Even since San Diego Comic Convention, the news has been floating around the internet that the television series Arrow, will lead into a launch of a Flash TV series. It has also been rumoured that these two shows will eventually lead into a Justice League movie, which will be tied to the Man of Steel film franchise.
I like the idea of combining the television and feature films of our favourite DC superheroes. But not this way.
It feels like they (DC and Warner Brothers) are playing catch up to Marvel and Disney.
I don’t watch Arrow. I have been told on multiple occasions that it is a decent show. But it hasn’t grabbed my attention. I also have issues with how Christopher Nolan’s Batman franchise ended. And how the Man of Steel film franchise started (I’ve stated my opinion on multiple occasions). It isn’t a good idea to tie them together now. So what should DC and Warner’s do?
A New 52 Reboot/Relaunch.
Start over. Start fresh.
The time to tie everything together would have been back in 2006 when Batman Begins came out. At that time Smallville was a very popular show on the CW (Warner Brother’s TV channel). It would have been a perfect opportunity to tie the Movie Universe to the Television Universe, and have cross over events. Many of the “Justice League” characters were introduced on Smallville, and their characters were developed on a medium that lends more time to doing it right. It think it would have been a success.
Marvel and Disney had a plan laid out from the beginning. They had the foresight to know that all the characters that were within Disney’s right’s ownership, would all be featured in one common universe.
And now we have the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. TV show to link all the “Avengers” movies together. And the show is going to be on ABC (Disney’s TV channel). Which is easier to find on your cable box, than the CW.
You may blame me for being a “Marvel-Fan Boy”. I don’t think I am. I really want to like what DC has done, but it isn’t true. Disney had the plan right from the start. The evolution of the movie and TV versions of our favourite characters felt right.
What DC is doing feels wrong. And I don’t see it leading to “creative success”. It’s going to make a bunch of cash. But in the end it won’t create a lasting legacy for generations to come.
Of course they are trying to ape Marvel due to the billions of dollars those movies made. It won’t be as successful because Marvel has Joss Whedon. Plus Marvel has always been the choice for the discriminating comic book fan. It all feels more (in a movie filled with aliens) human in the depiction. Marvel has better characters. Imagine if Sony didn’t own Spider-Man.
Ed, I could be wrong but I’m pretty sure Warner or DC isn’t interested in “creating a lasting legacy for generations to come”. They’re eye-ing the bunch of cash.
Also, Disney had nothing to do with Marvel’s plan. After the success of Spidey, it was Marvels prez at the time… Avi what’s his face, who quit his position to get into the movie biz. He’s the one who hammered out a deal with Merrill Lynch (if memory serves) which included releasing 2 flicks a year. If a movie bombed, Merrill Lynch would get the movie rights… or something to that effect. Time sure flies… not sure where deal stands now.
Michael, Sony doesn’t own Spidey. Licensing was a sweet deal for Marvel at the time. Let others do the work and just cash in. Marvel was praised for being able to make easy money… but now that superhero flicks are all the rage, some feel Marvel made a bad deal with Sony. But remember, the success of Spidey help build the superhero momentum. Marvel was the most profitable company in America during their final years before Disney picked them up.
From movie to TV or TV to movie… I don’t see what’s the diff? As long as it’s well done.
Ed, I know you think I’m a meany but if you wanna get better, you gotta do the research. You can’t expect others to “create a lasting legacy for generations to come” but not try yourself. Begin by qualifying…
Who
What
When
Where, and
How
ie; What is “creative success” to you? Define it brother. And dig. Dig deep. It feels like DC is playing “catch up” because they are. We all know this… but, what should be their strategy? Who should DC enlist? <How should they go about it? Don’t be afraid to get to the meat of the matter.
Carpe diem!
Charlie… I don’t think you are a meany. It is your opinion. Much like my column is just my opinion. I know you have compared CBD to a glorified Facebook page, I don’t take that as an offensive comment. I take it as a compliment.
CBD is to discuss the minutiae of the comic book world… or all the “talk of the comic shop” as I like to refer to it. I’m not breaking news. I’m just stating my opinions of things that have to do with comic books. I just do this for fun. Could I be wrong and totally off base? YUP!!! I could be. But I don’t care. It helps promote discussion.
You should see some of the stuff we come up with at the comic book shop on Wednesday nights.
So in retrospect… I just DC would make better movies.
I’m pretty sure you can’t just say ‘Joss did it’ for everything that the Marvel movie universe has done. He’s directed one of the movies and is working on a second. It’s a big group of people doing awesome things. Pegging it all on one dude flattering, but incorrect.
Now if Marvel comics could take a note from its movie cousins!
Well, it was sort of facetious comment, but the Avengers is the 3rd best grossing film in history largely because of a great set-up from Marvel, but he was also the best man for the job, and I’m a big fan. I’m not giving him all credit. But we’ve all seen super-hero films based around one hero that were too overcrowded to work, but he made it all fall into place. Sorry, I’m old Buffy super-fan! Plus, have you read his run with John Cassaday on Astonishing X-Men? Cut me some slack!
I don’t begrudge you your opinion Ed. It’s more the logic or the facts that set up or validate your opinion. For example, I never used the word “glorified” in my comment and it was neither an insult or compliment. For all your efforts, I’ve always assumed you guys wanted to expand this site. Or perhaps you still do but are unable to formulate a strategy inline with your Wednesday night mentality…
In any case, I’m sure DC is trying to make better movies… but they are falling short due to a number of reasons. Perhaps the main difference is that Marvel movies are made by comic book guys who see “Marvel” as the big franchise where as DC movies are a product of Hollywood. Should DC follow Marvels footsteps… I’m not sure. It’s been done… why not forge their own sword? But like any good organization, they need leadership with sights set on the long term…