Warner Bros. Reorganizes DC Movie Operations in Wake of ‘Batman v Superman’
Warner Bros. is reorganizing the executives handling its DC movies, two months after “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” delivered a mildly disappointing performance.
The studio is giving oversight of its DC Entertainment movies to Warner’s Executive VP Jon Berg and DC’s Chief Operating Officer Geoff Johns through its recently created DC Films arm. Berg will continue to report to Greg Silverman and Johns to DC Entertainment topper Diane Nelson.
Nelson has served as president of DC Entertainment since 2009 and as president and chief content officer of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment since 2013. Silverman was named president of creative development and worldwide production at Warner Bros. Pictures in 2013.
Johns, meanwhile, has been a driving creative force along with Greg Berlanti behind DC’s successful television properties “Arrow,” “The Flash” and “Supergirl.” He was also tasked with writing this month’s “Rebirth” comic book, which will shake up the landscape of DC superheroes on the page after the company’s 2011 “New 52” relaunch.
The move is part of an evolution of the executive structure at Warner Bros., which has been attempting to rev up its output of movies based on the DC characters, including Aquaman, Wonder Woman and The Flash.
For example, Warner Bros. announced earlier this month that Ben Affleck had expanded his role in the DC universe by taking on the duties of executive producer on Warner Bros.’ “Justice League: Part One,” in addition to starring as Batman.
Zack Snyder began shooting “Justice League: Part One” in April with Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa, Ray Fisher, Amy Adams, Amber Heard, Jeremy Irons, J. K. Simmons and Willem Dafoe. The film is scheduled to be released on Nov. 17, 2017, with “Justice League: Part Two” set for June 14, 2019.
Affleck also announced in April at CinemaCon that he would direct and star in a standalone Batman movie. Warner Bros. has already planned a sprawling slate of movies in the DC universe through 2020, with “Suicide Squad” slated for Aug. 5, the two “Justice League” pics, “Aquaman,” “Cyborg” and “The Flash.”
“Batman v Superman,” starring Affleck and Cavill, turned out to be less than Warner Bros. hoped for with worldwide grosses hitting $869 million — making the $250 million tentpole only moderately profitable. Snyder directed from Chris Terrio’s script.
Warner Bros. had no comment on the shifts.
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