The DC Extended Universe, or DCEU, is nearing its end. The fate of the cinematic universe of brooding antiheroes, bubbly crusaders, and somewhat heroic supervillains was confirmed in Dec. 2022 by Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD). There had been concerns over the state of the DCEU earlier in the past year when it was announced that the HBOMax streaming exclusive, “Batgirl”, had been canceled despite almost being completed, due to the CEO of WBD David Zaslav having little faith in the project turning a profit. After the exit of Walter Hamada, in part due to the cancellation of “Batgirl”, Peter Safran and James Gunn were named as co-CEOs of DC Studios, a division of WBD, and answerable directly to Zaslav. Safran, a producer and manager of some note for his association with “The Conjuring”franchise, will primarily focus on the production and financing of films and television series for DC Films. While Gunn, who served as both writer and director for “The Suicide Squad”and “Peacemaker”, will be primarily concerned with the creative side of the division, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Upon the appointment of Gunn and Safran, it became apparent that Dwyane Johnson’s remarks that “the hierarchy of power in the DC universe is about to change” would ring true, but not in how the “Black Adam”star expected. Gunn and Safran announced a ten year plan to present a more cohesive DC universe, indicating that the current DCEU is coming to a close as Gunn’s new universe will see actor changes for multiple major characters.
Despite returning as Superman in “Black Adam”and announcing his official return shortly after its opening weekend, Henry Cavill was dropped by WBD as the man of steel. Additionally, it is believed that Jason Momoa will be stepping away from his iconic role as Aquaman to instead play Lobo the bounty hunter. Gunn’s universe will also see Ben Affleck stepping down as Batman, and potentially see Gal Gadot exit as Wonder Woman. With no reports of Ray Fisher reprising his role as Cyborg, Ezra Miller is the only original member of the Justice League cast that will remain in the wake of the imminent reboot. Despite the number of incidents surrounding Miller, WBD still shows faith in the actor and “The Flash”film, the latter even being moved ahead a week to June 16, according to IGN. As of this article, only a few actors have been confirmed to keep their roles, including Zachary Levi and John Cena.
“The Flash”film will reportedly take heavy inspiration from the Flashpoint comic storyline that reset the comic universe in 2011 and will feature not only Affleck’s Batman for potentially one last hurrah, but also Micheal Keaton’s take on the character from the Tim Burton duology as it will see Miller’s Flash travel across the multiverse, complete with multiple versions of the scarlet speedster (also played by Miller).
Though “The Flash” will likely be the end of the timeline for the original DCEU, two more films will follow in 2023, “Blue Beetle”in August, and “Aquaman 2”in December, to serve as the DCEU’s unofficial final chapter.
