In the week’s biggest news yesterday, filmmaker James Gunn and partner Peter Safran were announced as taking charge of DC projects at Warner Bros. Discovery.
With their installation, we know the DC Films division has been scrapped and replaced with the newly formed DC Studios division. Now it seems there’s been another name change.
The Zack Snyder-heavy interconnected DC tenure that began with 2013’s “Man of Steel” has been branded the DCEU (DC Extended Universe) for years.
Now The Wrap reports that in an internal memo from WBD CEO David Zaslav, the various projects of the new division is going by the newly minted (and shortened) moniker of ‘the DCU’.
The goal of Gunn and Safran’s efforts is to create an “integrated, multilayered universe that still allows for the individual expression” – in other words, it’s all interconnected, but creatives can still show off. Zaslav’s memo says:
“For over 60 years, these and other DC characters have captivated and inspired generations of fans around the world, and as stewards of the iconic franchise, we feel a real responsibility to preserve and expand the DCU for the enjoyment of future generations.
In many ways, we have only begun to scratch the surface. James and Peter have a broad vision for DC storytelling and how it all fits together, and they plan to create even more compelling and unforgettable experiences for DC fans worldwide, while building a sustainable growth business out of the iconic franchise.
[Gunn and Safran] are highly respected by creatives and talent alike and bring their own deep love and appreciation for the characters and stories of the DCU to their new roles. As they told me, this is a passion project for them, not just a job… and that is sure to be evident in their storytelling.”
Gunn, of course, is well known to the public for steering the “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise and the well-received “The Suicide Squad” and even better-received “Peacemaker” series. Safran meanwhile brings 25 years of producing experience and familiarity with the genre producing the “Aquaman” and “Shazam” franchises.
So far, reception to the hiring has been almost universally positive from both the industry and the public. Plenty of questions still linger over what can be done during the pair’s four-year contractual term. For now though, DC’s future looks bright.
