The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) began in 2013 with Man of Steel and officially ended in 2023 with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom—but what happened in between was one of the most chaotic cinematic universes ever attempted. In this in-depth video essay and retrospective, I break down the rise and fall of the DCEU year by year, uncovering how Warner Bros. mismanagement, reactionary decisions, and behind-the-scenes drama doomed the franchise from the very beginning. From Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad to the infamous Justice League reshoots and the impact of the Snyder Cut movement, this video dives deep into the critical missteps that defined the DCEU. Why did the DCEU consistently release underwhelming or divisive films? How did Warner Bros. interfere with the vision of filmmakers like Zack Snyder, David Ayer, and James Wan? What role did Justice League (2017) play in derailing the franchise entirely? And did any films (Wonder Woman, Shazam!, The Suicide Squad) offer glimmers of hope? Whether you're a die-hard DC fan, a film enthusiast, or just curious about how a cinematic universe with icons like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman fell apart, this retrospective will give you the full picture. 👍 Like, 💬 comment, and 🔔 subscribe for more deep dives into film franchises, superhero cinema, and storytelling breakdowns! Chapters: 0:00 - The DCEU... 2 Years Later 0:56 - The Snyder Era 16:58 - The Directionless Era 30:21 - The Lame Duck Era Source: -The Snyder Cut: A Battle For Justice | A DC Documentary (@OurMovieNews) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcmcXNHPmKU&t=1680s Music: –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Track: Back to 1981 — Iaio [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: • Back to 1981 — Iaio | Free Background... Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/back-1981 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– -Driving along the sunset - Mark Tyner: Driving along the sunset - Mark Tyner -Universal - Vibe Tracks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iboPdDeLkMg -Lunar Clouds - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHCUwzFMj6o For business inquiries please email: -thegoldmanbusiness@gmail.com -Currently accepting sponsorship offers through https://www.agentio.com/ ✪ Thumbnail ✪ -Render Driver: https://instagram.com/renderdriver ❗️WANT TO SEE MORE OF ME?❗️ -Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheGoldMan25