Discussion around Robert Pattinson DCU Batman potential continues to grow, as fans speculate about the future direction of Batman in the DC Universe. Ongoing development of The Brave and The Bold, alongside the popularity of Pattinson’s portrayal, has reignited debates about his possible inclusion in James Gunn‘s revised superhero franchise.
Audience Expectations in the New DC Universe
With James Gunn leading DC Studios into a new era, the question of who should take up the cape as Batman remains a point of contention. Even as the upcoming film The Brave and The Bold is being developed, Robert Pattinson’s version, introduced by director Matt Reeves, continues to have strong support among moviegoers wanting to see him share a universe with David Corenswet’s Superman.
Mike Flanagan’s Perspective on Pattinson as Batman
At the Motor City Comic Con 2025, director Mike Flanagan addressed the idea of Robert Pattinson becoming the DCU’s Batman during a Midnight Mass panel alongside Kate Siegel. While discussing his upcoming Clayface project, Flanagan remarked,
“Of course, yeah. I gotta be careful. I know DC fans, especially, I don’t want to get on anyone’s bad side with this kind of stuff, because James Gunn is running DC his way, and I think it’s great.”
– Mike Flanagan, Director.
Flanagan clarified his own limited knowledge about future DC movie plans, stating,
“I have no idea what the plan is for any of that. I do know, though, that Matt Reeves is a creative powerhouse.”
– Mike Flanagan, Director. He also commented on Pattinson’s performance, explaining that he thought The Batman (2022) role was excellently portrayed by Pattinson when he debuted as the character.
Praise for Matt Reeves’ Vision of Gotham
Matt Reeves’ creative direction with his Gotham was also highlighted, with Flanagan saying,
“I think the world in the Gotham that he built is wonderful. I think The Penguin works on the big screen and on television.”
– Mike Flanagan, Director. He suggested that the new elements introduced to the DC Universe could potentially be integrated successfully, noting,
“I do think there is a way to harmonize all of these elements into the DC Universe, which I think is what James is doing in his way.”
– Mike Flanagan, Director.
Keeping Franchises Separate and Future Film Developments
Flanagan expressed trust in James Gunn’s ability to manage these super-heroic transitions, emphasizing,
“The thing is, I trust James, and he has not let me down as a fan. So I’m excited to see how they pulled this off, and how it could all connect, the ways it could all connect, that’s up to them.”
– Mike Flanagan, Director. With his Clayface movie upcoming, Flanagan added,
“just really grateful that I got to be a very small part of a very small corner of Gotham. That’s like a childhood dream of mine.”
– Mike Flanagan, Director.
James Gunn previously made it clear that the DCU’s new chapter, titled Gods and Monsters, will feature a fresh actor as Batman, keeping Pattinson’s storyline within Matt Reeves’ films as a separate Elseworlds property. With The Brave and The Bold script yet to be finalized, casting for Batman has not commenced.
Upcoming Releases in the Batman Franchise
The Batman – Part II, directed by Matt Reeves, is preparing to start filming in 2026, aiming for an October 1, 2027 release date. In the meantime, DC Universe fans will have a chance to visit Gotham City once again with the Clayface movie, which completed its filming on November 1, 2025, as confirmed by Tom Rhys Harries.
Clayface is scheduled to open in theaters on September 11, 2026. The film will feature performances by Tom Rhys Harries, Naomi Ackie, and Eddie Marsan, adding more to the expanding roster of Gotham’s notable characters.
The Significance of Ongoing Batman Discussions
The continued debate over Robert Pattinson DCU Batman potential highlights the complexities of uniting various creative visions within a single cinematic universe. While the direction from James Gunn signals a fresh start for iconic characters like Batman, the enduring appeal of Pattinson and Reeves’ take demonstrates the importance of keeping fan-favorite stories alive. DC Studios is set for a dynamic period, with new releases and character explorations shaping the future of Gotham City.
