xeleron
21-07-16, 10:34
Even though Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice has proven to be hugely controversial since its release four months ago, praise for Ben Affleck’s role as Bruce Wayne a.k.a. Batman has been near-universal. Given both of these facts, all eyes have turned to the upcoming Batman solo film – to be co-written and directed, as well as starring, Affleck – as being either the saving grace of the still-fledgling DC Extended Universe or its undisputed shining star (or both).
So far, however, most of the official pronouncements on the film have been rather, well, sparse. We know, for example, that DC Comics Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns will be helping Affleck to write it , that it’ll be an original story , that it’ll feature Batman being the world’s greatest detective , and that Affleck refuses to release it until he’s happy with the finished product. Now, however, we might be getting something a little more definite – unofficially, of course.
According to a recent report over at Batman on Film (http://www.batman-on-film.com/batman-on-film_solo_batfleck_rumor_set-in-Arkham_7-15-16.html), the site has been contacted by several sources stating that the Batman solo spinoff will not only be set in the famed Arkham Asylum, but that it’ll also feature the Dark Knight himself being locked up in it. The report goes on to note that this would fit with previous rumors the editor-in-chief has been hearing, revolving around a heavy presence of Bat baddies in the movie.
http://imagecurl.com/images/16132855489075486703.jpg
Arkham, of course, is the famed repository of the Caped Crusader’s voluminous rogues gallery. Though it’s been popularized since 1989’s seminal Arkham Asylum: Serious House on Serious Earth graphic novel, the location has had a bit of a hot streak as of late, with Rocksteady Studios’ critically acclaimed Arkham Asylum series (even if the latest release, Return to Arkham, has seen something of a massive delay ). Not to mention, there have been rumors of an Arkham cameo appearance in next month’s Suicide Squad. Placing the solo Batman film in this setting would make a great deal of sense.
But the part of the rumor that sticks out more is the tidbit claiming that Bats will be thrown into the insane asylum, as well. There are two possible scenarios here: Affleck is being informed by Serious House on Serious Earth (he did say his original story would have influences from the world of the comics), which features the inmates taking control of Arkham and demanding that the Dark Knight come in and join them. This would be something of a risky premise to follow, as Grant Morrison’s story is heavy on psychological symbolism and an ethereal tone, but light on fisticuffs and a traditional adventure story (and, at times, logic).
The second possibility involves the filmmakers doubling down on Batman’s extreme nature that was established in Batman v Superman, showing a vigilante getting so dark that he is finally deemed a threat and is tossed in with the rest of the villains (even though he’s soon to be a member of the Justice League, and even though doing so is supposed to change his character for the better ). This, also, would prove at least somewhat controversial – though the dramatic payoff of either approach could be manifold.
Suicide Squad is scheduled to arrive in theaters on August 5, 2016; Wonder Woman is slated for release on June 2, 2017; followed by Justice League on November 17, 2017; Aquaman on July 27, 2018; an untitled DC Film on October 5, 2018; Shazam on April 5, 2019; Justice League 2 on June 14, 2019; an untitled DC film on November 1, 2019; Cyborg on April 3, 2020; and Green Lantern Corps on July 24, 2020. The Flash and the Batman solo movie are currently without release dates.
So far, however, most of the official pronouncements on the film have been rather, well, sparse. We know, for example, that DC Comics Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns will be helping Affleck to write it , that it’ll be an original story , that it’ll feature Batman being the world’s greatest detective , and that Affleck refuses to release it until he’s happy with the finished product. Now, however, we might be getting something a little more definite – unofficially, of course.
According to a recent report over at Batman on Film (http://www.batman-on-film.com/batman-on-film_solo_batfleck_rumor_set-in-Arkham_7-15-16.html), the site has been contacted by several sources stating that the Batman solo spinoff will not only be set in the famed Arkham Asylum, but that it’ll also feature the Dark Knight himself being locked up in it. The report goes on to note that this would fit with previous rumors the editor-in-chief has been hearing, revolving around a heavy presence of Bat baddies in the movie.
http://imagecurl.com/images/16132855489075486703.jpg
Arkham, of course, is the famed repository of the Caped Crusader’s voluminous rogues gallery. Though it’s been popularized since 1989’s seminal Arkham Asylum: Serious House on Serious Earth graphic novel, the location has had a bit of a hot streak as of late, with Rocksteady Studios’ critically acclaimed Arkham Asylum series (even if the latest release, Return to Arkham, has seen something of a massive delay ). Not to mention, there have been rumors of an Arkham cameo appearance in next month’s Suicide Squad. Placing the solo Batman film in this setting would make a great deal of sense.
But the part of the rumor that sticks out more is the tidbit claiming that Bats will be thrown into the insane asylum, as well. There are two possible scenarios here: Affleck is being informed by Serious House on Serious Earth (he did say his original story would have influences from the world of the comics), which features the inmates taking control of Arkham and demanding that the Dark Knight come in and join them. This would be something of a risky premise to follow, as Grant Morrison’s story is heavy on psychological symbolism and an ethereal tone, but light on fisticuffs and a traditional adventure story (and, at times, logic).
The second possibility involves the filmmakers doubling down on Batman’s extreme nature that was established in Batman v Superman, showing a vigilante getting so dark that he is finally deemed a threat and is tossed in with the rest of the villains (even though he’s soon to be a member of the Justice League, and even though doing so is supposed to change his character for the better ). This, also, would prove at least somewhat controversial – though the dramatic payoff of either approach could be manifold.
Suicide Squad is scheduled to arrive in theaters on August 5, 2016; Wonder Woman is slated for release on June 2, 2017; followed by Justice League on November 17, 2017; Aquaman on July 27, 2018; an untitled DC Film on October 5, 2018; Shazam on April 5, 2019; Justice League 2 on June 14, 2019; an untitled DC film on November 1, 2019; Cyborg on April 3, 2020; and Green Lantern Corps on July 24, 2020. The Flash and the Batman solo movie are currently without release dates.