James Gunn’s Batman Reboot Is Right to Copy Zack Snyder’s Most Controversial Choice

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Despite being one of DC’s most famous heroes, Batman hasn’t been featured much in the new DC Universe (DCU). He made a quick appearance in Creature Commandos, but with the The Brave and the Bold movie still a ways off, it’s unclear when we’ll see a full, live-action version of Batman again. Interestingly, James Gunn’s upcoming reboot seems to be taking a bold step by mirroring a controversial decision Zack Snyder made regarding the character.

When James Gunn revealed the plans for the new DC Universe, a Batman movie was included in the first group of projects. The director of The Flash, Andy Muschietti, is involved, and the film is expected to feature many members of Batman’s extended family. Since the initial announcement, however, very little has been said about the movie, leaving Batman’s future in the DCU uncertain. Fortunately, there are promising signs that this new Batman will be older, similar to the version seen in the previous DC Extended Universe, which would be a positive development.

Why Batman Could Be Older in the DCU

As a huge DC fan, I was really intrigued by Batman’s cameo in Creature Commandos. It seems like they’re establishing an older version of the character – he showed up in a flashback, which suggests he’s already been Batman for a while. And with The Brave and the Bold promising a Robin, it’s pretty clear the DCU isn’t going to revisit Batman’s origin story. It just wouldn’t make sense to have him both starting out and mentoring a sidekick. If we get other members of the Bat-Family popping up like everyone expects, it’ll really cement the idea that Bruce Wayne is a more seasoned, older Batman.

Introducing an older Batman into the DC Universe is a gamble. Zack Snyder’s DC Extended Universe faced criticism for this choice, as Ben Affleck was in his 40s when he first played the role – older than previous actors when they debuted as Batman. This meant the character had already experienced major events, like the death of Jason Todd, before his story even began on screen.

Although some fans might disagree, an older Batman makes the most sense given the current state of the DC Universe. Most of its heroes, unlike Superman, aren’t starting from scratch. Characters like Guy Gardner, Hawk Girl, Mister Terrific, and Peacemaker are already established, and we’re jumping into their stories rather than seeing their origin stories. Superman is the only hero so far who’s relatively new to the superhero world.

I’m really excited by the idea of an older Batman in the DCU. It instantly makes the world feel more established and real. Instead of another origin story, we could jump right into a Gotham already brimming with familiar faces – the Bat-Family and all of Batman’s classic villains. What really intrigues me is the potential to explore Batman’s legacy – how he’s shaped the lives of characters like the Robins and Batgirl. That focus on his relationships, and the impact he’s had, is what could truly set this Batman apart.

Having An Older Batman Does Create One Major Superman Problem

Making Bruce Wayne older for standalone Batman films is a good idea, but it presents a challenge when considering team-ups with Superman. Traditionally, Batman and Superman are roughly the same age. If Batman is significantly older, any future World’s Finest or Justice League projects would have to address a large age difference between them. This could shift their dynamic, potentially portraying Batman as a mentor figure to Superman rather than an equal partner.

This would create a very different relationship between Batman and Superman than fans typically expect. Making Batman significantly older than Superman could shift their dynamic to resemble Iron Man and Spider-Man more than the classic Iron Man and Captain America pairing. While this approach isn’t necessarily bad, it could potentially alienate some fans.

The age difference between Batman and Superman could actually strengthen their contrasting worldviews. An older, more experienced Batman would naturally be more cynical, while a younger Superman would likely remain hopeful. This dynamic is already present within the Justice League, and it would be a logical extension to see it continue when Batman joins the DC Universe.

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2026-01-09 22:41