'Batman v Superman' Fallout: Warner Bros. Shakes Up Executive Roles

[Aesop Rocks]

The fallout from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice continues to ripple through Warner Bros.

The Burbank-based studio is making changes to the way it handles its DC Entertainment-centered films, giving oversight of the feature projects to a pair of executives and creating a dedicated division for the films. Current exec vp Jon Berg and Geoff Johns, DC's CCO who successfully launched the comics label's foray into television, will co-run DC Films, according to multiple sources. Warner Bros. declined to comment.

This move is part of a broader refinement of executive roles at Warners, which has suffered a disappointing run of movies and has vexed producers and filmmakers, some of whom complain about a murky greenlight process.

Instead of a broad range of movies to oversee, executives will be charged with managing “genre streams." In many cases, these streams formalize interests and specialties for specific execs. Courtenay Valenti, for example, will now oversee all Lego Movie projects as well as the Harry Potter line that begins with November's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Senior production executives Jesse Ehrman and Niija Kuykendall will focus more on comedy/family and sci-fi/action, respectively, according to sources.



Further executive changes are anticipated, including a potential hire at the senior level.

Berg was already working on BvS, Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman and Justice League. He also is the conduit to Ben Affleck, having worked with the actor-filmmaker on Argo and Live By Night, the crime thriller Affleck recently wrapped as director, writer and star for the studio.

Comics writer-turned-exec Johns, meanwhile, masterminded the ascension of shows such as Arrow, The Flash and Supergirl and is the writer behind DC's upcoming Rebirth, the publishing side's reboot of its titles that will play out over the summer months. Johns is not leaving DC, according to sources, but adding film to his portfolio. Johns will still report to DC Entertainment president Diane Nelson while Berg will report to Warner Bros. Pictures president Gregg Silverman.

With Berg and Johns, Warners is attempting to unify the disparate elements of the DC movies with a seasoned film exec and a comics veteran that together can hopefully emulate the way Marvel Studios has produced its films under the vision of president Kevin Feige. But sources also say Warners still wants to remain filmmaker-driven. As part of the new job, Berg and Johns will become producers on the Justice League movies.




The muted reception of BvS, from a box office and critical point of view, is the flashpoint for the changes. The studio had high hopes for the movie, which pitted its top heroes against each other. The door was opened for director Zack Snyder to be involved in shaping the look and content of the entire DC line, which is scheduled through 2020. But critics and fans ripped into the first movie and especially Snyder for perceived missteps including its heroes' unheroic behavior and the dark tone. BvS, which cost at least $300 million to make, has grossed under $870 million worldwide since its March 25 release.

In stark contrast, Marvel Studios’ Captain America: Civil War is heading towards $1 billion in less than two weeks of release. The movie too pitted heroes against each other but Marvel's lighter tone and bright colors (while tackling more serious themes) are clearly resonating with audiences.

So Warners is attempting a course correction.



The shuffle, as well as Berg and Johns' new positions, come as other changes are being implemented on the DC movies. For example, Affleck was recently made executive producer on Justice League, upping his creative involvement when it comes to all things Batman and perhaps beyond.

Warners parted ways with screenwriter Seth Grahame-Smith who was to have made his directorial debut with The Flash. In another example of post-BvS fallout, the studio didn’t feel confident in a first-time director and is now looking for a more seasoned filmmaker who can not only handle a large $150 million-plus movie but who can also have an authoritative stamp.
And the studio is working to smooth out the third act of Suicide Squad, its big August movie from director David Ayer that could change the perception of its DC line. The movie’s trailers have generated massive positive interest in the all-star actioner that features DC villains and the studio wants to make sure audiences’ expectations are not only met but exceeded.

Squad recently went under major additional photography (multiple sources say it was not to add humor) to clear up the issues. Sources say that it was Squad that escalated Johns’ involvement in DC movies and that he is involved in the movie’s post-production.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/batman-v-superman-fallout-warner-895174

YIKES!!!!

