Exclusive: The Next Batman Will Be Black
A Black Batman film is in the works at Warner Bros.
This article is more than 2 years old
A Black Superman is on the way, and now a Black Batman is the next idea on the table over at Warner Bros./DC.
According to our trusted inside source – the same one that has provided Giant Freakin Robot with multiple confirmed exclusive scoops that have included Bruce Campbell appearing for a cameo in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Monica Rambeau being a main character in the upcoming Disney+ series Secret Invasion, and Chloe Bennet returning as Quake for a new Marvel series – Warner Bros./DC is developing a Black Batman movie in a similar vein as their Black Superman movie. Our source says that this character will not be Bruce Wayne but a totally different person who will take on the mantle.
We don’t know if this Black Batman will be a brand new character like the approach to the new Black Superman. There is a chance that we could see a comic book character make their way to the big screen for the first time. There are actually a few choices that the filmmakers could draw upon if they wanted to adapt a character from the comics. There is Timothy Fox, the estranged son of Bruce Wayne’s friend and colleague Lucius Fox. Timothy has taken over the role of Batman in the recent Future State event in the comics and would probably be the most likely candidate for the role.
But there are other contenders to be the first Black Batman on the big screen. There is also the character of Batwing. The first Batwing was David Zavimbi and he was known as the Batman of Africa. His hometown is the African city of Mtamba and is exceptionally corrupt. Could this be a way to also avoid the familiar setting of Gotham City? Setting an entire Batman movie in Africa would be a truly different approach. However, if they wanted to play with a little more familiarity, they could pick the second Batwing, Lucas Fox, to be the first on-screen Black Batman. Lucas is also the son of Lucius Fox but is not estranged like Timothy. That would offer a more direct connection to some well-known facets of the Batman mythos.
We have to imagine that development on this project will be directly tied to how well the new Superman reboot eventually performs. There will be a lot of eyes on that project all throughout its development, and it is almost certain that Warner Bros./DC will be gauging the sentiments around that production throughout its development. If the Black Superman movie starts to gain hype, they will probably fast-track the Black Batman movie through development.
As is the case with Superman, Batman has been exclusively played by White actors in major motion pictures. Creating a Black Batman would offer the opportunity to do something brand new with the character. It will be interesting to see how far along this project can be developed. Hopefully, the new Superman reboot will be successively received and we can see the same treatment given to the Caped Crusader.
