DCEU: How Warner Bros. could make a Bat-Mite film

The Suicide Squad director James Gunn’s mention of Bat-Mite makes one wonder how Warner Bros. could make a film centered on the character.

Recently, on director James Gunn’s Instagram, a fan asked him who will be in his upcoming film, The Suicide Squad. Unfortunately, he couldn’t share any details. One fan claimed to like Bat-Mite, to which James Gunn even agreed. Right away, people have been quick to think or believe Bat-Mite will be in The Suicide Squad. That is highly unlikely; he cannot work as a team member, at all. Now, perhaps James Gunn can fit him in as an Easter egg or post-credits tidbit. Think of Howard the Duck in Guardians of The Galaxy. However, what if Warner Bros. were to devise a Bat-Mite film, with James Gunn at the helm? Such a film might work.

For those who are unaware of Bat-Mite, he is an imp from another dimension, similar to Superman’s Mr. Mxyzptlk. Just like Mr. Mxyzptlk, Bat-Mite possesses near-infinite magical powers that allow him to warp reality. One difference between the two is that Bat-Mite is neither threat nor villain. Instead, he is a huge fan of Batman and his work, ending up as more of a distraction or nuisance to the Caped Crusader. You can find him at his best in his old Silver-Age Pre-Crisis comics with Batman, his limited New 52 run and the Filmation animated series The New Adventures of Batman. He’s also worth checking out in Batman: The Brave and The Bold, where each episode he stars in is written by Paul Dini.

But how can a Bat-Mite film function you ask? People currently speak of or fear superhero fatigue. Numbers do not show this, but the idea alone is enough for some people. A Bat-Mite film does not necessarily have to exist within the DCEU. If anything, it can exist outside of it. Forgive me as we venture into a different genre, but a good influence would be two horror films from Wes Craven – New Nightmare and Scream.

Both of these films have meta, self-aware humor and nature. New Nightmare rests on that the entirety of the franchise of A Nightmare on Elm Street movies are just that — movies. Now, Freddy Krueger has decided to step out of film and into reality. Scream is something of a commentary on scary movies, as Neve Campbell’s character remarks why she doesn’t like scary movies:

"“What’s the point? They’re all the same, some stupid killer stalking some big-breasted girl who can’t act and is always running up the stairs when she should be running out the front door.Iit’s insulting.”"

Fair point. Yet later on, she does this when she cannot run out the front door. We can borrow from New Nightmare with Bat-Mite existing outside of the DCEU and of that reality, almost within our own to a degree. He sees all the Batman movies, from Adam West to Ben Affleck. He notices each one has its strengths and weaknesses. Now, he tries to assemble a superior Batman film, while even taking shots at the studio for their mishaps. Again, this would be self-aware humor much like above. And there’s no need to worry about Warner Bros.’ fragile ego, as even the film Teen Titans GO! To the Movies does a few things of this nature.

More from DCEU

• New Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom trailer pushes Arthur to his limits
• 7 actors who could replace Ezra Miller as The Flash in the DC Universe
• James Gunn gives interesting update of Superman and Supergirl movies at DC Studios
• All 7 Wonder Woman actresses ranked from worst to best
• All 8 Black Canary actresses ranked from worst to best

Who is the threat you ask? Well, the movie would not have a common antagonist. One can argue Bat-Mite is, as he represents the fan-boyish nature of slavishly following the comics and formula. Contrarily, the antagonist can also be the Hollywood system that is looking to just make a release date and sell merchandise, rather than make a movie. Right now, we live in an era where the idea is that Marvel is a light and fun, and DC is serious, dark and grim. People allow no room for the middle or feel all superhero films need to be of one particular formula.

Bat-Mite himself can navigate these two paths, as he tries to do a silly, fun and over-the-top Batman film to no avail. Only then he counters with a super dark, R-rated Batman film to no luck, either. The whole purpose of the film is basically to try to make a good Batman film without relying on conventions.

One fun dynamic the movie could take is to have both live-action and animation. Think Who Framed Roger Rabbit, with Bat-Mite as the animated character with maybe even other animated characters, including Batmen from the various cartoons in cameo roles. The film can also include live-action appearances from the likes of Michael Keaton, Christian Bale, George Clooney and so forth. We have our main character interviewing these actors and characters or bumping into them. Remember that Bat-Mite has reality-warping powers, so this is a possibility.

What do you think? Does the idea of Bat-Mite film sound good to you? Let us know by leaving a comment below.