Robert Pattinson’s Batman Joining James Gunn’s DCU Addressed by Creator of 2026’s R-Rated DC Spinoff

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With the DC Universe taking form, James Gunn has acknowledged that figuring out how to handle Batman is a challenge. DC Studios currently has two Batman movies in development. The first, The Batman Part II directed by Matt Reeves, will continue his successful, separate Batman storyline and begins filming this spring. The second, The Brave and the Bold directed by Andy Muschietti, will introduce the Batman who will be part of the main DC Universe. Because Matt Reeves’ version with Robert Pattinson has been so popular, some fans have wondered if it could be included in the DCU. Mike Flanagan, who wrote the screenplay for the DCU’s Clayface movie, has shared his perspective on this idea.

At a Motor City Comic Con 2025 panel with Screen Rant, director Mike Flanagan talked about the potential for Robert Pattinson to appear in the new DC Universe. He cautiously mentioned it, saying he doesn’t want to upset DC fans, especially with James Gunn leading the DCU in a new direction. Flanagan admitted he doesn’t know what the plans are, but praised Matt Reeves’ work on The Batman and its characters like The Penguin, believing they could fit into the larger DC Universe, which he thinks is Gunn’s goal.

He added that he trusts James and has always been impressed with his work. He’s eager to see how everything comes together and is leaving the details up to the creators.

Should Robert Pattinson Be the DCU’s Batman?

There’s a strong case for including Robert Pattinson’s Batman in the new DC Universe. He’s already a well-liked version of the character, so audiences would likely welcome seeing him interact with David Corenswet’s Superman. James Gunn’s idea for separate ‘Elseworlds’ stories sounds good in theory, but it could potentially confuse viewers. While Batman has been rebooted several times, we’ve never had two different live-action Batman movies happening at the same time.

It’s a challenge to introduce yet another live-action Batman, but The Brave and the Bold could be amazing if done right. This new take offers a chance to show a very different side of the character than we’ve seen before. While Matt Reeves’ Batman is a gritty, realistic detective, the DCU version, under James Gunn’s guidance, can be more in line with the classic comic book feel, allowing for a wider range of villains. The film could also feature an older, more established Batman mentoring a team of heroes – the Bat Family – distinguishing him from Robert Pattinson’s younger, less experienced portrayal.

Although director Flanagan has suggested a way to combine the Batman Epic Crime Saga with the main DC Universe, James Gunn seems determined to keep them separate. Photos from the set of the upcoming Clayface movie show a different version of Gotham City, effectively ending speculation that it’s connected to The Batman. While many fans would love to see Pattinson’s Batman join the shared universe, Gunn’s approach makes sense. DC Studios wants to support filmmakers’ visions, and Matt Reeves always intended his Batman films to be independent. Forcing a connection could risk losing Reeves as a creative partner.

As a fan, I trust James Gunn’s vision. He wouldn’t be pursuing this path if he didn’t believe it could succeed, and so far, the DCU is off to a great start, so he’s earned my confidence. I appreciate that he’s being strategic about release dates, avoiding a clash with The Batman Part II – that’s smart, and will prevent audiences from getting confused. I’m really excited to see how this ‘Elseworlds’ approach plays out. If it works, it could unlock a huge amount of creative potential, allowing for all sorts of standalone stories featuring characters like Superman and Wonder Woman, and showing just how diverse comic book movies can be.

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2025-11-18 21:17