Is There a Producer in the House?
I do not envy James Gunn. He was given the monumental task of reviving a genre that has been mined since 2008 with the release of Iron Man. Fans who once were fascinated by these new revelations have since gotten tired of predictable tales. Avengers: Endgame, Wonder Woman, Man of Steel, Guardians of the Galaxy and other films were trendsetters that brought in non-comic book fans to the films. Then the product got predictable. Great story telling was sacrificed for special effects and character reveals. Sequels followed familiar paths and were deemed boring. Box office bombs became the norm. Now Mr. Gunn has been given the job of reviving this genre. Here are a few ways he can rescue DC Comics from the malaise created by following the old superhero formula.
Focusing on Topics Fans can Relate
Story: Even Superheroes have Family Issues
Characters
Chocolate and peanut butter go together. Chocolate and licorice do not. James Gunn has a deep bench to utilize but the key is in the choices he makes. Fans cared about the interpersonal relationships in GOTG. Movie goers could care less about the heroines forced in The Marvels. The reason was not because they were female, but instead because their relationships seemed forced. One way he can do this is by telling a story like the unique relationship between Starman Jack Knight and the Shade. This story is one everyone can relate.
Why it works
A reluctant hero trying to keep the family legacy going while raising a baby is a problem most people have faced. Throw in a "villain" who forms an unlikely bond with his former nemesis' son. Many comic films show how the character becomes a hero, but in this story is different. He realizes people can save the world if they focus on their own family and friends. The Shade is an interesting companion in the journey because he is not a true hero nor villain. His immortality sometimes puts him above these petty concepts. Instead he too finds his own humanity in the relationship he keeps with Jack and other supporting characters. A bonus is that one of the supporting characters could be a ghost. The best part for James Gunn is these two characters are established but not that well known. Talk about a perfect semi blank canvas to use.
Comic Keys
1st Appearance of Jack Knight FMV 9.6 $48
Death of David Knight (Brother)Jack becomes Starman FMV 9.8 $80
1st Appearance of the Shade FMV 9.6 $17,000
Using Different Times and Corners of a Vast Universe
Story: King Arthur DC Comics Style
Characters
Many of the past superhero films used the same basic hero to tell their stories. DC Comics has a vast tool box and each tool could be used in a different way. The legend of King Arthur has been told many times but James Gunn could adapt the story to incorporate DC Comic characters that have ties to those stories along with others who are not so well known. This could bridge the gap between Arthurian legend to the present day Gunnverse he is building. Imagine a new telling of King Arthur with the Demon, Madame Xanadu, Morgaine Le Fay, and a version of Merlin portrayed by a DC Comics character that is underused currently.
Why it works
Etrigan is a demon that was bonded with Jason Blood, a knight of King Arthur, by Merlin. Having him deal with nemesis Morgaine Le Fay while assisted by her sister Madame Xanadu would be a great way to bridge the time between medieval period and the present day. These characters are all immortal. This storyline could make Merlin in fact an alias for another immortal DC Comics hero. Dr. Fate has been already used in a film, but the Phantom Stranger has not. He is again a blank canvas that allows for him to have his origin retconned so that he can appear as Merlin and the Phantom Stranger in the present day. This could lead into darker JLA stories that would deviate from team previous film stories.
Comic keys
1st appearance of the Demon, Morgaine Le Fay FMV 9.6 $1250
1st Appearance of Phantom Stranger (Silver Age) FMV 9.6 $1350
1st Appearance of Madame Xanadu FMV 9.8 $700
Everyone Loves a Good Big Bad
Story: A Villain's Tale
Characters
Many movie fans love films where the focus is on the villain. Horror films have made film franchises of this concept. DC Comics has one of the most underused villains in the history of comics, but a unique back story could truly elevate him to evil incarnate. The villain with so much potential is Eclipso, an agent for the Lords of Chaos.
Why it works
Black Adam had so much potential. The problem was the Rock received bad advice about the focus of the film. He could have portrayed him as the evil megalomaniac that he is and trust his acting ability to draw in fans. Instead of focusing on the villain aspect, he made a film about a misunderstood hero that did not let him stretch his acting abilities. This was a shame because the Rock persona that Dwayne Johnson created was a blending of his creativity and vision. A truly evil villain paired with some throwaway B-List heroes could do well to create a big bad the likes that have never been seen on camera. Much like Jason, Michael Myers, and Freddie, this character would not have to carry the film. Instead he would be the focus of it.
Comic keys
1st appearance of Eclipso FMV 8.5 $950
A Cry for Help
Puppet Master and a Stone Mason
Jon Favreau is credited with pulling all the right strings to make Iron Man the cornerstone of the MCU. James Gunn does not get the credit he deserved but GOTG was just as important. The introduction of these characters opened up the Marvel Universe. A sound foundation and the perfect supporting structure were in place because of the introduction of Starlord, Gamora, Rocket and the rest of the team. This bold choice allowed the MCU to expand. Gunn was creative and fortune favors the brave. He must remember that lesson. The new DC universe should make use of the entire library of characters and place them in positions to succeed. That is the only way he can reach those that have departed from the genre.
If You Create it They Will Come
Comic book fans will watch any DC Comics film produced. They are a loyal bunch. The target group that the genre has lost are those that have seen the same old superhero stories using only different players. They are burned out. Movie goers need something new. That was the reason James Gunn was chosen to be the captain of the ship. Let us hope that he will not forget that it was his innovation and outside of the box thinking that created the beams that supported the house that Marvel built. Now is not the time to play it safe. An entire universe is at stake.
