Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice - 8 Problems With The Established Universe

A sound business strategy or a studio rushing to play catch-up?

batman vs superman dc universe
Warner Bros.

In Hollywood, the studios have always been ones for jumping on the bandwagon and trying to replicate an established formula for success. Today, thanks to the unprecedented success of Marvel Studios, the 'shared cinematic universe' is the industry's current buzzword. Casting an envious eye over the multi-billion dollar success of the MCU, a raft of interlinked franchise have since been announced; Universal Monsters, Transformers and even King Arthur and Robin Hood are in on the act, while Sony were planning a Spider-Man universe (that thankfully came to nothing).

Perhaps the only other studio that has a legitimate claim to creating their own cinematic universe is the combination of DC and Warner Bros. Marvel's longtime rivals have struggled over the years to create any successful movies that didn't feature Batman or Superman, but, seemingly undeterred, last year they announced their own slate of interconnected movies, ten projects featuring multiple characters all the way up to the summer of 2020.

Recent glimpses of footage from Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad have been hugely promising, but there remain doubts over the idea as a whole. With that in mind, here are eight problems facing the rapidly-expanding DC Cinematic Universe that could really negatively affect the movies.

8. Where Do The Suicide Squad Fit In?

batman vs superman dc universe
Warner Bros.

One problem in announcing a huge slate of movies that share an interconnected universe is managing so many moving parts, while also keeping everything pointing in the same direction. David Ayer's Suicide Squad finds itself in the unique position of being perhaps the most highly-anticipated project out of any of DC's upcoming features, but also the most disconnected from the 'shared universe' model.

Given the name, it would be a safe bet to assume that not all of the titular squad are going to make it out of the movie alive, with the least-recognisable characters obviously at greatest risk. With their ties to Batman, Harley Quinn and the Joker are sure to survive, and Will Smith doesn't sign on to an ensemble comic book movie just to be killed off. But, still, how will the Suicide Squad movie tie into the larger universe as a whole?

Although Ben Affleck cameos as both Bruce Wayne and Batman, with the Joker seemingly responsible for Robin's death, that is linked directly to the Dark Knight's future solo outing. The rumours of a Lex Luthor cameo are as-yet-unconfirmed, so it seems that only Viola Davis' Amanda Waller (who mentioned Superman in the trailer) and A.R.G.U.S. will play a recurring role across the larger universe, much like Nick Fury in the MCU, leaving most of the Suicide Squad restricted to their own franchise.

 
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