By Priya Persaud
With the popularization of superhero movies in the past decade, the rise of television series depicting the tumultuous adventures of fictional characters was predictable for many. The streaming platforms at the forefront of these superhero-based series include Disney+ and Netflix. The Disney+ release of Marvel’s “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law” and Netflix’s release of DC’s “The Sandman” have captured the attention of fans who are eager to witness the futures of both superhero franchises.
Source by Ashwathi Chemban
DCEU's "The Sandman" and MCU's "She-Hulk" represent new eras of superhero films in both franchises.
Netflix’s “The Sandman” is a television adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s fantasy comic by the same name and occurs within the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Essentially, the series documents the dark, adventurous journey of Dream, known as Morpheus, who is one of the seven Endless. The Endless comprise a family of supernatural beings and each embodies a natural force. Initially, Dream was imprisoned in an occult ritual for 105 years. Thus, the 10 episodes document Dream as he escapes his imprisonment, vies to reclaim his authority and restore the glory to his kingdom.
Tom Sturridge, who plays Dream, leads a star-studded cast including many recognizable names from famous franchises such as “Star Wars,” “Harry Potter” and “Game of Thrones” in this new series.
“I have long been a fan of the DCEU, and I was absolutely thrilled to watch ‘The Sandman,’” senior Julie Joseph said. “The graphics and animation were very well done, and the plot was developed in interesting ways in each episode.”
Now, “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,” airing on Disney+, is based on the “Savage She-Hulk #1” comic created by Stan Lee and John Buscema in 1980. The series follows the debut of a new character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Jennifer Walters. Walters is an attorney in her thirties who focuses on superhero-related legal cases. She also discovers her new Hulk superpowers, thus adding complications to her life as she attempts to balance being a lawyer and a superhero.
“I am a true fan of Marvel, and I am so excited to watch anything new that they release,” senior Hittesha Hatta said. “I am so happy that ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’ debuted because it follows a strong female protagonist displaying the powers that were always associated with the typical male Hulk.”
Currently, the DCEU’s 10-year plan has not been fully specified to the public. However, Discovery CEO David Zaslav has promised fans that the DCEU will tap into its potential to ensure a more unified DC comic universe.
“Black Adam,” “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” “The Flash,” “Blue Beetle” and “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” are all projects that have been definitively announced by the DC franchise and planned to release within the next year.
“...The DCEU will tap into its potential to ensure a more unified DC comic universe. ”
Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios, announced at CinemaCon that the MCU is currently being planned to extend to 2032. The plotline of the new projects would transition from the Infinity Saga to an imaginative overarching new plot. Feige also announced that these new projects would incorporate both old and new characters, like She-Hulk.
The furthest confirmed MCU project is “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” for July 2023. However, there are numerous other series and movies that are in progress and will be released past 2023, such as “Secret Invasion,” “Armor Wars” and “Ironheart.”
“I think that the 10-year plans for both the DCEU and MCU are excellent ways to plan the overarching plots for each respective universe,” senior Emily Jacob said. “We have a lot to look forward to, and I am excited to see the new characters and the roles they play.”
Overall, with the release of many new superhero-oriented series and the planning of the MCU and DCEU for the next 10 years, fans have a lot to anticipate.