As a long-time fan of both DC and James Gunn‘s unique storytelling, I find myself deeply intrigued by the new direction the DC Universe is taking under his guidance. The upcoming projects like Creature Commandos, Superman, Peacemaker Season 2, Lanterns, and Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow promise to deliver an authentic and truthful narrative that honors these iconic characters.
James Gunn could potentially provide clarity on what is and isn’t considered part of the main storyline in the DC Universe, as his project “Creature Commandos” serves as an introduction to his expanded DC Universe that will continue with “Superman” and “Peacemaker” Season 2 in 2025, followed by “Lanterns” and “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.” However, it’s important to note that “Creature Commandos” is still connected to previous franchise titles like “The Suicide Squad” and “Peacemaker.” With this in mind, many fans are questioning what elements are or aren’t part of the new DCU, given that while “Suicide Squad” must have occurred, the pivotal event from it – Superman’s death in “Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice” – can’t be the case due to the upcoming “Superman” film.
As a movie critic, I found myself reflecting on James Gunn’s wise words ahead of the release of “Creature Commandos”. In an interview with IGN, he offered some insightful advice for fans regarding the film’s canon:
I fervently wish that the tales are genuine and factual as we have a deep affection for them, their characters, the artists behind them – be they actors, performers, or animators. However, it’s essential to remember that they are merely works of fiction.
Gunn’s way of handling DC’s continuity isn’t something fresh in the world of DC, given their history of rebooting themselves. For instance, they’ve launched new phases like The New 52, which wiped most titles clean but preserved the Green Lantern and Batman narratives’ continuity. Meanwhile, DCEU films such as Man of Steel, Batman V Superman, and Justice League shared a solid continuity, but their underwhelming performances led DC and Warner Bros. to de-emphasize the canon aspect. Films like Shazam!, Birds of Prey, and The Suicide Squad had connections to the DCEU, but they were designed to work independently too. This flexible approach to interconnectivity enabled Blue Beetle to transition smoothly to the DCU without any complications, despite initially being developed for the DCEU.
Canon Is a Blessing and a Curse
Gunn’s views on canon may stir controversy among fans who prioritize consistency over the narrative itself in universes like DC, Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek. Although this attention to detail is a captivating aspect of these shared worlds, it can sometimes deter novice fans from engaging with the franchise due to the complexity of following the storylines. For instance, Star Trek’s long-standing continuity made it difficult for newcomers to participate, necessitating a reboot in 2009 by J.J. Abrams, which was met with great box office and critical acclaim. Similarly, while the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s intricate connections were initially appealing, over time, they may seem overwhelming, as reflected in the decreasing popularity of recent MCU films among both audiences and critics.
This illustrates how deeply ingrained “canon” has become within franchise dynamics. While some fans continue to grumble over Disney and Lucasfilm abandoning the initial Expanded Universe for a fresh canon with the sequel series and side stories, it’s essential to remember that everything is fictional. If someone perceives the narrative of post-“Return of the Jedi” as more aligned with the “Heir to the Empire” trilogy than “The Force Awakens,” they are free to follow that canon since Disney and Lucasfilm can’t compel them to watch the newer movies or discard their old literature. If an individual prefers the storytelling style in offerings like “Andor,” “Skeleton Crew,” and “The Last Jedi” over the “Star Wars Legend” series, they are just as much a fan as anyone else. The purpose of these franchises is to provide entertainment, and the fixation on what qualifies as canon not only diminishes some of the enjoyment but makes it feel like a chore. And one reason we initially embraced these franchises is because they offer more pleasure than doing homework.
Creature Commandos
debuts on Max on Dec. 5, 2024.
Superman
opens in theaters on July 11, 2025.
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
opens in theaters on June 26, 2026.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-12-04 23:32