The DCU is copying Marvel's worst mistakes

Reflexes

The DC Universe aims to create an interconnected universe, learning from Marvel’s mistakes.
James Gunn leads DC Studios with plans for an interconnected universe across movies, television and other media.
DC faces challenges but reveals an opportunity to rival Marvel Studios with a new Justice League movie on the horizon.

Marvel Studios is famous for its interconnected storytelling within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Fans have eagerly devoured each new film, eager to follow the overarching story that led to the Avengers franchise. However, with the expansion of the Marvel Cinematic Universe on the small screen, some fans expressed frustration at having to keep up with more titles to understand what was going on. Now, DC Universe He plans to do exactly the same by connecting his films and television projects to create a coherent story.

Since then, Marvel Studios has found a way to continue telling stories on the small screen, without requiring viewing for casual viewers. However, it is worth asking if the DC Universe intends to learn from Marvel’s mistakes before it’s too late. Can the DC Universe successfully create an interconnected universe, like Marvel once did? Or will you have to rethink your approach before you even start?

Superman Elseworlds Movie JJ Abrams James Gunn DCU

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Marvel’s mistakes could be the DCU’s blessing

While there’s no denying that Marvel Studios had initial success with its coherent storytelling, fans eventually grew tired of having to watch everything to follow the story. This resulted in the studio allowing the television shows to be their own stories and in the relaunch of the Marvel Television brand. Although the shows are still related to the movies, they are not required viewing, but rather expansions of the characters and their stories that fans love. This is something that the brand new DC Universe should take into account when planning its own universe. Current plans have the DC Universe following in Marvel Studios’ footsteps, working on a giant overarching story like with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s a risky move, especially considering Marvel’s own problems with the same method. While there’s always a chance it could work, DC Studios should ultimately look at Marvel Studios’ difficulties in plotting its own universe. Especially given DC’s previous struggles to launch a planned cinematic universe.

James Gunn, who runs DC Studios with producer Peter Safran, has already worked with Marvel Studios. So Gunn has a pretty good idea of how Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige approaches a massive cinematic universe. Gunn seems eager to start over, with a new Superman movie and a supergirl movie, already announced, as well as several television shows. The plan is also for animated titles, along with other forms of media, to connect to the stories told in movies and television shows. It’s a bold move, of course, but also working against the DC Universe is a continuation of previous stories, such as the batman and a sequel to the wild card. Trying to help fans jump into an entirely new cinematic universe that will require the consumption of various forms of media, while also telling separate stories that have nothing to do with the interconnected narrative, is sure to frustrate fans.

How the DC Universe’s connected storytelling can work

Although it seems like the DC Universe has a lot going against it, especially when compared to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s important to remember that it is something unique. This means that, just because Marvel Studios had its problems, it doesn’t mean that the DC Universe will have the same problems. DC Studios may understand that the general public won’t want to follow another big universe.

It’s also possible that the studio understands that fans are eager for a proper DC cinematic universe after multiple failed attempts. That, of course, is something the DC Universe has going for it. While the Marvel Cinematic Universe overcame its early problems and managed to launch a universe made up of heroes that were far from household names, DC never recovered during its last attempt at building a franchise. Having launched with DC Comics’ most memorable heroes, including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and The Flash, DC attempted to create its own universe with the Snyderverse. That, of course, backfired and resulted in Warner Bros. Discovery looking to start over by bringing in Gunn and Safran to properly launch DC Studios.

DC fans have been eagerly awaiting a cinematic universe that would allow for a proper version to be released. League of Justice film, following Joss Whedon’s poorly received film and Zack Snyder’s infamous cut of its original League of Justice movie. With Gunn taking over and attempting to build a new team of heroes from the ground up, DC Studios has a chance to finally rival Marvel Studios. As long as you know when to back off. While Marvel Studios continues to grow its universe, it has come to understand that there is too much of it and has scaled back its production. However, as it stands, the DC Universe seems to be growing with each passing day. If the studio can take the time to properly grow its universe, rather than trying to play catch-up and release multiple movies and TV projects for the sake of it, it can successfully create its own interconnected universe.

The DC Universe will officially launch with the release of Superman on July 11, 2025.