The DCU is ready to bring hope back to DC fans on the big screen with Superman hitting theaters on July 11, 2025. Yet, fans are going to have to wait a tad longer than that until they see the DCU’s version of Batman, which isn’t set to debut until after that date with Andy Muschietti’s The Brave and the Bold. With the DCU deserving of some new elements to the Batman mythos, there are some things that can truly make it stand out.
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If the DCU is going to succeed with its take on Batman, then there are some things that are essential, and the DCU will have to get these things right if they want to have the best live-action Batman ever put on the screen. It’s time for the DCU to embrace these defining traits of Batman’s mythos.
8 Batman’s No-Kill Rule
Batman Should Never, Ever Kill, It’s Engrained in His Character
Something that many Batman movies of the past have failed to showcase is Batman’s strict no-kill rule. There is no compromise to this, and there should always be two rules: no guns, and no killing. There have been instances of live-action Batmans following this rule, but it’s also something that the DCU must get right if they want to showcase a true depiction of the Caped Crusader.
Batman should save everyone and he should never have death weighing on him. It doesn’t matter if it looks cool, Batman should not kill, and that’s something that must be a guarantee for the character so true fans can celebrate this depiction.
7 The Bat Family
Introducing Robins, Batgirls, and More Show a Hopeful Batman
The Bat Family is essential to Batman’s DNA as a character, and it’s something that other live-action Batman movies tend to ignore in favor of attention to Bruce Wayne and Batman. However, the DCU needs to feel like a lived-in world where these elements are celebrated, so hopefully, this Batman has a relationship with other heroes and not just his trusty butler, Alfred.
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The Bat Family helps show that Gotham is not beyond saving, nor is it a one-man war against crime. The Bat Family consists of some great members, like Dick Grayson’s Nightwing, Kate Kane’s Batwoman, Cassandra Cain’s Batgirl, and dozens more that deserve to showcase Bruce’s ability to be a father and a mentor.
6 Showcase Bruce Wayne’s Importance to Gotham
Bruce Wayne Helps Gotham Just as Much as Batman
A rather controversial depiction of Batman is that Bruce Wayne is the mask, and Batman is the truth. However, this is something that is often hotly debated and something that the DCU should try and avoid. It makes sense for a Batman in his early years, but a Batman who has experience in Gotham should know how important Bruce Wayne is to Gotham City as its billionaire protector.
Bruce Wayne’s public spotlight emphasizes his importance as a philanthropist, investing Wayne’s money into issues that help with homelessness, orphanage, and medical responsibilities. Bruce’s finances should showcase how much he is trying to help Gotham, while at night, he protects it with fists of justice.
5 Fantastical Elements
Never Be Embarrassed by Villains That Don’t Need Logical Sense
While it’s always great to see realistic depictions of villains in Batman movies, like the serial killer Riddler, or terrorist Bane, the DCU’s Batman deserves to have some of his more fantastical elements birth. Whether it’s the deranged serum that turns Kirk Langstrom into Man-Bat, the healing waters of the Lazarus Pit, or even a monster made of clay, fantastical elements are essential to Batman’s war for Gotham City.
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With the DCU embracing fantastical elements, they can easily stand on their own from what has come before, and even rival Marvel with their own fantastical themes. Batman should be able to glide around Gotham City and drive his Batmobile without arguments of “realism” coming into play.
4 The Rogues Gallery
Batman’s Incredible Villains Shouldn’t Be One-and-Done
Most Batman movies depict a villain for one movie, to which the villain either dies or is never seen again. Yet, one of the greatest aspects of Batman comics is the fact that these villains always come back, and even team up on occasion for their own goals to torment Batman and take Gotham for their own.
Not only would it be great to see reoccurring villains, but it would just be great in general to see Batman villains that don’t exactly get the spotlight that they deserve due to how weird they are. Who’s to say Condiment King can’t come to play? Or more fantastical villains like Solomon Grundy and Clayface? Batman’s villains are some of the best out there, so they shouldn’t be ignored.
3 A Comic Book Suit for the Ages
There have been some great Batman suits in live-action over the years (nipples not included). Most Batman movies attempt to go dark and realistic, providing these Batsuits with far too many dark colors. Sure, some of these Batsuits are incredible, like Pattinson’s Batsuit, but that doesn’t mean the DCU should be embarrassed about a little bit of color.
This is a Batman that should embrace the golden or yellow utility belt, have a yellow border bat symbol on his chest, or even go all out and have the navy blue and gray color scheme and trunks! The DCU should have these suits look like superheroes, not soldiers.
2 Bat-Gadgets
A Utility Belt Isn’t Just For Keeping Bat-Snacks
Batman’s gadgets are a great part of his arsenal, and can often be used to help him solve cases and get out of sticky situations. There’s a gadget for every job, and his utility belt is full of them. Maybe he has reserve Kryptonite, a Batarang stash, smoke bombs, or even a shark repellent spray?
It’s always cool to see Batman pull out a useful gadget from his utility belt, and the DCU Batman should take inspiration from the comics and the Batman Arkham games to showcase how varied and useful bat gadgets can be.
1 The Ultimate Martial Arts Expert
Varied Forms of Combat Are What Batman Has Trained For
Batman doesn’t have superheroes, but he has an incredible will that has allowed him to master his body and multiple forms of martial arts all over the world. Batman’s fighting style should always take influence from multiple forms of martial arts to prove why he’s not someone to mess with.
Whether it’s agile kicks or precise punches, this Batman should be one that can throw down against 5 or more enemies and still come out on top with that signature scowl intact. Batman’s ability to fight is part of what makes the character so cool, so it’s time to embrace that to its fullest extent.
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