Why Timothée Chalamet as Batman Beyond Could Resurrect the DCEU's Batman Franchise

Timothée Chalamet's recent comments about superhero movies suggest that he would excel in a Batman Beyond live-action project. Despite not having starred in any superhero films yet, whether in the MCU, DCU, or elsewhere, Chalamet has shared reasons why. However, portraying Terry McGinnis as he transforms into the future's Dark Knight could be a role he'd be interested in.

Timothée Chalamet is undeniably one of the biggest Hollywood stars today, thanks to his prominent role as Paul Atredies in the 2021 film Dune and its upcoming sequel. Given his current status, it comes as no surprise that questions about potential superhero roles were posed to him during a recent interview promoting Dune: Part Two. Chalamet's response was intriguing, hinting that he may be keen on taking on the role of Batman Beyond's version of DC's Caped Crusader.

Timothee Chalamet Has Some Conditions About Being In A Superhero Movie

Needs To Be The Right Circumstances

Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides in Dune and Batman in DC Comics - Needs To Be The Right Circumstances - Timothee Chalamet Has Some Conditions About Being In A Superhero Movie

Custom image by Felipe Rangel

Chalamet shared his thoughts on superhero movies in an interview with The NY Times. He mentioned advice from Leonardo DiCaprio, who told him to avoid both superhero movies and hard drugs. Chalamet found this advice to be very wise and decided to follow it.

Timothee Chalamet's Perspective on Superhero Movies

That being said, Chalamet expressed that he would only consider starring in a superhero movie if the circumstances were right. He believes that a good story and a talented director are essential factors for a successful superhero film. Just like any other genre, there are superhero movies that excel and others that fail to impress. The superhero genre offers a wide range of stories that can be told, some of which resonate with audiences while others do not. The same can be said for directors - some bring great success to superhero films while others may not. Therefore, Chalamet feels that it is crucial to find the perfect combination of a compelling story and a skilled director before he commits to donning a superhero mask.

Inspired By Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight

Batman standing in rubble and the Joker burning money in The Dark Knight - Inspired By Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight - Timothee Chalamet's Dark Knight Inspiration Is Encouraging For The DCU

Chalamet revealed that watching Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight was his initial inspiration to pursue acting. The second installment in Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, featuring Christian Bale as Batman and Heath Ledger as the Joker, the 2008 film is widely regarded as one of the greatest superhero movies, known for its compelling story and talented cast. The Dark Knight received numerous awards, including an Oscar for Ledger, showcasing the excellence of both the movie and its director, whom Chalamet collaborated with on 2014's Interstellar.

This could suggest that Chalamet might be more inclined towards a Batman-related project within the DC universe in the future, rather than other superhero roles. With the official start of the rebooted DCU scheduled for 2025, there are many opportunities for new interpretations of classic DC Comics characters, some of whom have never been featured on the big screen before. However, Chalamet's ideal Batman project does not necessarily have to be part of the new DCU.

A Live-Action Batman Beyond Movie Would Be Perfect For Timothee Chalamet

An Isolated Elseworlds Project With Greater Freedom

Split image of Michael Keaton in Batsuit with animated Terry McGinnis in Batman Beyond - An Isolated Elseworlds Project With Greater Freedom - A Live-Action Batman Beyond Movie Would Be Perfect For Timothee Chalamet

A live-action Batman Beyond movie could be a great fit for Timothée Chalamet. The project was previously canceled in the DCEU, but there were reports of it being in development with Michael Keaton reprising his role as an older Bruce Wayne. In this adaptation of the original animated series, an older Bruce Wayne trains a young Terry McGinnis to take on the mantle of Batman for the next generation. Chalamet could easily step into this role without any doubts.

Playing Terry McGinnis in a Batman Beyond movie wouldn't necessarily tie Chalamet to a grander universe or long-term franchise with DC Studios.

Given the original show's setting in the future, a live-action Batman Beyond movie could also be an incredibly dynamic Elseworlds project (isolated stories which will still be produced according to James Gunn despite the new DCU). As such, playing Terry McGinnis in an Elseworlds Batman Beyond movie wouldn't necessarily tie Chalamet to a grander universe or long-term franchise with DC Studios, an idea that might very well make the role more attractive for the major Hollywood actor as well (along with the aforementioned requirement of a good story and great director).

Source: Timothée Chalamet/NY Times

Editor's P/S:

Timothée Chalamet's recent comments on superhero movies have sparked intrigue among fans. While he remains hesitant to commit to a traditional superhero role, his admiration for "The Dark Knight" and his interest in a potential "Batman Beyond" project suggest a nuanced approach to the genre. Chalamet's desire for compelling stories and talented directors aligns with the critical acclaim received by Nolan's film, indicating a preference for quality over quantity.

The concept of an Elseworlds "Batman Beyond" movie, isolated from the larger DCU, could provide Chalamet with the creative freedom and flexibility he seeks. This would allow him to explore the character of Terry McGinnis without the constraints of a sprawling cinematic universe. Moreover, it aligns with James Gunn's plans for future DC productions, ensuring that Chalamet's potential involvement would not conflict with the new DCU's direction.