Fans are eagerly awaiting a solo Batman movie in the DC Extended Universe, but the real question on everyone's lips is will Ben Affleck return to the role for his own solo adventure. Although Matt Reeve's The Batman was quite frankly amazing and well-received, it wasn't a part of the DCEU.
But with James Gunn taking over the reins, fans feel that the property is in good hands, and a solo Batman movie has been slated, by the man himself, to be on the way. Batman is without a doubt the most popular DC Comics character and the Caped Crusader has had hundreds of stories throughout his 84-year-long history. Storylines like Hush, The Killing Joke and Under the Hood should be made into live-action, but certain others should never see the light of day.
10 Batman: Three Jokers
Although Batman: Three Jokers does have its fans, the storyline was quite decisive among readers. The story explains that there were actually three separate Jokers throughout DC Comics, explaining why the Joker's character changes from a criminal to a silly clown villain to a then a comedian.
The story although had an interesting concept was just simply not needed, every character who has been around for as long as the Joker has evolved and changed through the years. Batman was silly at one point does that mean there have been two different Batmen? As DC fans have never had a solid Joker in the DCEU, this storyline would be an unnecessary confusion and there are much better Joker and Batman stories to tell first, like the Killing Joke.
9 Batman & Robin: Batman Reborn
Batman & Robin: Batman Reborn was the start of a new chapter for Batman & Robin, Dick Grayson takes the mantle of Batman with Bruce Wayne's son Damien becoming the fourth (or fifth) iteration of the Boy Wonder. The story is a refreshing take on the dynamic, and it has its place in the lore of Batman.
However, with no solo Batman story, this one should not be the place to start. Although it would make sense considering Ben Affleck isn't nailed on to don the cowl again, Dick Grayson could become Batman to continue the continuity of the movies. Fans just don't want this, they want a Bruce Wayne solo Batman story in the DCEU and this story should be reserved for much, much later down the line.
8 Batman: Venom
This is a very controversial story, in Batman: Venom, Batman fails to save the life of a young girl and decided to use an experimental drug known as Venom to help give him an edge. Venom, of course, is the drug that Bane uses, but he first appeared in 1993, this story was first published in 1991. Batman was the first venom user.
The story just goes against everything Batman stands for, and it is completely out of character for him to do something like this. This would be one of the last tales that should be told on the big screen. Leave the venom for Bane.
7 All-Star Batman & Robin
Written by Frank Miller, All-Star Batman & Robin, switched the dynamic of Batman & Robin it presented the World's Greatest Detective as violent, cruel, abusive and downright just a horrible person. Especially towards his adoptive son, Robin.
Miller is known for his gritty and violent stories, but this one was a step too far, Batman is meant to push Robin but not be abusive towards him. It just was not what fans wanted to see, and it is no surprise that this run did not continue for a long time. A child-abusing Batman should never see the silver screen. The DCEU needs to include a Robin story, but leave this one as a comic.
6 Batman R.I.P.
Batman of Zur-En-Arrh was first introduced back in 1958, as a separate character, an alien Tlano who operates as the Batman of planet Zur-En-Arrh. The story ends ambiguously with readers questioning whether the story actually happened or if it was all a dream
The character returned in Batman R.I.P. in 2006, this time as a backup personality as Bruce Wayne who was more violent and unhinged than Batman. Although it was a callback to the 1958 story it made no sense, why would a more violent version of Batman operate in a red, purple and yellow suit? This story can remain in the comics as it would just bring a silly element to the movies and fans would like a more grounded Batman story.
5 Anything With Bat-Mite
Bat-Mite is without a doubt the most bizarre member of the Bat-family, a magical imp from a different dimension who makes Batman his idol. The character is not a mainstay in the Batman lore, but he has made his fair share of appearances.
In the HBO series Peacemaker set in the DCEU series Bat-Mite actually gets a reference, proving he is canon in the universe, even confirmed by James Gunn on social media. But maybe because he can, doesn't mean he should and Bat-Mite is very much just a joke character and his stories should not be involved in a solo Batman move in the DCEU.
4 Batman: Knightfall
Fans may be questioning why this story has been included in this list, one of the most famous and popular Batman storylines. When Bane finally breaks the bat, Jean-Paul Valley assumes the role of Batman while Bruce recovers and dons a technology-based Batsuit. To be truthful, this would make a great live-action Batman movie.
However, this story has been done in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises, although not a completely accurate interpretation, it would just be too similar for fans who want a refreshing and new Batman story.
3 Batman: Bloodstorm
An Elseworlds story, Batman: Bloodstorm answers the question, what if Batman would become a vampire? Fans maybe got the answer to this in The Batman, but the other way around what if a vampire (Edward Cullen) became Batman?
Perhaps this story would be a bit too far-fetched for a movie, but it certainly would be an interesting crossover as the vampire in question is Dracula. The DCEU should not expand into multi-verses and alternate realities just yet, fans just want a continually shared universe similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and hopefully, that is what James Gunn can deliver.
2 The Dark Knight Strikes Again
No question about it, Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns is one of the best Batman stories ever written, it actually inspired Ben Affleck's Batman look in his introduction in Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice.
But its sequel, The Dark Knight Strikes Again is less than spectacular, with fans and critics stating that the story and artwork were subpar, and it was not a scratch to its predecessor. Set in the future an older Batman comes out of retirement once again, this time to stop Lex Luthor's tyrannical rule over the United States. The story is just not told as well as the premise suggests and should remain on the page. A movie based on the original should definitely become an Elseworlds movie, maybe with Michael Keaton reprising his role as Batman once again.
1 Batman: Night Cries
This Batman story is just too dark for the live-action movie, in Batman: Night Cries, the Caped Crusader teams up with Commissioner Gordon to track down a serial killing vigilante who is killing child abusers. Putting morality into question and making Batman consider what is right and wrong.
It just wouldn't make for pleasant viewing, although Batman should have some dark elements this is just a step too far, and it may cause some issues for certain viewers. It is best to leave this one on the page and focus on some more uplifting stories, but not too uplifting as that is just not Batman.