Warner Bros. Discovery CEO Says DC Films will Follow a 10-Year Timeline ‘Very Similar’ to that of Marvel Studios

DCEU & MCU

Warner Bros. will be coming up with a 10-year strategy for its DC slate in the near future similar to that of Disney’s Marvel Studios’ successful timelines.

The Warner Bros. Discovery Q2 earnings call took place on Thursday. CEO David Zaslav was asked about the cancellation of “Batgirl” when the movie was nearly complete, and his plans on taking the DC Universe forward, on which he replied: 

Our ambition is to bring Warner back and to produce great, high-quality films. As we look at the opportunities that we have, broadly, DC is one of the top of the list for us.

According to Zaslav characters like Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, and Aquaman are DC’s biggest weapons due to their popularity and hence, offer a “big opportunity” for the company. 

He said:

We have done a reset. We’ve restructured the business where there will be a team with a 10-year plan focusing just on DC. It’s very similar to the structure that Alan Horn and Bob Iger put together very effectively with Kevin Feige at Disney.

@LightsCameraPod informed its followers on Twitter:

Over the past decade, Marvel Studios has successfully rolled out multiple theatrical hits. Three films are currently in the top 10 highest-grossing movies of all time. In fact, at one point, “Avengers Endgame” was crowned the highest-grossing movie of all time.

On the other hand, DC’s highest-grossing film was Aquaman (2018) which ranked only 25th on the list.

Zaslav added:

We think that we could build a long-term, much stronger, sustainable growth business out of DC. And as part of that, we’re gonna focus on quality. We’re not gonna release any film before it’s ready. We’re not gonna release a film to make a quarter. The focus is gonna be, ‘How do we make each of these films, in general, as good as possible?

Matt Ramos, a well known journalist endorses Zaslav’s plans on his Twitter handle:

Just recently, Warner Bros. Discovery hired Walt Disney Studios’ former chairman Alan Horn in a consulting role. 

Prior to Horn’s decade-long tenure, he ensured the success of the “Harry Potter” franchise along with “The Dark Knight” trilogy.

Alan HornAlan Horn most likely will support Warner Bros. in its DC strategy.

@TheNerdRagePod informs Twitteratis about Alan Horn’s recent involvement with Warner Bros. Discovery:

Zaslav went on to say that “DC is something that we think we could make better and we’re focused on it now.”

He said they’ll be releasing Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s “Black Adam,” “The Flash,” and the sequel for “Shazam.”

Although Zaslav didn’t mention “Batgirl” in particular, he did mention that after thoroughly going through how-to-direct streaming movies, the conclusion he reached was that there “is no comparison to what happens when you launch a film in the theaters.”

Keeping Zaslav said:

This idea of expensive films going direct to streaming, we cannot find an economic case for it. We can’t find an economic value for it. So we’re making a strategic shift. We’ve been out in the town talking about our commitment to the theatrical exhibition and the theatrical window.

He also added:

The objective is to grow the DC brand, to grow the DC characters, but also, our job is to protect the DC brand and that’s what we’re gonna do.

“Batgirl” cost nearly $90 million for the production house. 

Warner Bros. has released DC films that have seemed more singular and disparate than united. For instance, the sequel for “Joker” set for release in 2024 featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, isn’t connected to any of the other movies in the DC universe. 

Hopefully, Warner Bros. Discovery will correct its course after the reset and its future releases.

Chris Mack

Chris Mack

Meet Chris Mack, your go-to expert for the best of BBC iPlayer with a twist—he's also a cybersecurity enthusiast. Whether you're into British entertainment classics or searching for hidden gems, Chris has you covered, always with an eye for secure streaming practices. Beyond the screen, Chris blends his love for reading and exploring the outdoors with a passion for staying ahead in the world of cybersecurity, ensuring a safe viewing experience. If you're looking for top British TV picks or tips on keeping your digital viewing secure, Chris is your guide. Dive into the drama of British TV with Chris!


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