Superman Is Already Setting Up the DCU’s New Batman

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In a fresh twist by James Gunn in his take on Superman, the story doesn’t begin on Krypton. Instead, we see brief mentions of Krypton through characters like Jor-El (played by Bradley Cooper) and Lara Lor-Van (Angela Sarafyan), who send their son to Earth with a message about preserving Krypton’s legacy. The film doesn’t dwell much on the Kent farm, with Superman visiting it only after being affected by kryptonite in Lex Luthor’s alternate reality prison. This departure from the traditional origin story is possible because the DC Universe is already well-established, with Superman having been active for some time and not being the sole metahuman around.

The Justice League assists Superman in overpowering Lex Luthor and safeguarding the citizens of Jarhanpur from an attack, paving the way for further collaborations ahead. The band even welcomes a new recruit, Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan), who boasts previous combat experience with the Man of Steel. Yet, at the end of Superman, there’s a cunning hint that foreshadows the emergence of Superman’s most renowned partner: Batman.

Metropolis’ Evacuation in Superman Sends People Running to Another Iconic DC Town

Lex’s major scheme involves persuading the U.S. government to approve his plan for capturing Superman. His ultimate goal is to have his organization, PlanetWatch, control the metahuman movement, which he believes is impossible as long as Superman exists. Once Lex manages to imprison Superman, it seems like a victory for him. However, the villain’s plans are foiled when Metamorpho, who had been keeping Superman confined with kryptonite, decides that being manipulated by Lex isn’t worth it. Eventually, Metamorpho assists Superman in escaping from the pocket dimension and ultimately allies himself with the Justice League in Jarhanpur.

Simultaneously in Metropolis, Lex Luthor’s malfunctioning portal tears open a catastrophic rift in the earth, putting the city, and potentially the world, at risk. Mister Terrific and Superman labor to seal this chasm, but it proves a complex task. With their homes now perilous, Metropolis citizens are forced to evacuate. As they travel, they spot an exit leading to Gotham City. Superman confirms that these two significant DCU cities are merely a few miles apart, implying it’s just a matter of time before the Man of Steel and Batman meet.

Batman Can’t Ignore the DCU’s Problems Forever

In the HBO Max animated series “Creature Commandos,” marking the debut of the DC Universe (DCU), it’s established that Batman plays a role within the franchise, as he apprehends Doctor Phosphorus and incarcerates him. This incident transpired in Gotham City, meaning there have been no reported appearances of the Dark Knight elsewhere. Given the numerous Gotham-linked villains, this isn’t shocking; it seems that the hero is perpetually engaged in some endeavor within his city. The upcoming DCU film, “Clayface,” will delve into the origins of a Batman antagonist and undoubtedly disclose how these two characters first interact.

As a dedicated moviegoer, I can’t help but feel that Batman can’t remain secluded in his lair forever, given how the DC Universe has expanded significantly post-Superman. If Lex Luthor’s portal had swallowed Metropolis whole, Gotham would have been next in line, and while the Dark Knight is not yet accustomed to working with others, he wouldn’t have been able to tackle such a colossal issue single-handedly. That doesn’t necessarily mean Superman will be knocking on the doors of Wayne Manor in the near future, asking Bruce Wayne to join the Justice League, but the day will come when the DCU will need Batman’s brilliant mind and investigative skills. How the Dark Knight chooses to respond when the call comes will shape his role in this new cinematic universe, as there are numerous other heroes ready to take on the challenge if he refuses.

Superman is in theaters now.

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2025-07-11 19:09