The DC Cinematic Universe

[Henry88]

"NO JOKES"

Why Superman and Batman may lose the war to Marvel before they even begin
It's all going to come down to people falling in love with these icons

Last week was about the fifth time I've heard that there is a mandate at Warner Bros. regarding any of the DC superhero films in development, and it's very simple and direct and to the point.

"No jokes."

It would seem like a crazy rule to set for an entire series of films. How can you know what the tone is for every story you'll be telling in a series before you've even started telling it? The thing is, DC has taken a few stabs at establishing this larger universe on film, and they've gotten smacked down for everything that hasn't had Batman in it. "Man Of Steel" made money, and I'm certainly not the only person to like the film. I may be one of its more ardent defenders, but I'm not alone. I think you'd have a far harder time finding someone to defend "Green Lantern," the studio's other big attempt at launching one of the core Justice League characters with a film franchise of his own.

[Darth Geek]

*sigh* Just another indication that DC simply doesn't get it. If they want to do more serious tone in their movies, fine. But this is just trying to be different than Marvel in a blind childish reactionary way. This has business executive decision written all over it.

Besides, if they want to make blanket decisions like this, how about "NO ORIGIN STORIES" or even better, "NO LOVE STORIES". Those would at least be better ideas than this.

And if the Nolan Batman movies are their guide, I seem to recall a rare joke here and there in those movies.

[Sideswipe]

They seem to be rushing things.  For some reason they think they have to catch up to Marvel so they are doing things completely backward to what Marvels successful formula has been.

[Toyland Chairman]

Last I heard they hired two people to each write an AQUAMAN script, and then they'd produce the better of the two. And if they both suck?

[Pak-Man]

Yuck. What if Marvel had said, "No jokes!" We'd be left with Punisher.

[Darth Geek]

They seem to be rushing things.  For some reason they think they have to catch up to Marvel so they are doing things completely backward to what Marvels successful formula has been.

I completely agree. And it's going to be even worse that they are trying to build this universe off of the terrible Man of Steel.

[RoninFox]

Building off of Man of Steel doesn't bother me (some people actually liked it, myself included) but the idea of no jokes strikes me as the worst possible decision they could make. The last thing they need to do is prove that they're taking themselves too seriously. Even Batman needs some levity now and then.

[Henry88]

I don't know how Seth Rogen is connected to this (I guess he just knows people?) but he says its not true.

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/ignition/news/?a=106665

[Rainbow Dash]

Next thing you know, Superman will be fighting a giant spider in the third act.

[Compound]

Yuck. What if Marvel had said, "No jokes!" We'd be left with Punisher.

And yet  the fight with Dolph Lundgren in the middle Punisher film was still pretty funny.

[RoninFox]

Yuck. What if Marvel had said, "No jokes!" We'd be left with Punisher.

And yet  the fight with Dolph Lundgren in the middle Punisher film was still pretty funny.

...You mean Kevin Nash?

Dolph Lundgren was the star of the first Punisher film, unless I missed something he hasn't been in any others.

[Johnny Unusual]

Yuck. What if Marvel had said, "No jokes!" We'd be left with Punisher.

To be fair, whether you find them funny or not, the Punisher comics do have jokes (particularly in Garth Ennis' early run).

Plus, this exists and it is wonderful.



For some reason, the people in charge of making the DC movies seem invested in giving their DC characters a complete fun-ectomy.  I believe that Seth Rogen is right and that it is just some rumour than a mandate, but based on Man of Steel and the fact that it seems to be a sign of the direction of this new universe.  Of course, I imagine that will change with the Rock appearing in that SHAZAM movie they want to do.  I not only cannot imagine a sombre SHAZAM movie, I can't imagine anyone who would make one with the Rock (who is the perfect choice to play Captain Marvel).

[k1]

So I'm not too familiar with the Suicide Squad comics. I know a little about it, but haven't read all that much of it...  How big of a character is Joker in it? I know he's Harley's guy, so there's that connection but I don't recall him being in any of the few I read.  (Also, will Leto be playing the skinned Joker?)

[RoninFox]

As far as I know, Joker has never been a member of the squad.  My best guess is that Joker's role in the movie will be A) A prologue at the beginning explaining the origin of Harley or B) The villain that the Suicide Squad is forced to stop or C) Both.

[lassieface]

I said this over in "The Arrow" thread, but DC should put the guys behind Arrow and The Flash in charge of all their movies and TV shows. They're the only ones actually playing ball on Marvel's level.