Why the internet is freaking out over Christina Hodson DCU Batman rumors

But should we actually be worried?

Let’s get one thing straight. We are years away from Batman’s entry into the DC Universe with a planned movie titled The Brave and the Bold. Before that happens, studio co-CEO James Gunn wants the non-DCU sequel The Batman Part II to get its moment in the spotlight, and that hasn’t even started filming yet. So for the moment, pretty much everything about The Brave and the Bold is almost entirely theoretical. And yet, that hasn’t stopped superhero movie fans from throwing a fit over the latest rumors about the film — and in this particular case, they kind of have a point.

Eternally cranky entertainment industry journalist/leaker Jeff Sneider reported late last night that Christina Hodson has been tapped to write the script for The Brave and the Bold. For the unfamiliar, Hodson’s writing credits include the DCEU movies Birds of Prey (an underrated flop), The Flash (an unwatchable mess), and the unreleased Batgirl. She also wrote the totally decent Transformers spinoff prequel Bumblebee. I’d describe this track record as mixed, but it doesn't exactly inspire confidence — especially when you remember that The Flash’s director, Andy Muschietti, has already been selected to direct the new Batman flick. That’s right, the duo behind a movie that Polygon charitably described as “messy and strange” in our review.

Considered in total, Hodson’s work feels journeyman at best and uninspired at worst. She’s clearly more than capable of carrying forward a franchise that already exists, but in most cases she seems to hand it off in worse condition than she received it. Nothing about this filmography makes me think she’s the right person to relaunch Batman into the DCU, but hopefully she’ll prove me wrong (assuming these rumors are even true).

If you log onto X and search “Hodson” or “Batman” right now, you’ll likely encounter a horde of angry fans complaining about this alleged news. Without going into specifics, the overwhelming message is clear: Why is Gunn giving the team behind The Flash another chance? To be honest, I can’t think of a good answer, especially when so many great screenwriters and directors seem eager to dive into the DCU. (Someone please give Sam Raimi a job, I’m begging you.)

Then again, maybe the answer is that Gunn actually really did like The Flash. Back in 2023, when he was the newly minted DCU boss and the movie had finally stumbled into theaters after spending years in development hell, he praised it magnanimously. At the time, most people assumed he was just being nice, but maybe the Superman director really did think it was a “magnificent film — fun, funny, and emotional.”

To be clear, that’s fine, Gunn is entitled to his opinion just like the rest of us, but in this rare case, I find myself siding with the angry mob. And that has me worried for a whole bunch of reasons.