Caped Crusader Cash Cow: More Batman in the DCEU is Implied as Ben Affleck Acquires More Creative Influence


It's not a secret that one of Warner Bros.' most profitable franchises in the studio's history is their Batman franchise. According to BoxOfficeMojo, the Batman franchise has brought in over $4.5 billion worldwide (unadjusted for inflation). In fact, three of the top five films in domestic grosses for Warner Bros. are Batman movies: THE DARK KNIGHT is No. 1 ($533M), THE DARK KNIGHT RISES is No. 2 ($448M) and BATMAN V. SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE is No. 5 ($326M), as of the publishing of this post.

The only Warner Bros. franchise who bests Batman is Harry Potter which has brought in over $7.7 billion worldwide. Financially, Batman is the top earner when it comes to the studio's ownership of DC Entertainment and their vast array of comic book properties.

BATMAN V. SUPERMAN may have had a big drop-off at the box office after its opening weekend, but the film has made over $864M worldwide. A big feat for any movie but the unfortunately fact remains that the box office potential for BATMAN V. SUPERMAN fell short. But not because of Batman.

Actor Ben Affleck was applauded as one of the best parts of the movie and Warner Bros. knows it too because some of the recent SUICIDE SQUAD reshoots are alleged to have a little bit more Batman in it. If true, a clear-cut sign Warner Bros. is moving toward a Batman-centric DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Which is to be expected.

Batman makes money Lots of money. Even National Comics changed its company name to DC Comics, which was a company name change based off the comic book Batman first appeared in, Detective Comics.

So it shouldn't be a surprise that Warner Bros. and DC Films have increased some of Affleck's creative influence within the confines of the DCEU. By making him an executive producer for JUSTICE LEAGUE as well as allegedly giving him more creative influence in the DECU moving forward, the studio is pretty much acknowledging that Batman is their biggest selling point to audiences.

Back in March, The Daily SuperHero proposed the idea of Warner Bros. and DC Films releasing a movie each year that has Batman in it. This year both BATMAN V. SUPERMAN and SUICIDE SQUAD will have Batman in it. In 2017, JUSTICE LEAGUE will have Batman in it. In 2018, there is no Batman, yet, but don't be surprised when Warner Bros. sets its open release date on October 5 for Affleck's solo BATMAN movie — which is confirmed to be in development. And, finally, in 2019, JUSTICE LEAGUE 2 will hit theaters and have Batman in it.

Sure sounds like a lot of Batman, but is there really such thing as too much Batman? Plus, giving Affleck more creative influence could lead to Batman cameos or appearances in other solo movies to give them a "Batman Bump" in interest, hype and box office potential.

Warner Bros. and DC Films are adapting to help ensure their DCEU is a big success and that road to success looks to lead to all-things Batman. Because... you know... Batman makes money... lots of it.


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Warner Bros. Confirms What You Already Knew ... Ben Affleck is Working on a BATMAN Movie