Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom comes to theaters this Friday, so fans are taking this moment to reflect on the DC Extended Universe and what it could have been.
The underwater hero sequel will close the chapter on DC’s movie universe, which got its start with Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel all the way back in 2013. As the DCEU expanded and mostly prioritized tie-ins with the occasional offshoot, the comic book company eventually saw a shift in leadership that saw Marvel Cinematic Universe veteran James Gunn and experienced producer Peter Safran take over as co-CEOs.
With new captains helming the ship, the cinematic futures for heroes like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are making a sharp turn in a new direction. The former DCEU’s roles are being recast while its plotlines are left to fray, but fans seem to be a bit divided on whether this is for the better or not.
“Feels unreal that the DCEU finally comes to an end this week,” X (formerly Twitter) user @nightwaynes said,” & I can’t help but feel nostalgic over saying goodbye to this universe..although it wasn’t perfect..through every high & low I’ll forever love everything it created & it will always have a special place in my heart.”
“And thus the DCEU ends, not with a bang but a whimper,” The Hollywood Reporter’s Borys Kit said, referencing an Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom debut event. “No red carpet premiere, no afterparty, just a small (but neat) pre-reception, a “fan screening,” and only Jason Momoa and James Wan at the Grove to close out a veritable era…”
The DCEU has officially ended. pic.twitter.com/TzO2TyGeEV
— Soof 🇫🇷 – ZSJL associate producer #FRZSJL (@sooftc) December 20, 2023
It tried… damn I wish it worked, or was better handled.
— Chainsaw Reacts (@ChainsawReacts) December 20, 2023
Following the release of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the DCEU will house 15 films (or 16 if you count Snyder’s cut of Justice League). The lineup includes appearances from icons like Shazam, Harley Quinn, Joker, Wonder Woman, Superman, Black Adam, The Flash, Blue Beetle, and more. Although not all fans latched onto every movie outing, some viewers are hoping to see some actors and their characters return in some form.
As many comic book enjoyers stomach the downfall of a cinematic universe of superheroes, others are just glad to see it over. Some are even attempting to assign blame to those who helped shape the DCEU into what it became.
“I don’t think the lighter tone caused the downfall of the DCEU at all,” X user @SupermanEnjoyer said. “The issue was simply bad movies. Lighter toned films like (The Suicide Squad), (Birds of Prey), Shazam, worked because they blended the tones well. Not everything is black and white.”
“The only reason Aquaman made a billion in 2018 was due to the seeds that were planted in the previous movies,” @ramiimad8 said. “There was an actual plan, a unique vision in place and people were interested. Zack Snyder didn’t ruin the DCEU, the people who fired him did.”
2017 – “Geoff Johns will fix the DCEU, we eating good”
2018 – “Walter Hamada will fix the DCEU, we eating
good”
2021 – “The Rock will save the DCEU, we eating good”
.
.
.
2023 – “It’s Snyder’s fault the DCEU ended this way” pic.twitter.com/uQNhIkG3W0
— STEM (@steusmotus) December 20, 2023
Gunn and Safran, and many other superhero fans, are ready to move on to see what films like Batman: The Brave and the Bold and Superman: Legacy, are like in the new DCU. While we wait to see everything it has in store, fans can look forward to seeing the DCEU out when Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom premieres this weekend.
Me watching the final DCEU movie pic.twitter.com/89p88FdxM6
— 𝕂𝕁 (@VegasBabyKJ) December 18, 2023
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.
Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.
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