Recently, DC Studios boss James Gunn gave an update on the writing process for the DC Universe’s Batman film, currently titled The Brave and The Bold. Though no lead actor has been cast as Bruce Wayne, Andy Muschietti has previously been linked to the project. The Brave and The Bold is said to draw from Grant Morrison’s Batman run in DC Comics, thus focusing on Bruce’s relationship with the son he didn’t know he had, Damian Wayne/Robin. Despite being a pillar of DC, no release date for Batman’s DCU debut has been confirmed.
Interestingly, DC Studios has slated release dates for a number of other projects, including a horror film following the Batman antagonist Clayface and an elseworld sequel to Matt Reeves’ The Batman. Discussing why DC is taking such an interesting direction with their upcoming films on the DC Studios Showcase podcast, Gunn stated: “If somebody comes in with a pitch that’s completely outside of what we expected, but it’s great, and it fits the character, then I’m like, ‘Oh, there’s a bird in the hand, like, go with it.’ And then there’s other projects in which I have very specific ideas about how it should go.“
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James Gunn Addresses DCU Batman Casting Rumors After Recent Robert Pattinson Comments
James Gunn has commented on the DCU Batman casting shortly after giving the perfect response to fan demand for Robert Pattinson to join the franchise.
He continued that “Batman: Brave and the Bold is one of those things,” before adding that DC is “working with a writer now” and “it’s going really well.” Gunn insisted that he was “very involved in the process of that film.” As for his philosophy on why DC is allowing films to incubate longer than most studios would, he explained: “At the end of the day, the single story is the most important thing, and then that’s followed by the larger overarching story.”
Though Superman is making his DCU debut this summer, Batman has not been cast yet, nor is Wonder Woman.The primary reason for this is the studio’s script first rule regarding greenlighting films–meaning a suitable, completed script has to be presented for a project to get made. Batman, being a cornerstone of DC, is likely just taking longer to approve because of his importance. Previously, Gunn discussed the difficulty of getting Bruce right:
Batman has to have a reason for existing, right? So Batman can’t just be “Oh, we’re making a Batman movie because Batman’s the biggest character in all of Warner Bros.,” which he is. But because there’s a need for him in the DCU and a need that he’s not exactly the same as Matt’s Batman. But yet he’s not a campy Batman. I’m not interested in that. I’m not interested in a funny, campy Batman, really. So we’re dealing with that. I think I have a way in, by the way. I think I really know what it’s about — I just am dealing with the writer to make sure that we can make it a reality.
Due to his exacting standards, The Brave and The Bold has to strike the right balance. Per Gunn, “there are certain things about certain characters that I think are immutable.” Moreover, the DCU faces the challenge of creating a Batman who makes sense in a colorful world standing next to Superman while maintaining his seriousness.
While waiting for a Batman to match David Corenswet’s Superman has DC fans chasing updates, Gunn’s restraint in approving a script in a rush to get the Dark Knight back on the big screen is positive. Part of what led to the DCEU feeling unbalanced is the lack of setup and characterization of its ensemble prior to pushing them into battle together. Avoiding that pitfall and making sure that Superman and Batman (as well as Wonder Woman) are fully fleshed out will theoretically pay off, even if it makes the wait for The Brave and The Bold a bit longer.