While DC fans will always loveBatman, there’s no denying that some ‘Dark Knight fatigue’ has set in, as many have grown tired of the Caped Crusader due to the overwhelming flood of Bruce Wayne-centric comics, shows, and movies. Still, most DC fans remain excited for James Gunn’s upcoming Batman movie, and while DC admits that Bruce Wayne has become somewhat boring, they have a plan to fix it.
It’s clear that James Gunn has recognized DC’s oversaturation of Batman content…
James Gunn recently sat down with Rolling Stone to discuss everything Superman and Supergirl, while also revealing hisplans for Wonder Woman and Batmanin the DCU. When asked what it will take to make these two iconic properties work, especially since both projects have been moving slowly, Gunn didn’t hold back.
He admitted that there have been challenges in moving forward, with Batman presenting the most difficulties. Fans may be surprised to learn thatthe comics themselves could be part of the reason why a Batman DCU movie still doesn’t have a release date.
Why James Gunn’s Batman Movie Is Taking So Long (Hint: Blame the Comics)
Oversaturation, Creative Vision, and the Challenge of Telling a Fresh Story
When discussing his plans for Wonder Womanand Batman, Gunn noted that approaching Wonder Woman will be easier for him because, unlike Batman,“there haven’t been so many infinite portrayals.”He elaborated further, explaining that “every single Batman story has been told,”pointing to the comics as the main contributor. In his words, “it seems like half the comics that have come out of DC over the past 30 years have Batman in them.”This suggests that the comics may be partially to blame for the slow progress of the Batman DCU movie, as they have already explored so many aspects of the Dark Knight’s story. As a result, this presents a challenge for Gunn, whose goal is to introduce a fresh and meaningful version of Batman into the DCU.
Gunn made it clear that introducing Batmaninto his shared universe requires purpose and intention. He stated that there has to be a reason for Batman to exist in the world he is building, and that they cannot simply say,“Oh, we’re making a Batman movie because Batman’s the biggest character in all of Warner Bros.”This mindset helps explain why the project has been slow to develop.Gunn and the film’s writer are not interested in making another Batman movie just for the sake of it.However, finding a high-quality story that stands out has proven to be a challenge, especially when so many of Bruce Wayne’s defining moments have already been thoroughly explored in the comics.
Gunn also acknowledged thatBatman’s popularity has oversaturated the market, which ironically makes the character harder to work with. As he put it, “having so much of him out there can also make him boring.”The real challenge now is figuring out, as Gunn said,“how do you create that property that’s fun to watch?”It’s clear that he is committed to delivering something special with this upcoming Batman film. Rather than relying on the Dark Knight’s name as a guaranteed box office draw, Gunn is focused on crafting a story that feels fresh, purposeful, and aligned with the broader DCU he is already shaping through Superman and Supergirl.
James Gunn’s Answer to Batman Fatigue Might Be in the Comics
Revisiting Iconic Comic Arcs Could Be the Key to the Dark Knight Movie Fans Want
It’s clear that James Gunn has recognizedDC’s oversaturation of Batman content, particularly in the comics. Yet when it comes to answering his own question,“So how do you create that property that’s fun to watch?“in a world where every Batman story seems to have already been told, the answer may actually lie in the comics themselves. Gunn makes a strong point that DC has essentially explored every possible Batman narrative across its main continuity, Absolute Universe,Elseworlds, and Black Label lines. Therefore,a potential solution could be to draw from one or more of these existing stories.
Gunn has never been shy about using comics as inspiration for his projects, something fans appreciate because it helps preserve the essence of their favorite characters. It only seems logical, then, that he would look to the comics for inspiration for his version of Batman as well. He is likely already doing this, though the delay may be due to his reluctance to simply retell a story that has already been done. However, Gunn might be surprised to find thatBatmanfans are more than willing to see one of their favorite comic arcs adapted for the big screen, as long as it is told well.
Rolling Stone: In the broadest sense, what needs to be figured out to make those two properties work — Batman in this universe?
James Gunn: Batman has to have a reason for existing, right? So Batman can’t just be “Oh, we’re making a Batman movie because Batman’s the biggest character in all of Warner Bros.,” which he is. But because there’s a need for him in the DCU and a need that he’s not exactly the same as Matt’s Batman. But yet he’s not a campy Batman. I’m not interested in that. I’m not interested in a funny, campy Batman, really. So we’re dealing with that. I think I have a way in, by the way. I think I really know what it’s — I just am dealing with the writer to ensure that we can make it a reality.
Rolling Stone: And how about for Wonder Woman?
James Gunn: Similar. Wonder Woman I think is actually easier for me, because there haven’t been so many infinite portrayals of Wonder Woman — definitely not in movies, but really anywhere — that there have been of Batman. Every single Batman story has been told. It seems like half the comics that have come out of DC over the past 30 years have Batman in them. He’s the most famous superhero in the world and the most popular superhero in the world. And people love him because he’s interesting, but also having so much of him out there can also make him boring. So how do you create that property that’s fun to watch?
