Now, before you get your hopes up…this is only a plan in theory. Avengers: Infinity War‘s screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely were merely speculating when being interrogated by comic book film fans at a live version of Kevin Smith’s Fat Man on Batman show. Still, it’s exciting to think about.
Having written each Captain America film in the MCU (arguably, the only hero whose movies have improved with each installment), as well as Avengers: Infinity War and the as-yet-untitled Avengers 4, they’ve certainly got the pedigree to offer some sage advice. If anyone’s listening, that is.
Whichever side you come down on with regards to the DCEU, it’s clear that Warner Bros. aren’t where they want to be in relation to their “friendly rivalry” with Marvel. As such, Markus advised that they should only look to the House of Ideas “out of necessity,” as their situations are vastly different. For instance, Kevin Feige and co. built their universe using a host of B-list characters, whereas DC have tended to bank on the previous successes of Batman and Superman.
This certainly resonates with the theory that the comic book icon has a certain sense of entitlement when it comes to claiming its slice of the superhero pie. Having dominated the box office since, well, forever, it could be argued that DC don’t feel the need to put in the groundwork, as 40 years of box office success and numerous Batmen and Supermen have done that for them. In short, what Marvel achieved in six films with The Avengers, DC presumed they could do in two.
Simpler even that that, McFeely mused that DC could improve their position by, “to quote Justice League, ‘save one person,'” which whilst paraphrasing Batman, breaks down to, “just make one good movie.” Makes sense, doesn’t it?
It does seem like DC have dropped on to that idea by themselves though, with both Wonder Woman 1984 and James Wan’s Aquaman gathering momentum and new fans along the way. Could the next Justice League film, whenever it ends up happening, hope to compete with Avengers: Infinity War, though? Well, I think we all know the answer to that one.
