<p>As the dust settles on the wreckage that is the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), we can't help but reflect on what could have been. The cinematic landscape was ripe for a superhero renaissance, but alas, the DCEU squandered that potential at every turn. From the ashes of mediocrity, emerged a series of films that consistently failed to rise above the shadows of its more successful Marvel counterpart.</p>

<p>Zack Snyder, the, um, visionary behind the DCEU, may be a maestro of visual splendour, but his ineptitude when it comes to crafting deep characters and compelling storylines was the franchise's Achilles heel. With each passing instalment, Snyder's penchant for style over substance became increasingly apparent, leaving audiences yearning for more than just flashy CGI and slow-motion fight scenes.</p>

<p>Also Read |<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-aquaman-and-the-lost-kingdom-review-jason-momoa-led-film-sinks-the-dceu-672163">&nbsp;Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom review: Jason Momoa-led film sinks the DCEU</a></strong></p>

<p>Let's start with <em>Man of Steel, </em>the supposed catalyst for the DCEU. Snyder's Superman is a brooding alien with all the charisma of a soggy cardboard cutout. Gone is the charm and relatability that defines the character in the comic books. Instead, we're left with a Superman who seems perpetually unsure of himself, a far cry from the beacon of hope that the character we know from comics.</p>

<p>And then came <em>Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice</em>, a film so convoluted and self-indulgent that even the most die-hard fans struggled to find redeeming qualities. Snyder's attempt to weave together the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel resulted in a narrative mess, and the fact that Batman was no better than a Gotham City street thug didn't help.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/is-aquaman-and-the-lost-kingdom-worth-watching-672627/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p><em>Suicide Squad</em> followed suit, promising an edgy and unique take on the superhero genre. However, what we got was a chaotic mishmash of tone, style, and characters that left audiences scratching their heads in bewilderment. Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn may have stolen the show, but even her manic energy couldn't salvage the wreckage.</p>

<p><em>Wonder Woman</em> briefly breathed life back into the franchise, but it was a fleeting moment of brilliance in a sea of disappointment. Gal Gadot's performance as the Amazonian warrior princess was a shining beacon in the darkness, but even that franchise was derailed with the sequel. Something similar happened with <em>Shazam</em>!, which was good, and its sequel, which was not.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Then, the much-anticipated <em>Justice League</em> arrived — Snyder's magnum opus, or so he thought. The film's disjointed narrative and underdeveloped characters left fans yearning for the camaraderie and chemistry that Marvel's Avengers effortlessly exuded. The less said about the CGI disaster that was the villain Steppenwolf, the better.</p>

<p><em>Aquaman</em> and its sequel, <em>The Lost Kingdom</em>, merely tread water in the sea of mediocrity. Jason Momoa's charisma can only carry the film so far, and the lack of a coherent narrative and well-rounded characters continued to plague the DCEU.</p>

<p><em>The Flash</em> was a fleeting glimmer of promise in the desolate landscape of the DCEU. There were a lot of hopes for the movie even though its main star was Ezra Miller, who was seemingly wanted for all sorts of crimes in several countries. The film was called by filmmaker James Gunn (and the co-CEO of DC Studios and creator of DCU, DCEU's successor) as one of the best superhero films ever.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Even the Scarlet Speedster couldn't outrun the collective disappointment that had settled over the DCEU like a dark cloud. It was pretty decent entertainment, but it was not the remedy the cinematic universe needed. Also, by the time it hit theatres, the DCEU had already hemorrhaged all the goodwill. The scars of past missteps, from the murky storytelling in <em>Batman v Superman</em> to the muddled mess of <em>Justice League,</em> ran too deep. Audiences were burnt by broken promises.</p>

<p>In the end, the DCEU will be remembered not for its (admittedly few) triumphs but for its missed opportunities. Snyder's obsession with grand visuals and dark themes overshadowed the heart and soul of the beloved characters that fans hold dear. Its legacy serves as a cautionary tale for future filmmakers: style should complement substance, not replace it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Farewell, DCEU, you could have been a contender, but you chose to drown in the shallow waters of cinematic disappointment.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


As the dust settles on the wreckage that is the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), we can't help but reflect on what could have been. The cinematic landscape was ripe for a superhero renaissance, but alas, the DCEU squandered that potential at every turn.

