DC Films' Geoff Johns Promises More “Hope And Optimism”

If you’re feeling a pain on your neck, it might be from the whiplash from Warner Bros. as they course correct in a huge way following the painful reception for “Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice.” And not even a full day after news broke that the studio was (perhaps belatedly) going to get some order to their superhero movies and put them under the DC Films banner run by studio VP Jon Berg and DC’s chief content officer Geoff Johns, the latter took some time to day to talk to select press.

READ MORE: Warner Bros. May Release Fewer Movies, Focus On Tentpoles After The Underperformance Of ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice’

Vulture was on hand, and while there aren’t a lot of meaty quotes, the phrase that Johns apparently said over and over in describing where the franchise needs to go next was “hope and optimism.” And while there was no direct diss of Snyder’s ‘Dawn Of Justice,’ if it wasn’t clear already, WB and co. have definitely decided that grim and dour simply isn’t working. And when it comes to Clark Kent, it seems clear that making him the target of enmity from a fearful public may not last for long.

“I think people make a mistake when they say, ‘Superman’s not relatable because he’s so powerful,’” he said. “I’m like, ‘Are you kidding me? He’s a farmboy from Kansas who moves to the city and just wants to do the best he can with what he’s got.’ That’s the most relatable character in the world.”

It’s certainly going to be fascinating to see what WB does with DC Films and what changes are coming post-‘Dawn Of Justice.’ And my guess is this year’s Comic-Con is going to have some genuine surprises as WB attempts to win back the trust of fans and audiences.