The future of Batman on the big screen appears to be moving at a crawl, with DC Studios co-head James Gunn recently admitting that the Dark Knight is currently his top concern across the entire DC Universe. With multiple Batmans in play and an uncertain timeline ahead, fans are left wondering how everything will ultimately come together.
Back in February, Gunn and DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran officially confirmed that The Brave and the Bold will introduce a new version of Batman into the official DCU, effectively separating Robert Pattinson’s iteration from their broader plans. While Pattinson will continue as Batman in Matt Reeves’ standalone Batman Epic Crime Saga, which includes the delayed sequel to 2022’s *The Batman*, there’s no current plan for him to appear in the main DCU.
That sequel—*The Batman – Part 2*—has been pushed back yet again, now slated for an October 1, 2027 release. That would mark a five-year gap between Pattinson's debut as the Caped Crusader and his next appearance, assuming the date holds. As for *The Brave and the Bold*, it could potentially end up filling that slot, though details remain scarce.
Gunn has since addressed the growing speculation around Pattinson’s potential involvement in both universes, but he remains skeptical about any crossover happening. “I would never say zero, because you just never know,” he told *Rolling Stone*. “But it’s not likely. It’s not likely at all.”
He also shot down rumors that *The Batman – Part 2* had been canceled, clarifying that director Matt Reeves is simply taking his time. “Batman Part 2 is not canceled,” Gunn reiterated. “We don’t have a script. Matt’s slow. Let him take his time. Let him do what he’s doing. God, people are mean. Let him do his thing, man.”
The Brave and the Bold: A Work in Progress
As for *The Brave and the Bold*, the film remains in active development, although its creative direction is still being ironed out. Though previously linked to director Andy Muschietti (*The Flash*), neither he nor the project is locked in place just yet. Gunn and Safran are currently working on the script and will present it to Muschietti when it reaches a stage they feel is ready.
In the meantime, Gunn revealed that while he isn’t writing the film himself, he is collaborating closely with the screenwriter to ensure the story aligns with the tone and vision they want for this new Batman. “Batman’s my biggest issue in all of DC right now, personally,” Gunn admitted. “I’m working with the writer of Batman and trying to get it right, because he’s incredibly important to DC, as is Wonder Woman.”
Defining the New Batman
Gunn emphasized that this new version of Batman must serve a clear purpose within the DCU—one distinct from the interpretation seen in Matt Reeves’ films. “Batman can’t just be ‘Oh, we’re making a Batman movie because Batman’s the biggest character in all of Warner Bros.,’” Gunn explained. “But yet he’s not a campy Batman. I’m not interested in that. I’m not interested in a funny, campy Batman, really.”
While details remain sparse, Gunn did hint that he believes he has found a compelling narrative approach, and is working through the finer points with the writer to bring it to life.
First Glimpse of the DCU Batman
Fans got a brief look at Gunn’s version of Batman during Episode 6 of the animated series Creature Commandos. The scene featured the Caped Crusader standing atop a rooftop, observing the villainous Doctor Phosphorus. While the image showed a muscular Batman in his classic suit, little else was revealed about his personality or story arc.
According to Gunn, the intentionally vague silhouette was by design. He requested a more shadowy figure after seeing an earlier version that was too detailed for his liking. The minimalist reveal also served another purpose—it signaled that Batman already exists in the DCU, even if his full origin story isn’t being retold.
More importantly, Gunn hinted that this version of Batman will eventually team up with Superman. “This is the DCU Batman,” he said. “I just love Batman. I’ve loved him since I was a little kid. He’s one of my favorite characters… We're going to do great things with him, along with Superman, and together.”
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With production timelines still shifting and scripts in flux, patience will be key for fans eager to see where Gunn takes the World’s Greatest Detective. But if early hints are any indication, this new Batman promises to be a major force in the evolving DCU.
