James Gunn’s DC Studios has just green-lit a Teen Titans movie and fans are not exactly sure how to make up their mind. On one hand, the prospect of a film featuring characters from the earlier animated TV show is exciting for some fans. However, on the other, many DC fans worry that Gunn is repeating the same old mistakes committed by Zack Snyder’s DCEU. Fans criticized DC’s move to announce new projects, while the already announced slate awaits development updates.
According to Gunn, Creature Commandos and Waller, the first two projects from DCU, will hit streamers this year. The first theatrical project will be James Gunn’s Superman, but DCU’s Batman film has yet to cast its lead characters.
James Gunn’s DCU Headed For The Same Fate As DCEU With New Movie Update
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the DC Studios under James Gunn and Peter Safran has greenlit a live-action Teen Titans movie. The report also suggests that the film will be under the DCU banner. Many fans were unhappy with the new movie announcement as they felt that DCU was overwhelming the fans with too many movies and projects.
In January 2023, James Gunn and Peter Safran introduced the project slate under the newly formed DC Cinematic Universe (via Variety). The DCU slate for the next few years included ten projects – five theatrical movies and five series. Out of these projects, only a few have got any real updates. While Gunn is filling his social media timeline with updates about the Superman project, the Batman project titled The Brave and the Bold has no script or cast ready yet.
The Guardians of the Galaxy director also revealed the scriptwriter and the lead of the Supergirl project, with Ana Nogueira penning the film and Milly Alcock playing the lead role. Gunn has hired Nogueira to pen the script for Teen Titans as well, indicating that the DC CEO is spreading his resources too thin. Fans felt that the same mistake was committed by Zack Snyder‘s DCEU when they announced a ton of potential movies on their slate but ended up delivering very few.
One fan commented on X that the studio was announcing too many projects before the fans could even experience anything from the new franchise. Another fan shared that for Teen Titans to happen, Damian Wayne should at least be introduced in the DCU. Others found the idea ridiculous since the franchise had to yet cast Batman in The Brave and the Bold. Some fan reactions read:
The Teen Titans, which began as the teenaged sidekicks of their more famous and iconic counterparts, are getting their own live-action feature https://t.co/Xy4y19OOJt pic.twitter.com/X1DDrvkRI0
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) March 15, 2024
This is why DCEU failed bro. We didnt even see anything from DCU and they are announcing projects after projects. pic.twitter.com/GW8VmZERqc
— Juriel (@cinemalova) March 16, 2024
Man remember when y’all cried that Zack Snyder was to be blamed for DC trying to “rush” a universe lol better be not saying a word now eh… I mean cool always wanted the Titans to thrive but we haven’t even gotten Damian in that Batman movie yet. Will this film even happen 😂🤨??
— Sunny Atwal (@GothamsFavSun) March 15, 2024
We havent even gotten a live action robin yet how tf 😂
— YungKob3 🏁 (@MafiaD1no) March 15, 2024
It is a terrible idea to have Teen Titans before the Justice League, Wonder Woman, and Batman. pic.twitter.com/sB4xyLY0A0
— Abdullah K4 (@AbdallahA54) March 15, 2024
This could either make or break the DCU
— ValiantReaper (@ValiantReaper) March 15, 2024
The movie will be based on The New Teen Titans which became a massive hit for DC Comics and became its No. 1 selling comic. Fans loved the team founded by Robin, Wonder Girl, Cyborg, Raven, Starfire, and Beast Boy. The team was made famous by the children’s animated show on Cartoon Network, titled Teen Titans Go!.
James Gunn Was Critical Of The Very Thing He Might Be Doing Now
During the press conference that accompanied the DCU slate reveal, James Gunn made a critical comment against DCEU that managed to ruffle some feathers at the top brass at WB. Speaking to the media, Gunn shared that the history of DC was messed up and unorganized. He noted that WB was giving away IP to anyone who smiled at them as a party favors. Gunn shared at the press conference (via The Direct):
“The history of DC is pretty messed up. No one was minding the mint. They were just giving away IP like they were party favors to any creators who smiled at them. What we are going to do is promise that everything from our first project going forward is going to be unified.”
However, the current move appears to be James Gunn walking away from what he said at the event. Many fans want Gunn to focus on delivering good Superman and Batman films before focusing on other films. These are the same fans who believed that WB should have done the restructuring right after Man of Steel instead of waiting another decade to do the same.
James Gunn’s Superman will be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.
