Latest news with #CapedCrusader
The Guardian
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Double trouble: can James Gunn really make two separate Batman movies work?
There was a time when having two Batmen in your cinematic universe would have felt like a clerical error. But in James Gunn's brave and bold new DCU, having several Bruce Waynes is increasingly looking less like an irritating glitch and more like a deliberate choice. Gunn has been clear for some time that he sees no issue with two Caped Crusaders striding into multiplexes at the same time. I have a sneaking suspicion that this is down to the fact that Matt Reeves's The Batman – an insular, noirish, Kurt Cobain-obsessed but relatively real-world take on the Dark Knight – proved pretty popular with audiences just prior to Gunn being handed the keys to the DC kingdom. But who am I to quibble? Sure, this might be a universe destined to feature cavalcades of superheroes who exist in a magical world of shimmering cosplay, but if we can just convince the geek in the street that the Robert Pattinson version of Batman is living in a completely different, gritty David Fincher-esque rat-infested underbelly of Gotham, all will be reasonably well. We may eventually find ourselves living in a world in which cinematic universes are so desperate to stay flexible (and profitable) that they accommodate multiple versions of the same hero at once, without telling audiences why or how they're different; dooming them to a future of confusion, apathy and narrative fatigue. The current suggestion is that the Gunn-produced Batman movie The Brave and the Bold, set within the DCU, will most likely hit cinemas in 2028, while Reeves's sequel to The Batman will exist as a DC Elseworlds story in a completely separate creative space called the 'Batman Epic Crime Saga'. Two Dark Knights, two universes, one comic-book brand. We all know it's just smoke, mirrors and strategically deployed multiversal chaos – but the very thought that we might get two decent Caped Crusaders after decades in which it was pretty hard to grab hold of one at a time might just be enough to have the vast majority of us hyperventilating into our cowls with glee. If DC gets it right. Gunn has been out and about (mostly online) this week as we ramp up to the release of Superman in cinemas, and the most interesting thing he's had to say is that there's no reason Batman villains can't appear in both versions of the Dark Knight's story. 'There's no diehard rule,' Gunn said on Threads, in response to a fan. He also added: 'But both the Crime Saga and DCU are a part of DC Studios, so we of course take everything into account.' This doesn't mean Barry Keoghan's Joker will appear in both The Batman Part II and The Brave and the Bold, but it does suggest that the firewall between Elseworlds and the mainline DCU is not exactly steel-reinforced. If Reeves's rogues' gallery proves too popular, don't be surprised if they start quietly migrating into Gunn's continuity like confused tourists who've wandered into the wrong Batcave. And then there are Gunn's comments in an interview with Rolling Stone that he's not hoping to make The Brave and the Bold's Dark Knight into a 'funny, campy Batman' because this simply doesn't interest him. It's a line that might make us collapse into a nostalgia coma for the days when George Clooney's nipples were at least trying something different. So just how does Gunn make this new Caped Crusader stand out? Perhaps this is why reports suggest that the new DCU big cheese has refused to sign off on a script for The Brave and the Bold until it's absolutely perfect. In fact, this is supposedly the Guardians of the Galaxy director's new mantra for the DCU: that most of Hollywood's superhero-based failures over the past few decades have been down to poor scripts that were never properly finished – and that he's determined not to repeat these mistakes. Insisting on a perfect screenplay is an undeniably noble ambition, especially in a genre where entire billion-dollar franchises have been stitched together from studio notes, deleted scenes and vibes. And yet if Gunn really does believe that two Batmen can coexist peacefully in the same cultural sphere without making audiences feel as if they've accidentally watched the same film twice, it's possible he's never seen The Illusionist or The Prestige, and had to spend time trying to explain to a confused family member which one actually had Paul Giamatti in it.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'The Penguin' stars Cristin Milioti and Colin Farrell discuss Batman 'all the time': 'An opera about hurt people'
