Part 6/12:
The pattern was clear: Gunn’s DC universe was struggling to capture and sustain audience enthusiasm. Upcoming projects, like Supergirl and Clayface, seemed unlikely to reverse this downward trend, especially considering that Superman’s film hadn’t stirred the desired excitement.
Mistakes in Creative Direction and Franchise Management
One of Gunn’s most significant errors was not executing a clean slate for the DC universe. When he inherited a fractured and convoluted franchise—marked by conflicting visions, lingering Snyderverse elements, and unresolved storylines—his approach was a halfway measure. Instead of wiping the slate clean, Gunn retained certain projects like The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker, which created confusing continuity and fragmented storytelling.