LEGO is no stranger to video game adaptations of the ever-expansive DC universe. The most recent DC video game adaptation from LEGO was Lego DC Super-Villains, which hit consoles, PC, and Mac back in 2018. Over five years later, it seems that the DC franchise is long overdue for a new LEGO video game adaptation.
But the genius of LEGO video game adaptations, and even LEGO sets generally speaking, is how darker subject matter can become lighthearted in the new medium. While a LEGO video game adaptation of James Gunn’s upcoming Superman would not only be child-friendly and good promotional material for the film, this hypothetical adaptation would mark the first time Superman would receive his own stand-alone LEGO video game. However, Batman, DC LEGO’s most adapted superhero, would be the perfect avenue for LEGO to flex their ingenuity and play into the humor of adapting darker subject material.
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The Batman Would Be a Hilariously Dark Take on LEGO Batman
Matt Reeves’ The Batman received both immense critical and fan reception upon release in 2022. While Reeves’ take on the Caped Crusader was a return to Batman’s detective roots, the tone of the film was immensely dark, even more so than Bruce Wayne’s previous standalone trilogy directed by Christopher Nolan. Despite hope ultimately being the driving theme of The Batman, the dark nature of Reeves’ adaptation is often what comes to the forefront of reviews of the film at the time and retrospectives of it currently.
But like with any film adapting a major intellectual property, The Batman received its fair share of promotional collaborations with companies. Some of these collaborations, like a meal deal with Little Caesar’s, may seem odd to some, but Batman and LEGO go together like peanut butter and jelly. Of course, LEGO created new sets based on The Batman despite the toy company having its own distinct version of Batman well established in public consciousness. If this dark version of Batman was able to receive a physical adaptation, it would only make sense for LEGO to adapt this version of the character into a video game as well.
How The Batman Could Become a LEGO Batman Video Game
Several key scenes in The Batman received physical LEGO adaptations. The largest set in the collection is Batcave: The Riddler Face-off, including not just minifigures of Batman and the Riddler alongside the build, but also Jim Gordon, Selina Kyle (Catwoman), Alfred Pennyworth, and an unmasked version of Bruce Wayne. However, the most intricate set is The Batman’s version of the Batmobile. The Batmobile was sold on its own, though the iconic car is also available in a set featuring the Penguin with extra accessories. Motorcycles for Selina Kyle and Batman are also included in a set, as well as a Technic version of The Batman’s Batmobile.
When the Hypothetical Game Could Release
With physical versions of these sets long since available for purchase, it seems that LEGO would only need an opportunity to put these designs onto a screen. Adapting Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of Batman in a multiverse LEGO Batman video game would be a meta way to bring the character into the LEGO Batman universe while still remaining child-friendly. However, the public has grown to find multiverse plots stale after so many years and intellectual properties trying their hand at the mechanic.
Therefore, a LEGO Batman game based on The Batman would have to tie in with the release of the next film in Reeves’ trilogy. Two opportunities for a video game adaptation of the title have passed by, with the initial release of the film and The Penguin spin-off miniseries, which was released last October. However, fans and critics are uncertain of the Reeves trilogy’s future as the next title in the series has been delayed several times. Still, the next film’s release in October 2027 would be the perfect time for LEGO to flex its ingenuity with a new The Batman video game.
LEGO DC Super-Villains
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 74 /100 Critics Rec: 54%
- Released
- October 16, 2018
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Cartoon Violence
- Developer(s)
- Traveller's Tales
- Publisher(s)
- Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
- Multiplayer
- Local Co-Op
- Franchise
- LEGO
- Number of Players
- 1-2
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- 3D Platformer, Action