Cristin Milioti and Colin Farrell may play criminals in the Batman universe, but Milioti said they are big fans of the crime-fighting Dark Knight. Milioti, who plays crime ring heiress Sofia Falcone on The Penguin, shared why she's drawn to the comic book universe on the latest episode of WTF With Marc Maron. "I've been such a massive Batman fan my whole life, in particular, because it's so theatrical," she said. "Because no one has a superpower. It's gothic. Colin and I would talk about it all the time. It felt like an opera because everything is so heightened and it's like an opera about hurt people." Milioti and Maron then discussed what they believe is the best Batman iteration: Tim Burton's Batman films. The iconic pair of movies stars Michael Keaton as the Caped Crusader. "It's that line between high camp but also you're devastated for them," Milioti Maron praised Danny DeVito's portrayal of Penguin in Burton's Batman Returns, Milioti is partial to Farrell's version of the villain on their show. "It's a great performance," Milioti agreed about DeVito's take on the character, "but I'm partial to my guy." Milioti has received praise for her portrayal of Falcone on The Penguin, which focuses less on Bruce Wayne and more on the power struggle between two crime bosses: Farrell's Penguin and Milioti's Falcone. While Batman isn't present in the actual series, The Penguin's finale sets up the next installment of Matt Reeves' The Batman franchise. Listen to the entire episode of WTF With Marc Maron featuring Milioti below. Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘The Batman 2' Is ‘Still Really Important Despite Stories to the Contrary,' Says James Gunn Amid Rumors of Sequel Being Axed: ‘We're Supposed to See the Script Shortly'
DC Studios co-chief James Gunn said in a recent Entertainment Weekly interview that Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson's 'The Batman Part II' remains an 'important' tentpole for the company, contrary to reports that Gunn cares more about launching the new DC Universe with films like this July's 'Superman.' Reeves' Caped Crusader movies exist in the 'Batman Epic Crime Saga,' which exists outside of Gunn's DCU and includes properties like the hit series 'The Penguin' 'What Matt's doing is still really important, despite all stories to the contrary,' Gunn said. 'We're supposed to see that script shortly, and I can't wait.' More from Variety James Gunn Told Marvel He Would Not Put Thor in 'Guardians Vol. 3' Despite 'Avengers: Endgame' Finale: 'I Don't Understand the Character That Much' New 'Wonder Woman' Movie Is 'Being Written Right Now,' James Gunn Confirms James Gunn Says There Is 'Zero Truth' to Warner Bros. Making Him Shorten 'Superman' Runtime: 'They Couldn't Even if That's Something That They Wanted' It's been a long development road for 'The Batman' sequel, which Warner Bros. delayed late year from Oct. 2, 2026 to Oct. 1, 2027. The first movie, which introduced Pattinson as the new Dark Knight, opened in theaters in 2022 and grossed $772 million at the worldwide box office. Pattinson said on his 'Mickey 17' press tour earlier this year that he was more than ready to get back in costume. 'I fucking hope so,' Pattinson answered when co-star Naomi Ackie asked if he would be playing Batman again soon. 'I started out as young Batman and I'm going to be fucking old Batman by the sequel.. I'm 38, I'm old.' Pattinson spoke to Variety at the 'Mickey 17' premiere in London and said he expected to be filming 'The Batman Part II' by the end of 2025. 'And I know what it's about but I can't tell anyone,' he added, 'but it's like, it's very cool. It's very exciting.' While 'The Batman' sequel will now open more than five years after the original, Gunn has defended the delay on social media by writing: 'To be fair, a 5-year gap or more is fairly common in sequels. 7 years between 'Alien' and 'Aliens.' 14 years between 'Incredibles.' 7 years between the first two 'Terminators.' 13 years between 'Avatars.' 36 years between 'Top Guns.' And, of course, 6 years between 'Guardians Vol 2' and 'Vol 3.'' 'Matt [Reeves] is committed to making the best film he possibly can, and no one can accurately guess exactly how long a script will take to write,' Gunn added in a separate post. 'Once there is a finished script, there is around two years for pre-production, shooting and post-production on big films.' Gunn has stressed repeatedly that no movie will go into production under the DC Studios banner without a completed script. His DC Universe kicks off this summer with 'Superman,' in theaters July 11. Best of Variety 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
Newsweek
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
James Gunn Wants Peacemaker to Fight Batman
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors James Gunn wants Christopher Smith to go toe-to-toe with the Caped Crusader. That's the news out of CCXP 2025 in Mexico City where DC Studios co-head Gunn and Peacemaker himself, John Cena, answered questions about the upcoming season of "Peacemaker" and debuted a behind-the-scenes sizzle reel. According to ComicBookMovie, when asked who in the DCU they would want to see fight Peacemaker, Gunn answered that he would love to see Batman and Cena's antihero clash. Read More: James Gunn Teases 'Superman' Cameo in 'Peacemaker' Gunn also reportedly admitted that the Dark Knight would make short work of Christopher Smith, though we tend to think Peacemaker would make Batman work for his win. It's tough to say in part because we know so little about what is planned for the DCU's Batman. The new version of the character is set to debut in "The Brave and