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Since Robert Pattinson donned the cape and cowl in The Batman (2022), his portrayal of Gotham’s brooding hero has been widely praised. However, with DC's cinematic universe in flux and Warner Bros. Discovery eager to catch up to the juggernaut success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), there is growing speculation about Pattinson’s future as Batman. Fans are eagerly awaiting to see if Pattinson’s Batman, currently part of a standalone franchise, might transition into the new DC Universe (DCU) under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran.
The Batman’s Future Outside the DCU
When The Batman premiered in 2022, it stood apart from the sprawling DC Extended Universe (DCEU), which has now been replaced by the DCU. Directed by Matt Reeves, the film carved out its own niche, exploring a younger, darker version of Bruce Wayne in his second year of crime-fighting. The movie was a hit both critically and commercially, earning $771 million globally and scoring three Academy Award nominations.
While the movie was a standalone project under DC's Elseworlds banner (which houses stories outside mainline continuity), its success quickly cemented plans for a sequel. The Batman Part II is already slated for a late 2026 release, and Pattinson is set to reprise his role as the Dark Knight. Fans can also expect the return of Zoë Kravitz’s Catwoman, Colin Farrell’s Penguin, and Barry Keoghan’s Joker.
Warner Bros. Discovery’s Batman Dilemma
Yet, despite the massive success of The Batman, Warner Bros. Discovery faces a dilemma. David Zaslav, the company's CEO, reportedly wants a Batman movie to release sooner rather than later to keep DC relevant in the superhero movie race. With no confirmed release window for The Brave and the Bold, which is expected to feature a new Batman, Zaslav might be considering leveraging Pattinson’s existing popularity.
According to industry insider Jeff Sneider, there’s internal pressure for Pattinson’s version of Batman to cross over into the DCU. This could mean that after The Batman Part II, Reeves' entire franchise may retroactively fold into the DCU, with Pattinson becoming the universe’s Dark Knight. This would streamline DC’s lineup and make it easier for audiences to follow a cohesive Batman story, as opposed to juggling multiple actors portraying the same hero in separate universes.
The Brave and the Bold: A New Batman on the Horizon?
Meanwhile, James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DCU lineup is also making waves. One of the most anticipated films under the DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters is The Brave and the Bold, which will introduce a new Batman alongside his son, Damian Wayne. The movie, directed by Andy Muschietti (The Flash), promises to focus on a more experienced Batman than Pattinson’s version. However, little is known about the casting for this film, leaving fans to speculate who will take up the mantle of Gotham’s protector in this new universe.
Several actors have shown interest in portraying the Dark Knight. Winston Duke, who voices Batman in the Spotify podcast Batman Unburied, has expressed his willingness to step into the DCU role. Likewise, Jake Gyllenhaal, who nearly landed the role of Batman in Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, has also thrown his hat in the ring.
What Would a Pattinson-Led DCU Look Like?
If Warner Bros. decides to make Pattinson the central Batman of the DCU, it could dramatically reshape both The Batman franchise and the DCU itself. For starters, The Batman Part II would likely be retooled to set up crossover potential with other DCU characters. This might mean introducing more recognizable villains or heroes who could tie into future DCU movies.
On the flip side, keeping Pattinson’s Batman in his own isolated universe offers more creative freedom. Reeves has already teased potential storylines featuring Gotham’s sinister Court of Owls or Keoghan’s Joker, characters who might be better suited for the gritty, noir atmosphere Reeves has built. Bringing Pattinson’s Batman into the DCU would likely require a shift in tone to fit the broader, more superhero-centric universe Gunn and Safran are constructing.
The Road Ahead for Batman
As DC fans wait to see how this all shakes out, one thing is clear: Batman remains central to Warner Bros. Discovery’s future plans. Whether Robert Pattinson’s caped crusader transitions into the DCU or remains in his own universe will depend on both fan reception and the studio’s strategy for competing with the MCU.
For now, Pattinson is confirmed to return in The Batman Part II alongside Colin Farrell’s Penguin, who is also getting his own HBO Max series. While a cameo from Pattinson in the Penguin series was ruled out by Reeves, the show, set shortly after the events of The Batman, will still expand the world of Gotham leading up to the next movie.
Whether or not Pattinson’s Batman will ultimately join the DCU, one thing remains certain: Warner Bros. Discovery will continue to bank on the Dark Knight as a pillar of its cinematic universe.
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Source: Jeff Sneider
Photo Credit: DC
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