Filmmaker James Gunn addresses possibility of Robert Pattinson's Batman joining DC

James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, has considered merging Robert Pattinson's Batman into the DC Universe, though no decisions have been made.

In Short

• James Gunn talked about incorporating Batman into DC Universe
• The Batman is directed by Matt Reeves and features Robert Pattinson as the titular character
• The sequel of The Batman is expected to go on floors this year

DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has revealed he has considered incorporating Robert Pattinson’s Batman into the broader DC Universe (DCU), though he emphasised no concrete decisions have been made.

“I’ve contemplated it, yeah,” Gunn said in response to a question about formally integrating Pattinson’s iteration of the Caped Crusader into the DCU. However, he clarified, “I contemplate everything. I talk about everything.”

Pattinson’s portrayal of Batman, introduced in Matt Reeves’ critically acclaimed The Batman (2022), has so far been part of DC’s Elseworlds—a label reserved for standalone stories outside the main DCU continuity. Gunn reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining this distinction, stating, “I want the freedom to tell Elseworld stories.”

Gunn also stressed his dedication to balancing storytelling across both frameworks. “I am committed to both telling stories in the DCU and Elseworlds stories,” he explained, highlighting the studio’s intent to expand its creative scope without sacrificing its signature interconnected narrative.

The Batman director Matt Reeves spoke to Happy Sad Confused about the topic at the Golden Globes. “It really comes down to whether it makes sense,” Reeves said.

He added, “There was a story I wanted to tell. The epic crime saga. It’s been important to me to play that out and James and Peter have been really great about that. They are letting us do that. What the future brings, I can’t really tell you. I have no idea. My head is down right now on getting ‘The Batman Part II’ shooting, which is the most important thing.”

The Batman Part 2 is expected to go into production this year.