Warner Bros. Reveals Reason For Split Movie and TV DC Universes
So in the recent decade or so, DC has made a push to be relevant in all forms of media. It started with The Dark Knight Trilogy, then the Arkham games, various cartoons, and then Arrow. The latter of which sparked a superhero TV revolution that’s still growing to this day.
Then, DC revealed they would follow Marvel and make a shared universe in the movies. However, though similar characters would be seen in both the movies and the shows (mainly The Flash), these DC universes would be completely separate.
This seemed odd to many fans, as Arrow, and especially Flash, had already established quite a big universe. Add Supergirl and Legends of Tomorrow and the potential is limitless. However, DC remained firm, and in an interview Variety DC Entertainment boss Diane Nelson explained that having one unified DC Universe could:
“could end up handcuffing our creators into trying to work with the same storyline or force them to hold back characters or introduce certain characters. Ultimately it hinders the ability for someone like [showrunner] Bruno Heller to come in and create Gotham.”
To be fair, this does make sense. In fact, it was this that crippled Agents of Shield in its first season. It wasn’t until Winter Soldier (which spilled over into the series) that the series became its own. So that concern of “having to follow one story” is valid. However, fans have noted that if carefully planned, it wouldn’t limit them, it would only make them stronger.
Whatever the “truth” is, we’ll see the results very soon. With Arrow, Flash, Supergirl, and Legends of Tomorrow on TV coming back or coming soon, and Batman v Superman Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad kicking off the DC movie universe next year.