James Gunn and Peter Safran’s rebooted DC Universe is beginning to take shape. Creature Commandos is just over a month away from release, Superman has wrapped production, DC Studios have found their Green Lanterns, and plenty of new projects are being announced. But, there’s a major problem looming over the new DCU, perched on a gargoyle with a mask and a long black cape. What is James Gunn going to do about Batman?
Earlier this month, James Gunn called “bullsh*t” on a popular rumor online surrounding Batman’s casting. Reports were released that DC Studios wants to cast a middle-aged man to play the DCU’s Caped Crusader. Gunn denied the rumor, leading many to believe that the DCU’s Batman will be younger, potentially similar to Matt Reeves’ version of the character, who is in his second year of crime fighting. But, having a younger Batman in the DCU causes major problems for the franchise’s continuity.
The DCU Needs an Older Batman Because of the Robins
The Brave and the Bold
- Director
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Andy Muschietti
- Studio(s)
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DC Entertainment
, Warner Bros. Discovery
, Warner Bros. - Franchise(s)
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DC Universe
It’s not just Bruce Wayne who’ll be appearing in the DC Universe; almost the entire Bat Family will appear on-screen in one form or another. DC Studios recently announced a Dick Grayson (Nightwing)/Jason Todd (Red Hood) animated movie is in the works, as is a live-action Teen Titans film — which usually features one of the Robins as a core member. Additionally, Bruce Wayne’s standalone movie, The Brave and the Bold, will feature his biological son, Damian Wayne.
Fans are excited to see the Robins finally get their big screen break (we’re still holding out hope for Tim Drake). But, how can a Batman in his 20s possibly have adopted and trained three children, two of whom have left the cave to become their own heroes and had his own son who should be entering his teens at the time of The Brave and the Bold?
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The DCU’s Batman must have some years under his utility belt for the universe’s continuity to make sense. Judging by the number of heroes in Superman and the casualness to which Rick Flag Sr. is accepting of the Creature Commandos, it appears the new DC Universe will feature a world packed full of super-powered beings. Gunn has also made it clear that he doesn’t want to retell overdone origin stories for DC’s most popular characters. With that in mind, it makes sense for Bruce Wayne to be in his early/mid-30s during The Brave and the Bold. That way, fans can believably digest a Batman that can stand toe-to-toe with the super-powered characters in the universe while also being a father and mentor to three (possibly four) sons.
Batman Should Be Older, Not Old
The rumors about casting a middle-aged Batman came about shortly after reports that DC Studios were eyeing Josh Brolin to play an older Hal Jordan in Lanterns. Some overly eager fans took the casting rumor and ran with it, believing that Gunn and Safran were aging up most of the DCU’s legacy heroes. But just because DC Studios’ Batman needs to be older doesn’t mean he should be “old.” First and foremost, whoever signs on to play Batman will likely be doing so under a multi-picture deal. As interesting as it might be to see someone like Harrison Ford wear the cape and cowl, how many movies could the actor realistically make before calling it quits due to the physical demands of being Batman?
Casting a Batman in his 30s also allows a wider scope of storytelling. Gunn and Safran would be able to use almost every popular Batman comic book (with the obvious exception of Year One). By casting an old Batman, the DCU would already be limiting itself to potential stories to adapt, with comics like The Dark Knight Returns or a potential Batman Beyond adaptation as the only logical choices.
So far, Gunn has been incredibly tight-lipped about the Batman casting process. Aside from dispelling blatantly false rumors online, the director and co-president of DC Studios is keeping his cards close to his chest about the new DCU Caped Crusader. With so many projects already in the works and Gunn hard at work on Superman‘s trailer, it will likely be some time before we hear anything substantial about The Brave and the Bold.