The DC Extended Universe is reportedly undergoing another reshuffling in the wake of the underperforming Justice League. Following the film's disappointing box office and critical response, Warner Bros. will pivot yet again with the goal of building a superhero shared universe that can rival Marvel's. New people will be put in charge, and tough decisions will be made, with the fate of Ben Affleck's role as Batman in future films being near the top of the list.

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One might hear this news and believe nothing about Justice League is salvageable. However, that's far from being the case, as the film's introduction of Aquaman (Jason Momoa) and The Flash (Ezra Miller) were two bright spots for fans of the DC Comics heroes. Add Gal Gadot's performance as Wonder Woman not only in Justice League, but also her solo film from earlier this year, and the DCEU has three pillars it can confidently say fans want to see more of. In fact, it's simple to argue Wonder Woman, Aquaman and The Flash should be the holy trinity of the DCEU moving forward.

The DCEU's Original Trinity of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman

Of course, when fans think of DC's three most recognizable stars, they immediately point to Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, commonly referred to as DC's Trinity. Zack Snyder's Man of Steel in 2013 was the first film in what would become the DCEU, reintroducing audiences to Henry Cavill's Superman. In what would soon become a pattern, the reception to Man of Steel was mixed. Overall, fans seemed to enjoy Cavill as Superman, though there were some issues with Snyder's take on Superman and his alter ego Clark Kent.

Wonder woman in Batman v Superman

Man of Steel was soon followed by 2016's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which pitted Batman (Ben Affleck) against Superman in what turned out to be a misunderstanding, before they put their differences aside to fight alongside Wonder Woman.

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Just as Aquaman and The Flash were the highlights of Justice League, Affleck's portrayal of Batman and Gadot's brief appearance as Wonder Woman stole the show in Dawn of Justice. A Wonder Woman solo film was released the year after (the first in her long career), and talks began for Affleck to direct and star in yet another Batman movie.

However, Affleck stepped down from the director's chair for The Batman, and soon rumors began to spread that the star may not put on the cape and cowl for the film. Even though Affleck denounced the rumors at Comic-Con International in San Diego, he's contradicted his own statements on more than one occasion. Adding to the confusion, recent reports indicate Warner Bros. is looking for a way to gracefully transition away from Affleck. As the march towards Justice League's opening grew closer, fans were left to wonder whether Affleck truly has a future in the DCEU.

gal gadot in wonder woman

The same hesitancy can no longer be placed on the Wonder Woman franchise. Sure, some people were worried about audience reaction to a superhero movie starring a woman, and directed by one as well, but those fears were unfounded. Wonder Woman was a resounding success, as the film now holds the title of the highest-grossing superhero origin movie. Fans are genuinely pleased with every appearance by Wonder Woman in the DCEU. Among the Trinity of Wonder Woman, Batman and Superman, who would have guessed Diana Prince would be the hero fans would want to see more of the most?

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Meet The New Kids On The Block

Wonder Woman wasn't the only superhero to leave a lasting impression on audiences. After much was said and written regarding the DCEU's dark, gritty world established in Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide SquadJustice League attempted to change the narrative. While it didn't exactly strike the hoped for chord with audiences, Justice League manage to provide smalla sense of hope for the shared universe's future. Much of this change is thanks to Aquaman and The Flash.

flash in justice league

Ezra Miller electrified fans as the Fastest Man Alive from the moment Bruce Wayne appeared in his hideout in the first Justice League trailer. Miller's Barry Allen brings a wide-eyed enthusiasm to the DCEU, giving fans someone to root for. Plus, Flash's solo film will be inspired by the popular DC Comics event Flashpoint, which relaunched the publisher's entire comic book line. Director issues aside, DC Films is going big, and it doesn't get any bigger than a universe-altering, time-traveling adventure.

As for Aquaman, the King of the Seven Seas has always had a tough time gaining respect in the eyes of the public. Constantly mocked for his ability to talk to marine life, Arthur Curry received a push from DC Entertainment President and Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns during his run as writer for Aquaman's comic from 2011 to 2013. Finally, liking Aquaman was a cool thing to admit to! He was a key member of the Justice League, and some of DC Comics' best creators were working on his title. The next stage in his stardom arrived with the selection of the perfect actor to play the Atlantean king.

Aquaman-Jason-Momoa-Justice-League-trailer

Enter Jason Momoa. The 38-year old was a scene-stealer in the trailers leading up to Justice League, offering a different spin on Aquaman. Less regal and more of a drifter cowboy, Momoa's physical presence mixed with his muscles and tribal tattoos guaranteed no one would attempt to make a joke at his expense. Then, Momoa delivered in Justice League, making his solo movie one of the most anticipated films of 2018.

Why The DCEU Needs A New Trinity

Batman and Superman may be better known than Aquaman and The Flash, but there's no reason the latter can't ascend to the first pair's status. A new Trinity featuring Wonder Woman, the Scarlet Speedster and the King of Atlantis opens up a host of possibilities. There have been enough movies starring Batman over the years, so he doesn’t have to play such a huge role in the DCEU, at least for now. Besides, Warner Bros. needs to work out exactly who is going to play Batman for the long haul, so it's not stuck with another recasting fiasco.

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The search for a new Batman would give the new Big Three a chance to shine in the spotlight with their solo films before reuniting again in a Justice League sequel. Ultimately, this would be a win for Warner Bros. Batman's popularity almost guarantees that whenever he's reintroduced to the DCEU, fans will go crazy. Plus, absence makes the heart grow fonder. The longer Batman's not on a movie screen, the more anticipation builds up for his big return. While the DCEU is Batman-less, the new Trinity can be used to win over the general public, which is something the DCEU desperately needs.