The DC Movies Thread v AQUAMAN

[Adami]

You guys all know a lot more about this stuff than I do, but in the comics, the FF4 was sort of the flagship.  First, I noted a very different tone to the movies from the comics, and then between the movies they seemed to shift tone as well. It felt... not disrespectful, really, but sort of slap dash in a way that I don't think the original property really deserved.

Yes and no.

Yea, the FF were the beginning of Marvel as we know it, even if they later incorporated older characters like Cap and Namor etc.

I didn’t hate the first movie though I haven’t seen it in a very long time. It’s hard to say it differed in tone because FF has been around for over 60 years and have had so many different tones at different times. Still largely awful movies though.

[hefdaddy42]

But there's been three Fantastic 4 movies, all three of them were...not great. I hope the MCU does a better job in the upcoming film, but given the track record for F4, not so sure

Not made by Marvel though.  I'm talking the whole MCU timeline.

Not made by Marvel Studios. Marvel Comics still had some hand in the creation of all non-MCU Marvel films.

-Marc.

I wouldn't word it that way.  No one involved in the actual creation of comics ever had any say.

I think the corporate body that had any say was Marvel Entertainment.  But they basically rubber-stamped everything.  I'm not sure how much say they really had at all beyond very broad strokes (Character X cannot do these things, etc) once the film rights were sold.

Fair, but Kevin Feige was an associate/executive producer on a LOT of pre-MCU films.
X-Men   Associate producer
Spider-Man   Associate producer
Daredevil   Co-producer
X2   Co-producer
Hulk   Executive producer
The Punisher   Executive producer
Spider-Man 2   Executive producer
Man-Thing   Executive producer
Elektra   Co-producer
Fantastic Four   Executive producer
X-Men: The Last Stand   Executive producer
Spider-Man 3   Executive producer
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer   Executive producer
Punisher: War Zone   Executive producer
The Amazing Spider-Man   Executive producer

I'd say it was a bit more than just "rubber stamping" films and giving studios the OK. Marvel had SOME influence and say in how the films went, for better or for worse.

-Marc.

Well, there are producers and then there are PRODUCERS.  Back then, he was not yet Feige the Great and Powerful.  He was a guy that worked on the films.  He wasn't a studio exec, and wasn't a writer, and wasn't a director.  The only creative influence I know of that he had on really any of those (and I have heard him talk about this) was that on some of them, he was able to make suggestions to the director on various small things.  That's about it.

Unless, obviously, there is something I don't know about lol

[The Letter M]

You guys all know a lot more about this stuff than I do, but in the comics, the FF4 was sort of the flagship.  First, I noted a very different tone to the movies from the comics, and then between the movies they seemed to shift tone as well. It felt... not disrespectful, really, but sort of slap dash in a way that I don't think the original property really deserved.

Well in regards to how Marvel handled the X-Men and FF comics between 2000s and 2010s, it came down to Fox using them and Marvel not wanting to promote those properties because their film studio couldn't use them. Is it petty? Sure. Were they right to do so? Ehhhh... I know it probably upset a LOT of fans that Marvel Comics spotlighted the Inhumans to promote Agents of SHIELD and their eventually-awful Inhumans TV show. Same goes for canceling their FF comics only to bring them back around the time that Disney was buying Fox.

Hopefully now that Disney/Marvel have all of their characters (sans Spider-Man) back under their ownership, we can get a Fantastic Four story done right, within the context of the MCU.

And not to further derail the DC thread with more Marvel talk, let's just hope that the obvious Elseworlds branding is enough to keep the general movie-going public aware that films like The Batman and Joker are separate from the new DCU. I think because they're pre-existing franchises with little ties to the Snyder-verse, it's a bit more obvious to most general audiences, especially given how different the style and tone of those films are compared to things like Justice League, Birds Of Prey, The Suicide Squad, and Shazam.

Also, does it weird anyone else out that DC is still planning to have FOUR FILMS out this year when Marvel only has three? Would've been four but they delayed Blade due to a change in directors, and I guess that Fall film slot wasn't going to get filled in time.

But there's been three Fantastic 4 movies, all three of them were...not great. I hope the MCU does a better job in the upcoming film, but given the track record for F4, not so sure

Not made by Marvel though.  I'm talking the whole MCU timeline.

Not made by Marvel Studios. Marvel Comics still had some hand in the creation of all non-MCU Marvel films.

-Marc.

I wouldn't word it that way.  No one involved in the actual creation of comics ever had any say.

I think the corporate body that had any say was Marvel Entertainment.  But they basically rubber-stamped everything.  I'm not sure how much say they really had at all beyond very broad strokes (Character X cannot do these things, etc) once the film rights were sold.

Fair, but Kevin Feige was an associate/executive producer on a LOT of pre-MCU films.
X-Men   Associate producer
Spider-Man   Associate producer
Daredevil   Co-producer
X2   Co-producer
Hulk   Executive producer
The Punisher   Executive producer
Spider-Man 2   Executive producer
Man-Thing   Executive producer
Elektra   Co-producer
Fantastic Four   Executive producer
X-Men: The Last Stand   Executive producer
Spider-Man 3   Executive producer
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer   Executive producer
Punisher: War Zone   Executive producer
The Amazing Spider-Man   Executive producer

I'd say it was a bit more than just "rubber stamping" films and giving studios the OK. Marvel had SOME influence and say in how the films went, for better or for worse.

