The Sci-Fi and Fantasy Elements We Hope to See in the DCU Batman

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As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of immersion into the captivating world of Batman, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation and excitement for the upcoming DCU Batman films. For years, we’ve witnessed the Dark Knight navigate Gotham City in various shades of realism, but it’s high time that he embraced his fantastical roots!

In a recent statement, director Matt Reeves reiterated that his upcoming sequel for “The Batman” will eschew fantastical elements in favor of a more grounded narrative. This move marks a consistent trend towards realism in Batman films since “Batman Begins” 20 years ago. However, DC Comics’ Batman stories are often characterized by grandiose and fantastical themes. Contrarily, Reeves’ take on the Dark Knight is aiming for realism. Meanwhile, another big-screen Batman, the new DCU’s “Brave and the Bold,” may choose to embrace elements such as sci-fi, fantasy, and larger-than-life aspects from the comics that have been largely absent in the past two decades of films. This is what we eagerly anticipate from the DCU Batman to distinguish it from its previous cinematic iterations.

The Sci-Fi Freak Villains

For two decades now, many of Batman’s legendary villains have delved into the realm of science fiction, with characters like Poison Ivy controlling plant life, Clayface transforming shapeshiftingly, and tragic figures such as Mister Freeze and Man-Bat who suffered from “science gone wrong.” Despite their iconic status as Batman’s adversaries, they have been sidelined in live-action films due to the overly campy portrayals in movies like ‘Batman and Robin.’ However, with nearly 30 years having passed since that film, it is high time these characters receive a fresh start on the big screen. Instead of replicating the campiness seen in Schumacher’s films, they can be depicted as science fiction villains. Considering how well this was done in ‘Batman: The Animated Series,’ there’s hope that they will find their place in James Gunn’s DC Universe. Unfortunately, they don’t seem to fit into Matt Reeves’ version of Gotham City, but a slot might open up for them elsewhere.

The Supernatural Foes

Known for battling vibrant villains primarily, followed by sci-fi characters with a tragic twist, the Dark Knight also encounters formidable foes dabbling in the supernatural realm. For instance, Ra’s al Ghul, portrayed by Liam Neeson in Batman Begins, was not given his full supernatural treatment. Instead, we yearn for a portrayal of Ra’s as an immortal tyrant, sustained by his frequent dips into the mystical Lazarus Pits. We eagerly anticipate seeing this version of Ra’s and his daughter Talia on screen. Furthermore, it’s high time for the zombie Solomon Grundy and even the ghostly Gentleman Ghost to make their big-screen debuts. Here’s hoping that when DCU Batman arrives, he will embrace a touch of the supernatural.

The Vampire Villains

This falls into “supernatural enemies,” but Batman has fought enough of the undead they should have their own category. Going back to the Dark Knight’s earliest days, Batman has crossed paths with several bloodsuckers. In 1939, he fought a vampire called the Monk. In later years, he fought the vampiric seductress Nocturna, and even became a vampire when he fought Dracula himself in the trilogy Batman/Dracula: Red Rain comics. There was even a The Batman vs. Dracula animated film several years ago. Two dark souls in dramatic capes, one good, one evil? This deserves the cinematic treatment at some point. Here’s hoping the DCU Batman goes there someday. We just hope he carries wooden stakes in his utility belt.

The Mystical Allies

Just as Batman faces foes beyond the natural realm, he also allies with beings from those mystical realms. These characters, such as Papa Midnight in “Batman: Caped Crusader”, Jason Blood (a.k.a. Etrigan the Demon), and Zatanna the sorceress, possess magical abilities that aid Batman when needed. Scenes where Batman, despite his vast knowledge, must acknowledge his limits and seek help from occult experts like these are a delight in comics and cartoons. It would be exciting to see such a scene played out in a live-action film.

The Bat-Family

In a departure from traditional sci-fi or fantasy genres, modern cinematic interpretations of Batman sometimes seem outlandish by having him work with a group of young sidekicks. However, we’re unbothered because these characters are essential to Batman’s story and they deserve their moment in the spotlight. For instance, The Brave and the Bold is set to introduce Damian Wayne as Robin, and perhaps Nightwing too. But we crave more; we want to see other members of Batman’s team on screen.

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2024-09-06 02:32