 

[ARBH]

You know what? I am ok with all of this. I was so excited to see BvS and when that garbage played out before my eyes, I was ready to bail on any DC cinematic venture unless some sweeping changes were made. I get it that Batman is a dark and gritty character by nature. But Superman is supposed to be a beacon of hope. The two characters of Batman and Superman should be so dynamically different, yet Snyder and company (WB) mashed them together in one dark and depressive hodgepodge.

Fix the tone. Make Superman a beacon of hope again. Leave Batman in the shadows.

 

[Jake Cassidy]

Cool. Now just get Dark Universe back up and running again.

 

[ARBH]

Cool. Now just get Dark Universe back up and running again.

Yes please! It needs Swamp Thing.

 

[Marvel Knight]

I commend their effort, even though I know this is all motivated by their desire to make money, and less about doing the material justice.

That being said, Johns was reported to have had a strong creative influence on the Green Lantern script for 2011's film. That didn't work out well.

He should stick to the comic books, not screenwriting.

 

[Logan0327]

none of this means anything

sndyer is still directing,the script was done months ago,and they are already shooting

 

[Lantern Venom]

I commend their effort, even though I know this is all motivated by their desire to make money, and less about doing the material justice.

That being said, Johns was reported to have had a strong creative influence on the Green Lantern script for 2011's film. That didn't work out well.

He should stick to the comic books, not screenwriting.

Those reports were false. I read an interview with GJ where he said his primary contribution was getting the hodgepodge villain's name changed from Legion to Parallax. You can clearly tell that the middle of the film is filled with Hollywood gimmicks and clichés, and that's certainly not how Johns writes.

 

[Victarion]

Excellent news in regards to The Flash; I want to see these things succeed. In regards to the SS, I just hope they're not cleaning it up too much where characterization is concerned. We musn't forget that these are mean, vicious individuals being sent to deal with someone or something even worse...that's what's got me hooked on that front. Make the stories strong and compelling; I want to kind of feel bad for the Squad members when they go up against Batman, Flash and whoever else.

Where the heroes are concerned...I'd like a unifying theme that questions if we really need them as heroes. Could be a good springboard into establishing the Justice League, setting up a system of checks and balances. Good stuff.

Absolutely agree about Supes. We need to see him hit rockbottom, go through a grinder that would leave most of us a broken mess...and Supes needs to endure, to emerge triumphant. I can't think of a better way of presenting the guy as symbol of hope and endurance than that.

 

[The Guard]

I think it's funny that they're basically getting props for doing what they were already doing.

I don't know much about Berg, but Johns was already pretty involved. He was heavily rumored to be writing the new Batman solo with Affleck.

 

[Flint Marko]

I guess I'm happy someone's finally steering the ship, but I'm not convinced Geoff is the guy. Both movies he's been involved with have been duds, so we'll see.
But hey, I guess we can finally put the "was WB disappointed in BvS or not" debate to rest.

 

[Omegabat]

Johns was involved with GL and BvS, he's been heavily involved with this universe period. Cant say what the full extent of his input is but no one can deny his involvement, this is not good news for me. Johns should stick to writing mediocre epics and wars in comics.

 

[Poetic Chaos]

As has been said, probably too late for Justice League to be anything worthwhile with Snyder still on. Should've got Dini to head up the creative side.

 

[Victarion]

They could still get George Miller to help Snyder smooth it out. Miller's a producer, right?

 

[Timebomb]

I guess I'm happy someone's finally steering the ship, but I'm not convinced Geoff is the guy. Both movies he's been involved with have been duds, so we'll see.
But hey, I guess we can finally put the "was WB disappointed in BvS or not" debate to rest.

Someone told me that Johns was shocked by the reception BVS got so that right there scares me.

What debate? Everything's fine in the DCEU. Just kidding. I hope it does put it to rest but you know.........

