With the reveal of the new DC Universe slate, DC Studios comments on the future of The Flash and Aquaman franchises after their solo movies.
DC Studios comments on the future of The Flash and Aquaman franchises after their solo movies. The DC Universe is going in a new direction following the launch of DC Studios in November 2022. Led by James Gunn and Peter Safran, DC Studios is replacing the former DC Films division as Warner Bros. Discovery attempts to elevate the comic book brand. Under their management, Gunn and Safran are now in charge of television, movies, animation, and video games related to the DCU. But before the new DCU era begins, WBD still has multiple movies rolling out through 2023 from the previous regime.
Screen Rant and other press attended a DC Studios event as they unveiled the first half of what they are calling Chapter 1 of the DCU. With Gunn and Safran present at the media event, the two DC Studios co-CEOs were asked about the future of Aquaman and The Flash in their new DC Universe plan. In reference to The Flash movie, the duo talked about it resetting everything for the DCEU. When it came to the discussion of Ezra Miller’s future with the franchise, Gunn called The Flash film “f-cking amazing” and one of the best superhero films he has seen. DC Studios expect to be working with Andy and Barbara Muschiett in the future. Miller, however, they are having active discussions with since the non-binary actor is “fully committed” to their recovery, according to Safran. As for Jason Momoa’s DCU future, the actor and DC Studios are expecting Aquaman to be a full trilogy. Even though Momoa isn’t anticipated to be playing two characters, no decision has been made yet about him potentially playing Lobo.
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What DC Studios’ Comments Mean For The Flash & Aquaman
Miller’s The Flash movie, which is the first out of the two mentioned projects to come out this summer, has been up for debate for over a year. Given Miller’s numerous legal controversies, there have been ongoing discussions about whether or not they should continue playing The Flash after their solo movie. Based on the comments from the event, it doesn’t appear that Gunn and Safran have made any commitment yet to Miller being the Scarlet Speedster in the new DCU. If Miller continued playing Barry Allen in any capacity, it would likely be in a separate franchise, or under the Elseworlds umbrella.
Momoa’s DCU situation has been a big mystery ever since the Aquaman star began hyping a mystery project with Gunn and Safran. Earlier reports initially indicated that after Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, there were no further plans for him to portray Arthur Curry. But that is where the Lobo speculation began, and based on their statements this week, there is no locked deal yet for Momoa to play the iconic bounty hunter. It sounds as if they will commit to Aquaman 3, especially if the upcoming sequel is a massive success when it hits theaters this December.
Given the DCU will start with the new Superman reboot, it seems likely the DCU’s Aquaman and Flash will be played by new actors. If Aquaman and The Flash sequels are greenlit, that might give the DCEU a continuation as an Elseworlds franchise, or they could be incorporated into the main DCU. Still, the DCU may go in a new direction for Flash and Aquaman, particularly with the speedster, as there are other heroes that have carried the mantle. Until the DCU reveals any more plans about the respective heroes, fans can catch The Flash and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom in theaters later this year.
