Summary
DC Studios will make its first big cinematic impression this summer when James Gunn’s highly-anticipatedSupermanmovie hits theaters. While the future of the DCU in particular is reliant on how the David Corenswet-led film performs critically and commercially, there are at least two upcoming projects in development that can help the DC Comics brand further establish itself within the pop culture zeitgeist in a way that could rival arguably the most popular superhero in the mainstream today:Spider-Man.
After a tumultuous 2023, in which the severe underperformance of four films includingShazam! Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle,andAquaman and the Lost Kingdomseemingly cemented the brand reputation of the now-defunct DC Extended Universe in the gutter, 2024 slowly, but surely began to change the tide DC Studios. Under the leadership of co-CEO’s James Gunn and Peter Safran, the fourth quarter of that year introduced audiences to three critically-acclaimed projects:Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, The Penguin,andCreature Commandos.The first two projects are separate from the newly established DCU canon (although the jury is still out regarding whetherMatt Reeves’ Batman Epic Crime Sagawill eventually be merged with it), whileCreature Commandosserves as an official introduction to the new shared universe.
All eyes are onSuperman,especially after the release of the first teaser trailer, and production on projects includingSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, Lanterns, Clayface,andThe Batman Part IIare set to begin this year in what will hopefully be a hot streak of success for DC Studios. However, there are at least two projects currentlyin development at DC Studiosthat may be key to such future success, and they both have one particular character in common: Robin, the Boy Wonder.
The Most Iconic Sidekick Ever
The two upcoming projects in development at DC Studios are theanimated filmDynamic Duoand a live-actionTeen Titansfilm.Dynamic Duo,which is set for a 2028 release,will be the first official animated project at the studio and is co-produced by both James Gunn and Matt Reeves, focusing on the original two Robins: Dick Grayson and Jason Todd. It will be made by a new animated studio called Swaybox, which utilizes a technology known as “Momo animation” that crosses elements of CGI, practical elements of stop motion, and live-action real-time performance that evokes puppetry in its style. As for the live-actionTeen Titansfilm, it currently hasSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrowscribe Ana Nogueira penning a script.
WhileDynamic Duois all centered on Robin, whatever roster that will be seen in the eventualTeen Titansremains unknown. However, it seems very likely that Robin will be part of that roster, given that he’s a founding member from the original comics, and arguably the protagonist of the Cartoon Network animated series (both the original,andTeen Titans GO!).These two projects signify DC Studios’ ambitions in telling cinematic stories featuring the most iconic sidekick in comic book history, who has been noticeably absent from live-action cinematic adventures for nearly 30 years.
DC Studios' Answer ToSpider-Verse?
Sony Pictures Animation’sSpider-Versefilmshave captured the pop culture zeitgeist in a massive way.Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Versehit theaters in 2018 and grossed $394 million on a production budget of $90 million. The film was subject to universal acclaim and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2019. The film set a new standard for the animation industry thanks to its unique and innovative style, which was further expanded upon in its sequel,Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,which grossed $690.8 million.
While some may claim that the iconography and popularity of Spider-Man alone was enough to help catapulttheSpider-Versemoviesto their success, it’s clear that the innovative animation style was just as integral in capturing the imaginations of critics and fans alike. Couple that with the films’ story and characters complementing the animation with the right mix of action, humor, and heart, and you got some of the best films in the entire comic book genre.
WithDynamic Duo,DC Studios and Swaybox have the opportunity to accomplish something similar to what theSpider-Versefilms did for Sony Pictures Animation. Much like howSpider-Versetells the coming-of-age stories of Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy through eye-popping visual splendor,Dynamic Duocan do the same forDick Grayson and Jason Todd. Obviously, story and characters are of utmost importance when making a good movie, but the unique technology Swaybox will showcase poses some great potential not just in telling a visually stimulating dynamic duo to the big screen, but can potentially set yet another new standard for the animation industry.
Don’t UnderestimateTeen Titans
Thanks to popular animated adaptations from Cartoon Network, the Teen Titans aresome of the most beloved charactersin all of DC Comics in modern times. James Gunn and Peter Safran are certainly aware of this, given that Ana Noguiera was hired to pen a script for a live-action feature film for the DCU. Bringing the beloved teenage superheroes to life is an absolute no-brainer, and the team can help bring some of that same youthful energy that theSpider-Manmovies starring Tom Holland brought to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The live-actionTeen Titansmovie can also help DC Studios expand its fanbase to younger audiences through their beloved young characters. With Robin likely to be part of this roster, perhaps fan favorites from the cartoon such as Starfire, Cyborg, Raven and Beast Boy may also appear. It’s also worth mentioning that despite underperforming at the box office,Blue Beetlewas well-received by critics and fans, and James Gunn confirmed that actorXolo Maridueña will reprise his roleas Jaime Reyes in the DCU. Blue Beetle has been affiliated with the Teen Titans in the past, so in some ways, it would make sense to see him appear in the live-action film.
A Youthful Future For DC Studios
WithDynamic DuoandTeen Titans,James Gunn has the opportunityto further introduce audiences to the younger heroes that the DC Comics catalog has to offer. With the right creatives involved, these upcoming projects can help give DC Studios the young audience it needs to build more trust with the brand, much like how Spider-Man has done the same for Marvel. Younger audiences are hungry for visually striking films with compelling stories that they can relate to, and perhaps these two upcoming projects can serve as a much-needed catalyst for DC Studios to do just that.
