I’m Convinced A Different Gotham Hero Will Debut In The DCU Before Batman

This summer, the film side of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU franchise kicked off with the release of Superman, setting the stage for another live-action cinematic universe centered around iconic DC heroes and villains. As a result, fans are already anxiously awaiting Batman’s arrival in the franchise.

While speculation over when and how the Dark Knight will appear runs rampant, it seems far more likely that another Gotham superhero will show up sooner. Gunn has made it clear that progress for projects in the DCU hinges on strong scripts being completed ahead of production.

With that condition in place, some productions are being fast-tracked due to having finished scripts, while others that have been announced are taking more time. For example, Clayface was approved due to the strength of its script despite the villain being a supporting figure in the Batman world, meanwhile a film starring the hero himself is still early in development.

Batman’s Live-Action Debut Looks To Be Some Time Off Right Now

Bruce Wayne next to Commissioner Gordon in The Batman

When James Gunn announced the several projects that would kick off the DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, he mentioned a Batman film тιтled The Brave and the Bold. While this project has some firm details in place, such as the story revolving around a more experienced Bruce Wayne and his son, Damian Wayne, no script has been approved yet.

Meanwhile, an Elseworlds film is set to bring back Robert Pattinson as the Dark Knight following his turn in The Batman in 2022. However, the release date for that project is currently a couple of years away in 2027. As a result, audiences are unlikely to see Batman appear on the big screen in the near future.

Conceivably, the character could show up in Clayface, which will be released in 2026. Even then, that would mean casting an actor in the role before a finished script for the DCU’s Batman is complete. Moreover, his role in the film would likely be minimal or reduced to a cameo like the quick sH๏τ of him in Creature Commandos.

That aside, Gunn has also suggested it would be best to avoid releasing a DCU Batman film right next to an Elseworlds Batman project. Beyond that, recent reports have suggested that the unannounced follow-up to Superman would be a crossover with Supergirl, squashing speculation that Batman could show up there. As a result, it feels like Gotham’s Dark Knight could remain in the shadows for some time.

The DC Universe’s Current Projects Suggest A Different Hero With Ties To Gotham Will Beat Batman To A Live-Action Debut

Comic book art: Booster Gold wears his gold-and-blue costume in DC Comics

Despite a lack of Batman in the DCU, there are plans to bring another hero who hails from Gotham into the universe. Comparatively, that project is at least a few steps further along in its development than The Brave and the Bold. According to ᴅᴇᴀᴅline, Booster Gold has a showrunner attached, David Jenkins, who is writing the pilot.

This is set to be a TV series in the DCU, which focuses on the futuristic hero, Booster Gold, as he travels back in time to ᴀssert himself as a high-tech metahuman and ultimate hero. Interestingly, Booster hails from Gotham City, which means that he could potentially be the DCU’s first Gothamite hero.

While it’s still early in the production of the Booster Gold series, the fact that the character is less well-known could work in his favor to get him into the DCU quicker. There is more pressure hanging over Gunn and the DCU to get Batman right, but the forward momentum behind this project means Booster could land his own TV show in the next couple of years.