We've just learned via Variety that Warner Bros. is planning a shake-up and restructuring of its DC Films imprint in wake of the disappointing box office returns from JUSTICE LEAGUE.
According to sources who're hip to the new plan, Jon Berg will be stepping away from his current job running the comic book’s film production division, and the hunt for his replacement is already on. Berg will remain as a production partner with Roy Lee, the producer of THE LEGO MOVIE and IT.
While commenting on the sudden upheaval, Warner Bros. Picture Group President Toby Emmerich told Variety that “This is something that Jon approached me about six months ago, and he expressed his goal was to ultimately be a producer at the studio," Emmerich said. "I first met Jon when, as a producer, he brought ‘Elf’ to New Line, which remains one of the best and most evergreen titles in the library. We’re thrilled that Jon is partnering with Roy and anticipate their company being a valuable source of movies for Warner Bros. and New Line.”
Moving away from Berg re-purposing himself within the company, it's being said that Warner Bros. is also looking to name a new person to oversee DC's films. For the moment, Geoff Johns – who has worked beside Berg on several occassions when shaping the DCEU – will remain as DC's chief creative officer. There's even a chance that Johns will take on an even bigger role in helping the films evolve as the new plan in enacted.
According to individuals that are close to the new plan, Emmerich is toying with the notion of moving their DC films into the label's main production arm, thereby eliminating the need for a separate division of the studio. It'd be like how the X-Men films are set up at 20th Century Fox and unlike the way Marvel Studios performs through Disney. Variety also reports the overhaul of DC Films is expected to happen by January.
Alongside this significant development is a comment regarding Ben Affleck's future as Batman for the DCEU. Again, according to Variety, "While Ben Affleck is expected to appear as Batman in a standalone Flash movie, it is highly unlikely he will don the cape and cowl in Matt Reeves’ planned standalone Batman movie. The director is said to want to cast the role with fresh talent, according to sources." And for those of you playing "Will He or Won't He Batman?" at home, take a shot!
While Warner Bros. views JUSTICE LEAGUE as a box office bomb, the studio does appear to be quite pleased with the manner in which the film introduced fans to Ezra Miller's The Flash, as well as Jason Momoa's Aquaman. With this shakeup looming on the horizon, it should be interesting to see how fans react to whatever changes Warner Bros. and DC Films present to the public going forward.
I personally think that the DCEU could do with some fresh blood in the water, though I understand and respect why some might not feel the same way. Change is tough no matter the context, and when you consider that the future of the DC filmverse is what's at stake here, I do hope that the forthcoming plan is sound and well-received.
What do you think of all this? Are you okay with the way the DCEU has been presented thus far? Are you excited about this shakeup and welcome the idea of ushering in some new talent to reshape the DC filmverse? Let us know in the comments section below.