Summary
The director of the upcomingResident Evilreboot has a “Batman-adjacent” script he hopes to produce next, and the focus of his story may have been revealed. NumerousBatmanprojects are already in development, with the DCU’sBrave and the Bold,The Batman Part II, and even a film centering onClayface. Still, with plans for further characters and stories, many of which include characters fromBatmancomics, there is always room for more in James Gunn’s bold new DCU.
Weaponsdirector Zach Cregger is currently working hard on a reboot of theResident Evilfilm franchise, having teased details about his plans for the horror game adaptation. However, the director also has his eyes set on a unique project involving aBatman-related script he wrote, which Cregger teased in the past, with hopes it could be his nextmovie afterResident Evil.
Zach Cregger Is Redefining Horror And Rebooting TheResident EvilFilms
Aren’t You Hyped Up ForWeapons?
Cregger got his start in comedy as part ofThe Whitest Kids U’Knowsketch series, which often pushed the envelope with divisive humor. He also co-wrote and co-directed the comedyMiss Marchwith fellowWhitest Kids U’Knowcollaborator Trevor Moore. However,Cregger gained further notorietyin 2022, writing and directing the breakout horror hitBarbarian.Critics were impressed byBarbarian’sever-changing point of view and unique narrative, which also saw audiences show up to see the modestly budgeted horror film land impressive returns at the box office.
Cregger has written and directed hisBarbarianfollow-up with his next film,Weapons, which is currently earning impressive early word of mouth, praising it as an ambitious horror outing. However, he is also hard at work on writing a reboot of theResident Evilfranchise, which he will also direct. WhileResident Evilmovies have hada spotty track record, Cregger is a fan of the games, and his current resume in the genre should put most fans at ease. Still, with all his success, Cregger has his eyes set on another big franchise project, with a script he penned for a story related to characters in theBatmanuniverse.
Cregger Is ‘Dying To Make’ A ‘Batman-Adjacent’ Script, Which A New Rumor May Have Identified
More Batman Is Generally Always A Good Thing
Cregger revealed back in 2022 that he had completed a screenplay for a movie that he described as “Batman-adjacent.“While speaking withBloody Disgusting’s Boo Crew Podcast whileBarbarianwas still in theaters, the writer and director discussed the early stages of what is nowWeapons, and let fans in on the fact that he had “written a movie that takes place in the DC Universe.” According to Cregger:
The thing I’d love to do next… I’ve actually written a movie that takes place in the DC Universe. Which is so not normally my thing; I’m not a superhero guy - I just couldn’t stop thinking about this one story that kind of takes place in a Batman-adjacent thing. And so I wrote it, and I’m utterly obsessed with it.
Cregger has shared his excitement about the script elsewhere, further delving into his “Batman-adjacent” idea withDiscussing Film, stating, “I would drop everything and go make that movie in a heartbeat.” While he didn’t delve into what his story was about, or who it focused on, Cregger did mention how he feels about the project when compared to his other works, stating:
It’s my favorite thing I’ve ever written. I love it, and I’m dying to make it. I have not talked to James Gunn in my whole life. I don’t know him, but I would certainly love to meet him and have the conversation. Who knows, man?
According to insider Daniel Richtman (viaComicBookMovie),Cregger’s “Batman-adjacent” screenplay is a movie about the Joker and Harley Quinn.Richtman is also positive that Cregger intends to pitch the script to the heads of DC Studios, James Gunn and Peter Safran, if he hasn’t already. While no plans involving the characters have officially been announced for the DCU, Cregger may be the man for the job.
Cregger Is Perfect For A Joker And Harley Quinn Movie, And So Is The DCU
It Can’t Be Worse Than 2016’sSuicide Squad
The Joker and Harley Quinn are undoubtedly two of the most popular characters fromBatman’scanon.They have led projects in comics, film, and TV. The animatedHarley Quinnseries currently has five seasons to its name, continuing to impress fans and critics. The character also leads Gunn’sThe Suicide Squadmovie, whereMargot Robbie portrays Harley Quinn. Robbie even produced and starred in aBirds of Preymovie featuring the character, which didn’t see a stellar box office but earned great reviews.
For years, the Joker has been Batman’s greatest foe, with standout performances from Mark Hamill inBatman: The Animated Series, Heath Ledger inThe Dark Knight, and Joaquin Phoenix inJoker. Ledger and Phoenix both won Oscars for their portrayals, proving the character’s continued complexity. WhileJoker: Folie à Deuxfeatured both characters, it severely missed the mark, giving audiences one of the worst live-action iterations outside of Jared Leto’s maligned performance. Still, that makes the characters primed for redemption, which Cregger and the DCU could do.
Gunn has already proven that the DCU is willing to take bold swings by greenlighting theClayfacemovie. The movie will not only focus on a difficult villain to potentially pull off in live-action, but also delves into the horror genre, leaving the franchise open to any great ideas.A Joker andHarley Quinn movie could beanother perfect way to bring a unique spirit to the franchise, playing like a Bonnie and Clyde-style story or a complex story about love and toxicity.FollowingJoker: Folie à Deux, the characters are also due for a proper screen outing together, which could prove profitable for the studio and exciting for fans. While Cregger’s script is still tightly under wraps, the current state of the DCU and the director’s success in recent years could lead to another distinct choice for the fledgling interconnected superhero franchise, and potentially evenBatman.
