Over the past couple of days, I've hit writers block big time; didn't really know what I wanted to write on this site. But after reading a bunch of comments from Marvel and DC fanboys lashing out against each other (which is pointless I might add) it inspired me to write this article. So here, in 3 points...what i think WB/DC should do.
1. Calm the [frick] down, take a breather.
DC/WB indeed bit off a little more than they can chew with GL. They thought they had a real winner on their hands. Well they WOULD have if they didn't enslave Campbell, not allowing him to work his magic. Nolan told DC that if they didn't let him do what he wanted with Batman, he would be out the door and wouldn't come back to them. Campbell should have been the same way with GL. I think the main reason why he's not coming back is because of DC/WB meddling with his business. If a GL director's cut comes out, and its 5 times better than the theatrical version, then hopefully WB would listen to reason instead of turn a deaf ear. I read a comment earlier stating, 'Marvel will always be ahead of DC. Always.' Uhhh okay. Even in the 45th Century, eh? That always? Its shown in Hollywood that these companies have gone through periods. From 78-95 it was all DC. But after a few huge failures (Spawn, Steel, B&R) they freaked out and pressed pause, allowing Marvel to rise up and shoot past them. DC needs to sit back, re-think their universe, and then lay out the drawing boards. They're down, but not out in this battle. Their 'era' will return in time, and possibly pretty soon if they relax and think this through a little harder than do the George Lucas thing and disappoint all of the fans. If they can create pretty awesome animated series/films, then why can't they do the same for live action motion pictures? They need to carefully plan out their movie schedule work on their main JLA character movies and do what Marvel is doing by throwing second tier superhero movies on the side to earn a little cash. DC may be freaking out over GL's flop right now, but they really don't need to. Its a movie. Not an oil industry. You're entertaining people, not curing AIDS.
2. Have someone RESPONSIBLE overseeing their movies.
When Rodger Goodell came to be the NFL commissioner, he laid down the law. He didn't take bullshit from anyone, enforcing strict laws that everyone would have to follow, making the National Football league a little more profitable and suitable for everyone's taste. (in my opinion he should have gotten rid of the steelers...and the vikings. Then we would have world peace). He is a responsible manager. Something DC has to get. Their studio needs a person to come in, look at the damage and say, 'Okay this is what you need to do, this his how you repair it, and this is how you can keep it straight.' Someone to tell them to calm the frick down and take a breather; someone strict, someone who would listen to what directors would say and give them more freedom if what they have to say is interesting, though provoking, and worth their time. If DC wasn't run by a bunch of twelve year olds and instead by people who knew how the hell to run a studio, then this article would not exist. This guy (or gal) would have to be strict in the ways of sticking to the source material. For example, if they wanted to do an Aquaman movie, the new overseer should give the filmmakers all of the information they need them to do from the comics, paint a plausible picture, listen to what the director views this movie should be, then if that view is good enough, let them have their way with it. BUT- keep a close watch over the movie rather than assume its going to be alright. Hire better screenwriters and producers; make sure they're doing their job right; don't bite off more than you can chew. Make sure the cast isn't wooden or bad to make the movie a parody.
3. Better. Marketing. BETTER MARKETING.
While Superman and Batman are the most popular superheroes in the world (believe me, they are. Their symbols are the most recognizable out of any other superhero), other superheroes could have the potential to get the close popularity of Supes and Bats...only if DC/WB marketed them a little better. GL's marketing plan was a total disaster. WB was indeed panicking because their campaign started off late. This is why step #1 listed above so essential. They can't have marketing plans starting off late like this; it just doesn't work that way. If they want to do a GL2, WB/DC needs to think it over a little bit better and NOT SPEND 100 MILLION ON ADVERTISING!!!!!! Have faith in your movie; slowly give your film to develop early on in the year as far as marketing goes. Ask for a Superbowl add; maybe even a world series teaser if you want to start that early. They need a responsible manager that has a degree in Business rather than one who just took Business ED in the 9th grade and didn't look back. Make smarter decisions, and if you don't have faith in your movie a week before it releases, you probably should have thought about that before you started pre-production. With MOS, they better have something damn good in store if they're pushing it back six months. They fail with Superman, then well then this his how they would describe DC studio's life at their funeral:
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Gifs FAIL.
In conclusion, DC/WB can and will eventually recover. If they followed points like those listed above, that recovery would come much sooner. But unfortunately since they're run by a bunch of stubborn imbeciles, WB/DC won't fully recover for another five to ten years. Fanboys, don't freak out. They have plenty of time here. I know I'll get chewed out by die hard Marvelites by this article who seemingly think a lot like Steeler fans (since Steeler fans retort to comebacks like, 'oh, how many superbowl rings does your team have?'). Let that comparison sink in for a bit critique me for it. And as for the many DC fanboys that think its a lost cause...they need to calm down and not freak out over the fact that their favorite superheroes outside of Bats, supes and GL, are not entirely endager of having a movie deal. Wonder Woman is a very doable movie; if they make her more of a warrior than a hooker...and the Flash is doable as well. Hawkman? Give it a chance. Aquaman? Yes and no in my opinion.
Personally, I would prefer it if both Marvel and DC were run by the same studio. Then that way all of this DC vs Marvel bickering nonsense would be silenced.
But that's my opinion.