 

[Drz]

So these gentlemen are the Kevin Feige of WB, eh?

 

[WBwins]

Johns was involved with GL and BvS, he's been heavily involved with this universe period. Cant say what the full extent of his input is but no one can deny his involvement, this is not good news for me. Johns should stick to writing mediocre epics and wars in comics.

Exactly.I feel John's is not the best choice.Dini.would have been far better

 

[FunkMiller]

I guess I'm happy someone's finally steering the ship, but I'm not convinced Geoff is the guy. Both movies he's been involved with have been duds, so we'll see.
But hey, I guess we can finally put the "was WB disappointed in BvS or not" debate to rest.

It does. At least we can move past that particular argument now. No one can seriously claim BvS did well anymore.

 

[samsnee]

I think it's funny that they're basically getting props for doing what they were already doing.

I don't know much about Berg, but Johns was already pretty involved. He was heavily rumored to be writing the new Batman solo with Affleck.

If this is what they were already doing then their movies will continue to underperform.

Everyone was wrong. They are doing it the "Marvel way". Which doesn't mean doing individual movies before the team-up movie. It means having a Feige-type to oversee the entire universe.

 

[Dasher10]

I'm so happy about Johns having more say and Snyder having less. Geoff Johns wrote some great Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman and Justice League stories for DC. Zack Snyder turned Superman into a soulless robot, Lex Luthor into a clown and Batman into a psychopath.

I know that Suicide Squad and Wonder Woman are done (and I have low expectations for both) but at least Justice League, Flash, Cyborg, Shazam, Green Lantern and Aquaman can be salvaged and the Sandman and Justice League Dark films can be brought out of development hell. Maybe also do some stuff with getting Green Arrow, Vixen and Hawkman onto the big screen and do some Gen13, Wildcats, Transmetropolitan, Stormwatch, The Authority, Deathstroke, New Gods, 100 Bullets, The Invisibles and a reboot of Constantine.

 

[StormC]

Not sure Justice League can be salvaged. The script is done and the shooting is already underway.

 

[FunkMiller]

Not sure Justice League can be salvaged. The script is done and the shooting is already underway.

Notice how little information is coming out of the production though...

I would imagine there are rewrites going on, and filming may have been slowed down to accommodate all of these changes. This is not uncommon in Hollywood. They can easily fold in a few weeks slow down, even if it costs them some money.

Zack Snyder will still be the director of JL, but I'm expecting massive tonal and story changes from the BvS set up, now his power and influence have been deservedly lessened.

 

[MadVillainy]

Good for them.

I still don't trust Johns though.

 

[Rowsdower!]

I hope this is the right move. I can't say for certain that it is, but at least Johns has written a lot of comics, so it shows that (hopefully) WB isn't going to just keep ignoring the guys who have lived and breathed this sh** for decades in favor of whatever dumb ideas Snyder pulls out of his arse. I'm not sure how involved Johns was in the GL movie or BvS, but hopefully it was minimal and his name was mostly attached so WB could point to it and say "See! We care about the fans!"

Anyway, the good news is that we can finally say once and for all that WB was pissed about the reception to BS... I mean BvS... and they aren't going to let Snyder flush some of the best superheroes ever created down the toilet. My fear though is that it may be too late. We already have a mass murdering Batman who is kind of an idiot, and apparently WB just LOVES everything about him. Wonder Woman is already in post-production and even though Snyder didn't direct it, he may have had influence over the production. Superman is dead and even after he comes back, he'll probably never have a solo film again. And JL is still in Snyder's hands, even if WB is keeping the tightest of leashes on him. So I just don't know at this point.

 

[MadVillainy]

idk

Johns being a comic guy is actually a mark against him to me. ANd I like what he did with GL, but I think they shouldve focused on getting 2 business men who appreciate the comics rather than just a comic creator.

 

[guyisnotcool]

Not sure Justice League can be salvaged. The script is done and the shooting is already underway.

Well there's always Part II.