The DC Cinematic Universe is undergoing a major shake-up after the studio suffered one of the worst financial failures in its history. According to The Ankler, DC has decided to simultaneously cancel two ambitious projects that were supposed to be part of the new "Chapter One": the series Waller and Paradise Lost. According to the source, both shows are now "dead" for DC. Additionally, DC and HBO management have also rejected proposals for solo films or series featuring Poison Ivy and Catwoman.
According to insiders, the box office bomb of the Supergirl movie was the main trigger for this decision. With a budget exceeding $170 million, the film grossed only about $126 million worldwide, resulting in a loss of up to $200 million for the studio. This was the worst performance among all major DC releases and led to a 46% drop in quarterly revenue for Warner Bros. Discovery.
Both canceled series were positioned as stories about powerful, independent female characters. Waller, starring Viola Davis, was intended to continue the storyline of the tough, cynical government figure; while Paradise Lost was an epic Game of Thrones-style work set on Paradise Island, the home of the Amazons and Wonder Woman.
It is reported that DC is betting on Green Lantern, with rumors suggesting that a showrunner has already been hired for the second season, even though the first season won't premiere on HBO Max until August 16. Clearly, they will focus on a more mature, lower-risk model and revisit their development strategy for the cinematic universe.