DC fans recently sparked controversy by repeatedly messaging James Gunn on Instagram, urging him to consider Sam Raimi for directing a Batman movie. This spam campaign erupted after Raimi, known for his work on Spider-Man, revealed he once attempted to secure the rights to direct a Batman film but was unsuccessful, drawing attention amid the ongoing development of the DC Universe. Gunn, who oversees the DC Universe, responded publicly to the flood of messages, highlighting frustrations over the repeated demands on his social media.
Sam Raimi’s History with Batman and Fans’ Reactions to Spam
Sam Raimi explained his longtime admiration for Batman during an interview with Movieweb, sharing that he had tried to create a Batman film but could not obtain the rights. This declaration inspired one Instagram user, sethpelepchuk, to repeatedly post the phrase
Sam Raimi said he wants to make a Batman movie.
After multiple posts, Gunn intervened and wrote,
Doesn’t mean you have to spam.
Following this, the user’s account was set to private, illustrating Gunn’s low tolerance for such persistent messaging.
Many DC fans voiced displeasure not only at the spamming user but also at Gunn’s decision to reply. Some worried that responding might encourage similar behavior from others, with comments such as
James Gunn should not be responding to these people. It sets a bad precedent,
while another added,
The number one way to make sure your idea has zero chance of actually happening is to annoy the heck out of people with it,
reflecting strong frustration over the approach fans took. Additional criticism included:
This is embarrassing and leads to nothing,
and
At this point, if Sam Raimi DOESN’T make the Batman movie in the DCU it’s 100% sethpelepchuk’s fault,
underscoring the tension surrounding the situation.
Social media users also reacted to the situation with sarcasm. One posted a tweet featuring Gunn’s frustrated response:
Y’all want Sam Raimi to direct DCU’s Batman so bad that James Gunn is getting annoyed by spam ?
— Buu ? (@PogChampBuu)
Another sarcastic remark noted,
Spamming James Gunn’s IG comments is a brilliant way to make sure that writer/director/actor you want for the DCU doesn’t get a call.— ?Shawn?♂️Lunn? (@shawnlunn2002)
This ironic tone highlights the community’s unease about the strategy fans chose to promote Raimi’s involvement.
Gunn’s Active Engagement and Context Around DC Universe’s Batman Plans
James Gunn is known for frequently interacting with fans on social media, often clarifying details about DC Universe projects and dispelling rumors related to film and TV casting. As the DC Universe helmsman, he understands the importance of navigating fan expectations carefully. Gunn is fully aware of Sam Raimi’s credentials but must also strategically manage the development of the franchise’s Batman, which remains a complicated issue in the rebooted DC Universe.
For context, Raimi’s full explanation shed light on his passion for iconic DC characters:
I love Batman. I tried to make a Batman film. I couldn’t get the rights. I love The Shadow. I also couldn’t get the rights to that one. But, um, Superman’s always been one of my favorites. Yeah, there’s a tremendous amount of DC characters that I love, and it would just take the writers to come up with an original story based on their character, that’s true to the character and part of their real universe, not something that disappoints the fans, but something that’s based on the fans love of the character and brings out the best moment of those characters and their proper conflicts, or the right challenges for the right hero. If it was a story that had a real journey for that particular individual. Then I’d love to make the movie.
Development Status of The Brave and the Bold and Batman’s Future in DCU
The future of Batman within the DC Universe remains a hot topic, particularly with the announcement that Christina Hodson is writing The Brave and the Bold, which will be the first Batman project under James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe reboot. Hodson has an established reputation, having written the 2018 Bumblebee, 2020’s Birds of Prey, and the 2023 The Flash, among other projects.
Reports indicate that while director Andy Muschietti remains attached to The Brave and the Bold, his involvement is uncertain due to commitments directing the second season of Welcome to Derry. Sources suggest the project is still in early stages, indicating a cautious and deliberate development pace. As one source noted,
it would be some time before a definitive draft comes in as the studio is taking a measured approach to its development.
Gunn’s Challenges and Timeline for New Batman Film Updates
James Gunn acknowledged the challenges surrounding Batman’s role in the DC Universe, admitting,
Batman’s my biggest issue in all of DC right now.
This is particularly relevant given the planned releases of The Batman 2 and potentially a third film, which exist in a separate continuity from the rebooted DCU. Additionally, Gunn has explicitly ruled out any crossover featuring Robert Pattinson‘s Batman, ensuring that The Brave and the Bold will introduce a new actor in the role.
Gunn also set expectations for fans regarding updates on the project, explaining,
I’m dependent on when there’s an actionable script ready so there is no way of me guessing this,
and,
Also, frankly, we’re well into Batman 2, and I wouldn’t want to cloud the Batsphere until after that.
As a result, the public may have to wait until at least 2028 to receive more concrete news.
Commitment to Balanced DCU Movie Releases
In response to fan concerns about oversaturation, Gunn committed firmly to avoiding two Batman films releasing in the same year. He emphasized the importance of balancing key characters by stating,
I think both Batman and WW [Wonder Woman] are incredibly important,
and firmly added,
But I’m also not going to have two Batman movies come out in the same year.
Sam Raimi’s Final Word on Spider-Man and Legacy Considerations
Separately, Sam Raimi has officially ruled out directing a fourth Spider-Man movie, closing the chapter on his version of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson, portrayed by Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst. Speaking to ScreenRant, Raimi remarked,
And then after my three movies, I handed the torch off to someone else,
and added,
And I think they’ve got to keep running with the storyline and the audience that is now following the torchbearer.
This acknowledgement underscores Raimi’s acceptance of a new direction for the Spider-Man franchise, while also illuminating the contrast with his ongoing interest in a Batman project.
Y’all want Sam Raimi to direct DCU’s Batman so bad that James Gunn is getting annoyed by spam 💀 pic.twitter.com/NIgmBLb5Oz
— Buu (@PogChampBuu) January 25, 2026
Spamming James Gunn's IG comments is a brilliant way to make sure that writer/director/actor you want for the DCU doesn't get a call.
— 🐦Shawn🤷♂️Lunn🐦 (@shawnlunn2002) January 25, 2026
