There are a few things that remain constants in the modern-day Internet: a new adorable animal to obsess over, a new meme that takes a bit of context to really understand, and chatter around Batman. There’s the endless conversation about who should play him onscreen next, particularly in the new DC Universe.
In recent days, the Internet has latched on to a new Batman candidate: Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette star Paul Anthony Kelly. Kelly, who began his career as a model, is relatively new to the world of acting. His only other credit is The Venery of Samantha Bird, a TV series co-starring Katharine Langford and Finn Jones that was scrapped at Starz amid the 2023 Hollywood strikes. But if the hype around Love Story and his performance as Kennedy is any indication, an ever-growing number of DC fans think he has the chops to play the role.
Kelly is far from the first actor to become a popular DCU Batman fancast: a subset of fans have been hell-bent on seeing The Housemaid star Brandon Skelnar in the role since before the DCU was even officially a thing, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds star Ethan Peck and Masters of the Air‘s Nate Mann have also been popular picks, and Wicked‘s Jonathan Bailey has even been asked about the possibility in interviews.
Kelly probably won’t even be the last actor to be unofficially thrown into the conversation, with development still underway on the franchise’s planned Batman movie, The Brave and the Bold. Reports indicated earlier his year that screenwriter Christina Hodson, whose credits include Birds of Prey and Bumblebee, is working on the script. And DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn recently hinted thatThe Brave and the Bold won’t be released “in the same year” as Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II, which is currently set to be released in the fall of 2027.
But beyond the aesthetics, there are aspects of Kelly’s energy that seem to be resonating with fans. Look no further than the comments on @jaysoromantic’s recent viral TikTok about the fancast, with user @kimdeans2 arguing that: “There is a kindness in his eyes that a lot of Batman actors don’t have… Paul has sad and kind eyes that would collect people broken like him.”
Another comment from user @galacticcowpoke argues that Kelly fits perfectly alongside David Corenswet’s Superman, saying: “What we need is a Bruce and a Clark that look like they could switch roles and I’d be fine with them being either one. And that’s exactly what this one is.” (If you haven’t already, go read 2017’s Batman #37, an issue where the pair do exactly just that.)
With The Brave and the Bold still a ways away, time will only tell if Kelly even ends up in the conversation to play the Caped Crusader. That being said, the years of people fancasting Corenswet for the role proves that nothing is out of the realm of possibility, and it would be poetic for both Superman and Batman to have gotten their start on Ryan Murphy-produced projects, with Corenswet previously appearing in The Politican and Hollywood. Either way, I love that the Kelly fancast has helped remind people of some less-talked-about sides of Bruce Wayne: the playboy, the yearner, and the man who would feel compelled to take an entire family worth of sidekicks under his wing.
Jenna Anderson is the host of the Go Read Some Comics YouTube channel, as well as one of the hosts of the Phase Hero podcast. She has been writing professionally since 2017, but has been loving pop culture (and especially superhero comics) for her entire life. You can usually find her drinking a large iced coffee from Dunkin and talking about comics, female characters, and Taylor Swift at any given opportunity.
A few things are almost always true when it comes to Batman. He’s Bruce Wayne, a billionaire playboy who lost his parents in a tragic accident and now uses his money and resources to battle crime in Gotham City. That’s almost always a given. Beyond that, things change here and there. The villain, for one. The love interest, for another. And, of course, the Batsuit.
With the release of basically any new Batman show, movie, or comic, the artist behind the work gives Batman a new Batsuit. Again, there are pieces of these that are always the same, but within that framework, there are variations. And every single Batman fan has their own favorite.
But how to enjoy them all? Enter artist Adam Spizak and “The Crusader Collection,” a 10-poster collection of familiar Batsuits from all the major films that’s being released on Thursday, January 5. But, instead of giving us just the Batsuit, Spizak focuses just on the chest. And, when you look at them, you realize it’s the chest that really makes Batman Batman.
That’s a lot of Bat-chest, isn’t it? But we love it.
All the information on the posters is here, but we’ll recap. Each Bat-poster measures 16 x 24 inches and is in an edition of 75. They cost $45 each. You can order any of them individually or in one of three sets, which gives you a little discount.
There’s the “Retro Series” set, which includes Batman 1966 and all four Tim Burton films. Those are $205 for the five. There’s the “Nolan Series” of three, which is $125 for the set, and then there’s the “New Era Series” of Justice League and The Batman. Those are $85.
The posters go on sale Thursday, January 5, at noon ET at Bottleneckgallery.com. Which is your favorite?
Warner Bros. was once famed for their animation department. While originally devoted to theatrical shorts, the animators began devoting more time to television and film productions. These included superhero movies set in the DC Universe. Today, many of these films are available for streaming on HBO Max.
What are the best animated superhero movies on HBO Max?
Unfortunately, the full library of animated superhero movies made by Warner Bros. Animation is not freely available on HBO Max. In recent years, the streaming service has become infamous for cutting costs by not hosting the full Warner Archive. Despite this, there are still some great animated DC Comics movies available.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
There is considerable debate among superhero fans as to which of the many Batman movies is the best. Whenever these discussions happen, there is one dark horse candidate that some argue against purely because it is animated. That movie is Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.
Ten years after beginning his war on crime, Batman encounters a new vigilante who doesn’t share his code against killing. This Phantasm begins targeting the gangsters of Gotham City, leading the Dark Knight to seek a common link. The trail leads to businessman Carl Beaumont, who is recently returned to Gotham City after a decade abroad. It also leads Bruce Wayne to reconnect with Beaumont’s daughter, Andrea, who almost got him to give up the superhero life before breaking their engagement without explanation.
Produced by the same creative team behind Batman: The Animated Series, Mask of the Phantasm plays out like an extended episode of the show. The same moody orchestral music is on-hand, along with the series’ trademark Art Deco backgrounds painted on black paper. It is the script and the voice acting, however, that truly make the movie a classic.
Kevin Conroy delivered many classic performances as the Dark Knight, but Mask of the Phantasm was his first truly great one. The scene in which Bruce Wayne pleads at his parents’ grave during a thunderstorm was truly groundbreaking for the time. Both in terms of portrayals of Batman and superhero animation aimed at adults.
Dana Delaney also earned accolades for her performance as Andrea Beaumont. Many believe her work here led to her being cast as Lois Lane in Superman: The Animated Series. And unsurprisingly, Mark Hamill delivers a perfect performance as The Joker.
