Saxsoon said:

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TCTTS said:

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Quote:

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Is there hope for DC to overtake Marvel Studios?

Or am I in, "let's not talk crazy" territory?

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I definitely think the pendulum is going to swing that way, starting with The Flash this summer. Now, the new DCU doesn't truly kick off for another couple years, in July 2025, but looking at the current MCU slate between now and then, GOTG3 is the only one that's likely guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Of course, any MCU entry has a chance at igniting that MCU spark again, but, for instance, I just discovered that the Quantumania writer is also writing Avengers: The Kang Dynasty (also scheduled for 2025). His only other notable credits? 238 episodes of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and six episodes of Rick and Morty. For real. That's the level of writer Marvel is currently hiring for their BIGGEST movies. Meanwhile, for DC in 2025, JAMES GUNN is writing a Superman movie and MATT REEVES is writing a Batman movie. So when this new arms race is at full force, going head-to-head, who would you rather bet on? Proven home-run hitters like Gunn and Reeves - or - a former Jimmy Kimmel Live! staffer? Granted, it'll be interesting to see how the MCU finally starts integrating the X-Men around that same time, in 2026 or so, which could very well be the shot in the arm they need. But as of now, I'm putting my money on DC/Gunn, if not to take back the crown, to at least be neck-and-neck with Marvel for the foreseeable future.

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You haven't seen it yet since you said you might cancel your saturday viewing after seeing critic reviews being low (but audience scores are in the high 80s).

After you gushed Fennessy twitter gushed about the movie.


Just see the damn movie (unless I missed that the situation changed). Low tier comedy folks have done actually quite ****ing well with Marvel

I say this as a guy who likes having you here TC which I feel like I have to caveat at times.

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- I bought Saturday tickets for Quantumania weeks ago, and can't see it until then because of prior commitments.

- Reviews were so-so out of the gate, immediately following the premiere, and I expressed my concern then. You can go back and check.

- Fennessey then gave me hope, but since then, the RT score came out, which is down there with Eternals, the lowest-rated MCU entry, percentage-wise. I'm sorry, but it's perfectly natural for that to give *anyone* pause again, and it's perfectly ok to express that pause on a message board.

Notice that I haven't once commented on the quality of the movie itself, because I haven't seen it yet. But I think it's perfectly fine to have commented on the responses to the movie so far, considering how notable and unprecedented they are for the MCU. And it's perfectly fine to express the fact that I'm more excited for movies from Gunn, Reeves, and Mangold than a "low tier comedy" writer. Especially when I've caveated multiple times that I'm not counting the latter out, I'm just expressing how weird it is that Marvel is hiring the latter while DC is hiring the former.

TCTTS said:

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That's a good counter argument, but not quite the same, IMO. The Russos had at least directed countless hours of scripted television, and showed that they could direction action via the paintball Community episodes, which most people, myself included, were legitimately impressed by at the time. Sure, I remember everyone being like, "Wait, those guys are directing Winter Soldier?" But they at least had experience and showed promise. Whereas writing for Jimmy Kimmel Live! isn't even in the same vicinity as the world of feature films, and six episodes of Rick and Morty isn't much closer either. Again, this guy had NEVER written for scripted live action. Ever. Outside of, like, what looks to be a student short or something.

Look, I'm not knocking the writer himself. More power to him, and maybe he surprises with The Kang Dynasty. My broader points are simply that...

A) It's objectively weird/concerning that Marvel isn't hiring more experienced writers.

B) I'm simply going to be more excited by Gunn, Reeves, and Mangold over this guy, any day of the week, and I don't think that's at all an irrational position.

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How did you feel about Shang Chi?

Quantumania is worth it for Kang alone - Majors knocks it out of the park and is magnetic every moment he's on the screen. Better than most of the post-Endgame Marvel offerings.

Quantumania is way better than the critic score. Still too much CGI gobbledygook, but overall I liked it more than the majority of Phase 4.

TCTTS said:

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It was ok. Some really cool action sequences, but WAAAAAY too much CGI gobbledygook throughout.

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Ohhhhh boy. If you felt that way about Shang-Chi, can't wait to hear your thoughts on Quantumania.

(It was not good.)

What is Mangold doing for DC? That guy's pretty good.

