Aaron's DC Cinematic Universe

With the recent myriad of superhero news concerning Warner Brothers Studios's plans for a shared DC Cinematic Universe, I can't help but feel a little disappointed. I do feel that Warner Bros. isn't exactly looking at this the right way and I do feel that they are clammoring, almost desparately to catch up with Marvel Studios. I hat to break it to you DC but Marvel has beaten you to it, and are ahead of the game. So suck it up, and take it.

But it's okay. The best part about WB/DC is that they have access to their entire roster of characters (in terms of 'movie rights') unilke Marvel -- which I am not getting into -- who is scraping the very bottom of the barrel and making do with what they have. But hey, it's doing them wonders, and i hope they'd keep it up. Now I'm just waiting for DC to catch up.

I'll be honest and say that I am not happy with any of the films WB/DC has provided us in recent years with the exception of Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy -- because Batman... that's why. And with the list of movies they are going to release and how it is structured to create an over arching narrative about Darkseid (based on what I've read online). Albeit being an interesting concept, I fear that it will get really messy real fast. But I don't care, I'm gonna watch them all anyway, and critique them for it.

With that said, it got me thinking about how I would approach the DC Cinematic Universe (I also have one for Marvel if they had all the rights initially -- but that's an article for another time). This is my vision for a DC Cinematc Universe. I have decided to borrow some elements from comics, movies/tv, video games, and other media to create the overall atmosphere of the Universe; creating individual pieces, with independent tones/themes/etc, while maintaing the essence of the over arching whole, and stayng as faithful to the source material as possible, but not being restricted to it. (So please don't fanboy/girl on everything; understand that some changes are necessary if you want to make the best story as possible, but not too drastic of a change that it becomes unrelateable or unfaithful to the character and their overall being).

And if Warner Bros/DC manages to find this article... call me.

Phase 1

The Road to Justice

Edited together by Aaron Nell Millado.
Batman Silhouette Wallpaper taken from pickywallpapers.com

Batman - A Netflix Original Series

Batman is arguably the most famous superhero of today, taking Superman's spot (who pretty much held that position since his creation) but since our tastes changed, yearning for more gritty, dark, and edgy stories, so did our taste in heroes. Batman is just one of those characters that needs no introduction, and making yet another Batman film is sort of redundant. I envisioned my DCCU, post Nolan which made me come to that conclusion. So I thought about how to bring Batman in a different way.

Then I saw Marvel's Daredevil and got exactly what I want.

Batman as a Netflix Original series would be a huge thing. Batman has never been in the smaller screen (live-action wise) and having him make that transtion just made sense to me.

You can get creative with fleshing out his charracter throughout many episodes. In addition, the episodic quality can help establish a film-noir atmosphere that can explore Batman's detective abilities in a much greater depth (something that the films seem to lack). the show can borrow elements from Frank Miller's Batman: Year One, Bruce Timm and Paul Dini's Batman The Animated Series, and Rocksteady's Arkham Series.

The first season would explore Bruce Wayne's return to Gotham to develop his persona as a crime-fighter with the help of Bruce Wayne's loyal butler, Alfred. The Gotham underworld has begun to shift as two new players compete against the already established an powerful Falcone and Maroni: Oswald Cobblepot aka the Penguin, and Roman Sionis aka the Black Mask. Bruce must fight to prevent civilian casualties in the bloody territorial war, as well as eluding capture from the GCPD led by Captain James Gordon. The last episodes of the season will mark the end of Gotham's old underworld and be replaced by a new and radical criminal underworld heralded by Penguin and Black Mask; and will be the birth of the Batman.

This would set up the idea that Batman is already taking the first steps in fighting crime in Gotham and establish himself as this urban myth roaming the shadowy rooftops of the DC Universe. I feel that WB/DC is missing the opportunity to dominate television and online streaming.

While this Netflix show is going on, it would be cool if it was accompanied by the Arrow TV show on the CW. I like what they're doing with that show, and it would enhance it if these two shows connected at one point, maybe not directly, but at later seasons; preferably the Ra's Al Ghul arc. Arrow can't just use one of Batman's Greatest adversaries without Batman having to do with it.