Green Lantern: Emerald Knights (2011)
For ages untold, the Green Lantern Corps has protected the universe. Now, the sun of their home base on the planet Oa is under attack by forces from the Anti-Matter universe. As the Corps prepare for the greatest battle in their history, a new recruit named Arisia questions her worthiness to be a Green Lantern. However, her spirits are boosted by veteran Lanterns Hal Jordan and Sinestro, who tell her tales of the challenges faced by other members of the Corps.
There have been quite a few animated movies based upon the Green Lantern comics. However, Green Lantern: Emerald Knights is easily the best. Part of this is due to the anthology format, which allows it to tell several stories within the frame of the larger conflict.
The best of these is adapted from a comic by Watchmen creators Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. It concerns an evil warrior known as Bolphunga the Unrelenting, who hunts the mightiest warriors in the universe. He seeks out a legendary Green Lantern called Mogo, and ultimately learns just why Mogo is respected and feared in equal measure.
Green Lantern: Emerald Knights also boasts one of the most impressive voice casts of any animated superhero movie. Elisabeth Moss of The Handmaid’s Tale plays Arisia, while Jason Isaacs lends his voice to Sinestro. Henry Rollins plays the Green Lantern drill sergeant Killowog, while Bolphunga the Unrelenting is voiced by wrestling legend and They Live star Roddy Piper. It is Nathan Fillion’s performance as Hal Jordan, however, which anchors the film. It also led to Fillion recreating the role of Hal Jordan for the DC Animated Movie Universe, from 2013 to 2020.
Justice League: Doom (2012)
The immortal Vandal Savage has schemed to take over the world for millennia. His latest plan involves two elements. First, a Legion of Doom made up of the greatest enemies of the Justice League. Secondly, an attack from within using plans designed by Batman to stop his superhero allies should they ever get out of control.
The villains divide and conquer, putting their archenemies in dire straits. The only thing that might save them is the efforts of Cyborg, the new recruit who was overlooked in Savage’s plans. But even if the superheroes save the day, will the Justice League recover from the revelation that it was Batman’s plans that almost killed them?
Justice League: Doom is not set in the DC Animated Universe. This is made clear by the presence of Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern Hal Jordan and the absence of Hawkgirl. It also features a dramatically different animation style.
However, the film was scripted by Justice League Unlimited producer Dwayne McDuffie and adapted from the classic Justice League storyline ‘Tower of Babel.’ The movie also featured many voice actors from the DC Animated Universe, including Kevin Conroy as Batman and Tim Daly as Superman. This gives Justice League: Doom a familiar feeling, despite the darker tone and art direction. It also features some intense action scenes, such as The Flash reenacting the movie Speed on-foot, after being tagged with a velocity-sensitive bomb.
The Lego Batman Movie (2017)
The Lego Movie was a surprise smash when it was released in 2014. However, the film’s version of Batman, voiced by Will Arnett, was far and way the film’s breakout character. Three years later, he reprised the role in The Lego Batman Movie.
The film finds Batman in a panic, as new Police Commissioner Barbara Gordon plans to restructure the GCPD so they don’t need Batman. This leads him to go over the edge to prove his worth and accidentally enable Joker’s jail-break from the Phantom Zone. However, with the help of his new adopted son, Robin, a new Batgirl, and his butler Alfred, Batman may learn the value of family and that he doesn’t need to do everything on his own.
The Lego Batman Movie contains more of the same jokes about Lego figures from The Lego Movie. However, it also features a number of Easter eggs involving the DCU and DC Comics. Throw in a great ensemble including Michael Cera as Robin and Zach Galifianakis as Joker, and you have a movie that is as touching as it is funny.
Justice League Dark: Apokolips War (2020)
Knowing the threat Darkseid poses to Earth, the Justice League and Teen Titans join forces to stop him once and for all. They fail. Most of the superheroes are killed in the battle or enslaved by the armies of Apokolips.
Two years later, a depowered Superman tries to rebuild what was lost and save the Earth. With the aid of Lois Lane, Raven, Robin, and John Constantine, he will build a new superhero team. They will even draw upon the Suicide Squad in Earth’s darkest hour. However, it may be too late to save their universe, much less the Earth.
Justice League Dark: Apokolips War was a coda for the first chapter of the DC Animated Movie Universe. It was also proof that WB Animation could produce adult superhero anime and do it well. Again, the movie featured a stunning script and a talented voice ensemble. The stand-out, however was Matt Ryan, recreating the role of John Constantine after playing him in live-action in the Arrowverse.
How we picked the best animated superhero movies on HBO Max in 2026
Beyond the question of whether it was available on HBO Max or not, three criteria informed this list. First, is the movie well-regarded and historically important? Second, is it adapted from a notable comic book story? Finally, does it feature great voice acting?
As the world waits for more Batman to hit the big screen, James Gunn wants you to know and internalize that Robert Pattinson won’t be double dipping.
On Threads, a fan asked if Pattinson could play a DCU variant separate from the version he plays in Matt Reeves’ Bat-movies. Gunn’s answer? A firm “no,” reaffirming past comments he’s made about keeping his and Reeves’ continuities separate from one another.
While he’s been open about Batman being a tricky character to incorporate, he said in 2025 it was “certainly not the plan” to have Pattinson portray two Batmen, despite online chatter hoping that’d be the case.
That’s where Andy Muschietti’s Brave and the Bold comes in. Announced at the start of Gunn’s tenure, that film recently bagged a writer in Birds of Prey and The Flash’s Christina Hodson. In a separate Threads post, Gunn came to her defense, saying anyone holding the latter film against her “has almost certainly never read an actual screenplay by Christina. She’s one of the writers who was with us early in the DCU planning stages. I don’t think you can judge my writing based on films others directed, as massive liberties are sometimes taken.”
So for fans hoping to see David Corenswet and Pattinson share the big screen together, you’ll have to keep waiting: a different actor will put on the cowl for Brave and whatever movies we get Batman in Gunn’s universe. Meanwhile, Pattinson will reprise his Batman in October 2027’s The Batman Part II.
I love this new YouTube video that uses mods to recreate the life of an NPC citizen of Gotham City in Batman: Arkham Knight because it lets me experience something I’ve always thought about: What it must be like to live in the same place as a superhero.
