Written by Edwin Francisco and Mikey Sutton • Editor-in-Chief • Owner
Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav hints promising news for Ben Affleck’s Batman. Although Zaslav didn’t specifically mention Ben Affleck, read between the lines.
Zaslav is tightening the DCU, especially Batman. With DC Studios‘ Co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran working on a 10-year plan, it seems that the duo is getting close to aligning it to Zaslav’s.
For months people have been wondering what Zaslav wants to do with DC. Especially when he shut down The Wonder Twins, Strange Adventures, and Batgirl. The decisions shocked the industry, especially with Batgirl‘s shelving. Nevertheless, Zaslav proved his commitment to quality with Batgirl. A sour buzz surrounded the project. Furthermore, former DC Films head Walter Hamada attached Batgirl to an abandoned reboot.
Going forward, the DCU proceeds with the SnyderVerse timeline.
Zaslav has a bold vision for the DC universe. The name change of DC Films to DC Studios means one thing: focus on one universe. Or at least streamline it from what it is now.
On June 1, 2021, we leaked that Zaslav preferred a cohesive DC universe. While other media outlets speculated on DC Films’ future, we already knew. It’s happening now. And it begins at the top: Batman.
Zaslav discussed the Dark Knight in a new interview. He said:
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.
Warner Bros Discovery Hints Promising News For Ben Affleck’s Batman
Image: Warner Bros.
In other words, the DCU will cut down the number of Batmans. First of all, Robert Pattinson’s Batman likely stays. After all, 2021’s The Batman grossed over $770 million worldwide. Granted, the movie didn’t have the $1 billion global finish some predicted. After all, the R-rated Joker accomplished that. On the other hand, Joker came out prior to COVID-19. Still, many argue Spider-Man: No Way Home nearly touched $2 billion worldwide during the pandemic.
Nonetheless, the point remains that The Batman turned a profit.
How many DC universes do we have now? Technically, we have four. First, there’s the DCU (formerly DCEU). Secondly, directors Matt Reeves and Todd Phillips develop their own pocket universes with The Batman and Joker, respectively.
Lastly, there is producer Greg Berlanti’s DC TV programs on the CW and HBO Max. This includes the Arrowverse, which already features multiple universes. If you’re wondering where Batman is, he’s on Earth-9 in Titans. Iain Glen portrays him.
Without a doubt, DC Studios inherited a multiverse of madness. For real.
Thus, there can be several different versions of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. The old DC regime controlled this by prioritizing movies first before TV shows. If a film develops with a character in mind, then the TV series are not allowed to use them. It has always been that way for DC, which made very little room to move around for Berlanti.
Berlanti himself wanted a unified universe. He made sure that Ezra Miller would be able to do a cameo for The Flash TV show. Fans loved the sight of Miller meeting Grant Gustin. No one can deny, some people watched the Crisis on Infinite Earths event on TV just for the meeting of the two.
But this traffic jam of universes caused much confusion and disappointment. It’s a mess. On the contrary, Marvel Studios has been doing great with a unified universe. And not only that, but Marvel Studios also made the multiverse work, too. And people love the idea that movies and TV programs are connected.
Zaslav is cleaning house.
Warner Bros Discovery Hints Promising News For Ben Affleck’s Batman
Image: Warner Bros.
In 1986, DC Comics published Crisis on Infinite Earths to do the same. Therefore, it’s no shock that Gunn teased a Crisis event for the DCU.
We have reported before that Ben Affleck signed for three Batman solo films.
It’s doubtful that DC Studios allows another Batman on TV. Indeed, Zaslav prioritizes theatrical movies over television. Pattinson remains. In fact, The Batman sequel is under way.
So who is left?
This is not a good sign for Michael Keaton’s Batman. The previous Warner Bros. regime wanted Keaton as the main Batman. To prove this, Keaton shot scenes in The Flash, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and Batgirl.
YouTube personality Syl Abdul scooped that The Flash reduced Keaton’s role. In addition, Zaslav cancelled Batgirl with Keaton. In late July, Abdul broke that Affleck’s Batman replaces Keaton in the Aquaman sequel. Star Jason Momoa confirmed Affleck’s addition shortly thereafter. Do you see where the momentum is going?
The DCU requires a Batman. Reeves won’t allow Pattinson outside of his sandbox. Zaslav didn’t need to say Affleck’s name. The Bat-Signal found its chosen one, and it isn’t Keaton.