Highlights
- DC Comics is rebooting its cinematic universe in 2025, hoping to create a strong rival to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
- James Gunn, known for directing the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, will lead the new DCU and has plans to expand into video games.
- While video games could expand the franchise, they also have the potential to limit creative freedom and risk burning out viewers if they become too connected to the movies.
Thanks to the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, every major franchise seems to want its own cinematic universe these days. While DC Comics tried to establish one with the DCEU, that series fell apart due to all sorts of different reasons. Now, the studio is set to reboot the series with the rebranded DCU in 2025, and fans are extremely excited to see what that will entail. However, DC may be biting off more than it can chew.
James Gunn will be leading the charge in this new cinematic universe after directing the critically acclaimed Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, The Suicide Squad, and Peacemaker. That makes him seem like the perfect candidate to run the DCU, and he has some big plans for it. Not only has he announced the first couple of years of projects, but he also talked about possibly expanding the franchise into the video game space. And while nothing has been announced yet, that sounds like an exciting prospect as well as an extremely risky one.
James Gunn Has Big Plans for the DCU
DCU Video Games May Be a Great Way to Expand the Franchise
Earlier this year, James Gunn announced the first 10 DCU projects that are set to release over the next couple of years. The series will begin with films and shows based on some of DC's most iconic heroes including Superman, Batman, the Lanterns, and Wonder Woman. If done right, then it has the chance to create a strong rival to the MCU.
DC has plans for even more projects that it has not announced yet, including the possibility of video games set within the DCU. Unlike the MCU, DC wants to expand past the world of TV and film, but what that will look like has not been revealed just yet. Since some of the best superhero video games are tied to DC heroes, there is a ton of potential to expand the franchise here with new stories. So, hopefully, the studio is able to actually deliver on that promise.
Video Games Could Also Hurt the DCU Franchise in the Long Run
While DCU games may sound like an exciting idea, they could also hurt the potential of the DCU franchise. Not only could it heavily limit the creative freedom of the video game developer, but it could also burn some viewers out. If these games are critical to understanding the lore of the films, then general audiences may decide to just tune out. On the other hand, if they are not connected enough, then players may have little reason to check them out.
The MCU is struggling a bit with incorporating its Disney Plus TV shows into the greater franchise. The studio has been using these shows to introduce new characters, explore new stories, and set up future events. That has led to some great shows, including WandaVision, Moon Knight, and Loki. However, it has also made some fans feel a bit burnt out by the sheer amount of content. Additionally, it has limited the appeal of recent MCU films like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and The Marvels as viewers are required to devote time to a TV show just to understand what is happening.
If the MCU cannot get viewers invested in movies that require TV shows, then it may be even harder for the DCU to do it with video games. TV shows are arguably more accessible to general audiences than games are, and they usually require less time to be devoted to finishing them. So, if the DCU wants to actually incorporate video games, then it may be facing an incredibly steep uphill battle with its potential fans.
DC
DC is a brand of superhero comics, television shows, movies, video games, merchandise, and more. The company owns the rights to popular characters like Batman, The Suicide Squad, Green Arrow, Wonder Woman, and many more.
