Warner Bros. Discovery's "10-year plan" for the DCU involves unifying the franchise under one banner, and based on comments from CEO David Zaslav, that may not bode well for multiple versions of the same character currently occupying the same space.
While updating on the progress made by recently-appointed DC Studios co-heads, James Gunn and Peter Safran, Zaslav revealed that the pair are “coming close to the end” of finishing a bible (a document roadmap that outlines key characters and plot points) for the DCU.
“I think over the next few years, you’re going to see a lot of growth and opportunity around DC, there’s not going to be four Batmans. And so part of our strategy is drive the hell out of DC, which James and Peter are going to do. I think they’ve thrilled the fans. I think they’re going to thrill you over a period of time.”
Right now, Robert Pattinson is playing The Dark Knight in Matt Reeves' "BatVerse," which is separate from the main DCU. Ben Affleck will return as his take on the Caped Crusader for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom and The Flash, while Michael Keaton will also appear as Batman in the latter.
Zaslav's comments could be interpreted a couple of different ways, but he certainly seems to be indicating that only one of those actors will be staying on in the role moving forward. We know a sequel to Reeves' highly successful first outing is in the works, so is there a chance Gunn and Safran are planning to fold The Batman movies into the DCU?
The Flash is expected to serve as something of a "reset" for the DCU, and since the movie will involve parallel realities and "Variants" of the same character, there are several options available to Zaslav and his team.