Two Batmans – representing Ben Affleck’s return and Robert Pattinson’s debut – will exist simultaneously in live action movies, according to a recent interview with DC studio head Walter Hamada. Just how will all of it work?
DC Films sparked a recent controversy when the studio announced they’d be releasing all their movies for 2021 in theaters and on the HBO Max streaming service. Hamada indicated that’s just the beginning of their ambitious plans.
Hamada, president of DC Films, spoke to The New York Times. When Hamada took over the helm at DC in 2018, there were several films and series in progress, each going in different directions. That’s something he set out to correct.
It’s The Multiverse
His solution is one that will be familiar to anyone who reads DC Comics: the multiverse, where parallel universes mean that the same character can exist in two or even more different versions – including DC’s iconic hero, Batman.
According to Hamada, Robert Pattinson’s Batman will exist on Earth 2, in a different universe, putting his interpretation of the iconic character on the same sort of footing as that in Joaquin Phoenix’ 'Joker' movie. Pattinson’s Batman will exist in the DC Films multiverse – but not the DC Extended Universe.
The DC Extended Universe, meanwhile, exists on Earth 1, where Ben Affleck is still Batman. With Affleck appearing in the upcoming 'The Flash' movie, industry speculation is that Affleck’s Bruce Wayne will be there to hand the cape and cowl to the next gen. That new Batman has yet to be cast. First movie Batman Michael Keaton will also appear in 'The Flash', clearly opening up the multiverse concept. Keaton’s role, however, appears to be a one-off. 'The Flash' is set for release in 2022.
On the TV side, the upcoming Batman spinoff series, described as a police drama, also takes place in Earth 2, where Pattinson is The Dark Knight. HBO Max and Matt Reeves, who is directing 'The Batman', are working together to develop the series.
The series will focus on members of the GCPD as they operate alongside the Caped Crusader. The Hollywood Reporter quotes a statement by HBO Max, describing the series as "set in the world Reeves is creating for The Batman feature film and will build upon the motion picture’s examination of the anatomy of corruption in Gotham City, ultimately launching a new Batman universe across multiple platforms. The series provides an unprecedented opportunity to extend the world established in the movie and further explore the myriad of compelling and complex characters of Gotham." It is said that the world it occupies will tie into the mythology of Man of Steel.
DC’s Movie Schedule Begins In 2022
Hamada went on to describe the logic behind the plan. Movie theatrical releases will be reserved for the biggest, and most expensive, movies, like the next 'Wonder Woman', the 'Aquaman' sequel, and the long awaited 'The Flash' movie. The goal is to release four major movies per year, starting in 2022.
Along with the theatrical releases, DC will release another two movies a year based on comic books with lesser known characters. Another spinoff series is already under development by James Gunn from the 'Suicide Squad' comics. It will star John Cena as Peacemaker.
Hamada is looking for new TV spin-off possibilities with every upcoming movie release, each connecting back to the movie universe. “With every movie that we’re looking at now, we are thinking, ‘What’s the potential Max spinoff?’” Mr. Hamada told NYT reporters.
What About Zack Snyder? – And Other Questions
Zack Snyder fans will get their wish in March, when HBO Max begins to air the first part of the famed 'Snyder Justice' League cut. But – it appears that’s all they will get. The studio describes the project, which has swelled to a four-hour long movie, as a “storytelling cul-de-sac — a street that leads nowhere”. It’s worth noting that the Snyder cut will also feature a revamped version of Affleck’s Batman.
Hamada’s plans are markedly more ambitious than DC has been in the past two years, when only three movies were released. So far, DC’s superhero stable has generated $8 billion in movie revenues. Hamada is clearly hoping for more.
Hamada says part of the problem was a corporate culture of secrecy. “In the past, we were so secretive,” he said. “It was shocking to me, for example, how few people at the company were actually allowed to read scripts for the movies we are making.”
With two Batmans, one spin-off already and more in their plans, will audiences and fans simply have too much of the Caped Crusader? Hamada does not appear to be worried about the potential for confusion, not to say audience fatigue.
“I don’t think anyone else has ever attempted this,” he said. “But audiences are sophisticated enough to understand it. If we make good movies, they will go with it.”
