DC Movies - To Infinity and Beyond

[TREK_GOD_1]

All this nonsense with Gunn probably affected it. People know it doesn’t matter and so they are ignoring it.

Some would like to deny the disinterest in some of the last DCEU films now that they know it has been cancelled (as if there's some undying loyalty to a series ending in this way), but this emotional state is not at all uncommon: in the 1990s, many Burton Batman fans did not care about the then-continuing series when it was announced Burton and Keaton were no longer attached to the films. Some complained, while others lost all interest, since they believed "their real Batman" series was unceremoniously brought to its end.

Then, there's the Shazam factor: to numerous DCEU fans, this interpretation was never held in as high regard as the more Snyder-aligned films, so mass disinterest in the sequel is not breaking news. It says much when the only thing routinely praised in the film is Gadot's cameo. At least with another under-performing film-- Black Adam--there were months of teasing build-up for Cavill's long-desired return to the Superman role, but audiences did find other enjoyable elements, such as the JSA, for one example. Who is finding much to really enjoy in the Shazam sequel?

 

[dahj]

And it's the casual moviegoers who make up the majority of a profitable film's audience -- people who don't care about franchises and series continuity and all that, but just want something to take a date or a family to on their day off, or want to see an actor they like, or whatever.

I don't think this has been true for a long while now. In the olden days, yeah, people would choose to go to the movies and then pick from whatever's available that looks alright, but these days the majority of movie going audiences are people who just go specifically for big franchise spectacles.

 

[Christopher]

I don't think this has been true for a long while now. In the olden days, yeah, people would choose to go to the movies and then pick from whatever's available that looks alright, but these days the majority of movie going audiences are people who just go specifically for big franchise spectacles.

More than before, perhaps, but they're certainly not the whole audience. It's never wise to assume such a large population is monolithic. And even if that is their interest, that doesn't mean they follow the media news and are aware of what lies in store for a franchise's future. There's always a very large percentage of low-information audience members. We just don't realize it because we live in the echo chamber of highly invested fandom.

 

[Noname Given]

Deadline has a little more analysis on the box office performance:

Deadline Shazam! Fury Of The Gods’ Doesn’t Fly With Moviegoers At $30M Opening: Here’s Why – Saturday Box Office
https://deadline.com/2023/03/shazam-fury-of-the-gods-box-office-bomb-1235303827/

When New Line/DC’s Shazam: Fury of the Gods hit tracking four weeks ago with a low $35M projection, it was shocking and not shocking to rival distributors. Shocking, because in a spring full of franchise tentpoles, many of which are seeing record opening domestic highs, how can a DC property like Shazam! not keep up with the pack? Not shocking in that — well, it’s a goofy, old Shazam!

Now while it’s possible for a movie to start low in its projections on tracking and swell as the studio spends the bulk of a pic’s P&A in the final lap before its opening, the outlook on Shazam! Fury of the Gods didn’t budge, and now the David F. Sandberg-directed sequel, produced by Warner Bros. newly installed DC cohead Peter Safran, is looking at a $30M start in US/Canada., off 44% from the first 2019 movie’s $53.5M opening...

 

[Skywalker]

That's unfortunate. I'm not terribly surprised, since the first movie didn't exactly light the box office on fire either, but I'm disappointed. I enjoyed both of the Shazam movies.

 

[M'rk son of Mogh]

Some would like to deny the disinterest in some of the last DCEU films now that they know it has been cancelled (as if there's some undying loyalty to a series ending in this way), but this emotional state is not at all uncommon: in the 1990s, many Burton Batman fans did not care about the then-continuing series when it was announced Burton and Keaton were no longer attached to the films. Some complained, while others lost all interest, since they believed "their real Batman" series was unceremoniously brought to its end.

Correct, Batman Forever made a lot more money than Batman Returns, thus proving the "fans" mean nothing compared to the general audience.

If people thought Shazam looked interesting, they'd see it. The majority probably don't even know Gunn's name, let alone what he's doing.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

I don't think this has been true for a long while now. In the olden days, yeah, people would choose to go to the movies and then pick from whatever's available that looks alright, but these days the majority of movie going audiences are people who just go specifically for big franchise spectacles.

Indeed. Moviegoers are more tied into the idea of franchises than ever before in film history, hence studios' constant attempt to either resurrect or create legacy properties as franchises for film. The difference with the DCEU is that WB has consciously killed one, which is not sitting well with audiences who were heavily invested in the DCEU series / franchise.

 

[Supervisor 194]

It's an open question though, if the number of audience members who disagree with the junking of the Snyder-verse represent any significant number of the general audience.

I suspect if Superman is cast well and written in an overall appealing way, the general audience will respond positively.

 

[Dee1891]

I've just come to the conclusion that I still have my DCEU/Snyderverse movies to enjoy either on DVD or streaming service. So, what WB does with the DC franchise from now on, no longer matters to me. And I might as well say it . . . that includes recycling John Williams' old score (even if I think it's a mistake). I'm getting weary of caring about the DC films, the MCU films and comic book movies in general.

 

[Smiley]

Here are some factors that may have come into play regarding attendance of Shazam: Fury of the Gods:

1. It has a much lower critical score than the first Shazam and a slightly lower audience score.
2. Shazam came out before the pandemic, and any movie coming out afterward is going to have a lot of people waiting to see it at home, if at all, due to wanting to avoid crowds in theaters for most movies.
3. We are just after the Oscars, and some people are wanting to see the big nominees from 2022 while they can.
4. Movies like Scream VI, Creed III, and Quantumania are providing stiffer competition for Fury of the Gods than the original Shazam faced.
5. The novelty factor is gone, and Captain Marvel/Shazam does not have the name recognition that one of the Justice League animated characters or WB TV characters does.

