Opinion Piece: Why I Think The Batman Universe Should Fold Into The DCU

I was so tempted to NOT write this piece and I can already tell the title will have certain people adamantly disagree. I should tell because up until a few weeks ago, I was one of those people. It's funny how things can change, huh?

Below are a list of reasons behind my new stance. Agree, disagree. Just be civil about it either way.

Less Complications: The biggest reason behind my new stance might not be a selfless one but here it is. The less complications DC has moving forward as a cinematic franchise, the better. Whether certain people are willing to admit it or not, having two live action versions of Batman at the same time will both overstretch the general audience and have more infighting among DC fans. Both of these things should be avoided moving with this franchise.

Comic Book Movie Fatigue: Which, according to some fans on social media doesn't exist. Hate to burst your bubble but it flipping does exist and if the way the comic book movies have performed internationally hasn't proved that, then what will? Iconic as Batman is, do you really think international audiences who are showing less interest in the genre want to see two versions of the same character? Not anymore they don't. Robert Pattinson has already proved himself in the role. Another actor, talented as they are might could struggle to win over everyone else.

The Gunn/Reeves Dynamic: I think we can all agree that with James Gunn, regardless of how you feel about him, he's been pretty respectful of Matt Reeves and has even defended the latter when fans accused Reeves of being too slow with the script for The Batman - Part II. Are you seriously telling me that Gunn/Reeves couldn't work something out that benefits both of them as filmmakers and doesn't confuse fans/general audiences? 

The Brave And The Bold: Let's be honest, does anyone genuinely believe this movie will see the light of day? Or that Andy Muschietti will still direct it? Think very long and very hard before answering that question. It's been over two and a half years since this movie has been announced and not a single bit of tangible progress seems to have been made. The idea has always felt like a backup plan and the longer we don't get any progress with it, the less likely it'll happen.

Matt Reeves Other Involvement: Doesn't anyone else find it rather odd that Matt Reeves has become involved in other Batman related projects that are not a part of his Epic Crime Universe? There's his role on Amazon Prime animated show, Batman: Caped Crusader and he's going to be a producer on the upcoming Clayface movie, starring Tom Rhys Harries. Does Reeves really need to be involved in Batman related projects if they're not in the same continuity as his universe with Robert Pattinson? Think about it for a moment.

Not Shutting The Rumour Down: Another thing that's hard not to think about is James Gunn doing very little to properly shut down the idea of a merge. Things like officially casting an actor for the DCU Batman, confirming the writer and director for The Brave And The Bold and giving that movie a potential release date would help put this whole merger idea to bed. The longer that James Gunn avoids doing any of that, the more likely a merging feels. Prove me wrong, James. Prove me wrong.

Moving Forward: Looking at DC for the next while, we've got the second season of Peacemaker, which will be having some Multiverse hijinks, then there's the detective themed HBO show Lanterns as well as a space revenge story with Supergirl. That's before we get to a Superman (2025) follow up that's been confirmed and of course The Batman - Part II, both likely to be released in 2027. Superman and Batman movies in the same year feels right. Sequels too I might add.

David Zaslav: I think people are also forgetting there's a pecking order at play too. Matt Reeves is answerable to James Gunn and Peter Safran but Gunn/Safran are also answerable to David Zaslav. The latter has made it clear that he doesn't want multiple versions of Batman at once and has cancelled multiple DC projects over the years. It's also no coincidence that Wonder Woman has been sped up while things like The Authority are looking less likely to happen. Zaslav wants instant results and very likely could make Gunn/Reeves merge. I certainly wouldn't put it past him to do such a thing.

They Just Look Good Together: Seriously, they do. You put images of Robert Pattinson and David Corenswet together and it feels right. I could genuinely see their versions of Batman and Superman playing off each other so well. Robert Pattinson wouldn't need to appear in multiple DCU projects outside a potential third movie in his own universe and a World's Finest team up and maybe one Justice League event to see out the DCU. That would be it at most.

The DCU Batman Fancasts Suck: Seriously, they really do. No matter how much comic book movie social media tries to convince me of the likes of Jensen Ackles, Alan Ritchson or Brandon Sklenar to name the three most overused fancasts choices, the more I'm reminded those men and other mentioned names are either too old for the part, don't look/give Batman vibes, aren't strong enough actors compared to Robert Pattinson or are even compelling to watch. Why take the risk when you already have a well received live action Batman who could go easily toe to toe with David Corenswet's Superman? And if Deadpool can get around originating in it's own space before being brought into the MCU, why can't the same happen with The Batman and the DCU without compromising Matt Reeves vision or Robert Pattinson's availability? It can be done.

Those are my thoughts on the matter. Should a merge happen? In my opinion, yes and for the stated reasons above. Will it happen? Right now, I'd say it's odds are 50/50. Time will tell though. Thoughts anyone?

My Review of Superman (2025)

 

Written And Directed by James Gunn

Lex Luthor: "Super... man... he's not a man. He's an it... that's somehow become the focal point of the entire world's conversation. I will not... accept that."

