October 2024 is bringing a new sequel to the originalBatmanmovie over three decades after theDCfilm’s initial release. While there have beenmany Batman moviesthat have released since - and releases likeThe Dark Knighthave enjoyed a more considerable critical and financial reception - 1989’sBatmanis a film that only grows more important as the history of the DC hero expands. A considerable roster oflive-action versions of Batmanhave graced the big and small screen since, but Michael Keaton remains one of the main names people associated with the role, and for good reason.
In recent years, the expansion of Batman’s story has included crafting more installments based in the world of this Batman movie series, including the Batman ‘89 comic series, which began releasing in 2021. However, 2024 is bringing a new release set to expand the world once more that is outside of the comic sphere. Interestingly, teases for the story of theupcoming DC releasealso suggest it may expand the story of Batman’s Joker in new and unique ways.
Batman: Resurrection Is 2024’s Tim Burton Batman Sequel
Batman: Resurrectionwas announced in April 2024 to follow on from the original 1989 Tim Burton-ledBatmanmovie, exploring the period betweenBatmanand its sequel,Batman Returns. Set to release on July 17, 2025, the book focuses around the aftermath of Joker’s death at the end ofBatman, but suggests the villain may in fact have survived or otherwise have set up far more machinations than just the laugh track that played from his suit pocket after his passing.
While 1989’sBatmanof course already has a sequel, the prospect of further exploring what happened after the events of the first film - and looking more at the period of Batman movie history before releases likeBatman & Robinleft its legacy in a more complicated position - is a seriously promising one. Similarly, placing the story at this particular point of the timeline ensuresBatman: Resurrectioncan delve more into characters like Max Shreck before his demise inBatman Returns, with writer John Jackson Miller having confirmed that many key players from the movies will also appear in the plotline.
Why You Haven’t Heard Of Batman: Resurrection
Naturally, additions to live-action movie franchises that aren’t another live-action film themselves tend to get less publicity, soBatman: Resurrectionis an upcoming DC release that many may not be as aware of. This continues a trend that can be seen in many superhero movie series, with even the iconic live-action Dark Knight trilogy’s fourth installment - that of the animatedBatman: Gotham Knightmovie - also being comparatively far less well-known despite being a fascinating addition to the overarching story and its lore.
However,Batman: Resurrectionis still an interesting extension of the original movie series and its world, especially because it doesn’t aim to add a new final note to the roster, but rather add an extra chapter to the overall experience. WithBatman’s Joker still being cited as one of the best depictions of the DC character to this day, giving another retrospective look at the impact of this antagonist on his respective universe while still holding true to the legacy of the villain also makes a lot of sense.
Batman: Resurrection Is Set To Continue Batman’s Joker Story In A Fascinating Way
The synopsis forBatman: Resurrectionmentions that, “The World’s Greatest Detective must solve the greatest mystery of all: Could The Joker have somehow survived? And could he still have the last laugh against the people of Gotham City?” This raises some fascinating prospects for the story,suggesting either a copycat Joker killer, a final scheme left for Batman by Jack Nicholson’s Joker, or indeed that the Joker could have faked his own death.
While this last option seems unlikely given how much it would rewrite the events of the original film, it is worth noting that there were unused plans to introduce Harley Quinn into the universe with the unmadeBatman: Unchainedmovie, which would easily be capitalized on in a story like the oneBatman: Resurrectionpresents itself to be. That said, simply having one last plot set up by the Joker unfolding throughout the events of the story would also be a promising idea, allowing for a further showcase of this Joker’s villainous machinations as well as his capacity for planning ahead.
The unmade Batman: Unchained movie is also known as Batman: Triumphant.
Whatever the case may end up being,Batman: Resurrectionlooks to be an exciting addition to the overall world of the original Batman movie series, especially for those with a particular love of the arguably franchise-defining initialBatmanfilm. Hopefully, the release will accentuate all the things audiences still appreciate years later about the distinctive universe while bringing a fresh perspective and story to the franchise.
Batman
Cast
Batman is a 1989 superhero movie directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne. The film features Jack Nicholson’s chilling portrayal as Jack Napier, who turns into the Joker and reigns terror on Gotham. Kim Basinger also stars in the film as Vicki Vale, along with Michael Gough as Bruce’s trusty butler named Alfred.
