The future of the DCU is uncertain. Its highest-grossing film, however, suggests that the DCU does not need Batman or Superman to succeed.
Batman and Superman have reached icon status, both in DC Comics and the DC Universe at large. They are not, however, the focus for the DCU’s highest-grossing movie. Instead, another Justice League hero has taken the top spot, suggesting that the DCU does not need Batman and Superman to achieve success.
Historically, Batman and Superman have been DC’s highest-grossing icons. From Superman’s domination of the Golden Age to his and Batman’s single-handed representation of superheroes in 1980s film and television, few have been able to challenge their iconic names. That trend follows to this day, with Batman and Superman’s modern movies ranking among the highest-grossing films of all time. A look at the charts, however, reveals Aquaman has been able to outperform the historic heavy hitters.
CBR VIDEO OF THE DAYClose
RELATED:James Gunn Confirms Batfleck Is Out – But Affleck May Not Be Done With DC
Aquaman Is the DCU’s Highest-grossing Film
Despite the character’s reputation before the movies, Aquaman is DC’s highest-grossing film to date. Though he might look more like Lobo, Jason Mamoa made a better Aquaman, and the box-office polls agree. Its success could be attributed to several things, including its comedy-action approach that seemed to influence the superhero genre at large, but it suggests something about the future of the franchise. Aquaman as a character did not need to be popular to succeed at the box office, and that could be true about more characters.
Since Aquaman was considered to be a B-character before his mainstream success in the DCU, he could lead the way for more underdogs to shine. The medium of film is quite different from the medium of comic books, most especially in its limited timeframe. Jason Mamoa might always be Aquaman, but as audiences have seen, it takes more than a familiar character to make a good movie. Aquaman‘s success at the box office is a testament to the DCU’s ability to reinvent characters for a new audience, proving that a good movie can bring acclaim to a character, and not necessarily vice versa.
RELATED:DC’s Video Games Will Tell Stories Set Between Movies, Says James Gunn
Aquaman’s Success Instills Hope for the DCU’s Future
This is especially important following Henry Cavill’s departure from the DCU. Though one could ponder who failed Henry Cavill’s Superman, it seems undeniable that so much of the DCU rested on Superman’s appearance, both as leader of the Justice League and as an individual entity. His choice to step out of the role has left many to wonder about the future of the franchise, but Aquaman‘s success is a glimmer of hope amidst the concerns. The DCU is a separate entity from the comics. If Aquaman, who was once the laughingstock of the Justice League, could prove himself to be a box-office success, it suggests that Henry Cavill’s departure could be less damaging to the franchise than fans think.
Batman and Superman have always been DC’s highest-grossing properties, especially now that Batman has been given powers, but the success of Aquaman suggests that the DCU does not need its most popular heroes to succeed. Instead, it could be time for the underdogs, like Aquaman, to stake their claim in the DCU. With Henry Cavill leaving the role of Superman, some could worry about what the DCU has in store for its future, but Aquaman‘s massive success is a glimmer of hope for what is to come.
