DC Studios Taps The Flash & Bumblebee Writer Christina Hodson for New Batman Movie

DC Studios has finally tapped a new writer for its new iteration of The Caped Crusader, Batman, tentatively titled The Brave and the Bold. Per The Hollywood Reporter, veteran screenwriter Christina Hodson is writing the new Batman feature.

First revealed about three years ago in early 2023, The Brave and the Bold was first announced as a “father and son” story focusing on Batman/Bruce Wayne and his biological son, Damian, who eventually dons the mantle of Robin. Damian is also the daughter of Bruce’s on-again/off-again lover, Talia al-Ghul, making him also the grandson of the Batman nemesis and supervillain, Ra’s al-Ghul.

A child of two worlds, Damian is raised as an assassin before he comes under Bruce’s care, as the boy’s father tries to refocus him as a crime-fighting vigilante.

It’s currently unknown how far along the project is in the writing process. THR reports that one source said Hodson has been working on the project since as early as last fall. Another source said it would be some time before a definitive draft is delivered to the studio, as DC Studios is taking “a measured approach” to the project’s development.

Hodson previously served as the writer for the 2023 DC movie, The Flash, which was produced ahead of the Peter Safran and James Gunn regime and is still part of the precious cinematic DC Universe’s continuity. The Flash director Andy Muschietti was previously brought on board to direct The Brave and the Bold. THR notes that Muschietti is still part of the project, but his ultimately directing the movie will depend on multiple factors, including timing and availability.

Muschietti is currently a hot commodity with the recent success of Welcome to Derry, a spin-off of his popular It movies. It’s noted that a new season is currently in the works, although the show has not yet been officially renewed.

Additionally, Matt Reeves is currently in pre-production of his long-gestating sequel to The Batman, which is slated for an October 2027 release date and is expected to go in front of the cameras later this year. Reeves’ The Batman movies operate in a separate canon from Gunn’s new cinematic DC Universe.

DC Studios Gearing Up New Batman Project With Writer Christina Hodson

DC Studios reportedly wants to give Reeves’ movie some space before putting another Batman movie into the theatrical marketplace. Also, Gunn and Safran reportedly want their new Brave and the Bold movie to have a distinct enough tone and look so it will stand apart from Reeves’ films, regardless of when it gets produced.

Then there is the Batman movie now in preproduction from filmmaker Matt Reeves and actor Robert Pattinson. DC is said to be giving Reeves’ project ample space to breathe and is no rush to put forth another Batman feature into the marketplace. It wants to make sure that Brave and the Bold is distinct enough in tone and look to stand apart, regardless of when it gets made.

Additionally, DC Studios head and filmmaker James Gunn recently voiced that he won’t allow two Batman movies to be released in the same year. Speaking to fans on his Threads account, Gunns stated, “I think both Batman and WW [Wonder Woman] are incredibly important, but I’m also not going to have two Batman movies come out in the same year.”

Besides her work on the DC Universe with The Flash and Birds of Prey, Christina Hodson also wrote the highly and critically praised live-action Transformers movie spin-off, Bumblebee. She also penned an unproduced Batman Beyond script for Warner Bros. Pictures.

The Brave and the Bold doesn’t have a release date yet, and it probably won’t for a while. The Batman, from director Matt Reeves and starring Robert Pattinson, arrives on October 1, 2027.