DISCLAIMER: Op-Eds by BOF Contributors do not necessarily reflect the official views of this website or its Founder/Editor-in-Chief…unless they do. – Bill “Jett” Ramey, BOF’s Founder/EIC
Don’t do it, James Gunn.
Look, I get it. The DCU just had its first major misfire with the release of SUPERGIRL. We can debate the why and what that caused the film to crash and burn at the box office but there’s one fact that’s not up for debate: the new DCU is on shaky ground after the SUPERGIRL flop.
That is leading to speculation that Gunn, Peter Safran and company are getting ready to do what the previous regime at the studio did when their own attempt at a shared cinematic DC universe started off shaky. They’re contemplating bringing the big gun to bail their behinds out and save their jobs.
That big gun is of course Batman.
Despite having a very well received version critically and commercially of the character in Matt Reeves’ THE BATMAN EPIC CRIME SAGA, the studio may add a second cinematic Batman in an attempt to once again salvage their previous shared universe. If Gunn does indeed do this, he’s not only foolish, but he’s also living proof that those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Remember right after MAN OF STEEL was released in 2013? Reaction to the film was very VERY mixed and, with Marvel’s universe making big bucks at the box office (the first AVENGERS movie came out the year prior in 2013), Warner Brothers decided to floor it in terms of developing the DCEU. Instead of a proper and true Superman sequel, Batman was shoehorned into it, and we got the even more divisive BATMAN v SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE. The rest, they say, is history.
At least when that movie was released there was no other active Batman film franchise. BvS hit theaters just under four years after Christopher Nolan’s THE DARK KNIGHT RISES wrapped up his trilogy. We can debate if that was enough time between Batman appearances, but at least the other franchise wasn’t active at the time.
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Gunn and friends would be introducing another Batman while Reeves’ franchise is in the middle of its run. THE BATMAN PART II won’t even hit theaters for another year and we’re still years (likely 4) away after that from a PART III for Reeves to complete his own trilogy, to say nothing about other potential streaming shows. Aside from the logistics, audiences have embraced his vision for the character. All you have to do is look at the engagement numbers on Reeves’ X/Twitter account to see people aren’t just aware of the next movie, they’re HYPED.
By introducing a DCU Batman, Gunn would be handicapping Reeves’ Batman, but the new DCU version as well, when there is absolutely no reason to. How you would you feel as a filmmaker if someone else was making a different movie but using characters from yours? It’d be insane, wouldn’t it? (Ask Christopher Nolan about JUSTICE LEAGUE MORTAL).
That’s also not even mentioning the damage that could do to the Batman franchise, DC on film, and I’d even argue the comic book movie genre at large. Fans likely wouldn’t have a hard time telling two Batmans apart, but what about the average moviegoer? It’d be extremely confusing for general audiences. If one of the films were animated, like Spider-Man and the Miles Morales movies (who’s also obviously different than Peter Parker/Tom Holland), that’s one thing. But two live action Batman movies with different actors being released so close together? Color them confused.
Yes, Batman is “Teflon” at the box office for the most part, but the studio shouldn’t press their luck and oversaturate the market with Batman content either. A producer on one of the Schumacher films said in an interview after the release of BATMAN & ROBIN, “These things need to breathe a bit.” Event movies are becoming rarer and rarer these days. STAR WARS used to be one, but it’s not anymore, arguably due to overexposure. MCU movies definitely were, now they’re MOSTLY not; though SPIDER-MAN BRAND NEW DAY will likely do well. It’ll be interesting to see what happens with AVENGERS DOOMSDAY.
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General audiences need to “miss” these characters a bit, even if us fans are pounding our fists on the proverbial table demanding more content.
That leads to one last reason Gunn needs to be wary about mashing the DCU Batman button: superhero fatigue. It’s real, though the quality of films (outside of THE BATMAN and maybe Gunn’s SUPERMAN) haven’t done the genre any favors.
Look, maybe I’m worrying for nothing, and Gunn won’t force Batman into the DCU to save it. He’s not dumb, though I’m sure Reeves has his own opinion and has shared it with the studio as plans for the connected universe have unfolded.
Here’s the bottom line: let Reeves cook with his SAGA and keep the DCU Batman as a figment of fanboys’ imagination.
The studio, the character, the fans, and the general audience will all be better off that way. – Kris Burke
