First things first: James Gunn’s recently announced films for the first phase of his DCU include The Brave And The Bold. It’s a new Batman adventure in which the Dark Knight won’t be alone. The so-called Bat-family also has to get acquainted with other characters from its environment. In the foreground is Robin – in Damian Wayne’s version, the biological son of Bruce “Batman” Wayne, who did not know of his existence.
Since James Gunn also revealed that the upcoming “The Flash” movie (release: June 15, 2023) will play a major role in ushering in the new DCU (while also being described by him as “fucking awesome” and “one of the best superheroes”). movies I’ve ever seen” was praised), it’s considered possible that the new Batman is already being introduced here. Especially since there have recently been rumors that a completely new ending has been shot for “The Flash” to kick-start the DCU that Gunn has in mind.
‘The Flash’ has Michael Keaton as Batman, but…
As is well known, Michael Keaton slips back into the role of Batman in “The Flash”. It was rumored early on that the multiverse adventure would also bring back other former Batman cast members. In fact, it was probably the plan that a world was created at the end of “The Flash” where Keaton is the regular Batman. That’s exactly what would have changed during the reshoots. Keaton’s Batman no longer exists in the new ending.
And here the well-known scooper and YouTuber is getting married on bee. She learned that at the end of “The Flash” a past Batman has a cameo who is also said to be the new DCU Dark Knight for the future of the film series. In further tweets, she explains that it is not quite certain yet, because only one contract has been signed for the cameo, which had to be recorded quickly. But he’s Gunn and Warner’s clear favorite going forward. Negotiations for a long-term contract are currently underway. She also knows who it is, but doesn’t want to reveal it (which she does).
Because in further tweets she first made it clear that it was one of the three Batman actors who can be seen in the photo in her tweet. There are Val Kilmer, George Clooney And Christian Bale to see. So other names like a Ben Affleck are out of the question.
Kilmer can be completely ruled out. Due to his health condition, he will no longer play Batman. Clooney would be conceivable, but at 61 it seems very old. In addition, he has not been enthusiastic about his experience as a DC hero in the past. Does he really want to play this role again and then in the long run? Hard to imagine. Since he is considered by many to be the worst Batman of all time, there is also a risk that fans will initially judge him negatively upon his comeback.
By far the most likely alternative is Christian Bale from Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” trilogy. And that’s what so many DC fans have taken from the Scoop that the name “Bale” has even made it onto Twitter Trends – which is what Randolph used to more or less confirm that people are on the right track.
Christian Bale as Batman again: is that true?
But for the time being you have to put a big question mark behind the staff. So Randolph himself says there’s no contract outside of “The Flash”. Even if her information is correct and she speaks the truth, this could all fail.
But above all, the reputation of the scooper and YouTuber among comic fans is not always positive. Randolph is accused of making up scoops to get attention. James Gunn himself once accused her of just “spitting nonsense” (this was not about a scoop, but about a negative opinion of hers about “Peacemaker”). But recently, many fans have also changed Randolph’s image because their information (albeit about Marvel projects) has been correct several times.
Yet we remain skeptical. We already know that Superman: Legacy will introduce a new Man of Steel who will be a younger version of the character. It was the main reason there was no room for 39-year-old Henry Cavill. The American industry magazine wrote, that the new Superman will be about 25 years old. Gunn also revealed that the new Batman will be a bit older. How much older, but not.
As is known, this Batman already has a son, Damian Wayne, who fights and even commits suicide. Damian must be at least in his teens, which in turn puts the new Batman in his mid to late thirties. This bill has already caused negative reactions from fans because of the large age difference between Superman and Batman. However, Christian Bale is now even 49 years old, would be over 50 if his comeback era as Batman really took off and thus about twice as old as the new Superman.
But of course it would also be attractive to place the two characters, who see the world in a very different way and are in conflict about it, in such different generations, which could further reinforce their divergent view of things.
The only minor problem is that Christian Bale has repeatedly publicly expressed his willingness to return Batman, but has made it contingent on Christopher Nolan’s return as director. However, this is very unlikely, if not impossible, especially because of the separation from the Hollywood studio Warner, which is responsible for the DC movies.
With a lucrative bid and presentation of a compelling vision by Gunn, Bale should no longer be interested in yesterday’s chatter. An interesting director for “The Brave And The Bold” could also help. The rumor, which is still very vague at the moment, that Ben Affleck may be in the running here, is therefore correct.
As is known, he once wanted to direct a Batman movie starring himself, which fell through for various reasons. Another factor was that Affleck had to realize that the double function of protagonist and director in such a project is difficult to manage. James Gunn has previously revealed that Affleck is in talks and a possible director for an upcoming movie.
Maybe we’ll learn more when”the flash” will be in theaters in June 2023 and in the end there really is a new, old Batman…