll watch em all anyway

[@alexandelsosa7718]

I will say Hippolyta and Zeus scheming either together or against each other and other gods would be pretty entertaining tbh. All of the chaos, fights, and arguments coming down to a sand sculpture built by Hippolyta and struck by Zeus's lightning on a beach at night.

[@chesareroach]

That LANTERNS TV Show has all my attention, stylized as a Sci-fi version of True Detective....I definitely can't wait.

[@Skeletal33]

Im not sure how I feel about his plan. Its a very strange plan. But…eliminating everything except Suicide Squad & Peacemaker? How does that make sense?

[@MrBrock314]

The rest of it didn't work or had controversy around it. So, they moved on.

[@BigBossMan257]

He never said what would be staying or going lol let’s not make assumptions now

[@thebortthe]

Flash will reset things and some things will remain, likely James Gunn’s projects. They’re not super connected to the rest of the DCEU.

[@boxtupos7718]

Because SS and Peacemaker were already soft reboots. In Peacemaker, Chris comments on how Batman is a pussy for not killing his super villains.

[@KarennTingle2000]

Thank you so much Dan. A lot of channels I watched only spoke on the video Gunn made and nothing from the actual news conference. Appreciate it Dan! Definitely agree on starting film development on an unfinished script. Where is the DAKOTAVERSE. I want Icon, Static Shock, and Hardware!?

[@SIMON_SAYS_SO]

Alexander Skarsgard (The Northman) as Batman since he is right age and build. Bill Skarsgard (Pennywise) as Joker. Jensen Ackles as Hal Jordan Green Lantern.

[@electricfire621]

Not bad but Alexander would be better suited for Aquaman or Apollo (member of the Authority).

[@johnscott6984]

Competed scripts? Consistent characters played by the same actors? An emphasis on telling stories (rather than checking boxes to satisfy “modern audiences”, hopefully) that fit in a general continuity? Hope springs eternal, I guess, but I’ll believe it when I see it - best of luck to Mr Gunn and his team!

[@hezekiahramirez6965]

Yeah... I will believe this when I see it. I don't have faith in this company. It sucks because I really do love DC Comics and I also still hope it will be great, but I just don't believe this is happening at this point. Some of it probably will. Much of it I don't believe will. I guess it's my fault for wanting a great DCU so badly and keeping the hope alive, and I do get that it's reasonable to feel that way, but I'm sick of getting burned by DC movies. I just want to have something I love. I won't die without it or anything but I do love DC and I want it to be great. I just want it to be great. I think it's fine to want that. I just don't expect it

[@lifeline.6144]

just a heads up midnight ear and apollo from the authority are both gay in the comics so don’t be surprised when you see it

[@fatdingo8251]

@@lifeline.6144Well, at least it was already in the comics and not changed just for shits and giggles

[@bluesdjben]

Great breakdown. I can always count on you to dive thoroughly into the details while also clearly conveying the big picture.

[@riverlynnxo]

I dont really watch super hero stuff, but we do enjoy any superman and batman movies that come out, those tend to be really enjoyable. Thanks for all the updates. I would like a nice hopeful / cheerful focused superman, and of course more of The Batman would be nice too!

[@joeg4043]

17:28 YUM

[@rahjahknows]

Great video, Dan! Appreciate the breakdown and background research

[@Invalidspin]

Momoa is Lobo. You literally will never find a closer match. Aquaman shouldn’t be too hard to recast lol.

[@Cotsos88]

It all depends on the quality. I'm not at all excited about most of these, but I wasn't about Peacemaker either and it's one of the best things DC has done post-Nolan.

[@obara7366]

BOOSTER, GOLD! BOOSTER, GOLD! I'm so excited to see Mike's story come to the mainstream. He's my favourite superhero of all time because insecurity/imposter syndrome is the core of all my favourite characters. I also hope that the show will include Ted Kord's Blue Beetle, who ends up becoming Booster Gold's best and most treasured friend. Their bromance rivals that of SuperBat for me. Thank you once again for another great video, Dan, it's been a rough week.

