Reporting all last week pointed towards Ezra Miller’s job at DC being safe. According to rumors sent to us, that may very much not be the case.
The following article deals with rumors and alleged leaks from sources around Warner Bros Discovery. All of this article should be read in that manner — none of this can be verified as objectively factual.
Two sources for That Park Place have relayed information to us that signals Warner Bros Discovery may be engaged in serious internal discussions about how to terminate the current DC cinematic universe for a reboot. While I have reported in the past about the potential of a hard reboot here, as has James Gunn, I can go a little farther today than in the past.
Note, I have also been reporting on a Harry Potter reboot and that franchise exists under the Warner Bros Discovery umbrella, same as with DC. As you read this article, it is important to keep those reboots distinct and separate. Where they are not separated is in the fact that both franchises are being looked at for reboot (with DC ahead of Harry Potter) for the sole purpose of changing the financial position of WBD in the future. Both franchises are currently underperforming their potentials and WBD sees the two — allegedly — as primed for retaking their positions as evergreen properties that drive films, animation, streaming, toys, merchandise, video games and more.
So let’s get back to DC specifically now. From what I am told, there is building pressure within Warner Bros Discovery to quickly get away from actors such as Ezra Miller and even Gal Gadot. Whatever the reasons for allowing a Flash movie to still happen, especially considering all the legal and ethical issues of its leading star, I am told not to trust reporting that has been circulating the last week about Warner Bros allegedly considering keeping Ezra Miller on board for future products. My sources say that most executives feel they’ve dodged a bullet if the movie can make it to the big screen without Miller screwing up again in a way that would make it less tenable for theaters. Although I don’t understand exactly what this means, it has been explained to me that pulling this film is more costly than one might imagine because of a restructuring plan in place at WBD that might be over by that time. As for telling you what that means, that’s beyond me.
Some online have suggested that Warner Bros look to put future movies that are outside the James Gunn plan into a “DC Black Label” grouping that would signify they’re not part of the mainline “new” DCU. That does seem to be exactly what WBD is looking to do if the rumors are true being sent my way. That’s not to say that the final name would be “DC Black Label” — that is very unlikely — but rather there would be a signifying brand name that indicates they’re separate from family-fare Superman, Batman, etc. And again, remember that the effort to reboot DC has less to do with producing excellent films and more to do with making sure that the entire franchise (and sub-franchises) are driving content across a variety of consumer genres / lines. Without great Superman movies, kids aren’t buying Superman action figures or pajamas. The same is true for a variety of other superheroes.
james gunn after debunking the wonder woman variety article being asked to debunk the ezra miller one pic.twitter.com/gVOP6VMpJj
— joop (@bloodtroth) January 5, 2023
If you’re wondering why I hadn’t commented yet on reporting about James Gunn and others potentially holding onto Snyderverse actors and characters, that’s why. I’ve been chatting and waiting to hear from sources to see what they would say. And as of now, I think there are still too many moving parts for us to conclude that any of the big three players at WBD over DC (including Zaslav) are ready to keep problematic actors and storylines. In fact, the opposite may be more true.
For all the latest news that should be fun, keep reading That Park Place. As always, drop a comment down below and let us know your thoughts!
