History Franchise / DCExtendedUniverse

Shortly after Gunn and Safran's arrival, it was revealed that a new DC Comics-based multimedia franchise with films at its center, which is called "The DC Universe" (the DCU), was in the making, with the stated priority being to create and maintain consistent portrayals of characters across not just movies and shows, but expanding the franchise into the realm of animation and video games, using the same cast wherever possible. Upcoming projects that are not part of this overarching plan, such as ''Film/{{The Batman|2022}}'', ''Film/{{Joker|2019}}'' and their sequels and spin-off shows, or ongoing projects not part of a shared universe like ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGo'' or ''Series/SupermanAndLois'', will be clearly branded as {{Elseworld}}s tales. Some cast members from the DCEU are expected to continue playing their characters in the DCU, some may play different characters in the reconfigured setting, and others will be recast. [[MythArc A long-form story arc]], divided into two chapters, will cover the first eight to ten years of films, shows, animated series, and video games. "Chapter One: Gods and Monsters" was formally revealed in January 2023, alongside ten new projects that represent a glimpse of what's in store for Chapter One (which he's since said amount to less than half of what they have planned for that leg of the franchise).

* '''''Film/{{Wonder Woman|2017}}''''' (June 2, 2017) -- [[Franchise/WonderWoman Diana of Themyscira]], daughter of Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, grows up and trains as a warrior on the isle of Themyscira. Upon meeting US pilot and secret agent ComicBook/SteveTrevor, she sets out to kill the god of war ComicBook/{{Ares|DC}} on the European battlefields of UsefulNotes/WorldWarI.

** The [=DCEU=]'s take on Superman across three films (''Man of Steel, Batman V Superman, Justice League'') is someone who openly chooses his identity as Clark Kent and an Earthling, over Kal-El and his Kryptonian heritage. This is true to the Post-Crisis Superman following Creator/JohnByrne's ''ComicBook/ManOfSteel''. All Superman films before, from Creator/RichardDonner's to Creator/BryanSinger's focuses heavily on his Kryptonian heritage reflecting the Silver Age instead. In ''Man of Steel'', Superman was torn between Jonathan Kent and Jor-El but in ''Batman v Superman'' he considers Jonathan Kent his true father, seeing him in a dream sequence in a moment of inspiration. When he resurrects, Superman views both fathers as equals.

* HeroesWantRedheads: Superman and Aquaman in particular have redheaded {{Love Interest}}s.

** Several of the films have received a UsefulNotes/RestrictedRating, in stark contrast with previous mainstream DCU film adaptations and with the always UsefulNotes/ParentsStronglyCautionedRating MCU.

!!Notable Cancelled projects:

* '''''Film/AquamanAndTheLostKingdom''''' (December 20, 2023) -- Aquaman teams up with his brother Orm after Black Manta resurfaces to carry out his revenge, armed with the Black Trident.

* ''Comicbook/BlackAdamTheJusticeSocietyFiles'': A series of one-shots centered on Adrianna Tomaz and the individual members of the [[Comicbook/JusticeSocietyOfAmerica Justice Society]].
* ''Comicbook/TheFlashTheFastestManAlive'': A 3-issue prequel mini-series focusing on Barry Allen's crimefighting adventures prior to the events of ''The Flash''.

* [[AdaptationalAttractiveness/DCExtendedUniverse Adaptational Attractiveness]]

* '''''Film/{{The Flash|2023}}''''' (June 16, 2023) -- Barry Allen alters the timeline by preventing his mother's death, but must now team up with his alternate self, an alternate Batman, and ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} to stop an invasion by General Zod's forces.

!!Cancelled projects: