Geoff Johns envisions more “hope and optimism” in the DC Brand

Last Updated on July 31, 2021

It certainly didn't take long for Geoff Johns to start talking about the direction the DC Cinematic Universe should take now that he's at the top of it, alongside Jon Berg. With news breaking that Warner Bros. was reshuffling their deck a bit as far as who would be overseeing what, Johns was out meeting with a handful of journalists this morning to not really confirm his new spot in the pecking order – "you can connect the dots" – but to talk about the future of the DC brand, particularly in the movies.

Vulture was present for these conversations and offered up the fact that Johns kept uttering the phrase "hope and optimism," an idea that seems diametrically opposed to where the DC Cinematic Universe sits now under Zack Snyder, for better or worse. In addition, while he will not comment negatively on Snyder's films thus far, he did put forth a much different idea of who Superman is that we haven't seen in either MAN OF STEEL or BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE… and you get the feeling the character might be pivoting in that direction as soon as possible. 

I think people make a mistake when they say, ‘Superman’s not relatable because he’s so powerful. I’m like, ‘Are you kidding me? He’s a farmboy from Kansas who moves to the city and just wants to do the best he can with what he’s got.’ That’s the most relatable character in the world.

Warner Bros. is not stupid. They know neither MAN OF STEEL nor BATMAN V SUPERMAN were as well received as they wish they were, both critically and financially, and they are willing to course-correct with the quickness in order to save the future. Let's not forget… this isn't about the two movies they've already released. This is on the many others they have slated in the years to come that will really make or break the concept of a DC Cinematic Universe. And right now, they are aware they have a product that only a fraction of their proposed audience likes and wants more of. So they're going to adapt and try something else. 

JUSTICE LEAGUE – PART ONE isn't being altered on the fly, but I wouldn't be surprised to see that particular film be the last thing you see in Warner Bros. plans that has any real sense of grimness to it. The future is filled with "hope and optimism." That's where there's money to be made at the box office.