Robert Pattinson Out as DCU Batman: Confirmed

James Gunn and Peter Safran have officially announced that The Brave and the Bold will introduce a new Batman into the DCU, confirming that actor Robert Pattinson will not be reprising his role in this new universe. During a DC Studios presentation attended by IGN, the co-chiefs clarified that Pattinson's Batman will be exclusive to Matt Reeves' The Batman Epic Crime Saga.

“It's certainly not the plan,” Gunn stated firmly about the possibility of Pattinson crossing over into the DCU. Safran echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the necessity of introducing a new Batman for the DCU. “And we love him, but we've got to introduce a Batman into the DCU. That's imperative. And so that's the plan with The Brave and the Bold,” he added.

Earlier speculation about Pattinson potentially playing Batman across the entire DCU was fueled by comments from Reeves himself, who left the door open to such a crossover. However, Reeves clarified his stance during an interview with Josh Horowitz at the Golden Globes, stating, “It really comes down to whether or not it makes sense. What’s been great is there was a story that I wanted to tell with what we’re calling The Epic Crime Saga and all that, which is the thrust of what we want to do. And it’s been important to me to be able to play that out. And James and Peter have been really, really great about that and they’re letting us do that. What the future brings? I can’t really tell you. I have no idea right now except that my head is down now about getting The Batman Part 2 shooting and to make it something really, really special which, of course, is the most important thing.”

Confirmed DCU Projects

11 Images

Safran expressed enthusiasm for Reeves' vision for The Batman Part 2, saying, “We love Matt’s vision for The Batman Part 2, and we're looking forward to this film as much as you are.” He noted that while Reeves has yet to submit a script, the parts they've read are “very encouraging.”

The Brave and the Bold is currently in “very active development,” with the story “coming together very nicely.” There's uncertainty about whether The Flash director Andy Muschietti will helm the project. Gunn and Safran are working on the script and plan to present it to Muschietti when it's ready, as Safran mentioned, “I'm very, very actively involved in that script.” More details on The Brave and the Bold are expected to be announced “very soon.”

Last year, The Batman Part 2 faced another delay, pushing its release to October 1, 2027. This means fans will wait five years between the first film and its sequel. When asked about the release window for The Brave and the Bold, Safran was cryptic, stating, “Well, I think we've announced October, 2027 there will be a Batman movie. That is all we can tell you right now.”

While fans eagerly await The Brave and the Bold to see Gunn's take on Batman, a brief appearance in Episode 6 of the DCU canon starter Creature Commandos provided a glimpse of the Caped Crusader. The image showed Batman on a rooftop, overseeing crime boss Doctor Phosphorus. This silhouette was intentionally generic, as Gunn explained to Rotten Tomatoes TV, “I asked for more silhouette after the original Batman on show was more detailed than I was ready to commit to at the time.”

This brief look confirmed that Batman already exists and is well-known within the DCU during the events of Creature Commandos and this year’s Superman movie, negating the need for an origin story. Gunn also hinted at a future collaboration between Batman and Superman, expressing his admiration for the character, “This is the DCU Batman. Listen, I gotta tell you, I just love Batman. I love him. I've loved him since I was a little kid. He's one of my favorite characters. I've gone on the record in the past when I was at Marvel saying my favorite character is Batman. I love him and we're going to do great things with him. He's the most popular superhero in the world and I can't wait for people to see more of him, along with Superman, and together.”