Living in Gotham City, the urban sprawl that superhero crimefighter Batman calls home, must be wild. Going out to grab something from the nearby convenience store could lead to you getting a front row seat for Batman’s next gang fight. Or he might just run past your window in the middle of the night. Or worse, he could run you over with his Batmobile-tank that is totally nonlethal, okay? And that’s what you get in Gaming with Griff Griffin’s new short but sweet Batman: Arkham Knight video.
My favorite moments from Griff’s video are when it really does feel like you’re seeing things from the perspective of a random Gotham City resident who just so happens to catch a glimpse of Batman. I imagine with a city as big as Gotham, not everyone has seen Batman, so it’s likely a treat for those who do. Or maybe scary as hell? Probably a bit of both.
“Essentially, I modded Batman: Arkham Knight to ‘take control’ of pedestrians in Gotham, and see what Batman looks like from their perspective,” Griff explained to Kotaku in an email. The creator has also made a video presenting things from the point of view of the gang members Batman beats up in the games, in case you’re curious about that experience. It is a far more terrifying way to encounter the Dark Knight.
Years after he cemented himself as one of the best directors out there, Sam Raimi made two of the best superhero movies of all time, Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2. Years later, he found himself back in that world for a not-as-great but certainly enjoyable sequel, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Simply put, the man knows his way around a cape and a cowl. And yet, even though he’s already made three films with comic book heroes, there’s at least one major one he’d still love to tackle.
“I love Batman,” Raimi told Movieweb. “I tried to make a Batman film. I couldn’t get the rights.”
Can you imagine a Sam Raimi Batman movie? The kinetic action, the vibrant camera, the pure Bat-shit (pun intended) insanity?
In the same interview, Raimi went on to discuss some other characters he would love to tackle. “I love the Shadow,” Raimi continued. “I also couldn’t get the rights to that one. But, um, Superman’s always been one of my favorites. Yeah, there’s a tremendous amount of DC characters that I love, and it would just take the writers to come up with an original story based on their character, that’s true to the character and part of their real universe, not something that disappoints the fans, but something that’s based on the fans’ love of the character and brings out the best moment of those characters and their proper conflicts, or the right challenges for the right hero. If it was a story that had a real journey for that particular individual. Then I’d love to make the movie.”
Raimi also talked about his desire to make more superhero movies in a recent Reddit AMA. When a fan asked, “What would be your biggest criticism of superhero movies made today?” Raimi replied, “That they don’t offer me more of them!”
Back to Batman, though. It’s a little confusing when Raimi says he couldn’t get the rights. Clearly, the rights are with DC, which is controlled by Warner Bros. “Couldn’t” feels like the wrong word. He probably means Warner Bros. and DC, at whatever time this was, weren’t interested in making a Batman movie.
If you look at the history of Batman movies juxtaposed with Raimi’s career, it just feels like the timing was never right. He could have approached Warner Bros. before 1989, but Raimi was still a relative newcomer, so you get that not working out. Tim Burton got the job. It could’ve also happened between 1997 and 2005, before Christopher Nolan’s films, but that’s when Raimi was primarily busy with Spider-Man movies. Finally, he could’ve looked into it sometime between 2012 and 2016 when Zack Snyder took over. But, that’s kind of right in the middle of Raimi being in director jail after the disaster that was Oz: The Great and Powerful. At all other times, Batman was spoken for.
So, to us, Sam Raimi not making a Batman movie feels less like he couldn’t get the rights and more like the rights weren’t in play at those times. But never say never. Maybe if Andy Muschietti can’t do The Brave and the Bold, current DC Studios president James Gunn has the perfect person on speed dial.
Raimi’s next movie, Send Help, is in theaters January 30.
In 2024, DC Comics launched the Absolute Universe, which offered interesting new spins on A-listers like Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, and Flash. The entire line just completed its first full year, and the publisher used the opportunity to brag about how good it’s doing. And spoiler: it’s doing really good.
Per the Hollywood Reporter, the entire line has sold 8.2 million copies up, as of November 2025. The big earner is Absolute Batman, Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’s very viral ongoing that sees a blue collar (and pretty big) Bruce Wayne fight crime and reinvented versions of his classic enemies in Gotham. That book accounts for 35% of the Absolute book’s success—so around 3 million copies overall—and its first issue is now on its 10th printing. Its five-bestselling books of 2025 include the recent Absolute Batman #15, Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee’s Batman #158, Matt Fraction and Jorge Jimenez’s Batman #1, the publisher’s Batman/Deadpool crossover, and Snyder and Javier Fernandez’s DC K.O. #1.
Anne DePies, DC’s general manager, credited the decision to keep the universe in its own continuity as a big win, ditto its “fresh look that inverted the fundamentals of our characters, and it’s an update that surprised our fans. It’s not so overwhelming that we are changing everything at once. That made a big difference. We knew it was going to do well, but we didn’t know it would do this well.”
Even beyond Batman, the majority of Absolute books are reportedly doing better than 2011’s New 52 and 2016’s Rebirth relaunches. Those five specific books weren’t listed by THR, which is the only outlet to see those retail numbers, but it did note that Absolute Martian Manunter from Deniz Camp and Javier Rodriguez has gotten orders in the six figures, something remarkable considering Manhunter’s not high-tier like his fellow headliners.
That book will be ending soon, but the Absolute books will continue for apparently as long as its various creative teams want, so if a particular book’s caught your eye, go ahead and jump in.
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight will launch on May 29, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S.
Standard and Deluxe Editon pre-orders are available today, and will receive The Dark Knight Returns Batsuit at launch.
New Heroes & Villains trailer spotlights Batman’s allies and Gotham City’s most infamous DC Super-Villains.
The Caped Crusader, the World’s Greatest Detective, DC’s Dark Knight – whatever name you prefer, Batman has transcended the medium in which he was created and become modern day folklore; a tale we are all so familiar with, that stands shoulder to shoulder with ancient myths and legends… but this legend only comes out at night and has a really cool car.
Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in 1939, and his character was so popular that he eventually POW-ed and SWOOSH-ed his way off the page and onto television screens in 1943.
Starring in the pages of DC’s comics from 1939 to today, Batman also influenced TV, film, and animation for decades before the Dark Knight eventually found himself in video games. Gaming became a whole new medium for Batman where he headlined many celebrated and award-winning titles, including one of the most loved gaming franchises of all time. Even now, Batman finds new ways to excite audiences, such as audiobooks, theme-park rides, virtual reality, etc.
