Warner Bros Changes Course with DC Movies...Again

Before you start reading this article, please bear in mind that this is basically what I would be saying on a by-the-hour psychologist's uncomfortable couch (Not that I've ever been on one, but they never look comfortable and I suppose that's the point), exposing my inner DC demons while he/she sips on that expensive all-tall grande caramel latte concoction or whatever it is they order at Starbucks that I paid for. Confession: I have never once ordered or drank anything from Starbucks in my life. Something I'm kinda proud of. But let me get to the article. 

Back in 2020, the DCEU was struggling for survival after some misses, but they went ahead and announced Black Adam and its cast in that year, including Aldis Hodge as Hawkman. Finally, we were going to get our first silver-screen Hawkman. The actor chosen to play him was Black, and that set off all sorts of spicy discussions on Hawkworld social media. 

"Why is Hawkman black?"
     Wrong answer: "Because he was an Egyptian prince in a former life." 

"Why is he wearing red pants?"
     Wrong answer: "Because costume designers Kurt Swanson and Bart Mueller have only read Hawkworld issues #23-32."

"Why don't Hawkman and Black Adam acknowledge their past history in the movie?"
     Wrong answer: "Because they need to show more shots of the cute kid on the skateboard teaching Teth-Adam hero punchlines." 

For the record, I did wonder why they chose a Black actor for the role of Hawkman (he's never been Black in the comics), but it wasn't really that big a deal. I just wanted them to get a good actor who would fit the physique of Hawkman. And I think they did a good job in casting Hodge in that role. He was great. 

Anyway, social media was kinda like that for a couple of years until Black Adam finally showed up in October 2022. At least it was for everyone else. When they announced the release dates, I excitedly checked the release date scheduled for Japan. (For those of you who don't know, I've been living in Japan since 1991.) 

"Let's see... Mexico (October 3)...Egypt, France, South Korea (October 19)...Argentina, Germany, India (October 20)...United States, Canada, United Kingdom (October 22)...Japan (December 2)...

December 2?! What the foul foul filthin' foul filthin' filthin' foul and your filthin' foul?!! James Craddock's Mother! COME ON! 

Japan was the absolute last country in the entire universe to release Black Adam. Well, except for China, which is still waiting to release it because Pierce Brosnan high-fived the Dalai Lama back in 1987 or something. I was torn. Gardner Fox's family graciously invited me to the New York premiere in October, but it was just not possible, work-wise (something that still wakes me up at night). I even seriously considered flying to South Korea (40-min plane ride away) to watch a movie. But the ticket I could afford had me doing a 16-hour layover in Dubai (or maybe that was the New York ticket, can't remember clearly), so I had to wait for six weeks to watch the movie. Sheer agony. Do you know how hard it was to not spoil the movie while monitoring Hawkworld on numerous social websites? Exactly. IT'S NOT POSSIBLE. By the time December 6 finally arrived, I pretty much knew everything about the movie, including how the Atom Smasher is eating a bucket of Kahndaq Fried Chicken while trying to convince Teth-Adam to willingly go into an underwater prison run by James Gunn's wife for all eternity. 

Anyway, that's all Nth Metal under the bridge. The day finally came. It was Glorious! Yeah, the movie could have been better. The Rock was at his best when he wasn't speaking English, Cyclone had way too few scenes, and the kid on the skateboard was completely unnecessary. But it had HAWKMAN. Every scene was an absolute dream come true for me. I kept waiting for that moment when he would spread his wings open and soar. It was as good as my first (fill-in-the-blank). I was the only American whoopin' and yellin' in the theater. Although there weren't many viewers, because Warner Bros almost completely neglected to advertise the movie in Japan. His battles with Black Adam were great and I thought the movie and Algis Hodge depicted Hawkman very well. He was one of the richest heroes in the DC Universe, he had a history with Doctor Fate, he was a no nonsense leader, and he had a great ship and weapons. I came out of the theater on a high and made a rather emotional and embarrasing (now when Iook back) immediate reaction recording of my thoughts on the film. I set the date to go watch it again. 

