With the DCU set to introduce its own Batman into the new movie continuity, there are already several harsh realities about the hero’s place in the franchise. Following the death of the DCEU and its entire continuity, the heroes and villains of DC Comics are set to find a new home in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe. The iconic vigilante Batman will be rebooted in Batman: The Brave and the Bold’s story, which will adapt the comic of the same name and introduce an older Batman alongside his son, Damian Wayne.
Though anticipation for the new continuity is high, there are certain obstacles the DCU will have to clear. When it comes to a hero with as many movies as Batman, these issues become more complex, leading to a number of less-than-ideal truths about the impending reboot. With that in mind, here are 10 harsh realities already facing the DCU’s new Batman.
The DCU is set to officially begin with the release of James Gunn’s Superman in 2025. The film will introduce not just the titular hero but also the likes of Hawkgirl, Green Lantern, and other characters from across the DC Comics pantheon. However, this will present a specific challenge to the DCU’s Batman, particularly where it pertains to realism.
Many of the most popular Batman movies have been decidedly grounded and markedly realistic in their approach. The likes of The Batman and The Dark Knight are prime examples, but realism will be all but impossible for the DCU’s Batman. His introduction following on from the likes of Superman, Green Lantern, and Hawkgirl will render any attempts at a more grounded story entirely moot, as the DC Universe will already be populated with fantastical heroes and metahumans. Simply put, the DCU’s Batman will already face a conceptual challenge long before he makes his debut.
Another harsh reality already facing the DCU’s Batman ahead of his introduction is directly linked to the choice of story his franchise arc will begin with. Adapting The Brave and the Bold is an interesting choice, as it has not previously been attempted in live-action, but it also comes with a potential risk. Coming as the story does later in Batman’s personal hero timeline, the DCU is taking a significant gamble.
Introducing an older Batman so early in the DCU’s timeline minimizes the potential narrative development of Bruce Wayne. Should The Brave and the Bold be a traditional adaptation, the DCU’s timeline will have skipped over many iconic Batman stories, including the development of supporting characters such as Barbara Gordon, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, and Tim Drake. Though The Brave and the Bold in live-action is an enticing prospect, it’s not without its risks.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold will reportedly feature Damian Wayne, the son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul. In the comics, Damian goes on to become Robin, serving as a sidekick to the Dark Knight and making use of his training received courtesy of the League of Shadows. Though Damian Wayne has not yet been adapted into live-action, the character of Robin has, with markedly mixed results.
The harsh reality is that for the character to work, the DCU’s Robin will need to fix past mistakes of previous movies and TV shows. There are clearly many challenges with getting Robin to work within a Batman movie, and the DCU’s iteration of the character will need to walk a fine line to achieve success. Though it’s far from impossible, there will be much difficulty in bringing Robin to life on the big screen.
Considering the short span of time between the DCEU’s demise and the DCU’s debut, the two continuities will undoubtedly face comparisons. When it comes to Batman, the DCEU’s own Caped Crusader was initially considered controversial, with many later coming around to Ben Affleck’s portrayal of the Dark Knight. In many ways, Affleck’s Batman set a strong precedent for how the hero can work in a shared universe alongside other powerful heroes.
In a sense, the DCU can learn many lessons from Ben Affleck’s Batman and the DCEU’s approach to the hero. However, taking the time frame into consideration, it’s likely a wiser choice to distance the DCU’s iteration of Batman from that of the DCEU, despite how helpful its example might be. Though the DCEU established something of a template for success with Batman’s role in a wider universe, the DCU will largely be unable to directly borrow any ideas or concepts.
Another harsh reality facing the DCU’s Batman is directly linked to his place within a shared universe. Considering Batman’s movie history, past attempts to establish the hero within a wider continuity have met with mixed success. In fact, many of the Batman movies considered to be the best involve a self-contained narrative within a more isolated setting, rather than those that tie him to other heroes and a wider universe.
The problem this creates for the DCU’s Batman is largely a tonal one. Establishing a story and multiple characters within Gotham City is relatively simple, but enabling those characters to also function as part of a much bigger cinematic universe complicates matters. Creating a version of Batman that functions equally well in both environments will be incredibly difficult and has never before been fully achieved in live-action.
Perhaps one of the most substantial challenges facing the DCU’s Batman is entirely unavoidable. As Batman is one of the most iconic superheroes in pop culture, there have been numerous iterations of the character across many mediums. Even examining movies and TV shows alone, several actors have played Batman in live-action, and so any new version of the hero will inevitably be compared to previous incarnations.
The challenge this presents is that the DCU’s Batman will face endless comparisons, each subject to various opinions on previous versions of the character. In essence, the DCU’s Batman will have to learn from each previous adaptation, addressing commonly perceived issues and incorporating more popular aspects to deliver a new and exciting take on the character. Considering the wealth of Batman’s movie history, this creates a considerable hurdle for the DCU’s Batman to clear to achieve success.
As one of DC’s most beloved characters, Batman’s stories feature a number of well-known elements significant to wider pop culture. One of the key aspects of Batman stories is the hero’s supporting characters, who often play an important role in his narrative arcs. The likes of Alfred Pennyworth, Lucius Fox, Catwoman, and numerous Batman villains regularly factor in to the Dark Knight’s best stories, but the DCU may find it difficult to make use of them.
Previous Batman movies have already introduced and explored many of Batman’s most important supporting characters. In fact, some, such as Alfred or Catwoman, have seen numerous incarnations over Batman’s cinematic past, and as such have already been afforded multiple opportunities on the big screen. As such, the DCU’s Batman will have to move away from these characters in order to break new ground, or potentially risk seeming as though it’s retreading previously explored narrative avenues.
The end of the DCEU may have made way for the beginning of the DCU, but there are already interesting parallels between the franchises. With regard to the DCEU’s movie timeline, the franchise began with Man of Steel, introducing Superman, followed by another, Batman v Superman, involving Batman. Throughout these early entries, other heroes were also introduced as supporting characters, later going on to play a role in the wider franchise.
Interestingly, the DCU’s plans strike a startling resemblance: first 2025’s Superman will introduce the Man of Steel, then Batman: The Brave and the Bold will bring in the Dark Knight. Along the way, other heroes will be introduced in supporting roles. The potential issue is that the DCEU was largely unsuccessful, and the similarities in timelines could present problems for the DCU down the line. However, by treating the DCEU as a cautionary tale and adopting a careful approach to the characters and their place in the franchise, the DCU will hopefully come off much better than its predecessor.
When it comes to superhero movies, few characters have enjoyed the lasting popularity of Batman. Dating back multiple decades, Batman is one of the very few heroes to have enjoyed consistent success in both animation and live-action, including the lasting appeal of his comic book appearances. As one of the most recognizable figures in pop culture, Batman seems to be a safe bet for the DCU, but that in itself could pose a problem.
Batman’s long and storied movie history speaks to his widespread popularity, but it also risks overexposing the hero. Compared to others in the DC pantheon, Batman has been given far more opportunity to thrive on the big screen, even after movies derided as complete failures. The harsh reality is that Batman’s history of big-screen opportunities may begin to go against him, especially if The Brave and the Bold isn’t able to offer something new or exciting about the hero.