The superhero genre is getting stronger emphasis soon, particularly with Marvel and DC's upcoming cinematic efforts. DC made multiple huge announcements last year and held an exciting virtual con with DC FanDome to the delight of the fans. DC Films announced that they plan to release six movies a year starting in 2022, which as of now includes The Batman, The Flash, and Aquaman 2.
Interestingly, of those six, two will be smaller-budget, more experimental HBO Max originals. Also, there will be two ongoing cinematic sagas involving Batman: the primary, interconnected DCEU and Robert Pattinson's Batman from elsewhere in the multiverse. It's an incredibly ambitious plan, but here's how these multiverse plans could work with three Batmen.
Michael Keaton As "Nick Fury" Batman
Of the most logical ways to make Michael Keaton work as a senior Batman beyond his supporting role in The Flash is one that's been reportedly being discussed already. That's to have Keaton's version not necessarily be the absolute center of attention in multiple DC movies, but still have him in more movies.
Given that Batman is already pumped throughout comic books and comic book-based media, and that Keaton was already Batman 28 years ago, he doesn't need to be the main character of another set of Batman solo movies. Instead, he could take on a role akin to Samuel Jackson's Nick Fury in the MCU. Meaning, a still-important and fan-favorite character, but doesn't steal the thunder of the current crop.
Batfleck's Theatrical Closure, Transition To HBO
With The Flash having both Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck returning to star as their respective Batmen throughout the multiverse concept in a Flashpoint-inspired story, the movie could work to close Affleck's theatrical run at Batman in a satisfying manner, then transition over to HBO.
The DCEU started on pretty rocky grounds, and while Affleck is a tremendously-talented actor, the movies' reception and off-screen struggles forced him to bow out early. Despite the rough beginnings, his Batman has potential, backward and forwards. Reintroducing him in 2022, then having his Batman continue through HBO Max could be the best of three worlds.
Reeves', Pattinson's "Batman Cinematic Universe"
2022 will see a solo Batman movie regardless of mainline DCEU developments and course corrections, making Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson's The Batman a reboot. But with the multiverse forthcoming "reboot" doesn't necessarily mean what it normally might to some. With the DCEU continuing as planned, the Batman and Gotham City that Reeves is building will be in an uninterrupted alternate timeline "Earth-2."
Since Batman in the DCEU didn't end up going as originally planned, this universe could become DC's "Batman Cinematic Universe," which might be for the best as it might escape studio interference and mainstream formula restrictions and tropes.
It's sort of started already, as Reeves is also producing a GCPD spinoff prequel series on HBO Max. This potential plan could provide fans with two worlds with two distinct atmospheres, giving them well-crafted variety--if executed well.
Terry McGinnis
DC could use Keaton's potential role as the catalyst for Bruce Wayne becoming the direct mentor to Terry McGinnis. Terry is, of course, the beloved protagonist of the late '90s to early '00s Batman Beyond animated series. The classic show has been the topic of fan requests into live-action for over a decade now, and bringing Keaton back as Batman (temporarily) begs a subsequent Beyond adaptation, especially with the actor's current age.
It'd be a massive disappointment to throw away this potential golden egg, and it could result in a great bolder, more experimental Max original DC movie. A blend of Blade Runner and Batman is a mouth-watering concept.
Batfleck's Original Script For HBO
As suggested, Batfleck is open to at least a couple of potentially exciting possibilities. For one, before Affleck stepped down, he was set to direct, write and star in his own movie. Despite the rough introductions to the DCEU generally, it would have been great to see what he would've done with the character himself given his talent. His script was reported to have taken inspiration from the iconic Knightfall arc, but using Joe Manganiello's Deathstroke in the role of Bane's.
It was also allegedly set to partly take place within Arkham Asylum, seemingly drawing inspiration from another influential comic in Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth. With these ideas hypothetically at play, it would make a great, more creative HBO Max movie.
Batfleck's "A Death In The Family" For HBO
Clearly, DC's plans to have two more creative, bolder annual HBO Max original movies is inspired by Joker's success from how it changed up comic book-storytelling convention. And while A Death in the Family was just the pretext for Batman v Superman's unhinged Batman, this story could open the door for something great.
Fans could finally see proper build-up and in-depth exploration of the "origins" for BvS' Batman and help fill in gaps. It would also provide emotional, visual context to that movie in a similar way that The Clone Wars and Rebels retroactively improved certain aspects of the prequels. A Max movie touching on the events of Robin's murder would be an excellent reason for Batfleck's return by going backwards in Batman's DCEU timeline.
Batfleck HBO Limited/Miniseries
An alternative is to make these into original spinoff limited/miniseries. This could work out if DC prefers to save the two HBO movies to be for properties that haven't gotten nearly - or any - exposure themselves. Understandably so since Batman gets plenty of exposure as is.
This would be a way for fans to have their abundance of cake and eat it too. Plus, DC's succeeded in this already with Watchmen, which is already on HBO, and might satisfy even more than a couple ~ 2.5-hour-long movies.
Robin In Reeves' Universe
Warner and DC seemed to have gotten on the same page about Reeves and Pattinson's The Batman being the theatrical future for the character. In most Batman movies, the Caped Crusader starts out a "lone wolf." However, there has been quite some time since the Boy Wonder appeared on-screen.
Fans have yet to see a good, live-action adaptation of Robin so this could be the Batman universe where we finally see Dick Grayson. This would, of course, have to be further down the line in a sequel, but it'd be great to see the Dynamic Duo form on the big screen akin to the Dark Victory comic.
Terry's Batman In A Lead DCEU Role
With Keaton set to appear in a Flashpoint adaptation, Terry McGinnis' Batman could eventually jump into the DCEU theatrically. If the DCEU course corrections contain further Justice League team-ups and want a Dark Knight as a major part, transitioning McGinnis Batman as Bruce's replacement in the Trinity could be the answer.
Terry would be an exciting, fresh way to inject new blood and life into the interconnected part of the DCEU's multiverse. This would surely turn heads and give more reason to come back to the DCEU for those that had checked out. A Max original movie could be the drumroll to this.
Balance Things Out With More Superman
Despite being 1/2 of World's Finest, Superman hasn't gotten the justice he deserves theatrically. Modern big-screen adaptations eventually fizzle out, leaving fans wondering when they'll get another shot and if it'll have to be another reboot. Henry Cavill as Superman was another unfortunate casualty to DCEU's early shortcomings despite looking great in the role.
Henry deserves a proper chance to inject freshness into his iteration, and it'd be great to do so now to give fans something to deservedly gush over. Plus, it would perfectly balance the scales for all the Batman content coming. Solo projects could give welcome variety and also eventually give them crossovers with each other.