We Already Know the DCU’s Batman Won’t Repeat 1 Controversial Zack Snyder Decision

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In essence, although Peacemaker’s first season initially belonged to the DC Extended Universe instead of the main DC Universe, it seems both Peacemaker and The Suicide Squad are being recognized as part of the new DCU status quo. Essentially, everything in James Gunn’s projects (Peacemaker and The Suicide Squad) is considered canon to the DC Universe unless there’s a direct contradiction or retcon, such as the Justice League cameo in Peacemaker Season 1 being rewritten as a Justice Gang appearance. This arrangement gives DC Studios heads Gunn and Peter Safran the liberty to alter any aspects of these two projects whenever they wish, while also preserving their acclaimed status within the DC Universe.

In simpler terms, a single line in the first season of Peacemaker is consistent with the established canon and signals that the upcoming live-action version of Bruce Wayne/Batman won’t repeat a significant error made by the DCEU version of the character. This aspect of the character is crucial, and deviations from it in the DCEU had dampened excitement for Ben Affleck’s portrayal of Batman.

Live-Action Batman Is Back to No Killing

During the first season of “Peacemaker,” the character played by Christopher Smith (also known as Peacemaker) frequently boasts about his close connections with other DC Universe superheroes, despite being considered a minor crime-fighter. One of his recurring themes is poking fun at Batman’s refusal to kill, a jab that hints at future criticisms of Superman and other non-violent heroes in the “Superman” series. In the grand scheme of the DC Universe, this suggests that the new portrayal of Batman will maintain his stance against taking lives.

In stark contrast to Ben Affleck’s portrayal of the character first introduced in the DC Extended Universe’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”, this version of Batman appears much harsher and less compassionate. He has seemingly grown bitter, following the death of Robin, Superman’s battle with Zod, and the decaying moral state of the world, leading him to have no qualms about killing people or marking them with a Bat symbol for execution in prison. During the film’s climax, this Batman shows no remorse as he mercilessly eliminates criminals within a warehouse. Bodies are left lifeless on the ground and necks are broken.

Despite the fact that the live-action Batman portrayal frequently deviates from the “no killing” rule, as demonstrated by Michael Keaton’s Batman brutally defeating his enemies, films like “Batman Returns” exist in a more heightened reality compared to the “realistic” atmosphere of “Dawn of Justice.” This means that the violent and painful nature of the DCEU’s Batman, as well as the darker consequences of this style, carry more impact. Although it was intended to convey how far Batman had sunk in terms of morality, in practice, this made the DCEU’s Batman seem somewhat distant from the traditional version of Batman, which might not be beneficial for the storytelling.

The DC Universe Isn’t Interested in Repeating Yesteryear’s Mistakes

The challenge was that the aggressive portrayal of Batman, as played by Affleck, was too unconventional and extreme for a typical superhero movie. This darker version of Batman required a more edgy, groundbreaking title that would allow for a deeper exploration of him breaking his moral code. On the other hand, _Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice_ aims to be a family-friendly PG-13 superhero blockbuster aimed at selling merchandise, as demonstrated by Batman’s final killing of several henchmen being swiftly followed by him saying “I’m a friend of your son” to Martha Kent. The incongruity between the two styles didn’t work well together.

A mismatch between character portrayal and cinematic style led to an unpopular depiction of Batman in the DCEU, leaving both Affleck and viewers with limited options. However, the upcoming shared universe’s Batman seems to be aiming for a more traditional take on the character, which should appeal to both family audiences and a world that includes Superman. Given James Gunn’s dedication to authentic portrayals of characters such as Superman and Metamorpho, it’s practically guaranteed that we’ll see a Batman in the DC Universe that stays true to the comics (as hinted at in the silhouette seen in ‘Creature Commandos’).

In the initial season of Peacemaker, a playful jibe at the character implies a shift in the portrayal of Batman compared to the DCEU (DC Extended Universe) version, offering viewers something fresh and distinct. Initially, Ben Affleck was eager to take on the role, but the choice to have Batman engage in killing and branding sprees didn’t sit well with audiences. It’s essential for Batman, a superhero shaped by witnessing his parents being murdered in an alleyway, to refrain from taking lives. Through one of Peacemaker’s humorous and explicit remarks about DC Comics icons, it’s now evident that the DC Universe version of Batman will remain true to the character’s core principle of non-lethal violence.

Fresh installments of the TV series “Peacemaker” Season 2 become available every Thursday on HBO Max. Similarly, you can stream the movie “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” on the same platform, HBO Max.

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2025-09-08 16:44