While many fans expected The Batman to exist in its own canon, especially since it’s a project that exists outside the modern DCEU, it seems that isn’t quite the case. In fact, it’s been confirmed that an iconic Superman villain does indeed exist within The Batman and its growing universe. This is a surprising revelation for anyone that wasn’t expecting any Superman references to be made in The Batman.
As revealed via ComicBookMovie, the new tie-in book, Before The Batman: An Original Movie Novel, references both LexCorp and Metropolis. As fans know, Metropolis is the city in which Superman is often most associated – with LexCorp being the corporation owned by one of his most iconic villains, Lex Luthor.
The reference to LexCorp and Metropolis are apparently made in Before The Batman by a character named Dex. He has the following line:
“My dad and I need to get away, maybe Metropolis. I hear LexCorp Race Team is taking on new mechanics.”
While this is only a line for the newly released tie-in book, it does indicate that there could be some type of crossover between The Batman and Superman. Of course, it’s also likely that the line is nothing more than a fun Easter egg for DC fans. But considering how popular cinematic universes often are, it’s very much possible we could expect more Superman references going forward.
The film was directed by Matt Reeves from a screenplay he wrote with Peter Craig.
The Batman stars Robert Pattinson and Zoe Kravitz, with the villains including Paul Dano as The Riddler, Colin Farrell as The Penguin, and John Turturro as Carmine Falcone. The film also includes Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, Jeffrey Wright as Jim Gordon, Peter Sarsgaard as Gil Colson, and Jamie Lawson as Bella Real.
Audiences will be able to finally see The Batman when it hits theaters on March 4, 2022.