Dark Universe

When Warner Bros. announced their big slate of upcoming DC superhero films a few months ago, we all pretty much assumed that these movies and characters would operate in a shared universe. Given the ‘Justice League’ connection, how could they not? What we haven’t been clear on is whether some of the other DC heroes, like Shazam and Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Dark Universe’ characters, would also inhabit the same universe. As if sensing the little question marks over our heads, DC Comics has confirmed what we all assumed: Yes, their WB superhero movies will operate in a shared universe.

The shared universe concept is wildly popular right now, thanks in large part to Marvel’s success with their cinematic universe. DC and Warner Bros. are trying to catch up, having announced a full schedule of comic book films through 2020 and taking a very similar approach (while basically viewing the TV counterparts of their big screen superheroes as separate, alternate entities). Guillermo del Toro recently completed work on his script for the ‘Justice League Dark’ film, which we assumed would function separately from the main WB superhero universe, but new comments from the director imply that his film will also be a part of WB’s larger shared universe plans.

We've been hearing a lot about this 'Justice League Dark' movie Guillermo del Toro is planning, the latest update coming from the director himself confirming he is indeed working on a script to pitch to Warner Bros. Coming off of 'The Dark Knight Rises' and planning its own answer to the 'Avengers' phenomenon (i.e. that 'Justice League' movie), the studio seems committed to the development of superhero movies, especially with 'Man of Steel' on the horizon, so there's is a possibility this project could see the light of day. In the event that should happen, one question needs to be answered: who the hell are these superheroes?