Why HBO Max Is The Perfect Place For Warner Bros. To Fix The DCEU

HBO Max has brought new buzz for beloved DCEU characters, making it the perfect place for Warner Bros. to take another chance at initially unsuccessful properties. The streaming platform has become a true home for the franchise, showcasing an enormous collection of beloved animated series and recent movie releases like James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad. Though it may be some time before the film is put into production, the Black Canary solo film is set to join this collection, following a trail of other DCEU characters like Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn and that were given a similar second chance.

As the exclusive streaming platform for DC films and shows, HBO Max previously notably released DCEU film follow-ups like the Justice League Snyder Cut and the aforementioned The Suicide Squad. Both films were met with largely positive reviews from fans and critics despite poorly performing first films at the box office. The initial version of Justice League faced criticism for its minimal character appeal despite it’s major character features, while the first Suicide Squad was highly critiqued for its jumbled plot and confusing direction. However, the releases of Snyder’s and Gunn’s films, especially the release of the Snyder Cut, revitalized and turned around the properties, bringing fans enthusiastically back after a number of film failures.

Its current DCEU track record shows that releasing on a streaming platform allows Warner Bros. to give its shakier properties a second chance at a successful film release. An HBO Max release carries significantly less pressure than a full-scale theatrical release, particularly for properties that have notoriously bombed. By focusing solely on an online release, Warner Bros. can devote the necessary time and resources to fix mistakes in the franchise.

When it comes to streaming services, HBO Max is one of the internet’s biggest, and its massive subscriber base already indicates enough long-term loyalty for Warner Bros. to confidently release sequel films. There isn’t the pressure to garner as much media buzz for an in-person audience like with a theater premiere, so the company faces less risk when it comes to performance – an important detail when moments like Justice League‘s weak opening weekend showing are taken into account. This is becoming especially true now that streaming has become more widespread and accessible than physically attending movie theaters, and as many become more attracted to exclusive content offers like HBO Max’s hold on DCEU. It’s a much easier way for Warner Bros. to both strengthen the quality of the DCEU’s film presence and guarantee an audience.

Without the burden of as large of a marketing campaign, Warner Bros. can take the chance to devote more of its resources towards fixing the franchise and creating stronger films. More resources allow greater opportunity for the company to address past criticisms more effectively, which can only create stronger representations and narratives for its iconic characters. James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad is a great example of this, praised for its humor and gelling-together of an admittedly odd mismatch of characters. Though not perfect, its visual flair and lively violence proudly brought the property back into the limelight. Aside from merely addressing criticisms, Warner Bros. can better experiment, utilizing the lower pressure environment to play with direction, plot, and film design for more nuanced filmmaking. With all the flexibility an HBO Max release provides, there’s so much to take advantage of, and there’s strong hope for it to invite a new, stronger era of exciting DCEU films and shows. Warner Bros. clearly still believes in its existing properties, seen with its many planned upcoming DC films, and HBO Max releases free up the opportunity to do justice to the vibrant and edgier DCEU franchise.