What to Expect from Zach Cregger’s 'Henchman' — Perhaps the DCU’s Boldest Upcoming Project

Being drawn to the darker side of comic book worlds, I couldn’t resist looking into Zach Cregger’s latest move.

DC has always felt different from Marvel to me — less about the hero’s shiny armour, more about the idea behind it, and always wrapped in a certain moody shadow. So when a filmmaker with a taste for horror atmosphere turns his sights on Gotham, it’s hard not to be intrigued.

Cregger, the mind behind Barbarian (2022) and Weapons (2025), has revealed the title of his Gotham-set DC project: Henchman. He hasn’t pitched it to DC Studios yet but calls it "the best thing I’ve ever written."

The script, penned before Barbarian, centres on a low-level crook who accidentally incapacitates Batman, earning the respect he’s longed for. Harley Quinn and Joker are also part of the chaos, with echoes of the classic Batman: The Animated Series episode 'The Man Who Killed Batman.'

The DCU’s current landscape isn’t simple. James Gunn and Peter Safran are treading carefully with anything Batman, while Matt Reeves develops his sequel. With no Joker or Batman officially cast, Henchman is a bold risk — but perhaps exactly the kind the DCU needs.

Cregger is already busy with a Resident Evil reboot in Prague this autumn and an original sci-fi project. Yet Henchman seems closest to his heart, and if his knack for blending dread with dark humour carries over, it could be a perfect match for DC’s shadowy tone.