The Flash marks the end of a flawed era in superhero cinema.

The DCEU began with hope but faced creative overhauls, pivoting under multiple studio regimes, shifting focus several times, and eventually giving way to a new era. The Flash seemingly wraps up the DCEU for good, capping off a fraught and fascinating franchise emblematic of a fluctuating Hollywood landscape. The DCEU was defined mostly by its detours, do-overs and double-backs, occasionally spawning brilliant characters, iconic moments and a handful of highly enjoyable films along the way. James Gunn is being held up as the symbol of hope for a bounteous new era of DC movies.