As the dust settles on the wreckage that is the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), we can't help but reflect on what could have been. The cinematic landscape was ripe for a superhero renaissance, but alas, the DCEU squandered that potential at every turn. From the ashes of mediocrity, emerged a series of films that consistently failed to rise above the shadows of its more successful Marvel counterpart. Zack Snyder, the, um, visionary behind the DCEU, may be a maestro of visual splendour, but his ineptitude when it comes to crafting deep characters and compelling storylines was the franchise's Achilles heel. With each passing instalment, Snyder's penchant for style over substance became increasingly apparent, leaving audiences yearning for more than just flashy CGI and slow-motion fight scenes. Also Read | Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom review: Jason Momoa-led film sinks the DCEU Let's start with Man of Steel, the supposed catalyst for the DCEU. Snyder's Superman is a brooding alien with all the charisma of a soggy cardboard cutout. Gone is the charm and relatability that defines the character in the comic books. Instead, we're left with a Superman who seems perpetually unsure of himself, a far cry from the beacon of hope that the character we know from comics. And then came Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, a film so convoluted and self-indulgent that even the most die-hard fans struggled to find redeeming qualities. Snyder's attempt to weave together the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel resulted in a narrative mess, and the fact that Batman was no better than a Gotham City street thug didn't help. Suicide Squad followed suit, promising an edgy and unique take on the superhero genre. However, what we got was a chaotic mishmash of tone, style, and characters that left audiences scratching their heads in bewilderment. Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn may have stolen the show, but even her manic energy couldn't salvage the wreckage. Wonder Woman briefly breathed life back into the franchise, but it was a fleeting moment of brilliance in a sea of disappointment. Gal Gadot's performance as the Amazonian warrior princess was a shining beacon in the darkness, but even that franchise was derailed with the sequel. Something similar happened with Shazam!, which was good, and its sequel, which was not. Then, the much-anticipated Justice League arrived — Snyder's magnum opus, or so he thought. The film's disjointed narrative and underdeveloped characters left fans yearning for the camaraderie and chemistry that Marvel's Avengers effortlessly exuded. The less said about the CGI disaster that was the villain Steppenwolf, the better. Aquaman and its sequel, The Lost Kingdom, merely tread water in the sea of mediocrity. Jason Momoa's charisma can only carry the film so far, and the lack of a coherent narrative and well-rounded characters continued to plague the DCEU. The Flash was a fleeting glimmer of promise in the desolate landscape of the DCEU. There were a lot of hopes for the movie even though its main star was Ezra Miller, who was seemingly wanted for all sorts of crimes in several countries. The film was called by filmmaker James Gunn (and the co-CEO of DC Studios and creator of DCU, DCEU's successor) as one of the best superhero films ever. Even the Scarlet Speedster couldn't outrun the collective disappointment that had settled over the DCEU like a dark cloud. It was pretty decent entertainment, but it was not the remedy the cinematic universe needed. Also, by the time it hit theatres, the DCEU had already hemorrhaged all the goodwill. The scars of past missteps, from the murky storytelling in Batman v Superman to the muddled mess of Justice League, ran too deep. Audiences were burnt by broken promises. In the end, the DCEU will be remembered not for its (admittedly few) triumphs but for its missed opportunities. Snyder's obsession with grand visuals and dark themes overshadowed the heart and soul of the beloved characters that fans hold dear. Its legacy serves as a cautionary tale for future filmmakers: style should complement substance, not replace it. Farewell, DCEU, you could have been a contender, but you chose to drown in the shallow waters of cinematic disappointment.

The rise and fall of DCEU: A legacy of missed opportunities

<p>David F Sandberg's<em> Shazam! Fury of the Gods</em> has the misfortune to come at a time when the cinematic universe it was a part of, informally dubbed the DCEU or DC Extended Universe, is in its death throes. At the moment, it is not certain that the franchise will transition to the DCU that James Gunn and Peter Safran are building at DC Studios and it is said the commercial performance may be the deciding factor. <em>Shazam! Fury of the Gods </em>is not a bad movie, and is certainly fun, more so than the<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania-movie-review-formulaic-and-forgettable-paul-rudd-movie-is-a-dud-562974"> last few entries</a></strong> in the rival Marvel Studios movies anyway. The very fact that it is part of a dying cinematic universe may be enough to sink it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It would have helped if<em> Fury of the Gods </em>were a decent sequel. But the endearing charm that made the original one of the best DCEU entries is missing here.</p>

<p>The bosses at DC and Warner Bros discovery allotted more of those million dollars to the film's budget after the original became a success (not a huge one, mind you, but it was a hit with critics). And it shows. The film is bigger, though not necessarily better. The original's structure was nothing to write home about, and the pacing and tone could be uneven. But <em>Fury of the Gods </em>entirely goes off the rails after a solid first act.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zi88i4CpHe4" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<h2>What is <em>Shazam! Fury of the Gods </em>all about?</h2>

<p><em>Fury of the Gods </em>follows the continuing adventures of Billy Batson (played by Asher Angel), a teenage foster child who gains the power to transform into the adult superhero Shazam (played by Zachary Levi) by saying the magic word Shazam!&nbsp;Shazam and his foster siblings must once again unite to face a new threat from the villainous daughter of the Greek god Atlas Hespera (played by Helen Mirren) and her sisters Kalypso (played by Lucy Liu) and Anthea (Rachel Zegler), who seek the powers bestowed upon the Shazam family, as they believe they are mere humans, and thus undeserving of them.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/critically-speaking-is-dwayne-johnsons-foray-into-superhero-films-black-adam-worth-a-watch-527158/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2>A solid first act</h2>

<p><em>Fury of the Gods </em>begins with a rescue operation the Shazam family, dubbed Philadelphia Fiascoes by their fellow inhabitants of the city, undertakes when a bridge is collapsing. It is a hilarious, action-packed beginning that once again reminds us that these are still just kids, playing at superheroes. This fact becomes clearer when the daughters of Atlas attack the city and hold one of them hostage, asking them to return a magical object (there's always a magical object, isn't there? Sigh). However, the film becomes a CGI whirlwind midway with cool moments peppered in.</p>

<h2>Poorly written villains</h2>

<p>It is quite stunning that nearly every modern superhero movie has suffered from bad, uninteresting villains, and still screenwriters creating these stories do not seem to be able to do anything about it. Here, too, the three villainesses, played by three actresses who took this job just for money, seem to have come out straight from a badly written algorithm. It was depressing to watch Dame Helen Mirren made to mouth cookie cutter baddie lines like, "We will annihilate everything. The champions of this realm can do nothing to stop us."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Or something like that. I am just paraphrasing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nothing against Mirren, mind you. After decades of great performances, the veteran actress has earned the right to do whatever she wishes. And her very presence does lend a sort of gravitas to this film. Ditto with Lucy Liu. Zegler, on her part, has actually admitted that she took this role because she wanted a job.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/10-marvel-dc-characters-who-need-their-own-movies-511168/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2>Visual effects are impressive, but overdone</h2>

<p>There is a scene in the film when several kinds of monsters are loose in the city, and it feels like Sandberg enjoyed using his experience with horror in these designs. The designs and effects are truly wonderful, but the same cannot be said about other CGI. It is all fluid and detailed, for the most part, but it's also too much. Practical effects are few and far between there.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Humour and performance save the film</h2>

<p>Amidst its otherwise interminable 130-minute runtime, <em>Fury of the Gods</em> does offer some good jokes. Humour is, of course, subjective, so your frequency may vary.&nbsp;The Shazam family's actors, both young and adult (not all of the young ones are kids) having worked together in two films now, share a genuine and effortless chemistry, making their comedic exchanges feel natural and engaging. Also, they are undeniably good actors. And that is one of the few things that works in the movie's favour.</p>

<h2>Final verdict</h2>

<p>As I said above,&nbsp;<em>Shazam! Fury of the Gods</em> is not a bad movie. Despite its flaws, it had enough humour and heart for me, and I enjoyed it. But keep in mind that it is a huge downgrade from the original. The effortless charm that was there is missing here.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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David F Sandberg's Shazam! Fury of the Gods has the misfortune to come at a time when the cinematic universe it was a part of, informally dubbed the DCEU or DC Extended Universe, is in its death throes.

