The Batman franchise remains DC's most successful, so it's no wonder the Dark Knight will continue to be a priority for Warner Bros. both on film and television for the foreseeable future.
Over the past 24 hours, you've surely seen the chatter online about Michael Keaton becoming the DC Extended Universe's main Batman in place of Ben Affleck, but we've known that there are big plans for the Bats of '89 to enter the world of the Justice League via The Flash for a while.
From plans for that take on the Dark Knight to a bunch of rumored and confirmed details about projects like The Batman, Batgirl, and the Joker franchise, we have the Caped Crusader fully covered here!
It may be time for other characters to move into the spotlight, but Batman clearly has no intention of sharing if these things you simply need to know about what comes next are any sort of indication...
10. Batman Becomes The DCEU's Nick Fury
When the news first broke that Michael Keaton had entered talks to return as Batman, The Hollywood Reporter's Borys Kit reported that, "[sources] say Keaton could end up playing Batman in a mentor capacity, a bit like Sam Jackson's Nick Fury, and appear in multiple movies."
That means Keaton's Bruce Wayne won't be de-aged for his role in The Flash, and will replace Ben Affleck to serve a very different role in the core DCEU.
Kit would add that Batgirl, a project we know is likely destined for HBO Max as a smaller budgeted film, is a strong contender for a future Keaton appearance. If that's still the plan, it means the actor will be on both the big and small screen.
Of course, the rate Warner Bros. is going, The Flash will also debut on HBO Max...
9. A Joker Sequel Remains A Possibility
Joker was a bigger success than even Warner Bros. anticipated, grossing over $1 billion globally and earning widespread awards attention and critical acclaim.
Around that time, we heard reports that the studio was keen on filmmaker Todd Phillips and star Joaquin Phoenix to re-team for a sequel. Both seemed open to the idea, if somewhat non-committal, and it seems probable this could start to take shape either in theaters or on HBO Max.
The door was left open for this Joker to clash with a Batman shaped by witnessing the loss of his parents at the hands of a "clown," and that could make for gripping viewing.
Joker works as a standalone story, but we remain hopeful for a sequel.
8. Ben Affleck's Farewell
It looked like Ben Affleck's time as Batman would end with Justice League after he decided against directing and starring in The Batman.
Much to the surprise of everyone, the actor has signed up to reprise the role in The Flash. Believed to be the equivalent of an extended cameo for the actor, the Scarlet Speedster's trip through the DC Multiverse is expected to serve as a farewell to Affleck's Batman, leaving Keaton's in his place as noted.
Wiping "Batfleck" from the DCEU's continuity may seem extreme, but it's a definitive way to end his story.
Hopefully, his exit will be handled in a memorable, meaningful way, with something akin to the Flashpoint comic when he received a letter from his father, the Batman of another world.
7. A New Batman Universe
With the DCEU, the home of franchises like Aquaman, Wonder Woman, and The Flash, using Keaton's Batman '89 as its new Dark Knight, where does that leave The Batman?
Directed by Matt Reeves, Robert Pattinson will wear the iconic cape and cowl on the mean streets of a new Gotham City located on an entirely different world. Set photos have teased different versions of heroes like Superman and Wonder Woman existing there, so it could be that the filmmaker even makes use of a new Justice League one day.
Warner Bros. is expecting filmgoers to be smart enough to understand that this Batman hails from a different world, just like The Dark Knight Trilogy and Joker.
You just know fans will soon be crying out for a crossover, though.
6. Batfleck Comes To HBO Max
Reliable sources have never reported this, but a persistent rumor online has been that Ben Affleck will deliver his version of The Batman on HBO Max.
This would offer fans some resolution, and give the actor and filmmaker the opportunity to tell the story he wanted (minus the pressures that come with reviews and box office receipts). Joe Manganiello would likely return as Deathstroke, while it's not outside the ream of possibility that Jared Leto's Joker and Jesse Eisenberg's Lex Luthor could come into play.
If WarnerMedia hopes to attract subscribers to HBO Max, then this is the way to do it.
The likelihood of it happening is a conversation for another day, but we can't help but hope WarnerMedia finds a way to make this a reality just as they did the Snyder Cut.
5. The Batman's Spinoff Series
Matt Reeves was supposed to team with Terence Winter (Boardwalk Empire) for The Batman's untitled HBO Max spinoff series, but "creative differences" mean a new showrunner is now being sought.
The working title is Gotham Central, and as Reeves revealed during DC FanDome last August, "You start to see the story from the point of view of these corrupt cops, one in particular. The Gotham PD series will go into the corruption of the Gotham Police Department...it goes back to Batman Year One...we'll see these characters from a perspective we've never seen before."
It's a fascinating premise, and one that sounds a lot more compelling than FOX's Gotham.
Currently, there's no word on whether Robert Pattinson will appear as Batman.
4. "Year Two"
Gotham Central is set during "Year One," but what about The Batman?
Matt Reeves' film is going to be a "Year Two" story, following Pattinson's Caped Crusader during the second year of his career as a vigilante. That means he has a little experience fighting crime, and is only just starting to make an impact on the corruption that's taken over his home thanks to organized crime.
This Batman is quite a bit different to any other version we've seen on screen before, not least because it appears he's wearing the remains on the gun Joe Chill used to murder his parents across his chest.
Rumor has it that Reeves is planning a trilogy, with a new Joker set to be introduced.
3. Catwoman And More Get Spinoffs
DC Films boss Walter Hamada was recently quoted as saying that with every new DC Comics film Warner Bros. gives the green light to, they're eyeing the HBO Max spinoff potential.
That could explain an old Variety report which states the film's villains are being eyed for spinoffs.
Catwoman is an obvious choice, though we'd be interested in seeing what could be done with characters like The Riddler and Oswald Cobblepot as well. Those two baddies are clearly in their formative years in The Batman, so spinoffs could delve further into what leads them down such dark paths.
If nothing else, a Catwoman series could and should be a priority.
2. Kingdom Come Batsuit
Michael Keaton is quite a bit older than when he first played Batman, and while concept art depicted him in that classic suit, we find it hard to imagine he won't be getting a new Batsuit at some point.
If some rumors are to be believed, that will be something akin to the Kingdom Come armour Bruce Wayne dons in his later years. The Flash will introduce this new look for the hero, establishing him as an experienced, broken down Batman whose fight against crime has taken its toll.
A related rumor claims Michelle Pfeiffer will also return as Selina Kyle, so the DCEU might end up with a new Catwoman too.
However, if Batman can no longer protect his home, who can possibly fill that void?
1. Batman Beyond
Batman Beyond was first introduced in an animated series which debuted in 1999 from the creative team of Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, and Alan Burnett. It served as a continuation of Batman: The Animated Series and focused on an older Bruce Wayne training Terry McGinnis to be the new Batman of a futuristic Gotham City.
Last July, it was reported that a Batman Beyond film is in development, and that ties in nicely to what we've heard about Keaton entering the DCEU as an older Dark Knight.
Terry's live-action debut is as long overdue as Miles Morales', so we'd love for this rumor to pan out.
Fans have been asking for this movie for years, and it seems Warner Bros. may finally have listened.