Featured Image Credit: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Topics: Batman, Batman Arkham, DC Comics, Netflix, Rocksteady Studios, Warner Bros
Topics: Batman, Batman Arkham, DC Comics, Netflix, Rocksteady Studios, Warner Bros
It looks like a sequel to Batman: Arkham Knight may look a lot more likely now, following Netflix’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros.
In case you missed the news, Netflix has announced it will be buying Warner Bros. Discovery in a deal that will cost the media giant $72 billion.
The deal means that Netflix will acquire the film, television and video game studios underneath Warner Bros., along with HBO/HBO Max and their respective libraries, DC Entertainment/DC Studios, and WBD's distribution and licensing divisions.
The deal, which is expected to be finalised by the end of 2026, has got fans speculating on what this could mean for future game franchises that were developed and published by Warner Bros. Games.
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Some of these game franchises that Netflix will own post-acquisition include Hogwarts Legacy, Mortal Kombat, and various LEGO game series.
It also includes the Batman Arkham series, which is part of the wider DC Comics brand. DC Comics has been owned by Warner Bros. since the 1970s, so having access to the wide portfolio of characters and series owned by DC is a huge get for Netflix.
Netflix had previously developed several superhero TV shows for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including Daredevil, Luke Cage, and Jessica Jones.
However, the Warner Bros. purchase will put DC characters like Superman and Batman entirely under Netflix’s creative control.
As for a Batman: Arkham Knight sequel, a new title was confirmed earlier this year.
During a financial call with Warner Bros. Discovery, president and CEO David Zaslav confirmed that “in particular Batman” will be a focus along with new Mortal Kombat and Game of Thrones games.
In addition to that, Zaslav also mentioned that Rocksteady Studios “is looking to return to Batman for a single-player game,” no doubt following the disappointing returns on live-service failure Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.
With Netflix now purchasing Warner Bros., it’s possible that these plans may be changed.
However, with Netflix now having access to the entire DC Comics library, it’s also possible that it’ll want to build on popular legacy DC properties such as the Batman Arkham games.
However, it’ll probably still be years until we see the results of this. AAA games take a long time to make now, and with Netflix’s purchase expected to not be finalised until late 2026, it could put a lot of projects on hold.