The Ultimate Batman Franchise: Unleashing the Dark Knight's Full Potential

In January, James Gunn unveiled the upcoming lineup of the revitalized DC film universe, which will introduce long-awaited iconic characters from the DC mythos to the silver screen. One of these highly anticipated films is The Brave and the Bold, marking the first major Batman film in the DC Universe. In this film, Batman will join forces with his son, Damian Wayne, who recently took on the mantle of Robin in DC lore.

The speculation surrounding a standalone Batman film within the DCU had been brewing prior to the official announcement in January. This was prompted by the fact that Matt Reeves had already embarked on his own standalone Batman film universe in March 2022. Fans had expressed concerns that the introduction of a new Batman in the DCU could potentially overshadow Reeves' take on the character. However, as of now, those fears have been dispelled, as Matt Reeves will have the freedom to continue his work on his solo Batman universe alongside the development of the DCU.

While the concern of many Batman fans and moviegoers regarding the potential confusion brought by having two live-action Batmen is understandable, it is important to recognize that this situation actually presents a golden opportunity. The character of Batman possesses a vast and intricate mythos that has been developed over the course of almost a century. Consequently, having two live-action interpretations of Batman can prove to be highly advantageous, as it allows for a more comprehensive exploration of the character's lore on the grand scale of the big screen.

The Storylines

Since debuting in 1939, Batman has accumulated a remarkable and unforgettable collection of events, graphic novels, and story arcs that are truly iconic in the comics realm. From the epic crossover tales of Knightfall and No Man's Land to the more intimate narratives of A Death in the Family and The Killing Joke, Batman's history offers a vast array of material for writers seeking to adapt this character. The sheer abundance of stories is so immense that condensing them into a single series would appear daunting. Even in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where a prominent figure like Steve Rogers had only a few of his stories adapted throughout a decade.

This is where the value of having two live-action Batman franchises becomes apparent. On one hand, we have Robert Pattinson's Batman, who portrays a younger and less experienced version of the character. Clues within the DCU announcement hint that the Batman in the upcoming shared universe will possess more time and experience, along with a well-developed rogues' gallery. This opens the door to a multitude of storylines that can be adapted. If The Batman - Part II and future Matt Reeves Batman films choose to explore narratives set earlier in Bruce Wayne's career, such as Dark Victory and Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth, it would alleviate the burden on the DCU's Batman to cover these particular stories. By focusing one Batman franchise on earlier tales and another on more recent ones, viewers would gain a deeper appreciation for the vast number of exceptional Batman stories available.

The Bat Family

Undeniably, Batman boasts an incredibly vast array of sidekicks and supporting characters in the world of comic books. From an impressive lineup of five Robins to numerous Batgirls, many of whom have successfully carved out their own superhero identities, the sheer number of characters poses a challenge in terms of adaptation and sufficient development within a single franchise. With limited screen time, viewers may find themselves unable to fully immerse in each character, thereby missing out on the potential growth of every member within the Bat Family.

This is, once again, where the advantage of having two Batman franchises comes into play. While it is entirely possible that viewers will have the opportunity to witness Dick Grayson as Nightwing and Jason Todd as Red Hood in the DCU, their respective stints as Robin are crucial to their character development. In this scenario, Matt Reeves’ Batman franchise should seize the chance to narrate some stories featuring these characters that the DCU is unlikely to explore. By showcasing, for instance, Dick Grayson’s time as Robin alongside Robert Pattinson’s Batman, and his tenure as Nightwing alongside the DCU’s Batman, it will allow for a more comprehensive portrayal of Grayson’s backstory to be fully showcased.

The Villains

Without a doubt, Batman boasts the most formidable array of adversaries in the comic book realm, which may be a hard pill to swallow for devoted Spider-Man enthusiasts. Revered characters such as The Joker, Two-Face, The Riddler, Bane, Poison Ivy, and more have achieved iconic status, earning rightful opportunities to captivate audiences on the grand cinematic stage.

If Matt Reeves continues to follow the more realistic path in his Batman universe, focusing on characters like The Penguin and The Riddler (both appearing in 2022's The Batman), perhaps the DCU could embrace a more comic-book style. While Ra's al Ghul was adapted in 2005's Batman Begins, there are other fantastical elements to the character, such as the Lazarus Pit, that didn't quite fit into that series. With the introduction of Damian Wayne in The Brave and the Bold, Ra's could be the perfect antagonist in the upcoming film. The potential is endless, and only time will tell how the writers and directors utilize these iconic fictional villains.