The DC Universe under James Gunn has just taken a surprising turn. Before its Batman has even stepped onto the big screen, the franchise has quietly introduced one of Gotham City’s more obscure figures, a villain who might not be a villain at all.
Fans were already buzzing about what ‘Superman’ meant for the DCU’s foundation. However, now, with ‘Peacemaker’ season 2 kicking off, a Batman adversary has officially arrived in live-action. And that character is none other than the White Rabbit.
Who Is The White Rabbit?
For longtime comic readers, the White Rabbit is a peculiar addition. She isn’t one of Batman’s iconic rogues like the Joker or the Riddler, nor does she carry the gothic menace of Scarecrow or Penguin. Instead, she’s an eccentric, bunny-themed figure who has usually lived in the shadows of Gotham’s bigger villains. Yet Gunn’s DCU has chosen her as one of its first Gotham-linked characters.
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In the very first episode of ‘Peacemaker’ season 2, fans were caught off guard when John Cena’s blunt and brash antihero crossed paths with Brey Noelle’s White Rabbit. However, instead of arriving as a sinister force of chaos, she’s shown crying outside an audition to join the “Justice Gang.” Her emotions stem from overhearing the team’s members talking poorly about her.
It’s a small moment loaded with implications. For starters, White Rabbit is depicted less as a villain and more as an anti-hero, or a tragic figure. The DCU seems to be playing with expectations. They might turn a relatively minor Batman villain into a layered character who could be friend or foe depending on where her story goes. Her design also stands out. Clad in a bunny-themed costume complete with ears, White Rabbit’s aesthetic is more fantastical than the grounded looks we’ve grown accustomed to in live-action.
For years, Batman films have leaned heavily into realism. Gunn, however, seems unafraid to blend Batman’s darker tones with more colorful, comic-booky elements. That could signal a major shift in how the DCU handles the Dark Knight. Gunn has said he doesn’t want a “campy” Batman, but that doesn’t mean his Gotham won’t have room for imagination.
‘The Batman Part II’ Faces Another Big Challenge
While the DCU plants seeds for its own Batman in the future, Matt Reeves’ The Batman saga marches on in its separate Elseworlds corner. Robert Pattinson’s brooding detective remains firmly outside of Gunn’s canon, and ‘The Batman Part II’ is already one of the most highly anticipated films on the horizon. However, the sequel may face its biggest challenge yet. This time its not from casting, not from story pressure, but from behind the camera.
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In a surprising twist, actor Josh Brolin revealed on the On Film… with Kevin McCarthy podcast that Greig Fraser, the Oscar-winning cinematographer of ‘The Batman’, may not be returning for the sequel. Fraser’s schedule, Brolin claimed, is jam-packed with upcoming projects, including Sam Mendes’ four Beatles biopics. Add to that his commitments to ‘Dune: Part Three’.
This news has sent ripples of worry through the fanbase. Fraser’s cinematography wasn’t just “good” in ‘The Batman’, it was transformative. He helped give Gotham its haunting, rain-soaked identity. His collaboration with Reeves gave us a Gotham that felt both cinematic and true to the comics. So, losing him for ‘The Batman Part II’ would undoubtedly be a blow.
