James Gunn’s new Superman movie has formally landed in theatres. Whereas most eyes are on the Man of Metal, loads of the press in the run-up to the blockbuster has requested questions on one other hero in the DC Universe.
There is an entire lot of chatter surrounding Bruce Wayne, AKA Batman, and the way he’ll match into this new period of the DCU, as there are a number of initiatives in the live-action pipeline centred round the Darkish Knight.
After an early screening of Superman, I’ve seen a number of clues to pay attention to, and I’ve compiled them with the key quotes we’ve got thus far to attempt to piece collectively what precisely is occurring with Batman, and whether or not there’s any likelihood we’ll see David Corenswet come face-to-face with Robert Pattinson’s model of the vigilante in the future.
Observe that there are spoilers under for Superman. Proceed at your individual threat
Superman has a small Batman Easter egg
I can verify that whereas Batman doesn’t seem in James Gunn’s Superman film, there is a key reference that signifies that he exists.
Throughout an evacuation scene of Metropolis, we are able to see a street signal for Gotham Metropolis, the metropolis the place Batman historically operates. That reference wasn’t key to the plot, so it’s undoubtedly a tease for followers of what’s to return for this DC Universe reboot.
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This comes as no shock, as co-CEOs of DC Studios, James Gunn and Peter Safran, have outlined some plans for an unique film about Bruce Wayne (detailed under), which might almost definitely solid a brand new face in the function.
Nevertheless, there at the moment are questions on whether or not an present model of Batman may very well be folded into this DC world to star alongside David Corenswet. Particularly, Robert Pattinson’s tackle the character from Matt Reeves’s The Batman, who will return for the sequel on 1 October 2027.
These rumours principally stem from an sudden cameo in Superman, which confirms that Gunn and Safran usually are not wiping the slate clear utterly.
Superman cameo confirms one previous DCEU character exists in this new world
In the Superman movie, we see Clark Kent coming below fireplace from the press when Lex Luthor leaks a video exposing the true purpose that he was despatched to Earth. As we flick by means of the TV channels, we see a bunch interviewing none apart from… Peacemaker, performed by John Cena.
As followers of the character is probably not stunned to listen to, the anti-hero is trash-talking Clark Kent. The actual query is… how is he right here?
HBO
Peacemaker first appeared in The Suicide Squad, alongside the likes of Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn and Joel Kinnaman’s Rick Flag, who each appeared in the first Suicide Squad movie – a film very a lot set in the DCEU… the place Henry Cavill performed Superman.
The obvious purpose is that this model of Peacemaker has now been retconned to be a part of this universe. In spite of everything, there’s no purpose that the similar actor can’t play completely different multiverse variations of characters – take J.Okay. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson in the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man movies and the MCU.
Plus, Gunn has principally confirmed again in November 2024 that the majority of the collection Peacemaker is canon in this new DCU, aside from the one scene that features a cameo from the former Justice League.
That might make sense, provided that Superman contains Rick Flag Sr as a side-character, the dad of Rick Flag… and the actors don’t actually have a large enough age hole to make this work, except for some purpose Superman is set earlier in this fictional timeline than anticipated.
The opposite is that this is some form of (on the point of groan) multiverse state of affairs. In spite of everything, the Superman movie offers with the idea of pocket universes, in order that form of storytelling would make it very handy to fold in different characters that may in any other case not make a lot sense.
The largest purpose this most likely isn’t the case is as a result of it’s an enormous a part of Marvel’s story proper now with factions comparable to the X-Males, and due to this fact it could appear extra doubtless that Gunn would need to create his personal narrative.
But Gunn hasn’t utterly wiped the slate clear by having Peacemaker concerned, identical to Marvel did with the Netflix collection, comparable to Daredevil.
Marvel 2024 / Giovanni Rufino
So, if he’s carting over some characters from the DCEU, is there an opportunity that he may do the similar from one other DC property?
