The Reason Behind The Exclusion of The Batman 2 in DC's Upcoming Slate: James Gunn Reveals All
James Gunn clarifies the absence of The Batman 2 from his new DC slate, highlighting that the decision rested solely with director Matt Reeves
DC fans expressed surprise when they learned that Matt Reeves' sequel to The Batman was not included in James Gunn's new DC lineup. However, Gunn has since explained the reason behind this decision. Batman has long been a prominent figure in DC comics and films, and the latest portrayal of the Caped Crusader by Matt Reeves has garnered significant attention.
Robert Pattinson's action-packed superhero film grossed over $771 million, making it the seventh-highest-grossing film of 2022 and receiving positive reviews for its acting, musical score, Reeves’ direction, and action sequences.
It was no surprise when a follow-up sequel was announced for release in 2025, but fans were confused when the movie did not appear on James Gunn’s new DC Studios movie line-up. The new CEO of DC recently explained the reason for the movie's absence from the timeline.
The Batman sequel’s inclusion in DCU was up to Reeves
Gunn recently replied to a fan’s question on why Reeve’s Batman sequel won’t be appearing in his and co-CEO Peter Safran’s new vision for DC Studios.
Fans initially thought that Gunn and Safran had control over whether or not Reeves' Batman films would be integrated into the new DCU. However, it was ultimately up to Reeves to decide the fate of The Batman and its sequel. Gunn explained to a fan on Instagram that it was not a matter of permission, but rather Reeves' personal choice, which they respected.
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Gunn and Safran have their own plans to include a new, non-Pattinson Batman to their new DCU in the upcoming film The Brave and The Bold.
"This is the introduction of Batman in the DCU," Gunn previously stated, "It tells the story of Damian Wayne, Batman's son who remained unknown for the first eight to ten years of his life."
"He was brought up as a deadly killer and assassin. He's quite the troublemaker but he's my favorite Robin. It's inspired by Grant Morrison's comic book run, one of my top favorites, and we're currently bringing it all together."
For more DC content, click here, and explore our other superhero hubs below. Safran also emphasized his co-CEO's comments, saying, "This will be a feature film that includes other members of the extended 'Bat-family' who have been overlooked in Batman stories on the big screen for too long."
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Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I am both excited and intrigued by the news surrounding the exclusion of The Batman 2 from DC's upcoming slate. On one hand, I understand and respect Matt Reeves' decision to keep his Batman universe separate from the larger DCU. The Batman was a critical and commercial success, and it makes sense for Reeves to want to continue exploring his unique vision for the character.
On the other hand, I can't help but feel a sense of disappointment that I won't be able to see Robert Pattinson's Batman interact with other DC heroes and villains. I've been a fan of Pattinson's portrayal of the Caped Crusader, and I was looking forward to seeing him share the screen with characters like Superman, Wonder Woman, and The Flash.
