James Gunn Needs To Use This Version Of Batman In The DCU

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In a chat with Rolling Stone magazine, filmmaker James Gunn shared that the future of the growing DC Universe hinges on the character of Batman, more so than Superman who he’ll be introducing first. Despite starting his new lineup of interconnected superhero movies, it’s the Dark Knight that will ultimately decide the fate of the DCU. Since Matt Reeves’ Batman is set to remain independent, the question now is what kind of Batman will protect Gotham City within the universe of the DCU. In our opinion, there can only be one fitting choice: The Bat-Deity.

For people who might not be aware, “Bat-God” is an informal nickname given by some enthusiasts to a particularly powerful version of Batman seen in comics, often linked to Grant Morrison, although not always. When comic fans mention “prep time” alongside the Caped Crusader, they’re generally discussing Bat-God. These fans think that with sufficient planning time for the ideal strategy, Batman can defeat characters ranging from Spider-Man to Thanos effortlessly.

Bat-God Made His Debut In A Story With A Biblical Name

The concept of the Bat-God originated from the narrative of Tower of Babel, spanning issues 43-46 of JLA between July and October 2000. This tale proposes a contingency plan by Batman, aimed at neutralizing each member of the Justice League if they ever became corrupt. These strategies encompass transforming Superman into a transparent state and inducing an overdose of solar energy in him, as well as subjecting Aquaman to a toxin that instills fear of water within him.

Over time, both fans and writers came to believe that Batman always had a backup plan, an idea pushed even further when Grant Morrison disclosed that Bruce Wayne had created an alternate persona – Zur-En-Arrh – within his own mind, ready to step in whenever he faced mental instability. It turned out that it wasn’t just the other superheroes who needed a contingency plan from Batman; he even prepared one for himself.

In a more conversational style: Although the Bat-God character could potentially slip into self-parody, when skillfully crafted, it’s the only interpretation of Batman that fits well within the Justice League. With two divine extraterrestrials, a genuine deity, a cosmic police officer armed with the universe’s most powerful weapon, and a mortal using a bat-shaped boomerang, what use is a powerless vigilante?

Instead, let’s imagine this vigilante as a near-omniscient doomsday survivor with an uncanny knack for inventing improvised gadgets that outdo MacGuyver. With such a character, you’d have an irreplaceable asset for the team. If James Gunn aims to set the DCU Batman apart from all other live-action depictions of the character, he should opt for this unique interpretation.

Robert Pattinson’s Batman Was Never Going to Join the DCU (And That’s A Good Thing)

The question about whether Robert Pattinson will play Batman in the DC Universe can now be considered settled. It’s much like when fans debated if Christian Bale would be Zack Snyder’s Batman; both portrayals have shown Batman as a gritty, street-level vigilante. While they are certainly intelligent and wealthy beyond the average person, the idea that they could single-handedly defeat the entire Justice League is as unlikely as imagining Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ Casey Jones in such a role.

Ever since Batman first appeared alongside other DC superheroes in a comic book, the character has had a sort of dual personality, much like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. In his own stories, he utilizes his intelligence and detective abilities to thwart Two-Face’s bank robberies or locate the Joker’s hideouts. However, as part of the Justice League, Batman frequently confronts larger-scale threats on a global level, even squaring off against cosmic warlords such as Darkseid.

As a diehard movie buff, I find it simpler to embrace the improbable when it comes to comics, understanding that two different portrayals of Batman are still one and the same character. However, films often present a conundrum by making me choose between the versions, which is why directors like Christopher Nolan and Matt Reeves opted for grounded, street-level heroes whose primary focus is combating organized crime instead of battling extraterrestrial invasions.

As a movie enthusiast myself, I’d say it like this: To make Batman a worthy partner for Superman, James Gunn should envision a Batman who’s not just any vigilante, but one capable of outwitting deities, exposing their vulnerabilities, and devising tactics to leverage them. In essence, he needs a godlike Batman, or as I like to call him, Bat-God.

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2025-06-28 00:40