Lighten Up Batman - Price Prediction

With the recent triumph of “Creature Commandos” on Max, followed by the upcoming premiere of James Gunn’s “Superman,” set for July 11, it seems that the budding DC Universe is heading in the right direction. Although the initial trailer for “Superman” garnered a mix of responses from viewers, most fans are cautiously excited about the new and revamped DC cinematic universe, orchestrated by James Gunn and Peter Safran. If these two manage their moves skillfully, the DCU could potentially surpass the MCU as the top superhero franchise in Hollywood. But finding the right Batman might not be as easy as one might assume. After all, that’s a challenge even Zack Snyder and the DC Extended Universe faced when they initially tried to create a DC cinematic universe under Warner Bros.

In a different phrasing: Snyder designed a gritty, violent Batman for the DCEU – Warner Bros.’ initial effort at a DC film universe – and the outcome was catastrophic. While he accurately portrayed the costume, he missed the essence of Batman as a character. If Gunn and Safran hope to surpass Snyder’s mistakes, they should give the World’s Greatest Detective a more optimistic outlook. Essentially, what the DCU requires is a Caped Crusader instead of a Dark Knight.

Hollywood Needs to Lighten up When It Comes to Batman

For many years, Hollywood has primarily portrayed Batman as a solitary, gloomy figure clad in black armor, ready for vengeance at any moment. This is just one facet of a character that is 86 years old. There’s a wealth of Batman stories dating back to 1939, yet movie directors and writers tend to draw inspiration mainly from “The Dark Knight Returns.” It doesn’t take much comic book knowledge to understand that building a franchise around a single apocalyptic “What if?” narrative might not be the best approach.

Frank Miller’s 1986 portrayal of Batman, though undeniably a classic due to its darker, more pessimistic tone, doesn’t quite live up to being called the definitive Batman story. Despite spawning fantastic adaptations like Tim Burton’s Batman, it was also the blueprint for Batman v Superman, a film often criticized by fans as the Dark Knight’s lowest point. Given that Batman and Robin exists, that’s quite a statement. Even if the DC Universe manages to steer clear of The Dark Knight Returns, it will still need to avoid another common pitfall in Batman movies: an overemphasis on realism.

A fresh perspective: Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy is an exceptional crime drama, yet it falls short as a compelling Batman narrative. By removing any playful aspects and eliminating the fantastical aspects of the character, what remains is a figure who shares the name of a renowned comic book hero but lacks many of his defining traits. On the other hand, Matt Reeves’ The Batman offers a slightly less grounded depiction of Gotham City; however, it still leans heavily towards a serious interpretation of the Caped Crusader.

In neither Batman film series directed by Nolan or Reeves will you find characters speaking terms as outlandish as “Batmobile” or “Batarang.” Although they’re comfortable with a man portraying a bat and battling crime, their tolerance for comic book silliness has its limits. For example, both directors decided to subtly suggest Selina Kyle’s feline nature, but steered clear of giving her the nickname Catwoman, finding it too absurd.

The challenge with portraying Batman in a gritty and realistic manner lies in the fact that it can make the supernatural aspects of his character seem unbelievable or out of place. For instance, The Dark Knight’s adaptation takes a very realistic approach to the Batman universe, which makes even the name “Batman” sound strange because in his original comic book form, he exists within a world where supernatural elements like aliens, ghosts, and magic are accepted as fact. In this context, Batman is one of the more grounded characters in the DC Universe, but it’s important to remember that this is only true within this particular universe. When you consider modern comic book Batman existing in our real world equipped with a utility belt full of smoke pellets, bits of kryptonite, and “batcuffs” — not to mention his ability to glide between buildings without breaking his arms — he starts to resemble Spider-Man more than an everyday person.

Characters like the ones portrayed in “The Dark Knight Rises” and “The Batman” function best when operating alone. If Superman were to meet Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne, he’d hang up his cape immediately. However, if you choose to embrace the absurdity of a man in tights fighting alongside supernatural beings while keeping it dark and gritty, you’ll end up with the Batman from the Snyderverse – a gruff, swearing character who threatens to kill the Joker one day. But going for a 1960s Adam West-style Batman is out of the question, as that led to “Batman and Robin.” Instead, James Gunn and Peter Safran should draw inspiration from the version of Batman that many fans consider the best: the one from “Batman: The Animated Series.

Kevin Conroy’s Batman was the Definitive Batman, Full Stop

In my opinion, the iconic Batman portrayed by the late, talented Kevin Conroy truly embodies the essence of the Caped Crusader that could seamlessly fit into James Gunn’s vibrant superhero universe. The Batman from “Batman: The Animated Series” struck a perfect balance between seriousness and lightheartedness, demonstrating an ability to transition effortlessly between action and investigation. While he wasn’t afraid to use force, he didn’t rely excessively on it. Instead, his primary mission was to rehabilitate criminals rather than simply eliminating them. Moreover, one of the most crucial aspects for a character like Batman who must coexist within an expansive superhero narrative, Conroy’s Batman showed great teamwork skills – collaborating with his “batfamily” in “Batman: The Animated Series” and later joining forces with a wider array of DC heroes in “Justice League” and “Justice League Unlimited.

James Gunn and Peter Safran have a fresh start in the DC Universe. This is their opportunity to etch their names in superhero lore. The pair has the chance to present a multi-dimensional Batman on the big screen for the first time since “Batman: Mask of the Phantasm” – the only theatrical appearance for Conroy’s Batman. With all indications suggesting that Gunn’s Superman will move away from the darker portrayal Zack Snyder gave the character, there’s a strong possibility that the director will adopt a similar tone with Batman. The fact that the DCU’s initial Batman project, “The Brave and the Bold“, includes Robin is already a positive sign that Gunn might be opting for a more comic-book style for the character.

2025-03-23 01:16

Hollywood Needs to Lighten up When It Comes to Batman

Kevin Conroy’s Batman was the Definitive Batman, Full Stop

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