[@jezziah2]

I don't know that much about Booster Gold, but (I mean, superhero name alone) the idea behind his character has a lot of comedic potential, as well as touching perhaps lightly on the sadder side of a hero with insecurities & imposter syndrome. Hadn't thought of the Blue Beetle connection (haven't read the comics aside from Booster Gold's first appearance) but it makes perfect sense to bring them together and build on that relationship. Is he a bit like The Tick, in the sense he's most often getting into situations he can't handle alone/gets out of his depth, with his 'sidekick' bailing him out ..?

[@naodamdetsyon6929]

I think having a more experienced and fleshed out Batfamily is a wise choice considering the fact that they aren't scrapping the Reevesverse. Most audiences dont listen to these announcements so they'll just go off of what they see. I imagine many would just assume these two are the same Batmen just at different points in their career

[@iamnotbatman1218]

Love how you changed up the background to have a bunch of DC stuff!

[@brianmichaels8093]

I feel the opposite - I am far more excited about the more obscure characters like Creature Commandos, Booster Gold, and The Authority than I am for yet ANOTHER Superman, Batman, etc...

[@mysterylover9546]

But I think those kind of characters should mostly be streaming platform exclusive content. Both Warner Bros and DC are very low in money, and need to increase profit. Fans say they love these characters and want more movies/shows centered on them, but then no one shows up at the theaters. Business-wise they need to get the attention of casual watchers as well. Also, let’s not forget that the public and even comic book fans have become exhausted with superhero movies and shows. This slate just won’t get people talking or butts in theater seats.

[@Fade2BlackSS]

@user-sk2cx8ub3k I feel like the difference between DC and Marvel is that Marvel does have characters who may not be as popular but are still well known. DC pretty much has the Trinity. Characters that they expand on are branched from those characters in the movies and media. Harley Quinn, Joker and even Killer Croc are usuals in the Gotham universe. They tried making a Batgirl movie and a Batwoman TV show. Titans had all 3 Robins in it as well as Batman and the Scarecrow as a villian. It seems like the mainly bank off Batman because they know the name will put butts in seats. Superman is THE most well known superhero in the world and they just can't get the guy right. So while I am excited for Lanterns and Swamp Thing, so I do think they need a good Superman movie as well. I think the biggest problem is that DC feels like they need ro follow Marvel and have all these interconnected stories when you don't. Get your main players out there first and then have that big crossover later when they're established. That's what made the first Avengers so good IMO.

[@magnifique909]

I don't understand the lack of respect for arrow verse! Many long-lived shows, well connected and full of fun characters!

[@bluesdjben]

I think Creature Commandos is actually the one I'm most excited about for multiple reasons. I love animated superhero shows. I have a good idea of what it's going to be like. It's already in production, so I probably don't have to worry about it getting canceled before it sees the light of day. It totally fits the kind of storytelling that James Gunn excels at. I think with a lot of the others, they are too far away for me to really know what to expect, although I like a lot of the ideas. Whereas I have a pretty good idea of how fun a show about a bunch of weird misfit heroes and antiheroes getting into a whole bunch of wild and weird situations and trying to work together can be.

[@peterm.fitzpatrick7735]

I am really looking forward to what they are going to do with "The Authority" franchise. I have about ten graphic novel collections of the story, and it is quite good!

[@mark2graves-movies689]

Yay! I was hoping you would chime in on this announcement 👍🏻👍🏻

[@DeathStarKitty]

The All-Star Superman version of Supes is, for me, the best version. In 1978, the hokey oh-golly-shucks-maam, was what set him apart from the cynical world of the changes in society in the 70's. In today's world, that would translate to what the MCU did with Cap and it works. The character is good to the core and will always choose the right thing to do because they know they have the power to do it. The character has to be founded on the fact that Clark would never willingly allow harm to come to anyone.

[@danielwright3929]

I hope they make fun of Man of Steel in Superman Legacy. Have him battle an over powered brute who keeps on risking the lives of countless people and Superman is sweating his ass off making sure he saves every last one of them and when he finally topples the bad guy the bad guy says:” You know, you could’ve saved yourself the aggravation by simply snapping my neck.” Superman laughs and says,” That’s true, but I’m not a psychopath.”