Since December 2022, has there been a movie with such a target on it's back? You've got two different types of fandoms actively rooting for it's failure while DC fans have been wondering if this can truly get the DCU off to a positive start.

There's no denying that James Gunn has become something of an increasingly divisive figure within the fandom and media circles alike. He's done the more adult DC content with The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker and Creature Commandos, but can he make that family friendly transfer with Superman? Well, this was quite the attempt.

The movie started with our titular hero (David Corenswet) in the Arctic badly wounded with an overly playful Krypto not helping the matter. Of course the robots, a message from Jor-El (Bradley Cooper) and Lara (Angela Sarafyan) and some sun and he's 83% ready to do further battle with the Hammer of Boravia yet again.

Yes, the Hammer's our opening threat but he's one being controlled by Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) and team while right hand woman, The Engineer (Maria Gabriela de Faria) located the Fortress of Solitude. Within the first half hour of this movie, a lot comes into play.

First of all, there's Superman's interference in the conflict between fictional countries, Jarhanpur and Boravia with sympathy on the former as the latter's president, Vasil Ghurkos (Zlatko Buric) was revealed to be in league with Luthor. Lex of course has an interest in both countries while also going out of his way to destroy Superman in every key aspect.

Then we had a battle with Kaiju and Justice Gang - Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) and Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) where Superman's reputation was tarnished when it was revealed that his parents intended him to be a conqueror. Then Lex got to send him to a pocket dimension with Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan) being forced to make kryptonite to keep him under control.

Fortunately for Superman, he had Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) in his corner and when she wasn't doing interviews grilling Superman's impulsivity, she was teaming up with Mister Terrific to rescue him. Out of the Justice Gang, it's not hard to see why Mister Terrific has emerged as a new fan favourite character. Throughout the movie, he certainly lived up to his monicker.

That's not to say that Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl and Metamorpho didn't have their moments because they certainly did. Especially in the third act when Lex had no problem nearly tearing Metropolis apart with a black hole while The Engineer and Ultraman (actually the Hammer of Boravia from earlier) tried to take out Superman. They nearly got close to succeeding as well.

If you're a comic book fan, you'll know that Ultraman was a clone of Superman and this one was a dumber version with messy hair. I don't think either The Engineer or Ultraman were that compelling as villains but they made for decent physical threats. Lex on the other hand was a true monster, even down to his treatment of current girlfriend, Eve Teschmacher (Sara Sampaio) and the unfortunate Malik. Nicholas Hoult was so good at making this Lex an effective if petulant foil to Superman.

Speaking of civilian characters, I found Eve's subplot with Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo) rather amusing. Jimmy's the only Daily Planet member who did anything while Perry White (Wendell Pierce), Cat Grant (Mikaela Hoover), Steve Lombard (Beck Bennett) and Ron Troupe (Christopher MacDonald) seemed to be there to make up the numbers. 

Then there's the Kents themselves - Jonathan (Pruitt Taylor Vince) and Martha (Neva Howell). They're a bit more country bumpkin than I expected but they're so very endearing. In particular, there's an absolutely beautiful exchange between Clark and Jonathan that tugged at the heartstrings. Both actors are well cast and make the most of their small screen time.

Last but not least, the romance between Superman/Clark Kent and Lois Lane. David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan absolutely sold it to perfection. It's a very modern take on the iconic romance but still felt familiar as well. The two of them are incredible together and I wouldn't be surprised if this movie propels them into the big league, career wise. 

- The credit scenes include a sweet one with Superman/Krypto and a funny one with Superman/Mister Terrific.

- Other appearances in this movie included Supergirl (Milly Alcock) who reclaimed Krypto. There was also Rick Flag Sr (Frank Grillo), Peacemaker (John Cena), Maxwell Lord (Sean Gunn), Otis Berg (Terence Rosemore), Sydney Happerson (Stephen Blackeheart) and Flo Crawley (Tinashe Kajese-Bolden).

- Maxwell's company, LordTech sponsored the Justice Gang. He's also not a fan of Lex Luthor.

- Yes, there's voice over roles for the likes of Alan Tudyk, Jennifer Holland, Michael Rosenbaum, Michael Rooker and Pom Klementieff along with Will Reeve on screen.

- Standout music: The score music from John Murphy and Dave Fleming is superb but of course there's the use of 5 Years Time by Noah And The Whale in one particular scene that stood out. Oh and Iggy Pop's Punk Rocker at the end.

- Chronology: Metahumans have been around for 3000 years, Clark Kent is thirty years old and has been Superman for three years. He's been dating Lois for three months.

Superman had so much riding on it as a real test for the DCU and so far, it might just pass that test. It's got it's flaws such as pacing issues and some of James Gunn's usual writing ticks that don't always land. It also had a lot of heart, an array of fantastic performances, hints of an expansive universe and the bundle of terrible joy that was Krypto. So far, my favourite blockbuster movie of 2025.

Rating: 9 out of 10