Does this article have a relevant point about the DCU? Yes. Here it comes. Before the release of Black Adam in Japan, or just a few days after its release in the United States, the DCEU was over. James Gunn and Peter Safran were going to reset the DCEU, make it the DCU and start all over again. I felt like I got slapped in the face, and then again on the other side for good measure. After all of this waiting for a live-action Hawkman on the silver screen, it was delayed, spoiled, and then canceled before I ever got to see it. But we Hawkfans are a resilient sort. I went into the theater pretty resigned to the fact that this probably would not get a sequel. And I was right. 

The 'DCEU' Is Dead - James Gunn Is Building the DC Universe

After I saw the movie, the DCEU was officially declared over and the last few movies DCEU movies in 2023 were Dead Movies Showing. Aldis Hodge also said he had left the door open for James Gunn to contact him to reprise his role as Hawkman, but he had heard nothing. 

Black Adam’s Aldis Hodge on Returning as DCU’s Hawkman: ‘My Door’s Always Open’

I'm still not sure how to look at James Gunn's DCU. It was a pretty mixed bag of ordinary, weird, and unorthodox stuff. Creatures, Clayface, and a Superman movie that was kinda like a Justice League movie except it's called the Justice Gang (tee hee hee hee). Instead of Hawkman, we got Hawkgirl, which was pretty cool. Except she was wearing something we had never seen in the comics, and her Hawk wheet shrieks were absolutely terrifying. The biggest debate about her after the movie was whether she should have killed that Russian-like dictator. The DCEU Hawkman repeatedly made sure that his stance was that "Heroes don't kill people." But then the DCU Hawkgirl's position was, "I'm not like Superman," ergo, "Yes I kill people." 

Isabela Merced Teases Hawkgirl’s Romance With John Stewart In The DC Universe

Then the actress made a comment about being up for meeting James Stewart in the Lanterns show or the next Superman/Justice Gang movie. Having not grown up in the 00s, that didn't excite me in the least, but something is better than nothing, right? 

DC Studios Shakeup: James Gunn & Peter Safran Out, Former Marvel Exec Jeremy Latcham In

And now this. James Gunn and Peter Safran are out. Another former Marvel guy, Jeremy Latcham is now in charge. It's only been a couple of days and we don't have all the details, but there are bound to be major changes. The Peacemaker and Lantern series are finished? Mr. Terrific is canceled? Everything is back to square one? Again? 

Who Is Jeremy Latcham? Christian Marvel Veteran Takes Over DC Studios 
Who Is Jeremy Latcham? Meet James Gunn’s DC Studios Replacement 
Skydance Names Jeremy Latcham President and Chief Creative Officer, DC Studios 

I'm curious how Hawkfans feel about this change and how it will affect Hawkman and Hawkgirl in future movie projects. As for me, I’m just tired. None of this news excites or gives me hope about any plans, because everything crumbles after a couple of movies don't meet expectations. Any talk about "ten-year plans" makes me roll my eyes back so hard I feel like I pushed the wrong button on my smartphone again. 

I guess we are back to watching the reports to see what's going to happen now. What are they going to call it? DCU2? DCRU? DCUX? I'm ready to call it DC, CU. 

For the record, here is what I think WB Bros. should do. 

1. Stop copying Marvel.
2. Stay true to the comics. Stop mucking up something that has survived and thrived over the last 90 years. No more Justice Gangs, raincoats, or cute kids on skateboards.
3. Two films a year, one in the summer and one in the winter. Less is more. People actually like tradition and anticipation.
4. Use your 60-70s Brave and Bold strategy. Introduce two heroes in each movie. After five years, you'll have ten heroes to build a Justice LEAGUE. 
5. Weird wears off fast. 
6. Get a better marketing department. 

To wrap up my therapy session, none of this affects the Hawks much. Hawkman was nonexistent in James Gunn's world, so no loss there. There was no news and not even any rumors of any kind about Hawkman. As for Hawkgirl, Gunn is still in charge of next year's Superman movie (I guess?), and so far, Hawkgirl is still in the cast. It has become a very crowded cast, so I'm not expecting much. Since Lanterns might be canceled, I guess that wish for a Hawkgirl-John Stewart romance isn't going to happen. 

So we're basically back to square one; maybe we never left. We'll have to see what happens. Again. For a change, it must be even more frustrating right now to be a Superman or Wonder Woman fan. Isn't it grand to be a DC fan?