Imagine you're given a chance to do a complete reboot of the DCEU...

[bat39]

...maybe a few years down the line.

As in, the existing the DCEU films came out (will come out) up till maybe 'Justice League' at least, possibly even further...the reactions to them are well-known, and yet WB wants to do a total reboot and you're basically the 'Kevin Feige' of the franchise. How would you go about it, knowing where your successors likely succeeded or failed?

Here's my crack at it-

Broadly the universe will be a kind off Quentin Tarantino-esq shared universe. Each movie will be self-contained and there will be the odd easter egg or reference to the other movies, but otherwise each film is virtually in a universe of its own (other than perhaps some direct sequels). And of course, cast members will mostly be recurring.

Also, one of the broad 'mandates' of this universe will be about borrowing elements from ALL across DC's mythology and not just the 'Modern Age'.

Here goes-


Batman and the Monster Men

This film will be a one-part neo-noir and one-part disaster movie. It'll be largely inspired by Batman # 1 from 1940. The film will have a retro-vibe of sorts, set in a contemporary time (maybe about a decade or so ago) but with a 1930's aesthetic and vibe to Gotham. Batman's suit will be a cross between the 'Year One' design and Bob Kane's original 1939 design.

When the film begins, 'the Bat-Man' has been around for nearly a year, but he's mostly an urban myth - a rumor among the underworld. Newly-appointed Commissioner James Gordon has a secret alliance with him and the GCPD is reluctantly hunting him as a vigilante, but the public for most of the film doesn't believe in his existence.

The film actually begins with Batman stopping the killing spree of the Joker (who's more of a clownish Jack the Ripper type here), before Gordon tasks him with investigating the activities of one Dr. Hugo Strange. The first half is Batman conducting his investigating in a truly noir-ish style. Oswald Cobblepot aka 'The Penguin', the shady owner of Iceberg Lounge, and mysterious cat-burglar Selina Kyle are characters Batman encounters in this early segment.

The second half though has the Monster Men wrecking havoc across Gotham, like a pulp-style monster movie, with Batman being forced to come out into the open and help take down the Monsters and stop Strange's reign of terror.

World-building allusions: Mentions will be made of a man in Kansas who can outrun trains, along with sightings of a Martian, and rumors about the existence of Atlantis.


Superman: The Last Son of Krypton

This film begins on the fifth anniversary of Superman's debut. Superman is already very much a globally recognized hero and celebrity. There will be some commentary on the political controversies arising from his actions, and Lex Luthor will appear as a vociferous public opponent of the Man of Steel, but for the most part, Superman will be loved and respected. Superman will also start the movie wearing the 'classic suit' with red trunks.

The film is loosely adapted from the original Brainiac story in Action Comics # 242, as well as borrowing from other Brainiac stories like Geoff John's more recent 'Brainiac' story-arc, Morrison's New 52 run and the TAS.

Brainiac attacks Earth and abducts Metropolis, putting it in a 'bottle' (actually a pocket dimension) and taking it aboard his ship. Superman, while investigating its disappearance, discovers the Bottled City of Kandor. He also discovers the role Brainiac played in Krypton's destruction which leads Superman to consider destroying Brainiac and grappling with the morality of whether or not destroying Brainiac would violate his code against killing or not.

Also, at some point, Superman's suit gets damaged, and so he gets a new one, courtesy of Kandorian tech, which resembles the Rebirth suit.

World-building allusions: Early in the film, Superman will fly by Gotham (which looks considerably less gothic and more modern) and encounters Batman (who's a little less dark and brooding, and wearing a suit similar to the one on B:TAS) and his new sidekick, a teenage Robin (Dick Grayson, again wearing his B:TAS suit) who's excited to meet Superman for the first time.

Also references will be made to 'Central City's Flash' and the Amazon Ambassador Princess Diana. Other superheroes do exist, though they're a recent occurrence and aren't as trusted as Superman.


Justice League: New World Order

This film, despite the title, will be heavily inspired by the 'New Frontier' by Darwyn Cook, as well as Justice League of America # 144.

It will begin with the Justice League having just formed, after defeating Darkseid. The League comprises of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern (John Stewart), Aquaman and Martian Manhunter. However, there is a tremendous amount of paranoia among authorities and the public alike about this new 'power bloc' of superheroes, with fears of them creating a 'New World Order'. As the League carry out their missions against the Injustice Gang (secretly led by Lex Luthor and which comprises of Scarecrow, Captain Cold, Metallo, Cheetah, Sinestro and Black Manta), they are met with both adulation and increasing paranoia.

Of course, J'onn, suspecting something, secretly investigates, and uncovers a conspiracy masterminded by deep-cover White Martians who have been secretly manipulating the public and influential figures (including General Sam Lane). The League defeats the conspiracy, along with several other heroes, and emerges stronger and more respected than ever - with additional members Hawkgirl, Black Canary and Atom joining the team by the end.

World-building allusions: Mentions will be made of more teenage 'sidekick' superheroes inspired by Robin.


More later.

[phonogram12]

Well, one thing I would definitely do is not have every other surviving Kryptonian other than Superman and Supergirl be a human hating genocidal maniac. Even if their just tiny Kandorians, that's fine, but whenever they do stuff like this it just kinda reinforces the whole notion that John Byrne came up with that I hate so very much that Krypton was a place that 'deserved to blow up.'

One trend I do like from the constantly rebooting superhero films, though, is that they're not skipping the origin stories altogether these days. Like, yeah, we sat through radioactive spiders and dead parental figures a few times already.