Warner Bros. Stay Away From This Batman Spinoff

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Key Takeaways

  • The DCU should resist creating a Joker spinoff due to overexposure concerns.
  • Keep Joker in films as his backstory has been well-covered.
  • Focus on underrepresented DC characters like Selina Kyle for future spinoffs instead of the Joker.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of comic book movie-watching under my belt, I can confidently say that the DCU has been on a roll with their recent spinoff series, and The Penguin was no exception. However, I’d like to caution them against creating a Joker spinoff, despite the clamor for one.

With the completion of the first season of “The Penguin”, it’s an opportune moment to revisit the remarkable achievement that spin-off series of “The Batman” represented. Some critics had reservations about the DCU following the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) approach with these character-centric spinoffs, fearing they might not hit the mark. After all, while the MCU has produced some exceptional shows, it’s also experienced its fair share of misses. Given James Gunn’s recent revamping of the DCU, such a move seemed risky and potentially precarious.

Contrary to expectations, “The Penguin” proved to be one of the top shows on television this year, making it among the best in several years. With showrunner Lauren LeFranc achieving success with the series and Matt Reeves mapping out “The Batmanverse,” there’s a strong likelihood that more spinoff shows will be produced. Although this is likely positive news, there’s one aspect that Gunn and his team should exercise caution with. There’s a character who doesn’t require a spinoff series of their own because it’s essentially unnecessary.

The DCU Needs To Fight This Urge

Shortly after it was evident that “The Penguin” proved successful, whispers began about a potential second “The Batman” spin-off series. Although there’s a strong possibility of another spin-off in the future, these rumors suggested they had already decided on the central theme for this spin-off. Reportedly, it was intended to revolve around the infamous villain, the Joker. Fortunately, James Gunn later debunked those claims. The positive aspect is that he dismissed the idea. However, the anticipation and demand for a series featuring the character will undoubtedly escalate when “The Batman Part 2” premieres in theaters, causing the buzz around another spin-off to rise significantly.

The possibility exists that anticipation could significantly increase, given rumors about The Joker appearing as a secondary antagonist in the next film and then becoming the primary villain for The Batman Part 3. Some fans may push for a standalone series to further develop this character before it takes center stage in that movie. However, Gunn should be cautious not to succumb to these requests.

Keep Joker In The Movies

One major point is that Joker doesn’t necessitate a separate series because the character has become extremely familiar due to excessive exposure in comic book movies. With numerous actors portraying him, there isn’t much left unexplored about his persona. Although some might find it intriguing to delve into his origin story or even his rise to power similar to The Penguin, it should be remembered that such narratives have already been explored.

Although Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of the Joker in his movie doesn’t align with the DCU’s established lore, its contemporary narrative has provided a fresh backstory that viewers can relate to any on-screen Joker character. Unfortunately, both Joker 2 and its critical reception were disappointing financially and critically. In light of these circumstances, it seems James Gunn is eager to breathe new life into the character, but he should resist this urge as much as possible. Fortunately, it appears that for now, he acknowledges there are numerous other characters deserving their own spinoffs.

Underrepresented Characters Need More Focus

It appears that Gunn and his team are uncertain about which character will star in the upcoming spinoff series, as there have already been a couple of potential ones cancelled before filming began. This could be positive for those eager for the stories to revolve around more intriguing characters rather than the Joker.

It appears that Gunn and his team are uncertain about who will be chosen for the upcoming spinoff series.

One possible character who might star in a standalone film is Selina Kyle, who played a significant role in “The Batman” and could reappear in “The Batman Part 2.” Additionally, she made a brief appearance in “The Penguin,” suggesting that she may serve as the link to another potential spinoff.

In the Batman universe, there are other intriguing characters aside from Batman himself. A more grounded Mr. Freeze could be captivating. King Shark with a greater human element might also be worth exploring. Bane is getting his own film, but a series centered around him could be worth considering too. There are numerous DC Comics characters that could make an excellent spinoff in the style of The Penguin, and it would be best for Gunn to steer clear of the Joker until the movies are done.

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2024-11-21 04:05