David F Sandberg's Shazam! Fury of the Gods has the misfortune to come at a time when the cinematic universe it was a part of, informally dubbed the DCEU or DC Extended Universe, is in its death throes. At the moment, it is not certain that the franchise will transition to the DCU that James Gunn and Peter Safran are building at DC Studios and it is said the commercial performance may be the deciding factor. Shazam! Fury of the Gods is not a bad movie, and is certainly fun, more so than the last few entries in the rival Marvel Studios movies anyway. The very fact that it is part of a dying cinematic universe may be enough to sink it. It would have helped if Fury of the Gods were a decent sequel. But the endearing charm that made the original one of the best DCEU entries is missing here. The bosses at DC and Warner Bros discovery allotted more of those million dollars to the film's budget after the original became a success (not a huge one, mind you, but it was a hit with critics). And it shows. The film is bigger, though not necessarily better. The original's structure was nothing to write home about, and the pacing and tone could be uneven. But Fury of the Gods entirely goes off the rails after a solid first act. What is Shazam! Fury of the Gods all about? Fury of the Gods follows the continuing adventures of Billy Batson (played by Asher Angel), a teenage foster child who gains the power to transform into the adult superhero Shazam (played by Zachary Levi) by saying the magic word Shazam! Shazam and his foster siblings must once again unite to face a new threat from the villainous daughter of the Greek god Atlas Hespera (played by Helen Mirren) and her sisters Kalypso (played by Lucy Liu) and Anthea (Rachel Zegler), who seek the powers bestowed upon the Shazam family, as they believe they are mere humans, and thus undeserving of them. A solid first act Fury of the Gods begins with a rescue operation the Shazam family, dubbed Philadelphia Fiascoes by their fellow inhabitants of the city, undertakes when a bridge is collapsing. It is a hilarious, action-packed beginning that once again reminds us that these are still just kids, playing at superheroes. This fact becomes clearer when the daughters of Atlas attack the city and hold one of them hostage, asking them to return a magical object (there's always a magical object, isn't there? Sigh). However, the film becomes a CGI whirlwind midway with cool moments peppered in. Poorly written villains It is quite stunning that nearly every modern superhero movie has suffered from bad, uninteresting villains, and still screenwriters creating these stories do not seem to be able to do anything about it. Here, too, the three villainesses, played by three actresses who took this job just for money, seem to have come out straight from a badly written algorithm. It was depressing to watch Dame Helen Mirren made to mouth cookie cutter baddie lines like, "We will annihilate everything. The champions of this realm can do nothing to stop us." Or something like that. I am just paraphrasing. Nothing against Mirren, mind you. After decades of great performances, the veteran actress has earned the right to do whatever she wishes. And her very presence does lend a sort of gravitas to this film. Ditto with Lucy Liu. Zegler, on her part, has actually admitted that she took this role because she wanted a job. Visual effects are impressive, but overdone There is a scene in the film when several kinds of monsters are loose in the city, and it feels like Sandberg enjoyed using his experience with horror in these designs. The designs and effects are truly wonderful, but the same cannot be said about other CGI. It is all fluid and detailed, for the most part, but it's also too much. Practical effects are few and far between there. Humour and performance save the film Amidst its otherwise interminable 130-minute runtime, Fury of the Gods does offer some good jokes. Humour is, of course, subjective, so your frequency may vary. The Shazam family's actors, both young and adult (not all of the young ones are kids) having worked together in two films now, share a genuine and effortless chemistry, making their comedic exchanges feel natural and engaging. Also, they are undeniably good actors. And that is one of the few things that works in the movie's favour. Final verdict As I said above, Shazam! Fury of the Gods is not a bad movie. Despite its flaws, it had enough humour and heart for me, and I enjoyed it. But keep in mind that it is a huge downgrade from the original. The effortless charm that was there is missing here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Shazam! Fury of the Gods movie review: Zachary Levi's DC movie disappoints

<p>The DC movie <em>Shazam! Fury of the Gods</em> is knocking at the doors. The 12th movie in the DCEU, the film serves as the sequel to 2019's Shazam! and brings back Asher Angel and Zachary Levi as two forms of the titular superhero. When Billy Batson (Angel) &nbsp;speaks the wizard's name - "Shazam" - he is transformed into an adult superhero with incredible strength, speed, and agility. Shazam also has the ability to shoot lightning bolts from his hands and is invulnerable to most forms of physical harm. Director David F Sandberg also comes back. Henry Gayden, the scribe of the first film, is joined by Chris Morgan as co-writer.</p>

<h2>Billy Batson/Shazam</h2>

<p>Played by Asher Angel and Zachary Levi respectively, Billy Batson is a teenage orphan who has the ability to transform into the adult superhero Shazam. As Shazam, he possesses incredible strength, speed, and agility, as well as the ability to shoot lightning bolts from his hands.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AIc671o9yCI" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<h2>Freddy Freeman/Shazam</h2>

<p>Played by Jack Dylan Grazer, Freddy Freeman is Billy's best friend and foster brother. He is a superhero fanatic and helps Billy learn how to use his powers as Shazam.</p>

