James Gunn Reveals What Fans Ask for Most for DCU's Batman and What He Actually Cares About
James Gunn is deep in the world building phase of the new DC Universe, but fans can’t stop asking the same question… what will the next Batman look like when he finally steps into the DCU?
Gunn jumped into a recent Threads discussion to clear the air a bit, and while costume details absolutely came up, his priorities aren’t where some fans might expect.
A fan asked Gunn what the most requested feature is for the new Dark Knight, mentioning the idea of an animated cowl. Gunn responded, but he made sure to put that list into perspective.
“The most requested thing would be the blue and grey,” said Gunn, referencing the iconic color scheme that defined many classic comic runs. “Then the yellow around the bat. And THEN the white eyes. But all of those things I find less important than the character himself, the writing, and the person who plays him.”
That response tells us a couple of interesting things about where Gunn’s head is at. Fans are hoping for the return of a more traditional Batman suit, something rooted in The Brave and the Bold and the era of comics that shaped many animated adaptations.
Gunn clearly hears that. But, he’s also reminding everyone that the foundation of this version of Batman won’t start with the suit, it starts with the character and the actor who embodies him.
Details about the DCU’s upcoming Batman film, The Brave and the Bold, remain tightly sealed. First announced in 2023 and drawing inspiration from Grant Morrison’s celebrated run, the movie will be directed by Andy Muschietti, who previously helmed IT and The Flash. Beyond that, progress updates have been pretty quiet, and casting remains a total mystery.
For now, Gunn’s active attention is on an entirely different corner of Gotham. He recently said his current Batman focus is The Batman: Part II, which is now in production with director Matt Reeves and returning star Robert Pattinson.
The sequel continues the separate Elseworlds storyline where Pattinson’s brooding detective version of the character thrives, and it’s currently scheduled to hit theaters on October 1, 2027.
It may be a while before we see who wears the cowl in the DCU, but Gunn’s comments suggest he’s thinking about the long term. Costume choices matter, and fans are clearly passionate about them, but the creative heart of Batman is what he’s guarding most.