SUPERMAN - MAN OF STEEL

Zack Snyder's Man of Steel received mixed reviews upon its release. It split Superman fans in half (those who favored the classic Superman and those who favored a darker Superman). I find myself caught in the middle, but leaning a bit towards the classic Superman side. One of my biggest gripes about the handling of Superman is that not a lot of writers know how to write an interesting Superman story. The man of Steel is just so hard to write for and doesn't fit the darker tone we are expecting in an age where we prefer gritty stories, much in the vain of Batman. I could write an article about why Superman's relevance has faded. Whatever works for Batman doesn't always work for Supes. Just give Superman fans what they want and give Batman fans what they want.

If I were to create a Man of Steel film, I wouldn't have tried to ground him to reality (at least not yet). I would build that up in later movies, but for the meantime, Superman needs to have a movie that reflects his era, not necessarily set in in the early 1900s (though that would be an intersting concept, and can provide an opportunity for a Kingdom Come storyline), but at least give Superman that visually bright, hopeful atmosphere that he flourishes in. (Click here to see what Man of Steel would've liked without the Snyder filter, it looks amazing. I mean, what happened? Batman. Batman happened.

What would the first film be? Here's my idea.

The film would take somes cues from Superman The Animated Series and Richard Donner's Superman films.

When a young Clark Kent discovers that he is not of this world, he struggles to find a sense of identity and prompts him to search for the truth. He discovers a crystal that may hold the answers and heads North where he creates the Fortress of Solitude (by being told by the whispers of the crystal to throw it into the water). In this Fortress, a recreated image of Krypton holding many secrets, he discovers a recording of his father and mother Jor-El and Lara that tells him that he is the Last Son of Krypton, and was sent there to escape his planet's destruction. Clark must learn how to unlock his abiliities and must learn the responsibility he now carries. Meanwhile, General Zod and his two loyal followers, Faora-El and Non, escape from the Phantom Zone and begin their search for a faint Kryptonian signal that they believe to be their homeworld, only to find a new planet for the taking.

I know the General Zod story is getting reused, but I personally believe that Zod is the perfect first villain to introduce Superman with as it presents us with the proper circumstance that could be explored in later movies, that Superman, and his kind, are dangerous and that we should consider the consequences of his actions before letting him do what he wants.

Batman can be referenced by the people working at The Daily Planet, and even a few references to Lex Luthor. And let's put Lex in as the after credits scene! That'd be great. (No, I don't mean Jesse Eisenberg, I mean Lex Luthor. My personal pick is Kevin Spacey, bring him back - or Corey Stoll, who played Darren Cross in Marvel's Ant-Man. Not because he played a bald villain, but because I thought he had enough charisma and acting ability to play Superman's arch-enemy.

This movie should be released shortly after the first season of Batman airs on Netflix.

Poster of Chris Pine as Green Lantern by BossLogic.
Edited 'In Brightest Day' by Aaron Nell Millado.

Green LanterN

Talk about a flop. Green Lantern was WB/DC's attempt to bring another DC hero into the silver screen, in an effort to mimic Marvel. It was supposed to have tied with Man of Steel, but due to its failure, it brought production a big step back. Mostly because I feel the script and tone was too light (I use that pun lightly) and the casting of Ryan Reynolds, who I think would've made a better Flash than a Green Lantern. This movie should have been great, but the story was lacking, the characters were weak, and the special effects were awful. However, we could change that.

I personally like John Stewart more than I like Hal, but I feel that if we were to start a DC Cinematic Universe, we need to introduce the first human Green Lantern, Hal Jordan (well technically it was Alan Scott, but he's different in origin). It would be cool to see the movie take place in space for the most part, so that we can get a taste of the Cosmic Universe early on; it would be cool if it gave us a Star Wars-esque feel, as well. The main villain in my version, would be the Manhunters, the sentient machines the Guardians built before building the Green Lantern Corps.

This would be pretty interesting because it will give us time to develop not only Hal's character but Sinestro's character. We can have him suggest to the Guardians a more effective method of

of dealing with the enemy by using the Yellow Power Ring. I think it would be a great pay-off if we developed Sinestro as a mentor to Hal before his turn to evil in the following sequel. Which I will get to later. (Soon, as I am structuring this timeline as if DC movies are being released year after year).

