Batman Solo Movie: Top 5 Ideas

As many of you are aware, DC has many projects lined up for the future. But one that has the most speculation behind it is Matt Reeves's Batman Solo film. This film has produced so many headlines and it doesn't even have a release date yet. From Ben Affleck (Argo, Batman V. Superman: Dawn Of Justice) stepping down as director and writer of the film, to Matt Reeves (Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes, Let Me In) stepping in as director and writer, and now news that pre-production has been pushed back to later this year!

Whilst no points been properly mentioned I'm going to make a list of 5 ideas for what the plot for the new Batman film could centre around. I'm not saying that these stories MUST be in the film. Matt Reeves is a good director and story-teller, also a grown man who can make his own decisions. But these are just some ideas that could work as either the main story or story elements if the creative team went in any of these directions. 

1. Red Hood

Gonna talk about this idea first. This is the story that many fans both believe and want the Batman film to be about. Mainly because it's a good story. It's a very emotional and personal story for Batman. And it's already been set up in Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016, Zack Snyder) when Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) looks at Robin's uniform with graffiti written on it by The Joker (Jared Leto) saying "HAHAHA! JOKE'S ON YOU BATMAN!". A Clear reference to the Death In The Family story arc, where the 2nd Robin, Jason Todd, was murdered by the Joker. And then years later would be resurrected and become the anti-hero, Red Hood.

Whilst I wouldn't mind this story being told, as it already has a set-up, and Red Hood is one of my favourite DC characters, I feel like the Red Hood story has already been told. Once in the animated film, Batman: Under The Red Hood (2010, Brandon Vietti) and in the video game Batman: Arkham Knight (2015). Also, many audience members may criticise the film for being too similar to Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014, Anthony & Joe Russo).

So, if they really wanted to make Red Hood the antagonist it would have to be a fresh take on the story that stands away from the other tellings. Arkham Knight changed it up by renaming the character and then revealing who he really was at the end.

2. The Bat-Family

Segwaying from Red Hood, what would really make the new Batman film stand out from previous films is to have a focus on the Bat-Family. Because whilst Batman has arguably the best villains in comics he also has the best-supporting characters in comics. All of which have been popular enough to have their own comic lines. But they've never really been in the films that much, so many audiences aren't entirely familiar with them. But if they were in the Batman film then that can be fixed.

Like Red Hood, the Bat-Family is also being set up in the DCEU. Nightwing has been announced with Chris McKay (Lego Batman Movie, Robot Chicken) directing and so has Batgirl movie, although that project has been put on hold as of late. So having the Bat-Family in the film wouldn't be out of place. It would also fit very well for Batman's current story arc. In Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016, Zack Snyder) he starts off as an isolated loner who's anger and fear causes him to be detached and untrusting of those around him. But as he goes on he opens up more. Even widening his circle of trust and forming the Justice League in... well, Justice League (2017, Zack Snyder, Joss Whedon). So if he's carrying on becoming more trusting then it would make sense to branch out to allies from his past. Such as the Bat Family.

However, there are some problems with this idea. If the film has too many supporting characters then it can take the focus away from Batman himself. Something that I doubt Affleck will want. He may not be directing but this is still his film! (Assuming the rumours are false). And many members of the Bat family 

3. Deathstroke

This is something that Batman fans have been wanting to see in Live-Action for a while now. Ever since Ben Affleck teased it in August 2016. Two of DC’s greatest fighters going head-to-head! Batman: The World’s Greatest Detective Vs. Deathstroke: The Terminator! (Joe Manganiello). Many fans thought that the showdown would take place in Justice League (2017, Zack Snyder) but sadly it didn’t. Instead, Deathstroke was limited to after-credit tease. But, with the new Batman film, that showdown can finally be delivered!

Deathstroke, now, seems to be at an all-time high in popularity. He has his own comic book title, he’s appeared in various video games such as Batman: Arkham Origins and Injustice: Gods Among Us, he’s appeared on the CW show Arrow as a main villain/anti-hero, and many fans loved his brief cameo at the end of Justice League. So, it would be an idea to capitalise on this new popularity by having him in the Batman Solo Film.

The only problem I can really think of is that Deathstroke doesn’t always work when he’s the main villain. It worked in Arrow because the writers had changed his character a fair deal to make it work. Personally, I think Deathstroke is at his best when he’s working for somebody else. So, if they have him working for someone else to take on Batman I think it could work.

4. Batman VS Joker

This is perhaps the least original idea I can think of. The Batman/Joker rivalry is arguably the most iconic rivalry, not just in comics but in all media. They are the perfect polar opposites to one another and their bloody feud has been told and retold so many times. Each time adding and evolving the relationship. So it would be great to see it again on film.

However, I understand why some people would not want this. We have already seen Batman and Joker fight each other on the big screen. From the 1966 film with Adam West to Tim Burton's Batman (1989) and just 10 years ago in The Dark Knight (2008, Christopher Nolan). With the last example being considered the best Comic Book film ever made. So why try and do that again? It's just going to look unoriginal and is open to comparison with all of its predecessors.

Well, I would argue that if the creative team wanted to do a Batman VS Joker story then they can make it stand out from the others. We have already seen the DCEU's versions of Batman (Ben Affleck) and Joker (Jared Leto), and they are very different to all of the other cinematic interpretations. So their relationship is probably different as well. Also, we actually have yet to see the two interact. We had a brief glimpse of them together in Suicide Squad (2016, David Ayer) but nothing very tangible. So it'll be good to see them together. Besides, if your version of Batman doesn't fight The Joker at all, then does it really count? It's like playing The Doctor from Doctor Who and never fighting the Daleks. You don't truly feel like the character until you've done it.

5. Batman VS Lower tier villains

Or, if Matt Reeves and Ben Affleck think the Batman/Joker war is overdone then they can always go for a villain that not many people are aware of. Maybe even using one of the sillier villains from the early days of the comics and re-imagine them into a whole new character. Because whilst Batman has some of the best villains he also has many very silly villains as well.  

A good example of what I'm talking about is Calendar Man. He debuted in the 50s and was really dumb. He had a silly costume and a daft gimmick. He was laughable at best. But then writer Jeph Loeb reimagined the character for his story arc Batman: The Long Halloween where Calendar Man was a serial killer who killed people on certain holidays. He became more of a Hannibal Lector-esque villain by assisting Batman from his prison cell. He was terrifying!

Now I know not all of Batman's lesser known villains can be reimagined or improved. Villains like The Condiment King or Crazy Quilt are basically unsalvageable. But if Reeves is feeling creative then it would be good to see something different done with a Batman movie.

So those are ar my ideas for the Batman Movie. What do you think? Are there ideas that you like or don't like? Or do you have another suggestion that I didn't think of? Please write a comment down below. And, if you liked what you read then you can follow this blog for more content. Thank you for reading!