One of the trickiest issues standing in the way of DC Comics and Warner Bros.'Justice League movie universe is the question of what to do with characters that have already been established in independent film franchises - namely, Batman and Green Lantern.

WithThe Dark Knight Trilogyover andGreen Lantern not really connecting with mainstream audiences, DC/WB has to figure out how they can introduce the characters in the 2015Justice Leaguemovie - and then, spin those characters off into successful film franchises. Today we have word on the plan for Batman's future at the movies.

The succes of Chris Nolan'sDark Knight Trilogy has ironically enough created the biggest headache for WB. Those films redefined Batman for a new era, and the memory of that interpretation of the character is going to be long-lasting (permanent, in certain cases). So how do you make another film with your most successful franchise player without turning-off audiences - and without the resources that helped you win in the first place (Nolan, Batman actor Christian Bale)?

Not too surprisingly, the answer seems to be "Delay, delay, delay..."

Batman on Filmreports that they have a source they trust who claims that - while a new Batman could indeed debut inJustice League(2015) - the earliest we'll see a new solo Batman film is 2017. For the mathematically impaired, that's five years afterDark Knight Rises and two years afterJustice League.

The strategy is sound: respect the artistry of what Nolan did, and play things safe by gradually introducing a new Batman in the context of a team film. Even ifJustice Leaguebombs, there is still room to wait two years and start (sort of) fresh with a different version of Batman. (Pretty much the advice our own Andrew Dyce gave as part of hisJustice Leaguemovie gameplan.)

However, what is somewhat curious is the notion that a new Batman movie would come so close on the heels ofJustice League, when there are multiple other characters that could first be explored - characters we have never seen before on film. Unless they have those Aquaman, Flash, Wonder Woman, or other DC character films scheduled between 2014 - 2017 (which we have little-to-no evidence of), it would seem that Batman is going to be one of the first solo characters up to bat in this shared universe. Batman. Again.

The decision to jump into a team-up film so quickly (as opposed to going the 'Marvel way' of doing all solo character films first) has been controversial from the beginning, and the implications of this Batman reboot date will only fuel the DC naysayers. It's all speculation at this point (though we expect some big reveals from DC/WB in 2013), but it at the same time follows a certain "studio logic" to the letter: Keep playing the trump card, as much as fashionably possible.

What about you: Are you hungry for another Batman movie sooner before later? Or do you think the franchise needs time to breathe after Nolan? Which heroes do YOU think DC/WB should be lining up for solo films before Batman?

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Justice League is set for Summer 2015. The future after that is anybody's guess.

You may be able to see this whole DC Movie Universe begin in Man of Steel , which hits theaters on June 14, 2013.

Source: BoF  (Batman Art Found @ eWallpapers; Dark Knight Trilogy Art Found @ Fanpop; Justice League artwork property of DC Comics)

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Kofi Outlaw (2731 Articles Published)

Kofi Outlaw (former Editor-in-Chief, 2008 - 2016) has a B.A. in writing and film studies. He then earned a Masters Degree in creative writing from The New School in NYC, where he first stumbled upon Screenrant.com when it was just a hobby blog owned by Vic Holtreman. Kofi recognized potential in Screen Rant as an outlet capable of bridging die-hard film fans and casual moviegoers, quickly rising to the position of E-i-C, and working with the rest of the editorial team, transformed Screen Rant from a hobby blog into one of the leading fan sites on the Internet. Since his time at Screen Rant, Kofi has continued to work in entertainment journalism - joining comicbook.com as Sr. Editor of Original Content. Contact and follow Kofi on Twitter @kofioutlaw.

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