[@bobthegrinch]

There are things I'm really excited to see. I love that they seem to be taking inspiration from Grant Morrison for Superman and Batman. One of the things that got me excited about Man of Steel was the use of dialogue from All Star Superman in the trailer fooling me into thinking they were going to be taking tonal inspiration from that book. I'm also excited for Swamp Thing if they can see what worked about the recent TV series and deliver something of that quality. I'm not hyped about Booster Gold or The Authority because I don't know much about them, but I have an open mind. The Waller series could be good Viola Davis is great and I liked how Gunn wrote her in The Suicide Squad but it's not a character I have a long standing love and am excited about. But I was the same about Peacemaker and loved it. Themiscyra prequel series I could do without. I don't know if it's just because I haven't read a lot of comics that feature it, or if it's the idea of a 'Game of Thrones style show' set in the DC that doesn't appeal, but unless the reviews are amazing, I'll skip that. Generally I just hope they make good content and set their budgets appropriately so that they can make business sense. I am excited that DC finally have someone in charge who has genuine affection for the comics and what works about them rather than people who seem embarrassed by them and think they know how to change them and make them 'real' or 'edgy'. Although I enjoyed the first two Nolan films, I feel like since Tim Burton they've regularly given their movies to people who don't actually have any interest in the comics.

[@solidsnake3962]

How has Gunn proven himself a bigger fan of the comics than Snyder? As much as I love peacemaker and suicide squad nobody was comic accurate in it. I think Snyder is a fan of late 80s 90s comics after crisis.

[@bobthegrinch]

@@solidsnake3962 It's more the tone and spirit of the characters than being slavishly faithful to the events of comics. Snyder was always banging on about he'd made Superman more "real" or explaining why Batman was a murderer. He couldn't even keep the alien squid in Watchmen (which the HBO series managed to reference without it feeling silly). There's no way Snyder would've included Starro for example and Gunn managed to make The Suicide Squad feel more like a recognisable adaptation of DC comics despite it having to work as a follow up to the original which was firmly in the Snyderverse. That's not to say he didn't make changes to characters, but it's not like he took liberties with the nature of their characterisation or fundamentally changed the philosophy of major characters.

[@solidsnake3962]

@@bobthegrinch when I rewatch Snyders movies they are a comic put to screen. I only had a few comics with peacemaker in them but in those comics he wasn’t anything like what we got on screen(which worked great) Tim Burtons Batman killed a ridiculous amount of people. Superman killed Zodd in Reeves movies. Just even off of the filmmakers resume Snyder did 300 when Gunn made Slither(nothing wrong with slither) it wasn’t until guardians of the galaxy that Gunn was even known. Gunn has shown me that he is really good at taking obscure characters and bringing them to the big screen. In no way has he shown me that he’s a super fan of the comics or that he has a better track record then Snyder. I am not a toxic Snyder fan I just don’t understand this narrative that Gunn is a “true fan” of the comics. If anything with Gunn I feel he would want to deconstruct these characters way more than Snyder based on his past movies and his upcoming projects.

[@bobthegrinch]

@@solidsnake3962 I knew Gunn before Guardisns having seen Slither at the cinema and Super on DVD, but yeah, if you think Snyder made good comic book films I'm not trying to change your mind just because I hate them and think his interpretation of Batman & Superman were horrendous. I followed James Gunn on twitter when I had an account and he's always displayed himself to be knowledgeable and interested in comics so I think he has more respect and understanding of the characters. But obviously you're entitled to disagree.

[@solidsnake3962]

@@bobthegrinch for me I like both directors. Visually for comic movies I like Snyder more. I think Gunn will have a better story per each movie but as a whole I am not nearly as interested in as I was the snydervese especially after the Snyder cut. We were so close to darkseid and just off the wall comic stuff. I do prefer Superman from the 90’s(death of Superman and after) not much the golden era Superman, same with Batman. Like I said I just think Snyder was/is a fan of late 80’s 90’s comics.

[@runbaa9285]

Considering Kang's upcoming rise to fame in the MCU with all the movies involving him, Booster Gold sounds really exciting. In concept, Booster Gold is essentially Kang's foil. Both use technology of the future to time travel and use said technology for their own gain. The difference being that Kang uses it to conquer. Booster Gold just wants some love and attention. Maybe to feed his ego a bit, but in comparison, Booster Gold's a kitty compared to Kang, lol.

