Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav has stated more than once that the company is looking to have a Kevin Feige-like individual to head their own cinematic universe. The ramifications of the overhaul are already being felt, with cancelled and delayed DCEU projects. Whoever is going to take over the DC Films division would be handling both the movie and television projects over the projected 10-year plan. Does Dan Lin have what it takes for the challenge of re-invigorating the DC Extended Universe? Check out the details below.
Warner Bros. projects
Dan Lin has a well-established resume working with Warner Bros. One of his earliest big projects was the award-winning The Departed directed by Martin Scorsese, which was distributed by Warner Bros. in 2006.
— Borys Kit (@Borys_Kit) August 25, 2022 He would go on to produce with Joel Silver the Sherlock Holmes movies directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. His company Rideback (formerly Lin Pictures) would find greater success with the LEGO movie franchise. This would include The LEGO Batman movie and the LEGO Ninjago movie, both released in 2017. For the horror genre, David Lin produced It (2017) and its sequel It Chapter Two (2019). Lin has also been the executive producer of Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) and its follow-up Godzilla vs. Kong (2021). Interestingly, David Lin served under Alan Horn at the time that Justice League: Mortal was being developed. This would have been directed by George Miller and star D.J. Cotrona, Megan Gale, Armie Hammer, Adam Brody, Santiago Cabrera, and Common as the members of the League. With Alan Horn now back in Warner Bros. Discovery as a key adviser, that gives David Lin a strong supporter to get the DC Films top seat.
Aladdin and more
It should also be noted that Lin has experience working with Warner Bros. rival Disney. He produced the live action remake of the 1992 animated film Aladdin. The 2019 Aladdin which starred Will Smith, Mena Massoud, and Naomi Scott grossed over $1 billion and is in the early stages of a sequel. He is also overseeing production for Disney on live action features for Lilo & Stitch and Haunted House. Lin has also worked with Netflix, including the adaptation of Death Note and the critically acclaimed drama The Two Popes. Currently, his production company Rideback has a first-look deal with Universal Pictures. Should Lin come to an agreement with taking over the top spot in DC Films (also referred to now as DC Studios), he and Rideback will have to resolve these pending engagements.
Not the only one
Although the reports have identified Dan Lin as in the running for heading up the DC Films and Television division, he is not the only one. Prior to Lin, Greg Berlanti was also named as a possible candidate for the spot. Berlanti is best known for heading up the productions that brought the Arrowverse to the CW. This included producing and writing episodes for Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, and Black Lightning. As of this date, no official statement has been given by Warner Bros. Discovery as to who will take over from Walter Hamada as the head of DC Films.
