Among the biggest movie trends going on right now are comic book films, especially that of the MCU and DCEU. One is critically well-accepted, another isn't so much (As of now).

No one is saying that Marvel Studios' way was the only way to make a successful cinematic universe, but it is clear that the WB's DCEU (DC Extended Universe, a fan-made term) wasn't doing it right by rushing the cinematic universe's development. Hardcore DCEU fans began to come up with several defenses (besides organizing protests, sending death threats, sending even more death threats, threatening to boycott films, threatening to sabotage receptions of rival franchises, threatening to shutdown critics, donating revenue to Zack Snyder's cause etc), one of which is the relatively common rhetoric that DCEU struggled because it had "alienated the mainstream audience who are less mature".

I'll try to address this and keep the argument points brief/concise:

• 
  WB wants to make money and will try to target a common denominator if its makes sense:
  • "Requiring higher maturity" hints a smaller audience, which is not WB wants.
  
  
  • None of the DCEU, MCU, and Dark Knight trilogy films besides the non-theatrical cut of Batman v Superman are R-rated. This is the most damning proof that maturity of the audience had nothing to do with WB's decisions in making the DCEU.
  
  


• 
  Darker tone/Serious/Lacking comedy doesn't mean more mature:
  • There are kids' cartoons that are darker in tone compared to adult-oriented comedy TV series.
  
  
  • There are shows that had both dark tones and comedic scenes.
  
  
  • Being unnecessarily dark or not seeing fun in oneself are actually themselves common accusations of immaturity or attempts at being "edgelords".
  
  
  • If a film is targeted to a more mature audience, the discussions of their themes should be more civil. Anecdoctal evidence-wise, there seemed to be more civil discussion of thought-provoking/complex themes for The Dark Knight trilogy and MCU franchise films than that of DCEU franchise films. The discussion of themes in DCEU franchise films degenerate more often than not.
  
  


• 
  DCEU isn't the only franchise with underlying deeper themes:
  • Complex plots/themes are not the same as targeting a more mature audience.
  
  
  • You can always find a theme to talk about if you look hard enough into a film.
  
  
  • The Dark Knight trilogy and MCU franchise themselves too had underlying themes, and many other unmentioned film franchises do too.
  
  
  • For example, the commonly cited "dumb fun films" - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) and Ant-man (2015) had themes of family and parenthood, Iron Man 3 (2013) and Avengers Age of Ultron (2015) had themes of personal demons coming back haunting the protagonists, etc.
  
  

Discuss?

It's darker than the MCU, just about it. No need for another thread like that.

This isn't really strictly comparing with the MCU, so its not just another MCU vs DCEU thread. Its just focused on addressing the common rhetorical myth about DCEU solely.

This is probably the 200th thread discussing this topic. You're 20 decades late.

@germanx:

WB wants to make money and will try to target a common denominator if its makes sense:

• "Requiring higher maturity" hints a smaller audience, which is not WB wants.



• 
  

  None of the

  DCEU

  , MCU, and Dark Knight trilogy films besides the non-theatrical cut of Batman v Superman are R-rated. This is the most damning proof that maturity of the audience had nothing to do with WB's decisions in making the

  DCEU

  .

  
  

Since when does PG-13 mean not dark? Also, that doesn't mean it isn't a bit darker than other movies.

Darker tone/Serious/Lacking comedy doesn't mean more mature:

Actually, it does. That's exactly what the term means unless you think that vulgar is simply more mature.

• There are kids' cartoons that are darker in tone compared to adult-oriented comedy TV series.

So you do think vulgar means mature. To different definitions of mature. Both are mature in their own right.

• There are shows that had both dark tones and comedic scenes.

Your point being? That can be a mature show...

• Being unnecessarily dark or not seeing fun in oneself are actually themselves common accusations of immaturity or attempts at being "edgelords".

That's a perfect way to describe the DCEU.

DCEU isn't the only franchise with underlying deeper themes:

It isn't a contest, though. It tries to be mature. That's just truth.

Most people say that it's targeting a more mature audience than that of the MCU, which is not really correct IMO, but what is true for certain is that they are darker than the vast majority of the MCU's films, if not every one of them.

Unnecessary thread. There are dozens like this.