2022 was a great year for Matt Reeves, whose DC film The Batman became a critical and commercial success. Fans of The Batman, on the other hand, will be disappointed to learn that Robert Pattinson will not be joining the DC Universe.
A few days ago, Variety reported that DC Studios CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran were “exploring the possibility” of bringing Pattinson’s Batman into the DC Universe. Following this report, James Gunn posted a response on Twitter, saying:
There are few reporters I love more than [Adam B. Vary – Senior Entertainment Writer, Variety] – truly a good guy – but in this case he needs to get a new source as this is entirely untrue.
There are few reporters I love more than @adambvary – truly a good guy – but in this case he needs to get a new source as this is entirely untrue. https://t.co/a7cnbTfpSi
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) December 14, 2022
The film, which grossed over $770 million against a $185–200 million budget, making it the sixth-highest-grossing film of 2022, was praised for Pattinson’s performance and Reeves’ direction. Pattinson had previously voiced his concerns about having Superman within the same universe as his Batman, saying:
I love the idea of trying to figure out how to make… We’ve been talking about how to get the fantastical elements because [director and co-writer Matt Reeves’] world, his take on it is so grounded, and I’m thinking like, ‘How can you add…?’ Like, we were talking the other day, like, ‘Can you add Superman into it but he just doesn’t have any powers? He’s just a guy in a cape?’ He’s just like, ‘I’m Superman!’ And they’re like, ‘So?’
Zoe Kravitz, who plays Selina Kyle/Catwoman in Reeves’ The Batman, concurred with Pattinson’s assessment, stating that the worlds of both characters “kind of just don’t work together.
Although Ben Affleck portrayed Bruce Wayne/Batman in Joss Whedon and Zack Snyder’s Justice League, it is unlikely that he will be recast in future Batman roles in the revamped DCU. However, Gunn’s reply to a Twitter user suggests that DC Studios has big plans for the caped crusader.
He's a big part of the DCU.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) December 15, 2022
It’s believed that Warner Bros. Discovery’s original plans for a Batman shared universe, with two sequels planned, a Penguin limited series and a Catwoman spinoff series, which are both coming to HBO Max, are still intact.
