Look, whether or not you enjoyed Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the simple fact of the matter is that the film has thus far underperformed during its theatrical run. Although it has set the stage for some great adventures in the DCEU, it has also given the folks over at Warner Bros. some cause for concern. The studio seems to recognize the shortcomings of Batman v Superman, and has set out on a path to correct its course for the future of the DCEU.
Based upon a new report from Variety, it seems that WB has decided to get more involved in the big picture elements of the DCEU:
I’m told production exec Jon Berg and Time-Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes are taking more of a hands-on approach now, paying closer attention to overarching story concerns, but someone well versed in both production and DC’s minutiae is what’s needed.
While Warner Bros. will most certainly allow directors such as Zack Snyder to add their own sense of flair to the visual storytelling, they won’t allow quite as much autonomy. Producers from the Hollywood giant will now play a much more active role in the guiding of the DCEU in order to make sure that it goes in a direction that’s marketable for the company.
This is actually a fairly exciting revelation, because it seems that Warner Bros. has decided to adopt a somewhat modified version of the tried-and-true method that Marvel Studios uses for its movies. Unlike Warner Bros., which gave a ton of creative control to Zack Snyder, Marvel has kept their films more producer-oriented, allowing men like Kevin Feige to have the final say in the overarching story, which ultimately serves the greater cinematic universe. DC and Warner Bros. won't have one figurehead making all of the decisions (Geoff Johns is far too busy) but they will keep the studio more involved than before. Incorporating this method into the DCEU could potentially go a long way with regards to ensuring cohesion between films, and a greater sense of continuity throughout the Justice League adventures.
Whatever Warner Bros. does to correct their current course, it must do it swiftly and decisively. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice represented one of the most highly anticipated movies of all time, and it experienced a nearly unprecedented box office drop off after only a week in theaters. Was the movie profitable? Yes. Was it as profitable as it could’ve been? Not even remotely.
What do you think of this new game plan for Warner Bros. and its approach to the DCEU? Does it bode well for future DC films, or does it highlight the studio's struggle? Let us know what you think in the comments section below!
As always, we will bring you all of the latest and greatest DCEU news as it becomes available to us. Be sure to check out Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which is in theaters now!
