Development of the DC Extended Universe information

The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) media franchise has experienced a turbulent history since its inception in 2013, characterized by highly publicized clashes between studio executives and talent, constantly changing approaches to worldbuilding, and repeated changes in management. Warner Bros. Pictures originally announced plans for a shared universe of live-action films based on the DC Comics, starting with the release of Man of Steel (2013), with director Zack Snyder set to spearhead the franchise. Following the negative reception to Snyder's follow-up film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Warner Bros. created DC Films, a new division led by Geoff Johns and Jon Berg tasked with overseeing development of the DCEU. DC Films attempted to correct the course of the franchise, culminating in the troubled production and disastrous release of the crossover film Justice League (2017), which significantly deviated from Snyder's original vision.

After the failure of Justice League, Warner Bros. sought to de-emphasize the DCEU's interconnectivity and transition from the Snyder era, releasing a series of solo films while greenlighting live-action films not set in the DCEU. Walter Hamada was hired as the new head of DC Films, replacing Johns and Berg. Under Hamada's leadership, the studio severed ties with several of its leading talent, including Snyder, Superman actor Henry Cavill, and Batman actor Ben Affleck. In 2020, Warner Bros. parent company WarnerMedia launched its HBO Max streaming service, releasing a director's cut of Justice League entitled Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021) following years of pressuring from Snyder's fans. The DCEU expanded to live-action television with HBO Max's Peacemaker (2022–present), helmed by The Suicide Squad (2021) director James Gunn.

In 2022, WarnerMedia completed its merger with Discovery, Inc. to form Warner Bros. Discovery, led by CEO David Zaslav, whose aspirations for the DCEU differed from those of Hamada, leading to his cancellation of Batgirl (2022) and the subsequent ousting of Hamada. After a months-long search for a replacement, Zaslav selected Gunn and Peter Safran to co-lead DC Studios, the successor to DC Films. In January 2023, the duo unveiled their slate of DC films and television series which were to be part of the DC Universe (DCU), a soft reboot and spiritual successor to the DCEU.