Written By Kieran Bugg and Mikey Sutton • Editor-in-Chief • Owner
Warner Bros Discovery simply wasn’t ready for DC FanDome this year. Therefore, they pulled the plug. Specifically, DC Films finds itself in a transitional phase.
On July 23, Deadline reported that DC FanDome was going to happen. They wrote:
The studio still has the virtual DC FanDome coming up, so we’re likely to see more there.
In other words, the cancellation of DC FanDome was a late decision. This is why Warner Bros. Discovery didn’t announce it until last week. According to sources, there were several reasons for it.
First, DC Films doesn’t have a slate of movies or projects to unveil like Marvel Studios. Indeed, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige dropped nuclear bombs at SDCC. Furthermore, many expect Feige to detonate more at the upcoming Disney Plus Day and D23.
On the contrary, DC Films hasn’t greenlit anything new outside of Joker: Folie à Deux. In addition, the Joker sequel hasn’t even begun filming; therefore, there’s no footage to tease the movie.
Warner Bros Discovery’s Reasons For Cancelling DC FanDome
Image: Warner Bros.
In addition, SDCC already featured presentations for Black Adam and Shazam! Fury of the Gods. In fact, the Black Adam panel disappointed many because the rumored Henry Cavill appearance failed to deliver. DC FanDome wouldn’t generate excitement with an SDCC repeat.
Secondly, Warner Bros. Discovery continues to tweak The Flash and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. They also shelved Batgirl.
Thirdly, Warner Bros. Discovery hasn’t selected a new DC Films head. Although Dan Lin is close to signing, he hasn’t yet. Nevertheless, Walter Hamada is headed for the exit doors after Black Adam‘s theatrical release in October.
Lastly, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav doesn’t like that DC FanDome is linked to the old WarnerMedia regime. Insiders explain that, when DC FanDome eventually returns, he’ll likely change the name and its format.
Officially, Warner Bros. Discovery issued the following statement:
With the return of in person events, Warner Bros. Discovery is excited to be able to engage with our fans live at numerous comic-cons around the world and will not be scheduling DC FanDome for 2022.
Back in 2020 when comic-cons worldwide were cancelled due to the global pandemic, Warner Bros. launched DC FanDome.
It was a virtual online event for fans around the world to celebrate their favorite DC superheroes and villains. Moreover it also gave WB the opportunity to provide fans with updates on all of their upcoming DC media. In addition, during FanDome we got our first official trailers for various movies, TV shows and video games. These included The Batman, Black Adam, Peacemaker, Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League, and many more.
Warner Bros Discovery’s Reasons For Cancelling DC FanDome
Image: DC
Also, several celebrity guest stars made special appearances during the event to promote their upcoming projects. While the first DC FanDome in 2020 event was a roaring success, the second one the following year fell short.
Most fans claimed to have only tuned in to watch the world premiere of the second trailer for The Batman. This mostly came down to the controversy surrounding those in charge of Warner Bros. at that time.
With those personnel gone, fans are expecting big changes from the newly established Warner Bros. Discovery.
Nonetheless, this doesn’t mean that we won’t hear anything from DC before the year is out. As a matter of fact, DC will appear at New York Comic-Con next month. This could mean that the studio will be refocusing their efforts on in-person events rather than virtual ones.