With the March opening of Zack Snyder's Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice many months off (an ominous teaser trailer debuted to a mixed response April 17 and racked up 47 million YouTube views during its first week), it's obviously too early to know whether Warners can execute a series of interlocking tentpoles based in the DC universe. But with the stakes very high, Wall Street and Hollywood are asking: Can all the cooks in the studio's kitchen create films featuring Batman, Wonder Woman and even Aquaman and the Flash to rival the nearly $7 billion in global box office Disney's Marvel Studios has generated from nine films since 2008, including Iron Man, Thor and Guardians of the Galaxy? Plus, the May 1 release of Avengers: Age of Ultron is sure to bring in another $1 billion.
"Marvel has been an unbelievable platform for Disney to build and foster franchises," says BTIG analyst Richard Greenfield. "The question for Warners is, can they replicate that strategy using DC?" No one doubts the value of the DC intellectual property, but as analyst Michael Nathanson of MoffettNathanson observes, "It's all in the execution."
In the early going, some in Hollywood are questioning whether Warners has acted too much in haste without having fleshed out the world on which so much hinges. Grumbling among talent reps came especially in response to the studio's strategy of hiring five writers to compete for a job on Wonder Woman, which has a June 2017 release date. On Aquaman, set for 2018, sources say Warners commissioned scripts from three writers, one of whom followed the studio's direction only to be told the rules governing the universe had changed and his work no longer was usable. Another writer has been on hold for the film for months as the studio works to define its vision. "They just haven't been thorough about their whole world and how each character fits and how to get the most out of each writer's time by giving them direction," says a rep with knowledge of the process. "Obviously, Marvel's very good at that."
"Marvel has been an unbelievable platform for Disney to build and foster franchises," says BTIG analyst Richard Greenfield. "The question for Warners is, can they replicate that strategy using DC?" No one doubts the value of the DC intellectual property, but as analyst Michael Nathanson of MoffettNathanson observes, "It's all in the execution."
In the early going, some in Hollywood are questioning whether Warners has acted too much in haste without having fleshed out the world on which so much hinges. Grumbling among talent reps came especially in response to the studio's strategy of hiring five writers to compete for a job on Wonder Woman, which has a June 2017 release date. On Aquaman, set for 2018, sources say Warners commissioned scripts from three writers, one of whom followed the studio's direction only to be told the rules governing the universe had changed and his work no longer was usable. Another writer has been on hold for the film for months as the studio works to define its vision. "They just haven't been thorough about their whole world and how each character fits and how to get the most out of each writer's time by giving them direction," says a rep with knowledge of the process. "Obviously, Marvel's very good at that."
I agree with many concerns there, the MCU wasn't kicked off in a day. In fact it came to be after many other Marvel properties proved successfull at the Box Office.
ReplyDeleteIron Man was a first try that worked out, they slowly moved along with the MCU plan. However DC is rather non-subtly rushing it.
Man of Steel had many flaws and in many ways limits itself and its universe down to a dark and gritty world that is not going to attract younger viewers (with younger I don't mean 13 year old "NOLAN ROXXXXX" fans but real kids).
The problem is that DC is trying to replicate a working system while tweaking it at the same time. The tweaking here is the issue, if they copied Marvel 1:1 with a colorful universe full of fantastical child friendly storylines it would be a certain lock for success. But the fact that they're trying to create a franchise in the same vein with a different style and tone is rather risky.
One reason the MCU has had such a success was the fact that they focused on getting some directors that know their craft and cast their characters with huge precission. DC is struggling to keep its directors and uses rather off castings for various characters
I wish DC the best, however I would vote for them to scrap their current plans in favor of a new DCU featuring a lighter tone with mass appeal
I'm not sure whether all their films will be a success but there is no way Bats vs Supes doesn't make $1billion plus, so I guess they will have least have that.
ReplyDeleteDC might as well give up trying to compete with the MCU, IMO, they keep trying and failing. They are obviously not very committed to the same scale as Marvel, either, as they seem to be striving to keep their TV and film worlds separate. It's just a huge mess, it would take them years to fix it.
ReplyDeleteAnd they lean far too heavily on Superman and Batman, I am getting disgustingly sick of both.
Honestly I think it sounds horrid. Batman vs Superman? More like "Superman Choosing Not to Utterly Decimate Batman".
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want them to stop competing but they sadly don't play their cards well enough.
ReplyDeleteDC sits on a rather high horse, playing the classic "Big screen is above the small screen" game, a game that Marvel successfully changed for the better. Expanding canon over more media was a smart move. DC didnt know what they had when launching Arrow and now are at loss.
They're not leaning on Superman though, know why we have Batman V Superman? Because Man of Steel underperformed at the box office. Thus they added the recognition Bats had. It was a move out of desperation
I would be surprised if it didn't, however I don't cross this possibility off my list either. Man of Steel was supposed to make over a billion when it was released. In fact DC (then) was still convinced it'd outdo Avengers Assemble. Only that didn't work out and MoS hasn't even made over 700 million in its lifetime gross. Wich is highly dissapointing for a movie that had a 225 mil budget.
ReplyDeleteIn its lifetime gross The Dark Knight Rises made slightly over a billion but keep in mind that the movie was preceeded by two highly successfull movies. This one isn't.
That is true, I guess it being 2 of the biggest known superheroes I just assume it will make a load of money. If it doesn't then their plans really are messed up and probably half the films on their schedule won't end up happening.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem an unfair power balance! But 2 of the biggest known heroes should in theory make a load of money, even if the film ends up being terrible.
ReplyDeleteInteresting read and some very valid arguments. The lack of direction in DC Entertainment is evident by all their erratic behaviour.
ReplyDeleteAnd while I'm sure the movies will make their money (at least BatvsSupe and SS will) I have doubts of the quality the movies will have and whether is will be sustainable Movie Universe model.
There is though a very easy solution here... Give Bruce Timm the job of overseeing and everything will be resolved... he's more or less already done this once before with amazing results...