Over the past two decades, comic book films have enjoyed an influx of properties being made into movies; from Spider-Man to Shang-Chi, there has been no stone left unturned. But now, history has come full circle with Spider-Man director Sam Raimi returning to the director’s chair with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. While it seemed like he wouldn’t return to the genre after Spider-Man 3, there is enough narrative and horror potential for Raimi to leave his touch as it further expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But Marvel isn’t the only universe that Raimi wouldn’t mind exploring.
A recent interview with Empire explored Raimi’s interest in the comic book film medium, which explored every facet of the genre in its near 100 years of existence. But according to Raimi, aside from all other heroes, one stood out most: “I’ve always loved Batman. If I ever saw the Bat-signal up in the air, I’d come running…” While Batman has seemed like a property that may be too gritty for the director, there’s one early film he created that showed his potential to helm a Dark Knight film. Before Spider-Man, Raimi melded vigilantism and horror with his cult hit, Darkman.
Darkman Is Just as Grim as Batman
Darkman follows a scientist who worked on a second skin that could be used for burn victims. However, the skin couldn’t last past 99 minutes. After he finally made a breakthrough, some mobsters tied to his girlfriend’s legal client sacked and blew up his lab for some files — with him in it. Although he survived, he was severely scarred and no longer felt pain, which gave him immense strength and fits of unbridled rage. Using his 99-minute masks, Darkman took on his foes and saved his girlfriend, becoming a hero in the process. While the film is vibrant, its grim tone is no different than Batman.
Both Darkman and Batman are survivors who live with their pain rather than grow from it. Their struggles have made them stronger but at the cost of close bonds with others. The only real difference is that Batman’s visuals have always mirrored the darkness within him. Should Raimi take on a Batman project, he could easily bring that darkness out in a world that feels removed but familiar without being nearly as grim. However, the lack of darkness in the environment could be present in Batman, who could be shown as a terrifying creature of the night that is as scary and aggressive as Darkman while being just as tragic, yet still a Caped Crusader.
Darkman and Batman Aren’t Strangers to Mobsters and Gimmicks
When it comes to villains, none of Darkman’s were nearly as colorful as Batman’s, but what the two have in common is the threat of organized crime. For Batman, his enemies often had a gang of thugs with their own gimmicks, whether it be Joker-themed clothes or circus-themed henchmen with the Penguin. Batman also faces classic mobsters like Carmine Falcone and Sal Maroni. In Darkman’s case, he got the best of both worlds, with enemies that were crime lords like Durant, who had thugs with their own quirks that weren’t as pronounced but still present.
Should Raimi be given a Batman film, he could perfectly adapt the colorful qualities of baddies like the Mad Hatter or Joker but balance them with truly terrifying intentions that mirror the malicious actions of Durant. Batman has always had a terrific balance of genuine threats mixed with comical gimmicks, and Raimi has proven with Darkman that balancing the two elements is deep in his wheelhouse. While Sam Raimi is known for his horror and spectacle, Darkman has proven that he can balance the subdued with the fantastic that is often required of a dark hero like Batman.
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