It is an interesting time for DC. James Gunn and Peter Safran took over as the heads of DC Studios at Warner Bros. in 2023. They are now rebooting the DC Universe, which began with the animated Creature Commandos and will kick into high gear next year with Gunn’s new Superman movie. The big question remains, who will be Batman in the new DC Universe? We don’t have a firm answer yet, just don’t expect it to be Robert Pattinson.
The actor starred in director Matt Reeves’ The Batman in 2022. He is set to reprise the role in The Batman Part II, which is finally due to begin filming this year. That said, it doesn’t sound like Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne exists in the new DCU, at least according to The Flash director Andy Muschietti.
The filmmaker is currently set to direct The Brave and the Bold. This film will introduce Batman to the new DCU. Muschietti recently spoke with Radio TU about the project. Ihe interview, which was translated by Reel Anarchy, Muschietti addressed the situation and made it pretty clear that Pattinson won’t be in his film.
“As everyone knows, the Batman featured in The Brave and the Bold will belong to the new DC universe. It’s quite obvious that Matt Reeves’ Batman is not part of this new universe. However, DC and Warner Bros. are moving forward with the second part of Reeves’ Batman series, which, as widely reported, is expected to release around 2027.”
For what it’s worth, Muschietti is merely attached to direct a single DC movie. Casting a new Batman is slightly above his pay grade. Will he have a say? Absolutely. But this is a Warner Bros. decision, one that Gunn and Safran will have a big say in as well. Speaking further, Muschietti explained that there will be a gap between The Brave and the Bold and The Batman Part II.
“The next Batman movie will take some time before it sees the light of day. Releasing two Batman films simultaneously would be counterproductive. What DC is doing is creating a strategy to ensure these two films don’t conflict with each other. Regarding my involvement in the project, there are good intentions for now. They want to do the movie with me, and I want to do it as well. I’m eager to work on the film.”
When Gunn and Safran announced the initial DC Universe slate in early 2023, they talked about The Brave and the Bold. Specifically, at the time, Gunn said flat out that Pattinson wouldn’t be the new DCU’s Batman. A lot has changed since then, but it seems like that’s still the way they want to go. That said, here’s what Gunn said at the time, via Slash Film.
“This is the introduction of the DCU’s Batman. It is not Robert Pattinson, it’s not Ben Affleck. […] But this is the story of Damian Wayne, who is Batman’s actual son, who he didn’t know existed for the first eight to 10 years of his life. He was raised as a little murderer and assassin. He’s a little son of a b****, he’s my favorite Robin. It’s based on the Grant Morrison comic book run, which is one of my favorite Batman runs, and we are putting that all together right now.”
The Brave and the Bold does not currently have a release date
What do you think? Do you want Robert Pattinson as Batman in the new DC Universe? Or would you like to see another actor? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Twitter!