<h2>Mary Bromfield/Shazam&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Played by Grace Fulton, Mary Bromfield is Billy's older foster sister and can also transform into the superhero Shazam. As Shazam, she possesses similar powers to Billy, including strength, speed, and lightning bolts.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-will-the-shazam-franchise-survive-zachary-levi-reflects-on-the-fate-of-his-dc-character-568270">Will the Shazam franchise survive? Zachary Levi reflects on the fate of his DC Character</a></strong></p>

<h2>Pedro Pena/Shazam&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Played by Jovan Armand, Pedro Pena is another one of Billy's foster siblings and can also transform into the superhero Shazam. As Shazam, he has the same powers as Billy and Mary.</p>

<h2>Eugene Choi/Shazam&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Played by Ian Chen, Eugene Choi is the fourth foster sibling who can transform into the superhero Shazam. As Shazam, he possesses the same powers as Billy, Mary, and Pedro.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zi88i4CpHe4" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<h2>Darla Dudley/Shazam&nbsp;</h2>

<p>The youngest foster sibling, played by Meagan Good and Faithe Herman (as adult and young versions, respectively), Darla also has the same powers.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Hespera&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Played by Helen Mirren, Hespera is the main villain of the movie and is the daughter of the god Atlas. She possesses immense power and fights the Shazam family as she is resentful over their powers.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Kalypso</h2>

<p>Played by Lucy Liu, Kalypso is another daughter of Atlas who also has significant powers.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Anthea</h2>

<p>Played by Rachel Zegler, Anthea is the third daughter of Atlas and in the trailers at least appears to be gentler than her elder sisters.</p>

<p><em>Shazam! Fury of the Gods</em> releases on March 17, 2023.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


The DC movie Shazam! Fury of the Gods is knocking at the doors. The 12th movie in the DCEU, the film serves as the sequel to 2019's Shazam! and brings back Asher Angel and Zachary Levi as two forms of the titular superhero.

The DC movie Shazam! Fury of the Gods is knocking at the doors. The 12th movie in the DCEU, the film serves as the sequel to 2019's Shazam! and brings back Asher Angel and Zachary Levi as two forms of the titular superhero. When Billy Batson (Angel) speaks the wizard's name - "Shazam" - he is transformed into an adult superhero with incredible strength, speed, and agility. Shazam also has the ability to shoot lightning bolts from his hands and is invulnerable to most forms of physical harm. Director David F Sandberg also comes back. Henry Gayden, the scribe of the first film, is joined by Chris Morgan as co-writer. Billy Batson/Shazam Played by Asher Angel and Zachary Levi respectively, Billy Batson is a teenage orphan who has the ability to transform into the adult superhero Shazam. As Shazam, he possesses incredible strength, speed, and agility, as well as the ability to shoot lightning bolts from his hands. Freddy Freeman/Shazam Played by Jack Dylan Grazer, Freddy Freeman is Billy's best friend and foster brother. He is a superhero fanatic and helps Billy learn how to use his powers as Shazam. Mary Bromfield/Shazam Played by Grace Fulton, Mary Bromfield is Billy's older foster sister and can also transform into the superhero Shazam. As Shazam, she possesses similar powers to Billy, including strength, speed, and lightning bolts. Also Read: Will the Shazam franchise survive? Zachary Levi reflects on the fate of his DC Character Pedro Pena/Shazam Played by Jovan Armand, Pedro Pena is another one of Billy's foster siblings and can also transform into the superhero Shazam. As Shazam, he has the same powers as Billy and Mary. Eugene Choi/Shazam Played by Ian Chen, Eugene Choi is the fourth foster sibling who can transform into the superhero Shazam. As Shazam, he possesses the same powers as Billy, Mary, and Pedro. Darla Dudley/Shazam The youngest foster sibling, played by Meagan Good and Faithe Herman (as adult and young versions, respectively), Darla also has the same powers. Hespera Played by Helen Mirren, Hespera is the main villain of the movie and is the daughter of the god Atlas. She possesses immense power and fights the Shazam family as she is resentful over their powers. Kalypso Played by Lucy Liu, Kalypso is another daughter of Atlas who also has significant powers. Anthea Played by Rachel Zegler, Anthea is the third daughter of Atlas and in the trailers at least appears to be gentler than her elder sisters. Shazam! Fury of the Gods releases on March 17, 2023. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Shazam Fury of the Gods complete character guide! Of heroes and villains

