Around this time last year, we got confirmation that The Flash director Andy Muschietti had been enlisted to helm the Batman: The Brave and the Bold movie for DC Studios.
“We saw The Flash even before taking the reins at DC Studios, and knew we were in the hands of not only a visionary director but a massive DC fan,” DC Studios co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran said in a joint statement at the time. “It’s a magnificent film – funny, emotional, thrilling – and Andy’s affinity and passion for these characters and this world just resonates through every frame.
So, when it came time to find a director for The Brave and the Bold, there was really only one choice. Luckily, Andy said yes. Barbara signed on to produce with us and we were on our way. They’re an extraordinary team, and we couldn’t have better or more inspiring partners as we embark on this thrilling new adventure in the DCU.”
Then the movie came out!
Though The Flash does have its share of defenders (it sits at a "fresh" 63% on Rotten Tomatoes), it did not perform well at the box office (to say the least), and hying the film up as "one of the best superhero movies of all time" backfired spectacularly in the eyes of most fans.
Rumors soon did the rounds that Muschietti had been taken off the project, but nothing concrete. Gunn assured fans that this wasn't the case, but the reports have persisted.
In their report on today's new trailer for The Penguin, Deadline mention that Muschietti is still on board. But during tonight's episode of The Hot Mic, co-host John Rocha said he'd heard that the filmmaker had parted ways with The Brave and the Bold, but the studio simply hasn't made it official yet.
We're obviously more inclined to go with Deadline, but keep in mind that the trades will keep saying Muschietti is still attached until they are told otherwise, and several reliable sources have now claimed otherwise.
For now, all we can do is take Gunn/DC's word that the project is moving forward smoothly. The GOTG director recently debunked a report that casting is underway, but we have heard that the studio may have someone in mind.
Along with a new take on the Dark Knight, The Brave and the Bold will introduce a very different Robin in the form of Damian Wayne, a "murderous tween raised by assassins who also happens to be the son Batman never knew he had."