David Goyer, co-writer of Batman Begins,
recently shared a glimpse into the shadowy underworld of Batman
film projects that never saw the light of day. In a candid revelation, Goyer hinted at a Batman memorial, a collection of abandoned scripts and stalled projects that could have reshaped the Caped Crusader’s cinematic legacy. These lost stories, penned by various talented writers, represent what might have been a very different Batman
saga, hidden away in the archives of Hollywood’s ‘what if’ scenarios.
Behind the scenes, the journey to bring Gotham’s protector to the big screen has been far from straightforward. A hidden history reveals the challenges that dug up a shadowy graveyard that never saw the light of the LCD screens.
The dark side of Batman’s silver screen journey
In a fascinating revelation on the Happy, Sad Confused
podcast with Josh Harowitz
, David Goyer, known for his work on The Dark Knight,
shared a haunting tale about a graveyard of abandoned Batman scripts.
He recounted friendships with writers like Mark Proteto, who had crafted a fifth Batman movie script
, and Boaz Yakin,
who worked on a Batman Beyond story.
Andrew Kevin Walker even penned a Batman-Superman crossover
. There were even whispers of an R-rated attempt at the Gotham city saga
—All of which was poured down “development hell”
, according to Goyer, leaving a cryptic collection of what might have been, a testament to the complex evolution of Gotham’s cinematic universe.
Batman Beyond Neo Gothic #1 variant cover #dccomics #batman #BatmanBeyond pic.twitter.com/ZQipZ2zOjf
— dike ruan (@dike_ruan) April 6, 2023
This tombstone of unmade Batman
films defines the volatile nature of Hollywood projects, especially in superhero cinema. Scripts can be brilliant but still fall victim to studio politics, shifting creative visions, or market considerations. Each abandoned script represents a unique pathway not taken, a Gotham story untold. For fanatics and scholars alike, these lost projects offer a glimpse into the creative process and the many iterations a beloved character undergoes before reaching audiences.
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It is this inconsistency in perspectives that often leads to major and heavy projects getting shelved. And if they ever survive, partakers might come forth with tales of the most harrowing days of filming, going as far as renouncing what made them suffer.
The Dark Knight’s darkest chapter: Ben Affleck’s candid confession
One of the most sought after personas of Batman after Christian Bale, Ben Affleck has revealed his time as the Caped Crusader to be far from the superhero dream audiences might imagine
. Describing the experience as a “nightmare”
marked by a “misalignment of agendas,”
Affleck revealed to GQ in March 2025, the creative clashes and personal struggles that made filming Batman v Superman
his worst professional chapter. Despite critical praise and box office success, he has vowed never to return to the superhero genre, choosing instead to focus on projects with aligned visions
.
Let’s just take a moment to appreciate the fact that two of the most iconic characters came face to face for the first time on the big screen and they DID NOT disappoint. Batman v Superman is a top tier comic book movie. pic.twitter.com/lblKfQYSdO
— Jay.. (@x_warinmymind) June 22, 2019
In the end, Batman’s journey behind the scenes is as twisted as Gotham’s alleys—full of abandoned scripts and creative chaos. While some tales remain buried, the Dark Knight’s
legacy keeps evolving, proving even superheroes face their share of plot twists. Who knows? Maybe one day, those lost stories will rise from the graveyard and steal the spotlight.
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Does thinking about all and potential ground-breaking stories on Batman haunt you as well? Let us know in the comments below.