James Gunn’s stance on Matt Reeves’s The Batman
When Gunn took over as co-head of DC Studios, he made it fairly clear that he’d be completely happy to have two live-action Bruce Wayne tales co-existing alongside each other. One as a part of Chapter One: Gods and Monsters of the DCU, whereas the different would happen below the DC Elseworlds umbrella – tales that aren’t in the important ‘canon’.
That ‘different’ in query is The Batman Half II, starring Robert Pattinson, which completed its script at the finish of June. This universe additionally features a spin-off, HBO’s The Penguin starring Colin Farrell, which acquired vital acclaim.
Macall Polay/HBO
Nevertheless, throughout an interview with Rolling Stone, Gunn was requested about whether or not he’d ever need to fold this character into his model of the DCU:
Interviewer: “You as soon as mentioned that the undeniable fact that Robert Pattinson’s Batman is not in this universe was Matt Reeves’ selection. Does that imply if it had been as much as you, you’ll’ve simply pulled that into your universe?”
Gunn: “It could be a consideration. We’d have to consider it. We’d have to consider it. It is not like we’ve by no means mentioned it.”
Interviewer: “I actually ought to clear this up. Is there nonetheless a non-zero likelihood that Matt Reeves’ Batman will get sucked into your universe?”
Gunn: “[Long pause.] I might by no means say zero, since you simply by no means know. However it’s not going. It’s not going in any respect.”
So, Battinson crossing into the important DCU appears unlikely. And that’s not likely shocking – Reeve’s tackle this world is gritty, gothic and semi-realistic. In the meantime, the newest Superman has a superdog – they’re fairly far aside tonally.
Plus, Gunn has his personal plans in place for Bruce Wayne.
Warner Bros. Discovery
A brand new Batman movie is in growth referred to as The Courageous and the Daring
In the similar interview, Gunn mentioned how he’s commissioned a author to work on The Courageous and the Daring script, but there are challenges surrounding it:
“Batman has to have a purpose for present, proper? So Batman can’t simply be “Oh, we’re making a Batman film as a result of Batman’s the largest character in all of Warner Bros.,” which he is. But as a result of there’s a necessity for him in the DCU and a necessity that he’s not precisely the similar as Matt’s Batman. But but he’s not a campy Batman. I’m not in that. I’m not in a humorous, campy Batman, actually. So we’re dealing with that. I feel I’ve a manner in, by the manner. I feel I actually know what it’s — I simply am dealing with the author to make it possible for we are able to make it a actuality.”
The story will deal with Bruce Wayne and his son Damian Wayne, who will acquire the title of Robin – Batman’s trusty sidekick.
We don’t but know when The Courageous and the Daring will probably be launched, as the script isn’t but full, and no casting course of has begun but. It absolutely received’t be subsequent 12 months, which already has Supergirl and Clayface movies lined up on 26 June and 11 September, respectively.
2027 is a chance, but that may be a dangerous transfer to place two Batman movies in the similar 12 months, and it might be complicated for audiences, contemplating that Gunn doesn’t need to go down the ‘humorous, campy Batman’ route, so they could find yourself being comparable in tone. Hopefully, we’ll hear extra in the coming months.
James Gunn’s standing on Batman in the DCU, in abstract
Batman is prone to be rebooted in this new period of the DCU in The Courageous and the Daring. Whereas Matt Reeves’s second movie about the Caped Crusader is nonetheless going forward, it will likely be thought-about as a part of an alternate universe below the DC Elseworlds umbrella.
Whereas Gunn hasn’t utterly dominated out Battinson becoming a member of the DCU with David Corenswet’s Superman, the likelihood is slim. But after all, Superman did characteristic a cameo from a personality in the DCEU with Peacemaker, which proves that some liberties are being taken with this universe – it’s not ranging from scratch, which can be one thing for followers to invest about.
Pocket universes had been additionally launched in Superman, which may very well be an amazing excuse to hop between worlds, but it could be a shock for DC to additionally comply with a multiversal arc, contemplating how a lot Marvel has included this into its movie slate.
