<P> The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) is a term used to refer to an American media franchise and shared universe that is centered on a series of superhero films, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and based on characters that appear in American comic books by DC Comics . The shared universe, much like the original DC Universe in comic books and the television programs, was established by crossing over common plot elements, settings, cast, and characters . The films have been in production since 2011 and in that time Warner Bros. has distributed five films . The series has grossed over $3.7 billion at the global box office, currently making it the fourteenth highest - grossing film franchise . </P> <P> The films are written and directed by a variety of individuals and feature large, often ensemble, casts . Several actors, including Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa, and Ray Fisher, have appeared in numerous films of the franchise, with continued appearances in sequels planned . In May 2016, DC's chief creative officer Geoff Johns and Warner Bros. executive vice president Jon Berg were appointed to co-run the DC Films division and oversee creative decisions, production and story - arcs in order to create a cohesive overarching plot within the films . In January 2018, Walter Hamada was appointed the president of DC Films, replacing Berg . </P> <P> The first film in the DCEU was Man of Steel (2013) followed by Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Suicide Squad (2016), Wonder Woman (2017), and Justice League (2017). Future films with scheduled release dates include: Aquaman in 2018, Shazam! in 2019 and Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman 1984, Cyborg and Green Lantern Corps in 2020 . A multitude of other projects are in various stages of development . </P> <P> In 2002, Wolfgang Petersen was set to direct a Batman vs. Superman film from a script by Akiva Goldsman . Warner Bros. canceled development to focus on individual Superman and Batman projects after J.J. Abrams submitted another draft for Superman: Flyby . In February 2007, Warner Bros. hired husband and wife duo Michele and Kieran Mulroney to write a script for a Justice League film . Christian Bale, who starred as Batman in Batman Begins (2005), was not approached to reprise the role, nor was Brandon Routh, who starred as Superman in Superman Returns (2006). George Miller was hired to direct the film, reportedly titled Justice League Mortal, with Armie Hammer cast as Batman, D.J. Cotrona as Superman, Adam Brody as Flash, Santiago Cabrera as Aquaman, Common as Green Lantern, Megan Gale as Wonder Woman, Hugh Keays - Byrne as Martian Manhunter and Jay Baruchel as Maxwell Lord . The project was put on indefinite hold in January 2008, after failing to secure tax breaks for filming in Australia, as well as the 2007--2008 Writers Guild of America strike preventing progress on the script . </P>

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