Exclusive: Spoilery details on solo Batman film and key characters involved

While you can certainly treat this as a rumor, I'm giving fair warning in advance: SPOILERS.

For those looking for a faster way to digest this info, we've made a nifty little video below. For those that like their info readable, we've got you covered just below it.

Last week we shared some details on what the solo WONDER WOMAN film had in store and this week we've got some juicy tidbits on the developing solo BATMAN film, as well as one of the key players that is set to make his big debut there: The Red Hood, aka the resurrected Jason Todd. For those that don't know, Todd was actually killed by The Joker in 1988's "A Death In The Family" storyline by Jim Starlin & Jim Aparo, before being resurrected via a Lazarus Pit, taking on the identity of The Red Hood (originally embodied by The Joker before he became The Joker) and becoming a sort of anti-hero/vigilante/crime boss. He has since become a main player in the comics as well as a rogue member of the ever-growing Bat family.

So, how does The Red Hood factor into the future of the DCEU?

To put it simply: Red Hood will play a major role in it, especially for Bruce Wayne/Batman. A while back Latino Review ran a scoop that Red Hood was a "priority" character and that lines up with what we've heard as well. Our sources indicate that Red Hood will be a key player in the first new solo Batman film, which is said to be adapting both the "A Death in the Family" and "Under The Hood" storylines from the comics.  Essentially, Red Hood is DC’s answer to Marvel’s Winter Soldier; former sidekicks gone evil and seeking a chance at redemption.

Recently, Ben Affleck said he’s interested in directing the solo Batman film, which he is writing with DC's own Geoff Johns. According to our sources, the basic plotline of Affleck’s solo Batfilm is that Jason Todd has returned from the grave as the Red Hood, working in the shadows to make people think he's Batman, while making  Batman look like a criminal. At the same time he leaves clues about his identity for Bruce/Batman to ultimately solve, leading to a confrontation that will involve Batman, Red Hood, and yes, The Joker, who will feature as a primary villain alongside Red Hood.

Naturally, the question will come up about whether or not Red Hood will be referenced as the second Robin and if Dick Grayson, the first Robin will play a role. According to our sources, Grayson is now Nightwing and will be referenced but not seen in Batman V Superman. However, Grayson is expected to show up in the solo Bat-film, assisting Batman in his battle against Red Hood and The Joker.

So, if you’re a fan of Red Hood and Nightwing, get ready to be happy. It’s also possible that we’ll see a cameo from Red Hood, both in Batman V Superman and/or Suicide Squad, but that’s still unconfirmed. However, if you’ve seen the trailer for Batman V Superman, which you most certainly have, then you’ve seen Bruce Wayne seeing and reacting to a particular note that stirs him up. In fact, we see Bruce staring at Robin’s costume in the batcave, which leads us to believe that he’s still dealing with that wound in a big way. With that much set up it's easy to see that they're laying the foundation for a much bigger tale to be told in the DCEU.

In terms of casting for Red Hood, it looks like WB/DC are looking for an unknown to fill the role, much like Ray Fisher for Cyborg. In terms of his look, we’re told that he’ll look very much like he does in the comics, as well as his Arkham Knight videogame series appearances. That could shake out in many different ways for his final incarnation, but you get the idea.

It’s unclear how closely Affleck & Johns will be adapting the "A Death in the Family" and "Under The Hood" storylines, but I’d guess that it will be more of a framework reference as they create their own version of each story. Personally, I think the choice of using those well-known arcs to kick off the solo Batman series is the smartest way to go. It capitalizes on two of the best Batman stories in the last 30 years and utilizes the characters that are not only essential Batman characters, but ones that could easily branch off into their own films, notably Red Hood and Nightwing.

As this project is still being developed there’s always room for things to change or even have some elements get scrapped altogether, but at this time this is the direction we’re being told that they’re headed and I couldn’t be more excited. Many have expressed doubts about how the DCEU will unfold as their first phase of films roll out, but I love the fact that it’s getting underway with a rich history already in place, rather than starting from scratch. It’s a very different model than the way Marvel has gone, which was a slow roll to their current state. DC and WB sound like they’re ready to hit the ground running and come March of next year we’ll get our first taste of that when BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE hits theaters and gets this DC madness underway. I can't wait!

Let us know what you guys think of Red Hood and the plans for the future of Batman below!

Above art by the massively talented Mico Suayan. Check out more of his work HERE!