Warner Bros. Discovery CEO Says Their DC Strategy Is to "Drive the Hell Out of DC" and Follow Marvel's Lead
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav is still talking about their DC strategy which is being led by DC Studios’ co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran. in this most recent interview, Zaslav says they are looking to "drive the hell out of DC", and it will be more focused.
Here’s what Zaslav said (via THR), "I think over the next few years, you're going to see a lot of growth and opportunity around DC, there's not going to be four Batmans, and so part of our strategy is drive the hell out of DC, which James and Peter are going to do. I think they've thrilled the fans. I think they're going to thrill you over a period of time."
That’s what all the fans are expecting! The CEO went on to talk about the focus, saying they are looking at Marvel for inspiration:
“There’s not going to be four Batmans. The strategy that [former Disney CEO Bob] Iger put together was all Marvels in one place. You don’t wake up and find out that there’s a Batman TV show somewhere and a Batman cartoon somewhere else, they all have to relate to each other. There has to be a look and feel for all of it. And so, I went on a journey a few months ago of, ‘How do I put all of DC in one place?’ ‘Cause I think it’s one of the biggest opportunities at this company.”
They’ve been certainly hyping the future of DC up! Gunn previously teased that they are looking to tell the biggest story ever told across multiple films, saying:
"But all our initial focus is on the story going forward, hammering out the new DCU, & telling the Biggest Story Ever Told across multiple films, television shows, & animated projects. We invite all of the DC fandoms from across the multiverse – and everyone else as well – into this new universe. We can't wait to reveal more."
Zaslav also previously teased what’s coming and shared that running DC Studios is a passion project for Gunn and Safran, and not just a job:
"[For them], running DC Studios is a passion project, not just a job. James is a brilliant storyteller who has the distinction of being the first and only filmmaker to direct the movie for both Marvel and DC. Peter's a prolific producer whose credits include DC's highest grossing movie, Aquaman, as well as the entire Conjuring universe, the most successful horror franchise of all time. I could not be more thrilled to have them join our ranks. And I'm excited for what is to come. I spent a lot of time over the last few months with James and Peter, talking about our strategy and long-term plans for the future of DC across TV, animation, and film. They have a powerful vision and blueprint that will drive a more unified creative approach. [It] will enable us to realize the full value of one of the world's most iconic franchises. They're hard at work right now."
Gunn also talked about his ideas for the future of DC Studios saying that they’re planning ou the next eight to ten years:
“The opportunity to make DC as great as it can be and as it should be — that is the reason why I’m doing this job, because I know that Peter and I can do that. We spent the past couple days with a group of some of the best thinkers in the industry, the best writers in the industry starting to map out that eight to 10 year plan of what it’s going to look like in theater, in TV, in animation, across the board for these characters.”
Safran added: “This was such a unique opportunity to tell one great overarching story. One beautiful big story across film, television gaming, live-action, and animation.”
There are big exciting things coming from DC Studios, and I can’t wait to see the DC universe that they end up building for the fans!