In the decades that Batman has entertained fans, he has been reinvented, reimagined, and recast countless times, with each approach varying drastically; the camp and colorful exploits of the 1960’s Batman TV show is worlds apart from the noir of the 2022 film, ‘The Batman’. So, with so much variety in tone, how do you possibly bring it all together into one project? The answer: with Lego minifigures and bricks!
Our latest trailer shares a new glimpse into the exciting world of Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, where you will be able to experience the essential Batman story, from origin to legend. That’s right. In this one game, you are going to play through decades of Bruce Wayne’s life, from a young boy on an ill-fated trip to the movies with his parents, through his time as a fledgling crime-fighter taking on Gotham’s organized crime, all the way to becoming a legend as the leader of the Bat-Family.
To do this, we put together a timeline of comics, movies, and TV shows to identify the recurring beats and distill down what we believe to be the definitive Batman myth. It immediately became apparent that, to do it justice, we would have to amalgamate a multitude of Batman media in a way that has never been done before.
That means players will be able to wheel The Joker from ‘The Dark Knight’ film through gameplay reminiscent of the opening section of the Batman: Arkham Asylum video game, and take a version of Jim Gordon inspired by The Batman movie into Ace Chemicals for a confrontation with Red Hood One that mirrors not only the 1989 Batman film, but a number of iconic comics too.
In a bid to make this game the most authentic as possible, we made it our duty to put fans first and attempt to pay respect to as much Batman media as we could.
But wait, there are so many different versions of these beloved characters, how do you pick just one? Great question, reader. The new trailer shows off a fresh look at several playable characters joining the Caped Crusader in the fight to save Gotham City, including Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, and Catwoman, all equipped with their own unique skills and gadgets. We think you’ll especially enjoy Selina Kyle’s signature whip and drone kitten.
You’ll also notice a number of new DC Super-Villains in the trailer. For some, we chose iterations we felt we could have the most fun with, for others we chose what we believe are the indisputably iconic portrayals. And for a special few, we wanted to have our cake and eat it too. Come on – how are we supposed to feature just one iteration of The Joker? And what are we supposed to do with the Penguin now that ‘The Batman’ has given us yet another iconic interpretation of Oswald Cobblepot?
It’s impossible to choose, right? Well, with Bruce Wayne, we knew we were going to see him grow and evolve on his journey to become a crime-fighting legend, so we thought: why don’t we do that with some of the villains, too? In the game, the villains, the heroes, and Gotham City itself, all evolve with Batman, just like they have over the years. Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is an all-new Batman experience, but one that we promise will feel familiar, no matter who your favorite Batman is.
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knightis scheduled to launch on May 29, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S. Standard and Deluxe Edition pre-orders are available now and will receive The Dark Knight Returns Batsuit at launch, inspired by the acclaimed comic book series. Deluxe Edition pre-orders will also receive three-day early access to the game beginning on May 26, in addition to The Dark Knight Returns Batsuit.
LEGO® Batman™: Legacy of the Dark Knight
Warner Bros. Games
☆☆☆☆☆ 5
★★★★★
Full base game includes:
• Main Story
– Bruce Wayne’s journey from origin to legend as he trains with The League of Shadows, becomes the hero of Gotham City, and forges a new family of allies with Jim Gordon, Catwoman, Robin, Nightwing, and Batgirl. Confront an ever-growing threat from across Batman’s Rogues Gallery as you face The Joker, The Penguin, Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, Bane, and more.
• 7 Playable Characters
– Batman, Jim Gordon, Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, Catwoman, and Talia al Ghul each bring unique skills and signature gadgets as you uncover crimes, complete challenges, and explore an immersive Gotham City full of secrets and surprises.
• 100 Suits
– Inspired by Batman’s 86-year legacy, you’ll find an array of Batsuits alongside individual outfits for every playable character.
• 20+ Vehicles
– A range of Batmobiles and Batcycles to drive around Gotham City’s open world in style. Including iconic rides like the legendary Tumbler.
• 250+ Batcave Props & Trophies
– Customize and display a wide range of items to personalize your Batcave and celebrate your achievements.
Are you ready to build the legacy of the Dark Knight?
MEXICO CITY — No floodlights illuminate the night sky when the citizens of Mexico’s Gotham need a hand. No hot line summons this super-cop from a hidden redoubt.
But Mexico does indeed have its own “Batman”: Omar García Harfuch, security czar in the government of President Claudia Sheinbaum.
He acquired the Batman moniker during his days as Mexico City’s crime-busting police chief under then-Mayor Sheinbaum. Like the stalwart Dark Knight, García Harfuch emits the vibe of a vigilant protector who compensates for a lack of superpowers with more cerebral skills — a mix of intelligence, resolve and moxie.
In his current post (official title: secretary of Security and Citizen Protection), García Harfuch is inevitably dispatched to hot spots from the northern border to the southern hinterlands — sites of assassinations, massacres, gang wars and other headline-grabbing incarnations of Mexican mayhem. The script never varies: He vows to snare the bad guys. Arrests follow.
Like his boss, Sheinbaum, the security chief disputes President Trump’s assertions that Mexico is “run by” cartels, though he doesn’t deny the widespread sway of organized crime.
“Yes, there is definitely a presence of criminal groups, but [Mexico] is not controlled by the cartels,” García Harfuch, 43, recently told the Mexican daily El Universal.
Omar García Harfuch, far left in suit, walks with President Claudia Sheinbaum, center, and other Mexican officials during a ceremony in Mexico City in September to mark the Sept. 19 earthquakes that hit Mexico in 1985 and 2017.
(Juan Abundis / ObturadorMX via Getty Images)
His stern, just-the-facts Joe Friday recitals of arrests, seizures, drug lab takedowns and other enforcement actions are signature moments at presidential news briefings. García Harfuch — always decked out in suit and tie — transmits an aura of competence, and his media-savvy advisors have burnished his image as an implacable foe of the cartels.
Supporters began calling him Batman, in English, when crime rates dropped precipitously in Mexico City during his tenure as police chief. Supporters even circulated online images of a modified Batman action figure, with “Harfuch” emblazoned on the chest.
While emphasizing intelligence-gathering and investigative diligence, he doesn’t shy from praising shoe-leather police work and citing traditional metrics of success. Since Sheinbaum took office Oct. 1, 2024, he says, authorities have arrested more than 37,000 suspects in “high-impact crimes,” seized more than 300 tons of illicit drugs and dismantled more than 600 drug labs.
