The Best Way to Rebuild the DC Universe
6 Steps to Rebuilding the DC Movie Universe: Lessons Learned and Best Practices
The DC Universe has always been a rich source of material for movies and TV shows. From the early days of Superman and Batman to the recent success of the Wonder Woman franchise, DC has always had a strong presence in popular culture. However, in recent years, the DC movie universe has struggled to find its footing. While some movies, like Wonder Woman and Aquaman, have been successful, others, like Batman v Superman and Justice League, have been met with criticism from both fans and critics. In this blog post, we will explore how DC can rebuild their movie universe and create a cohesive and successful franchise.
Step 1: Get the Right People Involved
The first step to rebuilding the DC movie universe is to get the right people involved. This means finding a creative team that has a passion for the source material and a clear vision for the franchise. One person who has been successful in this regard is Kevin Feige, the President of Marvel Studios. Feige has been the driving force behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has become one of the most successful movie franchises of all time. He has a deep understanding of the Marvel comics and has been able to translate that into successful movies.
DC needs to find someone with a similar passion for the comics and a clear vision for the franchise. They should look for someone who can bring together the various DC characters and storylines into a cohesive and successful franchise. They should also look for someone who has experience in creating successful movie franchises. I believe the DC Universe has done this right by bringing in James Gunn. Gunn has seen success with his Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, despite some of the film's flaws. James Gunn's work on DC projects including The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker has been flawless.
Step 2: Start with a Strong Foundation
The next step in rebuilding the DC movie universe is to start with a strong foundation. This means taking the time to develop the characters and the world in which they live. One of the mistakes that DC has made in the past is trying to rush into team-up movies like Justice League without taking the time to properly introduce the characters.
DC should take a cue from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and start with individual movies that introduce the characters and the world in which they live. They should take the time to develop the characters and their backstories so that audiences can connect with them on a deeper level. This will also help to create a sense of continuity within the franchise, as the individual movies will be interconnected. James Gunn has started to do this with giving us a new taste of Amanda Waller in The Suicide Squad.
Step 3: Embrace the Diversity of the DC Universe
One of the strengths of the DC Universe is its diversity. DC has a wide range of characters from different backgrounds and with different abilities. However, in the past, the DC movie universe has been criticized for its lack of diversity. The movies have focused primarily on white male characters, with few opportunities for female or non-white characters.
DC needs to embrace the diversity of its universe and create opportunities for a wide range of characters to shine. They should look to movies like Black Panther and Captain Marvel, which have been successful in part because of their diverse cast of characters. This will not only make the franchise more inclusive, but it will also attract a wider audience.
Step 4: Focus on Storytelling
Another area where DC has struggled in the past is storytelling. While the movies have had impressive special effects and action sequences, they have often been criticized for their weak and convoluted plots. DC needs to focus on storytelling and creating compelling narratives that will keep audiences engaged.
This means hiring talented writers who can create interesting and complex stories. It also means taking the time to develop the story and the characters, so that the audience has a reason to care about what happens to them. By focusing on storytelling, DC can create movies that are not only visually impressive, but also emotionally engaging.
Step 5: Balance Action and Character Development
DC movies have often been criticized for being too focused on action and not enough on character development. While action is an important part of the superhero genre, it is equally important to balance it with character development. Audiences need to care about the characters in order to become invested in the story.
DC needs to find a way to balance action and character development, so that both are given equal weight in the movies. This means creating action sequences that are not just visually impressive, but also advance the plot and reveal something about the characters. It also means taking the time to develop the characters and their relationships, so that the audience has a reason to care about what happens to them.
Step 6: Learn from Past Mistakes
Finally, DC needs to learn from its past mistakes. While the DC movie universe has had its share of successes, it has also had some major missteps. Movies like Batman v Superman and Justice League were widely criticized for their convoluted plots and lack of character development.
DC needs to take a hard look at what went wrong with these movies and make changes to ensure that they don't repeat the same mistakes in the future. This means hiring the right people, focusing on storytelling, embracing diversity, and balancing action and character development.
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About the Creator
Lawrence Lease
Alaska born and bred, Washington DC is my home. I'm also a freelance writer. Love politics and history.
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