{"id":42367,"date":"2023-02-28T19:08:44","date_gmt":"2023-02-28T20:08:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peymantaeidi.net\/stem-cell\/?p=42367"},"modified":"2023-02-28T21:36:05","modified_gmt":"2023-02-28T21:36:05","slug":"the-fates-of-superheroes-are-revealed-in-the-new-dc-universe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/peymantaeidi.net\/stem-cell\/2023\/02\/28\/the-fates-of-superheroes-are-revealed-in-the-new-dc-universe\/","title":{"rendered":"The Fates of Superheroes Are Revealed in the New DC Universe"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The DCU, DC Comic\u2019s film universe, has had a rocky past. For years the DCU has faltered in capturing the same magic Marvel blockbusters invoke.<\/p>\n

But since the news in late October of last year that film industry veterans James Gunn (writer\/director of the \u201cGuardians of the Galaxy\u201d) and Peter Safran (producer of over 60 films and shows) were stepping in to manage DC as co-chairmen and chief executive officers, fans have been abuzz in speculating what their plans for the future are.<\/p>\n

After much anticipation and theorizing by the community, their questions were finally answered on Jan. 31 when Gunn posted a six-minute announcement video detailing the vision and slate for the DCU. The new DCU, titled \u201cChapter 1: Gods and Monsters,\u201d seeks to shake up the superhero status quo audiences have grown used to seeing.<\/p>\n

1.<\/strong> \u201cCreature Commandos\u201d (TV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

First in the new universe is \u201cCreature Commandos,\u201d a seven-episode animated series written by Gunn. Originating in the comic \u201cWeird War Tales #93,\u201d the Creature Commandos are a team of supernatural military monsters created to fight against the Axis powers in World War II.<\/p>\n

This version of the Creature Commandos is a mashup of previous iterations and even includes new members with the likes of Rick Flag Sr., father to Rick Flag Jr. (leader of the Suicide Squad), Doctor Phosphorus, a Batman villain who can manipulate radiation and Weasel, a human-sized anthropomorphic weasel.<\/p>\n

Returning members include Nina Mazursky, a creator of the Creature Commandos in the newer comic continuity who experimented on herself to join the team, Frankenstein, the product of stolen boy parts and alien blood, The Bride, created to be Frankenstein\u2019s betrothed and J.A.K.E. II, a G.I. robot.<\/p>\n

The niche nature of the Creature Commandos lends itself perfectly to Gunn, with his bread and butter being turning unknown D-list characters into stars that can stand on their own.<\/p>\n

2. \u201cWaller\u201d (TV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\""Waller"<\/p>\n

“Waller” is described as “a fantastic story that’s out of this world.”
Photo courtesy of DC Official \/ Instagram<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Spinning off of the show \u201c<\/em>Peacemaker,\u201d \u201cWaller\u201d follows Viola Davis\u2019 titular character as she allies herself with the likes of Peacemaker (John Cena), Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) and the rest of Team Peacemaker.<\/p>\n

Though \u201cPeacemaker\u201d was written and directed by Gunn, \u201cWaller\u201d will be handled by Christal Henry (writer and supervising producer for the \u201cWatchmen\u201d show) and Jeremy Carver (creator of the \u201cDoom Patrol\u201d TV series). Further details have yet to be told, but Gunn describes it as \u201ca fantastic story that\u2019s out of this world<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

3. \u201cSuperman: Legacy\u201d (Film)<\/strong><\/p>\n

is the embodiment of truth, justice, and the American way,\u201d Safran said at a press event, \u201cHe is kindness in a world that thinks that kindness is old-fashioned.\u201d
Photo courtesy of DC Comics \/ Twitter\u201d align=\u201daligncenter\u201d id=\u201dattachment_84255\u2033 width=\u201d1118\u2033]\"\u201c[Superman]
<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe true beginning of the DCU<\/a>,\u201d as Gunn puts it, \u201cSuperman: Legacy\u201d is the first solo Superman movie since 2013\u2019s \u201cMan of Steel.\u201d<\/p>\n