<p>The Marvel Cinematic Universe is in the doldrums. Ever since the so-called 'Infinity Saga' ended with 2019's 'Avengers: Endgame', many MCU movies and shows have struggled to recreated the pre-Endgame magic. Not including the two specials from Marvel Studios, we saw three movies and three TV shows, and with an exception of 'She-Hulk', they all were disappointments (to this scribe, at least. You may differ). It appears James Cameron's prophesised so-called 'Avengers Fatigue' is finally here. Clearly, too much of anything, even MCU, is bad. Marvel Studios and its parent company Disney decided to expand the MCU by launching a half-dozen (or so) TV shows to support the new streaming service Disney+, and it has had the reverse effect. MCU feels smaller somehow.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-mcu-had-a-terrible-2022-what-went-wrong-540467">MCU had a terrible 2022. What went wrong?</a></strong></p>

<h2>MCU's loss is DCEU's gain?</h2>

<p>Meanwhile, the rumours of MCU's demise, exaggerated though they may be, can augur well for DC Extended Universe or DCEU. While the MCU started with 2008's summer release of Jon Favreau's 'Iron Man', the DCEU's beginning came half a decade later in 2013 with Zack Snyder's 'Man of Steel', and it has only played catchup since then.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Starring Robert Downey Jr in the role, 'Iron Man' was a runaway, unexpected, hit. The superhero was not a well-known one among film audiences, and frankly neither were the Avengers that came later for the general audience who were not comic book readers. But Marvel Studios, with Kevin Feige at the helm, had trust in themselves and the cast (even Robert Downey Jr, who was pretty much persona non grata back then due to his substance abuse issues run-ins with the law) and crew that paid off.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-thanos-idiotic-plan-and-other-things-that-make-absolutely-no-sense-in-marvel-movies-498039">Six things that make absolutely NO sense in Marvel movies</a></strong></p>

<p>The challenge in front of 'Iron Man' was also 'The Dark Knight', Christopher Nolan's grownup oriented 'The Dark Knight' was more of a crime thriller than a full-fledged superhero pic. But the Dark Knight trilogy, featuring Christian Bale in the role, was its own self-contained universe. And it was not until 'Man of Steel' that DC really looked into building a cinematic universe.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PjJofEuSA78" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>Starring Henry Cavill in the role of Superman, the film was a standalone film that was supposed to eventually lead to the formation of the Justice League. But the film was poorly received, and Snyder's gloomier Superman was rejected by fans. The film was a decent commercial success and received mixed critical reviews. The next two releases -- 'Batman V Superman' and 'Suicide Squad' -- were even more heavily panned by critics and disappointed at the box office as well, the former especially when it had the main three DC superheroes. While the next, 'Wonder Woman', was a huge success, the joy was ruined by 'Justice League' later that year, grossing about $650 million on a budget of an incredible $350 million</p>

<p>The biggest reason DC films are a mess is there has been a lack of unifying vision throughout the DCEU history, with nobody like Feige to oversee the films and the cinematic universe. And no, Zack Snyder is not it as his vision was already roundly rejected by both critics and fans. And I am saying it as somebody who loved 'Zack Snyder's Justice League'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-thanos-idiotic-plan-and-other-things-that-make-absolutely-no-sense-in-marvel-movies-498039">Six things that make absolutely NO sense in Marvel movies</a></strong></p>

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-the-suicide-squad-director-james-gunn-to-lead-dc-studios-promises-some-of-the-biggest-grandest-stories-528475">James Gunn and Peter Safran at DC Studios' helm</a></h2>

<p>DC Films, that rudderless ship, is no more. Make way for DC Studios, a new studio that has filmmaker James Gunn and producer Peter Safran at the helm. That happened in October this year. David Zaslav, the chief of Warner Bros Discovery, had been looking for a suitable person to lead the next phase of the DC film universe.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Is DCEU's future bright under Gunn and Safran?</h2>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/all-upcoming-dc-movies-shazam-2-the-flash-man-of-steel-2-and-others-530628">All upcoming DC movies: 'Shazam 2', 'The Flash', 'Man of Steel 2', and others</a></strong></p>

