Warner Brothers is one of the greatest movie studios in history. From film noirs like The Maltese Falcon and Casablanca to big-budget action pictures such as The Matrix and Lethal Weapon franchises, Warner Brothers has kept audiences entertained for nearly a hundred years. The studio has also been home to several DC superhero features depicting fan-favorite comic book characters like Batman and Superman.
However, in recent years, Warner Brothers has had major problems coming up with fresh DC pictures due to the familiarity of superheroes already shown on film. Marvel movies had no point of comparison since many of its heroes had not been portrayed on the big screen previously (at least not in any significant way). Meanwhile, WBD and DC are continually forced to make movies that beg comparison to former franchises that still hold a place in film history.
DC Tries To Be Too Dark
There's no question that DC films have a large fan base, but for the past decade or so (after the greatness of Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy), these movies have tried to outsmart and outclass Marvel by taking the material too seriously. While Marvel has had three live-action versions of Spider-Man, seven actors have portrayed Batman on the big screen. The Caped Crusader may be considered the best and most popular superhero, with fans constantly debating which actor is the best (Bale, Affleck, Keaton, Pattinson, etc.). However, some may argue that his story has been covered too many times, and it's getting repetitive.
By creating different versions of Batman, there was a missed opportunity to cover more heroes in the DC Universe in previous years. That's why it's taken longer to bring characters like Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, and The Flash to the silver screen. These superheroes were first briefly seen in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. While their portrayals have been praised in this film and others afterward (including solo projects), director Zack Snyder was criticized for introducing the superheroes in such a rushed and abrupt manner, as well as placing them in a feature that focused more on major action sequences than caring about a coherent story. They also had limited screen time compared to the Bat and Man of Steel.
Henry Cavill has received considerable praise for his role as Superman since he starred in the 2013 superhero film, Man of Steel (also by Snyder). Many have favorably compared Cavill's take on the red-caped hero to Christopher Reeve's memorable performances in Richard Donner's Superman films. However, many would argue that Reeve is still the greatest Superman. His portrayal is well-rounded, from depicting Clark Kent as a man who falls in love with Lois Lane and is successful as a journalist for the Daily Planet, while also quickly transitioning to the high-flying Superman, fighting villains and saving lives. Cavill's portrayal of the hero shares many of the same qualities, but after Man of Steel, his role seemed like more of a supporting turn in Batman v Superman. Affleck's Caped Crusader took more of the spotlight.
Meanwhile, Ben Affleck and Robert Pattinson have each been praised for their dark iterations of Batman, with their serious tones and intense physical fight sequences. However, Michael Keaton's Caped Crusader is still considered an inspirational favorite because of his portrayal in Tim Burton's films, which were the first to successfully combine comic book lore with film noir. Christian Bale's Batman in Nolan's films is also a favorite thanks to a darker version of the hero. He offers a complex origin story that builds up his journey in the trilogy, while also battling iconic villains (Joker, Two-Face, Bane, etc.). Affleck and Pattinson each try to be bleaker than Bale and Keaton, but how much more can Batman be developed?
Marvel Is The Fresher Brand Right Now
For the past quarter-century, features based on Marvel characters have been more popular. Filmmakers and producers associated with 20th Century Fox (now part of Disney Plus) have depicted superheroes who had never (or rarely) appeared before in a live-action movie. These include the X-Men, Deadpool, Blade, Daredevil, Fantastic Four, and, of course, The Avengers. Hugh Jackman made it big as Wolverine, and Robert Downey Jr. revitalized his acting career with his decade-long run as Iron Man. Chadwick Boseman's Black Panther became a landmark superhero picture due to the film's emotional story and diverse cast. Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow became one of the strongest female heroes due to her tough fighting skills and ability to deceive her enemies.
Marvel movies have also done a good job in appealing to younger audiences, except for a few R-rated features (such as Blade, Deadpool, and Logan). The PG-13 action is intense but exciting, especially when heroes are fighting against strong villains like Thanos and Loki. The special effects have also become more innovative over the years with the advancements in technology and CGI (including the battle sequences and the powers of certain characters like Hulk, Thor, and Scarlet Witch). Marvel features have been heading in a different (and uncertain) direction in Phase Four compared to the first three phases. However, recent movies and TV shows have been introducing new characters (Shang-Chi and She-Hulk) and expanding on characters previously seen (Falcon, Winter Soldier, Doctor Strange).
What Does The Future Hold For DC?
The future for Warner Brothers Discovery and DC films and shows appears to be more uncertain compared to Marvel. At WBD, producers and executives seem to be unwilling to give some new projects a chance to shine. By canceling Batgirl, this seems like a negative sign that there's a lack of confidence in introducing more female superheroes to the big screen. (This is odd considering how well Wonder Woman did five years ago, and the popularity of Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn.) While Zack Snyder's Justice League became a hit last year, there are currently no plans to move forward with other features involving the team. The studio has scrapped plans for characters like Green Lantern, Deathstroke, and Jared Leto's Joker. The future of Henry Cavill's Superman is also up in the air.
WBD and DC still consider Batman their top prospect (especially after giving The Batman director Matt Reeves a long-term deal). They've signified that this male superhero is still extremely appealing to spectators (even though his story is familiar material). So far, there are still Aquaman and Shazam sequels to look forward to, as well as The Flash movie. However, the direction of DC is unclear. If there isn't enough diversity and transparency in its content, fans may lose interest. If DC wants to succeed, they need to come up with more than just tough guys with superpowers taking on villains in dark atmospheres.