The DCAU faced serious problems because Hollywood continued to misuse the concept of the multiverse
The theory of the multiverse, i.e. multiple universes (parallel and anti-parallel) operating simultaneously, is often used in movies and TV shows to mess with people’s brains. Well, franchises like the DCAU and MCU have been working on this concept relentlessly for several years.
With these comedy giants and other franchises overworking this single concept, people often find things all repetitive and unnecessary. One DCAU movie got the short end of the stick when the multiverse concept went mainstream!
When the concept of the multiverse became mainstream
People remember a time when superhero movies were about fighting a bad guy, saving the world, and getting closure. MCU start (Iron Man) had a similar style and fans really liked the movie.
People also liked when the movies started connecting together and forming what we now know as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In comic books, the universe actually exists and in these comic books (both Marvel and DC Comics) the concept of the multiverse has been used heavily to bring characters back and forth from other dimensions/universes.
The multiverse theory has also been used to understand the consequences of the smallest actions in the past, present or future and how all hell could break loose with the snap of a finger (or glove). As the MCU and DCEU/DCU took shape, the concept of the multiverse became very popular or mainstream for people and they actually loved it.
But in the end, love was temporary. Using the same concepts to depict a similar story about time manipulation made the films seem boring or redundant. This exact situation became one of the worst things to ever happen to a DCAU movie titled Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part 1.
How the concept of the multiverse ruined the DCAU movie!
In January 2024, the DCAU released a film titled Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part 1. As the title suggests, there are infinite Earths, so the film is based on the concept of the multiverse. Jim Craig, the film’s screenwriter, revealed to… Beat Comics That when they started working on the film, the multiverse was a very obscure concept.
“This was absolutely the worst thing for us. When we started this, we felt like we had to explain the word ‘multiverse.’ Literally, the entire Justice Society movie is meant to explain the existence of Earth-2.”
He further continued,
“By the time the movie came out, there were three franchises operating in the multiverse. I say, ‘Do you think they’ll understand?’ I think so!” Now he’s in Rick and Morty and everywhere.
The film struggled somewhat, with a 6.3/10 rating on IMDB, but it received a whopping 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. With stars like Jensen Ackles and Alexandra Daddario voicing the roles of Batman and Lois Lane respectively. The 2024 movie is available to rent on Apple TV+ in the US
