A Batman Cinematic Universe?

[ManWithNoName18]

Given recent announcements, NightWing is getting a solo sometime on the future with Chris McKay up to direct.

At this point you could say Batman or his related characters are the leads of

-The Batman solo, with a writer/director

-Sirens (featuring 3 of his villains in lead roles). Has a writer/director

-Suicide Squad (featured four Batman villains Harley, Deadshot, Croc, and Joker. And Harley/Deadshot where basically the leads). Searching for a director for the sequel currently.

-Deadshot (a Batman villain), also rumored development no writer/director

-NightWing (a spin off of Batman's former apprentice) with a writer/director

Is there a Batman Cinematic universe going on within the DCEU? How do you guys feel about Batman's world getting all this attention? Could it be the it's the other way around, the DCEU is an extension of Batman's world?

Does it even matter?

 

[R_Hythlodeus]

On paper I have no problem with a BCU under certain circumstances:
a) It's not part of the BvS continuity and that version of Batman is no longer valid
b) Having a BCU does not mean that character outside of the extended Batfamily are forgotten, but still get movies about them made (in a Superman Cinematic Universe, a Wonder Woman Cinematic Universe etc.)
c) The existence of those universes still leaves room for occassional team-ups and Justice League movies.

The longer I think about it, that way DOES fit better for DC. It's an approach they already took in the books for quite some time. And an Infinte Earths movie is something to look forward to.

Okay, now I really whish that was the way WB/DC handled their 'Extended' Universe in the first place

 

[PeterBenParker]

Considering I was in favor for a Spider-Man Cinematic Universe, why not a Batman one?

 

[writer0327]

I don't want anymore Batman films until we can get the rest of DC right.

 

[Milk Tray Guy]

I believe there is a shift towards a Batman-centred universe in the DCEU, and given the way things have turned out I think it was pretty much inevitable. WB/DC have declared their original intention was for a standalone Man of Steel trilogy following on from the success of Christopher Nolan's TDK trilogy. Unfortunately MoS didn't achieve quite what they'd hoped so they had a rethink - and turned to Batman, a recent proven success. With Batman being so hugely popular as soon as he was introduced in the second film he became the focal point for many people. Ben Affleck garnered a lot of praise in the role, and with Batman's own mini-universe being so well developed within the DCU the next logical step was to exploit that. Sadly, with Batman now part of the mix Superman was robbed of his own multi-film chance for modern audiences to engage with him, watch him grow and get to know him as they did with Christopher Reeve's version (maybe we can still get that, but they've certainly made it hard for themselves). In an ideal world I'd love there to have been a standalone MoS trilogy doing for Superman what TDK trilogy did for Batman. After that, maybe a shared universe. And if it had happened that way, speaking as a decades-long Batman fan I would have been delighted for Henry Cavill and Superman fans if Superman was the cornerstone of that shared universe.

All that said, it is what it is now. If we get enjoyable DC movies I'll be there.

 

[R_Hythlodeus]

I don't want anymore Batman films until we can get the rest of DC right.

so you basically want them to stop making CBM altogether?

 

[writer0327]

so you basically want them to stop making CBM altogether?

No I just want them to work on the rest of their material. Once they prove they can do other stories and characters, then go back to Batman.

 

[BH/HHH]

It's still the DCEU but it's clear that Batman's universe of characters is going to be more dominant than the others. But in all honesty I think it's a good call.

If DC are going to have 2-3 films a year, Batman centred characters can dominate 2 of those release a year for a while and then down the line we will probably see them edged down to one a year or so. Financially given Batman is DC's big earner it's a smart move.

 

[The Joker]

There already is a Batman cinematic universe. It's called the DCEU.

I don't want anymore Batman films until we can get the rest of DC right.

This.

 

[Boom]

Under different circumstances I'd be all for it. But I feel like if they really wanted to do an extensive Batman universe, starting with a younger Batman would be the way to go. While there is story potential in an older Batman, trying to expand a universe off of that concept seems ass-backwards.

 

[BH/HHH]

There already is a Batman cinematic universe. It's called the DCEU.

Man of Steel, Wonder Woman, Aquaman. Flash at the scripting stage, etc. It's not just a BEU at all.

 

[The Joker]

Man of Steel, Wonder Woman, Aquaman. Flash at the scripting stage, etc. It's not just a BEU at all.

So far we've had three movies, and two of them have had more Batman centric focus. Same with Gotham City Sirens and the Batman solo. As they have said when they announced Reeves as director, Batman is their crown jewel character.

 

[User Name]

& I bet if Justice League: Dark ever gets made like the animated movie Batman will be in it & Im annoyed with this but thats what can be expected with the current aholes in charge at the WB

 

[writer0327]

Batman is easy money for DC. Not only is he the most popular character in DC, I'd bet most directors would prefer to do Batman over other DC properties.

It's for that reason that they should push pause on any future Batman films, if they are trying to do the DCEU any justice. Place the attention you'd give to Batman to building the other characters and fleshing out these other parts of the universe. And after you do it once, do it again, and again, and again. Keep trying to build those parts of the universe up until they are solid.