Such statistics were rarely tossed about during the presidency of Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Sheinbaum’s predecessor and mentor. The ex-president favored a much-criticized “hugs not bullets” strategy — curtailing offensive operations against cartels and instead addressing poverty and other socioeconomic factors driving young people to join organized crime. Many Mexicans appear happy with the shift.
García Harfuch, at the National Palace in September, was chief of police of Mexico City before becoming secretary of Security and Citizen Protection.
(Gerardo Vieyra / NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“Harfuch seems to me a good man who has good intentions, but, unfortunately, crime is so ingrained in Mexican society that it’s hard to get rid of it,” said Gregorio Flores, 57, a shop owner in Mexico City.
García Harfuch is the probably the most visible figure in the Mexican government apart from the president, and polls show him to be among the most popular — and a possible candidate to succeed Sheinbaum, who clearly trusts him explicitly from their time together in Mexico City government. Even rivals of Sheinbaum acknowledge his effectiveness.
Taking a pronounced stance against organized crime is hardly without risk in Mexico, where politicians, cops, journalists and anyone else who stands in the way of the mobs may wind up in the gangsters’ cross-hairs. García Harfuch is well aware of the stakes.
Experts work at the crime scene after García Harfuch was wounded in an assassination attempt in Mexico City on June 26, 2020. Two of his bodyguards and a female bystander were killed.
(Pedro Pardo / AFP via Getty Images)
In 2020, while serving as the capital’s police chief, García Harfuch survived three gunshot wounds in a brazen attack as his SUV traveled along Mexico City’s elegant Paseo de la Reforma. Killed in the assault were two police bodyguards and a female street vendor who was a bystander. The commando-style strike utilizing multiple high-caliber armaments stunned one of the capital’s toniest residential districts, something like a mob hit on Rodeo Drive.
From his hospital bed, García Harfuch — a former federal cop who also has a law degree — blamed the powerful Jalisco New Generation cartel.
Ongoing threats against García Harfuch are frequently reported in the Mexican press, including chilling scribbled death threats found in May alongside several mangled bodies, presumed cartel victims, dumped outside Acapulco.
“García Harfuch is the cartels’ enemy No. 1,” said David Saucedo, a security analyst. “He’s become a headache for them. The cartels were accustomed to making deals with [the government]. … But Harfuch gives the impression that he’s not disposed to reach an agreement with organized crime groups. And that’s a problem for the cartels.”
Security is Mexicans’ major concern, and Garcia Harfuch gives the impression that the good guys are cracking down, even if many are dubious about the steep crime declines Sheinbaum regularly touts.
Homicides have nose-dived by almost 40% since Sheinbaum took office last year, the government says, though critics call the statistic inflated — it excludes, for instance, the rising numbers of “disappeared” people, presumed crime victims consigned to clandestine graves.
And some have suggested that Sheinbaum’s save-the-day call-ups of her media-savvy security chief are more performative than substantive, and probably counterproductive.
“There’s no Batman,” columnist Viri Ríos wrote recently in Mexico’s Milenio newspaper. “The myth of Batman is dangerous, especially for Harfuch. Making him a myth imposes on him the responsibility of pacifying the country. But, as we all know, Omar can’t defeat organized crime by himself.”
In fact, García Harfuch has relatively few forces under his direct command. Corruption remains rampant among state and municipal police, prosecutors and judges in Mexico, often rendering them unreliable partners. Thus García Harfuch is dependent on other agencies, notably the national guard, a 200,000-strong force under military command.
Sheinbaum speaks at her daily press briefing in November as García Harfuch looks on. He is a fixture at the briefings.
(Carl de Souza / AFP via Getty Images)
García Harfuch regularly extols his relationship with the armed forces, despite rumors of resentment against his sweeping powers and his closeness to Sheinbaum. Mexico’s first female president also serves as military commander in chief.
García Harfuch is said to have the trust of U.S. law enforcement, even though the Trump administration’s ever-escalating demands and threats of unilateral strikes on Mexican territory put him in a tough spot. Only last week, Trump declared that he was “not happy” with narcotics-fighting efforts in Mexico.
“The Americans have confidence in García Harfuch, but they are always asking for more — more arrests, more extraditions, more decommissions” of drug labs, said Saucedo, the security analyst.
For security reasons, officials provide few details on García Harfuch’s personal life, beyond saying he is divorced and a father.
García Harfuch descends from a line of prominent government officials, their careers reflecting, in part, Mexico’s past under a repressive, authoritarian government.
His grandfather, Gen. Marcelino García Barragán, was a secretary of defense during the infamous 1968 massacre of student protesters in Mexico City’s Tlatelolco district; and his father, Javier García Paniagua, was a politician who held various posts, including chief of a now-disbanded federal police agency assailed for human rights abuses.
Mexico’s top cop may not wear a cape and mask, but his background does have a touch of show business: His mother, María Sorté, is one of Mexico’s best-known actors, often portraying characters in telenovelas, or soap operas. Few know her real name, María Harfuch Hidalgo, whose paternal surname reflects her Lebanese ancestry.
“Harfuch strikes me as a good man with fine intentions,” said Carmen Zamora, 46, a restaurant owner in Mexico City. “But he needs more time. One cannot resolve in one year the violence that we have seen for so long in Mexico.”
Carlos Monjarraz, 34, a capital car salesman, is not convinced.
“All this Batman stuff is just a joke on Mexicans when everything is the same — the same murders, narco-trafficking, insecurity,” Monjarraz said. “We don’t need a Batman to save us. What we need is for authorities to jail the real criminals — crooked politicians who keep protecting each other.”
Special correspondent Cecilia Sánchez Vidal contributed to this report.
DC Studios is putting out a public casting call for its upcoming Batman-adjacent feature Dynamic Duo, and anyone can try out.
Next Saturday, November 15, animation studio Swaybox will look at online auditions to work as a performer for the puppet-animated flick. The video below shows the work will entail controlling characters or items by yourself or with a team and in front of a blue or green screen. Though Swaybox has mainly put the call out to fans of “film, comics, animation, and puppetry,” it stressed there’s “no experience necessary.” All you’ll need to audition is “a ruler and a way to film yourself,” and the tryout will run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT.
Dynamic Duo centers on Batman’s first two Robins, Dick Grayson and Jason Todd, who are early into their superhero careers as the film opens. Notably, the film is produced by Matt Reeves, though it’s said to be completely disconnected from his live-action The Batman universe. It’s also been described as a mix between “CG, practical stop-motion, and live-action real-time performances,” similar to Laika’s Coraline. (That studio’s next feature, Wildwood, also seems to employ similar filmmaking techniques.)
