The Rise and Fall of the DCEU
The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) marked a significant shift in how Warner Bros. approached its superhero franchise. Prior to its inception, the studio had primarily focused on Batman and Superman, but the DCEU expanded the universe by introducing characters like Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Shazam! While not without its flaws, the DCEU proved that other heroes could lead their own successful franchises. It also laid the foundation for what is now the DC Universe (DCU), with more obscure characters like Booster Gold and Clayface set to receive their own solo projects.
Over the course of its decade-long run, the DCEU produced several films, but many promising projects never saw the light of day. A Nightwing film, a long-awaited Man of Steel sequel, and other ideas were left unexplored. Eventually, the DCEU came to an end with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom in 2023. Despite its struggles, the DCEU had moments of success, such as Shazam! and The Suicide Squad, which showed the potential for a more cohesive and compelling universe.
One project that could have been a game-changer was the New Gods film, which was in development under Ava DuVernay.
Ava DuVernay’s New Gods Film
In March 2018, Ava DuVernay joined the DCEU to direct a New Gods film. At the time, she was coming off the critically acclaimed Selma, which added a level of prestige the DCEU needed to regain audience trust after previous missteps. DuVernay was also a self-proclaimed fan of Jack Kirby’s work and co-wrote the script with Tom King, known for his work on the beloved Mister Miracle comic book series.
With a director like DuVernay and a writer like King, the New Gods film had the potential to be a much-needed addition to the DCEU. It would have built upon the existing universe in a way similar to Aquaman, expanding the lore of the New Gods and introducing Darkseid as the main villain, along with the Female Furies and characters like Mister Miracle and Orion.
Jack Kirby’s Fourth World introduced the New Gods in the 1970s and has since become a cornerstone of DC lore, featuring the conflict between the planets Apokolips and New Genesis. The New Gods film could have been the DCEU’s equivalent of Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings, or Star Wars, offering political, religious, and fantastical elements. Additionally, the Marvel Cinematic Universe had already shown the potential of a cosmic corner of a superhero universe with Guardians of the Galaxy, and the DCEU had the chance to explore a different side of it with the New Gods.
The Fate of the New Gods Film
Despite the promise of the project, the New Gods film was eventually canceled. In 2021, Warner Bros. revealed that the project was no longer in development, making it one of the biggest disappointments during the DCEU era. The decision came after the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, which featured Darkseid in a limited capacity. The film’s release and subsequent critical reception raised questions about why the New Gods film was axed.
Ava DuVernay reflected on the cancellation, stating that the studio decided not to pursue a certain part of the comic world based on developments in another film. She noted that she had already begun working on the script with Tom King when the project was canceled. However, she had other projects in the works at the time.
The Future of the New Gods
Although the DCEU did not get to produce the New Gods film, there is still hope for the project to reemerge under the DCU. While it is unlikely that DuVernay will return to direct the film, Tom King remains involved with the current franchise, working on Lanterns and contributing to the shared universe’s creative direction.
The DCU plans to take a different approach than the DCEU, with James Gunn recently confirming that Darkseid will not be the overarching villain. Instead, the DCU will focus on other storylines, such as Salvation Run, which in the comics is a training ground for Darkseid’s Parademons. However, this will not be the case in the DCU.
Despite this shift, the New Gods are still set to play a role in DC’s future, with an upcoming animated series adapting King’s Mister Miracle comic book series. This series not only centers on the New Gods but also features Darkseid as a key character. Whether the animated series will be part of the DCU or an Elseworlds title remains unclear, but the New Gods’ presence in DC’s on-screen future is assured.
Conclusion
The DCEU may not have lived up to the success of the MCU, but it still had its highlights and helped build out the DC Universe on the big screen. However, its lack of a cohesive plan and the many canceled projects left fans disappointed. If the DCEU had been as well-planned as the MCU, a film like New Gods would have been a reality. Instead, it clashed with another corner of the franchise handled by a filmmaker with his own distinct vision.
The New Gods film would have been a refreshing addition to the DCEU, and its cancellation remains a bittersweet chapter in the franchise’s history. With the DCU already showing signs of being more planned out than the DCEU ever was, the future of the New Gods looks brighter than ever. As the DCU continues to expand, a proper New Gods film may not be far behind.
