It’s been a chaotic week for DC Film fans since news broke that a DCEU reboot was imminent with James Gunn’s DC Bible slate but none expected to hear the scrapping of Patty Jenkins’ story for Wonder Woman 3 or concerns of Henry Cavill’s Superman being canned along with the potential Man of Steel 2 project. Fortunately, the DC Studios’ architect has responded to the reports but his answer has not sat well with the fandom which is segmented into Snyderverse followers and general DCEU aficionados.
The DC Extended Universe is changing for the better and James Gunn is well aware his 10-year roadmap might not receive praiseworthy reception from all fans. The director has been the talk of the town lately since news emerged that The Flash and Aquaman 2 would be the conclusion to the universe established by Zack Snyder in 2013’s Man of Steel. But additional details which indicate Jason Momoa could be cast as Lobo resulted in more confusion if the new DC Universe would clasp some of the successful characters while erasing or retconning the rest.
Is the DCEU heading to a soft reboot or a hard one? That remains the big question on fans’ minds. Luckily, James Gunn’s recent answer to the THR story reveals the DC Studios CEO’s mindset on the ongoing drama and fan backlash. In fact, both Gunn and Peter Safran were prepared for the “fractious environment, both in the stories being told & in the audience itself”.
To begin with, Gunn confirmed the details from the Hollywood reporter’s story that “some of it is true, some of it is half-true, some of it is not true, & some of it we haven’t decided yet whether it’s true or not.” Furthermore, the following tweet from the thread double-downed that the duo chiefs are “building the next ten years of story” but mapping out the details “takes time & we’re still just beginning.”
Insider DanielRPK suggests James Gunn’s DCU slate will begin between a mid & hard reboot, allowing some DCEU’s Snyderverse characters to exist
The standout tweet from the thread cryptically suggests the DCU will set off with a mid-reboot which could allow some elements from the old universe to exist. But all in all, Gunn reassures the fandom that the execs at DC Studios division are building the DC Bible “in service of the STORY & in the service of the DC CHARACTERS”. Even so, an announcement about the future may not arrive anytime soon as Gunn also said, “I will sadly have to ask you to wait.”
Replies to James Gunn’s DCU Twitter thread are filling up with requests from Snyderverse fans requesting the DC Studios boss to allow Zack Snyder to complete his vision. While the rest are convinced Gunn has the best interest in his heart and have given their thumbs up for a full reboot. There also remains a large group hoping for a soft reboot. Readers can check it out below.
So. As for the story yesterday in the Hollywood Reporter, some of it is true, some of it is half-true, some of it is not true, & some of it we haven’t decided yet whether it’s true or not.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) December 8, 2022
Although this first month at DC has been fruitful, building the next ten years of story takes time & we’re still just beginning.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) December 8, 2022
Peter & I chose to helm DC Studios knowing we were coming into a fractious environment, both in the stories being told & in the audience itself & there would be an unavoidable transitional period as we moved into telling a cohesive story across film, TV, animation, and gaming.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) December 8, 2022
But, in the end, the drawbacks of that transitional period were dwarfed by the creative possibilities & the opportunity to build upon what has worked in DC so far & to help rectify what has not.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) December 8, 2022
We know we are not going to make every single person happy every step of the way, but we can promise everything we do is done in the service of the STORY & in the service of the DC CHARACTERS we know you cherish and we have cherished our whole lives.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) December 8, 2022
As for more answers about the future of the DCU, I will sadly have to ask you to wait. We are giving these characters & the stories the time & attention they deserve & we ourselves still have a lot more questions to ask & answer. pic.twitter.com/sxwKGRD3vc
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) December 8, 2022
It's gonna be a mid reboot, somewhere between soft and hard reboot 🧐 https://t.co/u5FBOqFqFc
— Daniel Richtman #BlackLivesMatter (@DanielRPK) December 8, 2022
If Gunn and Safran offered Jenkins the chance to rewrite and she walked, that says enough to me that the DC universe will not be completely rebooted.
— ViewerAnon (@ViewerAnon) December 8, 2022
Just say he’s BACK back and we’re good. pic.twitter.com/y1EXJSLjuk
— alias (@itsjustanx) December 8, 2022
People are always quick to jump to negative conclusions without giving something a chance. I as well as many others have faith in your creative direction for the DCEU. Take your time to James, we’re rooting for you.
— out of context house of the dragon (@oochotd) December 8, 2022
This is very decent of you, @jamesgunn.
We got faith in you!
— Gail Simone 💙💛 (@GailSimone) December 8, 2022
Yeah, I belive in you. But, please, safe Black Canary project with Jurnee Smollett!pic.twitter.com/SZ1GS2BuMP
— Luna La (@Luna_Laaaaaa) December 8, 2022
[THREAD]
The idea of having two Batmans at the same time in separate universes isn't a bad thing though if James Gunn's plans is to have Robert Pattinson's Batman as the main DCU Batman then i can't complain at all tho. pic.twitter.com/lHRfnhR2CR
— gus 🦇 (@Guslivesagain) December 8, 2022
Hey, hear me up! We NEED Henry Cavill's Superman, Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman, and Jason Momoa's Aquaman…. DO NOT RECAST any character please!!!
(Except Ezra and Amber)— Eddie Soto 📽️📺 (@eddiewritter) December 8, 2022
I don’t care about what y’all think about James Gunn, I trust him and I’m sure we are about to get quality content for the DCU pic.twitter.com/txAihviCYN
— Felipe 🃏 (@wxhite_wxolf) December 8, 2022
If I may add something, I think keeping the timeline as is other then making Zack Snyder's Justice League canon would be the best course of action. Although I'd also be fine with a very soft reboot. pic.twitter.com/FZ4Wwxcpvn
— 90kid2382 #BlackLivesMatter (@90kid2382) December 8, 2022
Just please don’t make it harder than it has to be…. We have a JL we know and love! 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/TyiUh7R73n
— sir_manolo 🏁 (@Christian_J_D_M) December 8, 2022
Earlier this month, James Gunn hinted the DC Bible will be unveiled before 2023’s San Diego Comic-Con. But the rumor mill indicates the 10-year-plan could be unveiled by the year-end, especially since Gunn is expected to showcase their work-in-progress plan to David Zaslav next week.
The wheels are in motion for DCU but will it be Gunn’s full-fledged design or a new arc developed from the strong pillars of Snyders’ DCEU? Only the DC Studios chiefs could answer those queries.
