[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”14719″ img_size=”900×500″ alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]As Aquaman soared to $1 billion in the worldwide box office, we are left with a huge win for the DCEU franchise. Even though the domestic opening was not great ($67 million) compared to its DC counterparts, it still reached a total of $318 million as of Jan. 31, 2019. With a total of $1.09 billion and discussions of an Aquaman 2, we should look into the route that DC will now take this franchise.
VARIETY
The reception to DCEU films have been mixed since Man of Steel with only two critically approved films such as Wonder Woman and Aquaman. Even if you do not enjoy the other films (even though I enjoyed Man of Steel and Batman vs Superman) the DCEU has shown that it does not have a one-size-fits-all formula for their franchise. As superhero films, each sets out to have their own style and uniqueness to them. Suicide Squad being the entertaining, colorful, popcorn-flick gives the film a sense of comedy and adventure with dark elements, Wonder Woman is a war story set piece, Man of Steel giving the audience a traditional superhero origin, and Aquaman with its sci-fi, fantasy-adventure that is visually stunning. Not only does the past have their own tone, Shazam! will be a grounded comedy-action flick about a kid that gains superpowers. The DCEU does not have a set tone within their universe. You will have stories where it will be dark and serious, or you will have lighthearted family fun or even an adventure into a fantasy world. With DC focusing on solo films for now instead of worrying about building up to the next big bad, the audience is given the opportunity to see films that may involve superheros, but their style brings so much more to the table.
CHARACTERS
It’s no secret that the film Justice League under performed in the box office, but because of this we will receive a universe that will take one movie at a time. With DC giving directors freedom to create their vision it allows more characters/groups that may or may not be well-known to come to the spotlight. With Margot Robbie determined to give female characters more representation we are getting a girls gang film called ‘Birds of Prey’ that could potentially even lead to a trilogy with ‘Gotham City Sirens’ and then a ‘Birds of Prey vs Gotham City Sirens’. Who would’ve imagined that? A trilogy centered on female characters that may not get solo films, but will definitely gain some spotlight. Even New Gods is in development which is fantastic for when the inevitable comes with Darkseid, and with a movie centered on Apokolips we give Darkseid and the other gods the back story necessary for the audience to know and care about their motives. A ‘Blue Beetle’ film featuring a Latino superhero and so many other films of characters besides the usual Batman and Superman are getting attention, and now I believe it is the best strategy for DC. There is already a Joker solo film for the DC Black universe. The opportunities to tell elseworld stories are endless. Go by your own playbook.
SLATE
Even though everything is subject to change because anything can happen with films, DCEU has an official slate of their next upcoming films. After years of hearing “in development”, “not in development”, “still in development” in a repeated cycle we have a slate for what movies are to come. Sorry Aquaman fans but Aquaman 2 has not been scheduled yet even though I am sure once the negotiations are settled then there will be a quick movement on the sequel. Shazam of course comes in April 5, 2019 for the DCEU while Joker (October 4, 2019) kicks off the elseworld stories. Birds of Prey starring Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn will be February 7, 2020 and Wonder Woman 1984 will return to its summer slot for June 5, 2020 followed by The Batman on June 25, 2021 and Suicide Squad 2 (August 6, 2021) handled by the former Guardians of the Galaxy James Gunn. That is the slate as we know it for now. It seems like DC will start picking up steam with having two DC films potentially every year. Let’s hope that this filmmaker-driven approach works for DC and gives them confidence to do another Justice League film in the future.
Source: BoxOfficeMojo[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Just a guy that grew up on DC and the MCU, anime, and video games and loves traveling across the world and learn about different cultures.