I liked the casting of Sinestro in the god-awful movie that never happened. Mark Strong was perfect. As for Hal, I really dig the idea of Chris Pine playing the character. Hence this awesome fan art poster.

After credits scene - Hal at the bar telling the story to his best friend, Barry Allen. Hal asks him what he's been up to. Barry gives him a look, hesitates, and says: "Well..." -- END --

A great way to introduce the next piece in PHASE 1.

This movie should be released the same year as Superman - Man of Steel.

The Flash, a CW TV series.

Warner Bros. Television

THE FLASH - CW TV SERIES

This show is great. It's a bit cheesy for my taste, but I think it kind of fits the tone of The Flash, who is almost always portrayed as a light-hearted guy just trying to make a difference. Grant Gustin (who has an awesome comicbook name already) is fun to watch as Barry Allen. Though he looks more like a Wally West, he does just fine as Barry.

I would probably have a few minor changes here and there, but all in all If I were to make a Flash TV show, this would be it. I think WB/DC is making a mistake not connecting the TV world with the film world. Sure it doesn't really make a lot of money, but if people knew you had a Flash TV show connected with the overall universe, people will pay attention. However, I would personally create a a solid stand-alone Flash movie, with the main villain be the Weather Wizard and introduce the idea of Meta-Humans emerging after the Particle Accelerator incident, and have it serve as a pilot for the show.

I thought about making it a Netflix Original, but I think the network TV show seems like a safer choice. This show will take place after he's been introduced to us in Arrow. Which we will get to, I promise.

One of the cool perks of this is that he can cross-over with Arrow and Green Lantern. Also, by giving him a small cameo in Green Lantern, we open up possibilities for the Intergalactic Space Cop to make an

appearance or two in the show, interacting with Team Star Labs and collaborating on taking down enemies that the Flash, or Green Lantern, couldn't handle on his own. And if you haven't been paying any attention, the current show is adding so many references to Coast City, home of Hal Jordan. I like the idea of introducing Shayera and Carter Hol in this show, but I feel that those characters are lacking right now. Especially Shayera; I'm not feeling her character yet, and I think she needs to be shaped up a bit more to fit the Hawkgirl I grew up with (the one from the Timmverse, Justice League Animated Series). I like that they're going with the Reincarnation Story rather than the Thanagarian story, but I hope they tie that in somehow. But I think I have an awesome plan for them.

It would be cool to have references to a Dark Knight roaming Gotham, or a Blue Angel flying around in Metropolis sprinkled in the show.

Arrow, a CW TV series.

Warner Bros. Television

ARROW- CW TV SERIES

This show is also great. It brought us something new in terms of DC and I think it's the first actual DC character we got in recent years other than Batman and Superman. (I don't count Green Lantern.)

I do however don't like the fact that it borrows way too many Batman villains, but I guess it's justified due to the lack of Green Arrow villains. However, I'd like to have seen better villains other than 'bow and arrow' villains. We were introduced to the Suicide Squad and I think this show should have been a basis for the movie, but whatever.

In my version of the timeline, I would use Arrow in the same way Marvel uses Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. -- as a bridge of what's happening behind the scenes. I think Oliver is in a phase where he prefers to work in the shadows, and I think this would be the show to cross-over with Batman.

Seeing two vigilantes in one screen would be epic, as we can have Batman appear during the Ra's Al Ghul arc and be a major player with the war against the League of Shadows (when this arc is taking place, we would have received a second season of Batman by now). Though, I dont want Batman to steal the show, he'll be in an episode, three at

most; He has his own show and can fight Ra's there too.

I wouldn't change much though, since this show is developing on its own and introducing us to more superheroes from the DC Comics Universe (like Atom and Mr. Terrific). I don't see that happening in Batman because Batman's too busy working on his own.

I'd establish this show as the standalone show, where it's connected, but it's distancing itself for now to be its own thing.

Also, give us Constantine back (Don't worry I have plans for that, too.)

Fan made poster taken from Pinterest. If you know who made this poster, please contact me to give them credit.

