Batman is among the hottest superheroes in trendy media, and James Gunn is properly conscious of the challenges that include that legendary standing. With numerous tales throughout comics, exhibits, video games, and flicks releasing yearly, how do you make Batman not boring within the DCU?
In an interview with Rolling Stone, James Gunn has confirmed he understands the challenges dealing with DC Studios and what would be the latest live-action Batman, and he appears ready to handle them straight. Here is a breakdown of Gunn’s Darkish Knight perspective, and why we consider he is already heading in the right direction to verify the DCU’s Batman is not boring.
James Gunn Has Confirmed He is Conscious Of Batman Oversaturation
Earlier than the discharge of Superman, James Gunn went into element on Batman and Surprise Girl in an interview with Rolling Stone.
Overtly acknowledging the sheer variety of Batman tales that exist and are at the moment being revealed at present, Gunn is properly conscious that Batman most of the time dominates DC’s weekly comedian output, mixed with the character’s 90-year legacy throughout comics, films, video games, and exhibits (which is unimaginable to disregard):
“Each single Batman story has been informed. It looks as if half the comics which have come out of DC over the previous 30 years have Batman in them. He’s probably the most well-known superhero on the earth and the preferred superhero on the earth. And folks love him as a result of he’s fascinating, but additionally having a lot of him on the market also can make him boring. So how do you create that property that’s enjoyable to look at?”
General, James Gunn appears decided to offer one thing as new as attainable, whereas additionally offering a Batman that is as compelling as Robert Pattinson’s Batman in Matt Reeves’ ongoing Gotham saga (which is about aside from the brand new DCU as an Elseworlds franchise).
To that finish, these feedback right here present Gunn’s confidence as a storyteller in relation to this new cinematic universe. Reasonably than seeing the excessive saturation of Batman media as a barrier, it is as a substitute a immediate to rethink what Batman can provide with new takes and angles we have by no means seen earlier than (or on the very least have not seen on-screen in fairly a while).
James Gunn Has “A Means In” For The DCU’s Darkish Knight
Though Gunn did not absolutely elaborate, he did affirm that he appears to have discovered “a manner in” for the DCU’s Batman that can keep away from making the character really feel stale when the brand new model of the Caped Crusader lastly makes his debut:
“Batman has to have a motive for current, proper? So Batman can’t simply be ‘Oh, we’re making a Batman film as a result of Batman’s the largest character in all of Warner Bros.,’ which he’s. However as a result of there’s a necessity for him within the DCU and a necessity that he’s not precisely the identical as Matt’s Batman. However but he’s not a campy Batman. I’m not inquisitive about that. I’m not inquisitive about a humorous, campy Batman, actually. So we’re coping with that. I feel I’ve a manner in, by the best way. I feel I actually know what it’s — I simply am coping with the author to guarantee that we will make it a actuality.”
To invest, Gunn’s method seemingly stems from how he views superhero storytelling as a complete. In any case, whether or not his earlier work within the MCU with the Guardians of the Galaxy or as the brand new inventive head of DC Studios, Gunn excels at emphasizing long-form character relationships with sturdy emotional stakes.
We noticed as a lot this summer time in Gunn’s Superman in addition to in Peacemaker season 2. If the DCU Batman is to face aside like Gunn desires him to, he’ll seemingly embody those self same priorities with daring new narrative takes (whereas nonetheless honoring the core beats that make Batman one of the widespread superheroes of all time).
Moreover, this “manner in” may additionally contain giving Batman a clearly outlined place inside this bigger cinematic universe full of metahumans and main superpowers, one thing we have actually solely seen in live-action with the earlier DCEU/SnyderVerse. The brand new DCU has already confirmed itself as being centered round ongoing interactions between metahumans and varied super-teams.
That type of construction may actually give Batman a stable basis for some extra distinctive long-form storytelling on the large display. In any case, Gunn’s feedback make it clear that the primary objective of this new live-action Batman might be to enhance the DCU at the beginning.
A Greater Household Is One other Robust Idea When It Comes To Giving Batman Films One thing New
If James Gunn desires to make the DCU’s Batman really feel recent and new, leaning into better household dynamics is among the smartest approaches he may take. As such, it already looks as if the Courageous and the Daring is headed in that course, given studies that Damian Wayne’s Robin might be featured, Bruce Wayne’s organic son and fourth Robin within the unique DC Comics.
This means the DCU’s Batman might be depicted as a mentor and father, not only a lone vigilante (one thing we’ve not seen in live-action Batman films for the reason that early 2000s).
It is also attainable that the movie might select to develop past Damian’s Robin, doubtlessly highlighting the remainder of the comics’ wide-ranging Bat-Household. Characters like Nightwing, Pink Hood, Tim Drake’s Robin, and Batgirl may all assist broaden Batman’s world in methods the live-action films have hardly tried to a level we have solely ever seen within the comics.
Larger Bat-Household involvement would additionally make the DCU really feel extra interconnected, exhibiting how Gotham’s varied heroes match into Gunn’s bigger universe. Whereas Gunn just isn’t writing and directing Courageous and the Daring himself, this sort of concept does cater to his storytelling strengths with imperfect households (one thing the Bat-Fam very a lot is).
By framing this new Batman by way of these he is educated, mentored, and cares for, the DCU has the possibility to ship one thing genuinely new for the large display, permitting The Darkish Knight to interrupt away from issues about being “boring”.
Courageous and the Daring is predicted to be launched someday in 2028 from DC Studios.