Here’s another update on the DCU’s Batman movie, “The Brave and the Bold,” seemingly being directed by Andy Muschietti: a Batman/Robin team-up flick, even though Matt Reeves’ much-anticipated “The Batman” sequel is coming out in 2028, and the risk of oversaturation is very much there.
Journalist Dan Marcus has been told by Muschietti that “Brave and the Bold” has been “put on hold” until “after the [Paramount-Warner Bros.] merger is settled.” And even then, why would David Ellison want another Batman existing while Reeves’ popular version, which is meant to be a trilogy, is still ongoing?
Officially, Muschietti is still attached to direct “The Brave and the Bold,” but many have speculated about his potential exit ever since the failure of “The Flash,” especially after the DCU’s total 180 as it heads in a completely different direction under Gunn’s and—potentially—Ellison’s leadership.
Christina Hodson wrote the latest draft of “The Brave and the Bold,” and I had heard that Gunn was actually considering replacing Muschietti… with himself. He’ll now have more time to ponder that decision, as I doubt “Brave and the Bold” would get a release anytime before 2030.
Gunn has previously called Batman his “biggest issue” in the DCU and spoken at length about how difficult it is to develop a version of the character that feels distinct enough from Reeves’ vision. He has stressed that Batman needs a genuine reason to exist within the universe and can’t simply be there because he’s a popular character.
The DCU is currently in wobbly territory. “Supergirl,” which sits at 52% on Rotten Tomatoes, had a paltry $125M worldwide haul—the lowest-grossing DC film since “Catwoman” (2004). Who knows what Ellison plans to do with it once, or if, he ever takes power? I gather it might all depend on “Superman: Man of Tomorrow” and how well it performs.
Gunn shot his “Superman” sequel this summer, set for release in 2027. “Clayface” is coming out in October, and I gather “Wonder Woman” might shoot next, sometime next year.
Only some non-US influencers, bloggers, and critics have seen the film, and it’s quite obvious that this is going to be one of the worst-reviewed movies of the year.