New DC Studios Boss James Gunn Addresses Calls to ‘Save’ Legends and Others, Teases Scope of ‘New DCU’
Newly installed DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has heard your calls to save TV’s Legends of Tomorrow, #TheAyerCut of 2016’s Suicide Squad film and other projects. But right now, his and Peter Safran’s focus is on “the story going forward, hammering out the new DCU.”
On Nov. 1, filmmaker Gunn and longtime producing partner Safran officially stepped into their new roles as co-chairmen and CEOs of DC Studios (fka DC Films), where they oversee “the overall creative direction of the storied superhero franchise across film, TV, and animation under a new, unified banner.”
But just days into their new gig, there has been a clamoring for the DC Studios bosses to somehow, somewhere resurrect TV’s Legends of Tomorrow and Batwoman, among other unceremoniously cancelled or sidelined DC projects.
In a Sunday afternoon thread, Gunn said that he “Opened up Twitter at the end of a long, creative weekend to see the many tweets to #SaveLegendsofTomorrow and #ReleaseTheAyerCut and fan support for other DC projects over the years. The majority of these requests were enthusiastic and respectful.
“As the new (and first ever) CEOs of DC Studios,” he continued, “Peter and I think it’s important we acknowledge you, the fans, and let you know we hear your different desires for the pathways forward for DC.
“Although our ability to interact on Twitter has been lessened due to the workload of our new positions, we are listening and open to everything as we embark on this journey,” Gunn told fans, “and will continue to do so for the next few years.”
That said, “all our initial focus is on the story going forward, hammering out the new DCU, and telling the Biggest Story Ever Told across multiple films, television shows and animated projects,” Gunn explained. “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.”
On April 29 of this year, Legends of Tomorrow and Batwoman were among a slew of shows that learned they would not be returning to The CW this TV season, all as the netlet braced for a major shake-up under incoming owner Nexstar. Since then, The Flash and Nancy Drew have learned that they are entering final seasons, as is Riverdale, while DC’s Stargirl will end after its current/third season.
Speaking to the need for closure from the cancelled, then-CW boss Mark Pedowitz said in mid-May, “We did not know 100 percent what was going to happen, so we encouraged all of those producers to treat their finales as if they could be series finales. We wanted to do the right thing by the series and by the fans. Ultimately, the producers are stewards of their own creative visions; they are the storytellers.”
I get it. They can’t just come in and undo everything already done. I have major respect for the man because of his acknowledgement of the fans desire but I get what he means. DC has to move forward. Not back. It would be cool to see the characters come back on other shows though. Batwoman on season 2 of Peacemaker may seem totaly random but I feel that would be amazing.
My concern—which we do not know if the new DC’s chairs share—is that Zaslav’s vision of future IP seems to be heavily white and male. Legends in particular defied that mold and would have been a bold way to assure fans by letting it continue.
White and male is OK!
Yeah but, speaking as a white male, when that’s all there is it gets real boring real quick. If we want a variety of different, interesting stories, then we need characters of all identities and backgrounds.
for instance, who am I describing: white billionaire uses his wealth to create technology that helps him fight crime.
Could be Batman, could be Iron Man, could be Blue Beetle, could be Antman, could be a dozen other characters too. Even with more detail: he’s an orphan, hes a genius, he sometimes works with a team to stop universe-ending threats. Doesn’t narrow it down at all.
Thanks for saying this. I know that representation and diversity matter, but the way they said it just rubs me off the wrong way. White people and men are human beings just like everyone else. Let’s not sound like the very people with limited views we abhore so much.
Oh I get it. And while I loved Legends and I wish it got a proper ending I wasn’t on the Save Legends bandwagon. I would’ve much rather had Batwoman saved by HBOMax.
Yeah. Legends had already had a good run (even with their season being shorter than the others) of over 100 episodes. Batwoman hadn’t reached that milestone before it was cancelled. I’d like to see more of it and Stargirl.
Actually, if you believe reports, James Gunn has BIG plans for Amanda Waller in the DCEU, who is neither white, nor male. However, the holy Trinity of DC has always been Superman, Batman & Wonder Woman. Why shouldn’t they be the backbone of the DCEU? They will most likely fill the most seats in theaters. DCEU and not Arrowverse should be the focus.
This comment seems to be lacking any knowledge of the actual situation. The article here states that Gunn and Safran will be running the DC side of things, not Zaslav. Secondly, most of the current and upcoming leads are not white. You’ve got Dwayne Johnson and Jason Mamoa as current non-white leads, a diverse cast of heroes in Shazam, Xolo Mariduena coming up as the Blue Beetle, as well as a possible spinoff with Black Manta with Yahya Abdul-Mateen. Studios are going out of their way now to diversify castings for superhero roles (which is a good thing). And, to be honest, I don’t think there’s much of a future for DC on the small screen outside of streaming on HBOMax. All the Arrowverse shows ending feels very similar to the Netflix Marvel shows ending around the time Disney was pulling everything back in house. The CW’s new owners don’t seem all that interested in trying to work with WB/Discovery.
This…is 100% correct. Good comments.
Why don’t they just do a live action Justice League?
Legends would be amazing to bring back, it’s a show with endless possibilities and with a HBO Max budget it would become even a greater gem
I would love to see Legends brought back, as long as they can get Caity, Jess and the other leads back. If they wait too long, they run the risk of losing everyone to other projects.
