May 18, 2016: Geoff Johns Talks About “Hope and Optimism” for DC’s Characters

DCfilmsEarlier today we reported on the news that Geoff Johns and Jon Berg have been elevated to co-runners of the DC Films. Later in the day Geoff Johns greeted a group of journalists in Manhattan to talk about the DC brand and “Rebirth”, but the reporters wanted to know about the story that broke earlier in the day via The Hollywood Reporter.

He said he couldn’t confirm the story, but that “you can connect the dots.” Even though he declined to directly address that topic, he was more than willing to talk about where he thinks the DC brand needs to go. One phrase came out of his mouth over and over again: “hope and optimism.” Though Johns would never speak ill of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice or its director, Zack Snyder – Johns is nothing if not loyal to the company that made him a star – it’s crystal clear that his vision for DC looks a lot brighter than the much-maligned grimness Snyder provided earlier this year.

DC’s nascent cinematic universe has so far depicted Superman as an angry god; a violent, alien entity that needs to be kept in check. This morning, Johns offered a vastly different take on the character’s archetype. “I think people make a mistake when they say, ‘Superman’s not relatable because he’s so powerful,'” he said. “I’m like, ‘Are you kidding me? He’s a farmboy from Kansas who moves to the city and just wants to do the best he can with what he’s got.’ That’s the most relatable character in the world.”

Read the full report at Vulture.com