OPINION: DC Extended Universe

What’s popping, freaks and geeks! Reverse Flash here with a very intriguing and exciting article about one of the biggest arguments that has currently been running around on the Internet about the DC Extended Universe.

Some of the fears are that it will tank because DC has shown a track record of less than satisfactory films (Batman Forever, Batman & Robin, and Superman Returns to name a few) as well as a few movies that failed to even get off of the ground such as Joss Whedon’s (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, The Avengers) Wonder Woman film. These concerns are most certainly justifiable but we have to also take it into account that there hasn’t been really any complications with these movies. You can also support that claim considering that they pushed back director Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice movie and I wouldn’t blame you. That was some seriously frightening news for DC Comics fans everywhere that have been wanting to see their favorite characters come to life on the big screen. However, this movie was pushed back due to the fact there would have been a conflict with Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War which if you think about it in a business sense that would be detrimental to the film’s box office performance. It would never have been a good idea to have two big time franchises coming out with something at the same time. The amount of financial damage that it would do to both sides would be unpredictable as there are people who do like both Marvel and DC such as myself.

The second concern that has been proposed by several individuals is that how is this universe going to connect if they’re not doing it in a similar way to how Marvel’s MCU has operated? Well, for one thing there is ALWAYS more than way to do a universe. That’s pretty clear with all of the news, easter eggs, and teasers we’re seeing in the DC Extended Universe so far. My supporting evidence stems mainly from 2013’s Man of Steel. It’s pretty imperative that we go take a look at the most critical pieces of evidence piece by piece to really understand the point that I am trying to make here.

EXHIBIT A: Lex Luthor and LexCorp

In Man of Steel if you pay very close attention to detail you will see that Lex Luthor and LexCorp has already been operating in this universe based upon the two trucks with the name “LexCorp” on it as well as a LexCorp office building during the Battle of Metropolis. That teased and pretty much revealed to us that the bald sociopath is at work.

EXHIBIT B: WayneTech Satellite

There’s also the Wayne Enterprises satellite that Superman wrecked in the fight with Zod. This is ultimately one of the things that inferred the presence of Bruce Wayne/Batman in this universe of films. However, nobody fully saw what capacity he would appear in until San Diego Comic Con 2013 where it was announced by Harry Lennix through the infamous “One Man Who Beat You” monologue from Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns.

Now with that being said, there is no need to have any concerns about how the connectivity will work in the DC Extended Universe. It’ll be subtle references, certain events that are mentioned, and what I presume to be cameos of critical characters such as The Flash and Aquaman who are set to appear in a very minimal capacity in the upcoming Dawn of Justice film. Personally, a strategy like that may yield better results and effectively allow consistent connectivity compared to the flawed strategy that is presented in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

What exactly do I mean? Well, I will tell you exactly my problem with the MCU strategy is in all honestly. They are too obsessed with the future movies and not focusing enough on the main movie at hand. Granted, I understand that they want to make sure there is an MCU in the future and they have the plot set up for it so to speak but it’s taken undeniably to the next level. One such example of this is Avengers: Age of Ultron. It was a decent movie and don’t get me wrong because I love Marvel but this was cringeworthy. As I sat there in that movie theater all I truly saw was the studio planting seeds for roughly three different films. You had the constant conflict between Captain America and Iron Man which obviously was a way to set up for Civil War. You had that vision that Thor was having with an apocalyptic future that in essence was setting up for or at the very least hinting at Thor Ragnarok. We definitely cannot forget all the references and scenes that were alluding to Avengers Infinity War Part 1 and Part 2. All of these things sort of detracted from the plot in terms of Ultron. It was as if the whole situation with Stark’s rogue android child totally went out of the window and didn’t matter whatsoever. I was VERY excited for Age of Ultron but I was hugely let down. That wasn’t a good feeling. Now I am optimistic since the Ant-Man film was redeeming and felt like it’s own movie with very little need to show major connectivity and perhaps Marvel will have learned from their mistakes after the second installment of the Avengers.

My point being though here is that I doubt the DC Extended Universe will have as many issues as people are trying to assume. Will at least one of their movies tank or be moderately crappy? Absolutely! No movie is perfect and when it comes to setting up a Cinematic Universe that will definitely happen if you take it into account that both studios have a different formula and both can prove to be effective or ineffective. Marvel believes in having a massive amount of control over it’s directors to ensure there is a cohesive universe so that things don’t get all screwy in terms of continuity and so on. DC believes that there should be more creative freedom with their directors so that the movies don’t  feel all the same like fans on all sides try to argue about considering the directing fiasco that Marvel had with Edgar Wright, Patty Jenkins, Alan Taylor, and Jon Favreau. Again, I may sound like I’m bashing Marvel but I am exemplifying the humongous difference between how they function as companies and how perhaps the DC Extended Universe may potentially prove to be more diverse and appeal to various particular audiences. My reasoning behind this is that they’ve been able to effectively do so with the New 52/DCYou. In all my years as a comic book fan, I’ve seen people always split down the middle about what direction Marvel or DC will go or has gone. One such instance is how I’ve met older fans of DC who are more immersed into the New 52 than they were the older DC material. It appeals to everyone in some way. If you’re a Batman fan then you have a wide variety of series that give you a glimpse into a different aspect of his world. If you’re a Green Lantern fan then don’t worry. There’s variety in that. It’s a strategy that I assume they’d try with the DCEU and it may prove itself to be more effective than the MCU.

We’ll just have to wait and see with Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad to get a better idea as to what is going on here. Either way, I will always look forward to whatever either company pushes out because it helps pass the time, it’s fun, and I’m thankful that we’re getting all of these neat pop culture films based on comic books that used to be laughed at decades ago.