I think James Gunn's latest explanation of the DCU is a bit of a cop-out. Gunn says the DCU is a universe where individual stories can exist without necessarily building toward something bigger. And look, I get it. CLAYFACE should work as a horror movie on its own. LANTERNS should be able to tell its own story. Nobody needs every project to end with some guy showing up to recruit the next superhero. But if you're building a shared universe, shouldn't there be some larger stakes? Some reason for audiences to invest their time and care about what happens next? Look at AVENGERS: ENDGAME ENCORE. A seven-year-old movie with a handful of new scenes connecting it to DOOMSDAY just opened to $26 MILLION domestically. That's roughly what CLAYFACE is currently projected to make. Apples to oranges? Absolutely. But Marvel spent years building audience investment, delivered a massive payoff, and now people are showing up AGAIN because they're excited about where the story goes next. Their time and dedication meant something. And that's what frustrates me about Gunn's answer. I don't think every DCU project needs to be homework for the next one, but there should be a larger narrative that rewards people for paying attention. Otherwise, what's the point of building an interconnected universe in the first place? I'm starting to wonder if Gunn is so determined to avoid copying Marvel that he's overlooking one of the biggest reasons the MCU worked. You don't have to copy the formula. But maybe don't ignore why people loved it.

A ‘POISON IVY’ series is in the works at HBO. • Lauren LeFranc (‘The Penguin’) is in talks to produce the series • It would not be set in Matt Reeves' Batman universe (Source: Deadline)