James Gunn's DC Studios' Phase I: Gods and Monsters is officially in motion in theaters with the release of Superman, and the writer, director, and producer has scored big at the box office.
Apart from billionaire pet projects like Laika that might be true, but this seems a bit too reductionist. There are many ways to go about it and the difference matters. Unless you want to tell me the the whole media industry from Netflix to A24 does the exact same thing.
My line of thought is that yes the end goal is shareholder value/money, but the method varies. You can go for quality or quantity, or for long vs short term profits. And those steps in-between matter.
In this case with WB and Superman the amount of money an occasional Superman movie can make is not enough, they want that sweet franchise model. But you can’t just will that into place, as they’ve demonstrated with their failure to do so so far.
There has to be some substance at the start before you can roll out even lesser IP and make bank like marvel. Which is why in this instance they probably don’t care as much about the profit from this movie, but try to optimize it more for audience and critic appeal.
Exactly. And also i think it’s hard to see those superhero movies aimed at establishing a franchise as something standalone.
[…] Superman is just the first step,” he added. “Over the next year alone, DC Studios will introduce the films Supergirl and Clayface in theaters and the series Lanterns on HBO Max, all part of a bold ten-year plan.
Apart from billionaire pet projects like Laika that might be true, but this seems a bit too reductionist. There are many ways to go about it and the difference matters. Unless you want to tell me the the whole media industry from Netflix to A24 does the exact same thing.
I am not following your thinking.
The pet projects are the ones done for passion and other reasons.
Netflix, A24 and Disney, release movies and TV shows for one reason, to make money.
My line of thought is that yes the end goal is shareholder value/money, but the method varies. You can go for quality or quantity, or for long vs short term profits. And those steps in-between matter.
In this case with WB and Superman the amount of money an occasional Superman movie can make is not enough, they want that sweet franchise model. But you can’t just will that into place, as they’ve demonstrated with their failure to do so so far.
There has to be some substance at the start before you can roll out even lesser IP and make bank like marvel. Which is why in this instance they probably don’t care as much about the profit from this movie, but try to optimize it more for audience and critic appeal.
Right, make it now or make it later.
Exactly. And also i think it’s hard to see those superhero movies aimed at establishing a franchise as something standalone.
This excerpt from the article really says it all.