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When Zack Snyder madeMan of Steelwith Henry Cavill, there were no plans of building a DCEU. However, DC executives were eager to catch up with Marvel, who were thriving with their superhero franchise. In their misguided vision for a DC franchise, the studio tried many things unsuccessfully before opting for a complete restructuring under James Gunn.
The DCEU already underwent several course corrections before the restructuring, resulting in a bunch of canceled or abandoned projects. After the new regime took over control, all planned films in the former DCEU were effectively canceled.
TheHourmanfilm was announced by WBD in March 2021 about a superhero who can use his power only one hour at a time. Gavin James and Neil Widener were attached as the writers. Chernin Entertainment was announced as a producing partner alongside Warner Bros. and DC Films (via Deadline).
But the movie did not take off and the DCU restructuring meant that the plan was canceled. The character was created by Ken Fitch and Bernard Baily and originally appeared in theStargirlcomics. Cameron Gellman portrayed a version of this character in The CW’s shortlivedStargirlseries.
9Batman Beyond
Michael Keatonwas set to play a dark and gritty version of a retired Batman in this film. The story explores Keaton’s Batman training Terry McGinnis, the next Batman. The film depended on the success ofThe Flash, where Keaton briefly reprised his role. However, it was canceled in January 2023 after the new regime took over.
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The new DCU may see theBatman Beyondconcept after all in an animated version. Writer-director Patrick Harpin and production designer Yuhki Demers have pitched a potential story to WB. While the initial response was negative, Demers revealed that their interest in the project later turned the“never”into a“maybe”(via r/BatmanBeyond).
8Black Canary
The film was a spinoff ofBirds of Prey, intended to be released on HBO Max. Jurnee Smollett-Bell was set to return to her role as Dinah Lance / Black Canary. In the Margot Robbie film, the character appeared as a singer in Sionis’ club while moonlighting as a vigilante. She had the metahuman power of hypersonic screams.
Misha Green was hired to write the film for the streamer. The movie even got a tease in a scene from another canceled DCEU project,Batgirl(via Comicbook). The last update on the project came in May 2022, but the DCU reboot may have essentially canceled the project.
7Justice League Dark
AJustice League Darkmovie was initially planned byGuillermo del Toro. In 2016, Doug Liman took over the directing duties from del Toro. Liman left the movie a year later. J.J. Abrams was approached for a TV project after three years. In February 2023, plans for both the movie and the HBO Max series were canceled.
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DC Animated Universe came up with aJustice League Darkanimated film in 2017, featuring the characters John Constantine, Zatanna, Swamp Thing, Deadman, Black Orchid, and Etrigan the Demon.
Batgirlfell victim to the new WB Discovery regime’s tax write-off scheme. The film is the only completed film on this list to get shelved. It was scheduled for an HBO Max release in 2022, butWBD eventually decided to cancelthe completed film. In aVarietyreport, WBD shared that a tax write-off was the most financially sound way to deal withBatgirl.
New DCU CEOJames Gunnreached out to directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah to express support after the news of the cancellation. His co-CEO Peter Safran toldVarietythat the studio was focused exclusively on theatrical releases andBatgirlwas unreleasable in theaters. He shared,“[The film] would not have been able to compete in the theatrical marketplace.”
Safran also praised the talent involved in the film. The film featuredLeslie Graceas Barbara Gordon, alongside J.K. Simmons, Brendan Fraser, and Michael Keaton.
5Nightwing
Originally announced in 2017, the film about Batman’s first sidekick was intended as a spinoff of Affleck’sBatmanmovie. In 2023, director Chris McKay hinted at carrying the story into DCU. After years in development hell, sources suggested that the project was dead with the DCU restructuring.
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However, it is not the end of the road for a live-action Nightwing. Last year, it was reported thatDCU is developing aTeen TitansmoviewithSupergirlwriter Ana Nogueira writing the script. Dick Grayson’s Nightwing is one of the prominent members of this superhero team.
4Deathstroke
Gareth Evans was attached to a soloDeathstrokefilm featuringJoe Manganiello’s character fromJustice League. Before the solo film, the character was supposed to feature in Affleck’s canceledBatmanfilm. Despite a planned budget of $40 million, Manganiello confirmed toTHRthat the project was canceled.
In anattempt to win over the new regime, he took hisDeathstrokescreenplay Jim Lee at DC Comics, intending to make it into a graphic novel. However, he toldComicbookthat no one at DC, including James Gunn, could assure him that the graphic novel would bring the attention of directors or producers to his character.
He was advised byThe Suicide Squaddirector to finally let go of the character. After his DCU snub,Joe Manganiello has joined Netflix’sOne Pieceas the character Crocodile.
3Wonder Woman 3
Despite the film’s success in the DCEU, a thirdWonder Womanproject was canceled after the DC restructuring, according toThe Hollywood Reporter. Patty Jenkins confirmed that the project was dead, and the new DCU will not featureGal Gadot’s Wonder Woman.
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There were initially rumors that Gal Gadot was retained in the DCU for a rebooted version ofWonder Woman. Gadot herself shared that she was invited to a meeting with James Gunn and Peter Safran, who told her that they loved her in the role (via Flaunt). However, recent updates suggest that the new regime is looking at other actresses for the role.
2Man of Steel 2
Henry Cavillhad to settle for just one solo movie in the DCEU throughout the franchise’s nine-year run. After his appearance inBlack Adamin 2022, Cavill was all set to return to aMan of Steelsequel, written by Steven Knight ofPeaky Blindersfame. According toTHR, Cavill’s Superman would have fought Brainiac in this second film.
The sequel would have eventually happened, if not for the restructuring of DCEU into DCU under James Gunn. Cavill shared with fans onInstagramthat he had a talk with Gunn and Safran, who had decided that his take on the role was no longer in their plans.
1Justice League Part 2
Zack Snyderand Chris Terrio initially conceivedJustice Leagueas a two-part film. However, when it was decided as a self-contained film, Snyder was left with ideas for a second film. A sequel to the film was scheduled to be released in June 2019, withWonder Womandirector Patty Jenkins expressing interest to direct the film.
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However, several reasons including Snyder’s departure, the poor performance ofJoss Whedon‘s version, and the behind-the-scene issues during the first film stoppedJustice League 2from happening.
According toComicbook, DC Films producer Charles Roven stated in August 2021 that a sequel was still possible in the future of the franchise. That plan ended after the DCU restructuring.
Hashim Asraff
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3018
Hashim Asraff is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, with over 2,800 articles published on celebrity culture, comic book movies, and major TV franchises. With a background in Sociology and a keen interest in pop culture, Hashim brings a unique lens to breaking news stories, character deep-dives, film rankings, and fan-driven perspectives.His coverage often includes the MCU, DCU, hit network shows, and celebrity profiles, giving readers a rich blend of entertainment and analysis. A longtime fan of crime and investigative series, Hashim has watched thousands of episodes of NCIS, Criminal Minds, Law & Order: SVU, Bones, Blue Bloods, and The RookieA passionate storyteller and wordsmith, Hashim has also worked as a ghostwriter and managed multiple social media handles. He brought his writing expertise to FandomWire to also pursue his lifelong love for cinema and television.
