Jeremy Latcham, who is slated to become president and chief creative officer of DC Studios at the beginning of December, has an ambitious and exciting vision for the company’s future.
DC Studios is responsible for the development and production of movies, television and animation-based programming related to DC Comics’ iconic superheroes – Iron Man, Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, and The Flash, to name just a few of the most popular ones.
In a recent interview, Latcham stated, “Let’s be the HBO for the faith and family audience. Let’s try to make movies and television shows that restore faith in things worth believing in.”
But what type of faith?
“Faith in God, obviously, faith in country, faith in family, faith in fathers,” he said.
Latcham, who has been with Marvel since 2004, has been in the middle of some of the company’s most successful hits.
Born in Oklahoma and raised in a Nazarene church, the incoming DC Studios president said he drifted away from Christianity as a young man but has since reaffirmed his faith. It’s those personal convictions that are driving him to want to produce content that is redemptive in nature and that won’t offend the sensibilities of believers and young audiences.
In interviews, Latcham has also revealed the oversized influence that his grandmother has had on him when it comes to his content decision-making.
“When we were making the first Marvel movies, I’d always be like, ‘I don’t know if my grandma would like that, you know?’” he shared. “And that became like a guiding light as we were developing the movies, I just had this sense of, ‘I don’t know if my grandma would like that,’ and that became the stand-in [to determine] if the movie is going to work for regular people that are outside of the bubble of Hollywood. What does this [movie] say for a regular family?”
With that type of sensitivity, it’s no wonder that Latcham produced comedian Nate Bargatze’s recent film, “Breadwinner.” The popular Nashville stand-up star is known for his clean, family-friendly material.
“I never wanted to embarrass them,” Bargatze told NBC. “I didn’t want them to come to a show and be embarrassed. Everything I wrote, I write for them. I want them to be proud and be like, ‘Oh, come watch my son do comedy,’ and not be offended by it.”
While one wouldn’t expect DC Studios to necessarily create and produce films with an overt Gospel message, the superhero movie genre naturally lends itself to producing stories that can help instill morals and values in younger and developing minds.
The superhero movie genre naturally lends itself to story themes involving courage, self-sacrifice, justice, and truth. Characters wrestle with battling evil and wickedness. The central stars are challenged to do the right thing, remain loyal, celebrate truth, defend the vulnerable, demonstrate compassion, and develop a healthy sense of identity while preserving and protecting family relationships.
The Bible is crystal clear that Christians should steer clear of immoral influences. King Solomon warned, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23). The apostle Paul was even more specific in writing and counseling Christians in Philippi, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8).
In the coming year, Focus on the Family is preparing to release its first feature-length film, ADVENTURES IN ODYSSEY THE MOVIE. For nearly 40 years, audiences have been following and cheering on this legendary brand. This highly anticipated theatrical release promises to introduce this redeeming franchise to a whole new generation.
Please join us in praying for a positive reception to the ‘Odyssey’ project.
The AIO project, along with Jeremy Latcham’s vision for DC Studios, provides an opportunity to demonstrate to industry skeptics that clean, wholesome, family-friendly entertainment is both desirable and financially viable.
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