James Gunn reveals that DCU Batman will get the Superman treatment

James Gunn has confirmed that the new DC Universe (DCU) version of Batman will not have an origin story, just as Superman. Speaking to Rotten Tomatoes TV, Gunn said,

"Just like when we come from the movie, we see that Superman already exists. He's already known by the people in Metropolis… We don't need to hear the origin story again."

This move corresponds to Gunn's vision of having stories of DC's iconic heroes in fewer words, thus reaching the audience quickly. The recognized roles and adventures of the superheroes would be the focus instead of their origin.

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The vision behind the DC Universe

James Gunn, the co-CEO of DC Studios, plans to reboot the DC Universe after previous attempts failed partially. He is planning to introduce characters like Superman and Batman without any background information about them.

"I'm not telling Batman and Superman's origin stories again because everyone knows them".

It is quite similar to the case of Marvel, where Spider-Man was introduced without any history about him. This new era for the DCU is going to begin with the movie Superman: Legacy, now to be titled only Superman, which is set to be released on July 11, 2025. It will star David Corenswet as Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane.

According to Gunn, he wants a younger Superman but also wants to stay away from an origin story, which has been done so many times in previous adaptations. Similarly, the upcoming Batman installment of the DCU will also skip Batman's origin.

Instead, the motive seems to continue with what has been created, trying out new narratives and creating material that people, knowledgeable of the background, will like to read about.

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New Batman in DCU

The upcoming project, titled The Brave and the Bold, will introduce a new actor, Batman, who is distinct from Robert Pattinson's portrayal in The Batman series. Gunn initially thought about using the character played by Robert Pattinson for DCU, but instead of combining it with what was already presented by DCU, he created an independent Batman.

In The Brave and the Bold, the viewers will see Batman with his son Damian Wayne as Robin. This storyline shifts toward family dynamics within the superhero narrative, away from the traditional solo hero tales.

Gunn's approach is more on character development through existing relationships rather than rehashing well-known origins. By focusing on Batman as an established hero, the storytelling can delve into more complex themes and interactions without needing to revisit how he became who he is.

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Audience reception and expectations

While skipping origin stories for iconic characters may raise questions about emotional depth, Gunn believes it is essential for engaging storytelling. He argues that audiences are already familiar with these heroes' backgrounds, allowing for more innovative plots that can explore their current challenges and adventures.

This has elicited mixed reviews from fans: some appreciate the fresh direction, whereas others fear losing the emotional connections that origin stories usually establish. However, in his opinion, this strategy shall allow for even richer narratives in the long term.

High expectations exist for portraying these beloved characters in new contexts as the DCU prepares to reboot. Focusing on established heroes like Superman and Batman, this promises fans a series of films that explore their complexities without retreading old ground.

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Overall, avoiding the origin stories of Superman and Batman is a key change for both superheroes. Given these new identities and bonds, Gunn seems to focus more on what may be entertaining plots that fans are interested in following without getting monotonous through repetition. Hopefully, the future stories of these characters will continue as bright as this new cinematic world.