[@juliescott4473]

Oh on animation carryover - Arrowverse introduced several characters by having them in animation first and it worked pretty well. And Matt Ryan has been both the life action and go to voice actor for Constantine for years. I feel like if they do it managably, it won't be ALL animated projects but probably key ones that fill gaps in stories or let them intro more obscure characters without making film projects shoe horn in cameos that don't service the film.

[@kenyabrunson4985]

I think Creature Commandos got the greenlight in response to Marvel's Werewolf by Night and the upcoming Blade; and funny how another go round for Swamp Thing happened when Marvel had Man-Thing show up in Werewolf by Night! I know that DC and Marvel have always had competing superheroes along the same themes for DECADES -- but in the movie and streaming space, it just feels like follow the leader. (And yeah I know Feige didn't approve Civil War until BvS was announced, folks.) I just think that this late in the game it doesn't feel like Gunn is offering anything different. Just more of the same with different casts.

[@imoutotrash390]

Please let me see Booster Gold and Blue Beetle's bromance

[@emilminchev5573]

I was waiting for this take 😁😁

[@intotheunknown6736]

Regarding Batgirl, it got the identical test screening scores as Shazam 1 and Black Adam, so I call bullshit on it not being "releasable" unless he's saying those films are also unreleasable.

[@kpcappy51]

And what a slap in the face to the creatives- praising their work in front of and behind the camera just to turn around and say the movie they made is unreleasable?? Something else has to be going on there.

[@tomkadams]

I'm sure they are being vague about the futures of Shazam, Flash, and Aquaman because those films haven't come out. Gunn may not have made them, but he doesn't want to torpedo them by saying they will be rebooted until after people go and see them.

[@ohyeahitsthatoneguy]

Been looking forward to your take on the news!

[@thelaughingstormbornagain1297]

It's super clear and totally not a confusing plan. So there's the Snyderverse which will be reset with Flashpoint but films/shows Aquaman 2, Blue Beetle and Waller will be set after the Flashpoints reset but aren't connected to the new DCU which starts with Superman. If you're incredibly confused like myself with the plan I don't see why it's super clear and not confusing at all.

[@DNstance]

Blue Beetle is actually connected to the DCU

[@lincolnbeverly6586]

Paradise island should introduce queen Nubia and the split from the main faction.

[@ricebrown1]

they didnt fire henry. they pulled a "your position is no longer available." on him.

[@jermhoosierfan]

It's not Gunn's fault that Cavill was told he is back only to then have those people get fired and replaced. They were both put in a bad situation with that, but I would think if they do a multiverse saga of some kind, Cavill could possibly come back.

[@iwilder94]

I think James Gunn's bread-and-butter is creating misfit teams which is what a lot of these projects seem to be based around

[@Invalidspin]

Would love to see him do Hitman and introduce Section Eight.

[@StorytellerStudios]

They're taking risks but his track record is good. Other than Batman, recent DC Comic sales are tanking which is an interesting headwind. I agree that casting, as always, will be crucial. I think the problems with Ezra Miller are not going away and will be another difficult obstacle to overcome. Regarding lesser known characters, Guardians of The Galaxy proves Gunn can do it!

[@FakeFriendsForever]

It’s been 11 months since Ezra was in trouble with the police. I think it’s safe to say that he’s gonna be okay from now on. He’s getting help

[@brianng8350]

The Suicide Squad was a fun movie, but it was a box office flop.

[@ronniemontero7110]

tanking? Supergirl comic was sold out in Amazon just hours after the DCU announcement and now they're back in stock.

[@MrBrock314]

@@FakeFriendsForever He might be getting help but he ain't coming back.

[@anthonystewart3915]

Post-presentation I’m actually excited for mainline DC movies for the first time in years

[@tenmark7055]

Oh yeah, because when you announce Waller and Booster Gold projects the excitement cranks up from zero to nearly +1.

