The latest comments on the plans to handle one notable Batman character in the DC Universe are exactly what the franchise needs at this point in its run. Thus far, the DCU timeline is a relatively short one in terms of releases – though Superman already established we’ve got at least 300 years of in-universe history to consider.
Similarly, plenty of exciting upcoming DC releases have been announced for the near future – including, of course, the DCU’s first Batman movie. Thus far, we’ve gotten several snippets about how the DCU is intending to handle Batman and Gotham’s wider entourage, and a recent update on one important figure is particularly promising to note for Batman movie fans.
James Gunn’s Confirmation There Are Plans & Interest In Bringing One Batman Character To Life Is Big For Batman
The DCU Batman movie The Brave & The Bold is still some ways off, but that hasn’t stopped curiosity about how the franchise will handle DC’s beloved Dark Knight from building – leading a Threads user to ask DCU co-CEO James Gunn about whether there were “plans or interest in bringing Catwoman to the DCU“. Interestingly, Gunn responded by stating:
“Oh for sure.”
With much of the DCU’s plans for Batman appearing to be in developmental stages – with Gunn having told fans to “wait to see” regarding how it would handle the role of Robin and whether Damian Wayne would still appear in the film – this sets a promising precedent for the franchise.
It’s easy to see how the decision could have been made for the franchise to hold off on using Selina Kyle altogether, given Catwoman’s prominence in Batman’s film catalog up to this date. However, given what Catwoman’s story is capable of doing for the DCU, avoiding her would seem like something of a mistake.
The DCU’s Catwoman Plans Open Up Some Key Story Opportunities For The Franchise’s Batman
While Catwoman has often veered more into hero territory in DC’s recent comics, the character’s history as a Batman villain – and then an antihero – makes her a figure with great dimension for a cinematic universe to explore, not just in terms of her own arc, but also in terms of expanding the world of Gotham and Batman’s story.
Though many jokes have been made about Batman’s primary love interest being a career criminal for much of her life, this works on several levels. First and perhaps most importantly, it allows the Dark Knight to showcase a more nuanced perspective on Gotham’s criminals, considering the vast differences between the likes of Catwoman and the Joker.
Conventionally, this also lets both Batman and Catwoman develop and grow as characters, with the Caped Crusader learning about what might drive someone to feel forced into a life of crime, and with Catwoman being inspired to do more good by the standard the brooding superhero sets.
As such, it’d make particular sense to have the DCU’s Catwoman appear soon, and not only show the way her life has developed considerably over the years, but also the knock-on effect she’s had on figures like the Bat-Family – especially since Batman movies have historically pulled Catwoman’s story off to great effect, which bodes well for the DC Universe.
