Summary
- Aquaman and Wonder Woman are the highest-grossing standalone films in the DCEU, outperforming Batman and Superman. However, they have not been included in the DCU’s plans so far.
- If Aquaman and Wonder Woman were introduced too soon, their success could create unfair comparisons to the newer versions of the two heroes in the DCU.
- The DCU is likely to generate anticipation around Aquaman and Wonder Woman’s eventual DCU debuts. Meanwhile, other heroes will also take center stage, including the Amazons
Paradise Lost
.
The DCEU’s most commercially successful hero was notably absent from James Gunn and Peter Safran’s first 12 films in the DCU. The DCEU’s 15 films have introduced many heroes and villains, but only a few have become box office hits. Despite ambitious crossover events like The Avengers, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League It seemed like the culmination of what the DCEU had planned at the start of the series, but other films ended up stealing the show.
So far, DCU’s “Gods and Monsters” This chapter contains 12 confirmed projects in development, including James Gunn’s upcoming film Superman Personal movies and Brave and boldas well as Bio Commando and Gold BoosterThe DCU will introduce DCEU icons like Superman and Batman early on, and will also spotlight previously overlooked characters like Green Lantern, not to mention the return of well-known characters like Peacemaker and Amanda Waller. However, two well-known DC heroes have been absent from all the DCU plans revealed so far.
Aquaman and Wonder Woman are the highest-grossing standalone films in the DCEU
Jason Momoa’s Aquaman and Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman are the DCEU’s breakout stars
The DCEU has had its ups and downs over its decade-long run, but two of its most notable achievements are undoubtedly Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman And James Wan’s Neptunewhich topped the list of the highest-grossing standalone films in the DCEU and ranked first and third on the list of the highest-grossing DCEU films overall, beating out the following films: Suicide Squadman of Steeland Justice LeagueDespite the lack of any previous big-screen adaptations, Aquaman and Wonder Woman have attracted more viewers than Batman and Superman themselves. Number:
DCEU Movies | Global Box Office |
---|---|
Neptune | $1,131,849,702 |
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice | $872,395,091 |
Wonder Woman | $817,691,766 |
Suicide Squad | $745,744,980 |
man of Steel | $667,999,518 |
Justice League | $655,945,209 |
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom | $433,845,564 |
Black Adam | $390,455,088 |
Shazam! | $363,563,907 |
flash | $266,550,332 |
Birds of Prey | $201,005,552 |
Suicide Squad | $167,097,737 |
Wonder Woman 1984 | $166,360,232 |
Shazam: Wrath of the Titans | $132,276,175 |
Blue Beetle | $128,777,017 |
although Wonder Woman 1984 Efforts to match Wonder WomanThe success of the 2020 film — which was due in part to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on its streaming distribution — Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Successfully broke the DCEU’s downward trend and surpassed the following movies Black Adam, “Shazam: Wrath of the Titans”, “The Flash”and Blue BeetleClearly, both Wonder Woman and Aquaman have a ton of live-action potential. However, it might be a long time before James Gunn’s DCU gets its own versions of Diana Prince and Arthur Curry.
Why the DCU might avoid introducing Wonder Woman and Aquaman in its first chapter
DCEU versions of Wonder Woman and Aquaman are still fresh in audiences’ minds
Custom image provided by Nicolas Ayala
The DCU will be released in James Gunn’s Supermanwill introduce a new Man of Steel three years after Henry Cavill’s final appearance as Superman. The DCU will also be based on Andy Muschietti’s Brave and boldwhich may be related to Matt Reeves’ Batman trilogy. While Superman and Batman will debut in the DCU earlier than Wonder Woman and Aquaman, it makes sense for any thriving DC franchise to establish its world-best vision early on, then start expanding its sights to the rest of the universe.
These lesser-known characters could serve as a breath of fresh air for audiences who have become overly enamored with the DCEU versions of Aquaman and Wonder Woman.
DCU “Gods and Monsters” This chapter also seems to be avoiding comparisons to the DCEU’s release structure. Rather than assembling the Justice League, James Gunn’s DC Universe is exploring other corners of DC’s extensive lore, such as The Authority, Bio-Commando, and Swamp Thing. These lesser-known characters could serve as a palate cleanser for viewers who have become overly enamored with the DCEU’s versions of Aquaman and Wonder Woman, but at the same time, they could become just as popular.
Aquaman and Wonder Woman’s current absence from the DCU might be a good thing
The DCU may be taking advantage of the long wait for Aquaman and Wonder Woman to debut in the DCU
Despite the DCEU’s struggles, box office numbers prove that audiences have warmed up to Gal Gadot and Jason Momoa’s Wonder Woman and Aquaman in the DCEU. The casting, costumes, soundtracks, and character arcs of Wonder Woman and Aquaman are still too fresh for new live-action versions to leave their mark. For the DCU, graciously parting ways with these two characters may be the best way to avoid comparisons and raise anticipation for Aquaman and Wonder Woman’s inevitable appearances in the DCU.
Related: The DCU Now Has a Great Opportunity to Fix the DCEU’s Wonder Woman Problem
The DCU’s Teen Titans movie is the perfect time to start building the Wonder Woman family, something that the DCEU’s Wonder Woman movie pioneered.
In addition, the DCU series Paradise Lost The Mystical Island will be explored from the perspectives of different characters, potentially setting the stage for Wonder Woman’s DCU debut. The DCU’s Atlantis could get the same treatment, especially considering how visually stunning James Wan’s Atlantis was in the DCEU. This approach has shown that even though the DCU may feature Wonder Woman and Aquaman in similar roles to the DCEU, there will be enough visible differences between the two versions that the wait will be worth it.
- Wonder Woman
Director Patty Jenkins
Release Date: June 2, 2017
Length: 141 minutes
- Wonder Woman 1984
Director Patty Jenkins
Release date: December 25, 2020
Duration: 115 minutes
- Neptune
Release date: July 6, 2018
Length: 143 minutes