This Canceled DCEU Movie Still Hurts, But I Think It Might Be Able to Fix This Bat-Family Problem

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The current slate of DCU projects features a lot of ties to Batman so far, which is no surprise since he’s arguably the most popular superhero on the planet. The first Batman-related project will focus on a villain who has yet to make a live-action debut. Clayface is set to hit theaters in September 2026 and so far, no director is attached, but the film’s script comes from Mike Flanagan. Dynamic Duo is another Batman project moving forward at DC Studios that will follow Dick Grayson and Jason Todd using groundbreaking animation. That film is still a ways off, and it’s unclear if it’s part of the DCU or Elseworlds. Of course, Matt Reeves is working on a sequel to The Batman that was recently delayed to October 2027. Meanwhile, DC Studios also announced Andy Muschietti as the director of The Brave and the Bold.

The Brave and the Bold will tell the story of Bruce Wayne and his son, Damian. Unlike The Batman — Part II, The Brave and the Bold will feature a different Caped Crusader since it’s part of the DCU, at least, that’s what came out two years ago. There’s also a rumored Bane and Deathstroke film in the works at DC Studios from Matthew Orton. While there are already a lot of Batman-adjacent projects in the pipeline from DC Studios, I think the studio needs to add one the DCEU nearly made years ago to do the Bat-Family justice.

The Lego Batman Movie’s Director Was Set To Direct a Nightwing Film

Dick Grayson first appeared as Nightwing in Tales of the Teen Titans #44, by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez.

Brenton Thwaites became the first actor to play Nightwing in live-action on the Titans series.

Nightwing is the mantle Dick Grayson takes on after his days as Robin come to an end. In 2018, Warner Bros. announced a plan to make a live-action Nightwing film with The Lego Batman Movie director Chris McKay on board. The film was in development at a time when the DCEU was still ongoing and would’ve likely been incorporated into it. However, the Nightwing film eventually fell apart due to the changes happening at Waner Bros. that led to the formation of DC Studios and the DCU. Nightwing is a character with a ton of potential since Dick Grayson is one of the greatest comic book characters ever, who still awaits a proper live-action adaptation. A Nightwing film set in the DCU can finally fulfill what fans have been wanting to see for years.

“That was gonna be a father and son story and also a revenge movie, which I was really excited about because there’s a lot going on in that script. It was gonna be really primal and pared down and like a real red meat movie in the best way.” — Chris McKay on his axed Nigthwing film.

There’s also a chance McKay’s plannedNightwing film could still work within the context of the DCU since it’s an established universe. Therefore, DC Studios can easily slot the film in with the rest of the project, with indications pointing toward a Batman who has been fighting crime for a few years since he’s faced off against villains like Doctor Phosphorous. While there’s still a lot up in the air about the direction DC Studios will take Batman, one element everyone wants to see is a proper Bat-Family since recent film adaptations have ignored this major part of the character’s history. A Nightwing film is the perfect way to put it front and center finally.

A Nightwing Film Could Feature Barbara Gordon in a Prominent Role

While Bargirl appeared in Batman & Robin, the 1997 film changed her character and made her the niece of Alfred Pennyworth.

A Batgirl film was notoriously filmed but unreleased before the formation of DC Studios.

Because Dick Grayson was the first character to take on the Robin mantle, he has a lot of ties to those who would eventually join Batman’s crusade. One of the most prominent relationships Dick Grayson has is with Barbara Gordon, otherwise known as Batgirl. Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon’s relationship is one of the best in all of comics that’s awaiting proper execution on film. If DC Studios made a Nightwing film, I think Barbara Gordon should play a major supporting role, not just as a love interest, but as a fellow crime-fighter as well.

DC Studios could also go in a different direction and make Barbara Gordon Oracle, her alias after The Joker makes her paralyzed. Either way, Barbara Gordon is a character who’s also long overdue for a live-action film appearance, especially since Warner Bros. recently canceled the Batgirl film. Including Barbara Gordon in a Nightwing film would be a very natural way to bring her into the DCU, in the same way Superman will feature Krypto. It also adds another costumed hero who can help Nightwing and whatever challenge stands in his way.

A Potential DCU Film Could Explain the History of the Robin Mantle

Since the DCU also plans on including Damian Wayne in The Brave and the Bold, that means Batman has gone through a few Robins at this point, and the idea of the mantle is something that could confuse general audiences. It would also be a lot for The Brave and the Bold to properly fit in all the Bat-Family lore to honor the source material, but that’s where a Nightwing film can come in. In addition to including Barbara Gordon, a Nightwing film can also feature another Robin like Tim Drake to become a Bat-Family team-up.

Tim Drake is the third person to take on the Robin mantle and has also been part of Nightwing comic book stories before. The DCU could also take a page out of the Batman: The Animated Series episode “Old Wounds,” where Dick Grayson explains the falling out he had with Bruce Wayne to Tim Drake. A Nightwing film could also find a way to incorporate Jason Todd, the second character to become Robin, who died famously to The Joker in the comics, only to come back as the villain Red Hood. Moreover, a potential Nightwing film has a chance to make Red Hood the villain, a move that could tie all the Bat-Family members together in an epic story. Robin is one of the most notable characters in comic book history, but due to his absence from the film for so long, many are unfamiliar with characters other than Dick Grayson, who has held the mantle. A Nightwing film can be the ultimate Bat-Family film and explain the Robin mantle, similar to how Titans did, just in a more faithful way.

Looking at James Gunn’s Superman, the film will feature a Man of Steel already seasoned with a built-out world full of many supporting characters. The same will occur with Batman, and that means he will enter the DCU with many of the crimefighters associated with him. While The Brave and the Bold will likely feature Bat-Family members like Dick Grayson, the film’s focus will be on Bruce and Damian Wayne. So, while The Brave and the Bold can tease Batman’s costumed partners, a Nightwing film can not only give Dick Grayson the spotlight he deserves but also properly introduce other major players like Barbara Gordon.

The Bat-Family is one of the best parts of Batman’s lore that has been severely missing from the live-action film side for too long. The DCU has the opportunity to make it right, plus it’s an easy way to set it apart from past Batman reboots. However, it’s also a huge undertaking since there are so many characters part of the Bat-Family that deserve exploration, and it will require more than just one film to do it right. A Nightwing film feels like an inevitability if the DCU succeeds in the way I hope it does. If the film becomes a reality, then it can finally do justice to the Bat-Family and tell an amazing story in the process.

“}]] I think this potential DCU film needs to happen so it can properly tell the story of the Bat Family.  Read More