10 Things We Expect To Happen In The DC Cinematic Universe

4. Box Office Risk

Another prediction for down the line, but nonetheless one that DC and Warner Brothers will almost certainly fulfil. Outside of comic books nerds, there are really only a handful of names that are instantly recognisable (read: marketable) to the masses: for DC it's heroes like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, while Marvel has Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, etc. But there are literally hundreds of characters operating within these comic book universes, and some of them are easily as awesome as the moneymakers, if not more so. Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, while not exactly pushing the most minor characters available, is still technically a box-office risk - it's a team very unlike the Avengers, and the fanbase doesn't come with the territory. Granted, the little line that denotes Guardians as a Marvel film will probably guarantee it's a phenomenal success, but it's still a risk in theory. DC Comics has an absolute treasure trove of lesser-known heroes, many of whom are enjoying their time in the sun in the New 52 comics. Justice League Dark features the likes of Deadman, Madame Xanadu, and Zatanna, all of whom have yet to be brought to the big screen - Guillermo del Toro teased a JLD film a while back, too. Phantom Stranger, Spectre, Animal Man, Swamp Thing - these properties aren't immediately marketable, but that's partly what makes them such a bold bet. Including them prominently in the DC Cinematic Universe would color the world in a way that Marvel has only just begun to do.