David Goyer Says "It's Too Early" For A Cohesive DC Universe

Just about every major studio is making some sort of attempt right now to build its own superhero cinematic universe. Some have found more success than others. Marvel, of course, is the gold standard, with a unified mythos that spans across both film and television.

But Warner Bros./DC is trying to put up a fight too. It's just that, according to Man of Steel writer/producer David Goyer, it's still "too early" for Warner Bros. to have a cohesive DC universe right now. Hit the jump to see what he means.

I mean, it's too early. I know that Warner Bros. would love to make their universe more cohesive. There have been a lot of general conversations about that, but it's really, really early. I'm not sure. Marvel has had enormous success, but I'm not sure that everybody should try to emulate them either. It's just been vague conversations so far.

Goyer is right that the DC universe is in the early stages. Batman vs. Superman isn't even coming out for another couple of years. But is it really too early for them to make some decisions? Comprehensive timelines and story arcs don't just fall into place accidentally. Marvel planted the seeds for 2012's The Avengers in 2008 with Iron Man, and these days they have a plan that takes them all the way through 2028. 

Meanwhile, Warner Bros./DC is taking off off on the small screen, with Arrow a certified hit and The Flash, Constantine, and Gotham among the most buzzed-about premieres of the next season. But Goyer doesn't foresee a conflict between the shows and films. "You know, Smallville was running while Bryan Singer's Superman came out, and no one had a heart attack over that," he pointed out.

Of course, Singer's Superman Returns opened in 2006 — before Marvel became the juggernaut that it is today, and before every other studio started trying to follow in its footsteps. Nevertheless, Goyer insists that Warner Bros./DC aren't obsessing over their rivals. "We don't sit in a room with cigars and say, "Look at what these guys are doing!" It doesn't work that way," he said.

Not that he isn't feeling the heat. "I mean, yes and no," he said when asked if he felt pressure to build a more cohesive, Marvel-esque universe. "I think right now it's just kind of, 'More of the same, please.' I'm trying to branch off with Sandman."