Both Time Warner's (TWX +0.00%) DC Entertainment and Walt Disney's (DIS +0.69%) Marvel Studios are missing an opportunity by not making wide-release animated superhero films, Fool contributor Tim Beyers says in the following video.
DC and Marvel each have properties well-suited for animated features. Look at Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, a July direct-to-DVD, Blu-ray, and digital release that rivaled Man of Steel in terms of depth and story, Tim argues.
DC's last try at putting its superheroes on the big screen came in 1993, with Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. Box Office Mojo puts the gate at just over $5 million while DVD sales brought the total haul above $6 million.
In the 20 years since, DC has established a track record of producing excellent direct-to-video releases. Taking the same formula and adding the marketing dollars for a wide release could help Warner boost profits while introducing lesser-known characters ahead of DC's forthcoming slate of live-action features. Either way, Time Warner investors win.
