In the array of DC Comic media, specifically Batman, there has been a continued outpour of content for most of this side of the new millennium. However, after the release of Rocksteady Games’ Batman Arkham trilogy, The Dark Knight has been out of the spotlight for roughly a decade. Previously, there were leaks of a canceled Damien Wayne project that was shuttered at Warner Bros. Montreal that could have been a continuation of that.
Additionally, 2024 did technically proceed that continuity with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League in January. But, the live-service approach has been broadly denounced as a sequel of any sorts by many users online. Thankfully, in an update by James Gunn, he does clarify that the Batman ‘Arkhamverse’ does not end with the new game – as per being the creative overseer for the new DC Studios.
Well, recently a new perspective was added to what could’ve been for the Caped Crusader thanks to a batch of leaks via Archive.org. And with @Dageekydude on X bringing this to light, it is learned that a planned Batman game set within the Christopher Nolan film series was in the works at one point.
From Monolith Productions, the team known for the Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor IP, the project takes heavy inspiration from the first two films. Titled ‘Project Apollo’, the game was said to prospect a 2010 release window for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. However, conflicting with an already-established franchise by Rocksteady Studios & work commencing on a third Nolan film at the time led the game to its demise.
Footage from the shelved title does share elements of open-world traversal, detective features, and light combat & stealth gameplay. One major element that was introduced as the now-notorious ‘Nemesis System’. After being canceled, it is believed that Warner Bros. urged the team to refocus on a Middle-Earth project and took its tools to what became the 2014 title.
What becomes very evident is Monolith in preserving the UI from prior Nolanverse games. In 2004, a licensed Batman Begins title from Eurocom released featuring a nearly identical interface and design that likely influenced Project Apollo. The batmobile was also said to be instrumental in the title as well, but the X user clarifies it would act more in line to Mordor’s Caragors as a tool rather than a necessity for the game.
While Monolith Productions ultimately did not make this DC Comics title, a new effort is underway. Back in 2021, the game studio announced a new Wonder Woman project is in development and the trademarked nemesis system is also planned to make a return. You can read the full report by heading here.
Would you have picked up this Nolanverse title?
Source: Archive.org
