The DC Cinematic Universe

I got the idea to make this post from one of my favorite websites ScreenRant!

-DC Comic's DC Cinematic Universe-

I think there is little doubt from the entertainment community that DC must work on a shared Cinematic Universe.  Marvel Entertainment has changed the game.  The level of character and story complexity provided by this type of franchise is the future.  DC has already started prep work by aligning a lot of their properties for this type of event.

“The Man of Steel” (Coming out in 2013) is obviously the best place to start.  If DC does not take advantage of this movie in 2013, they will be sabotaging themselves for years.  They only need to do little things to accomplish this.  Small Easter eggs in some scenes in the movie and a post credit scene will get the buzz and speculation started.  DC needs to start here by selling their DCCU to the diehard fans that will pick up on these Easter eggs and spread the word to the general populace.

Let me also get this out of the way…..I am as big a fan of Marvel as I am of DC.  I love characters and stories from both universes, so for me there is no competition.  I want both companies to succeed and continue to provide me with great superhero entertainment!

In order for DC to succeed in their own right, and not be seen as a Marvel knock-off by the general viewing public, they need to stick to the comic roots and attack the motivations and societal issues that have always had a presence in the DC universe.  Humanity as a whole is portrayed very different in Marvel than it is in the DC Universe.  I always felt that DC portrays a much more realistic view of mankind and their inherent distrust in things they do not understand.  I think DC should approach their movies with a darker tone and really focus on the relationship between the Justice League and the world, much more so than Marvel did.

I will admit that even I am finding it a little difficult to construct an ideal way of introducing the Justice League and the individual members.  Marvel did a good job of this, but they also had fewer super powered characters to introduce.  Marvel did it in 5 movies, but with just 4 primary characters (Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk).  DC could take this approach, and trim down the DC roster for their first outing, but who could be left out?  The Justice League has always felt the same with Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash and the Martian Manhunter.  The New 52 subbed Cyborg in for Manhunter, but Cyborg has never stood out for me as a hero.

I think something like this may work:

The Man of Steel – Introduces Superman, supporting characters, and DC’s version of humanity, which is distrustful and cynical of super heroes.  Needs to paint humanity on the brink and Superman and other heroes as a beacon for humanity.  Has Easter eggs referencing some or all of the following:  Gotham, Wayne Enterprise, Bruce Wayne, Batman, Ferris Aricrafts, Mars Exploration, etc.  Post credit seen shows Batman, in the shadows or just from behind, sitting at this bat computer, reviewing news feeds of Superman and the events of The Man of Steel.

The Flash – Introduce the Flash, origin story, etc.  Begin to introduce the primary villain for the Justice League.  Either an organization or villain, pulling the strings of the main villain in the Flash movie.  Post credit scene of that villain plotting.

Batman/Superman – Have the story told from the perspective of Batman.  Do a montage of Batman’s origin and beginning years (similar to what they did at the beginning of The Incredible Hulk).  No need to go through another origin story for Batman.  Have some event that Batman and Superman work together on, creating a friendship.  Post credit scene should be something about Wonder Woman.

Wonder Woman – Origin story.  I think this movie should take place mostly, if not all, in Amazonia.   The villain here should be tied into the Justice League villain, still pulling string and plotting in the background.  Post credit scene teases John Stewart as Green Lantern.

Green Lantern 2 – A semi reboot.  Introducing John Stewart as a new green lantern for Earth.  Don’t disregard Green Lantern 1, but don’t let the events of that movie dictate GL2.  Have Ryan Reynolds in there, but in a limited capacity.  Villain should be Sinestro.  Post Credit scene teases Martian Manhunter, perhaps having some history with the villain, leading into the Justice League.

Justice League – Manhunter approaches Batman, and the two bring them all together