Trust me, Batman's not going anywhere. And if anything, if you have a strong Superman, Flash, Green Lantern, etc., that will make people look forward to Batman entering this universe all the more.

 

[The Duh]

Even before all of these movies were announced, you had:

-BvS, where Batman is the co-lead and people responded to him (mostly) favorably
-Suicide Squad, where he has a cameo appearance (3 scenes with one of those scenes being important)
-Justice League, where it was developed around the fact that Zack Snyder explicitly stating that he wanted Batman forming the team
-The Batman, announced with a intended release date and creative team while a future Superman solo is merely TBA
-Justice League 2, because why wouldn't Batman be in a JL movie

Regardless of the DCEU being a BEU or not, it's clear where WB's priorities lie.

 

[BH/HHH]

So far we've had three movies, and two of them have had more Batman centric focus. Same with Gotham City Sirens and the Batman solo. As they have said when they announced Reeves as director, Batman is their crown jewel character.

Regardless there are other films coming soon that negate the fact that it's just a BEU because it clearly isn't when there is Wonder Woman up next and Aquaman in production. Also while I agree the theatrical edition of BvS was more Batman centric the Ultimate Cut was cleanly not. I'm not arguing there is more focus on Batman as a whole (and for upcoming movies, I've even said above I think it's a good idea) cause there clearly is but its solely not a BEU when other characters are getting solo films that have nothing to do with Batman.

 

[I Am The Knight]

On paper I have no problem with a BCU under certain circumstances:
a) It's not part of the BvS continuity and that version of Batman is no longer valid
b) Having a BCU does not mean that character outside of the extended Batfamily are forgotten, but still get movies about them made (in a Superman Cinematic Universe, a Wonder Woman Cinematic Universe etc.)
c) The existence of those universes still leaves room for occassional team-ups and Justice League movies.

This is I what I want, especially with the bolded part.

 

[BH/HHH]

Well if you want that then I think you're in for a big disappointment.

 

[The Joker]

People are used to the DCEU disappointing them

 

[writer0327]

Regardless there are other films coming soon that negate the fact that it's just a BEU because it clearly isn't when there is Wonder Woman up next and Aquaman in production. I'm not arguing there is more focus on Batman cause there clearly is but its solely not a BEU when other characters are getting solo films that have nothing to do with Batman.

I do find it interesting that most of the talk lately has been circling around Batman properties after Ben dropped out of being director. Obviously they needed to replace him, so the Matt Reeves news, that makes sense. But then announcing Mel Gibson is in talks for SS2 and a Nightwing movie I thought was particularly interesting.

It could just be a coincidence, but it seems like when this DCEU starts feeling shaky with negative press, a Batman-related announcement drops. Like after MoS was so divisive and a lot of people weren't feeling this version of Superman, then suddenly, instead of a MoS2 announcement, we get BvS.

 

[BH/HHH]

I do find it interesting that most of the talk lately has been circling around Batman properties after Ben dropped out of being director. Obviously they needed to replace him, so the Matt Reeves news, that makes sense. But then announcing Mel Gibson is in talks for SS2 and a Nightwing movie I thought was particularly interesting.

It could just be a coincidence, but it seems like when this DCEU starts feeling shaky with negative press, a Batman-related announcement drops. Like after MoS was so divisive and a lot of people weren't feeling this version of Superman, then suddenly, instead of a MoS2 announcement, we get BvS.

Business wise it makes sense but as I said there are other films on the way that show its not solely a BEU just a mostly Batman dominated one.

 

[writer0327]

How well would the GA accept a non-Bruce Wayne Batman in the DCEU or in movies in general?

 

[BH/HHH]

How well would the GA accept a non-Bruce Wayne Batman in the DCEU or in movies in general?

I don't think they would and in all honesty I wouldn't either. I didn't want another Nolan Batman with John Blake and I don't really like the idea of Dick Grayson as Batman and never have. I always felt Nightwing allowed Dick to be a hero in his own right so why give that up to take in the mantle of Batman whose shadow he's trying to escape in the first place?

If Ben does decide to leave the DCEU after the Batman then I think they will recast someone as Bruce Wayne not hand the mantle over.

 

[writer0327]

Business wise it makes sense but as I said there are other films on the way that show its not solely a BEU just a mostly Batman dominated one.

No question about it, it's pretty obvious they are doing other films. I think the general feeling is the one I have: slow down Batman already. And if you find that you have to rely on Batman all the time for any bit of positive news about your universe, then maybe it's time to rethink this entire enterprise from bow to stern.

 

[BH/HHH]

No question about it, it's pretty obvious they are doing other films. I think the general feeling is the one I have: slow down Batman already. And if you find that you have to rely on Batman all the time for any bit of positive news about your universe, then maybe it's time to rethink this entire enterprise from bow to stern.

I think the overuse of Batman has been a massive issue with the animated films but in live action it appears it's Batman universe characters. So I don't think it will be as much of a problem seen as though he won't be prominent in those films and maybe won't appear at all unless it's cameos. Also it gives them time, they can slow down on the other characters and take their time with them. Eventually the Batman Universe films will probably slow down but for these early movies it's a good idea.