During a Q&A at Goldman Sachs’ Communacopia investor conference on Wednesday, Time Warner chairman-CEO Jeff Bewkes admitted to investors that there is “a little room for improvement” when it comes to their slate of DC Comics movies, but stressed that the films have been financially successful and have achieved the strategic goals the studio was aiming for.
“The main thing was to launch these DC characters and reinvigorate it with their loyal fanbase…have a little more lightness in them than maybe what you’ve seen in those movies, so we’re thinking about that.”
Bewkes said the studio has enlisted DC Comics entertainment president Geoff Johns and production guru Jon Berg to take a firm hand in guiding the upcoming DC releases. But he sees no reversal in Warner Bros.’ ambitious plan for releasing a string of DC-branded tentpoles through 2020, with “Wonder Woman” and “Justice League” to come next year.
“These movies were very successful in the strategic aims and financial aims we had for them. They helped to reinvigorate moviegoers’ interest in the characters. So the strategy worked. The execution did deliver what we wanted… What you shouldn’t take away is that you should be worried about this. We’re actually more optimistic about it than we were… We’re right on course, or better.”
Source: Variety.com
Well the first thing is not to give in to thinking of it in only one of two extremes. It’s not a thing of either it has to be Dark Knight and if it’s not then it has to be Adam West. Also one tone doesn’t fit every character. You can have variances and still have them feel like part of the same universe. Also, you can have it be something kids can engage with without making it a kiddie movie just like not every thing that is created to engage adults has to be horror movies or porn. Also… Read more »
Well said. These movies need to be marketed towards kids. Specifically Supes, Bats, Flash, MM, GL WW Cyborg and Aqua AND JL. Beyond that, sure, go dark and gritty and push the PG-13, maybe R like Deadpool. But the main crew? These are icons and flagships for this brand and best served with the family. I think that’s been my main frustration with the series so far is that I’ve been very hesitant to show my son MOS and BvS. I have other issues as well but that’s the biggie. That said, I said to myself that I’m giving one… Read more »
I don’t think we share the same idea when speaking about “family friendly”. It doesn’t mean marketed towards kids, it means marketed towards EVERYONE. One thing people tend to forget. Kids already have their own movies so don’t make superhero movies just for them. Most of us fans are grown up people and we don’t take our children to the theatres to watch Superman (or any other caracter). We go to watch Supes and take our children with us. Why? Maybe because we were fans years before our children and we still are fans, we still buy the comics and… Read more »
I agree with most of what you said.
You’re right it should be everyone. I mentioned kids because that’s who’s being left out here. It should be a balance.
Totally agree. Based in realism doesn’t have to mean dreary and depressing, you can still lighten the tone. Flash should not be a grim and gritty character, neither should Green Arrow or Green Lantern. I’m not saying turn them into comedies, but don’t be afraid to let the characters smile once in a while. Superman is not a dark and scowling guy. And the colors, that has been one of my biggest problem with these, that washed out color palette. I saw the trailer for WonderWoman and although it’s the same outfit, you can actually see the colors and it… Read more »
Honestly, none of the recent statements the higher ups and producers have made have put my mind at ease. In fact it makes me think that they are taking away the wrong things. What’s most important, in my opinion is proper writing, character development, good dialogue, proper screen writing and well done story telling. There have been too many cooks in the kitchen and none of them had the right recipe, so maybe they need to take a couple steps back and reevaluate who these characters are and why they resonate with people. I don’t need think the answer is… Read more »
Well, they’re trying to correct the” too many cooks in the kitchen” situation by making Geoff Johns the head cook, as it were.That will definitely give a more cohesive feel to the universe. Some characters do need to be lightened up, though. Batman, dark and serious, John Stewart GL, serious, but Flash, Green Arrow should definitely be on the lighter side. Shazam is a kid, he should not be a dark and gritty character. Superman, while serious, is not a dark character. That was one of my issues with BVS, he didn’t so much as smile. There was a lot… Read more »
“Room For Improvement” on DC Films Says Time Warner CEO
Ummm, to put it delicately…
The first step in fixing a problem is admitting you have one…even if it’s a baby step, because you can fit mountains in that “room for improvement”. Seems to me they still haven’t realized the problem is Snyder though and the awful people they’ve hired and “vision” they want to adhere to….they just don’t get it.
