The Batman legacy is as enduring as the Dark Knight himself. With its gothic roots in Tim Burton’s films and its more grounded realism in Christopher Nolan’s trilogy, the character has been reimagined time and again for decades.
The new DC Universe (DCU), spearheaded by James Gunn, aims to deliver a cohesive narrative that spans films and television, starting with Creature Commandos and Superman (2025). As for Batman, the much-anticipated The Brave and the Bold is set to reintroduce the Caped Crusader once again.
Directed by Andy Muschietti (The Flash), The Brave and the Bold has fans buzzing with questions about its approach to Batman. Set to introduce a new version of Bruce Wayne, this film will pivot from the dark, brooding tones of previous iterations to focus on Batman as a father figure to his son, Damian Wayne.
However, the movie is now facing potential delays, sparking rumors about Matt Reeves’ The Batman series, with many fans now expecting Pattinson’s Dark Knight potentially being folded into the new DCU, a move that could negate the need for a fresh Batman entirely.
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Matt Reeves’ The Batman 2 has also been delayed, now slated for a 2027 release. This timeline potentially complicates the introduction of a new Batman for The Brave and the Bold. Gunn has repeatedly assured fans that Pattinson’s version exists in a separate universe, yet rumors of integration persist.
Adding to the confusion, Creature Commandos, the animated series debuting on Max, features a silhouette of Batman in its sixth episode. Fans quickly identified the hulking outline as resembling Ben Affleck’s “Batfleck” version from the now-defunct DC Extended Universe (DCEU).
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However, in a recent interview with Rotten Tomatoes, James Gunn seemed to suggest that this portrayal was a carryover from before he assumed control at DC Studios, emphasizing its temporary, and somewhat “placeholder” nature.
“When they first gave it [Creature Commandos] to me, (we) saw a lot more Batman, and I was saying, ‘I’m not ready to commit to that, I’m not ready to commit to that, I’m not ready to commit to that! More silhouette, more silhouette, more silhouette!'”
“But then I think it’s [the cameo] a great way to show that Batman does exist,” Gunn adds. “He already exists in this universe, just like when we come to the Superman movie, we see that Superman already exists, he’s already known by the people in Metropolis, so we don’t need to hear the [Batman] origin story again.”
When Gunn is asked which Batman appears in Creature Commandos, he playfully (and cryptically) responds, “This is the DCU Batman!”
With so much uncertainty, one thing is clear: fans are eager for the next chapter of Gotham’s vigilante. Whether The Brave and the Bold delivers a standalone Batman or connects to Reeves’ gritty take, it’s shaping up to be a pivotal moment for the DCU.
The Brave and the Bold has yet to announce a release date, but fans can stream Creature Commandos on Max, where the first episodes are already available. Meanwhile, Gunn’s Superman will hit theaters on July 11, 2025.
Which version of Batman do you want to see next? Let us know in the comments below!