the Bold" which is still in development with no word on who might be the new Bruce Wayne. John Cena as Peacemaker in "Peacemaker" Episode 7, which landed on HBO Max on Thursday, February 10. John Cena as Peacemaker in "Peacemaker" Episode 7, which landed on HBO Max on Thursday, February 10. Katie Yu/HBO Max Along with talking about a potential Batman and Peacemaker clash, Gunn premiered a behind-the-scenes teaser with some very interesting details for those who look closely. You can watch the sizzle reel below. The sizzle reel opens with a dark confrontation between Peacemaker and Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo), the new head of A.R.G.U.S. and the father of Rick Flag Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) who Peacemaker killed in 2021's "The Suicide Squad". "Peacemaker" fans curious about the new dance intro for Season 2 should watch closely, because a number of shots show the stars performing parts of the new dance. Story-wise there are some interesting things to note. For one, the White Dragon is back in spite of the character's death in "Peacemaker" Season 1. It's possible it could be someone other than Auggie Smith in the suit. Since there have been hints that part of the new season will unfold in an alternate reality, the White Dragon we're seeing could be from a reality in which his character survived. There also seem to be some new characters we haven't heard about before. At about the 35 second mark a dark clad figure flies through the air and crashes into a helicopter. At the 51 second mark, there's a menacing looking alien character sitting in a foldout chair. "Peacemaker" Season 2 premieres on HBO Max on August 21. More Comics: Marvel Star Says He's Done With The MCU Captain America: Brave New World Finally Has a Disney+ Free Streaming Date
Newsweek
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
'The Penguin' Showrunner Reveals More 'Batman' Spinoffs Could Be Coming
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Writer and director Matt Reeves created a fascinating version of the Caped Crusader with 'The Batman' in 2022. The realistic and gritty aesthetic, combined with excellent performances from its entire cast, has been met with critical acclaim and even Academy Award nominations. More Entertainment: 'Black Panther' Game Canceled and Studio Shockingly Shut Down by EA This sentiment continued with the HBO Max spin-off series 'The Penguin' starring Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti. Not only was it widely popular with fans, but it also garnered awards for both its leads. Needless to say, fans are clamoring for more of Reeves 'The Batman' universe. And according to 'The Penguin's showrunner, they will likely get it. Collin Farrell took home the Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe for his role in The Penguin. The star was full of praise for actors who have previously played Batman villains. Collin Farrell took home the Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe for his role in The Penguin. The star was full of praise for actors who have previously played Batman villains. HBO During an appearance on Deadline's Crew Call, 'The Penguin' executive producer and showrunner Lauren LeFranc revealed that more spinoffs based on Matt Reeves' 'The Batman' universe could be on the way, saying that they were in the "early stages." 'The Penguin' showrunner Lauren LeFranc says that other 'THE BATMAN' spin-offs are in the early stages of development. (Source: Deadline) — DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) May 28, 2025 Additionally, LeFranc spoke to what could potentially be in Season 2 despite it being intended as a limited series. "Beyond Colin (Farrell), it depends on whether there's a story that we can make richer than what we've already done," LeFranc said. "I'm in the process of exploring what that would be, if there will be more." More Entertainment: Official 'Superman' Trailer is Bursting With First Looks at Heroes and Villains While the news about spinoffs is certainly exciting, fans are still waiting for an update on 'The Batman: Part II.' The first film garnered $772.3 million in the box office while also earning Oscar nominations for Best Sound, Best Visual Effects, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Despite this amount of success, there have been very few official updates on 'The Batman: Part II,' including what the actual title may be. At this point, the only thing known about the film is that Robert Pattinson will reprise the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman as well as the return of Jeffrey Wright as Commissioner Gordon, Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, and Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot AKA The Penguin. More Entertainment: Michael B. Jordan's 'Sinners' Finally Has a Streaming Date—For a Fee 'Rick and Morty' Season 8 is Now Available to Watch—Here's How to Stream 'A Minecraft Movie' Hits HBO Max for Free Streaming in June: What to Know Exclusive: 'TMNT' Spinoff Series 'Casey Jones' Set for Release This Fall For more DC Comics and television news, head on over to Newsweek Entertainment.
