DC FanDome was a virtual celebration from DC Comics and Warner Bros. Entertainment that offered fans from around the world the chance to get a sneak peek at the latest superhero projects from both companies. However, Warner Bros. Discovery has decided the need for such an event no longer exists.
After being held in 2020 and 2021 amid the global pandemic, Warner Bros. Discovery announced DC FanDome will not take place this year. According to the statement from the company, the return of in-person events appears to be the primary factor in Warner Bros. Discovery's decision.
“With the return of in-person events, Warner Bros. Discovery is excited to be able to engage with our fans live at numerous comic-cons around the world and will not be scheduling DC FanDome for 2022,” Warner Bros. Discovery said in an official statement. While there's no indication that DC FanDome won't return in 2023, it seems Warner Bros. and DC are focusing on returning to in-person conventions to promote their work for now. For instance, DC will be at New York Comic-Con in October 2022 in addition to future conventions across the globe.
As mentioned, DC FanDome launched in 2020 in response to several in-person events being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual convention returned in 2021 and performed even better than the inaugural event, with 66 million people viewing the livestream worldwide compared to the 22 million people from the previous year. Much like Disney's D23 convention does for Marvel, DC FanDome was designed specifically to promote DC projects, as opposed to Comic-Con or similar events, where Warner Bros. generally includes other non-superhero films and television shows as well.
Both DC FanDome events included notable guests such as Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson, who debuted the first The Batman trailer at the 2021 convention. Of course, DC video games and comics were also a part of both conventions, meaning just about every corner of the fanbase could find something to hold their interest.
The cancellation of DC FanDome comes amid several changes being implemented by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav. Because DC Films' presence at San Diego Comic-Con 2022 was generally considered a disappointment by fans on account of trailers for Black Adam and Shazam 2 being the only two notable news stories from the event, fans were hoping DC FanDome could make for SDCC's lack of fresh announcements or previews. Sadly, this does not appear to be the case.
Source: Warner Bros. Discovery