If you think you’ve got what it takes to be part of the Swaybox crew, you can audition on Saturday, November 15. For everyone else, Dynamic Duo hits theaters June 30, 2028.
What was James Gunn’s Arkham Asylum TV show update?
Speaking to BobaTalks in a recent interview with the YouTuber, Gunn was asked about Reeves’ show, which was originally set to be a spin-off to The Batman and focus on the Gotham City Police Department. Gunn was asked if there were any hopes for the show to come back, and while he didn’t say no, his answer all but shut the door on it.
“Hope? Sure. But that isn’t something that’s being developed by anyone right now. You know? Just didn’t work,” said Gunn.
The show, which was originally rumored to be titled GCPD, went through many changes. Originally described as a drama about the GCPD, reports suggested that Reeves then spun those plans into a separate project that would’ve focused on the iconic asylum that houses many of Batman’s most legendary foes.
For whatever reason, the show never materialized and Reeves ended up working on the award-winning and critically acclaimed series The Penguin instead. Whether or not Reeves will continue that series, or perhaps work on another DC project for Gunn, is unknown as of now. Currently, Reeves is working on the follow-up to The Batman, The Batman: Part II, which is set to release in theaters on October 1, 2027.
Originally reported by Anthony Nash for SuperHeroHype.
This past August, we passed the three-year anniversary of Warner Bros. Discovery cancelling Batgirl as a tax write-off. Since then, there’s been no motion on reviving the film, but its directors and stars haven’t lost hope luck will come their way.
While doing press for his latest film Maintenance Required, actor Jacob Scipio—who was to play Gotham mob boss Antony Bressi—told The Direct he thought the chances of Batgirl’s return have slightly gone up in the wake of Coyote vs. Acme’s similar cancellation and big screen revival for August 2026. “I got the chance to watch it, and it was a phenomenal film,” he said. “It was great that they saved [Coyote]…there’s always hope. Hollywood’s a funny place, and I think if enough people want it, it can happen.”
At the time, Batgirl’s cancellation garnered a lot of bad press for WB from fans, press, and even led to several United States lawmakers contacting the Department of Justice asking it to reconsider its approval of the WBD merger. There’ve been plenty of high-profile cancellations since then, which further tarnished the studio’s reputation with audiences and filmmakers up until fairly recently with hits like Sinners and Weapons.
Could Batgirl make a comeback, despite being apparently so “unreleasable” it would’ve damaged the DC brand? That’s…a little tricky; the biggest roadblock is Batman: Michael Keaton would’ve played an older version of the character, similar to what he did for 2023’s The Flash, which WB seriously bet the farm on back then. Between the new DC Films universe and Matt Reeves’ own cinematic world, he’s a big question mark other adjacent movies are currently working around, which may not be possible here. Even so, it deserves a chance: like Scipio said, Coyote’s getting a fair shake, so why not this?
Batman is getting another series of movies, and they’ll be based on his famous comic book storyline, Knightfall.
At New York Comic Con on Friday, Warner Bros. announced a four-part, “multi-chapter animated event,” with the first film releasing sometime in 2026. In the comics, Knightfall was created by Jo Duffy, Doug Moench, Chuck Dixon, Dennis O’Neil, Peter David, Alan Grant, Jim Aparo, Jim Balent, Graham Nolan, and Norm Breyfogle and ran from 1993 to 1994. According to the press release, it sees Batman “pushed to his mental and physical breaking point” after the steroid-using mercenary Bane comes to Gotham and busts his rogues out of Arkham Asylum.
Bane’s since become one of Batman’s most well-known enemies and is notorious for breaking his spine. While recovering, Bruce recruits grad student Jean-Paul Valley to don the cowl in his stead, but things… don’t go well, leading Bruce to use supernatural means to heal himself and bring down his former friend, who started going by Azrael.
Knightfall is considered one of the most important Batman arcs: along with introducing its two new supporting characters, it’s considered instrumental to the birth of the “Bat Family” as we know it today, which includes Nightwing, the Robins and Batgirls, and Azrael, funnily enough.
Batman: Knightfall is the latest DC Comics arc to be adapted into multi-part animated movies, preceded by Crisis on Infinite Earths and Watchmen. We’ll have more on this upcoming set of films as news comes out.
The new DC Universe is off to a fast start. We’ve got Peacemaker jumping through dimensions, Superman saving Metropolis, and Supergirl, Clayface, and more Green Lanterns all on the way. But the one thing most fans are waiting for is Batman and James Gunn recently offered a very broad update on when the Caped Crusader might be coming.
Over on Threads, a fan asked the president of DC Studios if he thinks the new DC Batman movie will release as late as 2030 or 2031, to which Gunn simply replied, “No.”
Of course, there are a lot of factors adding to this answer so let’s attempt to break them all down. Gunn and his DC Studios partner Peter Safran announced that they would be making a Batman movie, likely titled The Brave and the Bold, when they first took over DC a few years ago. In that time, Gunn has offered multiple updates on the project, mostly centered on his not wanting to rush into the movie with a script that he thinks is worth making. So, for the past few years, that script has been in the works, presumably getting better each and every day.
Notably, though, there is a Batman movie coming from DC in the near future. That’s The Batman: Part II, Matt Reeves’ follow-up to his 2022 hit starring Robert Pattinson. That film, as well as its spinoffs like The Penguin, exists in another universe. Pattinson’s Batman is not the Brave and Bold Batman who can, presumably, team up with David Corenswet’s Superman or John Cena’s Peacemaker.
Reeves’ film, however, has a release date of October 1, 2027 (two years from yesterday!). So, you can imagine DC and Warner Bros. would not want to release two Batman films too close to one another. If Reeves’ film is coming in 2027, and Gunn thinks their film will be before 2030 or 2031, you have to think 2029 is the aim right now. Give fans a year off from Batman on the big screen, and then bring in the new one.
Of course, this is all speculation. Gunn has said numerous times before he’s not going to rush the film but he’s thinking about it a lot. Batman is too important not just to DC but also to Warner Bros. When it happens, if it happens, it’ll be right. But, it’ll probably happen before the totally fake-sounding year of 2031.
What’s going on with Batman and Brave & the Bold, his first movie in this growing DC universe? According to James Gunn, things are going well, but not so well that they’ve found an actor for the superhero just yet.
