Unlocking Untapped Potential: The Hidden Gems of Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and DC Revealed by WB Boss

Warner Bros. Discovery's CEO, David Zaslav, acknowledged that their popular franchises, such as Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and DC, are not being fully utilized. Speaking at the recent Goldman Sachs Communacopia and Technology Conference, he highlighted the company's struggle to maximize the potential of these valuable brands. Zaslav emphasized that while owning renowned intellectual property is a significant strength for WBD, it also presents a challenge. According to The Wrap's report, Zaslav expressed that their content, including Harry Potter, DC, and Lord of the Rings, has been underutilized.

There has been no "long-form Superman" film for over 10 years, since the release of Man of Steel in 2013. However, this will soon change with the upcoming release of Superman Legacy in 2025. Zaslav also mentioned the absence of any recent projects related to Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, stating that it has been more than a decade since any new content has been created for these franchises.

In recent times, two notable additions have emerged within the expansive Harry Potter universe. These include the video game Hogwarts Legacy and the film Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. WBD has also made an exciting announcement about a forthcoming Harry Potter TV series in collaboration with author J.K. Rowling.

In the case of Lord of the Rings, Zaslav's vision entails the creation of multiple movies within this beloved franchise. The upcoming animated film War of the Rohirrim, scheduled to be released in 2024, will be the next installment in the Lord of the Rings series. Additionally, there are plans to develop character-centric Lord of the Rings movies beyond that.

"When those franchises are included, it becomes the most successful studio globally. Our top capital must be invested, and it ought to be done with the most creative individuals worldwide," mentioned Zaslav, referring to DC, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings.

Regarding the DC series, James Gunn and Peter Safran have taken charge of DC Studios and are strategizing for the future of DC films and TV series. Take a look at the gallery below for a preview of the forthcoming DC films and TV shows currently in development.

During the event, Zaslav addressed the Hollywood actor and writer strikes, acknowledging the need for urgent action to resume work and ensure fair compensation. He emphasized that the strikes have already resulted in a significant financial loss of $500 million for WBD. It is clear that Zaslav desires the strikes to be resolved, but negotiations between him and other prominent studio executives with the unions are still ongoing to reach an agreement and return people to work.