WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Justice League, in theaters now.
When it comes to both critical reaction and box office expectations, Zack Snyder's Justice League failed to hit the mark despite Warner Bros.' lofty expectations. However, one aspect of the film many fans believe Snyder got right was when the film's heroes banded together to fight Steppenwolf and his Parademons. It's worth noting, as well, that a big part of this team dynamic coming down to its leader: Batman.
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While Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice painted a darker, more violent Batman, Justice League frames the Dark Knight as a more inspirational and heroic warrior, which ironically comes at a time where Affleck's future as the character is actually uncertain. Despite the actor saying that he's staying on in the DCEU, reports persist that the studio wants to cut ties with him.
Matt Reeves, who took over directorial duties from Affleck, is also reportedly ready to press on with a new vision for Batman's solo flick, with Jake Gyllenhaal being mentioned as his preferred replacement, leaving fans even more confused. While all this Bat-drama continues to unfold, Justice League quietly offered a solution for all parties involved, with a simple road map for moving forward: Remove Bruce Wayne from the DCEU -- well, for the most part.
Just after the League is beaten up by Steppenwolf at the Gotham City Harbor, we see a battered Bruce back in his hangar where the team reconvenes. In a private conversation, Wonder Woman sees his discomfort and more so, the bruises on his body, which reiterate the fact that he's a man fighting among gods... literally. "You can't do this forever," she tells him, to which he responds, "I can't even do this now."
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It's a cheeky remark and cements in her mind his bravery and humanity, and just why he's meant to lead the League. But on closer inspection, this potential meta-statement offers the DCEU a bold opening for the Caped Crusader's cinematic future. After Superman's triumphant return helped defeat Steppenwolf, we saw Bruce apparently turning Wayne Mansion into the Hall of Justice. This provides an opportunity for the DCEU to push Affleck to the background, though not fully eliminating his presence, by passing the cowl on to a younger Batman.
A Nightwing script is already finished, though director Chris McKay is reportedly still searching for the right Dick Grayson. Could the process be taking a bit longer than usual because Warner Bros. is also searching for its future Batman? Imagine the end of the Nightwing movie a scene where Bruce shows up to hand off the mantle to his former protege.
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This type of succession would allow the studio to stick to its established continuity. Affleck's Bruce would become the DCEU's version of Nick Fury, more or less, running an officially sanctioned League while recruiting and training for the next potential invasion. This would allow him to investigate, in true detective fashion, the arrival of Darkseid and the Anti-Life Equation, exploring the mystery of the cosmic DCEU by scouring the globe for clues. Who knows -- maybe he'd even be the first Leaguer to make first contact with a Green Lantern.
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Such a move could allow Reeves' Batverse to flourish without being constrained by Bruce's shadow, perhaps cherry-picking the best aspects of 2009's Batman: Battle for the Cowl storyline from writer/artist Tony Daniel for a big screen event.
This creates an entry point into the DCEU for characters like Tim Drake as the detective-type hero that Reeves wants in his movie, a vengeful Jason Todd (whose death was already teased in BvS) walking that fine line of being a vigilante or a criminal, and even Azrael, the crazed Batman who took over when Bane broke Bruce's back, to all join Dick-as-Batman in applying their own brands of justice to Gotham. While multiple Batmen would be a very ambitious approach, it would certainly breath fresh life into the character's big screen mythos, while simultaneously fast-tracking the history of the Bat-family without having to undertake the near-impossible task of detailing every single one of the Robins involved in the franchise.
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The DCEU has to move away from Bruce Wayne as Batman if it's to show genuine growth. It also needs a younger Batman for potential Justice League sequels, and we've had that seasoned, battle-weary Batman already. Taking Bruce out of the spotlight to oversee things in a limited, cameo-esque role could even give Bruce the chance eventually reunite with his son Damian during one of his world-roaming covert missions.
A solution along these lines works, both for Affleck and for the studio as everyone look towards not just repairing the DCEU, but creating the basis for it to grow and thrive. It's an aspect of superhero storytelling that Marvel Studios got right, and which Warner Bros. needs to take note of if it's to ensure the evolution and survival of the DCEU.
In theaters now, Justice League stars Ben Affleck as Batman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Henry Cavill as Superman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Jason Momoa as Aquaman, Ezra Miller as The Flash, Ray Fisher as Cyborg, Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, Ciarán Hinds as Steppenwolf, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor and J.K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon.