Movies
Why a DC-Marvel cinematic crossover is now possible
The two companies have jointly published comics before, but will they join forces on the big screen as well?
Marvel and DC are the two big names when it comes to superheroes, and while they’ve shown a willingness to work together in comic book crossovers, the idea hasn’t translated over to cinema just yet.
The possibility has certainly crossed the minds of fans who have immersed themselves into the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Extended Universe over the years, and it looks like it’s also crossed the mind of James Gunn.
Why Gunn believes a crossover is possible
For years, Gunn has been a key part of the MCU and the Guardians of the Galaxy.
However, once ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3′ hits theaters on May 5, 2023, he’ll say goodbye to the MCU and head over to DC, where he’ll become co-chairman and co-CEO of DC Studios with Peter Safran.
Speaking with Empire about the upcoming film, Gunn says that a Marvel-DC cinematic crossover is possible now that he’s joining the other side.
“I’m certain that’s more likely now that I’m in charge [at DC],” said Gunn.
However, before fans begin to consider the possibility of seeing characters like Superman and Captain America on the same screen, Gunn made it clear that those talks are still years down the road.
“That’s many years away, though,” said Gunn. “I think we have to establish what we’re doing [at DC] first. I would be lying to say that we haven’t discussed it. But all discussions have been very, very light and fun.”
Marvel and DC have invaded each other’s universes before
Although the two companies haven’t shared the big screen together, they have invaded one another’s universes in comic books before.
The first venture dates back to a collaboration on ‘MGM’s Marvelous Wizard of Oz’ in 1975, but the first modern superhero intercompany crossover came with ‘Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man’ in 1976.
In it, Superman and Spider-man must work together to stop the world from being destroyed by their arch-nemeses, Lex Luthor and Doctor Octopus.
The harmony reached its peak with the ‘DC Versus Marvel/Marvel Versus DC’ crossover mini-series in 1996, with each company publishing two issues of the series.
Superheroes from both companies were pitted against one another in battle, with the outcome determined by reader ballot, which were distributed in advance to comic book stores.
The series spawned a whole new universe under Amalgam Comics, which featured amalgamated versions of heroes and villains like Dark Claw (Batman and Wolverine) and Super Soldier (Superman and Captain America).