Geoff Johns Reveals DC Movie And TV Universes Are Separate

For months, fans have argued and debated about whether DC movies like Man of Steel and Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice would be connected with TV shows like Arrow and The Flash. After all, it’s worked great for Marvel Studios, so why not DC? Well, after months of sleepless nights wondering if we would see Grant Gustin and Stephen Amell show up in Justice League and other forms of cross-pollination, we finally have our answer: no. Sorry, TV Arrow and Flash.

At The Flash panel of the Television Critics Association press tour today, DC chief creative officer and Flash executive producer Geoff Johns stated that there are no crossover plans between the DC films and TV shows, stating that they are “their own universes.” After the panel, Johns told IGN that this decision is so that the film creative teams cam work unimpeded.

It’s a separate universe than film so that the filmmakers can tell the story that’s best for film. While we explore something different in a different corner of the DC universe. We will not be integrating the film and television universes.

However, with two separate universes also comes a double helping of Justice League. Johns stated the TV shows will continue to introduce more DC characters, although no A-listers.

You’ll see a lot of DC universe characters [on The Flash and Arrow]. You won’t see Batman or Superman. We’re on production on Batman V Superman now. So you’ll see characters like The Atom or Firestorm, but no not Batman or Superman right now [on TV].

Hmm, a movie AND a TV Justice League. That sounds like an okay consolation prize. Let Supes, Bats and the rest of the main heroes bask in the cinematic glory, and let the B-listers and everyone else shine on TV. The fact that we live in a time when characters like Atom and Firestorm can appear in live-action is amazing enough. On another note, with Gustin not showing up in the DC Cinematic Universe, it’s time to begin the Flash movie fan casting again. Place your bets!

While it would have been cool to see the movies and TV shows connected, it makes sense from a logistical standpoint. Marvel Studios started out with movies, which obviously grab more of an audience than individual television shows. Because of that, people got to know Phil Coulson in Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Thor and The Avengers, so they were willing to jump onto Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. to follow his further adventures (although whether they stuck around is a different story).

With DC, the TV shows have already been out awhile and building building their own world. By the time Justice League comes out, assuming these series are still on, Arrow will be in either its 5th or 6th season, and The Flash in its 3rd or 4th. It might be different if the shows came out after Justice League, but the fact is that the film writers don’t want to be bogged down by the established TV continuity. With only Man of Steel out so far, they basically have a blank to work with, and how they want it.

Look, we had two Supermans back in 2006, so it’s not like this is anything new, and the way I see it, there are more options now. If you don’t like Zack Snyder’s superhero world, watch the TV shows. If you’re not digging the CW (and possibly NBC) universe, stick with the movies. There’s a DC universe out there for everyone!

SOURCE: IGN