The Suicide Squad franchise is experiencing a resurgence in attention, with Rocksteady's game "Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League" adding Deathstroke as a new character despite its underperformance, and director David Ayer expressing hope for the release of his original cut of the 2016 film. While the future of the brand remains uncertain, with no new comics and a shift in team composition, fans continue to show interest in both the game and the potential "Ayer Cut."
"Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom" has surpassed "The Marvels" at the global box office, earning $258 million in less than two weeks, which is 25% more than "The Marvels" total run. Despite lower reviews and being the last film before the DCU's overhaul, "Aquaman 2" has shown resilience, outperforming other DC releases this year and demonstrating a unique appeal that could inform future DCU projects. The film's success, particularly overseas, suggests that there's a special draw to the Aquaman franchise that DC might want to understand as they move forward with their cinematic universe.
"Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom," the sequel to the successful "Aquaman" film, has significantly underperformed at the box office, earning only 12% of its predecessor's total gross. With a worldwide total of just over $138.5 million compared to the original's $1.1 billion, the sequel faces a challenging path ahead, especially considering its poor performance in major markets like China and the short theatrical window before it moves to streaming. The film's struggle is seen as part of a broader trend of recent disappointments in the DCEU, and despite low expectations and negative reviews, there's speculation about star Jason Momoa's future in the franchise, potentially as a different character.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the final entry in the DCEU before the new DC cinematic universe, features a mid-credits scene. While it's unclear what clues this scene may provide for the future of DC on the big screen, a full-spoiler breakdown will be available soon.
As Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom hits theaters, fans are reflecting on the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and its potential. The DCEU, which began with Man of Steel in 2013, has undergone leadership changes and a shift in direction. Some fans are nostalgic and express love for the universe despite its flaws, while others are glad to see it end. The DCEU consists of 15 films, including appearances from iconic characters like Wonder Woman and Superman. Some viewers hope to see certain actors and characters return in the future. The blame for the downfall of the DCEU is debated, with some pointing to bad movies and others blaming the firing of Zack Snyder. With new leadership, fans are curious to see what the future holds for the DC Universe.
Rumors suggest that Warner Bros. has given up on the upcoming film Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, citing concerns about its potential failure and lack of marketing budget. The studio's slow advertising for the film and recent disappointments like The Flash have fueled speculation about the future of the DCEU. While this should be taken with a grain of salt, it indicates a possible shift in focus towards the future of Warner Bros' comic book brand.
After a decade of shifting decisions, executive changes, aggressive critics, and hostile fans, DC film fandom has become divided and uncertain. The lackluster box office performance of recent DCEU films, including Blue Beetle, reflects a lack of faith in the brand. Unlike the MCU, which generates fandom through its characters, DC's fanbase is driven by filmmakers elevated to celebrity status. The future of the DCU lies in recognizing that fans are more interested in distinct filmmaker visions than cinematic universes and cameos. Warner Bros. needs to offer consistency, trust in filmmakers, and a willingness to challenge audience expectations to rebuild DC's fandom.
Warner Bros. attributes the low box office opening of Blue Beetle to the impact of Hurricane Hilary, particularly in Southern California where the film is over-indexing. Despite being one of the lowest debuts for a DC Extended Universe movie, Blue Beetle has received positive reviews from critics. The film stars Xolo Maridueña as the title superhero, Jaime Reyes, and is currently playing in theaters.
The DCEU's newest movie, Blue Beetle, features a surprise appearance from Green Lantern in its opening sequence, with a green light hitting the Scarab. Director Angel Manuel Soto confirmed the Easter egg and hinted at the possibility of future crossovers between Blue Beetle and Green Lantern. The specific Green Lantern character is unknown, but the connection between the two superheroes could potentially reveal more about the Scarab's origin and secrets. Blue Beetle is currently playing in theaters worldwide.
James Gunn confirmed that he won't be attending San Diego Comic-Con 2023, raising doubts about whether any DC Studios project will be present. Several major companies, including Marvel Studios and Netflix, are also skipping the event due to the ongoing writer's strike and the possibility of an actors' strike. Despite this, DC Studios is still gearing up for a big year with the casting of lead actors for Superman: Legacy and the upcoming releases of Blue Beetle and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. The company's first phase, Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, will introduce a range of movies and TV shows, including Superman: Legacy, The Brave and the Bold, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, and a Swamp Thing film.
James Gunn, the Co-CEO of DC Studios, discussed the challenges he knew he would face when he accepted the role, citing "spectacular missteps" in the past. The DC Universe's first phase will include a variety of movies and TV shows, including the Gunn-directed Superman: Legacy and a Batman and Robin-focused movie called The Brave and the Bold. Two more films green-lit under Walter Hamada's regime, Blue Beetle and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, are set to debut later this year.
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.
The latest addition to the DCEU, "The Flash," had a disappointing opening weekend with only $60 million in box office earnings, falling short of expectations. The superhero film joins a list of recent DCEU box office bombs, including "Justice League" and "Suicide Squad."
The Flash has received a 72% review score on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the fifth best-reviewed film in the DCEU. With the DCEU era coming to an end, The Flash serves as a bridge to James Gunn's new DCU. While audiences may enjoy the nostalgia hits and new characters, a clean slate is likely the best move for the franchise.
Clint Eastwood advised his son, Scott Eastwood, to leave the DCEU franchise and the $6.3 billion Suicide Squad film due to payment issues and lack of a script for the next movie. Scott took his father's advice and did not return to the franchise. The original Suicide Squad film lacked the expression and narration seen in the 2021 version directed by James Gunn.
