I'd Love To See Batman's Surprise 2025 DCU Debut From His Point Of View (& Here's How It Could Work)
By Dan Bibby
October 15th, 2025
Warning! Creature Commandos season 1 spoilers ahead!
Everyone is waiting to see Batman's debut in James Gunn's DCU, but it's easy to forget that the Caped Crusader has already shown up since the Snyderverse ended. There is, of course, Robert Pattinson's iteration of the character from Matt Reeves' 2022 movie, but THAT Batman exists in a self-contained canon. No, I'm talking about the Batman who has already made his first on-screen appearance in James Gunn's rebooted DCU canon.
What makes Batman's DCU debut especially interesting is that Gunn has yet to cast an actor to play the role. Instead, he appears to be focusing on other characters. While this is a little surprising given Batman's popularity, Matt Reeves is keeping fans satisfied for now with visits to his version of Gotham City. I'll admit that Batman's sole DCU appearance to date could easily be ignored, but I think it's worth a hefty revisit when Gunn decides who's going to play him.
What makes Batman's DCU debut especially interesting is that Gunn has yet to cast an actor to play the role. Instead, he appears to be focusing on other characters. While this is a little surprising given Batman's popularity, Matt Reeves is keeping fans satisfied for now with visits to his version of Gotham City. I'll admit that Batman's sole DCU appearance to date could easily be ignored, but I think it's worth a hefty revisit when Gunn decides who's going to play him.
Batman's DCU Debut In Creature Commandos Explained
James Gunn has confirmed that Creature Commandos season 1 is the first project officially set within the DCU. He also wasted no time in introducing Batman to proceedings, even if only very briefly. In episode 6, "Priyatel Skelet," Batman's signature silhouette can be spotted about to take down Alan Tudyk's Dr. Phosphorus after the villain's rise to power. The show premiered in late 2024, but it was 2025 before episode 6 aired.
Admittedly, the cameo gives very little away about the DCU's Batman other than his sense of justice, which isn't exactly a rare trait among other versions of the character. Everything else, including his suit design, has been kept under wraps for now. Still, it's cool that he was included in a Gotham-based storyline that would surely have caught his attention.
It should probably also be noted that Batman also showed up on one more occasion in Creature Commandos season 1, but it doesn't technically count as canon. In a false future shown by Circe (Anya Chalotra), big-name heroes like Batman and Superman are shown to have been killed in a war believed to have been started by Pokolistan. None of it turns out to be true, making that particular scene pretty much irrelevant when it comes to Batman's DCU story.
Admittedly, the cameo gives very little away about the DCU's Batman other than his sense of justice, which isn't exactly a rare trait among other versions of the character. Everything else, including his suit design, has been kept under wraps for now. Still, it's cool that he was included in a Gotham-based storyline that would surely have caught his attention.
It should probably also be noted that Batman also showed up on one more occasion in Creature Commandos season 1, but it doesn't technically count as canon. In a false future shown by Circe (Anya Chalotra), big-name heroes like Batman and Superman are shown to have been killed in a war believed to have been started by Pokolistan. None of it turns out to be true, making that particular scene pretty much irrelevant when it comes to Batman's DCU story.
Batman Vs. Dr. Phosphorus Would Be A Great First Live-Action Outing For The DCU's Dark Knight
Creature Commandos reveals that it was Batman who brought Dr. Phosphorus to justice, but it understandably skips every other detail when it comes to what Bruce Wayne's alter ego had to do to get to that point. It was Dr. Phosphorus' origin story, after all. Still, there are several possibilities for previous face-offs between the two characters that predate the scene shown in "Priyatel Skelet." A DCU Batman movie could revolve around one of those.
Plus, now that Dr. Phosphorus' heartbreaking origin story has been revealed, seeing Batman trying to apprehend him would make for an incredibly nuanced and layered story. The villain is surprisingly likable, and although he's done some terrible things, it would still be tricky to know who to root for in an ongoing feud between him and Batman. Plus, if Alan Tudyk reprises his role in live-action, I can't think of a better casting.
Plus, now that Dr. Phosphorus' heartbreaking origin story has been revealed, seeing Batman trying to apprehend him would make for an incredibly nuanced and layered story. The villain is surprisingly likable, and although he's done some terrible things, it would still be tricky to know who to root for in an ongoing feud between him and Batman. Plus, if Alan Tudyk reprises his role in live-action, I can't think of a better casting.
The First DCU Batman Villain Being Dr. Phosphorus Would Fix An Ongoing Comic Book Adaptation Problem
Dr. Phosphorus already kind of IS the first DCU Batman villain, but it'd be nice if it were made official by giving him a more substantial role opposite whoever ends up playing the iconic superhero. Plus, it would avoid yet another version of the Joker showing up. While I understand the importance of the dynamic between Batman and the Joker, there are so many other Gotham supervillains to choose from.
The Joker doesn't need to be introduced to the DCU quite so immediately as in previous adaptations. I'm certain he will show up eventually, but until then, I hope Gunn continues his trend of taking lesser-known DC characters and making everyone fall in love with them. Dr. Phosphorus would certainly fall into this category, as his role in Creature Commandos has already kick-started the process.
Furthermore, although the Joker didn't appear in the theatrical release of 2022's The Batman, Matt Reeves did release a canon scene after the fact that placed Barry Keoghan in the role. So, the Joker is generally expected to return when The Batman 2 drops in 2027.
I have nothing against two active live-action Batman projects, but the idea of having two separate cinematic versions of Batman vs. the Joker happening side-by-side seems incredibly redundant, and it'd probably be pretty confusing for casual fans. With any luck, James Gunn will opt for a different villain for the DCU's Batman to fight in his first proper appearance, and my vote would be for Dr. Phosphorus.
The Joker doesn't need to be introduced to the DCU quite so immediately as in previous adaptations. I'm certain he will show up eventually, but until then, I hope Gunn continues his trend of taking lesser-known DC characters and making everyone fall in love with them. Dr. Phosphorus would certainly fall into this category, as his role in Creature Commandos has already kick-started the process.
Furthermore, although the Joker didn't appear in the theatrical release of 2022's The Batman, Matt Reeves did release a canon scene after the fact that placed Barry Keoghan in the role. So, the Joker is generally expected to return when The Batman 2 drops in 2027.
I have nothing against two active live-action Batman projects, but the idea of having two separate cinematic versions of Batman vs. the Joker happening side-by-side seems incredibly redundant, and it'd probably be pretty confusing for casual fans. With any luck, James Gunn will opt for a different villain for the DCU's Batman to fight in his first proper appearance, and my vote would be for Dr. Phosphorus.
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