[@HalE14]

A lot of these ideas actually sound pretty interesting! The only idea I am VERY skeptical about is the voice-acting (I have a friend in the industry so this might be why I have these thoughts). I feel like this takes away jobs from people who’s life work is voice-acting! I can see that he’s using that as a way to sell people on the animated stuff but I guess I just don’t think it’s fair. Truth is, I think the exact same audience as before is gonna show up for the animated stuff. Americans either love the medium or they don’t and no amount of voice power is really gonna get them in the seats. Too many people view animation as either for kids or just childish. If Gunn and Saffron prove me wrong, I’ll be impressed!

[@justinriley]

Maybe this time we can have a Superman movie where he enjoys being Superman.

[@cameronmitchell8180]

Man of Steel was a great movie

[@edencantu6599]

@@cameronmitchell8180 shut the damn door

[@originaldelta]

Mind of a child.

[@donkeydarko77]

It sure was a movie!

[@mitchellmobley9952]

I 100 percent agree with the James Gunn being hesitant to throw out his own show while throwing out all the rest of the old guard so easily. And I even liked peacekeeper a lot but it seems like he needs to commit and do a full overhaul to me and not halfway do it if that me the direction they wanna go

[@AlMoSiCe210]

At first glance, I wonder WHICH project you're most interested in... 😅 Gee, I wonder which project Dan Murrell is most interested in 🤣🤣🤣

[@malekaius]

Gee? I wonder as well 🤔🤔🤔😂

[@AlMoSiCe210]

@@Carloszavalalol DC 🧢 🦇 hoodie

[@KanLuxiang]

If Gunn had gotten rid of all of the actors, then that would be fine. But the fact that he's playing favorites with his properties, is silent on most of the former cast, and has only really gotten rid of Cavill so far is a bad sign. Nothing in this lineup seems like it necessitates a new cast. I would have been happy with using the old cast with a "clean slate" universe restart or with all new actors, but idtt this fence sitting will go over well.

[@SumDumGy]

If the world has changed too much for a Christopher Reeve-type Superman movie since 1978, then the world has not changed for the better. If I were to put a score on this announcement, I’d say it’s about 90% negative for me. Nothing I’ve heard come out of the Gunn camp has given me any sort of hope or enthusiasm whatsoever. Maybe I’m jaded from everything in the genre being produced today, but I don’t see the ship being righted any time soon.

[@Smallgirl24]

Hi Dan! I don’t know if you’ve had the chance to watch an episode of Superman and Lois but I think Tyler Hoechlin really captures the Christopher Reeve charm you were talking about without coming off as cheesy. So I think it would be feasible for sure.

[@davidsandoval1068]

so hyped to see this!! love your content fan!! been watching you since movie fights :’)

[@smithsb]

If we are getting Wildstorm films then please throw Helspont into a movie.

[@ChrisEdwards7910]

Agree 100% about the Waller show. How do you reset the continuity and keep her around? Is Black Adam in this universe still? Remember she was in the Cavill post credit scene. She played a scene with Affleck in Suicide Squad. Is Leto still Joker? Because he was last time Waller interacted with him. If they’re going to reboot then they need to pull the bandaid off and just do it, but it doesn’t seem like Gunn is willing to sacrifice stuff he has some connection to already.

[@danielwright3929]

Amanda Waller currently in the comics has the ability to cross back and forth through the multiverse. She is like Kang the Conqueror like that.

[@jermhoosierfan]

You have to think that Flashpoint will hopefully explain a lot of this you are asking about.

[@ChrisEdwards7910]

@@jermhoosierfan I sure hope so. Still seems like it’ll confuse people though.

[@botanicus2921]

@ChrisEdwards7910 most people still think robert Pattisons batman exists in the same world as 78 superman. Gen pop doesn't care about continuity, and as long as the individual projects are good, so do i

[@SimonBuchanNz]

Meh, casting continuity doesn't really matter. Gunn's Suicide Squad is not effectively in the same universe as Ayers', despite sharing Waller and Quinn castings; famously Chris Evans played both Johnny Storm and Steve Rodgers; Kevin Conroy played like 10 different Batmen. Nobody got confused: audiences are already trained to accept the same actor in different roles, so it's really not a big step to accept a different version of the same role.

