James Gunn's the Man of Steel's introduction in Superman, which paves the way for more than a dozen other installments in the DCU's Gods and Monsters franchise.

Although Matt Reeves' The Batman was a massive hit and anticipation for both The Batman - Part II and James Gunn's Superman is extremely high, Reeves' The Batman continuity will not be integrated into the DCU. The DCU will get its own Batman in Andy Muschietti's The Brave and the Bold, while Robert Pattison's Dark Knight continues his journey over the course of a trilogy of his own. That said, there's one significant similarity between Gunn and Reeves' modern interpretations of the World's Finest.

David Corenswet’s Superman & Robert Pattinson’s Batman Are Paying Homage to Christopher Reeve & Adam West

Gunn's Superman and Reeves' The Batman Honor The '60s and '70s Portrayals

Matt Reeves’ The Batman may seem like one of the grittiest and most grounded interpretations of the Dark Knight yet, but it has more in common with Adam West’s iconic 1960s portrayal than any other live-action adaptation. The Batman's most notable nod to the '60s series and '66 movie is Robert Pattinson’s cowl, which mirrors West’s with its rounded design, short ears, and reflective seams that catch the light in a similar fashion to the original costume’s highlighted brow and nose. Wayne Manor includes a Shakespeare bust and a rotary-dial telephone, and the Batmobile’s muscle car aesthetic echoes the sleek, stripped-down design of its 1960s counterpart.

The Batman also features exactly the same DC villains as the 1966 Batman movie: the Riddler, the Penguin, Catwoman, and the Joker.

Meanwhile, James Gunn's Superman pays homage to Christopher Reeve's iconic Man of Steel. The trailers feature a modernized rendition of John Williams’ legendary Superman: The Movie score, and Gunn's Superman promises to have the same hopeful tone as the 1978 movie. David Corenswet’s alternating performance between a shy, bumbling Clark Kent and a confident, commanding Superman marks the clearest contrast since Reeve’s portrayal. With Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen back in the spotlight, and details like a more comics-accurate Fortress of Solitude and Superman’s red trunks, James Gunn’s Superman embraces the unapologetic charm that defined Reeve’s era.

Gunn’s Superman & Reeves’ The Batman May Pull Off A Feat Previous DC Movies Failed To Achieve

James Gunn And Matt Reeves Successfully Bring Reeve's Superman And West's Batman To The Modern Day

James Gunn's Superman and Matt Reeves' The Batman aren't the only movies that have honored Christopher Reeves' Man of Steel and Adam West's Caped Crusader. Bryan Singer's Superman Returns intended to be a direct continuation of Superman II, set in the same continuity as the Reeve-led Superman films. But while it referenced previous events and featured similar performances, Superman Returns struggled to capture the same sense of wonder and lighthearted action that made Christopher Reeve's Superman so distinctive. Ultimately, Superman Returns didn't land well with audiences and critics, leading to Man of Steel's total reboot a few years later.

Robert Pattinson's Bruce Wayne lights up a flare in a flood in Matt Reeves' The Batman
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One blink-and-you-miss-it detail from the new Superman trailer raises questions about a possible crossover with Matt Reeves' The Batman franchise.

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Less than a decade before Superman Returns, Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever and Batman & Robin aimed to recapture the lighthearted, campy spirit of the Adam West era, steering away from the darker tone set by Tim Burton’s Batman and Batman Returns. While Batman Forever found some commercial success, its overly stylized visuals and self-aware humor divided audiences. Batman & Robin doubled down on the camp, but its poor reception ultimately derailed the franchise, paving the way for Christopher Nolan’s darker, grounded Batman Begins reboot just a few years later.

Superman & The Batman’s Respect For Their Movie Roots Is A Good Sign For DC

The DCU And The Batman Trilogy Aren't Afraid To Return To Their Classic Roots

David Corenswet as Superman on the cover of Welcome to Metropolis

James Gunn’s DCU Superman and Matt Reeves’ The Batman trilogy are quickly becoming definitive modern portrayals of their respective heroes. Even in an era saturated with superhero content, neither of them resort to reinventing their respective heroes from scratch in order to keep up with contemporary trends. Superman and The Batman aren't afraid to bring back elements from the 1960s and 1970s to the 2020s — not out of nostalgia, but driven by their respective directors' clear vision of how to reintroduce them for today’s audiences. Such confidence in both properties is remarkable following the darkest and more realistic interpretations of both DC characters: Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy and the DCEU.

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