Batman is just cool. When a story with him comes out, so will people. His stories always get people interested. His comic books and graphic novels lead the way. His games are the bar. And his movies get a lot of attention. That success is why DC constantly distributes stories that at least have him in a minor role to a major, center of the universe role. Batman is everywhere. He is accessible because of the quantity and versality of his character. But that is a double edge sword. In the books, it is difficult to keep track which Batman is the ‘real’ Batman. That type of confusion will bleed into live action. Robert Pattinson is the current Batman but with the launch of the DCU, there will be another, separate Batman. James Gunn does oversee both iterations but will have to play a tricky game of embracing that there is in fact two Batman. That may lead into different mediums as well. If this keeps on track, James Gunn and his teams will have an interesting dilemma with Batman.
The first time this dilemma will rear its head is when there will be two separate Batmen on the big screen. James Gunn did confirm that Robert Pattison and Matt Reeves’ Batman will be in its own world, separate from the DCU. Although there were some rumors saying that DC wanted to have Pattison’s Batman as the DCU’s main Batman. That world started off hot with The Batman. It was movie that pleased critics but most importantly fans. It had that detective noir appeal with a touch an eeriness which made this Batman story different from what came before. That world continues to not only grow but thrive with The Penguin. Where things will get more complicated is when the DCU introduces its Batman. And this Batman has already made his debut with his brief cameo in Creature Commandoes. But a project starring him won’t come until Batman: Brave and the Bold. No news of when that will come up but the movie will have to share audiences and focus at the same time. To a general audience, this could be annoying knowing there are two different Batmen that are not related to each other. Nothing that happens in one movie will have any impact on the other. For fans, it could also be annoying as well. It could be an oversaturation of Batman. Could be strenuous to keep up with two different Batman stories then having to explain to the general audience why there are two different Batmen. Some speculation says that the DCU Batman movie will incorporate some fantastical elements which will be very different from the more grounded approach that Matt Reeves has taken. That is two Batman stories that are on the opposite sides of the storytelling spectrum. Enough to make them stand on their own. Yet, at the end of the day, it is two different Batman stories coexisting. Whether it’s the general audience or the most dedicated fans, it will be obvious. And this is uncharted waters of sorts. It isn’t common to see the same character exist in two different projects on the big screen. Spider-Man has dealt with this when it came to Tom Holland’s Spider-Man movies and the Miles Morales Spiderverse movies. Yet, one was animated while the other live action. And of course, both Spider Men being two different mantles. So, James Gunn does have a unique challenge on his hands. There are a few tricky situations he and audiences will find themselves in when two different Batmen will share the big screen with each other.
Where it could get a bit more complicated is when video games are brought back into the fold. Recently it was revealed that the Batman that was killed in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League was in fact a clone. The real Batman was alive during the course of the game. That Batman was the same one that was in all the Arkham games. So, DC and Warner Bros. Games can continue making Arkham games with that Batman. But what could make this situation complicated as the rumor on the streets is saying Rocksteady is prepping to reboot the Arkham series in the same fashion that Capcom rebooted the Resident Evil games. The story will be more or less the same but with new, updated graphics, new levels, perhaps new bosses and more features. But the Arkham Batman is a sticky situation since that Batman’s life could be extended since he did survive the events of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League or have a reset with a reboot. Now, James Gunn has confirmed video games will be a part of the DCU’s makeup. Will there be a Batman video game in the line up? Batman video games have set the bar for other superhero games. It does make sense at face value that having a Batman game in the DCU is a safe bet. But if the Arkham Batman does come back, no matter the form, it would be yet again another Batman story competing with another Batman project. It would be better for the brand to skip out on a Batman video game in the DCU. Although it is tempting to include one, it just doesn’t make sense to have two separate Batman games happening at once. This was sort of seen already with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and Gotham Knights. None of the games really did exceptional. Not one really separated itself from the other in terms of quality. Having two cinematic Batmen is inevitable at this point, but it is completely avoidable to have two video game Batmen. DCU games are unproven right now because there is nothing out yet. Batman Arkham games have to be taken with a grain of salt since Rocksteady took a reputable hit with their recent game. Whichever way is taken, James Gunn needs to go with something that is the most useful for fans.
There will always be the question of having too much Batman around. Batman fatigue is a real thing. In a few years, it will be more evident than ever when two different Batmen will be sharing the big screen together. James Gunn and company have a unique challenge to differentiate both iterations enough to the point they feel like two different characters just to keep fans intrigued and not exhausted of the character. Then fight off the temptation to avoid having multiple Batmen competing in video games as well. Batman is as successful as he is because he is everywhere and when he is not there, questions of where he is at do come up. But too many Batmen can be a problem too. It is best for the character if James and Gunn keep his appearances to a minimum.
