Are There Batman Hints in the Shazam!

Shazam! turned into an unlikely hit. The lighthearted DC Comics movie features a B-level hero in a comedic feature. Critics raved about the film, and audiences propelled the feature to hit status. The atypical nature of the movie leads some to think of it outside the DC Extended Universe. Shazam!, however, factors into the established canon. The film also delivers a strong hint that Batman may be in retirement. If the hint turns out to be true, then the DCEU might be a lot different moving forward.

How does the hint work? In the scene set inside the toy store, Billy tosses a Batman toy aside. The style of the toy doesn’t present the same look as the suit Ben Affleck donned in the previous films. Based on DC Comics stories, the look connects closely to a different version of Batman found in the time-altering New 52 series. The toy may even suggest a different character serving as the alter ego for the Caped Crusader.

The speculation suggested by fans and critics makes sense considering Ben Affleck’s departure as Batman. Warner Bros./DC Entertainment could cast another actor as Bruce Wayne and move on. Or, the creative team could revamp the character completely and take him in a new direction. A traditional version of the Dark Knight will continue to exist thanks to Matt Reeves’ The Batman. Maybe the DCEU version will feature a new version.

No confirmation exists that the speculation about any of the Shazam!/Batman theories being true. Rumors don’t always turn out to be correct. Not too long ago, news spread that the new Joaquin Phoenix Joker movie was going to tell the origin of Heath Ledger’s Dark Knight character. The rumor turned out to be a purposely spread April Fool’s joke.

The story that Ben Affleck left the Batman role is no joke, though. The actor’s tenure as Batman wasn’t well received. Worse yet, Justice League and Batman v. Superman disappointed at the box office. Affleck probably doesn’t feel much remorse leaving the role, and the DCEU would benefit from a new actor under the cowl. How many changes DC Entertainment makes to the character is uncertain.

Shazam! continues the new direction of the DCEU. While not as big a hit as Aquaman, the film adds another win to the once-faltering superhero extended universe. The Batman speculation coming from the film may further boost interest in checking out the adventures of Billy Batson and the hero once known as the original Captain Marvel.