-Marc.

Well, there are producers and then there are PRODUCERS.  Back then, he was not yet Feige the Great and Powerful.  He was a guy that worked on the films.  He wasn't a studio exec, and wasn't a writer, and wasn't a director.  The only creative influence I know of that he had on really any of those (and I have heard him talk about this) was that on some of them, he was able to make suggestions to the director on various small things.  That's about it.

Unless, obviously, there is something I don't know about lol

You might be right, but I'm not entirely sure myself either. I'm sure there are websites that document his involvement in those pre-/non-MCU films, but I've not searched out for them. It would make for a fascinating video essay on YouTube though (perhaps someone has already done it?).

-Marc.

[hefdaddy42]

You're probably right.  That's probably enough Marvel talk in the DCU thread lol

[faizoff]

I do wonder if James Gunn is vying for a position like that of Fiege. With him running the gamut of the DC universe he might be able to pull it off, his Suicide Squad movie and Peacemaker show are absolute gems. If he's able to harness that kind of vibe and quality with the next slate of movies in the DCEU I'm all for it. I like how Joker and The Batman are siloed away from the rest and don't mind that elseworld label.

[hefdaddy42]

I do wonder if James Gunn is vying for a position like that of Fiege.

He isn't vying for it.  He has it.

[faizoff]

Is he producing movies too? I thought he was just sort of the showrunner type of head figure and overseeing some of the expanded universe.

[King whatever and the whoosie whatsie]

Is he producing movies too? I thought he was just sort of the showrunner type of head figure and overseeing some of the expanded universe.

Gunn is sharing the duty of producer with Peter Safran from what I read.

[The Letter M]

Gunn is also writing some stuff, at the very least, Superman Legacy, and, I believe, the Amanda Waller show that is a pseudo-sequel to Peacemaker.

Gunn is definitely being more hands-on than most folks might think, writing, producing, and probably directing a lot of stuff in the coming years at DC Studios. He's definitely the Feige of DC.

-Marc.

[ZirconBlue]

Is he producing movies too? I thought he was just sort of the showrunner type of head figure and overseeing some of the expanded universe.

Gunn is sharing the duty of producer with Peter Safran from what I read.

Correct.  Gunn and Safran are co-chairs and co-CEOs of DC Studios, reporting directly to the WBD CEO.  They're in charge of DC film, tv, and animation division.

[ozzy554]

Gunn is also writing some stuff, at the very least, Superman Legacy, and, I believe, the Amanda Waller show that is a pseudo-sequel to Peacemaker.

Gunn is definitely being more hands-on than most folks might think, writing, producing, and probably directing a lot of stuff in the coming years at DC Studios. He's definitely the Feige of DC.

-Marc.

So far Gunn is confirmed to have written Superman: Legacy and Creature Commandos. Waller is being headed up by the Doom patrol guy and the person who wrote the last Watchman series. I'm sure he provided outlines to other writers about what direction he wants things to go in though.

[The Letter M]

Gunn is also writing some stuff, at the very least, Superman Legacy, and, I believe, the Amanda Waller show that is a pseudo-sequel to Peacemaker.

Gunn is definitely being more hands-on than most folks might think, writing, producing, and probably directing a lot of stuff in the coming years at DC Studios. He's definitely the Feige of DC.

-Marc.

So far Gunn is confirmed to have written Superman: Legacy and Creature Commandos. Waller is being headed up by the Doom patrol guy and the person who wrote the last Watchman series. I'm sure he provided outlines to other writers about what direction he wants things to go in though.

Ahhh okay, gotcha. I guess the Doom Patrol folks have more free time now that their series is ending anyway. I just assumed Gunn was involved, somewhat, considering it's still Viola Davis and is following up on Peacemaker Season 1.

To borrow from another Warner franchise, it very much feels like Gunn is The Architect of the DCU now, going forward, and honestly, I'm kind of hopeful given his track record with adapting comics so far for Marvel. He made me care for a Christmas Special!

-Marc.

[ozzy554]

Gunn is also writing some stuff, at the very least, Superman Legacy, and, I believe, the Amanda Waller show that is a pseudo-sequel to Peacemaker.

Gunn is definitely being more hands-on than most folks might think, writing, producing, and probably directing a lot of stuff in the coming years at DC Studios. He's definitely the Feige of DC.

-Marc.

So far Gunn is confirmed to have written Superman: Legacy and Creature Commandos. Waller is being headed up by the Doom patrol guy and the person who wrote the last Watchman series. I'm sure he provided outlines to other writers about what direction he wants things to go in though.

Ahhh okay, gotcha. I guess the Doom Patrol folks have more free time now that their series is ending anyway. I just assumed Gunn was involved, somewhat, considering it's still Viola Davis and is following up on Peacemaker Season 1.

