The Way Forward for Warner Brothers

So, I can understand WB's desire to be separate from Marvel. It makes sense. Obviously, they are different companies putting out different properties, so having some sort of factor that differentiates the two is crucial. However, there's a major issue with the way they're going about it. They seem more focused on the tone and aesthetic rather than the qualities of their characters.

Now, I'm no expert on screenwriting, filmmaking, or how to run a movie studio. I've only worked on small projects, and I have this here blog that I write on. That being said, it seems clear that WB has not an iota of an idea about what really clicks with audiences. In one article, WB's executives were stated as saying they thought that BvS could really perform well financially and critically. Yet, they were shocked at the fact that audiences and critics didn't adore it. So, they were a bit stuck. Luckily, there seems to be a sort of light at the end of the tunnel.

In light of fan reactions to the SUICIDE SQUAD trailer, reshoots began to beef up the humor and character moments, most of which were apparently in the first trailer. This, at least, shows that WB has some inclination that people want characters they can like, even if they find them somewhat morally bankrupt. It seems there's some truth to Ebert's statement that films are "empathy machines." Films that really connect are films that get you to care about its characters. Just look at the critical and commercial success of DEADPOOL, an R-rated "superhero" film filled graphic violence and language that really put a focus on character. As a result, people REALLY liked DEADPOOL.

While the expression "character is king" isn't a hard and fast rule for screenwriting, it isn't a bad what to go about the whole enterprise. Hopefully, WB will be more open to that mindset regarding their DC films. There's nothing wrong with having bleak stories and aesthetics, but without fully fleshed-out characters, you've just got a lot of artifice with no substance. It's the equivalent of a kid playing dress-up.