James Gunn Teases Batman’s DCU Debut Might Arrive Sooner Than Expected
DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn recently shared some interesting news about Batman’s upcoming debut in the new DC Universe (DCU).
Fans have been waiting for Batman to show up on the big screen alongside David Corenswet’s Superman, and the plan is to introduce him in the movie Brave and the Bold. This film will focus on Batman and his son, Damian Wayne, also known as Robin.
The story will take place several years into Batman’s career and will feature the Bat-Family. Andy Muschietti, who directed The Flash, is set to direct Brave and the Bold. Although no writer has been publicly named yet, James Gunn confirmed that the script is already being worked on.
Gunn recently appeared on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, where he talked about the future of DC movies. When asked if Brave and the Bold is still the first time fans will see Batman in the DCU, Gunn didn’t give a clear answer. Instead, he said, “I’m not gonna say that,” which might mean Batman could appear even earlier than expected.
This is different from what Gunn said back in late June, when he was asked on Threads if Batman’s DCU debut would definitely be in Brave and the Bold. At that time, he simply replied, “Yes.” So, it seems plans might be changing.
After James Gunn and Peter Safran took over running DC Studios, CEO David Zaslav made it clear there wouldn’t be multiple versions of Batman in the DCU. Gunn and Safran later revealed that Brave and the Bold would introduce the DCU’s Batman.
Gunn mentioned that the movie is inspired by Grant Morrison’s comics from 2006 to 2013.
Ben Affleck won’t be returning as Batman in the DCU, and Matt Reeves’s Batman, who stars in his own movies, will stay separate from the DCU under the DC Elseworlds label. Andy Muschietti was hired to direct Brave and the Bold in June 2023.
He and his sister Barbara are producing, along with Gunn and Safran. Muschietti said that development of the film was delayed until December 2024 because of his other projects and to avoid clashing with The Batman: Part II by Matt Reeves.
By February 2025, a writer had been hired and was working closely with Gunn on the script. Muschietti wasn’t fully involved at that time, but Safran said he would get to see the script once it was ready.
The movie will focus on the “Bat-Family” and will introduce Damian Wayne, Batman’s biological son, as Robin. Gunn described the film as a “strange father and son story” about Batman and Robin.
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