But we’ve seen what they think “dark & gritty” looks like. Now let’s see what they think “light and fluffy” looks like. The “tone” is not the issue, it’s that the films are terrible.
Well, of course he was going to say that.
I think, they have to stop being so afraid to link the movies & TV together too, Flash is going into 3rd season they’ve done the whole earth 2 stuff, most people even non comicbook fan of the show know the actors in the show. Those who don’t follow him other than TV & see the JL movies are either wondering why the TV & Movie Flash are not the same person or why is the Flash is so much younger and in a robotic suit or all three. No offence to the actor playing JL Flash but he looks… Read more »
I just wanna Superman film produced correctly & the character reflecting what I’ve grown up with. Superman – strong, kind, powerful, fair, with common sense & sense of humour. I felt both Reeve, Routh & Reeves gave us the above, not sure Snyder allowed Carvell to project above character strengths. I’ll not be in queue for Justice League & will have to be persuaded to attend MOS II. Might be better starting to read Superman comics & viewing new Supergirl season following brilliant 1st season! The movie productions featuring Superman have been average recently. Gone is the charm of previous… Read more »
When a corporate CEO talks to a roomful of investors about “room for improvement”, he’s talking about money. Nothing more, nothing less. Neither he, nor the investors (unless they also happen to be comic-book fans in private) give a monkey’s about the artistic quality of the movie, beyond its ability to pack out the cinemas and bring in revenue. So, unfortunately, the fact that Bewkes sees “room for improvement” in the DCEU movies is not necessarily good news for us, because it just means that the studio is more likely to be hovering over the filmmakers and messing with their… Read more »
You’ll notice he didn’t say there was room for improvement with Tyler Hoechlin.
I mean, sure it’s too early to say anything since he hasn’t actually appeared onscreen yet, but still.
I’m just sayin…
(Oh, and also, so cool to have an edit function again!)
I fail to see your point as he wasn’t talking about the DC TV Universe but the Cinematic Universe. Nor, was he talking about any specific actor. So, I’m not quite sure what your comments point was.
Well improvements are one thing as long as they don’t think they have to stoop into the Marvel universe. I still don’t get why Marvel gets a free pass for their inconsistent mediocre movies. The last Captain America, perfect example.
Takes guts admitting that
They should be extremely happy with the Suicide Squad. That film made more money at the box office than Man of Steel and was unknown to movie audiences.
They made a lot of money, but they also spent a lot of money making it. Suicide Squad made more money than MoS, but did it make more profit?
Also, that’s a gross understatement. I remember Henry Cavil proving that the Clark Kent disguise works because nobody recognized him, but a girl made a comment on how they probably didn’t recognize him because he was SMILING.
I’ve always gotten the impression that Henry is pretty good natured dude and seems to have a lot of love for the character. Wish they’d let that come through more on screen.
They can’t because it would imply Superman wasn’t taking anything seriously, apparently.
I guess it would also mean that Superman was doing something besides fighting. Much as I wanted more action in Superman movies to I never wanted at the expense of showing him helping or rescuing people. Besides a well done super rescue can be as exciting as a throw down with a super-villain when done well. These don’t have to be mutually exclusive things.
When you improve a product, say like a BMW needing more horsepower and other special features to attract consumers, then you better make sure that those improvements are implemented and you keep the consumer’s trust. Same like in the movies. The Rambo franchise are instilled about action. The more the merrier. James Bond about espionage, action, stunts, nice cars and lovely, dangerous, seductive and strong women. Star Wars and Star Trek about science fiction action and drama in between. Superman about…well…being super, awe-inspiring superheroic deeds. WB should NOT immulate the Marvel Formula. Same thing what BMW does to their cars… Read more »