Here’s Why THE BATMAN Shouldn’t Become Part of the DCU

by

As a die-hard fan of the Caped Crusader for over four decades, I can confidently say that the rumors swirling around DC’s potential retconning of Matt Reeves’ The Batman into James Gunn’s upcoming DCU are nothing more than a storm in a coffee cup.

The idea that DC Studios would uproot the gritty, grounded universe that Reeves has so meticulously crafted and graft it onto Gunn’s more fantastical vision is as far-fetched as Batman battling a giant radioactive spider (yes, I know about Spider-Man).

The stark contrast between the two universes—one rooted in reality, the other steeped in comic book fantasy—makes such an integration implausible. Imagine Batman, with his sleek and modern gadgets, facing off against a 10-year-old master assassin named Damian Wayne. Or worse yet, trying to explain to Gotham’s crime lords that he’s not actually the son of an immortal despot named Ra’s al Ghul. It just doesn’t fit.

Moreover, DC Comics has always been home to two distinct versions of Batman, and I’ve seen enough superhero movies to know that merging these two on the big screen would be a Herculean task. But hey, if anyone can pull it off, it’s the dynamic duo of Matt Reeves and James Gunn!

In all seriousness though, I think we fans should trust Warner Bros. and DC Studios to handle this situation with finesse. After all, they’ve been around the block a few times when it comes to superhero universes. And if things get too confusing, well, that’s what the reboot button is for!

Oh, and as for my take on the delay of The Batman – Part II until 2027, I’ve got just one word: patience. After all, good things come to those who wait—and I’ve been waiting a long time for more Batman!

As a longtime fan of both Batman and DC Comics, I can’t help but feel a twinge of disappointment at the recent delays and rumors surrounding the upcoming films. Having grown up reading Batman comics and watching various iterations on screen, I was excited to see Matt Reeves’ “The Batman – Part II” and “The Brave and the Bold.” However, the year-long delay of the former and the halt of the latter have left me wondering what’s going on behind the scenes.

Rumors are swirling that DC may be considering a retcon of Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” with Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne into the new DC Universe, but I find this hard to believe. Having followed the industry for many years, I know that such drastic changes can lead to confusion and disillusionment among fans.

That being said, it’s important to remember that delays and production hold-ups are not uncommon in Hollywood. Films often face challenges that require time and resources to overcome. So, while the current state of affairs may be disappointing, I choose to remain optimistic and hopeful that both “The Batman – Part II” and “The Brave and the Bold” will eventually see the light of day. In the meantime, I’ll continue to eagerly anticipate updates on these highly-anticipated films and keep my fingers crossed for a successful resolution to the current situation.

James Gunn’s DCU Is More Fantastical Than Reeves’ Gritty The Batman Universe

It’s unlikely that DC Studios and Warner Bros. will revise Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” universe to align with James Gunn’s DCU for several reasons. Firstly, Gunn has repeatedly mentioned that his universe is one where superheroes have been around for a long time, possibly even dating back to World War II. If mechanical soldiers like G.I. Robot were active during that era, as depicted in Creature Commandos, then it’s plausible that the Justice Society of America could also have existed. However, the universe portrayed in “The Batman” seems grounded in reality, with no indications of such fantastical elements occurring outside the normal world. Reeves has intentionally created this universe as a heightened version of our own reality.

It’s unclear if the movie “The Batman” is set in a specific time, but its technology appears contemporary to us, making it unlikely that it or “The Penguin” are period pieces in the DC Universe, predating the superhero boom. James Gunn’s interpretation seems more reminiscent of comic books, and even if the project doesn’t come to fruition, the outline for “Batman: The Brave and the Bold” gives a hint about the kind of Batman he envisions for his universe. In this version, Batman has had multiple Robin partners, with the most recent one being his own 10-year-old son, Damian Wayne, who is also a master assassin. This Damian is not only the son but also the grandson of an immortal tyrant named Ra’s al Ghul. These elements don’t seem to align with Matt Reeves’ more grounded interpretation of Batman in reality.

DC Comics Has Always Had “Two Batmans,” a Harder Sell in Live-Action

In the world of DC Comics, the character of Batman has always inhabited two unique realms. On one side, we see a dark, gritty vigilante who takes down drug lords in the grimy streets of Gotham City. This Batman is a no-holds-barred fighter, dishing out justice to psychopathic criminals with nothing but his fists. Stories like “Batman: Year One“, “The Killing Joke“, and “The Cult” perfectly encapsulate this version of Batman. However, in other tales, Batman is seen patrolling alongside a young sidekick dressed in bright red, green, and yellow. He battles extraterrestrials and mythical beasts with his superhero comrades in the Justice League. Portraying such a multi-faceted character convincingly in live-action, rather than in comic books or animation, is quite a challenge.

In light of the triumph of “The Batman” and “The Penguin”, it’s logical to carry on with Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of Batman, given the flexible nature of the Elseworlds concept in DC comics. This approach could provide a similar adaptability for DC Studios. For 85 years, Batman has been a cornerstone of pop culture, and we know it’s a narrative with various interpretations. Therefore, viewers won’t be perplexed when they see the DCU Batman collaborating with multiple teenage crime-fighters or confronting sci-fi adversaries like Clayface or Man-Bat. While having different Batman films in the same year might not be ideal marketing, we believe that having two distinct versions of Batman won’t overwhelm global audiences. We have plenty of experience with these superhero universes; we’re familiar with their intricacies.

Read More

2025-01-04 02:02