In a groundbreaking move for the DC Universe, it has been reported that the new CEO of DC Studios, Jeremy Latcham, is planning to prioritize mainstream characters such as Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, and others going forward. This shift in direction comes after the departure of James Gunn and Peter Safran from their roles as heads of DC Studios.
According to a recent report by The Wrap, Latcham has been tasked by Skydance CEO David Ellison with assembling the Justice League on the big screen as soon as possible. This means that projects featuring lesser-known characters like Clayface, Booster Gold, or Peacemaker may take a backseat. Supergirl, a character once considered a staple of DC, is also expected to be sidelined for now.
It remains unclear whether DC will opt for a full reboot, with new actors and storylines, as they have done in the past. With the universe still young and its installments yet to interconnect fully, there's room for flexibility. However, recasting established characters like David Corenswet or Henry Cavill could lead to public backlash, given recent controversies surrounding such decisions.
This focus on mainstream characters represents a stark contrast to the approach of James Gunn, who gained prominence with Guardians of the Galaxy, a film about lesser-known characters. Gunn attempted to extend this approach to the DC Universe, but his efforts were met with mixed results. Fans have been eagerly awaiting a Batman project from Gunn, particularly after his absence in the Clayface series. Despite plans for Superman sequels and other projects, fans feel that Gunn isn't building enough momentum to bring the biggest characters into the forefront of the DC Universe.
The new era of DC is expected to be less chaotic and tumultuous than the past few years, with Latcham reportedly intending to maintain a low-key social media presence compared to Gunn. While the exact direction of the DC Universe remains uncertain, fans can look forward to seeing their favorite mainstream characters take center stage in upcoming projects.
Cade Onder, a freelancer for IGN's news team, covers all things entertainment, including gaming, film, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.