While I wish Legends of Tomorrow would be able to get a proper send off, I am concerned about the future of Doom Patrol & Titans. Titans 12th episode is titled Titans Forever and I’m worried it might be the finale.
Star girl makes the most sense to save imo
I would love for Titans to get a season 5 and add Stargirl to it… an alternate Earth version perhaps, as Crisis put them on different Earths, but played by the same actress. She mentioned a potential crossover before Stargirl was cancelled.
I have been watching Stargirl on the C.W. from the beginning I like the updated characters and really enjoyed Beth learning that her suit and goggles have more abilities than she ever dreamed of. I hope that the show stays on free TV since I don’t get HBO MAX .
Unfortunately Stargirl has been cancelled after this season. So, it won’t be on any network or tv station. With The Flash scheduled to end after an abbreviated season this year, the only one of the Arrowverse shows left will be Superman and Lois, and who knows how long that will be the case. The new owners of the CW doesn’t seem like they want anything left of the superhero shows, particularly showing from the fact they’ve said they want to limit the budgets of any shows they do pick up, and I’m pretty sure that doesn’t bode well for a show which has to have at least some special effects.
Just a movie or two to conclue the unfinished business would be nice.
All the Arrowverse shows are terrible. Granted, I do enjoy the loosely connected Superman & Louis, but we all know Cavill’s new Superman movie was a death blow to TV Superman.
The only one worth saving is Stargirl.
Superman & Louis is like Adam &Steve.
That I would watch.
Yeah, they won’t bring back the series that where canceled, but hopefully the entire DC universe will have some sense.
Fingers crossed they will renew Young Justice, even if we will watch it in a couple of years. It was so much fun since it came back.
YES to Young Justice renewal!
It was always unlikely these shows were going to be saved and now even more so with this. As a fan of the movie side of DC too we have been wanting it to be more connected and having it change to where the shows on HBO Max will be directly connected like how Marvel does makes the more sense. Likely also means “Titans”, “Doom Patrol”, and “Pennyworth” will be done too so all we can hope for is for them to have good ending, and for the Arrowverse shows to use “The Flash” to help close out the other shows which seems to be happening with Javicia Leslie being in the final season so they just need at least Sara Lance to show up too.
Bring back Legends. It was clever, creative, and funny! Hey they are called “Comics” right?
At least Batwoman ended well, only the monster at the end was the cliffhanger every one else sort of ended up happy and Alice went off to fix her mind.
Legends left us with a lot of cliff hangers and it’s sad because they were warn not to
Warnings happened in January. Legends finished filming in December.
LOT was B rated DC show, with mediocre acting, Star Girl deserves more than a 3 season Run and seems to be collateral damage
Stargirl hands down… Legends and Batwoman could get a 2 hour movie each to wrap up their story plots. Legends had 7 mixed seasons of highs and lows and had the perfect ending until the producers thru in that unnecessary twist, knowing renewal was questionable at best. I must admit I would like to see a Batwoman Joker’s Zombies movie to wrap things up and perhaps Ryan getting her very own alternate identity. The Flash went down hill after Crisis and never recovered. I am not even interested in its forthcoming 9th season, as its 2 season too much and not the show I once looked forward to watch.
Stargirl should be saved. The youngest cast with most potential for growth to withstand the new DC changes!
As someone who podcasts on Legends, Stargirl, and Supeman & Lois, I’d loved to see the first 2 brought back and the third to continue. But if I had to choose to save Legends or Stargirl. I’d choose Stargirl. It is just getting started. I shows new JSA taking over for the older one. It is light hearted and hitting its stride! There is also room for a TV and film Superman. S&L is a family drama with superheroes and a great show!
I’d like to be able to vote to save a show
And see the results
That’s not happening Why not?
I would be much more vocal about trying to do something about Stargirl as it is recent and still probably within the timeframe of contracts not being over. Also the show is still within its prime unlike Legends which kind of was creatively fizzling over the last couple years. There were a few of the middle seasons where I remember it being one of my favorite watches of the Arrowverse (when Arrow and Flash were not creatively well).
Although I was thinking today when I saw the Batwoman logo when opening HBO Max I would love to see Javica Leslie get another turn as Batwoman.
I want closure for LoT, but I think Stargirl has more potential (maybe with a team rebrand).
#SaveBatwoman
Stargirl 100% deserves at least another season, but in honesty, more like 6. It’s such a strong show and the fight sequences are brilliantly done. It didn’t deserve to be canceled.
Think you may need to add Superman & Lois to that list as that isn’t safe considering. Biggest mistake shows like Stargirl made was going to the CW instead of following Titans.
The Flash got their warning to make their final season count. I think the other three should have their chance to go on their own terms, but Legends of Tomorrow is my one and true love and the one I would fight for.
As much as I’d like a conclusion to Legends, I’m pissed at the show runners for ignoring any advice to craft one in the likelihood of cancelation. Star Girl is the one that actually deserves to go on.
I just wanna say I really hope that you can save Legends Of tomorrow cause this show has been such a comfort to me and so many other people this show is one of the most diverse shows in the whole arrowverse. this show brings type of representation to television that we’ve never had before
Personally I thing Gunn and Safran are being polite to fans of the CW shows. They’re going out of their way to respond while not really responding. Proper DC Comics fans have only ever mildly tolerated the CW. Like a starving person eating stale bread. When there’s nothing else that’s what you accept: but it’s still stale bread.