Swamp Thing (in talks)

TCTTS said:

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kerrag06 said:

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Does you guys really think all the people at Marvel who have shaped EVERYTHING just gave the keys to some random guy to drive the car? Seriously? I 100% guarantee Feige and Alonso,etc know exactly what they want, how they want it, and when they want it. They might allow this guy to add to it some and help with the presentation, but to say he's running the show story wise??? That's just absolutely, well… INSANE. He MIGHT be the driver of a fully automated car with the final destination pre-programmed- and any stops along the way for the matter as well. DC is an absolute wreck. It's more likely that Marvel paid Gunn millions to sabotage DC than to think he's going to make it better than marvel. DC is an absolute joke right now. And I personally think their plan moving forward is about 20 times dumber than letting a up and coming writer semi-assist your pre-set stories. And that's coming from a guy who will be at every single DC opening night premiere just praying they will get better. I laugh out loud every time I see the Shazam preview- including last night before Ant Man. But, that's just my opinion. I'm wrong PLENTY! I do like the Flash preview so far. But hearing Gunn removed all the continuity cameos from the Flash just seems ridiculous. What's even the point of releasing the movie other than just make some cash.

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I never said he was "running the show." But you have to admit, it *is* weird that they're letting a guy with ZERO prior feature film writing credits - hell, someone who hasn't written for scripted live action PERIOD - write the scripts for Quantumania and The Kang Dynasty. There's just something objectively odd and concerning about that. Also, just because Feige is overseeing and has a plan doesn't guarantee it's the right one or a good one. If everyone was suddenly concerned after *one* bad movie post Endgame, you'd have every right to call them out, and tout Feige's track record. Sure, there were some highlights, but overall Phase 4 was a mess, felt directionless, and saw way more stinkers than any previous phase. The quality of the MCU simply isn't what it used to be, and a lot of that old magic just isn't there anymore. That doesn't mean that Feige won't right the ship, or that there won't be some massive hits going forward. But DC at least has an opportunity to hit them while they're down, and starting with Gunn, they see to be landing the right punches. Can they make it a fight for years to come? We'll see. I'm just saying, I like the way the DC is trending comparatively.

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This honestly makes so much sense to me now. My first thought after the movie was that it felt like an inexperienced screenwriter who wanted to emulate his influences and didn't do a very good job at it. (Specifically James Gunn.)

Just got back with my kids. We all liked it. Definitely some issues, but still good. It's not the same light hearted charm as the first two, but still there.

The Porkchop Express said:

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Were your kids enraged that it was written by a former staff member of Jimmy Kimmel Live! ?

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No one here is enraged at this. The question was posed as to whether DC has a chance at overtaking the MCU. So, in response, I merely pointed out that, comparatively, DC has hired three of my favorite filmmakers, while Marvel is currently hiring people with next to no credits.

I might love Quantumania. And again, the writer might knock The Kang Dynasty out of the park. Either way, I was merely using him as a data point to make a comparison going forward. That's it and that's all.

TCTTS said:

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The Porkchop Express said:

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Were your kids enraged that it was written by a former staff member of Jimmy Kimmel Live! ?

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No one here is enraged at this. The question was posed as to whether DC has a chance at overtaking the MCU. So, in response, I merely pointed out that, comparatively, DC has hired three of my favorite filmmakers, while Marvel is currently hiring people with next to no credits.

I might love Quantumania. And again, the writer might knock The Kang Dynasty out of the park. Either way, I was merely using the writer as a data point to make a comparison going forward. That's it and that's all.

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I was talking to Cowtown06. . I can make jokes about stuff to other people, right? Then he made a joke back. And then I made another joke.

I respect your opinion TC, I don't share any of it, but I respect your right to have it. You don't have to cram it down my throat (that's what she said).

TCTTS said:

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double aught said:

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TC mad cuz he didn't get to write Ant Man.

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I did sit in the audience for a Jay Leno taping once, so maybe I should have.

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Who was the guest?

I did Colbert, Letterman, and Conan (in Brooklyn).

Guests were Cilian Murphy, Keegan Michael-Key, and Colbert, respectively. (Kind of a waste that it wasn't someone else, but funny interview.)

I think 99% GREATLY appreciate TC's contribution to the board. I even get his point on not giving the MVU the benefit of the doubt. Jokes are good too and we should all laugh more. I thought it was good levity.

TC, I hope it exceeds your expectations.

Lol I thought wandavision was pretty bad and weird. Not she-hulk bad but I liked every other series better.

Wandavision is way down my list as well.

Enjoyed Wanda Vision, although it could have ended a little better.

TCTTS said:

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You don't have to cram your opinion down my throat.

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I was responding to MadMartigan.

It was a joke, seeing as you said the same to me for responding to others.