As a comic book enthusiast who grew up in the silver age of superhero storytelling, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation as James Gunn and Peter Safran embark on their mission to reinvent the DC cinematic universe. My son, P.J., who has inherited my passion for these worlds, recently binge-watched The Batman series on HBO, and he’s hooked! He loved the gritty, gangster atmosphere, Colin Farrell as Oz, and the tragic tale of Victor.
When James Gunn and Peter Safran assumed the task of redefining the DC cinematic universe, they found themselves dealing with two unexpected situations. At that point, there were two franchises that had already achieved their own levels of acclaim, and were considered “Elseworld” productions – meaning they existed beyond the narrative arc Gunn and Safran were creating. One was Todd Phillips’ Joker series, which concluded following the ending scene of Joker 2 (Folie a Deux). However, the other was Matt Reeves’ The Batman, which is slated for a sequel and has recently branched out with the critically praised HBO show The Penguin. So, what will Gunn do with this franchise?
Over the past week, I’ve been revisiting the captivating series “The Penguin” alongside my 20-year-old son, P.J., who’s home for Thanksgiving. P.J., a Marvel and DC enthusiast, was immediately drawn to the intricate world-building and gritty gangster vibe of this show. He particularly admired Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of Batman and found Colin Farrell’s performance as Oz compelling.
Right after it concluded, P.J. shared with me that he was eagerly anticipating Superman, as he believed DC was finally on the correct path.
I found it neither within me nor convenient to initiate an explanation about why the worlds are not interlinked.
My child was nurtured by such storytelling. During what I fondly call the Golden Era of Comic Book Storytelling, he matured. He witnessed Kevin Feige constructing the Marvel Cinematic Universe, piece by piece. He attended every DCEU film, joining me even for a 30-second sneak peek of the trailer for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, all for the sake of collecting two posters that he then displayed with pride on his bedroom wall. His affection for this world is deep and genuine.
He also believes that Reeves’ Batman tales are a part of the fresh DC Universe launching in December, which includes the comic series titled “Creature Commandos“.
Currently, the strategy is to maintain these universes independently. As a dedicated fan, I’m eagerly anticipating Matt Reeves’ next installment, “The Batman: Part 2“, slated for release in October 2026. There’s buzz about a potential second spinoff series in the pipeline to keep us engaged while we wait for more tales set in this captivating Gotham City. Perhaps even a sequel to “The Penguin” could be on the horizon? I hope they won’t rush it. The story should be as gripping and engaging as the narrative presented in the episodes of “The Penguin“. It’s an exciting possibility!
It’s likely that James Gunn will eventually develop his own version of Batman, and he has already shared some details about it. This project was mentioned when Gunn and Peter Safran first unveiled the DCU. The movie will be based on a Batman comic that primarily focuses on Bruce Wayne and his biological son, Damian Wayne. However, unlike traditional depictions, Damian was raised by his mother, Talia al Ghul, and the League of Shadows, making him a skilled assassin with a fiery temperament. This version of Batman and Robin will present an unfamiliar dynamic compared to previous live-action portrayals. Unfortunately, it might be some time before this project comes to life on screen as Gunn has stated he won’t move forward unless he receives a final script that he truly appreciates.
For now, the DC Universe is preparing to build its future with several projects. These include the animated series “Creature Commandos”, a live-action Superman movie set for 2025, a planned Supergirl movie, the second season of “Peacemaker”, and a Green Lantern show that’s currently expanding its cast. It’s likely that many viewers will assume that Robert Pattinson’s Batman is connected to this universe, as explaining the idea of an Elseworld story to someone unfamiliar with comic books can be perplexing.
Do I think that Gunn should just absorb The Batman into his DCU? And that Robert Pattinson should be the Batman who interacts with David Corenswet? No, I don’t think so. I think Gunn should get the opportunity to put his own spin on the Dark Knight. And that Matt Reeves should be allowed to finish what he started, which sounds like it might be a trilogy of films, with a few shows sprinkled in. The market can handle multiple Batman stories.
Prepare yourself for a bit of chaos, since numerous tales set in the DC universe will be released in the coming years.
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2024-11-27 19:42