Robert Pattinson Out as DCU Batman: Confirmed

James Gunn and Peter Safran have officially announced that the upcoming film, The Brave and the Bold, will introduce a new Batman to the DCU, definitively ruling out Robert Pattinson for the role. During a DC Studios presentation covered by IGN, the co-chiefs clarified that Pattinson's portrayal of the Dark Knight is exclusive to director Matt Reeves' The Batman Epic Crime Saga.

"It's certainly not the plan," Gunn stated when addressing the possibility of Pattinson's Batman crossing over into the DCU. Safran echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to introduce a new Batman into the DCU through The Brave and the Bold. "And we love him, but we've got to introduce a Batman into the DCU. That's imperative. And so that's the plan with The Brave and the Bold," he added.

The speculation about Pattinson's potential involvement in the broader DCU was fueled earlier this year when Matt Reeves hinted at the possibility. However, Reeves also emphasized his commitment to his own Batman universe. Speaking to reporter Josh Horowitz at the Golden Globes, Reeves explained, "It really comes down to whether or not it makes sense... What’s been great is there was a story that I wanted to tell with what we’re calling The Epic Crime Saga and all that, which is the thrust of what we want to do. And it’s been important to me to be able to play that out."

Reeves also shared his focus on The Batman Part 2, which has been delayed to October 1, 2027, resulting in a five-year gap between the original film and its sequel. Safran praised Reeves' vision for the sequel, stating that both he and Gunn are eagerly anticipating the film and that the script, although not yet submitted, has shown promising developments.

Confirmed DCU Projects

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The Brave and the Bold is currently in "very active development," with Gunn and Safran deeply involved in crafting its script. While it's unclear if Andy Muschietti will direct, Safran mentioned that they will share the script with him once it's ready to gauge his interest. Safran also hinted that more details about The Brave and the Bold will be revealed soon.

Regarding the release timeline, Safran simply noted that "in October 2027, there will be a Batman movie," without specifying whether it would be The Brave and the Bold or The Batman Part 2.

Fans got a glimpse of the DCU Batman in Episode 6 of Creature Commandos, where he was seen overlooking crime boss Doctor Phosphorus from a rooftop. This brief appearance was intentionally kept generic, as Gunn requested a more silhouetted look to avoid revealing too much about the character at this stage. Gunn confirmed that this Batman already exists and is well-known within the DCU, negating the need for an origin story.

Moreover, Gunn hinted at an exciting future collaboration, stating, "This is the DCU Batman... Listen, I gotta tell you, I just love Batman. I love him. I've loved him since I was a little kid. He's one of my favorite characters... He's the most popular superhero in the world and I can't wait for people to see more of him, along with Superman, and together."