In the comic books, DC used to enjoy a clear advantage over Marvel. The same is true for animated series.
However, things seem to have changed in favor of Marvel when Disney Pictures acquired Marvel Studios. Given the resources and the level of promotional reach of Disney, Marvel shot past over DC almost 10 years ago especially when it introduced the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with the first “Iron Man” movie shown in 2008.
It was only in 2013, or some five years after the MCU has already been introduced, that the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) was introduced on the big screen through the film “Man of Steel,” which critics thought was a darker rendition of Superman.
But Warner Bros, which is producing the DCEU films, is not as big as Disney when it comes to the promotional hype of MCU films, which is why the three DCEU films that have been shown thus far were not as prolific as more than half of the 14 MCU movies that already came out in theaters.
In simpler terms, the three DCEU films including “Man of Steel,” “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice,” and “Suicide Squad” were blockbuster films alright, but none of them has broken the billion dollar mark which four MCU films already did including “Marvel’s The Avengers,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Iron Man 3,” and “Captain America: Civil War.”
Still, the scenario does not affect Warner Bros in gradually paving the way for the full evolution of the DCEU in the movies with two more movies in store next year including “Wonder Woman” to be shown on June 2 and the DC superhero ensemble “Justice League,” due to hit cinemas on November 17 next year.
Bound to make history
Director Zack Snyder will have the opportunity to direct the fifth film of the DCEU after helming “Man of Steel” in 2013 and “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” in March this year, ensuring continuity.
Critics believe that Snyder is bound to make history with “Justice League” because for the first time on the big screen, DC’s biggest superheroes will unite and become a cohesive, evil-battling unit, notes Cinema Blend.
DC’s Justice League is bigger than Marvel’s Avengers but for the reason of a good head start on theaters, Marvel Studios and Disney Pictures are enjoying a good advantage for the time being.
Critics also believe that “Justice League” is going to be a massive movie but most of them are starting to worry that it is actually going to be way too big for its own good.
It was surprising for some critics to note that on “Justice League” which would likely feature only six superhero characters when in fact “Captain America: Civil War” actually featured 12 Marvel superheroes all sharing screen time in one big ensemble movie.
In addition to Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, who were already featured in “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice,” other superhero characters who will get their due screen time share in “Justice League” are Aquaman, Cyborg, and The Flash. There are also reports saying that the Green Lantern shall also make a cameo in time for his full exposure in “Justice League Part 2.”
Drawing absurd comparisons
Just like the superhero ensemble movies of Marvel, there will also be supporting characters from each of the headlining superheroes so it is surprising why some critics are zeroing in on “Justice League” as too big for its own good when in fact the two Avengers movies and “Captain America: Civil War” had more.
Many believe that Warner Bros needs to do a better PR job than Marvel Studios or Disney in order not to draw such absurd comparisons.
The first trailer for “Justice League” was released during the San Diego ComicCon and it gave fans the first glimpse of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Cyborg, and Aquaman working together on the big screen.
In order for the Justice League to form, they need a threat with power levels that only a team of heroes could take down.
“Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” made it clear that Darkseid is on his way to the world and there were also several visual cues that were given, details the Den of Geek.
There are also reports saying that “Justice League” will seek to change the grim and gritty, extremely serious overtones of Warner Bros films based on DC Comics.