James Gunn, co-head of DC Studios, recently shared new details about the highly anticipated Arkham Asylum series in development at Max, clearing up earlier assumptions about its ties to Matt Reeves' Batverse. In a response on Threads, Gunn explained that the Arkham Asylum series is an integral part of the new DC Universe, which is currently being developed alongside Superman: Legacy and Creature Commandos.
Earlier rumors hinted at a potential link between the Arkham Asylum series and The Batman, which was expanding its world with The Penguin, starring Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot. There were also reports of Reeves producing the Arkham Asylum series, fueling speculation about its connection to The Batman's story, particularly the potential exploration of characters like Barry Keoghan's Joker within the asylum. However, Gunn clarified on Sunday that Arkham Asylum is firmly part of the broader DCU.
"Matt is currently overseeing the production of Arkham as a DCU series, so currently we have just the two [The Batman Part II and The Penguin]," confirmed Gunn. In response to another question, he emphasized, "Yes [it's set in the DCU]. We have great confidence in Matt as a director and producer, so he will be producing stories within his The Batman universe as well as within the DCU."
The Arkham Asylum series, which was initially announced as a spinoff for The Batman, was revealed before Gunn and Peter Safran reworked DC's film lineup, introducing the new DC Universe. Gunn recognized fans' surprise at the change, stating, "It wasn't changed." Despite earlier suggestions from Reeves about a direct connection to The Batman's world, Gunn clarified on Threads that the Arkham series was always intended to be part of the broader DCU.
Editor's P/S
As a hard fan of DC Comics, I am thrilled about James Gunn's exciting plans for the DC Universe, particularly the introduction of the Arkham Asylum series. The asylum has always been a fascinating and integral part of Batman's world, and I can't wait to see how it will be explored in this new series. The fact that Matt Reeves is overseeing the production of Arkham as a DCU series is also very promising, as he has proven his expertise in crafting dark and atmospheric Batman stories.
However, I do have some concerns about the potential disconnect between the Arkham Asylum series and Matt Reeves' Batverse. While I understand that Gunn wants to create a cohesive DC Universe, I also believe that it's important to maintain the unique tone and vision of each filmmaker. I hope that Reeves will still have creative control over his Batman-related projects, even as he contributes to the broader DCU. Overall, I am optimistic about the future of the DC Universe under James Gunn's leadership, and I can't wait to see what he and his team have in store for us.