James Gunn Clears Up Batman’s DCU Timeline (And It’s Bad News for a Fan-Favorite Villain)

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James Gunn recently provided a key explanation about when Batman is active in the new DC Universe, which could have major consequences, especially for fans who love the Gotham City crime boss Rupert Thorne. In response to fan debates triggered by events in the animated series “Creature Commandos,” DC Studios co-head James Gunn clarified the sequence of Doctor Phosphorus’ villainous actions and his ultimate encounter with Batman. This new revelation implies that Phosphorus may have been active for a long period after his transformation and the murder of Thorne (voiced by Benjamin Byron Davis), possibly indicating that Batman didn’t appear until much later, effectively removing Thorne from Batman’s direct timeline of events.

Gunn agreed with the fan’s observation regarding the timeline. He pointed out that it wouldn’t make sense for Phosphorus to meet Batman immediately after becoming Phosphorus due to Phosphorus’ questionable grasp of time and tendency towards exaggeration. In the comic series, Creature Commandos, Alexander Sartorius is betrayed by Rupert Thorne, leading to his transformation into Doctor Phosphorus, a radioactive metahuman. After brutally killing Thorne and his family, Phosphorus took over Thorne’s criminal empire. The episode that reveals Phosphorus’ origin story also confirms that Batman apprehended him, confirming Batman as an active figure in the DCU.


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In the storyline, Phosphorus states that it’s been 15 years since he was last confronted, having transformed into a monster. This, combined with Phosphorus taking control of Thorne’s operations, sparked discussions about Batman’s lengthy tenure in the DC Universe. Some fans assumed Batman had been around for a long time if he faced off against Phosphorus. However, director Gunn has hinted that there’s some leeway in this timeline. This suggests that Phosphorus might have run Thorne’s business for quite some time before Batman became the main protector of Gotham City, or at least before this particular villain caught Batman’s attention, which could mean Thorne may not have directly clashed with this version of the Caped Crusader.

Batman’s Presence in the DCU

It’s clear that the creators of the upcoming Batman film, The Brave and the Bold, are positioning Batman as an established character within the DC Universe, rather than a newcomer with an origin story. James Gunn has hinted that this Batman has been active for several years, similar to the DCU’s Superman, although specific timelines haven’t been revealed yet. This decision allows the movie to explore more intricate plots, such as introducing his son, Damian Wayne, as Robin. The fact that Damian is already present suggests a Batman who has been active for quite some time, long enough to have a son and build the wider Bat-family. Additionally, Doctor Phosphorus’s claim of being a monster for 15 years, combined with Batman’s eventual capture, implies a seasoned crimefighter.

Gunn openly admits that creating the fresh Batman character for the DCU isn’t easy given Matt Reeves’ popular Elseworlds version featuring Robert Pattinson is currently running. Gunn plans to make his Batman unique, avoiding the “campy” portrayal, and ensuring he has a solid purpose in this connected universe. He’s collaborating closely with the writer for The Brave and the Bold to deliver a script that meets these high standards, emphasizing it as a key focus along with the Wonder Woman script development.

Creature Commandos is currently available for streaming on HBO Max.

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2025-06-20 11:39