James Gunn Shrugs Off Fan Demands for Classic Batman Suit
James Gunn says Batman’s look isn’t as crucial as the story or the actor, despite fans pushing for the iconic blue-and-grey suit with white eyes.
Ever since James Gunn, now co-CEO at DC Studios, revealed plans for a fresh take on the Dark Knight in The Brave and the Bold, punters have been vocal about what they want to see. Top of the wish list? A return to the classic blue and grey get-up, complete with a yellow oval around the bat symbol and those unmistakable white eye lenses. But Gunn’s not exactly rushing to please the crowd on this one.
Gunn’s Priorities: Character Over Costume
When a fan recently pressed him on social media about the white lenses, Gunn replied,
The most requested thing would be the blue and grey. Then the yellow around the bat. And THEN the white eyes. But all of those things I find less important than the character himself, the writing, and the person who plays him.
He’s made it clear before that, for him, the real heart of the story isn’t in the details of the suit. Gunn’s not fussed about whether Batman’s belt is yellow or if there’s a yellow crest. He’s more interested in who’s under the cowl and how the story unfolds.
Fans Want Nostalgia, Gunn Wants Substance
There’s been a fair bit of back-and-forth online, with some fans almost religiously attached to the old-school look. Gunn’s previously commented,
There's a religious aspect to some of this stuff that's very uncomfortable. Should Batman have white eyes? That's a big subject of conversation. It's like, 'Guys, that's really what matters?' But those are the things they care about. Should his utility belt be yellow? Should he have the yellow crest around the bat? All of that sort of stuff. None of those things are what's most important to me. What matters is the character, the story.
For Gunn, it’s not about ticking boxes for nostalgia’s sake. He reckons the focus should be on the bloke behind the mask and the yarn being spun.
New Direction for The Brave and the Bold
The upcoming film, The Brave and the Bold, is set to feature not just Batman, but Robin and maybe a few other members of the bat-family. Andy Muschetti, who copped a bit of flak for The Flash in 2023, is on board to direct. To be fair, Michael Keaton’s return as Batman was one of the few things that went down well in that film. Muschetti’s work on the IT films and the Welcome to Derry spin-off shows he’s got a knack for darker material, which could suit the Caped Crusader nicely.
Who Will Wear the Cowl?
As for who’ll actually play Batman in this new chapter, that’s still up in the air. One thing’s certain: it won’t be Robert Pattinson, whose own version of the character will continue in a separate storyline with The Batman Part 2, due out in 2027. For now, fans will have to wait and see if Gunn sticks to his guns or gives in to the calls for a more traditional look.
If you’re keen to keep track of what’s next for the DC Universe, there’s plenty more on the horizon with a stack of films and shows in the pipeline.