Marvel built its cinematic universe step by step for over a decade, creating a clear timeline and interconnected stories. On the other hand, DC keeps rebooting: Batman, Superman, Justice League, Suicide Squad then a different Batman, a different Joker, a new Harley Quinn the list goes on.
What do you think went wrong?
Studio interference?
Wrong creative leadership?
Director choices? Or the storytelling itself?
Personally, I think the whole process was poorly managed, and in many cases DC rushed things in an attempt to catch up with Marvel.
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I think it's just the direction DC wanted to go in, Yaşar Taşbaş.
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Yes, the executives acted as if they hadn't developed a long-term plan. And they were a bit afraid of falling behind the times. They may have acted hastily, thinking the superhero era would eventually end.
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One human's opinion: I think the glaring difference between the MCU and the DCU is character vs spectacle. The Marvel films, whether it's through good planning or great writing and direction, take the time to present and develop characters that audiences find ways to relate to and ultimately root for, and then give those characters an arc. The fact that they are superheroes is, I won't go as far as to say incidental, but more like a cherry on top. On the other hand, the DC films smack audiences in the face with the superhero-ness of it all. Even with Zack Snyder's retelling of Superman's origin story, it still feels like it's shot out of a cannon, rather than slowly revealed in a way that gives audiences time to sit with a character long enough to care about them. And, in James Gunn's latest Superman effort, he's just Superman, and we don't know why we should care. Then, the whole thing gets lost in a swirl of dimensional portals, kaijus, and support heroes that really feel crammed in for the sake of world-building rather than storytelling. I contrast that with how well done Guardians of the Galaxy was, and how audiences shed tears over characters that most of us had never even heard of. The few times Marvel strayed from the formula and went for a big, empty cash grab (I'm looking at you, Thor: The Dark World), it was obvious, and audiences widely hated it. And one of the few times DC bothered to develop a character (Todd Phillips's Joker), it was successful. Sorry for the long-winded reply (I could actually keep going), but your question really got me thinking. Also, if anyone disagrees, I'm willing to be proven wrong.
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As you said, Marvel followed a very smart path they built everything step by step. (Although, I think after 2019 they experienced a major decline.) DC never really tried to do that. Maybe they relied too much on their comic book legacy, assuming people already knew the stories and therefore didn’t put enough care into the films.
If we look at Todd’s Joker, I think the second film completely ruined the beauty of the first one. And honestly, I believe the second Batman film will also fall way below expectations, just like Joker 2.
Also, thank you for your long reply. If you’d like, please feel free to write even more I’d be glad to read it.