DC cinematic universe general stuff

Batman Returns released 30 years ago today

I think there's still scope for weird oddball unique takes on the comic/superhero genre - just not with the handful of massive properties in the top budget tier.

But we've particularly seen in TV that some still-pretty-big comic properties are allowed to run wild, like The Boys and Preacher.

Oh for sure, but I think the appetite for a different kind of superhero/comic movie beyond the Marvel/DCU approach has been shown to exist, which is all it takes really. Likely at a much lower budget level of course, but with the right idea and people attached, I don't think the possibility for weirder takes to be tried is dead.

A lot would come down to a known director having a strong point of view, and the personal caché already built up to push it (like Burton himself had at the time - they'd have never made that type of movie without him having the clout to force them). So, y'know, if someone like Del Toro became interested in something, you could see it happening. Or even Edgar Wright, who was desperate to push things further with Ant Man, and ultimately dropped out when he wasn't allowed... if he was given a bit of freedom to work with a non-Marvel character we could get something interesting.

Peacemaker was a fresher Superhero show, though I guess that just continued from The Suicide Squad.

All.......

ALL the money

Seen a few articles popping up that Batgirl is potentially being shelved. Reactions have been poor, it's been removed from the schedule, and might not even be released on HBO Max let alone theatrically.

Sounds like Flash is still planned for cinema release. The issue seems to be that Batgirl fell between two stools; not big-scale enough for a theatrical release, and too big that it doesn't tie in with what they want to release on streaming. If early reception to Batgirl is poor, it's not worth the cost of reshoots or changing VFX just to release on streaming.

So Flash is still likely going ahead as it's big-scale enough for cinema release. Or at least, up until Ezra Miller actually kills someone, at which point WB might decide to reconsider.

Meant to post here instead of the Superheroes forum.

So it's not Ezra Miller ruining the DC movies, it's Michael Keaton's return as Batman.

They've had no problem releasing bad stuff before in cinemas and they wouldn't have to spend much on marketing if they decided to skip the theatrical release.

Of course the comments in the article on tvline jump to sexism and racism.

This will be a film people will try to get prints of down the line, along the lines of Roger Corman's Fantastic 4 or tv pilots.

That could be good news for the likes of Netflix, Amazon & Apple then of Discovery want to kill off Warners/ HBO's ip's and scripted shows.

I could literally see Disney throwing in a bid for DC.

A teeny tiny part of me wonders if this is a ploy for free publicity - creating something like the 'release the Snyder cut' furore.

I mean, almost certainly not, as if they do ever release it and it's actually anyway decent, they'll likely look like even bigger planks.

As well as the actors, it's a major kick in the teeth for the director and writer too... that writer had a great streak going and all, with Bumblebee and Birds of Prey both being excellent.

What a bizarre turn of events alright. It smacks more of lack of focus and panic than "quality control" Especially as initial word of mouth was quite positive and prior to and post announcement there was no hint of a troubled shoot (Indeed, as has been said, everyone actually involved seems to be playing it classy online).

Whether you like them or not, there is no denying that there was a VERY organised and well planned out through-line on the Marvel movies: Four movies introducing most of the main players before coming out with their first Avengers movie. Clever and patient introduction of subsequent new characters. While many may have had issues with the AMOUNT of movies, at least they weren't creating an Avengers movie and introducing 50% new characters at the same time.

There seems to be a bit of a scattershot approach with DC: Numerous "Arrowverse" series ongoing, lack of organised timeline of DC movies and conflicting information (Is Michael Keaton playing Batman in Flash movie? Batgirl movie? Is Affleck? Will there BE a Flash or Batgirl movie (Admittedly the Flash shenanigans are not in WB's control) What about HBO-Max movies?)

WB seem to make snap decisions at high executive level without having assessed the big picture impact. Famously they cancelled a very well received and popular "Young Justice" animated series. It had a very large female fanbase which was not what WB were pursuing at the time so it was cancelled. (It was brought back some years later to middling results/popularity). So yeah, this smacks of confusion and panic rather than someone actually taking the reins.