Will Warner Brothers learn from their past mistakes?
We knew changes were coming when Discovery bought the Warner Bros empire and David Zaslav was promoted to head the film business. Now, tangible changes are effective here. Has Warner Bros. finally learned from its past mistakes?
This summer, WB confirmed the hiring of the well-respected Alan Horn as an advisor to the film studios and the combination of Peter Safran/James Gunn to run the newly created DC Studios.
Constant failure with the DC Extended Universe (DCEU)
DC Comics has never been a primary concern of Warner Brothers since the studio purchased the rights to these beloved superhero characters. Characters like Superman have been missing in action for eternity. Henry Cavill signed on to play Clark Kent but only did one solo movie in 2013 and one Justice League movie, creating a host of problems that will be discussed later.
Quality DCEU projects have been few and far between, highlighted by an apparent lack of cohesion. However, Zaslav has indicated that a culture change is needed in the superhero department.
Some actions created a sense of novelty when the newly appointed management removed Wonder Twins from their slate for multiple reasons, such as budget and script issues. Their handling of Batgirl also indicates that DC might be moving towards theatrical-only films.
Unfortunately, unless the studio pulls a rabbit out of its hat, the question on every cinephile’s mind is what will happen with The Flash. Ezra Miller has cast a giant shadow of doubt over the product. A disappointing SDCC 2022 also did nothing to assure fans that DC is back on the map and to be taken seriously within the superhero industry.
In the final stages of last year, the studio took a positive step for most of the fanbase when they appointed James Gunn and Peter Safran to lead this new DC division. All that is known at this point is a new actor will don the Superman cape, with Gunn penning the screenplay. Other recasting or reboot plans are in limbo, and we shall expect an announcement regarding their new projects at any moment.
Interference from the executives
All studios will interfere if the picture is not to their liking. However, there have been multiple instances of studio interference that have altered some plans negatively. DC has a passionate fan base that loves to come for the studio’s heads.
Look no further than the Snyder Cut, as well as the desire from fans for them to produce the Ayer Cut. By effectively bypassing the directors you hired and their creative freedom, Warner Bros has favored the movie studio executives’ judgment over the actual filmmaker’s. One example is the hiring of Joss Whedon to complete work on Justice League rather than wait on the return of Snyder…
Films outside the DCEU, where directors are given creative freedom, have been excellent and one of the only redeeming pleasures as a fan. Batman and Joker are two prime examples. Let’s hope studio interference will be at a minimum in this universe or DC Elseworlds. The Gunn and Safran vision would fulfill this decision to encourage creatives.
Massive blunder of simultaneous theatrical and streaming releases
In 2021, Warner Bros made shockwaves in the film industry when they made a very questionable move. All films were released in theatres and on HBO Max simultaneously. This release model came in direct competition with the importance valued surprisingly.
An avalanche of negative press and a genuine negative vibe clouded over the studio for quite some time. Among many casualties, this resulted in the loss of Christopher Nolan, who will premiere his latest picture, Oppenheimer, with Universal. Even Denis Villeneuve, who was at the time hard at work on Dune, made his frustrations known publicly as his film would suffer the consequences of this boneheaded move. Thankfully, Dune: Part Two is wrapped and will be released with the theatrical exclusivity it deserves. However, it could mean something regarding the future and his commitment to moving forward.
2022 has proven that movies released in the cinema later have a better streaming debut. Two films released in the past year, Elvis and The Batman, offered some excellent box office results for WB. 287.4 million USD for Elvis and 770.8 million USD for The Batman, and the most watched film on Letterboxd.
As award bodies currently tally results, these are among the two that have remained in the conversation despite earlier release dates rather than the expected date intended for recognition.
List of forthcoming WB theatrical titles
One of the first changes Zaslav has been working on is the exclusive theatrical value. All films will be produced for the streaming service only to be dropped on the streaming service later. This is an excellent first step in attracting filmmakers to the studios, as evidenced by the slate of upcoming flicks!
Since set photos dropped, the 2023 Barbie film has been the WB poster child. A Greta Gerwig-led film that Robbie and Gosling have implanted one of the best scripts they’ve ever read, and Noah Baumbach co-wrote it with his life partner.
Dune: Part Two, recently pushed to November 2023, is sure to attract a large audience following. A cinematic experience that is truly enhanced by the big screen due to its sheer spectacle transmitted by its cinematography, sound, and visual effects. The feature film recently wrapped up production.
That is not all for Timothée Chalamet. He leads an ensemble featuring Olivia Colman, Keegan-Michael Key, Sally Hawkins, and Rowan Atkinson in Paul King’s Wonka. The director is responsible for the first two Paddington movies.
Horror also will have its fair share of time. Salem’s Lot, Evil Dead Rise, and The Nun 2 will all occupy screens in cinemas worldwide. Horror pics are known for their capability of being produced for a small budget while still generating anticipation as well as box office results.
Steven Spielberg also has his fair share of movie projects with the studio. He will produce a remake of the Broadway musical, The Color Purple and later direct an untitled Frank Bullitt reimagination film that is emphasized not to be a remake. It will star Bradley Cooper.
A Joker sequel has been greenlit and is currently in production. The comic book picture, due in October 2024, will draw eyes following the massive success of its first pic. Lady Gaga will also debut in Joker: Folie à Deux, portraying Harley Quinn.
A slew of sequels are in the works from Warner Bros. A Godzilla vs. Kong sequel in 2024, Meg 2: The Trench, and a new movie titled Twisters from Oscar nominees Lee Isaac Chung (Minari) and Mark L. Smith (The Revenant).
Boog Joon Ho’s Mickey17 boasts an all-star cast. Ho follows up his legendary pic Parasite with a feature film adaptation alongside Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo.
Margot Robbie has set one of her following projects as an Ocean’s Eleven prequel film. She reteams with Jay Roach from Bombshell and her Barbie co-star Ryan Gosling.
The Matt Reeves Batman universe is separate from the Gunn/Safran universe. The worldbuilding and various Gotham projects include a sequel to the highly successful Batman flick. Pattinson is known to be reprising his role. Other returnees and new cast members are in the process of being discovered as Reeves pens the screenplay.
Furiosa is a reunion in many ways for Mad Max: Fury Road. The creatives are in line with the award-contending first picture, and Anya Taylor-Joy takes Charlize Theron’s spot as a young Furiosa for this prequel story. Chris Hemsworth also stars.
It will be interesting to see if there is ever a clash between the two merged cultures: Discovery and Warner Brothers studios. David Zaslav is fit and determined in many ways. The new boss will look to channel Bob Iger’s reign at Disney. Hiring Horn was a step in the right direction; frankly, you can’t follow in Iger’s footsteps more than hiring his right-hand man (and former chief of theatrical distribution)!