Green LanterN - REBIRTH

By the time we get here, two years has passed since the first film. In terms of release dates. For the Green Lantern sequel, I would like to introduce John Stewart, my favorite Green Lantern. Hal will still be in this one as John is assigned as Hal's partner. It would be cool if these two clash. Hal's reckless and arrogant approach to everything, and John's uptight military background can have give us such a great story.

The reason for John being assigned as Hal's partner could be the disappearance of Sinestro. Later we discover that Sinestro has been in his home planet of Korugar for quite some time and has established a totalitarian rule and planting fear into the hearts of the Korugarians to end a violent civil war. This reaches the Guardians when John reports what Sinestro has been doing. Sinestro is discharged by the Guardians. Hal gets angry at John.

Sinestro in a fit of rage, steals the Yellow Power Ring that the Guardians have been keeping in their vault. And attacking and killing many Green Lanterns. Hal and John face him but are easily defeated as Sinestro is one of the best Lanterns of the Corps. Sinestro vows to destroy the Green Lantern Corps, and journeys to various sectors to eliminate them.

Hal and John must journey through the sectors to find Sinestro before he creates an army of Yellow Lanterns to bring destruction to the universe and establish a totalitarian rule over all of the Universe.

That's just a rough story, and to be honest all I care about seeing is the dynamic between Hal and John's characters and how they would interact with each other. In the end, they'll eventually get along, and I'm planning on having the two get into conflict with the Guardians as they try to find out what other secrets they are keeping from them including the many different lantern rings out there. Hal will go investigate by the end of the movie along with a small group of lanterns Kilowog among them while JOhn stays behind to keep an eye on Earth.

After Credits - We fade away and find ourselves in a distant part of the galaxy we see a Green Lantern killed, and his ring destroyed as a menacing figure comes into screen: Atrocitus. "I'm coming for you all."

I'd like to see Idris Elba play John Stewart, because he is just perfect. Look at that fan art!

Edited together by Aaron Nell Millado

Joker wallpaper taken from, www.hdwallpaperpc.com

BATMAN - SEASON 2

"Nice of you to drop in." This is the season people would be waiting for. The season where Joker makes his first true appearance. This season will draw some heavy inspiration from Arkham Origins as it is probably one of the best Origin stories of the Batman lore in more recent times. This season will also focus on the emergence of a new breed of criminal as Penguin and Black Mask establish domain in Gotham. However, Batman is proving to be quite a problem, causing both mob bosses to hire an assassin to rid Gotham of its Dark Knight.

They hire the likes of Deathstroke, Deadshot, Bane, Copperhead, Firefly and Killer Moth, Lady Shiva, and The Red Hood. Each has a different motive in capturing the Batman

and it will put our hero to the test along with the rest of Gotham. But halfway through the season, The Red Hood is revealed to be the unpredictable and dangerous, Joker, and is unlike anything Gotham has ever seen, who has no pure motive but to cause havoc wherever he goes. Batman must create an alliance with Captain Gordon and the newly elected District Attorney, Harvey Dent, to stop corruption in high places and rid Gotham of these dangerous killers.

I am so excited for this season, even though it's probably not going to happen. Who would I cast as Joker? Troy Baker. I want you to look at him real close and listen to his Mark Hammil inspired Joker. Tell me that it makes the most perfect sense. He's a great voice actor, I have no doubt he's also a great on-screen actor and can really pull off the Clown Prince of Crime. (Mr. Baker, if you managed to see this post, are you down for it?)

Edited together by Aaron Nell Millado

Man of Steel poster courtesey of Warner Bros. Studios.

SUPERMAN - MAN OF TOMORROW

This sequel is where we can explore Superman in a much more realistic way. After the events that unfolded in the first movie (in this DCCU) we have a world split in half, those who think Superman is a hero/some think he's a god; and those who are against him and think that he is too dangerous to have around. Enter Lex Luthor (played by Corey Stoll in my DC Cinematic Universe) to save Metropolis. He is funding the Reconstruction of Metropolis as well as receiving some help from other multi-billion dollar companies such as Wayne Enterprises, and promises a safer Metropolis.

Luthor is approached by a secretive government liaison named Amanda Waller to create a contingency plan to combat Superman, and is given full government funding. This leads to the Metallo project were they enhance a soldier by giving him cybernetic upgrades. John Corben, a wounded veteran volunteers for the project. Despite being an overwhelming success, Corben's new programming goes rogue to hunt Superman down himself resulting in a destructive conflict in downtown Metropolis. Superman is able to deactivate Metallo and discovers that some of the parts used to create this cyborg came from LexCorp Labs.