Henry Cavill, the previous portrayer of the Kryptonian, will not be returning; the studio instead opting for a younger actor. Written by Gunn, the story is inspired by the legendary duo Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely\u2019s comic, \u201cAll-Star Superman.\u201d Arguably the greatest Superman comic ever made, the series captures the heart and touching humanity of Superman that makes him, well, super.<\/p>\n

The film is expected to release in theaters on July 11, 2025.<\/p>\n

4. \u201cLanterns\u201d (TV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Hal<\/p>\n

Hal Jordan (Left), the second Green Lantern and John Stewart (Right), the fourth.
Photo courtesy of DC Comics \/ Twitter<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Ever since 2011\u2019s box-office bomb of \u201cGreen Lantern,\u201d the cosmic police force has been off the table for live-action. But a \u201cGreen Lantern\u201d series by executive producer Greg Berlanti was already in the works at HBO Max since late 2019, and while scripts for a full eight episodes had already been completed, the high budget of the project and the constant restructuring of power at its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, left the series stuck in development hell.<\/p>\n

Scrapping Berlanti\u2019s work, \u201cLanterns\u201d will focus on famed Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart as they watch over precinct Earth. Safran describes the show as being \u201cvery much in the vein of \u2018True Detective.<\/a>\u201d Gunn teases that in the series, Jordan and Stewart \u201cdiscover a terrifying mystery that ties into [Gunn\u2019s] larger story of the DCU.<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n

5. \u201cThe Authority\u201d (Film)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\u201cThe<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Authority\u201d is a movie that looks at superheroes in a different way.
Photo courtesy of DC Official \/ Instagram<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Heralded as Gunn\u2019s passion project, \u201cThe Authority\u201d is a movie that looks at superheroes in a different way. Originally starting in the 90s under the name Stormwatch, the surviving members of that team go on to form The Authority.<\/p>\n

While this team has humanity\u2019s best interests in mind at all times, they\u2019re willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that, often turning to and reveling in extreme methods of violence.<\/p>\n

Team members include pseudo-leader Jenny Sparks, reborn every 100 years and on this rebirth given the powers of electricity, Apollo, essentially Superman, The Midnighter, essentially Batman and also Apollo\u2019s lover, The Doctor, a shaman with powerful magic abilities, The Engineer, a woman whose body is made entirely of nanotechnology that she can manipulate, Jack Hawksmoor, a psychic with super strength and Swift, who can grow wings and claws. Though they were in their own contained bubble in DC comics for a while, they\u2019ve broken into a crossover with a newer variation of the team working directly with Superman himself, a possible glimpse into what could eventually be.<\/p>\n

6. \u201cParadise Lost\u201d (TV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\u201cParadise<\/p>\n

\u201cParadise Lost\u201d is a television series centered around the island nation of Themyscira.
Photo courtesy of DC Official \/ Instagram<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cParadise Lost\u201d is a television series centered around the island nation of Themyscira (also known as Paradise Island), home to the warrior Amazons and the birthplace of Wonder Woman, taking place before her rise.<\/p>\n

Political backstabbing and power struggles aplenty are expected, and even more excitingly, an expansion into the Amazons. Though not key players in any of the movies, many of the Amazons are important supporting characters to Diana\u2019s solo comic adventure, so an entire series dedicated to them is sure to flesh out and set up relationships. Not only that, but Themyscira itself is a big player in the wider landscape of DC\u2019s Earth, holding immense power as one of the strongest militaries in-universe.<\/p>\n

Giving characterization and screen time to Wonder Woman\u2019s ensemble of sisters can only add to the depth of her inevitable origin.<\/p>\n

