The DC Animated Universe is being rebooted like everything else, leaving ample room for new ideas and a revival or two. However, despite Marvel’s success going the latter route with X-Men ‘97, DC Studios’ creative lead James Gunn isn’t interested in relaunching a popular team-up series in his vault.
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When pitched the idea of a Justice League Unlimited reunion on Threads, set maybe in 2007, Gunn said he wasn’t planning on returning to that well, though he had kind words for X-Men ‘97. “X-Men ’97 is fun because it’s unique and not desperately trying to follow the trends of everything around it. So I’d rather just keep doing that,” he posted in reply.
Arguably, Gunn is wrong that Marvel and Disney Plus aren’t following a trend. Without the spate of continual reboots, legacy sequels, and nostalgia bait deeply rooted in entertainment today, there wouldn’t be an X-Men ‘97 or a follow-up of any kind.
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Moreover, he has a golden opportunity to give the same crop of nostalgic fans buying back their childhoods something that they would really want. That’s true for JLU as beloved as it is, but it also goes for something as celebrated and unforgettable as Batman Beyond, perhaps even more so.
Every time there’s been a shift in the leadership and the creative direction at DC Entertainment / Films / Studios, the idea of a Batman Beyond movie (or revival in some form) has come up. At one time, it looked like a sure thing with Michael Keaton in the picture. We know how that worked out.
In the animation realm, there is precious little holding back a sequel or reinvention of either Batman Beyond or Justice League Unlimited. Some recasting is in order with Kevin Conroy and Arleen Sorkin gone, and Mark Hamill probably isn’t game for more Joker antics without them.
But it can be done – as cold as that sounds – and has been done time and again with each animated feature and project. Never forget that George Newbern replaced Tim Daly as Superman and he remained the voice of the Man of Steel for years.
Regardless, most of the JLU cast can return like they didn’t miss a beat, and without interrupting Gunn’s current plans. As long as he can slap the ‘Elseworld’ or ‘multiverse’ or ‘standalone’ label on it, a reinvigoration can go forward if he allows the audience to eat their cake.
X-Men proves they will certainly be seated to at least have a slice. [That is, of course, if they don’t screw it up. Sadly, in current year, they probably will – which you don’t need me to tell you.]
