Warner Bros. has remained relatively quiet about announcing new DC Universe movies and TV shows in recent months. Now, a new report claims the ongoing merger process with Paramount could be one of the reasons behind the slowdown.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the merger agreement includes clauses that place limits on deals involving “key property” IP. While the agreement does not explicitly define what counts as a key property, franchises such as DC, Harry Potter and Game of Thrones are expected to be on the list. Any new deal involving those properties, whether it’s a film, a TV series, or a licensing agreement, faces constraints during the merger.
WBD can still conduct business as usual. However, new deals involving key IP cannot extend beyond two years after the merger closes. Any agreement extending beyond that gives Paramount the first right to negotiate. Moreover, deals past certain dollar thresholds ($30 million to $400 million) require Paramount’s approval, depending on the specifics.
What do we know about the future of the DCU right now?
The report does not mention that DC Studios has halted its plans for upcoming projects. Instead, it gives fans an idea of how the merger affects Warner Bros. Discovery’s ability to produce large, long-term projects while the legal trial continues. That uncertainty makes WBD executives hesitant to commit to long-term DC projects right now.
Building large-scale projects in a shared cinematic universe requires massive budgets, big stars, and long-term production commitments. Those projects typically take more than two years to develop, making Warner Bros. less likely to lock in long-term deals without Paramount’s approval.
For now, DC Studios under James Gunn and Peter Safran is moving ahead on greenlit projects. The projects include Lanterns, Clayface, Man of Tomorrow, an untitled Wonder Woman film, and many more.
The Paramount merger is currently stalled in legal limbo pending a major antitrust trial set for March 2, 2027.
