The DCU may skip Batman's story

SUMMARY

• Batman makes a surprise DCU debut in Creature Commandos, setting the tone for a new take on the Dark Knight.

• James Gunn avoids another Batman origin story, focusing on new adventures and avoiding old areas.

• The DCU will explore a unique dynamic with the introduction of the Bat-Family and the possibility of a new origin.

James Gunn lights up the Bat-Signal in the sky, because he's on his way to DCU. Even though Gunn and Peter Safran only got the plan for the new cinematic universe at the end of 2024, the DCU is expanding rapidly. While the Justice League doesn't have a brand yet, one of its most important members is already here.

Although there was some initial confusion about what fit into DCU canon, Gunn's Creature Commando officially marking the start of the franchise. Adult animation has been working on several DCU projects, but recently revealed the franchise's own Dark Knight. Batman is fit and ready for action, with Gunn assuring fans they don't have to sit through another origin story.

Batman just made his DCU debut

While audiences expect Batman to make his live-action debut in an Andy Muschietti film The Brave and the Boldhe suddenly appeared Creature Commando episode 6, “Priyatel Skeleton”. In addition to filling in Alan Tudyk's Doctor Phosphorus story, there was a surprise glimpse of the Dark Knight. With the silhouette of Batman against a powerful storm, Gunn has since said that he gave the character a force-and-you-can't-miss-it character because he didn't want to ruin the suit.

Creature Commando gave a similar glimpse of Batman earlier in the series when Circe's apocalyptic vision of the future showed the various members of the Justice League (supposedly) came to a tragic end. Although Gunn said the Justice League has yet to form in the DCU, mainstays including Superman and Batman are already active. This minimizes delivery issues DIFFERENT origin story, which Gunn told Rotten Tomatoes TV was always his plan:

“He already exists in the world, like when we get to the Superman movies and we see that Superman already exists, people in Metropolis already know him. We don't need to hear his origin story anymore. It's just a way . to make it known that Batman is part of the world.”

When pressed where Batman appeared Creature CommandoGunn has confirmed that it's the Batman of the DCU, meaning it's the first look at the hero he'll be leading. The Brave and the Bold with Damian Wayne. Gunn gave another funny tease about what's to come, and what's next Supermanlooks like the Dark Knight and Marvel's Metropolis may soon cross paths. In addition to claiming to have loved Batman since childhood, Gunn said:

“We're going to do great things with him…He's the most popular superhero in the world and I can't wait for people to see more of him with Superman. And together…”

Having seen many Batman origin stories and flashbacks to Crime Alley over the years, it's refreshing that Gunn is moving forward with his own vision and not stooping to follow in everyone else's footsteps. He's teamed up with David Corenswet's Superman, with the first trailer and Gunn's comments confirming that he's been the Man of Steel for a while.

Batman doesn't need another origin story

When it comes to Batman history, there are many. Since Tim Burton's Batmanthere was a sad flashback showing how the orphaned Bruce Wayne grew up to be the tortured savior of Gotham. There are too many actors to count who played the young Bruce, while David Mazouz famously played him. Gotham – a great origin story for the Caped Crusader. Even Todd Phillips Joker Batman gave his own background and gave birth to the theory that he is the brother of Joker/Arthur Fleck.

Christopher Nolan probably did it best, back in 2005 Batman begins provides the story of childhood and kidnapping with the adult Bruce taking the first steps to become Batman. There's a case to be made that there won't be a better Batman story, and that could be Gunn's motivation for not revisiting the idea. However, the most likely option is that DCU executives and audiences alike are tired of treading the same territory with every new Batman. When someone accused Gunn of 'skimming' the origins of Batman and Superman, he responded on Threads and wrote:

“I'm not telling the story of Batman and Superman again because everyone knows.”

of Marc Webb The Amazing Spider-Man It struggled to get out of the shadow of Sam Raimi's famous trilogy, and one of the biggest complaints was how much of the story of Peter Parker was a remake of 2002. Spider-Man. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice took an established Batman and didn't feel the need to delve too much into the past, even falling into the trap of opening with the murders of Thomas and Martha Wayne. Recently, Matt Reeves' The Batman spared Crime Alley fans another bloodbath and arguably did it better by making Wayne a mystery.

Like a trailer for Superman Shown by Gunn, Gunn packs heroes, villains, and storylines into one playtime. The Brave and the Bold is similarly skewed as the introduction of the Bat-Family is confirmed and suggests that Bruce and Damian Wayne aren't the only ones holding down the fort. It's interesting to see a different dynamic, especially with the father and son Batman and Robin duo making their cinematic debut. Just because there are so many Batman origin stories, that doesn't mean Muschietti can't give Damian a shot. Elsewhere, the cryptic mention of the Bat-Family means that a wide variety of characters may be banished from their past.

The DCU is supposed to be a new beginning for many characters in DC Comics, and just because Gunn is leaving the origin story for the two cornerstones of Batman and Superman, it doesn't mean that the entire franchise will avoid them. The success of Jon Favreau Iron Man proving that there's nothing wrong with comic book movie origin stories, but when it comes to Batman and Superman, it's all done. With the current Justice League without action, audiences may get an origin story about how the most famous team in comics came together.