7. \u201cThe Brave and the Bold\u201d (Film)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\u201cThe<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Brave and the Bold\u201d will not only introduce a new Batman but also the first live-action Robin since 1997\u2019s “Batman and Robin.”
Photo courtesy of DC Official \/ Instagram<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cThe Brave and the Bold\u201d will not only introduce a new Batman but also the first live-action Robin since 1997\u2019s \u201cBatman and Robin.\u201d<\/p>\n

The movie will delve into Damian Wayne, Batman\u2019s biological son. Hidden from his father until he was 10, Damian trained under his mother as an assassin, putting him leagues above in combat despite his age. Damian\u2019s hyper-violent and selfish nature often clash with Bruce\u2019s (Batman) ideals as the father-son duo grapples with their rocky relationship.<\/p>\n

Of the five Robins in the main DC Comic Universe, Damian is the newest, begging the question of how present Nightwing, Red Hood, Red Robin, Spoiler and the rest of the Bat-family will be in Gunn\u2019s DCU. Safran revealed the answer, stating, \u201cIt\u2019s going to feature other members of the extended Bat-family just because we feel like they\u2019ve been left out of the Batman stories in the theater for far too long.<\/a>\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

8. \u201cBooster Gold\u201d (TV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Self-obsessed<\/p>\n

Self-obsessed and hungry for fame, Booster Gold’s reason for superheroing is garnering adoration.
Photo courtesy of DC Comics \/ Twitter<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Following the trend of fan-favorite characters, the television series \u201cBooster Gold\u201d brings the cult hero into the spotlight. Gunn characterizes Booster Gold best, calling him \u201ca loser from the future who uses future technology to come back to the present day to become a superhero so that people will love him. It\u2019s basically the superhero story of imposter syndrome.<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n

Though a bit of a joke, Booster Gold\u2019s main draw is in his eccentric showmanship and more importantly, his iconic bromance with BFF Ted Kord, the second mantle of Blue Beetle. No mention of Kord for the series has been disclosed as of yet, but it\u2019s hard to have Gold without his Blue.<\/p>\n

9. \u201cSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrow\u201d (Film)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\u201cSupergirl:<\/p>\n

\u201cSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” is to be Kara’s second solo film, the first being in 1984.
Photo courtesy of DC Comics \/ Twitter<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,\u201d based on the Tom King comic of the same name, centers around Superman\u2019s famed cousin. Although Supergirl is known for her similarly compassionate and caring personality, Gunn\u2019s version will show audiences a bleaker side. He frames her as \u201ca character who was raised on a chunk of Krypton. She watched everybody around her perish in some terrible way, so she\u2019s a much more jaded character<\/a>.\u201d Not only does the comic boast gorgeous artwork by the incredibly talented Bilquis Evely, but the story serves to further help Supergirl step out of her cousin\u2019s shadow \u2013 the perfect choice for building up their distinct identities in the new DCU.<\/p>\n

10. \u201cSwamp Thing\u201d (Film)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The task of protecting all plant life falls on Swamp Thing’s shoulders.
Photo courtesy of DC Comics \/ Twitter<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Last but not least is \u201cSwamp Thing,\u201d a film about the monstrous protector of the environment. Gunn indicated that \u201cSwamp Thing\u201d would be a dark horror story following his origins. This won\u2019t be the first time the nicknamed Avatar of Green comes to live-action, as he was given his own 72-episode television series back in 1990, as well as the more recent 10-episode show on the CW Network in 2019. What truly boosted the character to such heights was writer Alan Moore\u2019s 1982 run on \u201cSwamp Thing,\u201d which defined the character and was also home to the first appearance of the wildly popular John Constantine.<\/p>\n

Wrapping up the presentation, Gunn leaves viewers with these final words, his attitude a reassurance to fans that DC\u2019s future is in good hands: \u201cOne of the things that\u2019s very important for me in all of these movies and TV series is that the director\u2019s vision and the vision of the writers and all of the creators is unique and something special. Storytelling is always king. That\u2019s all that matters to us, and I want to be true to those stories. I want to be true to [fans] and really give [audiences] something different than you\u2019ve ever seen before.<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n