Recently, James Gunn and Peter Safran, Co-CEOs of DC Studios, debunked the rumors that Robert Pattinson’s Batman would make the leap from Matt Reeves’The Batmanfilms to the DC Universe’sThe Brave and the Bold. Speculation has run rampant in the DC fanbase, in part due to a lack of casting updates for the DCU’s Batman anda cryptic update from Reeveson the possibility.
However, at a press event put on by DC Studios and attended by Screen Rant, Gunn gave a blunt answer when asked if Pattinson was joining the DCU: “It’s certainly not the plan.” For his part, Safran added: “We love him, but we’ve got to introduce a Batman into the DCU.It’s imperative. That’s the plan for The Brave and the Bold.”
Switching gears, Safran also opened up about the latest updates on bothThe Batman - Part IIandThe Brave and The Bold.He reiterated that he and Gunn “love Matt Reeve’s vision for The Batman - Part II and [are] looking forward to this film as much as you are.” The executive then explained: “He hasn’t yet turned in a script, but what we’ve read so far is very encouraging.”
Likewise, Safran said DC Studios is “in very active development on The Brave and the Bold, and that story’s also coming together very nicely.” He then teased: “we’ll have more on that for you very soon.”
What Gunn And Safran’s Comments On Robert Pattinson As Batman Mean
While Pattinson will continue playing Batman, it will be in a separate, Elseworlds canon. That way, Reeves can continue telling the story he started inThe BatmanandThe Penguin, and the DCU can craft its Batman with his own unique lore and world. Notably,the DCU is slated to feature multiple Robins, including Damian Wayne, Dick Grayson, and Jason Todd, implying that its Bruce Wayne will be well into his tenure as Batman.This directly contrasts with Pattinson’s early-career Batman, making it much clearer as to why the decision was made to separate the two.
DCU Batman Fan-Casting Is Addressed By Popular Candidate: “I’m Built For It”
One of the actors who is a popular candidate to play Batman in James Gunn’s DC Universe addresses the ongoing fan-casting of him for DC Studios.
Previously, Gunnaddressed the choiceby stating that he’s “committed to both telling stories in the DCU and telling Elseworlds stories.” As a result, the films are both in development concurrently.The Batman - Part IIis set for an October 2027 release, whileThe Brave and the Boldhas not been given a release date.At this stage, it makes sense for both movies to be in early pre-production, though it could possibly lead to them coming to theaters in close succession.
Our Take On Gunn And Safran’s Comments On Robert Pattinson As Batman
Despite the potential for audience confusion, Gunn and Safran’s decision to produce both a DCU Batman film andThe Batman - Part IImakes the most sense for how they are building the brand. DC Studios has expressed the intention to make both canon and Elseworlds productions, so setting that precedent using an ongoing franchise is a good plan.
Moreover, it would be a shame to see Reeves' story cut short or amended to fit the vision of the broader DCU. AllowingThe Batman - Part IIto exist as its own thing separately from the broader franchise both allows for Reeves to continue his creative vision and for Gunn and Safran to create a Batman forThe Brave and the Boldthat fits their DCU.
