James Gunn reveals another confusing decision the DCEU Made before its early conclusion, confirming why the previous DC franchise had to be rebooted. Despite leaving some storylines still open, the DCEU came to a definitive end in 2023 with James Wan’s standalone Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Various DCEU characters return in the DCU, but they are all soft-rebooted versions of their DCEU selves. As confirmed by DC Studios CEO James Gunn, the new DC Universe is presenting a brand new continuity with no direct connections to anything that came before.
On September 14, 2024, James Gunn Posted a picture of DC Comics’ Emilia Harcourt, and said that “A pile of mess is in store” For this character in the DCU’s upcoming peace maker Season 2. One fan asked Gunn if Harcourt’s return implied that Shazam: Wrath of the Gods Is canon to the DCU, viz Shazam: Wrath of the Gods‘ Post-credits scene features Emilia Harcourt and John Economos arriving to recruit Billy Batson into the Justice Society. Gunn responded to the fan and said the following:
You don’t need to get confused. It’s not canon. I do not know now or then what Harcourt of Economos have to do with the Justice Society.
Shazam: Fury of the Gods’ post-credits scene reveals the DCEU is going nowhere
Shazam: Fury Of The Gods’ Crossover Set-Up Was Impossible To Pay Off From The Start
Shazam: Wrath of the Gods was released on March 17, 2023, almost two months after James Gunn’s announcement of the DCU “Gods and Monsters” Slate. James Gunn and Peter Safran have been confirmed in October 2022 to run DC Studios, meaning that the end of the DCU must be set in stone much sooner than Shazam: Wrath of the Gods‘ Release date. therefore, It makes no sense why Shazam: Wrath of the Gods‘ Post-credits scene was not cut, as it must have been evident that his crossover tease would never be paid off.
It is also likely that Shazam: Wrath of the Gods And Black AdamThe directors and stars also did not know where their respective characters were going
What’s more, James Gunn has confirmed that he has no creative input on Emilia Harcourt and John Economos’ Shazam: Wrath of the Gods appearance, which suggests that the character’s plans for Billy Batson are still undecided by the release date of the film, or that the DCEU story of Harcourt and Economos would be changed without the supervision of James Gunn to integrate them into a completely different storyline. In this case, it is also likely that Shazam: Wrath of the Gods And Black AdamThe directors and stars also did not know where their respective characters were going.
The DCEU somehow remained determined to set up future projects until the end
The DCEU has never really let go of its obsession with setting up projects that have little chance of happening
The decision of the DCEU to set up projects without real plans to develop them is not exclusive Shazam: Wrath of the Gods. Right after Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice received a lot of criticism for adding The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg as cameos in the DCEU’s second installment. since then, The DCEU wasted at least eight post-credits scenes, which appeared to set up important events and battles but were never revisited or even acknowledged. Some of the post-credits scenes go so far as to introduce new characters who have no relevance in the franchise afterwards.
|
DCEU post-credits scene |
Forget DCEU setup |
|---|---|
|
Suicide Squad |
Bruce Vane threatens to stop Amanda Waller’s Task Force X |
|
Justice League |
Lex Luthor invites Deathstroke to join the League of Injustice |
|
Wonder Woman 1984 |
Linda Carter’s asteria resurfaces in human society |
|
Black Adam |
Superman comes to negotiate with Black Adam |
|
Zack Snyder Justice League |
Martian Manhunter encourages Bruce Wayne to expand the Justice League |
|
Shazam! |
Mr. Mind begins to manipulate Doctor Sivana |
|
Shazam: Wrath of the Gods |
Mr. Mind tells Doctor Sivana that his plans are still on track |
|
Shazam: Wrath of the Gods |
Emilia Harcourt and John Economos recruit Shazam into the Justice Society |
Black Adam is a particular case, as Dwayne Johnson fought to have Henry Cavill return as Superman in Black Adams post-credits scene, which sets up a battle between both DC powerhouses. Cavill even took to social media to thank fans for their support and promised to excel in the role in future movies. Still, the DCU was announced soon after, and Black AdamThe post-credits tease became Henry Cavill’s final appearance as the Man of Steel.
It is essential for the post-credits scene of the DCU to be meaningful
Post-credits scenes are promises that keep fans engaged with the franchise when fulfilled
The Marvel Cinematic Universe popularized post-credits scenes in Phase 1, with movies such as Iron Man And The Avengers Set up incredibly ambitious projects that previously seemed unlikely to happen. The post-credits scenes are groundbreaking due to their unexpected nature, although more recent post-credits teas have become a requirement. Both the MCU and the DCEU have ignored some of their post-credits scenes, making the concept a rather unreliable form of advertisement for upcoming projects.
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Given how closely connected James Gunn’s new franchise will be, the DCU needs to choose its post-credits scene carefully. James Gunn and Peter Safran have allegedly drawn up a detailed 10-year plan for the DCU. So, if the DCU’s post-credits scenes start to fall by the wayside, anticipation for certain in-universe events may diminish. Aquaman and the Lost KingdomThe DCEUs latest installment, managed to end the franchise on quite a high note with a solid ending and no post-credits tease. Likewise, the DCU may skip the tees if they are not strictly necessary.
Source: James Gunn
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