Robert Pattinson Out as DCU Batman

James Gunn and Peter Safran have confirmed that The Brave and the Bold will introduce a new Batman into the DCU, explicitly ruling out actor Robert Pattinson for this role. During a DC Studios presentation attended by IGN, co-chiefs Safran and Gunn emphasized that Pattinson will continue to play Batman exclusively within director Matt Reeves' The Batman Epic Crime Saga.

Gunn firmly dismissed the idea of Pattinson crossing over into the DCU, stating, "It's certainly not the plan. No." Safran added, "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."

The speculation about Pattinson's potential involvement in the broader DCU stemmed from comments made by Reeves earlier this year, where he left open the possibility of a crossover. Speaking to reporter Josh Horowitz at the Golden Globes, Reeves said, "It really comes down to whether or not it makes sense... What the future brings? I can't really tell you. I have no idea right now except that my head is down now about getting The Batman Part 2 shooting and to make it something really, really special which, of course, is the most important thing."

Safran expressed enthusiasm for Reeves' vision for The Batman Part 2, saying, "We love Reeves’ vision for The Batman Part 2, and we're looking forward to this film as much as you are." He noted that Reeves has yet to submit a script, but the parts they've seen are promising.

Meanwhile, The Brave and the Bold is in "very active development," with the story progressing well. There is uncertainty about whether The Flash director Andy Muschietti will helm the project. Gunn and Safran are actively developing the script and will present it to Muschietti once it's ready, to see if it's a fit for him. Safran is deeply involved in the scriptwriting process and teased that more details about The Brave and the Bold will be announced soon.

The Batman Part 2 faced another delay, now set for release on October 1, 2027, which means a five-year gap between the first film and its sequel. When asked about the potential release window for The Brave and the Bold, Safran was coy, only confirming, "Well, I think we've announced October, 2027 there will be a Batman movie. That is all we can tell you right now."

While fans await The Brave and the Bold to see Gunn's take on Batman, a brief glimpse of the character was provided in Episode 6 of Creature Commandos. The image showed Batman on a rooftop, overlooking crime boss Doctor Phosphorus, and while it revealed little about Gunn's vision, it confirmed Batman's existence within the DCU during the events of Creature Commandos and the upcoming Superman movie. Gunn explained to Rotten Tomatoes TV that he intentionally kept the Batman silhouette generic, as he was not ready to commit to a detailed version at that stage.

This cameo also hinted at Batman's established presence and recognition within the DCU, negating the need for an origin story. Gunn's enthusiasm for Batman was palpable when he stated, "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."

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Batman in Creature Commandos. Image credit: Max.