With Johns and Berg taking over the DCCU is ready to do some box office damage.

DC has been excelling with their television series, but definitely feels the pain when it comes to film. This explains their decision to have Geoff Johns co-run a DC specific film division alongside Warner Brothers’ Executive VP Jon Berg.

Marvel’s manly line up has been crushing the box office since Iron Man’s debut in 2008 and with the latest Black Panther announcement, it’s hard to believe DC had a chance to make a big break theatrically speaking unless something changed. Well, that change is coming: on top of Geoff’s television success, a lady’s touch is just what the DCCU needs to beat down the muscle-bound Marvel. With Suicide Squad’s Margot Robbie wanting to make a Harley Quinn stand-alone film and the excitement surrounding Wonder Woman (arguably their most iconic female superhero) 2017 could be the year we see DC and Warner Brothers lasso the big screen. Between the combined efforts of Johns and Berg, plus the strength of these leading ladies, DC just might make next summer their first cinematic take over since Nolan’s The Dark Knight.

It’s no secret that Captain America and Iron Man’s epic battle captured audiences while Superman and Batman’s familial bonding left many feeling zealously over-hyped for nothing. Add the ground-breaking Black Panther casting and it seemed like DC’s chances of a blockbuster were worse off than the planet Krypton. It’s about time they played to their strengths and used the formula that’s had them kicking Marvel’s television rump for years.

Dating back to Smallville, Johns has been involved with taking classic DC heroes and bringing them into relevant entertainment.  In addition to young Superman, he’s been involved with Arrow and The Flash, both of which are still running the ratings game on their weekly spots. Berg taking a more active role in what his studio is producing will also give DC films the focus they deserve. Passion and a true love for the story-lines of these characters have been sorely lacking when it comes to the direction WB takes. Giving Johns more control in the DC film world will give future Justice League movies the desperate leg up needed to accomplish what they have with home audiences on a cinematic scale. The recent news of ABC’s cancellation line up and rescheduling of Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D. exposes Marvel’s weak spot,  Johns and Berg are a dynamic duo more than capable to take advantage.

Batman and Superman may be heavy hitters, but DC has seriously fallen short of bringing other names to the limelight. Johns has shown he can take lesser known Justice League characters and make them audience favorites. If Johns chooses to highlight Justice League members, not from our home planet, DC has the chance to fully expand into greater dimensions. Martian Manhunter would be a great film achievement since he’s not only a League member, but he opens the expansion potential. Instead of focusing worldwide, they have the chance to take DC films through time and space right off the bat. Hawkgirl and Hawkman could also wing their way into our hearts with Johns’ guidance.

WB taking a personal interest by creating a specific division gives future projects the potential to effectively develop these worlds as we saw with the Harry Potter movies. Berg’s special effects work with Star Wars, Tim Burton and others shows that WB is taking the look of the films seriously. The lessons learned from flops like Green Lantern will keep future productions from alienating fans with Berg’s experience adding galactic knowledge to the mix. DC is primed to change the universe as we know it.

Another Marvel vulnerability John’s and Berg can highlight are the numerous DC leading ladies. Sure Black Widow is cool, but she is nowhere near as iconic as Wonder Woman and does not have the psychotic fueled fun of Harley Quinn. Margot Robbie’s passion for the Doc gone mad is rivaled only by the Joker himself. With a woman wielding the mighty pen behind the script, the movie’s line-up (rumored to feature Batgirl and the Birds of Prey) is giving DC the chance to prove women can pack a cinematic punch. Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman is strong enough to take on any male superhero and the Amazon’s character success shows she can stand up to critics. Marvel may have a Hulk, but DC has an impressive library of female powerhouses able to entrance any gender with their Goddess given talents. DC is in the position to capitalize where Marvel has failed. Whatever side you fall on, it is nice to see these comic giants finally giving us the diverse leads we’ve been crying out for.

It’s been obvious for quite some time that DC has needed to make some cinematic changes. Berg and Johns are definitely a positive step forward. Like Batman fighting Superman, DC and Marvel represent two beloved heroes battling for their side while able to create epic entertainment in the process. It’s time to see Marvel taken down a peg and DC rise to what comic book lovers know they are capable of. DC is a comic titan that has the power to change cinema by finally bringing legendary characters Zatanna and Blue Beetle to the big screen.

The DC Cinematic Universe is positioned to dominate in 2017 and beyond, let’s just hope Martha doesn’t get involved.