James Gunn Highlights the Significance of Test Screenings and Shares Updates on ‘Paradise Lost’
Warner Bros., which owns the rights to DC Comics characters, aimed to replicate Disney’s success with the MCU through their own shared cinematic universe, originally branded as the DCEU.
Despite having significant potential, star power, and some standout films, the DCEU was ultimately doomed due to a series of poor decisions and miscalculations.
Following a string of disappointments, Zack Snyder, the initial head of the universe, was let go and replaced by Marvel veteran James Gunn. Along with producer Peter Safran, Gunn took the reins of the newly rebranded DCU.
Faced with chaos upon his arrival, he decided to start fresh and build a new fictional universe, with the first phase set to launch soon.
Numerous projects are on the horizon for the DCU, many of which we’ve covered extensively here at Comic Basics.
One notable upcoming project is the Wonder Woman prequel series, Paradise Lost, which will delve into the politics of Themyscira before Wonder Woman emerged as a prominent character. Recently, Gunn shared some updates on the series, which we are excited to report on.
The upcoming Paradise Lost project remains largely shrouded in mystery, but it aims to serve as an introduction to the Wonder Woman lore within the DCU.
The series is set to explore the island of Themyscira prior to Wonder Woman’s birth, delving into the schemes, intrigues, and political struggles of the all-female island.
The title is inspired by the comic book story arc “Paradise Island Lost” by Phil Jimenez and George Pérez, which portrayed a civil war on the island. This series has drawn comparisons to Game of Thrones in terms of tone and style.
Recently, Gunn addressed the status of Paradise Lost on Threads, sharing his insights:
Post by @jamesgunnView on Threads
If you’re having trouble accessing the link or viewing the messages, user octaviasuperwomen posed this question to Gunn: “Understandable, any progress on Paradise Lost or Wonder Woman? I can imagine a few drafts being sent in.” Gunn’s response was succinct: “yes,” confirming that work is underway on the show and that he has plans for the series, which is encouraging news.
Additionally, during his interaction with fans, James Gunn emphasized the significance of test screenings, expressing his appreciation for them. He clarified that his comments were not a reference to the recent rumors surrounding the Joker sequel.
Post by @jamesgunnView on Threads
In case you can’t access the link, user the_r_rating asked Gunn: “James, are you still going to use test screenings for future DC projects? I heard that Joker 2 didn’t have any test screenings at all.” Gunn responded, saying, “Yes, I use test screenings as a way to improve films. I find them useful, as long as you’re not completely beholden to them. They help identify what works, what doesn’t, and where there might be confusion. (That said, I’m not implying that Joker 2 didn’t have test screenings—I have no idea if it did or didn’t.)”
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