DC Films Focusing on Individual Characters, But The Connected Universe Could Return

A lot of the focus on DC Films’ resuscitation has been on its move away from an interconnected universe, though a return to such projects could happen. Warner Bros. Entertainment CEO and chairman Kevin Tsujihara spoke with the Los Angeles Times and said that the company’s current slate for its DC films, which aremore of the solo-focused style of Aquaman and Wonder Woman, feels more like the way to go for them.

“The upcoming slate, with Shazam, Joker, Wonder Woman 1984 and Birds of Prey, feels like we’re on the right track,” Tsujihara said. “We have the right people in the right jobs working on it. The universe isn’t as connected as we thought it was going to be five years ago. You’re seeing much more focus on individual experiences around individual characters.”

He did add, “That’s not to say we won’t at some point come back to that notion of a more connected universe. But it feels like that’s the right strategy for us right now.”

The shift isn’t a surprise when you consider that the more singular-focused films have been their most successful. Aquaman is the highest-grossing DC film of all-time in worldwide gross at $1.39 billion, and its #2 in domestic gross behind Wonder Woman. Tsujihara pointed at those films as an example of where the studio can excel.

“What Patty Jenkins did on Wonder Woman illustrated to us what you could do with these characters who are not Batman and Superman,” he said. “Obviously, we want to get those two in the right place, and we want strong movies around Batman and Superman. But Aquaman is a perfect example of what we can do. They’re each unique and the tone’s different in each movie.” It remains to be seen whether Warner Bros. is finally on the right track, but I’m personally feeling quite excited by the future of the franchise.”