“We’re in a good place with ‘The Brave and the Bold’ script,” DC Studios co-chief James Gunn stated in a recent interview. He emphasized, however, that “many elements are still evolving.” When pressed about whether Damian Wayne remains a part of the film, Gunn offered a notably vague reply.
This is particularly interesting, as Gunn previously described Damian Wayne as “a little son of a bitch” and “my favorite Robin” when he and DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran first revealed the DCU’s “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters” slate in 2023.
The initial announcement for “The Brave and the Bold” suggested a story featuring Batman alongside his son, Damian Wayne, who is typically around 10 years old in the comics. This raised questions about whether the DCU’s Bruce Wayne, and by extension the actor cast to play him, would be in his mid-to-late 30s?
“No, I believe audiences will need to watch the film to understand fully,” Gunn responded. “There have been changes. Many aspects regarding his parentage are still fluid, so I wouldn’t take anything as final. Furthermore, I can’t even begin to tell you how many prominent actors have expressed their desire to portray Batman.”
He added, “Honestly, you’d probably struggle more to find actors who aren’t eager to be Batman. He’s undeniably the character everyone dreams of playing.”
When pressed for more details about Damian’s “parentage” and whether the character is definitively in the film, Gunn’s reply remained intriguingly vague: “I think you have to wait to see exactly what’s happening.”
This isn’t the first instance of Gunn being tight-lipped about Batman’s role in the DCU. Earlier this year, he admitted that “Batman’s my biggest issue in all of DC right now.”
In June, Gunn elaborated to Rolling Stone, explaining, “Batman needs a strong rationale for his existence, right? We can’t just make a Batman movie solely because he’s Warner Bros.’ most iconic character. He needs to serve a specific purpose within the DCU, and his portrayal shouldn’t be identical to Matt Reeves’ version of Batman.”
“However, he won’t be a campy Batman. I have no interest in that – not a humorous, campy Batman. So, we’re actively addressing that. I believe I’ve found a compelling approach, and I’m collaborating with the writer to ensure it comes to fruition.”
Peter Safran of DC revealed earlier this year that the “Brave and the Bold” screenplay will be presented to director Andy Muschietti once it’s deemed ready, to see if it aligns with his vision.
Meanwhile, fans eagerly awaiting “The Brave and the Bold” can look forward to Matt Reeves’ “Elseworlds” sequel, “The Batman 2,” which now has a completed script and is set to begin filming next year.
To delve deeper into James Gunn’s DCU plans, explore how a significant cameo in “Peacemaker Season 2, Episode 6” impacts the broader DCU narrative, and discover Gunn’s insights into the importance of Batman’s costume color.