Ever since the premiere of The Dark Knight in 2008, people have been asking about a potential sequel, and whether or not it will feature the Batman and Robin of the silver screen. Eight years later, with the 2017 release of the highly anticipated Wonder Woman, the question has been answered. Robin’s appearance in the upcoming film has reignited interest in another adventure for our favorite Caped Crusader and his Boy Wonder. And while we wait for more on that front, here are the top five most viable candidates for a Robert Pattinson-starring Batman movie that could potentially happen.
1. LEGO Batman
It’s been a big year for LEGO movies, what with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice hitting theaters last year and an all-star line-up of superheroes appearing in the just-released LEGO Ideas 51st anniversary collection. While it would be cool to see Batman in a LEGO movie, it’s not necessarily a done deal. Far from it, in fact. But with the popularity of the Caped Crusader right now and the upcoming LEGO Justice League movie, there’s no question that he’d make for an interesting character to explore in a LEGO film. Especially since we already know he has a large LEGO collection. But let’s be realistic here guys, we all know that anything is possible in Hollywood. And right now, I’d put my money on a LEGO Batman movie being one of the most probable sequels to The Dark Knight.
2. Suicide Squad
Like LEGO Batman above, Suicide Squad has also had a big year, thanks in part to the huge success of its upcoming teaser trailer. The internet went crazy for this footage, with many calling it the best trailer of the year. It shows us a darker side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. One that we haven’t seen before and might not be ready for once we actually see the movie. But regardless, it’s clear that Warner Bros. is interested in exploring this dark side of the Suicide Squad and what makes them special (and unique). As well as their willingness to try new things suggests, it’s clear that they want to expand the Suicide Squad brand, much like how Marvel Studios shifted gears towards superhero blockbusters after the critical and commercial success of their Iron Man franchise.
3. Aquaman
Another character that’s been gaining a lot of popularity recently is Aquaman. Thanks to his impressive feat of capturing the hearts of fans with his compelling character arc in Justice League, where he goes from a straight-up dickhead to a caring and self-sacrificing leader, the character seems to be emerging as a favorite of both audiences and mainstream critics alike. While some may argue that such a transformation isn’t possible, given the character’s history, it’s clear that Warner Bros. is interested in giving Aquaman the cinematic universe he deserves. And after Justice League, it wouldn’t be a far-fetched assumption to suggest that the studio would be giving serious consideration to an Aquaman film. As well as an eventual solo film (assuming the character doesn’t appear in a Justice League sequel).
4. Shazam!
One of the most groundbreaking films of the 2010s was Walt Disney Studios’ Shazam!, which brought comics to the big screen in a way that was both exciting and new. Director David F. Sandberg took the concept of an “accessibility barrier” and broke it down, showing audiences what would happen if they didn’t hide how much they loved comics behind a mask. Based on the popular Marvel comics character, Shazam! starred Asher Angel as Billy Batson, a teenage boy who transforms into a grown man with the power of Shazam. During the film’s original press tour, Sandberg spoke about how important it was for people to see children and adults sitting down together and enjoying a shared experience of cinema, something that had previously been restricted to an adult audience. While it’s not the first time that Disney has ventured into animation, it’s clear that they’re interested in taking their relationship with comics a step further, exploring the characters that defined the modern era and giving them the cinematic treatment they deserve. With Shazam! hitting theaters this month, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Disney jump at the opportunity to turn this popular character into a blockbuster.
5. Black Panther
Finally, let’s not forget about the King T’Challa who rules over the fictional African country of Wakanda. After years of being overshadowed by his more famous and versatile cousin, Black Panther finally got the cinematic universe he deserves with the incredible success of Captain America: Civil War. It’s been a while since we last saw T’Challa, as he hasn’t been featured in a film since 2014’s Fantastic Four. But with the character’s popularity continuing to rise, even after years of obscurity, it’s clear that Marvel would love to see the king take the cinematic stage once more. And given that Black Panther is one of the most complex and intriguing characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it would be a difficult feat to recreate on the silver screen. Especially since it’s not like T’Challa was just waiting around for his big break.
Which One Is the Real Batman?
There you have it. Five of the most probable sequels to The Dark Knight, as chosen by yours truly. While it would be fun to see each of these films, with the exception of LEGO Batman, I think we can all agree that the most probable sequel will be The LEGO Batman Movie. Why? Well, beyond the fact that it’s the most likely of the five options to actually happen, it also boasts one of the biggest and most diverse casts ever assembled for a live-action theatrical release. And since we already know that Robert Pattinson is a big fan of the Caped Crusader, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the actor reprise his role as Bruce Wayne for one last hurrah before his inevitable retirement from the role. What are your thoughts? Were there any characters that you feel should have been on this list? Let us know in the comments below!