[image via Heroic HOllywood]
Warner Bros film head Greg Silverman was interviewed for The Hollywood Reporter about the ongoing Harry Potter and Lego franchises and, oh yes, the DC movies. As as usual the “how are you different from Marvel?” question comes up. And it’s all about master filmmakers, perhaps a meow about Marvel’s more generic—and massively successful—take?
We have a great strategy for the DC films, which is to take these beloved characters and put them in the hands of master filmmakers and make sure they all coordinate with each other. You’ll see the difference when you see Batman v. Superman, Suicide Squad, Justice League and all the things that we are working on.
There were some complaints that the Batman v. Superman trailer was too dark. Is this a trademark of a DC superhero film in the post-Dark Knight era?
There is intensity and a seriousness of purpose to some of these characters. The filmmakers who are tackling these properties are making great movies about superheroes; they aren’t making superhero movies. And when you are trying to make a good movie, you tackle interesting philosophies and character development. There’s also humor, which is an important part.
Oh good there is a chance to laugh amid the rain and thunder. To be fair Suicide Squad does look quite different and should generate grim ironic laughter at times. Silverman also discusses Wonder Woman and is asked why so many different screenwriters were tasked with doing different takes:
You’ve ruffled some feathers hiring competing writers to work on some projects at the same time, such as with Wonder Woman. What’s the strategy?
Every project is different. On some projects, we have multiple writers working together. In some cases, we put writers together who have never been a team together. And sometimes, there is only one writer whose voice is right. In the case of Wonder Woman, the right approach was to have writers pitching different scenes within the framework we created.
Without knowing what the others were up to?
Correct. They came to me and said they wanted to try this approach. I don’t know how much collaboration and noncollaboration was going on. Treating writers well is a massive priority at this studio. I’d be very shocked if writers weren’t treated with respect and grace.
Translation: throw it against the wall and see what sticks.
I should also note that Umberto Gonzalez’s Heroic Hollywood website is up and running and he’s dropping all kinds of info on DC and Marvel stuff, mostly some spoiler details like what KIND of weapon Batman is using against Superman. Hint: very sneaky Batman.
He’s definitely saying the things I want to hear, at least regarding the “movies about superheroes” bit.
Unfortunately what seemed fresh with Batman Begins seemed tired in The Dark Knight Rises and especially in the overly grim Man Of Steel (with its bizarre all blue color scheme). I find the DC animated films much more interesting such as Justice League New Frontier, Crises On Two Earths and The Flashpoint Paradox, all of which are much more plot heavy than the DC live action movies have been of late).
“Without knowing what the others were up to?
Correct.”
This is why I’m actually glad I never achieved my dream of being a Hollywood script writer.
That Guy, you forgot this part: “They came to me and said they wanted to try this approach.”
I guess this does kind of explain the differing philosophies and approaches of the DC vs. Marvel movies. But the bottom line is that Marvel has opted to make solid, crowd-pleasing “popcorn films” that have broader appeal and, as a result, greater box office potential. Frankly, I’ve never felt compelled to watch DC’s films more than once. Marvel’s generally are just plain more enjoyable.
“Without knowing what the others were up to?”
This was how movies were written in Hollywood’s “golden age” (the 1930s and ’40s), when studios had dozens of writers under contract. Several writers would be assigned to the same project, usually without knowing anyone else was working on it. Then the producer would cut and paste elements from many scripts together.
Thanks to Marvel and DC, this assembly line method of script production has returned.
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