By
Kevin Erdmann
Published 2 hours ago
Since 2019, Kevin Erdmann has been one of Screen Rant's Senior Staff Writers, covering all kinds of Superhero and Star Wars media with Easter egg breakdowns, theory pieces, breaking news, and more. A huge Star Wars & MCU fan, Kevin also loves Batman (because he's Batman), but could talk for hours about why Nightwing is DC's greatest hero.
With 8 years of total experience covering entertainment and pop culture, Kevin has gotten the chance to interview top creatives and talent, and has also attended major media events like Disney's D23 convention.
Majoring in Cinema Studies with a minor in Comics and Cartoon Studies from the UofO, Kevin lives in Oregon with his wonderful wife, adorable dog, and sinister cat who is no doubt currently plotting his demise.
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Batman is one of the most popular superheroes in modern media, and James Gunn is well aware of the challenges that come with that legendary status. With countless stories across comics, shows, games, and movies releasing yearly, how do you make Batman not boring in the DCU?
In an interview with Rolling Stone, James Gunn has proven he understands the challenges facing DC Studios and what will be the newest live-action Batman, and he seems prepared to address them directly. Here's a breakdown of Gunn's Dark Knight perspective, and why we believe he's already on the right track to make sure the DCU's Batman isn't boring.
James Gunn Has Confirmed He's Aware Of Batman Oversaturation
Batman scowls in DC Comics art by Artgerm
Before the release of Superman, James Gunn went into detail on Batman and Wonder Woman in an interview with Rolling Stone.
Openly acknowledging the sheer number of Batman stories that exist and are currently being published today, Gunn is well aware that Batman more often than not dominates DC’s weekly comic output, combined with the character’s 90-year legacy across comics, movies, games, and shows (which is impossible to ignore):
"Every single Batman story has been told. It seems like half the comics that have come out of DC over the past 30 years have Batman in them. He’s the most famous superhero in the world and the most popular superhero in the world. And people love him because he’s interesting, but also having so much of him out there can also make him boring. So how do you create that property that’s fun to watch?"
Overall, James Gunn seems determined to provide something as new as possible, while also providing a Batman that's as compelling as Robert Pattinson's Batman in Matt Reeves' ongoing Gotham saga (which is set apart from the new DCU as an Elseworlds franchise).
To that end, these comments here show Gunn's confidence as a storyteller when it comes to this new cinematic universe. Rather than seeing the high saturation of Batman media as a barrier, it's instead a prompt to rethink what Batman can offer with new takes and angles we've never seen before (or at the very least haven't seen on-screen in quite some time).
James Gunn Has "A Way In" For The DCU's Dark Knight
Batman standing on a roof in Creature Commandos (2024-) next to James GunnCustom Image by Lewis Glazebrook
Although Gunn didn't fully elaborate, he did confirm that he seems to have found “a way in” for the DCU’s Batman that will avoid making the character feel stale when the new version of the Caped Crusader finally makes his debut:
"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 — I just am dealing with the writer to make sure that we can make it a reality."
To speculate, Gunn's approach likely stems from how he views superhero storytelling as a whole. After all, whether his previous work in the MCU with the Guardians of the Galaxy or as the new creative head of DC Studios, Gunn excels at emphasizing long-form character relationships with strong emotional stakes.
We saw as much this summer in Gunn's Superman as well as in Peacemaker season 2. If the DCU Batman is to stand apart like Gunn wants him to, he'll likely embody those same priorities with bold new narrative takes (while still honoring the core beats that make Batman one of the most popular superheroes of all time).
Additionally, this “way in” may also involve giving Batman a clearly defined place within this larger cinematic universe filled with metahumans and major superpowers, something we've really only seen in live-action with the previous DCEU/SnyderVerse. The new DCU has already proven itself as being centered around ongoing interactions between metahumans and various super-teams.
That kind of structure could certainly give Batman a solid foundation for some more unique long-form storytelling on the big screen. After all, Gunn’s comments make it clear that the main goal of this new live-action Batman will be to complement the DCU first and foremost.
A Bigger Family Is Another Strong Concept When It Comes To Giving Batman Movies Something New
Batman (foreground) with the extended Bat-Family in the background.
If James Gunn wants to make the DCU’s Batman feel fresh and new, leaning into greater family dynamics is one of the smartest approaches he could take. As such, it already seems like the Brave and the Bold is headed in that direction, given reports that Damian Wayne's Robin will be featured, Bruce Wayne's biological son and fourth Robin in the original DC Comics.
This suggests the DCU's Batman will be depicted as a mentor and father, not just a lone vigilante (something we haven't seen in live-action Batman movies since the early 2000s).
It's also possible that the film may choose to expand beyond Damian's Robin, potentially highlighting the rest of the comics' wide-ranging Bat-Family. Characters like Nightwing, Red Hood, Tim Drake's Robin, and Batgirl could all help broaden Batman’s world in ways the live-action movies have hardly attempted to a degree we've only ever seen in the comics.
Greater Bat-Family involvement would also make the DCU feel more interconnected, showing how Gotham’s various heroes fit into Gunn’s larger universe. While Gunn is not writing and directing Brave and the Bold himself, this kind of idea does cater to his storytelling strengths with imperfect families (something the Bat-Fam very much is).
By framing this new Batman through those he's trained, mentored, and cares for, the DCU has the chance to deliver something genuinely new for the big screen, allowing The Dark Knight to break away from concerns about being "boring".
Brave and the Bold is expected to be released sometime in 2028 from DC Studios.
The Brave and the Bold
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