The theory of a multiverse i.e., multiple universes (parallel and anti-parallel) running simultaneously has been often used in movies and series to mess with people’s brains. Well, franchises like the DCAU and the MCU have been working on the concept relentlessly for several years.
With these comic giants and other franchises working excessively on this single concept, people would often find all the stuff repetitive and unnecessary. One particular DCAU film got the short end of the stick when the concept of the multiverse went mainstream!
When The Concept of Multiverse Went Mainstream
People remember a time when superhero movies were only about fighting a bad guy, saving the world, and calling it a day. The start of the MCU (Iron Man) had a similar style and fans indeed loved the film.
People also liked it when the movies started connecting together and formed what we now know as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In the comic books, the universe already existed and it was in these comic books (both Marvel and DC Comics) that the concept of a multiverse was heavily used to bring characters to and fro from other dimensions/universes.
The multiversal theory was also used to understand the consequences of the smallest of actions in the past, present, or, future and how all hell could break loose with the snap of a finger (or a gauntlet). With the MCU and the DCEU/DCU taking shape, the concept of multiverse had become too popular trendy, or, mainstream for people and they did love it.
But in the end, the love was temporary. Using the same concepts to portray a similar story about time manipulation resulted in movies feeling boring or redundant. This exact situation became one of the worst things to ever happen to a DCAU movie titled Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One.
How The Multiverse Concept Ruined a DCAU Movie!
In January 2024, the DCAU released a film titled Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One. As the title suggests, there are infinite earths and hence, the film is based on the concept of multiverse. Jim Kreig, the screenplay artist of the movie revealed to Comics Beat that when they started working on the movie, multiverse was a very gatekept concept.
“That has been the worst thing for us completely. When we started this, we felt like we had to explain the word “multiverse.” Literally the entire movie of Justice Society is to explain that there’s an Earth-2.”
He further continued,
“By the time the movie came out, there were three franchises that were doing the multiverse. I’m like, “Do you think they’ll understand? I guess so!” Now it’s in Rick and Morty and just everywhere.”
The movie did suffer somewhat as it garnered a rating of 6.3/10 on IMDB but a whopping 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. With stars such as Jensen Ackles and Alexandra Daddario voicing the roles of Batman and Lois Lane respectively, the 2024 film is available to rent on Apple TV+ in the U.S.