It certainly can be tough starting a new job – especially when you’re coming in to a shit show and there’s countless disgruntled fans poring over every decision you make (and those you haven’t) whilst letting their displeasure known to you on social media. That’s the scenario that James Gunn and Peter Safran, the recently-appointed co-heads of DC Studios, have found themselves in as they attempt to course-correct years of Warner Bros.’ mishandling of its DC properties.
And, after coming under heavy fire for some of the initial decisions – such as the plug-pulling on Wonder Woman 3 (a pre-Gunn and Safran move), scrapping of a Michael Keaton Batman Beyond project, Henry Cavill’s Man of Steel departure in favour of a reboot from Gunn, and the cutting of Superman and Wonder Woman cameos from The Flash – Gunn has now issued a statement to address fan concerns and call for calm.
“One of the things Peter & I were aware of when we took the job as heads of DC Studios was a certain minority of people online that could be, well, uproarious & unkind, to say the least. Our choices for the DCU are based upon what we believe is best for the story & best for the DC characters who have been around for nearly 85 years. Perhaps these choices are great, perhaps not, but they are made with sincere hearts & integrity & always with the story in mind.
“No one loves to be harassed or called names – but, to be frank, we’ve been through significantly worse. Disrespectful outcry will never, ever affect our actions. We were aware there would be a period of turbulence when we took this gig, & we knew we would sometimes have to make difficult & not-so-obvious choices, especially in the wake of the fractious nature of what came before us. But this means little to us in comparison to our jobs as artists & custodians in helping to create a wide & wonderful future for DC.”
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Gunn and Safran are expected to lay out their plans for DC Studios early in the New Year, hopefully bringing clarity to the fanbase.
