Zach Cregger's Ideal DC Film Adaption Mirrors a Remarkable 'Batman' Television Episode
Zach Cregger, known for his work in comedy, has turned his attention to the world of DC Comics with a completed script for a film titled Henchmen. This project, set in Gotham City, revolves around a low-level henchman who unexpectedly gains notoriety by taking down Batman [1][2][3][4].
The script includes brief appearances by iconic characters such as Batman, Joker, and Harley Quinn, though their roles appear to be supporting or antagonistic rather than central protagonists [1][2][4]. The story is inspired by Gotham's criminal underworld, with Joker and Harley Quinn potentially serving as antagonists in their obsessive dynamic with Batman [1][2][4].
As of August 2025, Cregger has not officially pitched Henchmen to DC Studios. The studio, currently co-headed by James Gunn and Peter Safran, is aware of Cregger's interest but has not cast Batman, Joker, or Harley Quinn in their current DC Universe plans [5]. The studio is reportedly cautious about Batman-related projects while Matt Reeves continues developing his separate Batman universe [5].
Cregger describes the story as "Batman-adjacent," focusing more on the criminal underworld than superheroes. If greenlit, Henchmen could join other Batman-adjacent movies such as Clayface, Dynamic Duo, and Teen Titans [6].
The future of the DC Universe on film and TV is uncertain, with details about upcoming releases yet to be revealed. It remains to be seen whether Henchmen will make its way into production and contribute to the ongoing narrative of Gotham's criminal underworld.
[1] Hollywood Reporter's Heat Vision newsletter [2] The Man Who Killed Batman episode from Batman: The Animated Series [3] Zach Cregger's interest in a "Batman-adjacent" project for several years [4] The main character in Henchman becomes the talk of the supervillain town after taking down Batman [5] WB does not have a Batman or Joker cast yet for potential appearances in Henchmen [6] If Henchmen is greenlit, it could join other Batman-adjacent movies such as Clayface, Dynamic Duo, and Teen Titans.
Disney is considering expanding its streaming platform, Movies-and-TV, to include more entertainment based on Gotham City's criminal underworld, potentially incorporating projects like Zach Cregger's Henchmen, which features AI-generated space scenes reminiscent of Star Wars. The script, while not yet pitched to DC Studios, aims to delve into the world of DC Comics, with brief appearances by iconic characters such as Batman, Joker, and Harley Quinn. If approved, Henchmen could leverage AI technology to bring a fresh perspective to the classic characters and storylines, offering fans an exciting new take on their favorite superheroes and villains.