[@dice268926]

I'm bored, My NEW Timeline Movie Slate: Superboy- Drafted by The Legion & helps the future then mind wiped. (So we grow up with him like Tom Holland) Wonder Woman- set in past with Hercules and new Gods Green Lantern- 1st- Obinsor & Synestro Shining Knight- Show Savage, Dr Fate, Etrigan, & DC History Justice Society- Wonder Woman, Dr. Fate, Shining Knight, Batman Cyborg Flash Green Lantern-Hal JL Shazam Booster Gold Blue Beetle Birds of Prey JL v Hal Parallax (all rings)- start John Stewart Martian Manhunter Rocket & Icon Lex Luther- HBOMax Injustice Batman Beyond

[@gzzuss]

The thing is... It's all on Sups shoulders, James gave the July 2025 date, the point when their contract expires if Sups don't deliver it will be another reset/reboot with other ppl involved, but I am super hopeful for that slate!

[@LikeGod_ButBetterLooking]

Yup, particularly as we are likely to see everything else, except maybe Joker & The Batman 2, likely to flop as it is clearly deadend material. My guess is Supes opens moderately, and WB changes direction again. Trying to fudge all of Gunn's existing films to fit the new direction... and around we go again. Gunn needed to do a clear reboot. Chuck the existing slate out first quarter this year. Can anything that hasnt been made (yes, including The Batman 2). Draw a line and say from here out is the new DCU...

[@MrBrock314]

@@LikeGod_ButBetterLooking How does that plan make more money? WBD is a company - they don't do what's good for DC, they do what's good for the bottom line. Continuity be damned.

[@LikeGod_ButBetterLooking]

@MrBrock314 I dunno, ask Marvel how is is going for them 🤣😉

[@MsZeeZed]

MCU did not used A-listers to make D-list charters popular, instead A-casting the D-list & made some good movies. Its really that simple.

[@a.block.of.tofu.]

If Guardians didn't already Peacemaker showed that James Gunn can take the D-ist of D list characters and make them a compelling excellent story with them. I think that DC has tarnished their big characters a bit with the past 10-15 years and propping up some interesting but lesser-known characters is a very smart move. As far as Booster Gold I'd love if they could get Vince Gilligan for it, I think there is a lot of potential for Booster Gold to be funny but also a great character study.

[@bluesdjben]

It's refreshing to hear people in a role like this be so honest about what they're doing and the ways their company failed in the past. I guess it's a bit easier when it was other people at the company that did the failing, but it's also a good sign that Warner is giving them the freedom to be this candid and not stick to a set of company-approved platitudes. I think Gunn and Safran are a great fit for this role, and I hope their plans work out well. I also love that Gunn is highlighting the comics that they are drawing inspiration from, and that they are going deeper than just the ones every casual fan knows already. I have no idea if they'll be able to pull off all or even most of this, but I am confident that we'll get at least several really good projects out of this.

[@Troygdesign]

Exciting stuff

[@ntcnetwork9934]

I’ve been waiting for this for two days! 😂

[@juliescott4473]

I will say, Gunn has an insane track record of taking pretty obscure comics characters and turning them into fam favorites - Guardians and Peacemaker were deeps cuts I was barely aware of before thier movies and I've been a comics fan for decades.

[@Shadowcam00]

The only thing i really disagree with Gunn on is including videogames in the cross-media coordination. Videogames have very different production considerations, and usually don't do well trying limit themselves to film/TV continuity. Things like the Arkham Batman games or the Sony Spiderman games benefited from having a flexible range of characters and gadgets to choose from, allowing them to craft good gameplay and interactive narratives as they needed. Tie-in games on the other hand, are typically much more limited in scope, and built like theme-park rides that are filled with references to the show/film spread out with filler.

[@michaeljaymarshall]

James Gunn- "You guys like Wonder Woman?...Wanna see a show with no Wonder Woman in it??"

[@SimonBuchanNz]

Sure.

[@marcusmalone]

Hey, I've got an alternative strategy WB could try: Make your next film really good; follow that up with another really good film; followed by a third really good film. Repeat strategy.

[@deanlewis6109]

Do you think it's risky announcing Supergirl before seeing how well Superman does? I feel like this whole house of cards could come tumbling down as soon as something underperforms and WB start doing their whole reactionary bit again.