Gunn previously mentioned 1923 on a recent Peacemaker podcast episode, prompting speculation that he was scouting out Sklenar. But he told THR he just likes the show and creator Taylor Sheridan’s work—he considers Sklenar “great” on it, but he’s watching “mostly for fun, definitely not because I need to find a Batman.” He did, however, single out Julia Schlaepfer, who plays Sklernar’s wife on the show: “She’s just so fantastic that I suggested her for something recently.”
As for Brave & the Bold, Gunn revealed to IGN the script is in a pretty good place. But when it comes to its co-lead Damian Wayne, “plenty of things are in flux. Some things have changed on what his situation is with his parentage and all that stuff.” When asked for clarification on what exactly that means, like who Damian’s parents are or if he’ll still be in the movie, he just said “you have to wait and see exactly what’s happening.”
Cryptic, but at least we know the movie still exists. Hopefully, we learn who our new Batman is, and what else to expect from Brave & the Bold, sooner rather than later.
Last month, we learned Zach Cregger had another project on his hands: Henchmanfor DC. Once again written and directed by him, the movie would star a low-level goon that moves up in the crime world after apparently taking down Batman, similar to the Batman: The Animated Series episode “The Man Who Killed Batman.”
Henchman was just a script at the time, but you can imagine Cregger would get to actually pitching it once he had some free time. Now, it sounds like we’ll be waiting a while, as he told ScreenRant he’d keep it to himself for now. His reasoning comes down to the growing amount of Batman projects, which includes The Batman Part IIand Clayface. “I love that script, but Gotham City IP is the most coveted,” he explained. “Right now, there’s a lot of people that have their own kind of flavor. It’s a very kind of crowded playing field, and my movie, I don’t think it really fits into any of that.”
Cregger assured he’s not put out by fellow creators like Matt Reeves and James Gunn. But with so many “hurdles” around Batman at the moment, he’s going to “leave [things] to the universe” before approaching Gunn and DC with Henchman. Optimistically, he called the script “a great story, I think it’s awesome. When that door opens, I’ll happily step through it.” Just maybe don’t expect it for at least two or three years.
Until then, we’ve got Weapons, which recently came to digital, and his Resident Evil movie on September 18, 2026.
September 20 is Batman Day, and what better way to celebrate the occasion than with a new video for his next big game?
WB and Traveler’s Tales released a behind-the-scenes video devoted entirely to the making of Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. Revealed during Gamescom in August, the title takes players on the character’s journey into the superhero we all know, blending together different elements of his live-action and comics incarnations into a new spin on his origin and evolution.
The video doesn’t reveal anything new or insightful about TT’s approach to Batman—it’s made a lot of Lego games over the years, and Legacy of the Dark Knight is its fourth Bat-specific one—but it’s a solid eight minutes of the team swearing they’re doing their homework. The Batman and Dark Knight trilogy are both cited as key reference points alongside Batman: The Animated Series and a lot of comics.
Interestingly, the game starts with a young Bruce Wayne the evening before his parents are killed, then transitions over to his time training in the League of Shadows—something previous games like Arkham Origins and Arkham City have touched on through nightmare sequences or DLC.
If there’s one thing the video makes clearer than ever, it’s that the Arkham games really do cast a long shadow over Batman. Combat, using the Batmobile, and even grappling around Gotham all look very similar to how they were in Rocksteady’s franchise. That may end up working in the game’s favor, since as James Gunn notes, Lego is all about creativity regardless of age and skill level. What excites him most about Legacy is its potential to help players who’ve “never experienced Batman in a personal way get to play this game and have their own connection to him and the DC universe.”
Taking the gameplay and material from films and comics, then putting them in an all-ages gloss may be the smartest play for a character DC hopes to eventually reinvigorate on the big screen while still playing to his dark and gritty strengths. We’ll see how that fares when Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight comes to PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch in 2026.
Thought Lego would take a break from the realm of big boats after it launched One Piece as part of its blockbuster August? Well, thanks to last week’s surprise announcement of a new Pirates of the Caribbean set, we can think again. And yet, it’s not the only boat on the horizon for this month.
After going all out for its big summer release wave in August, things are definitely a bit quieter in September for Lego. But that doesn’t mean big things aren’t coming: the new Black Pearl and a funky Charlie and the Chocolate Factory set bring the boats, while a whole new wave of Wicked sets prepares us for For Good‘s arrival in a couple months. And that’s even before you get into the Spider-Verse swinging in for Lego’s next wave of Collectible Minifigures!
Check out our breakdown below for all the must-get Lego releases this month.
A grand upgrade on the classic Arkham Asylum playset from years ago, this nearly 3,000-piece set comes with a whopping 16 minifigures, from Batman and stalwart allies Batwing, Batwoman, and Robin to Arkham Guards and a whole host of deadly inmates like Joker, Harley, Killer Croc, Penguin, Poison Ivy, and more to fill out the myriad wings of the asylum—which itself is jam-packed with Easter eggs and references to Batman history. ($300, available here from September 9)
Lego’s off to see the wizard once more—and this time, it means it. While the first Wicked movie got some support from the brickmaker with a couple sets, the arrival of For Good means the company is going all the way out with a huge line, with minidoll sets inspired by key events from the new film. But collectors yearning for minifigure Wicked goodness should rejoicify: there’s both a set of bookends and a huge new Ozian entry to the Lego Wall Art range that brings Glinda and Elphaba to minifigure life alongside the Fab Five themselves from Wizard of Oz and other key characters from the musical.
Years after Wall-E controversially hit the Lego Ideas lineup (remember that issue with the head joint? What a time to be alive), the pint-sized Pixar droid returns, and this time he’s brought some very adorable friends. The newly updated Wall-E build now includes an EVE to pair him up with, alongside M-O, the cleaner droid, and even lil’ Hal, the cockroach! ($70, available here)
Announced just last week, Lego’s long-awaited return to Pirates of the Caribbean brings us a fresh take on the legendary Black Pearl and some very key minifigures. Of course Jack is included, but Will, Elizabeth, Barbossa, Gibbs, and more flesh out the roundup. ($380, available here from September 12 for Lego Insiders, September 15 widely)
It might not even be Halloween yet, but that’s not stopping Lego from getting into a different kind of holiday spirit as it prepares its annual swath of calendar sets. There’s quite a range available this year, but it’s no surprise our favorite of the selection this time around might just be the droid-themed Star Wars calendar, filled with fun minifigures and builds to flesh out your own seasonal workshop.
