Written by Edwin Francisco
The cancellation of Michael Keaton’s live-action Batman Beyond movie leaves his DC Universe future in doubt.
Initially, DC Films was working on rebooting the DCEU; that is no secret now. In their original plan Michael Keaton was to be the mainstay Batman after Ezra Miller’s The Flash. The events of The Flash would have wiped out the existence of Henry Cavill’s Superman and Ben Affleck’s Batman. This is why Keaton was in Batgirl in the first place, and why J.K. Simmons was also in it. Michael Keaton’s Batman had jumped into the DCEU. Keaton also shot scenes for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
There were so many projects that DC Films planned for Keaton’s version of Batman. One of these ideas was also Batman’s retirement, and getting a new younger, Batman. Batman Beyond was in development, which Geekosity owner Mikey Sutton originally scooped on June 24, 2020. This was even before the Geekosity website even existed. Now it seems DC Studios has cancelled Keaton’s solo film.
Batman Beyond’s Cancellation Leaves Michael Keaton’s DC Future Doubtful
Image: Warner Bros.
Back in October 2022, Batman Beyond was still in the cards. There was a possibility that two versions of Batman could exist in the now-called DCU. At the time Warner Bros. Discovery was keen on having Keaton’s Batman. On the other hand, WBD hadn’t appointed James Gunn and Peter Safran as co-CEOs for DC Studios yet. Furthermore, the 10-year plan for DC didn’t exist yet.
Christina Hodson was writing Batman Beyond. Among the movies she wrote for are Bumblebee, Birds of Prey, Batgirl, and The Flash. It’s possible that she hasn’t even finished the Batman Beyond draft. In any case, this means that Keaton’s Batman might not have a future in the DCU anymore. Surprised? In November, WBD CEO David Zaslav revealed:
I think over the next few years, you’re going to see a lot of growth and opportunity around DC; there’s not going to be four Batmans.
In late July, YouTube personality Syl Abdul leaked that Ben Affleck replaced Keaton in the Aquaman sequel. Aquaman star Jason Momoa confirmed Affleck’s cameo quickly thereafter.
Batman Beyond’s Cancellation Leaves Michael Keaton’s DC Future Doubtful
Image: Warner Bros.
We haven’t heard anything official from Gunn and Safran yet. Any project that hasn’t started production could get the ax or placed on hold. So even Greg Berlanti’s Green Lantern series on HBO Max isn’t safe.
Frankly, regardless of how we feel about Walter Hamada’s treatment of the DC Films, I was actually excited to see Keaton back as Batman. But at the same time, it also means that Affleck’s version was along the lines of vanishing from the DCEU. For me, the previous DCEU movies haven’t given Affleck the chance to shine yet. I want to see more Affleck than Keaton at this point.
But is there a chance for DC Studios to revive Keaton’s Batman Beyond? It doesn’t seem likely. Keaton will probably say hello and wave goodbye in The Flash.