Rumors about superhero movies are all-too frequent around the internet, especially concerning the DC Extended Universe. Just a few days ago, it was reported that Warner Bros and DC were planning to release four Batman-related movies in 2019. A number like that is guaranteed to raise a few eyebrows, and sure enough, the rumor has now been debunked thanks to a humorous image posted by DC Entertainment president Geoff Johns featuring a member of the Bat-Family whose chances of ever getting his own movie are slim to none.
When Warner Bros producer Jon Berg jokingly asked his fellow DCEU co-runner Geoff Johns if they could release 10 Batman movies in 2019, Johns "declared" that the number would be raised to 27, and that one of them would star Bat-Mite, the infamous reality-warping imp who has been Batman's biggest fan since 1959. Bat-Mite fit in during the goofier and simpler Batman times, but for the more serious DCEU tone, don't ever expect him to show up, let alone lead his own movie. Okay, maybe he could cameo as a comic strip character that Bruce Wayne stumbles across while skimming through the Gotham Gazette, but that's as good as it will get.
Bat-Mite frequently showed up in the Silver Age of comics to complicate Batman and Robin's adventures, though he was more of a nuisance than an actual super villain. His powers are similar to Superman foe Mr. Mxyzptlk. Bat-Mite's appearances in the modern comics era have been rare, with notable exceptions including him being a product of Bruce Wayne's imagination when he became the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh and leading his own six-issue miniseries in the New 52. Outside of the comics, he was voiced by Paul Reubens in Batman: The Brave and the Bold.
While four Batman-related movies in 2019 was a preposterous idea, the DCEU does have big plans for the Caped Crusader's corner of the DC universe in the coming years. Besides the new solo Batman movie, which will see the hero tangling with Deathstroke, there are also movies centered around Nightwing, Batgirl, Deadshot and the Gotham City Sirens (Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy and Catwoman) in development. We also can't forget Suicide Squad 2, which, like its predecessors, will likely include a few Batman villains as part of the team. Even though the DCEU is pointing the spotlight on lesser-known heroes and villains, Batman and his cast of colorful characters remain important assets for this franchise. Except Bat-Mite. They don't care about him.
While we wait for more news on the DCEU's plans for the Bat-Family and what the franchise's post-2018 plans look like, you can look forward to Ben Affleck's Batman returning in Justice League on November 17.
