For fans of DC movies, it can seem like the people in charge of them practically always seem to make the wrong calls. the current decision likely to upset fans involve a project based on Jack Kirby’s fourth world and a spinoff of Aquaman. A new report today reveals that DC films canceled the new Gods motion picture helmed by Ava DuVernay, and The Trench led by James Wan. While these motion pictures have been in development for awhile and likely are casualties of COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns, putting these projects aside seems like a mistake. At the very least, the new Gods film is one that fans are especially eager for after seeing the release of the Snyder cut of Justice league on HBO Max. The new Gods story is all about Darkseid, the villain introduced in the film. Which is precisely why DC films put it on the shelf.
image by means of DC Comics
In fairness, of the two projects, Wan’s The Trench does feel like the one that makes the most sense to put aside. We’ve still yet to get a sequel to Aquaman some three years after its release. It would make sense for DC to prioritize that sequel rather than a spinoff horror film about the trench full of aquatic horrors. Yet, the rationale for shutting down new Gods makes very little sense.
x
Mario Kart DLC Gold Rush.mp4
0 seconds of 12 minutes, 40 seconds
Live
00:00
12:40
12:40
Let’s put aside the fact that DuVernay is deeply involved with Warnermedia. She’s got a limited series based on the DMZ graphic novel coming. She’s also developing a CW series based on Naomi, a DC Comics hero. Also, she’s going to be the face of One best shot for HBO Max. though it’s not an exclusive arrangement. She is working on an Octavia Butler adaptation for Amazon. Duvernay made a statement, by means of a tweet to her co-writer, Tom King.
She wrote:
“Tom, I loved writing new GODS with you. I’m upset that the saga of Barda, Scott, Granny, Highfather and The Furies ends this way. Diving into Kirby’s fourth world was the adventure of a lifetime. That can’t be taken away. thank you for your friendship. and remember… #DarkseidIs.”
King replied saying he was pleased of their work and what “a joy” it was to work with her. He also said that what they wrote honored the legacy of Jack Kirby.
DC films put out a statement of their own:
“As part of our DC slate, some legacy development titles including New Gods and The Trench will not be moving forward. We thank our partners Ava DuVernay, Tom King, James Wan and Peter Safran for their time and collaboration during this process and look forward to our continued partnership with them on other DC stories. The projects will remain in their skillful hands if they were to step forward in the future.”
image by means of DC Comics
The report went on to say that the decision that cancelled new Gods had nothing to make with Ava DuVernay or Tom King’s story. Rather, they said that considering that a version of Darkseid appeared in the Snyder cut of Justice League, they wanted “distance” between it and the character’s next appearance. This decision boggled the minds of fans on Twitter. given DC’s embrace of the multiverse and the permanent cliffhanger at the end of Snyder’s motion picture this feels a lot more like a missed opportunity than any kind of good business.
A prequel to who Darkseid is and what he wants could allow DC to salvage the kind of connected universe they so desperately craved when they first brought Snyder on to chase Marvel’s heels. That DC films canceled New Gods, especially with a talent like Ava DuVernay attached, seems to have sapped any goodwill from fans both ecstatic and disheartened by Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
Perhaps it’s a money thing or just a crowded slate of upcoming films. maybe their claim that revisiting these stories with these storytellers is a lot more than just lip service. But, for now, both The Trench and new Gods are dead.
What do you think? Are you upset DC films canceled new Gods from Ava Duvernay and The Trench from James Wan? Share your thoughts below.
Featured image by means of DC Comics