Warner Bros. is trying really hard to make sure people know they’re not copying Marvel Studios. Sure, they’re making superhero movies. Yes, they all exist in a big connected universe. Of course they’re going to lead to bigger team-up films that promise action we’ve never seen before. However, they aren’t Marvel Studios, and everyone has reasons why. The newest Batman, Ben Affleck, recently spoke to EW about the upcoming Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and gave his version of what separates Marvel films from WB/DC films. Affleck said, “It is more mythic, it is more grand in that way, and it is a little more realistic. Just by their nature, these films can’t be as funny or as quick or as glib as Marvel movies.” Glib, huh? Needless to say, those are strong words. This comes on the heels of both WB CEO Kevin Tsujihara saying WB’s DC Comics movies are “edgier” than Marvel’s, and WB Exec Greg Silverman saying the difference is WB puts their films in “the hands of master filmmakers.” These are all a variation of the basic message coming from WB that Marvel Studios makes their films by committee and the end result is cheesy, unrealistic, and with little depth. How quickly everyone forgets 2011’s Green Lantern. For that film, Warner Bros. did their best impersonation of Marvel and failed miserably. There was even talks about how that film would do for DC what Iron Man did for Marvel by kickstarting their own extended universe of films. Now, they pretend that movie doesn’t exist, and remind everyone they were responsible for releasing Christopher Nolan‘s The Dark Knight trilogy by saying their movies are edgy and realistic. We know this edgy, realistic style works well for Batman, but the jury is still out on the rest of the DC characters. Their first attempt with this style on a non-Batman character was met with mixed reviews. Some loved Man of Steel, others despised it. All eyes are now on Batman v Superman to see how this realistic style is going to work on the rest of the DC Extended Universe. As a fan of these characters, all I ask is you treat them with respect and make the best possible film. If the character is best suited for comedy, then do that. If it’s Batman, then shoot in complete darkness with an actor growling the whole movie. Just be true to the characters. If this tone and style doesn’t work for audiences, Warner Bros. could be in trouble, and Marvel will continue to set records making their “glib” films. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice hits theaters March 25, 2016.
