James Gunn Explained Why Batman Is Currently His ‘Biggest Issue’ At DC, But I Especially Liked His Take On Why The Wonder Woman Movie Is ‘Easier’

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As we eagerly anticipate the release of James Gunn’s Superman in 2025, there are two additional DC films that he’s focusing on for DC Studios. The first is The Brave and the Bold, featuring the introduction of Batman from the DC Universe and his battles alongside his son Damian. The second is the newly confirmed Wonder Woman film within the same franchise. However, one project seems to be more challenging than the other, and I found Gunn’s reasoning for this intriguing.

Why James Gunn Is Having Difficulty Figuring Out Batman For The DCU

In January 2023, it was revealed that “The Brave and the Bold” was a part of DCU’s initial lineup. By June of the same year, director Andy Muschietti for “The Flash” was announced as its director. However, information about this project has been scarce since then. Here’s what James Gunn shared with Rolling Stone regarding the current status of “The Brave and the Bold”:

Currently, Batman poses a significant challenge for me within the DC universe, on a personal level. I’m not directly writing Batman, but collaborating with his writer to ensure we deliver an accurate portrayal of the character, as he holds great importance for DC, much like Wonder Woman does. Beyond my active projects, our main focus is completing scripts for both Wonder Woman and Batman.

Despite a writer being announced for The Brave and the Bold in February 2025, their name remains undisclosed. However, it’s not unexpected that James Gunn is collaborating with this writer on the project, given his influential role at DC Studios. Since Batman is considered one of the cornerstones of the DC Universe, it’s crucial to approach this portrayal thoughtfully, considering the numerous interpretations of the character that have preceded it. As Gunn stated:

“Although a writer has been chosen for The Brave and the Bold in February 2025, their identity is still unknown. Nevertheless, it’s not surprising that James Gunn is working with this writer to develop the project due to his position of authority at DC Studios. As Batman is one of the key characters within the DC Universe, it’s essential to handle this rendition carefully given the numerous interpretations of the character that have been presented before. According to Gunn:

Surely, Batman needs a purpose beyond being popular, correct? So, a Batman movie can’t simply be “We’re creating a Batman film because he’s Warner Bros.’ most iconic character,” which is undeniably true. However, there’s a role for him within the DC Universe that isn’t an exact replica of Matt Reeves’ Batman. Yet, we’re not aiming for a campy Batman either – that’s not what I’m after. I have no interest in a light-hearted, humorous take on Batman. Instead, I’m grappling with the concept, and I believe I have a way to approach it. I feel confident about my understanding of the project, and I’m currently collaborating with the writer to ensure we can bring this vision to life.

Despite the numerous live-action adaptations of Batman throughout the years, we find ourselves in a distinctive phase where two movie versions of this superhero coexist. The Batman portrayed by Robert Pattinson is set to carry on his storyline within the universe created by Matt Reeves, while James Gunn and an as-yet-unknown writer are busy crafting their distinct take on the character in a different context. However, it’s important to note that the Batman of the DCU will likely not be characterized by humor or campiness to balance out the intense darkness associated with Pattinson’s portrayal.

Why James Gunn Thinks Wonder Woman Is Easier To Pull Off For The DCU

Currently, details about the upcoming DCU Wonder Woman movie are scarce, as it’s only in development. However, James Gunn has mentioned that writing for Diana of Themyscira might prove easier than crafting stories for Batman.

Compared to characters like Batman, who have been portrayed countless times across various media, Wonder Woman offers a fresh and less repetitive perspective due to fewer widespread adaptations. While Batman is omnipresent in comics, particularly those from DC over the past three decades, his ubiquity can sometimes make him appear less captivating, even though he’s globally renowned as an intriguing superhero. The challenge lies in developing a compelling Wonder Woman narrative that maintains interest while avoiding the potential monotony associated with Batman’s extensive portrayals.

Although Wonder Woman ranks alongside Batman and Superman as part of DC Comics’ main trio, she hasn’t been adapted for other media nearly as often as her counterparts, especially in live-action. Gal Gadot is the sole actress who has portrayed Diana on the big screen to date, which means there isn’t as much pressure for Wonder Woman’s on-screen representation to shine compared to Batman. However, James Gunn is ensuring that Wonder Woman receives equal attention and consideration in the development process because she is also a crucial part of this franchise.

It’s still unknown when “The Brave and the Bold” or the Wonder Woman movie will be released, but we’ll venture into the DC Universe through films with Superman hitting theaters on July 11. Following this, Supergirl (formerly known as “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow”) is scheduled for a June 26, 2026 release, and Clayface is slated for a September 11, 2026 premiere.

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2025-06-17 02:08