In a few days, Superman will open the doors to a new cinematic universe. After the failure of the DCEU, Warner Bros. is counting on James Gunn and Peter Safran to give its iconic characters the adaptations they deserve. For the occasion, new actors have been invited. This is the case with David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan, who play the new Clark Kent and Lois Lane. Millie Alcock will also don the Kara Zor-El costume in front of Craig Gillespie's camera for Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, scheduled for 2026. The Kryptonian dynasty will therefore be in the spotlight, as will the luminous Metropolis. But DC comics fans know that the city cannot exist without the darkness of another iconic glossy city: Gotham.
Batman and Superman are two sides of the same coin, so one might imagine that Bruce Wayne's return would be the priority for the new DCU. But while projects are multiplying, the vigilante's return is still being delayed. Officially, Batman: The Brave and The Bold is on the way. However, little information has been shared on the subject. We simply know that Andy Muschietti has been hired to direct this adaptation of the eponymous story arc.
The director of The Flash, an undisputed shipwreck in the DCEU, is expected to show the character in a new light. The story will follow Damian Wayne, Bruce Wayne's illegitimate son. Raised to become an assassin, he takes on the role of Robin and accompanies his father on his most perilous missions. On paper, the proposition attracts attention. But James Gunn knows that taking on one of the most important heroes in popular culture is no easy task.
“Batman is my biggest problem at DC”
Asked by Rolling Stone about the future of the franchise, the creative director makes no secret of having difficulty handling the arrival of the Dark Knight. He explains: “Batman is my biggest problem at DC right now, personally.” He adds that the character’s importance to the team can be a hindrance, as much as the prospect of him soon being reunited with Matt Reeves in The Batman: Part II.
This is especially true since Warner Bros. has already failed in the past, on several occasions. From Joel Schumacher’s attempts to Ben Affleck’s recent appearances in the role, Batman is one of those characters that the industry has mistreated as much as it has glorified. Nolan has also made a significant shift by moving away from the genre's codes to draw on the thriller genre as much as the edgy action film.
More tangible and realistic, Batman Begins (and its sequels) showed that the superhero could be something other than a fearless and blameless hero who delivers lines destined to become cult classics. While James Gunn doesn't hold back from nostalgia with his Superman, he wants to free himself from these elements with Batman. "A funny and kitsch Batman doesn't really interest me. I think I have a solution, by the way." While he doesn't go so far as to give the keys to the project, Gunn wants to be rather reassuring.
It remains to be seen whether DC's film offerings will succeed in restoring the comic book stable to its former glory. The financial results and critical reviews of the first film will be a good indicator of the success of the franchise, which aims to replace Marvel in the audience's habits. The answer is therefore July 9 with Superman. Remember that for the moment, Batman: The Brave and the Bold does not have a release date. James Gunn has nevertheless confirmed that it is one of his priorities, along with the return of the goddess Wonder Woman.
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