<p>Absolutely. Gunn has been in the Marvel and DC) superhero business since he helmed 2014's 'Guardians of the Galaxy'. it is a credit to his writing and filmmaking that some of the obscure characters in the comics populated the cast of one of that year's best superhero movies. The film featured a found family of the galaxy's biggest rejects, two of whom were not even human, and one of them was a robot. And yet infused with his unique brand of humour, solid writing, and a talented cast of actors and voice actors, the film became a huge hit and also impressed critics.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rLM-bmdTuy0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>His next for Marvel Studios, 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2' was an even bigger commercial success.</p>

<p>After being banned by Disney for controversial old tweets, Gunn switched sides to DC. He chose a soft reboot of the 2016 movie 'Suicide Squad'. The film, called 'The Suicide Squad' marked Gunn's return to films with a bang. It released in 2021 and starred a huge cast of actors Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Sylvester Stallone, Viola Davis, David Dastmalchian, Daniela Melchior, Michael Rooker, Jai Courtney, Peter Capaldi, Alice Braga, and Pete Davidson.</p>

<p>Apart from 'The Suicide Squad', Gunn also wrote and directed a John Cena-fronted spinoff series called 'Peacemaker' for HBO Max, which was also received well.</p>

<h2><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/why-james-gunn-leading-dc-studios-is-a-great-news-for-fans-528511">Why is Gunn going to be great for DC?</a></strong></h2>

<p>As we have seen already, Gunn is really good with the superhero genre, possibly the best around right now. He grew up on a steady diet of comics, and has repeatedly shown an uncanny knack for crafting moving stories with multiple, varied characters forgetting their differences and coming together for a common goal. With 'Peacemaker', he proved that he is good with sole characters as well if it allows him to dismantle the character in his own way and instill his irreverent humour.&nbsp;</p>

<p>DC movies have suffered for a long time without any skipper to direct things. There have been competing visions, execs who have disagreed over the direction the properties should go in, and so on. What the company needed at this time is somebody exactly like Gunn: who has a proven track record in the genre and is a geek and knows these characters well. Under Gunn and Safran, the future of DC films is bright.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>What to expect from DCEU in the future?</h2>

<p>Earlier this year, it was confirmed that Henry Cavill will return to the role of Superman. He appeared in the role in the post-credits scene of 'Black Adam', basically challenging the man in black for a fight. We should see the return of Justice League, since except for Ben Affleck's Batman, every other character has already got or is getting their own solo movies, and can face a common threat by teaming up in a JLA movie. We know Zaslav wants DCEU to go the way MCU went — multiple superheroes versus one big supervillain.&nbsp;</p>

<p>DC already has Darkseid, who appeared in 'Zack Snyder's Justice League'. Gunn and Safran have also promised the "Biggest Story Ever Told across multiple films, television shows, &amp; animated projects," which does make it look like the DCEU is going to be more unified from now on.</p>


