Better luck next time! It appears Dan Lin will not rule the DCEU in the foreseeable future. Lin had been in talks to take charge of all things DC superhero, effectively relieving current DC Films president Walter Hamada of his duties. The new role would have meant reporting directly to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, bypassing Warner Bros. Pictures’ heads Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, HBO/HBO Max chief Casey Bloys, and Warner Bros. TV chair Channing Dungey… for all intent and purposes granting him full control of the DCEU. However, Variety now reports that these negotiations have ceased, and Lin will not sit atop the DC throne.

One snag in the deal may have been Lin’s strong desire for Warner Bros. Discovery to acquire and support his production company Rideback, a nonprofit that aids BIPOC and budding entrepreneurs. While Lin was a fantastic candidate for the role, with top notch experience in film, TV, and franchises, many other producers and executives are currently being considered. Potential candidates include Emma Watts (Alita: Battle Angel, I, Robot), Amy Pascal (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Little Women), Matt Tolmach (Morbius, Venom), Sean Bailey (The Core, TRON: Legacy), and Greg Berlanti (The Flash, Arrow).

In the meantime, before the true royal is crowned, Warner Bros. studio chiefs Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy continue to steward all current DC projects.