In the film industry, when it comes to superhero or comic book movies, there have been no viable competitors for Marvel Studios to date. So far, many production companies have attempted to create a cinematic universe as prominent as the MCU, but have either failed or have been forgotten. The only other major player that is resurfacing is WB’s newly-created DCU.
Despite the seeming monopoly that Marvel Studios has over the comic book genre of films, even they have to give credits where they are due. In the past, after the release of Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel, Kevin Feige admitted that he felt DCEU’s Wonder Woman with Gal Gadot was the film that defeated the MCU in the race for supremacy.
How DCEU’s Wonder Woman Even Surpassed Marvel Studios
The current journey of superhero cinema is being spearheaded by Marvel Studios with the help of the MCU after it stands on top of everyone else as the biggest and most successful superhero franchise in history. Therefore, any new comic book project that people either come to love or hate may probably be a project of this cinematic universe.
But even these juggernauts had to accept the greatness that the now-dismantled DCEU achieved during the peak era of comic book films with Gal Gadot in and as Wonder Woman.
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As stated in MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios, the 2017 film was a smashing success for not just the DCEU, but also for superhero movies in general since this was the first female-led comic book movie to have succeeded to this extent. This film became the benchmark for the upcoming female characters that were going to take the lead in the genre.
In fact, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige himself called the DC film a success, even praising it for learning a lot while creating Brie Larson‘s Captain Marvel. He said:
“Captain Marvel is a very different type of movie. I think Warner Bros. have taken the brunt of the ‘Are people going to see a female superhero movie?'”
Even Larson herself revealed that she was moved to tears when she first witnessed the film for herself in cinemas because it was everything she wanted a female superhero to be when she was growing up.
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Why Was Wonder Woman So Successful?
Despite the film not being the first iteration of the character in entertainment media, 2017’s Wonder Woman became a smashing success, grossing $822 Million at the global box office.
The main reason for this success was getting all the basics of a superhero right before any kind of development could take place. Along with this, the superhero was given the priority of being an integral part of the narrative rather than just another uninspired attempt at a female superhero. This, combined with a good story and exceptional performances made the film iconic.
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Wonder Woman, streaming on Max.
