By now you already know that some big changes are coming as DC Studios reshapes the DCU franchise. Wonder Woman 3 is off the table, Man of Steel 2 could be next, and even Jason Momoa’s time as Aquaman could be numbered. So what’s up with Batman? Well, it turns out that a major project featuring the Dark Knight may have been scrapped, too.
Rumors swirling have suggested that a Batman project starring Michael Keaton was canceled, too. The Wrap’s Umberto Gonzalez has now confirmed this is true. Turns out, the project was a Batman Beyond movie with Keaton playing an older version of Bruce Wayne. Christina Hodson, known for writing Birds of Prey, the canceled Batgirl movie, and The Flash, was on the screenplay.
In the animated series and comics, Batman Beyond centered on a retired Bruce Wayne who trains Terry McGinness to be Gotham’s new protector. Fans have been clamoring for an adaptation for years, but it looks like they’ll have to wait.
In a way, this all makes sense. Upon Keaton’s announced return to the DCU, he’s been attached to The Flash movie most prominently, but he was also to be a major presence in the canned Batgirl film. Keaton was to have a role in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, but he was replaced by Ben Affleck who now might also be cut from the movie.
Keaton’s Batman was being positioned as a mentor figure to upstart crime fighters. But if you’re going to cancel Batgirl, which is where Keaton was to have the most significant part, then it makes sense to get rid of his other appearances, as well. This makes me wonder if his scenes are still included in The Flash.
On another sad note, this is the second project written by Hodson to get the axe. I thought she did an excellent job on both Bumblebee and Birds of Prey. I hope James Gunn and Peter Safran haven’t decided that she’s the problem. She deserves more projects to write, not fewer.
