Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom hits 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 in the DC film universe that began in 2013 with Zack Snyder's “Man of Steel”. As the DCEU expanded and prioritized tie-ins with occasional spin-offs, the comic company eventually underwent a leadership change, with Marvel Cinematic Universe veteran James Gunn and veteran producer Peter Safran taking on the role of co-CEOs.
With new captains at the helm of the ship, the cinematic future of heroes like Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman takes a sharp turn in a new direction. The former DCEU's roles are being recast while storylines are still fraying, but fans seem to be a little divided on whether or not this is for the better.
“It feels unreal that the DCEU is finally coming to an end this week,” said the .with every up and down, I will forever love everything it created and it will always have a special place in my heart. “
“And so the DCEU ends, not with a bang but with a whimper,” said said Borys Kit, alluding to a debut event from Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. “No red carpet premiere, no afterparty, just a small (but nice) pre-reception, a 'fan screening' and just Jason Momoa and James Wan at the Grove to end a true era…”
The DCEU is officially over. pic.twitter.com/TzO2TyGeEV
— Soof 🇫🇷 – ZSJL Associate Producer #FRZSJL (@sooftc) December 20, 2023
It tried…damn, I wish it had worked or been handled better.
– Chainsaw Reacts (@ChainsawReacts) December 20, 2023
Following the release of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, there will be 15 films in the DCEU (or 16 if you count Snyder's cut of Justice League). The line-up includes appearances from icons such as Shazam, Harley Quinn, Joker, Wonder Woman, Superman, Black Adam, The Flash, Blue Beetle and more. While not all fans have attended every moviegoing, some viewers are hoping that some actors and their characters will return in some form.
While many comic book lovers are enduring the demise of a cinematic superhero universe, others are just glad it's over. Some even try to shift blame to those who helped make the DCEU what it became.
“I don’t think the lighter tone is what caused the downfall of the DCEU at all,” said X user @SupermanEnjoyer. “The problem was just bad films. Brighter films like The Suicide Squad, Birds of Prey and Shazam worked because they blended the tones well. Not everything is black and white.”
“The only reason Aquaman made a billion in 2018 was because of the seeds planted in the previous films.” @ramiimad8 said. “There was a concrete plan, a unique vision and people were interested. Zack Snyder didn’t ruin the DCEU, it did ruin the people who fired him.”
2017 – “Geoff Johns will fix the DCEU, we eat well”
2018 – “Walter Hamada will fix the DCEU, we eat.”
Good”2021 – “The Rock will save the DCEU, we eat well”
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2023 – “It’s Snyder’s fault the DCEU ended like this” pic.twitter.com/uQNhIkG3W0– MINT (@steusmotus) December 20, 2023
Gunn and Safran and many other superhero fans are ready to move on and see what films like Batman: The Brave and the Bold and Superman: Legacy look like in the new DCU. While we wait to see everything it has to offer, fans can look forward to seeing the DCEU this weekend at the premiere of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
I'm watching the last DCEU film pic.twitter.com/89p88FdxM6
— 𝕂𝕁 (@VegasBabyKJ) December 18, 2023
Michael Cripe is a freelancer at IGN. He began writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at media outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP and Gameranx.
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