Before it began its rebranding to become the DCU, DC's shared universe was known as the DCEU, and it was a franchise plagued by a number of missed opportunities. From as early as 2013's Man of Steel and the beginning of the DCEU, the franchise was considered divisive. Zack Snyder's vision for a shared DC cinematic universe included a somewhat unorthodox approach to many of its characters, with a much grittier and darker world than was typically expected. The likes of Wonder Woman, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Aquaman, Justice League, and more fleshed out the DCEU's slate of movies, establishing the parameters of the franchise.