After the era of Superman, focus has shifted significantly towards the Dark Knight. The initial DC Universe film by James Gunn intentionally hints at Batman’s city, Gotham, which is not far from Metropolis. Another of Gunn’s projects, Creature Commandos, explicitly displays Batman as he readies to apprehend Doctor Phosphorus and imprison him. It seems inevitable that Batman will play a significant role within the franchise eventually, but there’s one aspect causing confusion: Matt Reeves‘s Bat-Verse. The Batman, released in 2022, was highly successful, prompting Warner Bros. to swiftly approve a sequel. However, it has taken some time for Reeves to perfect the script, pushing back the return of Robert Pattinson’s character.
It’s likely that Gunn isn’t overly concerned about Reeves’ actions, as he plans to steer the DCU in a distinct direction when it comes to the character. This strategy is sensible because The Batman architect pushed the boundaries too much with his initial superhero project, making it challenging for the hero to have a sustainable future. In essence, he almost doomed the character’s longevity.
The Batman Is Too Grounded for Its Own Good
In the portrayal of Gotham within “The Batman” movie, there’s a strong sense of realism. The challenges the city encounters – like corruption, fraud, and drug trafficking – aren’t fantastical or exaggerated. Even though Batman is only a few years into his crime-fighting journey, he still has plenty to learn. He often finds himself outsmarted by the villains, and fails to recognize crucial clues about the Riddler’s plot, which were right under his nose all along. It’s reassuring that Batman isn’t perfect, but it seems challenging for him to grow much, given the limitations Reeves has imposed on the storyline.
In their adaptation, Reeves and his team successfully introduced characters like the Riddler, Penguin, and even the Joker. Yet, it seems challenging for them to animate some other Batman villains due to their complex nature. Christopher Nolan encountered a similar predicament while creating the Dark Knight trilogy, leading him to abandon characters like Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy. However, Reeves must steer clear of replicating Nolan’s approaches and focus on portraying villains with grounded abilities, considering that their counterparts at DC Studios are embracing the comic book’s original quirks and humor.
The DCU’s Batman Can’t Have Any Limitations
As a passionate fan, I’ve noticed a lot of buzz online about integrating Robert Pattinson’s Batman into the DC Universe. Given his existing setup and the intriguing contrast he could provide for David Corenswet’s optimistic Superman, it seems like a promising direction. However, from what we see, Matt Reeves appears uninterested in making this happen, leaving the DCU in a bit of a predicament. The universe needs Batman, but using an established version might not be feasible. But
Starting with the Clayface movie could be very helpful when examining this argument. Initially, there were whispers that the villain’s origin story would unfold within the Bat-Verse, but as development gained momentum, Gunn debunked these rumors. He stated that a character like Clayface wouldn’t align with Reeves’ universe, given its realistic portrayal. After all, a shape-shifting antagonist capable of transforming into a colossal clay monster wouldn’t be fitting next to Pattinson’s gritty hero. However, the DCU is maintaining an open stance on future possibilities, choosing not to restrict their hero within an inescapable box.
In the course of their ongoing narratives, it will become evident which franchise truly cherishes its characters, and which uses them primarily for a gritty crime story that could succeed without the DC branding. It’s possible that The Batman Part II, directed by Reeves, might switch gears and acknowledge the absurdity of a bat-clad hero, but by the time it reaches theaters, it may be an option past its prime. Reeves opted to stay committed to his realistic approach.
The Batman Part II hits theaters on October 1, 2027.
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2025-07-25 20:11