How Nolan Saved & Destroyed the DCU

So as we know, WB/DC is far behind Marvel in the cinematic universe. We also know that director Christopher Nolan gave us an amazing Batman trilogy. However, as good as those films were, they also would become the demise of DC/WB with developing their own shared DCU.  So let’s take a look as to why.

DETROYING THE DCU

The Dark Knight Trilogy

So we knew, essentially from the get-go, that Nolan’s vision was to depict the Caped Crusader as real as possible. Setting the character in a grounded universe, without the possibility of any other “God like” hero’s (i.e. the other DC hero’s). He also said from the beginning, that his story would be a 3 parter; beginning, middle, and end. By doing this, it immediately eliminated the possibilities of any other story arch’s that may have presented themselves for the character.

By setting, easily the most popular character in the DC utility belt (pun intended), in his own, separate universe, this killed off the chances of DC/WB establishing their own cinematic universe; for a period 7 years (which oddly enough is how long Bruce trained in Batman Begins…but I digress).

The Other “Attempts”

By this I am referring to Superman Returns in 2006, the failed Justice League: Mortal in 2009 and Green Lantern in 2011. Many argue that these movies were doomed to fail (excluding JLM), since it was clear they could go beyond their own established universe. Considering not many would be as interested in a JLA without Batman.

JLM was a completely different story. If you don’t already know, the film was cast, the actors were preparing, and even conditioning in Australia when WB pulled the plug. It got FAR. However, WB pulled the plug (a smart move) at the last minute, with no real details as to why. My guess is that the script was ridiculous (Which you can find online), and given the fact that even though we already had a separate Batman, the 2006 Superman Returns would be a different Superman. I know, weird.

SAVING THE DCU

The Dark Knight Trilogy

Wait, What? No I didn’t copy and paste. Yes the trilogy may have put a halt on expanding the DCU, but let’s not forget the incredible films he gave us. Batman Begins (2005) saved Batman from an 8 year drought, from the infamous “Bat-nipples” incident. The Dark Knight (2008) gave us Heath Ledger’s Joker, easily the greatest CBM portrayal to date, and arguably the greatest portrayal of a villain in any movie. Then The Dark Knight Rises (2012), which not only gave us a great (And savior for the character) of Tom Hardy’s Bane, but was an epic conclusion to one of the greatest trilogies of all time.

Testing The Water

While most consider SMR in 2006 and the 2011 GL failures, I disagree. I believe it gave them a control group. The complaints about SMR was it was “uneventful”; to which they follow it up with the action packed Man of Steel (The re-launching of the DCU). And as for the “cinematic abortion” known as the 2011 GL movie, it gave a similar response. And WB will keep the criticisms in mind for the new GL for improvement. And finally the JLM movie. If have read the script (And I have) you know as well as I do, how bad the movie would have turned out. Granted it’s not a completely horrendous script, it would have stalled WB a lot longer than TDK Trilogy.

So what do we take away from this? Yes, the Nolan films made it possible for Marvel to get the head start with establishing a shared universe, but it also help keep our hopes alive through some hard times. But let me know what you think: How do you feel about the Nolan films in regards to the DCU? Comment below. Thanks for reading.