Should The Batman Franchise Be Part of the New DCU?

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Should The Batman Franchise Be Part of the New DCU?

As a cinephile with over three decades of watching superhero films under my belt, I find myself intrigued by the prospect of James Gunn’s DC Universe reboot merging with Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” franchise. It’s like trying to fit two Caped Crusaders into one bat-cave, but with enough popcorn and a comfy recliner, I’m ready for the ride!

Should Matt Reeves’ standalone Batman series be merged with James Gunn’s upcoming DC Universe reboot? With “The Penguin” revitalizing the Batman franchise under Matt Reeves in 2022 and the DC Universe reboot set to debut, it’s an intriguing question. Initially conceived as a solo movie for Ben Affleck’s portrayal of Batman within the now-discontinued DC Extended Universe, “The Batman” underwent changes when Affleck departed and Reeves assumed direction. The film was set apart from the main continuity, similar to Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, and enjoyed both critical acclaim and commercial success. This allowed for the expansion of the franchise with a spin-off TV series and plans for two follow-up movies.

In 2022, only a few months following the cinematic release of “The Batman”, James Gunn and Peter Safran were appointed as co-heads for DC Studios. Their responsibilities involve supervising the creation of a fresh universe centered around DC characters. One of the upcoming projects is a film called “The Brave and the Bold“, which concentrates on the intriguing relationship between Batman and Robin. This suggests that Gunn and his team have unique ideas for a distinct version of the Caped Crusader, but considering the ease (and logic) of incorporating Reeves’ Batman into this new universe, would it be more convenient?

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Initially, should Reeves’ “The Batman Crime Saga” be integrated into the DC Universe (DCU), it’s unlikely fans would voice much opposition. Following the fluctuating fortunes of the DCEU, The Batman has offered DC a welcome sense of consistency, garnering favorable reviews due to its atmospheric, neo-noir style. The Penguin spin-off also received acclaim for its strong performances and compelling narrative. Given the resonance these interpretations of Gotham’s characters seem to have with viewers, there would be an appetite to continue enjoying them on screen for as long as possible. In light of this popularity, it seems prudent for Gunn to leverage Reeves’ successful adaptations rather than take a gamble with a different live-action Batman that might not appeal to audiences.

It’s quite possible that after withdrawing from one shared universe, Reeves might not be inclined to incorporate his Batman storyline into the DC Universe. Before the release of “The Batman”, Reeves’ partner Dylan Clark mentioned that Reeves was passionate about exploring Batman’s emotional depths and challenging him profoundly, which is why he preferred a standalone movie. This creative freedom certainly makes sense as it allows Reeves to concentrate on the stories he wants to tell without worrying about fitting them into a broader plan with multiple characters. Gunn, who has experience managing artistic freedom within shared universes (through his work with Marvel), knows this challenge well. However, directors have left projects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe due to creative disagreements (as seen in Edgar Wright’s Ant-Man). If Warner Bros. pushed Reeves into the DCU, they could risk losing him, and given the success of his Batman projects, such a loss would be extremely detrimental.

[Related: Will DC Studios End The Batman Franchise After Part 2?]

Furthermore, it could be challenging to fit Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of Batman into the DC Universe (DCU) from a logistical perspective. This isn’t about the tone of “The Batman”; Marvel has successfully demonstrated that a shared universe can accommodate various film genres. For instance, “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” is a political thriller, while “Guardians of the Galaxy” is an unconventional action comedy. In theory, a darker Batman and an optimistic Superman could coexist in the DCU. However, the challenge lies in the type of Batman story Gunn seems keen on telling. Reportedly, “The Brave and the Bold” will focus on the renowned Bat Family, which includes Bruce Wayne’s protégés such as Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, and others. This kind of narrative typically requires an older, more experienced Batman who has been in service for a significant amount of time and can impart years of knowledge.

Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of The Batman is still in its nascent stages. In this movie, we find Bruce Wayne who has been patrolling Gotham City for merely two years. He’s yet to reach a point where he can assume the role of mentor, guiding youngsters in their journey. If thrust into a mentorship role now, it might appear too hasty and contrived. However, it should be noted that plans often evolve during film development, and James Gunn could modify things as needed if Pattinson’s Batman becomes part of the DC Universe. Nonetheless, The Brave and the Bold has a chance to offer a refreshing take on live-action Batman films if the current plan remains unaltered.

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If WB is concerned that viewers might get confused by two distinct live-action Batmans coexisting, they could place trust in their audience’s intelligence. Audiences are intelligent enough to discern between Robert Pattinson’s Batman and the one cast for The Brave and the Bold. With the rise of multiverse stories, fans have become more perceptive than ever when it comes to identifying that not every Batman or Spider-Man is identical. Just as the animated Spider-Verse series, which features an older, disillusioned Peter Parker, managed to thrive a year after Tom Holland’s Spider-Man joined the MCU, there is room in the live-action superhero movie landscape for Reeves’ Batman and The Brave and the Bold. Although they share the same medium, their circumstances are slightly distinct, but there is a precedent to follow.

One of the best things about adapting superheroes for the screen is they have decades of rich lore to draw from, giving filmmakers endless possibilities to tell stories. Rather than boxing themselves in by sticking with a single version, WB should embrace that variety and be bold enough to have two concurrent Batman franchises operating at the same time. Reeves’ crime saga is forging ahead without a shared universe connection in sight, and the character is just too valuable a commodity to be missing from Gunn’s reboot. It’d be better to keep Pattinson and the DCU separated.

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2024-11-13 04:09