Two weeks ago, I reported on Zach Cregger’s plans to pitch a Gotham-set DC movie. Now, we have an update on the project, which the filmmaker is fully committed to bringing to life.
THR reports that the title of Cregger’s DC movie is “Henchman,” a project he’s eager to make but hasn’t pitched to DC Studios yet. It might even be based on an episode from “Batman: The Animated Series.”
The story centers on a low-level henchman in Gotham who unexpectedly incapacitates Batman, finally earning the street cred he’s always wanted. Harley Quinn and Joker feature in the script, which Cregger has described as “the best thing I’ve ever written”—crafted even before his 2022 breakout hit, “Barbarian.”
If all things go according to plan, “Henchman” could be Cregger’s next film after his “Resident Evil” reboot, which starts shooting this fall in Prague. He’s also mentioned potentially going into production on an original sci-fi film that he’s already written.
It would make sense for James Gunn to, at the very least, set up a meeting with Cregger, who has suddenly become one of the hottest filmmakers in town. The DCU would be lucky to have him, but even with Cregger emerging as one of the hottest directors around, “Henchman” faces the typical hurdles that come with any IP play.
For starters, DC Studios hasn’t locked in a Joker or a Batman yet. Harley Quinn’s role is theoretically open—Margot Robbie could reprise it after James Gunn’s “The Suicide Squad”—but nothing is confirmed.
Then there’s the delicate dance happening behind the scenes. DC bosses Gunn and Peter Safran are likely treading carefully around anything Batman-related, giving “The Batman” director Matt Reeves room to build out the sequel. With no clear word on which villains will appear in those sequels, Gunn and Safran probably don’t want to step on Reeves’ toes.
If I were Gunn, I’d be welcoming Cregger into the DCU with open arms. With “Weapons,” he’s proven he’s far more than a one-hit wonder.