The Marvel Cinematic Universe is in the doldrums. Ever since the so-called 'Infinity Saga' ended with 2019's 'Avengers: Endgame', many MCU movies and shows have struggled to recreated the pre-Endgame magic.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is in the doldrums. Ever since the so-called 'Infinity Saga' ended with 2019's 'Avengers: Endgame', many MCU movies and shows have struggled to recreated the pre-Endgame magic. Not including the two specials from Marvel Studios, we saw three movies and three TV shows, and with an exception of 'She-Hulk', they all were disappointments (to this scribe, at least. You may differ). It appears James Cameron's prophesised so-called 'Avengers Fatigue' is finally here. Clearly, too much of anything, even MCU, is bad. Marvel Studios and its parent company Disney decided to expand the MCU by launching a half-dozen (or so) TV shows to support the new streaming service Disney+, and it has had the reverse effect. MCU feels smaller somehow. Also Read: MCU had a terrible 2022. What went wrong? MCU's loss is DCEU's gain? Meanwhile, the rumours of MCU's demise, exaggerated though they may be, can augur well for DC Extended Universe or DCEU. While the MCU started with 2008's summer release of Jon Favreau's 'Iron Man', the DCEU's beginning came half a decade later in 2013 with Zack Snyder's 'Man of Steel', and it has only played catchup since then. Starring Robert Downey Jr in the role, 'Iron Man' was a runaway, unexpected, hit. The superhero was not a well-known one among film audiences, and frankly neither were the Avengers that came later for the general audience who were not comic book readers. But Marvel Studios, with Kevin Feige at the helm, had trust in themselves and the cast (even Robert Downey Jr, who was pretty much persona non grata back then due to his substance abuse issues run-ins with the law) and crew that paid off. Also Read: Six things that make absolutely NO sense in Marvel movies The challenge in front of 'Iron Man' was also 'The Dark Knight', Christopher Nolan's grownup oriented 'The Dark Knight' was more of a crime thriller than a full-fledged superhero pic. But the Dark Knight trilogy, featuring Christian Bale in the role, was its own self-contained universe. And it was not until 'Man of Steel' that DC really looked into building a cinematic universe. Starring Henry Cavill in the role of Superman, the film was a standalone film that was supposed to eventually lead to the formation of the Justice League. But the film was poorly received, and Snyder's gloomier Superman was rejected by fans. The film was a decent commercial success and received mixed critical reviews. The next two releases -- 'Batman V Superman' and 'Suicide Squad' -- were even more heavily panned by critics and disappointed at the box office as well, the former especially when it had the main three DC superheroes. While the next, 'Wonder Woman', was a huge success, the joy was ruined by 'Justice League' later that year, grossing about $650 million on a budget of an incredible $350 million The biggest reason DC films are a mess is there has been a lack of unifying vision throughout the DCEU history, with nobody like Feige to oversee the films and the cinematic universe. And no, Zack Snyder is not it as his vision was already roundly rejected by both critics and fans. And I am saying it as somebody who loved 'Zack Snyder's Justice League'. Also Read: Six things that make absolutely NO sense in Marvel movies James Gunn and Peter Safran at DC Studios' helm DC Films, that rudderless ship, is no more. Make way for DC Studios, a new studio that has filmmaker James Gunn and producer Peter Safran at the helm. That happened in October this year. David Zaslav, the chief of Warner Bros Discovery, had been looking for a suitable person to lead the next phase of the DC film universe. Is DCEU's future bright under Gunn and Safran? Also Read: All upcoming DC movies: 'Shazam 2', 'The Flash', 'Man of Steel 2', and others Absolutely. Gunn has been in the Marvel and DC) superhero business since he helmed 2014's 'Guardians of the Galaxy'. it is a credit to his writing and filmmaking that some of the obscure characters in the comics populated the cast of one of that year's best superhero movies. The film featured a found family of the galaxy's biggest rejects, two of whom were not even human, and one of them was a robot. And yet infused with his unique brand of humour, solid writing, and a talented cast of actors and voice actors, the film became a huge hit and also impressed critics. His next for Marvel Studios, 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2' was an even bigger commercial success. After being banned by Disney for controversial old tweets, Gunn switched sides to DC. He chose a soft reboot of the 2016 movie 'Suicide Squad'. The film, called 'The Suicide Squad' marked Gunn's return to films with a bang. It released in 2021 and starred a huge cast of actors Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Sylvester Stallone, Viola Davis, David Dastmalchian, Daniela Melchior, Michael Rooker, Jai Courtney, Peter Capaldi, Alice Braga, and Pete Davidson. Apart from 'The Suicide Squad', Gunn also wrote and directed a John Cena-fronted spinoff series called 'Peacemaker' for HBO Max, which was also received well. Why is Gunn going to be great for DC? As we have seen already, Gunn is really good with the superhero genre, possibly the best around right now. He grew up on a steady diet of comics, and has repeatedly shown an uncanny knack for crafting moving stories with multiple, varied characters forgetting their differences and coming together for a common goal. With 'Peacemaker', he proved that he is good with sole characters as well if it allows him to dismantle the character in his own way and instill his irreverent humour. DC movies have suffered for a long time without any skipper to direct things. There have been competing visions, execs who have disagreed over the direction the properties should go in, and so on. What the company needed at this time is somebody exactly like Gunn: who has a proven track record in the genre and is a geek and knows these characters well. Under Gunn and Safran, the future of DC films is bright. What to expect from DCEU in the future? Earlier this year, it was confirmed that Henry Cavill will return to the role of Superman. He appeared in the role in the post-credits scene of 'Black Adam', basically challenging the man in black for a fight. We should see the return of Justice League, since except for Ben Affleck's Batman, every other character has already got or is getting their own solo movies, and can face a common threat by teaming up in a JLA movie. We know Zaslav wants DCEU to go the way MCU went — multiple superheroes versus one big supervillain. DC already has Darkseid, who appeared in 'Zack Snyder's Justice League'. Gunn and Safran have also promised the "Biggest Story Ever Told across multiple films, television shows, & animated projects," which does make it look like the DCEU is going to be more unified from now on.

Marvel's loss is DC's gain: How DC Studios can cash in on MCU's struggles to outdo competition

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