James Gunn’s First DCU Movie Featuring Batman Written by the Screenwriter of 'Birds of Prey' and 'The Flash'
James Gunn’s reboot of the DC Universe continues with The Brave and the Bold, a Batman film scripted by Christina Hodson, the writer behind underperforming entries like Birds of Prey and The Flash.
Here’s the TL;DR...
Christina Hodson, known for scripting DC films that struggled at the box office, is confirmed to write The Brave and the Bold, the first Batman movie in James Gunn’s DCU.
Hodson’s previous works include Birds of Prey, which grossed $205 million against a $100 million budget, and The Flash, which earned $271 million on a $220 million spend—both seen as financial disappointments.
James Gunn’s own The Suicide Squad pulled in $169 million worldwide on a $185 million budget, falling short amid pandemic challenges and simultaneous streaming release.
Gunn’s Superman, released in 2025, hit $617 million globally but ranked 10th for the year, sparking debates on profitability and comparisons to Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel.
Fan divides persist, with Snyder supporters clashing against Gunn’s vision, including calls to boycott Superman and accusations of idea theft.
Who is Christina Hodson, and why is she writing the new DCU Batman film?
Christina Hodson landed the gig for The Brave and the Bold late last year, according to industry reports. She’s no stranger to DC properties, having penned Birds of Prey in 2020 and The Flash in 2023. Sources say she’s been refining the script since fall, focusing on Batman’s relationship with his son, Damian Wayne, as Robin. The film, directed by Andy Muschietti, aims to introduce the Bat-family dynamic in Gunn’s interconnected universe.
Hodson’s track record draws from action-heavy franchises. She also wrote the canceled Batgirl and the Transformers spinoff Bumblebee, which fared better critically. DC Studios bosses James Gunn and Peter Safran are producing, but the studio stayed mum on her involvement.
How did Hodson’s previous DC films perform at the box office?
Birds of Prey opened to $33 million domestically and ended with $205 million worldwide, against a budget up to $100 million. Critics praised its energy, but it underperformed, needing $250–300 million to break even amid high marketing costs. The R-rating and Harley Quinn focus didn’t draw the crowds Warner Bros. hoped for.
The Flash fared worse, debuting at $55 million in North America and totaling $271 million globally on a $200–220 million budget. Factors like star Ezra Miller’s controversies and the looming DCU reboot hurt its appeal. It bombed, losing Warner Bros. significant money despite cameos from Michael Keaton’s Batman.
What about James Gunn’s track record with DC so far?
Gunn’s The Suicide Squad in 2021 grossed $169 million worldwide against $185 million production costs. Released during COVID-19 with a day-and-date HBO Max drop, it earned praise for its humor and action but couldn’t recoup expenses. Gunn called it a soft reboot, distancing from David Ayer’s 2016 version.
His Superman, out July 2025, brought in $617 million globally—$354 million domestic, $263 million international—on a $225 million budget. It marked the first superhero film to cross $600 million that year, turning a profit of $100–125 million after theatrical and ancillary revenue. David Corenswet’s take on the Man of Steel drew solid reviews for its earnest tone, though some called it overstuffed.
How does Superman’s box office stack up against past films?
Superman ranked 10th highest-grossing in 2025, behind hits like F1 and Demon Slayer. Adjusted for inflation, Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel edges it out, with $668 million equivalent to over $1 billion today—selling twice the tickets. Superman beat expectations domestically but lagged overseas, which Gunn attributed partly to anti-American sentiment.
Profits varied by estimates: one formula pegs breakeven at $562 million, putting it in the green; higher marketing pushes it closer to red. Still, it outperformed recent Marvel entries and boosted DC morale.
What’s fueling the controversy between Gunn and Snyder fans?
Tensions boiled since Gunn and Safran took over DC Studios in 2022, scrapping Snyder’s universe. Snyder fans launched boycotts and review-bomb campaigns against Superman, labeling it an “imposter” and vowing to tank its success. Gunn shrugged it off, saying such efforts from a “vocal minority” wouldn’t hurt.
Accusations flew: Snyder supporters claimed Gunn stole ideas, like titling a follow-up Man of Tomorrow, echoing Snyder’s unmade Man of Steel 2. Online discourse turned toxic, with personal attacks crossing lines—though Gunn distinguishes genuine fans from extremists. The SnyderCut subreddit distanced itself from sabotage calls.
Why does this choice of screenwriter raise eyebrows?
Hodson’s flops highlight risks in Gunn’s DCU build. Birds of Prey and The Flash faced mixed reviews—The Flash called “messy,” Birds underrated but overlooked. Pairing her with Muschietti, who directed The Flash, feels like doubling down on a shaky formula.
Yet Hodson brings genre experience, and Gunn’s hands-on role could steer it. The Brave and the Bold draws from Grant Morrison’s comics, promising a fresh father-son angle absent from prior live-action Bat-films.
How are fans reacting on social media?
X posts show divided opinions. Some praise Hodson’s Bumblebee creds, others slam her DC history as “uninspired.” Gunn teased progress, saying a screenwriter is “hammering away” with his involvement. Snyder fans mock Superman‘s box office as underwhelming compared to Man of Steel.
Debates rage: one user called DCU fans “no better than MCU stans,” while others defend Gunn’s vision amid Snyder feuds. Legacy vs. reboot remains a hot button.
James Gunn’s DCU faces a pivotal test with The Brave and the Bold. Hodson’s involvement spotlights past stumbles, but Superman‘s moderate success shows potential for recovery. Fan rifts could hinder unity, yet strong storytelling might bridge divides. As DC eyes sequels and spin-offs, the focus stays on delivering hits that honor the icons without repeating old pitfalls—proving the universe can soar beyond controversies.
Hat Tips
The Hollywood Reporter, “Batman Movie ‘The Brave and the Bold’ Taps Christina Hodson to Write for DC Studios,” January 21, 2026
Deadline, “‘Batman’ Movie ‘Brave And The Bold’ At DC Studios Taps Christina Hodson To Write,” January 21, 2026
Box Office Mojo, Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn
Wikipedia, The Flash (film)
Box Office Mojo, The Suicide Squad (2021)
Wikipedia, Superman (2025 film)
Variety, “James Gunn Shuts Down Zack Snyder Fans Trying to Tank Superman Box Office,” June 16, 2025
The Playlist, “‘The Brave & The Bold’: New DCU Batman Movie To Get Script From ‘Flash’ & ‘Birds Of Prey’ Writer Christina Hodson,” January 21, 2026
Article Compiled and Edited by Derek Gibbs on January 21, 2026 for Clownfish TV D/REZZED.
Solid breakdown of Hodson's track record here. The real issue isnt just box office numbers tho, its that both Birds of Prey and The Flash had script structure problems that overshadowed their good moments. I remember feeling confused by The Flash's pacing despite loving the Keaton cameos. Pairing her with Muschietti again feels risky but maybe Gunn's involvement will keep things tihgter this time.