Franchise Development

A deck by Noa Romano · 8 cards

Key structural films and production history of the cinematic universe.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is a 2016 American superhero film based on the DC Comics characters Batman and Superman. Directed by Zack Snyder and written by Chris Terrio and David S. Goyer, it is a follow-up to Man of Steel (2013) and the second film in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). The film stars Ben Affleck as Batman and Henry Cavill as Superman, alongside an ensemble cast including Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Holly Hunter, and Gal Gadot. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is the first live-action film to feature Batman and Superman together, as well as the first live-action cinematic portrayal of Wonder Woman.

DC Extended Universe

The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) is an American media franchise and shared universe centered on a series of superhero films distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. It is based on characters that appear in American comic books published by DC Comics. The DCEU also includes comic books, short films, novels, and video games.

Suicide Squad (2016 film)

Suicide Squad is a 2016 American superhero film based on the anti-hero team from DC Comics. It is the third installment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). The film was written and directed by David Ayer and stars an ensemble cast including Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Jay Hernandez, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Ike Barinholtz, Scott Eastwood, and Cara Delevingne. In the film, a secret government agency led by Amanda Waller recruits imprisoned supervillains to execute dangerous black ops missions and save the world from a powerful threat in exchange for reduced sentences.

Justice League (film)

Justice League is a 2017 American superhero film based on the DC Comics superhero team. Produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Films, RatPac-Dune Entertainment, Atlas Entertainment, and Cruel and Unusual Films, and distributed by Warner Bros., it is the fifth installment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Directed by Zack Snyder, and written by Chris Terrio and Joss Whedon, the film features an ensemble cast including Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa, Ray Fisher, Amy Adams, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, Connie Nielsen, and J. K. Simmons.

Wonder Woman (2017 film)

Wonder Woman is a 2017 superhero film based on the DC Comics character Wonder Woman. Directed by Patty Jenkins from a screenplay by Allan Heinberg, and based on a story by Heinberg, Zack Snyder, and Jason Fuchs, it is the fourth film in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Gal Gadot stars as Diana Prince / Wonder Woman alongside Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, David Thewlis, Connie Nielsen, and Elena Anaya. The film follows Diana, an Amazon princess, as she leaves her home island of Themyscira after the American spy Steve Trevor informs her about World War I. Believing it to be orchestrated by Ares, the god of war, she sets out to stop the conflict.

Aquaman (film)

Aquaman is a 2018 American superhero film based on the DC Comics character Arthur Curry / Aquaman. Produced by DC Films, Warner Bros. Pictures, and The Safran Company, it is the sixth film in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). The film was directed by James Wan and written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Will Beall.

Man of Steel (film)

Man of Steel is a 2013 superhero film based on the DC Comics character Superman. Directed by Zack Snyder and written by David S. Goyer, who developed the story with producer Christopher Nolan, it is the first film in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), and a reboot of the Superman film series, depicting the character's origin story. Henry Cavill stars as Superman, alongside Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, and Russell Crowe. In the film, Clark Kent learns that he is a superpowered alien from the planet Krypton and assumes the role of mankind's protector as Superman, making the choice to face General Zod and stop him from destroying humanity.

Zack Snyder's Justice League

Zack Snyder's Justice League is the 2021 director's cut and the original version of the 2017 American superhero film Justice League, the fifth film set within the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), which is based on the DC Comics superhero team Justice League. It is director Zack Snyder's original vision of the film prior to his departure from the production. The film follows Batman (Ben Affleck), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Cyborg (Ray Fisher), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), the Flash (Ezra Miller), and Superman (Henry Cavill) as they form an alliance to stop the extradimensional New God Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds) and his army of Parademons from conquering Earth for his overlord, Darkseid (Ray Porter). The production of the theatrical film was difficult, and the script frequently underwent major changes.