[@CharlesEdmond79]

Cool hoodie

[@jetrobertsdj]

The only thing I'm not crazy about is just telling the public the general plan. It's seems forgotten that the whole reason the MCU worked is because they subverted expectations. You're watching one thing and then they revealed someone -- is that NICK FURY?? Is that Thor's hammer? We didn't really know it was all truly connected until the first Avengers came out. By announcing so much now, there are now expectations that wouldn't have existed had they just put a chunk of krypronite in a scene.

[@asan1050]

ThanksMuch!

[@brandonroy7554]

I am personally so excited to see Midnighter and Apollo in film. I love them soooo much and they were the reason I started reading comics.

[@sechay9328]

I don't recall where but I remember hearing somebody float the idea that Aidan Gallagher from Umbrella Academy would make a great Damien Wayne. Mind you he is already too old and would be in his 20's by the time it was made but I do think that would be a great model for making Damien tolerable while maintaining his edge.

[@danielwright3929]

He would be perfect as Damien. Despite his current age, he still looks like a teenager.

[@TheUnprofessionalReviewer]

I think the vague fence sitting with the legacy cast has a pretty clear answer. Their decision for Ezra Miller has no chance to be revealed until AFTER the release of The Flash movie. If they were to answer now, that could potentially hurt the box office for that film whether they announce them staying or going. If they say Ezra is staying, people will be furious because of the controversies, the other will make people feel like there is no point in seeing their film since they no longer matter. The only option here is to wait til after the movie. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if the decision has already been made behind closed doors. As for Aquaman, same exact reason. If they said that Mamoa was going to be Lobo, who would see Aquaman 2? It is just confirmation that the film has no stake in the future of the DCU so it simply doesn’t matter. I think there is a chance we get an answer after The Flash gets released since we still don’t know exactly how they will reset the universe with that film but I think the more realistic answer is that we wont get an answer til next year on this one. Even with Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, I think that all hinges upon the release of The Flash so I think we will get a LOT more answers in June/July. The reason they were so definite with Henry Cavill is because the answer to that question wont directly hurt their wallets. Simple answer that I am surprised more people haven’t thought of. These announcements will continue to be vague until it can no longer hurt the financial side of the business which just makes sense to me. As always, love your coverage on film news/reviews/box office! Keep the great videos coming!

[@sublind4225]

I've seen multiple people on KZbin talking about these plans and I'm starting to think that I am the only person that is excited for creature commandos 😅

[@ChrisEdwards7910]

No Mamoa as Lobo then, right? If Flash is the turning point and Aquaman 2 comes out after that would seem to take the possibility off the table if actors aren’t playing multiple characters.

[@jameszetterman4487]

I am sort of incredulous that the same conglomerate that released the Velma show judged anything as too bad to release.

[@DocEonChannel]

The Authority is a big swing if it's anything like the original story. Haven't read the one where they meet Superman, so not sure how they tried to integrate it into DC.

[@moviereviewsbyjoshbuck4879]

Thanks Dan for this video

[@Serjwalk]

I’m so excited for a proper live action Dc films I knew James Gunn and Peter Safran are the DC nerds/geeks that has lots of knowledge to DC universe content and concepts as well as comprehension towards the characters,storylines that can be build up to the universe,as well as balancing between the light and darker edgy tone.I truly believe that James and Peter will bring DC to Justice.I feel like swamp thing is a fantastic take as a dark horror genre since it’s really more palatable and most upwards.

[@mikkoamour]

Viola Davis is from the Snyderverse... but the Synderverse no longer exists... but Viola Davis is still Waller. That's going to make things confusing. Will this Waller still know Batfleck? Or is this a completely new Waller? Is she an ElseWorld Waller? So many questions.

[@alexpiperhalliwell]

Snyder had nothing to do with her character. He had 3 movies she wasn't a part of. Btw TSS soft rebooted the 2016 version already.

[@electricfire621]

A simpler answer is Flash screwed up the timeline and Waller in the DCU probably knew this new Batman instead.

[@brentcooper4345]

@@alexpiperhalliwell Snyder was involved in Suicide Squad , Wonder Woman and Aquaman , besides the three films he directed.

[@FakeFriendsForever]

Ezra, Gal, Jason, Davis, Robbie, are the only actors currently active in the new Gunn-verse. They’re most likely staying.