After some controversial decisions about the future of the DC Universe, DC Studios Co-CEO James Gunn addresses the concerns about studio interference which plagued the DCEU.
James Gunn has taken to the fledgling social media platform Mastodon as an alternative to his other accounts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook as a way to connect with his fans. And in one instance, the filmmaker and Co-CEO of DC Studios seems to confirm that the new DC Universe that will replace the DCEU will not experience the same problems, specifically with studio interference.
Mastodon user Darthdzl (@[email protected]), responded to James Gunn’s post regarding the backlash DC fans had over DC Studios decisions, which the Co-CEO identified as coming from the minority:
As long as the studio doesn’t override you and your directors at every turn, I for one have confidence that you’ll actually be making decisions for the DCU that I can get onboard with. In my opinion (worth exactly nothing) it was studio interference that derailed the previous attempt at a DCU. It wouldn’t surprise me to learn that Mr. Johns was quite frustrated.
Replying to this, Gunn made the assurance that things will be significantly different with regard to the DCEU and its past, particularly Zack Snyder’s experience, with studio interference:
The position is different than it was with Zack, etc. Peter & I are the heads of DC Studios. The only studio interference would be from us!
But how accurate is this assurance? It should be noted that while the DC Extended Universe is apparently coming to a close, major changes are being made to the remaining projects in its slate. For instance, it has been reported by various industry sites that Henry Cavill and Gal Gadot had cameos as Superman and Wonder Woman filmed for The Flash, but have been cut from the final film.
While it remains to be seen how consistent Gunn and Co-CEO Peter Safran will be in having a hands-off policy with interfering with DC Universe films, it is true that Warner Bros. interference contributed to the stunted growth of the DCEU. Notable examples of this occurring includes the forced replacement of Joss Whedon to finish Justice League (2017) after director Zack Snyder had to take a break due to family concerns and Henry Cavill being effectively blocked from returning as Superman by the previous regime.
While Gunn’s assurance that this will not occur in the future seems promising, Gunn’s announcement that Cavill would not return as Superman in the DC Universe seems contradictory to that. After all, the popular actor received largely positive reactions for his cameo in Black Adam. More than that, Cavill was apparently given the green light to announce that he was back, stating on his Instagram:
I wanted to make it official: THAT I AM BACK AS SUPERMAN.
The image you see in this post and what you see in Black Adam is just a very small taste of things to come.
The announcement that the celebrated actor would not be returning in the DC Universe sent ripples in the fandom that are still shocked by the development. And it does not end there, as the script for Wonder Woman 3 by Patty Jenkins and Geoff Johns has been thumbed down by the upper management, putting the future of the film in question.
Time will tell if Gunn’s declaration that the DC Universe will not have as much studio interference is consistent. Gunn and Safran’s roadmap for the DC Universe is yet to be unveiled; although it is likely it will be coming in January 2023, after it has been presented to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav.
For now, DC fans can still look forward to the upcoming 2023 superhero films from The Flash, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Blue Beetle, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