Superman investigates as Clark Kent and lands an interview with Lex

Luthor himself. Clark concludes that Lex is responsible due to his elusive nature, but needs sufficient evidence to connect him to the project. When Waller gets word of Luthor's failure, she threatens to pull funding, which angers Luthor. He secretly lets Metallo loose on her the following night and puts her in a critical condition. Though satisfied with many of the upgrades he has made, Luthor still lacks the means of gaining an upper hand on the Man of Steel, until scientists discover that a recently acquired meteor originated from Superman's home planet they decide to give it to him as a gift for his good deeds on live television. However, when they presented the meteor to him, Superman weakens and becomes nauseated and falls into a coma. This catches Luthor's attention and acquires the 'Kryptonite' to add on to Metallo's arsenal. He now has the means to bring the Man of Steel to his knees.

What do you think? This is a pure Superman sequel. No Batman, no Wonder Woman, Aquaman, or Doomsday. This is the sequel I wish we got.

After Credits - We get a scene of Batman in the Batcave watching the live TV broadcast of Superman's exposure to Kryptonite over and over, analysing it, and looks over to his left where we see a very small fragment of a glowing green rock...

WONDER WOMAN

Jaime Alexander as Wonder Woman. Fan art.

EDIT: They did it! just how I wanted to make a Wonder Woman film, instead of WWII it's WWI--a lot better in my opinion

So, for Wonder Woman, I wanted to save her towards the end of the phase. Simply because I want her to serve as the 'person-out-of-time' character that Captain America served in Marvel's Avengers. This version of Wonder Woman is set during WWII, and follows the classic Steve Trevor origin story. I personally never liked Steve, but I feel that he is quite crucial to the Wonder Woman mythos. Steve Trevor crashes in Themyscira and is discovered by the Amazons. Princess Diana (Jaime Alexander) is entrusted to return him to the world of man, and gets involved in the war when she gets wind that Ares, the God of War has something to do with this great evil. That's just the basic plot. We can even have the Blackhawks show up as part of the air force, just so we can introduce some classic and obscure DC heroes. (Go search them up). The ending will be the war ends but Diana has to return to Themyscira, leaving Steve behind.

After Credits Scene could be a heartbreaking scene where an old man is in his deathbed and is visited by a youthful Diana. The audience learns that this is modern times and that the old man is Steve Trevor himself. This was inspired by an episode of Justice League Unlimited.

EDIT: So when Wonder Woman was announced, I was really stoked that they went the same route that I envisioned. That's why I decided to put this off, because I just got really excited. The only thing i would change looking back, is that Ares never had a hand in WWII and it was man's own free will to start the war.

JUSTICE LEAGUE

That iconic theme!!!

I debated whether or not I wanted a 'World's Finest' film with Batman and Superman teaming up against Luthor and Joker, but I thought that having Justice League at this point would be perfect. It would be mostly inspired by the first episodes of the original Bruce Timm show, with a few minor tweaks. Instead of those weird aliens that look like the flood from the Halo series, it would be the White Martians. J'onn J'onzz is captured by the US government and tortured for experimentation, untilSuperman and Batman discover him. Though, I feel that in order for their bonds to work, I'd have them all try to fight the alien invasion on their own. Superman trying to save the entirety of the world on himself; Batman not playing nice; Wonder Woman trying to understand this new world; Green Lantern John Stuart (Hal is in space investigating the Red Lanterns or something) doing his best to protect his sector with his no-nonsense attitude; Hawkgirl being brash and warlike, always arrogant; and Flash... just happy to be there lol it's not until they suffer a major defeat and J'onn acting as the heart of the team where they finally rally together to end the White Martians once and for all.

Like imagine that? How cool would that be to have the team from the cartoons? Nostalgia anyone?

That iconic theme!!!

AARON MILLADO
AyAyRonM

A LITTLE SPARK OF INSANITY A DAY,
IS QUITE HEALTHY, DESPITE WHAT THE DOCTORS SAY