What's the latest on Batman's big-screen future? The live-action Dark Knight seems stuck in slow motion, with DC Studios co-chief James Gunn calling Batman his "biggest challenge" in rebooting the DC Universe.
In February, Gunn and co-CEO Peter Safran confirmed The Brave and the Bold will introduce a fresh DCU Batman, explicitly ruling out Robert Pattinson's involvement. Pattinson will exclusively continue his acclaimed turn as Gotham's protector in Matt Reeves' separate The Batman Crime Saga - which includes the upcoming sequel The Batman - Part 2.
Production hurdles have pushed The Batman Part 2 to October 2027 - a full five years after Pattinson's debut. This delay creates scheduling headaches for Gunn's planned DCU Batman introduction in The Brave and the Bold, potentially resulting in two simultaneous Batman franchises with different actors.
Gunn recently addressed this unique challenge in a Rolling Stone interview: "I'd never say never, but it's extremely unlikely Pattinson would appear in both universes." The director dismissed cancellation rumors about Reeves' sequel, stating: "Matt's taking his time developing the script - fans need to be patient."
DCU's Expanding Universe
View 11 Images
Meanwhile, The Brave and the Bold continues development, possibly eyeing the vacated 2027 slot. While The Flash director Andy Muschietti remains attached, Gunn revealed: "We're perfecting the script before presenting it to Andy." The co-CEO emphasized his hands-on involvement in crafting a distinct Batman that avoids past pitfalls.
"This can't just be another Batman movie because he's Warner's biggest IP," Gunn explained. "We need purpose - a hero who's neither too grim like Reeves' version nor campy like the 60s iteration. I'm working closely with our writer to strike that balance."
Fans got their first glimpse of Gunn's Batman in the DCU-anchoring animated series Creature Commandos, featuring a shadowy rooftop silhouette watching over Gotham. Gunn intentionally kept details vague, telling Rotten Tomatoes: "I requested more ambiguity - we're not ready to fully unveil our Batman yet."
The cameo confirms Batman already operates in the DCU during current events, sparing audiences another retread of his origin. More intriguingly, Gunn teased future team-ups: "As a lifelong Bat-fan, I can't wait to explore his dynamic with Superman - they're the world's greatest superheroes for a reason."
