It's been nearly four years since James Gunn took over as co-CEO of DC Studios. In that short time, my confidence in his new DC Universe has waned tremendously. I am concerned that James Gunn is killing his universe before it even begins.
When I first heard the announcement, I was immediately intrigued because, at the time, I found James Gunn to be one of the best comic book movie writers/directors currently working. My intrigue diminished, however, when he announced his first lineup, Chapter One: "Gods and Monsters". I was concerned by projects like Creature Commandos, Waller, and The Authority (the latter of which has been canceled). I found it very odd that James Gunn was launching an entire universe where characters like Amanda Waller, Clayface, Supergirl, and Booster Gold were among the first we would see. The common comeback to this was, "Well Marvel launched their universe with a C-list superhero, Tony Stark." Yes, that's because they had to. DC Studios owns everything, James Gunn has no restrictions, yet he is planning as if he does. There is no reason James Gunn should be telling C- and D-list characters' stories when we haven't even touched Batman, Wonder Woman, or Aquaman. Why do we have a Gorilla Grodd TV show before Barry Allen? It's nonsensical.
Another issue I have is James Gunn's use of TV shows. In my opinion, neither DC nor Marvel has gotten TV right. Marvel TV shows were standalone but also tried to be a part of the larger story that coincided with the movies. It made the TV shows feel like homework for a test that's never coming. James Gunn seems to be doing something similarly where the TV shows pay off in later movies. For example, look at his newest show, Lanterns. Green Lantern is one of the top five characters fans want to see done right on the big screen (notice big). And James Gunn diving into that story this early on is the right move, but he is going about it the wrong way. Comic book TV shows do not work. They just don't. People want to see two-to-three-hour spectacles in theaters, not eight-part series where half of the show feels like filler. Lanterns is a perfect example of this. James Gunn, do you really believe the best way to reach casual fans is to give them a TV series about Green Lanterns where the show mainly takes place in a Midwestern town and the "Lanterns" are wearing jackets, jeans, and boots? What reason would a new fan have to invest in this show for eight weeks?
Marvel's "TV saga" did not come until over ten years after the universe began. The Daredevil, Punisher, and Defenders shows are the only examples of comic book TV that I believe a studio got right. Comic book TV NEEDS TO BE STANDALONE. This is what Marvel struggled with. You had to watch Loki to understand Kang and the multiverse; you had to watch Ms. Marvel and Secret Invasion to understand The Marvels. James Gunn has to focus on MOVIES. A Batman MOVIE. A Flash MOVIE. That way you can build a cohesive universe fans can get behind. We should not be getting the villains of heroes before we get the heroes. This is universe building 101.
James Gunn first needs to learn what a standalone movie is. In his first movie, Superman, we see Hawkgirl, Mr. Terrific, and Guy Gardner all appear. Why? Is there going to be a Hawkgirl or Mr. Terrific movie soon? I don't think so. If you're going to include other characters, why not Wonder Woman or Hal Jordan? Imagine She-Hulk and Falcon appearing in the first Iron Man movie. And there's going to be even more heroes in Man of Tomorrow. James Gunn is throwing way too many characters into his movies.
The most important rule James Gunn must follow: listen to the fans. This doesn't mean you should follow every fan theory and let the fans decide what happens, but it does mean you have to be in touch with what they want. James Gunn, no one is asking for a Booster Gold show or a Clayface movie. Do we really think Clayface is going to do well after Supergirl flopped? James Gunn has to get out of his own head and realize you have to cater to casual fans. Right now he is catering to the most hardcore of hardcore fans and while that can be great, it seems like James Gunn started running instead of walking with his plan for this universe.
I still have some hope. It is DC, after all. Eventually, he's going to have to use the bigger names, and I will be excited and ready when that day comes. Right now, my hope for this universe is slowly dying.