Matt Reeves' The Batman is one of the best films of 2022 due to the director's dark take on the Caped Crusader and for constructing a superhero story that is more grounded in reality. One of the film's best qualities is its reliance on being a detective story more than being a superhero epic with fantastical qualities and over-the-top special effects.
Even though The Batman was about as far from shared universe material as it could be, building that world into one filled with more fantastical and super-powered beings could work, if there’s a focus on how much this shakes the world and challenges Batman’s perceptions and beliefs. With the right setup, this Batman can work in the new DC Universe.
Batman Can Work With More Allies
While previous film versions of Batman mostly depict the character as a seasoned hero, Robert Pattinson's caped hero is just beginning his tenure, with the first film showing Batman in his second year of work as a vigilante hero in Gotham City. This leaves room for sequels to develop Batman as a superhero who has plenty of fighting and detective skills, but is also flawed due to inexperience and fewer gadgets. Eventually, Batman is capable of expanding his reputation as a solo hero, but he could also use more allies.
Aside from Alfred and Jim Gordon, Catwoman is one of Batman's best allies in the first feature, but since she leaves Gotham at the end of the film (she will most likely be back), Batman could use more partners in crime. The sequel is reportedly planning to bring in Robin, who is an ideal choice to be Batman's right-hand man. Unlike the jealousy factor that was established in Joel Schumacher's Batman & Robin, Reeves will potentially focus on a version of Robin that will share similarities with Batman (family losses, childhood trauma, etc.) while also establishing a meaningful partnership.
Robin would usually be the one who needs the guidance and mentorship of Batman, but to shake things up a bit, perhaps this sequel could focus more on Batman seeking a partner to look up to in order to further explore the dangers of Gotham. Since Robin was an acrobat and has a more comical demeanor, he could inspire Batman to lighten up his attitude, while the Dark Knight in turn shows Robin how to work behind a mask and investigate crimes. Batwoman can also be added into the mix to make the trio a strong unit of caped crusaders. While he worked well with Catwoman, Batman will be tested when working alongside others to prove himself as a leader and team member (perhaps he could form his own Justice League and bring in new characters like Green Lantern).
The Batman Can Take On Powerful Villains
So far, Robert Pattinson's Batman has taken on The Riddler and Penguin, two villains who are human and centered towards the serial killer and organized crime territories. However, due to Batman's powerful fighting ability and agility, he could potentially take on supernatural beings and fantastical villains without the series going over the top. There have been talks regarding Mr. Freeze and bringing him into the sequel. Freeze could challenge Batman in terms of physicality and become an environmental hazard for Gotham.
Aside from Mr. Freeze being a tragic bad guy who desperately tries to save his wife, The Batman sequel can show Freeze's evolution as a villain who is experimental with creating cold environments with concentrated freezing solutions. Similar to Batman, Freeze can form his own army (perhaps some villainous members of Arkham Asylum like Black Mask) to take on the Dark Knight and his team.
Batman is determined to take on any villain, but the main goal is to determine what his primary intentions are in Gotham. He fights bad guys, he solves crimes, and he saves innocent people. However, while previous versions of Batman were more optimistic about cleaning up corruption in the city, Pattinson's Bat character is more tormented and disturbed, signifying that he may not feel hopeful about his job, but will never give up the fight. Batman's alter ego, Bruce Wayne, also has a sad story not only because he lost his parents, but because he learns that they were flawed individuals mixed up with the wrong people.
Can The New DCU Overtake The DCEU?
The DC Extended Universe has had a bumpy road, but several superheroes and super villains have left their mark (Wonder Woman, Superman, Aquaman, the Suicide Squad). They may not be included in the new DC Universe, but it wouldn't be out of the question in terms of depicting different versions of these comic book characters and providing new perspectives. If there were to be powerful superheroes like these, that would force Pattinson's Batman to question how they will help or threaten the world, especially their impact on Gotham City.
Director Matt Reeves doesn't intend to compete with or outdo the DCEU (especially now that James Gunn will co-lead the way and determine the next set of films for DC Studios), but The Batman filmmaker can slowly build his own universe and combine human characters with fantastical beings by being practical and not rely solely on CGI or over the top special effects. Watching Pattinson's Dark Knight fight Superman or join forces with the Justice League to take on the Suicide Squad would be epic sights to behold. Whatever happens, Batman and the DC Universe are in good and capable hands.