Could it be? Has it finally happened? Has somebody in Hollywood actually learned a lesson from something, instead of blaming audiences, toxic masculinity, or the weather? Black Widow, The Marvels, Wonder Woman 1984, and now Supergirl, have they finally learned that the market for female-led superhero fare is much more limited than they would have liked to believe? It seems like they might have, led by DC.
As Supergirl limps out of movie theaters to try its luck on PVOD and SVOD, some moves have been made that are swift and brutal.
Originally announced as part of the Gods & Monsters line-up, phase 1 of the new DCU, the Viola Davis-led series Waller and the Wonder Woman prequel series Paradise Lost were female-led building blocks for what was to come later.
Not anymore they aren’t. They are gone. Cancelled. HBO and DC heard the pitches and declined them both.
Also, a floated project centering on Catwoman and Poison Ivy was also pitched; it was also rejected and killed.
The message is clear: Female-led superhero content is, for the time being, dead. It don’t sell, it won’t fly.
Next cab off the rank for DC is Lanterns, which arrives on HBO this coming Sunday.
