We have to go back to 2020 to find the first rumors about the reboot of the DC Extended Universe. This as a result of the disastrous performance, both critically and at the box office, of the Justice League. Now, three years later, the speculation has come true. James Gunn, during the presentation of the future of DC, confirmed that the DCEU will be restarted by means of The Flash.
In a video Posted via Twitter, James Gunn referred to The Flash: “It’s a fantastic movie that I really love, that resets the entire DC Universe.”
Why does The Flash have such an important responsibility? We must not forget that this feature film will explore, for the first time in the DC Extended Universe, the phenomenon of the multiverse.
As is happening in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the multiverse allows for completely new stories. The limit is in the creativity of the writers.
Thus, at DC they did not want to miss the opportunity to finally leave behind the proposals of Zack Snyder, who laid the narrative foundations of the DCEU. The problem is that, generally speaking, his films were a flop.
James Gunn, furthermore, was not going to waste time trying to correct the course of a universe when he could create a whole new one.
Beware, the fact that The Flash reboots the DC Extended Universe does not mean that they will completely forget the past. In this sense, James Gunn commented: «The only thing we can promise is that everything, from Superman onwards, from our first project onwards, will be canon and will be connected. We are drawing on some actors from the past, but not others. From this moment on, everything will be connected and consistent.”
The DC Extended Universe will not forget the past
Regarding the actors who could reprise their role in the future, James Gunn reviewed each case. First, what was already known: Henry Cavill (Superman) and Ben Affleck (Batman) are ruled out. Ezra Miller (The Flash), for his part, does not have the door closed despite the personal problems he is going through. As for Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), Jason Momoa (Aquaman) and Zachary Levi (Shazam), he did not close the door on future participation:
“There’s no reason all those people could be part of the DC Extended Universe. We just haven’t decided on the story we want to tell that incorporates Shazam or Aquaman.”
James Gunn.
Of course, it is clear that the first chapter of the DC Extended Universe, entitled Gods and Monsters, does not contemplate any of them. Perhaps then they will have a chance at a later stage.
What will happen to Superman? James Gunn greenlit another movie, Superman: Legacy. It will be focused on Clark Kent’s early years as a superhero, hence the need to look for an actor younger than Henry Cavill.
There is still no indication of Batman who could play him in the DC Extended Universe after Ben Affleck. But James Gunn is in no hurry with this character, since The Batman, set in a different universe, will have its sequel. The Batman: Part II opens on October 3, 2025.
Now you know, DC will try to take a new direction with The Flash, which is scheduled to premiere on June 16, 2023.