Written by Cleveland Oakes, August 9th, 2016 at 1:51 p.m.
Unless you live under a rock, that has been buried in deep hole, that’s been buried in another hole, you know that critics and fans alike have come hard at the DCEU in 2016. Some are saying that irreparable damage has been done to Warner Bros. credibility and that all the future films coming down the pike looked effed.
Warner Bros. Suicide Squad summer opening has decimated the August record by $40 million dollars. This record was previously held by Guardians of the Galaxy.
Suicide Squad, opened at $135 million compared to Guardians 94.3 million record in 2014.
While it’s no question this movie was a bonafide hit. Many fans of Suicide Squad were disappointed at what was considered a weak script, confused story, and disappointing villains.
Look What Happened To Frankenstein’s Baby
It’s no surprise then there are multiple reports of a rushed production, nervous executives, and competing cuts of the film. Multiple inside sources state that when the playful, madcap, Bohemian Rhapsody backed trailer was a hit with audiences in February 2016, execs at Warner Bros were shitting their pants, because that was not the Suicide Squad movie that David Ayers had delivered behind closed doors.
Ayer’s vision was one that matched the dark and grim Batman vs Superman beat for beat. Which even though had been a financial success was a huge disappointment for fans and critics alike.
Therefore studio execs rushed out and hired a trailer house to edit a light and funny version of Suicide Squad opposed to David Ayers dark, gritty, somber version. After numerous screen tests and re-shoots, the lighter toned cut of the film won out. Despite the fact test audiences felt the pacing and tone of the grittier original cut seemed more cohesive.
That meddling is clear from the final uneven product. What was birthed on screen was a Frankenstein’s baby of a movie.
Fear Of The Future
Multiple media outlets are now yelling to the top of the hills at the DCEU “Three strikes you are out!”
A number of my fellow critics at many other outlets are losing their passion for upcoming DC projects.
One of the most notable comments I’ve heard was from a female writer. She stated, she had been stoked for Wonder Woman because of the bad ass San Diego Comic Con trailer. However then she had been stoked for Suicide Squad only to be disappointed. Before that she was stoked for Batman vs Superman to be crushed upon viewing the final film. Now she just can’t find it in her heart to believe in anything that the DCEU is doing. I’m sure there are are thousands of other fans with the same fears.
Warner Bros has an aggressive schedule between now and 2020. That slate includes Wonder Woman, Justice League, The Flash, Aquaman, Shazam, Justice League 2, Cyborg, and Green Lantern. That list now includes the stand alone Ben Affeck, Batman, movie.
Fans should be deeply concerned. Outside of Nolan’s Batman trilogy, Warner Bros. efforts have turned every golden opportunity into lumps of coal. Notable failures include Steel, Catwoman, Superman Returns, and the aforementioned reviled Green Lantern.
A New Hope
Wunderkind, Geoff Johns has been brought on board to right the ship. Having successfully designed DC’s Comic Book Rebirth event many people feel that he is the right man for the job. However Geoff was a co-writer on the disastrous, Ryan Reynolds Green Lantern vehicle. So there are questions in regards to Johns’ ability to be the DCEU’s much needed “Comeback Kid”.
Johns’ is a very respected and prolific writer who has successfully crafted the reinvigorated sales and interest this past summer for all DC related comic books. If that interest continues into the Fall remains to be seen. However John’s creative vision has slowly begun to close the gap with DC’s longtime rival Marvel. There is true hope that DC Comics can once again go toe to toe with Marvel Comics. Maybe that new found success can crossover to the Cinematic Universe.
Johns’ has stated that it is his intention to bring back the sense of hope and fun into every film. Fans will welcome this change.
DCEU Finding The Right Mix
The problem is it’s obvious Warner Bros. never thought of its DCEU properties as one cohesive universe. Instead of playing the long game like Marvel did. They are trying to make an instant universe. It’s like the execs over at Warner Bros. think you can add powder and water stir vigorously and suddenly have a successful movie universe.
I noted to a colleague the other day, that Marvel hasn’t always been the hit-maker it is now. Before Kevin Feige became creative overlord at the House of Ideas, for every Blade, Spiderman, and Iron Man hit; there were Punisher, Ghost Rider, and Elektra duds. There was a steep learning curve involved before Marvel got it right. 
The sad thing for me as a critic and fan, I tell you that Suicide Squad had all the elements needed to complete an amazing movie. Sadly the final version has all the hallmarks of studio meddling all over it. What makes no sense to me, is that Warner Bros. has a very successful animated team that drops killer animated features all the damn time. You want to see a dope ass Suicide Squad movie? Go catch Batman: Assault on Arkham.
Why is it there can’t be some type of corporate synergy and Warner Bros. add the creative minds from the animated feature side of the company to the live action division? Hell even the Berlantiverse on the CW is a better more cohesive product than what the DCEU has given us so far.
Due to the financial success of Batman vs Superman and Suicide Squad we know that we are going to get at least 3 more films. The questions becomes what happens if the next at bat results in another 3 strikes? Is the DCUE eFFed? I hope not.