Hoping for Sci-Fi & Fantasy Elements in…

In recent news, Matt Reeves, director of “The Batman”, has confirmed his sequel won’t incorporate fantastical elements. Instead, it’s set to stay grounded in realism. For the past two decades, starting from “Batman Begins”, all Batman films have followed this realistic route. However, DC Comics’ Batman tales often opt for large and fantastical narratives. While Reeves’ Dark Knight chooses reality, we expect another larger-than-life Batman with the upcoming DC Universe’s (DCU) “Brave and the Bold”.

Fans hope for a departure from Reeves’ and Christopher Nolan’s approach, with a view to embracing science fiction, fantasy, and the extravagant facets of the comics. Here are the primary elements essential to the DCU Batman to distinguish it from the past 20 years of films.

Batman’s Sci-Fi Villains

Many of Batman’s classic villains have a sharp bend towards science fiction. Figures like the plant-controlling Poison Ivy, the shape-changing Clayface, and the tragic characters, Mister Freeze and Man-Bat, represent this. These foes, born from unraveled science experiments, are iconic to Batman’s storyline.

Regrettably, due to the kitschy nature of Batman and Robin, characters like Freeze and Ivy have been blackballed in the last 20 years. Still, three decades have passed, and it’s time for their big-screen comeback. Depicting them as sci-fi villains doesn’t mean they need to lapse into camp-style, just consider the sophisticated animation in Batman: The Animated Series. While these characters might not fit into Matt Reeves’ Gotham, they could find a home in James Gunn’s DCU.

The Supernatural Adversaries

Notorious in the Dark Knight’s story, he battles against colorful criminals and tragic sci-fi freaks. Yet, he also challenges supernatural enemies.

Remember Ra’s al Ghul from Batman Begins? Fans are asking for an immortal version of Ra’s, courtesy of his regular dives in the mystical Lazarus Pits. This version, along with his daughter Talia, is conspicuously missing from the screen. Also, it’s high time we saw the zombie Solomon Grundy and possibly even the spectral Gentleman Ghost. Fingers crossed the DCU Batman introduces a slightly spooky aspect.

The Vampire Antagonists

In the “supernatural enemies” category, batman has a subgroup for the undead. Since the Dark Knight’s early days, he has encountered numerous vampiric characters. For example, in 1939, he battled a vampire named the Monk.

In subsequent years, he sparred with the vampire seductress Nocturna and even turned into a vampire when he faced Dracula himself. This particular encounter unfolded in the comic trilogy Batman/Dracula: Red Rain. A cinematic faceoff between two dark souls in dramatic capes, one good, one evil, is overdue. Fans hope the DCU Batman ventures into this territory, wooden stakes and all.

The Mystical Allies

Just as Batman has supernatural foes, he also has mystical allies. Figures with connections to the magical realm often assist Batman. For instance, Bruce Wayne, in Batman: Caped Crusader, calls upon the voodoo specialist Papa Midnight. Furthermore, Wayne seeks assistance from immortal demon Etrigan and sorceress Zatanna. It would be refreshing to see Batman in a movie admitting he isn’t an expert in all fields and turning to his magical accomplices for help.

The Bat-Family

Although not sci-fi or fantasy per se, Batman working with a slew of youngsters, seen as ludicrous in modern cinema, is an integral part of the Batman saga. The upcoming “Brave and the Bold” is sure to feature Damian Wayne as Robin, and probably Nightwing too. However, fans yearn to see the rest of Batman’s allies on screen.

Recent Batman films have avoided showcasing Batman’s partners, possibly due to the Schumacher films. It’s time for cinema to reclaim Batman’s allies such as the various Batgirls, the Huntress, and the Signal, and portray them as magnificently enduring as they are in the comics.