The next major Ideas set takes us to a world of imagination and the classic 1971 take on Roald Dahl’s whimsical, confection-filled adventure. As well as a host of minifigures inspired by the beloved movie (including, of course, Gene Wilder’s Wonka), this zany build includes a moving chocolate waterfall, Willy’s office, and plenty of candy-themed flora dotted alongside the chocolate river. And yes, there are plenty of golden tickets included. ($220, available here from September 18)
The newest blind-box Collectible Minifigures range returns to the world of Marvel with a twist, swinging into the animated Spider-Verse with a whole series inspired by the second movie in the trilogy, Across the Spider-Verse. The 12-strong lineup includes stalwarts like Miles, Gwen, Peter B. Parker (and Mayday), and Miguel O’Hara; deep cuts like Spider-Byte and the Webslinger; and perhaps a contender for Minifigure of the Year in Werewolf Spider-Man. ($5 each, available here)
Just over a year after winning a defamation lawsuit, comic book restorers Emily and Matt Meyers have revived their business – putting five of the rarest and most valuable comics they’ve ever worked on up for sale.
The auction collection includes the first appearances of Superman, Batman and Captain America, books that date back to the Golden Era of comics in the 1930s and 1940s. From now until mid-September, prospective buyers can place bids on each book. The unrestored versions of these can be worth millions.
“These are among the most beautiful books we’ve ever restored,” Emily said.
Nearly 10 years ago, the couple from Paoli, Chester County, began working with an undisclosed Toronto-based collector, taking low-quality rare books and using a complex process to fix faded colors and bring the condition back to as close to its original state as possible.
The restoration projects for the five comics that are up for auction was completed in 2018, but a contentious eight-year legal battle with Certified Guaranty Co., the world’s largest grading company for collectables, prevented the couple and consignor from bringing the books to market. In the lawsuit, the Meyers were accused of making fakes, leading to the couple suing the company for defamation.
“I think there was a lot of misinformation put out about our work,” Emily said. “… Eventually we just stopped doing it because it ate into the profit margin so much.”
Last summer, a Philadelphia jury ruled that Certified Guaranty Co. must pay the Meyers $10 million for defaming their business. Some of the comics that are up for sale came straight from the “evidence bag” of the long-running court cases, Emily said.
In addition to the five books restored by the Meyers, the most for a single auction in their career, the sale also features nearly 200 unrestored works from the collector, ranging in time period and stories.
“This collection represents a veritable time capsule of new characters and stories in comics history from the Golden Age up to now,” said Vincent Zurzolo, president and co-founder of ComicConnect. “It was incredibly exciting to see a collection like this, acquired over years of careful creation.”
Thanks to the meticulous work done by the Meyers, Zurzolo estimates the five books could sell for millions.
“I believe, in no uncertain terms, that they are the best restoration experts in the country for comic books – possibly in the world,” Zurzolo said. “I have seen many restoration experts with varying degree of skills and specialties, but I’ve never seen anybody with the skill, talent, technique and artistry that Emily and Matt possess. These are some of the best-looking restored copies of Golden Age (comics) that I’ve seen in my nearly 40-year career in comics.”
Emily attributes their success to crippling perfectionism, using microscopes to be as accurate and precise as possible when handling vintage works. Even with methodical advances at her disposal, Emily said she’d be surprised if a single project took less than two months to complete.
“I know how much people treasure these books and I want to give them that same amount of love, time and dedication so that the book is just loved from start to finish,” she said. “If I have to redo something a hundred times, I will do it.”
So far, the couple’s most valuable project was a restored “Action Comics No. 1,” which features the first appearance of Superman. That comic sold for $550,000, but a different copy of the 1938 classic is part of the collection being auctioned now, so the Meyers might soon have a new personal record.
On August 22, 2020, Warner Bros. held its first-ever DC FanDome, a weekend-long virtual event meant to make up for that year’s San Diego Comic-Con, which was canceled due to the pandemic. If you’ve ever followed big industry events like the Game Awards or… well, Comic-Con, you know they often come with a big trailer or two that’s meant to make it all worth it. And for WB, the big showcase for its inaugural, short-lived event was the very first look at Matt Reeves’ The Batman.
Trailers for superhero movies have gradually become more and more of a big deal, whether they’re telegraphed in advance, leaked, or appear just out of the blue. The Batman already caught the internet’s eye with casting Twilight alum Robert Pattinson in the lead role, and excitement truly began to grow once Reeves showed the actor in his Batsuit and the most car-looking Batmobile in years.
It also didn’t hurt that this was the first solo Bat-movie in nearly a decade and technically the true start of WB’s plans to dabble around with a cinematic multiverse that kept this Batman in his own world away from other goings-on at the time.
Within 24 hours, that teaser amassed over 31 million views, and while those numbers are short in the grand scheme, it did its job in getting people talking about Batman again. If online circles weren’t discussing its darkness in comparison to the Nolan films, they were gushing over Colin Farrell’s makeup job as Penguin or listening to Nirvana’s “Something in the Way” on repeat. For a movie that was openly marketing itself back then as still in the works, it won enough of the internet over right away that they were willing to follow Reeves to hell if it meant getting to see this on the big screen.
Had things gone to plan, The Batman would’ve come out in June 2021, but the pandemic forced a readjustment. The Batman was a quarter into production when it was indefinitely paused for most of 2020, during which the film’s dialect coach Andrew Jack passed away from covid and Pattinson himself tested positive just days after work resumed again. As a result, things were basically radio silent until late 2021, when the film basically reintroduced itself with a new trailer that kept the mood and song but featured more bombast and a great idea of what the movie would be about. On just one of WB’s YouTube accounts, it’s gotten over 65 million views and closes on a shot that’ll likely define Reeves’ entire Batman tenure. If there were any doubts that people lost interest in this movie because of the pandemic, that second trailer sure proved that wrong.
Since that first trailer came and went, The Batman (which hit theaters March 4, 2022) has continued to have a hold on the internet, which has been waiting impatiently for its sequel. Like its predecessor, The Batman Part II has had no shortage of production problems and delays, to the degree that DC Studios head James Gunn politely (but firmly) told people to back off Reeves. The second movie isn’t due for another two years and change and only recently entered pre-production—but when the first proper look at that one hits, expect comparisons between it and its predecessor’s first trailer as fans once again prepare to fall in love with Reeves’ interpretation of DC’s ever-brooding leading man.