To borrow from another Warner franchise, it very much feels like Gunn is The Architect of the DCU now, going forward, and honestly, I'm kind of hopeful given his track record with adapting comics so far for Marvel. He made me care for a Christmas Special!

-Marc.

I've been a fan of James Gunn for most of my life and didn't even realize it. Loved the Scooby doo movies as a kid (though as an adult I wish we got the R cut of the first one), then Slither and Super. Then when I got into Troma there's Tromeo and Juliet. Oh and of course he wrote the Dawn of the Dead remake directed by Zack Snyder oddly enough. So I will always be up for anything with his name attached.

[hefdaddy42]

Dwayne Johnson was right when he said that there was a new hierarchy of power in the DC Universe.  He was just wrong about what it was.

[kaos2900]

Outside of Batman, I've always been a Marvel guy. I like James Gunn, but nothing in the announcement excited me. I think they have an epic challenge to compete and be relevant like the MCU.

[ozzy554]

One cool thing about Gunn specifically mentioning what comics he's basing some of the movies on is that people are rushing out to buy them. The Authority for example is currently sold out almost everywhere and DC is scrambling to print more copies. Which is kinda cool to see.

[hefdaddy42]

One cool thing about Gunn specifically mentioning what comics he's basing some of the movies on is that people are rushing out to buy them. The Authority for example is currently sold out almost everywhere and DC is scrambling to print more copies. Which is kinda cool to see.

I agree.  Nice to see the film side directly helping out the comics side, since that's where all of the stories originate.

[Adami]

Anyone see the new (or I guess first official?) Flash trailer?

I.....didn't like it? Lots of big surprises, and I like a few moments, which I assume are not the moments other people may like, but the rest looked either awkward, too busy, or just a straight up video game. The fight scenes just felt SO much like a video game that it took me out of it.

[Phoenix87x]

It didn't blow my mind either, but it has Keaton as batman again so I'm definitely gonna see it. Otherwise I probably would have passed on it.

[Adami]

It didn't blow my mind either, but it has Keaton as batman again so I'm definitely gonna see it. Otherwise I probably would have passed on it.

Yea. But they even managed to make the “I'm Batman” line seem blah.

[King whatever and the whoosie whatsie]

Got to remember,  this was filmed a while ago so that video game feel is from the old direction. I liked the trailer. So, hopefully it's a nice way to reboot the storyline. 

[hefdaddy42]

It seemed really convoluted and busy, which wasn't great for me. 

However, it brought back Danny Elfman's original Batman theme, so WIN.

[Vmadera00]

Just saw Shazam...there was a guy few seats next to me with a guitar  a freaking guitar at a movie theater lol

Anyways, movie was alright.

[The Letter M]

Just saw Shazam...there was a few seats next to me with a guitar  a freaking guitar at a movie theater lol

Anyways, movie was alright.

I bet seeing a guitar in the theater was just as exciting as the film, eh? 

I caught the first showing at my local theater on Thursday afternoon and it was... enjoyable. Not amazing, and I don't think, after some mulling it over, it reaches the highs of the first SHAZAM! film. There are sparks of greatness in there, but lightning didn't strike twice for the franchise. Billy himself was largely absent, and it felt more like Freddy's film than Billy's, despite a really good Billy-story buried under many other half-baked plots.

It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. Definitely middle-of-the-road DCEU. It still astounds me that within a year, we got both a Black Adam AND a SHAZAM! movie and they didn't crossover ONCE. If you had told me that 10 years ago when the DCEU was beginning, I would've laughed in your face so hard it would've devolved into tears.

-Marc.

[Stadler]

Anyone see the recent interview with Ben Affleck where he talked about his time with the DC universe and what the future may hold?

[Vmadera00]

Anyone see the recent interview with Ben Affleck where he talked about his time with the DC universe and what the future may hold?

Didn't see the interview, but is it that he is not interested in directing a DC film? or something else?

There are sparks of greatness in there, but lightning didn't strike twice for the franchise. Billy himself was largely absent, and it felt more like Freddy's film than Billy's, despite a really good Billy-story buried under many other half-baked plots.

This is how I felt about the movie. It was not a good movie, but enjoyable for what it's supposed to be.

And the fake death ending has to be one of the worst writing I have seen in years.

[Stadler]

Anyone see the recent interview with Ben Affleck where he talked about his time with the DC universe and what the future may hold?

Didn't see the interview, but is it that he is not interested in directing a DC film? or something else?

There are sparks of greatness in there, but lightning didn't strike twice for the franchise. Billy himself was largely absent, and it felt more like Freddy's film than Billy's, despite a really good Billy-story buried under many other half-baked plots.

This is how I felt about the movie. It was not a good movie, but enjoyable for what it's supposed to be.

And the fake death ending has to be one of the worst writing I have seen in years.

Sorry; I should have put the link.  Talks about Justice League and the James Gunn-led DC Universe.  I'm not trying to be difficult, here, but Affleck is clearly trying to be diplomatic, and I don't want to take one sentence out of context.

[Vmadera00]

Yeah, you can definitely "read between the lines" with his comments. We don't know what happened in the studio, but if he wasn't happy or satisfied, I don't blame him in the slightest.