DC Studios has brought Christina Hodson on board to write The Brave and the Bold, its upcoming Batman feature, marking a key step forward for the long-gestating project.

Hodson, whose résumé spans major franchise and action-driven films, is tackling the script for the movie that introduces a new dynamic between Batman and Robin. In this iteration, Robin is Damian Wayne, the lethal, sharp-edged young son Batman never knew existed, raised by assassins before being thrust into his father’s world.

While Hodson’s involvement has now been confirmed, the project remains in early development. Sources suggest she has been working on the screenplay since at least last fall, though a finished draft is not expected imminently, as DC Studios is taking a deliberate, unhurried approach. The studio declined to comment on the writer’s attachment.

The Brave and the Bold was first unveiled in 2023 as part of DC Studios’ revamped film slate under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran. From the beginning, Andy Muschietti, who previously directed The Flash, was attached to develop and potentially direct the film. However, the search for the right creative angle and writer proved challenging, slowing progress.

Muschietti is still associated with the project, though his continued involvement depends on factors such as scheduling and overall timing. His profile has risen significantly following the strong reception of Welcome to Derry, HBO’s It prequel series, which is already being developed further despite not yet receiving an official renewal.

Complicating matters is the parallel development of Matt Reeves’ Batman universe, led by Robert Pattinson, which is currently in preproduction. DC Studios is said to be giving Reeves’ vision ample room, with no urgency to introduce another Batman film too quickly. Ensuring that The Brave and the Bold stands apart in tone and visual identity is reportedly a priority, regardless of when it ultimately reaches the screen.

Hodson is no stranger to DC’s world. She previously wrote a Batman Beyond script that was well regarded internally but never moved forward, and she collaborated with Muschietti on The Flash. Her other DC credit includes Birds of Prey, starring Margot Robbie. Beyond DC, she is also known for scripting Bumblebee, the 2018 installment in the Transformers franchise.