Following the success of Warner's Batman film The Dark Knight and the commercial failure of its lighter, family-friendly Speed Racer, both during the summer of 2008,[25] August departed from the project, citing pressure from the studio to make the screenplay darker and more serious.[27] In August 2009, Bill Birch and Geoff Johns, a prominent DC Comics writer, were assigned to write the screenplay, while Segal remained attached as director.[28] In August 2010, the studio considered canceling the theatrical film in favor of a live-action series for prime time network television.[29] In December 2013, Segal stated that the film would not be happening, as the similarities between Captain Marvel and Superman had become an obstacle after the successful launch of Man of Steel earlier that year.[30]