James Gunn Keeps Pattinson’s Batman Out of DCU Plans

The buzz around Robert Pattinson’s Dark Knight is still going strong, but don’t expect him to swing into the broader DC Universe anytime soon. James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, recently spoke with Rolling Stone about the odds of Pattinson’s Batman joining the interconnected DCU. ‘I’d never say it’s impossible—you can’t predict the future,’ Gunn told Rolling Stone. ‘But it’s not something we’re banking on. It’s really unlikely.’

Pattinson first donned the cape in 2022’s ‘The Batman’, a moody, detective-driven take on the iconic hero directed by Matt Reeves. The film was a standout, earning over $770 million globally and an 85% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. Its gritty, noir-inspired Gotham, paired with Pattinson’s raw portrayal of a young Bruce Wayne, won over audiences. The story followed Batman unraveling the Riddler’s deadly puzzles, played chillingly by Paul Dano, while facing off with Zoë Kravitz’s Catwoman and Colin Farrell’s Penguin. The success cemented Reeves’ vision as a fan favorite, spawning a sequel and spin-offs.

‘The Batman Part II’ is set to hit theaters on October 1, 2027, promising to dive deeper into Gotham’s criminal underworld. Reeves, known for his work on ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’ (2017), is crafting a bigger story, with rumors swirling about new villains like Clayface or Hush. Meanwhile, the HBO series ‘The Penguin’, which dropped in September 2024, picks up right after the first film, exploring Oz Cobb’s rise in Gotham’s power vacuum. This standalone universe, dubbed “Elseworlds” by DC, lets Reeves tell grounded, character-focused stories without tying into the larger superhero world.

Gunn and his producing partner Peter Safran are busy shaping the DCU’s main timeline, which kicks off with ‘Superman’ on July 11, 2025. Starring David Corenswet as the Man of Steel, the film sets the stage for a connected universe that includes ‘The Authority’, ‘Green Lanterns’, and ‘The Brave and the Bold’. That last one will introduce a new Batman, separate from Pattinson’s, inspired by Grant Morrison’s comics. It’ll focus on an older Bruce Wayne mentoring his son, Damian Wayne, as Robin—a dynamic we haven’t seen on the big screen before. Gunn’s approach keeps the DCU cohesive, while Elseworlds projects like ‘The Batman’ or Todd Phillips’ ‘Joker’ get to experiment outside the main continuity.

Pattinson, who’s built a diverse career with roles in ‘Good Time’ (2017), ‘The Lighthouse’ (2019), and ‘Tenet’ (2020), brings a haunted edge to Batman. His take—a vigilante wrestling with rage and purpose—fits Reeves’ street-level storytelling. I’m thrilled to see where they take the character next, especially with the sequel’s promise of bigger stakes. But Gunn’s clear stance means we won’t see Pattinson’s Batman rubbing shoulders with Superman or Wonder Woman anytime soon.

For now, the Elseworlds label gives Reeves freedom to carve out his own corner of Gotham, and that’s plenty to keep me excited. With ‘The Batman Part II’ still two years away, I’ll be rewatching the first film and diving into ‘The Penguin’ to tide me over. Pattinson’s Batman may be a loner in the DCU, but in his own world, he’s shining bright.