From “The Lego Batman Movie” to just…Batman?
While veteran producer Dan Lin is in contention for the top job overseeing DC’s film and TV adaptations for Warner Bros. Discovery, VarietyLin has been informed that no offer has been made and that there are several obstacles to any agreement moving forward.
The biggest hurdle is Lin’s production company, Rideback, which has ties to several other studios, including a first-look deal from January 2021 with Universal Pictures, and development on several features for Disney, including a live-action version of “Lilo & Stitch.”Lin could leave Warner Bros. If Discovery were to take over DC, Lin’s involvement in those productions needs to be addressed.
Lin is not only a strong candidate, having steered animated movies, but he also has business entanglements. “Lego” movies for Warner Bros. starting with 2014’s “The Lego Movie.”Interview on the Ankler podcastLin talked earlier in the month about an 2008 moment when he nearly had a job “overseeing the entire DC franchise”Because of his efforts, a “Justice League” movie for director George Miller. Lin was fired from the film and went on to a highly successful career as a producer. “Sherlock Holmes” films with Robert Downey Jr. and the two adaptations of Stephen King’s “It” with director Andy Muschietti — the director on DC feature film “The Flash,”Despite ongoing controversy surrounding its star Ezra Miller, the film is expected to open in theaters June 2023. Overall, Lin’s films have grossed more than $5 billion worldwide.
Since Warner Bros. was founded, DC has been the subject of much industry discussion. David Zaslav, Discovery CEO and chief creative officer, said he wanted to follow the Marvel Studios model. Kevin Feige is responsible for overseeing all productions in one narrative universe. Whoever takes the DC job will have their hands full, between several ongoing DC projects in film and TV that are decidedly not interrelated — including Todd Phillips’ sequel to “Joker,” Matt Reeves’ Penguin TV series and the second season of James Gunn’s “Peacemaker” — as well as Zaslav’s controversial decision in early August to cancel the release of the $90 million HBO Max feature “Batgirl.”