I would rather go and see The Super Mario Bros. Movie 5 times than see S: FotG once, just based on trailers.

 

[Commander Troi]

Anyone watch the Legion of Superheroes animated movie? It was pretty good but the twist was fairly obvious. Nice cliff-hanger at the end.

Not yet. I'll either borrow it from my Legion-crazy friend who bought it or see it on HBO Max.

Who is finding much to really enjoy in the Shazam sequel?

*Puts hand up* We went on a whim Friday night and quite enjoyed it. It held together well and had character growth for both Billy and Freddie. It was fun.

 

[Sketcher]

Did they ever explain why Grace Caroline Currey is playing both regular Mary and Super Mary this time around vs using an older actor?

 

[JD]

Indeed. Moviegoers are more tied into the idea of franchises than ever before in film history, hence studios' constant attempt to either resurrect or create legacy properties as franchises for film. The difference with the DCEU is that WB has consciously killed one, which is not sitting well with audiences who were heavily invested in the DCEU series / franchise.

Fans can, but I can almost that the average movie isn't going to care whether or not this part of the old DCEU or the new DCU. Hell, the majority of people don't even know the difference between the MCU and the DCU, and are going to have no idea what's going on with Gunn and Safran.
My mom has been going to see most of the MCU and DCEU movies with me, and it's just in the last few years that I've finally gotten her to understand that Capt. America, Hulk, Spider-Man, Iron Man, ect. are Marvel and Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, ect. are DC. And she strikes me as exactly the kind of average movie goer we're talking about here.

 

[theenglish]

Correct, Batman Forever made a lot more money than Batman Returns, thus proving the "fans" mean nothing compared to the general audience.

And the general audience wanted to see Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones.

 

[YLu]

It's an open question though, if the number of audience members who disagree with the junking of the Snyder-verse represent any significant number of the general audience.

I’ve said it and I’ll say it again: Most people have no idea what a Snyderverse is.

 

[theenglish]

The sad truth is that YLu is correct. I don't believe that there is a huge desire for superhero movies among the general public. There is a huge desire for Marvel movies, and that is the key difference. Marvel took the time to build its MCU--the WB tried to force their own cinematic universe into existence and the, after only two movies were released, cut their own nose off before anything resembling a cross-movie continuity could be established. Nobody outside people like us with a vested interest in comic book heroes ever cared about a DCU, or ever really had the opportunity to have something they cared about.

 

[Reverend]

I’ve said it and I’ll say it again: Most people have no idea what a Snyderverse is.

More to the point: most people don't care what it is, and nor should they.

 

[Tosk]

Did they ever explain why Grace Caroline Currey is playing both regular Mary and Super Mary this time around vs using an older actor?

I haven't seen it, but I assumed because Mary is now an adult?

 

[Christopher]

I’ve said it and I’ll say it again: Most people have no idea what a Snyderverse is.

And those of us who are aware of it disagree about its usage. I thought that the title "Snyderverse" applied only to the alternative continuity that branched off with Zack Snyder's Justice League, as distinct from the canonical continuity that includes the theatrical JL and all subsequent DCEU films. Snyder has had no participation in the majority of that continuity, and indeed he was let go from it in a messy and highly public divorce, so it seems odd to give him credit for it.

The sad truth is that YLu is correct. I don't believe that there is a huge desire for superhero movies among the general public.

I don't think that's what YLu meant. The point is that one can be interested in the stories of superhero movies without paying any attention to what goes on behind the scenes, the production news or studio politics or whatever. There's what happens onstage, and what happens backstage. Only a fraction of the audience for the former is at all aware of the latter.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

Fans can, but I can almost that the average movie isn't going to care whether or not this part of the old DCEU or the new DCU.

I assume you're drawing a hard line between the moviegoing public and so-named "die-hard" fans--as if the former is not part of the audience who invest themselves into franchises, continuity, etc. and pay attention to names / actions producing the content & what pulls the strings behind the scenes. It is more connected and larger than you think, hence the mainstream news paying attention to the entire Cavill affair--from Johnson teasing Cavill's return (to some gleefully denying it would happen), to reactions when his Black Adam appearance was confirmed, to Cavill (and WB) saying he would return for more Superman appearances, and finally, to the unfortunate decision to cut ties with the actor. That was not hidden internet chatter, but well covered news by mainstream media, as it was of interest to more than "die-hards". That is the nature of a great deal of fandom and moviegoing today, hence the level of investment studios have in legacy properties like comic book characters. This isn't the 70s where a film such as--for one example-- Jaws 2 would drop with expected sequel publicity, receive reviews and few moviegoers--other than fantasy fans--barely sought out information in print media about the film, and certainly had no engagement with the creatives.

The business does not work that way anymore, J.D. The entire game has changed in favor of working that reciprocal, immersive relationship between studios and fans to the point where creatives do engage with / promote with as many individuals as possible on a level unlike anything ever seen in entertainment history before. Its deliberate, because studios know there's a significantly larger group to tap into than just that old-school, comic-book character t-shirt wearing geek who actively card about / follow media about movies. No studio would survive on "die-hards" alone.

Just as the Cavill example proves, audiences are aware, and as a result, their taste dictates what they pick and choose, including work based on content, casting and who is behind the work. Gone are the days when people would view a franchise or series as some blur of products, and say, "Star Wars? That's that show with the guy with the ears, right?".